Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life

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 on Buzzsprout


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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Episode 66. 
Lindsay shares her experiences as an Orthodox Jewish woman, discussing her deep engagement with Orthodox Judaism, the challenges and frustrations she faces within her community, and her efforts in advocating for women's inclusion and agency in religious practices. This is a fitting conversation during the Jewish holiday of Passover, with its themes of journeys, change, and relationship with God. Also, one of the key elements of the Passover Seder just held around the world, is asking questions. Lindsey, in her ongoing Jewish study, teaching, and earlier doctoral work, is dedicated to asking questions and seeking the answers from within her British Orthodox perspective. Her lifelong passion for studying the Jewish sacred texts, as well as decades spent on increasing Orthodox women’s engagement with that material testify to the richness of these texts, and the value of using your knowledge to effect change, however long it takes.

Highlights:
·       Lindsay's diverse roles and influences
·       Women's agency in Orthodox Jewish communities
·       Fulfillment and commitment to faith through Torah study
·       Teaching and leading study groups
·       Evolution of Social Norms and Halakhic Decisions
·       Engagement with Orthodox learning, feminism, and at the London School of Jewish Studies
·       Struggles and frustrations faced by women in the Orthodox community

Social Media links for Lindsay: 
London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), Religion & Global Society Unit (RGS) – https://www.lse.ac.uk/rgs 

London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) – https://www.lsjs.ac.uk/ 

Abraham Initiatives, UK – https://abrahaminitiatives.org/taiuk/

Council of Christians & Jews – https://ccj.org.uk/about-us 

Midreshet Lindenbaum (Seminary) – https://www.midreshet-lindenbaum.org.il/

Nisa-Nashim – https://www.nisanashim.com/

Nishmat (Seminary) – https://nishmat.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/14953056


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. 

Episode 65.
This is the second part of my conversation with Audrey Reich. In this second part, Audrey talks about how she incorporates her Jewish teachings and values into her art classes, creating a diverse and open environment for her students. Whether teaching in a Jewish school or a secular school in New York City, Audrey's experiences with students from various cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds have inspired her to foster open dialogue and appreciation for different perspectives. She also reflects on her personal art, and how her artworks have been influenced by her visits to Tarnów, Poland where her father’s family comes from. 

Highlights:

·       Teaching art in Jewish and secular K-12 schools with diverse student populations.

·       Engaging discussions about international events like the funeral of Queen Elizabeth.

·       Managing open discussions and differing opinions in the classroom.

·       Personal experiences and connections related to Jewish history and heritage.

·       Discovering personal connections and roots in Tarnów relating to her family history.

·       Audrey's personal art and how it reflects her experiences.

Social Media links for Audrey:

Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center – https://hhrecny.org/generations-forward/#unger

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/14866705


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. 

Episode 64.
Since Muslims are currently celebrating Ramadan, Nayma has graciously returned to the podcast to share her experience of the annual holiday, what she does and why it is important to her. For Nayma, Ramadan is a capsule of light, a pause button releasing her from the hamster wheel of daily life. She takes us on a journey through the traditions of iftar, the unique aspects of Ramadan in Bangladesh and the U.S., as well as the profound impact of fasting on the mind, body, and spirit. She reveals the spiritual significance and explains the critical elements of the annual month-long holiday: fasting, breaking the fast in community, prayer, reading the Qur’an, and giving charity.

Highlights:
·       A celebration of strength and mindfulness.
·       Connection with God and engagement with the community.
·       Mindful practices and self-restraint.
·       Amplification of prayers and attention to God.
·       Detox for mind, body, and soul.
·       Variety of iftar meals in the US compared to Bangladesh.

