diff --git a/.babelrc b/.babelrc
index f9151299..4b82985e 100644
--- a/.babelrc
+++ b/.babelrc
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
   ],
   "plugins": [
     "lodash",
-    "transform-class-properties"
+    "transform-class-properties",
+    "transform-es2015-destructuring",
+    "transform-object-rest-spread"
   ]
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/events.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/events.js
index 20265154..c2a23f52 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/events.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/events.js
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 /* EVENTS SENDABLE */
-export const REQUEST_LIVE_MAPS = 'REQUEST_LIVE_MAPS'
 export const JOIN_MAP = 'JOIN_MAP'
-export const LEAVE_MAP = 'LEAVE_MAP'
 export const CHECK_FOR_CALL = 'CHECK_FOR_CALL'
+export const LEAVE_MAP = 'LEAVE_MAP'
 export const ACCEPT_CALL = 'ACCEPT_CALL'
 export const DENY_CALL = 'DENY_CALL'
 export const DENY_INVITE = 'DENY_INVITE'
@@ -25,6 +24,7 @@ export const DELETE_SYNAPSE = 'DELETE_SYNAPSE'
 export const UPDATE_MAP = 'UPDATE_MAP'
 
 /* EVENTS RECEIVABLE */
+export const JUNTO_UPDATED = 'JUNTO_UPDATED'
 export const INVITED_TO_CALL = 'INVITED_TO_CALL'
 export const INVITED_TO_JOIN = 'INVITED_TO_JOIN'
 export const CALL_ACCEPTED = 'CALL_ACCEPTED'
@@ -49,6 +49,3 @@ export const SYNAPSE_REMOVED = 'SYNAPSE_REMOVED'
 export const SYNAPSE_DELETED = 'SYNAPSE_DELETED'
 export const PEER_COORDS_UPDATED = 'PEER_COORDS_UPDATED'
 export const MAP_UPDATED = 'MAP_UPDATED'
-export const LIVE_MAPS_RECEIVED = 'LIVE_MAPS_RECEIVED'
-export const MAP_WENT_LIVE = 'MAP_WENT_LIVE'
-export const MAP_CEASED_LIVE = 'MAP_CEASED_LIVE'
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/index.js
index e891263c..feefe68c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/index.js
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import Views from '../Views'
 import Visualize from '../Visualize'
 
 import {
+  JUNTO_UPDATED,
   INVITED_TO_CALL,
   INVITED_TO_JOIN,
   CALL_ACCEPTED,
@@ -34,9 +35,9 @@ import {
   INVITE_DENIED,
   CALL_IN_PROGRESS,
   CALL_STARTED,
+  MAPPER_LIST_UPDATED,
   MAPPER_JOINED_CALL,
   MAPPER_LEFT_CALL,
-  MAPPER_LIST_UPDATED,
   NEW_MAPPER,
   LOST_MAPPER,
   MESSAGE_CREATED,
@@ -50,13 +51,11 @@ import {
   SYNAPSE_REMOVED,
   SYNAPSE_DELETED,
   PEER_COORDS_UPDATED,
-  LIVE_MAPS_RECEIVED,
-  MAP_WENT_LIVE,
-  MAP_CEASED_LIVE,
   MAP_UPDATED
 } from './events'
 
 import {
+  juntoUpdated,
   invitedToCall,
   invitedToJoin,
   callAccepted,
@@ -64,9 +63,9 @@ import {
   inviteDenied,
   callInProgress,
   callStarted,
+  mapperListUpdated,
   mapperJoinedCall,
   mapperLeftCall,
-  mapperListUpdated,
   peerCoordsUpdated,
   newMapper,
   lostMapper,
@@ -81,13 +80,9 @@ import {
   synapseRemoved,
   synapseDeleted,
   mapUpdated,
-  liveMapsReceived,
-  mapWentLive,
-  mapCeasedLive
 } from './receivable'
 
 import {
-  requestLiveMaps,
   joinMap,
   leaveMap,
   checkForCall,
@@ -98,8 +93,8 @@ import {
   inviteACall,
   joinCall,
   leaveCall,
-  sendMapperInfo,
   sendCoords,
+  sendMapperInfo,
   createMessage,
   dragTopic,
   createTopic,
@@ -114,6 +109,7 @@ import {
 } from './sendable'
 
 let Realtime = {
+  juntoState: { connectedPeople: {}, liveMaps: {} },
   videoId: 'video-wrapper',
   socket: null,
   webrtc: null,
@@ -499,7 +495,6 @@ let Realtime = {
 }
 
