This week, we talk with political scientist and civil resistance scholar, Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-author of Why Civil Resistance Works. We discuss how she was shaped by early community and faith organizing in Vermont, and later by the documentary A Force More Powerful and global nonviolent struggles. Stephan explains research on preventing democratic backsliding and the need for sustained engagement beyond mass protests, through tactics such as boycotts, strikes, walkouts, and noncooperation.

Connect with Maria

• Website: Maria Stephan
• Instagram: @horizonsprjt
• The Horizons Project: The Horizons Project
• Nonviolent Action Resources and Training: Nonviolent Action Resources and Training

Connect with RLC

• Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/
• To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org
• Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians
• Instagram: @RedLetterXians
• Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne
• Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne

We chat with Tim Shriver—Special Olympics leader, disability rights advocate, and author—who explains how decades with Special Olympics athletes taught him to see people “from the inside out” and recognize dignity as universal, inherent, and not earned.

Connect with Tim

• Website: Tim Shriver
• Instagram: @timothyshriver
• The Dignity Index: The Dignity Index
• Need A Lift? Podcast: Need A Lift? with Tim Shriver - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
• The Special Olympics: Special Olympics

Connect with RLC

• Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/
• To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org
• Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians
• Instagram: @RedLetterXians
• Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne
• Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne

Shane is joined by Pastor Carl Ruby and Viles Dorsainvil from Springfield, OH. They have been leading the way in advocating for Haitian families facing the possibility of deportation, and now have a case before the Supreme Court.

Socials:

• Carl Ruby (@carlrubygoblue)
• Viles Dorsainvil on Instagram

Connect with RLC

• Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/
• To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org
• Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians
• Instagram: @RedLetterXians
• Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne
• Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne

On this episode, Shane sits down with Kat Armas to talk about how we meet this moment as followers of Jesus, the role of prayer and liturgy, and her new book, Liturgies for Resisting Empire.

Connect with Kat

• Website: Kat Armas
• Instagram: @katarmas
• Substack: Some Things Abuelita | Kat Armas | Substack

Connect with RLC

• Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/
• To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org
• Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians
• Instagram: @RedLetterXians
• Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne
• Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne

Shane speaks with longtime friend Jim Murphy, author of the viral bestseller Inner Excellence and newly republished The Best Possible Life. They discuss the importance of viewing Christianity as transformative rather than escapist, and the value of countercultural, gospel-centered living.

Connect with Jim

• Website: Inner Excellence | By Jim Murphy
• Instagram: Jim Murphy (@innerexcellencejimmurphy) • Instagram profile @innerexcellencejimmurphy
• Substack: Inner Excellence | Jim Murphy | Substack
• X: Jim Murphy (@innerexcellence) on X @‌innerexcellence
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/innerexcellence/
• Facebook: Inner Excellence | Lakeland FL
• Buy the book: Inner Excellence

Connect with RLC

• Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/
• To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org
• Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians
• Instagram: @RedLetterXians
• Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne
• Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne

Shane talks with Peter Pedemonti, one of the leaders and founders of the New Sanctuary Movement in Philadelphia, and a passionate, faith-rooted organizer working to protect immigrant families.

Connect with Peter

• New Sanctuary Movement Philadelphia

Connect with RLC

• Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/
• To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org
• Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians
• Instagram: @RedLetterXians
• Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne
• Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne

Shane talks with Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the US and Canada. She is the first Black woman to lead a mainline denomination as Chief Executive, and is a prominent, prophetic voice in the US and beyond.

Connect with Terri

• Terri Hord Owens Facebook
• Disciples of Christ Facebook
• Instagram
• Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• Terri's books

Connect with RLC

• Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/
• To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org
• Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians
• Instagram: @RedLetterXians
• Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne
• Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne

Shane is joined by Rev. Cody Deese, a courageous pastor in Georgia. Recent clips of his sermons have gone viral as he seeks to address the current spiritual crisis in America and pastor a congregation through these turbulent times.

Connect with Cody

• @codydeese

• Cody's website

• Vining Lakes Church

Connect with RLC

• Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/

• To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org

• Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians

• Instagram: @RedLetterXians

• Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne

• Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne