Wrestling Out Loud: Faith and Liberation

Imam Makram El-Amin, a steadfast voice for justice, dignity, and spiritual leadership in the heart of Minneapolis. For over two decades, Imam El-Amin has served his community through faith and action, guiding one of the city’s most vibrant masjids, addressing food insecurity and housing through leadership of the nonprofit Al Maa’uun, and showing up in moments of crisis with unwavering support. A student of the late Imam W. Deen Moh...

The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, a force of nature, minister, activist, and theologian. As the first African American and the first woman to serve as a senior minister in the historic Collegiate Church, she has spent her life advocating for justice, gender inclusion, and an end to gun violence. In this episode, we talk about the ways faith sustains activism, the stories that inspire resilience, and what it means to show up for our commun...

This Memorial Day, our host Theologian in Residence Dora Muhammad and Rabbi Mike Rothbaum remember how our ancestors survived hardship and tragedy, and how our government creates so many of the conditions for said hardship. From  the Japanese internment camps during WWII, to Ellis Island and immigration stories of people being categorized upon arrival, they the richness of our stories and the true meaning of never forget. 

To see mo...

Shivani Parikh, a powerhouse advocate for racial justice and immigrant rights. As a movement lawyer, she is on the front lines, defending tenants, challenging post-9/11 surveillance, and supporting working-class Desi families in their fight for dignity and power. Beyond the courtroom, Shivani is a leader in multiple civil and legal organizations, ensuring that advocacy extends beyond policy and into real change. In our conversation...

Sonny Singh is a musician and activist whose work sits at the intersection of faith, culture, and justice. From his early days singing Sikh devotional music, to touring the world with Red Baraat, Sonny has always used his voice, both literal and figurative, to inspire change. His solo music, praised by NPR and Rolling Stone India, carries messages of hope, resilience, and defiance. In our conversation, we discuss how faith informs ...

As the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, LaTosha Brown has dedicated her life to expanding democracy, fighting voter suppression and empowering Black communities across the country. Her work bridges past and present civil rights movements, and she understands deeply the moral responsibility faith communities have in times of crisis. In our conversation, we discuss the personal moments that shaped her commitment to justice, the rol...

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a fearless advocate for human rights, democracy, and justice. As the first African refugee elected to Congress and one of the first two Muslim-American women to serve, she has dedicated her career to fighting for immigrant rights, economic justice, and progressive change.

To see more episodes of Wrestling Out Loud: Faith and Liberation and see more of Faith in Public Life Action's work visit www.fplact...

Reverend Tuhina Verma Rasche, the theologian in residence for Faith and Public Life Action. Tuhina grew up in a Hindu family and is now a pastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has done interfaith community organizing, research and pastoral work. She is now helping us build out our theology of change and articulate what it looks like to be in a community of belonging. Tuhina is a scholar who can tell you the Greek ...

Rev. Terry Williams is Pastor of Orchard Hill United Church of Christ in Chillicothe and a Faith Organizer committed to equipping faith leaders to do justice in Ohio. An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Williams serves a congregation in Ross County, a rural community hit hard by the drug crisis that also is home to two of Ohio’s state prisons. His work includes supporting faith-based volunteer work inside his ...

Rep. Angie Nixon is a force to be reckoned with. She is always on the go-- whether that is in Tallahassee advocating for constituents or knocking doors to help fellow candidates run for office. As a former organizer, and current state representative, Nixon joined us from a hot summer afternoon in FL and spoke with us about the work happening in Tallahassee where the people’s house doesn’t always reflect the people’s voice. We talke...

As faith leaders and social workers, we are uniquely equipped to help keep Ohio elections peaceful and safe for everyone. Our society and political landscape has become more divisive and partisan than ever before. In situations of anxiety, tensions can easily rise. To keep voters safe, we must be prepared to de-escalate instances of harassment or verbal attacks. We believe that individuals like you are uniquely and ideally situated...

Noor Mir is a DC-based digital strategist, advocate and dynamic leader from the Women’s March. She offers perspective on what progressive spaces can do to be more inclusive towards Muslim women like herself, and how her work digitally gave her a front row seat to the disinformation campaigns that came to a head in the January 6 insurrection. This conversation reminds us that there is always more work to be done, even for those of u...

For more than six decades, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (the RAC) has worked to educate, inspire, and mobilize the Reform Jewish community to advocate for social justice. They mobilize around federal, state, provincial, and local legislation on more than 70 pressing socioeconomic issues, including gun violence prevention, immigration, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform.

Michele Eiger is an or...

Brad Onishi is a former evangelical youth pastor, now podcast host, professor, and author of Preparing for War, a book that examines the role that churches played in the January 6 insurrection. Brad's history with wrestling with theology and the political implications makes for a nuanced conversation on everything from seeing the Imago Dei in one another to surfing in Hawaii and how all of that can represent the way the Divine...

All are welcome at eTJC Unity Mosques spaces for prayer, community, reflection, and discussion which affirm and include all. ETJC Unity Mosques are places of healing for everyone ETJC Unity Mosques are safe spaces for everyone to worship, commune, and just be. We celebrate pluralism and diversity enshrined in 49:13 of the Quran. ETJC Unity Mosques extend an intentional welcome to people of all races, classes, abilities, health (inc...

Dr. Pamela Ayo Yetunde is the author of Casting Indra’s Net and Black & Buddhist. She is a theologian, scholar, and chaplain wrestling with issues of racism, resilience and personal freedom and how using mindfulness practices contributes to our liberation. Dr. Yetunde unpacks her faith journey and exploring what she calls ‘The Platinum Rule’ which takes the Golden Rule one step further. You can check out her books here: https:/...

Black in Repro is a workgroup in the Floridians for Reproductive Freedom coalition that is made up of Black organizers, political operatives, consultants, providers, founders, community organizations, and experts in contraceptive access, abortion and prenatal doula care, policymaking, youth engagement, strategy, event planning and more. They aim to build a network of Black Floridians committed to a reproductive justice framework th...

While many know him as a political powerhouse and active member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Jim Clyburn joined us for a conversation on how his faith informed his desire for public service and coming from a family of ministers. 

He convenes the Democratic Faith Working Group in the House of Representatives, a multi faith group of congresspeople currently interrogating what it means to put our faith in action wh...