Inviting Oneness

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity.

For the next handful of episodes we’ll be listening in on the Opening Interfaith Devotional ceremony that kicked off the 2025 Festival of Faiths. 

Today, we’ll hear prayers from the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cincinnati Robert Casey, Former Counselor of the Cincinnati North Stake for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Curtis Hansen, Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr, the Executive Director of the Ohio Council of Churches, and Jim Newby, the Minister and Public Friend at Cincinnati Friends Meeting.

If today’s story moved you and you’d like to get involved visit us at equasion.org to find out more about the Volunteer Summit on September 17. 

Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity.

For the next handful of episodes we’ll be listening in on the Opening Interfaith Devotional ceremony that kicked off the 2025 Festival of Faiths. Today, Rabbi Dr. Gary Zola shares his opening remarks. 

If today’s story moved you and you’d like to get involved visit us at equasion.org to find out more about the Volunteer Summit on September 17. 

Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity.

For this week, we have stories from six people at the Gathering for Good, who shared a personal moment where they experienced oneness. Here’s Deb, Minda, Eric, Allison and Lisa.

For this week, we have stories from six people who stopped at EquaSion’s booth at the Festival of Faiths and were brave enough to share a personal moment where they experienced oneness. Here’s Crew, Adam, Lauri Anne, Bryan, Danielle and Ava.

If today’s story moved you, we invite you to learn more about the Festival of Faiths, the Gathering for Good, our work at EquaSion, or to share your own story of oneness, visit us at equasion.org. Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity.

For this week, we have stories from six people who stopped at EquaSion’s booth at the Festival of Faiths and were brave enough to share a personal moment where they experienced oneness. Here’s Crew, Adam, Lauri Anne, Bryan, Danielle and Ava.

If today’s story moved you, we invite you to keep the conversation going in person this Sunday, June 29th at the Gathering for Good, where we will conclude the Cincinnati Festival of Faiths with music, games, art and ice cream. To learn more about the Festival, our work at EquaSion, or to share your own story of oneness, visit us at equasion.org. Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity.

This week’s storyteller is Haroon Moghul. Haroon is a board member at EquaSion and is founder and President of Queen City Diwan, a company that educates and empowers people of all ages through travel. In 2023 and 2024, EqualityX named Haroon one of the fifty most influential Muslims in the Americas.

If today’s story moved you, we invite you to keep the conversation going in person at this year’s Festival of Faiths on June 22nd—a day of dialogue, music, and community rooted in compassion and unity. To learn more about the festival, our work at EquaSion, or to share your own story of oneness, visit us at equasion.org. Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity. Across traditions, we find affirmations of oneness. 

Quentin L. Cook, an elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, writes, “Unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity.”

This week’s storyteller is Alycia McClurg. Alycia is a program manager of the 2025 Festival of Faiths.

If today’s story moved you, we invite you to keep the conversation going in person at this year’s Festival of Faiths on June 22nd—a day of dialogue, music, and community rooted in compassion and unity. To learn more about the festival, our work at EquaSion, or to share your own story of oneness, visit us at equasion.org. Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity. Across traditions, we find affirmations of oneness. 

In Zoroastrianism the oneness of all begins with the spark of divinity contained within all humanity.  Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism, otherwise known as Zarathustra is credited with saying in his Gathas, “Oneness with the entire creation can be achieved by following only one path, and that is the path of righteousness."

This week’s storyteller is Bakhtavar Desai or, as some of us know her in Equasion, Becca. In addition to being involved with Faith Communities Go Green, Becca, along with her husband Fred, will be an honorary co-chair for the Festival of Faiths. 

If today’s story moved you, we invite you to keep the conversation going in person at this year’s Festival of Faiths on June 22nd—a day of dialogue, music, and community rooted in compassion and unity. To learn more about the festival, our work at EquaSion, or to share your own story of oneness, visit us at equasion.org. Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity. Across traditions, we find affirmations of oneness. 

Jim Newby is the Minister and Public Friend at Cincinnati Friends Meeting. In his book, Finding Yourself in Chaos, co-authored with Mark Minear, Jim says, “The ways of the world encourage individualism but growth in the spirit of Christ will accentuate the interconnectedness of all people and the care we should have for one another.”

