Humanitarian Collaborative at UVA

Let's Talk: Faith and Aid

Government EN ↓ 4 episodes

Let’s Talk: Faith and Aid is a limited-series podcast presented by the Humanitarian Collaborative at the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. At a moment of deep uncertainty for the humanitarian sector, this podcast explores the often underexplored role of faith, as a lived force that can motivate empathy, giving, and action. Through conversations with scholars and practitioners across the humanitarian world, this series will examine how faith—in all its forms—may be able to spark public compassion and help revive a more unified humanitarian movement in...

Author

Humanitarian Collaborative at UVA

Episodes

S1E4 - Let’s Talk: Faith on the Frontlines 30.01.2026 39:47

In this episode, Jule Voss, a University of Virginia alumna and former Global Policy Specialist with USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, speaks with Samira Fatma Barucha Hahmoras and Despina Namwembe of the United Religions Initiative. Drawing on their lived experiences across diverse faith traditions, Samira and Despina reflect on how faith—whether expressed through religion, spirituality...

S1E3 - Let's Talk: God, Government, and Giving in the US 30.01.2026 37:53

In this episode, Kate Katch, a practitioner fellow with the Humanitarian Collaborative, speaks with Bill O’Keefe, the Executive Vice President for Catholic Relief Services, and Kevin Hartigan, who recently retired from CRS after more than three decades of experience, leading programs across the world. In their conversation, they will explore the role of faith in charitable giving across the US and...

S1E2 - Let’s Talk: Humanity 30.01.2026 22:30

In this episode, Kirsten Gelsdorf, a professor at the University of Virginia and co-founder of the Humanitarian Collaborative, speaks with Michael Barnett, a professor of international affairs at George Washington University, to explore a question at the heart of humanitarianism: how can we spark global compassion for today’s greatest humanitarian challenges? Together, they examine trends in publi...

S1E1 - Let's Talk 30.01.2026 6:27

As funding cuts and uncertainty reshape the world of humanitarianism, this episode introduces Let’s Talk: Faith and Aid and the questions at the heart of the series. Hosted by Kirsten Gelsdorf, a professor at the University of Virginia with over two decades of experience at the United Nations; Kate Katch, an impact storyteller with nearly 20 years in international humanitarian policy; and Jule Vos...