Walk Talk Listen Podcast

Ruairidh Waddell, Chief Program and Impact Officer of World Renew connected from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Rory discusses the importance of faith-based organizations in mobilizing grassroots movements and fostering respect and equality, especially amidst growing resistance to gender equality. He shares personal motivations and experiences that shaped his commitment to gender equality, the role of faith-based organizations in defending women's rights, and the significance of collaborations like the Act Alliance. The conversation highlights the urgent need for inclusive values and transformative change led by community-level partnerships. Rory also reflects on the importance of elevating voices not present at CSW to inform gender equality advocacy and programming.

 

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You can find Ruairidh his organization World Renew on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Ruairidh on LinkedIn.

 

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Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Francesca Traglia, Co-President of the Society for Gender Professionals and former coordinator for the global gender justice program at Act Alliance delves into current challenges facing women's rights, the significance of faith-based organizations in gender equality, and strategic responses against anti-gender movements. Francesca shares her experiences, motivations, and strategies to advance gender justice, highlighting the importance of coordinated, intersectional, and persistent efforts in the global fight for gender equality. And like Ernie, she might want to hold on to her duckie.

 

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You can find Society for Gender Professionals on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Francesca on LinkedIn and Instagram.

 

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Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Nora Khalaf-Elledge, who is part of the JLI community, is a gender advisor attending the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 69) in New York to represent a working group for Sexual Violence Research Initiative (on communication with policymakers around faith and GBV). Nora is presenting about a toolkit for faith actors and policymakers on how to communicate about faith and GBV more easily. She also talked about the connection between gender equality and religion, the resistance to gender rights, and the essential contributions of faith-based organizations. Nora emphasizes the need for empathy and storytelling in promoting gender equality and shares personal insights on practicing gender equality in daily life. The episode underscores the importance of steadfast values and integrity in advocating for social justice and women's rights.

 

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You can find SVRI on social media: LinkedIn, Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Nora on LinkedIn.

 

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Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Nina Wu and Eunice Tham from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation dropped by to discuss about their experiences during the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. The discussion covers their motivations for attending CSW, the importance of youth and women’s voices in faith-based organizations, and the role such organizations play in advancing gender equality. The guests also delve into challenges they face, strategies to utilize their platforms effectively, and their personal 'duckies' (challenges) that they need to overcome for personal growth and empowerment.

 

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You can find Tzu Chi Foundation on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Helen on LinkedIn. Nina is als on Instagram and LinkedIn, Eunice is on Instagram.

 

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Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Helen Catton discusses the importance of meaningful action over mere policy-making for advancing gender equality. The episode is part of a special series recorded live from New York during the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Helen shares her extensive experience working with marginalized communities in Southeast Asia through faith-based organizations, particularly World Renew. She shares about the challenges and strategies in promoting women's rights and economic empowerment in an increasingly polarized world, stressing the critical role of faith-based organizations in community trust and social norm transformation. Helen expresses hope for continued perseverance and meaningful, context-relevant actions to drive progress in gender equality.

 

Listener Engagement:

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You can find Helen her organization World Renew on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. You can find Helen on LinkedIn.

 

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Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Joy Kimani is a gender advocate and worker for the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). Broadcasting live from the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, we discussed the ongoing fight for gender equality 30 years after the Beijing Declaration. Topics include the role of faith-based organizations, addressing violence against women and girls, and strategies to counter growing pushback against women's rights globally. Joy shares insights on interfaith dialogues, collaborative strategies, and hopes for future actions to advance gender equality.

 

Listener Engagement:

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You can find Joy her organization ERD on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram

 

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Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

In this 2nd episode of a special series of Walk Talk Listen, recorded live from New York during the 69th session on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), Irene Anena from ACT Alliance shares insights on the 30-year journey since the Beijing Declaration, emphasizing the role of faith leaders in advancing gender equality amidst growing global challenges. She discusses her contributions in Uganda and DRC, highlighting efforts to engage faith leaders in policy advocacy, education, and climate action. Irene also explores the importance of interfaith and intergenerational partnerships while addressing internal gender equality within her organization.

