Walk Talk Listen Podcast

Faith, Research, and Transformative Action with Romina Istratii - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 182)

Dr. Romina Istratii shares her powerful journey from Moldova to Greece and beyond, shaping her work at the intersection of faith, gender, and international development. As a researcher and practitioner, she reflects on the limitations of traditional academia and the need for more inclusive, community-driven approaches to addressing societal challenges such as domestic violence. Romina discusses how her faith as an Eastern Orthodox Christian deeply influences her commitment to ethical research and social impact. She highlights the importance of decolonizing knowledge production, ensuring that local voices are not only included but lead the conversation.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Romina via her LinkedIn profile and via the website of the Institute of Domestic Violence, Religion and Migration and its LinkedIn page and Instagram.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Romina and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Delivering a Legacy with Ivy de Bruijn - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 181)

Ivy de Bruijn, a passionate advocate for sustainable development and network coordination. As a program manager at SDG Netherlands, Ivy shares her journey from a legal career in intellectual property and media law to her current role, where she bridges connections among diverse stakeholders to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her experience with leadership training in Colombia, and a deep commitment to societal impact—has shaped her approach to fostering meaningful collaborations.
 
Ivy talks about the intersection of the SDGs and the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), emphasizing the importance of personal growth, relational skills, and systemic thinking in creating sustainable change. Ivy also reflects on her experiences navigating different career paths, the importance of bottom-up initiatives, and how music and personal leadership have played a role in her journey. Tune in to gain insights on the power of connection, adaptability, and the evolving role of leadership in addressing today’s global challenges.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Ivy via her LinkedIn profile and via the website of her organization SDG Nederland, their LinkedIn profile and Instagram. Ivy and the foundation of her husband are also on instagram. The foundation Che Amigo also has a website and the book her husband wrote in close collaboration with her: Leiderschap in mijn Community.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Ivy and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
 

Lessons from My Father: Advocacy, Health, and Resilience with Sharuna Verghis - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 180)

In this episode, Sharuna Verghis shares her journey as a public health researcher, educator, and advocate for migrant and refugee health. She reflects on how her father’s deep commitment to social justice shaped her path, leading her to work extensively on migration and health for over two decades. From her early days being part of the participatory research network CARAM Asia to her interdisciplinary research on refugees' access to healthcare, Sharuna highlights the intersections of human rights, public health, and policy. As the co-founder of Health Equity Initiatives, she discusses the urgent mental health needs of refugees in Malaysia and the devastating impact of funding freezes due to recent executive orders.
Sharuna also speaks candidly about the resilience of displaced communities, the challenges of advocacy, and the crisis of value-based leadership in global health. She underscores the importance of small acts of kindness and systemic change to address deep-rooted inequalities. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on faith, social activism, and the personal cost of striving for justice. Despite the obstacles, she remains committed to creating meaningful change, drawing strength from the lessons instilled by her father.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Sharuna via her LinkedIn profile and via the website of her organization Health Equity Initiatives.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Sharuna and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Creating Safer Communities with Diana Gerson - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 179)

Since 2005, Rabbi Diana Gerson has served as the Associate Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis (NYBR). She has played a critical role in uniting interfaith leaders to champion child welfare, community resilience, and violence prevention. Diana is an internationally recognized advocate and speaker, leveraging her leadership to mobilize global faith communities around protecting vulnerable populations and addressing systemic challenges in both physical and digital spaces.
In this episode, Diana reflects on her journey, from her early realization that women could lead in faith to her pivotal work co-founding the Global Advocacy Hub for Children and Families. With moving anecdotes, she shares insights on fostering interfaith collaboration and the essential role of ethical leadership in addressing societal challenges like online child safety. Diana also offers a heartfelt perspective on spirituality.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Diana via her LinkedIn profile and social media handles: Instagram and Twitter. Via her website, you can find links to the organizations she works for: website.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Diana and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Sustainable Impact Through Innovation with Nina Benoit - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 178)

Nina Benoit is Director of Sustainability at Brightest, a TEDx speaker, and a passionate climate activist dedicated to creating meaningful change for our planet and communities. Nina discusses her work at Brightest, where she collaborates with co-founder Chris Bolman and the team to provide ESG software solutions and consulting services designed to help businesses drive sustainable impact. She also highlights her educational outreach efforts, which include her popular LinkedIn content and the newsletter This Week in Sustainability, aimed at inspiring action and innovation in sustainability practices.
 
