Quaker author and activist Eileen Flanagan joins us to explore the wisdom that she has learned from her decades of experience in organizing around the climate crisis, and how that very crisis is exposing the “illusion of separation” in our times.

One of the most asked questions about Quakers is “Do they read the Bible?”. The answer is not a simple 'yes' or 'no', but a journey into a faith that has been both wounded and liberated by the very same pages.

This week, we visit Valley Mills Friends Meeting where pastor Rachel Doll O’Mahoney delivers a surprising sermon that reclaims the word “conspiracy” as a radical invitation for a community to breathe together for good.

A Quaker experiment to heal souls at Eastern State Penitentiary accidentally created a new form of torture: solitary confinement. This episode uncovers that complicated history and explores the modern fight to replace grand theories with one simple, revolutionary act.

Using both the pulpit and the page, Quaker pastor Philip Gulley has been a bold voice that challenges the church’s stance on heaven and hell, LGBTQ issues, and more. This episode was originally released on February 12, 2025. Check out our full archives for more stories of spiritual courage.

Quaker musician David LaMotte confronts the myth of powerlessness with his Quaker-inspired vision of "grounded hope," sharing profound stories and two live songs that reveal how you are already changing the world.

Quakers have a long tradition of worshipping in silence, but what really happens when the room gets quiet?

This week, we take you to New Garden Friends Meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina where pastor Brenda Esch delivers a deeply personal message about the fear and promise of new beginnings.

A group of Quakers embark on a grueling 300-mile walk from New York to Washington D.C. to deliver a powerful message to a government that doesn’t want to hear it.

Sarah and Angelina Grimke were unapologetically anti-slavery and pro-women’s rights. Their convictions were driven by their faith in God, yet it got them booted from Quakerism, made them a byword among their Southern peers, and even caused controversy among fellow

Quaker graffiti artist Todd Drake (Quaker Pirate), explains the provocative inspiration for his new portrait of Benjamin Lay and shares his philosophy of doing good without asking permission.

Benjamin Lay was a fierce abolitionist whose dramatic protests against slavery embarrassed the powerful Quakers of his day. They kicked him out and tried to erase him. This is the story of his return.

Quakers may have been early and outspoken opponents of slavery, but the truth is far messier than many realize.

Quakers have a long history of getting into trouble for the sake of justice, but what drives them to act? From the earliest Quakers disrupting church services to a modern woman’s brave tax resistance, we explore the deeper core of Quaker prophetic witness.

Season 3 is two short weeks away. This season we’ll focus on “Quaker prophetic witness”: We’re talking about guerilla theater, loving your enemy as you’re confronting them, impossible odds, and stories of spiritual courage that you’ve never heard before.

When the federal government rescinded a decades-old policy protecting houses of worship from immigration raids, a group of Quakers filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. Their argument is uniquely Quaker: the threat of armed agents in their meeting houses creates a "chilling effect" that doesn't just lower attendance, it fundamentally obstructs their ability to worship, a practice which requires the presence of a diverse community to hear the full expression of God. What happens when Quakers sue the government? What might be the unexpected ripple effects? And what does it mean for the future of religious freedom when standing by your principles lands you on the radar of a congressional committee?

In times of political upheaval, when institutions feel unreliable and the future uncertain, how do we resist authoritarianism without becoming what we oppose? Daniel Hunter, co-founder of "Choose Democracy" and seasoned organizer, shares how Trump's second election unexpectedly led him to claim his Quaker identity and discover how ancient Quaker principles provide a roadmap for modern resistance. World Quaker Day is on Sunday, October 5th, 2025, and this year’s theme is “Love your neighbor.” Friends World Committee for Consultation would like to invite you to take that message to heart and live it out in your own local community. Find helpful ideas for how to do that and free resources at fwcc.world/worldquakerday. He reveals remarkable acts of civil disobedience happening right under our noses, and explains why recognizing these moments of courage is crucial for building sustained resistance. This vital conversation explores finding strength in uncertainty, courage in community, and hope in the midst of chaos, offering practical resources for resistance grounded in spiritual practice.

A few months ago, twenty police officers smashed down the door of Westminster Quaker meetinghouse and arrested a handful of young activists as they sat eating hummus and breadsticks. This dramatic raid triggered a profound response from a faith community that hasn't been the target of a similar action since the 17th century. When the very act of dissent is being criminalized, how do we stand up for what is right? How do we demand justice while leaving the door open for reconciliation? Can silence, solidarity, and a simple cup of tea challenge the aggression of the state?

Professor and activist Chloe Schwenke shares her journey as a transgender woman finding acceptance within her Quaker community while navigating increasing political attacks on trans rights. She explores the concept of "Quaker anger" as a spiritual response to injustice and calls for authentic action beyond just feeling stricken by current events. This conversation examines how faith communities can move from witnessing suffering to actively defending human dignity in times of crisis.

As DEI Initiatives come under attack, we must move beyond surface-level diversity and allyship to embrace our fundamental interconnectedness and mutual thriving. Quakers, according to our guest Niyonu Spann, are uniquely situated to speak profound truth into this pivotal moment. Niyonu is a teacher, singer/songwriter, community activator, and the founder of Beyond Diversity 101. In this episode, she invites us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, to find harmony in dissonance like a jazz musician, and to embrace the profound Quaker practice of discernment in a world crying out for genuine connection and "fiery love."