Walk Talk Listen Podcast

Bridging Faith and Policy with Peter Mandaville - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 185)

In this episode, Dr. Peter Mandaville, a leading scholar in global Islamic studies and international affairs, shares insights from his extensive career in academia, government, and policy advising. A professor at George Mason University, he has held senior advisory roles at USAID and the U.S. Institute of Peace, focusing on faith engagement and inclusive societies. With experience at the U.S. State Department under multiple administrations and affiliations with institutions like Brookings and CSIS, Mandaville has shaped discussions on religion, politics, and diplomacy. He is also the author of several influential books, including The Geopolitics of Religious Soft Power and Islam & Politics.
 
Throughout the conversation, Mandaville and Maurice explore the evolving role of faith communities in diplomacy, the challenges of sustaining strategic religious engagement amid political shifts, and the broader implications for development and humanitarian efforts. He reflects on his upbringing in Saudi Arabia, his academic journey, and the intersection of leadership, ethics, and global policy. The episode also features Mandaville answering a question from previous guest Nikhil on what he is currently seeking to learn in his leadership journey.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Peter via his LinkedIn profile and Instagram. Check the Schar School of Policy and Government website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn profile as well.
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Explore the songs selected by Peter and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
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Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Revisiting Beijing: Power, Progress, and the Promise of 2030 with Kagwiria Muturia - Special WTL Series (Ep. 12)

In this last episode of the special #CSW69 series of the podcast Walk Talk Listen , Maurice Bloem speaks with Kagwiria, a human rights lawyer and gender technical advisor, about the ongoing fight—though she prefers to call it a journey—for gender equality and justice. With CSW 69 marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, Kagwiria reflects on the progress made and the alarming pushback against women’s rights globally. She shares how her upbringing in a family of justice warriors shaped her commitment to this work, recounting how her father, as a land adjudicator, defied patriarchal norms by ensuring fair rulings for women. Now, leading gender advocacy efforts at World Renew, she emphasizes the need to bridge grassroots realities with global policymaking, ensuring that the voices of marginalized women inform international conversations.
 
Throughout the discussion, Kagwiria stresses that faith-based organizations have a critical role to play in advancing gender justice—not just through advocacy but by challenging harmful interpretations of scripture that have long been used to justify inequality. She highlights the power of alliances across sectors, calling for stronger funding, results-driven action, and collective messaging to counter rising opposition. She has a clear reply when she is asked about how she maintains hope in a time of setbacks. Wearing a T-shirt with the message “Gender Justice Now,” Kagwiria embodies the belief that this journey requires all of us to show up, to educate, and to keep moving forward—until equality is a shared reality, not a distant goal.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Kagwiria her organization World Renew on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Kagwiria on LinkedIn.
 
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).

Revisiting Beijing: Power, Progress, and the Promise of 2030 with Michael Trice - Special WTL Series (Ep. 11)

Reflecting on the progress made since 1995, Michael Trice (the Spehar-Halligan Professor and Executive Director at the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University) also confronts the harsh reality that resistance to gender justice is growing, driven by nationalism, authoritarianism, and religious fundamentalism.
He shares how his center is working to counteract this backlash by equipping faith-based institutions with the tools to challenge patriarchal interpretations of religious texts and foster inclusive leadership within religious and academic spaces. He speaks passionately about the need to build alliances that transcend traditional advocacy silos, bringing together gender justice movements with climate activism, labor rights, racial justice, and democracy-building efforts. In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, he emphasizes the importance of countering harmful narratives and reclaiming public discourse with values rooted in equity and inclusion.
As they discuss the challenges of the current political climate, Michael reflects on what it takes to maintain hope and resilience and he draws from Pope Francis’ warning about the dangers of disconnection and reminds us that at the heart of progress—whether in policy, activism, or daily life—is the fundamental belief that we need one another.
As the episode concludes, Michael leaves listeners with an open question for the next guest, curious about his question? Start listening.
#WalkTalkListen #CSW69 #GenderEquality #FaithInAction #IntersectionalJustice #EndGenderDiscrimination #BeijingDeclaration #Misinformation #InterfaithDialogue #HumanRights #putdowntheduckie
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Michael's Center CEIE on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram and they also have their own website. Michael is himself also on LinkedIn and Facebook.
 
