Podcasts about Eastern Mennonite University

Art has long been a powerful tool for fostering understanding, reconciliation, and healing in conflict-affected societies. By transforming cultural, political, and ideological boundaries, artistic expression allows individuals to communicate, reflect, and envision new possibilities for coexistence. In this episode, Peace Policy guest editor Norbert Koppensteiner, Associate Teaching Professor of Peace Studies, joined the contributors of the issue to discuss the diverse ways that art contributes to peacebuilding, demonstrating its ability to cultivate empathy, challenge oppressive structures, and create spaces for dialogue. Contributors to this issue of Peace Policy include Alison Ribeiro de Menezes, a Professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Warwick, UK; Vera Brandner, head of the NGO ipsum and a freelance scientist and lecturer; Jessica (Doe) Mehta, Ph.D. (Aniyunwiya/Cherokee Nation), a 2024-2025 Visiting Research Fellow at the Kroc Institute; and Paula Ditzel Facci, a dancing peace researcher and assistant professor of peacebuilding at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. Read all articles in this issue at peacepolicy.nd.edu.

Bridget Moix is the fifth General Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). She also leads two other Quaker organizations, affiliated with FCNL: Friends Place on Capitol Hill and FCNL Education Fund. She is a passionate Quaker peace advocate, activist, and mother. Bridget rejoined FCNL as General Secretary in January 2022. Early in her career, she had interned at FCNL. She actually started her career at FCNL 1996. She brings with her 25 years of work on international peace and conflict issues, with a focus on US foreign policy. Prior to joining FCNL, she served as US Executive Director of Peace Direct (2015-2021). As a teacher, she has taught courses in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and Quaker studies at several institutions, including Haverford College, Columbia University, George Washington University, American University, and Eastern Mennonite University. Bridget holds a Ph.D. from George Mason University's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She focused her dissertation on understanding the motivations of local peacebuilders and how the international community can better support them. She is author of “Choosing Peace: Agency and Action in the Midst of War” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), and a contributing author to “Building Peace in America” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020) as well as “The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice” (Josey-Bass; 2006; 2014).

Is your nonprofit struggling to understand cybersecurity fundamentals? Are you unsure what level of protection you need or can afford?October is Cybersecurity month! Community IT Chief Technology Officer Matt Eshleman walked through our revised Playbook on Cybersecurity Readiness for Nonprofits in a webinar designed to get your nonprofit prepped to face cyberliability insurance requirements and ever-evolving threats. Learn the Community IT approach to cybersecurity and how even small changes will protect your organization against threats big and small. 2024 Updated Playbook on Cybersecurity Readiness for Nonprofits – DownloadMatt shares updated advice on security improvements that provide protection against the most common attacks. You will learn about AI and cybersecurity, best practices in staff training, how to qualify for cyber insurance, and why you need written IT documentation and governance policies. Do you have an approach to compliance? Do you know if your staff are following your cybersecurity policies and procedures? With the rise of automated and realistic AI tools and more sophisticated methods of identity and email verification, your nonprofit can't afford not to prioritize cybersecurity. It may be difficult to qualify for business insurance if you don't complete certain checklists of cybersecurity precautions. But if you don't know where to start, it can be tempting to delay indefinitely.This Playbook gives you a simple structure to understand how to think about cybersecurity risks and costs for your nonprofit. Matt's presentation gives you tips you can put in place quickly and train your staff on immediately. You can download the new Playbook for free here.This webinar is appropriate for nonprofit executives, managers, accounting, development, and nonprofit IT personnel – and as with all our webinars, it is appropriate for a varied audience.Community IT is proudly vendor-agnostic and our webinars cover a range of topics and discussions. Webinars are never a sales pitch, always a way to share our knowledge with our community.Presenter:As the Chief Technology Officer at Community IT and our resident cybersecurity expert, Matthew Eshleman is responsible for shaping Community IT's strategy around the technology platforms used by organizations to be secure and productive. With a deep background in network infrastructure, he fundamentally understands how technology works and interoperates both in the office and in the cloud.Matt joined Community IT as an intern in the summer of 2000 and after finishing his dual degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems at Eastern Mennonite University, he rejoined Community IT as a network administrator in January of 2001. Matt has steadily progressed up at Community IT and while working full time received his MBA from the Carey School of Business at Johns Hopkins University.Matt is a frequent speaker at NTEN events and has presented at the Inside NGO conference, Non-Profit Risk Management Summit and Credit Builders Alliance Symposium. He is also the session designer and trainer for TechSoup's Digital Security course.  _______________________________Start a conversation :) Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/ email Carolyn at cwoodard@communityit.com on LinkedIn Thanks for listening.

The pace of new AI tools and uses on the market is like a rocket. Does your nonprofit have questions about cybersecurity, opting out, or best practices when using AI? Microsoft released a new AI Governance Framework for Nonprofits joining many institutions putting out guidelines and studying the impact of AI on nonprofits and the ways nonprofits are using AI. Many nonprofits are approaching AI very cautiously, or may not have developed policies yet to use AI securely. Or your nonprofit may have ethical questions about using AI at all.How do you even attempt to opt out of AI tools that are packaged with an update of tools you already use? How do you communicate with your staff the ethics your organization expects staff to use when using AI?Nonprofit Cybersecurity expert Matt Eshleman shares his thoughts in this podcast on the importance of AI Artificial Intelligence at nonprofits. Some key takeaways:Understanding that you can use your organization values about using AI without opting out of everything.Opting out is difficult as tools you already use add AI enhancements and upgrades. It can be done but must be intentional. Cybersecurity concerns are valid concerns when using AI.Understand when an AI is public and your queries and its responses will be part of a public data set, and when an AI tool is private to your own organization's data.AI for automation can be a very beneficial add to nonprofit productivity and ability to do more with less. Having someone or a team at your organization “own” training for secure and productive AI use is a good concept to embrace.Some nonprofits are very tech-savvy and will be exploring AI uses for mission use cases. Almost every nonprofit is going to be using AI for increased productivity unless they plan to be vigilant and intentional about opting out.Pay attention to the tools and reputation of the vendors. Larger organizations have a higher level of reputation to maintain and more resources to spend to get their AI tools right. During this AI bubble where so many new vendors are rushing to enter the market, nonprofits should be intentional about vetting new tools and vendors before committing.When updating existing tools, research and evaluate and understand the new AI enhancements, and communicate them to staff. AI will be transformative to the nonprofit and every other sector. As the Chief Technology Officer at Community IT, Matthew Eshleman leads the team responsible for strategic planning, research, and implementation of the technology platforms used by nonprofit organization clients to be secure and productive. With extensive experience serving nonprofits, Matt also understands nonprofit culture and constraints, and has a history of implementing cost-effective and secure solutions at the enterprise level.Matt has over 23 years of expertise in cybersecurity, IT support, team leadership, software selection and research, and client support. Matt holds dual degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems from Eastern Mennonite University, and an MBA from the Carey School of Business at Johns Hopkins University.  _______________________________Start a conversation :) Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/ email Carolyn at cwoodard@communityit.com on LinkedIn Thanks for listening.

