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On today’s podcast, we’re joined by Rev. Kelly Dignan. In 2017, Rev. Dignan advocated for, and led her congregation – the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado – to become a sanctuary congregation, housing a Peruvian refugee mother and her children. Today’s conversation will focus on the resurgence of the Sanctuary Church Movement during the past 10 years, and how this influenced the Unitarian Universalist Church – Boulder to open up their building as a sanctuary space. We will also discuss the difficulties involved with a congregation making the complicated decision to become a Sanctuary Church as well as the victories, joys, and celebrations involved with being a Sanctuary Congregation.

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On Today’s episode of The "Center", we welcome guest Brian Beals. In 1990, Brian Beals was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to 80 years in prison. Beals was incarcerated within several prisons throughout Illinois, and during his wrongful incarceration became a published author. It was during his incarceration in a prison in Dixon, IL that Brian along with other prisoners developed the Mud Theater Project, a prison-based theater group that has produced several award-winning plays. In December 2023, because of evidence produced by the Illinois Innocence Project, Brian’s conviction was overturned, and he was released from prison after a total of 35 years of being incarcerated in a combination of county jails and state prisons. In January 2025, just a year following his release, the Mud Theater Project produced and presented a performance of their production “Searching For Justice” at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. The venue was sold out for the event. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Brian Beals to The “Center.”

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On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Sister Janet Ryan, OSF, and Eric Anderson. Our conversation will focus on the impact that restorative justice practices have on those who are incarcerated, and also on the staff working within the prison system in the state of Illinois. As a member of the community of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, Sister Janet Ryan has been a guest on The “Center” podcast before to discuss the work that she does with Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, IL. Eric Anderson was formerly incarcerated in the Illinois state prison system. Since his release in 2023, Eric has worked with Sr. Janet Ryan to facilitate Circle Keeper and restorative justice trainings in some of the same prisons where he was once incarcerated. 

Please note: The views expressed here are individual views that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa.

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On today’s episode of The “Center” we welcome our friend, Kurt Kreiter. Kurt was a guest on The “Center” in September 2023, when we discussed prairie ecology and the importance of regenerating and maintaining prairie lands in Iowa. Today, Kurt and host Marsha Thrall discuss why every day is Earth Day while they talk a little bit more about prairie ecology and discuss the geological and geographical origins of the Driftless Area that starts in Northern Minnesota and extends south into the Clinton County area of Iowa. Marsha and Kurt will also discuss the origins of Earth Day, and how we can celebrate the beauty and majesty of our common home every day. 

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On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Carrie Donaire, the 2024-25 president of the Rotary Club of Clinton, Iowa. Under her leadership, the Rotary Club of Clinton will host its first annual Food Security Summit on Thursday, March 27, 2025. 

The Food Security Summit aims to bring together Clinton’s social service agencies and county organizations to collaborate on developing sustainable solutions to food insecurity, including promoting community planning, and raising awareness about resources available to those who are struggling with food insecurity within the community of Clinton.

Carrie’s Peace Corps service in Nicaragua focusing on food security and agricultural initiatives has influenced her love and interest for developing this project, and the goal for the project is to “unite local organizations… to influence meaningful progress in the fight against food insecurity in Clinton.”

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On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Reggie Russell, Executive Director of Empowerment Through Sports, a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping youth overcome violence through youth sports. Reggie will talk about how youth sports help the youth in Clinton schools overcome violent influences, and contributes to the success of all youth who participate in organized youth sports. 

Please note: The views expressed here are individual views that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa.

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This week's guest on The "Center" will be Eli McCarthy, Ph.D., a professor in both the Peace and Justice Studies and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University. Currently, Eli serves as the Just Peace Fellow with Franciscan Action Network and on the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative's steering committee, a Pax Christi International project. He has written for the Huffington Post, National Catholic Reporter, and The Hill. During the conversation, Eli will discuss the importance of being nonviolent peacemakers during political unrest and insecurity.

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Welcome to The “Center” – I’m your host Marsha Thrall. On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Dr. George Belitsos, current chair of the Board of Directors for the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery. Dr. George, as he is affectionately referred to by colleagues and friends, is the founder and Executive Director - Emeritus of Youth and Shelter Services (YSS) based in Ames, IA. It was Dr. George’s experience with at-risk youth at YSS, including LGBTQIA+ youth who were often forced into situations of human trafficking, that led Dr. George to found the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery, a statewide organization that advocates for legislation that protects those victimized by human trafficking in all of its forms. Since its founding in 2005, INAHT has worked to have 20+ pieces of legislation passed in the state of Iowa, including legislation that increases the number of penalties a person convicted of trafficking can face if convicted under human trafficking charges, and Safe Harbor legislation which protects underage persons victimized by human trafficking.

In his retirement, Dr. George lives with his husband Peter at Hobbit’s Hill, a 25-acre farm dedicated to housing and raising rescue llamas, goats, and chickens. Welcome Dr. George Belitsos!

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On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Deputy Chief of Police Jim Ballauer, and Corporal Joshua Winter of the Clinton Police Department for an update on the landscape of human trafficking in the City of Clinton, Iowa, and its neighboring communities.

This week’s podcast is one in a continuing partnership with the Clinton Police Department to educate the public about the modes of human trafficking present in Clinton, and how the public can respond to the constantly changing landscape of trafficking within our community.

Please note: The views expressed here are individual views that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa.

"Sweet Times" is by All Bets Off, and is provided by Adobe Stock.

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On today’s episode of The “Center,” we’re joined by contemplative activist Leslye Colvin. Leslye is a writer, educator, and spiritual companion rooted deep within her Catholic faith. Leslye writes her blog “Leslye’s Labyrinth” and has been published in the National Catholic Reporter and U.S. Catholic. Leslye serves on the boards of FutureChurch, and NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice.

During today’s conversation, Leslye and podcast host Marsha Thrall will discuss how embodied empathy can direct social equity and advocacy work, and how both the Advent and Christmas seasons can remind us to compassionately live in community with one another beyond the holiday season itself.

We hope you find comfort and motivation to advocate for social equity from listening to this conversation.

Please note: The views expressed here are individual views that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa.

"Sweet Times" is by All Bets Off, and is provided by Adobe Stock.