Send us a text In the first episode with Michael Zacharia, Michael shared his story of becoming—navigating identity, belonging, and the complexity of a multicultural home shaped by both Palestinian and Jewish Israeli heritage. Now, we turn toward the present. Michael opens up about the meaningful work he does today—guiding individuals, organizations, and churches through the challenges of leadership, conflict, and purpose. He shares the path that led him into this space—not a straight line, but ...
Jul 04, 2025•28 min
Send us a text In this moving first episode of a two-part conversation, you’ll meet our guest, Michael Zacharia—an Executive Coach, Mediator, Attorney, author, and peacemaker whose life embodies a question the world is still wrestling with: Can one life hold both Palestinian and Israeli identity? Born to a Palestinian Christian father and a Jewish Israeli mother, Michael’s early life was steeped in complexity, contradiction, and deep cultural richness. Raised in the United States, he grew up at ...
Jul 04, 2025•27 min
Send us a text True peacemaking begins when we get close. In Part 2, Nikki Toyama-Szeto unpacks why proximity - not neutrality - is the starting point for justice and healing. Through powerful stories and practical wisdom, Nikki challenges us to move beyond comfort and step toward the margins where transformation happens. If you’ve ever wondered where to begin in a world divided by fear and injustice — this episode is for you. Listen now and take your next step toward peace in action....
Jun 20, 2025•27 min
Send us a text What would you do if you were offered $1 million? Nikki Toyama-Szeto was - and said no. In this powerful conversation, Nikki shares the radical choices, personal sacrifices, and deep convictions that led her into a life of justice-fueled peacemaking. From global leadership to the recent Chicago Declaration, Nikki invites us to reimagine what courage looks like when we follow Jesus into hard and beautiful places. Listen now and discover why the path of peace always begins with smal...
Jun 13, 2025•26 min
Send us a text Today, I’m honored to welcome someone who has been a mentor, a friend, and a bridge-builder in the truest sense of the word— Joe Tosini . Joe is a pastor, global speaker, and the Founder and Visionary of the J17 Movement—a movement rooted in the prayer of Jesus in John 17: “that they may all be one.” Joe has spent decades building authentic relationships across deep divides—Protestant and Roman Catholic, evangelical and liturgical, global north and global south. His life is a beau...
May 02, 2025•27 min
Send us a text Meet Joe Tosini—pastor, leader and bridge-builder. Joe is the Founder and Visionary of the J17 Movement, a global call to relational unity inspired by the heart of Jesus' prayer in John 17, “that they may all be one.” He is also one of the most networked and relational people you’ll meet. Joe and I dive into a story few can tell — his rare and remarkable friendship with Pope Francis . Through nearly fifteen personal encounters, Joe experienced firsthand the humility, humor, and hu...
Apr 25, 2025•27 min
Send us a text How would you define a good death? Most of us don’t wake up thinking about death. It feels distant, something to deal with 'someday.' But what if understanding the end of life could actually help us live more fully today? What if embracing the reality of our mortality could bring more purpose, more love, and more peace into our daily lives? "Anticipating Heaven" a new book by Dr. Pamela Pyle is a guide that combines practical advice with spiritual comfort to help individuals and ...
Mar 07, 2025•27 min
Send us a text In this episode, Joizeth Waldmann discusses how labels and assumptions hinder genuine connection for all of us. Through personal stories of cultural change, you are invited to rethink how you treat others and build bridges of understanding.
Feb 21, 2025•26 min
Send us a text Joizeth Waldmann shares her immigrant story as she had to flee her home country. She takes up deeper into her struggles with language, cultural labels, and finding her voice. This episode challenges us to look past stereotypes and truly listen to one another's stories.
Feb 14, 2025•27 min
Send us a text Where does the US rank out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index? On this special MLK Holiday episode of Amplify Peace Radio, Lisa and Larry Horton dive into the answer while reflecting on their favorite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Together, they explore the profound connections between peace, service, and personal responsibility. Larry shares insights from his work as a Rotary Peace Activator and discusses how individuals, no matter their role, can create a ripple...
