The Paths To Understanding Podcast

Bring people of different faiths together, and you’re likely to hear vastly different views expressed about who or what God is or isn’t. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we decided to do just that-to bring together faith leaders from Christianity, Judaism and Islam...to explore the question of what they believe we get wrong about God/Allah...and why it matters. 

The former US Surgeon General believes our country is suffering from an epidemic of loneliness. Dr. Vivek Murthy said the evidence pointed to such an epidemic long before the isolation created by the COVID pandemic, and that such loneliness not only causes emotional problems, but also physical ones. A Brigham Young University study says the health impact of chronic loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, we turn to the Interfaith Amigos for thoughts on what we can and should do for ourselves...and for each other.  

Learn more about Paths to Understanding at https://www.PathsToUnderstanding.org
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The earliest European settlers in this country would not have survived without the knowledge, assistance and charity of the indigenous peoples they encountered. The irony is that was repaid by forcing those native Americans onto reservations, limiting their access to traditional food sources and replacing them with highly processed, often unhealthy foods . In this episode of Challenge, we meet (continue our conversation) with a man called The Sioux Chef...who is seeking to right that wrong. 

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

In last week’s edition of Challenge 2.0, we began an examination of what have been called food deserts or food wastelands...and its’ impact on the health and wealth of communities...particular those of color. We continue that conversation this week with a man called the Sioux Chef...winner of not one but several of the highly coveted James Beard awards. He has made it his mission to address the economic and health crises that impact indigenous communities.

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

Forty percent of the food produced in the United States is thrown away. That’s more than in any other country. Food waste takes up more room in landfills than any other source. Yet hunger, malnutrition and related health problems are increasing. More than thirteen million Americans live in what are called ‘food deserts’. What are food deserts, and how do efforts to achieve what’s called food sovereignty aim to bring new life and health to such places? That’s the subject of this edition of Challenge 2.0.

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

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

Faith communities seem to be subject to the same polarization seen throughout the United States. Yet an organization called the Faith Action Network coordinates the voices of more than 150 such groups in this state. FAN...as it’s called...asserts that translating prayer into policy is valid, needed, and can build community.

Often, we examine difficult issues on this program. The implications are challenging, often painful for all of us and the responses they demand are at the least uncomfortable. But there are also issues that can be inspiring-that’s true of the topic of this edition of Challenge 2.0. We’ll focus on children with great needs but little ability to express them, ones that have often resisted traditional therapies. We’ll meet a talented Seattle recording artist who has developed a program that harnesses the power of music to give these young people a voice and a future that once seemed impossible. Singing Away Silence. 

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

Although money spent on gifts during the holiday season increases yearly, one in five Americans now seeks to spend less. The founder of what is called The Church of Stop Shopping is hoping to expand that trend...and not just during the holiday season. This week on Challenge 2.0, we continue to explore the work of the man known as Reverend Billy...and why he believes our future is dependent on spending less, not more. 

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

Shopping malls have been called cathedrals of consumption...advertisers acolytes of excess. At no time is that more evident than during the Christmas season. Holiday spending drives 41% of Americans into debt. That behavior has many critics, but one man has made it his mission to convince us that the cost extends well beyond a single holiday season, well beyond our bank accounts. His work is the focus of this edition of Challenge 2.0-Reverend Billy, and the Church of Stop Shopping. 

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

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

In last week’s program, we examined the damage wrought by Colonialism…the exploitation of one people by another for profit. Some historians point to colonialism…and the exploitation that was part of it… as the springboard of capitalism. Yet some faith and political leaders suggest religion and capitalism are inseparable. That assertion is the subject of this edition of Challenge 2.0.