The Waging Peace Podcast

Send us Fan MailGood Friday is supposed to be about the cross, but what happens when we take that story to the place where modern violence is manufactured? Shane Claiborne joins us with a challenge that’s as simple as it is unsettling: if you knew a bomb was being built for a school full of kids, wouldn’t you try to stand in its way?Listen to find out:How Holy Week is connected to the real-time violence in Gaza and Iran and ask what it means to follow Jesus when our nation profits from war? Why we’re gathering outside Lockheed Martin on Good Friday and how ordinary people can practice nonviolent witness with courage, grief, and hope.Why “the right people get bombed” is the opposite of The Prince of PeaceDiana’s shift from Iraq War participation to conscientious objection & finding the freedom to change your mindGood Friday is solidarity with victims of state violence and practice of refusing to meet violence with violenceWhy weapons manufacturers make modern wars possible and why profit belongs in the spotlightMemorial practices for children killed in Gaza and Iran, including names, candles, roses, and a shared ropeDirect action and civil disobedience as “divine obedience,” with many on-ramps for participationHow to join in person, livestream, or create a memorial where you live! Find out more or REGISTER HEREBlog Post This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailWe talk with Minneapolis community song leader Liz Digitale Anderson about Singing Resistance and why singing can turn strangers into a brave “we” in the middle of fear and state violence. We trace how simple songs support nonviolent action, deepen trust, and help communities protect neighbors without leaving anyone behind.• Singing Resistance as a leaderful national movement grounded in love, solidarity, and nonviolence• Minnesota’s lineage of organizing and why community singing takes root there• Oral tradition song leading, call-and-response teaching, no sheet music, no gatekeeping• Using songs to name systemic oppression and build courage for action• Singing as a container for grief, rage, and joy in public witness• Eviction defense, mutual aid, and showing up for neighbors in practical ways• Offering off ramps and human dignity while resisting state violence• Trust as the limiting factor, potlucks and neighbor relationships as strategy• Going for depth with community and making repair for the long haulYou can go on Instagram to singing resistance at singing resistance, and in our link tree, there’s a toolkit.This conversation breaks down how to build a local team, learn simple songs, and show up for eviction defense and safety. Listen, then ask: who’s on your team?Support Liz's song leadership:https://www.patreon.com/singingforliberationJoin the Singing Resistance: Follow:https://www.instagram.com/singingresistanceStart a chapter where you are! Toolkit, trainings: https://linktr.ee/singingresistance This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailHigh school is tough. Teen mental health is rougher. She planned not to see sophomore year—now she’s a 17-year-old mental health advocate. Hear how vulnerability, therapy, and grit turned pain into purpose. Ileini shows how patience, presence, and small steps rebuild a life. Parents and teens—this one matters. Will you try the “just sit and listen” tool this week?Listen to her Teen Podcast on Mental Health:Mom and Me: Climbing Mountains TogetherFind out more about the power of hosting a Peace Hero Awards in your school, City or Community.Will you Support Youth?Donate to the inaugural Drum Major for Peace Scholarship:We are raising money to offer a $1,000 scholarship to support a local youth to pursue MLK’s call to be a Drum Major for Peace and serve others. The Drum Major for Peace Scholarship lifts up young people who choose courage, compassion, and nonviolence in their everyday lives. This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailMohsin Modi-Ud-Din, founder and CEO of MeWe International, shares his innovative work using storytelling and communication to transform trauma in conflict zones including Gaza and Syrian refugee camps.In this second part of our conversation you will hear more about how:• MeWe International builds communication and storytelling interventions for psychological well-being and community engagement across 12+ countries• Peace provides what war can't: justice and joy, which are essential for human flourishing• Storytelling creates community, which keeps humans alive as a species• Communication has been weaponized but should be reclaimed as a tool for transformationAbout Mohsin Modi-Ud-Din:Mohsin Modi-Ud-Din is an artist, activist, and Founder of #MeWe International Inc. (#MeWeIntl), a global non-profit that builds communications and storytelling interventions for psychological wellbeing, leadership development, and community engagement.His work has received honors from SOLVE MIT and Open Ideo. Mohsin’s innovative work has reached thousands of people across more than 12 countries, beginning with his Fulbright Scholarship in 2010.He has been a featured speaker at the World Economic Forum, United Nations, MIT, TEDx, and his work on #MeWeSyria has been published on UNHCR Innovation, VICE, and Al Jazeera.How to find Mohsin:Instagram: @ allplacesfromhere Website:   https://www.meweintl.org/  Facebook:   Mohsin Mohi Ud Din & MeWeIntl This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailStories we tell ourselves shape our relationships and psychological well-being. Mohsin