In this episode, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart delve into the realities of failure and mistakes as crucial elements of our growth as peacemakers. They explore the anxiety around mistakes, the societal pressure to avoid them, and the importance of embracing mistakes as pathways to improvement rather than perfection. The discussion includes insights from poet Zedeka Poindexter and emphasizes the need for courage, humility, teachability, and generosity in both making and receiving mistakes. This liberating conversation invites listeners to reframe their approach to failure as a way to engage more deeply in the journey of peacemaking. 01:45 Spark from Zedeka’s Poetry03:35 Navigating Divides and Fear of Mistakes07:39 Learning Through Trial and Error10:52 Insights from Ted Lasso13:13 Infrastructure of self-reflection13:49 Creating space for mistakes18:47 Courage, Humility, and Teachability24:43 How to receive an apology27:08 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

• Zedeka Poindexter www.zedekapoindexter.com
• Hear her Peach Cobbler piece - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwYFMtUD70w
• Brenda Salter McNeil’s new book, Empowered to Repair: https://www.saltermcneil.com/empowered-to-repairPhoto by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash
• Learn more about the Leadership Cohort at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• Sign up for the cohort interest list or RSVP for an info session at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• Learn more about us: globalimmerse.org
• Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
• Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

In this episode, Osheta and Jer reflect candidly on the common experience of loneliness, recognizing that it’s always a part of the path of peacemaking. Reflecting on their recent Deep South immersion with the 2024 Leadership Cohort, they share their journey from isolation to discovering a sense of companionship and learning how to be lonely together.

Through theological reflections and personal stories, they explore the significance of befriending loneliness, prioritizing companionship over community, and finding comfort in prayer practices. They encourage us all to acknowledge our own loneliness without anxiety, while seeking a way forward together with others on this journey.

01:44 shared experience of loneliness 04:38 befriending loneliness 11:08 finding your prayer practice 13:50 being lonely together 19:09 companionship more than community 22:02 gentle invitations

• Learn more about the Leadership Cohort at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• Sign up for the cohort interest list or RSVP for an info session at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• Learn more about us: globalimmerse.org
• Photo by hanya kumuh on Unsplash
• Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
• Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

This episode was a spontaneous conversation between hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart reflecting on the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump. They discuss their immediate reactions, the importance of maintaining a peaceable presence, and how to navigate violent political climates as peacemakers.

The conversation emphasizes the need for creating safe spaces, fostering sacrificial relationships, and building communities committed to repair. Diving deep into personal anecdotes, theological reflections, and practical advice, this episode offers a specific call to action to move beyond social media posts and instead, to gather around tables and lead through these tumultuous times.

00:41 Reacting to the Assassination Attempt04:52 Personal Reflections and Boundaries09:06 The Role of Peacemakers in Turbulent Times16:50 Political violence19:41 Embracing Fear and Love20:07 Starfish vs. Spider Leadership21:12 The Illusion of Eliminating Ideologies24:17 Building Communities of Peacemakers Learn more: globalimmerse.org Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

In this episode, Osheta and Jer delve into the intersection of parenting and peacemaking. They grapple with the temptation of fixing vs. being, naming the lure of project-oriented parenting and peacemaking. The high stakes of Christian parenting in particular are addressed, opening up a discussion about when we might need to reparent ourselves rather than focusing solely on the needs of our children. Unique practices in each of their households are shared, culminating in an invitation to parents to find their own authentic style of peacemaking as the greatest gift they can give their children.

The conversation offers valuable insights for parents and peacemakers alike, exploring how to nurture children in a way that allows them to grow into the everyday peacemakers our divided world so badly needs.

