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.

Welcome back to our ongoing conversation with Leann Hull. Following the heartbreaking loss of her 16-year-old son, Andy, to suicide, Leann established Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation to combat the high suicide rates and offer vital coping skills.

In this episode, Leann explores how we can transform our personal losses and traumas into sources of hope and healing. We tackle thought-provoking questions such as: Can trauma ultimately benefit us? Leann’s practical insights and deep understanding promise to offer transformative perspectives on how we approach and overcome life’s challenges. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable wisdom that could change your outlook on life.

https://andyssunshine.com/

Welcome to today’s show, where we dive into a deeply moving conversation with Leann Hull, the founder of Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation. After the heart-wrenching loss of her 16-year-old son, Andy, to suicide, Leann has dedicated her life to raising awareness about suicide and helping others navigate their own grief.

Leann’s foundation not only highlights the alarming rates of suicide but also equips people with essential coping skills for life’s toughest challenges. She opens up about her personal journey through extreme grief, offering powerful insights like:

• Healing is a conscious choice—it’s about taking ownership of your path forward.
• Grief isn’t necessarily a lifelong sentence, but it’s a process that affects everyone who’s experienced loss.

Join us as Leann shares her wisdom and hope, and let’s explore how we can support one another through our darkest times.

https://andyssunshine.com/

Welcome to part 2 of our podcast series, where we delve deeper into disrupting the status quo of peacekeeping to embrace the role of peacemakers.  In this episode, our focus remains on the transformative power of peacemaking over peacekeeping, emphasizing the need to venture beyond comfort zones to understand diverse narratives, cultures, and faith backgrounds.

As we continue the conversation, Salem Al-Marayatti shares the Mustard Seed Project—an initiative uniting American Muslims and Evangelical Christians. Salem sheds light on how this project facilitates meaningful conversations, breaking down barriers by bringing individuals to the same table. The objective is to foster genuine connections through shared meals and the willingness to engage in uncomfortable discussions.

Recognizing the existence of stereotypes and misrepresentations on both sides, we address the pressing question: How can we step in as peacemakers? Now, more than ever, the world needs individuals committed to making peace. 

The Mustard Seed Project will be hosting an event at a local mosque in Phoenix, AZ on Feb 3. You are invited to attend to listen and learn.

ICNEV-SCOTTSDALE MASJID
12125 E Via Linda, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
2pm Saturday on Feb 3

Salam Al-Marayatti is the Founder and President of MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council) www.MPAC.org

What can happen when we cross the lines and are in proximity with each other? 

In this podcast interview, Salam, a Muslim, shares his insights on faith, aiming to dispel misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. The conversation centers on fostering peace and understanding by crossing cultural boundaries, discovering commonalities, and challenging stereotypes. Emphasizing the beauty of making the 'strange' familiar, the discussion encourages listeners to connect through shared humanity while acknowledging differences. The focus is on unity, not uniformity, as the interview delves into one of our Peace-Making Principles at Amplify Peace: Listening to Understand. 

The goal is to see and love each other as fellow human beings, fostering compassion and better understanding. Salam's story, purpose, and faith offer a unique perspective that challenges listeners to view people with a fresh lens, potentially opening up a new world of compassion and understanding.

Salam Al-Marayatti is the Founder and President of MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council) www.MPAC.org

Is your neighbor limited to someone who looks, thinks, believes, and acts just like you? How we see people is how we tend to treat them. In this podcast, Pastor David Wade, Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, the oldest predominantly Black Church in Mesa, AZ (est. 1918) shares profound insights and his own personal experiences from the black community and the black faith community. 

Pastor David challenges us to rethink our perceptions and invites us into a transformative journey of seeing beyond the surface. How do you view that neighbor who doesn't share your values or beliefs, perhaps comes from a different ethnicity or faith?

During this candid conversation, Pastor David offers a unique perspective on the importance of understanding, empathy, and love. He shares inspiration from the teachings and life of Martin Luther King Jr., shedding light on how these principles have influenced his life, ministry, and purpose.

Beyond words, Pastor David exemplifies the essence of using one's voice for others. As a recognized leader of his community, he advocates passionately for the marginalized and children, embodying the profound truth expressed by MLK: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Let’s pause and reflect: What matters to you? How are you using your voice in the world? Do you truly "see" your neighbor, especially those who differ from you? This podcast is not just an interview; it's an invitation to explore how we can love better, speak up for what matters, and truly embrace the beautiful diversity that surrounds us.

We continue Part 2 of our interview with Sami DiPasquale, Founder and Director of Abara Ministries in El Paso, Texas. Is the border with Mexico the problem? Is the border the solution? What if the answer is neither? Take a deeper dive into this disruptive topic of border, immigration, immigrants, and asylum seekers and be better informed as to ways we can help and not hurt and truly see every human being as worthy.

Have you ever found yourself saying, “I didn’t know!”. That happens all the time in our work living and leading as peacemakers. There is so much from history, to present day realities that we just don’t know, haven’t been taught, or haven’t been curious enough to hear. This is one of those conversations where you might find yourself saying, “I didn’t know!”

Explore the profound connection between history, the present, and the future in the latest podcast episode, "What is the Significance of Place and Time?" Join Sami DiPasquale, Founder and Director of Abara Ministries in El Paso, Texas, as he unfolds a 500-year journey encompassing diverse ethnicities, power dynamics, conquests, and oppression—all in one impactful location. 

Discover the hidden realities of the border and immigration, gaining insights that might make you exclaim, "I didn't know!" Be prepared to leave the podcast with a deeper understanding of the term "border" and how it shapes individuals, nations, and our collective future. Tune in to be better informed and contribute to creating a more empathetic and clear-sighted future. Don't miss part one of this enlightening two-part interview with Sami.