Podcasts about civic culture

The personality and outreach of Pope Francis attracted worldwide admiration. Though he did not stray from Catholic doctrine, he connected those teachings to issues such as immigration and climate change. He was not as progressive as some progressives hoped, and he also frustrated traditionalists, a split that played out in the United States. So, what's next? Maureen K. Day is one of the authors of “Catholicism at a Crossroads: The Present and Future of America's Largest Church,” a survey informed by interviews. What does Catholic identity mean in America today, and how did it adapt to the modern papacy of Pope Francis. Day, research affiliate at the University of Southern California's Center for Religion and Civic Culture and the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, joins Equal Time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The personality and outreach of Pope Francis attracted worldwide admiration. Though he did not stray from Catholic doctrine, he connected those teachings to issues such as immigration and climate change. He was not as progressive as some progressives hoped, and he also frustrated traditionalists, a split that played out in the United States. So, what's next? Maureen K. Day is one of the authors of “Catholicism at a Crossroads: The Present and Future of America's Largest Church,” a survey informed by interviews. What does Catholic identity mean in America today, and how did it adapt to the modern papacy of Pope Francis. Day, research affiliate at the University of Southern California's Center for Religion and Civic Culture and the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, joins Equal Time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the fifty-seventh episode of the Constitutionalist, Shane and Matthew discuss Volume 1, Chapter 2 of Alexis De Tocqueville's "Democracy in America." We want to hear from you! Constitutionalistpod@gmail.com The Constitutionalist is proud to be sponsored by the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles and History. For the last twenty years, JMC has been working to preserve and promote that tradition through a variety of programs at the college and K-12 levels. Through their American Political Tradition Project, JMC has partnered with more than 1,000 scholars at over 300 college campuses across the country, especially through their annual Summer Institutes for graduate students and recent PhDs. The Jack Miller Center is also working with thousands of K-12 educators across the country to help them better understand America's founding principles and history and teach them effectively, to better educate the next generation of citizens. JMC has provided thousands of hours of professional development for teachers all over the country, reaching millions of students with improved civic learning. If you care about American education and civic responsibility, you'll want to check out their work, which focuses on reorienting our institutions of learning around America's founding principles. To learn more or get involved, visit jackmillercenter.org. The Constitutionalist is a podcast co-hosted by Professor Benjamin Kleinerman, the RW Morrison Professor of Political Science at Baylor University and Founder and Editor of The Constitutionalist Blog, Shane Leary, a graduate student at Baylor University, and Dr. Matthew Reising, a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University. Each week, they discuss political news in light of its constitutional implications, and explore a unique constitutional topic, ranging from the thoughts and experiences of America's founders and statesmen, historical episodes, and the broader philosophic ideas that influence the American experiment in government.

Why Building Together Is the Key to Healing Divided CommunitiesHow can communities overcome disconnection, address anger, and rebuild trust in today's polarized and often overwhelming world? In this episode of Outrage Overload, Rich Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, discusses the roots of civic disconnection and how media-driven outrage and social media algorithms fuel division. Drawing from his groundbreaking report, Civic Virus: Why Polarization is a Misdiagnosis, Rich sheds light on how deeply entrenched political differences and distorted news narratives have created fear and anxiety among voters, driving them apart.Rich's Turning Outward philosophy offers a fresh perspective on fostering collaboration and shared responsibility, providing practical tools to combat political bias, move beyond angry polarization, and address the fight-or-flight response so many experience in public discourse. Through real-world examples, he shares how communities can tackle issues like mental health, misinformation, and social isolation to create meaningful, lasting change.This inspiring conversation challenges the idea that differences are intractable and offers hope for building stronger connections. Discover how focusing on shared solutions and local action can help us reclaim agency, bridge divides, and reduce the culture of outrage. Listen now for actionable insights and stories of transformation!Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, DavidSupport the showShow Notes:https://outrageoverload.net/ Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog or email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.HOTLINE: 925-552-7885Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episodeIf you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That's the best way to support it.Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverloadMany thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

