Walk Talk Listen Podcast

Religion in the Public Square: Literacy, Dialogue, and Ancient Roots with Chip Gruen – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 198)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem is joined by Dr. William “Chip” Gruen, Professor of Religion Studies and Director of the Institute for Religious and Cultural Understanding at Muhlenberg College. With a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a scholarly background in early Christianity, Chip’s passion has evolved toward enhancing religious literacy and fostering deeper public discourse on religion. He shares how his academic roots influence his current public-facing work, including the ReligionWise podcast and educational programs designed to help people speak about religion with more nuance and understanding.
Chip reflects on how ancient narratives still inform modern identity, how religion continues to shape public life, and why better dialogue matters in divided times. With humor and depth, he speaks about the role of curiosity in confronting complexity, and how the Institute’s work invites both students and the wider public to engage religion not as dogma, but as cultural expression. He also shares insights on inner growth, music, kindness, and the power of simply listening well.
Listener Engagement
Discover more about Chip's work at religionandculture.com.
Follow the Institute for Religious and Cultural Understanding on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Chip 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).

Boundaries, Soul, and Southside Sounds with Alexis Lombre – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 197)

In Episode 197 of Walk Talk Listen, we sit down with pianist, vocalist, composer, and producer Alexis Lombre. Raised on Chicago’s Southside, Alexis brings an unapologetically soulful sound rooted in jazz but unconfined by labels. She shares her musical journey—from her debut Southside Sounds to her latest anthem “Boundaries,” a bold call to honor one's space and voice. Alexis reflects on purpose, the power of authenticity, and what it means to be a “satellite for whatever God wants to say.”
 
Join us for a conversation that explores the intersections of music, self-ownership, and the role of art in spiritual and social awakening.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Alexis via her Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Her website can be found here including her upcoming concerts and tours.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Please do explore the songs selected by Alexis 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).

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).