Laughers, get ready to hear the inspiring story of Harrisonburg's first African American Mayor. Tune in for a powerful and motivational conversation between two people who think differently politically and connect joyfully in their shared humanity.  Highlighting the spirit of service and community join host Dawn Davis Womack as they delve into the Mayor's journey from a successful career in retail to founding the impactful Precious Gems Academy and On the Road Collaborative program.  We'll explore her dedication to youth empowerment, her challenges, her triumphs and organizing community events like the African American Culture Festival. Discover the four most influential women in her life whose legacies inspire her and ultimately led to her calling to stay in her hometown to make a lasting impact. Learn about her role as Mayor, hear heartfelt stories of mentorship and discover her ambitious plans for the new homeless center offering comprehensive services from job placement to mental health resources set to open this fall.  Mayor Deanna Reed also opens up about the powerful impact of her recognition from Essence magazine that led to meeting African American women leaders across the country including Vice President Kamala Harris. Listen to her encouraging words for young women of color to pursue their passions with confidence and authenticity. Plus, don't miss her valuable advice for young women of color and her insights on self-care, time management, and authentic leadership amidst her mayoral duties and her new role at Eastern Mennonite University. Cheers! Mayor Deanna Reed Email: Deanna.Reed@harrisonburgva.gov Facebook: Deanna Reed City Council Woman On the Road Collaborative: ontheroadcollaborative.com Laughers, to order & follow PrePOPsterous Gourmet Popcorn:  Physical Location: 400 N Main St, Bridgewater, VA 22812 Website: www.prepopsterous.com Use Discount Promo Code: LAUGH15 and receive 15% Off Facebook: PrePOPsterous Instagram: @eatprepopseterous To learn more about FWAF Show (formerly X2 Comedy) & Buy Tickets visit: thefunnywomacks.com Facebook & Instagram: @thefunnywomacks

What are the main ways AI impacts nonprofit cybersecurity risks?Social engineering, trust, and data risks are the three big areas where AI will have impacts on cybersecurity at nonprofits that you need to be aware of. Whether or not your organization is using AI, these are areas where hackers are definitely using AI to devise new methods of attack.Matt Eshleman, CTO at Community IT, recommends creating policies that address the way your staff uses AI – if you haven't updated your Acceptable Use policies recently, AI concerns are a good reason to do that. He also recommends taking an inventory of your file sharing permissions before AI surfaces something that wasn't secured correctly. Finally, make sure your staff training is up to date, engaging, and constant. AI is creating more believable attacks that change more frequently; if your staff don't know what to look out for you could fall for the newest scams or accidentally share sensitive data with a public AI generator.Community IT has created an Acceptable Use of AI Tools policy template; you can download it for free. And if you are trying to update or create policies but don't know where to start, here is a resource on Making IT Governance Work for Your Nonprofit.Good Tech Fest is a global virtual conference on how you can responsibly use emerging technologies for impact. Whether it's AI, web3, machine learning, or just simple mobile and application development, Good Tech Fest is the place to hear from practitioners using these technologies for impact.As with all our webinars, these presentations are appropriate for an audience of varied IT experience.Community IT is proudly vendor-agnostic and our webinars cover a range of topics and discussions. Webinars are never a sales pitch, always a way to share our knowledge with our community.Presenter:As the Chief Technology Officer at Community IT, Matthew Eshleman leads the team responsible for strategic planning, research, and implementation of the technology platforms used by nonprofit organization clients to be secure and productive. With a deep background in network infrastructure, he fundamentally understands how nonprofit tech works and interoperates both in the office and in the cloud. With extensive experience serving nonprofits, Matt also understands nonprofit culture and constraints, and has a history of implementing cost-effective and secure solutions at the enterprise level.Matt has over 22 years of expertise in cybersecurity, IT support, team leadership, software selection and research, and client support. Matt is a frequent speaker on cybersecurity topics for nonprofits and has presented at NTEN events, the Inside NGO conference, Nonprofit Risk Management Summit and Credit Builders Alliance Symposium, LGBT MAP Finance Conference, and Tech Forward Conference. He is also the session designer and trainer for TechSoup's Digital Security course, and our resident Cybersecurity expertMatt holds dual degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems from Eastern Mennonite University, and an MBA from the Carey School of Business at Johns Hopkins University. _______________________________Start a conversation :) Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/ email Carolyn at cwoodard@communityit.com on LinkedIn Thanks for listening.

