Let's Talk: Faith & Justice

Tune in to this special podcast episode with our friend Char Mansfield, a Seattle local who believes ordinary people can do extraordinary things through Christ. Driven by the unwavering belief in the radical nature of the gospel, Char has gained seminary and social work credentials to shape a ministry that honors the holistic nature of human need. They are currently working to start an urban monastic community for folks in re-entry from prison. This is an episode you do not want to miss!

In this opening episode of 2026, Elizabeth and Ivy reflect on a challenging 2025 characterized by "overwhelmed" spirits and a "cloudy" outlook. Moving into the new year, they introduce the theme of Prophetic Imagination and explore how to "unform" the malformations of empire and capitalism through faith. The conversation centers on a series of intentional "R" words—Rootedness, Refreshing, Relinquishing, Resilience, and Resistance—as essential tools for spiritual survival and justice work. Elizabeth and Ivy also highlight upcoming BFJN events, workshops and ways to engage, including a book club study of Sabbath as Resistance, a storytelling workshop focused on listening across differences, and the March Micah weekend of service, more information is available online at www.bostonfaithjustice.org/events.

Ivy and Elizabeth pull back the curtain on how they process the current state of the world. More importantly, they discuss how to turn that energy into action. Learn about our biggest event in years, "Reflecting and Reimagining," on November 15th, a night of fellowship and a fundraiser designed to deepen our understanding of housing justice through the power of storytelling and story-listening. Listen now to find out how you can support our work!

In this episode we welcome our guest John Lane for a conversation on homelessness and housing. John shared his personal journey from homelessness to stable housing and recovery, highlighting the challenges of navigating the system and the importance of finding purpose and support. Additionally, John recognizes that everyone’s path into and out of homelessness is unique and describes the challenges faced by individuals in the shelter system, highlighting the lack of immediate solutions and the energy required to simply survive. Elizabeth acknowledged the importance of understanding these experiences to better assist those in need, leading into a discussion on how Christian communities can help. We hope this episode allows listeners to further understand the complexities of homelessness beyond surface-level assumptions, while also equipping us with practical ways for individuals and churches to help people experiencing homelessness.

In this episode, we sit down with Rev. June Cooper and Elizabeth for a powerful conversation about finding community and living a courageous and intentional life, even in challenging times. They explore how to build meaningful connections through consistent presence and service, drawing on June’s work in Roxbury and at Mass and Cass. Additionally discussing the challenge of staying informed without getting overwhelmed and the importance of "being" before "doing." Elizabeth and June also discuss learning how to cultivate inner peace and courage, navigating the challenges of social media, staying connected to their values amidst a screen-dominated world and prioritizing intentional living. Finally, they provide a fascinating look into an upcoming Civil Rights Pilgrimage, discussing how engaging with the civil rights movement can help us navigate difficult conversations about race and justice today, check out the Events page on our website for more information.

We are back with Season 4 of the Let's Talk: Faith & Justice Podcast! In this episode Elizabeth and Sarah Blumenshine, the director of Intercultural Ministries at Emanuel Gospel Center, discussed faith and justice, with Sarah sharing her background in teaching and work with immigrant communities. They explored how religious communities are responding to current political and social challenges, particularly regarding immigration, and discussed the importance of reducing distance and increasing proximity to better understand and support affected populations. The conversation concluded with discussions about immigration advocacy, reliable information sources such as Mira Coalition and the Immigrant Family Services Institute (ifsi-usa.org), and the role of faith in addressing social issues, with Sarah emphasizing the need for individuals to take action while acknowledging their limitations and relying on divine grace.

“But remember that hope isn’t something we need to conjure on our own. It is a grace that God gives, allowing us to face evil and death, yet still believe that the life-affirming Spirit is always at work within and around us, bringing about good.We are the ones who must dare to believe that seeds of new possibilities, invisible to us now, have already been planted in the soil of our lives, and they are slowly taking root. New life will emerge from the ashes of what is lost. – Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde

In this special podcast episode we get an introduction to our amazing summer intern, Sarah Adegbite, a a master of theological studies candidate at Harvard Divinity School. In this conversation Sarah and Elizabeth delve into the intricate relationship between Decolonial Christianity and slavery, with Sarah sharing her academic insights on how Christian theology both justified and, surprisingly, offered liberation to enslaved people, while highlighting the challenges of documenting these histories through biased archives. She also discusses the vital work of churches acknowledging their historical complicity in slavery, a necessary step for healing and understanding. The conversation then moves to the concept of decolonial lament, emphasizing that it's not a one-time apology but a continuous process of acknowledging historical truths and the profound damage caused, resisting the urge to quickly "fix" things. Finally, Sarah introduces her exciting initiative: a housing justice database for Massachusetts, designed to connect churches and Christians with resources for education, volunteering, and advocacy to address housing insecurity, a project Elizabeth enthusiastically supports for its potential to systematize knowledge and mobilize communities. This database will be presented to our community and we encourage listeners to check out the Housing Justice page on our website in the coming weeks for more information and resources.

In this episode of "Let's Talk Faith and Justice," hosts Elizabeth and Ivy delve into the challenging task of navigating current world events through the lens of faith, emphasizing the grace of taking each moment as it comes. Ivy shares how the comforting words of Proverbs 3:5-6, especially in "The Message" translation, have offered solace and grounding by lovingly guiding her to trust in God and lean not on her own understanding, acknowledging Him not just in her actions but also in her thoughts and mindset. The discussion highlights the vital role of community, exemplified by their "Lament, Learn and Act" cohort, as a space for vulnerability and shared burdens, echoing the communal roots of Christianity. Together Elizabeth and Ivy reflect on the painful impact of events like ICE raids and cuts to global health funding, leading to a deeper, more compassionate exploration of how faith traditions and disciplines, much like the reading of scripture such as the Psalms of David, tenderly offer strength and guidance for enduring and acting with love in an uncertain future. Listeners are warmly invited to share their own experiences of finding comfort and enacting change within their spiritual journeys.

From an English degree at Holy Cross to foreign exchange trading and even culinary arts in Paris, Carrie Coughlin's varied career ultimately led her to her true calling: nonprofit work. Now the Executive Director of Friends of Boston's Homeless, Carrie discusses the organization's mission, and wide array of programming and services, Carrie also discusses how listeners can engage with their community. A key part of the conversation centers on providing a deeper understanding of what unhoused individuals face, defining terms such as "wraparound services" and the severe impact of federal funding cuts on "Friends," which has resulted in a surge of requests from families and a pressing need for more resources, like beds for children. Carrie also shares about a $25,000 matching challenge for their Family Support Fund and upcoming events, all aimed at fostering greater compassion and empathy for those experiencing homelessness.

Tune in to this special podcast episode with Brandy Brooks, a new friend of Ivy's through our "When We Walk By" book group, but a longtime friend of BFJN! In this discussion Brandy and Ivy discuss their faith journeys, what brought them to BFJN, the importance of aligning one's actions with God's teachings, and the need for Christians today to live out their faith authentically. They explored the disconnect between Christian values and actions, emphasizing the importance of repentance, community building, and understanding God's nature through His word, making reference to various passages throughout both the Old and New Testament. Brandy expresses hope and praise for God's truth shining through despite human error, distortions and failures and proposes a vision for faith leaders in Massachusetts coming together to lament, confess, and recommit to living out God's word with a deep focus on justice.