Step Out, Step Forward, On a Better Path ForwardJoining me today is Rich Harwood, a man whose work and life experience have shaped the way communities across the country—and the world—solve problems and come together. Rich is the founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, and for more than 30 years, he's been leading the charge to help communities rebuild trust, solve shared problems, and deepen people's civic faith. But Rich's journey begins with something deeply personal: growing up with a chronic illness and feeling like he wasn't seen or heard.Rich opens up about those early struggles and how they shaped his understanding of hope. He shares how setbacks in life—whether personal or community-wide—can either break us or build us into something stronger. For Rich, those challenges helped him see the importance of hope as a tool for resilience, something we all need, especially in times of uncertainty and division.But this episode is about so much more than hope. Rich and I dive into the critical issue of civic engagement and the real, lasting impact of community-led change. We talk about the challenges of building trust, especially when it feels like our society is pulling apart. Rich emphasizes that the only way forward is through shared aspirations—finding that common ground where we can all come together and take collective action.TakeawaysSetbacks can shape us and teach us the importance of hope.Civic engagement and community-led change are crucial for addressing societal challenges.Conversations play a vital role in bridging divides and dispelling assumptions.The health of civic culture is a significant predictor of a community's progress. Rebuilding civic culture is essential for communities to thrive and effectively solve shared problems.Turning outward and understanding what matters to people is crucial in creating positive change.Politicians need to engage in a fundamentally different way and provide an environment for communities to solve their shared problems.Small actions can have a ripple effect and lead to transformational systemic change.Creating a culture of shared responsibility is necessary for a functioning community.Learn more about and connect with Rich Harwood by checking out the full show notes at www.DerateTheHate.comWhat have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you've got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or directly from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. Not on social media? You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our site's contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact If you would like to support the show, you're welcome to DONATE or shop Amazon by going through our Support Us page and I'll earn through qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I look forward to hearing from you!

Matthew Bannister on Anne Dagg, the Canadian biologist known as The Woman Who Loves Giraffes for her lifelong study of the animals.Professor Ross Anderson, the computer scientist who was a leading expert on data protection and online security.Reverend Cecil Murray, the pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles who played a pivotal role during the riots of 1992.Kris Hellenga, who was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 23 and set up the charity Coppafeel to encourage other young women to check their breasts.Producer: Ed PrendevilleArchive used: Archive of Anne Dagg, The Woman who loves Giraffes, Pursuing Giraffe Adventures Inc, 2018; Newsnight, BBC Two, 01/07/1992; Newsnight, BBC Two, 11/02/2010; Ross Anderson Interviewed by Elisabetta Mori, Archives of IT, YouTube Upload, 20/03/2024; Digitalize in Stockholm '22, DigitalFuturesHub, YouTube Upload, 28/10/22; USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, YouTube Upload 22/02/2021; BBC Radio Cornwall, 12/10/2021;

Hear excerpts from a special event we organized at the University of Southern California on race, religion and citizenship in this episode of Respecting Religion. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Evans and the Rev. Dr. Christopher The brought their unique experiences and expertise to a conversation on religious and racial identity, moderated by the Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard. Hear their insights about a theology of democracy, their experiences with racism, how to identify authoritarianism, and what lessons Scripture has for our current climate.   Segment 1 (starting at 00:35): The event on race, religion and citizenship The Rev. Dr. Joseph Evans and the Rev. Dr. Christopher The were the speakers for this year's edition of our annual Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lectures, titled “Whose country is it anyway?” held April 2 on the campus of the University of Southern California. Their conversation was moderated by the Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard. Click on each name to read more about them and their impressive credentials.  Listen to the entire program at this link.  The event was in partnership with USC's Office of Religious & Spiritual Life, the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, and Berkeley School of Theology. Learn more about BJC's annual series at BJConline.org/ShurdenLectures.   Segment 2 (starting at 1:45): A theology of democracy, experiences of racism, and a new understanding of The New Colossus Rev. Dr. The mentioned “warmth of other suns,” giving credit to how Isabel Wilkerson uses the phrase. She is the author of the book The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration. Rev. Dr. The mentioned “The New Colossus,” the poem by Emma Lazarus that is inscribed on a plaque in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. You can read it here.   Segment 3 (starting at 12:29): Authoritarianism and lessons from Scripture Rev. Dr. Evans mentioned Walter Wink, a theologian who discussed how power structures resist our need for transformation. Learn more about him in his obituary from The New York Times.   Segment 4 (starting at 18:27): Politics and access to power Dr. Catherine Brekus delivered the 2023 Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lecture, which focused on the myth of American “chosenness.” Hear it in episode 23 of season 4, and listen to the panel that followed it on episode 24.  Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.

