One of the ways that empires have controlled populations is by rewriting history to reshape our heritage and cultural identity. Centuries later, when the truth is discovered, people still struggle to accept how their identity has been crafted by past deception. This is the story of the Phoenician Irish, the Mauritanian Welsh, the Islamic Kingdom in Middle England, and the many other examples of our rich multicultural past, and how modern empires continue to use this tactic to retain power.

Listen (18 mins)

This month the world announced thousands of sanctions against Russia in retaliation for its criminal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This episode dives into trade as a weapon wielded by (and against) empires.

How is fair trade different from exploitation?

Is capitalism truly the source of freedom in the world? (hint: it’s complicated).

Is socialism really dead? We look at Karl Marx’s insights on the contradictions of capitalism. And we analyze Ronald Reagan’s 1986 speech against sanctions to end apartheid in the context of the world’s epic sanctions against Russia for it’s criminal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Will sanctions work? We attempt to answer that, and give more context.

Listenn to episode #73

During the age of imperialism, in the nineteenth century, Europe’s empires ruled over 80 percent of the people of Earth despite being a fraction of the world. That all changed when Gandhi demonstrated that active nonviolent resistance worked. This episode dives into the life and lessons of Gandhi, culminating with modern research that shows his methods are far more effective than violence, and the only viable path to democracy.

Listen: #72 Gandhi and Empire

Season 3 (2022) begins with an episode (#71) that illustrates the structure of empire using Rome as the prototype. We examine its rivalry with Carthage and the racism and genocide that are the inevitable result of the way empires function. This introduces the themes that we will explore in the next 10 episodes.

Why are so many Americans comfortable with the USA becoming an empire? Perhaps they haven’t been paying attention.

Finally, we review the events of the past week (Russia invaded Ukraine) in this context.

Listen: Episode #71

What gives you hope? What sustains you? How could the way we see things be fundamental to our ability to change the world? The Gratitudes are short stories of people showing courage and resolve to overcome tragedy and change the world within their reach.

Do you find yourself in conversations with people who believe all the right things, but who remain stuck, unable to act in any meaningful way to fight racism?

Doing the “usual stuff” to fight racism isn’t working because it is only a quarter of what is needed. As I explain the “liberal myth,” find out through examples from Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Gandhi just how much more of a commitment it takes for change to happen.

[Listen #69: 19:50]

Continuing to explore the ways that Christian churches talk about race, here is Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal church speaking in Charlottesville VA one year after the race riots about love, titled “There is another way.”

[Listen 18:39]

It has been many years since “Black Lives Matter” and “#Metoo” have been part of everyday conversation. Yet many churches struggle in confronting race issues from the pulpit head-on. Few are laying bare the dark legacy that organized religion has had in forming a society that sees humanity through the lens of race.

America is founded on some lofty ideals, but baked into its ethos and history are many contradictions. We claim to be a moral force for good in the world yet embrace the tenets of imperialism. The service unpacks these contradictions and looks ahead to what we can do in 2020 to transform the covid-19 era into a time of growth.

This sermon was originally given on July 4, 2020 at First Universalist of Denver

[Listen 16:08]

As protests continue against systemic police brutality in the US, and activists demand that we defund the police, episode #65 explains how to start “the uncomfortable conversation” with a friend or family member — the one about white privilege, implicit bias, and a journey towards understanding.

Being a bridge between your moral center and the people you love is a balancing act. It is not without risk, and you will have to sacrifice the comfort of a relationship, perhaps for years, for the possibility of bringing about a change of heart. But to remain silent would make us complicit in the injustices that persist in this country.

To guide and inspire others considering starting this conversation, I share excerpts from my own conversation with my parents.

Listen: 17:27