“Is it possible to take the world’s most violent experiences and turn them into a blueprint for global peace? Today, we sit down with Stan to find out how he did exactly that.” From child soldier and covert operative to peace-building founder, Stan’s journey is a masterclass in resilience. Discover how he transitioned from “hard power” to “soft power” to heal fractured communities. In this episode, we sit down with Kagusthan (Stan) Ariaratnam to explore the real cost of conflict. Stan opens up about his experiences behind enemy lines, the stigma of being labeled a “double agent,” and his mission to protect at-risk children through culture and education. Key Topics We Cover:
- Reclaiming Identity: Moving past the trauma of being a child soldier.
- The Power of Dialogue: Why soft power (arts and education) beats hard power.
- Combatting Misinformation: How truth is distorted in conflict zones.
- Bottom-Up Peace: Why healing starts at the community level.