Dunker Punks Podcast

What do you do when the work you’ve devoted your career to suddenly disappears? In this episode, Pastor Matt Rittle speaks with two former staff from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the federal agency that provided humanitarian aid across the world for 64 years before it was abruptly dismantled in 2025. Debbie Kaliel and Maury Mendenhall each spent over a decade in the H...

    In this episode, we learn about the experiences of families affected by the deportation crisis as Pastor Josiah Ludwick is joined by OEP’s Educator and Organizer for the Deportation Defense Response (DDR) team and a church member integrally involved in the work of supporting our new neighbors. The mass deportations sweeping our country are rooted in fear, and Josiah and his guests discuss conc...

  What can the experience of peacemakers in Northern Ireland teach us about our own cultural conflicts and tensions? Today Anna Lisa Gross, co-pastor at Beacon Heights, sits down with Calvin Brown, a Manchester University student who recently returned from a Brethren Volunteer Service placement at Corrymeela, a peace and reconciliation center founded in 1965 in Northern Ireland.  Built on the...

Have you ever felt discomfort over which Bible verses get confidently cited and which get overlooked? For example, Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,” has been cited throughout American history to justify compliance with oppression. And yet, the two verses preceding urge: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to...

What does it mean to choose Anabaptism rather than grow up in it? Lily Kennedy and Emily Keefer reflect on their journeys to finding Anabaptism and share how their faith has transformed through their life experiences. Shaped by this faith, Lily now works at a Washington DC-based nonprofit, while Emily recently finished a term with the Mennonite Voluntary Service and will start her Master of Divini...

As we recognize signs of a rise in authoritarianism in the US (deploying the military domestically, leaders refusing to give up power, blaming outsiders for our problems, and weakening of democratic processes), why is it important for people of faith to make our voices heard? How can we as Anabaptists make a difference? Check out this episode as Rhonda Baker (Kingian Nonviolence, HOPE-PV and Freed...

Join us as Brigitte Zawadi and Hannah Nelson draw on their experiences to share ways we can cultivate peace in our communities and our daily lives – to live peacefully, simply, together. Brigitte is an intern at the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, and master’s student in Peace Studies at Bethany Seminary, from the Church of the Brethren in Rwanda. Hannah is a Brethren Volunteer Service volunte...

Pastor Josiah Ludwick speaks with Rev. Founa Badet, Church of the Brethren Director of Intercultural Ministries, about her work with the Deportation Defense Response (DDR) Team. She shares ways you can get involved in that work and how your faith community can meet this moment to support human rights. Red “Know Your Rights” Cards mentioned in the episode Other Know Your Rights and immigration reso...

In this episode we listen to Rachel Johnson and Anna Schweitzer, the coordinator and assistant coordinator for the Church of the Brethren National Youth Conference (NYC). They share their plans and thoughts as they prepare for NYC 2026 in Colorado. NYC is a week-long event held every four years for high school-aged youth. The 2026 theme is “Light Within us.” We invite you to take a listen! Nationa...

  Womaen’s Caucus 2025 Annual Conference programs featured Jennifer Keeney Scarr, Denise Kettering Lane, Laura Stone, and Lindsay Wenger sharing wisdom about individual and collective trauma. This DPP episode highlights conversations from a follow-up webinar, exploring the interplay of trauma and violent language.    The initial panel presentation at Annual Conference and a longer versio...

Welcome back Dunker Punks Podcast! In the returning episode of Dunker Punks, we hear Molly Stover-Brown talk about her journey to being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and how she worships as a devout Christian at the same time. Molly explains how she found the courage to come out to her family and friends.  Song and Story Fest is referenced several times in the episode. It is a week-long, progress...

In this final episode of this dunker punks season which was centered around catharsis,  Josiah Ludwick and Melanee Resk Discuss the holy chaos found at Haywood Street church and how they have experienced catharsis and we invite you to take a listen. Documentary that Melanee refers to in our chat: https://theirsisthekingdomfilm.com/ Find out more about Haywood Street: https://visitor.r20.constantco...