 const sendables = [
-  ['requestLiveMaps',requestLiveMaps],
   ['joinMap',joinMap],
   ['leaveMap',leaveMap],
   ['checkForCall',checkForCall],
@@ -529,6 +524,7 @@ sendables.forEach(sendable => {
 })
 
 const subscribeToEvents = (Realtime, socket) => {
+    socket.on(JUNTO_UPDATED, juntoUpdated(Realtime))
     socket.on(INVITED_TO_CALL, invitedToCall(Realtime))
     socket.on(INVITED_TO_JOIN, invitedToJoin(Realtime))
     socket.on(CALL_ACCEPTED, callAccepted(Realtime))
@@ -536,9 +532,9 @@ const subscribeToEvents = (Realtime, socket) => {
     socket.on(INVITE_DENIED, inviteDenied(Realtime))
     socket.on(CALL_IN_PROGRESS, callInProgress(Realtime))
     socket.on(CALL_STARTED, callStarted(Realtime))
+    socket.on(MAPPER_LIST_UPDATED, mapperListUpdated(Realtime))
     socket.on(MAPPER_JOINED_CALL, mapperJoinedCall(Realtime))
     socket.on(MAPPER_LEFT_CALL, mapperLeftCall(Realtime))
-    socket.on(MAPPER_LIST_UPDATED, mapperListUpdated(Realtime))
     socket.on(PEER_COORDS_UPDATED, peerCoordsUpdated(Realtime))
     socket.on(NEW_MAPPER, newMapper(Realtime))
     socket.on(LOST_MAPPER, lostMapper(Realtime))
@@ -553,9 +549,6 @@ const subscribeToEvents = (Realtime, socket) => {
     socket.on(SYNAPSE_REMOVED, synapseRemoved(Realtime))
     socket.on(SYNAPSE_DELETED, synapseDeleted(Realtime))
     socket.on(MAP_UPDATED, mapUpdated(Realtime))
-    socket.on(LIVE_MAPS_RECEIVED, liveMapsReceived(Realtime))
-    socket.on(MAP_WENT_LIVE, mapWentLive(Realtime))
-    socket.on(MAP_CEASED_LIVE, mapCeasedLive(Realtime))
 }
 
 export default Realtime
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/receivable.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/receivable.js
index bf974bbe..a2f0ef59 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/receivable.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/receivable.js
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
+/* globals $ */
 /*
 everthing in this file happens as a result of websocket events
 */
 
+import { JUNTO_UPDATED } from './events'
+
 import Active from '../Active'
 import GlobalUI from '../GlobalUI'
 import Control from '../Control'
@@ -12,6 +15,11 @@ import Synapse from '../Synapse'
 import Util from '../Util'
 import Visualize from '../Visualize'
 
+export const juntoUpdated = self => state => {
+  self.juntoState = state
+  $(document).trigger(JUNTO_UPDATED) 
+}
+
 export const synapseRemoved = self => data => {
   var synapse = Metamaps.Synapses.get(data.mappableid)
   if (synapse) {
@@ -391,6 +399,3 @@ export const callStarted = self => () => {
   self.room.conversationInProgress()
 }
 
-export const liveMapsReceived = self => () => {}
-export const mapWentLive = self => () => {}
-export const mapCeasedLive = self => () => {}
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/sendable.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/sendable.js
index a1ce2ea7..882f7551 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/sendable.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/sendable.js
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import Active from '../Active'
 import GlobalUI from '../GlobalUI'
 
 import {
-  REQUEST_LIVE_MAPS,
   JOIN_MAP,
   LEAVE_MAP,
   CHECK_FOR_CALL,
@@ -28,15 +27,11 @@ import {
   UPDATE_MAP
 } from './events'
 
-export const requestLiveMaps = self => () => {
-  self.socket.emit(REQUEST_LIVE_MAPS)
-}
-
 export const joinMap = self => () => {
   self.socket.emit(JOIN_MAP, {
     userid: Active.Mapper.id,
     username: Active.Mapper.get('name'),
-    userimage: Active.Mapper.get('image'),
+    avatar: Active.Mapper.get('image'),
     mapid: Active.Map.id,
     map: Active.Map.attributes
   })
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/ExploreMaps.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/ExploreMaps.js
index e843e7fe..c35877fb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/ExploreMaps.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/ExploreMaps.js
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import ReactDOM from 'react-dom' // TODO ensure this isn't a double import
 
+import { JUNTO_UPDATED } from '../Realtime/events'
 import Active from '../Active'
+import Realtime from '../Realtime'
 import Maps from '../../components/Maps'
 
