Sahar Alsahlani has been on the interfaith scene in NYC for six years, in myriad roles that promote interfaith social justice. She is a member of the Community of Living Traditions, an intentional multi-faith community, and co-chair of The Fellowship of Reconciliation, the country’s oldest interfaith organization geared toward peace and non-violence. Alsahlani is also on the board of Religions for Peace, USA, a United Nations-affiliated NGO; a fellow at Greenfaith, an interfaith environmental network; and a board member of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). Alsahlani perceives her work as a way to encourage civic engagement with people from different backgrounds in the five boroughs. She has been involved in justice activism as a representative of CAIR and the broader Muslim community, including environmental justice causes, such as Standing Rock, and racial justice causes, such as Ferguson and Charlottesville. “My passion is learning about other faiths to help discover things about Islam that I might have missed,” Alsahlani says. “As a child I never really learned that Islam was justice and that the Quran was a roadmap to justice. It was through other faiths that reminded me what the purpose of the Quran was. After 20 years of being a TV producer in LA, I decided I was lonely. A single mom with four kids who all left for college. The rabbi said, ‘We are forming this interfaith community and it is geared towards social justice. Why don’t you pack up your camerawork and come out?’ So it was like Alice in Wonderland or Mary Tyler Moore—all of a sudden I’m on a farm picking carrots out of the ground. You never know what Allah will bring you to. Ever since then it was hanging out with the Presbyterians, Zoroastrians and Sikhs, Sushis, Sunnis, Shias, Salafis—we have everyone. We travel around the country. [We] went to Standing Rock, Charlottesville. I do miss being creative but I keep my camera with me ready to go.”

Ryyn Schumacher embodies a lifelong commitment to community leadership which spans 20 years in public health, business leadership, and social services.
 

• A champion of public health, Ryyn shaped SB793/Prop 31, California’s statewide ban on flavored tobacco (2022). In addition, he developed and implemented 9 ordinances focused on tobacco prevention and cannabis education. ​​

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, he established mobile vaccine clinics to assist more than 16,000 unhoused, seniors and people with disabilities to access vital healthcare services. ​

• Ryyn worked alongside the FDA, CDC and CDPH to develop Community Health outreach activities for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities in more than 30 cities nationwide.

• Ryyn served as the National Executive Director for the Federation of the Philippine American Chambers of Commerce. Establishing business growth and entrepreneurship programs, he guided 41 affiliate chamber offices across the country.

• Ryyn earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from CSU Long Beach with honors and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University.

• Raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Ryyn is a first-generation immigrant born to working-class parents and is the proud grandson of a decorated (Purple Heart) U.S. Army combat veteran.

• He is a steadfast advocate for the rights of workers, women, the LGBTQ+ community and underserved populations. His leadership is defined by tangible results and centered on a genuine passion for making a difference in people's lives.

• ​Ryyn and his husband were married in 2014. The Ventura homeowners are active in their local church, volunteer for community causes, and care for Oliver, their 8-year-old gray Labrador.

Ani Zonneveld is a writer, singer/songwriter, founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), an international human rights organization that advocates for social justice and equality for all, a strong supporter of freedom of expression and of conscience, women’s rights and as an ally, LGBTQ rights. Ani promotes these values at the United Nations by challenging human rights abuses in the name of Islam, and by offering an inclusive understanding based on universal human rights and justice.

Ani Zonneveld is a writer, singer/songwriter, founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), an international human rights organization that advocates for social justice and equality for all, a strong supporter of freedom of expression and of conscience, women’s rights and as an ally, LGBTQ rights. Ani promotes these values at the United Nations by challenging human rights abuses in the name of Islam, and by offering an inclusive understanding based on universal human rights and justice.

