Proclaim Peace

Latest Episodes:

How Collaborative Peacemaking Turns Complaints Into Real Change with Bethany Brady Spalding Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Bethany Brady Spalding joins Jen and Patrick to explore the story of the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27 and what it teaches about peaceful problem-solving, courageous advocacy, and collaborative leadership. The conversation centers on how asking a thoughtful question, offering a solution, and trusting the process can help change systems without defaulting to anger or conflict.

Timestamps

3:52 - Bethany’s definition of peace: progress toward God’s vision

5:26 - Discovering overlooked stories of women in scripture

8:49 - The daughters of Zelophehad and their inheritance claim

12:45 - Moses as a model for listening and responsive leadership

15:07 - Finding possibility during seasons of change

17:15 - Peaceful advocacy and creating space for women’s voices

20:11 - Why collaboration strengthens peacemaking

23:31 - Building community coalitions through the Health Access Project

26:27 - Diane Nash and the power of a moral question

29:10 - Pairing hard questions with practical possibilities

33:35 - Navigating tension between preserving and changing systems

39:12 - Why Bethany approaches injustice one issue at a time

43:14 - Managing fear when speaking to power

45:00 - Bethany’s pathway to finding peace

For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Navigating Power: The Stories of Vashti and Esther with Emma Addams Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Emma Addams joins Jen and Patrick to explore the themes of peace, defiance, and civic engagement through the lens of the biblical stories of Vashti and Esther. They discuss how personal definitions of peace can shape one's actions and the implications of defiance in a patriarchal society. The conversation delves into the complexities of navigating power dynamics, the different theories of change, and the strategic use of managed compliance in effecting social change. They discuss the different forms of courage exhibited by both women, the importance of trust and proximity in relationships, and the complexities of navigating agency in a world with limited options.

TIMESTAMPS:

02:08 The Story of Vashti: Defiance and Consequences

09:58 Esther's Entry: Navigating Power Dynamics

15:50 Theories of Change: Inside vs. Outside Strategies

21:16 Managed Compliance: A Strategic Approach to Change

25:57 The Power of Listening

29:09 Peacemaking: Vashti vs. Esther

33:50 Navigating Agency and Peacemaking

40:00 The Role of Trust and Proximity

45:45 Faith and the Cost of Peacemaking

51:20 Hope in Courageous Voices

54:37 Finding Peace Amidst Conflict

For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Repairers of the Breach: Peace, Justice, and Isaiah 58 with Rev. Adam Taylor Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Rev. Adam Taylor joins Jen and Patrick for a wide-ranging conversation about peace, justice, and the prophetic vision of Isaiah 58. He shares how his own faith journey, shaped by interracial family roots, the civil rights movement, and Black church tradition, led him to Sojourners and to a deep conviction that peace is more than the absence of conflict.The episode explores why justice and peace are inseparable, how Isaiah 58 challenges transactional religion, and what it means to become a “repairer of the breach” in both public life and personal discipleship.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:54 - Peace defined as wholeness and right relationship

05:20 - The Jim Wallis course that led to Sojourners

08:59 - Why peace and justice belong together

10:06 - Biblical justice language: mishpat and tsedek

13:13 - Isaiah 58 in context: exile and true fasting

17:18 - Why injustice is structural, not just interpersonal

24:15 - Moving beyond zero-sum thinking

31:53 - Wages, land, labor, and other biblical justice issues

35:32 - Pastoral advice for people resistant to justice language

43:07 - How unjust systems advantage some and trap others

49:57 - “Repairers of the breach” and the call to peacemaking

52:48 - Breath prayer: “Be still and know that I am God”

For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Building Peace Through Welcoming the Stranger with Elizabeth Davis Edwards Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Elizabeth Davis Edwards joins Jen and Patrick to share inspiring stories of community-led refugee support and explores how welcoming strangers aligns with faith, history, and peacebuilding. This episode emphasizes that peace is cultivated through everyday acts of hospitality, community effort, and faith-based compassion. It encourages listeners to look around their neighborhoods for opportunities to serve, love, and welcome "one more."

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to peace and the deeper meaning of shalom

04:15 - Afghan families in Greece and their transformative impact

08:15 - The biblical call to remember and welcome the stranger

10:45 - Abraham’s hospitality as a model for modern welcome

13:01 - Reframing division through recognizing sacredness in others

16:46 - How communities can surmount "othering" and embrace shared humanity

23:29 - Gregory Boyle’s quote on human hospitality

28:56 - Opportunities for faith communities to actively participate in peacebuilding

33:31 - Personal peace amidst chaos and the importance of small, everyday acts of goodness

38:13 - Addressing misconceptions about refugee support and community capacity

44:24 - The faith perspective on resilience, hope, and trusting divine guidance

48:21 - Recognizing that true peace comes from charity, hope, and divine power

For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

What It Means to Be Chosen with James Patton Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Jen and Patrick are joined by James Patton to explore the multidimensional nature of peace, emphasizing its relational and movement-driven aspects. Drawing from his rich spiritual journey and extensive experience in peacebuilding across cultures and faiths, James offers nuanced perspectives on community, faith, truth, and conflict. They discuss the Old Testament idea of a chosen people, how that relates to diverse faith groups today, and how to avoid conflict when believing in chosenness.

