Today, I’m honored to welcome someone who has been a mentor, a friend, and a bridge-builder in the truest sense of the word—Joe Tosini. Joe is a pastor, global speaker, and the Founder and Visionary of the J17 Movement—a movement rooted in the prayer of Jesus in John 17: “that they may all be one.”

Joe has spent decades building authentic relationships across deep divides—Protestant and Roman Catholic, evangelical and liturgical, global north and global south. His life is a beautiful example of what happens when we choose presence over platform, and love over fear.

His long-standing friendship with Pope Francis, and the spaces he’s helped create for unity and reconciliation, have not only opened doors around the world—they’ve opened hearts. Today, we’re diving into what that journey has looked like, why unity matters now more than ever, and how we can all become bridge-builders in a divided world.

His life reflects the rare kind of leadership that flows not from platform, but from proximity. He doesn’t just talk about unity—he lives it. And his unlikely friendship with Pope Francis has become a living witness to what is possible when Jesus is at the center.

Joe shares how a simple but powerful prompting from God ignited a global call for relational unity—one that crosses denominations, cultures, and borders.

Meet Joe Tosini—pastor, leader and bridge-builder. Joe is the Founder and Visionary of the J17 Movement, a global call to relational unity inspired by the heart of Jesus' prayer in John 17, “that they may all be one.”He is also one of the most networked and relational people you’ll meet.

Joe and I dive into a story few can tell — his rare and remarkable friendship with Pope Francis. Through nearly fifteen personal encounters, Joe experienced firsthand the humility, humor, and humanity of a man often seen only from a distance.
We talk about what it’s like to sit across from Pope Francis — not as Protestants and Roman Catholics — but as brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing conversations rooted in Jesus, unity, and compassion.

Joe shares powerful, personal moments that reveal the heart of a leader who believed deeply that we cannot flourish without the voices of the marginalized and those who the world overlooks.

It’s a conversation about friendship, transformation, and the kind of unity the world is aching for right now.

It’s personal. It’s inspiring. It’s hope-filled.

How would you define a good death? Most of us don’t wake up thinking about death. It feels distant, something to deal with 'someday.' But what if understanding the end of life could actually help us live more fully today? What if embracing the reality of our mortality could bring more purpose, more love, and more peace into our daily lives? 

​"Anticipating Heaven" a new book by Dr. Pamela Pyle is a guide that combines practical advice with spiritual comfort to help individuals and their loved ones navigate serious illnesses and the final stages of life. Drawing from her extensive experience as a Board-Certified Internal Medicine physician, Dr. Pyle shares from these experiences and her expertise. Amazing, inspiring stories shared that you won’t soon forget! 

In this episode, Joizeth Waldmann discusses how labels and assumptions hinder genuine connection for all of us. Through personal stories of cultural change, you are invited to rethink how you treat others and build bridges of understanding.

Joizeth Waldmann shares her immigrant story as she had to flee her home country. She takes up deeper into her struggles with language, cultural labels, and finding her voice. This episode challenges us to look past stereotypes and truly listen to one another's stories.

Where does the US rank out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index? On this special MLK Holiday episode of Amplify Peace Radio, Lisa and Larry Horton dive into the answer while reflecting on their favorite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Together, they explore the profound connections between peace, service, and personal responsibility. Larry shares insights from his work as a Rotary Peace Activator and discusses how individuals, no matter their role, can create a ripple effect of positive change. Tune in to hear inspiring stories, practical takeaways, and a powerful reminder of the role each of us plays in building peace in our communities and beyond.

What’s the difference between keeping peace and building peace? In this episode of Amplify Peace Radio, Lisa sits down with Larry Horton, Past District Governor with Rotary and a passionate Peace Activator, to explore this transformative question. As a former police officer, Larry shares his journey from enforcing laws as a peacekeeper to addressing root causes of conflict as a peacebuilder. Together, they unpack the profound impact of shifting from temporary solutions to creating lasting change, diving into the concepts of positive peace versus negative peace. With powerful stories, practical insights, and a call to action, this conversation will inspire you to see peacebuilding in a whole new light.

What if the path to unity begins by inviting the unexpected to our tables? In this powerful follow-up episode, authors Mark Nelson and Heather Gorman dive deep into the transformative power of shared tables, from communion to community, where everyone belongs—even those we once kept at a distance.

Mark and Heather challenge us to break down barriers, inspired by Jesus' vision for radical unity in John 17. They explore what it means to step out of echo chambers and embrace the unknown, with moving stories of real-life tables that bridge pain and joy, difference and connection.

If you’re ready to push tables together in a divided world and find hope in unexpected places, listen in and ask yourself: Who will you invite next to your table?

Remember those lunchroom tables from school? Were they welcoming spaces, or did they feel exclusive? In this episode, authors Mark Nelson and Heather Gorman invite us to rethink our tables—whether in our homes, boardrooms, or churches—as places for genuine connection and unity.

Drawing from their new book Lunchroom Theology: Pushing Tables Together in a Fractured World, Mark and Heather challenge the habit of inviting “only people like us” and explore Jesus’ call to unity in John 17. They discuss how breaking down these divides isn’t just a choice; it’s the way forward in a world that longs for connection and belonging.

Who are you inviting to your table?

Step back in time and reconnect with a familiar voice and a favorite friend! Jonathan Sanborn, the former host of Counter Culture Radio with Amplify Peace, is back—bringing his signature blend of stories and insights. Have you recently moved, started a new job, or stepped into a completely new environment? Jonathan knows exactly how that feels. It can be exciting, challenging, and sometimes a little chaotic. We talk more about all of this and how we can move forward intentionally.