Rev. Judith Elia is an ordained Unity Minister and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving diverse communities for over 30 years. She has travelled widely to study with spiritual teachers from Cambodia, China, India, Tibet and Turkey. She has organized conferences and events internationally for World Peace, Holistic Medicine, and the Spiritual Unity of the World’s Religions. She graduated from the Eco-Village Training Program at Findhorn Foundation in Scotland with a Permaculture Design Certificate in 2014. She has recently travelled from CA to Florida, her third cross-country road trip with her adorable Golden Lab Lola. She is enjoying the Wild Adventure of Living and connecting with her Worldwide Community through collaborative Zoom videos and classes. Email: judithelia@icloud.com

Rev. Judith Elia is an ordained Unity Minister and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving diverse communities for over 30 years. She has travelled widely to study with spiritual teachers from Cambodia, China, India, Tibet and Turkey. She has organized conferences and events internationally for World Peace, Holistic Medicine, and the Spiritual Unity of the World’s Religions. She graduated from the Eco-Village Training Program at Findhorn Foundation in Scotland with a Permaculture Design Certificate in 2014. She has recently travelled from CA to Florida, her third cross-country road trip with her adorable Golden Lab Lola. She is enjoying the Wild Adventure of Living and connecting with her Worldwide Community through collaborative Zoom videos and classes. Email: judithelia@icloud.com

Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer is a rabbi, a lawyer, a legal ethicist, a C.P.A., a mediator, a retired law professor, a writer, an advocate for Israel, a voice for peace in the Middle East, a husband, a father, a friend and a deeply committed Jew. He has been a rabbi in Hollywood, Ojai, and at USC Hillel. He once served as a rabbi at Congregation B’nai B’rith in Santa Barbara and has an active involvement with them and the other local Jewish congregations as well.  Arthur and his wife Laurie have been friends with host David and his wife Diane for about 15 years. Arthur identifies as a Zionist, which contrasts with David’s views. Their differences have been clarified since Oct. 7, 2023.

Listen in as David and Kerry wrap up Season 2!

St. Croix Vineyard Church asked to leave Vineyard Association over its support of LGTBQ+ Christians. Listen in to this conversation with the Reverend Peter Fitch as we discuss that event and what it really means to love our neighbors.

St. Croix Vineyard Church asked to leave Vineyard Association over its support of LGTBQ+ Christians. Listen in to this conversation with the Reverend Peter Fitch as we discuss that event and what it really means to love our neighbors.

Mpho Tutu van Furth was born in London, England. She is a preacher, teacher, writer and retreat facilitator, and is an Episcopal priest. Shortly after her marriage to Marceline van Furth in 2016, she handed in her licence to officiate in the South African Anglican church, as it does not permit its priests to marry same-sex partners. Tutu van Furth is canonically resident in the USA. She is the daughter of anti-apartheid activists Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Leah Tutu. Tutu van Furth was the founding director of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting projects and initiatives that promote peace and reconciliation for the flourishing of people and the planet.

Jon Paul Robles is an ordained priest and co-pastor for the Sacred Commons Church (Youngstown, Oh). He is the director of The Greater Youngstown Community Dialogue On Racism and a coordinator for Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past.

He is currently a grad student of Theology & Culture at St. Stephen’s University with a thesis that merges the philosophy of Simone Weil, poverty, and funk. His work orbits issues of justice, the human condition, and public theology embedded within intricate social and religious frameworks.

As a grandchild of Mexican-Americans who migrated from Texas to the Midwest, an Oklahoma Osage crop duster and a Steel Magnolia from Kansas, he identifies as third-culture and finds that his work is birthed from the convergence of their stories.

Jessica Williams (she/her) is a pastor, theologian, and mother of three teens. She holds a Masters degree from St. Stephen's University where she works as SSU's Registrar and occasionally lectures as faculty; she is also a pastor at St. Croix Church, and an Officiant for Elope New Brunswick. Jess welcomes the healing/transformative process of writing, (be it for sermons, ceremonies, lectures, or poetry) and she will always be learning what it means to be a lifelong student of Love.

Kinship Commons creates experiential and transformative gatherings toward the flourishing of marginalized people. Started by four women of color, we are passionate about expanding imagination, integrating multiple traditions and cultivating new ways of being that are life-giving, healing, and generative. We seek to lead people toward kinship with one another and with God.

It’s co-directors are Angie K. Hong and Julie Tai.