In this special bonus episode M. Gresh interviews Lydia Morris on her first time at annual conference. She gives a interesting point of view about her time at annual conference as well as how fellowship has been for her since she was married into it and we invite you to take a listen. Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes Subscribe Newsletter Sign Up Questions + Ideas Email Dunker P...

Catharsis is the process of releasing tensions and stressful emotions. Knowing how much stress weighs on the current generation, this episode of the Dunker Punk Podcast offers a way to a brighter future. Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes Subscribe Newsletter Sign Up Questions + Ideas Email Dunker Punks Podcast Full Episode List Join the Team DONATE to DPP

This is part 3 of a 4 part series “Dunker Punks Live” in this episode you will hear from 2 people in denominational leadership especially the LGBTQ+ community involvement with the church. We invite you to take a listen.   Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes Subscribe Newsletter Sign Up Questions + Ideas Email Dunker Punks Podcast Full Episode List Join the Team DO...

Jennifer Summy talks about what is an adventure and what isn’t. For something to be an adventure it has to be fun, mysterious, and even uncomfortable sometimes. And we invite you to take a listen!   Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes Subscribe Newsletter Sign Up Questions + Ideas Email Dunker Punks Podcast Full Episode List Join the Team DONATE to DPP

  Dot has a calm, sensitive, and almost therapeutical conversation with the viewer as they listen about different possible scenarios in someone’s life which some viewers might be able to find relatable. Dot also reflects on ways he has been effected by catharsis in his life and we invite you to take a listen.   Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes Subscribe Newsletter Sig...

Colby interviews “Music Folk” about where they are from and how they are serving us with their musical talents. The group also remarks on using music in worship from all different kinds of cultures and how faith isn’t designated to one language. And we invite you to take a listen.     Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes Subscribe Newsletter Sign Up Ques...

  Beth Gaver talks with Melia Klingler, Samar Makufa, and Anesu Makufa about their personal experiences with the rise of gun violence happening in the US, especially in public school systems. They also talk about the kids who attend public schools where they practice “lockdown drills”, safety, and fear of going to school.   Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes...

  Anna Lisa Gross talks with youth on a mountain about the youths’ involvement with politics as well as conversations about mass incarceration issues. The talk is an educating and eye opening experience about how youth view current situations, and we invite you to take a listen.   Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes Subscribe Newsletter Sign Up Questions + Ideas Em...

Join us at Annual Conference 2023, as Anna Lisa Gross sits down for a live queer panel discussion, which includes Everett Fisher, Liz Ullery Swenson, and Annabeth Roeschley. They each share their experiences of attending Annual Conference over the years and the progression of LGBTQ inclusion at this yearly event. Annabeth uniquely shares about her first impressions of Annual Conference as a first-...

Marylynne and Lily, two young people from the Arlington Church of the Brethren, interview retired pastor, Rev. Nancy Betz Fitzgerald. Pastor Nancy shares stories of growing up with her dad as an American Baptist preacher. She shares about her own call into ministry, her hopes for youth ministry today, how the Dunker Punks Podcast began, and how she is spending her retirement. Listen in with open e...

Colby of Wichita First Church of the Brethren interviews 3 teenagers from their congregation about their thoughts and opinions of Christianity, the Church of the Brethren as a denomination, and their own congregation. They share the ways that they have been involved in their location congregation, district and denomination and how this involvement has shaped their personal beliefs. The interview e...

Anna Lisa Gross interviews Jonathan Bay. In this episode, Jonathan shares about the work of The Women’s Caucus over the past 10 years while he has been working with the caucus. He shares his hopes for the future of the church while he transitions out of his role with the Women’s Caucus. Jonathan also shares about his current work, life in Scotland and the rewarding work of loving a dog with specia...

Nate Hosler of the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy interviews Chidinma Chidoka (Chidi), a Nigerian trained lawyer. She speaks about the intersection of theology and policymaking that can help us build peace within our local communities and around the world. Facebook Like Twitter Follow Instagram Follow iTunes Subscribe Newsletter Sign Up Questions + Ideas Email Dunker Punks Podcast Full Episode...