Proclaim Peace

Jen and Patrick are joined by Sarah Perkins to explore the profound ways stories shape our understanding of peace, justice, and reconciliation. They focus on the contrasting peacemaking styles of Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha. Sarah shares her journey as a writer, filmmaker, and peacemaker, emphasizing the power of faith, imagination, and human connection in transforming conflicts into...

Marianne Viray joins Jen and Patrick to delve into the dynamics of conflict and peacemaking within leadership and society, drawing lessons from the biblical story of Jonathan, David, and Saul. They explore how leadership decisions can influence societal polarization and offer practical tools for engaging with leaders respectfully. The discussion emphasizes the importance of modeling civility and v...

Jen and Patrick are joined for a profound conversation with conflict transformation pioneer John Paul Lederach, who shares deep insights on peace, reconciliation, and the power of moral imagination rooted in faith and human connection. They explore the story of Jacob and Esau, why reconciliation is a horizon more than an event, and the four ways to use moral imagination to achieve reconciliation. ...

Terryl Givens joins Jen and Patrick as they explore how faith traditions, especially within Christianity and Latter-day Saint teachings, approach the difficult questions surrounding violence in the Old Testament. Terryl shares insights on understanding scripture, God's nature, and the path to peace amidst challenging texts. Main Topics: How do we define peace and its relation to faith, hope,...

Jen is joined by guest co-host Maybree Spilsbury and guest Réka Bordás as we explore the biblical stories of Abraham, Lot, Sarah, and Hagar through the lens of peacemaking, sharing practical insights on conflict resolution, boundary setting, and maintaining relationships amidst differences. Our guests, experienced in conflict transformation and peacemaking, offer valuable advice on fostering conne...

Patrick and Jen discuss peace and leadership with Rabbi Sam Spector through the story of Joseph. They explore the Hebrew concept of "shalom," meaning complete peace, and its relevance to personal and national contexts. The conversation highlights lessons from intergenerational conflicts in biblical narratives, emphasizing communication and reconciliation. Rabbi Spector shares insights on...

Jen and Patrick are joined by Daryl Davis to explore the profound lessons of peace, unity, and diversity through the biblical story of the Tower of Babel. They engage in a compelling dialogue about how understanding, communication, and exposure can transform hatred into harmony. This episode reminds us that peace begins with understanding and that even in the most difficult conversations, empathy...

Jonathan Walker (Jen’s brother!) joins Jen and Patrick in this episode as we dive into the profound and complex biblical story of Cain and Abel, examining themes of conflict, motives, and reconciliation from multiple perspectives. They emphasize that peace begins with understanding our internal motives, choosing accountability, and aligning with divine principles rather than external resolutions....

Melaney Tagg joins Jen and Patrick to share her insights on building Zion through peacemaking from her personal experiences with facilitating local community dialogue. She emphasizes the importance of seeing others as divine manifestations of God, the need for divine assistance in peacemaking, and the role of language in conflict resolution. The discussion also covers the Venn Diagram Project, whi...

Jen and Patrick are joined by Mallory Everton to explore the themes of personal peace, the complexity of relationships, and the foundational story of Adam and Eve as a lens for understanding conflict and decision-making. They discuss the importance of vulnerability, self-compassion, and the role of creativity in navigating life's challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for community...

Jennifer Finlayson-Fife joins Jen and Patrick to discuss the multifaceted nature of peace, particularly in the context of relationships and marriage as they read about Adam and Eve. She emphasizes that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but involves a sense of well-being and mutual respect. The discussion explores the importance of navigating differences, the role of conflict in fostering...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace podcast, hosts Patrick Mason and Jennifer Thomas are joined by Jared Halverson to explore the themes of peace and conflict through the lens of scripture. They discuss the significance of division in creation, the life-giving aspects of conflict, and the balance of opposites in relationships. The conversation delves into the creation, fall, and atonement as a d...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason welcome listeners to Season Two, emphasizing the ongoing need for peacemaking in a world filled with conflict. They discuss the importance of the Old Testament as a source of wisdom for peacemaking, highlighting its lessons on humanity, redemption, and God's unwavering support. The hosts encourage listeners...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Proclaim Peace podcast, where hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason will read through the Old Testament through the lens of peacemakers. Join us with special guests to discover what we can learn about how to follow Jesus Christ's example of being a peacemaker from the oldest stories in the Bible. For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

For this 3 part bonus mini series, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason engage in a thoughtful conversation with Paul Lambert from the Wheatley Institute. Together, they explore the complex emotions and tensions that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may experience when feeling attacked or judged. The discussion highlights three common responses: retreating inward, tryi...

For this 3 part bonus mini series, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Aaron Dorfman of A More Perfect Union to explore the experiences of Latter-day Saints as a minority community, especially in the wake of recent events that highlight the challenges faced by religious minorities. They reflect on the importance of understanding the dynamics of being part of a smaller faith commu...

For this 3 part bonus mini series, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Nealin Parker from Common Ground to reflect on recent tragic events affecting the Latter-day Saint community, including the death of President Nelson and a horrific attack on a local ward that resulted in multiple fatalities. As they process these heavy developments, they discuss the emotional toll on church m...

In this special live recording of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hostJennifer Thomas is joined by repeat guest Chad Ford to discuss the impact of recent events on their community and the importance of fostering peace amid fear and conflict. Chad shares insights from his research on conflict mediation, emphasizing how fear can hinder collaboration and peace-building. The conversation highlights the si...

In this bonus episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, host Jennifer Thomas explores the challenges of political engagement in the face of slow or no change. Jennifer shares her conversation with Julie Rose on the Uncomfy podcast, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in peacemaking. The discussion highlights how discomfort is often a necessary part of fostering understanding and building relat...

In the final episode of Season 1 of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason reflect on their journey through the Book of Mormon and the principles of the gospel that promote peacebuilding. Join them as they celebrate their journey and the pursuit of becoming better peacemakers. [00:02:45] Podcast origins and purpose. [00:04:40] Peacemaking through sacred texts. [00:08:4...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Scott Rasmussen from Interfaith America to reflect on their journey through the Book of Mormon as they approach the series' conclusion. They share their insights on how this process has transformed their understanding of the Book of Mormon, particularly the final book, Moroni, revealing unexpe...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason explore a broader understanding of peace and peacemaking. They emphasize the importance of expanding the conversation to include diverse perspectives and forms of peace. Joining them is Dr. Jeannie Johnson, a popular professor of political science at Utah State University and director of the Groundbreaking Cente...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Rosalynde Welch to dive into the Book of Ether, a lesser-known book within the Book of Mormon. They discuss its unique historical context and the challenges it presents, while highlighting its valuable lessons for peacemaking. The conversation centers on the importance of making thoughtful decision...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Bellweather International founder Rachel Miner to tackle the difficult and sobering topic of genocide. They emphasize the importance of peace builders acknowledging and confronting the realities of evil and suffering in the world. Jennifer highlights that a key trait of peace builders is the abilit...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason continue their exploration of peacemaking principles derived from the gospel and the Book of Mormon. They share thoughts from the last words of the prophet Mormon, emphasizing how the Book of Mormon serves as a vital connection during turbulent times. The conversation highlights the scriptures' candid appro...