Podcasts about interfaith america

Today's social and political climates feel clouded by fear, distance, polarization and loneliness; why is it that groupthink and conformity seem to rule our neighborhoods, pop culture, friend circles, workplaces and social media feeds? It's time for us to learn how to sit with disagreement, debate better, appreciate our differences, and revel in the diversity of ideas and opinions that reflect our world.  Journalist Jenara Nerenberg has not shied away from taking on complex ideas and opinions, first in her bestselling book Divergent Mind about neurological diversity, and now with her second groundbreaking book, Trust Your Mind, which examines viewpoint diversity and encourages us not to shy away from the deepest forms of connection and insight that can come from uncomfortable conversations, independent thinking, and sometimes even loud, productive and healthy arguing.  While “conflict” feels like a scary word to some, Nerenberg dives deep into her own life experiences as well as the social science research on the psychology of groupthink to understand why our world is in peril in the face of people feeling too terrified to speak their minds. This challenge is not just limited to politics—the power of critical thinking and exiting groupthink has far-reaching impact on how we communicate with spouses, classmates, colleagues, family members and beyond. By understanding how group identity forms and the dangers of self-silencing, we allow our politics and our reasoning abilities to evolve, which leads to healthier societies. Trust Your Mind has received wide acclaim from Interfaith America's Eboo Patel, social psychologists Kurt Gray and Ethan Kross, former ACLU president Nadine Strossen, and many more.  Joining Nerenberg in this special conversation is leading investigative reporter Lee Fang, one of the most daring and sought-after independent journalists of our time. This conversation is not to be missed. About the Speakers Jenara Nerenberg is the bestselling author of Divergent Mind, hailed as “extraordinary, jaw-dropping” by Library Journal; she is an Aspen Ideas Brave New Idea speaker and the author of the new book Trust Your Mind, on the psychology of groupthink. A celebrated writer covering the intersection of psychology and society, Nerenberg's work has been featured in the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center magazine, Fast Company magazine, CNN, NPR, BBC and elsewhere. Nerenberg speaks widely on social science topics, including at universities, libraries, companies and organizations around the world. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley and the Harvard School of Public Health; Nerenberg grew up in San Francisco and, as a millennial, can now be found on Instagram. Lee Fang is an independent journalist, primarily writing on Substack at leefang.com. He was an investigative reporter for The Intercept. He writes about civil liberties, interest group lobbying, and other public interest issues. A Grownups Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums. Organizer: Denise Michaud  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To comply with a flurry of Executive Orders issued in January, many colleges throughout the country have been renaming, restructuring, or altogether eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming. These DEI initiatives have been divisive for years. Their proponents see them as essential to ensuring fair treatment for minority students and rooting out prejudice in the academy. Their detractors see them as stifling free speech and academic debate. Emma Green, journalist at the New Yorker, and Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith America, discuss the genesis of DEI, where it went wrong, and what might replace it in our search to create a flourishing multicultural society.   Links:   What Comes After D.E.I.? by Emma Green   Harvard, Public Trust, and a Warning for the Nonprofit Sector by Eboo Patel

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Scott Rasmussen from Interfaith America to reflect on their journey through the Book of Mormon as they approach the series' conclusion. They share their insights on how this process has transformed their understanding of the Book of Mormon, particularly the final book, Moroni, revealing unexpected changes in their perspectives. Join them as they discuss the impact of this journey on their views of peace and how to have hope within the hardest circumstances.[00:03:46] Moroni as a peacemaker.[00:04:43] Peacemaking softens our hearts.[00:08:35] Peacemaking through personal growth.[00:13:57] Geopolitical impact on personal lives.[00:15:23] The importance of "how" in peace.[00:18:38] Ethics of Jesus and nations.[00:24:55] Peacemaking in the Middle East.[00:26:01] Parent Circle: Voices of Loss.[00:30:40] Navigating conversations of difference.[00:36:00] Listening as a peacemaking skill.[00:38:11] Peacebuilding amidst violence and hate.[00:41:38] Non-violent conflict resolution examples.[00:45:39] Peacebuilding through faith and love.[00:51:04] Faith, hope, and love.[00:54:03] Charity as an antidote.[00:57:22] Finding peace in Christ.[01:00:00] Faith Matters Podcast Network.Find show notes, transcript and more at https://www.mormonwomenforethicalgovernment.org/proclaim-peace

How do we confront systemic injustice without falling into despair or self-righteousness? That's what we're exploring in this episode as we dive into Chapter 2 of Richard Rohr's new book, The Tears of Things, titled "Amos: Messenger to the Collective." Mike and Paul begin by talking with Richard about Amos's unique approach: critiquing the collective culture rather than scapegoating individuals, and turning anger over injustice into fuel for change. Following the conversation with Richard, co-hosts Mike and Carmen are joined by Rabbi Or Rose, founding director of the Miller Center of Hebrew College and author. Together in conversation, they explore Abraham Joshua Heschel's understanding of the prophet, the challenge of holding righteous indignation without self-righteousness, the power of teshuvah (return), and practical ways to remain spiritually grounded and committed to justice and peace work in overwhelming times. Rabbi Or Rose is the founding Director of The Miller Center of Hebrew College, and serves as a senior consultant to Interfaith America. Among his recent publications is the award-winning, co-edited volume With the Best of Intentions: Interreligious Missteps & Mistakes (Orbis Books). His forthcoming book, My Legs Were Praying: A Biography of Abraham Joshua Heschel for teen readers will be published in May 2025 (Monkfish Book Publishing).  Resources: Grab a copy of The Tears of Things here, where you can get a free reader's guide, discover a new course, and other offerings related to the book. Read more from Rabbi Or Rose here

We just came out of yet another contentious election year. People are as divided and polarized as ever, and the situation doesn't seem to be improving.John Inazu is the author of Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024).It's a unique book because John Inazu walks us through a school year as he teaches law and religion at Washington University in St. Louis. In this environment, students learn to embrace a better way to settle disputes. We get to learn alongside them, gleaning universal principles for conversing with people we disagree with. Scroll down to learn about John Inazu. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app!Thanks for listening!Please share this podcast with your friends. Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney.Go to re-integrate.org for further resources on reintegrating all of life with God's mission. John InazuJohn Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the founder of the Legal Vocation Fellowship, a 15-month program for early-career attorneys, which grew out of his work with The Carver Project at Washington University. He is also a Senior Fellow at Interfaith America and also the Trinity Forum. He holds the J.D. from Duke University and a PhD in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Check out John Inazu's Substack, *Some Assembly Required. Get full access to Bob Robinson's Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe

I want to begin today by extending my deepest sympathies to the people of Los Angeles. To those who have suffered unimaginable losses due to the California fires, please know that my heart, prayers, and thoughts are with you.This tragedy is a stark reminder of the power of community—the strength we find in coming together as one. Fire does not discriminate based on our skin color, our workplace position, or the balance in our bank accounts. It impacts us all, underscoring the importance of unity and compassion.Our guest today, Eboo Patel, is a powerful advocate for building and strengthening communities. He joins us on this week's episode of the Cracking Open podcast to remind us of a profound truth: “We should do social change work because God wants humans to thrive, and it is our job to help that happen.”Together, we explore his upbringing, the concept of pluralism in today's divisive political climate, and his refreshing perspective on America's identity: “America is not a melting pot, and it's not a battlefield. It's a potluck. That means welcoming and being delighted by the distinctive dishes that people bring to the table, finding creative combinations, and engaging in enriching conversations. That's what America is about.” Eboo Patel is an author, speaker, educator, and Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. He is a civic leader who believes religious diversity is a vital and inspiring aspect of American democracy. Named one of America's best leaders by U.S. News & World Report, Eboo has worked with governments, universities, corporations, and civic organizations to transform faith into a bridge for cooperation, not division.Some of Eboo's notable achievements:Served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith CouncilDelivered hundreds of keynote speeches worldwideAuthored five books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse DemocracyAshoka Fellow and Rhodes Scholar with a doctorate in sociology of religion from Oxford UniversityEboo's honesty and vulnerability in this episode will inspire you. He shares powerful stories about how religious and educational institutions can foster unity instead of division. His words ignited a fire in me to embrace the "potluck" concept in my own life, celebrating the diversity of people, traditions, and ideas that bring us all closer together.Tune in to discover how you too, can create a more inclusive and thriving community.Love,MollyTo support the Los Angeles community in healing from the devastation and trauma caused by the Kenneth fire, Molly is offering valuable information sessions on how to start the healing process. These are designed to assist companies, schools, hospitals, and other organizations. For more details, please email Molly at molly.rowen.carroll@gmail.com.Learn more about Eboo Patel and Interfaith America hereFollow Eboo on XPurchase We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy hereFollow Molly on Instagram and Facebook6-Week Coaching Program coming May 14th!6-Month Coaching Group coming August 13th!Click here for more details

This episode features Reverend Frederick Davie, who among other roles, serves as the Senior Advisor on Racial Equity for Interfaith America. In this far ranging discussion, we talk about the role of interfaith dialogue in wider public discourse, the shifting understanding of religious freedom, and the relationship between governmental policy and the priorities of religious communities.Show Notes:Interfaith America (https://www.interfaithamerica.org/)US Commission on International Religious Freedom (https://www.uscirf.gov/)Send us a text

At the end of 2024, we mark the end of Laurie Patton's tenure as president of Middlebury by sharing her reflections on conflict transformation, protest, and higher education. In September, President Patton sat down with Eboo Patel, president of Interfaith America, as part of their programing on Teaching Interfaith Understanding.  Their conversation was posted to Interfaith America's podcast and we reshare the episode here with permission. Patel and Patton discuss how Middlebury's campus culture evolved in the years since 2017, when political scientist Charles Murray's visit was met with upheaval. Patton elaborates on Middlebury's conflict transformation efforts, including the successes of the Engaged Listening Project, the challenges of countering a national narrative, and the outcomes of building a resilient culture, evidenced by her community's constructive engagement of tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the spring of 2024. To hear other episodes in Interfaith America's podcast, click here: https://www.interfaithamerica.org/podcast/  Many thanks to Teyonce Allison, Brett Simison, and the Conflict Transformation Collaborative staff for editing and production. Thank you also to Middlebury music professor Damascus Kafumbe for our music. 

This week's show is my eye-opening conversation with Anera CEO Sean Carroll, who takes us inside the immense challenges of delivering aid in Gaza. Sean shares the stark reality of what's happening on the ground:   • How Anera's team has managed to deliver 41 million meals and 8 million medical treatments despite tremendous obstacles • Why only 20% of needed aid is getting through, and what that means for families • The daily risks faced by humanitarian workers • How everyday people can make a real difference, whether through $5 monthly donations or spreading awareness   Sean's perspective is both heartbreaking and hopeful: "People want to respond. People want to bring out the best in themselves and in their community in terms of supporting humanity."   Did You Catch Last Week's Episode?   YMCA USA CEO Suzanne McCormick shared how the Y is tackling one of America's biggest challenges: social isolation. Learn how they're: • Building bridges across communities through the innovative "Team Up Project" • Creating spaces where everyone belongs • Serving 13 million members while staying true to their 175-year legacy  

This week, we explore how the Y-USA is adapting to serve America while staying true to its 175-year legacy. CEO Suzanne McCormick shares insights on:   • How YMCAs serve as community hubs, engaging 13 million members nationwide (5 million under age 18) • The innovative "Team Up Project" partnering with Interfaith America, Catholic Charities USA, and Habitat for Humanity to bridge societal divides • YMCA's response to the "epidemic of social isolation" through intentional programming and community spaces   Memorable insights: "The Y is a partner to parents. Parents know their children are in a safe place that allows them to balance work and school schedules."   "We represent the diversity of real America within our movement... we have people who think differently but come together to work on a common mission."   ICYMI: Check out last week's episode with Network for Good CEO Abby Ross   Key takeaways: • Network for Good has facilitated $5 billion in donations to half a million charities • The organization is launching the Giving Platform Collaborative to reduce friction in online giving • They're leveraging AI to improve fund delivery and accessibility • New initiatives focus on supporting Black-led nonprofits and grassroots organizations   Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on BBB Wise Giving Alliance's YouTube channel.   #HeartOfGiving #Nonprofits #CommunityImpact #YMCA #NetworkForGood        

Two builders walk into a podcast studio… no, seriously. This isn't the start of a joke, but the beginning of a deeply fascinating exploration into the very architecture of social change. We're talking about the kind of change that doesn't just rearrange the furniture, but rebuilds the house from the foundation up. And that, my friends, is a far more intricate and precarious undertaking.This week on Mission Forward, we're joined by not one, but two remarkable individuals who embody this spirit of courageous construction. Stacey Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, sets the stage  introducing Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith America, and Iara Peng, the visionary behind JustFund. Together, Eboo and Iara paint a vivid picture of what it truly means to build a more just and equitable world. They share their hard-won wisdom, gleaned from years of experience battling bureaucratic inertia and challenging deeply ingrained biases. Eboo recounts his early struggles navigating the labyrinthine world of philanthropic gatekeepers, a story that resonates with anyone who's ever dared to dream big. Iara, meanwhile, offers a glimpse into the future of giving, where technology empowers donors to align their actions with their values, transforming philanthropy from a passive act of charity into a dynamic force for change.This episode is a call to action, a reminder that we all have a role to play in building the world we want to see. Grab your metaphorical hardhat and join us as we architect social innovation with two of the most inspiring builders of our time.Links & NotesInterfaith AmericaJustFundWe Need to Build by Eboo PatelThe Chronicle of PhilanthropyThis episode is brought to you by Reconsidered Change Hub. You don't have to go it alone. (00:00) - Sponsor: Reconsidered Change Hub (00:37) - Welcome to Mission Forward