Modi-Ud-Din shows how harmful narratives can erode mental health while transformative storytelling rebuilds connections across even the deepest divides. Listen to hear more about:• Mohsin's experiences in Gaza with humanitarian medical missions • How storytelling interventions help trauma survivors reclaim their humanity• Neuroplasticity and our brain's capacity for growth and transformation• Cultivating curiosity to overcome fear in our relationships"Every single human being is a living, breathing story of change. The second that we diminish or forget that, we risk having a very toxic culture, toxic family, toxic world and toxic beliefs because we're going against the essence of who we are."About Mohsin:Mohsin is an artist, activist, and Founder of #MeWe International Inc. (#MeWeIntl), a global non-profit that builds communications and storytelling interventions for psychological wellbeing, leadership development, and community engagement.His work has received honors from SOLVE MIT and Open Ideo. Mohsin’s innovative work has reached thousands of people across more than 12 countries, beginning with his Fulbright Scholarship in 2010.He has been a featured speaker at the World Economic Forum, United Nations, MIT, TEDx, and his work on #MeWeSyria has been published on UNHCR Innovation, VICE, and Al Jazeera.How to find Mohsin:Instagram: @ allplacesfromhere Website:   https://www.meweintl.org/  Facebook:   Mohsin Mohi Ud Din & MeWeIntl This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailAt 18, Sophia chose prison over participating in occupation. "When you recognize you have a choice, you have responsibility for that choice." Her story reveals how militarism dehumanizes everyone it touches.  "Violence will only breed more violence." The only future we have is a future together." Sophia Orr who spent 85 days in military prison for refusing to serve in the Israeli army. Her courage challenges us to ask ourselves: Are we collaborators or resistors in systems of violence? What choices are we making with our privilege?Her refusal to join Israel's military wasn't just personal—it was a political act to break cycles of bloodshed. How are we using your voice to stand against dehumanization? Listen to her powerful story now!Write a Letter of Support the two Conscientious Objectors who are serving their prison sentence now:Ella Keider Greenburg: Write to her HERENetta Lannes Arbel: Write to him HEREFind out more about Mesarvot This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailSofia Orr, a 19-year-old Israeli conscientious objector, shares her journey of refusing mandatory military service and spending 85 days in prison for her stance. Listen to hear how:Sofia began questioning military service at age 13, viewing it as a political choice rather than obligationShe describes Israel as "more an army with a country than a country with an army" with military indoctrination beginning in childhoodSofia's prison experience revealed how military systems dehumanize everyone involved, including guardsShe rejects the notion that violence can solve the conflict: "There is no military solution to this"You can find Sofia on Instagram @sofiorr7716  This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailRita Brent blends comedy and advocacy, using her platform to address serious societal issues while promoting joy and connection. Through her journey from childhood musician to stand-up comedian, Rita emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, community support, and compassion in navigating life's challenges.• Exploring the evolution from music to comedy • The significance of personal experiences in comedy • Balancing humor with advocacy through songs • Addressing critics and embracing authenticity About Rita:Rita Brent is an award-winning comedian, musician, and military veteran. She grew up in Jackson, MS where she played music in Baptist churches alongside her mother. By 18, she joined the Army National Guard where she served as a drummer in the 41st Army Band, ending her time in service as a sergeant. She began her radio broadcasting career at WJSU 88.5 FM, and later spent six years at Mississippi Public Broadcasting as a host and producer. In 2013, she made a big leap into standup comedy. Nine years later, she has appeared on Comedy Central, truTV, Epix TV, LOL Network, Circle TV, CNN, and more. She wrote for the 73rd Primetime EMMY Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, The People's Choice Awards, and Stand Out: An LGBTQ Celebration on Netflix. In 2023, she became a first-time Writers Guild Awards Nominee in two categories. When she’s not on the road as a standup comedian, she’s an up and coming music performance artist. She’s a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.How to find Rita:Instagram: @ritabrentcomedy  YouTube: @RitaBrentComedy    Facebook: Rita Brent Comedy    Website: https://www.ritabrent.com/ This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailEducator and DEI expert Jebeh Edmunds breaks down what we don't know about DEI.You'll learn:Where Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) originated.How to take action when you experience or witness discrimination in your school or community.Why our fight for justice, peace and equality is happening right now.This episode delves into the historical context and contemporary relevance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), emphasizing the importance of understanding our past and actively engaging in the fight for equality. • DEI