The Paths To Understanding Podcast

The environmental crisis has been called, at its core, a crisis of values and a crisis of faith. Organized religions have been criticized for contributing to if not even causing the disconnect between people, our planet and those we share it with. But in this episode of Challenge 2.0, we explore whether the ancient roots of faith may also offer solutions. 

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The mega-heatwave of this past June drove temperatures in the Pacific Northwest past the one hundred degree mark for days. Among the hundreds of deaths caused by that heat was a migrant farm worker in Oregon. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we’ll examine the risks farm workers face to bring produce to our tables, needed protections and the hard questions we need to ask ourselves and our grocers.

The speed was shocking. The fall of Afghanistan came not in months or weeks, but in just days…and it came after two decades of war, and the deaths of 100,000 Afghans and 6,000 Americans. There are many questions to be answered, but the most pressing now include what is needed by Afghans seeking refuge and how can each of us help. 

 

Terry is joined by Rabbi Alana Suskin and Steve Martin to discuss The Meaning of Salvation in their faith traditions.

 

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The United Nations calls it a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, and the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya people have fled Myanmar, also known as Burma, in the last 18 months. But it’s a problem that first arose in the 1970’s when a military dictatorship seized power. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we talk with an American who visited the refugee camps in Bangladesh, see his video, and hear from a Rohingya leader seeking help for his people.

The Rise of the Nones: Spiritual but Not Religious-Part Two. In last weeks’ episode of Challenge 2.0, we examined the rising number of people who no longer identify with any formal faith. Such people often refer to themselves as spiritual, but not religious, and are sometimes called ‘the Nones’, for the category listed on surveys. This week, we return to our conversation with a faith leader who is working to bridge the gap between ‘spiritual’ and ‘religious with a response to disengagement from faith and from each other.

Air Date: August 4th 2019 at 7:30 AM on MeTV, carried through cable providers as well as DirectTV and Dish Network.

Host:  Jeff Renner

Panelists: Father Carl Arico

Challenge 2.0 Overview

A 2013 Harris poll revealed 23% of all Americans classify themselves as ‘nones’; not having any religious affiliation. That percentage is growing and growing most rapidly among young people. Many identify as not religious, but spiritual. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we’ll visit with one of the founding leaders of Contemplative Outreach, an ecumenical Christian organization seeking to re-invigorate the ancient monastic practice of silent prayer. Father Carl Arico will explore the trend and how the personal faith practice of silent prayer offers a response to disengagement from faith and from each other. 

Air Date: July 22nd 2019 at 7:30 AM on MeTV, carried through cable providers as well as DirectTV and Dish Network.

Host:  Jeff Renner

Panelists: Father Carl Arico

Find out more at https://www.pathstounderstanding.org

 

The caricature of television news used to be ‘if it bleeds, it leads’. Now, that seems to be less of a caricature than a simple reflection of reality on all media platforms. With changes in technology, ‘round the clock’ news cycles and binge-like social media usage, bad news is increasingly leading to bad emotional health. How can we bear bad news without emotional burnout, compassion fatigue or outright depression? 

 

 

Panelists: Rabbi Ted Falcon, Imam Jamal Rahman, and Pastor Don Mackenzie

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This episode of Challenge 2.0 continues the conversation of the previous episode. A physician known for his research into the relationship between gun ownership and violence responds to the demand by the National Rifle Association that doctors remain silent on that issue. He’s joined by the citizen sponsor of a successful initiative that raises the age for purchasing assault rifles, expands background checks and imposes a waiting period, and by two faith leaders who explore the emotional cost of what they call the continued epidemic of gun violence.

Find out more at https://www/[athstounderstanding.org On June 30th of 2016, a young man walked into a party held in the Seattle suburb of Mukilteo and opened fire with an assault rifle. He killed three and wounded a fourth young person. The father of the survivor became a citizen sponsor of an initiative for gun control that was approved by 59 percent of the voters. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, that father shares his story, and that of his son, together with shared perspectives from a physician and two faith leaders. Host: Jeff Renner Panelists: Bishop Greg Rickel, Rabbi Danny Weiner, Paul Kramer, and Dr. Fred Rivara