Walk Talk Listen Podcast

Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Rev. Patricia de Jong (episode 12)

Rev. Patricia de Jong is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, has served as Senior Minister at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley and the Urbandale United Church of Christ in Des Moines, Iowa. She also served as the Minister of Education for Christian Discipleship at The Riverside Church in New York City. Patricia’s roots in social justice began as a campus minister, serving on university campuses in Michigan, Oregon and California and social justice is still central to everything she stand for and what she does. She considers Jesus as a model and pointer for her to stay on course, in the need and search for justice. We also discussed about the role of the church especially for the younger generation. She works closely with emerging leaders and claims that as long as the church continues to be a living organism which embraces a wider world, the younger generation will continue to feel welcome and at ease. We should not over institutionalize faith, hope and love. We talked about her worries and hope, from Black Lives Matter and white supremacy until CWS and considering herself to be a global citizen. Pat is the is Chair of the Board of Directors of CWS. You can follow Maurice on twitter via @mauricebloem

Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Monique McCullough (episode 11)

Monique McCullough, an advisor of the CWS Incubation Lab explains how creating something beautiful has always been the driving force for her, however, the definition of beauty has changed over time. She searched for herself and the mark she wants to leave in life initially within the fashion industry, and shares the importance of a statement of her mom in changing the direction of her career. Also there might be less people going to church, but lots of (young) people still want to be part of a community and consider themselves religious or spiritual. "I talk to God every day". Further, she tells us to never give up and keep going: "You and the things that you do matter!" You can find all episodes of this podcast on www.100mile.org. You can follow Maurice via twitter at @mauricebloem. 

Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Charlotte Cape (episode 10)

The CROP Hunger Walks of CWS celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and although still going strong, one of the challenges for the walks trying to end hunger both in the US as well as around the world is to find the next generation of CROP Hunger Walk leaders and coordinators. Sophomore Charlotte Cape is one of those bright lights of the future not only ensuring that this year's walk still took place despite the Covid-19 challenges, but also because she fights for equality in the world, pushes herself to continuously learn and grow while challenging us to do the same. She will make you smile and hopeful. 

Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Janani Shivakumar (episode 9)

Janani Shivakumar, a High School junior, founded Girls Play Global at the age of 14 after realizing that girls in India lack adequate equipment and facilities to play sports. She was prompted to start this initiative when she was made aware of the presence of gender discrimination in rural parts of India. She believes that there is plenty of talent in India, especially in rural communities, but there is not enough encouragement from society. To break such barriers, Girls Play Global was formed. Her ability to articulate her thoughts on religion and spirituality is pretty incredible and she also doesn’t shun away from giving faith leaders advice on how to engage themselves with the younger generation. Clearly if Janani  is an example of what we can expect from the younger generation, then we have a lot to be thankful and hopeful for. Check her website: www.girlsplayglobal.org

Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Tara Wild (episode 8)

Tara Wild is a story teller, women's educator and a songstress who reconnected with her ancestors and the earth. She believes that we have a unique opportunity in this lifetime to remember and reclaim what the patriarchy, colonialism and capitalism have tried to take from us.. the deep knowing that we are a wild force of nature. She invites us on journey of discovery, to find out more please listen to episode 8 of our podcast and check out her website: www.tara-wild.com

Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Father Dustin Lyon (episode 7)

Father Dustin Lyon explains about a couple of trends he sees with regard to the youth of his Greek Orthodox Church including some youth who are rejection religion as they are of the opinion that the institution didn't live up to its calling. We also talk about Covid-19 and how it has forced the church out of its comfort zone. For the people at home, it means thinking about living out their faith and bringing it home. Father ends with telling us that life is short and we need to find union with the divine. Put your ego aside. 

Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Mary Kate Costello (episode 6)

Mary Kate Costello is a policy analyst with an incredible experience in dealing with youth related policies and program issues. She is very concerned about people not being able to work and collaborate with each other anymore, that it needs to be an either/or instead of both/and and this will lead to hampering (if not regressing) our growth as human beings. We also talk with her about youth and their thoughts on spirituality and religion realizing that these two concepts have different connotations for many youth. 

Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Mayesha Alam (episode 5)

This is the first episode in this series that puts someone who brings the youth perspective into the limelight, Mayesha Alam. She shares her passion to fight against inequalities and injustices of all kinds, but in particular against women and girls. Women should be regarded as agents of change. Another injustice she reminds us of is that people who are displaced due to environmental degradation or climate change are not recognized  as refugees by international treaties and policy framework which means that protections that other refugees have don't necessarily apply to them. Plenty food for thought. And yes, she also talks about youth and spirituality.