GOOD ON WOOD

• Desmond Tutu: Laughing in the Face of Empire w. Rev. René August & Rev. Edwin Arrison

  In today's episode of Good on Wood we speak to Reverend René August & Reverend Edwin Arrison about the life and legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Focusing on their personal relationships to the Bishop and his early influences, spirituality, radical action, and the profound impact Tutu had on the fight against Apartheid in South Africa. Together we reflect on Tutu's teachings about joy, forgiveness, and the importance of doing “our little but of good” which when put together can overwhelm the world. May Desmond Tutu’s witness serve as a model for contemporary struggles against apartheid, fascism and injustice.About Rev. René August -René August was baptised in the United Congregational Church, confirmed Methodist and ordained Anglican. Born into a black Christian family in Apartheid South Africa meant that holding paradox, ambiguity, suspicion, survival with the ability for quick thinking, running fast and careful listening were some of the things you had to master if you were going to get through school. If you wanted to get through life with any kind of faith then you needed a few more tools in your belt. Growing up in Mitchell’s Plain meant early days of ministry happened there. Her first job was in an inner city church, where she discovered God’s love for cities, and her love for cities too. She has always worked in ecumenical contexts and enjoys variety.There are many things René loves and a few things she hates. She hates conflict enough to get involved in conflict transformation. She hates injustices enough to want to be involved in as many ways as are necessary to bring about justice in as many ways as possible. She hates the exploitation of our planet enough to want to work for its restoration. She loves the local church, she loves cricket, she loves food and people and being outside. She loves learning, but hates studying. She loves working in a team. In working at The Warehouse, René spends a lot of time with church leaders. She is passionate about finding new ways and tools to read our sacred texts in ways that help us connect it to our historical and contemporary contexts, so that we find new ways to live more faithfully in God’s story of love and recreation.About Rev. Edwin Arrison -Edwin Arrison is an Anglican priest who was ordained by Archbishop Tutu in 1992. He is the Chairperson of the Centre for Christian Spirituality and Development Officer for the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town, as well as the Director of the Volmoed Youth Leadership Training programme, of which Tutu was the patron.FOLLOW US -⁠@goodonwood.podcast⁠@ststephensuniversity⁠⁠@jfi_ssu⁠⁠@steveschallert⁠⁠@jarrodmckenna⁠To learn more about St Stephen's University and all of our program offerings in Theology & Culture, Peace & Justice, or Reconciliation Studies visit us at - ssu.caMusic provided by John & David from ⁠The Brilliance⁠A special thanks to the Tutu Legacy Foundation for audio archives and additional music used in this episode. 

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• Mubarak Awad: Nonviolence in the Unholy Lands w. Sami Awad

  In today's episode of Good on Wood we speak to Sami Awad (Co-Director of Nonviolence International & Founder of The Holy Land Trust) about the life and legacy of his uncle Mubarak Awad (oft referred to as “the Gandhi of Palestine”). In our conversation, Sami Awad shares personal anecdotes and historical context, highlighting the profound teachings of his grandmother, the impact of the Nakba on all Palestinian families, and the principles of nonviolent action which has shaped his uncle's activism until this day. The discussion also explores the challenge of promoting nonviolence in deeply traumatised societies, the importance of building complex relationships across divides, and the tension between academic theories of peace and the lived realities of grassroots activists. Through it all, Awad highlights the resilience and steadfastness required in the face of adversity, advocating for mercy, humility and costly collective action as essential components of effective resistance.About Sami AwadSami Awad is Co-Director of Nonviolence International, the organization founded by Mubarak Awad after he was deported by the Israeli government in 1988. Sami is also the Founder and the former Executive Director of Holy Land Trust in Bethlehem. Born in the United States to Palestinian parents; his father (originally from Jerusalem) became a refugee at the age of nine following his father’s death in the 1948 war leaving behind his wife and seven children. Sami’s mother is from the Gaza Strip where members of his family are still living. Growing up in a violent situation, at a young age Sami was influenced deeply by the teaching of his uncle Mubarak, the Palestinian activist who promoted and engaged in nonviolent resistance to the occupation during the first Intifadah. From a young age Sami was introduced to and influenced by great leaders and visionaries of peace and non-violence, from Jesus to Gandhi to Martin Luther King Jr.Sami holds a Doctoral Degree in Divinity from the Chicago Theological Seminary, a master's degree in international relations from the American University in Washington D.C. and an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas.Today Sami is active both locally in Palestine and globally; promoting, teaching, and practicing nonviolent resistance, collective trauma healing, and conflict transformation. Join our⁠ 'Good on Wood' Learning Community on PATREON⁠ to grab early access to future episodes and participate in live interview recordings.FOLLOW US -⁠@goodonwood.podcast⁠@ststephensuniversity⁠⁠@jfi_ssu⁠⁠@steveschallert⁠⁠@jarrodmckenna⁠To learn more about St Stephen's University and all of our program offerings in Theology & Culture, Peace & Justice, or Reconciliation Studies visit us at - ssu.caMusic provided by John & David from ⁠The Brilliance⁠