Dr. Michael B. Guenther, associate professor and chair of the Departments Of History And Science, Medicine and Society at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa-USA, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss, "Science And Civic Culture:  The Politics Of Knowledge In The Age Of Improvement:  1730-1800."The host for the 552nd edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Rick Sweet and Terri Toppler.Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University.  This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Dr. Michael B. Guenther, associate professor and chair of the Departments Of History And Science, Medicine and Society at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa-USA, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss, "Science And Civic Culture:  The Politics Of Knowledge In The Age Of Improvement:  1730-1800."The host for the 552nd edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Rick Sweet and Terri Toppler.Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University.  This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

December 1, 2023 Hoover Institution | Stanford University The Center for Revitalizing American Institutions (RAI) hosts its “State of American Institutions” conference on Thursday, November 30, and Friday, December 1. In this panel, participants discuss the dearth of civil discourse at universities. It is suggested that university administrations are struggling to adapt to the pace of the social media environment and political pressures exerted on campuses from outside forces. Participants agree that faculty should focus on research and pedagogy. Instead of shutting down debate to evade controversy, they maintain, leadership in the academy should do a better job of listening and helping foster respectful conversations about society and politics with diverse points of view. For more information, visit https://www.hoover.org/events/state-american-institutions-center-revitalizing-american-institutions ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Anna Grzymala-Busse, Senior Fellow (courtesy), Hoover Institution; and Michelle and Kevin Douglas Professor of International Studies, Political Science, Stanford University Jonathan Holloway, President, Rutgers University Josiah Ober, Senior Fellow (courtesy), Hoover Institution; and The Markos & Eleni Kounalakis Chair in Honor of Constantine Mitsotakis Professor of Political Science and Classics, Stanford University Keith Whittington, Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution, and William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Politics, Princeton University Moderator: Stephen Haber, Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, A.A. and Jeanne Welch Milligan Professor, Political Science, Stanford University ABOUT THE CENTER FOR REVITALIZING AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS (RAI): In an objective, non-partisan spirit, the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions (RAI) draws on the Hoover Institution's scholarship, government experience, and convening power to study the reasons behind the crisis in trust facing American institutions, analyze how they are operating in practice, and consider policy recommendations to rebuild trust and increase their effectiveness. Learn more: https://www.hoover.org/research-teams/center-revitalizing-american-institutions

In This Episode:Timothy Goeglein joins the podcast to talk about his new book, Toward a More Perfect Union, about the failures of civics and history education in America, and what we can do to teach students about the Great American Storyhow Howard Zinn, the 1619 Project and other progressives purposely sought to erase American history and miseducate millions of American students through a neo-Marxist lenswhat parents, teachers, and communities can do to help recover a sense of the Great American Story, and revitalize the civic culture that has built and sustained AmericaTexts Mentioned:Toward a More Perfect Union by Timothy S. GoegleinU.S. Citizenship TestThe Shaping of the American Mind ISI study on civic knowledgeThe 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-JonesThe 1776 ReportAlexander Hamilton by Ron ChernowCyropaedia: The Education of Cyrus by XenophonGettsyburg movieGods and Generals movieJohn Adams mini-series“The End of the English Major” in New YorkerBecome a part of ISI:Become a MemberSupport ISIUpcoming ISI Events

A is for Architecture's Episode 24, Season 2, is a conversation with Patrick Lynch, founder and director of Lynch Architects, writer, scholar and guv'nor (with Claudia Lynch) of Canalside Press.  We spoke about a few of Patrick's written works, and some of Lynch Architect's recent built projects too, focusing the discussion around Patrick's discussions of the ground of architecture.   Being-With/A Tacit Alliance: Architecture, Publishing, and the Poetic Reciprocity of Civic Culture in The Hybrid Practitioner Building, Teaching, Researching Architecture (2022), eds. C. Voet, E. Schreurs and H. Thomas, published by Leuven University Press. Situated Praxis, Prudence, and the Anonymity of Beauty: On Tension and Metaphor in the Civic Art of Neave Brown in Part of a City: The Work of Neave Brown Architect, (2022) eds. P. Lynch, C. Lynch and D. Porter, published by Canalside Press. Progress is a Myth, Change is the Reality: The Fossil Poetics of Robin Walker (2018) in Change is the Reality: The Work of Robin Walker Architect (2018), eds. P. Lynch and S. Walker, published by Canalside Press. Civic Ground: Rhythmic Spatiality and the Communicative Movement between Architecture, Sculpture and Site (2017), by Patrick Lynch, published by Artifice Books on Architecture. Our discussion covers a little of Patrick's multifarious interests and concerns, and includes Neave Brown, urban change, housing, civility, context and theology, as well as The Zig Zag Building, Kings Gate, and n2 & Nova Place, all in London, and all quite recent. It's all good. Have a sticky. You'll find the texts we touch on at the links above, where you can buy them, or download them. Lynch Architect's website is here and their Twitter is here, Patrick's profile at London Met is here, his LinkedIn is here and his Instagram is here.   Thanks for listening. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Music credits: Bruno Gillick + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + aisforarchitecture.org Apple: podcasts.apple.com Spotify: open.spotify.com Google: podcasts.google.com Amazon: music.amazon.co.uk