Nina shares her vision for the future, including her plans to launch a podcast in 2025 that will explore AI solutions with a positive impact on sustainability, featuring thought leaders and experts in the field. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the critical role of education, communication, and innovation in advancing sustainability goals. Reflecting on her commitment to empowering the next generation of climate leaders, particularly Gen Z, Nina offers valuable insights into how young people can drive meaningful change.
 
This episode also revisits Brightest’s broader mission, connecting Nina’s work to previous discussions with her colleagues Chris and Alondra, underscoring the organization’s focus on collaboration, ethical leadership, and sustainable innovation. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking dialogue about the intersection of technology, sustainability, and social responsibility.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Nina via her LinkedIn profile and the Brightest social media pages: LinkedIn and website.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Nina and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

The Fire Within with Andriy Pinchuk - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 177).

Andriy Pinchuk, a Ukrainian Orthodox priest who fled to Norway with his family due to the war shares his life journey, including his calling to the priesthood despite his parents' objections, his work establishing a charitable fund in Ukraine, and his current efforts to support Ukrainians in need. He discusses his faith, expressing both unwavering belief and moments of doubt regarding the Church's structure.
 
His daughter, Maria, served as the translator during this interview. Andriy also shares his family's experiences during and after their escape from Ukraine, along with his hopes for the future. Finally, the interview also includes a discussion of the Sustainable Development Goals and his perspectives on their importance and challenges.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Andriy via his Facebook page.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Andriy and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Through the Cracks: Illuminating Leadership's Transformative Journey with Boy van Droffelaar - Walk Talk Listen (episode 176)

Dr. Boy van Droffelaar, born in 1949, shares his fascinating journey from a childhood marked by frequent moves to a successful career in corporate leadership and ultimately to facilitating wilderness-based leadership programs. In this episode, Boy recounts how his early experiences adapting to new environments shaped his curiosity and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. He discusses his education in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration at Twente University, and how a passionate teacher sparked his interest in the human aspects of technology.
Boy describes his career progression at AkzoNobel, where he started as an organizational consultant and eventually became a divisional president. Also his years at Randstad and SaraLee (Boy spent most his career at this consumer goods company) are being discussed. He emphasizes the importance of trust and confidence from mentors in his professional growth. The conversation touches on Boy's transition from corporate life to his current work in leadership development, culminating in his PhD from Wageningen University & Research on the impact of wilderness-based training programs on leadership transformation. Boy's unique approach to leadership development, combining his corporate experience with a deep appreciation for nature, offers listeners valuable insights into personal and professional growth.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Boy via his personal website (where you can also find his podcast) and the website of The Foundation of Natural Leadership. His social media handles LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and don't forget to check out his book The Impact of a Wilderness-Based Training Program on Leadership Transformation.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Boy and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Blueberries, faith, Falsterbo, and pulse with Jenny Bergh - Walk Talk Listen (episode 175)

Jenny Bergh is a seasoned coach and facilitator with a unique approach to leadership and personal growth. Jenny's philosophy revolves around four core values: blueberries, faith, Falsterbo, and pulse—each representing a key element in fostering meaningful connections and growth.
 
Jenny shares her journey from Johannesburg to Sweden, her experiences working across industries, and her passion for value-based team coaching. Through her work, she empowers leaders to build psychological safety, explore their potential, and embrace new ways of collaboration.
We also discuss her projects, and her contributions to sustainable leadership through her writing and speaking engagements.
 
Tune in to explore Jenny’s creative and insightful methods for leading with intention and purpose.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Jenny via her website. Her social media handles LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and don't forget to check out her books, all available via pdf. Learn more about Jenny at khraft.se or through her podcast, Khraftpodden - Coaching & Leadership.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Jenny and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).