This episode features selections from a September 2022 talk at Middlebury by John Paul Lederach, with an introduction from Middlebury president Laurie Patton.  John Paul Lederach is globally recognized for his pioneering theory and practice in the field of conflict transformation (CT). Lederach is senior fellow at Humanity United and professor emeritus of international peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame. He is also the co-founder and first director of the Eastern Mennonite University's Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. Our work at Middlebury has been inspired and enriched by Lederach's work and by his personal example of hope and generosity. In September 2022, he was the keynote speaker at the college's Clifford Symposium. He serves on the Middlebury CT Collaborative External Advisory Board.  His 2005 book, The Moral Imagination, identifies risk taking, curiosity, creativity, and a relational focus as key dispositions for constructive engagement in conflict.  Thanks as always to our team of interns and staff who edit and produce these episodes. Special thanks to Caroline Harding for selecting powerful parts of Lederach's talk! https://www.middlebury.edu/conflict-transformation/who-we-are#external-advisory-board  

Nia Boyd of Henrico was named to the fall 2023 dean's list at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va. To be named to the dean's list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.75 or higher. *** Hailey Sell of Glen Allen was named to the fall 2023 president's list at Western New England University. To qualify for the president's list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.80 or higher. Sell is majoring in Electrical Engineering. *** The following local students graduated in December from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta: Emily Deyerle, Jakob...Article LinkSupport the show

On today's episode I sat down with Coach Jered Lyons. Coach Lyons has experience coaching men's basketball at Hood College, Salisbury University, and Eastern Mennonite University. He is currently the head women's basketball coach at Washington Adventist College (Takoma Park, MD). In this episode we discuss:- The recruiting process from an NAIA perspective- The questions Coach Lyons asks high school coaches, AAU coaches, and trainers- The importance of taking ownership of the recruiting process- Coach Lyon's “red” and “green” flags for an on campus visit- Coach Lyons explains how the scholarships at Washington Adventist worksAnd much more!If you've enjoyed this episode make sure you subscribe and leave us a review!WAU WBB Instagram WAU WBB Recruit QuestionnaireWAU WBB CampsCheck out Hoops Through Life on: Hoops Through Life WebsiteInstagramFacebookIf you're feeling overwhelmed with the recruiting process sign up for a free 30-minute Strategy Session Today!If you have any questions for me or our future guests email el@hoopsthroughlife.com

Higher Ed AV PodcastEpisode 231Daniel House, Educational Tech Analyst at Eastern Mennonite University joins the show to discuss his role at the university and path into higher education. He talks about how he got connected in less than a year and the lessons learned.Daniel HouseEducational Tech AnalystEastern Mennonite Universityhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-house-970a436/

Cam played 4 seasons at Eastern Mennonite and has returned as an assistant baseball coach. In this episode, Cam talks about the recruiting process and gives advice to young players to help with their journey's. You can find Cam on X: @camearles77 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mozingobaseball/message

Read and Sign our Petition to Proclaim the Full Resurrection Story on Easter Sunday: https://futurechurch.org/petition Preaching for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Caitlin Morneau offers a reflection on reclaiming connectedness: "Forgiveness is fundamentally an individual act, but with social implications. Every harm has repercussions, rippling impacts through time and community. Really living into the fullness of forgiveness means moving toward as full a reclamation of human dignity and communion as possible. When this becomes the way in which we move and live and have our being, suddenly seven times seventy becomes far more attainable — not a heroic act for the few. But we cannot do it alone. We need to encourage one another daily. And build up systems (legal and otherwise) that create vessels for mercy and grace to shape the labor of justice itself." Caitlin Morneau serves as Director of Restorative Justice at Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), the national Catholic organization working to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice through education, advocacy and prayer. Caitlin is a Bernardin Scholar at Catholic Theological Union where she is completing a MA in Ministry with a concentration in Spirituality and holds an MA in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. Caitlin is a facilitator of peacemaking circles and trained in restorative community conferencing. She lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband, two children, and black lab. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/09172023 to learn more about Caitlin, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Season 4 Episode 7How to Shut Up, Listen, and Believe"Multicultural relationships are a vaccine to the terrible virus of racism" - Dr. David AndersonHere at Vineyard Columbus, part of our mission statement is to develop multi-ethnic communities of disciples. Multicultural ministry is interwoven into our Christian heritage and guaranteed as the fullness of God's promised Kingdom. It's a big deal to us here on the In-Between. But doing the work of multicultural ministry is much more than fellowship and Sunday morning niceties. Today we're joined by two experts who will be sharing about doing the hard work of building and sustaining multicultural ministry through the art of radical inclusion. Dr. Dave Anderson is the founder and President of Gracism Global- one of the world's leading authorities on bridging the deep divides of race, faith, culture, and wealth. Known as the bridge-building voice in the Nation's Capital, Anderson hosts the daily radio talk show "Real Talk with Dr. David Anderson" – the most listened to Christian talk station on the East Coast. As the founder and senior pastor of Bridgeway Community Church, Dr. Anderson reaches a multicultural congregation of over 10,000 weekly attendees from more than 60 nations, viewed online in over 100 countries, with locations in Columbia and Owings Mills, Maryland. He authored a book, Gracism, The Art of Inclusion, in 2007 which we will be discussing today. We're also joined by Pastor David Heiliger - the director of Gracism Global, a diversity consulting firm committed to equipping transformational leaders for the sake of racial healing. David is also the Pastor of Multicultural Bridge Building at Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, Maryland, where over 60 different nations are represented in the church body. David graduated from the Center for Justice and Peace-building at Eastern Mennonite University with a Master's Degree in Conflict Transformation. He is training for his first Half Ironman and loves spending time outdoors with his wife, Julie, and their 8-year-old daughter.https://gracismglobal.com/ https://andersonspeaks.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-heiliger-01081939/ https://bookstore.vineyardcolumbus.org/reads/p/gracism-the-art-of-inclusion?rq=gracism

In July of 2021, author Sherri Zook published a book through Herald Press, offering permission to be real about your own needs and struggles. This week on the podcast, we're revisiting a conversation with Sherri from season 2, in which she explores some of the themes in her book, Peanut Butter and Dragon Wings: A Mother's Search for Grace. In her book, she expresses the confessions of a woman learning to live under the overwhelming expectations of motherhood. Dealing with faith and doubt, she reflects on letting go of her need to appear super-human and reached out to receive God's unfolding grace. What does authenticity and vulnerability have to do with deepening our faith? Listen to find out more! This week, Peanut Butter and Dragon Wings is ⁠40% off this week with code WEEKLY at checkout⁠ on the Herald Press website. This offer expires April 30, 2023. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ing-pod/message

Join the EMU Community in celebrating Black History Month with speaker George Johnson ’11.   Former EMU star athlete and now author, George Johnson, returns to Eastern Mennonite University to share his triumphant story of Double Crossed. Johnson speaks on his journey leading up to, during and life after his tenure as a Royal. 

