Proclaim Peace

Former U.S. diplomat Matthew Tueller joins Jen and Patrick to go through a wide-ranging reflection on peace, public service, and the hard moral questions raised by scripture and conflict. He explains how his years in the Middle East, especially Iraq and the Nineveh Plain, shaped his understanding of common ground, truth-telling, and the limits of power. They review Jonah and Zechariah to explore how ancient texts speak to modern peacemaking, forgiveness, and the discipline of seeing enemies as fully human.TIMESTAMPS:3:50 – How a diplomat defines peace6:21 – A diplomat's role: advancing US interests, not activism7:48 – Nineveh, Assyria, and why the story mattered13:15 – Jonah as political satire16:06 – The Lord's unanswered question and holding up a mirror21:15 – Iraq, Mosul, ISIS, and the Yazidis31:01 – Good people and small acts of repair36:09 – Patience in diplomacy and the turn to Zechariah37:36 – Zechariah and rebuilding Jerusalem40:45 – "Speak truth to your neighbor": honesty as a diplomat's value44:01 – Takeaways for listeners45:40 – Finding peace and closingFor full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Carri Hulet and Christopher Palmer join Jen and Patrick to explore how peace is formed in the realities of ward life, where people are covenanted together, differences are unavoidable, and conflict can either fracture trust or deepen belonging. In this episode, they unpack the tension between avoiding contention and engaging honestly, especially in doctrinal, relational, and leadership settings. They also share practical ways leaders and members can create spaces where people feel heard, respected, and able to disagree without losing belonging.TIMESTAMPS:02:36 - Why wards are naturally conflict-prone04:00 - The ward as a laboratory for peacemaking06:41 - Why church assignment and unchosen community surprise outsiders09:08 - Why high stakes can lead to conflict avoidance12:36 - Deference, stewardship, and why problems roll upward16:41 - What is lost when a ward never shares dissenting views20:23 - How church structure, truth claims, and judgment shape conflict24:47 - Many true or good ways to do things in the ward28:29 - Curiosity, respect, and naming doctrine clearly33:28 - Different beliefs are not sins36:26 - Direct belonging language and the power of humor40:37 - Better preparation for ward councils and meetings43:37 - Modeling respectful disagreement at home and in churchFor full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