What new vision can pluralism bring to today's universities? Today, founder of Interfaith America Eboo Patel, joins John to discuss how pluralism can be a guiding principle in transforming higher education away from rigid ideological confines towards a more inclusive and dynamic intellectual space.Eboo shares his journey to understanding pluralism. He views pluralism as a way to embrace one's identity while valuing others and notes that the approach to anti-racism in some universities is shifting from helpful to controlling. Ebo believes that pluralism can balance extreme views by fostering intellectual diversity and respectful dialogue. He also suggests ways to create "Pluralist Universities," such as starting pluralism fellowships, doing research for future diversity needs, and developing a liberal arts curriculum that reflects a diverse society. In This Episode:Evolution of anti-racism from perspective to paradigm to coercive regimePersonal narratives and pluralism at the Nantucket ProjectPluralism as navigating between "wokeness" and "whitewashing"Implementation of pluralism in universitiesHistorical roots and modern applications of pluralismRoles of intellectual, identity, values, and agonistic pluralism in higher educationCritique of overemphasis on victimhood in diversity discussionsFor further reading, refer to Eboo Patel's co-authored article with Rebecca Russo on pluralism practices at universities.  About Eboo:Eboo Patel is a civic leader who believes that religious diversity is an essential and inspiring dimension of American democracy. Named “one of America's best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, Eboo is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Eboo served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote addresses, and has written five books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. He is an Ashoka Fellow and holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship. Eboo lives in Chicago with his wife, Shehnaz, and their two sons.Follow Eboo on X: https://x.com/EbooPatel Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF

On this episode of Faith in Elections, Adam Phillips talks with Jennifer Roberts, former mayor of Charlotte and advocate for trusted elections. Roberts discusses her work with the North Carolina Network for Free, Fair, and Safe Elections. She emphasizes the importance of building trust, promoting community engagement, and combating misinformation. Roberts also shares insights from a recent trip to Northern Ireland, where she learned about the role of faith communities in peacebuilding during "The Troubles." Drawing parallels to U.S. political polarization, she advocates for faith leaders to encourage peaceful civic engagement and underscores the critical role of accurate information and community involvement in upholding democracy.Guest Bio: Jennifer Roberts, former Mayor of Charlotte, co-leads the North Carolina Network for Free, Fair, and Safe Elections alongside former NC Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr. This cross-partisan initiative, supported by The Carter Center, is dedicated to fostering peaceful political engagement and bolstering confidence in the electoral process. Before her mayoral term, Roberts served four terms as a Mecklenburg County Commissioner and later led the Communities Program on Climate Solutions for ecoAmerica, a national nonprofit. She remains a dedicated advocate for education, equality, inclusion, and environmental protection. Roberts' diverse background includes experience as a high school math teacher and a diplomat for the U.S. State Department, with postings in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. She holds advanced degrees from the University of Toronto and the Johns Hopkins School of International Affairs. Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including the Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Award and Equality North Carolina's Ally of the Year.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and our podcast. Learn more about how you can support your community this election season with Interfaith America's Faith in Elections Playbook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

In this episode of Faith in Elections, host Adam Phillips speaks with two Muslim leaders about their civic engagement efforts. First, Dr. Dilara Sayeed of the Muslim Civic Coalition shares her work on combating voter apathy, including passing the Wadee Resolution to address rising hate crimes. She emphasizes the need for resilient, engaged communities.Next, Shariq Ghani from the Minaret Foundation discusses his work in Harris County, Texas, fostering multi-faith collaborations to improve voter access. He highlights the power of interfaith connections in bridging divides and strengthening democracy. Both guests show how solidarity can uphold shared values and counteract divisiveness.  Guest Bio: Dr. Dilara Sayeed serves as the President of the Muslim Civic Coalition. Dilara's story goes from Headstart to Harvard, and through public school systems. She is an award-winning teacher, social impact entrepreneur, and civic justice advocate. In 2021, Dilara was appointed by Governor Pritzker to the IL Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC). Dilara has served on the Transition team for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, as well as Advisory Councils for Mayor Lightfoot and Illinois Comptroller Mendoza. She is a board trustee for the Field Museum and Indo-American Democratic Organization.Guest Bio: Shariq Ghani is the Director of Minaret Foundation, an organization focused on developing multi-faith relations to change the world through advocacy in the areas of food insecurity, child welfare, and religious freedom. For the past 11 years, Shariq has regularly spoken at faith centers, conferences, and educational institutions on topics ranging from American Muslim identity to faith-based advocacy and spirituality. In addition to teaching Islam through sermons and lectures, he works with clergy, policymakers, and law enforcement to provide insight into the American-Muslim community. Shariq has a bachelor's in history from the University of Houston and completed his graduate studies in homeland security from the Bush School at Texas A&M. He is currently pursuing his master's in negotiation and conflict resolution with a focus on peacebuilding from Columbia University. Shariq's passion is finding intersections between communities for collaboration and mutual growth and loves to connect with like-minded people over chai or burgers.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and our podcast. Learn more about how you can support your community this election season with Interfaith America's Faith in Elections Playbook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

In this episode, Jenan Mohajir interviews Dr. Da'Tarvia Parrish, an award-winning and energetic professor at Livingstone College, proud AME Zionite, and author of Jailbirds Don't Fly. Born in prison to an incarcerated parent, Dr. Parrish shares how her faith and community shaped her dedication to civic engagement. She also discusses the role of Historically Black colleges and universities in safeguarding voting rights and engaging young voters. Highlighting the historical challenges of voter suppression, Dr. Parrish emphasizes the need for unity and inclusivity in the democratic process.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and the Voices of Interfaith America Podcast Network. Pick up a copy of Dr. Parrish's powerful book, Jailbirds Don't Fly to really understand the impact her life has had on others.  Learn more about how you can support your community this election season with Interfaith America's Faith in Elections Playbook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Brad Fulton, professor of Nonprofit Management and Social Policy at the O'Neill School of Public Affairs at Indiana University, alongside Amber Hacker, Chief of External Affairs at Interfaith America. Our guests discuss the role of religious giving in philanthropy and the surprising trends that emerge from the underlying data. Out of the $557 billion dollars given annually in the United States to charities, twenty percent of the funds come from foundations. Does religious commitment influence that giving? Do we know from available data that generosity makes a person healthier or happier? Does the generation a person's born into—say, a Boomer vs. a Millennial—impact giving patterns? They also discuss new networking tools as it relates to philanthropic giving.    Guests Dr. Brad Fulton Amber Hacker   Additional Resources “Religious Organizations Crosscutting the Nonprofit Sector,” by Brad R. Fulton “Faith-Based Public Foundations: Identifying the Field and Assessing its Impact,” by Allison Ralph and Brad R. Fulton “Money, Meet Meaning,” by Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson

As we approach Election Day, Big Books and Bold Ideas returns to our Americans and Democracy series. Here are some of the question we're confronting. How nimble and flexible and resilient is our democracy? What is required of Americans to build and support a healthy democracy? Do we still want it?Eboo Patel writes in his book, “We Need to Build,” that a fresh manifesto for a new era in America could sound like this: “We, the varied peoples of a nation struggling to be reborn, are defeating the things we don't like by building the things we do.”It's a realistic but hopeful take from a man who is considered by many to be an expert on how to tolerate and even celebrate differences in a pluralistic society. During his conversation with host Kerri Miller, Patel admits he was a fire-breathing activist when he was young, more inclined to burn the whole system down. But after years of working with Americans of different beliefs, he says, he has come to value being more of “an architect than an arsonist.”“You don't create societies by burning things down,” he says. “You create societies by building things.”It's a provocative, thoughtful and inspiring discussion that will linger long past the results of this election. Guest: Eboo Patel is the founder and president of Interfaith America, an organization that supports religious diversity. His most recent book is “We Need to Build: Field Notes for a Diverse Democracy.”

In this episode of Faith in Elections, Adam Phillips talks with Patricia Ruiz-Cantu, an evangelical leader from Milwaukee, who discusses how her Christian faith inspires her to promote civic engagement within the Latino community. Reflecting on her journey as an immigrant and her conversion from Catholic to Evangelical, she explains challenges Latino voters face, including misinformation. Patricia highlights her initiative, Renaces (You Are Reborn), which focuses on civics education for Latino Evangelicals, and underscores the importance of bringing joy and optimism to election work, even in divisive times. Guest Bio: Patricia Ruiz-Cantu, as a Community Outreach Manager at the City of Milwaukee, has over eight years of experience in developing and implementing innovative programs and initiatives that foster authentic human connections and civic engagement among diverse communities. She collaborates with various stakeholders, including faith leaders, media outlets, non-profit organizations, and elected officials, to build trust, collaboration, and awareness on various issues and opportunities that impact the city and its residents. In addition to her role as a Community Outreach Manager, Patricia also serves as an Election Commissioner and a Certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker with The John Maxwell Team. These roles allow her to leverage her skills in conflict resolution, workshop facilitation, and leadership development to empower individuals and groups to achieve their goals and create positive change. As a bilingual and bicultural professional in Spanish and English, she has a unique perspective and ability to communicate effectively across cultures and contexts.Find out more about Civics 101 and Renaces  by following Patricia on X @Pruizcantu. The identity of “evangelical” contains a wide range of people from across America and the world. We believe they have an important role to play in America's Diverse Democracy. In collaboration with Christianity Today, Interfaith America has launched a new essay series that equips Christians to live faithfully and neighborly in a world we don't control. Featuring leaders in the evangelical tradition—like John Inazu, Karen Swallow Prior, Matthew Kaemingk, and Russell Moore—this series offers thoughtful and diverse perspectives on how Christians can build bridges across differences in their communities. To read the series and learn more about our work with evangelicals, visit Evangelicals in a Diverse Democracy.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and our podcast. Learn more about how you can support your community this election season with Interfaith America's Faith in Elections Playbook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

Episode 64: Pluralism in EducationAvailable October 15, 2024Navigating polarities and fostering respectful dialogue are responsibilities that weigh heavy on many school leaders right now. How, in the current social and political climate, can we build bridges of cooperation rather than creating further barriers that divide us? How can we create space for people to voice ideas and opinions while balancing our very real obligations to nurture student safety and wellbeing? Eboo Patel, author and Director of Interfaith America, sits down with NAIS President Debra Wilson to talk about his work on the role of pluralism in schools.Guest: Eboo PatelResources, Transcript, and Expanded Show NotesIn This Episode:“Diversity is a treasure. Identity is a source of pride, not a status of victimization. Cooperation is better than division. Faith is a bridge. Everybody's a contributor.” (4:49)“It is an exercise of citizenship in a diverse democracy to come to know something about your fellow citizens who are from different identities, including different political parties, including different regions of the world, and from different intellectual frameworks and maybe of different values. I mean, you know, did I think diversity was just the differences I liked?” (16:00)“If there's anything that a school should be, it should be a place that is immune to the kind of ideologies that shut down the conversation. I want to quote John Courtney Murray again. I think it's so powerful. He says, civilization is living and talking together. That is the definition of civilization. And the definition of the barbarian is the person who shuts down the conversation. And the introduction of ideologies that shut down conversations about, for example, how people from different identities should relate to one another.” (21:41)“If you're United Airlines, and you're hiring a graduate from Embry Riddle aeronautical university, you are pretty sure that person can fly a plane. If I hire a graduate from The Lab School or Latin School or Parker, these are elite independent schools in my city of Chicago, what should I be confident that graduate can do? And I think a head of school should say, my graduate can navigate pluralism.” (25:12)Related Episodes: 37, 30, 29, 22, 17, 7, 4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adelle M. Banks, projects editor and national reporter for Religion News Service, and Adam Nicholas Phillips, chief strategy officer and chief of staff at Interfaith America, discuss the evolving role of religious constituencies in U.S. politics, as well as the intersection of religion with key political and social issues in the lead up to the 2024 election.  

In the kickoff episode of Faith in Elections, host Jenan Mohajir speaks with Yashpreet Singh Matharu from the Sikh Coalition and Dani Levine from Hillel International. Both guests share how their faith traditions motivate young people to engage in the democratic process, highlighting the importance of civic involvement within the Sikh and Jewish communities. Yashpreet emphasizes the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service), while Dani reflects on musar (Jewish ethical practice) as guiding frameworks for their work. They discuss the unique challenges their communities face in the 2024 election, strategies to bridge generational gaps, and why protecting a free and fair democratic process is among their highest priorities. Guest Bios: Yashpreet Singh Matharu, Community Development Manager at the Sikh Coalition, is dedicated to empowering young Sikh leaders and fostering civic engagement. Drawing from his experience growing up as an interpreter for his Punjabi parents, Yashpreet turned his passion for community advocacy into action by working with Michigan State Representative Ranjeev Puri. Now, he focuses on connecting Sikh student associations and volunteers nationwide, promoting civil rights, interfaith solidarity, and awareness of Sikh culture.A key part of Yashpreet's work is leading a fellowship program aimed at mobilizing young Sikhs to engage their communities in the democratic process. By equipping youth with tools to navigate U.S. politics, he hopes to bridge generational gaps and increase civic participation within the Sikh community, ensuring their voices are heard and represented in the political landscape.Dani Levine is the Senior Director of Social Impact at Hillel International. Dani brings extensive experience in Jewish social justice work to her role at Hillel, including a decade of work at Avodah. Dani holds a BA in Environmental Studies and Comparative American Studies from Oberlin College, and a Masters of Public Health with a focus on Environmental Health and Policy from Tulane University. Outside of work, Dani is actively involved in her local New Orleans and Jewish community, where she lives with her wife and three children. Embracing the local food, music, and culture, Dani finds inspiration away from the desk. Through her career and community engagement, Dani is inspired by Jewish values and practice to work towards co-creating a more just world.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and this podcast. Learn more about how you can support your community this election season with Interfaith America's Faith in Elections Playbook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

A Special Re-Broadcast: Episode 40, Student Voice and Agency in EducationIn honor of the departure of our original New View EDU host Tim Fish after 60 episodes, we're pausing to share one of his favorite episodes of the podcast. Tim delighted in speaking with students, and was especially enthusiastic about this interview with two students from One Stone School in Boise, Idaho. We hope you'll enjoy revisiting this episode with us. Stay tuned for our return to new programming next week, when Debra Wilson sits down with Eboo Patel of Interfaith America.Guests: Ella Cornett and Mackenzie LinkResources, Transcript, and Expanded Show NotesIn This Episode:“To go back to the question of what should school be, I feel like learners and students should come out of school with that sense of purpose. And that's, that really resonates with me because I feel like that's what I want out of school. I wanna leave school and kind of know what I wanna do and who I wanna be in the world.” (21:39)“I would describe my stress...less so stress. I would call it ambition. Like, I think the weight of ambition sits heavy on my shoulders because I strive for the, like, the next best thing I wanna keep doing. I wanna keep going, I wanna keep pushing. And One Stone really allows me to do that and empowers me to do that.” (26:24)“It's that pushing students, the healthy balance of pushing students. And this is where great coaching comes in. And great mentorship is, you do have to find the thing that students care about and relate it, everything that you're doing, to that. And then we're in the home stretch.” (29:57)“It's easy if you let it be easy, in the sense that if you don't want to grow, if you don't try to grow, you won't. Just like a student in public school that doesn't try, they won't get a good GPA. But that's not the motivation here. The motivation here for us is to grow. So if a student doesn't want to grow, how can they?” (39:44)Related Episodes: 36, 34, 27, 23, 18 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Austin Knuppe is an assistant professor of political science at Utah State University. For AY 2024-25 he is also a Newbigin Fellow through a joint initiative of the Carver Project and InterFaith America. Prior to Utah State, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College. He received his Ph.D. in political science from The Ohio State University in 2019. His research interests include civilian survival during wartime, Middle East politics, and the role of religion in international politics. His first book, Surviving the Islamic State: Contention, Cooperation, and Neutrality in Wartime Iraq (Columbia University Press, 2024) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an election season marked by chaos and division, Interfaith America's Faith in Elections podcast cuts through the noise and deepens the conversation, highlighting the remarkable stories of everyday faith leaders who are working to build bridges and uphold democracy.Join hosts Jenan Mohajir and Adam Phillips as they speak with Interfaith America Faith in Elections grantees about how faith convictions motivate their civic engagement and service. The Faith in Elections Podcast is part of the Voices of Interfaith America Podcast network. Episodes will be released each Thursday leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Host Bios: Jenan Mohajir is the Vice President of External Affairs at Interfaith America. Inspired by faith and family to work for change at the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and religion, Jenan has served in leadership at IA for 15 years where she as has trained hundreds of interfaith leaders from diverse backgrounds to foster a vision and practice of civically engaged interfaith leadership. Jenan completed undergraduate work at DePaul University and is pursuing her MA in religious studies at Chicago Theological Seminary. As a natural storyteller, she performs with 2nd Story, Chicago's premier storytelling company. Jenan proudly lives on the south side of Chicago with her children and loves to collect vintage children's books.Adam Phillips is the Chief Strategy Officer & Chief of Staff at Interfaith America. Adam serves as the senior lead in the Executive Office by managing internal and external inquiries from the President's office and leads the organization's narrative strategy, ensuring the advancement of Interfaith America's mission and vision. Having spent two decades at the intersection of faith and public life, Adam most recently served as a Biden Administration appointee leading Localization and Faith-based efforts at the United States Agency for International Development. Working closely with the White House and Department of State, in his role at USAID Adam oversaw development policy, new and non-traditional partnerships, as well as democracy and diplomacy initiatives in nearly 100 countries. Adam has been a TEDx speaker, his work has also been featured in The Atlantic, CNN, Washington Post, NPR, Huffington Post, Relevant Magazine and the Christian Broadcasting Network's 700 Club.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and our podcast. Learn more about how you can support your community this election season with Interfaith America's Faith in Elections Playbook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

Generosity is the invisible thread that weaves the fabric of our communities, binding us together in times of joy and adversity. From the local YMCA that nurtures young minds to the food banks that feed the hungry, our society thrives on the selfless acts of countless individuals who give their time, talents, and resources. Yet, we face a troubling decline in charitable giving and volunteerism that threatens the very foundation of our civic culture. Eboo Patel from Interfaith America shares how we can rekindle the spirit of generosity that has long been integral to American life.

Adelle M. Banks, projects editor and national reporter for Religion News Service, and Adam Nicholas Phillips, chief strategy officer and chief of staff at Interfaith America, discuss the evolving role of religious constituencies in U.S. politics, as well as the intersection of religion with key political and social issues in the lead up to the 2024 election.

Voices of Interfaith America is your home for stories of bridgebuilding and engaging diversity productively across the country. This podcast will include shows that reflect the varied experiences and complex landscape of our religiously diverse democracy. This feed will still include episodes of Interfaith America with Eboo Patel, but as we expand to include more voices from interfaith America, you will find conversations with bridgebuilders working toward a more pluralistic America. Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and our podcast. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

For today's episode, we're bringing you another powerful moment from our Restore gathering. Eboo Patel joined us to explore a compelling and deeply hopeful vision for what it means to build a loving, spiritually rich community where different faiths come together to form the foundation of a stronger, more united whole. Eboo challenges us to live our faiths in ways that not only elevate ourselves but lift others, creating bonds that bridge divides and bring healing to our world.Eboo, an Ismaili Muslim, is the founder and president of Interfaith America, an organization dedicated to fostering cooperation across religious traditions.Drawing on decades of experience and inspired by President Russell M. Nelson's call for peacemaking, Eboo invites us to see how our diverse spiritual practices can serve as bridges, connecting us in powerful and meaningful ways. He shares that peacemaking is both a choice and a skill, requiring us to engage deeply and intentionally with one another.Using the beautiful metaphor of a potluck dinner, he reminds us: "Do not hide your light. Do not stop bringing your distinctive dish to the table. A potluck is a place where everyone's contributions matter." This episode is about how we can actively build relationships, cooperate across differences, and create something richer together than any of us could alone. Faith Matters intends to be more and more at the center of these kinds of interfaith collaborations. We hope this conversation inspires you to reflect on your own role in creating a compassionate, connected community. And with that, we'll pass it over to Eboo Patel at Restore.

How should we approach disagreements when our deepest convictions and commitments are challenged or questioned? A healthy society is built around the ability to navigate these kinds of disagreements with responsibility and respect, but in our increasingly polarized society, it's becoming harder and harder to cultivate the habits, skills, and virtues that can keep us united amid our vehement disagreements. In this episode Mark welcomes legal scholar and law professor John Inazu to discuss how to approach disagreement with wisdom, care, and a commitment to the well-being of the other. John is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He speaks and writes frequently about pluralism, assembly, free speech, and religious freedom. His latest book is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect. Together Mark and John discuss the role of fear management when approaching difficult conversations; how to appreciate the complexity and diversity of perspectives in others; the role of empathy in communication; how to learn to disagree constructively in different life contexts from work to home to politics; how authority, power dynamics, and social roles factor in productive disagreements; the light and dark sides of civility; and how to navigate and negotiate our disagreements with compassion and love. About John Inazu John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He teaches criminal law, law and religion, and various First Amendment courses. He writes and speaks frequently about pluralism, assembly, free speech, religious freedom, and other issues. John has written three books—including Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024) and Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale University Press, 2012)—and has published opinion pieces in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, USA Today, Newsweek, and CNN. He is also the founder of the Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and is a senior fellow with Interfaith America. Show Notes Get your copy of Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (https://www.jinazu.com/learning-to-disagree) John Inazu's background as a legal scholar and expert on first amendment rights, including the freedom to assemble peaceably, or “the right to peaceful assembly” How to learn from lawyers about how to disagree How does fear factor into communicating through disagreement? What neuroscience has taught as about fear “I can understand why you feel that…” Well-practiced habits Be prepared to engage differently Learning how to practice communication outside of a toxic social media or online context Empathy and the complexity of others' views Canadian psychological research on empathy Avoiding abstraction in order to cultivate empathy David Brooks's book, How to Know a Person How to understand fundamental versus surface-level differences Heated political issues and the social roles we inhabit Power dynamics, authority, and responsibility Power dynamics in the classroom How to approach disagreement in political protests on college campuses, e.g., Columbia University “Part of that responsibility is recognizing that people are hurting in very deep ways. … We're not talking about abstractions or debating some historical event, we're talking about real felt emotions.” “I'm aware that the capacity for interpersonal interaction has fallen off and it becomes more and more a school, or an environment, or a culture in which disagreement is not allowed.” Civility as a virtue or a vice? Purely cognitive rationality vs complex, emotional passions Fannie Lou Hamer and playing by a different set of social norms and rules Polarization and political tensions in partisan America “Totalizing positions” and the shrinking possibility of genuine communications Shirley Mullen's book, Claiming the Courageous Middle How to uphold convictions without surrendering any ultimate truth claims How John Inazu has been shaped, formed, and influenced Curiosity and patience Close relationships that do formative work The Antidote for our cultural moment: “A lot of very small and very personal efforts where individual lives change postures … and contribute to social change with storytelling and exemplars and costly practices.” Small incremental steps: Jesus's metaphor that the Kingdom of God is like yeast What would happen if American Christians started listening to the global church? What is the role of the imagination in learning to disagree? Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

We are so happy to have John Inazu on the podcast today. We planned to interview him about his new book, Learning to Disagree: the Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect. Once our conversation began, we moved on to many of the other very important things he participates in. Learning to Disagree is an accessible and gentle introduction to practices and priorities that will help you thrive in a time like this, where people are all too eager to disagree with you. He uses the structure of an academic year at the law school. I hope you will pick up a copy of your own. John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. His latest book is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024). He is also the author of Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale University Press, 2012) and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference (University of Chicago Press, 2016), and co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference (Thomas Nelson, 2020). He is the founder of The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and a Senior Fellow at Interfaith America and the Trinity Forum. He holds a B.S.E. and J.D. from Duke University and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can find him on X at: https://twitter.com/JohnInazu I signed up for my first Substack to follow him. You can do that here: https://johninazu.substack.com/ Last but not least, you can find him at his personal website: https://www.jinazu.com/ We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you. Please send us an email or question at comment@cityonahillpodcast.com. MUSIC: Little Lily Swing, Tri-Tachyon, Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Tri-Tachyon/the-kleptotonic-ep/little-lily-swing

We live in a polarized time. People with whom we disagree are not just wrong, but evil – or so we (and they) often think. John Inazu thinks that posture towards those with whom we disagree is neither helpful nor biblical. He thinks empathy, curiosity, and love – both loving our neighbors but also loving our enemies – is both a biblical approach, and an approach that is more likely to change hearts and minds. John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. His latest book, the one we're discussing today, is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024). Inazu is also the author of Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale University Press, 2012) and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference (University of Chicago Press, 2016). He is co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference (Thomas Nelson, 2020). Inazu is the founder of The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship, a Senior Fellow with the Trinity Forum, and a Senior Fellow with Interfaith America, where he co-directs (with Eboo Patel) the Newbigin Fellows. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

Genuine disagreement is vanishingly rare. But to disagree with careful listening, empathy, respect, and independent thinking—it's an essential part of life in a pluralistic democratic society.In this episode, legal scholar and author John Inazu joins Evan Rosa to talk about his new book, Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect. He's the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis.Together they discuss the challenge of disagreeing well in contemporary life, replete with the depersonalization of social media; the difference between certainty and confidence; what it means to think for oneself, freely and independently; the virtue of humility in civil discourse; the prospect for political dissent and civil disobedience; how to pursue the truth in a culture of principled pluralism; and practical steps toward empathic and respectful disagreement.About John InazuJohn Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He teaches criminal law, law and religion, and various First Amendment courses. He writes and speaks frequently about pluralism, assembly, free speech, religious freedom, and other issues. John has written three books—including Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024) and *Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly* (Yale, 2012)—and has published opinion pieces in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, USA Today, Newsweek, and CNN. He is also the founder of the Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and is a senior fellow with Interfaith America.Show Notes"Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like uh, your opinion, man."Get a copy of Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (https://www.jinazu.com/learning-to-disagree)Disagreement around civility and civil discourse particularlyIdentifying and naming disagreementPractical limits of human relationship as a reality of disagreementWhy you picked up learning to disagree, disagreement in particular? And why is it important to you? What drew you now to make a comment about disagreement?Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (https://www.jinazu.com/libertys-refuge)Right of Assembly in the first amendment and what it means in groups - Madison and factions (Federalist 10?)Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference (https://www.jinazu.com/confident-pluralism)Constitutional lawThe First Amendment as what secures the ability to disagree - Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech“One is, even if that was part of the, original focus, like any ongoing tradition, it can be lost or ignored. And so there's this sense in which each new generation needs to understand and appreciate it for intrinsic reasons and not just because they read it in a book.”Individual thinking but the reality of not doing anything individually as we are involved in embodied human relationshipsWhat starting points are there? You begin with empathy, what other starting points do you like to introduce to help people understand where you're trying to take people with this?Complexity and compromise and recognizing that compromise isn't always possibleHumility in competing visions of truth and what is best for the world; no good or bad, just different persuasionsA desire for certainty which fear and laziness underlineI wonder if you could speak a little bit more to the legal background and why you think that is so helpful and so instructive for going through this framework of learning to disagree?“Maybe only prudentially in order to try to defeat it, but the work of understanding the other side's argument in the best light possible is itself a work of empathy that allows you to step into the headspace of the opponent a little bit and allows you to see why someone who is not dumb or is not You know, completely outside of society might actually think differently.”Supreme Court and difficult, political decisionsApplying the approaches that are taught in law schools in every day lifeThree branches of government and checks and balancesLoss of human relationships with colleagues in Congress and the increase of them in the Supreme CourtPolitical dissent and political dissidentsWhen to disagree?Protests, assemblies, and activismThe privilege of dissent in the United StatesSocial pressures, social stigma, and the confidence and responsibility to dissentHow to cultivate respect for the one who you disagree with?Love your enemies and the Christian calling for interpersonal relationship with the person you disagree with; there is no guarantee of reciprocityQuestion of belief, right belief and orthodoxyDifferences matter, especially in theological conversation, but that doesn't mean we should rest in certaintyLearning and granting grace to ourselves and one anotherLesslie Newbigin - confidence not certaintyHow do we cultivate that ability to stay in the middle of it? To hold the tension, being able to live in the complexity, stay invested that the conversation happens without getting disillusioned or apathetic?The differences between Preaching and PersuasionHow you recommended, what they can do today in the disagreements they find themselves in? What they can do at the level of mindset and what they can try to implement?Disagreement is something you have to practice and to know that mistakes will be madeLet conversations linger and take time and happen over multiple meetings - making the commitment to be together and be in conversationBuilding trust in disagreeing well - acknowledging the relationalDon't start with family; practice with others initially“But regardless of sort of the relationship that you start with, go in with a full tank, right? don't don't go in when you yourself are like, impatient or exhausted or hungry, because you should go in kind of anticipating that there'll be some challenges to this. And if you can, on the front end say, you know what, in this conversation, I'm probably going to hear something that is going to offend me or annoy me.”Friends who disagree and the importance of friendshipMixing the serious with the playful and the mundaneFriendship as an important element of discourse and disagreementProduction NotesThis podcast featured John InazuEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Alexa Rollow & Kacie BarrettA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

As our nation stands on the precipice of another pivotal presidential debate, we find ourselves at a crossroads of political discourse and civic engagement. In an era marked by deep divisions and partisan bitterness, the concept of civic pluralism serves as a beacon of hope, offering a fresh lens through which to view and participate in our democratic process. Adam Phillips from Interfaith America joins to talk about how this approach challenges us to look beyond the surface-level rhetoric and political maneuvering, inviting us to engage with the debate in a way that honors our diverse identities while fostering unity and resilience. It is time to think again about how embracing the principles of civic pluralism might not only transform our viewing experience but also contribute to healing the very fabric of our democracy.