Angie Hong is a critical convener, engineer of human momentum, mama to two boys, a cat, and a dog. Creating liturgies with thought and action is my jam. Julie Tai ia a musician, performance art designer, and dinner party host. Putting together meaningful gatherings around story and food is what gets me up in morning.

Dayna uses they/them pronouns and identifies as a queer, gender nonbinary therapist working in California with LGBTQIA+ adolescents, young adults and individuals. They believe it is an honor to witness the journeys of folks who entrust them with their stories. Dayna frequently works with folks traversing anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms, immigration history, and folks navigating cross cultural demands within a hierarchical and hyper-individualistic culture.

Outside of the therapy space, Dayna spends time running around with their partner, dogs and kids.

Shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen Flamy Grant is a powerhouse vocalist and award-winning songwriter based in Asheville, NC. Blending folk, gospel, and roots, Flamy immerses audiences in a theatrical, therapeutic, and wholly original experience of intrepid storytelling and song, all delivered through the evocative art of drag.

The Rev. Dr. Mitzi Smith is a womanist professor, biblical scholar, justice advocate, and author who was educated at Howard University School of Divinity and Harvard University. She promotes critical thinking, social justice, progressive biblical interpretation, and the religion of the Jesus who prioritized “the least among us” and who demonstrated compassion, mercy, and love of God, self and other human beings. As a Black woman, she encourages herself and other Black women and communities to love all of themselves—their voices, spirits, bodies, knowledge production, the Spirit—in a world that so often has not and does not value and/or love them.

Mahip Rathore, PhD. lives in Santa Barbara with wife Lena Sclove & baby Aashray. He is a counseling psychologist in private practice, an adjunct faculty for a Psy D program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and a meditation teacher in the community. He grew up in central India, and practiced law before transitioning to psychology. He wrote a thesis on cultivating wisdom by coping with life difficulties, and a dissertation on the impact of meta-cognitive aspects of mindfulness on self-transcendence. Mahip has completed five 10-day Vipassana meditation courses under the tradition of Sri S. N. Goenka. He has been studying Advaita Vedanta (an ancient Hindu tradition on Non-duality) for several years with Jim Gilman, a direct disciple of Swami Chinmaynanda. Mahip is passionate about teaching the application of mindfulness into daily life to alleviate human suffering. In therapy, Mahip enjoys integrating an open, non-directive, empathic person-centered approach with mindfulness-based techniques. He likes to explore one's sense of self using a psychodynamic lens, in a space of unconditional positive regard, and offer ways of loosening one’s attachment with the self and self-centric narratives or tendencies.

You can find him at: https://www.mindfulnesswithmahip.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mindfulnesswithmahip/

https://insighttimer.com/mahip

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxIMiptr5G4S5Yo5N_oq-Q

Mahip Rathore, PhD. lives in Santa Barbara with wife Lena Sclove & baby Aashray. He is a counseling psychologist in private practice, an adjunct faculty for a Psy D program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and a meditation teacher in the community. He grew up in central India, and practiced law before transitioning to psychology. He wrote a thesis on cultivating wisdom by coping with life difficulties, and a dissertation on the impact of meta-cognitive aspects of mindfulness on self-transcendence. Mahip has completed five 10-day Vipassana meditation courses under the tradition of Sri S. N. Goenka. He has been studying Advaita Vedanta (an ancient Hindu tradition on Non-duality) for several years with Jim Gilman, a direct disciple of Swami Chinmaynanda. Mahip is passionate about teaching the application of mindfulness into daily life to alleviate human suffering. In therapy, Mahip enjoys integrating an open, non-directive, empathic person-centered approach with mindfulness-based techniques. He likes to explore one's sense of self using a psychodynamic lens, in a space of unconditional positive regard, and offer ways of loosening one’s attachment with the self and self-centric narratives or tendencies.

You can find him at: https://www.mindfulnesswithmahip.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mindfulnesswithmahip/

https://insighttimer.com/mahip

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxIMiptr5G4S5Yo5N_oq-Q

Jenna Tosh is the president of Planned Parenthood California, and offers important insights into women’s fundamental health rights in this conversation with Kerry + David.