By Meli Solomon, the Talking with God Project
Religion and faith are important for millions of people worldwide. While ancient traditions can provide valuable beliefs and values for life, it can be hard to apply them to our lives today. And ye
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The podcast currently has 77 episodes available.
Episode 76.
In part one, we talk about her Jewish practice at UMass Amherst, where she is now a senior. Part two will cover her engagement on campus in support of Israel and the need for bridge building. Given the tensions on many campuses last year around the Israel/Palestine situation, talking to some college students is timely. I am eager to also speak with a Muslim student who can share their experience, so if you or someone you know is interested, please get in touch. You can reach me through my website – www.talkingwithgodproject.org.
Bio:
Aviva graduated from Gann Academy, the Jewish day school in Waltham MA, in 2021, and is now a senior at UMass Amherst, majoring in Food Science. At UMass, Aviva is involved in both the Food Science Department and in Hillel, the campus organization supporting Jewish students.
Aviva serves on various executive boards and committees related to both Food Science and Jewish life, and has earned numerous awards for her work. Most recently she received the 2023-2024 StandWithUs Movement Builder Award for Creativity and Impact, an award based on her deep understanding of the campus climate.
Highlights:
00:00 Modern Orthodox students need place to observe Shabbat.
05:53 Balancing Shabbat observance with secular relationships.
08:52 Disconnecting from phones fosters real-life community interactions.
10:25 Hillel supports Jewish college students' diverse needs.
14:28 Gender roles provide clear, valued community participation.
20:15 Finding other ways to feel valued, contributing
22:29 Valuing everyone fosters belonging across all identities.
Social Media links for Aviva:
UMass Hillel website – https://www.umasshillel.org
StandWithUs website – https://www.standwithus.com
UMass Food Science website – https://www.umass.edu/food-science/
StandWithUs Instagram @StandWithUs and @StandWithUs_Campus
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project website
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15736756-a-jewish-feminist-finds-modern-orthodoxy-at-college-aviva-stein
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The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 75.
In celebration of my 75th podcast episode, I am highlighting three different ways that people live their ancient religion today. I talk about keeping Kosher (Jewish dietary laws), Sue Howard shares her evangelical Christian tenet of the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and Katrina Kincade explains her conversion or reversion to Islam and starting to wear a hijab (Muslim veil) at work.
Highlights:
· Daily practice makes abstract concepts real.
· We live into our religion over time. It evolves as we learn and change.
· Meli – Kashrut (Jewish dietary laws) infuses daily life with holiness.
· Sue – Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit gifts.
· Sue – Pursuing spiritual life leads to bring peace and joy, blessing and love.
· Katrina – Finding balance and peace in Islam during tumultuous times.
· Katrina – Starting to wear a hijab at work.
References:
Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23] – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” NIV
Mussar, a Jewish practice – https://mussarinstitute.org
Sue Howard's podcast episode 'A Gift from God for a Christian'
Katrina Kincade's podcast episode 'A New Public Muslim Face'
Social Media links for Sue:
LinkedIn – Sue Howard
Holistic Leadership website
Grove Books, collection on spirituality
The Vineyard Church
Social Media links for Katrina:
LinkedIn – Katrina Kincade
Instagram – @katrinakincade
Twitter – @katrinaknews
TikTok – @katrinatheereporter
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project website
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15619902-are-ancient-religions-relevant-today-meli-solomon-sue-howard-and-katrina-kincade
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 74.
Rabbi David Levin-Kruss is a Jerusalem-based life coach, educator, and community organizer. David sees himself as a bridge between Jewish wisdom and those who want to utilize this wisdom to live more meaningful lives. In this conversation, we talk about his coaching practice often using a text to explore issues in the client’s life.
David has held educational and leadership positions at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Melitz Centers for Jewish Zionist Education and at Stanmore Synagogue in north-west London.
Highlights:
· Basics of coaching: forward-looking, strength-based, and problem-solving approach
· Coaching as a mechanism and the client already having the answers within them
· Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ view on coaching and contemporary problems
· Technique of reframing negative texts or songs into positive messages
· Emphasis on peace over absolute truth or justice in a Jewish law court
· Differences between education and coaching, emphasizing the role of the teacher in drawing out understanding within the student
· Value of interreligious dialogue and listening to people teach their own faith's texts
Social Media links for David:
Email – [email protected]
Article about David’s methodology – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-tinkertoy-kid-2/
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15548253-texts-meet-a-jewish-coaching-methodology-david-levin-kruss
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 73.
