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The "Center"

Marsha Thrall

41 episodes

5 months ago

Send us a text On today’s podcast, we’re joined by Rev. Kelly Dignan. In 2017, Rev. Dignan advocated for, and led her congregation – the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado – to become a sanctuary congregation, housing a Peruvian refugee mother and her children. Today’s conversation will focus on the resurgence of the Sanctuary Church Movement during the past 10 years, and how this influenced the Unitarian Universalist Church – Boulder to open up their building as a sanctuary s...

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Religion & Spirituality

All content for The "Center" is the property of Marsha Thrall and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send us a text On today’s podcast, we’re joined by Rev. Kelly Dignan. In 2017, Rev. Dignan advocated for, and led her congregation – the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado – to become a sanctuary congregation, housing a Peruvian refugee mother and her children. Today’s conversation will focus on the resurgence of the Sanctuary Church Movement during the past 10 years, and how this influenced the Unitarian Universalist Church – Boulder to open up their building as a sanctuary s...

Show more...

Religion & Spirituality

Episodes (20/41)

The "Center"

The Sanctuary Movement as Solidarity - A Conversation With Rev. Kelly Dignan

Send us a text On today’s podcast, we’re joined by Rev. Kelly Dignan. In 2017, Rev. Dignan advocated for, and led her congregation – the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado – to become a sanctuary congregation, housing a Peruvian refugee mother and her children. Today’s conversation will focus on the resurgence of the Sanctuary Church Movement during the past 10 years, and how this influenced the Unitarian Universalist Church – Boulder to open up their building as a sanctuary s...

5 months ago

38 minutes

The "Center"

Art As Reconciliation: A Conversation With Brian Beals

Send us a text On Today’s episode of The "Center", we welcome guest Brian Beals. In 1990, Brian Beals was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to 80 years in prison. Beals was incarcerated within several prisons throughout Illinois, and during his wrongful incarceration became a published author. It was during his incarceration in a prison in Dixon, IL that Brian along with other prisoners developed the Mud Theater Project, a prison-based theater group that has produced several award-...

6 months ago

29 minutes

The "Center"

The Gift of Restorative Justice – A Conversation with Sr. Janet Ryan and Eric Anderson

Send us a text On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Sister Janet Ryan, OSF, and Eric Anderson. Our conversation will focus on the impact that restorative justice practices have on those who are incarcerated, and also on the staff working within the prison system in the state of Illinois. As a member of the community of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, Sister Janet Ryan has been a guest on The “Center” podcast before to discuss the work that she does with Precious Blood...

6 months ago

38 minutes

The "Center"

Every Day is Earth Day, With Kurt Kreiter

Send us a text On today’s episode of The “Center” we welcome our friend, Kurt Kreiter. Kurt was a guest on The “Center” in September 2023, when we discussed prairie ecology and the importance of regenerating and maintaining prairie lands in Iowa. Today, Kurt and host Marsha Thrall discuss why every day is Earth Day while they talk a little bit more about prairie ecology and discuss the geological and geographical origins of the Driftless Area that starts in Northern Minnesota and extends sout...

7 months ago

24 minutes

The "Center"

Promoting Food Security in Our Local Communities - A Conversation With Carrie Donaire

Send us a text On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Carrie Donaire, the 2024-25 president of the Rotary Club of Clinton, Iowa. Under her leadership, the Rotary Club of Clinton will host its first annual Food Security Summit on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Food Security Summit aims to bring together Clinton’s social service agencies and county organizations to collaborate on developing sustainable solutions to food insecurity, including promoting community planning, and ra...

7 months ago

25 minutes

The "Center"

Empowering Non-Violence Through Youth Sports - A Conversation With Reggie Russell

Send us a text On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Reggie Russell, Executive Director of Empowerment Through Sports, a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping youth overcome violence through youth sports. Reggie will talk about how youth sports help the youth in Clinton schools overcome violent influences, and contributes to the success of all youth who participate in organized youth sports. Please note: The views expressed here are individual views that do not nec...

8 months ago

21 minutes

The "Center"

Becoming Non-Violent Peacemakers - A Conversation with Eli McCarthy

Send us a text This week's guest on The "Center" will be Eli McCarthy, Ph.D., a professor in both the Peace and Justice Studies and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University. Currently, Eli serves as the Just Peace Fellow with Franciscan Action Network and on the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative's steering committee, a Pax Christi International project. He has written for the Huffington Post, National Catholic Reporter, and The Hill. During the conversation, Eli...

8 months ago

32 minutes

The "Center"

Doing Human Trafficking Work in the State of Iowa - A Conversation With Dr. George Belitsos

Send us a textWelcome to The “Center” – I’m your host Marsha Thrall. On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Dr. George Belitsos, current chair of the Board of Directors for the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery. Dr. George, as he is affectionately referred to by colleagues and friends, is the founder and Executive Director - Emeritus of Youth and Shelter Services (YSS) based in Ames, IA. It was Dr. George’s experience with at-risk youth at YSS, including LGBTQIA+ ...

9 months ago

37 minutes

The "Center"

Update 2025: The Landscape of Human Trafficking in Clinton, Iowa

Send us a textOn today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Deputy Chief of Police Jim Ballauer, and Corporal Joshua Winter of the Clinton Police Department for an update on the landscape of human trafficking in the City of Clinton, Iowa, and its neighboring communities.This week’s podcast is one in a continuing partnership with the Clinton Police Department to educate the public about the modes of human trafficking present in Clinton, and how the public can respond to the constantly cha...

