Walk Talk Listen Podcast

WTL live at EAD 2024 - The Black Church, Racism, and Immigration: Creating Welcoming Communities During Times of Tension

In this special episode, recorded live at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2024 in Washington, D.C., we explore the intersection of the Black Church, racism, and immigration. Moderated by Maurice Bloem, this workshop features an insightful panel discussion with Dr. José Wilson, Director of Facilitation and Organizational Learning, North Lawndale Employment Network, Rev. Reuben Eckels, Faith and Partnership Hub Coordinator, CWS, Rev. Noel Andersen, National Field Director, CWS and Amena Elamin, National Youth Organizer, BAJI.
 
Our apologies in advance, because the reflections from the audience at the end are not always very clear.
The workshop delves into the multifaceted challenges of systemic racism, misinformation, and societal division, particularly their impact on marginalized communities. Maurice Bloem sets the stage with an introduction that emphasizes the need for both systemic and inner changes to navigate these crises. He draws on principles from innerdevelopmentgoals.org and Ken Wilber's integral theory to create a safe and learning-focused environment for all participants.
Two key themes were discussed: Key Themes Discussed: DEI Initiatives in the Face of Backlash and The Role of Faith Leaders in Bridging Divides.
 
The participants are encouraged to actively engage by sharing their insights and reflections on the discussions. The session includes a plenary segment where attendees share their key takeaways and reflect on the shared human experiences discussed during the workshop.
We invite you to listen to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in creating inclusive and supportive communities. Share your thoughts and continue the dialogue on our social media platforms or send us an email.
For more information on EAD Spring 2024, check this link.
Listener Engagement:
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
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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 as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
 

Faithful Advocacy for Immigrants and Refugees with Noel Andersen - Walk Talk Listen (episode 152)

In this episode, we are joined by Noel Andersen who recently spoke at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2024 Spring Summit domestic workshop. As the National Field Director for Church World Service he has been at the forefront of mobilizing faith communities across the United States to support immigrants and refugees through actionable solidarity. He brings a rich background of community development and organizing from his time in Central America and along the U.S.-Mexico border. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC), Noel is also a co-founder of the UCC National Collaborative on Immigration, a grassroots initiative aimed at galvanizing UCC leaders in the fight for immigrants' rights. His commitment to social change is further evident in his work with the Refugee Leadership Development for Social Change project at CWS, which has empowered thousands of refugees with skills in community organizing.
For more information on Noel's work at CWS, check this link.
Listener Engagement:
Discover the songs picked by Noel and other guests on our #walktalklisten here. 
Connect with Noel: Instagram, Facebook and  Twitter.
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 as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Championing Advocacy: Ecumenical Advocacy Days with Sharmagne Taylor - Walk Talk Listen (episode 151)

In Episode 151 of Walk Talk Listen, we sit down with Sharmagne Taylor, the President and CEO of On-Site Partners Inc., and the coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD), an event focused on social justice and advocacy. Sharmagne brings her rich expertise from 15 years in hotel operations, and now leads her own successful consulting firm providing technology solutions and logistics management, in her own words,  "events that really matter".
 
This episode explores her journey in hospitality and how she uses her platform to break down barriers for minorities, women, and disabled veterans. Her commitment to advocacy shines through as she coordinates the Ecumenical Advocacy Days, an event bringing together people dedicated to promoting justice and change.
Join us to learn more about Sharmagne's vision for the hospitality industry and the role that EAD plays in empowering diverse voices to take action.
 
Join Sharmagne and many others at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days, May 17-19, 2024 in the DMV area in the US. Or check out there website.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover the songs picked by Sharmagne and other guests on our #walktalklisten here. 
Connect with EAD: Instagram, Facebook and  Twitter.
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 as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Sustainable Cooking: A Pathway to Healthier Living with Alejandra Schrader - Walk Talk Listen (episode 150)

Alejandra Schrader is a Los Angeles-based chef, author, entrepreneur, and activist renowned for her commitment to sustainability and healthy living. She authored the award-winning "The Low-Carbon Cookbook and Action Plan," which offers over 140 sustainable plant-based recipes aimed at reducing food waste and promoting environmental health. Alejandra’s expertise has led her to speak on global stages, including the United Nations, advocating for nutrition, biodiversity, and sustainable food systems. Her work emphasizes the deep connection between our food choices, personal health, and the health of our planet.
 
In this enlightening episode of Walk Talk Listen, we sat down with Alejandra Schrader to explore her profound connection to sustainable cooking and its impacts on both planetary and personal health. Alejandra shares her journey from architecture to culinary arts, highlighting how her Venezuelan roots and professional transitions influenced her approach to cooking and sustainability. She discusses the inspirations behind her cookbook, emphasizing the importance of minimizing our carbon footprint through mindful cooking and eating practices.
 
Alejandra also delves into the significance of food security and how personal experiences with food insecurity have shaped her advocacy for accessible and healthy food for all. She reflects on the role of food in fostering community and cultural connections and shares practical advice on how individuals can make significant environmental impacts through small, everyday decisions.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover the songs picked by Alejandra and other guests on our #walktalklisten here. 
Connect with Alejandra: Instagram, Facebook,  Twitter and LinkedIn.
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 as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

A Journey from Open Government to Sustainable Chocolate with Carolina Pozo - Walk Talk Listen (episode 149)

Carolina Pozo, an economist, innovation expert, and speaker, hails from Quito, Ecuador. She studied Economics at York University and holds a Master's in Public Management from Università SDA Bocconi. Carolina founded Cacao EcoVillage, MUZE Chocolate, and Avanti, focusing on innovative social impact projects. Her accolades include being a former member of the Global Shapers Community and being recognized by The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. Carolina led Quito's first open government and innovation lab and has been involved in creating the Public Innovation Lab in Honduras. Currently, she is driving initiatives in the chocolate industry and mobile banking for financial inclusion.
 