Hailey Sell of Glen Allen was named to the fall 2022 president's list at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass. To qualify for the president's list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.80 or higher. Sell is pursuing a BSE in Electrical Engineering. *** Jackson Burcher and William Shields of Glen Allen graduated with bachelor's degrees in Business Administration in December from the University of Mississippi. Burcher majored in Management and Shields majored in Marketing and Communication Strategy. *** Nia Boyd of Henrico was named to the fall 2022 dean's list at Eastern Mennonite University in...Article LinkSupport the show

Joe Brummer is a trauma-survivor having lived through early exposure to violence, child abuse and neglect, and 2 separate violent anti-LGBTQ hate crimes a decade apart. Joe has turned his healing journey into a career in peacebuilding, restorative justice, and consulting in trauma-informed education. He has appeared on dozens of podcasts, webinars, and presented at national conferences. Most recently, Joe offered the closing Keynote at the 2022 Restorative Justice in Education Conference at Eastern Mennonite University. He serves as adjunct faculty at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace teaching the course,: Peacebuilding Skills: Dialogue, Trauma & Restorative Justice. His book, Building in Trauma-informed Restorative School: Skills and Approaches for Improving Culture and Behavior (December 2020 Jessica Kingsley Publishers) is being used by schools across the globe and is available for purchase in 5 countries. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigedidea/message

Listen to a pleasant, informative and engaging chat with laughs on heritage, history and storytelling that bring to you “A Heritage Christmas”. Learn about this unique faith filled holiday experience where you can take a dramatized tour, Watchmen Tell Us of the Night, to see what Christmas may have been like here in the Valley in 1864. Listen to the playwright, Liz Beachy Hansen, and the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center's Executive Director, Sam Funkhouser, talk about the development of this period piece. Get descriptions of the four scenes on the tour in or around four of their Civil War historic buildings. Listen to Liz, an Eastern Mennonite University graduate, tell her stories of her deep Mennonite roots and where her passion for storytelling originates. Discover her writing process and learn some civil war history on “The Burning”, a 13-day campaign to devastate and destroy the Breadbasket of the Confederacy in the Shenandoah Valley. Listen to some historical perspectives presented on the tour that shed light on how the Mennonites and Brethren community may have wrestled with and resolved the ideals for peace building, non-violence and much more! Plus, don't miss out on how you can signup for this one of a kind tour and experience Watchmen Tell Us of the Night! Enjoy! Take the Dramatized Tour December 17-18 2022 from 4p-7pm each evening! All proceeds will support the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center. https://brethrenmennoniteheritage.org/heritage-christmas-1 Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center 1921 Heritage Center Way Harrisonburg, VA 22801 HOURS Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Closed Wednesday – Friday 10am-5pm  Join their email list by visiting their website! https://brethrenmennoniteheritage.org/ OR shoot them an email and they will put you on the list: info@brethrenmennoniteheritage.org Facebook: Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center Resources/Books Liz Mentioned on this podcast on Civil War History: 1) The Burning: Sheridan's Devastation of the Shenandoah Valley by John Heatwole 2) A Woman's Civil War: A diary with Reminiscences of the War, from March 1962 by Cornelia Peake McDonald 3) Stephen L Longenecker, https://libguides.bridgewater.edu/prfsl;  https://www.shenandoahatwar.org/shenandoah-religion-article To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/ Facebook & Instagram: @x2comedy

“Trauma is the glue that holds polarization in place.”In this classic Fractal Friends episode re-release, Duncan speaks with David Brubaker about the depth of polarization. They discuss the importance of honoring each others' (and our own) dignity, even when we don't agree with each other. Empathy is a valuable tool we can use to understand other perspectives and ask questions that produce profound answers.David and Duncan delve deep into how trauma impacts polarization, including our epigenetics. That's why it's so important to know how to deal with trauma appropriately and recognize its wider effect on all of us. David explains how people choose their side regardless of how much sense the other side makes. He tells an anecdote about Israel and Palestine where one side shunned their own idea because they thought it came from the other.Polarization is real and dangerous, and it's up to us to understand and fix the rift it creates.  Episode Highlights:Learn the definition of polarization and the different levels of conflict.Discover the importance of honoring each other's dignity, even when we don't agree. Learn about the history of Mennonites and their involvement in conflict resolution. David explains how polarized people choose their side, regardless of the logic presented by the other side. Duncan and David discuss the history that's led to polarization. Uncover why avoiding conflict isn't the answer.Learn why trauma makes polarization worse and why it's important to understand how to deal with it.David explains why Confederate statues were built in the South. Understand why epigenetics might cause people of color to run from the police. About this episode's guest:David Brubaker is a Dean at the School of Social Sciences and Professions at Eastern Mennonite University. He's also a Professor of Sociology, and the author of several publications, including a book called When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization. David has consulted or trained with over 100 organizations worldwide. He's served with several community development and conflict transformation organizations for over four decades. Connect with David:email : david.brubaker@emu.eduLinkedIn Where Else can you find this episode?  Watch On YoutubeOn SubstackEpisode PageLooking to learn more about how we can change the future of our democracy? Connect with Duncan & the Omni-Win Project: FacebookInstagramTwitterLinkedInYouTubeSubstack

In this episode, we explore concepts of privilege - and how they color our systems and perpetuate inequities. We also discuss how building relationships across groups in a community can help us begin to address these systemic issues, while at the same time forging connections and building trust. My guest is Jacqueline Font-Guzman, vice president for diversity, equity, & inclusion at Eastern Mennonite University; and strategic vision director for the Center of Justice & Peace Building at EMU.

Sometimes it's not OK to be just neutral. In fact, it can be very dangerous when talking about effecting change and establishing social justice for everyone. In this episode, hear why the problem led these Eastern Mennonite University professors, Jackie Font-Guzmán and Bernie Mayer, to co-authored "The Neutrality Trap: Disrupting and Connecting for Social Change."Purchase "The Neutrality Trap: Disrupting and Connecting for Social Change" on Amazon.Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence. 