02:42 Fixing vs being06:03 How do you want to be remembered by your kids?07:31 The problem with project-oriented peacemaking14:19 The stakes of Christian parenting18:18 Lowering the stakes20:35 Reparenting ourselves vs. Parenting our kids22:43 Household practices23:55 Impatience with our own formation25:50 Bringing kids into a story28:06 Shielding kids from mistakes and failure30:19 Integrity in our own style of peacemaking33:17 closing

Learn more: globalimmerse.org Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

Jer kicks off the episode with a story about a recent encounter with his own stereotypes at a Guns to Gardens event in Bend, Oregon. This experience led him to question the fables he’s fabricated about “those people.” They wrestle with stereotypes as organized lies that shape the way we see others, and explore how to balance this awareness with genuine caution or wisdom in potentially unsafe situations. The conversation delves into broader themes of confronting stereotypes, the importance of proximity, and the interior transformation needed to see others as beloved. Listen for insights on disarming both physical weapons and the stereotypes that arm our imaginations. 02:38 Guns to Garden event context05:15 Becoming a gun decommissioning site10:07 The chopped up SUV16:15 The interior work17:33 How do we discern?21:31 The Man or the Bear24:31 Stereotypes28:53 Practical ideas to get into proximity34:30 announcements and credits Learn more: globalimmerse.org Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

In this episode, Osheta processes a challenging experience of racism and her struggle to respond as a peacemaker when she was already depleted. The conversation explores the importance of self-care, acknowledging our triggers, and building an ‘infrastructure of support’ to remain grounded amidst everyday conflicts and tension. They emphasize the persistent presence of the Holy Spirit with us, the need for proactive preparation for difficult spaces, listening to our bodies, and how community is foundational to everyday peacemaking.

01:04 Osheta’s Shares an Encounter with Racism07:46 Discerning when to walk away10:06 Protecting the “other’s” belovedness14:45 infrastructure of support17:03 Preparing for difficult spaces18:36 listening to our bodies22:30 Resilience through the Spirit of God in us27:18 A Gentle Invitation

Learn more: globalimmerse.org Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

In this episode, Osheta and Jer explore hope and its paramount importance in Everyday Peacemaking, inspired by this season of Eastertide. They delve into how hope, seen as both a skill and a practice, is essential in looking for and participating in ‘little resurrections’ amidst life’s challenges and divisions. Through personal stories, they illustrate the power of adopting a ‘Yes, and...’ posture, which acknowledges difficulties while remaining open to the ever-present possibility of resurrection breaking forth in daily life. The conversation culminates with a call to embrace the ‘resurrection impulse’ as Everyday Peacemakers, seeking out and nurturing moments of new life and hope in both the mundane and the monumental.

00:40 Reflecting on Eastertide08:04 Little resurrections09:57 Story of counter-protestors22:04 Community and interior formation27:03 Moving closer31:11 Low stakes moments32:55 Closing Invitation

Learn more: globalimmerse.org Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

Our next Virtual Immersion conversation into the Israel/Gaza war wrestles with what to do as peacemakers when we drift into despair, give in to fear, or move in our anger from righteous indignation to dehumanizing rage. Jer Swigart is joined by Mercy Aiken and Bruce Fisk from the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East (NEME), who are navigating these realities while fighting like peacemakers for an end to this suffering. The discussion is anchored in their personal stories of awakening to the injustices and complexities of the crisis, centered on the transition from being pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian to adopting a pro-human perspective. The conversation delves into the costs of taking such a stance, highlighting the personal, professional, and emotional tolls and the importance of solidarity and relationship-building in pursuing peace. The dialogue shifts to confronting feelings of despair, the challenges of maintaining hope, and the complexities of managing anger without dehumanizing the other, all towards growing our resilience and deepening our souls for sustained practice. 00:00 Opening Context06:53 Mercy and Bruce Introductions09:57 Waking up to a Larger Story20:29 Pro-human is not neutral22:39 The high cost of leaving a Pro-Israel Christianity32:18 Despair, Fear, and Anger40:58 What to do with despair46:10 Anger The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse, and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers embedded within this war's trenches. Support our work at globalimmerse.org/donate Learn more about NEME's work: neme.network