Wardah Khalid is a policy analyst, activist, career coach, and public speaker based in Washington, D.C. She currently serves as Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the US Department of Health and Human Services. Wardah is the Founder and Board President of Poligon Education Fund, a national civic education and advocacy organization strengthening American Muslim engagement with Congress.  Wardah has significant experience working with Members of Congress, the White House, and State Department on policies pertaining to refugees and immigration, civil rights, Middle East affairs, and national security while working on the Hill and with secular and faith based NGOs. She has also worked on these issues with several UN agencies in the US and abroad.  Wardah was recognized by ABC's Nightline as one of the country's top millennial activists. Her writing and commentary has been featured in outlets including the Washington Post, CNN, The Guardian, NPR, and US News & World Report. She authored the “Young American Muslim” blog for the Houston Chronicle and hosted "Reality Check" on One Legacy Radio.  Wardah is a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute (AMCLI) Fellow at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, former Scoville Fellow, a 2020 AAPI National Security and Foreign Policy Next Generation Leader by New America and Diversity in National Security Network (DINSN), a 2020 International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) Fellow, 2021 U.S. National Security & Foreign Affairs Leader by CSIS and DINSN, and 2022 Atlantic Council Millennium Leadership Fellow.   Wardah holds a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Additionally, Wardah is a CPA and received a BBA and MS in Accounting from Texas A&M University.    Wardah has her own website and you can also find her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Her organization is also on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.   The songs picked by all our guests can be found via  our playlist #walktalklisten here.  Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   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.   This episode was made possible by the support of an organization called CWS.  You want to be a part of movement? Well, sign up to become a sustaining partner. As a Sustaining Partner, you can make a difference in the world – automatically, every month. Sustaining Partners  commit to a hopeful future by making compassion a part of their monthly budget. It could mean new systems to manage precious resources like water. Or diversified ways of earning a living that make people more resilient. For as little as $10 a month, you can transform lives. Go to Www.cwsglobal.org/sustain

Today's students have grown up in a political culture of polarization that has exacerbated public distrust. In this environment, how can educators teach young people to engage with controversial issues in such a way that schools do not become partisan institutions? Diana Hess and Paula McAvoy propose that teachers should not shy away from political controversy. Instead, they should see their job as helping students develop the skills and dispositions of deliberation by practicing speaking and listening with civility, backing up ideas with evidence and information, and considering how one's own views affect others. Further, because classrooms are “unusual political spaces” in which young people hone their political and social identities, Hess and McAvoy argue that students deserve the opportunity to puzzle about the issues they are inheriting in a way that models good thinking and reasoning. It is these experiences that best prepare future citizens to answer the vital question, “How should we live together?” Teaching these habits of political friendship upholds the civic ideal of our democracy and offers hope that over time, goodwill can transform a distrustful political sphere. This back-to-school event is for everyone who is concerned about democracy and the preservation of open discussion in education; teachers are especially encouraged to attend. It will take place online and in person; we will welcome our speakers virtually and moderator Milton Reynolds will join a live audience in our building on The Embarcadero. NOTES In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on September 27th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Ken Chitwood. Ken is currently doing research on the interesections of ethnography and journalism with the University of Southern California's Center for Religion and Civic Culture's Spiritual Exemplars Project and on Latinx Muslim philanthropy with the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI), an initiative of Lake Institute on Faith and Giving and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. From 2020-2022, he was the Fritz Thyssen Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures & Societies at Freie Universität Berlin. He obtained a doctorate from the University of Florida in 2019, where he worked with the Department of Religion and the Center for Global Islamic Studies. His academic work focuses on Islam in the Americas, Puerto Rican Muslims, Latinx Muslims, American religion (including North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean), translocal religion, intersections of religion & culture, Christian-Muslim relations, global Christianity, Muslim minorities, & ethnographic methods and manifestations of religion-beyond-religion in a global and digital age. Additionally, he has published work on Judaism in Latin America and the Caribbean, religion and popular culture, and the theme of global heroism. He has been reviewing books on Christianity, Islam, religion, anthropology, culture, and history for seven years with Publisher's Weekly, the Houston Chronicle, Reading Religion from the American Academy of Religion, and other scholarly and popular publications. In that time, Ken has read and reviewed over 150 popular books, academic monographs, and edited collections. In this episode we explore: Islam in Latin America and the Carribean  Religious syncretism & the sacred Feminine  Cosmopolitanism  Love of neighbor  Generative frictions and the importance of relational repair  The benefit of therapy for men  Much more! Website: kenchitwood.com