The Inclusive Language Handbook: A Guide to Better Communication and Transformational Leadership, by Jackie Ferguson and Roxanne BellamySometimes it's not OK to be just neutral. In fact, it can be very dangerous when talking about effecting change and establishing social justice for everyone. In this episode, hear why the problem led these Eastern Mennonite University professors, Jackie Font-Guzmán and Bernie Mayer, to co-authored "The Neutrality Trap: Disrupting and Connecting for Social Change."Purchase "The Neutrality Trap: Disrupting and Connecting for Social Change" on Amazon.Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence. DEI Navigator offers access to our award-winning team of proven business leaders and certified diversity executives, along with expert curated content, how-to guides, specialized training, and a community of peers sharing their ideas and lessons learned — all at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-service DEI consultancy.

Raised in the heart of Lancaster County, saxophonist Ryan Kauffman of Millersville University's Tell School of Music, shares his musical journey with us in our sixth episode! A graduate of Lancaster Mennonite HS, Ryan credits his teacher Phil Smith for pushing him forward in his saxophone studies which eventually transported him to Eastern Mennonite University and West Chester University. Listen in to find that surprisingly enough, he didn't begin his collegiate career on the saxophone... Ryan describes how immersion in his craft is what took him to another level and how no matter what avenue he travels musically, it all comes back to jazz. The influence of John Coltrane is discussed as well as his continued involvement in the local nonprofit group Naked Eye Ensemble, of which he has been a member since its inception. Musical and visual art has always been a passion of Ryan's and you will find that his desire to create has been woven into the fabric of his life in many ways. Here is Ryan's life, between the notes...

Talibah Atiya Najee Aquil is a multifaceted teacher, facilitator, artist, and healer,  but at the center of everything she does is a story of self and society-and helping others learn how to reclaim that story for themselves. This is getting to the root of healing work. Decolonizing perceptions, thoughts, and narratives about what it means to be Black in America, and in the world. She is founder of We Are Magic! Where she leads healing tours to Ghana for people of the African Diaspora to return to the place of their ancestral lineage and connect to their birthright to belong, be welcomed, and tell their own stories of their past, present, and future selves. Talibah graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and earned her Masters in Conflict Transformation at The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She crafts and tends spaces for trauma healing with a racial justice lens on the level of self, community, and culture using restorative justice, circle processes, poetry, music, dance, history, and lived experience. Talibah is also a lecturer at The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at EMU, where she created a course entitled “Re-imagining Identity” that examines the intersections of identity, story-telling, dignity, and the arts; in this course she created safe spaces for student-teachers to explore the complexities of identity as it relates to oneself and others. Contact Talibah: Talibah.a.aquil@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wild-honey-collective/message

In this episode Marshall King helps closeout the series focusing on armed conflict and war. Marshall shares about the process of writing the book “Disarmed- The Radical Life and Legacy of Michael "Mj” Sharp” and also shares some about MJ's life and legacy and the reception of the book. - https://www.mennomedia.org/9781513808338/disarmed/ MARSHALL V. KING is a writer and journalist based in Goshen, Indiana. For more than twenty years he worked at the Elkhart Truth as a reporter and eventually managing editor. He has written for a number of other publications and has often focused on food, writing a popular column for called Dining A La King for more than 20 years. He is head storyteller for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and an adjunct professor of communication at Goshen College. He is a 1992 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He and his spouse are members of Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen.

We are joined on today's broadcast of Hope Talks by Mark Stevanus. Mark joins us on today's broadcast to share his testimony. Mark helps lead celebrate recovery at Cornerstone church in Harrisonburg on Thursday nights. Mark was born in Indiana. Mark‘s dad was a pastor and when Mark was three years old his family answered a call to Mennonite voluntary service so their family moved to the Watts area of Los Angeles. About three years after moving to Los Angeles his family then move to Amarillo, Texas to help with a church plant. After 10 years in Texas Mark's family move to Richmond, Virginia. After Mark graduated from high school he attended Eastern Mennonite University. After college Mark moved back to Richmond before eventually coming back to the valley. We would also like to invite you to take an anonymous six question survey to help give us some feedback on the podcast. You can take the survey by clicking the link below. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rMtAr_aDl02Dki0XlUrGIhYk-WuZPbRHkFKyO4BJJKdURTIyS1JBNU1TSjRYQjA3VVo5RlNPT0dSWS4u

Less than 10 percent of airplane pilots are women. If you discount student pilots, about six percent of pilots are women. The average pilot today is a white man in his early 60s. Boeing's workforce outlook says 612,000 new pilots will be needed in commercial aviation alone over the next 20 years. That's why it's notable that three women pilots graduated last week from Eastern Mennonite University's Lancaster campus with Bachelor of Science degrees in Leadership and Organizational Management with an Aviation Concentration. Two of them are on Wednesday's Smart Talk. Ivy Kreiser and Noelle Yorgey have earned their private, Commercial and Flight Instructors certificates, with Instrument and Multi-engine ratings.. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, ~ing host Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards is joined by Rev. Michael John Cusick, a Licensed Professional Counselor, spiritual director, speaker, and author of two books including Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle and Somebody's Daughter: An Experiential Guide. He is also the founder and CEO of Restoring the Soul, an intensive counseling ministry aimed at restoring relationships. Having experienced the restoring touch of God in a deeply broken life and marriage, Michael's passion is to connect life's broken realities with the reality of the gospel. He is also a podcaster over at the Restoring the Soul podcast. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

In this week's episode, ~ing producer Ben Wideman is joined by Herald Press author, Shari Zook, to reflect on themes from her recently published book, Peanut Butter and Dragon Wings: A Mother's Search for Grace. In her book, she expresses the confessions of a woman learning to live under the overwhelming expectations of motherhood. Dealing with faith and doubt, she reflects on letting go of her need to appear super-human and reached out to receive God's unfolding grace. What does authenticity and vulnerability have to do with deepening our faith? Listen to find out more! A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

In this week's episode, ~ing host Allison Maus is joined by author, professor, and minister, Rev. Dr. Angela Williams Gorrell, professor at Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Today's conversation explores themes from Rev. Dr. Williams Gorrell's recently published book, The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found. What does joy mean, and how to people of faith find joy amid all the turbulence of our world today? In her book, Rev. Dr. Williams Gorrell admits, "My vocation was supposed to be joy, and I was speaking at funerals.” This episode brings wisdom from her personal life, as well as her time in education and ministry to this important theme of joy. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