TIMESTAMPS:

[01:36] The theme of chosenness in the Old Testament — beauty and tension

[04:55] Introducing James Patton — career in religion, conflict transformation, and global peacebuilding

[08:45] Defining peace: relationship, mutuality, and progressive healing over harm

[12:19] James's path to peacebuilding — Peace Corps in Paraguay and the power of community

[15:02] Faith journey: from Catholic roots to Quaker practice and interfaith work

[22:34] Two models of chosenness — zero-sum in/out vs. inclusive divine invitation

[27:30] Case study: reducing sectarian violence in Pakistan by elevating identity rather than erasing it

[35:41] Truth, religion, and peacebuilding — static vs. relational understandings of truth

[41:06] Navigating simple and complex worldviews — how different people hold truth

[46:34] Integrity in practice — restorative vs. punitive justice, and the difficulty of living your values

[50:39] Where James finds peace — Wendell Berry's The Want of Peace and The Peace of Wild Things

Find more show notes and transcript at https://proclaimpeace.org

True Peacemaking Needs Both Fire and Compassion: Lessons from Elijah and Elisha with Sarah Perkins Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Jen and Patrick are joined by Sarah Perkins to explore the profound ways stories shape our understanding of peace, justice, and reconciliation. They focus on the contrasting peacemaking styles of Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha. Sarah shares her journey as a writer, filmmaker, and peacemaker, emphasizing the power of faith, imagination, and human connection in transforming conflicts into moments of compassion.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: The biblical and modern models of peacemaking

(03:19) Elijah as a prophet of justice and the challenge of non-passive activism

(07:44) The importance of speaking truth without contempt or dehumanizing others

(11:27) How to be conflict-avoidant while still advocating for justice

(15:35) The differences between Elijah's fiery approach and Elisha's humble miracles

(20:14) The role of small acts of kindness in peacebuilding and social change

(25:05) Using stories like "They that be with us" to expand moral imagination

(32:10) Insights from international peacemaking efforts in Northern Ireland

(36:29) The power of storytelling, especially in faith contexts, to foster hope

(39:00) How children can inspire adults to love and imagine peace

For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

The Courage to Disagree Respectfully through the Story of Jonathan and David with Marianne Viray Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Marianne Viray joins Jen and Patrick to delve into the dynamics of conflict and peacemaking within leadership and society, drawing lessons from the biblical story of Jonathan, David, and Saul. They explore how leadership decisions can influence societal polarization and offer practical tools for engaging with leaders respectfully. The discussion emphasizes the importance of modeling civility and virtue in public discourse and provides strategies for individuals to break cycles of conflict. The conversation highlights the power of personal transformation, empathy, and community action in fostering a respectful and civil society.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Peace in the context of biblical conflict resolutions

06:39 - Navigating disagreement with leaders respectfully

15:34 - Disagree Better: reducing polarization through leadership modeling

23:17 - The basis of true peace: love, empathy, and recognition of human complexity

30:12 - The power of small, intentional acts in societal peacebuilding

38:32 - Engaging civility in city councils and local government

For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

The Art of Reconciliation and Moral Imagination with John Paul Lederach Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Jen and Patrick are joined for a profound conversation with conflict transformation pioneer John Paul Lederach, who shares deep insights on peace, reconciliation, and the power of moral imagination rooted in faith and human connection. They explore the story of Jacob and Esau, why reconciliation is a horizon more than an event, and the four ways to use moral imagination to achieve reconciliation.

Main Topics:

The biblical story of Jacob and Esau as a model for conflict and reconciliation
Defining peace as relational, rooted in dignity, love, and justice
The concept of moral imagination as a tool for peacebuilding across long-standing conflicts
The importance of interior work, ongoing forgiveness, and relational transformation
Practical strategies: moving one step at a time, curiosity, creativity, and risking for peace
The interconnectedness of faith, community, and peace efforts
The role of hope and multigenerational perspectives in peacebuilding

For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Reconciling Old Testament Divine Violence and a Peaceful Christ with Terryl Givens May 19, 2026

Show notes

Terryl Givens joins Jen and Patrick as they explore how faith traditions, especially within Christianity and Latter-day Saint teachings, approach the difficult questions surrounding violence in the Old Testament. Terryl shares insights on understanding scripture, God's nature, and the path to peace amidst challenging texts.

Main Topics:

How do we define peace and its relation to faith, hope, and love?
The challenge of violence in the Old Testament: historical context and theological reinterpretation
The Christian and Jewish responses to Old Testament violence, including allegorical and spiritual readings
The influence of Marcionism and early heresies on Christian views of the Old Testament
Modern approaches in LDS thought: biblical scholarship, spiritual discernment, and prophetic guidance
Jesus' editing and reinterpretation of Old Testament scriptures, exemplified in Luke 4
The personal and relational impact of understanding God's nature through scripture
Practical pathways for faithful engagement with difficult texts without losing faith

For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Bridging Faith and Family Conflicts Peacefully with Réka Bordás May 05, 2026

Show notes

Jen is joined by guest co-host Maybree Spilsbury and guest Réka Bordás as we explore the biblical stories of Abraham, Lot, Sarah, and Hagar through the lens of peacemaking, sharing practical insights on conflict resolution, boundary setting, and maintaining relationships amidst differences. Our guests, experienced in conflict transformation and peacemaking, offer valuable advice on fostering connection and peace in family and faith conflicts.

Timestamps:

02:26 - Recognizing patterns in biblical conflicts and personal faith transitions

05:27 - Abraham’s story of migration and parallels to personal journeys

10:09 - Starting organizations to foster family reconciliation and peace

12:18 - Healthy separation and boundary setting in family conflicts

15:29 - Conflict styles: avoidance, competition, and collaboration

20:17 - The importance of maintaining relationships during faith transitions

22:08 - Healing grief and unspoken emotions at the root of conflict

23:49 - Differentiating peace from conditional agreement

25:22 - The role of self-awareness and community in conflict resolution

27:12 - Small steps like listening and vulnerability that promote trust

28:45 - Personal reflections on finding peace through connection