In a world accustomed to conflict, Mending Divides offers a refreshing counterpoint. Hosted by Dr. Jer Swigart, this Global Immersion podcast dives deep into the conflicts we’re all dealing with in conversation with those who think deeply about them.
This is not a prescriptive conversation about how to build peace. Instead, Mending Divides features the human beings behind the work. It's a portal into their stories, analyses, and practices. As we encounter the myriad ways they understand and navigate their conflicts, we’ll discover who we must become to face our own.
Expect honest, unfiltered conversations that:
- Challenge your assumptions: Discover diverse and often unexpected paths to peace.
- Illuminate new perspectives: Understand the roles that religion, culture, and biology play in shaping the complexities of conflict and our approaches to it.
- Offer hope: Hear stories of resilience, creativity, and bravery that will inspire us to live likewise.
Join us as we explore the many faces and facets of conflict and peace. Learn more at globalimmerse.org or follow along on Instagram @globalimmerse and wherever you get your podcasts.
Nina Barnes discusses conflict as inevitable but division as a choice, emphasizing the importance of navigating conflict with kindness to deepen relationships. She distinguishes between niceness and kindness, highlights truth-telling within a trustful relationship, and stresses the need to address dehumanization. Nina shares personal techniques and a story to illustrate practical conflict resolution, promoting self-awareness and societal engagement.
Welcome to the Mending Divides Podcast , formerly known as the Everyday Peacemaking Podcast ! Join us for a brand new series of unfiltered conversations about conflict and how we navigate it. In a world familiar with conflict, Mending Divides offers a fresh perspective. Hosted by Dr. Jer Swigart, this Global Immersion podcast delves into the conflicts we all face through insightful conversations with those who deeply understand them. This isn’t just about prescribing peace-building techniques. M...
In this final episode of the 2024 season of the Everyday Peacemaking Podcast, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart reflect on the past year, emphasizing the importance of radical reflection over resolutions. They explore the Hebrew concept of ‘zakar,’ which means to remember and retell a story vividly. Jer shares an impactful experience from a war-torn village in Burma, while Osheta recounts her journey of shedding commitments and rediscovering her creativity. Together, they invite us to engage in...
In this episode, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart explore what peacemaking looks like in the aftermath of the election. They unpack how different communities are processing the results and the impact on marginalized groups, emphasizing that there’s no single “right” way for a peacemaker to use the ballot. With honesty and grace, they wrestle with the best way to engage with those we’re in relationship with—especially those who voted differently. Grounded in the teachings of Jesus, Osheta and J...
In the uncertainty of an imminent election, Osheta and Jer offer a hopeful alternative to getting swept up in the anxious swirl of this divisive political moment. They invite us to receive the gift of our own belovedness and then extend this recognition to others. They offer this practice as a vision toward fostering the beloved community from within these politically charged times. Through personal reflections, theological insights, and practical strategies, they emphasize the importance of emb...
Autumn is here, and with it come plenty of starts and a constant barrage of asks to give, volunteer, and show up for meaningful causes. In this episode, Osheta and Jer explore the reality of compassion fatigue and how to discern ‘what’s mine to do.’ With personal anecdotes, they discuss the pulls on our empathy, managing the feeling of being stretched like Gumby, and the importance of grounding oneself spiritually to make wise decisions. From reflective daily practices to the Ignatian Examen, th...
In this episode, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart delve into the realities of failure and mistakes as crucial elements of our growth as peacemakers. They explore the anxiety around mistakes, the societal pressure to avoid them, and the importance of embracing mistakes as pathways to improvement rather than perfection. The discussion includes insights from poet Zedeka Poindexter and emphasizes the need for courage, humility, teachability, and generosity in both making and receiving mistakes. Th...
In this episode, Osheta and Jer reflect candidly on the common experience of loneliness, recognizing that it’s always a part of the path of peacemaking. Reflecting on their recent Deep South immersion with the 2024 Leadership Cohort , they share their journey from isolation to discovering a sense of companionship and learning how to be lonely together. Through theological reflections and personal stories, they explore the significance of befriending loneliness, prioritizing companionship over co...
This episode was a spontaneous conversation between hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart reflecting on the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump. They discuss their immediate reactions, the importance of maintaining a peaceable presence, and how to navigate violent political climates as peacemakers. The conversation emphasizes the need for creating safe spaces, fostering sacrificial relationships, and building communities committed to repair. Diving deep into personal anecdotes, t...