In this week's episode, ~ing Producer Ben Wideman is joined by Betty Pries, co-founder and CEO of Credence & Co., a consulting agency dedicated to working with organizations and their leaders to help them thrive and flourish. Betty will talk with Ben about themes from her book, The Space Between Us: Conversations about Transforming Conflict, available from Herald Press. In her book, Betty gently guides readers toward seeing discord as an opportunity for positive change and a way to build resilience. Rooted in the conviction that conflict can strengthen our relationships and deepen our self-knowledge, Pries offers practical skills for engaging conflict and casts a vision for a more joy-filled future built on understanding our differences. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

Adam Starks is an author, speaker and child advocate. Adam and I met as freshmen in college at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. At the age of 18, Adam had just aged out of the foster care system and with very little resources found himself attending the same Anabaptist college I had traveled across the country to attend.  Adam's first book, Broken Child, Mended Man, a memoir, takes the reader on his journey from being removed from his biological family at the tender age of 8 and his ten years in foster care as well as his journey to success and healing in adulthood. I remember reading his book and feeling so inspired that he would share his story. I was just at the beginning of talking to God about my story and Adam's vulnerability and courage are some of the seeds planted for me to do the work in front of me. In addition to the publication of his memoir, Adam has earned his PH.D, written and published 5 additional books, written a paper on organizational knowledge transfer that has been quoted by over 40 scholars internationally, and launched into public speaking to advocate for traumatized youth. In this episode, Adam will share some of his story and the learning he's gained along the way. We talk a lot about his newest adventure, an app he is launching called MNDYRR. He hopes to see this app available to all youth as a wrap-around tool that will help them find and build the community he knows they need to break the cycles of harm that keep children from finding success in society. Adam is quick to credit public education and his community for helping him make it into the 3% of youth who age out of foster care to have a successful contributing story. He (and I) want to help change that incredibly low and tragic statistic. We hope listening today will inspire you in some way to make a difference too. You can connect with Adam through a variety of social media locations! His website is AdamStarks.com Find his books at booksbyadamstarks.com Facebook  Instagram Youtube Twitter  TikTok You can find his article here: The Forthcoming Generational Workforce Transition and Rethinking Organizational Knowledge Transfer  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In season 1, we sat down with a group of folks on the committee who put together the Voices Together Worship and Song Collection (Episode 20 "Worshiping). Anneli Loepp Thiessen was another person who helped with that project, and now she's also an author of a children's book about women in music! In this week's episode, ~ing Producer Ben Wideman sits down with Anneli to hear more about her background and what drew her to this work with Voices Together, as well as exploring what her research in gender and worship through her PhD in Interdisciplinary Music Research. Her new children's book, The ABCs of Women in Music, is available for pre-order now. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

We're continuing our journey through the season of Lent with a conversation with four individuals who have helped to create The Soil and the Seed Project. This unique initiative was launched during Advent season in 2021, to create music, art, and “Little Liturgies” that follow the liturgical year to help us welcome the seed of the Good News together as it takes root in our lives. It is a gift to the church, given freely to any individual or community who wants it (not sold). ~ing Podcast producer Ben Wideman is joined by and Seth Crissman, Harrigan McMahon Bowman, Greg Yoder, and Melody Zimmerman. We'll hear more about who this project is for, how it came together, and what their hopes are for the future. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

What if—despite all our familiarity with the events of Holy Week—we still don't know how Jesus makes peace? And what if—despite clinging to the cross of Christ for our salvation—we've actually embraced a different approach to peacemaking? On this week's episode of ~ing Podcast, host Allison Maus sits down with Jason Porterfield, author of the recent book, Fight Like Jesus: How Jesus Waged Peace Throughout Holy Week, available now from Herald Press. We have arrived at the liturgical season of Lent. This timely conversation helps us unpack themes from Jason's book, and explore the day-by-day scripture account of Jesus' final week. Our hope is that we will discover anew why Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, and be introduced to a resource to help people of faith navigate this time of year as we move toward Holy Week and the Easter Season. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org Episode analytics --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

Welcome to the final part of a special miniseries focusing on the life and legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp. This week's episode includes two conversations hosted by ~ing Podcast producer Ben Wideman. We'll begin with the final part of a conversation with Marshall King, author of the recent book, Disarmed, the life and legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp, and then transition to talk with David Nyiringabo, a peacebuilder from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and one of the first recipients of Eastern Mennonite University's MJ Sharp scholarship. Michael “MJ” Sharp was a modern Mennonite armed with wit and intellect, but not a gun. The son of a Mennonite pastor, he demonstrated a gift for listening and persuading early in life. His efforts to approach others with acknowledgement rather than judgement gave him the ability to connect on a level very few managed. He also honed a deep commitment to peace, and after college he joined the Mennonite Mission Network and moved to Germany, where he persuaded soldiers to choose peace and free them of their violent systems. Disarmed, the Life and Legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp is available now from Herald Press. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

Welcome to the next part of a special miniseries focusing on the life and legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp. This week's episode includes two conversations hosted by ~ing Podcast producer Ben Wideman. We'll be starting with the next part of a conversation with Marshall King, author of the recent book, Disarmed, the life and legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp, and then transition to talk with three of MJ's classmates from his time at Eastern Mennonite Univesity, Jason Garber, Rachel Jenner, and Clinton Miller. Our hope is that this series continues to provide more depth to to this powerful story of one man's radical commitment to peacemaking. Michael “MJ” Sharp was a modern Mennonite armed with wit and intellect, but not a gun. The son of a Mennonite pastor, he demonstrated a gift for listening and persuading early in life. His efforts to approach others with acknowledgement rather than judgement gave him the ability to connect on a level very few managed. He also honed a deep commitment to peace, and after college he joined the Mennonite Mission Network and moved to Germany, where he persuaded soldiers to choose peace and free them of their violent systems. Disarmed, the Life and Legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp is available now from Herald Press. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