 /*
@@ -27,6 +29,8 @@ const ExploreMaps = {
   render: function (mapperObj, cb) {
     var self = ExploreMaps
 
+    if (!self.collection) return
+
     if (typeof mapperObj === 'function') {
       cb = mapperObj
       mapperObj = null
@@ -36,6 +40,7 @@ const ExploreMaps = {
       currentUser: Active.Mapper,
       section: self.collection.id,
       maps: self.collection,
+      juntoState: Realtime.juntoState, 
       moreToLoad: self.collection.page != 'loadedAll',
       user: mapperObj,
       loadMore: self.loadMore
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/index.js
index d13482d0..329263b3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/index.js
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@ import ExploreMaps from './ExploreMaps'
 import ChatView from './ChatView'
 import VideoView from './VideoView'
 import Room from './Room'
+import { JUNTO_UPDATED } from '../Realtime/events'
 
-const Views = { ExploreMaps, ChatView, VideoView, Room }
+const Views = { 
+  init: () => {
+    $(document).on(JUNTO_UPDATED, ExploreMaps.render()) 
+  },
+  ExploreMaps,
+  ChatView,
+  VideoView,
+  Room
+}
 export default Views
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/index.js
index 44bbfdb6..bf2e2d60 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/index.js
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
   if (Metamaps.currentSection === 'explore') {
     const capitalize = Metamaps.currentPage.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + Metamaps.currentPage.slice(1)
 
-    Metamaps.Views.ExploreMaps.setCollection(Metamaps.Maps[capitalize])
+    Views.ExploreMaps.setCollection(Metamaps.Maps[capitalize])
     if (Metamaps.currentPage === 'mapper') {
       Views.ExploreMaps.fetchUserThenRender()
     } else {
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Maps/index.js b/frontend/src/components/Maps/index.js
index 670f5aaf..3b81eea7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Maps/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Maps/index.js
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class Maps extends Component {
   }
 
   resize = () => {
-    const { maps, user, currentUser } = this.props
+    const { maps, juntoState, user, currentUser } = this.props
     const numCards = maps.length + (user || currentUser ? 1 : 0)
     const mapSpaces = Math.floor(document.body.clientWidth / MAP_WIDTH)
     const mapsWidth = Math.min(MAX_COLUMNS, Math.min(numCards, mapSpaces)) * MAP_WIDTH
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ class Maps extends Component {
 Maps.propTypes = {
   section: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
   maps: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
+  juntoState: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
   moreToLoad: PropTypes.bool.isRequired,
   user: PropTypes.object,
   currentUser: PropTypes.object,
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index c43b7599..08421014 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
     "babel-loader": "6.2.5",
     "babel-plugin-lodash": "^3.2.9",
     "babel-plugin-transform-class-properties": "6.11.5",
+    "babel-plugin-transform-es2015-destructuring": "^6.16.0",
+    "babel-plugin-transform-object-rest-spread": "^6.16.0",
     "babel-preset-es2015": "6.14.0",
     "babel-preset-react": "6.11.1",
     "backbone": "1.0.0",
@@ -40,6 +42,7 @@
     "react": "15.3.2",
     "react-dom": "15.3.2",
     "react-dropzone": "3.6.0",
+    "redux": "^3.6.0",
     "simplewebrtc": "2.2.0",
     "socket.io": "1.3.7",
     "underscore": "1.4.4",
diff --git a/realtime/global.js b/realtime/global.js
index 8e4d0c97..408ed654 100644
--- a/realtime/global.js
+++ b/realtime/global.js
@@ -5,13 +5,12 @@ import {
   TOPIC_DELETED,
   SYNAPSE_UPDATED,
   SYNAPSE_DELETED,
-  LIVE_MAPS_RECEIVED,
-  MAP_WENT_LIVE,
-  MAP_CEASED_LIVE,
   MAP_UPDATED,
+  JUNTO_UPDATED,
 
   // server receivable, client sendable
-  REQUEST_LIVE_MAPS,
+  JOIN_CALL,
+  LEAVE_CALL,
   JOIN_MAP,
   LEAVE_MAP,
   UPDATE_TOPIC,
@@ -21,41 +20,20 @@ import {
   UPDATE_MAP
 } from '../frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/events'
 
