20 Minute Takes

Join us in this episode as we talk to Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst about intentional community and ecological justice & how it's lived out at Casa Adobe in Costa Rica. Dr. DeBorst is a professor of World Christianity at Western Theological Seminary, part of the networking team for INFEMIT (a gospel-centered fellowship of mission theologian-practitioners), serves in leadership of the Comunidad de Estudios Teológicos Interdisciplinarios (CETI), and a member of Casa Adobe (an intentional Christian Community with deep concern for right living in relation to the whole of creation). You can find Dr. DeBorst on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Seminary Now. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

Join us in this episode as we talk to Reverend Adam Taylor about the role churches can have in this divided society and examples of how faith can intersect with public policy. Reverend Adam Taylor is the President of Sojourners, an ecumenical Christian organization that works to advance justice and peace, and the author of "A More Perfect Union: A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community". He has led the Faith Initiative at the World Bank Group, served as vice president of Advocacy at World Vision US, executive director of Global Justice, and selected as a White House Fellow and served in the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs and Public Engagement. You can find Adam @revadamtaylor on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

Join us in this episode as we talk to Eboo Patel about what a pluralistic nation needs from Christians. Eboo Patel is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Eboo served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote addresses, and has written five books. You can find Eboo & Interfaith on social media: X (Twitter) @EbooPatel Facebook @EbooPatel LinkedIn X (Twitter) @interfaithusa Facebook @interfaithamerica Instagram @interfaithamerica 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

Join us in this episode as we talk to Brian Zahnd about the role of the cross as well as new ways of looking at the cross as a kaleidoscope, in order to inform how we respond to aspects of Christian life and to justice issues in our society. Many of the insights he shares can be found in his latest book entitled The Wood Between the Worlds. Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. In addition to his most recent book, he has authored several other books including When Everything's On Fire and Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God. You can find Brian on his website and blog & follow him on X (Twitter) @BrianZahnd. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

Join us in this episode as we talk to Dr. Melissa Borja about what the Christian church can learn to host and welcome refugees. She offers advice on how churches can be better hosts to refugees and talks about how her book, Follow the New Way, examines the good and bad of church refugee resettlement. She encourages us to be curious about the stories of why refugees come to the U.S., recognize U.S. complicity, and change our posture from charity to reparations. Dr. Melissa Borja is a professor in the Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies Program at the University of Michigan. She researches and teaches about religion, migration, race, ethnicity, and politics in the United States and the Pacific World. You can follow Dr. Borja on X (Twitter) @melissamayborja. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

Join us in this episode as we talk to Justin Fung about spiritual formation, activism, and opportunities we have to be formed in God's image. Rev. Dr. Justin Fung serves as the Pastor of Leadership & Spiritual Formation at Christ City Church in Washington, DC & is an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Missional Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has also authored Learning to Live, a curriculum for cultivating spiritual transformation in multiethnic contexts. You can follow Justin @justinbfung on Instagram and Threads. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

Join us in this episode as we talk to Darren Calhoun about his experience collecting stories of black queer Christians as they journey into and out of the church. Darren is a co-host on the Second Sunday podcast and producer for online shows that are reaching BIPOC Queer audiences with messages of support and healing. He is also the Digital Pastor and Worship Leader at Urban Village Church in Chicago. Follow Darren on social media at @heyDarren or on his blog, DarrenCalhoun.com. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

Please enjoy this encore presentation of this episode (originally aired on January 26, 2022). Since the United States pulled out of Afghanistan in August 2021, 76,000 Afghan refugees have been brought to the United States for resettlement. On this episode of 20 Minute Takes, Nikki Toyama-Szeto chats with Jenny Yang, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy on Refugee Resettlement for World Relief on what it means to extend hospitality to (and receive hospitality from) refugees and displaced peoples in our communities. You can find her on Twitter @JennyYangWR. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Produced by: David de Leon Music: Andre Henry

This week on 20 Minute Takes, Nikki Toyama-Szeto talks with Kristyn Komarnicki about facilitating dialogue across difference. She works primarily in the divisions that emerge in the church and LGBTQ+ Christians and speaks on what it takes to move toward unity beyond agreement. Kristyn is the Senior Director of Dialogue and Convening at Christians for Social Action. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

This week on 20 Minute Takes, Nikki Toyama-Szeto talks with Eddie Kaufholz about storytelling in community, advice for gatekeepers of stories, and how stories fuel the Christian imagination for a just future. Eddie leads the communications and marketing team at Bread for the World and previously worked for International Justice Mission. You can find Eddie at: https://eddiekaufholz.com Instagram: @edwardoreddie Twitter: @edwardoreddie 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