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• Simone Weil & The Praxis of Incarnation w. Dr Bradley Jersak

  In today's episode of Good on Wood we speak to Dr Bradley Jersak (SSU's Principle & Dean of Theology & Culture) about the profound life and philosophy of Simone Weil. Exploring together her political philosophy and anti-fascist radicalism, her mysticism and theological insights and ultimately revealing in her "praxis of incarnation." Simone Weil's insights into suffering and affliction, solidarity and attention, de-creation and kenotic love, along with her advocacy for rootedness make her witness deeply contemporary for our time. About Dr Bradley JersakDr. Bradley Jersak is the Principal of St. Stephen's University, Director of SSU School of Theology & Culture, and Professor of Religious Studies with the Jim Forest Institute. He lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia with his Eden, who co-pastors the Bridge Church. Finally empty nesters of three, they are now smitten with three grandchildren. After earning an MA and MDiv with concentrations in Biblical Studies, he spent twenty years serving in pastoral ministry. In 2009, Bradley commenced his studies and earned PhD in Theology from Bangor University in Wales, focusing on the Political Theology of George P. Grant and Simone Weil. He was also a visiting scholar at the University of Nottingham, where he focused on Patristic Christology. In 2012, he joined the New Testament faculty of Westminster Theological Centre (Cheltenham), where he taught for five years. Bradley began his relationship with St. Stephen’s in 2013 as adjunct faculty, eventually becoming faculty, Assoc. Dean of the Ministry Program, then Dean of Theology & Culture. Beginning May 1, 2023, he was appointed Principal of the university.  He is also author of over twenty books, including academic works in theology and philosophy, popular books including the “More Christlike” trilogy, along with two children’s books and a novel co-written with Wm. Paul Young (The Shack guy). Bradley was co-founder of Fresh Wind Press and its current successor, St. Macrina Press, edits for CWRmagazine, and is a co-founder and contributor at Clarion-Journal.ca.Join our 'Good on Wood' Learning Community on PATREON to grab early access to future episodes and participate in live interview recordings.FOLLOW US [email protected]@ststephensuniversity@jfi_ssu@steveschallert@jarrodmckennaTo learn more about St Stephen's University and all of our program offerings in Theology & Culture, Peace & Justice, or Reconciliation Studies visit us at - ssu.caMusic provided by John & David from The Brilliance

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• Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus w. Dr Reggie Williams

  In today's episode of Good on Wood we speak to Dr Reggie Williams about the life and theological legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, exploring together his early years, the impact of the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Church tradition upon his spiritual and political journey, and the relevance of his witness in today's world of rising fascisms. Through the brilliance of Dr Williams, we examine Bonhoeffer's revolutionary protest against oppression, his transformative experiences in Harlem, and both the challenges and limitations of his theological contribution which remains.About Dr Reggie WilliamsReggie Williams is Associate Professor of Black Theology and African American Studies at St Louis University in St Louis, Missouri. He is the author of Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance, which was selected as a Choice Outstanding Title in theology, in 2014 (revised edition, 2021). He is also co-producer of a new documentary "The Cloud of Witnesses: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Harlem 1930/30. "Dr. Williams’ research interests include arts, Black theology, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Christian ethics. He is a board member of the English Language section of the International Dietrich Bonhoeffer Society, former board member of the Society for the Study of Black Religion, and the Society for Christian Ethics.Reggie's Book - "Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance"Reggie's Documentary - "The Cloud of Witnesses: Bonhoeffer in Harlem"Join our 'Good on Wood' Learning Community on PATREON to grab early access to future episodes and participate in live interview recordings.FOLLOW US [email protected]@ststephensuniversity@jfi_ssu@steveschallert@jarrodmckennaTo learn more about St Stephen's University and all of our program offerings in Theology & Culture, Peace & Justice, or Reconciliation Studies visit us at - ssu.caMusic provided by The Brilliance

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• Ya Better Look Good on Wood

  In this teaser episode, hosts Steve Schallert (Cape Town based community organiser and kingian nonviolence specialist)  and Jarrod McKenna (award winning peace activist and pastor) explore the themes of faithful radicalism, the legacy of influential figures like Daniel Berrigan and Dorothy Day, and the need to root strong social engagement in a deep spirituality. They discuss the call for saints in contemporary society, share personal stories of connections with historic peacebuilders, and introduce the 'Good On Wood' podcast, which aims to inspire a new generation of Jesus followers to get up, get out, and get into some good trouble.Join our 'Good on Wood' learning community on PATREON to grab early access to future episodes and participate in live interview recordings.Follow us - @goodonwood.podcast@ststephensuniversity @jfi_ssu@steveschallert@jarrodmckennaTo learn more about St Stephen's University and all of our program offerings in Theology & Culture, Peace & Justice, or Reconciliation Studies visit us at - ssu.caMusic provided by The Brilliance

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