Spirit in Action

Brenda Asterino guest-hosts today, sharing an interview with Sara Yamasaki, founder and head instructor of the Moving Words Writing Clinics, a summer writing program for elementary, middle school, and high school students grounded in the belief that everyone has an authentic voice, everyone has genius, and everyone can write. She is a writer, multi-sensory learning specialist, and certified teacher with over 30 years experience teaching children, graduates, teachers, and professionals.

A refreshing look beyond the distortions and rhetoric of the Islamaphobia industry in the US, Demystifying Shariah: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It’s Not Taking Over Our Country by Sumbul Ali-Karamali opens eyes to the rich & complex history & present of how Muslims try to faithfully follow God. Sumbul grew up in Southern California, and after becoming a corporate lawyer, she earned an additional degree in Islamic law.

Andrew Boyd decided to take the Climate Crisis by the horns of despair and ride it through to the bitter conclusion, and the result is his latest book, I Want a Better Catastrophe: Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor.

Second hour of a 2-part visit with war tax resistance (WTR) activists. Each of the 4 people has changed their life to conscientiously refuse to pay for bullets, guns, bombs, and war, and they've worked to call attention to the fact that about half of every income tax dollar goes to the military. Around April 15^th American's dollars are conscripted through taxation, and these 4 guests have said 'no'.

A 2-part visit with war tax resistance activists. Without our money, our country could not carry out war in our name. Every year around April 15^th, Americans are asked to make sure the national coffers are filled, and about half of the income taxes paid go to the military.

How do we spread the peace virus instead of perpetuating fear, hate, & injustice? Matthew Legge is author of Are We Done Fighting? Building Understanding in a World of Hate and Division, which gives us deep insights & practical skills for doing just that.

Most of us lament the polarization of our society, but George Lakey finds promise in the blacksmith's forge.

Valerie Brown's new book is Hope Leans Forward, Teaching From a Black Buddhist & Quaker.

Raheel Raza speaks out powerfully, as a Muslim, for the rights of women & other marginalized minorities, and for an unblinking and compassionate approach to differences, including the threats posed by extremists within the religion to which she is devoted.

In 1987 David & Lise Abazs bought and built their off-the-grid Round River Farm, in Finland, Minnesota, from the