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).

Revisiting Beijing: Power, Progress, and the Promise of 2030 with Eileen DeGuire - Special WTL Series (Ep. 10)

Eileen DeGuire, the Legislative Director for the Franciscan Action Network came from Washington DC to discuss the 30-year legacy of the Beijing Declaration on gender equality, the significant role of faith-based organizations in advancing and defending women's rights, and the increasing global challenges faced by women's rights. Eileen shares insights on how faith organizations, including the multi-denominational Franciscan Action Network, are partnering with other groups to counteract setbacks, promote gender equality, and stay inspired in their work. They also discuss the perspectives of younger generations on politics and institutional faith, emphasizing the importance of listening, community support, and self-care in their advocacy efforts.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Eileen her organization FAN on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram and they also have their own website. Eileen is herself also on LinkedIn.
 
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).

Revisiting Beijing: Power, Progress, and the Promise of 2030 with Nicole Hosein - Special WTL Series (Ep. 9)

Nicole Hosein from Episcopal Relief and Development talks about the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 69), the progress and challenges faced in gender equality, and the significance of the Beijing Declaration's 30th anniversary. Nicole, with over a decades of experience in gender initiatives, emphasizes the vital role of civil society and faith-based organizations. She shares her insights on the need for tangible resources to support gender equality commitments, and highlights the inspiring role of youth in this ongoing struggle.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Nicole her organization ERD on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram . Nicole is herself also on LinkedIn.
 
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).

Revisiting Beijing: Power, Progress, and the Promise of 2030 with Ruairidh Waddell - Special WTL Series (Ep. 8)

Ruairidh Waddell, Chief Program and Impact Officer of World Renew connected from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Rory discusses the importance of faith-based organizations in mobilizing grassroots movements and fostering respect and equality, especially amidst growing resistance to gender equality. He shares personal motivations and experiences that shaped his commitment to gender equality, the role of faith-based organizations in defending women's rights, and the significance of collaborations like the Act Alliance. The conversation highlights the urgent need for inclusive values and transformative change led by community-level partnerships. Rory also reflects on the importance of elevating voices not present at CSW to inform gender equality advocacy and programming.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Ruairidh his organization World Renew on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Ruairidh on LinkedIn.
 
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).

Revisiting Beijing: Power, Progress, and the Promise of 2030 with Francesca Traglia - Special WTL Series (Ep. 7)

Francesca Traglia, Co-President of the Society for Gender Professionals and former coordinator for the global gender justice program at Act Alliance delves into current challenges facing women's rights, the significance of faith-based organizations in gender equality, and strategic responses against anti-gender movements. Francesca shares her experiences, motivations, and strategies to advance gender justice, highlighting the importance of coordinated, intersectional, and persistent efforts in the global fight for gender equality. And like Ernie, she might want to hold on to her duckie.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Society for Gender Professionals on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Francesca on LinkedIn and Instagram.
 
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).

Revisiting Beijing: Power, Progress, and the Promise of 2030 with Nora Khalaf Elledge - Special WTL Series (Ep. 6)

Nora Khalaf-Elledge, who is part of the JLI community, is a gender advisor attending the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 69) in New York to represent a working group for Sexual Violence Research Initiative (on communication with policymakers around faith and GBV). Nora is presenting about a toolkit for faith actors and policymakers on how to communicate about faith and GBV more easily. She also talked about the connection between gender equality and religion, the resistance to gender rights, and the essential contributions of faith-based organizations. Nora emphasizes the need for empathy and storytelling in promoting gender equality and shares personal insights on practicing gender equality in daily life. The episode underscores the importance of steadfast values and integrity in advocating for social justice and women's rights.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find SVRI on social media: LinkedIn, Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Nora on LinkedIn.
 
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).