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Climate Changed

By: The BTS Center
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  • Summary

  • Climate Changed is a podcast about spiritual leadership in a climate-changed world. Hosted by Nicole Diroff and Ben Yosua-Davis, Climate Changed features guests who deepen the conversation while also stirring the waters. The Climate Changed podcast is a project of The BTS Center.
    Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • What Roles Can Religion Play? with Shanon Shah

    What Roles Can Religion Play? with Shanon Shah
    Feb 27 2024
    In our final episode of Season Two, we’re joined by Dr. Shanon Shah, an advocate whose work is at the intersection of faith, human rights, and climate change. Shanon's multifaceted career includes journalism, theater, and academia in Malaysia before his relocation to London. A practicing Muslim, Shanon is also a scholar in the sociology of religion and the Senior Deputy Editor of the Muslim Institute's flagship publication, Critical Muslim. He serves as the Director of Faith for Climate, a UK-based organization that seeks to empower faith communities in the struggle against climate change. This episode is an inspiring dive into the rich tapestry of Shanon's identity as a queer Muslim man and how that identity informs his perspectives on climate justice. He discusses the invaluable role that faith traditions play in shaping our understanding of climate change, social justice, and collective action. From spiritual resilience to confronting issues of power and reparations, Shanon illustrates how religion can provide both a moral compass and a community for change. Host Nicole Diroff joins Shanon Shah in exploring the role of faith communities in addressing climate change, particularly leading up to and during the COP26 conference. Both speakers wrestle with questions of power, social location, and the complex entanglements of religion with imperialism and colonialism — offering listeners a complicated but hopeful view of the potential for faith communities to play a transformative role in climate justice. Grounding: The Seed: If you attended Convocation 2021, you'll remember some really sacred moments as our Convocation music leader, Pax Ressler, shared their original song, "The Soil," commissioned by The BTS Center especially for Convocation. Pax joins us to sing “The Seed” as a grounding practice for this episode of the podcast. Several of you have asked for sheet music, and with special thanks to Pax, now it's available — and not only sheet music, but a lead sheet, a lyrics sheet, and an mp3 recording — all free for download. Topics Covered in This Episode: The significance of religious traditions in understanding and tackling climate changeHow the concept of 'Loss and Damage' equates to moral and historical reparationsThe role of power dynamics in climate justiceCollective honesty and complicated hope as pillars of climate activismCreating spiritual refuges to endure through and respond to climate changeThe resonance between Islamic and Christian scriptures in relation to social and environmental justice A Special Moment: Don’t miss the beautiful exchange between Shanon and our host, where Shanon cites prayers from Islamic and Christian traditions that encapsulate the faith-inspired vision for a just and sustainable world. Next Steps from the Conversation: Five Steps for Interfaith Understanding (via Interfaith Philadelphia’s Passport to Understanding): Be Curious: Seek to understand others.Venture Out: Experience cultures and ideas different from your own.Welcome In: Be hospitable and open, to learn about oneself and others.Stand Tall: Find pride in your own identity.Stand With: Be part of communities bigger than yourself, including more-than-human communities.Practical Next Steps: Think critically about power dynamics, especially the role of money in enabling or perpetuating societal and environmental issues.Visit Interfaith Philadelphia's website to explore their 'passport to understanding'.Reflect on Power and Religion: Think deeply about how religion can be an avenue to discuss loss, damage, repair, and particularly the economics behind it all.Check out Greenfaith.org: For those interested in the intersection of faith and climate change, focusing on who is financing climate collapse.Engage in Vision Casting: The BTS Center’s resource, 'Epistolary Practice of Play for the Seventh Generation', helps you reflect on what wisdom you’d want to pass on to descendants seven generations from now. Peterson Toscano's Red Cross Volunteering: Various ways to engage in community support through Red Cross volunteering: Disaster Action Team: Provide immediate emergency assistance. Blood Donor Ambassadors: Assist in the blood donation process. Disaster Mental Health Volunteers: Provide mental health support during disasters. Spiritual Care Volunteers: Offer spiritual guidance and support. Meet Shanon Shah Shanon is the Director of Faith for the Climate. He balanced careers in human rights advocacy, journalism, and theatre and music in his native Malaysia before relocating to London in 2010. He holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from King’s College London and is a Fellow of the London-based Muslim Institute, where he is Senior Deputy Editor of its flagship quarterly publication, Critical Muslim. He also conducts research for the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (INFORM), an independent educational charity based at King’s College London, and is Tutor in ...
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    59 mins
  • Am I the Right Person? with Margaret Wheatley

