Walk Talk Listen Podcast

A Journey of Bridging Cultures and Building Resilience with Tapiwa Yemeke - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 169)

Tapiwa Yemeke is a dynamic advocate for peacebuilding, public health, and migration, who brings unique insights into mental health challenges, gender-based violence, and community empowerment. Hailing from Zimbabwe, Tapiwa shares her experiences working across multiple countries, promoting Afrocentric solutions to complex social issues within prison and rural communities.
 
Her journey spans from a rural upbringing in Zimbabwe, where her resilience and commitment to advocacy took root, to her role in Sweden with LM International, where she now contributes to global dialogue on religious literacy and community-centered interventions. Tapiwa discusses her academic journey in economics, her activism for women's rights, and her transformative roles in South Africa and Norway, where she worked with survivors of sexual violence, sex workers, and prison communities.
 
Tapiwa also shares her perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals, the importance of inner development for global change, and the challenge of fostering true belonging and self-discovery in a world increasingly shaped by social media.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Tapiwa's via her social media: Instagram and Facebook.  Follow her organization LM International: on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and find Tapiwa's publications here.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Tapiwa 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 Art of Relating with Yuliya Shtaltovna - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 168)

In this episode, Maurice Bloem speaks with Yuliya Shtaltovna, an educator and resilience advocate from Ukraine, now based in Berlin. Yuliya shares her journey from Dnipro to Germany, detailing her background in linguistics, intercultural competence, and leadership education. Together, they explore the powerful framework of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and Yuliya’s role in fostering resilience within the Ukrainian community amidst the ongoing war.
 
Throughout the episode, Yuliya reflects on her work co-leading the IDG Higher Education Circle and supporting the IDG Network in Ukraine, a collective dedicated to cultivating resilience through empathy, critical thinking, and community support. She shares practical methods for navigating traumatic experiences, highlighting the role of perspective-taking and community dialogue in trauma-informed resilience practices.
 
The conversation touches on her perspectives on violence and self-defense, the importance of value-based communities, and the strength derived from shared cultural and spiritual practices. Yuliya also discusses the inspiring work of Ukrainian artists like Okean Elzy, so which song do you think she picked?
 
Join Maurice and Yuliya as they delve into meaningful discussions on spirituality, resilience, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure and uplift others in times of adversity.
 
Link: Why Pacifism Kills co-authored by Yuliya Shtaltovna
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Yuliya's via her podcast Live and Learn: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Spotify. Follow her on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates on her latest projects, publications and insights.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Yuliya and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter 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).

On My Way with Victoire Mandonnaud - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 167)

In this episode of 'Walk, Talk, Listen,' Maurice is joined by Victoire Mandonnaud a 26-year-old French multi-talented artist, anthropologist and economist. Victoire shares her inspiring journey from studying painting and photojournalism in New York to earning degrees in Anthropology and International Finance and Economic Policy from Columbia University. Rooted in her early exposure to the arts and being the youngest of six siblings, Victoire underscores the importance of exploring diverse fields. She is passionate about human nature, its resilience, and fostering modest, meaningful conversations. Victoire is also developing 'On My Way,' an app that encourages real-time community actions and supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, she reflects on how younger generations prioritize actionable goals over traditional spirituality. Graduated from prestigious institutions including the International Center of Photography and Jacques Lecoq, Victoire balances her art career with her mission to inspire societal change through honest dialogue and innovative solutions.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Victoire's via her website and her social media handles Instagram Paintings and Instagram Photographs, . Or the website of her app On My Way and it's social media handles: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Discover the songs picked by Victoire and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
 
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter 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).

Listening to the Heart with Romanna Remor on Politics, Regeneration, and Sustainable Development - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 166)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Romanna Remor, a social and regenerative entrepreneur from Brazil shares about her incredible background in politics, education, and environmental regeneration. This conversation explores her inspiring journey from politics to entrepreneurship and how she uses her experiences to transform communities and restore ecosystems.
 
Romanna shares personal reflections on her time in politics—where she battled corruption, championed sustainability, and fought for public welfare—and explains the challenges she faced as a minority of minorities in a male-dominated space. Now, as an entrepreneur focused on regenerative agriculture and sustainable development, Romanna has found a new way to reconnect with her political ideals, healing both land and communities through innovative agroforestry systems and fair trade.
 
We also discuss the importance of peace, both inner and global, as a foundation for tackling issues like inequality, environmental degradation, and human development, as well as the role of faith in driving her mission.
 
Tune in to hear Romanna’s insights on leadership, personal resilience, and making an impact—one person and one tree at a time.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Romanna’s work and her brand, Viva Regenera: vivaregenera.
Connect with Romanna and her e-commerce venture, Viva Floresta: viva-floresta.com, focused on health and regenerative products.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Discover the songs picked by Romanna and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
 
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter 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).

Leading with Purpose with Heleen van den Berg - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 165)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, we welcome Heleen van den Berg, the CEO of Dutch organization Cordaid, who began her role on October 1, 2023. Heleen shares her deep commitment to Cordaid’s mission to work for—and with—people living in some of the world’s most challenging areas. With poverty and insecurity rising globally, Heleen emphasizes the importance of linking emergency relief to sustainable development and the power of partnerships and collaboration in humanitarian work.
 
Heleen brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including Director of National Assistance at the Netherlands Red Cross, and leadership positions at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB). Throughout this conversation, she reflects on the role of leadership in fostering resilience and how Cordaid is driving lasting change in communities affected by crisis.
 
Tune in to hear more about Heleen’s vision for Cordaid, the challenges facing global development, and how partnerships are key to achieving lasting impact. Quote of Heleen: "I truly believe that if you have a single act of kindness each day, would be, that would change the world."
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Cordaid’s work on their website: Cordaid.org
Connect with Cordaid and Heleen on social media: LinkedIn Cordaid | LinkedIn Heleen van den Berg | Twitter Cordaid | Instagram Cordaid
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Discover the songs picked by Heleen and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter 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 CWS, and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Brews, Bites, and Banter - A Sustainability Sip and Share with Allen Ottaro (episode 18) - A Special Series of Walk Talk Listen at the UN.

This is the last of the Special Series of Brews, Bites and Banter - A Sustainability Sip and Share in which Allen Ottaro, founder and Executive Director of the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA) reflects on the importance of social sustainability, especially in the context of Africa, where issues of conflict, social justice, and environmental crises often intersect. He emphasizes the importance of intergenerational dialogue, faith, and community to build cohesive societies capable of addressing both ecological and social challenges. Allen also highlights his experiences attending the United Nations General Assembly, the Summit of the Future, and Climate Week, where he engaged in discussions about long-term planning and the need for collective action to address the interconnected crises of our time.
 
Allen Ottaro leads CYNESA, which operates across 10 African nations, addressing environmental challenges through faith-based engagement and youth mobilization. He has participated in international efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss and advocates for integral ecological approaches rooted in social justice. Allen’s work centers on the belief that a true ecological approach must listen to both the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor, bridging environmental advocacy with the needs of the most vulnerable communities.
 
Allen his personal social media: LinkedIn.
CYNESA social media handles Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and website .
 
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter, 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 CWS, and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Reconnecting with Purpose - Religion’s True Meaning and Humanitarian Leadership with Abagail Nelson - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 164)

Abagail Nelson is the Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer at Episcopal Relief & Development. Abagail brings over 25 years of global experience in human development, focusing on financial inclusion, disaster risk reduction, and economic empowerment. She reflects on her journey growing up in a mixed-race family and how the societal struggles of her upbringing shaped her commitment to social justice and humanitarian work.
One of the key themes in this conversation is Abagail’s reflection on the true meaning of religion, derived from the Latin term "re-ligare," meaning "to reconnect." She explores how this concept drives her work in bridging differences and fostering community resilience. Through stories of rebuilding communities in Honduras after disasters and her deep involvement in sustainable development across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Abagail demonstrates the power of faith-driven action and collaborative efforts in creating lasting change.
 
Abagail also touches on the evolving role of faith-based organizations in addressing modern challenges, and how personal faith can be a source of strength and purpose. Her insights offer a thoughtful exploration of how spirituality, leadership, and humanitarianism intertwine to create impact on a global scale.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover the songs picked by Abagail and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Connect with Abagail and/or her organization via social media: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and the Episcopal Relief & Development website episcopalrelief.org.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
 
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter 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 CWS, and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Brews, Bites, and Banter - A Sustainability Sip and Share with Carlos Vicente (episode 17) - A Special Series of Walk Talk Listen at the UN.

Carlos Vicente is the National Coordinator for the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI) in Brazil. Carlos discusses the urgent need to address the environmental crisis by raising awareness among religious leaders and communities. He emphasizes how faith-based organizations can play a crucial role in tackling issues such as deforestation, climate change, and social inequality. Highlighting the interconnection between social and environmental sustainability, Carlos explains how initiatives like IRI help foster empathy for the planet and drive system change. He also shares insights on using Virtual Reality (VR) to immerse people in the Amazon rainforest, offering a powerful way to connect them with the beauty and fragility of nature, motivating action.
 
Carlos Vicente has over 30 years of experience in environmental advocacy and sustainable development. As the National Coordinator for IRI in Brazil, he leads efforts to engage faith leaders in protecting the Amazon rainforest and addressing climate change. His work focuses on fostering dialogue between religious communities and scientific experts, building empathy for nature, and pushing for systemic political and business reforms to safeguard the planet.
 
Carlos his personal social media: LinkedIn.
Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI): social media handles Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
 
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter, 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 CWS, and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).