9 months ago

27 minutes

The "Center"

Living an Embodied Faith - A Conversation With Leslye Colvin

Send us a text On today’s episode of The “Center,” we’re joined by contemplative activist Leslye Colvin. Leslye is a writer, educator, and spiritual companion rooted deep within her Catholic faith. Leslye writes her blog “Leslye’s Labyrinth” and has been published in the National Catholic Reporter and U.S. Catholic. Leslye serves on the boards of FutureChurch, and NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. During today’s conversation, Leslye and podcast host Marsha Thrall will discuss how em...

10 months ago

52 minutes

The "Center"

Addressing Homelessness, Food Insecurity, and Supporting our LGBTQIA+ Neighbors: A Conversation With Rev. Tamara Siburg

Send us a text On today’s episode of The “Center” we'll be joined by Reverend Tamara Siburg. Reverend Tamara is the pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa. Since beginning her service in Clinton, Rev. Tamara and her congregation have committed to focusing on issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, and LGBTIA+ recognition and safe practices within our community. Through Rev. Tamara’s leadership, St. Paul has committed to sponsoring the first PFLAG chapter in the River Cities...

10 months ago

22 minutes

The "Center"

The Catholic Worker Movement and Native Land Rights: A Conversation With Eric Anglada

Send us a text During this season of Thanksgiving, and in recognition of Native American Heritage month, the Franciscan Peace Center invites members of our community to reflect on land justice, particularly as it relates to our indigenous neighbors. On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Eric Anglada, a Catholic Worker farmer, and lay leader at the Sinisinawa Mound Center in Southwestern Wisconsin. Eric co-founded the St. Isidore Catholic Worker Farm in Cuba City, Wisconsin with...

11 months ago

33 minutes

The "Center"

Understanding Immigration in the United States: International Students Share Their Perspectives

Send us a text On today’s episode, we will be joined by international students who are attending Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. These students will openly and candidly share the struggles and difficulties they face as international students, while also celebrating the opportunities that access to a college education has provided for them. Welcome to The “Center” Augustana students, and thank you, listeners, for joining us! "Sweet Times" is by All Bets Off, and is provided by Adobe Sto...

11 months ago

30 minutes

The "Center"

What is the Impact of Temporary Protected Status on Small Communities - A Conversation With Angela Boelens

Send us a text Today, The “Center” podcast returns from its hiatus with a timely message about our migrant neighbors, and how we can better understand the various ways in which refugees can leave dangerous situations and legally enter and live in the United States while waiting for conditions to improve in their home countries. Today’s guest on The “Center” is Angela Boelens. Angela is the founder and president of IA NICE, a non-profit agency supporting refugee families from Ukraine who are s...

1 year ago

1 hour 4 minutes

The "Center"

Celebrating Women Making a Difference - An Interview With Leenah Safi

Send us a text In recognition of Women’s History Month, on today’s episode of The “Center” we are joined by Leenah Safi. Ms. Safi is the daughter of Syrian immigrants and is currently completing PhD work at Chicago Theological Seminary. As a Muslim woman, Leenah has immersed herself in full time community work as a college chaplain with a Muslim nonprofit called the Felicity Foundation. Inspired and deeply challenged by the necessary work of supporting adolescents navigating educational and c...

1 year ago

36 minutes

The "Center"

Celebrating Women from Diverse Backgrounds - And Interview With Sister Maria Zeimen and Friend

Send us a text On today’s episode of the “Center” we are joined by Sister Maria Zeimen, OSF and her friend Nancy from Garden Center Services. Garden Center Services is located in Burbank, IL, and provides housing services, day programming, and supportive employment services to people with intellectual and physical disabilities. According to their website, Garden Center Services was established in 1956 as a grassroots movement intended to serve children with developmental disabilities and thei...

1 year ago

34 minutes

The "Center"

One Year Update with St. Ann's Catholic Church - Baltimore, MD.

Send us a text On today’s episode of The “Center”, we’ll receive a one year update from members of the Social Justice Committee at St. Ann’s Catholic church in Baltimore, MD on the progress made in the campaign for canonization of the “Saintly Six”. As our regular listeners may recall, the cause of the “Saintly Six” is a movement lead by Black Catholics throughout the United States to have six African American Catholics granted sainthood within the Catholic church through the “Santo Subito” o...

1 year ago

50 minutes

The "Center"

January 2024 Human Trafficking Updates

Send us a text On this week’s episode of The “Center”, we’ll be joined by Deputy Chief James Ballauer, Corporal Josh Winter, and School Resource Officer Chris Robertson of the Clinton, Iowa police department to discuss the landscape of human trafficking in Clinton and neighboring communities. The conversation will include information about initiatives and partnerships that the Clinton PD is currently engaged in aimed at abating various forms of trafficking within Clinton, northeast Iowa, and ...

1 year ago

52 minutes

The "Center"

Feminism and Active Nonviolence – An Interview with Dr. Theresa Yugar

Send us a text On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Latina feminist theologian Dr. Theresa Yugar. Dr. Yugar is best known for her research and writing work on the 17th century Catholic nun Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, publishing the book Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: Feminist Reconstruction of Biography and Text through Wipf and Stock publishers in 2016. In 2019, Dr. Yugar was invited to co-create the production of “History’s Worst Nun” an animated TedEd short film that summari...

1 year ago

52 minutes

The "Center"

Jesus and the Gift of Active Nonviolence

Send us a text On this episode of The “Center”, we are joined by Dr. Ryan Hansen. Dr. Hansen is an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, having served churches in Chicago, Nashville, and northeastern Wisconsin. Ryan also serves as the Minister of Visitation at a Presbyterian church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Ryan has received a PhD from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and his dissertation focuses on images of cosmic upheaval and worship in the Book of Revelation. That work ...

1 year ago

57 minutes