Welcome to Episode 35, where the host of the Western Friend Podcast chats with Elaine Granata and David Poundstone about their work visiting and conversing with incarcerated folks. Both Elaine and David are members of Mountain View Friends Meeting in Denver, who spoke with us about their experiences visiting men in federal prisons through the Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS) program. You can also read the articles they wrote for the May/June 2024 issue of Western Friend magazine below:A ...

Welcome to episode 34 of the Western Friend Podcast, a joint production of Western Friend and the Soul Force Ones. On today’s episode, Mary Klein and Jon Stoll facilitate a conversation with Sister Confianza del Señor of the Amigas del Señor Methodist Monastery in Limón, Honduras. She shares about her calling to the monastic life, her interest in the Spanish language and her journey to Honduras, and her article “The Power of Prayer” in the latest issue of the Western Friend Magazine.

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 magaz...

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 o...

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...

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:Br...

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 Po...

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 p...