The Voices of Unitarian Universalism

Join VUU hosts Rev Dr. Donte Hilliard, Rev Dr Michael Tino, Rev DC Fortune, and Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML for a discussion with guest Mx Katherine Childs. They are the outgoing President of the Liberal Religious Educators Association and the Executive Director of Mirth & Dignity of the UU Hysterical Society. How can we remember the importance of building new spaces of actualization through joy while the empire crumbles? To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast and clfuu.org/merch 

Join VUU hosts Rev. Dr. Donte Hilliard, Rev. Dr Michael Tino, and Rev. DC Fortune for a host roundtable discussion on this month’s theme of Pluralism. The effect of the empire on religion can be palpable, both institutionally and communally. How have we been brought into thinking that inclusion is the endpoint rather than part of the journey? How have you experienced Pluralism in your spiritual life?To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast and clfuu.org/merch 

Join VUU hosts Rev Dr Michael Tino, and Rev DC Fortune for a discussion with artist with Maggie Weber, also known as Refashioned Hippie. Maggie is a fiber artist, fashion critic, writer and mom, who has a passion for kid’s safety, upcycling, and debunking fast fashion's nepotism. Our bodies are battlegrounds for imperialism, and artists in our lives are solving problems for their community and sharing skills for the liberation and thriving. Follow Maggie on Instagram and YouTube:Insta:  https://www.instagram.com/refashionedhippie/?hl=enYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxetrH881m7SQKN7AviaARQ 

Join VUU hosts Rev Dr. Donte Hillard, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, and Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML along with this week’s guest HP Rivers. They are a Tennessee based writer, educator and candidate for UU Ministry, who specializes in community and social media ministry that has a particular emphasis on queer youth. They are also the founder of Bee Blessed, and a super mom! How can we unlock our imaginative superpowers to fight empire, something that they cannot take?  Check out Bee Blessed https://iamajourney.wordpress.com/shop/Follow HP on Instagram: @hp.rivers.art 

Join VUU hosts Rev Dr. Donte Hillard, Rev DC Fortune, and Rev Dr. Michael Tino for a discussion on information literacy for all ages and shifting paradigms of knowledge with special guest Caerhl Irey, also known as the North Omaha Cat Lady on TikTok. She weighs in with comedy on politics, education, undoing white supremacy and homophobia and so much more!Follow Caerhl on TikTok: @north_omaha_cat_ladyWould you like to support to CLF? Clfuu.org/merch 

Join VUU hosts Rev Dr. Michael Tino, Rev DC Fortune, and Aisha Hauser, for a discussion with Daniella Mestyanek Young, also known as the Knitting Cult Lady. She is a Harvard graduate, cult survivor and former Army Captain who has written about her own experience and the cultish practices of white supremacy in America. Let us deconstruct together! Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠Find Daniella on socials: https://knittingcultlady.com/

Join VUU hosts Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, Rev Donte Hillard for this roundtable discussion on the state of the world under imperial domination, including the US-Israeli war on Iran, and the ongoing genocide in Palestine. How do you know in our bones the ways that culture has been shaped by white supremacy? As we shift the way the world currently is to what we know it can be, where will we place our individual efforts?

The world is on fire, and there are times in history where communities have had to construct themselves outside of the constraints of Empire. What do you find to be an antidote to rampant individualism and imperialism? Join VUU hosts Rev Dr. Michael Tino, Rev DC Fortune, Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, and Rev Donte Hillard for this discussion.  To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast and clfuu.org/merch 

In this archival episode, join Rev Dr. Michael Tino, Rev DC Fortune, and Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, in this host roundtable welcoming in Season 13. Discover, the life-giving work of the CLF’s prison ministry. Remember, in these times, the optimism and promise of communities that see you in your entirety.To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast and clfuu.org/merch 

As the systems of extractive capitalism break down, we are called into greater actions of community care for survival and sustainability. How can we practice this in our social locations in order to influence the whole? What are our gifts and abilities? What does accountability that does not rely on one type of method look like? Join our hosts Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, Rev. Donte Hilliard, and Rev DC Fortune for this roundtable.Want to support the CLF? clfuu.org/merch

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, and Rev DC Fortune for a discussion on the monthly theme of generosity. Can you name the ways that places, people and situations offered you the choice to participate in radical self love? How have we discovered it was something missing in our lives? Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, and Rev DC Fortune for a discussion on the monthly theme of generosity. In a world shaped by capitalism and imperialism, moving beyond thinking of generosity as only money is essential. How do we craft a generosity of spirit in our communities, families, and organizations?Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, and Rev DC Fortune for a discussion of the events around the United States and the UU World, along with the righteous responses to tyrannical forces that we may encounter out in the wider world or within Unitarian Universalism. Let's build community together, fight fascism, and also rest.Have you heard of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism? blacklivesuu.orgWant to some CLF swag?clfuu.org/merchAre you able to support the Church of the Larger Fellowship?clfuu.org/give

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, and Rev DC Fortune for a wide ranging discussion on freedom, fullness, and building community with language and action that is honest about the times we are currently living in within the United States and around the world. Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠⁠⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, and Rev DC Fortune for the monthly theme conversation, centered on Love. In times of escalating crises, participating in national and local movements can take many forms. How can we unlearn what we have considered about love, in order to be who we need to be, where we need to be, right now?

What happens when we center the whole lives of youth and young adults in our spiritual and religious spaces, including their prophetic visions? How can Unitarian Universalism meet the moments within the whole lives of its congregations and beyond into their communities? Join VUU Hosts Rev. Donte Hillard, Rev. DC Fortune, and Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML, to discuss the documentary film Why Are You You? with dancer and filmaker Linsday Caddle LaPointe. Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠ Check out the doumentary: whyareyouyou.org

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, and Rev DC Fortune for this year end discussion of 2025 for themselves and the world. How was 2025 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2026? We are looking forward to more exciting topics on The VUU!See you on Jan 8th 2026! Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, and Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML who discuss joy! How do themes of embodiment, sexual and non sexual touch, intimacy, and healthy sexuality transform the world and allow us to tap into joy? What harmful theologies or practices shame us out of our birthright of joy? 

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, and Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML who discuss Worship and UU Liturgy. What does worship mean to you? How does a faith tradition with shared values of pluralism and love practice that when we are gathered together virtually, in person in a brick and mortal congregation or across time? What worlds will be imagined and practiced?Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠

Join VUU Hosts , Rev Donte Hillard, Rev DC Fortune, and Rev Dr. Michael Tino for a discussion on what they are reading for brain nutrition, uplift of the soul and for joy or pleasure. Discover the power of story, and the freedom of telling new tales. The topics ranged from abolition and Conjure, to thrillers, and middle grade fiction. What are you reading?   Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠

Join VUU Hosts, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, Rev DC Fortune, and Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML for their roundup on elections around the country including Maine, New York and Pennsylvania. Do these elections signal a change in United States domestic policy that centers people as the CLF continues to do with their abolition CSAI? Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Rev DC Fortune, and Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML as they speak about organizing as individuals against fascism around the globe, but also how grief can manifest with changing realities. How are religious institutions and faith leaders answering the call of this moment? We, as communities of people with love at the center save us. Want to support the CLF? Visit ⁠clfuu.org/merch⁠

VUU Hosts, Aisha Hauser-MSW, CRE-ML, Rev. Donte Hillard, Rev. DC Fortune are joined by the authors of Imani Rituals, Anthony Y. Stringer, Ayanna Kafi, and Duncan E. Teague to discuss the ways Unitarian Universalist congregations must be culturally pluralistic to become a religious home to all who cross their threshold. Their book, Imani Rituals, centers the African American experience and the African Diaspora as the inspiration for rituals to enrich religious and spiritual life for Unitarian Universalists and other liberal denominations.

Join VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Rev DC Fortune, Aisha Hauser MSW CRE-ML and Rev Dr. Michael Tino for a wide ranging discussion centering love in public. They link abolition, the US political system, and the role of religious institutions. Discover how living out Unitarian Universalist values through life-giving worship propels skillful action to create the world we deserve to live in; especially when we are in process of learning to love ourselves. 

VUU Hosts Rev Donte Hillard, Rev DC Fortune, and Rev Dr. Michael Tino discuss the Church of the Larger Fellowship's Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) on abolition, and upcoming classes. Start the conversation on the theologies that undergird the United States' political and social systems which result in a carceral nextwork based on punishment and white supremacy. Want to support the CLF? Visit clfuu.org/merch

VUU Hosts Aisha Hauser MSW-CRE-ML, Rev. DC Fortune, Rev Dr. Michael Tino, and Rev Donte Hillard are joined by Rev. Dr. Lucas Herbert to discuss his new book which covers the need and ask for impassioned preaching and embodied worship within Unitarian Universalism in these times.

