The Paths To Understanding Podcast

Challenge 2.0 Go and Do Likewise

White Christian Nationalism has become a potent and disruptive force in American politics. Some would argue that it has everything to do with a mix of anger and fear among white Americans, the impulse of nationalism, but very little to do with authentic Christianity. Reverend Terry Kyllo is among those. Go and Do Likewise is the title of his analysis of this toxic force in our culture. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, he explores the destructive force of White Christian Supremacy, as well as effective ways to counter it. 

Challenge 2.0 Breaking the Cycle of Violence Part Two

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org

Join the Paths Network at https://www.PathsNetwork.org

 

In last week’s episode of Challenge 2.0, we began a conversation with an internationally recognized advocate of nonviolence and how it’s a proven path to peace and justice. This week, we explore what the practice of nonviolence is, how change within us is needed to create change around us as well as the evidence supporting the effectiveness of this strategy.

Challenge 2.0 Breaking the Cycle of Violence Part One

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org

Join the Paths Network at https://www.PathsNetwork.org

Violence or the threat of violence dominates the news-whether it’s in the Middle East, the Ukraine, on American streets or in classrooms. It seems to be a never-ending cycle, with peace and justice remaining ever elusive. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we speak with an advocate of nonviolence, who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Activist John Dear asserts it offers a proven path to peace and justice, and is anything but passive.

Challenge 2.0 Swimming Upstream for Survival Part Two

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org Join the Paths Network at https://www.PathsNetwork.org The two basins formed by the Columbia and Snake rivers were once the biggest salmon habitats in the world. But no longer. Just as the native fish population in this once famed region is struggling to survive, what are called the ‘people of the salmon’ are also facing major challenges-the Yakama, the Nez Perce, the Umatilla and the Warm Springs tribes. We continue last week’s conversation in this episode of Challenge 2.0.

Challenge 2.0 Swimming Upstream for Survival Part One

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org
Join the Paths Network at https://www.PathsNetwork.org

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

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org
Join the Paths Network at https://www.PathsNetwork.org

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

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org
Join the Paths Network at https://www.PathsNetwork.org

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

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org

Join the Paths Network at https://www.PathsNetwork.org

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

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org
Join the Paths Network at https://www.PathsNetwork.org

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.