Religion Unmuted

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Religion Unmuted is the podcast that brings women’s voices to the table. We explore how religion impacts public discourse around important social issues, like racism, politics, immigration, health, and the body. Join us for research-driven dialogue that a

Religion and Public Life Program (RPLP)


    • Aug 27, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 24m AVG DURATION
    • 14 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Religion Unmuted

    Why Religion Is Still Relevant

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 22:09


    Following the last two presidential elections, Rabbi Dr. Andrea Weiss solicited letters from religious studies scholars to speak directly to our nation's politicians. Why should we listen to what scholars of religion have to say about today's most pressing problems? In this episode, Weiss shares her explanation for why these viewpoints matter, as well as the importance of expanding the diversity of religious voices coming to the table to speak about contemporary issues.

    From Self-Care to Collective Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 32:47


    Amid an unrelenting year, a year in which suffering has pervaded social life, “self-care” has become a buzz word. Ads and articles about self-care abound on social media and in everyday discourse, but discussions about self-care have been disconnected from thinking about community care. In this episode of Religion Unmuted, Pamela talks with Rev. Jennifer Bailey about caring for ourselves, particularly as women, and how self-care links to loving others, across differences in race or faith.

    Called to Lead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 25:30


    When women do not feel called to lead within their faith community, what is lost? The Rev. Christine Lee joins us to share her take on women in leadership positions, drawing from her perspective as the first woman Priest-in-Charge at an Episcopal church in New York City. In this episode we address the unique struggles and contributions of women in religious leadership positions, as well as why there aren't more of them.

    In Pursuit of Multiple Truths

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 29:49


    Where should we turn for the truth about immigration issues today? Whose stories should we be paying attention to? To discuss the possibility of multiple truths, we invite three of our previous guests to return to Religion Unmuted and reflect on their unique viewpoints as scholar, activist, and journalist working on the ground and at the intersection of immigration, religion, and gender. In addition to discussing the search for truth, they also reflect on the search for hope amidst crisis.

    The Spiritual Harm of Family Separation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 42:55


    In 2017 the immigration policies known as “zero tolerance” and “family separation” were established, affecting thousands of men, women, and children trying to enter the United States. Hear the stories of three women—Lupe, Julia, and Gena—and how they were impacted by these policies—as a woman, as a daughter, and as a Christian. Author Gena Thomas joins this episode of Religion Unmuted to talk about immigration, family, and faith.

    Communal Flourishing in Divided Times

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 23:23


    How do we build community that is strong in identity while remaining porous and flexible? Can women and religion be assets to inclusive community building? These questions have never been more urgent, as the United States wrestles with deep political divisions and faces a humanitarian crisis tied to immigration at the border. Drawing on her experience as a journalist, Anne Snyder reflects on the challenges and opportunities for building communities that are resilient, compassionate, and diverse.

    A Society That Cares

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2021 28:22


    Sister Norma Pimentel shares her personal journey—from spending her youth in both Mexico and the US (by traversing what she saw as a bridge, not a border); to finding her faith; and eventually devoting herself to a religious life in the Catholic Church. All of these experiences shaped her views on immigration and led her to her work today, as Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. Join us on this journey with Sister Norma to understand what she feels working with immigrants and refugees at the border, as well as how the experience of migration and crossing the border can be uniquely challenging for women.  

    Crossing Borders

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2021 24:22


    Borders are everywhere—and not just physical borders, like that along the southwestern part of the United States which so often comes to mind. There are numerous political, ideological, and other figurative boundaries that separate us in our everyday lives. Scholar, author, and documentarian Miguel De La Torre sheds light on these borders during his conversation with Elaine, and how we might attempt to tear them down. They also discuss the unique ways that women experience immigration and physically crossing borders.

    Thinking Beyond Elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 26:26


    How does religion inspire and give hope to people in different communities who are working on the ground? In this episode, we want to push the conversation to deeper understandings of how religion, race, and gender shape American politics in everyday life. Jamillah Karim, Besheer Mohamed, and Laura Olson return for part 2 of the panel interview.

    Gearing Up for Tuesday

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 23:08


    In this episode of Religion Unmuted, we bring back all three experts from previous episodes for a group conversation about pressing issues in the days leading up to the 2020 election. From COVID to the Supreme Court, abortion to racial justice, hear how religion and gender may play a crucial role in the election outcome.

    Black Islam and Radical Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2020 17:44


    'None of you truly has faith, until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.' Jamillah Karim grew up hearing this Muslim saying. In this episode, Karim describes this concept as "radical love," and how this tenet of Islam can be part of an effective response to calls for racial justice.

    A Male Perspective on Gender in Politics and Religion

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2020 20:18


    Let's talk politics: Gender matters, but do other things matter more when it comes to predicting people's views on certain issues and how they will vote? Our guest in this episode of Religion Unmuted, researcher Besheer Mohamed, uses polling data to tackle tough questions like this one and others, revealing a surprising story and dispelling common myths along the way.

    Race, Religion, Gender, and the Presidential Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2020 16:58


    There's no arena where the intersection between race, religion, and gender is more evident than it is in the contest for the presidential election. And that's never been truer than it is in 2020 in the contest between Trump and Biden. In this episode of Religion Unmuted, we talk to political scientist Laura Olson about the intersections--and divisions--between these major issues and how they're challenging the candidates in this election.

    Religion Unmuted teaser

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2020 3:24


    Religion Unmuted is hosted by sociologists Pamela Prickett and Elaine Howard Ecklund. In this teaser episode, Prickett and Ecklund share why they created this show--to provide an informed, social-science driven conversation about religion in public life and to elevate women's voices in conversations about religion--and preview what is to come in future episodes.

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