    Am I the Right Person? with Margaret Wheatley
    Jan 30 2024
    In this thought-provoking episode of the podcast "Am I the Right Person?," Ben engages in deeply insightful conversations with Margaret Wheatley, an icon in organizational leadership, and Debra Rienstra, author of Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonder, and the Healing of the Earth. Wheatley paints a grim picture of the future, citing escalating climate issues, political tensions, and social unrest. Despite this outlook, she argues that meaningful, spiritually-based work can still be done. By facing the harsh realities, humans can focus on values like kindness, generosity, and community. Wheatley emphasizes the importance of accepting that large-scale systems are unlikely to change, urging people to focus on smaller "islands of sanity" where meaningful impact is still possible. She contends that instead of grand ambitions of saving the world, we should look at what is needed in our immediate environments and ask whether we are the right people to meet those needs. For leaders feeling overwhelmed, she advises fostering environments where people can rediscover their best qualities and collaborate on shared goals. Drawing parallels with the concept of the "dark night of the soul," the discussion also explores how commitment to living meaningfully doesn't have to be tied to specific outcomes. This is especially relevant in privileged Western contexts where efficacy is often judged based on measurable results. The episode delves into the harsh truths of our time, the existential crises they provoke, and how we can still find meaningful ways to contribute. Special guest co-host Debra Rienstra joins Ben for a conversation. DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR SMALL GROUP CONVERSATIONS VIEW TRANSCRIPT Meet Margaret Wheatley Margaret (Meg) Wheatley, Ed.D. began caring about the world’s peoples in 1966 as a Peace Corps volunteer in post-war Korea. As a consultant, senior-level advisor, teacher, speaker, and formal leader, she has worked on all continents (except Antarctica) with all levels, ages, and types of organizations, leaders, and activists. Her work now focuses on developing and supporting leaders globally as Warriors for the Human Spirit. These leaders put service over self, stand steadfast through crises and failures, and make a difference for the people and causes they care about. With compassion and insight, they know how to invoke people’s inherent generosity, creativity, kindness, and community — no matter what’s happening around them. Margaret has written ten books, including the classic Leadership and the New Science, and has been honored for her pathfinding work by many professional associations, universities, and organizations. She received her Doctorate from Harvard University in 1979, an M.A. in Media Ecology from NYU in 1974, and a B.A. from University of Rochester in 1966. She spent a year at University College London 1964-65. Her website is designed as a library of free resources as well as information about products and her speaking calendar: www.margaretwheatley.com Meet The Many The Many is an uncommon, intentionally diverse collective making music for people to sing together about peace and justice and a world where all belong. Drawing on indie pop and gospel influences, The Many makes music to help give voice to faith and doubt, questions and fears, laments and longings, music that speaks to a non-violent God, a Jesus who is with us and for us, and to a Spirit that can't be easily defined or controlled. It's music for a movement of resistance to hatred and division, for reconciliation and restoration, and music that always reminds us "we are on this earth to love." Meet Debra Rienstra Debra Rienstra is professor of English at Calvin University. Her most recent book is Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth (Fortress 2022). Rienstra is also the host of the Refugia Podcast and writes bi-weekly for The Reformed Journal. She is also a member of Third Act Faith. Website: https://debrarienstra.com/ Twitter: @debrakrienstra (although I'm not on there much anymore) FB: https://www.facebook.com/debrakrienstra Instagram: @rienstradebra
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • How Do You Love the World As It Is? with Ray Buckley