References:
Nayma's episode #26 - Grateful to God
https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/podcast-1/episode/7a113141/26-nayma-tasnim-islam-grateful-to-god

Yaqueen Institute articles on Ramadan –
- https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/paper/how-does-ramadan-work-a-beginners-guide

- https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/pillar-4-what-is-the-purpose-of-fasting

Recipe – Beguni (Chickpea flour battered deep fried eggplant):

Ingredients: 
4 Tbl. Chickpea flour
One 4-5" eggplant
Chotpoti Moshola (Chat Masala)
Cayennne Pepper and Cumin Powder (alt. to Chat Masala)
Salt
Oil (for deep frying)

Steps:

1. Cut eggplant in half lengthwise and 2-3" wide slices.
2. Mix Chickpea flour with salt and Chotpoti Mashala (Chat Masala). Add water to make a thick paste. 
3. Season the batter with Chotpoti Moshola (Chat Masala) or ground Cayenne pepper, ground Cumin and salt.
4. Heat oil in a frying pan for deep frying.
5. Season eggplant slices with cayenne pepper (optional), cumin and salt to taste.
6. Coat the eggplant slices with seasoned chickpea batter and deep fry them until golden brown. 
7. Serve hot with Tamarind sauce, Raita, Tzatziki or sour cream.

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/14781162

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. Learning about how Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith can prompt questions and exploration.  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. 

Episode 63.
Audrey Reich is an artist and art teacher in New York and is also involved in Holocaust education. Audrey is a speaker and board member of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center. Daughter of two Holocaust survivors, she credits her parents with modeling awe and appreciation, openness and curiosity. Despite their trauma, deportations, and long paths to the U.S. they each managed to heal some and focus on building a new future. They neither dwelt in the past nor forgot it. Audrey has much to share, so I have made it into two parts. In this first part, we talk about her family, childhood, Poland, and begin exploring her teaching. 

Highlights:
·       The evolution of Audrey's engagement with the Jewish community, from a conservative synagogue to an open modern orthodox community
·       Audrey’s parents are Holocaust survivors. The impact of their resilience and curiosity about life, is evident in their openness to different backgrounds and stories.
·       The importance of active remembrance of the past, coupled with a focus on reconciliation and moving forward rather than living in anger and resentment.
·       Audrey's exploration of Poland and China to document her family's story and her role as the family's storyteller.
·       Audrey's efforts to bridge cultural differences, particularly in relation to the Jewish community in Poland.
·       Audrey's approach to educating students about the Holocaust, emphasizing the role of active witnesses and the impact of carrying on the victims' stories.
·       Lessons learned from art history and Judaism, and how they intersect in the appreciation of nature, craftsmanship, and the ability to create something from nothing.

Social Media links for Audrey:
Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center – https://hhrecny.org/generations-forward/#unger

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/14687177


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. 

Episode 62.
Esteemed scholar Dr. Amir Hussain, Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles), author of five books, and immediate past President of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) joins me for a lively discussion of the contemporary Muslim experience in North America. Despite the presence of Muslims arrived in the US in the first slave ships, the long history of participation in American society has gone unnoticed and unappreciated. Certainly, since the September 11 terrorist attack and now again with the war in Gaza, Muslims have been subject to harassment and Islamophobia. Many such acts of hate are motivated by inaccurate and misguided assumptions about Muslims, who they are and what they believe. The day-to-day life is not all bad nor is it the same in every place. Amir and I cover these and other topic in this engaging conversation.


Highlights:
·       Diversity within American Islam, including ethnic and sectarian differences
·       Cooperation and understanding between different religious groups in the U.S.
·       Stereotypes within the Muslim and Jewish communities
·       Coexistence, integration, and blending into society for minority communities
·       Misperceptions about Islam and Muslims
·       Importance of education in changing perceptions and the need for diverse Muslim representation

Social Media links for Amir: 
Loyola Marymount University – http://faculty.lmu.edu/amirhussain/
American Academy of Religion (AAR), Immediate Past President – American Academy of Religion

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.talkingwithgodproject.org/podcast-1/episode/7f3bd8f1/bonus-understanding-the-american-muslim-experience-dr-amir-hussain


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.