Translations

Kara and Eli are joined by Andrew Mbuvi, distinguished scholar of biblical studies whose work bridges theology, race, and social justice. A leading voice in antiracist pedagogy, his scholarship examines how the histories of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament intersect with the realities of race, violence, and power. This conversation is a powerful foundation for understanding why Project Shema is so interested in translation in the first place—how the words we use shape our understanding ...

In this episode, Kara and Eli explore how our inability to translate our language, and ourselves, undermines meaningful dialogue. How can we challenge complex norms and ideas if we remain more committed to binary frameworks than to understanding one another’s lived experiences? The antidote, they argue, is storytelling. By illuminating how our experiences shape our perspectives, storytelling has the power to depolarize conversation. It’s an approach at the heart of Project Shema’s work. Chapt...

A lot of our conversations are closing space for empathy and care instead of opening new pathways for understanding. Much of that can be attributed to binary thinking and the refusal to engage with and translate the lived experiences of others. Translations is about breaking down binaries by practicing dialogue across differences. We are here to translate words that carry weight so they don’t end conversations, they open them up. Each episode will share stories, skills, and real convers...