    How Do You Love the World As It Is? with Ray Buckley
    Dec 26 2023
    We explore how to navigate love and responsibility in a rapidly changing world, particularly in the face of climate change. We're honored to have Ray Buckley join us for this conversation. Ray is a teacher, storyteller, author, and poet of Lakota, Tlingit, and Scots descent. He brings a unique blend of cultural and spiritual wisdom, particularly the profound understanding of what it means to be in "good relationship" with the Creator, fellow human beings, and all of creation. Ray's experiences growing up in a culturally rich environment and caring for his brother Rick have deeply influenced his worldview. (For complete show notes and full transcript visit: https://thebtscenter.org/climate-changed/podcast-season-two-episode-4/ Our conversation dives into: The concept of being a 'human being' from Native and Celtic perspectives, emphasizing balance and relationality.The importance of recognizing and respecting all of creation as "persons."The spiritual and emotional toll of losing species and ecosystems, witnessed through gatherings of elders from various indigenous communities.How to maintain ethical and compassionate behavior in a world facing the impending loss of so much life. Whether you're coming from a place of privilege or are directly affected by the struggles of the world, this episode is a heart-felt guide on how to love the world as it is, while also acting responsibly for its future. We talk about what it means to stand in "good relationship" with everything and everyone around us, and how that might just be the key to facing our uncertain future. This episode is a rich tapestry of wisdom, humor, and poignant moments that challenge us to reconsider our roles in this shared, sacred journey we call life. So take a deep breath, and prepare to be both grounded and elevated by this transformative conversation. Meet Ray Buckley Ray Buckley is the interim Director of the Center for Native American Spirituality and Christian Study. Buckley has served The United Methodist Church as a staff member of The United Methodist Publishing House, Director of the Native People’s Communication Office (UMCom) for nine years, and Director of Connectional Ministries for the Alaska Missionary Conference. Most recently, Buckley wrote Hard to Dance with the Devil on Your Back and contributed to A New Dawn in Beloved Community. Also, he is the author/illustrator of five books: God’s Love is Like…, The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition, The Wing, Christmas Moccasins, and Dancing with Words: Storytelling as Legacy, Culture, and Faith. He is also the author of Creator Sang a Welcoming Song, and Walking in These White Man Shoes, children and youth resources for the Women’s Division School of Missions. Buckley has taught in Nigeria and Ghana and served as a lecturer in Native American studies for several universities. Ray Buckley is of Lakota/Tlingit/Scots descent. Ray is one of several Native leaders profiled in As Long As the Waters Flow: Native Americans in the South and East by Frye Gillard, and The Power of Eagles: Nature's Way to Individual Accomplishment by Twyman L. Towery. Books by Ray Buckley Holy Living: Prayer Hard To Dance With the Devil On Your Back The Wing Grounding In this "Grounding" segment of Climate Changed, Peterson Toscano addresses the emotional and mental toll that caring for the world can take, especially in the context of climate change and social issues. Originally planning to record outdoors, Toscano is forced indoors due to wildfires, symbolizing the need for adaptability in a changing world. He speaks directly to his busy, concerned listeners, acknowledging the multitude of issues that weigh on their hearts, from social justice and politics to environmental worries and personal relationships. Toscano offers comforting wisdom: while you can't solve all of the world's problems, you can still make a meaningful contribution. By setting boundaries and focusing on what is personally "yours to do," you can be an effective change agent without becoming overwhelmed. The overarching message is one of empowered hope: your heart has the capacity to care deeply for many issues, and there's room for love and action even in challenging times. This podcast is a project of The BTS Center in Portland, Maine, USA www.thebtscenter.org
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    43 mins
Social Sciences Christianity Spirituality
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