Dunker Punks Podcast

Alyssa Parker, the Racial Justice Organizing intern for On Earth Peace, sits down with her mother Jennifer and grandmother Sandra. The three discuss their hopes for the future of the Church in terms of growing youth and racial diversity.

Emmy Goering discusses the differences between pacifism and peacemaking with Amy Yoder, whom she traveled to Palestine with through Christian Peacemakers Team.

How did you celebrate this year's International Day of Peace? Matt Rittle takes on a deep dive into the Franklin Grove Church of the Brethren's event, Pinwheels for Peace.

Tori Bateman interviews David Niyonzima, coordinator of THARS (Trauma Healing and Reconciliation), a peace-seeking organization that offers trauma healing techniques in the African country of Burundi. 

Kiana Simonson sits down with Laura Hay and the two discuss their various Youth Peace Travel Team experiences. Listen as they reflect on fun times and creative ways of advocating for peace.

Revisit what it means to live as stewards of the Earth in the 21st century. Jonathan Stauffer talks to Katie Heishman about her zero waste lifestyle.

Nolan McBride returns after his semester spent in England to share his experience of a pilgrimage and confirmation ceremony. Listen as he encourages you to find God’s presence in a new and different way.

Laura Weimer interviews Melody Fitzgerald Foster who attended the Families Belong Together March in Washington D.C. The two discuss how protesting, politics and faith intertwine.

The Dunker Punks Podcast attends the Church of the Brethren 2018 Annual and National Youth Conferences to interview attendees from around the country. We set up recording booths and talked to people interested in sharing their stories with the broader dunker community. Listen to hear different perspectives on the conferences and Brethren life. 

Jerry Crouse introduces us to several young adult members of the Warrensburg Church of the Brethren in Warrensburg, MO to discuss why they chose and continue to be members of the Church of the Brethren. Hear their vision and dreams for the church moving into the future.

Dana Cassell conducts an informative interview with members of the Umstead Park United Church of Christ of Raleigh, North Carolina, who are providing sanctuary for an undocumented immigrant with an active deportation order. Learn about the concept of sanctuary and find out how your church or community can become part of this growing movement.

Sarah Ullom-Minnich interviews Lucy and Becky Bowman about their work with the Malala Fund. Think about who inspires you to be an activist for change as you listen to this episode.

Ben Bear returns, this time interviewing Jess Hoffert, who left his job in Iowa to volunteer with the Principe de Paz Church of the Brethren in Santa Ana, CA. Listen as he explains what helped him follow this call to leave his comfort zone and how the experience has been a transformative one for him.

Tori Bateman interviews Gimbiya Kettering, the Director of Intercultural Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, who gives incredible insight on race relations within and beyond the church. Learn how the Church of the Brethren and Martin Luther King Jr. are connected in ways you may not expect.

Emmy Goering reflects on service. In her experience—moving cross country, tackling divisive politics and praying with a perfect stranger—serving is an impactful and rewarding challenge. Think of your own service story and that of those around you. Consider all the good grown from giving ourselves for others.

On Earth Peace Youth and Young Adult Assistant Kiana Simonson, brings together three OEP interns to discuss their roles with the organization. Listen as the four share their thoughts on finding common ground across a variety of issues including gender, racial and LGBT justice.

Brethren have incorporated themselves into society while still maintaining their beliefs for centuries. In this modern era, publications like Brethren Life and Thought provide a platform for an ever-globalizing denomination to stay connected and in community with each other. Explore this concept and more as Jonathan Stauffer interviews the Social Media Editor for the Brethren Journal Association,...

Elizabeth Ullery-Swenson brings back a panel of young adults to continue the conversation around the Church of the Brethren’s “Compelling Vision” process. Jennifer Keeny Scar, Tim Heishman, and Colin Scott return to share their thoughts, concerns and hopes for the future of the Church.

How do Christians advocate for what they believe in? More importantly, how do you? Join Emmett as he interviews Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy from the Catholics Mobilizing Network on their work to abolish the death penalty.

Nolan McBride returns, this time from the United Kingdom. Listen as he shares his search for a church-going experience similar to that of the Church of the Brethren, in a land where COB's do not exist. Will he find anything close? What will he learn along the way? Listen for these answers and more!

Where does social power come from? Laura Weimer joins us again to go in depth on privilege and power and some new insights she's gained through studying social work. She asks some challenging questions for us to reflect on.

For our 50th episode (!) Dana Cassell returns, this time interviewing Brethren Volunteer Service Director, Dan McFadden. Listen as the two exchange stories from BVS throughout the years. And find out why BVS will “ruin your life” in the best way possible.

Sarah Ullom-Minnich chats with Anna Lisa Gross about her new year. About her plans for a simple life in a van with the complex goal of creating a permaculture on her uncle's acre of land in Mexico. Anna Lisa explains, in some ways it feels very exotic and strange, but it's also a very normal lifestyle for so many people in so many parts of the world. Sarah shares the conversation to challenge us t...

In this episode of the podcast, Ben Bear demonstrates how simple living is not always easy living. Ben calls people by name to recognize their efforts in simple living. Ben proves it to be true that even small changes to simple living are important.

Sarah Ullom-Minnich presents a special podcast related to the holiday season. In this episode, Sarah reminds us of what’s really important in the Christmas season as she shares reflections from one of her community’s beloved holiday events, the Alternative Christmas Bazaar. Along with insightful yuletide contemplations, this episode offers us some new Christmas-themed music.