The Spiritual Edge

Latest Episodes:

Two fearless nuns are determined to help detained immigrants Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of TSE's series Sacred Steps, we meet two Catholic nuns who, after decades of work with immigrant detainees, aren't slowing down. Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy say their age — one is in her 80s, the other in her 90s — is irrelevant when there is so much need.

Sacred Steps: A Mennonite couple who turn street ministry into song Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of TSE's series Sacred Steps, we meet Al and Andi Tauber, married singer-songwriters who direct music for a congregation of urban Mennonites in Chicago. Mennonites favor the simple life, but urban Mennonites see city life as God's work too. For the Taubers, this means taking their ministry – and their music – to the streets, where they've found heartbreak …and a family.

Sacred Steps: A Palestinian man changes how he resists Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of TSE's series Sacred Steps, we meet Sameer. Around his left wrist, he wears three strands of olive pits. He carved them into beads when he was a teenager, in prison, put there for throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. Since then, he's had a weak stomach and more sleepless nights than he can count. When he can't sleep, he plays one song to help him relax. It's a melody that inexplicably becomes a touchstone for peace.

Sacred Steps: A Former Israeli Soldier Questions His Country And Faith Jun 06, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of TSE's series Sacred Steps, we meet a former Israeli soldier, who finds himself under fire by his own government when he starts to question violence that he participated in towards Palestinians. He then suffers an identity crisis. What does it mean to be Jewish if he's no longer a Zionist?

Sacred Steps: Fighting for what's sacred in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge May 30, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of TSE's series Sacred Steps, we profile Neets'aii Gwich'in leader Sarah James. For most of her life, Sarah has worked to protect her homelands, which include the coastal plain of the nearby Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It hasn't been easy. The region's longtime inhabitants say plans to drill for oil and gas in the area threaten the Porcupine Caribou population and land that they call sacred.

Sacred Steps: She sat with COVID patients as they approached death May 23, 2021

Show notes

For the first episode of TSE's series Sacred Steps, we profile Sarah Byrne-Martelli, a hospital chaplain in Boston. Since the earliest weeks of the pandemic, Sarah sat with COVID patients to reassure them at the end of their lives. She calls it bringing "bright sadness" or "joyful sorrow" to the bedside—to hold space for hope, joy and sadness all at the same time. Sarah has done hospital chaplaincy work for 17 years now. Without her, these COVID patients would have otherwise spent their final moments alone.

The Spiritual Edge Promo May 03, 2021

Show notes

Season 1 of The Spiritual Edge launches with a series of intimate profiles called Sacred Steps. These are stories of people who show up as standout humanitarians. They're getting arrested. Challenging the status quo. And at times, risking their lives. Want a dose of hope and inspiration that crosses the boundaries of multiple faiths?

Take the first step here with us. Listen and subscribe to get Season 1 of The Spiritual Edge.