has historical roots dating back to the civil rights movement  • Gender inequalities illustrate the ongoing struggle for equity • Emphasizes the role of personal responsibility in fighting injustice • Encourages listeners to speak up against discrimination  • Draws lessons from history to inform future actions  • DEI continues to be a relevant and necessary conversation About Jebeh Edmunds:Jebeh is an energetic storyteller, full of smiles & dance moves, educator. She loves all things Multicultural and has shared her passion for educating her students and community for over 20 years. She loves good energy, her family, and all of life’s gifts and lessons. How to find Jebeh:Instagram: @culturallyjebeh_   YouTube: @mrs.edmundsculturalcorner2226     Facebook: Jebeh Cultural Consulting    Website: https://jebehedmunds.com/ This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailPart two of our conversation with Sharon delves into the essential role of hope in effecting positive change and combating the perils of cynicism. After you listen, you’ll know: How to choose between hope and toxic positivity 3 ways to take one small action to make Big Changes.One powerful, underused tool you can start using immediately to kick cynicism to the curb.About Sharon:A #1 New York Times bestselling author, educator, and host of the chart-topping podcast Here’s Where It Gets Interesting. Sharon's newsletter, The Preamble, is one of the largest publications on Substack, where she provides historical context and non-partisan insights to help readers navigate today’s political landscape. IG: @sharonsaysso What do practitioners of peacemaking and change agents like Sharon and Diana think about:• Exploring the distinction between hope and toxic positivity  • Understanding cynicism and its impact on motivation • The significance of communal joy in fostering connections  • The necessity of rest and boundaries in sustaining engagement • Emphasizing individual agency in the face of systemic challenges • Recognizing the power of committing to one's purpose  This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailSharon McMahon, America's Government Teacher and creator of Sharon Says So, joins Diana to discuss being Minnesotan,  complexities of cultural identity and its relationship with democracy, focusing on how allegiance to group identity can overshadow commitments to national values. Through an engaging discussion, Sharon & Diana underscore the importance of hope and the power of making meaningful change.  • Exploration of white evangelicalism as a cultural identity • The tension between cultural membership and national allegiance • The role of discomfort in driving change and progress • Bryan Stevenson’s perspective on hope as a choice • The need for visionary leadership in shaping future solutionsAbout Sharon:A #1 New York Times bestselling author, educator, and host of the chart-topping podcast Here’s Where It Gets Interesting. Sharon's newsletter, The Preamble, is one of the largest publications on Substack, where she provides historical context and non-partisan insights to help readers navigate today’s political landscape. IG: @sharonsaysso  This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailRead a book by a teenage author lately?You will now! Zion Lester is a teenage author who wrote a children's book with Big Ideas about homelessness. "Zion Learns to See" is her newest book co-written with her Dad Dr. Terence Lester, Found of Love Beyond Walls.  An organization raising awareness and advocacy for those experiencing poverty and homelessness.This episode we learn from  Zion, a young author who, alongside her father, Dr. Terence Lester, is making strides in awareness and advocacy for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Zion shares her journey from observing her father's dedication to spearheading initiatives in her school, in second grade! The power of storytelling and the unique lens through which children view the world can lead to profound community impact.The heart of our discussion beats to the rhythm of kindness, compassion, and justice—values that Zion practices through her advocacy work. This dynamic duo celebrates  power of family bonds in inspiring  change-makers and influencing our next generation to wage peace and make our world more just, connected and equal. As we wrap up, we celebrate Zion's literary feat with her book, "Zion Learns to See," and encourage our audience to support her passion to change how we see ordinary people experiencing homelessness. Parents, grab a tissue because you are going to witness the most impactful words we can tell our kids, "I See You".Support a Teen Author with a big message: buy her book HERE.Find out more about Love Beyond WallsFollow Zion @ZionJoyLester This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailImagine a world where the strongest force isn't violence, but Peace. Dr. Reverend Vonnetta West is a force. Her work is reshaping hate and conflict with the power of Kingian Non-Violence. As a Senior Trainer at The King Center in Atlanta, a Consultant training us to work for justice in our workplace or in Liberia in the school she founded to positively impact youth.She  joins us to illuminate the transformative power of Kingian nonviolence, a force that remains as potent today as it did during the civil rights movement. Dr. West challenges us to break free from the norm, daring us to become "creatively maladjusted" and "transformed nonconformists" in a society often blinded by hate and division. This