If you were sure you had married someone but they didn't agree, the London consistory court was the place to be. Here, ecclesiastical judges heard contested marriage cases. Disgruntled non-couple couples brought all kinds of evidence: gifts, exchanges of vows, sexual relationships. But for one woman, denying marriage was as simple as admitting that they had made out a couple of times but she had never intended to marry him. Further Reading: Shannon McSheffrey, Marriage, Sex, and Civic Culture in Late Medieval London (Philadelphia, 2006)

Surprising statistics and lively analysis of the 2020 Pew Study results. Sarah Bunin Benor is Professor of Contemporary Jewish Studies at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (Los Angeles) and Adjunct Professor in the University of Southern California Linguistics Department. She received her Ph.D. from Stanford University in Linguistics in 2004. Her books include Becoming Frum: How Newcomers Learn the Language and Culture of Orthodox Judaism (Rutgers University Press, 2012) and Hebrew Infusion: Language and Community at American Jewish Summer Camps (Rutgers University Press, 2020). Dr. Benor is founding co-editor of the Journal of Jewish Languages and creator of the Jewish Language Website and the Jewish English Lexicon. Bruce A. Phillips is Professor of Sociology and Jewish Communal Studies at Hebrew Union College, and University Fellow at Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. He is one of the leading researchers in the demography and sociology of American Jewry and is the 2017 recipient of the Marshall Sklare award for his contributions to this field. His current research focuses on Jewish interfaith marriage in the United States, Jewish adults who grew up in interfaith homes in the context of mixed-race research, Jewish residential patterns in metro areas including suburbanization and “ethnoburbs.”

Joining us on this episode are Umar Hakim and Dominique DuBois Gilliard. Umar is a native of Compton, CA, and serves as Executive Director of ILM (Intellect Love Mercy) Foundation. He is the chair of the board of LA Voice, a Faith in Action affiliate. As an active alumnus of the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute (or AMCLI), Umar is a facilitator and trainer for its national program housed at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture.  Dominique is the Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice (LMDJ) initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). He is the author of Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores, which won the 2018 Book of the Year Award for InterVarsity Press. His forthcoming book is Subversive Witness: Scripture’s Call to Leverage Privilege, and it will drop on August 24th. An ordained minister, Rev. Gilliard has served in pastoral ministry in Atlanta, Chicago, and Oakland.  This episode is part of a series recorded in early April during Faith in Action’s Keeping Faith Week of Prophetic Action.  Umar, Dominique, and I have all lived in communities known for escalations of gun violence. In this episode, we shared some of our personal stories, unpacked root causes, and reflected on how addressing the issue of gun violence is a way to live out our collective faith.

An Israeli soldier’s decision to speak out against his own violent actions comes back to haunt him. And a little girl in Brooklyn devotes herself to becoming a nun… or does she? STORIES Crimes, Lies, and Videotape When Dean Issacharoff was a commander in the Israeli Defense Forces, he patrolled the Palestinian city of Hebron, and later fought in Gaza. Then, after he got home from the army, Dean’s decision to speak out about his own violent actions came back to haunt him. This story contains images of war and violence, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you, Dean, for sharing your story with us. A special thanks to the University of Southern California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture, the John Templeton Foundation and Templeton Religion Trust, and KALW’s Spiritual Edge podcast – this story would not have been possible without their support. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations. Produced by Shaina Shealy, original score by Pat Mesiti-Miller. The Flying Nun A little girl in Brooklyn can help her whole community if she just devotes herself to becoming a nun but what if she doesn’t want to? A big thanks to Eileen for sharing your story with us. Read more of Eileen O’Toole’s story in her book, At Sister Anna’s Feet. Produced by Anna Sussman Season 12 - Episode 22 - Snap Classic

In this episode Q talks to her friend, teacher and mentor, Brie Loskota about how to (realistically!) make a positive impact. Find Brie online at: BrieLoskota.com Twitter: @brieloskota ------------- Brie Loskota is the executive director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. Her research explores how religions change and make change in the world. She is a leading voice working to enhance religious pluralism and community resilience in the US and around the globe. She is co-founder and senior advisor to the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute and implementing partner for the United State Institute of Peace's Generation Change program where she trains emerging leaders committed to peace-building from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Colombia.