In this special episode, we are sharing Patrick Mason’s workshop at the recent Restore event hosted by Faith Matters in September of 2026. He explains why conflict is normal, why contention is different from conflict, and how to start building a peacemaking toolkit instead of avoiding hard conversations altogether.In this session, he also invites listeners to think about one real conflict in their own life and begin with the first small step. The focus is not on solving everything at once, but on learning the language, methods, and inner habits that make peace possible.TIMESTAMPS:00:09 Why peacemaking matters05:14 Peacemaking 101: where to start09:01 Reframing conflict as an opportunity16:17 Seeing people as people20:19 Choosing your theory of change26:44 Cultivating inner peaceFor full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Bethany Brady Spalding joins Jen and Patrick to explore the story of the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27 and what it teaches about peaceful problem-solving, courageous advocacy, and collaborative leadership. The conversation centers on how asking a thoughtful question, offering a solution, and trusting the process can help change systems without defaulting to anger or conflict.Timestamps3:52 - Bethany’s definition of peace: progress toward God’s vision5:26 - Discovering overlooked stories of women in scripture8:49 - The daughters of Zelophehad and their inheritance claim12:45 - Moses as a model for listening and responsive leadership15:07 - Finding possibility during seasons of change17:15 - Peaceful advocacy and creating space for women’s voices20:11 - Why collaboration strengthens peacemaking23:31 - Building community coalitions through the Health Access Project26:27 - Diane Nash and the power of a moral question29:10 - Pairing hard questions with practical possibilities33:35 - Navigating tension between preserving and changing systems39:12 - Why Bethany approaches injustice one issue at a time43:14 - Managing fear when speaking to power45:00 - Bethany’s pathway to finding peaceFor full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Emma Addams joins Jen and Patrick to explore the themes of peace, defiance, and civic engagement through the lens of the biblical stories of Vashti and Esther. They discuss how personal definitions of peace can shape one's actions and the implications of defiance in a patriarchal society. The conversation delves into the complexities of navigating power dynamics, the different theories of change, and the strategic use of managed compliance in effecting social change. They discuss the different forms of courage exhibited by both women, the importance of trust and proximity in relationships, and the complexities of navigating agency in a world with limited options.TIMESTAMPS:02:08 The Story of Vashti: Defiance and Consequences09:58 Esther's Entry: Navigating Power Dynamics15:50 Theories of Change: Inside vs. Outside Strategies21:16 Managed Compliance: A Strategic Approach to Change25:57 The Power of Listening29:09 Peacemaking: Vashti vs. Esther33:50 Navigating Agency and Peacemaking40:00 The Role of Trust and Proximity45:45 Faith and the Cost of Peacemaking51:20 Hope in Courageous Voices54:37 Finding Peace Amidst ConflictFor full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Rev. Adam Taylor joins Jen and Patrick for a wide-ranging conversation about peace, justice, and the prophetic vision of Isaiah 58. He shares how his own faith journey, shaped by interracial family roots, the civil rights movement, and Black church tradition, led him to Sojourners and to a deep conviction that peace is more than the absence of conflict.The episode explores why justice and peace are inseparable, how Isaiah 58 challenges transactional religion, and what it means to become a “repairer of the breach” in both public life and personal discipleship.TIMESTAMPS:00:54 - Peace defined as wholeness and right relationship05:20 - The Jim Wallis course that led to Sojourners08:59 - Why peace and justice belong together10:06 - Biblical justice language: mishpat and tsedek13:13 - Isaiah 58 in context: exile and true fasting17:18 - Why injustice is structural, not just interpersonal24:15 - Moving beyond zero-sum thinking31:53 - Wages, land, labor, and other biblical justice issues35:32 - Pastoral advice for people resistant to justice language43:07 - How unjust systems advantage some and trap others49:57 - “Repairers of the breach” and the call to peacemaking52:48 - Breath prayer: “Be still and know that I am God”For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Elizabeth Davis Edwards joins Jen and Patrick to share inspiring stories of community-led refugee support and explores how welcoming strangers aligns with faith, history, and peacebuilding. This episode emphasizes that peace is cultivated through everyday acts of hospitality, community effort, and faith-based compassion. It encourages listeners to look around their neighborhoods for opportunities to serve, love, and welcome "one more."Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to peace and the deeper meaning of shalom04:15 - Afghan families in Greece and their transformative impact08:15 - The biblical call to remember and welcome the stranger10:45 - Abraham’s hospitality as a model for modern welcome13:01 - Reframing division through recognizing sacredness in others16:46 - How communities can surmount "othering" and embrace shared humanity23:29 - Gregory Boyle’s quote on human hospitality28:56 - Opportunities for faith communities to actively participate in peacebuilding33:31 - Personal peace amidst chaos and the importance of small, everyday acts of goodness38:13 - Addressing misconceptions about refugee support and community capacity44:24 - The faith perspective on resilience, hope, and trusting divine guidance48:21 - Recognizing that true peace comes from charity, hope, and divine powerFor full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Jen and Patrick are joined by James Patton to explore the multidimensional nature of peace, emphasizing its relational and movement-driven aspects. Drawing from his rich spiritual journey and extensive experience in peacebuilding across cultures and faiths, James offers nuanced perspectives on community, faith, truth, and conflict. They discuss the Old Testament idea of a chosen people, how that relates to diverse faith groups today, and how to avoid conflict when believing in chosenness.TIMESTAMPS:[01:36] The theme of chosenness in the Old Testament — beauty and tension[04:55] Introducing James Patton — career in religion, conflict transformation, and global peacebuilding[08:45] Defining peace: relationship, mutuality, and progressive healing over harm[12:19] James's path to peacebuilding — Peace Corps in Paraguay and the power of community[15:02] Faith journey: from Catholic roots to Quaker practice and interfaith work[22:34] Two models of chosenness — zero-sum in/out vs. inclusive divine invitation[27:30] Case study: reducing sectarian violence in Pakistan by elevating identity rather than erasing it[35:41] Truth, religion, and peacebuilding — static vs. relational understandings of truth[41:06] Navigating simple and complex worldviews — how different people hold truth[46:34] Integrity in practice — restorative vs. punitive justice, and the difficulty of living your values[50:39] Where James finds peace — Wendell Berry's The Want of Peace and The Peace of Wild ThingsFind more show notes and transcript at https://proclaimpeace.org

Jen and Patrick are joined by Sarah Perkins to explore the profound ways stories shape our understanding of peace, justice, and reconciliation. They focus on the contrasting peacemaking styles of Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha. Sarah shares her journey as a writer, filmmaker, and peacemaker, emphasizing the power of faith, imagination, and human connection in transforming conflicts into moments of compassion.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: The biblical and modern models of peacemaking(03:19) Elijah as a prophet of justice and the challenge of non-passive activism(07:44) The importance of speaking truth without contempt or dehumanizing others(11:27) How to be conflict-avoidant while still advocating for justice(15:35) The differences between Elijah's fiery approach and Elisha's humble miracles(20:14) The role of small acts of kindness in peacebuilding and social change(25:05) Using stories like "They that be with us" to expand moral imagination(32:10) Insights from international peacemaking efforts in Northern Ireland(36:29) The power of storytelling, especially in faith contexts, to foster hope(39:00) How children can inspire adults to love and imagine peaceFor full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Marianne Viray joins Jen and Patrick to delve into the dynamics of conflict and peacemaking within leadership and society, drawing lessons from the biblical story of Jonathan, David, and Saul. They explore how leadership decisions can influence societal polarization and offer practical tools for engaging with leaders respectfully. The discussion emphasizes the importance of modeling civility and virtue in public discourse and provides strategies for individuals to break cycles of conflict. The conversation highlights the power of personal transformation, empathy, and community action in fostering a respectful and civil society.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Peace in the context of biblical conflict resolutions06:39 - Navigating disagreement with leaders respectfully15:34 - Disagree Better: reducing polarization through leadership modeling23:17 - The basis of true peace: love, empathy, and recognition of human complexity30:12 - The power of small, intentional acts in societal peacebuilding38:32 - Engaging civility in city councils and local governmentFor full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org