The Paths To Understanding Podcast

Challenge 2.0 Spirit of the Waters Part One

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The Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole Journey in May stretched over seventeen days and more than two thousand miles. But the journey of this sixteen foot pole, created by the Lummi Nation House of Tears carvers, extends much farther in time. It reviews the relationship between humans and the environment that sustained a rich and sustainable culture for centuries in the Pacific Northwest, examines how abandoning that wisdom now threatens the lives and prosperity of this region and it calls us to reclaim that wisdom on our journey into the future. That’s the subject of this edition of Challenge 2.0, Spirit of the Waters.

 

Challenge 2.0 Healing the Environment from the Inside Out Part Two

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In last week’s edition of Challenge 2.0, faith leaders from Judaism, Christianity and Islam looked at the environmental crisis and how it models a crisis within our lives-our faiths, our values. We continue and expand that conversation this week, looking at how solutions demand not only good science and careful application of technology…but also digging deeper into what we value and believe.

Challenge 2 .0 Healing the Environment from the Inside Out Part One

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Last year brought the hottest month ever recorded on this planet, the longest drought ever recorded over the western United States and record rainfall and flooding over the eastern United States. Climate researchers agree it is a crisis demanding careful science and application of technology…but there’s an increasing sense that it also is a crisis of values and faith…that to successfully confront the challenges of the world we live in we must first confront the challenges of the world that lives in each of us. That’s the subject of this edition of Challenge 2.0.

Challenge 2.0 Racism Religion’s Blind Spot-Part Two

The Christian church recently celebrated Pentecost, which observes the descent of the Holy Spirit upon people of all nations, ethnicity and races. As Deacon Joseph Connor noted in last week’s edition of Challenge 2.0, the reality is that no faith is truly color blind, offering equal welcome or opportunities for leadership to all. We continue that conversation this week. 

 

Challenge 2.0 Racism Religion’s Blind Spot Part One

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Seven years ago, a twenty one year old white man walked into a predominantly black church in South Carolina, opened fire and killed nine members of that faith community.  Most religious communities condemned the action and beliefs of Dylan Roof. But many  have also failed to see the contradiction between their expressed beliefs and their fears, resentments and discomfort focused on people of color. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we examine Racism; Religion’s Blind Spot…what it’s like to be black in mostly white faith communities. 

Challenge 2.0 None of the Above Part Two

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In last weeks’ edition of Challenge 2.0, we began a conversation with two prominent atheists/humanists. What do those terms mean? Does their disbelief mean they don’t share common values with those who do profess a religious faith? Is there room for collaborative action and connection in a society that increasingly offers neither?

Wisdom From Our Neighborhood: Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights

Terry is joined by Devin Burghart of Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights to discuss countering the right wing populist movement that has coalesced in the last 10 years. Terry and Devin discuss this movement, how it has changed, and what role each of us can play to counter it.

Devin Burghart is president of Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights and coordinates the Seattle office. He has researched, written, and organized on virtually all facets of contemporary white nationalism since 1992, and is internationally recognized for this effort.  Devin is frequently quoted as an expert by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Enquirer, Arizona Republic, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The Nation, and Rolling Stone. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, the CBS News and National Public Radio, and other broadcast media outlets. 

Learn more about Devin's work at: https://www.irehr.org/

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Challenge 2.0 Singing Away Silence

They are children with great needs but little ability to express them. The challenge these children and their families face have often resisted traditional therapies. But a talented recording Seattle artist has developed a program that harnesses the power of music to give these young people a voice and a future that once seemed impossible. That’s the focus of this week’s Challenge 2.0-Singing Away Silence. 

Challenge 2.0: Social Justice Parenting

Parenting is never an easy job, but the demands of parenting expanded during the pandemic. It wasn’t confined to teaching or supervising remote schooling. Parents also needed to help guide their children through the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Brianna Taylor, the increasing gulf between the haves and have nots plus the violent takeover the US Capitol. In this edition of Challenge 2.0, we talk with an education expert, parent of five and the author of a book designed to help parents help their children. 

Challenge 2.0 Serious Challenges Require Serious Fun

The death of a teenager from bone cancer seems to be an unlikely source of inspiration. But it led to the establishment of a unique camp that has lifted the spirits of thirty five thousand children and their families; each facing life altering medical conditions. Camp Korey is an inspiring story of compassion, connection and personal transformation; a story that offers lessons even to families who are not facing major medical challenges, but simply seeking to grow together, not apart.