エピソード

  • From Outsider to Calling with Rev. Toni Kruger-Ayebazibwe — Walk Talk Listen (Episode 235)

    From Outsider to Calling with Rev. Toni Kruger-Ayebazibwe — Walk Talk Listen (Episode 235)
    2026/04/22
    Rev. Toni Kruger-Ayebazibwe takes us on a deeply personal journey from growing up as an outsider in apartheid South Africa to becoming an ordained minister and global advocate for SOGIE inclusion in faith spaces. Raised in an atheist household and navigating identity, belonging, and authenticity from a young age, Toni shares how embracing her truth as a lesbian shaped her path, even when it meant standing apart from dominant narratives. In this conversation, Toni reflects on a transformative spiritual encounter that expanded her understanding of reality, her search for community, and the critical importance of affirming faith spaces. From resisting rigid religious norms to ultimately answering a call to ministry, she now works at the intersection of faith and justice as Executive Director of the Global Interfaith Network for People of All Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions (GIN-SSOGIE). This episode is a powerful exploration of authenticity, faith, and the courage to reshape systems from within. Listener Engagement:
    • Learn more about Rev. Toni Kruger-Ayebazibwe and her work through GIN-SSOGIE (their website and their social media handles: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
    • Toni is also on Linkedin.
    • Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter!
    Follow Us:
    • Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
    • Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work.
    • Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 13 分
  • Faith, Policy, and the Space Between with David Elcott and Barney Aspray - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 234)

    Faith, Policy, and the Space Between with David Elcott and Barney Aspray - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 234)
    2026/04/15
    In this episode, Maurice sits down with David Elcott and Barney Aspray to explore the space where faith, policy, and lived experience meet. Rather than treating immigration as a purely technical or political issue, the conversation unpacks how religion shapes the moral imagination behind public debates—how we define belonging, responsibility, and community. Moving between practice and theory, David and Barney reflect on the tensions that arise when deeply held beliefs encounter real-world policy decisions, and why engaging that “space between” is essential in a polarized world. David Elcott brings decades of experience in interfaith engagement, public leadership, and cross-boundary collaboration, while Barney Aspray offers a theological and philosophical lens as Assistant Professor at St. Mary’s Seminary and University. Together, as co-authors of On the Significance of Religion in Immigration Policy, they bridge practice and theory, offering insights into how religion can both complicate and enrich policy conversations when engaged thoughtfully. Listener Engagement:
    • Discover the songs picked by David and Barney and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.
    • Learn more about David via his LinkedIn and Barney's Podcast website, Facebook, Bluesky and LinkedIn.
    • Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter!
    Follow Us:
    • Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
    • Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work.
    • Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 4 分
  • Seeing Further with Ben Olsen - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 233)

    Seeing Further with Ben Olsen - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 233)
    2026/04/08
    In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice sits down with Ben Olsen—technologist, philosopher, and pioneer in responsible AI—to explore what happens when data meets discernment. From his early days learning the hard edges of technology to helping shape some of the first responsible AI frameworks inside major tech companies, Ben shares a journey that is anything but linear. Rooted in a background that blends philosophy, theology, and technology, he reflects on how ethics is not an add-on, but an essential lens through which innovation must be understood. The conversation dives into what most people misunderstand about big tech—that many inside are not indifferent, but often limited by what they see and prioritize. Ben introduces the idea of a “sin of omission” in technology and speaks about expanding the moral aperture in AI development. From algorithmic bias to the concept of the “human bar” beyond legal compliance, this episode is an invitation to rethink responsibility, leadership, and what it means to build technology that truly serves humanity. Listener Engagement:
    • Discover the songs picked by Ben and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.
    • Learn more about Ben via his LinkedInand his companies websites1 and website2.
    • Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter!
    Follow Us:
    • Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
    • Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work.
    • Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 7 分
  • Freedom, Meaning, and Becoming Yourself with Eleftheria Egel - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 232)

    Freedom, Meaning, and Becoming Yourself with Eleftheria Egel - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 232)
    2026/04/01
    In this episode of Walk Talk Listen our guest is Eleftheria (Ella) Egel, whose name literally means “freedom”, a theme that runs deeply through her life and work. Growing up in Greece in a family shaped by post-war values of hard work, security, and compliance, Ella shares how she followed a path that looked right on the outside, yet felt increasingly disconnected on the inside. We explore her journey from teacher and entrepreneur to working in the stock market, and ultimately toward a deeper exploration of spirituality and leadership. A turning point came when she realized that what she believed to be “objective reality” was actually a subjective lens shaped by upbringing and expectations. That realization opened the door to a different kind of freedom—one grounded not in achievement, but in awareness and alignment. Eleftheria reflects on the tension between religion and spirituality, the role of meaning in organizations, and why true connection requires moving beyond ego toward a sense of shared humanity. This conversation is about breaking patterns, rediscovering purpose, and asking a simple but powerful question: what truly makes us feel alive? Listener Engagement:
    • Discover the songs picked by Eleftheria and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.
    • Learn more about Eleftheria via her LinkedIn, Facebook, and her website.
    • Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter!
    Follow Us:
    • Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
    • Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work.
    • Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 3 分
  • Building Radical Hope with Amjad Saleem - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 231)

