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.org LINKS You 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 ..read more

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.  ..read more

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 community Creating the beloved community that we want to be a part of The importance of seeing every person, not only those in our circle The power of acting now, in the moment Thank ..read more

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 disagreement The importance of eldering as spiritual guidance and/or spiritual mentoring Remember, you can check out the archive of all 30 episodes wherever you listen to podcasts, and NEW EPISODES are r ..read more

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. LINKS Roscoe´s article: A Quaker Rosary Western Friend Magazine (Nov/Dec 2023) Western Friend Podcast archive ..read more

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 episode Quaker Earthcare Witness More information on ..read more

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 Community Website for Population Matters ..read more

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 intermis ..read more

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 Christensen of Eastside Friends meeting, the panelists include:   Zane Freewyn, Multnomah Monthly Meeting Hazel Jordan, Olympia Friends Meeting Adam Billen, South Seattle Friends Meeting Jane Snyder, Multnomah Monthly Meeting Jerry Graville, Lopez Island Monthly Meeting Click below for links to: Western Friend Podcast Western Friend Soul Force Ones ..read more

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 Worship How Does Culture Influence Quaker Worship? Thee Quaker Podcast Quakers and The Internet George Fox and th ..read more