Episode 65: Angelina Diliberto Allen (In Honor of Abdu'l-Baha)

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode we come full circle to where the Baha'i Blogcast all began, with me and Baha'i Blog's co-founder and Blogcast producer, Naysan Naraqi. We're getting back together to wrap up our final episode, marking the end of this iteration of the Baha'i Blogcast as we know it. We're not sure where things will go from here, but it's been an amazing journey with so many fascinating guests and conversations over the last six years! In this episode, we talk about the Baha'i Blogcast, my new book called Soul Boom, and we share a Baha'i quote we've been reflecting on. Join me and Naysan one last time, on this final episode of the Baha'i Blogcast! You can watch a video of this conversation on Baha'i Blog's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omAvTG4gujU Find out more about some of the things we mentioned and covered below: - Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution can be purchased from book retailers including Amazon: https://amzn.to/45dhE9v - find the whole playlist of Blogcast episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLePDtgwcyKAQmifUJTw0Kk-hBGL2ZGMJi - we mention a couple of episodes specifically such as the one where Michael Penn says "human beings are the most powerful receptors". Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fSOl_oU9Jw - Michael Karlberg and his book Beyond the Culture of Contest are referenced. Michael was featured on this episode of the Blogcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqkvhEcGrfM - Mental health is discussed. Baha'i Blog has been working on creating content related to mental health, health, healing and overcoming difficulties: https://www.bahaiblog.net/collection/themes/health-healing-overcoming-difficulties/ - "hope has become a depleted resource" is from a letter dated 25 November 2020 to the Baha'is of the World. You can read the letter here: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20201125_001/1#300076430 - The Geography of Bliss show: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20042368/ - Rainn quotes Abdu'l-Baha: "Your souls are as waves on the sea of the spirit; although each individual is a distinct wave, the ocean is one, all are united in God." This quotation is from Paris Talks. - Naysan also quotes Abdu'l-Baha's Paris Talks: "...all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people." Find all episodes of the Baha'i Blogcast here: *YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL *Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast *Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode I interview Dr. Elena Mustakova, an educator, social scientist and integral psychologist who believes that psychological and spiritual health are inseparable. We talk about why individuals betray themselves, and the relationship between the individual and their environment. We discuss fear, the potential pitfalls of ideology, the interdependent world we live in, sacred activism, and the difference between spirituality, religion and collective consciousness. I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did! Watch the video of the interview here: https://bit.ly/3I19DrF Find out more about some of the things we mentioned and covered below: * Check out the podcast series called "Ambassador to Humanity": https://bit.ly/33phpwG * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN Find out more about Elena Mustakova here: - Website: https://www.elenamustakova.net/ - Website: https://globalsocialhealth.org/en/home/ - Youtube: https://bit.ly/3K8FwR7 * BOOK: Global Unitive Healing: Integral Skills for Personal and Collective Transformation: https://amzn.to/3COXOBO * QUOTE: "We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions." (Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, To an individual believer, 17 February 1933) * QUOTE: "All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent Mind. This Mind is the matrix of all matter." -Max Planck * QUOTE: "A mighty force, a consummate power lieth concealed in the world of being. Fix your gaze upon it and upon its unifying influence, and not upon the differences which appear from it." -Baha'u'llah * Meaningful and Distinctive Conversations: https://bit.ly/31VLH9Q * Study Circles & Ruhi books: https://www.ruhi.org/materials/list.php * Elena shares this prayer by Baha'u'llah: "Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquillity on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!" Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO​​ * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL​​ * Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/30dX0G4​​ * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb​​ If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/​ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu’l-Baha, I’m joined by Professor Hoda Mahmoudi who holds the Baha’i Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland, USA. She tells me about moving to the US as a child and what the Baha'i Chair for World Peace is all about. We talk Abdu'l-Baha and His wonderful insights on what peace is really about, and how all of us can play a role in helping achieve it. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Find out more about some of the things we mentioned and covered below: * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Website in honor of Abdu'l-Baha's visit to North America: https://239days.com/ * Find out more about The Baha'i Chair for World Peace and Hoda Mahmoudi here: http://www.bahaichair.umd.edu/people/mahmoudi * BOOK: A World Without War by Janet Khan & Hoda Mahmoudi: https://amzn.to/3rtWIHn * Association for Baha'i Studies, North America: https://www.bahaistudies.ca/ * The Baha'i World Centre: https://www.bwc.org/ * Why is the Baha’i World Centre in Israel: https://bit.ly/3DjRx1k * Tablets of the Divine Plan: https://bit.ly/3rw39Mp * What Are the Tablets of the Divine Plan: https://bit.ly/3rxKr79 * We mention Dr. Nader Saiedi who has also been a guest on the Baha'i Blogcast: - Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson - Ep. 20: Nader Saiedi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pSyY-vhxuw - Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson - Ep.48: A Declaration of the Bab Conversation with Nader Saiedi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jPN99xQLOs * Tablets to The Hague by Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3G7hTFy * Abdu’l-Baha’s Tablets to The Hague: An Introduction: https://bit.ly/3oh9Gsn * VIDEO: A World Without War: Abdu’l-Baha & the Discourse for Global Peace - Janet Khan & Hoda Mahmoudi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRlAXd8tr7Q * The Promise of World Peace by the Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/31jtjrc * Children's Classes: https://bit.ly/31tnbMI * Why & How Do Baha’is Pray: https://bit.ly/3GbYHXa * Study Circles: https://bit.ly/3qkIJSR * Ruhi courses: https://bit.ly/3w16G44 * What is the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program: https://bit.ly/3x52jX0 * Who Were the Hands of the Cause: https://bit.ly/2EATuOD * Taking the Politics Out of Politics: https://bit.ly/3DmnnKG * Importance of Service in the Baha’i Faith: https://bit.ly/3rDjg82 * BOOK: God Passes By by Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/2UaWgBH * VIDEO: Abdu'l-Baha in Egypt - Baha'i Blog Interviews Payam Rowhani: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvPh6NSaEnA * BOOK: Paris Talks by Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3DfhNK5 * VIDEO: Abdu'l-Baha - Servant of Glory: https://youtu.be/tMJoyyEXjr4 Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO​​ * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL​​ * Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/30dX0G4​​ * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb​​ If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/​ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm joined by my dear friend Todd Steinberg, who helped out in the early days of SoulPancake and runs a teddy bear company - yep that's right - teddy bears! Todd shares his journey to finding the Baha'i Faith and how grateful he is for finding it. We talk about how systems are as important as the people within them; the importance of being in tune with our hearts and the importance of service. He tells us a little about his work with prisoners, and shares a couple of stories about Abdu'l-Baha. I hope you enjoy the conversation! Find out more about some of the things we mentioned and covered below: * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Todd's family business "Plush in a Rush": https://www.plushinarush.com/ * SoulPancake: https://participant.com/soulpancake * Baha’i Pioneering: https://www.bahaiblog.net/bahai-pioneer-travel-teacher/ * The Baha’i “Pupil of the Eye” Metaphor—What Does it Mean?: https://bahaiteachings.org/bahai-pupil-eye-metaphor/ * Bahaʼi Prayers: https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/life-spirit/devotion/prayer * 6 Questions About the Independent Investigation of Truth: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2021/05/6-questions-about-the-independent-investigation-of-truth/ * An Introduction to the Kitab-i-Iqan – The Book of Certitude: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2021/02/an-introduction-to-the-kitab-i-iqan-the-book-of-certitude/ * The Bahaʼi Fast: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2012/03/the-bahai-fast/ * Book: The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson: https://amzn.to/3Ccb6Ja * Todd’s article about teaching prisoners: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2016/12/experiences-teaching-bahai-faith-prisoners/ * The Training Institute & Ruhi sequence of courses: https://bit.ly/3qkIJSR * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX * The Shrine of the Bab and its Significance: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2013/07/the-shrine-of-the-bab-and-its-significance/ * A Tribute to Anis Zunuzi: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2016/07/tribute-anis-zunuzi/ * Devotional Meetings: https://www.bahai.org/action/devotional-life/devotional-meetings/ * Website created in honor of Abdu'l-Baha's visit to North America: 239Days.com: https://239days.com/ * Becoming a Baha’i: https://bahai.org.au/index.php/the-bahai-faith/becoming-a-bahai/ Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode I'm joined by Sovaida Ma'ani Ewing, the founder of 'The Center for Peace and Global Governance' and a person of many talents. She's the author of a number of books, has worked as a lawyer for 20 years, is a 7th generation Baha'i, and she's passionate about the role of women in society, issues around global governance, the environment, peace-building, and leadership. We discuss all of these topics and also look at ideas around Collective Security, the meaning of power, and she even shares some personal stories of her time growing up in the Holy Land. I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did! Find out more about some of the things we mentioned and covered below: * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX * Sovaida has published the following books: - The Alchemy of Peace - 6 Essential Shifts in Mindsets and Habits to Achieve World Peace: https://amzn.to/3ucNZeq - Collective Security Within Reach: https://amzn.to/3EWIplp - Building a World Federation: The Key to Resolving Our Global Crises: https://amzn.to/3ucxFdw - Bridge to Global Governance: Tackling Climate Change, Energy Distribution, and Nuclear Proliferation: https://amzn.to/3zJofYb * Sovaid's 'Re-Imagining Our World' Vlogcast on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3EON6xz * Interview with Sovaida about her book 'The Alchemy of Peace': https://bit.ly/3kIpmmE * QUOTE: "Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." -Baha'u'llah * Sovaida's NGO: Center for Peace and Global Governance (CPGG): https://www.cpgg.org/ * Sovaida's life coaching business: https://unleashyoucoaching.com/ * Siyyid Yahya-i-Darabi, given the title Vahid: https://bit.ly/2Y1qsBq * Nayriz: https://www.awakeningnayriz.org/template.php * Independent Investigation of Truth: https://bit.ly/3h2bd1V * Baha'i principle of Progressive Revelation: https://bit.ly/2Vkay0B * The Baha'i World Centre: https://www.bwc.org/ * Why is the Baha’i World Centre in Israel?: https://bit.ly/3yGYqr1 * Hands of the Cause: https://bit.ly/2EATuOD * Abu’l-Qasim Faizi: https://bit.ly/3AJGkqg * Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/3ugcvLz * Ali-Akbar Furutan: https://news.bahai.org/story/261/ * Paul Haney: https://bahaipedia.org/Paul_Haney * Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Ep.52: Dara Feldman: https://bit.ly/3AM5STR * The Promise of World Peace - Universal House of Justice letter 1985: https://bit.ly/3m56Jsm * Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Ep.35: Michael Karlberg: https://bit.ly/3ibDMdd Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu'l-Baha, I'm joined by Baha'i author, Rob Weinberg from the UK. Rob talks about the remarkable life of Abdu'l-Baha and why he feels Abdu'l-Baha was an ambassador to humanity. We talk about Abdu'l-Baha's time in Egypt, Baghdad, France, and the example He gave us. Rob tells us about his own Baha'i journey, his time in the Holy Land, and we discuss the need to focus locally, and look at how we can follow the example of Abdu'l-Baha. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Find out more about some of the things we mentioned and covered below: * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * BOOK: Ambassador to Humanity by Robert Weinberg: https://amzn.to/3t66HUu * Rob’s Bahaʼi Blog Interview 'Ambassador to Humanity': https://bit.ly/3BDEveE * Edward Granville Browne: The Only European Historian Who Met Baha’u’llah: https://bit.ly/3kVsKcG * A Dramatized Reading of E. G. Browne's Meeting with Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/3n3a8dE * Dr. William Cormick: https://bit.ly/3gXMBXp * BOOK: The Primal Point: A selection of testimonials and tributes to the Bab and His followers by Robert Weinberg: https://amzn.to/3yCgen9 * The Primal Point book interview with Rob Weinberg: https://bit.ly/3yDHT7m * The Baha'i World Centre: https://www.bwc.org/ * Why is the Baha’i World Centre in Israel?: https://bit.ly/3yGYqr1 * Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Ep 68: Kathryn Hogenson: https://bit.ly/3kNKAyi * Abdu’l-Baha’s Tablets to The Hague: https://bit.ly/38DXGbA * QUOTE: “Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.” -Baha'u'llah * Paris Talks by Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3kNKpD8 * What is the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program: https://bit.ly/3h1NWN5 * BOOK: The Master in Egypt: https://amzn.to/38PqWwt * VIDEO: Abdu'l-Baha in Egypt: https://bit.ly/3zFELcq * QUOTE: “The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers.” -Abdu’l-Baha * Siah-Chal (The Black Pit): https://bit.ly/3trpwlj * Munirih Khanum: https://bit.ly/3n9xmhY * The Two Gardens of Ridvan: https://bit.ly/3yO4v4Z * BOOK: A Sudden Music by Roger White: https://amzn.to/3zEScJz * Juliet Thompson: https://bit.ly/3tis1Gf * Bahaʼi World Publications: https://bahaiworld.bahai.org/ * A New Cycle of Human Power - Abdu’l-Baha’s encounters with modernist writers and artists by Rob Weinberg: https://bit.ly/3tg8gPu * Horace Holley: https://bit.ly/3n1ydRT * BOOK: Ethel Rosenberg: https://bit.ly/3gZR3VI * Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times – An Interview with Robert Weinberg: https://bit.ly/3zQJc4s Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts, I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu'l-Baha, I'm joined by Kathryn Hogenson, author, and attorney, who joins me in my home in California. She tells me how she became a Baha'i and about Ruhiyyih Khanum and her time at the Baha'i World Centre. She also talks about the first Western Baha’i pilgrims to Holy Land, and she shares unknown stories of Abdu’l-Baha and the Bahai's of that time. I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation as much I did! Find out more about some of the things we covered below: * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Book: 'Lighting the Western Sky' by Kathryn Hogenson: https://amzn.to/3sevjK3 * Horace Holley: https://bit.ly/3iJ0VV6 * Seals and Crofts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seals_and_Crofts * Baha'i Firesides: https://bit.ly/2QVLfCp * Nineteen Day Feast: https://bit.ly/37J7fpe * Service in the Baha’i Faith: https://bit.ly/3rDjg82 * Baha'i World Centre: https://www.bwc.org/ * Progressive Revelation: https://bit.ly/2Vkay0B * Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab: https://bit.ly/3g07ssE * Hands of the Cause: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2014/06/hands-cause/ * Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/2VVO6O8 * Video: Crossing Frontiers: Portrait of a World Citizen - Featuring the life of Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp9CDnxmpKI * Ali-Akbar Furutan: https://news.bahai.org/story/261/ * Ali-Muhammad Varqa: https://news.bahai.org/story/579/ * Baha'i Pilgrimage: https://bit.ly/2EDykz8 * House of Abdu'llah Pasha: https://bit.ly/3m1STbT * May Maxwell: https://bit.ly/3m7UkG5 * Robert Turner: https://bit.ly/3shNJK7 * Robert Stockman: https://bit.ly/3ma0rt8 * Lua Getsinger: https://bit.ly/3m3fHs6 * International Teaching Centre Building: https://bit.ly/3iKfebU * Baha'i World Volumes: https://bit.ly/3jOenq6 * Why is the Baha’i World Centre in Israel?: https://bit.ly/3xKHsYx * Shrine of the Bab: https://bit.ly/3w3JC4s * Shrine of Baha’u’llah: https://bit.ly/2URrE8J * An Introduction to the Will and Testament of Abdu’l-Baha: https://bit.ly/2VQHJvR * Phoebe Hearst: https://bit.ly/2XvQzA1 * Helen & Ella Goodall: https://bit.ly/3g21rvw * Martha Root: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2012/10/the-life-of-martha-root/ * Prison City of Akka: https://bit.ly/3jXLGan * Corinne True: https://bit.ly/3yKYres * Baha'i Houses of Worship/Temples: https://bit.ly/3m6QRaz * US Baha'i House of Worship/Temple: https://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple/ * Thornton Chase: https://bit.ly/3ssY6uR * Laura & Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney: https://bit.ly/2XlWrvj * George Ronald Publishing: https://www.grbooks.com/ * Ian Semple: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2011/12/in-memory-of-mr-ian-semple/ * Edna True: https://bahaipedia.org/Edna_True * Stanwood Cobb: https://bit.ly/2VVOOuM * Website in honor of Abdu'l-Baha's visit to North America: https://239days.com/ * You may also be interested in The Journey West podcast: https://bit.ly/3y4dzTo Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm joined by my dear Baha'i friend and award-winning actor, Penn Badgley, known for his role in many things including the TV series 'Gossip Girl' and 'You'. Penn tells me about his upbringing, his spiritual journey, and becoming a Baha'i. We talk about being a celebrity and issues around the ego and injustices that exist in society. He tells me about his appreciation of rap music and indigenous culture, and how the Baha'i Faith has inspired his work. We discuss social media, participation in the discourses of society, the power and importance of encouragement, and he leaves us with a story about Abdu'l-Baha. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! To find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links: * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Bab: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * QUOTE: "As to racial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for well-nigh a century, has bitten into the fiber, and attacked the whole social structure of American society, it should be regarded as constituting the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Baha’i community at the present stage of its evolution. The ceaseless exertions which this issue of paramount importance calls for, the sacrifices it must impose, the care and vigilance it demands, the moral courage and fortitude it requires, the tact and sympathy it necessitates, invest this problem with an urgency and importance that cannot be overestimated." -Shoghi Effendi * QUOTE: "...an enlightened man of wisdom should primarily speak with words as mild as milk..." -Baha'u'llah * QUOTE: "Know ye the value of this time. Strive ye with all your hearts, raise up your voices and shout, until this dark world be filled with light, and this narrow place of shadows be widened out, and this dust heap of a fleeting moment be changed into a mirror for the eternal gardens of heaven, and this globe of earth receive its portion of celestial grace." -Abdu'l-Baha * The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson: https://amzn.to/2WnPRUC * Introduction to The Seven Valleys: bit.ly/38yX0SI * The Seven Valleys by Baha'u'llah: bit.ly/32VC46Z * The Promise of World Peace: https://www.bahai.org/documents/the-universal-house-of-justice/promise-world-peace * Baha'i Pioneering: https://bit.ly/3jjTmVH * Study Circles: https://bit.ly/3qkIJSR * Ruhi courses: https://bit.ly/3w16G44 * Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program: https://bit.ly/3x52jX0 * Penn's Podcast PODCRUSHED: https://podcrushed.com/ * Baha'i Pilgrimage: https://bit.ly/2EDykz8 * QUOTE: "The world’s equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind’s ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System—the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed." -Baha'u'llah * The Importance of Service in the Baha’i Faith: https://bit.ly/3eDDyKr * Centenary of Abdu'l-Baha's passing: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO​​ * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL​​ * Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/30dX0G4​​ * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb​​ If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/​ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm joined by my dear Baha'i friend, Michael O'Neal, the founder of 'Parent University', a community collaborative that supports families and encourages parent involvement and participation in the education of a community’s children and youth. Michael tells us how he became a Baha'i, what it was like growing up in a poor family, why grassroots initiatives are important, and why perseverance is a must. I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation as much I did! To find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links: * Find out more about Parent University here: https://www.parentuniversitysav.org/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Bab: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * An Introduction to The Seven Valleys: https://bit.ly/3hHPLiM * An Introduction to The Four Valleys by Baha’u’llah: https://bit.ly/2VAUVEM * Book: Theif in the Night by William Sears: https://amzn.to/3xG0gZC * Seals & Crofts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seals_and_Crofts * The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan): https://bit.ly/2UIdIxA * We refer to this quote by Shoghi Effendi found in The Advent of Divine Justice: “As to racial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for well-nigh a century, has bitten into the fiber, and attacked the whole social structure of American society, it should be regarded as constituting the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Baha’i community at the present stage of its evolution. The