This week, we're sharing an episode from Proclaim Peace, a podcast we proudly co-sponsor in collaboration with Mormon Women for Ethical Government. Proclaim Peace is hosted by Jennifer Thomas, Co-Executive Director of MWEG, and Patrick Mason, Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University, and longtime friend and advisor of Faith Matters. In this episode, Patrick and Jennifer chat with Eboo Patel, the founder and president of Interfaith America and a powerful bridge-builder in the United States. Eboo has spent a lifetime trying to harness the passion and loyalty people feel towards their religions and use it for good by encouraging interfaith collaboration and civic engagement. He shares with us some of his insights from several decades of speaking with religious and civic leaders across many different faiths, and some of the special opportunities he sees for our Latter-day Saint community.We encourage you to subscribe to Proclaim Peace to hear fascinating conversations with Latter-day Saint bridge builders and peacemakers working all over the world in creative, gospel-inspired ways. We'd also love for you to register for Restore, which will be held on September 5-7 at the Mountain American Expo Center, where Eboo will be, in-person, along with Patrick, Jennifer, and many other incredible speakers for a weekend of spiritual rejuvenation. You can register at faithmaters.org/restoreWe hope you'll join us! In the mean time, please enjoy this episode of Proclaim Peace with Eboo Patel.

Drawing on decades of experience addressing volatile disagreements surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Resetting the Table works to transform toxic polarization and destructive political conflict in the U.S. We'll be joined by Resetting the Table's Co-Founding CEO, Melissa Weintraub, a veteran peacebuilder and social entrepreneur who has spent her career building transformative communication across divides, overcoming dehumanization and distrust, and working toward a shared society in both the U.S. and Israel-Palestine. This program is part of the series in partnership with Florida Humanities — “UNUM: Democracy Reignited,” a multi-year digital offering exploring the past, present and future of the American idea — as it exists on paper, in the hearts of our people, and as it manifests (or sometimes fails to manifest) in our lives. The Village Square is a proud member of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Funding for this podcast was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities. This program is part of a larger project "Healing Starts Here" funded by New Pluralists. Learn more about our project, and other inspiring grantees here.

In this week's episode, we interview Protect Democracy's Policy Strategist, Chris Crawford. Chris's work is focused on ensuring free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power, including staffing the National Task Force on Election Crises and managing the Faith in Elections Playbook in partnership with Interfaith America. We ask him questions like: 1) What is a free and fair election? 2) What is election security? 3) What has changed since the 2020 election? And much more! So many of our listeners over the past two years have asked us these kinds of questions, and we thought Chris would help you learn something new *and* show how you can get more involved in the democratic process. Episode note: Faith in Elections Playbook with Interfaith America - https://www.interfaithamerica.org/resources/faith-in-elections/ The Spirit of Our Politics is now available to buy⁠⁠⁠⁠! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can get it at Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com, Audible, Libro.Fm, Google Play, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Church Source, Faith Gateway, or at your favorite local bookstore. As always, you can become a subscriber and support our work over at Substack. Subscriptions fuel this podcast and helps fund the dozens of hours we put into this podcast and our content each week. Use this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wearweare.substack.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to partner with us as a sponsor for Wear We Are, please fill out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. Thanks for listening, rating/subscribing Wear We Are on your favorite podcast platform, and following/liking The Center for Christianity and Public Life (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ccpubliclife⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Join the conversation and follow us on: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelwear⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MichaelRWear⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tsfnetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: King Sis #politics #faith #religion #belief #religious #christian #christianity #culture #news #election #fairelection #safeelection #violence #electionviolence #democracy #2024 #vote #voting #volunteer #interfaith #poll #polling #pollworkers #WearWeAre #MichaelWear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the GZERO World Podcast with Ian Bremmer, Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith America, advocates for cooperation over division on college campuses in response to protests, highlighting the need for civil discourse and pointing out that despite some instances of violence, most campuses engage in constructive dialogue.Whether you are for or against the protests happening across the country, one thing is clear: They've caught the world's attention. Some have escalated into violence, as seen at UCLA, Texas, and Columbia University. On the podcast, Patel discusses his efforts on over 600 college campuses to foster unity. His central message: "Cooperation is better than division."Patel emphasizes the need for universities to shift their focus from confrontation to cooperation, advocating for environments that promote civil discourse. He suggests initiatives such as teach-ins and dialogues to explore constructive solutions to complex issues. Patel criticizes the default mode of many universities. "I think the problem here, the thing that universities could control, which I think that they have gotten wrong in many cases over the course of the past five years, is the default mode has been set to confrontation, not cooperation."While it may be challenging to find common ground, Patel highlights that the majority of college campuses have managed to engage in debates about the Israel-Gaza conflict without resorting to chaos or violence. He explains, "The media, for good reasons, covers planes that crash and not planes that land." This suggests that the instances of violence and chaos are outliers and that civil discourse is still prevalent on many campuses.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Eboo Patel Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

On this episode of the GZERO World Podcast with Ian Bremmer, Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith America, advocates for cooperation over division on college campuses in response to protests, highlighting the need for civil discourse and pointing out that despite some instances of violence, most campuses engage in constructive dialogue.Whether you are for or against the protests happening across the country, one thing is clear: They've caught the world's attention. Some have escalated into violence, as seen at UCLA, Texas, and Columbia University. On the podcast, Patel discusses his efforts on over 600 college campuses to foster unity. His central message: "Cooperation is better than division."Patel emphasizes the need for universities to shift their focus from confrontation to cooperation, advocating for environments that promote civil discourse. He suggests initiatives such as teach-ins and dialogues to explore constructive solutions to complex issues. Patel criticizes the default mode of many universities. "I think the problem here, the thing that universities could control, which I think that they have gotten wrong in many cases over the course of the past five years, is the default mode has been set to confrontation, not cooperation."While it may be challenging to find common ground, Patel highlights that the majority of college campuses have managed to engage in debates about the Israel-Gaza conflict without resorting to chaos or violence. He explains, "The media, for good reasons, covers planes that crash and not planes that land." This suggests that the instances of violence and chaos are outliers and that civil discourse is still prevalent on many campuses.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Eboo Patel Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

Boyd reflects on his Sunday Edition’s conversation with Eboo Patel from Interfaith America about how to build a more collaborative rather than combative environment. We need to have radical empathy for those we disagree with. By doing so, we can find the right solution to the issues we are facing today.

Yascha Mounk and Eboo Patel discuss how interfaith work can serve as a model for engaging productively across differences. Eboo Patel is the founder of Interfaith America and the author of We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. Patel also served as an advisor on faith to President Barack Obama. In this week's conversation, Yascha Mounk and Eboo Patel discuss how the dominant diversity paradigm in many institutions divides individuals into oppressors and oppressed; how universities can draw from the intellectual tradition of pluralism to encourage mutual respect and cooperation; and how university leaders can alleviate the deeply polarized atmosphere that prevails at many institutions around the country. This conversation is part of a new Persuasion series on the Future of Universities. Universities are in crisis—losing public support, shaken by internal divisions, facing angry donors and alumni, and increasingly straying from their core mission of intellectual curiosity and open inquiry. Persuasion's new series about the future of universities, made possible by the generous support of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, will consist of a collection of longform essays and podcast interviews aimed at helping higher education tackle this crisis.  This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity. Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: podcast@persuasion.community  Website: http://www.persuasion.community Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion Youtube: Yascha Mounk LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

College commencement ceremonies are happening tonight at universities across Utah. After the last few weeks of protests, riots, occupation and division, it's time to find a way across divides and come together. Eboo Patel from Interfaith America joins Boyd to discuss the “Potluck Democracy” and the deep essence of democracy and divinity.

Protests dominate the news. And while we're familiar with freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, and freedom of the press—what about the freedom of assembly? The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution—also contains “the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”But what exactly does that secure? How does this foundational, but often forgotten, right impact the shape of democracy, undergirding and making possible a flourishing public life? And are we prepared to defend the full application of these rights to our political rivals? Those we disagree with?Legal scholar John Inazu (Washington University, St. Louis) joins Evan Rosa for a discussion of the freedom of assembly—its history, meaning, interpretation, and application—as well as how it impacts the ability for citizens to gather to demonstrate and protest.Show NotesRead the Constitution of the United States of America (1787)Learning toGet your copy of Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of AssemblyClick here to download a free version of Liberty's Refuge.The First AmendmentIntroducing peaceable assembly.“I was working for a federal judge and working on a First Amendment case, looked down at the text of the First Amendment and saw the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and I thought to myself, I've had three years of law school and four years of legal practice, and I've never thought about the Assembly Clause.”Ecclesia as a counter political entity“I can't assemble alone.”“Know Your Rights” by The ClashThree historical points about interpreting the assembly clauseThe grammar of the assembly clauseAssembly and Petition are two distinct rightsThe right of associationThe right of privacyAssembly is the right of associationWhere are the limits of a protest? Under assembly? Or under the free speech clause.“we ought to care about the values that drive different parts of the Constitution.”The groupness—the idea of collective expressionUnderstanding the “peaceable” side of assembly“The best law enforcement understand that there has to be some breathing space.”Reform mode vs revolution modePolicing assembly as more of an art than a sciencePeaceable assembly and collective belonging“Civil liberties are for losers.”Practical steps to upholding peaceable assembly as a right and civil libertyExercise your rightsDefend the rights of everyoneAbout John InazuJohn Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He teaches criminal law, law and religion, and various First Amendment courses. He writes and speaks frequently about pluralism, assembly, free speech, religious freedom, and other issues. John has written three books—including Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024) and Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale, 2012)—and has published opinion pieces in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, USA Today, Newsweek, and CNN. He is also the founder of the Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and is a senior fellow with Interfaith America.Image CitationOriginal caption: “Demonstrators sit, with their feet in the Reflecting Pool, during the March on Washington, 1963] / WKL."Original black and white negative by Warren K. Leffler. Taken August 28th, 1963, Washington D.C, United States (@libraryofcongress).Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd.Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA https://www.loc.gov/item/2011648314/Production NotesThis podcast featured John InazuEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Macie Bridge, Alexa Rollow, and Tim BergelandA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

John Inazu's new book is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect. John teaches on criminal law, law and religion and the First Amendment at Washington University in St. Louis. He is an expert on religious freedom. And he is a senior fellow with Interfaith America. He is also a former Air Force officer who was working in the Pentagon on 9/11 when a hijacked airliner hit the other side of that massive building. And finally, he is the son of Japanese-American father who was born in an internment camp during World War II, where his American citizen grandparents were incarcerated for three years simply because of their ethnic heritage.  John's book is structured around the rhythm of a law school year. The reason, he says, is because he thinks the law has something to teach us about how to approach disagreement. We talk here about why he thinks his book has surprising advice. We also spend a lot of time talking about the protests on college campuses about the war in Gaza, which have reached a fever pitch over the past week, and what his book offers to that incredibly intense disagreement. We actually kept coming back to the issue of American universities and their purpose and mission.