Prianka Alam has retained the dedication to helping her family and Muslim community in Maryland that she learned as a young immigrant child. The financial uncertainty growing up has prompted a craving for stability and security as an adult, in short a boring life. These desires drove Prianka to focus on her education, career path and a husband who would be Muslim and a good partner for future children. She has found all of that and more, though it brings the expected stress and demand to wear many hats – DEI professional, wife, mother, daughter, student of Islam and volunteer as a board member of Penny Appeal USA. COVID increased the need to juggle competing demands, while Ramadan offers her ease, more open time for studying the Qur’an, and guiding her children.
Highlights:
· It is difficult to be a Muslim in the US, but she’s grateful for the struggle.
· Government policies and social attitudes affect how she lives as a Muslim. The family’s safety is always considered.
· She’s rarely seen colleagues who are also Muslim, a woman of color, or South Asian.
· Islam inspires her to work with purpose and help those in need.
· Ramadan is an opportunity to study the Qur’an and celebrate with her family and community.
References:
Yaqeen Institute – https://yaqeeninstitute.org/what-islam-says-about
Social Media links for Prianka:
Penny Appeal USA – https://pennyappealusa.org/
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15468085-a-muslim-woman-in-corporate-america-prianka-alam-rerelease
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 72.
After two-and-a-half years of consistent podcast production, I am taking a short break. To ensure you have something to listen to, I am re-releasing episodes. You are also welcome to look through the back catalogue and listen to other episodes you might have missed. Thanks as always for your interest and support.
Today’s re-release is episode 53, featuring Abdur-Rahman Syed. Abdur-Rahman, a Muslim raised in Karachi Pakistan, he currently lives in three countries, carrying the richness of his interreligious extended family and early experience of adjusting to various cultural environments. Fortified by these formative years and his years in marketing, Abdur-Rahman is creating a book called Prophetic Persuasion. Using words of four prophets from the Abrahamic faiths, he stresses the value of common messages through which people can influence others and establish a moral compass. In conversation, we explore the challenges of bringing such sources into the workplace and how to balance uniqueness of vision and need to find common ground among other things.
A note from my guest, Abdur-Rahman: “Meli and I approached our conversation with caution given the backdrop of the escalating Israel-Palestine war. I fear I was too cautious in distancing myself from the conflict. While some things are complex, others are simple. We must continue to seek dialogue while also speaking for justice and for peace.”
Highlights:
· Prophetic Persuasion elements derived from biblical and Quranic prophets: Moses, Jesus, Joseph, and Mohammed
· Framework: listen, give, connect, imagine, invite, love.
· Enriching lives and providing a moral compass in the business world
· Challenges of discussing faith in the workplace
· Business application of the ‘Listen before you speak’ principle.
· Risk of selectively interpreting scriptures and traditions
· Different interpretations based on proximity to the source
Social Media links for Abdur-Rahman Syed:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdurrahmansyed
Website – www.propheticpersuasion.org
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15398179-islamic-prophetic-persuasion-abdur-rahman-syed-summer-rerelease
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 71.
Kyle is a Master of Theological Studies student at The Gloria L. and Charles I. Clough School of Theology and Ministry of Boston College. He also works at the Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership at Hebrew College. Originally from Texas, Kyle has long been involved with interfaith engagement. He has also worked as a freelance journalist, in college campus ministry, and in higher education.
In this conversation we talk about the joys and challenges of his interfaith work, which began in high school, as well as his experience in Israel while on a Fulbright scholarship. Kyle’s dedication and passion for his Catholic faith and engaging with people of other faiths comes through loud and clear.
Highlights:
· Studies, interfaith work, faith, and Israel.
· Fulbright program in Israel supported conflict resolution degree.
· Changed worldview after studying in Israel.
· Vatican's theological papers and his beliefs as a Roman Catholic
· Navigating challenges, embracing moments, fostering understanding.
· Political diversity is important for interreligious work.
References:
· Vatican Encyclical Nostra aetate, Pope Paul VI (1965)
· “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)
Social Media links for Kyle:
Religion News Service – Kyle Desrosiers
LinkedIn – Kyle Desrosiers
Interfaith America – Pride in Jerusalem: In Celebration of LGBTQ People of Faith
Interfaith America – Building Community in Quarantine
Stained Glass Travel – Hospitality Transcending Language and Faith
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15319465-interfaith-work-as-a-catholic-kyle-desrosiers
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 70.
Najiba is the Muslim chaplain at Tufts University and a life coach. She holds a B.A. in Peace and Justice Studies from Wellesley College and a Masters in Social Work from Boston College. Her passion is to facilitate pathways for people to discover and develop their whole selves - spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, intuitively and more. She believes that we each have our own unique path to forge when it comes to our journey to know ourselves and ultimately to know God. In this episode, we explore the Enneagram system and the connection Najiba sees between the ancient system and Islam.
Highlights:
03:36 Balancing religious beliefs and traditions, seeking guidance.