Welcome to a special miniseries focusing on the life and legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp. This is part of a crossover episode which began at Peacebuilder Podcast from The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. We're introduced to this crossover conversation by Peacebuilder host, Patience Kamau, which is followed by two conversations hosted by ~ing Podcast producer Ben Wideman. We'll be starting with the first part of a conversation with Marshall King, author of the recent book, Disarmed, the life and legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp, and then transition to talk with MJ's parents, Michelle and John Sharp. Our hope is that this series provides more depth to to this powerful story of one man's radical commitment to peacemaking. Michael “MJ” Sharp was a modern Mennonite armed with wit and intellect, but not a gun. The son of a Mennonite pastor, he demonstrated a gift for listening and persuading early in life. His efforts to approach others with acknowledgement rather than judgement gave him the ability to connect on a level very few managed. He also honed a deep commitment to peace, and after college he joined the Mennonite Mission Network and moved to Germany, where he persuaded soldiers to choose peace and free them of their violent systems. Disarmed, the Life and Legacy of Michael "MJ" Sharp is available now from Herald Press. A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

We continue through Black History Month on ~ing Podcast, this time as host Rev. Allison Maus sits down with Dr. Regina Shands Stoltzfus. She is a Professor and the Director of Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies at Goshen College. Regina is co-founder of the Roots of Justice Anti-Oppression program (formerly Damascus Road Anti-Racism Program) and has worked widely in peace education. In this week's episode we look back at Regina's origin story, her passion for this work, and what gives her hope for the future of the Church in this challenging space. Allison and Regina will also discuss themes from Regina's new book, coauthored with Dr. Tobin Miller-Shearer (former ~ing Podcast guest on episode #27) titled Been in the Struggle: Pursuing an Antiracist Spirituality, available now from Herald Press! A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by Goshen College, a private liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana. It was founded in 1894 as the Elkhart Institute of Science, Industry and the Arts, and is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. Today's episode is also supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

As we begin celebrating Black History Month, ~ing Podcast host Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards sits down with Glen Guyton, Executive Director of Mennonite Church USA, the first African American to serve in that role. In this week's episode, they engage in conversation centered around leading in today's world, navigating church dynamics, and transforming faith spaces through church leadership. They will also mention themes from Glen's new book, Reawakened: How Your Congregation Can Spark Lasting Change, available now from Herald Press! This is the second half of a conversation from the first season of ~ing Podcast. You can go back and listen to the first part in episode #41 - "Reawakening." A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ We're grateful for the support of Mennonite Church USA, an Anabaptist, Christian denomination, in helping to sponsor today's episode. Today's episode is also supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

In 2003, a groundbreaking Christian Ethics textbook was co-written by Dr. Glen Stassen and Dr. David Gushee titled Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. In the politically contentious years since then, Dr. Gushee (Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University) has taken his many years of teaching and experience and poured them into a book offering a fresh vision of the Christian moral life for today's turbulent world. In this episode, ~ing Podcast host Allison Maus, sits down to discuss this new book, titled Introducing Christian Ethics: Core Convictions for Christians Today (available now for pre-order), and how it might impact the Christian Church and our understanding of how we follow Jesus in today's world. Share your thoughts with us! Send us a voicemail by visiting this link - https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message - or by emailing theing@mennomedia.org A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is also supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

Over the past years, Mennonite Church USA received requests to provide an Anabaptist-grounded resource for clergy and congregations to engage in learning about the call for police abolition. In today's episode, ~ing host, Ben Wideman is joined by three of the people - Kris Henderson, Ben Tapper, and Rev. Melissa Florer Bixler (past guest on season 1 of ~ing Podcast) - all of whom who helped create a new curriculum titled, Defund the Police? An Abolition Curriculum. This resource is an initial guide for congregations who are desiring to begin or continue their reflection on what it means to engage the forces of state, their commitments to non-violence and how to act to end policing and police brutality. We'll discuss why a project like this makes sense for churches, what they learned during its creation, and how our faith might call us to navigate this topic. Share your thoughts with us! Send us a voicemail by visiting this link - https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message - or by emailing theing@mennomedia.org A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ We're grateful for the support of Mennonite Church USA, an Anabaptist, Christian denomination, in helping to sponsor today's episode. Today's episode is also supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

In today's episode, ~ing host, Ben Wideman is joined by writer and activist, Stephen Mattson, to talk about what it means to be devoted to Jesus and justice. Mattson's work has been published in Relevant, Huffington Post, Sojourners, Red Letter Christians, and a variety of other venues. On the heels of his first book titled, "The Great Reckoning: Surviving a Christianity That Looks Nothing Like Christ" (published by Herald Press in 2018) comes a brand-new devotional titled, "On Love And Mercy: A Social Justice Devotional." Ben talks with Stephen about why a project like this makes sense for these polarized times, and how we find a balance between a faith in Jesus, and the political ways we engage the world. Share your thoughts with us! Send us a voicemail by visiting this link - https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message - or by emailing theing@mennomedia.org A written transcript of this episode is available at our website - https://www.mennomedia.org/ing-podcast/ Today's episode is supported by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, two graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Find out more at - https://emu.edu/ing/ ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