In this episode, Osheta and Jer delve into the intersection of parenting and peacemaking. They grapple with the temptation of fixing vs. being, naming the lure of project-oriented parenting and peacemaking. The high stakes of Christian parenting in particular are addressed, opening up a discussion about when we might need to reparent ourselves rather than focusing solely on the needs of our children. Unique practices in each of their households are shared, culminating in an invitation to parents...
Jer kicks off the episode with a story about a recent encounter with his own stereotypes at a Guns to Gardens event in Bend, Oregon. This experience led him to question the fables he’s fabricated about “those people.” They wrestle with stereotypes as organized lies that shape the way we see others, and explore how to balance this awareness with genuine caution or wisdom in potentially unsafe situations. The conversation delves into broader themes of confronting stereotypes, the importance of pro...
In this episode, Osheta processes a challenging experience of racism and her struggle to respond as a peacemaker when she was already depleted. The conversation explores the importance of self-care, acknowledging our triggers, and building an ‘infrastructure of support’ to remain grounded amidst everyday conflicts and tension. They emphasize the persistent presence of the Holy Spirit with us, the need for proactive preparation for difficult spaces, listening to our bodies, and how community is f...
In this episode, Osheta and Jer explore hope and its paramount importance in Everyday Peacemaking, inspired by this season of Eastertide. They delve into how hope, seen as both a skill and a practice, is essential in looking for and participating in ‘little resurrections’ amidst life’s challenges and divisions. Through personal stories, they illustrate the power of adopting a ‘Yes, and...’ posture, which acknowledges difficulties while remaining open to the ever-present possibility of resurrecti...
Our next Virtual Immersion conversation into the Israel/Gaza war wrestles with what to do as peacemakers when we drift into despair, give in to fear, or move in our anger from righteous indignation to dehumanizing rage. Jer Swigart is joined by Mercy Aiken and Bruce Fisk from the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East (NEME), who are navigating these realities while fighting like peacemakers for an end to this suffering. The discussion is anchored in their personal stories of awakening to t...
This powerful next conversation in our Virtual Immersion series is with Mahmoud Subuh, a Palestinian Muslim Peacemaker waging peace in the midst of the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank, currently under complete siege. Mahmoud shares openly about the immense challenges of both raising his own kids as well as working with Palestinian youth amidst the heightened tensions and trauma caused by living in one of the most densely populated and heavily fortified refugee camps. He discusses his effort...
Jer and Osheta discuss the table as a vital tool in mending divides. Osheta sets the stage with a poignant tale of gumbo-making that fostered connection, empathy, and a sense of belonging to one another. The duo unpacks practical strategies, emphasizing the essence of simplicity in hosting, the significance of thoughtful recipe choices, and the role of pacing for restorative conversations. They extend an invitation for listeners to participate in Maundy Thursday by hosting an intentional meal an...
Theologian and peacemaker Alejandra Ortiz joins Osheta and Jer for a profound discussion on the practice of lament as central to our formation as Everyday Peacemakers. They explore how lament gives space to grieve the brokenness of the world. Alejandra shares a rich theological perspective illustrated with stories from her personal practice of lament. The conversation illuminates how lament fosters honesty before God, cultivates hope, and deepens our participation in community. The trio delves i...
In this episode of the Everyday Peacemaking Podcast, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart discuss the centrality of the table as the most important furniture used in the work of peacemaking. Jer shares an incredible story from his recent trip to the front lines of the conflict in Burma, where a shared meal revealed the belovedness of former enemies. Osheta helps apply Jer’s story to the everyday tables we are a part of, encouraging us to use what we have, lower our expectations, embrace a slower p...
As we step into 2024, Osheta and Jer invite us beyond New Year’s resolutions into a journey of intentional self-reflection. In a year already marked by “anti” sentiments, they aim to shift their focus towards what they aspire to be “for”. Embracing the belovedness of each person, they discuss loving their enemies and the necessary shifts in their lives to better love their neighbors. They emphasize the importance of remaining curious about others and acknowledge the challenge of letting go of re...