In this archival episode of the VUU, historian Dr. Paul Ortiz joins to disscuss educational upheaval in Florida beyond diversity, equity and inclusion, and its historical precedents. His book, An African American and Latinx History of the United States was published by Beacon Press. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Join The VUU hosts Aisha Hauser and Michael Tino for the first live music episode with Parker Woodland! Friend of the band David Johnson also joins to talk regional organizing, community care and the framework of abolition that the CLF seeks to establish. Parker Woodland music: parkerwoodland.bandcamp.comCoalition to abolish slavery in Texas: https://befrank4justice.org/castUU Texas Justice Ministry: https://txuujm.org/PW's Faithify campaign: https://www.faithify.org/campaign/515/support-parker-woodland-s-first-tour-beyond-texas#BackersMultidimensional Wellness: https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma16-4953.pdfDavid Johnson's paper on Multidimensional Wellness: https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/y3kc4_v1

VUU Hosts Aisha Hauser, DC Fortune, and Rev Michael Tino discuss the United States, faith, fascism, and draw connections to how connection and the human centered framework of abolition at the CLF counters the rising tide of oppression.Apply to be a guest on the VUU: ⁠⁠⁠⁠clfuu.org/vuuguest

VUU Hosts Donte Hillard, Aisha Hauser, DC Fortune, and Rev Michael Tino discuss Unitarian Universalist General Assembly 2025, and liberatory theology for this moment. Will it be a hot summer of protest?Apply to be a guest on the VUU: ⁠clfuu.org/vuuguestInfo on #HALTsolitary: ⁠https://bit.ly/HALTstatementFeb2025⁠To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Bill Young and Rev Kimberly Quinn Johnson join VUU hosts Aisha Hauser, Donté Hillard and Rev Michael Tino to talk about their vision for the office and the UUA. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Natasha Walker, candidate for UUA Moderator, joins VUU hosts Aisha Hauser and Donté Hilliard to talk about her vision for the office and the UUA. Natasha's website: https://natasha4uuamoderator.org/...To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Brother Zachary Stevens-Walter of the Community Church of New York joins VUU hosts to talk about creating partnerships to work towards prison abolition. They discuss the congregational study action issue on abolition as faith formation proposed by the CLF ahead of General Assembly in June.To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcastLearn more about our PenPal program (or apply) at https://worthynow.org/pen-palsLearn about our proposed Congregational Study-Action Issue at https://clfuu.org/abolitionGet your Abolition and CLF gear at our new store, too: https://www.bonfire.com/.../church-of-the-larger-fellowship/