This week’s storyteller is Deidre Hazelbaker. Deidre will be joining EquaSion as the new Executive Director beginning in July. 

Deidre’s personal history embarks on a journey driven by creativity, optimism, and infectious energy. She has nurtured her commitment to community service and making a positive impact over time. Originating from middle-of-nowhere, Ohio, and as she later achieved milestones in marketing and design, her life story metamorphosed into a testament to her unwavering dedication to shattering the glass ceilings that women often encounter.

While staying in state, but far from home, she graduated from Bowling Green State University. Starting off as a graphic designer, she later pivoted to marketing at Perfetti Van Melle, the maker of Mentos and Airheads candy.

While six months pregnant, she started her own digital marketing business. This was the beginning of her journey as a business leader, focused on digital strategy and social media. Working with local brands like Gold Star Chili and Kroger Simple Truth, she learned the value of practical tactics that yield results and truly listening to your clients and customers. She also got involved in important missions, like Quit Culture, which aimed to reduce smoking in Black communities. She sold the business at the end of 2021.

Deidre Hazelbaker is a strategic marketing and communications consultant supporting Wordsworth PR and mission-driven organizations. She leads data-informed campaigns that build awareness and drive engagement, overseeing the development and execution of content strategies across digital platforms. In addition to her marketing work, Deidre provides support in development strategy and board management, helping organizations strengthen donor relationships, increase fundraising capacity, and foster more effective governance.

Her engagement isn't just professional; it extends into the Loveland, Ohio community and her active involvement with Cincinnati Friends Meeting, Loveland Schools, family sports and activities and volunteering. Within her family, she has two happy-go-lucky daughters, a partner who is also her best friend, and an adorable chocolate lab. Their shared love for outdoor activities brings them closer together.

If today’s story moved you, we invite you to keep the conversation going in person at this year’s Festival of Faiths on June 22nd—a day of dialogue, music, and community rooted in compassion and unity. To learn more about the festival, our work at EquaSion, or to share your own story of oneness, visit us at equasion.org. Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity. Across traditions, we find affirmations of oneness. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks says, “We are each different, but we are each in the image of God. The unity of humanity is not in uniformity but in our shared divine dignity.”  His words remind us: oneness isn’t an idea—it’s an experience. And today, we continue listening for it, one story at a time. 

This week’s storyteller is Sandy Kaltman. Sandy is the vice president of the board of EquaSion and was the co-chair of the first festival of faiths in 2018.

If today’s story moved you, we invite you to keep the conversation going in person at this year’s Festival of Faiths on June 22nd—a day of dialogue, music, and community rooted in compassion and unity. To learn more about the festival, our work at EquaSion, or to share your own story of oneness, visit us at equasion.org. Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.

Welcome to Inviting Oneness, a podcast where we explore true stories from friends and members of EquaSion—stories where the illusion of separateness gave way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity. Across traditions, we find affirmations of oneness. In his first appearance, Pope Leo XIV, said, “Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace.” His words remind us: oneness isn’t an idea—it’s an experience. And today, we continue listening for it, one story at a time. 

This week’s storyteller is Andrew Musgrave. Andrew is a program manager of the 2025 Festival of Faiths and has served as the Director of the Catholic Social Action Office for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati since 2019. The CSA Office empowers Catholics to celebrate the Gospel call for life, human dignity, and care for creation. In addition to work on multiple matters of justice, the CSA office works on rural life, ecumenical and interfaith projects, faithful citizenship, and global solidarity. Andrew earned his B.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and his M.A. in Public Service & Nonprofit Management from Marquette University, and he is a proud husband to Ana – a hospice social worker – and father to Layla (17) and Juliet (10). Prior to coming to Cincinnati, he worked in Milwaukee for 15 years, both in the nonprofit and faith sectors. He has focused his career on community building, food systems, education, social services, housing, and community organizing, and his passions include racial justice, immigration advocacy, interfaith collaboration, and caring for God’s creation.

If today’s story moved you, we invite you to keep the conversation going in person at this year’s Festival of Faiths on June 22nd—a day of dialogue, music, and community rooted in compassion and unity. To learn more about the festival, our work at EquaSion, or to share your own story of oneness, visit us at equasion.org. Until next time, may we keep inviting oneness—within ourselves, and with one another.