If you've ever wondered what bridgebuilding looks like, look no further than Jenan Mohajir and Rebecca Russo. Just two weeks after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th and the subsequent Israeli bombing and invasion of Gaza, Jenan - who is Muslim and the mother of three beautiful Palestinian children - and Rebecca - who is Jewish and has multiple personal and familial connections to Israel (and is also the mother of three beautiful children) - came together to publish an op-ed insisting on "the importance of seeing each other and each other's people as fully human." In this episode, they tackle tough questions about what it means to be Zionist, pro-Palestinian, a committed partisan, and an unwavering bridgebuilder.  Guest Bio:Jenan Mohajir is the Vice President of External Affairs at Interfaith America. In this role, Jenan focuses on building strategic relationships and programs with new partners across Interfaith America's emerging sectors. Inspired by faith and family to work for change at the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and religion, Jenan has served in leadership at IA for 15 years, where she has trained hundreds of interfaith leaders from diverse backgrounds to foster a vision and practice of civically engaged interreligious leadership. Jenan completed undergraduate work at DePaul University and is pursuing her M.A. in religious studies at Chicago Theological Seminary. As a natural storyteller, she performs with 2nd Story, Chicago's premier storytelling company. Jenan proudly lives on the south side of Chicago with her children and loves to collect vintage children's books. Rebecca Russo is the Vice President of Higher Education Strategy at Interfaith America. Rebecca oversees I.A.'s higher education strategy in this role, focusing on bridgebuilding programs and partnering with senior campus administrators. Rebecca has worked with IA since 2014 and sees college campuses as a laboratory where students can deepen and challenge their worldviews and learn to build relationships across divides. Rebecca has worked in higher education for over a decade, including roles as the Director of Engagement at Northwestern University's Fiedler Hillel and Executive Director of the Campus Climate Initiative at Hillel International. Rebecca holds a B.A. in Middle East Studies from Brown University and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Rebecca is inspired by her interfaith experiences living in Morocco and Jerusalem and by the Talmudic concept of "these and those are words of the living God" to work toward a society where religious diversity is engaged actively and positively. Rebecca lives in Chicago with her family and enjoys singing, hiking, and chasing around her three children.

In this conversation, John Inazu and I have a great conversation about learning how to disagree civilly. We talk the importance of seeing others as image-bearers of God, developing empathy even for those we disagree with, distinguishing facts from judgments, and finding common ground. John gave great examples of disagreeing respectfully from his legal and interfaith work. The postures of curiosity, patience, and commitment to relationships over time are crucial. Join us as we learn how to disagree, hear one another, and walk forward gracefully. John Inazu is the author of Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan). He is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He teaches criminal law, law and religion, and various First Amendment courses. He writes and speaks frequently about pluralism, assembly, free speech, religious freedom, and other issues. John has written three books and published opinion pieces in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, USA Today, Newsweek, and CNN. He is also the founder of the Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and is a senior fellow with Interfaith America.John's Book:Learning to DisagreeJohn's Recommendation:The Spirit of Our Politics by Michael WearConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Threads at www.facebook.com/shiftingculturepodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/shiftingculturepodcast/https://twitter.com/shiftingcultur2https://www.threads.net/@shiftingculturepodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/@shiftingculturepodcastConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below.Support the show

In our divisive culture, is it possible to disagree respectfully without compromising your convictions? John Inazu reveals a better way to manage discord in his book Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect. John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He is also the author of Liberty’s Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale University Press, 2012) and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference (University of Chicago Press, 2016), and co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference (Thomas Nelson, 2020). Inazu is the founder of The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and a Senior Fellow at Interfaith America and the Trinity Forum. He holds a B.S.E. and J.D. from Duke University and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. To wrap up the third hour, Keely Brooke Keith has a conversation with Dawn about her new book Unchartered Peace. This is book thirteen in The Unchartered Series. Keely is the author of the beloved Uncharted series. Her books are best described as inspirational frontier-style fiction with a futuristic twist. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely was a tree-climbing, baseball-loving 80s kid. She grew up in a family who moved often, which fueled her dreams of faraway lands. When she isn’t writing, Keely enjoys gardening and is slowly learning how to not kill plants. Keely, her husband, and their daughter live on a hilltop south of Nashville, Tennessee. She is a member of ACFW.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Writing Room podcast, Bob and Kim are joined by John Inazu, a law professor and author of an upcoming release, "Learning to Disagree". Join this trio of storytellers as they explore the intersection of law, life, and writing, inviting listeners into a space where understanding triumphs over division. If you're seeking inspiration to infuse empathy into your narratives, this episode promises a wealth of insights and practical wisdom. John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. Inazu is also the author of Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference. He is co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference. Inazu is also the founder of The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and a Senior Fellow with Interfaith America, where he co-directs (with Eboo Patel) the Newbigin Fellows. Connect with John: @johninazu Connect with Bob: @bobgoff Connect with Kim: @kimberly.stuart.writes Join Bob and Kim for the next Writer's Workshop at The Oaks: April 22-24 Learn more about Writing Coaching with Bob and Kim

In this episode of the Writing Room podcast, Bob and Kim are joined by John Inazu, a law professor and author of an upcoming release, "Learning to Disagree". Join this trio of storytellers as they explore the intersection of law, life, and writing, inviting listeners into a space where understanding triumphs over division. If you're seeking inspiration to infuse empathy into your narratives, this episode promises a wealth of insights and practical wisdom. John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. Inazu is also the author of Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference. He is co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference. Inazu is also the founder of The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and a Senior Fellow with Interfaith America, where he co-directs (with Eboo Patel) the Newbigin Fellows. Connect with John: @johninazu Connect with Bob: @bobgoff Connect with Kim: @kimberly.stuart.writes Join Bob and Kim for the next Writer's Workshop at The Oaks: April 22-24 Learn more about Writing Coaching with Bob and Kim

In this episode of the Writing Room podcast, Bob and Kim are joined by John Inazu, a law professor and author of an upcoming release, "Learning to Disagree". Join this trio of storytellers as they explore the intersection of law, life, and writing, inviting listeners into a space where understanding triumphs over division. If you're seeking inspiration to infuse empathy into your narratives, this episode promises a wealth of insights and practical wisdom. John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. Inazu is also the author of Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference. He is co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference. Inazu is also the founder of The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and a Senior Fellow with Interfaith America, where he co-directs (with Eboo Patel) the Newbigin Fellows. Connect with John: @johninazu Connect with Bob: @bobgoff Connect with Kim: @kimberly.stuart.writes Join Bob and Kim for the next Writer's Workshop at The Oaks: April 22-24 Learn more about Writing Coaching with Bob and Kim

Interfaith America is working to promote our nation's religious and spiritual diversity as an asset in quality healthcare and lever for building health equity. Join Interfaith America and the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab for conversation about the importance of equipping all providers to work in partnership with spiritual care experts to strengthen care for people of all faiths and none. A chaplain, a health professional, and a patient will share stories of impact as they invite others to build interfaith competency across health settings. Anu Gorukanti is a public health practitioner, pediatric hospitalist, and co-founder of Introspective Spaces, a social venture committed to building reflective space and community for women in healthcare. She is also a member of the Sacred Journeys and Witness fellowships. She cares deeply about the well-being of her colleagues in healthcare and is passionate about healthcare reform to create equitable and compassionate care for patients and communities. In her free time, she loves to photograph landscapes, learn to dance and spend time with her wonderful husband, friends and family. Hadia Mubarak is Assistant Professor of Religion at Queens University of Charlotte. She previously served as Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Guilford College and as a Research Fellow at New York University-Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). Her forthcoming book, Rebellious Wives, Neglectful Husbands: Controversies in Modern Qurʾanic Commentaries (Oxford University Press, March 2020), explores significant shifts in modern Qurʾanic commentaries on the subject of women against the backdrop of broader historical, intellectual and political developments in twentieth-century North Africa. Mubarak completed her Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from Georgetown University, where she specialized in modern and classical Qurʾanic exegesis, Islamic feminism, and gender reform in the modern Muslim world. She currently serves as a scholar-in-residence with the Muslim Community Center of Charlotte (MCC). Reverend Mary Martha Thiel is the Director of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL). Drawing on the energy and nimbleness of its CPE program, the Religious and Spiritual Care Department spearheads the LGBTQ+ initiatives on HSL's six campuses. Mary Martha lives in Brookline with her spouse, and has two daughters. She is active at First Church Cambridge, UCC. She is an avid reader, traveler, and lifelong learner.

Join us in this episode as we talk to Eboo Patel about what a pluralistic nation needs from Christians. Eboo Patel is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Eboo served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote addresses, and has written five books. You can find Eboo & Interfaith on social media: X (Twitter) @EbooPatel Facebook @EbooPatelLinkedInX (Twitter) @interfaithusa Facebook @interfaithamericaInstagram @interfaithamerica20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social ActionHost and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza MediaMusic: Andre Henry

https://www.cosmiclabyrinth.world/ ... Rollie Olson is a democratic activator. He is a program manager at Interfaith America, facilitating and sharing the Faith in Elections Playbook grant. Rollie also served with Congressman Dean Phillips practicing the civic approach of “radical hospitality.”  https://www.interfaithamerica.org/grants/faith-in-elections-grant/ ... https://www.interfaithamerica.org/article/playbook-elections/ ... https://www.interfaithamerica.org/article/grant-civic-elections/    

An interview with Nealin Parker, Executive Director of Common Ground USA, exploring the range of like-minded organizations contributing to depolarization (including over 6,700 such organizations in the US alone).Nealin explores the different approaches such organizations take and provides guidance on how to find collaborators, assess  their quality and best engage with them.She also explores the  role of neighborhoods, society building and more.Organization referenced in episode (in order of appearance): • Living Room Conversations (www.livingroomconversations.org)• Preemptive Love Coalition (Love Anyway Feasts) (www.preemptivelove.org/feast-templates)• Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org)• Listen First Coalition (www.listenfirstproject.org/listen-first-coalition)• Telos (www.telosgroup.org)• Make America Dinner (www.makeamericadinneragain.com)• The People's Supper (www.thepeoplessupper.org)• Resetting the Table (www.resettingthetable.org)• Bridge USA (www.bridgeusa.org)• Campus Conversation (www.aascu.org/resources/campus-conversations-toolkit)• Sustained Dialog (www.sustaineddialogue.org)• Solia (www.solia.net)• American Exchange Project (www.americanexchangeproject.org)• Shoulder to Shoulder (www.shouldertoshouldercampaign.org)• Telos (www.telosgroup.org)• Interfaith America (www.interfaithamerica.org)• Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org)• One America Movement (www.oneamericamovement.org)• City Year (www.cityyear.org)• AmeriCorps (www.americorps.gov)• Red Cross (www.redcross.org)• United Way (www.unitedway.org)• All Sides (www.allsides.com)• The Flip Side (www.theflipside.io)CONTENTS0:00 Introduction3:45 Mapping Depolarization11:21 Flavors of Depolarization17:50 Cooking as Unifier22:37 Interfaith Dialog25:17 Service as Unifier28:08 Finding Collaborators30:11 Assessing Quality33:41 The Role of Neighborhood38:55 Society Building48:21Engaging with the Like-Minded51:37 Closing Thoughts

MPR News host Kerri Miller has never skirted the topic of faith.On her former weekday show, she regularly dialoged with leaders like Jenan Mohajir from Interfaith America, activist and author Anne Lamott, theologian Jemar Tisby, Sister Joan Chittister, and evangelical disrupter Rachel Held Evans. She even did a year-long series with women from a variety of faith backgrounds in 2019. So it seemed fitting, during the 2024 winter member drive, to return to this theme and remember a few of the best conversations. Included are portions of Miller's recent discussion with Pastor Amy Butler, who penned the memoir, “Beautiful and Terrible Things;” Miller's 2019 conversation with podcaster Misha Euceph about being Muslim in America; and a snippet of the 2023 Talking Volumes season finale with author Margaret Renkl about why Renkl left the Catholic church of her upbringing and found a new one in nature.

What is the role of churches and other houses of worship in protecting democracy? This topic usually comes up because of bad actors that overstep into partisanship, but today's show looks at how faith communities can help our elections run smoothly. Holly Hollman speaks with Chris Crawford of Protect Democracy – a nonprofit, cross-ideological organization that has a new playbook to help faith communities ensure “all eligible voters can access a ballot and every valid vote is counted.” Learn more about how people of faith can love their neighbors and take active roles in protecting our system of government.   SHOW NOTES: Segment 1 (starting at 00:45): Working across differences without papering over them Read more about Chris Crawford at this link. Protect Democracy and Interfaith America partnered to help faith communities to serve their communities during the 2024 election. Click here to access the Faith in Elections Playbook, and learn more about Protect Democracy at this link. Protect Democracy's guide for recognizing authoritarianism is available at this link.   Segment 2 (starting at 11:49): The Faith in Elections Playbook  Chris Crawford mentioned A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy. Learn more about their work on their website. Chris Crawford mentioned PowerThePolls.org as a resource to learn more about being a poll worker.   Segment 3 (starting at 31:03): Religious freedom and protecting our democracy Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.  

Najeeba Syeed and Eboo Patel explore the ethics and future of interfaith work amid deep divides across religious communities. They focus on the impact of global wars and crises on religious communities and discuss the role of institutions in promoting interfaith understanding through open-mindedness and deep listening.Guest Bio: Najeeba Syeed is the inaugural El-Hibri endowed Chair and Executive Director of the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has been a professor, expert practitioner, and public speaker for the last two decades in conflict resolution, interfaith studies, mediation, restorative Justice, education, and social, gender, and racial equity.She has facilitated conflict resolution processes for conflicts in many schools, communities, and environmental and public controversies. She served as the co-chair of the American Academy of Religion's Religion and Politics Section and was a member of the Academy's Religion, Social Conflict, and Peace Section.  She was elected by the body of the American Academy of Religion to serve on the governing body of the Program Committee. She is a past board member of the National Association for Community Mediation, National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation and serves on the Higher Education Advisory Council for Interfaith America, and Advisory Council for Peace and Conflict Resolution at the Tanenbaum Center and past chair of the Pasadena Commission on the Status of Women. She served on the Teaching Team for the Luce American Academy of Religion Summer Seminar on Religious Pluralism and Comparative Theologies.

On college campuses across the country, students are using their voices to advocate for their beliefs. While they have the right to protest and speak their mind, many students have gone beyond civil discussions and increasingly act in ways that verge on violence. Rebecca Russo from Interfaith America says we can restore civility with centers of pluralism on college campuses.