In this episode, Carolina discusses the transformative power of open innovation in government and how it can foster significant societal improvements. She shares insights from her time as the Director of LINQ, Quito's Innovation Lab, emphasizing the lab's role in pioneering open government policies. Carolina's stories from the front lines of innovation highlight the challenges and triumphs of implementing new policies that are transparent and citizen-centric.
 
Carolina also delves into her current projects, which marry her expertise in economics and her passion for social entrepreneurship. She talks about the creation of MUZE Chocolate, a social business aimed at transforming the chocolate industry by prioritizing sustainability and community involvement. Furthermore, she explains her role in advancing mobile banking solutions to enhance financial inclusion, detailing the impacts of these services on underserved populations in Ecuador.
Listener Engagement:
Discover the songs picked by Carolina and other guests on our #walktalklisten here. 
Connect with Carolina: Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, Muza: Twitter and Instagram and Avanti: Instagram and Twitter.
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 as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
 

Championing Gender Justice and Global Change with Baishali Chatterjee - Walk Talk Listen (episode 148)

Baishali Chatterjee is Christian Aid’s Global Thematic Advisor on gender justice, currently based in Bangalore, India. She is an intersectional feminist, with over 20 years of work experience in the field of women’s rights and gender equality. She loves raising her 12 year old, being a plant mom, coffee, books and putting her thoughts on paper, in no particular order.
 
In this engaging episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem speaks with Baishali Chatterjee, who shares deep insights from her extensive career in gender justice. Baishali reflects on her upbringing in Kolkata, where early exposure to feminist literature in her family’s library ignited her passion for women's rights. Her professional journey at Christian Aid involves integrating gender justice with broader goals like economic and climate justice, emphasizing the need to reimagine macroeconomic policies from a feminist perspective.
 
Baishali discusses the significant role of feminist movements in shaping societal norms and policy changes, particularly through the lens of intersectionality. She underscores the importance of recognizing multiple social identities in advocacy work. The conversation also covers the evolution of societal attitudes toward gender equality, driven by newer, more vocal generations aware of their rights. Baishali’s experiences highlight the ongoing challenges and the potential for real progress through global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover the songs picked by Baishali and other guests on our #walktalklisten here. 
Connect with Baishali: LinkedIn and Christian Aid: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
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 as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

WTL Special Series: Joint Learning Initiative (JLI) with Jayeel Cornelio (episode 7)

Jayeel Cornelio is Professor of Development Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. He is currently based as a visiting scholar at the Center for Asian Democracy at the University of Louisville where he is working on his new book on Christianity and democracy. He is part of JLI as its Board Secretary and engages the Filipino public as a contributor to Rappler, one of the country's leading news websites. In episode 7, In his dialogue, Dr. Jayeel Cornelio elaborates on the significant role of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI) in fostering collaborative research and advocacy on religion and development. He emphasizes JLI’s unique approach of integrating diverse religious perspectives to address global challenges, showcasing how JLI serves as a platform for bringing together experts from various disciplines and faith backgrounds. Through his involvement as Board Secretary, Jayeel underscores the initiative’s commitment to creating impactful, faith-informed policy solutions that are not only scholarly but also pragmatically attuned to the realities of communities around the world. This collaborative effort not only enriches the discourse on religion and development but also amplifies the practical applications of these insights in real-world scenarios, making JLI a pivotal player in international development discussions.
 
Social media handles of Jayeel: Twitter and his University page. And his University: Twitter.
 
Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series and/or this podcast. We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out to us. Send an email to maurice@jliflc.com, or contact us through our platform. We welcome your thoughts, questions, and proposals for collaboration. I'll personally ensure that your interest is directed to the right people at JLI, helping you connect with a network of individuals and organizations dedicated to creating a better world through faith-informed development.
 
Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org.  We also encourage you to check out the special WTL series Enough for All about an organization called CWS. 

How the Road Build Me with John Coonrod - Walk Talk Listen (episode 147)

John Coonrod is the author of a new book (How the Road Build Me) that shares stories of his mentors who shaped his 50-year career in activism and human development. John brings a wealth of knowledge to today's conversation. Throughout this episode, listeners will be treated to deep dives into the themes of his book, as John shares his inspirations, challenges, and the impactful messages he aims to convey through his writing. This episode is a must-listen for those who appreciate thoughtful dialogue and are eager to explore the depths of expertise that John shares with us today.
 
Trained as a research physicist, John became The Hunger Project's first volunteer in 1977. In 1984, at the height of the African Famine, he left physics and joined Hunger Project staff where he helped create strategies to facilitate gender-focused community-led development that currently mobilizes 16 million rural people in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Today, John is the founder and US chair of the Movement for Community-led Development.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover the songs picked by John and other guests on our #walktalklisten here. 
Connect with John via LinkedIn, and Movement for Community-led Development via : Instagram, Facebook and Twitter,
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 as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).