Walk Talk Listen Podcast

Sacred Spaces and Growing Edges: Teaching Religion to Kids with Vicki Garlock – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 196)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice sits down with Rev. Dr. Vicki Garlock—founder of World Religions for Kids, award-winning author, and editor of the Religion Matters blog. Vicki shares her journey from a background in neuroscience and cognitive development to creating engaging, multifaith educational materials for children ages 3–10. Drawing from her upbringing in Lutheran and Catholic settings, her years as a professor, and her work at Jubilee! Community, Vicki reflects on how early experiences, academic rigor, and spiritual curiosity shaped her path.
In this conversation, Vicki discusses what it means to teach religion in age-appropriate ways, her thoughts on being an “amateur mystic,” and how her books We All Have Sacred Spaces and ABCs of the World's Religions are helping young people (and adults!) explore religious literacy with empathy and wonder. She also talks about her growing edges, acts of kindness, and the spiritual wisdom found in everyday life.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Vicki via her Facebook, Instagram and Blue Sky. The World Religions for Kids Facebook page, can be found here.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Vicki and previous 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).

Exploring the Wild Edges of Faith and Leadership with Kara Markell – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 195)

Rev. Dr. Kara Markell is a spiritually grounded educator and theologian who thrives at the intersection of tradition and transformation. In this episode, Kara speaks with Maurice about her journey through music, feminist and liberation theology, adaptive leadership, and eco-spirituality—while reflecting on the evolving landscape of religious communities. With degrees in music, education, and theology, Kara has served for over two decades in ministry and continues to mentor future leaders, develop curricula, and explore new spiritual frontiers through Evergreen Wild Church and beyond. From long walks in the forest to fireside conversations, Kara shares how embracing inter-spiritual wisdom and curiosity shapes her leadership, motherhood, and ministry.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Kara via her Facebook and Evergreen Wild Church, or follow her on Instagram. The webpage of the Center for Ecumenical and Interfaith Engagement, can be found here.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Kara and previous 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).

Following Curiosity and Embodied Expression with Sofia Sayabalian – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 194)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Sofia Sayabalian opens a thoughtful conversation on the intersections of creativity, communication, and connection. With warmth and insight, she walks us through her Armenian roots, her journey from Los Angeles to Seattle, and her evolving relationship with spirituality, identity, and purpose. Maurice and Sofia explore how storytelling—especially in the digital age—can still uphold human intimacy, even when mediated by emerging technologies like AI.
 
Sofia shares the inspiration behind The Power of Dance, her graduate audio storytelling project that blends narrative vulnerability with interviews from fellow dancers. She reflects on how dance becomes a vehicle for healing, grounding, and creative expression—an extension of the artistic spirit she nurtured through painting and mindfulness. The episode also touches on imposter syndrome, the importance of listening, and why developing a relationship to self is essential for making meaningful impact in the world.
 
Listener Engagment:
Discover more about Sofia via her Website, LinkedIn as well as Soundcloud.  The webpage of the Center for Ecumenical and Interfaith Engagement, can be found here.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Sofia and previous 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).

My Church Is the Music with Chelsea Baratz – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 193)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, saxophonist, composer, and community builder Chelsea Baratz takes us on a deeply personal journey through music, mentorship, and meaning. Raised in the soulful, hard-bop heart of Pittsburgh and sharpened in the creative fire of New York City, Chelsea reflects on formative moments—from her first jam session at the Crawford Grill to the life-changing mentorship of Sean Jones and Roy Hargrove. We explore how her upbringing, identity, and powerful experiences shaped both her artistry and her ongoing recovery from COVID related challenges.
 
Chelsea also shares her role in boundary-pushing projects like the all-female HERA Collective and The Empress, her recent top-charting saxophone quartet. As she discusses the Sustainable and Inner Development Goals, Chelsea makes a compelling case for art as a form of activism and connection. From invoking the Akashic Field to advocating for communal care and restorative justice, Chelsea’s voice rings clear: music is not only her sanctuary—it’s her way of making the world better, one note at a time.
 
Listener Engagment:
Discover more about Chelsea via her Instagram (from here you can go to her Albums, Soundcloud and more), Facebook or YouTube. She is not really active on LinkedIn. Do you check out one of the concerts she refers to in this episode at Smalls Jazz Club.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Chelsea and previous 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).

