In this clip from Episode 5, Rev. Leslie Mills shares her story of traveling to Phoenix in 2010, getting arrested, and spending the night in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 4th Avenue Jail. She explores the narrative arc of the events that led up to her decision to drive across the country to participate in the National Day of Non-Compliance, while drawing out the interconnected web of people that had to come together for something like this to happen.

Sparks of Justice is a podcast hosted by Leslie Mills with the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). The first season consists of six episodes interviewing UU activists from Minnesota, exploring each person's path to getting involved in social justice, resources for overcoming heartbreak, and the rewards of being involved in movements for change.

In this lively conversation, Rev. Kelli Clement shares her journey from a fundamentalist upbringing to becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister deeply engaged in social justice, particularly reproductive justice. As a bonus, she turns the tables on our host and draws out Leslie's story about traveling to Phoenix to get arrested while protesting anti-immigration legislation in 2010. From the importance of relationship to the deep human need for play, Kelli emphasizes the need for action as a response to despair and a source of resilience in the work of justice. She also highlights the role of young activists and the importance of personal connection to justice issues, advocating for a covenantal approach couched in Unitarian Universalist values.

00:00 Introduction

01:39 We've Got a Live One!

04:08 Early Influences and Understanding of Justice

06:46 The Shift to Justice in Ministry

09:20 Showing Up for Reproductive Justice Work

11:10 The Importance of Engaging in Justice Work

13:58 Leveraging Institutional Strength

16:34 Getting Involved in Justice Work as a Lay Leader

20:36 Play and Art for Spiritual Resilience

22:16 The Antidote to Despair

23:35 The Importance of Choosing to Get Involved

25:07 Grounded in Religious Naturalism

30:07 Kelli Turns the Tables

41:58 Living Within Our Limits

43:47 Healing Religious Wounds

52:48 Finding Glimmers

54:11 Waking Our Hearts

Sparks of Justice is a podcast hosted by Leslie Mills with the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). The first season consists of six episodes interviewing UU activists from Minnesota, exploring each person's path to getting involved in social justice, resources for overcoming heartbreak, and the rewards of being involved in movements for change.

Julica Hermann de la Fuente is a coach, educator, and healer dedicated to moving our Unitarian Universalist institutions towards social justice and liberation. This episode explores Julica's journey from being a passionate college activist through burnout, healing, and finding a more sustainable and fulfilling path forward. From the importance of institutional change, to the healing aspects of activism, Julica shares her experiences with heartbreak in the field, coping with vicarious trauma, and using education as a means of preparation for when tragedy hits. Together, we explore the intersection of faith and activism, encouraging listeners to engage in justice work as a means of personal and collective growth so we can create the future our children dream of.

00:00 Introduction

01:46 Moving to Minnesota

02:51 Being Mexican in Michigan

04:54 Social Justice Work and Evolution

06:43 Approach to Justice Work: Educator and Healer

09:23 Creating Change in Institutions

11:23 Occupying Bridges

12:38 The Art of Preparing for Change

15:34 The Momentum of Institutions

17:19 Passing the Baton

21:19 Commission on Institutional Change

24:23 Embodied Awareness and Dealing with Overwhelm

29:08 Choosing Allies and Finding Your Role

31:54 Sheet Cake

34:07 Mama Moses

37:09 Making Miracles

39:59 Gotten by Faith

42:19Unitarian Universalism's Commitment to Change

45:30 Ethics, Morality, and What is Good

46:18 Out of the Comfort Zone

47:56 Leaning into Opportunities for Engagement

Sparks of Justice is a podcast hosted by Leslie Mills with the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). The first season consists of six episodes interviewing UU activists from Minnesota, exploring each person's path to getting involved in social justice, resources for overcoming heartbreak, and the rewards of being involved in movements for change.

Rebecca Donley is a professional advocate for people who have survived domestic and sexual abuse. With warmth, grace, and candor, she shares the story of her journey into this deeply emotional work, her experiences with burnout and recovery, and ultimately her vision for building strong communities that are sustained on a network of healthy relationships. How can we help bring this new world into reality? By reaching out to one another, building trust, and healing our stories -- together.

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Finding Unitarian Universalism

03:10 Getting Involved in Advocacy

08:07 How to Hold Someone Else's Story

11:53 Pod Mapping

15:11 Emergent Strategy

18:21 Love and Rage

21:31 Evolving Activism

26:22 Where Burnout Comes From

29:03 Healing Burnout and Finding a Different Way Forward

32:45 Another World is Possible

35:40 Creating Healing Everywhere

41:22 It All Comes Back to Us

45:37 An Ecosystem of Care

48:39 Orienting Towards Utopia

51:10 What Makes You Come Alive

Sparks of Justice is a podcast hosted by Leslie Mills with the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). The first season consists of six episodes interviewing UU activists from Minnesota, exploring each person's path to getting involved in social justice, resources for overcoming heartbreak, and the rewards of being involved in movements for change.

Nico Van Ostrand is a Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries Specialist with the UUA. In today's episode, Nico emphasizes the interconnectedness of diverse justice movements and the deep need for intergenerational activism in community. Whether engaging on a large scale or a very personal level, Nico believes that social justice should be joyful, even as it is challenging and sometimes painful. Join us as we explore the deep interdependence between social justice and faith, and what justice work can look like when we hold love at the center. How can Unitarian Universalism address white supremacy culture and create a more inclusive and justice-centered faith community? By finding our people, and following our joy.

01:55 Relationship to Unitarian Universalism

04:15 Early Engagement in Social Justice

07:33 College Activism and Finding Purpose

10:53 The Power of Community and Collective Action

13:53 Attitude and Approach in Activism

16:55 Balancing Theory and Praxis

22:58 Interconnectedness of Justice Movements

23:27 Finding Ways to Engage in Activism

31:04 The Importance of Relationships in Justice Work

36:50 The Joy and Fulfillment of Justice Work

40:51 Impact of Disengaging from Justice Work

43:09 The Importance of Joy and Connection

44:42 Navigating Racism in Beloved Communities

47:44 Intergenerational and Multicultural Approaches in Unitarian Universalism

53:36 Why Get Involved?

56:52 Love is at the Center

59:01 The Use of Ritual

01:00:52 Activism Informing Faith

01:05:08 The Intersection of Filipino Community and Unitarian Universalism

01:08:56 Find Your People

Sparks of Justice is a podcast hosted by Leslie Mills with the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). The first season consists of six episodes interviewing UU activists from Minnesota, exploring each person's path to getting involved in social justice, resources for overcoming heartbreak, and the rewards of being involved in movements for change.

Lena K. Gardner is the executive director of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU). She shares her journey of finding community and activism within Unitarian Universalism, her call to social justice work, and the importance of anger in creating change. Lena also talks about the challenges and heartbreak involved in social justice work, and how she finds strength and hope in the power of collective action. The conversation explores the themes of power, liberation, and the importance of community. Lena emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-determination as sources of power, and the need to challenge societal systems that perpetuate inequality. She encourages individuals to cultivate a healthy sense of mistrust and to envision and create a better world.