 

Listener Engagement:

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You can find Irene on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram

 

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Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

In this special episode of Walk Talk Listen, recorded live from New York during the 69th session on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), Andrea Kaufmann, Faith and External Engagement Director for World Vision International is our guest. She discusses the growing resistance to gender equality, the importance of global solidarity, and the role of faith-based organizations. Andrea shares insights on how to strategize effectively in the current political climate and stresses the necessity of clear communication and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The conversation touches on the Beijing Declaration's 30th anniversary, the impact of funding cuts on humanitarian efforts, and the importance of listening to opposing views in the fight for gender equality.

 

Listener Engagement:

Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.

 

Follow Us:

Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem sits down with Nikhil Bumb to discuss his journey from engineering to corporate social impact. Nikhil shares his upbringing as a South Asian American born in Wyoming and raised in South Carolina, describing how his family's immigrant experience and Jain faith shaped his worldview. He reflects on the challenges of growing up as part of a minority community, navigating cultural and religious differences, and finding his own identity. Nikhil also delves into his academic path, studying electrical engineering at Princeton University and later pursuing graduate studies at Georgia Tech, before transitioning from the technical field into a career centered on purpose-driven business strategies. His passion for making an impact led him to work with Medtronic, Deloitte, and Technoserve before settling into his current role at FSG, where he supports companies in creating equitable, purpose-driven models of growth.

 

The conversation moves into the intersection of business, leadership, and social change, as Nikhil discusses the evolving role of corporations in tackling global issues. He introduces the concept of 'shared value,' advocating for companies to integrate social impact into their core strategies, rather than treating it as a separate philanthropic endeavor. Maurice and Nikhil explore the challenges of implementing these changes, the necessity of shifting organizational culture, and the increasing recognition of systems thinking and conscious leadership in today's business world. They also discuss the role of inner development and personal growth in achieving broader systemic change, touching upon frameworks like the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and their relevance to business and sustainability efforts. Nikhil emphasizes the importance of seeing businesses not just as economic engines, but as key players in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable society.

 

Nikhil Bumb is a managing director at FSG, a nonprofit consulting firm founded by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer that helps organizations drive social change through equitable systems transformation. He leads the firm’s corporate impact work in the U.S., working with businesses to embed purpose into their strategies while achieving commercial success. With a background in engineering and an MBA, Nikhil brings a blend of analytical expertise and strategic vision to his work. He also serves on the board of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, where he champions interfaith dialogue and social justice initiatives. His experiences in interfaith engagement, corporate strategy, and systems-level thinking make him a compelling advocate for reshaping leadership and business models to meet the challenges of today’s world.

 

Listener Engagement:

Discover more about Nikhil via his LinkedIn profile and Instagram. Check the FSG website and LinkedIn profile as well.

Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.

Explore the songs selected by Nikhil and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.

Follow Us:

Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, journalist and author Roger Thurow shares his decades-long commitment to addressing global hunger and malnutrition. With 30 years at The Wall Street Journal, including 20 years as a foreign correspondent in Europe and Africa, Thurow has consistently spotlighted issues of poverty, food insecurity, and the systemic injustices that perpetuate them. He reflects on his body of work, including The Last Hunger Season: A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change, The First 1,000 Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children – And the World, and his most recent book, Against the Grain: A Deep Dive into Global Hunger. Through these works, Thurow examines how hunger persists in a world of plenty and highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and hope.

 

The conversation explores Thurow’s idea of hunger as a “disease of the soul,” framing it not just as a humanitarian crisis but as a moral failing in societies with the resources to prevent it. Drawing from his extensive reporting in Africa and beyond, Thurow discusses the power of storytelling in mobilizing action and shifting narratives around hunger and poverty. He emphasizes the critical role of smallholder farmers, the importance of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, and the broader social consequences of malnutrition. Thurow also speaks about the urgent need for what he calls the “clamor”—the collective outrage and demand for change that has historically fueled social movements. Without this global outcry, he warns, hunger risks remaining an invisible crisis, and those most affected will continue to suffer in silence. His call to action is clear: to raise voices loud enough to shatter complacency and ignite meaningful, lasting change.

 

Listener Engagement:

Discover more about Roger via his LinkedIn profile and Instagram.

Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us.

Explore the songs selected by Roger and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.

Follow Us:

Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.

Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).