Welcome back to Real Faith Conversations, and in this show, we try to talk about life, culture, and faith in the most genuine way possible. In this episode, Ryan Morris sat down with Edith Yoder, the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope, an organization that is trying to prevent and end family homelessness through neighboring relationships that demonstrate Christ's love. Bridge of hope has 25 locations in 13 states across the United States and has been operating for over 30 years. After 30 years with Bridge of Hope, Edith is more passionate than ever about building neighborhoods of support for families facing homelessness. About Edith: Edith Yoder, EdM, is the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope National. She authored the original church volunteer training manual for Bridge of Hope and developed many Bridge of Hope manuals on nonprofit management, fundraising, and board issues. Edith holds a master's degree in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University and a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Eastern Mennonite University. After 30 years with Bridge of Hope, Edith is more passionate than ever about building neighborhoods of support for families facing homelessness. Contacts: Edith Yoder, Chief Executive Officer at Bridge of Hope: EdithY@bridgeofhopeinc.org Scott C. Dorsey, Chester County Church Engagement Director: ScottD@bridgeofhopeinc.org Link to National Staff: https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/about/national-staff/ Want to volunteer and help?: https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Dr. Basil Marin hails from the Central Virginia area. He is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He later earned a Master of Teaching in Special Education from Liberty University. After moving to the Virginia Beach area in 2014, he pursued an Educational Specialist in Administration & Supervision k-12 from Old Dominion University. Dr. Marin recently earned an Executive Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Old Dominion University in 2020. Dr. Marin is one of the proud assistant principals of Chamblee Charter High School, a diverse high school located in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Marin brings an authentic and refreshing perspective to the field of education. As an administrator, he works hard to foster equitable opportunities and inclusive learning environments where ALL students and teachers are valued and respected. Dr. Marin works daily to build meaningful relationships with students and desires to be the administrator he needed when he was growing up yet did not have access to. As a former struggling student himself, Dr. Marin is humbled to be able to give back to students who historically have fallen through the cracks of education and have not been given a second chance. Dr. Marin has been afforded some incredible opportunities through the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) organization such as being selected as a 2017 Emerging Leader and being appointed as a “featured speaker” at the 2019 Empower Conference in Chicago. In addition, he met with U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy Devos and her executive team to speak on behalf of marginalized and underserved students and explained how the lack of funding has impacted their educational experiences. Currently, Dr. Marin is the President for the Emerging Leaders ASCD National Affiliate. Dr. Marin is a contributing author in several books including Personal & Authentic, Unconventional Leadership, Modern Mentor, Forces of Influence, and It's Me. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigedidea/message

This week on ~ing we're continuing our podcast miniseries in partnership with MennoMedia's What Now? Leading Churches Through COVID series. This week, ~ing producer Ben Wideman is joined by Jayne Docherty, Executive Director of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. Jayne will be guiding us in a transition from a posture of "world view" to "world viewing" as we navigate the ongoing global pandemic. Learn more and subscribe to these free resources at www.mennomedia.org/what-now/. We'd like to thank the Schowalter Foundation of North Newton, Kansas, whose generous funding has helped make What Now? resources possible. ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

A recent study released by Earnst & Young found that 90% of female executive-level leaders had played sports at some point in their background.  We decided to put that statistic to the test and find out about the sports background of several local female leaders and learn what lessons they learned playing sports have helped them to become the leaders they are today.  As the saying goes, 'once an athlete, always an athlete.'Jolee Paden grew up in the midwest playing basketball and running track.  At an early age she discovered that she had a real talent in and love for running.  She ran cross country and track in high school and then went on to run at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia in college.Jolee is the Director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes for Washington DC.  She oversees all of the FCA clubs and ministry in the District.  As an athlete, Jolee learned the attribute of responsiveness, which is the ability to look at a situation and respond accordingly.  She had a revelation during Body Pump that reminded her that the goal of life is not for it to be easy, but that as we grow we get stronger and can carry more weight.  We can do hard things!It is really important to discern wether something is hard or toxic.As a female leader, Jolee talks about the importance of making room at the table for other women and not to just try and hold your seat.  We as women see a lot of perspective and we need to leverage that!In Jolee's highlight reel, she talks about how much she loves her new Dyson vacuum.  She says she's not afraid to make a mess when she has a Dyson! In her blooper reel, she tells about a time when she lost her cookies in the hallway in high school before an indoor track meet right in front of a bunch of girls from other schools.  She passes the ball to her mom who brought her along to everything and taught her to love people well.  

This week on ~ing we're continuing with the next episode in our new podcast miniseries in partnership with MennoMedia's What Now? Leading Churches Through COVID resources. This week, ~ing producer Ben Wideman is joined by David Brubaker, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Professions at Eastern Mennonite University. David will be exploring this moment of polarization in our culture, and why it is an important to be aware of this phenomenon as we navigate the ongoing global pandemic. Learn more and subscribe to these free resources at www.mennomedia.org/what-now/. We'd like to thank the Schowalter Foundation of North Newton, Kansas, whose generous funding has helped make What Now? resources possible. ~ing Podcast is a production of MennoMedia, a nonprofit Publisher that creates thoughtful, Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. To find out more, visit us online at MennoMedia.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ing-pod/message

Dr. Martha Brown joins me for an honest conversation about how being trauma-informed can help us help our communities. Martha generously shares her personal stories and how that led her to restorative justice and now trauma-informed work. Grounded in indigenous practices, Restorative Justice practices are centered on relationships. Circles equalize power through a structured process for people to talk and listen to each other.   Martha literally wrote the book on Restorative Justice approaches in schools.  Check it out here.Now people in the field are moving toward a Trauma-informed Approach. Trauma is an event or series of events that exceeds a person's ability to cope. Trauma has long-lasting effects on a person's physical and psychological health. Martha breaks down these concepts for us and helps us understand the ongoing, lasting effects of trauma on people and our society. Having a high ACES score does not define us, but can help us understand each other. We talk about why nonprofits and community coalitions need to take a trauma-informed approach. It first has to start with those inside the organizations. Listen to learn more about being a trauma-informed organization. "If you want peace, work for justice."  Pope Paul VIMartha's BioDr. Martha A. Brown resides in Faribault, MN and is president of RJAE Consulting andauthor of Creating Restorative Schools: Setting Schools Up to Succeed, available at Living Justice Press. She is also the Trauma and Restorative Justice Specialist with Hamai Consulting, based in Palo Alto, CA. Dr. Brown received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida Atlantic University. Her dissertation focused on restorative justice in two Oakland middle schools.  For the past two years, Dr. Brown has taught a course in Circle Processes at Eastern Mennonite University's Summer Peacebuilding Institute and has recently facilitated an eight-week online Circle training course for faculty and staff at James Madison University Libraries. Dr. Brown has been Lead Instructor for Simon Fraser University's Continuing Studies Restorative Justice Certificate Program and was an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, where she taught a course in Educational Assessment.Currently, she teaches and trains evaluators, organizations, and anyone else who is interested how to use the Circle process and incorporate trauma-informed practices.  In 2019, she taught an eStudy to evaluators through the American Evaluation ALike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn't stress you and your group out, doesn't take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

How can we best offer our resources to Christ? Cherelle Johnson, Senior Leader of Divine Unity Community Church and Professor at Eastern Mennonite University in the US, calls us not to forsake the business that God has specifically assigned to us.