This week on 20 Minute Takes, Nikki Toyama-Szeto and activist Heidi Weaver-Smith talk about the power of presence and unpack some of the dynamics around Ohio's recent anti-trans laws. They discuss the power of presence, of curiosity and provide tips for what Christian witness looks like, regardless of one's position on the issues. You can find Heidi and Amplify Impact Consulting at https://www.amplifyimpactconsulting.com 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

This week on 20 Minute Takes, we talk with Leroy Barber about his work as the Executive Director of Neighborhood Economics. Listen in as he and Nikki discuss how Christians can show up in their neighborhoods for good, the importance of convening economic resources with practitioners, and how to integrate economics as a communal practice. You can find Leroy: Website: https://neighborhoodeconomics.org/ Instagram: @leroybarber Twitter: @leroybarber His most recent book: Embrace: God’s Radical Shalom for a Divided World 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

This week on 20 Minute Takes, Nikki takes us on a history lesson to mark the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Declaration of Evangelical Social Concern. In Chicago, 50 years ago, over Thanksgiving weekend, a group of concerned Christian leaders gathered to ask how their faith should inform how they show up in the public space. The result was the drafting of a statement about Christian commitment to social justice that some view as one of the most influential documents, for the church, of the decade. It became the founding document for Christians for Social Action, and influenced many others. 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

This week on 20 Minute Takes, we talk with authors Kathy Khang and Matt Mikalatos about their new book, "Loving Disagreement". They discuss ways to move beyond civility, to engage across difference. Their new book, "Loving Disagreements" was released in October, 2023. You can find Kathy on all social media platforms: @mskathykhang Matt can be found at: FB: facebook.com/matthew.mikalatos BlueSky:@mattmikalatos.bsky.social instagram.com/mattmikalatos 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action Host and Producer: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

This week on 20 Minute Takes, we talk with Jason Chu. He's a rapper, public theologian, and activist. He and Nikki talk about Gospel imagination, and having a Christian faith that navigates today's complexities and contradictions. He shares from his new album "We Were the Seeds." You can listen to Jason's music on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon, etc. Catch him @jasonchumusic (on all social media): Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X And learn more about him at jasonchumusic.com 20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social Action. Host: Nikki Toyama-Szeto Edited by: Wiloza Media Music: Andre Henry

This week on 20 Minute Takes, we talk with Olatunde Sobomhein. He's co-author of the book Creative Hustle and CEO of Streetcode Academy. He and Nikki talk about the interplay of imagination, ambition, and reflection, as well as his organization's work at empowering communities of color through tech and innovation in rapidly changing communities like East Palo Alto. This is the final episode of season four! If there's a particular guest, episode, or subject that you enjoyed hearing from this season, or if you have any comments or feedback for us, please send us an email at csa@eastern.edu with the subject line "20 Minute Takes." We look forward to hearing from you! Be on the lookout for season five this fall.

This week on 20 Minute Takes, we talk with Nina Balmaceda. She is the associate director for the Center for Reconciliation at Duke Divinity School, as well as the president and CEO of Paz y Esperanza International. Listen in as she and Nikki talk about what peace building looks like in Colombia, the church's involvement in this work, and God's dream of shalom for the world.

On this week's episode, Nikki Toyama-Szeto talks with Nia Campinha-Bacote. She's a community curator/collaborator, and is the lead designer of On Breath & Being, a collection of meditation and breath-work practices that focus on countering the effects of racial trauma for BIPOC. In this conversation, they discuss an embodied faith, the power of breathing, and the necessity of spiritual practice for those who do the work of justice.

As we begin to wrap up our series on Hidden Hunger, we chat with Jeremy Everett. He's the Executive Director of the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, as well as the author of the book "I Was Hungry: Cultivating Common Ground to End an American Crisis." Nikki Toyama-Szeto chats with him about the state of food insecurity in the United States, who it affects, and how churches and faith communities might begin to engage creatively with this solvable problem.

This week, Nikki Toyama-Szeto talks with Ally Henny. She is the author of the new book "I Won't Shut Up: Finding Your Voice When the World Tries to Silence You," as well as vice president of The Witness. Listen in as they discuss the prophetic voice and presence of Black Women in the world as well as Ally's journey of finding her voice amidst the pressures of erasure and racism, inside and outside of the Church. Find our QUICK TAKE with Ally on Juneteenth here.