episode promises to reshape your perspective on conflict, encouraging a deeper understanding of nonviolence as a practical tool for change, rather than a mere ideal.Confront the harsh realities of hate and understand the necessity of a committed nonviolent stance through this episode's penetrating insights. We tackle the horrors of the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and more, examining how maintaining our humanity is essential in the face of violence that seeks to define our norms. By discussing the role of social media in desensitizing us to brutality and the challenges of upholding peace, you'll be drawn into a profound reflection on our moral responsibilities and the power of nonviolence in preserving our shared humanity.In our final chapter with Dr. West, we're inspired by the King Center's educational programs that breathe new life into the strategies of the 1960s civil rights movement and their enduring relevance today. We explore the beloved community's vision and the six steps of nonviolence in a way that's both enlightening and actionable. By the end of this episode, you'll not only have a greater appreciation for the complexities of waging peace but also be equipped with the knowledge and conviction to stand against violence in all its forms and declare yourself a peacemaker. This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan Mail Rev Cece Jones Davis is a Woman Who is Making History Today.Her impact has been recognized and celebrated throughout the United States, including an Emmy nomination for a KFOR News conversation on racial (re)conciliation, receiving the 2021 Change.org Changemaker of the Year Award and Special Congressional Recognition for her efforts in civil rights and social justice.From a small town to leading the charge to challenge injustice Reverend CeCe Jones Davis has the audacity to make history.In this Episode:-  Her story of trying to be a stay at home mom and  ending up leading the charge to save Julius Jone's life and  challenge the death penalty to be  just. - How she found her purpose by following one child or person who introduced her to the issues of AIDS  advocacy and menstrual justice.- The only book she's read twice, and wants  YOU to Read! She leaves us with  one question to ask ourselves: "Determine for yourself, what do I believe about children? Once you determine what you believe about children, figure out what direction you want to move toward and don't stop."Find out more about Rev Cece Jones DavisFollow her @CeCeJonesDavis   This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailRev Sharon Risher shares her journey from the Emanuel Church shooting tragedy to leading the charge for gun reform and the end of the death penalty. Discover her story of transformation on our latest podcast episode. In this Episode learn: How being a gun violence victims family member changed her mind.How she found her purpose.What Women Leaders we should be supporting.Why taking action is how we find our hope.Ways we can Wage Peace instead of stay silent to end Gun Violence. This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailElie was born and raised in Jerusalem to Christian parents who are neither Jewish nor Palestinian. Elie’s life experiences of growing up in Israel/Palestine is why she chose to pursue graduate studies in Conflict & Reconciliation and Creative Writing. Her research and writing skills are the foundation for the collection of stories of Peace Heroes from all around the world. Peace Heroes was born out of a desire to empower children living in the shadow of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to face the challenges around them and overcome them in positive, life-giving, and healing ways. It began its journey in 2013 when a Palestinian school in Jerusalem decided to purposefully teach its students peace in an environment marked by violence. The heroic warrior is a very strong concept/image within Palestinian and Israeli society, but for both communities it is completely tied in with militaristic achievements.Peace Heroes aimed to reframe the students’ sense of who is a hero by introducing them to a different kind of hero—real-life heroes who prioritize peace as a way of living over and above everything else. We believed that these remarkable women and men would not only inspire students with their stories but would also model the ways in which each and every one of us can make a difference for good in the world around usSupport Elie and find out more about this work: www.globalpeaceheroes.org https://www.instagram.com/globalpeaceheroes/Connect with Peacemakers in Israel/Palestinehttps://www.friendsofroots.net/https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/about_eng-2/https://bethbc.edu/christ-at-the-checkpoint/https://tentofnations.com/ This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailBlackness + Holiness and a daughters tribute to a Mother with mental illness.Marcie Alvis Walker is the creator of the popular Instagram feed Black Coffee with White Friends. She is also the creator of Black Eyed Bible Stories. Marcie is passionate about what it means to embrace intersectionality, diversity, and inclusion in our spiritual lives. Find out what 8th grade Marcie + Diana would be wearing if our dreams came true.The transformative power of a Mother's love- and how society erased her value because her mental health struggles.We uncover the transformative power of love—how it shapes us, molds us, and ultimately, leads us to our essential