Podcast by Elizabeth Grady-Harper & Ivy Long
21 January 2026
Tune in to this special podcast episode with our friend Char Mansfield, a Seattle local who believes ordinary people can do extraordinary things through Christ. Driven by the unwavering belief in the radical nature of the gospel, Char has gained seminary and social work credentials to shape a ministry that honors the holistic nature of human need. They are currently working to start an urban monastic community for folks in re-entry from prison. This is an episode you do not want to miss!
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08 January 2026
In this opening episode of 2026, Elizabeth and Ivy reflect on a challenging 2025 characterized by "overwhelmed" spirits and a "cloudy" outlook. Moving into the new year, they introduce the theme of Prophetic Imagination and explore how to "unform" the malformations of empire and capitalism through faith. The conversation centers on a series of intentional "R" words—Rootedness, Refreshing, Relinquishing, Resilience, and Resistance—as essential tools for spiritual survival and justice work. Elizabeth and Ivy also highlight upcoming BFJN events, workshops and ways to engage, including a book club study of Sabbath as Resistance, a storytelling workshop focused on listening across differences, and the March Micah weekend of service, more information is available online at www.bostonfaithjustice.org/events.
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29 October 2025
Ivy and Elizabeth pull back the curtain on how they process the current state of the world. More importantly, they discuss how to turn that energy into action. Learn about our biggest event in years, "Reflecting and Reimagining," on November 15th, a night of fellowship and a fundraiser designed to deepen our understanding of housing justice through the power of storytelling and story-listening. Listen now to find out how you can support our work!
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15 October 2025
In this episode we welcome our guest John Lane for a conversation on homelessness and housing. John shared his personal journey from homelessness to stable housing and recovery, highlighting the challenges of navigating the system and the importance of finding purpose and support. Additionally, John recognizes that everyone’s path into and out of homelessness is unique and describes the challenges faced by individuals in the shelter system, highlighting the lack of immediate solutions and the energy required to simply survive. Elizabeth acknowledged the importance of understanding these experiences to better assist those in need, leading into a discussion on how Christian communities can help. We hope this episode allows listeners to further understand the complexities of homelessness beyond surface-level assumptions, while also equipping us with practical ways for individuals and churches to help people experiencing homelessness.
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24 September 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Rev. June Cooper and Elizabeth for a powerful conversation about finding community and living a courageous and intentional life, even in challenging times. They explore how to build meaningful connections through consistent presence and service, drawing on June’s work in Roxbury and at Mass and Cass. Additionally discussing the challenge of staying informed without getting overwhelmed and the importance of "being" before "doing." Elizabeth and June also discuss learning how to cultivate inner peace and courage, navigating the challenges of social media, staying connected to their values amidst a screen-dominated world and prioritizing intentional living. Finally, they provide a fascinating look into an upcoming Civil Rights Pilgrimage, discussing how engaging with the civil rights movement can help us navigate difficult conversations about race and justice today, check out the Events page on our website for more information.
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05 September 2025
We are back with Season 4 of the Let's Talk: Faith & Justice Podcast! In this episode Elizabeth and Sarah Blumenshine, the director of Intercultural Ministries at Emanuel Gospel Center, discussed faith and justice, with Sarah sharing her background in teaching and work with immigrant communities. They explored how religious communities are responding to current political and social challenges, particularly regarding immigration, and discussed the importance of reducing distance and increasing proximity to better understand and support affected populations. The conversation concluded with discussions about immigration advocacy, reliable information sources such as Mira Coalition and the Immigrant Family Services Institute (ifsi-usa.org), and the role of faith in addressing social issues, with Sarah emphasizing the need for individuals to take action while acknowledging their limitations and relying on divine grace.
“But remember that hope isn’t something we need to conjure on our own. It is a grace that God gives, allowing us to face evil and death, yet still believe that the life-affirming Spirit is always at work within and around us, bringing about good.We are the ones who must dare to believe that seeds of new possibilities, invisible to us now, have already been planted in the soil of our lives, and they are slowly taking root. New life will emerge from the ashes of what is lost. – Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
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