Welcome to Season 2 of EarthRising! We will continue to explore a deeper connection to our planet through the lens of the arts, spirituality and conservation. Conversations with engaged individuals from around the globe will include topics on social and environmental justice, art for animal rights advocacy, combatting the illegal wildlife trade, women’s involvement in conservation, ethical consumer guides and spirituality’s role in cultivating the perspective of a sacred Earth.As interviews continue to unfold, I wish you the same renewed sense of inspiration that I’ve felt speaking with these amazing people and learning about their Earth advocacy.Stay tuned for Season 2 episodes to be released every other Friday starting April 23  over the next few months.

In his lecture “City of Dreams: Los Angeles as a Cradle for Religious Activism, Innovation, and Diversity,” Richard Flory, senior director of research and evaluation at USC’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture, introduces the unique culture of Los Angeles and considers the dynamics between culture and place. In response, Alexia Salvatierra, assistant professor of integral mission and global transformation, talks about what we can learn from LA’s recent history of immigration reform.

In this episode, the Three Righteous Mamas have a timely—and extensive—conversation with Brie Loskota, the Executive Director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. Her research explores how religions change and make change in the world. Loskota has also worked with all levels of the U.S. government to ensure more effective partnerships with faith communities around the issues of public health, mental health and disaster response—all relevant topics in this day and age. The 3RM also discuss the importance of the 2020 presidential results.

A ministry of song and service, with devotion to the most invisible among us.   The husband and wife singer-songwriting team of Al and Andi Tauber, Urban Mennonites:  They seek and value the simple life – in much the same way as their Amish and Quaker spiritual cousins, but their calling returns them to urban spaces; to pressing societal concerns.  This episode of Beliefs was produced by Monique Parsons in collaboration  with KALW's The Spiritual Edge, the University of California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture, and Religion News Service. 

Studying genocides and religion — Dr. Donald Miller, co-founding director of strategic initiatives for the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at USC, studies global religious trends. He talks to Institute Director Salpi Ghazarian about oral histories of Rwandan and Armenian genocide survivors and the questioning of faith during atrocities. Learn more about the USC Institute of Armenian Studies at http://armenian.usc.edu. For more, read Miller's latest book Becoming Human Again: An Oral History of the Rwandan Genocide Against the Tutsi.

Hizky Shoham discusses the 'emotionologies' surrounding the Nazi-Zionist 'Transfer agreement.' Are boycotts emotional outbursts or practical political tools? The proposed paper looks at the emotional aspects of the public debate that raged in Jewish Palestine in the 1930s about the Nazi-Zionist agreement, in order to suggest a theory of boycotts as emotional scripts. The Ha'avara ('transfer') agreement enabled Jews to leave Germany and take some of their assets with them, in the form of German goods to be sold in Palestine, therefore breaking the worldwide anti-Nazi boycott. Drawing on contemporary media and archival sources and comparative studies about boycotts and 'buy national' campaigns, I analyze the discourse on emotions in the public debate about the agreement. Rather than so-called ‘practical' politics, the debate focused on various emotions such as humiliation, fear, anger, and vengeance, their role in politics, and the right way to contain or release them. The emotionology (as defined by historians Peter and Carol Stearns) of Zionist pride prescribed ‘practicability' as a demonstration of restraint and respectability, and denounced the anti-Nazi boycott movement as ‘exilic' Jewish submissiveness. Nonetheless, this emotionology did not fit the actual ability of the Jewish public to contain the harsh emotions. Under the guise of “buy national” campaigns, anti-German feeling was channeled into an effective boycott of the Templers, a small German community living in Palestine since the nineteenth century. Based on Theodor Sarbin's theory of emotions as cognitive schemes, the paper suggests theorizing boycotts as political dramas whose ‘effectivity' depends mainly on their emotional scripting. Bio: Hizky Shoham's works consist of anthropological history and sociology of Zionism, the Yishuv, and Israel; and cultural theory. He is a senior lecturer in the Interdisciplinary Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies, and co-director of the Center for Cultural Sociology, Bar Ilan University, Israel; and a research fellow in the Kogod Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies at the Shalom Hartman institute in Jerusalem. His publications include Carnival in Tel Aviv: Purim and the Celebration of Urban Zionism (Academic Studies Press, 2014); and Israel Celebrates: Festivals and Civic Culture in Israel (Brill, 2017).

