The Paths To Understanding Podcast

Challenge 2.0 Swimming Upstream for Survival Part One

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Science has clearly implicated four dams  on the lower Snake River as bearing major responsibility for the precipitous decline of salmon in the Columbia basin. All four salmon and steel head populations in this area at risk of extinctions. The four major tribal nations living in this and the larger region of the Columbia River basin say that threatens what they call their ‘lifeway’s their culture, their diet, their religion. And it also violates specific treaty guarantees made in exchange for their land.

Challenge 2.0 What is Lost When Books are Banned

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The George Orwell novel 1984 describes an era ruled by thought police with those who evade book bans charged with ‘thought crimes’. Ironically, as book bans are increasing rapidly in the United States, the Orwellian novel is among those books most frequently challenged and banned from classrooms and school libraries. The American Library Association reports that 2022 was a record year for banning books, with more than 1200 demands to remove books from libraries and schools, and that 2023 is likely to exceed that number. It has become a form of entertainment, as some local groups offer beer and babysitting together with book ban votes. What is the cost of such censorship to our educational system and country? That’s the subject of this edition of Challenge 2.0

Challenge 2.0 Recovering Erased History Part One

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The textbook definition of history is that it’s the study of the human past as described by written documents left by humans. But when such history is uncomfortable, inconvenient or controversial, some groups seek to erase it. That’s particularly true of black history today. One example is the state of Florida’s STOP WOKE law that limits students and teachers from learning about issues related to race and gender. Such efforts are spreading beyond Florida. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we speak with two black educators about the histories white nationalists seek to silence.

Challenge 2.0 Recovering Erased History Part Two

Last week we began an examination of black history-the efforts to marginalize it or eliminate it from school curricula. This week we continue that conversation, and consider why not only black students but also white students lose if the wealth of all cultures aren’t taught. 

Challenge 2.0 Pagan Faith The Unacknowledged Partner

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Study after study documents the number of Americans who participate in most organized religions is decreasing. Most religions. The exception may be a surprise. At the turn of the century, census figures estimated 134,000 Americans identified themselves as Pagans. That number has increased ten-fold, to 1.5 million this year. What exactly is paganism, why is it becoming more popular and does it share any elements in common with more traditional religions? Those questions are the focus of this week’s edition of Challenge 2.0

Challenge 2.0 Volunteers in Hell Part Two

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Fear is the common denominator between Gaza and Israel. The continued violence, destruction and loss of life has most people fleeing Gaza if at all possible, and continuing to mourn both the dead and lost sense of safety in Israel. But there are volunteers now seeking to enter despite the risk, to help those impacted by the war, just as there have been volunteers during past conflicts. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we’ll continue our conversation with two such caregivers.

Challenge 2.0 Volunteers in Hell Part One

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The Hamas attack in Israeli and the counter-attack by Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza have led to thousands of civilian casualties. It is a human tragedy of inconceivable scale and impact. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we’ll seek to move beyond the political, historical and military aspects. Instead, we’ll talk with two caregivers who have deep experience in this region. Each has focused on alleviating human pain, suffering and need, each has done so at great personal risk.

Challenege 2.0 Paradise Lost

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The Pacific Island culture is an important element of the Pacific Northwest identity. But the story behind the migration is often one of pain-the result of colonial domination, the loss of supportive family and friends, the need to adapt to an unfamiliar culture. Gay and trans Pacific Islanders face particularly difficult challenges. UTOPIA Washington is a group that advocates for their needs-in this program, we’ll explore the challenges they face, and what the larger Pacific Northwest community can do to help them.

Challenge 2.0 When Only Rich Kids Can Play

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Youth sports are a bigger business than professional baseball. Yet the number of boys and girls participating in team sports is declining, and that doesn’t reflect the impact of the COVID pandemic. It reflects the rising cost of participating in youth sports, the hostility of parents seeking advantages for their children to the detriment of their teammates, and the focus on competitive success at even early ages. In this week’s edition of Challenge 2.0, we talk with a veteran Seattle sportscaster and athlete about the scope of the problem, why we should all be concerned, and some possible solutions.

Challenge 2.0 What Ukrainians Want You To Know Part Two

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In last week’s episode of Challenge 2.0, we began a conversation with a leader of the Ukrainian Association of Washington; she has made repeated trips to her homeland since the Russians invaded last year. This week, we continue our exploration of what you don’t hear or read in news reports-part two of ‘What Ukrainians Want You to Know’.