    Building Radical Hope with Amjad Saleem - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 231)
    2026/03/25
    In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem speaks with peacebuilding and humanitarian leader Amjad Saleem, whose work spans interfaith engagement, conflict resolution, and development across global contexts. Amjad shares how growing up across Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the UK shaped his identity as a “third culture kid,” giving him an early appreciation for diversity, faith, and belonging. His journey took a decisive turn after the 2004 tsunami, when a personal and professional shift led him from engineering into humanitarian work and peacebuilding. Reflecting on his experiences in Sri Lanka, Amjad highlights a powerful lesson: rebuilding communities is not just about physical infrastructure, but about relationships, trust, and understanding. As he puts it, building the “hardware” is not enough if we neglect the “software” of human connection. The conversation explores the role of faith in today’s world, the growing crisis of trust, and the importance of creating spaces where people can truly encounter one another. Amjad also shares insights from working with young people, emphasizing their deep spiritual curiosity and their desire to express values through action. This is a conversation about identity, purpose, and what it takes to build peace and hope in a divided world. Listener Engagement:
    • Discover the songs picked by Amjad and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.
    • Learn more about Amjad via his LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Also check out his writing on Medium, link here. His article on hope, can be found by clicking here.
    • Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter!
    Follow Us:
    • Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
    • Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work.
    • Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 15 分
  • From Exposure to Collective Courage with Jessica Roland - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 230)

    From Exposure to Collective Courage with Jessica Roland - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 230)
    2026/03/18
    In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, I speak with Jessica Roland, Senior Specialist for Inclusive Peace at the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, where she advances the leadership of women, youth, and marginalized groups through advocacy, training, and mediation work, and serves as Co-Chair of the Gender Working Group of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the UN. Growing up in a small town in North Carolina, Jessica’s worldview was shaped by limited exposure until one opportunity to travel abroad opened a completely different path toward international peacebuilding. Her journey is a powerful reminder of how exposure shapes understanding, and how it can transform the way we engage with the world. We explore how younger generations are shifting away from institutional religion toward lived values, seeking authenticity, inclusion, and meaningful engagement. Jessica reflects on her work across women, peace, and security, and the importance of inclusive leadership in peace processes, while also naming the growing challenge of polarization and the loss of real dialogue. What stands out is her reframing of courage, not as something individual, but as something collective. Through partnership, empathy, and self-awareness, she reminds us that building peace depends not only on what we do, but on who we choose to become. Listener Engagement:
    • Discover the songs picked by Jessica and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.
    • Learn more about Jessica via her LinkedIn and Instagram. Also check out her organization's related website, link here. Her company also has Facebook.
    • Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter!
    Follow Us:
    • Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
    • Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work.
    • Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
    続きを読む 一部表示
    58 分
  • The Four Bodies of being Human with Elif Kuş Saillard - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 229)

    The Four Bodies of being Human with Elif Kuş Saillard - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 229)
    2026/03/11
    In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem speaks with sociologist and qualitative research expert Dr. Elif Kuş Saillard, originally from Turkey and now based in France. Elif reflects on a life shaped by curiosity and questions. Growing up in central Anatolia, she developed an early habit of asking “why,” a habit that eventually led her to sociology and an academic career as a professor at Ankara University. Over the years, she specialized in qualitative research and narrative methodologies, focusing on how people create meaning in their lives and societies. After moving to France, Elif went through a profound personal transition that led her to explore deeper questions about identity, purpose, and well-being. Out of this journey emerged her Four-Body model, which describes human life as lived through four interconnected dimensions: the physical body, the social body, the earth body, and the technological body. In this conversation, Elif shares why understanding meaning-making is essential to understanding society and why science should ultimately serve a purpose — contributing to a more sustainable and meaningful future. Listener Engagement:
    • Discover the songs picked by Elif and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.
    • Learn more about Elif via her LinkedIn. Also check out his organization's related website, link here. Her company also has Instagram.
    • Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter!
    Follow Us:
    • Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
    • Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work.
    • Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 11 分
  • Keep Moving Forward: Rethinking Wealth and Work with Dustin Wilson - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 228)

    Keep Moving Forward: Rethinking Wealth and Work with Dustin Wilson - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 228)
    2026/03/04
    In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice speaks with Dustin Wilson, Startup Community Manager at Nexcor in Rochester, New York. Dustin shares a deeply personal journey, from growing up between city and suburb, to working in the trades, nearly joining the military, pursuing music industry ambitions, and ultimately discovering entrepreneurship as a calling. A first-generation college student, Dustin describes how early setbacks, including dropping out of college and later returning as an adult learner, shaped his mindset. A pivotal leadership moment during his undergraduate years introduced him to the power of entrepreneurship, not merely as business creation, but as personal development. After working in corporate product marketing and launching his own startups (sometimes at the cost of burnout), Dustin pursued an MBA in Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise in Colorado. There, he began reframing his understanding of capitalism, questioning shareholder-first models and advocating for wealth creation and retention rather than simple job counts as the true metric of economic development. Today, Dustin works at the intersection of entrepreneurship and community building, helping founders shorten the time to decisive learning while emphasizing the human skills behind successful ventures. He reflects on why economic development must adapt in an AI-disrupted world, why we underinvest in the person behind the business, and why the next generation may crave belonging more than growth. Throughout the conversation, a recurring theme emerges: life may not always unfold as planned, but progress requires courage, self-awareness, and the willingness to keep moving forward. Listener Engagement:
    • Discover the songs picked by Dustin and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.
    • Learn more about Dustin via his LinkedIn. Also check out his organization's related website, link here. His company also has Instagram.
    • Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter!
    Follow Us:
    • Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
    • Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work.
    • Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
    続きを読む 一部表示
    57 分