Amid today's polarized political scene, many Americans throw up their hands and say, like Patrick Henry, “‘peace, peace,' but there is no peace. The war is actually begun.” To some, the partisan divide seems deeper than ever — with no way to bridge it. Even religions sometimes seem to battle with other faiths, as well as those within a faith. Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America and author of “We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy,” has done a lot of thinking about how to overcome divisions. He is also an “impact scholar” at the University of Utah and will visit the Salt Lake City campus a few times each year during his two-year appointment. Retired federal Judge Thomas Griffith, a Latter-day Saint convert, also bemoans the toxic divides that poison public debate and rip apart the fabric of U.S. society. Recently, the American Bar Association appointed Griffith a member of a newly created Task Force for American Democracy, whose aim is to push back against authoritarian tendencies in the country. On this week's show, Patel and Griffith — both hopeful if not optimistic — discuss how to bring peace to our trouble times and how members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a vital role to play in that quest, especially if they can become as accomplished at bridge building as they are at evangelizing.

You can tune in to Season 1 and learn more about the podcast on our website, Apple, Spotify, and everywhere else you listen to your favorite podcasts. New episodes drop every Tuesday at 5 a.m. CST.  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay updated with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

Eboo Patel is a civic leader, author, and Founder of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Eboo served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote speeches, and has written several books. His most recent book, We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy, argues for the necessity of institution-building for those of us dedicated to refounding America as a just and inclusive democracy. Eboo joins the podcast to discuss the roots of his own love-based activism, how social change actually works, and why so many influential social activists have been people of faith. 

During a time when bridges are being burned rather than built, MLK Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech is more important than ever. But instead of creating more divisions in our world today, how can we build unity, much like King did in 1963? Eboo Patel from Interfaith America explains why we should focus on community and volunteerism if we want to bridge divides. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Season 2, the Interfaith America with Eboo Patel podcast explores how we engage religious diversity in different sectors of our nation, from Hollywood to politics, journalism to academia. Featuring prominent public figures including Rainn Wilson, Jonathan Eig, and Danielle Allen, Eboo Patel engages in meaningful conversations to understand how our nation's constantly evolving religious diversity shapes our democracy.Kwame Anthony Appiah is a British-born American philosopher, writer, and scholar of African and African American studies, best known for his contributions to political philosophy, moral psychology, and the philosophy of culture. Appiah tackles life's dilemmas in The Ethicist column in the New York Times magazine. In his recent book The Lies that Bind, Appiah helps us rethink the way we understand group identity. His earlier book Cosmopolitanism defined a diversity paradigm and was widely influential in the Obama era.Appiah is the son of Joseph Appiah, a Ghanaian-born barrister, and Peggy Cripps, daughter of the British states-person Sir Stafford Cripps. He attended Bryanston School and later Clare College, Cambridge, where he earned a Ph.D. in philosophy in 1982. He taught philosophy, African studies, and African American studies at Yale University (1981–86), Cornell University (1986–89), Duke University (1990–91), and Harvard University (1999–2002). In 2002 he joined the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University, where he stayed until moving to New York University in 2014.You can learn more about Appiah on his website.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and our podcast. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.Guest Bio: Kwame Anthony Appiah is a British-born American philosopher, novelist, and scholar of African and African American studies, best known for his contributions to political philosophy, moral psychology, and the philosophy of culture. Appiah tackles life's dilemmas in The Ethicist column in the New York Times magazine. And in his book The Ties that Bind, he illustrates how identities are defined by conflict, while Cosmopolitanism is a proclamation that every single one of us matters and that we are responsible for our collective wellbeing no matter the differences. Appiah is the son of Joseph Appiah, a Ghanaian-born barrister, and Peggy Cripps, daughter of the British statesperson Sir Stafford Cripps. He attended Bryanston School and later Clare College, Cambridge, where he earned a Ph.D. in philosophy in 1982. He taught philosophy, African studies, and African American studies at Yale University (1981–86), Cornell University (1986–89), Duke University (1990–91), and Harvard University (1999–2002). In 2002 he joined the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University, where he stayed until moving to New York University in 2014.You can learn more about Appiah on his website.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and our podcast. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

In the first year of the global pandemic, COVID deaths among Native Americans were significantly higher than any other ethnic or racial group in America due to exceedingly poor public health infrastructure.  To combat the inequity, a group of public health workers in North Carolina led by Dr. David Tillman, supported by a grant from Interfaith America, worked to foster trusting relationships to tackle vaccine hesitancy and combat misinformation with the Coharie tribe in Sampson County.  Producer Monique Parsons of Interfaith America reports this story from North Carolina.

With new technology, Amazon, AI, and Door Dash deliveries, we're headed for a future where we don't have to talk to people we don't know. But talking to strangers could be more important than you think. Eboo Patel from Interfaith America says talking to strangers helps build and sustain democracy. Plus, Eboo discusses how we can build bridges of understanding in higher education. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Those wishing to make a public comment on “Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality,” a proposed rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, may do so here. Dr. Heaphy's slides are available here. This webinar will discuss the work of Dennis Heaphy on spiritual care in healthcare settings for individuals who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare coverage. It emphasizes the importance of coding chaplaincy services for these populations, particularly those enrolled in capitated care plans. Adapted from Heaphy's recent article in Health Affairs: Spiritual services are an oft neglected but important part of comprehensive care. While CMS and its Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (the Innovation Center) have taken significant steps in the right direction, CMS could require providers in the Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (FIDE SNPs) and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to provide enrollees with spiritual assessments and spiritual care as optional services. We are joined by: Dennis Heaphy, DMin, MPG, MDiv, MEd joined the Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) in 2008. He engages in Community-Based Participatory Action Research and is also a policy analyst. He promotes legislation and policies at the state and federal level that positively impact social determinants of health. These and other barriers lead to inequities in healthcare access and outcomes for people with disabilities and ethnic and minority populations. Mr. Heaphy is active with the Massachusetts Public Health Association and Health Care for All, developing strategies to increase the utilization of public-health principles in the development, implementation and evaluation of healthcare policies. He is also active in a number of policy initiatives at the national level that increase the voices of persons most impacted by negative social determinants of health and gaps in access to home and community-based services. Mr. Heaphy is also interested in the role of spirituality and spiritual care in improving wellness and health outcomes for persons with disabilities. *** We thank our sponsor for this webinar, Interfaith America. Learn more at InterfaithAmerica.org.

Please note that this webinar was presented from a chaplain working in the Christian tradition, with commentary and potential interventions that assume a Christian population being provided spiritual care. The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab stands firmly on its principles — including All Are Welcome and We Respect Differences — and so we encourage viewers to consider how they might adapt Christian-specific approaches from this webinar for a variety of contexts which are non-Christian, non-spiritual, non-religious. We also acknowledge that the video clip towards the end, arguing for the necessity of Christian belief for personal worth, would not be appropriate outside of very specific contexts in which the chaplain and the person being served have the same, pre-discussed theological beliefs. *** This webinar will educate, empower and equip chaplains to provide spiritual care to people with disabilities (PWD) without inherent bias. First, our guest, Rev. Dr. Jackee Jackson, will discuss how chaplains can acquire effective language to communicate with people with disabilities by using person and identity first language. In addition, chaplains will learn about what Rev. Dr. Jackson calls the “Ten Commandments of Disability and Sensitivity.” Second, this webinar will help chaplains become empowered and see themselves akin to midwives in this area of spiritual care, offering their skilled, compassionate and supportive presence to PWD and their families. Third, by equipping chaplains with language that removes attitudinal barriers that exist in society, the webinar will help transform the ways in which chaplains interact with PWD in their words and actions. Chaplains will learn the unique ways that language, communication and attitude matters when providing emotional and spiritual care to people with disabilities. We will be joined by: Rev. Dr. Jackee Jackson, Chaplain, JFK Medical Center, Edison, NJ *** Rev. Dr. Jackson has provided three resources that may be useful for chaplains serving people with disabilities: Jackee Jackson, “Identity First Language” Jackee Jackson, “The ‘Ten Commandments‘ of Etiquette for Communicating with People with Disabilities” Kathie Snow, “A Few Words about People First Language“ *** We thank Interfaith America for their support for this webinar. Learn more at InterfaithAmerica.org.

As secularism increases across nearly every faith tradition in our country, there is one organization that is bringing people together and showing how America's religious diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Interfaith America is making a real difference across the country and having the right conversations when it comes to America's varied religious traditions. Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America, has a great conversation with Boyd about how to increase the bonds of faith between our country's religious communities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boyd and KSL anchor Carole Mikita reflect on the memory of Dick Nourse, longtime KSL broadcaster who passed away earlier today. We analyze the decision made by the President of Ecuador to end his government and hold emergency elections. And Eboo Patel, president of Interfaith America, talks with Boyd about the need to build ties across faith communities in our country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Eboo Patel, Founder and CEO of Interfaith America and the author of the book "We Need to Build: Field Notes for a Diverse Democracy." The conversation focuses on the importance of interfaith efforts to reduce dangerous nationalism and strengthen civic life in America. They discuss what it means to create an interfaith movement in America, the differences between white Christian nationalism and other faith movements, and the role of faith in a Democracy. Eboo also connects the decline in religious participation with negative outcomes for civic infrastructure and social service. Tune in to hear Eboo discuss his work with President Obama's Inaugural Faith Counsel and his path to service.

In a preview of their PEN World Voices dialog, Ayad Akhtar, president of PEN America, playwright and novelist and the author of Homeland Elegies: A Novel (Little, Brown and Company, 2020), and Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America and the author of We Need To Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy (Beacon Press, 2022), now in paperback, talk about the tension between protecting marginalized groups and freedom of expression.

Like many people of her generation, Janet was raised with little religious instruction, due to her parents' desire to be American. After some exploration into other faiths, she decided in her 20s to learn about the Judaism of her roots. It has been a long journey. She considers herself a JewBu – incorporating elements of both Judaism and Buddhism, generally the ritual and holidays of the former and philosophy of the latter, along with some meditation practice when faced with a challenging situation. Besides her personal journey, Janet spent years developing and leading programs and dialogues bridging religious and other differences. Youth LEAD and the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom are two she speaks of. Highlights:·       The three Cs of dialogue: Curiosity, Courage, and Compassion.·       Even after years of training and experience, we make mistakes and react instinctively.·       Speaking with people who are different is challenging. Using a structure all agree to is critical. ·       Dialogue is the foundation, letting us see each other's humanity, but action is then necessary to improve the world.  ·       Jewish values of tikkun olam, repairing the world, and tzedakah, charity, inform her social justice work.References:Prof. Diana Eck, Harvard University, Pluralism Project – https://pluralism.orgEboo Patel, Interfaith America – https://www.interfaithamerica.org/people/eboo-patel/Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom – https://sosspeace.orgRoots – https://www.friendsofroots.netCombatants for Peace – https://cfpeace.orgSocial Media links for Méli:Talking with God Project –  https://www.talkingwithgodproject.orgLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271Follow the podcast!The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. Comments?  Want a transcript?  Email  Méli -         info@talkingwithgodproject.orgThe Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. For information on talks, blog posts and more, go to – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Religious diversity is a characteristic that defines American society, and today, more people are embracing interfaith connections. Seventy-two percent of Americans say they have built a relationship with someone from a different religion than their own, according to a survey from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and Interfaith America (formerly Interfaith Youth Core, IFYC). In this episode of “Restoring Community,” we speak with Eboo Patel and Jeff Pinzino from Interfaith America, as well as Bahá'í leader Syda Segovia Taylor, to learn how religious pluralism can build and strengthen community bonds.

More than ever, the world needs builders – people ready to roll up their sleeves and build solutions for the challenges we face. In this season finale episode, Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America, speaks with four leaders already building Interfaith America. Grounded in their faith communities and ethical traditions, these panelists respond from their beliefs to provide hope and inspiration. This panel discussion was a part of the opening plenary at the 2022 Interfaith Leadership Summit. Guest Bios:Panelist: Allison Josephs (she/her)Allison Josephs is the founder and executive director of Jew in the City, a nonprofit that changes negative perceptions of religious Jews and makes engaging and meaningful Orthodox Judaism known and accessible.  She has been involved in the field of Jewish Outreach for over twenty years and is the Partner in Torah mentor to actress Mayim Bialik. Variety named her as an advocate for inclusivity in the entertainment industry in its 2022 Inclusion Impact Report. Allison has been quoted or written about in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, People Magazine, NYPost, Daily News, TMZ, The Daily Beast, and Hollywood Reporter. She has appeared on numerous television and radio networks including CBS, ABC, Fox5, TLC, Associate Press TV, and NPR; her articles have appeared in publications including The Washington Post, JTA, Jewish Week, Jerusalem Post, The Forward, and Kveller.Panelist: Nisha Anand (she/her)Nisha Anand is an Indian-American activist, mom of two teenagers, and leader for racial justice. Once a radical grassroots activist arrested in Burma for passing out pro-democracy leaflets, Nisha's expansive organizing experience and work with mentors like Van Jones, solidified her belief in the power of working with unlikely partners to find real solutions. As Dream Corps' CEO, Nisha leads a diverse group of people who are learning, like her, the value of unconventional relationships. Nisha's journey from punk-rock protester to common ground champion is documented in her TED talk, The Radical Act of Choosing Common Ground.Panelist: Sarwang Parikh (he/they)Sarwang Parikh is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) in CA. He was born and raised within a devotional Hindu Gujarati Indian culture from an immigrant, working-class family in the South. They have been steeped in the practices and study of Yogic sciences & Buddhism for nearly 20 years. Sarwang earned his MA from CIIS in Integral Counseling Psychology, BA in Psychology and Religious Studies from University of SC. Additionally, they have advanced training in the healing arts and have completed Spirit Rock's two-year Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP5) within the tradition of Theravāda Vipassanā. Sarwang is a long-time sangha member and community teacher at East Bay Meditation Center (STL teacher training); mentors youth with iBme; and currently serves as the Interim Director at Buddhist Peace FellowshipPanelist: Ulysses W. Burley III (he/him)Dr. Ulysses W. Burley III is the founder of UBtheCURE, LLC – a proprietary consulting company on the intersection of Faith, Health, and Human Rights. Ulysses served as a member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches as well as the United States Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) under the Obama Administration. He has been recognized by the National Minority Quality Forum as a top 40 under 40 Minority Health Leader for his work in faith and HIV in communities of color and serves on the NMQF Advisory Board. Ulysses is an internationally recognized speaker and award winning writer on topics including faith, HIV/AIDS policy, LGBTQIA, gender and racial justice, food security, and peace in the Middle East. Registrations are now open for 2023 Interfaith Leadership Summit -- the largest gathering of students and educators with a commitment to American religious pluralism. Join the hundreds of people who care about the future of our religiously diverse society as they learn to bridge divides and forge friendships across lines of religious and worldview differences. Learn new skills and return to your campus inspired and ready to build.Visit Interfaith America to learn more about the organization and our podcast.Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes, interfaith stories, and our programs.