ceaseless exertions which this issue of paramount importance calls for, the sacrifices it must impose, the care and vigilance it demands, the moral courage and fortitude it requires, the tact and sympathy it necessitates, invest this problem … with an urgency and importance that cannot be overestimated.” * Why Cluster Reflection Meetings Are So Important: https://bit.ly/2Tb5PAi * Consultation: A Perspective: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2015/10/introduction-consultation/ * The Baha’i Black Men’s Gathering: https://bit.ly/2Td3O6P * Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Episode 56: William H. “Smitty” Smith: https://bit.ly/3kqHjqh * We refer to this quote by Baha'u'llah: "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." * Children’s Classes: https://bit.ly/3yYivd1 * Study Circles: https://bit.ly/3qkIJSR * Ruhi sequence of courses: https://bit.ly/3w16G44 * The Importance of Service in the Baha’i Faith: https://bit.ly/3eDDyKr * Thornton Chase: https://bit.ly/3B0LlLT * We refer to this quote from a talk given by Abdu'l-Baha: "Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path." * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO​​ * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL​​ * Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/30dX0G4​​ * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb​​ If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/​ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu'l-Baha, I'm joined by Baha'i author, Angelina Diliberto Allen. Angelina shares how her family became Baha'is, some pioneering experiences, and how being in a chewing-gum commercial helped her and her twin sister go on pilgrimage. We talk about what the House of Justice calls "this infinitely poignant moment", and Angelina tells us some fascinating stories about the six Western Baha'is who were in the Holy Land at the time of Abdu'l-Baha's passing. I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation as much I did! Find out more about some of the things we covered below: * Centenary of Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Website in honor of Abdu'l-Baha's visit to North America: https://239days.com/ * The Journey West podcast: https://bit.ly/3y4dzTo * Book: John David Bosch: In the Vanguard of Heroes, Martyrs, and Saints by Angelina Diliberto Allen: https://amzn.to/3qz4JdR * Baha'i Blog interview with Angelina about her book: https://bit.ly/3y1rCcv * Book: When the Moon Set Over Haifa by Angelina Diliberto Allen: https://bit.ly/35YJxEK * John Bosch (https://bit.ly/3h20Meu) and Louise Bosch (https://bit.ly/2UOlpT1) * Baha'i actor Lloyd Haynes: https://bit.ly/3x40wBv * Book: God Passes By by Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/2UaWgBH * Florian Krug: https://bit.ly/361HsI2 * Pioneering: https://bit.ly/3jjTmVH * John Allen: https://bahaipedia.org/John_Allen * Knights of Baha’u’llah: https://bit.ly/2YE1hBS * Baha'i Pilgrimage: https://bit.ly/2EDykz8 * Louis Gregory: https://bit.ly/33aTONF * Shrine of the Bab: https://bit.ly/3w3JC4s * Shrine of Baha’u’llah: https://bit.ly/2URrE8J * Independent Investigation of Truth: https://bit.ly/3h2bd1V * William Sears: https://bit.ly/3jmV1d2 * Hands of the Cause: https://bit.ly/2EATuOD * Study Circles: https://bit.ly/3qkIJSR * Ruhi courses: https://bit.ly/3w16G44 * Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program: https://bit.ly/3x52jX0 * Angelina talks about my father, Robert Wilson, whom I discuss on the Baha'i Blogcast with Sean Hinton: https://bit.ly/3hcr5h7 * Will and Testament of Abdu’l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3xUtaoG * Curtis Kelsey: https://bit.ly/3jkV5dd * Bahiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/3h20rZg * QUOTE: "The content of the Will of the Master are far too much for the present generation to comprehend, it needs at least a century of actual working before the treasures of wisdom hidden in it can be revealed..." -Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi * Shrine of Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3h9aOJO * Munireh Khanum: https://bit.ly/3w6g3iK * US Baha'i Publishing Trust: https://www.bahaibookstore.com/ * Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/34DYRHj * Amelia Collins: https://bit.ly/3doqmZ4 * Book: Priceless Pearl: https://bit.ly/3y4jjfU * Baha’i Covenant: https://bit.ly/3A8mFk8 Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO​​ * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL​​ * Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/30dX0G4​​ * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb​​ If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/​ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson