Couldn’t make it? Came for the chaos? Either way, you’re in the right place.
Whether you joined us live or are just now tuning in, we’ve gathered the best insights, wildest moments, and biggest takeaways from the Action Energizer Lab — so you can catch the spark, keep it burning, and maybe even pass it on.
What It Was All About
The Action Energizer Lab was a fast-paced, joyful sprint through how to use creative activism to spark change that actually moves people. We didn’t just talk theory—we showed how to feel, plan, and stage powerful campaigns using creativity, culture, and strategy.
What do we want them to THINK?
What do people want to FEEL?
What do we want them to DO?
3 Creative Shortcuts That Change Everything
- Work Backwards from Behavior
- Start with the physical action you want someone to take. Then reverse-engineer the feelings and thoughts that would lead them there.
- Target the Feeling
- Facts don’t move people. Feelings do. Want action? Make people feel something real and powerful (not just angry!).
- Design the Thought
- What do they need to believe to feel moved to act? You’re not just giving information—you’re crafting a transformation.
The Geometry of Engagement
We explored how every creative action can grow in impact by adding:
- Height: Make it visible. Use scale. Stilts, ladders, projections, whales (!).
- Width: Make it participatory. Multiple access points.
- Depth: Make it meaningful. Emotional layers, personal resonance.
💡 Favorite fun idea? Someone suggested being a 6’3” walking banner pole. Someone else offered: trampoline.
Don’t Just Wing It: Start–Middle–End
Start: Rituals matter. From Haka to handbells to Taylor Swift megamixes—start with purpose and presence.
Middle: Sustain engagement. Surprise, invite, involve.
End: Don’t fade out—STANG! (Summarize. Thank. And then… Next steps. Goodbye.)
Voices from the Chat
“Hope is hot.”
“Keep it simple. Keep it real.”
“The #1 reason people don’t keep showing up? Feeling like their time wasn’t used well.”
“Raising awareness is not enough.”
“Feeling isn’t action—but it can be the bridge.”
“Start with behavior. End with joy.”
Watch + Explore
Watch the full recording.
View the slide deck.
Links we shared
- Feelings wheel
- “If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.”
- Dr. Bronner’s
- Ask a Sex Worker
- Greenpeace Airship
- How’s Your Voice Gonna Matter If You Don’t Vote
- Capitalism Works For Me! True/False
- Haka: All Blacks Haka – translated
- Black Fern’s Haka – translated
- Christchurch Shooting Hakas
- Wedding Haka
- Parliament Haka
- PNBHS Haka for Mr. Dawson Tamatea’s Funeral Service
- High School Boys Honor Retiring Teacher With Moving Haka
- NYC Breakdancer video
- “And finally, ultimately, I was desperate to end on a hopeful note. “Rebellions are built on hope” isn’t just a T-shirt, it’s a legit flame that a lot of people need to see. So hopefully I was ending on something that was upbeat, as it was important for me to do that.” ―Tony Gilroy, on Andor’s finale
More with C4AA?
Check out our toolkits to start your own creative campaign.
Work With Us
Let’s bring the magic of artistic activism to your organization. Trainings, custom labs, big bold ideas — we’re here for it.
Need more support? Sign up for Office Hours (for Advocacy Orgs)
Have a campaign you want to energize? Book time with our team to talk strategy, get feedback, or bounce wild ideas.
Register for Audience Energizer Lab 7/16
This next free workshop is all about reaching new audiences, making actions magnetic, and building lasting community momentum.
Apply: Innovation for Impact Leadership Intensive (Fall 2025)
Our deep-dive experience for advocacy leaders who want to supercharge their campaigns and lead with creativity.
Coming soon… You asked some amazing questions in the chat. We’ll be answering them in an upcoming newsletter — stay tuned!
Thanks again for being part of this — we’re so glad you’re here. Let’s keep the momentum going!