Amar D. Peterman is an author and constructive theologian working around faith and public life, including his work at Interfaith America.Amar has a regular column in Sojourners, including this article on Good Friday as well as a newsletter This Common Life.How do we understand the cross today? Why does Jesus call us to take up our cross and follow Him? How should activists spend Good Friday? Some rich and provoking theology in this special episode for Good Friday.

Dr. John Inazu is a Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis and a Senior Fellow with Interfaith America. He is also an author and Founder of The Carver Project, a non-profit that connects students and faculty to community engagement through their Christian faith. Professor Inazu's scholarship focuses on the First Amendment freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion, and related questions of legal and political theory. In this episode, Dr. Inazu joins Eric Reiter and Bethany Copeland, of the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, to discuss authentic relationship building, how law affects activism, and the value of bringing faith identities into public discourse.

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Juhem Navarro-Rivera, the Managing Partner and Research Director at Socioanalítica Research LLC, and the author of Secular Politics, a weekly newsletter exploring the role of secular people in American political life. We talk about Juhem's recent work exploring secular legislators in the United States, at the national and state levels: who they are, where they come from, and why secular people are so underrepresented. We discuss what atheists and the nonreligious need to do to ensure they get more representation in the halls of power. We also find out whether a “true atheist” can lie about being religious to please a family member.In the bonus section, available exclusively to supporters on Patreon we delve into the underlying systems of power, institution-building, and how the existing secular network can be expanded. We talk with Juhem about the religious politics of the Supreme Court and when he predicts the first atheist president will be elected in the US.Check out Juhem's newsletter, Secular Politics: https://secularpolitics.substack.com/And Juhem's latest article in Interfaith America: https://www.interfaithamerica.org/tamales-secular-candlemas/Follow Nathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathGAlexander Nathan's website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/ If you find the podcast valuable and want to support it, check out our Patreon page, where you will also find bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/beyond_atheism We are grateful for every contribution.Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

Today's episode is a special one because it features a guest who both, until very recently, worked for a non-profit organization as well as having founded his own, Don Abram. At the time of our conversation, Don was a program manager for Interfaith America, an organization that aims to inspire, equip, and connect individuals and institutions to unlock the potential of America's religious diversity. But, Don is also the founder and Executive Director of Pride in the Pews, a grassroots nonprofit bridging the gap between the Black Church and the LGBTQ+ community. Our conversation dives into Don's faith background and how he's using his personal experience to try and change the world that he's a part of. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It takes less than 60 seconds and it makes a big difference in helping others hear this valuable resource.Follow Aspiring Altruists:LinkedInFacebookMusic: Spark of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

This episode of A365 will discuss religious acceptance in the workplace and how we can all recognize various faiths in a respectful and inclusive way.     Isabel Wong (Hong Kong) will lead the conversation with Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America to address understanding and embracing different religious identities in the workplace, and how people and organizations can be more inclusive and supportive of diverse religions around the globe.     Authentic 365 – Faith at Work Isabel Wong [00:00:00] Hi, I'm Isabel Wong with Edelman, currently based in Hong Kong. Now for this episode we are going to have a deep dive into the topics of religious acceptance, best practices in the workplace for interfaith dialog, and how religious identities are very much part of the broader diversity and inclusion conversation. And joining me for this conversation is Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America. Eboo is also a former faith advisor to President Barack Obama. So, Eboo, thank you so much for joining us from Chicago. It's great to have you with us on the show.     Eboo Patel [00:00:40] Isabel, it's great to be with you. Thank you for having me.     Isabel Wong [00:00:43] Thanks for joining us. Now, before we kick start the deep dive conversation, in order to set the scene right, I would like to have you help us understand and give us a brief introduction to our international audience about the work that you do at Interfaith America.     Eboo Patel [00:01:01] Sure. So about 25 years ago, I founded an organization called Interfaith Youth Core. Actually founded it when I was a graduate student at Oxford University. And we ran programs all over the world. And the big idea was that, we should, it was going to strengthen the global fabric to bring young people from different religious identities together, to discuss the shared values between their faiths and to act on those positive values like compassion and hospitality and service. As the organization developed, we rooted it in the country in which I'm a citizen of the United States, even though I was born in India and educated in part at Oxford. I'm an American citizen. I've grown up here. I feel most comfortable in this culture and the organization as we would have here in the big idea of the organization whose name is now Interfaith America, but which started as Interfaith Youth Core, is that religious diversity can be a great strength of a nation in a world if faith is a bridge of cooperation and not a barrier of division or a bludgeon of domination. That's the case at city level, at the national level, and certainly also at the company level. And I'm excited to talk to you, Isabelle, about how positively and proactively engaging religious diversity can strengthen the fabric at both Edelman and for Edelman's clients.     Isabel Wong [00:02:27] Mm hmm. Yeah, I do very much look forward to our discussion as well. And I know that for this conversation, we are going to touch on the concept of religious diversity and also religious acceptance. So I just want to get your help to help our audience understand the concept of religious acceptance as well. And why is this so important?     Eboo Patel [00:02:48] Sure. So so religious diversity is just a fact of our world and a fact of most nations in the world. Meaning that there are people from different religious identities who are living in close quarters together, whether that's in the United States or in India or Brazil or Australia or the United Kingdom or Morocco or South Africa. Anywhere in the world you have people from different religions living together, working together, studying together, playing on sports leagues together, etc.. We don't talk about religious acceptance at Interfaith America because we don't ask people from one religion to accept the doctrine of another religion. It's not about acceptance. It's about cooperation. The idea is not that that Muslims who believe that Jesus is a prophet of God, but not the son of God, should accept the Christian doctrine about Jesus. The idea is that Muslims and Christians should cooperate positively. So we speak of religious diversity, should give rise to interfaith cooperation where faith is a bridge and not a barrier.     Isabel Wong [00:03:58] Yeah, I do very much agree with that as well. And the very foundation of it is also fostering a sense of, you know, ability to appreciate spiritual values, beliefs and faith based practices. You know, there are different from opposed by removing prejudices and stereotypes, which is very much the kind of work that you do also. And it requires mutual respect. Now, I would like to take a deeper dive into embracing religious diversity at work, because obviously when it comes to this topic, a lot of people would just be thinking, how can we really do that? And for authentic 365 this podcast, the kind of conversations that we create, are all about how can one really bring oneself authentically to work. And in our view, one must also feel comfortable to show all sides of himself or herself that includes one's religious identity, because religion is very much an essential part of personal and community identity. So. Eboo, from your perspective, should we speak about our religion, our faith at work? And if so, what is an authentic way to approach it?     Eboo Patel [00:05:10] Sure. So, Isabel, I'm in a slightly adapt the question, and I'm going to say that I think it's important for any company, for for employees to feel like they can bring their best professional self to work and that that company is able to serve its clients and its customers and the community in which it is and in the best possible way. So the question for me is not can you bring your authentic self to work? I appreciate that. That's the question of this podcast. That's not my principle question. The principle question is, can you do your best work at work? And if you are Jewish and keep kosher and there is always a mixing of meat and cheese and there's never any kosher food available, you might not be able to do your best work if you are Hindu and are vegetarian, and there is meat in every dish at the cafeteria at work. You might not be able to do your best work if you are Muslim and you don't drink alcohol on account of your faith. In every social event at work involves copious quantities of alcohol, you might not be able to do your best work. And this is why it's important for a company to positively and proactively engage religious identity when it comes to their employees. To ask the question, can employees from different faiths do their best work here? Are there are we do we have an environment that is respectful of people's diverse religious identities? The framework we use that at my organization, Interfaith America is respect, relate, cooperate. Do you have an environment that respects the identities of diverse people, that encourages positive relationships between them, and that facilitates cooperation on common projects? The beautiful thing about companies is that the common projects are obvious, right? The client work that you're doing, the creative work that you're doing, the initiatives and campaigns that you're working on at Edelman, those are obvious. And so you have a shared project to encourage cooperation. And I think this is one of the reasons that companies can really be leaders in interfaith cooperation efforts, because you naturally have employees from diverse religions present. You naturally facilitate positive relationships through a close environment, and you have shared projects in which to encourage cooperation. There are many parts of who we are which are totally legitimate but but are probably not the best fit for the workplace. And what comes to religious diversity? A good example of this is conversion. It's perfectly legitimate for Christians or Muslims or somebody from a different religious identity or in fact a philosophical worldview like atheist who seeks to bring other people to their faith or worldview. It's a perfectly legitimate activity, but that's not what you want happening at a workplace. The question is how do you engage religious diversity in a way that encourages people to bring their best professional self to work again? People should be able to wear clothes that are appropriate for their religious identities. People should be able to eat the food that is required by their religious identity. People should have a place to pray. If they need to pray, they should have the appropriate days off if they need to take days off for religious holidays, etc. That's a positive and proactive engagement of religious diversity at work that encourages people to bring their best professional self without inviting dimensions of their identity, which are perfectly legitimate in other spaces and churches or mosques or temples, but not appropriate at work. So I would I would offer a framework that is different from authentic self or wholesale. I would offer best professional self.     Isabel Wong [00:08:51] Mm hmm. Yeah. I really like how you mentioned that. And essentially, religious beliefs inform a person's identity, way of life and everyday activities and behaviors. And religious diversity can essentially make a workplace really inclusive in the sense of allowing opportunities for everyone to, you know, work through biases. And then essentially it will come into this positive impact that would result in diversity of thoughts, freedom of choice of beliefs and expressions. Now, obviously, when it comes to introducing and creating a safe space for religious diversity, it it has its challenges. So through the years that you work in this space, what are some of the common challenges that you've seen when there are multiple and diverse faiths represented in the workplace?     Eboo Patel [00:09:41] I think the first thing to say is that in virtually every workplace, when we're talking about the corporate environment, particularly in multinationals like Edelman and the kind of companies that that our clients development, you're going to have religious diversity naturally. You're going to have Muslims and Jews and Christians and Hindus and six and behind and Buddhists and atheists. You are naturally going to have religious diversity. And those people from different religions have important disagreements. They have disagreements a doctrine like the nature of Jesus and the disagreements and ritual practice, like what is permissible to eat. Many Hindus don't eat meat at all. At all. And of course, many especially don't eat beef because of that, the role that cows play in the Hindu faith. Muslims, on the other hand, not only eat meat quite regularly, but actually do it as an important part of several of our rituals, including Eve. That is a simple that is a simple fact that that's a disagreement, pure and simple. The important thing about religious diversity and other dimensions of diversity is to not pretend that differences and disagreements don't exist. Of course they exist. It's to say that those disagreements and differences are not going to prevent us from working on other important projects. I think a company has this opportunity, the ability for people to disagree on some fundamental things like doctrine and ritual practice, and yet work together on other fundamental things like campaigns, initiatives and projects that are essential to the mission and success of the company.     Isabel Wong [00:11:20] Mm hmm. Yeah. And I like how you just mentioned there that disagreements could be expected in different forms, and they don't have to be viewed negatively. Now, obviously, in light of the recent events that put anti-Semitism in the spotlight, the Wilders remind you that religious intolerance and ignorance can cause great harm. So I want to get your perspectives on, you know, how should businesses act around these conversations, right? Should they be taking a stand? And if so, how can they do this more strategically?     Eboo Patel [00:11:56] So you want your you want your employees to feel safe and welcome. Right. And when there is a very public and ugly rise in anti-black racism, as in the case of the murder of George Floyd or anti-Semitism, as has recently happened in the United States with comments by Kanye West and others, it very naturally makes some people, people of that particular identity feel hurt and marginalized and upset. And so that is not good for a company. I also think that companies. Should, generally speaking, not be taking stances on everything. You just can't do that because the world is a place of 8 billion people and there are always going to be conflicts and there's always going to be injustices. And you can't be in a position of of fielding a thousand different petitions a day and deciding which ones you're going to send a tweet out about or send a statement out about. I think that a company ought to decide which items impact its employees, its customers and its mission. So if an anti-Semite is one of your clients, unless you are a law firm defending their First Amendment right, you should think very hard about what you want to do about that. If that person is proactively spreading an ugliness and a bigotry that hurts lots of people, including your employees and your other customers. Again, if you're if you are in the free expression business, I think that the I think that that question might be fielded a bit differently. But broadly speaking, bigotry is a bad thing for business. It's a bad thing for society. It's a bad thing for your employees. It's a bad thing for your customers. Companies should steer clear of that and do it in a way that doesn't that doesn't sign you up for making a statement about every issue on the planet.     Isabel Wong [00:14:20] Hmm. Now I want to get your perspectives and insights into some of the best practices, because you previously served as a former faith advisor for US President Obama. Can you talk about some inclusive faith practices that you shared with Mr. President or other global leaders that you've worked with? You must navigate leading complex social structures and human landscapes that could include religious beliefs.     Eboo Patel [00:14:48] Sure. So I'd like to talk with President Obama and everybody from people who lead local churches to two people who lead global multinationals. I like to tell them that that we should think about diversity, work through the metaphor of a potluck supper. A potluck supper is is an event in which the food is not provided by the host. The host instead provides a space where people bring their own dish. And the thing that I love about a potluck is that a potluck only exists if people make a contribution, if people bring their dish. Right. And so you want this at work. You want your employees to come to work as if it's a potluck. You want them to make a contribution, their gifts and their talents and their efforts of their energy and their labor. That's what makes a workplace work, is when people bring their talents, bring their dish. You don't want everybody to bring the same dish. You don't want to you don't want a potluck of only biryani or only months off or only tacos or only casseroles. You want a diversity of dishes? That's what makes a potluck delicious and interesting and flavorful. And actually, it's not just the array of dishes that help a potluck be wonderful. It's the combinations between them. It's when somebody is crusty. Bread recipe from Eastern Europe goes just perfectly with somebody else's spicy dip from the Middle East. And so a company works well when it is inviting the contributions of diverse people and creating a space where creative combinations can exist. A company ought to be aware of the barriers to some people's contributions. Sexism, racism. Homophobia, Islamophobia. Anti-Semitism. These are bad because they are not only violations of individual dignity, but they are also barriers to people's contributions. There's anti-Semitism in your workplace. Jews are unlikely to be able to bring their best dish if there's Islamophobia in your workplace. Muslims are unlikely to be able to bring their best dish. So reducing barriers to people's contributions is a good thing. And the other thing is you want people to take responsibility for the whole space. The host can't do all the work and a potluck can't do the setup and the clean up and be responsible for getting the conversation going. The community has to do some of that work. Some people have to show up early to do the setup. Some people have to stay late to do the cleanup. Everybody's got to take responsibility for making sure that that the safest space, the space is safe and that the conversation is healthy. So I like to use the metaphor of a potluck supper when talking about diversity work, including religious diversity.     Isabel Wong [00:17:35] Right. And a follow up question for that is, you know, when it comes to this interfaith. I look right. People with different religious backgrounds, like you mentioned just now. I expected to bring their dishes to the table. Do you think atheists and agnostics should join these conversations? Should they be bringing the dishes to the table as well?     Eboo Patel [00:17:54] Oh, of course. Of course. I mean, that's not even that that's not even, you know, a controversy or a moment of pause. People of all faiths and philosophical worldviews are welcome. You absolutely want people who are atheist or agnostic or spiritual seekers or in between religions or whatever it might be to feel like they can do their best work for you at work. You want to be able to have clients from Zoroastrians to atheists, so to speak. And so, you know, we, we tend to call issues about religious diversity. We tend to use the language diverse orientations around religion, which means everything from the different kinds of Muslims in the world, Sunnis and Shias and Sufis, for example, to to people who who don't have religious belief at all and orient around religion as nonbelievers. So that's our kind of formulation that that we believe is more inclusive of atheists as diverse orientations around religion.     Isabel Wong [00:18:57] Yeah. Indeed. The conversation is all about, you know, trying to understand each other, not really to challenge or dispute. So that's a very important mind set that we should all remember. Now, I would like to take a slightly reflective lens on, you know, the work that you've done over the years and ask about your experience, you know, working in spaces inclusive of all faiths, you know, how has that that work really impacted your faith and your connection with others and vice versa? For example, how did those connections inform the work that you do over the years? Has it evolved?     Eboo Patel [00:19:33] Yeah, that's a great question, Isabel. So I've been doing interfaith work for 25 years, 20 of them professionally. In fact, my organization had just celebrated its 20th anniversary. And and I do interfaith work in part out of my own commitment as a smiling Muslim. The Koran says that God made us diverse nations and tribes, that we may come to know one another. There are many examples in the life of the Prophet Muhammad made the peace and blessings of God be upon Him, where he had positive partnerships with people of diverse faiths. In fact, he invited Christians to pray in his mosque, for example. And so there is a muslim inspiration for me to do interfaith work. And absolutely, the people that I engage with from different religions, I learn from their faith. I'm inspired by by their by their faith and their commitment to their faith, even when I don't fully agree with their doctrine. And so the word interfaith actually encapsulates much of the meaning of our effort here. Inter means the interaction between people from different traditions. Faith means one's own relationship with one's religious tradition. And so interfaith is about how our faith guides us to have better interactions with people from other religions and how those interactions with people from other religions actually strengthen our faith, our our relationship with our own religion.     Isabel Wong [00:21:01] And I know that you run your own podcast and on your show you like to answer the question, how does our religious understanding of the world inform how we live and work together? Would you please answer that question for us today?     Eboo Patel [00:21:15] Sure. So I think that the center of Islam is about mercy and monotheism. It's about believing in one God and that that God creates all of us. And our common ancestor is is Adam prophet. Adam, who who is the the the father of us all. And so there is kind of a human family feeling in that. And so that's a really important part of my of of my faith is the idea that that I am inspired by my faith to positively engage with diversity and do interfaith work.     Isabel Wong [00:21:50] And I know that you are an author of multiple books, and this year you also launched a new book. Congratulations, by the way. And it's titled It's We Need to Build Phenix for Diverse Democracy. Can you speak to what the book is about and what readers can take away from it, obviously, without giving away too much?     Eboo Patel [00:22:08] Sure. Well, I do hope that I appreciate you asking about my book, We Need to Build, and I hope that your audience here is interested in it. So a lot of my book is about a positive and constructive engagement with diversity. It's about how our societies can feel like potluck suppers that welcome the distinctive contributions of diverse people and in in facilitate creative combinations and enriching conversations. I don't like the melting pot. Hot metaphor for diversity. And I don't like the battlefield metaphor for diversity. I much prefer a potluck supper. I write about that a lot in my book, and I write about constructive approaches to social change. Social change is not about a more ferocious revolution. Social change is about building a more beautiful social order. And we need to defeat the things we do not love by building the things that we do. And one of the things that I admire about the private sector is, is the manner in which you you do and have the opportunity to build strong institutions which elevate people, both your employees and your customers, and hopefully the communities and societies that you live within. And so there there are lots of examples in my book about how nonprofit institutions do this because I'm part of the nonprofit world. And I also believe that companies have the opportunity to do this as well.     Isabel Wong [00:23:34] And finally, to wrap up this conversation, we normally ask every single guest of ours on authentic 365 this one question, Eboo, how do you define authenticity?     Eboo Patel [00:23:48] Well, for me, it's it is being honest with myself about what inspires me and trying to live that inspiration out in the world. And I'm inspired by diversity work and I'm inspired by constructive approaches to social change. I'm inspired by religion, and I'm inspired by my own faith. And I'm inspired by improving people's lives. And so and so that for me is is my authenticity. And I'm proud to I feel very blessed that I'm able to live out much of that in my life and inspired by my kids and my wife and my family and and having a balanced life between work and family and faith and community and recreation, that's that's also part of an authentic life for me.     Isabel Wong [00:24:31] Yeah, definitely. If we want to be inclusive, diverse and comprehend how we relate to each other, we need to continue to expand our understanding of different cultures values, and that includes various religions, beliefs and practices. That was a fascinating conversation. Thank you so much for sharing your time and insights with us. Eboo, It was a pleasure.     Eboo Patel [00:24:53] Thank you so much, Isabel.    

This episode features Reverend Frederick Davie, who among other roles, serves as the Senior Advisor on Racial Equity for Interfaith America. In this far ranging discussion, we talk about the role of interfaith dialogue in wider public discourse, the shifting understanding of religious freedom, and the relationship between governmental policy and the priorities of religious communities.Show Notes:Interfaith America (https://www.interfaithamerica.org/)US Commission on International Religious Freedom (https://www.uscirf.gov/)

Eboo Patel, president of Interfaith America, served on Obama's inaugural Faith Council and has spent the last twenty years championing religious diversity in America. Patel advocates for a peaceful, pluralistic approach to coexistence that is becoming a rarity in America. In a world defined by an "Us vs. Them" binary, Patel asks us to broaden our sense of "Us." Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qesiyb7fG_8 We Need to Build: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691153/we-need-to-build-by-eboo-patel Follow Eboo Patel: https://twitter.com/EbooPatel | https://interfaithamerica.org Follow Andrew Yang: https://twitter.com/andrewyang | https://forwardparty.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Unorthodox, we're hiring a bat-tender.  Our Jew of the Week is actor Eric Ladin. You might know him from Ozark, Boardwalk Empire, or the film version of Where the Crawdads Sing. He tells us about growing up in Houston's Jewish community, plays some Jewish geography (Camp Greylock forever), and introduces Mark to middle-aged dad whiskey.   Our Gentile of the Week is author and interfaith leader Eboo Patel. He's the founder of Interfaith America, and he joins us to explain what interfaith work really looks like (hint: it's not what you think), and why it's anything but boring.  Across the JEW.S.A. is a new Unorthodox project that will showcase 12 of the most inspiring Jewish stories across the country. Nominate your hometown at tabletm.ag/acrossthejewsa. Across the JEW.S.A. was created with support from the Jewish Federations of North America. Check out the latest installment of The Minyan, Abby Pogrebin's roundtable series about the state of the American Jewish community, which features her conversation with 10 Jews with disabilities. Read it at tabletmag.com/minyan We have brand new Unorthodox swag! Get your tees, mugs, and hoodies at tabletstudios.com.  We're heading back on the road! Find out about our upcoming events at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive. We love to hear from you! Send us emails and voice memos at unorthodox@tabletmag.com, or leave a voicemail at our listener line: (914) 570-4869. Remember to tell us who you are and where you're calling from.  Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, photos, and more. Join our Facebook group, and follow Unorthodox on Twitter and Instagram. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our recording sessions on our YouTube channel. Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email Tanya Singer at tsinger@tabletmag.com. Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts. Sponsors:  Soom tahini is the perfect ingredient for your fall meals. Use discount code UNORTHODOX22 for 10% off your next order at soomfoods.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aidan and Ash tackle the topic of diversity in an interview with Eboo Patel. Eboo is the Founder and President of Interfaith America - the leading interfaith organization in the United States - and was named "one of America's best leaders" by U.S. News and World Report. He served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith Council and has written five books, including his recently published “We Need to Build: Fieldnotes for Diverse Democracy.” In the interview, Eboo shares how a potluck dinner is the key to building a healthy diverse democracy. He also triggers an important discovery for Aidan and a moment of reckoning for Ash. As a bonus, Aidan chronicles how Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is reimagining diversity. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Next time on State of Belief Radio, we're in Chicago for a wide-ranging conversation with Interfaith America founder and president Eboo Patel. An author, podcaster, activist and organizer, he's a tireless promoter of the potential pluralistic religion has to bridge divides and bring us together around the values we share. I worked with Eboo until just a few months ago, and I know we'll find topics to agree as well as challenge each other on. I'll also be talking with Rev. Fred Davie, Senior Advisor on Racial Equity at Interfaith America and a veteran of the White House Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the Obama administration. Fred's also a commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, so there's a lot of ground for us to cover.

Eboo Patel, president and founder of Interfaith America, reflects on the new American religious landscape with diverse civic leaders.

This week, we gather 24 years of collective leadership at Interfaith Alliance – and a bold vision for the future –  in one conversation, as newly-appointed President and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush takes his seat. Paul brings a wealth of experience in leadership, organizing, writing, editing and teaching. Most recently with Interfaith America, he […]

Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America talks with Matt about his book, We Need To Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy.

Minnesota Public Radio Indivisible Radio examined America in transition, during President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. This week's Big Books and Bold Ideas features a conversation with historian Kelly Lytle Hernandez about her new book, “Bad Mexicans.” It tells the dramatic and often overlooked story of the magonistas, the migrant rebels who sparked the 1910 Mexican Revolution from the United States, and how their escapades threatened to undo the rise of Anglo-American power, on both sides of the border, and created the world of fraught immigration we live in today. To prepare for that discussion, here's a selection from the archives — a 2017 “Indivisible” conversation Miller had with Eboo Patel and Tamar Jacoby that examines how America's history as a land of immigrants can be maintained under then President Trump's divisive immigration policies. Guests: Eboo Patel is the founder and president of Interfaith America (formerly Interfaith Youth Core) and the author of several books, including “We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy.” Tamar Jacoby is currently the president of Opportunity America. At the time of this recording, she was president and CEO of ImmigrationWorks USA. She is also the author of several books, including “Reinventing the Melting Pot: The New Immigrants and What It Means To Be American.” Subscribe to the MPR News with Kerri Miller podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or RSS. Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations. 

Eboo Patel is the founder of Interfaith America and the author of We Need to Build: Field Notes For Diverse Democracy. Patel also served as an advisor on faith to President Barack Obama. In this week's conversation, Yascha Mounk and Eboo Patel discuss why it's so common for faith-based organizations to serve communities beyond their own; why Patel once embraced critical race theory but eventually moved beyond it; and the vital role of civil society organizations in the fabric of American democracy. This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity. Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: podcast@persuasion.community  Website: http://www.persuasion.community Podcast production by John Taylor Williams, and Brendan Ruberry Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion Youtube: Yascha Mounk LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eboo Patel has spent decades thinking about interfaith work and buildnig an institution devoted to promoting it.In this conversation, we talk about his work building Interfaith America, his new book "We Need to Build," and how America can strengthen democracy by making faith more welcome in public life, not less so, by embracing its diversity of faiths as co-contributors to the common good.Here's the piece I mention by John Inazu: "Interfaith Doesn't Mean Compromise"Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelonggame. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How can we live with people who are different from us? Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America and former faith adviser to President Barack Obama, believes that interfaith living is essential to our collective well-being in an ethnically, racially, and ideologically diverse democracy. And in the United States, we actually do it quite well already. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.

Hosted by Andrew Keen, Keen On features conversations with some of the world's leading thinkers and writers about the economic, political, and technological issues being discussed in the news, right now. In this episode, Andrew is joined by Eboo Patel, author of We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. Named “one of America's best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, Eboo Patel is Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Eboo served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote addresses, and has written five books. He is an Ashoka Fellow and holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship. Eboo lives in Chicago with his wife, Shehnaz, and their two sons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eboo Patel, a speaker, an educator, and the founder and president of Interfaith America and the author of We Need To Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy (Beacon Press, 2022), talks about his New York Times essay, "What I Want My Kids to Learn About American Racism," on how parents should address the topic of racism with their children.