Belonging Beyond the Resume with Katie Starobin - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 192)

In this engaging conversation, Katie Starobin reflects on her journey from Los Angeles to Seattle, sharing how soccer, family, and a rigorous humanities education shaped her values of teamwork, commitment, and community. We explore how her college experiences—ranging from leading the Jewish Student Union to studying abroad in Italy—helped her understand the deeper meaning of belonging and connection. Katie speaks candidly about navigating generational divides, the importance of redefining success, and why small acts of community care matter just as much as systemic change.
 
Katie Starobin is a business economics student at Seattle University's Albers School of Business and Economics, graduating in June 2025. She has excelled academically in the Honors Program, gained global insights through study abroad, and built experience in financial analysis at Microsoft and United Airlines. An engaged campus leader, Katie has conducted research in labor economics and healthcare policy, served as a peer tutor, research assistant, and active member of Alpha Kappa Psi. She also serves on the Advisory Council of the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement (CEIE). This fall, she will begin her full-time role as a Financial Analyst at Microsoft, bringing her analytical and leadership skills to business strategy and problem-solving.
 
Discover more about Katie via the CEIE Website.   Check the CEIE LinkedIn, Facebook page and Instagram. Follow Jeanine via LinkedIn.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Katie and previous 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).

Finding Her Voice with Jeanine Jansen – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 191)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Jeanine Jansen invites us into her ongoing journey of finding her voice—both literally through singing and metaphorically as a leader, facilitator, and human being. We explore what it means to be asked to “show more of yourself” and how navigating visibility, vulnerability, and identity shapes one’s presence in the world.
 
Jeanine shares stories from her work across organizations, the shifts in her understanding of leadership, and the courage it takes to step forward with authenticity. She also sings during the conversation, offering listeners a glimpse into the power and tenderness of voice as a practice of connection.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Jeanine via the organization she founded Remember the Talent. Check their Facebook page and YouTube page. She teaches at Nyenrode Business University, check one of their courses. Follow Jeanine via LinkedIn or read her blogs, this is one her blog posts.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Jeanine and previous 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).

From Systems to Soul: Reimagining Power and Purpose with Nate Wong - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 190)

Nate Wong, partner at Bridgespan and a visionary leader is dedicated to reimagining systems through equity, innovation, and human transformation. Nate shares his journey from management consulting to becoming a trusted voice in shifting power to communities, exploring how ownership models, trust-based philanthropy, and inclusive collaboration can fuel social change. His reflections are grounded not only in systems thinking but also in deep personal insight, reminding us that lasting change requires both organizational and inner transformation.
 
As we walk through topics like spiritual grounding in professional life, the courage to let go, and the beauty of Hawaiian wisdom (yes, Nate chose a Hawaiian song that embodies this episode’s spirit), Nate challenges us to build a “social impact consciousness.” Tune in for a conversation that bridges policy and presence, capitalism and compassion — and invites each of us to walk with more intention, wherever we are.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Bridgespan via their Website. Check their LinkedIn and Instagram. Follow Nate via LinkedIn, Website and Medium.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Nate and previous guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
A few of Nate's Publications:
“From Capital to Connections: Aligning Donor Strengths with Nonprofit Needs” (Bridgespan.org, 2024)
"Nonprofit Leadership Transitions: Four Ways Funders can Support Leaders of Color" (Bridgespan.org, 2024),
"How to Support New Leaders of Color: A Transition Timetable" (Bridgespan.org, 2024),
“Building a Trust-Based Philanthropy To Shift Power Back to Communities” (SSIR, 2021)
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).

Bridging Minds and Systems with Wietse Tol – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 189)

Wietse A. Tol, a leading figure in global mental health, holds academic appointments at the University of Copenhagen, VU University Amsterdam, Innlandet University (Norway), and Johns Hopkins University. His work focuses on multi-sectoral, integrated interventions that address both mental health and its social determinants — from poverty to climate stress — with a sharp eye on how research can inform practice and vice versa.
 
During this episode, we explore Wietse’s personal and professional journey, including formative experiences in Nepal, a shift from aspiring therapist to systems-level researcher, and his current leadership in large-scale mental health prevention initiatives. The conversation highlights the need for upstream solutions, public mental health strategies, and the role of mindfulness in addressing polarization and building social connection.
If you’re curious about how structural vulnerabilities and mental health intersect — and what can be done about it — this episode is a must-listen.
 
Listener Engagement:
Explore Wietse’s publications here.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by previous guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here. Wietse refers to a video that was made of the song he chose, check YouTube.
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).