truth.Love's role in the arena of public justice, drawing inspiration from the likes of Cornel West and the vibrant black trans community celebrated in "Paris is Burning." The release of "Everybody Come Alive"  Marcie's book is more than just an announcement—it's a call to action, urging us to live out the very tenets of love and justice we've discussed.This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailA viral instagram challenge became a New York Times  bestselling book that challenged a generation the summer George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery became a rallying cry in cities and towns across the country, forcing the United States to confront the racism of its past and present. How do we combat racism, change the world and become A Good Ancestor?Layla Saad, an East African, Arab, British, Black, Muslim woman living in Qatar, came up with an impressive answer — a 28-day process that she calls a "personal anti-racism tool" designed to teach those with white privilege how systemic racism works and how they can stop contributing to white supremacy in the world.Her book is called Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor.I wanted to catch up with her and ask her How does language change us or challenge us?What purpose is worthy of spending our lives on?  How do we find our purpose? Where we can do Justice, wage peace and put love on display as ordinary people if we aren’t a NYT best selling author?Her superpower – language – becomes a beacon of inspiration, a tool for courage, and a medium to spread love. Tune in and join us for an enlightening conversation that promises to challenge your perspectives and ignite a your spark.Follow her on IG  @laylafsaadhttps://laylafsaad.com/  This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailHave you listened to an adult adoptee's perspective on foster care and adoption?I'm an adoptive mom and I learned from Angela Tucker, a Black woman adopted out of foster care by white parents , what I most wished I had learned through the adoption process.Learn the one phrase Angela says an adopted person in your community needs to hear from you!Listen to the story of an 85 year old birth father who is looking for his 55 year old daughter in Angela’s documentary film.Learn how her parents taught her to humanize her birth mother.Adoption is often a permanent solution to a temporary problem.Watch Angela's story advocating for adoptee's rights in her  2013 documentary Closure, which recounts the search for her birth parents and is streaming on Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, Amazon Prime.Read her book "You Should be Grateful" anywhere books are sold.  "You Should Be Grateful" challenges the fairy-tale narrative of adoption, giving way to a fuller story that includes the impacts of racism, classism, family, love, and belonging.Follow her on Instagram @angieadoptee This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailGet ready to enter the world of Ariel Gold, a fierce advocate for Palestinian rights and the Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, America's oldest interfaith peacemaking organization . This remarkable woman has spent 20 years working diligently to bring peace to a region marred by violence, and in this episode, she shares her journey and  two action steps we can take to stop the violence  today.Ariel's testimony of how the violence in the Holy Land has shaped her faith is sure to touch your heart, highlighting the strength found in ancient words and shared human experiences.Learn about the transformative power of Jewish Voices for Peace and the significant role that women peacemakers play in the Middle East. This episode examines the dire circumstances in Gaza under Israel's blockade and the need for Christian allies to support Jewish Voices for Peace. Ariel's inspiring journey from a secular Jewish identity to passionate advocacy for Palestinian rights serves as a beacon of hope in a divided world. Listen in to understand how small actions can shape a better future, reiterate the necessity of peace, and remind us that we're all created in the image of God. This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailHow do we teach our children about violence in a way that empowers them rather than instills fear? Are we actively debunking the myth that violence is justice? Tune in as we navigate the challenge of discussing violence with our children - an issue our own parents often shied away from. I'm a Mom, War Veteran and Peacemaker and I'm sharing how we can center our kids dignity and empower them to be part of our communities. We'll delve into the importance of age-appropriate conversations, fostering resilience in our children, and introducing them to the power they hold to make a difference. Familiar with the adage 'love thy neighbor'? Let's go beyond mere words and actualize this in our communities. We'll explore practical ways to show up for our neighbors when violence strikes and promote a sense of unity rather than division. We'll also tackle the recent events in Israel and Gaza. How do we discuss this with our children? We'll provide you with comprehensive strategies, from understanding what your children already know, to breaking down the story into digestible bits, and guiding them towards actionable steps. This episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss!We promise not to oversimplify things. No more 'good guys' and 'bad guys', but a conversation that promotes peace, love, and understanding. As we move