-const adjustAndBroadcast = (io, socket, state, event, data) => {
-  if (event === JOIN_MAP) {
-    if (!state.liveMaps[data.mapid]) {
-      state.liveMaps[data.mapid] = data.map // { name: '', desc: '', numTopics: '' }
-      state.liveMaps[data.mapid].mapper_count = 1
-      io.sockets.emit(MAP_WENT_LIVE, state.liveMaps[data.mapid])
-    }
-    else {
-      state.liveMaps[data.mapid].mapper_count++
-    }
-  }
-  else if (event === LEAVE_MAP) {
-    const mapid = socket.mapid
-    if (state.liveMaps[mapid] && state.liveMaps[mapid].mapper_count == 1) {
-      delete state.liveMaps[mapid]
-      io.sockets.emit(MAP_CEASED_LIVE, { id: mapid })
-    }
-    else if (state.liveMaps[mapid]) {
-      state.liveMaps[mapid].mapper_count--
-    }
-  }
-}
 
-module.exports = function (io, state) {
+module.exports = function (io, store) {
   io.on('connection', function (socket) {
 
-    socket.on(REQUEST_LIVE_MAPS, function (activeUser) {
-      //constrain response to maps visible to user
-      var maps = Object.keys(state.liveMaps).map(function(key) { return state.liveMaps[key] })
-      socket.emit(LIVE_MAPS_RECEIVED, maps)
+    store.subscribe(() => {
+      console.log(store.getState())
+      io.sockets.emit(JUNTO_UPDATED, store.getState())
     })
 
-    socket.on(JOIN_MAP, data => adjustAndBroadcast(io, socket, state, JOIN_MAP, data))
-    socket.on(LEAVE_MAP, () => adjustAndBroadcast(io, socket, state, LEAVE_MAP))
-    socket.on('disconnect', () => adjustAndBroadcast(io, socket, state, LEAVE_MAP))
+    socket.on(JOIN_MAP, data => store.dispatch({ type: JOIN_MAP, payload: data}))
+    socket.on(LEAVE_MAP, () => store.dispatch({ type: LEAVE_MAP, payload: socket }))
+    socket.on(JOIN_CALL, data => store.dispatch({ type: JOIN_CALL, payload: data }))
+    socket.on(LEAVE_CALL, () => store.dispatch({ type: LEAVE_CALL, payload: socket }))
+    socket.on('disconnect', () => store.dispatch({ type: 'DISCONNECT', payload: socket }))
 
     socket.on(UPDATE_TOPIC, function (data) {
       socket.broadcast.emit(TOPIC_UPDATED, data)
diff --git a/realtime/junto.js b/realtime/junto.js
index aa7f6152..69836e22 100644
--- a/realtime/junto.js
+++ b/realtime/junto.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import {
 
 const { mapRoom, userMapRoom } = require('./rooms')
 
-module.exports = function (io, state) {
+module.exports = function (io, store) {
   io.on('connection', function (socket) {
 
     socket.on(CHECK_FOR_CALL, function (data) {
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ module.exports = function (io, state) {
 
     socket.on(ACCEPT_CALL, function (data) {
       socket.broadcast.in(userMapRoom(data.inviter, data.mapid)).emit(CALL_ACCEPTED, data.invited)
+      // convert this so that it broadcasts to all sockets and includes the map id
+      // and who's participating
       socket.broadcast.in(mapRoom(data.mapid)).emit(CALL_STARTED)
     })
 
@@ -51,10 +53,14 @@ module.exports = function (io, state) {
     })
 
     socket.on(JOIN_CALL, function (data) {
+      // convert this so that it broadcasts to all sockets and includes the map id
+      // and info about who joined
       socket.broadcast.in(mapRoom(data.mapid)).emit(MAPPER_JOINED_CALL, data.id)
     })
 
     socket.on(LEAVE_CALL, function (data) {
+      // convert this so that it broadcasts to all sockets and includes the map id
+      // and info about who joined
       socket.broadcast.in(mapRoom(data.mapid)).emit(MAPPER_LEFT_CALL, data.id)
     })
   })
diff --git a/realtime/map.js b/realtime/map.js
index d0c85a10..d7225068 100644
--- a/realtime/map.js
+++ b/realtime/map.js
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ import {
 
   JOIN_MAP,
   LEAVE_MAP,
-  SEND_MAPPER_INFO,
   SEND_COORDS,
+  SEND_MAPPER_INFO,
   CREATE_MESSAGE,
   DRAG_TOPIC,
   CREATE_TOPIC,
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import {
 
 const { mapRoom, userMapRoom } = require('./rooms')
 
-module.exports = function (io, state) {
+module.exports = function (io, store) {
   io.on('connection', function (socket) {
 
     // this will ping everyone on a map that there's a person just joined the map
@@ -33,11 +33,11 @@ module.exports = function (io, state) {
       socket.mapid = data.mapid
       socket.userid = data.userid
       socket.username = data.username
-      socket.userimage = data.userimage
+      socket.avatar = data.avatar
       var newUser = {
         userid: data.userid,
         username: data.username,
-        userimage: data.userimage
+        avatar: data.avatar
       }
       socket.join(mapRoom(data.mapid))
       socket.join(userMapRoom(data.userid, data.mapid))
diff --git a/realtime/realtime-server.js b/realtime/realtime-server.js
index 7cdcd6bf..a0b3e896 100644
--- a/realtime/realtime-server.js
+++ b/realtime/realtime-server.js
@@ -6,13 +6,14 @@ map = require('./map'),
 global = require('./global'),
 stunservers = [{"url": "stun:stun.l.google.com:19302"}]
 
-var state = {
-  connectedPeople: {},
-  liveMaps: {}
-}
-signalling(io, stunservers, state)
-junto(io, state)
-map(io, state)
-global(io, state)
+import { createStore } from 'redux'
+import { reducer } from './reducer'
+
+let store = createStore(reducer)
+
+global(io, store)
+signalling(io, stunservers, store)
+junto(io, store)
+map(io, store)
 io.listen(5001)
 
diff --git a/realtime/reducer.js b/realtime/reducer.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6084facc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/realtime/reducer.js
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+
+import { omit, omitBy, isNil, mapValues } from 'lodash'
+import {
+  JOIN_MAP,
+  LEAVE_MAP,
+  JOIN_CALL,
+  LEAVE_CALL
+} from '../frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/events'
+
+const NOT_IN_CONVERSATION = 0
+const IN_CONVERSATION = 1
+
+const addMapperToMap = (map, userId) => { return { ...map, [userId]: NOT_IN_CONVERSATION }}
+
+export const reducer = (state = { connectedPeople: {}, liveMaps: {} }, action) => {
+  const { type, payload } = action
+  const { connectedPeople, liveMaps } = state
+  const map = payload && liveMaps[payload.mapid]
+  const mapWillEmpty = map && Object.keys(map).length === 1
+  const callWillFinish = map && (type === LEAVE_CALL || type === 'DISCONNECT') && Object.keys(map).length === 2
+
+  switch (type) {
+  case JOIN_MAP:
+    return {
+      connectedPeople: {
+        ...connectedPeople,
+        [payload.userid]: {
+          id: payload.userid,
+          username: payload.username,
+          avatar: payload.avatar
+        }
+      },
+      liveMaps: {
+        ...liveMaps,
+        [payload.mapid]: addMapperToMap(map || {}, payload.userid) 
+      } 
+    }
+  case LEAVE_MAP:
+    return {
+      connectedPeople: omit(connectedPeople, payload.userid),
+      // if the map will empty, remove it from liveMaps, if the map will not empty, just remove the mapper
+      liveMaps: omitBy(mapWillEmpty ? omit(liveMaps, payload.mapid) : { ...liveMaps, [payload.mapid]: omit(liveMaps[payload.mapid], payload.userid) }, isNil)
+    }
+  case JOIN_CALL:
+    return {
+      // connectedPeople stays the same
+      connectedPeople,
+      liveMaps: {
+        // liveMaps stays the same, except for
+        ...liveMaps,
+        // the map in question
+        [payload.mapid]: { 
+          // which stays the same, except for
+          ...map,
+          // the user in question, which is now marked as being in a conversation
+          [payload.id]: IN_CONVERSATION
+        } 
+      }
+    }
+  case LEAVE_CALL:
+    return {
+      // connectedPeople stays the same
+      connectedPeople,
+      liveMaps: {
+        // liveMaps stays the same, except for
+        ...liveMaps,
+        // the map in question
+        [payload.mapid]: callWillFinish ? mapValues(map, () => NOT_IN_CONVERSATION) : {
+          // which stays the same, except for
+          ...map,
+          // the user in question, which is now marked as being NOT in conversation
+          [payload.userid]: NOT_IN_CONVERSATION
+        } 
+      }
+    }
+  case 'DISCONNECT':
+    const mapWithoutUser = omit(map, payload.userid) 
+    const newMap = callWillFinish ? mapValues(mapWithoutUser, () => NOT_IN_CONVERSATION) : mapWithoutUser 
+    return {
+      connectedPeople: omit(connectedPeople, payload.userid),
+      // if the map will empty, remove it from liveMaps, if the map will not empty, just remove the mapper
+      liveMaps: omitBy(mapWillEmpty ? omit(liveMaps, payload.mapid) : 
+        { ...liveMaps, [payload.mapid]: newMap  }, isNil)
+    }
+  default:
+    return state
+  }
+}