Walk Talk Listen Podcast

Revisiting Beijing: Power, Progress, and the Promise of 2030 with Helen Catton - Special WTL Series (Ep. 4)

Helen Catton discusses the importance of meaningful action over mere policy-making for advancing gender equality. The episode is part of a special series recorded live from New York during the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Helen shares her extensive experience working with marginalized communities in Southeast Asia through faith-based organizations, particularly World Renew. She shares about the challenges and strategies in promoting women's rights and economic empowerment in an increasingly polarized world, stressing the critical role of faith-based organizations in community trust and social norm transformation. Helen expresses hope for continued perseverance and meaningful, context-relevant actions to drive progress in gender equality.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Helen her organization World Renew on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Helen 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 Joy Kimani - Special WTL Series (Ep. 3)

Joy Kimani is a gender advocate and worker for the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). Broadcasting live from the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, we discussed the ongoing fight for gender equality 30 years after the Beijing Declaration. Topics include the role of faith-based organizations, addressing violence against women and girls, and strategies to counter growing pushback against women's rights globally. Joy shares insights on interfaith dialogues, collaborative strategies, and hopes for future actions to advance gender equality.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Joy her organization ERD on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook 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 Irene Anena -Special WTL Series (Ep. 2)

In this 2nd episode of a special series of Walk Talk Listen, recorded live from New York during the 69th session on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), Irene Anena from ACT Alliance shares insights on the 30-year journey since the Beijing Declaration, emphasizing the role of faith leaders in advancing gender equality amidst growing global challenges. She discusses her contributions in Uganda and DRC, highlighting efforts to engage faith leaders in policy advocacy, education, and climate action. Irene also explores the importance of interfaith and intergenerational partnerships while addressing internal gender equality within her organization.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
You can find Irene on LinkedIn, Facebook, 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 Andrea Kaufmann -Special WTL Series (Ep. 1)

In this special episode of Walk Talk Listen, recorded live from New York during the 69th session on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), Andrea Kaufmann, Faith and External Engagement Director for World Vision International is our guest. She discusses the growing resistance to gender equality, the importance of global solidarity, and the role of faith-based organizations. Andrea shares insights on how to strategize effectively in the current political climate and stresses the necessity of clear communication and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The conversation touches on the Beijing Declaration's 30th anniversary, the impact of funding cuts on humanitarian efforts, and the importance of listening to opposing views in the fight for gender equality.
 
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
 
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).

Symphony of Purpose with Nikhil Bumb - Walk Talk Listen (episode 184)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem sits down with Nikhil Bumb to discuss his journey from engineering to corporate social impact. Nikhil shares his upbringing as a South Asian American born in Wyoming and raised in South Carolina, describing how his family's immigrant experience and Jain faith shaped his worldview. He reflects on the challenges of growing up as part of a minority community, navigating cultural and religious differences, and finding his own identity. Nikhil also delves into his academic path, studying electrical engineering at Princeton University and later pursuing graduate studies at Georgia Tech, before transitioning from the technical field into a career centered on purpose-driven business strategies. His passion for making an impact led him to work with Medtronic, Deloitte, and Technoserve before settling into his current role at FSG, where he supports companies in creating equitable, purpose-driven models of growth.
 
The conversation moves into the intersection of business, leadership, and social change, as Nikhil discusses the evolving role of corporations in tackling global issues. He introduces the concept of 'shared value,' advocating for companies to integrate social impact into their core strategies, rather than treating it as a separate philanthropic endeavor. Maurice and Nikhil explore the challenges of implementing these changes, the necessity of shifting organizational culture, and the increasing recognition of systems thinking and conscious leadership in today's business world. They also discuss the role of inner development and personal growth in achieving broader systemic change, touching upon frameworks like the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and their relevance to business and sustainability efforts. Nikhil emphasizes the importance of seeing businesses not just as economic engines, but as key players in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable society.
 
Nikhil Bumb is a managing director at FSG, a nonprofit consulting firm founded by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer that helps organizations drive social change through equitable systems transformation. He leads the firm’s corporate impact work in the U.S., working with businesses to embed purpose into their strategies while achieving commercial success. With a background in engineering and an MBA, Nikhil brings a blend of analytical expertise and strategic vision to his work. He also serves on the board of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, where he champions interfaith dialogue and social justice initiatives. His experiences in interfaith engagement, corporate strategy, and systems-level thinking make him a compelling advocate for reshaping leadership and business models to meet the challenges of today’s world.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Nikhil via his LinkedIn profile and Instagram. Check the FSG website and LinkedIn profile as well.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Nikhil 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 Disease of the Soul: Confronting Global Hunger with Roger Thurow – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 183)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, journalist and author Roger Thurow shares his decades-long commitment to addressing global hunger and malnutrition. With 30 years at The Wall Street Journal, including 20 years as a foreign correspondent in Europe and Africa, Thurow has consistently spotlighted issues of poverty, food insecurity, and the systemic injustices that perpetuate them. He reflects on his body of work, including The Last Hunger Season: A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change, The First 1,000 Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children – And the World, and his most recent book, Against the Grain: A Deep Dive into Global Hunger. Through these works, Thurow examines how hunger persists in a world of plenty and highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and hope.
 
The conversation explores Thurow’s idea of hunger as a “disease of the soul,” framing it not just as a humanitarian crisis but as a moral failing in societies with the resources to prevent it. Drawing from his extensive reporting in Africa and beyond, Thurow discusses the power of storytelling in mobilizing action and shifting narratives around hunger and poverty. He emphasizes the critical role of smallholder farmers, the importance of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, and the broader social consequences of malnutrition. Thurow also speaks about the urgent need for what he calls the “clamor”—the collective outrage and demand for change that has historically fueled social movements. Without this global outcry, he warns, hunger risks remaining an invisible crisis, and those most affected will continue to suffer in silence. His call to action is clear: to raise voices loud enough to shatter complacency and ignite meaningful, lasting change.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Roger via his LinkedIn profile and Instagram.
Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Roger 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).

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).