Rev. Eric Kaminetzky (Interim Settled Ministries Director) and Christine Purcell (Congregational Transitions Director) from the UUA Transitions Office join VUU hosts to talk about the ways in which congregations and ministers find each other.To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Hosts Rev. Michael Tino and Donte Hilliard discuss must-visit spots in Baltimore ahead of General Assembly in June, the importance of spiritual practice amid political upheaval, and why rest is resistance.Black Baltimore: https://baltimore.org/bop-pass?dclid=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2N2_BhCAARIsAK4pEkXyIdhC5JzS5s6VL1Z0NtZaCpOswfm2RofA7I_wa5SOaH0R6NgvCBIaAgVjEALw_wcBPratt Library: https://www.prattlibrary.org/about-usThe Open Church of Maryland: https://theopenchurchmd.org/Side with Love: https://sidewithlove.org/the-gatheringTo support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Hosts Aisha Hauser and Donte Hilliard are joined by Rev. Ranwa Hammamy (Congregational Justice Organizer on the Side with Love Organizing Strategy Team) and Rachel Myslivy (Climate Justice Organizer on the Side with Love Organizing Strategy Team) to get an update on the UU Climate Justice Revival. They discuss results of the Revival in September, ongoing revivals, and how to continue to use the resources they designed.Resources:UU Climate Justice Revival: ⁠http://uuclimatejustice.org/⁠A resource note ⁠https://www.uuabookstore.org/Sacred-Circles-Poster-and...⁠Green Sanctuary Process: ⁠https://sidewithlove.org/green-sanctuary-2030⁠Side With Love Congregational Asset Mapping Guide: ⁠https://sidewithlove.org/ourstories/2025/3/10/assetmapping⁠Revival Community of Practice (April 9) ⁠https://secure.everyaction.com/RAoW5usaUkuvmiYwuoF4EA2⁠Green Sanctuary 35th Anniversary and Call for Renewal on April 16 with UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt at 7ET ⁠https://secure.everyaction.com/MyXfEGqfQUSepP4i7YCW_Q2⁠To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Hosts Aisha Hauser, Donte Hilliard, Rev. DC Fortune, and Rev. Michael Tino discuss how pluralism is reflected in UU culture (or not), and other goals UU worship should be striving toward.Conjuring a Culture of Thriving: https://www.dailycompass.org/2025/03/11/16381/To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Hosts Rev. DC Fortune, Rev. Michael Tino, and Donte Hilliard discuss the hostile takeover of the US government and host a mini dance party."hostile government take over": https://youtu.be/sLn8GKzNAPQ?si=cfoGT4v14OYeieke"Children of the Waters of Meribah": https://wipfandstock.com/.../children-of-the-waters-of.../To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Hosts Rev. Michael Tino and Rev. DC Fortune are joined by Sassafras Patterdale, author of Lost Boi and Kicked Out. They discuss current threats to LGBTQ rights and Sassafras's work advocating for and working with queer youth experiencing homelessness.Sassafras' website; https://sassafraspatterdale.comHere's a gift link to one of Sassafras' columns in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/.../before-you-adopt-planning-a...For more information about the current threats in Texas: https://www.nbcnews.com/.../texas-bill-identify...Sirius (Sassafras's Dog)'s insta: https://www.instagram.com/siriusthebear/To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Hosts Rev. Michael Tino, Aisha Hauser, and Donte Hilliard discuss the myriad of attacks on human rights taking place in the US government.Apply to be a guest on the VUU: clfuu.org/vuuguestCLF Spring fundraising campaign: clfuu.org/lovethatsaveslivesInfo on #HALTsolitary: https://bit.ly/HALTstatementFeb2025To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Aisha Hauser, Rev. Michael Tino, and Rev. DC Fortune discuss the ascent of fascist leadership and policy in the US.Might you want to be a guest on the VUU? https://www.questformeaning.org/wp3/vuu/"Leopards Ate My Face" by Franchesca Ramsey: https://youtu.be/8QGy9D_c1pY?si=t2laWQedByuolYFyTo support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Aisha Hauser and Rev. DC Fortune are joined by CLF Learning Fellow and new VUU co-host Donte Hilliard. The trio discusses the abusive dynamics at play in US government and how to imagine expansive futures outside of resistance.To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Hosts Aisha Hauser, Rev. Michael Tino, and Rev. DC Fortune discuss the US President's recent statements and executive orders and strategize sustainable resistance on individual and community scales.Resources Mentioned:The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together (One World Essentials) By Heather McGheeamazing black women talking about black resilience and magic https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C8H1SA4xg/Black Liturgies on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blackliturgies/?hl=enTo support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Rev. Kimberley Debus joins Christina Rivera, Rev. DC Fortune, and Rev. Michael Tino to discuss her substack "Hold My Chalice." "Hold My Chalice": https://holdmychalice.substack.com https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=debus%20point To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Hosts Christina Rivera, Aisha Hauser, and Rev. DC Fortune discuss the urgency of sharing resources and learning from organizers who were building community prior to this administration, and the importance of learning to thrive while we fight fascism.Resources:www.mijente.nethttps://www.pinkhaven.org/https://www.lavenderrightsproject.org/⁠⁠https://www.sistersong.net/⁠⁠https://www.thetrevorproject.org/⁠https://www.transformingheartscollective.org/https://news.sky.com/ https://apnews.com/ https://www.reuters.com/ https://www.bbc.com/https://www.motherjones.com/https://www.democracynow.org/To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Members of the CLF Nominating Committee Heather Gatland, Doreen Christiani, and Rachel Wade-Harper join host Aisha Hauser as guest hosts. The four discuss what makes the CLF community unique and invite listeners to join upcoming opportunities for leadership. The hosts also cover recent issues including a ceasefire deal, TikTok ban, LA wildfires, and the threat of H5N1. Opportunities for Leadership: http://clfuu.org/leadership-forum Pre-Order Genocide Bad: https://www.interlinkbooks.com/product/genocide-bad/ Google Search Alternative: https://duckduckgo.com/ Google Suite Alternative: https://cryptpad.fr/ To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

In the first VUU episode of 2025 Rev. Michael Tino and Rev. DC Fortune discuss recent events. Topics include action items for congregants in preparation of 2025 General Assembly, Jimmy Carter's life and legacy, and the Ring Theory in collective trauma. UUA Disaster Relief Fund: https://www.uua.org/giving/areas-support/funds/disaster-response GA Registration: https://www.uua.org/ga/registration To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

As an annual CLF Connects event, our hosts compete in a "Nailed It!" baking challenge and attempt to create cookie christmas trees. Guest host and originator of the challenge Julica Hermann de la Fuente serves as judge of the competition. https://community.clfuu.org/ To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast

Aisha Hauser, Rev. Michael Tino, and Rev. DC Fortune discuss the reality facing our bodies and minds following the US presidential election, and what keeps us fighting for liberation. Recommendations from the Episode: https://uuma.org/.../2023-berry-street-essay-the.../ On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the 20th Century, by Timothy Snyder The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin

Dr. Nathalie Edmond (UU, licensed clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, anti-racism educator) joins VUU hosts to discuss her book "Mindful Race Talk" and the intersections between supremacy culture, the genocide in Gaza, and the US government. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast