This season, we're diving deep into the intersections of spirituality, civic engagement, and the reverence we hold for one another and our shared future. In many ways, reverence has been overlooked in the fast-paced dynamics of modern civic life. As individuals, we often compartmentalize our inner selves, leaving behind essential parts of who we are when we step into public roles. Our workspaces, civic spaces, and even social spaces frequently discourage expressions of spirituality, reverence, or deeply held values. Yet, these elements can be profound drivers of meaningful engagement and systemic change.

Throughout the season, we delve into how reverence can act as a bridge between the personal and the public. It becomes a tool for honoring shared humanity, acknowledging the wisdom in every voice, and addressing the challenges of our time with humility and intentionality.

Each episode will feature thought-provoking conversations that challenge conventional ideas, highlight the beauty of shared humanity, and illuminate paths toward social justice. Together, we'll ask the hard questions and discover what it means to act with reverence in our relationships, communities, and broader democratic systems.

Episode Highlights

Episode 2: Aaron Slater - Reverence as an Organizing Force

In our debut episode, Aaron Slater challenges us to consider reverence not merely as an abstract ideal but as a tangible force for organizing and action. He explores the reverence we should hold for potentialities and possibilities, for what the future could be. According to Aaron, what’s important is asking the right questions, and he emphasizes that that wisdom often begins with curiosity.

Key moments in this episode include Aaron’s insights on how reverence allows us to show up authentically in shared spaces, removing the “baggage” of societal expectations. He reminds us that nurturing a collective sense of reverence can help us build connections more quickly and work toward solutions with greater empathy and effectiveness.

Episode 3: Alethia Jones - The Hidden Work of Showing Up

In this episode, Alethia Jones helps us explore the hidden ways faith, culture, and survival intertwine in personal and collective expression. From the cloaking spiritual identity to the role of reverence in leadership, we examine how people navigate spaces where it is difficult to manifest one's own personal sense of reverence. Through dance, rhetoric, and activism, we uncover the tension between adaptation and authenticity, how survival sometimes demands concealment, yet true transformation requires deep presence.

Listeners will be drawn to reflections on the personal cost of showing up, the struggle to sustain reverence, and the quiet acts of survival that shape our sense of self. We discuss the power of righteous rage, the discipline of creating space for others, and the challenge of staying grounded when the work feels overwhelming. How do we cultivate reverence in a world that constantly tests it? And how do we lead with spirit without losing ourselves along the way?

Episode 4: Elizabeth Garlow - Economy as a Garden

Elizabeth Garlow offers a compelling vision of how reverence can reshape our understanding of economics. She describes the economy not as a machine but as a garden, one that thrives when we approach it with care, interdependence, and a deep respect for humanity and nature.

Elizabeth challenges us to question inherited economic logics and to rethink risk and return in ways that prioritize human flourishing. Her episode underscores the potential of reverence to guide us in transitioning wealth toward solidarity economies and fostering values that center quality of life over extraction and profit.

Episode 5: Lee Farrow - Building Community Out of Love

Lee Farrow’s episode focuses on the profound connection between love and reverence in grassroots organizing. Drawing inspiration from the Book of Nehemiah, Lee discusses how community-building efforts grounded in love, respect, and honor can create lasting change. She emphasizes the need to set boundaries around what we revere and to ensure that our energy is directed toward worthy causes.

Listeners will be moved by her reflections on the sacrifices made in service of justice and equity, as well as the importance of honoring legacy while fostering new leadership.

Episode 6: Émilie Flamme - Belief, Memory, and Visual Storytelling

Emilie invites us to explore the intersection of belief systems, memory, and artistic practice. She delves into how visual storytelling can challenge conventions and serve as a medium for tracing belonging and history. By integrating questions of trauma, memory, and political identity, Emilie demonstrates how reverence for aesthetics and storytelling can create deeper connections within communities.

One standout moment is her reflection on how different belief systems yield similar humanities, emphasizing the shared frameworks of engagement that unite us. Emilie’s work encourages us to hold space for the emotional dimensions of concepts we often discuss intellectually.

Episode 7: John Ziegler - Mucking it Up

John Ziegler takes us on a profound exploration of authenticity as a spiritual practice. He highlights the importance of showing up fully as oneself, whether as an elder or a young person, and honoring the wisdom inherent in every stage of life. John discusses how reverence can be expressed through intentional listening, genuine greetings, and creating spaces where truth and connection can flourish.

Listeners will be captivated by John’s insights into how reverence can foster deeper bonds in youth spaces and his reflections on the role of grace in challenging conversations. He emphasizes that authenticity is not just personal but contributes to the spiritual depth of shared spaces.

Episode 8: Travis Rejman - Grace and Community Building

In our season finale, Travis Rejman explores how reverence and grace can transform public discourse and community-building efforts. He reflects on the importance of fostering trust and relationships within communities before moving to action. Travis’s insights into the nuances of collective identity and shared responsibility remind us that reverence is not just an individual practice but a collective endeavor.

A poignant moment from the episode includes Travis’s account of community solidarity in Rogers Park, Chicago, following a series of hate crimes. He highlights how a shared sense of reverence can transcend differences and unite people in the face of adversity.

What to Expect This Season

As we journey through these conversations, expect to be challenged and inspired. Each episode offers a unique perspective on how reverence can reshape the way we approach our personal lives, communities, and larger societal systems. From questioning the wisdom embedded in our traditions to exploring the intersections of art, memory, and belief, this season invites you to think deeply about what is truly worthy of reverence.

Join us as we uncover the power of inner space in transforming civic life! Together, we’ll explore how reverence can guide us in building a democracy that reflects the beauty, complexity, and potential of our shared humanity.