In Memorial: Reflecting on the Life and Legacy of John L. Petersen
The passing of John L. Petersen on August 20, 2025, marks not just the loss of a beloved friend and mentor, but the departure of a rare visionary who helped reshape how so many of us see the world—and indeed, the future itself. In this special episode of World of Empowerment Radio, hosts Ahonu and Rick McGough, joined in spirit by Aingeal Rose, gather to celebrate the profound impact that John made, both through the Arlington Institute and the community he inspired. In line with our mission of practical spirituality for a changing world, let's dive deeper into the legacy John leaves behind, exploring his ideas and the hope he championed.
A Life Defined by Vision and Action
From his earliest days, John L. Petersen pursued possibility where others saw constraints. His journey began with curiosity (an “amateur radio boy dreaming grand”) and led him to the skies as a Navy pilot, through the halls of the White House, and ultimately into the heart of global futurism. For nearly three decades, John dedicated himself to being a professional futurist—one of the few who systematically studied the future, not just for the sake of prediction, but to empower humanity to imagine and build a better world.
Where others worked to patch old systems, John dared to imagine an entirely new world. As the founder of the Arlington Institute, he created a platform to raise awareness about the unique period of time we are living in and the opportunity we have to advance the human species and provide an alternative to the dystopian future we are all facing.
Hope and Change in Uncertain Times
Perhaps more than any other message, John brought an unwavering sense of hope to uncertain times. He believed, as he shared passionately in his own words, “the future is not something that happens to us. It is something we create together.” At a moment when the world seems to “teeter on the edge of chaos,” John’s optimism becomes a beacon.
He often warned of the risks of clinging to old, collapsing systems—reminding us not to get locked into a “dystopian track”—but insisted that opportunity exists to dream, design, and realize “a world that truly serves humanity.” John challenged everyone to embrace possibility, to “get build a new world and the basis for a new world… new countries built around whole new principles.” His message has never been more urgent: “You have a limited amount of time measured in months literally in order to start to build the framework… otherwise you get for lots of reasons that are easily explainable, you get locked into this dystopian track.”
A Legacy of Community and Empowerment
John L. Petersen was also a builder of community. Through live and live-streamed Transition Talks in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, the Arlington Institute programs, and countless collaborations with brilliant minds—like Gregg Braden, Penny Kelly, Frank Jacob, and Dr. David Martin—he created spaces where big ideas could flourish.
Behind the scenes, dedicated contributions kept the movement strong—Ahonu reflected on managing the Arlington Institute website, defending it against relentless bot attacks, and making sure John’s voice always reached the world. Through thick and thin, the goal was unchanged: to share John’s vision and keep the conversation alive.
Carrying the Torch Forward
As poignantly expressed by Rick McGough’s tribute poem, John’s spirit endures, reminding us: “It is never a single moment or a single soul that births our shared reality. But together, hand in hand, we will bring forth the future.” Though he has passed on, John L. Petersen’s work lives on in all those who continue to imagine, intend, and build new possibilities.
Let us honor his life by embracing his fearless belief in hope, growth of awareness, and expansion of consciousness. The future truly is ours to create.
A Tribute That Endures
The seeds he planted live on… in all of us who carry his quest and his dreams into the future. Let us continue to champion hope, possibility, and spiritual empowerment—in memory of a man who showed us how to dream past limitation.
Blessings from Ahonu, Aingeal Rose, and the entire World of Empowerment community.