Jan 31, 2025•27 min
Send us a text What’s the difference between keeping peace and building peace? In this episode of Amplify Peace Radio, Lisa sits down with Larry Horton, Past District Governor with Rotary and a passionate Peace Activator, to explore this transformative question. As a former police officer, Larry shares his journey from enforcing laws as a peacekeeper to addressing root causes of conflict as a peacebuilder. Together, they unpack the profound impact of shifting from temporary solutions to creating...
Jan 24, 2025•26 min
Send us a text What if the path to unity begins by inviting the unexpected to our tables? In this powerful follow-up episode, authors Mark Nelson and Heather Gorman dive deep into the transformative power of shared tables, from communion to community, where everyone belongs—even those we once kept at a distance. Mark and Heather challenge us to break down barriers, inspired by Jesus' vision for radical unity in John 17. They explore what it means to step out of echo chambers and embrace the unkn...
Nov 08, 2024•27 min
Send us a text Remember those lunchroom tables from school? Were they welcoming spaces, or did they feel exclusive? In this episode, authors Mark Nelson and Heather Gorman invite us to rethink our tables—whether in our homes, boardrooms, or churches—as places for genuine connection and unity. Drawing from their new book Lunchroom Theology: Pushing Tables Together in a Fractured World , Mark and Heather challenge the habit of inviting “only people like us” and explore Jesus’ call to unity in John...
Nov 01, 2024•27 min
Send us a text Step back in time and reconnect with a familiar voice and a favorite friend! Jonathan Sanborn, the former host of Counter Culture Radio with Amplify Peace, is back—bringing his signature blend of stories and insights. Have you recently moved, started a new job, or stepped into a completely new environment? Jonathan knows exactly how that feels. It can be exciting, challenging, and sometimes a little chaotic. We talk more about all of this and how we can move forward intentionally....
Aug 30, 2024•26 min
Send us a text Welcome back to our ongoing conversation with Leann Hull . Following the heartbreaking loss of her 16-year-old son, Andy, to suicide, Leann established Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation to combat the high suicide rates and offer vital coping skills. In this episode, Leann explores how we can transform our personal losses and traumas into sources of hope and healing. We tackle thought-provoking questions such as: Can trauma ultimately benefit us? Leann’s practical insights and deep u...
Aug 16, 2024•27 min
Send us a text Welcome to today’s show, where we dive into a deeply moving conversation with Leann Hull, the founder of Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation. After the heart-wrenching loss of her 16-year-old son, Andy, to suicide, Leann has dedicated her life to raising awareness about suicide and helping others navigate their own grief. Leann’s foundation not only highlights the alarming rates of suicide but also equips people with essential coping skills for life’s toughest challenges. She opens up...
Aug 09, 2024•27 min
Send us a text Welcome to part 2 of our podcast series, where we delve deeper into disrupting the status quo of peacekeeping to embrace the role of peacemakers. In this episode, our focus remains on the transformative power of peacemaking over peacekeeping, emphasizing the need to venture beyond comfort zones to understand diverse narratives, cultures, and faith backgrounds. As we continue the conversation, Salem Al-Marayatti shares the Mustard Seed Project—an initiative uniting American Muslims...
Jan 26, 2024•27 min
Send us a text What can happen when we cross the lines and are in proximity with each other? In this podcast interview, Salam, a Muslim, shares his insights on faith, aiming to dispel misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. The conversation centers on fostering peace and understanding by crossing cultural boundaries, discovering commonalities, and challenging stereotypes. Emphasizing the beauty of making the 'strange' familiar, the discussion encourages listeners to connect through shared humani...
Jan 19, 2024•27 min
Send us a text Is your neighbor limited to someone who looks, thinks, believes, and acts just like you? How we see people is how we tend to treat them. In this podcast, Pastor David Wade, Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, the oldest predominantly Black Church in Mesa, AZ (est. 1918) shares profound insights and his own personal experiences from the black community and the black faith community. Pastor David challenges us to rethink our perceptions and invites us into a transformative journey...
Jan 12, 2024•27 min
Send us a text We continue Part 2 of our interview with Sami DiPasquale, Founder and Director of Abara Ministries in El Paso, Texas. Is the border with Mexico the problem? Is the border the solution? What if the answer is neither? Take a deeper dive into this disruptive topic of border, immigration, immigrants, and asylum seekers and be better informed as to ways we can help and not hurt and truly see every human being as worthy....
