Western Friend Podcast

On this episode of the Western Friend Podcast, Jon and the community speak with Zae Illo, a Master of Divinity from the Earlham School of Religion. He works as an operations manager for Youth Spirit Artworks, leads the Bible study and street outreach ministries at Glide Church, and recently began a biweekly laundry ministry at the San Francisco Friends Meeting.  You can find more at CyberGlow.orgLINKSYou can read his most recent article in the March 2024 issue of the Western Friend magazine, titled The Perplexity of Prayer HERE. To see all of his other articles in Western Friend, click HERE. For an archive of past Western Friend Podcast episodes, click HERE.To read more about the Soul Force Ones, click HERE.

Episode 32 of the Western Friend Podcast features a conversation with Nancy Marshall, a member of Phoenix Friends meeting and a retired attorney and former director of the Arizona Civil Liberties Union. On this episode, she discusses her recent article in Western Friend magazine, titled Friendly Truth to Power, and her most recently published book, A Dry Hate. 

On episode 31 of the Western Friend Podcast, we’re joined by Andrew Franklin. Andrew attends Camas Friends, works for Goodwill Industries, and serves on the Equity and Inclusion Committee of Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting of Friends.On this episode, he chats with us about:His article, Good Samaritan Mindset, in Western Friend’s latest issue His Quaker meeting's work towards reparations with an Indigenous communityCreating the beloved community that we want to be a part ofThe importance of seeing every person, not only those in our circleThe power of acting now, in the momentThank you for joining us this week, and don’t forget to listen to all of the amazing past episodes in our archive wherever you get your podcasts. Stay tuned for new episodes of the Western Friend Podcast released the first Saturday of every month.

In the 30th episode of the Western Friend Podcast for this new year, we travel back to 2018 to revisit a panel of speakers discuss the topic of “Unity is not Unanimity”, examining ways to keep our communities together despide disputes and disagreements within. Friends discuss:Ways to work through conflict, based in love and spirituality The process of decision making when there may be disagreementThe importance of eldering as spiritual guidance and/or spiritual mentoringRemember, you can check out the archive of all 30 episodes wherever you listen to podcasts, and NEW EPISODES are released the first Saturday of each month.The Western Friend PodcastThe Soul Force Ones

Roscoe Mathieu, a member of Central Coast Friends Meeting, joins us for episode 29. Roscoe expands on his article, A Quaker Rosary, that appeared in the November 2023 issue of Western Friend Magazine. In the second half of the episode, he takes questions from the audience. LINKSRoscoe´s article: A Quaker RosaryWestern Friend Magazine (Nov/Dec 2023)Western Friend Podcast archive

Keith Runyan is a Quaker change-maker and the new General Secretary of Quaker Earthcare Witness. He is a visionary and activist, born and  raised in Pacific Yearly Meeting in Northern California. In 2018, he  undertook a 12-day hunger strike while traveling in the ministry to  bolster awareness and action on the climate crisis and environmental  justice. In Episode 28 of our podcast series, Keith shares his vision for Quaker action for earth justice.From today’s episode:Braiding Sweetgrass, book referenced in today’s episodeQuaker Earthcare WitnessMore information on Western Friend PodcastMore information on Soul Force Ones

Dr. Richard Grossman, a recently retired OBGYN, discusses abortion and community on this episode of the Western Friend Podcast. Dr. Grossman continues to work on several population-centered projects and shares about his work, his purpose, and his essay published in the most recent issue of the Western Friend magazine.  Later, the conversation is opened to members of the community who joined us for the live recording. Links:Dr. Grossman’s essay on Abortion and CommunityWebsite for Population Matters

Episode 26 of the Western Friend Podcast features the keynote panel conversation from Pacific Yearly Meeting, held on July 22, 2023. The episode begins with an introduction by presiding clerk of PYM Laura Magnani, and is followed by the panel discussion led by Sofia Faith Cantu, who goes by Faith and Nora Lisette Cooke, who addressing the topic of centering the voices of the next generation.There are a few moments where the speakers pose a query for reflection. Feel free to take a moment to pause the episode if you would like to reflect, and resume when ready. There are brief musical intermissions that indicate when you can pause. We hope you enjoy this month’s episode, and stay tuned for new episodes released the first Saturday of every month. You can also find all of the previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts. 

Episode 25 features an intergenerational panel of speakers at the 2023 Annual Session of North Pacific Yearly Meeting – in conversation on the theme, “Meeting at the Corner of Wisdom and Power.” Facilitated by Paul Christansen of Eastside Friends meeting, the panelists include:  Zane Freewyn, Multnomah Monthly MeetingHazel Jordan, Olympia Friends MeetingAdam Billen, South Seattle Friends MeetingJane Snyder, Multnomah Monthly MeetingJerry Graville, Lopez Island Monthly MeetingClick below for links to:Western Friend PodcastWestern FriendSoul Force Ones

This episode features the keynote address by Jon Watts given at the 2023 IMYM annual gathering on the theme of “Becoming the Quakers the world needs today.” Jon is a Quaker media creator and spiritual entrepreneur, and a member of the Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. He founded the QuakerSpeak project as well as a NEW podcast called Thee Quaker. Below you can find links to the projects he references in today’s episode:Dance Party Erupts During Quaker Meeting for WorshipHow Does Culture Influence Quaker Worship?Thee Quaker PodcastQuakers and The InternetGeorge Fox and the Birth of QuakerismQuaker Meeting for WorshipWhy I Blockaded 40,000 Tons of Coal with a Lobster BoatDon’t forget, you can find all previous episodes in the archives wherever you listen, and new episodes are released the first Saturday of each month. Thank you for tuning in!

