Vincenta Leyden, raised on the border of Northern and Southern Ireland, reflects on her complex identity shaped by the Troubles. Through poetry and art, she explores emotions and fosters connections among communities. Leyden urges a critical examination of inherited beliefs, recognizing the lasting impacts of conflict on everyday life and societal norms. Continue reading Vincenta Leyden
Manorhamilton, Ireland Nula McNulty is a lifelong resident of North Leitrim, Ireland, who returned home in 2003 after years working on Ireland’s east coast and two years in China as a food technologist. Raised on a mixed farm near the Northern Ireland border, she grew up during the Troubles with a father from the North and a mother from the South. Her upbringing instilled in … Continue reading Nula McNulty
I spent time last fall with Cornell Cooperative Extension as their offices talked about love. Not romantic love, but the sort of love Dr. King referred to when he spoke of Beloved Community. The idea that we can care for one another. Build one another up. Make sure that people have access to the resources and support they need in order to thrive. The sort … Continue reading love
Lessons on the Road to Peace won the Minnesota Book Awards for best general non-fiction earlier this month. It was a wonderful affirmation of our 2-½ years on the road gathering stories from across the country and the daunting pace of writing and producing a 304-page book during most of 2023. It was also a welcome recognition of the power of the stories that people … Continue reading Winning
It continues to amaze me how a small gesture can change someone’s day, or their life. We’ve all had it happen to us. We all have the power to offer it to others. A Peace of My Mind visited Tennessee Tech and asked, “When has someone reached out to lift you up?” Continue reading Tennessee Tech
Yesterday was a driving day. From Parkersburg, West Virginia to Richmond, Virginia to pack up an exhibit at University of Richmond. We stopped at a rest area just across the border into Virginia and I looked at the map. “We’ll go right past Charlottesville,” I said. “We should stop and see if we can find the place.” It was just about dusk when we rolled … Continue reading Charlottesville
Brandon Sheehan was born near Venice Beach, California. He says he grew up with sandy toes and salty lips. He studied fire ecology in college and worked for the forest service fighting wildfires. Brandon grew up Jewish, but eventually studied Tibetan Buddhism and was a resident at the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Arlee, Montana where he cast statues of the Buddha and helped … Continue reading Brandon Sheehan
Chris Brixey works as a paramedic, a ski patrol, and a wilderness EMT. He says that’s how he puts bread on the table and beer in the fridge. Some of Chris’s earliest and fondest memories are of pulling into a campground with his family and spending time outdoors. He says that a lifetime of satisfying experiences in the mountains have driven him to want more. … Continue reading Chris Brixey
Carl Kenney is a minister, author, advocate, teacher, and in his own words, a “prophet of the people.” He believes that we spend too much time and energy fighting one another because of our differences—with devastating and wide-reaching results. “I don’t have to tear you down for the sake of making me better.” My theology is rooted in the compassion of Christ. I’m a person … Continue reading Carl Kenney
Yanina Calderone was born in Guatemala City. Raised by her mother and two grandmothers, she moved to New York City at age 14 to live with her father. Yanina was raped at age 15 and became pregnant. She decided to keep her “little froggy,” the son that jumped in her stomach. Rather than let a violent act ruin her life, she decided to funnel all … Continue reading Yanina Calderone