Dec 29, 2023•27 min
Send us a text Have you ever found yourself saying, “I didn’t know!”. That happens all the time in our work living and leading as peacemakers. There is so much from history, to present day realities that we just don’t know, haven’t been taught, or haven’t been curious enough to hear. This is one of those conversations where you might find yourself saying, “I didn’t know!” Explore the profound connection between history, the present, and the future in the latest podcast episode, "What is the Sign...
Dec 22, 2023•27 min
Send us a text Today, we're joined by Maria Fuentes , a visionary with a deep understanding of the unique impact the Faith community and the Church can have in our local communities and the world. Inspired by thought-provoking questions posed by Anne Snyder in a recent Comment Magazine article, our conversation centers on two pivotal questions: "Church, where are you?" and "Church, where am I in you?" These questions serve as catalysts, prompting us to explore the profound role the Church plays ...
Dec 08, 2023•27 min
Send us a text Welcome to Part Two of our podcast series with Mercy Aiken. Have you ever experienced the gentle yet persistent call of God, leading you towards an unfamiliar path, out of your comfort zone? Did you choose the scenic route only to find yourself standing exactly where you were meant to be, unlocking gateways to uncharted lands and unprecedented opportunities? This is Mercy’s story and experience. In this episode, we continue our journey with Mercy, the author who penned the remarka...
Nov 17, 2023•27 min
Send us a text Over the course of history, narratives have been woven about diverse people and communities, some uplifting and others divisive. It is often far too simple to categorize individuals without delving into their multifaceted identities, their rich histories, their vibrant cultures, and their deep connections to the land they call home. Discover the extraordinary story of Bishara Awad and his family, a Palestinian Christian rooted in the heart of Bethlehem. Through their resilience, t...
Nov 10, 2023•27 min
Send us a text Dale is an award-winning writer, editor, business owner, and foundation president who has served on the boards of several international development organizations, including World Vision, Opportunity International, International Justice Mission, and MAP International. She recently published, Strong Girls, Strong World A Practical Guide to Helping Them Soar—and Creating a Better Future for Us All In a world interconnected by our shared humanity, our collective responsibility extends...
Nov 03, 2023•27 min
Send us a text October is observed nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The statistics around this are staggering with nearly 20 people per minute being physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Today, we invite you on a profound journey that will touch your heart. Meet Vanessa Martinez , a living example to the remarkable capacity of the human soul to endure and emerge stronger, guided by the power of God. Vanessa's story is one of hope, demonstrating the boundl...
Oct 20, 2023•27 min
Send us a text Welcome to part two of our inspiring conversation with Dr. Wangechi. In our hectic lives, we often find ourselves dedicated to the care of others – family, friends, colleagues – while unintentionally neglecting our own well-being, leaving us emotionally and physically drained. The prevailing myth that self-love is synonymous with selfishness can be especially challenging for women. In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Wangechi challenges this misconception and encourages us to red...
Oct 13, 2023•27 min
Send us a text Have you ever found yourself trapped by your circumstances, allowing your environment to dictate your path? In this captivating interview, Dr. Wangechi, hailing from a small village near Nairobi, Kenya, shares her incredible journey of self-discovery and transformation. She broke free from the limitations imposed by her background, embracing the belief that she was destined for more, even though she couldn't define what 'more' meant at the time. Dr. Wangechi's relentless pursuit o...
Oct 06, 2023•27 min
Send us a text Discover the transformative power of resilience in the face of trauma and pain in our latest podcast episode. Join us as we delve into a profound conversation with Jessica Nicely, the Founder and President of Winged Hope. Jessica and her remarkable organization are on a mission to combat family violence and offer hope and healing to those who have been affected by it. In this episode, you'll learn how Winged Hope serves the community through three powerful avenues: direct victim s...
Sep 29, 2023•27 min
Send us a text How would you describe beauty? This conversation continues with a deeper dive into the question of, “what is beautiful”. The Gen Z generation is asking this spiritual question as they seek to find beauty in our world, within the walls of our churches, and in our communities. Based on robust research, Trisha weaves together data, insights and her own personal journey to unlock the essence of beauty. Imagine a world where each one of us becomes a creator of beautiful experiences, pl...
Aug 11, 2023•27 min