into the second part of our conversation, we will challenge the narrative that encourages division and hatred, focusing instead on community engagement and balanced perspectives. We'll discuss how we can help our children understand that violence and hatred are never the answers, and that peace is something we can actively work towards. By providing a  Pro-Israeli, Pro-Palestinian, Pro-Peace lens to see the Israel-Gaza conflict, through  we offer our children the opportunity to become positive global citizens. Join us as we explore these complex issues, arming ourselves with knowledge and compassion to guide the next generation toward a peaceful future. This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailThis episode is a call to action - to step out, make a difference, and weave a fabric of unity, equality, and justice in our communities.Shannon Martin, an author and Neighboring evangelist nudges us to confront our privilege and channel it towards equity and justice in education through the power of Neighboring. How do we sit in tension?  Be part of bridging the chasm between the privileged and the marginalized? We explore the pivotal role of communal joy in fostering a sense of value within our neighborhoods. Buy her book Start with Hello!It’s a “how to Manual” that will take your everyday life and supercharge it for connection, belonging and building communities of thriving and peace.This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailI wanted to interview Nikkolas Smith because his art is like a lightning bolt. How does a Black man from Texas, educated at the famous HBCU Hampton University land in California to work as an Imagineer for Disney  for 11 years make a portrait of George Floyd that crosses the continent and unites the world in grieving and raising our voices for justice?  His story is stunning. His new book “The Artivist” asks us, Do you believe Art has the power to heal?I couldn’t get enough of his take on:Can all of us..and I mean all of us be an Artivist?How do we start supporting Artivism in our kids and Artist in our community?My fav quotes from him that made my face hurt from smiling so hard:“Whatever you are making or doing  Sprinkle a little activism on it. You just gotta do it!""That thing you wish you could fix in the world, the broken bone… connect yourself to that. Make some art about it. Simple as that.”He is a Concept Artist, Author and Activist….but more than that I see him challenging injustice and indifference by refusing to accept the violence of racism and police brutality quietly. His art is a blow horn, it wakes us up to beauty and our human loss. His portraits  helped us to grieve the loss of life collectively…and see the humanity that requires us to make change, His portraits create a Bridge for people..from the headlines they read in the news, to the  humanity that connects us.. This was put on full display when my home state of Minnesota was reeling after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The portrait made connections between people across communities, our country and around the world to link arms together for George. People mourned together and held up that portrait to demand justice.  When I look for people activating justice and instigating joy…he is doing it!He is also the illustrator of #1 NYT Bestse This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.

Send us Fan MailLet's  journey into the world of street level poetry and activism with the phenomenal poet, Drew Jackson. From his humble beginnings in South Jersey, we follow his path through writing hip hop lyrics, pastoring  and into the realm of poetry. What does it mean to be a black man in America? Drew's work unpacks this weighty question, exploring themes of identity, justice, and the power held within our very names. We dive into Drew's powerful poems, each one a testament to his belief in the conversation between scriptures and racial violence, Jesus and the death penalty, being a dreamer while watching injustice unfold on the news. The potency of his words will make you rethink the violence we accept from racism and the importance of standing up for those on death row. It's a provocative look at the intersection of faith and justice, providing a much-needed floodlight illuminating  the marginalized and oppressed.But it's not all heavy topics and deep dives; there's joy to be found in the small acts of justice that make a difference in our communities. Drew enlightens us about his volunteer experiences in a Catholic Worker community, and the transformative power of showing up for one another. His stories remind us all of what could happen if Love and God stepped into our headlines and got their way.   This episode isn't just a discussion—it's a call to action. So come along and join us as we watch poetry lead us to notice the pain in our headlines and take action in the streets.This is a growing podcast, will you take 30 seconds and help us?Yes! I will sign up to get the newest episode delivered by owl to my inbox!Heck yeah! I will leave a review because I know how much it helpRaising my hand to get Diana's writing on  substackFollow Diana on Social Media @dianaoestreich    Yes, I want free tools from The Waging Peace Project! Buy our book Waging Peace, One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First  to support Veterans, peacemaking and stories that are changing the world.Find our Merch here, and Wear Your Peace.Bring a Waging Peace Keynote or Workshop to your school, organization, or faith community.