Hizky Shoham discusses the 'emotionologies' surrounding the Nazi-Zionist 'Transfer agreement.' Are boycotts emotional outbursts or practical political tools? The proposed paper looks at the emotional aspects of the public debate that raged in Jewish Palestine in the 1930s about the Nazi-Zionist agreement, in order to suggest a theory of boycotts as emotional scripts. The Ha'avara ('transfer') agreement enabled Jews to leave Germany and take some of their assets with them, in the form of German goods to be sold in Palestine, therefore breaking the worldwide anti-Nazi boycott. Drawing on contemporary media and archival sources and comparative studies about boycotts and 'buy national' campaigns, I analyze the discourse on emotions in the public debate about the agreement. Rather than so-called ‘practical’ politics, the debate focused on various emotions such as humiliation, fear, anger, and vengeance, their role in politics, and the right way to contain or release them. The emotionology (as defined by historians Peter and Carol Stearns) of Zionist pride prescribed ‘practicability’ as a demonstration of restraint and respectability, and denounced the anti-Nazi boycott movement as ‘exilic’ Jewish submissiveness. Nonetheless, this emotionology did not fit the actual ability of the Jewish public to contain the harsh emotions. Under the guise of “buy national” campaigns, anti-German feeling was channeled into an effective boycott of the Templers, a small German community living in Palestine since the nineteenth century. Based on Theodor Sarbin’s theory of emotions as cognitive schemes, the paper suggests theorizing boycotts as political dramas whose ‘effectivity’ depends mainly on their emotional scripting. Bio: Hizky Shoham’s works consist of anthropological history and sociology of Zionism, the Yishuv, and Israel; and cultural theory. He is a senior lecturer in the Interdisciplinary Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies, and co-director of the Center for Cultural Sociology, Bar Ilan University, Israel; and a research fellow in the Kogod Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies at the Shalom Hartman institute in Jerusalem. His publications include Carnival in Tel Aviv: Purim and the Celebration of Urban Zionism (Academic Studies Press, 2014); and Israel Celebrates: Festivals and Civic Culture in Israel (Brill, 2017).

Why do some countries have high rates of taxation and high compliance, while some failed states have neither?

When Dean Issacharoff was a commander in the Israeli Defense Forces, he patrolled the Palestinian city of Hebron, and later fought in Gaza. Then, after he got home from the army, Dean’s decision to speak out about his own violent actions came back to haunt him in a twisted turn of events. Sensitive listeners - please be advised this story contains images of war and violence. Thank you, Dean, for sharing your story with us. A special thanks to the University of Southern California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture, the John Templeton Foundation and Templeton Religion Trust, and KALW’s Spiritual Edge podcast - this story would not have been possible without their support. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations. This story was produced by Shaina Shealy and the original score was by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Season 10 Episode 26

Brie Loskota, from the University of Southern California's Center for Religion and Civic Culture, explains 'capacity building' and how it empowers young leaders to advocate for themselves, for their communities, and for community peace building. Brie is a writer widely published and interviewed, with significant roles in many notable religious, public and governmental institutions, and she is the Director of the Safe Communities Institute at USC. Her work includes studying how people use their beliefs to make decisions. Commenting on the productivity of the political environment, Brie addresses how perfectionism has prevented progress. And that a lack of empathy for the "other" or cancellation of someone who doesn't meet personal ideals is a narcissistic outlook. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel talks about Brie's quote "The biggest force against us is our own indifference". And she also explains 'compassion fatigue' and becoming overwhelmed by the feeling that you are unable to make a difference. More on the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture: This department studies, documents, and helps communities understand the changes that shape religious cultures in Southern California and across the globe. Their goal is to engage scholars and build inclusive communities.

In these fractured and fractious times it can sometimes be difficult to see past the political chasms that divide us; harder still to find the common ground needed to attempt anything approaching a healthy public discourse.  On this edition of In Depth -- hot on the heels of the fourth of July -- we get to know the work of one group attempting to address these challenges: Citizen University is a Seattle-based nonprofit working to draw people together around a common commitment to bettering American life through civic engagement. Over the past few years they've organized what they're calling Civic Saturday events in dozens of cities around the country. We discuss those community gatherings and the prospect that America just might be on the verge of a civic revival.  Host: KCBS Radio reporter Keith Menconi  Guest:Eric Liu, the co-founder and CEO of Citizen University. His new book, which draws together 19 of the Civic Saturday sermons he’s delivered over the past few years, is called "Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility, and Democracy.”

In Part 12 of Redlining & White Noise, our friend Jonathan Russell joins us for a conversation about whiteness and land domination. Using his recent article, the ‘white lie' connecting President Trump's pardon of arsonists, current immigration policy, and Charlottesville as a launch point, this episode focuses on the historical and contemporary linkage between racial identity and property ownership. Jonathan Russell is the Vice President of Programs at Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond, California. He is also a Contributing Fellow at the University of Southern California Center for Religion and Civic Culture and is an Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy and Religion at Chaffey College. We discuss the ideas of two additional writers in this episode: George Lipsitz-   https://architecturesofspatialjustice.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/w05_lipsitz_race.pdf   https://www.amazon.com/Racism-Takes-Place-George-Lipsitz/dp/1439902569   Willie James Jennings-   https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Imagination-Theology-Origins-Race/dp/0300171366/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538720518&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=the+christian+imagination+theology+and+the+origins+of+race&dpPl=1&dpID=51h5UW5zf8L&ref=plSrch

Professor Reuven Firestone uses the Bully Pulpit to explain Muslim violence through a Jewish lens. abbi Dr. Reuven Firestone is the Regenstein Professor in Medieval Judaism and Islam at HUC-JIR/Los Angeles. Since 1993, Dr. Firestone has served as associate and then full professor of Medieval Judaism and Islam at HUC-JIR. He founded the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement (CMJE), a joint program of Hebrew Union College, the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Foundation and the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. In 2012-2013 he was appointed DAAD Visiting Professor in Jewish and Islamic Studies at Universität Potsdam/Geiger Kolleg in Berlin-Brandenburg. Chosen to be a fellow of the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002, he received the Fulbright CASA III Fellowship for study and research at the American University in Cairo in 2006. In 2000, he was awarded the fellowship for independent research from the National Endowment for the Humanities for his research on holy war in Judaism. In 1992 he was awarded the Yad Hanadiv Research Fellowship at the Hebrew University to conduct research on holy war in Islamic tradition.

**Do you need help regarding sexual assault? Please visit this national list of resources to find an organization in your area: http://www.nsvrc.org/organizations Or, email info@womensmosque.com if you need assistance finding help. You are not alone.** Khateebah Sumaya Abubaker delivers the 4th khutbah for The Women's Mosque of America on April 24th, 2015. In her sermon, Sumaya speaks to the centrality of compassion in Islam, its link to the concept of justice, and the insight and guidance it provides in meeting the challenges of addressing sexual assault and sexual abuse. Bio: Sumaya Abubaker serves as project manager for the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture. For over eight years, she has managed many of the Center's civic engagement leadership institutes for minority faith communities including the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute. Prior to joining CRCC, she worked for Wells Fargo Bank, the Council for Islamic Education and The Minaret magazine. She spent many years on the board of ELEV8, a nonprofit designed to empower youth with the tools to engage in activism through the arts. Sumaya is a fellow of NewGround, a program that engages diverse groups of Muslim and Jewish Angelenos in an innovative community-building process of intra- and inter-faith education and reflection, leadership training and civic engagement. Sumaya is also co-founder of the Rahma Network, an organization established to assist American Muslim communities in addressing sexual violence and abuse. She is a survivor herself and through her involvement in the Rahma Network, she works with survivors, builds resources and conducts speaking engagements on how to prevent and address sexual violence and abuse. She received her BA from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied international development with a specialization in the Middle East/North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

Professor Firestone uses the Bully Pulpit to explain Muslim violence through a Jewish lens. Rabbi Dr. Reuven Firestone is the Regenstein Professor in Medieval Judaism and Islam at HUC-JIR/Los Angeles. Since 1993, Dr. Firestone has served as associate and then full professor of Medieval Judaism and Islam at HUC-JIR. He founded the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement (CMJE), a joint program of Hebrew Union College, the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Foundation and the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. In 2012-2013 he was appointed DAAD Visiting Professor in Jewish and Islamic Studies at Universität Potsdam/Geiger Kolleg in Berlin-Brandenburg. Chosen to be a fellow of the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002, he received the Fulbright CASA III Fellowship for study and research at the American University in Cairo in 2006. In 2000, he was awarded the fellowship for independent research from the National Endowment for the Humanities for his research on holy war in Judaism. In 1992 he was awarded the Yad Hanadiv Research Fellowship at the Hebrew University to conduct research on holy war in Islamic tradition.

Jonathan Russell is a chaplain working for urban justice at the Union Rescue Mission on skid row in Downtown Los Angeles, a contributing fellow at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, and an adjunct professor of philosophy and religion at Chaffey College. He hold a Masters degree in theology and philosophy of religion from Fuller Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Religion and Philosophy at Claremont Graduate University. He was formerly a young adult and college minister and prior to that he spent nearly a decade as a professional musician in the music industry as a founding member of the band Cold War Kids, in which he was a songwriter and the lead guitarist.

Will there be a very large property tax increase in Memphis in 2016? That’s the question that kicked off this edition of A Memphis Conversation.  Some city council members have predicted that possibility for the year after city elections primarily because of the contributions the city will be required to make toward pensions for retired […]