Episode 170 - Cyrus Copeland is a writer, nonprofit pioneer and founder of Treedom for Palestine.

Cyrus Copeland, a writer and nonprofit pioneer, planted his first tree as a tribute to his father—a red oak on the grounds of Valley Forge. Year after year he returned to the tree. But it wasn’t until Cyrus traveled to the West Bank and witnessed the deep relationship between Palestinians and their olive trees that an idea sparked: Could planting trees bring prosperity and balance to a high-conflict region? Collaborating with the Palestinian Farmers Union, he launched Treedom for Palestine, harnessing the power of the olive tree as a catalyst for change.

Copeland’s dedication to civic engagement stems from his parents, educators from Iran and America, who instilled in him the value of fostering understanding among diverse communities.

Cyrus began a decade-long career on Madison Avenue developing strategies for clients like Kodak, Chrysler, and Chase, but found his true calling as a writer and social change advocate. His most recent book, OFF THE RADAR (Penguin/Blue Rider), won him the Chautauqua Prize, and his writings have been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, NPR, and BBC.

Beyond his literary achievements, Cyrus is also a sought-after speaker and has delivered talks at conferences and cultural events worldwide.
Cyrus is an alum of Haverford College, Villanova, and Cornell University.