Radical Imagination: Visions for Liberatory Futures | Hanieh Khosroshahi
How do we move from imagining a more just world to actually building it? In this conversation, designer and educator Hanieh Khosroshahi explores design as a practice of collective liberation—one rooted in co-creation, relationships, and shared responsibility. Together, we discuss grief, solidarity across movements, and why creating space for these conversations is essential if we want to imagine new futures. We also reflect on what makes learning at the School of Radical Imagination different: intimate cohorts, honest dialogue, and the belief that another world is something we create together. Resources & Links 🎓 Learn more about Radical Imagination: Visions for Liberatory Futures https://www.radicalimagination.school/courses/radical-imagination-visions-for-liberatory-futures 📚 Explore upcoming courses https://www.radicalimagination.school/courses In this Episode 01:25 Why Hanieh found design—and why it became a tool for liberation 03:20 Design as a practice of collective liberation 08:05 What is design thinking? 09:40 Inside Designing for Liberation: from responsibility to collective action 13:10 Holding grief in community during times of crisis 18:20 Grief, white supremacy, and transnational solidarity 21:25 Why radical imagination must be a collective practice 22:35 Inside the Weekend Intensive: from vision to action 24:45 The four pillars for building liberatory futures 28:30 Why collective imagination is more powerful than going it alone 30:10 What makes learning at the School of Radical Imagination different 32:05 Final reflections: hope, community, and belonging Key Takeaways Liberation isn't something we design for people—it must be designed with them. Design is a collaborative process rooted in listening, iteration, and shared responsibility. Grief isn't separate from the work of social change—it is part of it. Collective imagination helps us move beyond inherited assumptions and create new possibilities together. Building a more just future requires new skills, new relationships, and the courage to question the systems we've inherited. Connect Follow the School of Radical Imagination for future conversations exploring liberation, creativity, systems change, education, technology, healing, and the futures we're being called to build. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is imagining a better world.