Episode 23 of the Western Friend Podcast features a conversation with teacher, speaker, author, scholar, and activist Philip Clayton. He is president of the Institute for Ecological Civilization ("EcoCiv") and the Institute for Postmodern Development of China.  On this Episode with community, he examines questions like: Is it simple to live simply? And just how complicated, or simple, it is to attain ecological civilization?

Attorney, peace activist, author, educator, and former member of the Virginia State Legislature Bill Durland joins us for episode 22 of the Western Friend Podcast. Delving into the theme of "Martyrs for the Truth," Dr. Durland shares about his journey to Quakerism and Pacifism, why more people aren’t standing up for justice today, his history as a civil rights attorney and peace activist, optimism for today,  even...breaking the law! You don’t want to miss it!   See his contributions to Western Friend HEREYou can find more of his writing HEREThe Soul Force Ones podcast can be accessed HERE

Episode 21 brings something new to the Western Friend Podcast! This is a panel discussion from a workshop on the topic of "Quaker Leadership of the Future." Following the panel and the open forum where panelists engaged each other in conversation, the Soul Force Ones add a 15 minute remix, where the hosts delve into the notion of non-theist Quakerism and how to bring folks into community. This episodes panel included:Folks who support leaders of the future in our yearly meetings:IMYM – Erin Bates, Assistant to the Yearly MeetingIMYM = Intermountain Yearly MeetingNPYM — Paul Christiansen, Rising Clerk of the Yearly MeetingNPYM = North Pacific Yearly MeetingPacYM — Alma Moon, Co-Clerk of Young Adult MeetingPacYM = Pacific Yearly MeetingSCYMF — Erin Wilson, Coordinating Committee and Safeguarding Committee for the yearly meetingSCYMF = Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting of FriendsFolks employed by Quaker organizations to support leaders of the future:AFSC – Julian Andaya, Director of AFSC's Emerging Leaders for Liberation ProgramAFSC = American Friends Service CommitteeFCNL — Larissa Gil-Sanhueza, Senior Manager of FNCL’s Young Adult ProgramFCNL = Friends Committee on National LegislationQVS — Woody Logan-Wood, City Coordinator for the QVS Portland ProgramQVS = Quaker Voluntary Service

Tom Ewell joins the Western Friend Podcast for Episode 20 to discuss non violent organizing and his work with the Sound Defense Alliance. Tom is is a member of Whidbey Island Friends Meeting and is active with Quaker Voice on Washington Public Policy and Friends Committee on National Legislation.  He is joined by maryon attwood and Terra Huey as they discuss the urgent need to address the noise made by Growler aircraft at the navy air station at Whidbey Island in Washington state. You can read Tom's article, Persistence, in the Jan/Feb issue of the Western Friend Magazine HERE. You can find the full archive of Western Friend Podcast episodes HERE. 

Episode 19 of the Western Friend Podcast features an interview with Barbara Birch. Barbara is a member of Strawberry Creek Meeting in Berkeley, California. She discusses her research on Elizabeth Fry, embodied spirituality and its relevance to Quakers today, as well as Friendly 12-Step recovery.Click here to read Barbara's article in Western Friend, "Eilzabeth Gurney Fry: A Quaker Mess."

Happy New Year to all of our listeners out there! On the first episode of 2023, we share an interview with Barbara Phillips, a lifetime botanist and a member of Flagstaff Friends Meeting. She discusses her life-long fascination with the outdoors, what it means to be a botanist, and some of the challenges facing us and the planet in these complex times.You can read her article here: Botany on an Endangered PlanetAlso, don't forget there's a wonderful archive of past episodes you can peruse right here, wherever you're listening to this podcast! So... after this episode, why not find another that interests you and give it a listen?!New episodes are released the first Saturday of each month.

Today's episode features an interview with Frank Granshaw, geologist, educator, and so much more. He shares about his experiences at the UN's climate change conferences, COP 27 being the most recent, his own journey within the field, and the nuances of faith and science. Recorded with a live virtual audience, the second half of the interview is a Q&A session with the Mr. Granshaw.Be on the look out for new episodes release the first Saturday of each month, and you can always listen to past episodes wherever you get your podcasts.

On this episode of the Western Friend Podcast, we are joined by Gretchen Castle, Dean of Earlham School of Religion and a member of the national steering committee of the Quaker Call to Action.Interviewed with a live virtual studio audience, Gretchen discusses the "Quaker Call to Action," a nationwide response to the urgent, current threats to U.S. democracy. After the interview, the conversation was opened to community members for a live Q and A. 

Friends, on episode 14 of the Western Friend Podcast, we bring you the Keynote Panel from the 2022 Pacific Yearly Meeting.  Three Friends speak on the year’s theme of Beloved Community. Moderated by Diego Navarro, you will hear a brief introduction by Laura Magnani, PacYM Presiding Clerk, before the keynotes of Marlene Coach-Eisenstein, Honolulu Meeting, Keith Runyan, Santa Cruz Meeting, and Peni Hall, Strawberry Creek Meeting. Remember, new episodes of the Western Friend podcast are released the first Saturday of every month, so add it to your calendar and listen wherever you get your podcasts. You can also hear any of the previous 13 episodes if you haven’t already, free for your listening pleasure. Until next month, take care y’all. 

Today's episode features both a keynote and conversation with Carl Magruder. Carl is a palliative care chaplin, M.A. in Divinity, and a member of the Strawberry Creek Monthly Meeting. He opens with a beautiful song that leads into his Keynote address, presented at the 2022 North Pacific Yearly Meeting, the first since the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the keynote, you will hear a joyful conversation between Mr. Magruder and Soul Force Ones host Jon Stoll. You can find links below to:- Carl Magruder's own podcast Soulways . - The home page for the Western Friend Podcast.- The home page for the Soul Force Ones.