Peacemaker Ben McBride joins Jer for this soul-stirring conversation about the interior formation of peacemakers in 2024. With the humanity and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. as a springboard, they grapple with the idea that the social transformation we’re dreaming of will not be realized in our lifetime. They wrestle with the stark contrast of peacemaking work fueled by anger versus animated by love and candidly consider who our “enemy” really is. Finally, Ben gives a prophetic invitation to ...
This Advent, while global Christians prepare to commemorate the arrival of the Prince of Peace, our Palestinian kin in Gaza suffer unthinkable violence. Their cries for deliverance, echoing those of two millennia ago, seem to be falling unheard in the United States. To see their pain and hear their cries, US Christians must move beyond information to transformation...from webinar to worship. On December 23, the special worship gathering "Christ in the Rubble" was live-streamed from Christmas Lut...
In our ongoing Virtual Immersion series, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Rabbi David Jaffe from the Kirva Institute. Delving into the complex landscape of the Gaza-Israel conflict, we navigate through the lenses of antisemitism, Islamophobia, trauma, and power dynamics. Rabbi Jaffe brings a distinctive perspective to the forefront, shedding light on Jewish self-determination and advocating for a theology of power and sharing the land. We candidly explore the imperative need fo...
This Virtual Immersion features a conversation between Greg Khalil ( @eternalvagabond ) of @thetelosgroup and @jerswigart . It includes remarkable analyses of this current moment in Israel & Palestine, what made it both predictable and preventable, and the outcomes that global power brokers are pursuing. They discuss the power of language to shape realities that either move us toward or away from one another. They challenge us to break agreement with image management, perfo...
Osheta and Jer wrestle with Advent and how it exemplifies our posture as Everyday Peacemakers. Osheta explores the gift of pondering as Mary did, waiting in expectation for God’s restoration. Jer confesses deep feelings of despair and discouragement as the violence seems to be winning. Together, they rediscover the deeper truth that in our world obsessed with power, the Advent story reminds us that true strength lies in vulnerability and that Christmas was always about powerlessness. Learn more ...
This special Virtual Immersion conversation is with two peacemakers, Robi Damelin (Israeli Jew) and Layla Alsheikh (Palestinian Muslim), bereaved mothers who share their stories of loss, reflect on the current horror in Israel and Palestine, and encourage us forward on the journey from revenge to reconciliation. Robi and Layla are members of the Parents Circle – a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 700 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close f...
In our second Virtual Immersion conversation, we delve into the profound realms of Jewish trauma with Jared, a Jerusalem-based Jewish historian and theologian. Through his personal narrative on October 7th, Jared provides insights into the pervasive fear that extends throughout the Jewish community, exacerbated by the ongoing violence in Gaza—a consequence he attributes to the collision of unaddressed trauma and unchecked power. Throughout our discussion, we explore various peacemaking themes. J...
Osheta and Jer delve into the challenges of bridging ideological differences when power differentials are at play. Osheta shares a challenging personal experience that kicks off the conversation, sparked by their interaction in Episode 2 where Jer shared a story about bridging differences with his dad. They consider how to move beyond mere thought experiments to grasp the impact of our ideology on individuals from different social locations. Peacemaking is ultimately framed as a process o...
The first conversation as part of our Virtual Immersion into the Israel/Gaza war is with Palestinian pastor, scholar, and peacemaker Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac , one of the most profound voices in global Christianity on the crises in Israel/Palestine. We explore his personal experience of what is unfolding, the importance of language in how we speak truth to power and change to society, the unfortunate history of “truth-less Christianity,” and very practical steps each of us can and mus...
In this deeply personal and prophetic conversation, Jer shares his experiences being on the ground as war broke out in Israel and Palestine. Osheta creates a safe space for Jer to reflect on the situation now in Israel and Gaza. Together, they delve into the complexity of the conflict, seeking to move beyond the dismissive phrase “It’s complicated.” By exploring the roots of pain and trauma that have led to ongoing violence, they encourage a deeper understanding of the conflict and speak to the ...
In our first “From the Field” episode, the leadership team of the Journey of Hope cohort sat down for a conversation as their immersive experience in the Deep South concluded. They reflect on the profound impact of this immersion into the stark realities of institutionalized and structural racism, sharing some truly transformative moments. The conversation extends beyond this specific journey as they explore the broader significance of immersive experiences to the formation of Everyday Peacemake...
