Lauren Reliford is the political director for Sojourners in Washington, DC. Her work is centered on applying social theory, spirituality, research, and practice to the political policy that guides our nation. We talked about her political theory, her efforts to influence policy makers to legislate for the common good, and her inclination to care deeply. “I want to be a lifeboat, a safety blanket for … Continue reading Lauren W. Reliford
Bill Mefford is the Executive Director of the Festival Center in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington DC. The Festival Center is an outreach of the Church of the Saviour, designed as a hub for supporting community centered ministries and nonprofits, and to train faith leaders for mission and justice. “We like to say, we live at the intersection of hospitality and justice. It’s not … Continue reading Bill Mefford
Mitchell Atencio is the associate news editor at Sojourners. Born in Atlanta, he now works out of the Sojourners D.C. offices on Capitol Hill. I interviewed Mitchell three days before the Supreme Court released its ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. We spoke about his work in media, his ongoing process of challenging his own assumptions, and his decision to be discalced out … Continue reading Mitchell Atencio
Sister Jenna is a spiritual mentor, the founder and director of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum and the host of America Meditating Radio. We spoke about her meditation practice, her understanding of the obstacles that impede our progress toward peace, and our ability to see the divine in one another. “Many of us have had this experience of divine light, but we didn’t choose to … Continue reading Sister Jenna
Colby Pellegrino is the Deputy General Manager of Resources for the Southern Nevada Water Authority in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is the driest metropolitan area in the United States with an annual rainfall of just four inches. We talked about the increasing population of Las Vegas, the unprecedented drought and the innovative water conservation programs the city has developed in the face of it … Continue reading Colby Pellegrino
Chad Taylor is the director of sales and marketing for Lake Mead, Mohave Adventures, and grew up on Lake Mead, when his dad was the general manager of Callville Bay Marina in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States, but is currently at historically low levels as the population in the … Continue reading Chad Taylor
Eric Balken is the executive director for the Glen Canyon Institute, which is dedicated to the restoration of Glen Canyon and a free flowing Colorado River. Eric grew up and still lives in Salt Lake City, Utah where he developed an early love for mountains, rivers and deserts. “Wherever you live, realize that we have to get smarter with water and learn about it and … Continue reading Eric Balken
Kelly Britt Davis works in a rural health care facility in Blue River, Oregon. After navigating the first six months months of Covid, the clinic burned to the ground in the Holiday Farm Fire, a wild fire that consumed 175,000 acres and more than 500 structures at the end of Labor Day weekend. Our interview started by talking about the wild fire and moved on … Continue reading Kelly Britt Davis
Natalie Brewster Nguyen is an artist, a mother, a social justice advocate, a business owner, a writer and a sex worker. I met her in Tucson, Arizona. Because of COVID, I interviewed Nat outside on a windy day, in a busy neighborhood, so the sound quality is challenging, but the conversation is powerful and interesting. “We need broad-based movements. We need to be working on … Continue reading Natalie Brewster Nguyen
Paul Kaye is the President of Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens and the President of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness in Los Angeles, California. “If you want to feel strong, then be against something. You’ll feel immediately strong. You’ll get righteous, right? Or you’ll judge something. The thing is, it’s power, but it’s false power.” The Peace Awareness Labyrinth “We were fortunate to find a person who could make … Continue reading Paul Kaye