06:51 Enneagram examines human behavior through 9 patterns.
11:35 Enneagram deepened self-awareness and challenged spiritual persona.
18:41 Authenticity and diversity in behavior and communication.
34:15 Enneagram types have vices and virtues.
37:37 Act with a pure intention, strive toward it.
39:05 Balancing personal intentions and serving others and God.
References:
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - https://www.themyersbriggs.com/MBTI
The Mussar Institute - https://mussarinstitute.org
Social Media links for Najiba:
Muslim Enneagram podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/muslim-enneagram/id1594718032
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15241160-the-enneagram-and-islam-najiba-akbar
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 69.
Terrlyn was already my guest on the first episode of the year, number 58, and has returned for this Bonus episode. As such, we will focus on a topic rather than her personal faith path. In this case, we will talk more deeply about her work on dismantling racism, how that relates to DEIB – diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – as well as the relationship between social justice action and awareness of difference. If you have not already listened to her earlier episode, I encourage you to do so, though today’s discussion stands on its own. A link to that earlier episode is in the show notes. To learn more about Terrlyn’s work and her two books, Dismantling Racism: Healing Separation from the Inside Out and Sacred Intelligence: The Essence of Sacred, Selfish & Shared Relationships, check out her social media links, which are listed below.
Highlights:
· DEIB and her focus on racism.
· Intersectionality and acknowledging uniqueness.
· Race (and religion) as proxies for bridging differences.
· Systems of oppression and regional differences.
· Using gender-inclusive language in worship.
· Questioning the assumptions of privilege and the importance of languaging.
· Being a follower of the radical Jesus and advocacy for the marginalized.
References:
Dismantling Racism – Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery (ep. 58)
Peggy McIntosh, “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”
Social Media links for Terrlyn:
Sacred Intelligence – www.sacredintelligence.com
Dismantle Racism Movement – www.dismantleracismmovement.com
TEDx Speaker: Wounded by Religion
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/terrlyncurryavery
Instagram – revdrtlc
Twitter – RevDrTLC
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-terrlyn-l-curry-avery/
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/15161177
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 68.
Jeanne is an award-winning and bestselling author and essayist. Her most recent novel, Daughter of a Promise, was published recently. The third novel of a trilogy, it follows Eden, published in 2017 and The Nine, published in 2019. While not originally planned as a trilogy, the three novels weave stories of family privilege or struggle, love, desire, and social expectations especially of women. In today’s episode, Jeanne talks about the key issues in Daughter of a Promise a coming-of-age story set in contemporary America, and how it echoes the biblical story of David and Bathsheba. Jeanne also shares her personal faith path of conversion to Reform Judaism and how her engagement with Judaism informs her writing.
In addition to her writing, Jeanne helps lead the Boston Book Festival and GrubStreet, one of the country’s preeminent creative writing centers.
Highlights:
· Jeanne's personal faith path and conversion to Reform Judaism.
· Themes in "Daughter of a Promise", a coming-of-age story.
· Accidental development of the trilogy and connections between the three books.
· How "Daughter of a Promise" echoes the biblical story of David and Bathsheba.
· Societal progress and change.
Social Media links for Jeanne:
Website – www.jeanneblasberg.com
Substack – https://jeanneblasberg.substack.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jeanneblasbergauthor/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jeanneblasbergauthor/
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/15120491
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
Episode 67.
Luis Ferreiro is the CEO of the Spanish family museum exhibition company Musealia, which creates and manages traveling exhibits that educate and inspire us about major world events. The exhibit currently in Boston Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away, which he produced in conjunction with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum addresses this historical site and environs through more than 700 objects. In this upcoming podcast episode, Luis talks about the inspiration for and core message of the Auschwitz exhibit. He also talks about another exhibit, currently showing in Madrid, The Berlin Wall: A World Divided. Interwoven through these topics is the role his Catholic upbringing plays in his life and exhibition work.
Highlights:
· Influence of Luis’s Catholic upbringing
· Development of exhibition Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away
· Influence of Viktor Frankl's book "Man’s Search of Meaning" after the loss of Luis's brother
· Inspiration for The Berlin Wall: A World Divided exhibition
· Church of Reconciliation and Bernauer Strasse
· Redemption and its connection to Christian and Jewish perspectives
· Significance of religious traditions and international museum work
References:
Viktor Frankl – Man’s Search for Meaning
Church of Reconciliation, former East Berlin, Germany (GDR).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ZMppvkqoI
https://www.visitberlin.de/en/chapel-reconciliation
Brendan Killian’s Living Our Beliefs episode God, Sobriety + Art
Social Media links for guest:
Musealia website – https://www.musealia.net
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/15037534
Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [email protected]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/
The podcast currently has 77 episodes available.
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