Novelist Colum McCann Visits The Commons
April 15, 2026 | Read Time: 1 minute
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Can “radical empathy” bring us together?
National Book Award-winning author ColumMcCann (Twist, Let the Great World Spin) believes it can.
He’s co-founder of Narrative 4, a program in which young people write and share stories as a means to connect with others and build understanding and compassion. The global nonprofit also encourages young people to translate their newfound empathy into action through civic engagement.
McCann talked about Narrative 4 and storytelling in a Commons in Conversation interview with the Chronicle of Philanthropy‘s Drew Lindsay.
Listen to the conversation on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts. Or watch the discussion on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s YouTube channel. Below are some highlights, edited for clarity and brevity.