Sandbox Cooperative Podcast

Episode 100 | Creativity in the Age of Covid - Part 2

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 20:55:32 -0500

In the middle of navigating the coronavirus pandemic, people everywhere are trying to find creative ways to continue to create their work and develop community. We wanted to profile people who are finding creative solutions to keep moving forward in our new normal. Today’s episode is the second in this series.

In Part Two, we talk with Matt Penz about the way his dental practice has adapted to the realities of Covid-19 while keeping the office a safe, warm, and welcoming place for patients, as well as the realities of being a parent during this difficult time. Learn more about Matt at PenzDentalCare.com.

We also chatted with our friend, and frequent Sandbox guest, Heatherlyn. She shared about the ways she has taken her music online during the pandemic and continued to develop a virtual community through those musical experiences. Learn more about Heatherlyn and her music at HeatherlynMusic.com.

Episode 99 | Creativity in the Age of COVID - Part 1

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 18:35:37 -0500

In Part One, we talk with Ben Grace and Karyn Thurston about Heathen Happy Hour and some of their other creative projects. Learn more about Ben’s music at BenGraceMusic.com and find the Heathen Podcast at HeathenPodcast.com or subscribe wherever you find podcasts.

We also hear from our friend Derek Jensen, who shared with us a little bit about his experience as a chef and managing a restaurant through this difficult time. If you’re near us in Rochester, MN, go snag some delicious food (details at ChestersKB.com)

Join us next time for part two!

Episode 98 | Pandemic Vacation

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 21:10:31 -0500

2020 has looked a bit different than we imagined, hasn’t it? As the coronavirus pandemic officially hit the United States, we were convinced we just needed to sit on the couch, wait it out, and watch Netflix - but our expectations of newly found free time turned into the hard reality of quarantine. In this episode we discuss our experience so far of the pandemic and the ways that life has changed over the last several months. Through it all, what are we seeing? What have we learned? How might we stay healthy - mentally, spiritually, and physically, during this time?

Drew G.I. Hart at Sandbox Cooperative (Live Event Revisit)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0500

For today’s episode, we’re revisiting our live event with Drew Hart. To dig deeper, visit SandboxCooperative.com and click on the discussion tab.

On May 7, 2017 we welcomed Drew Hart for one of our Sandbox Live Events. Drew is a Theology Professor, Church Anti-Racism Trainer, and Justice Activist and author of the book, Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, as well as the upcoming Who Will Be a Witness: Igniting Activism for God's Justice, Love, and Deliverance. We talked with Drew about the themes of his book, and had an excellent conversation with our audience.

More about Drew at DrewGIHart.com, @DruHart, Drew Hart on Facebook

Episode 97 | Of Groundhogs and Seasons

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0600

A few weeks ago a groundhog told us how much longer winter would last, and that a new season is right around the corner. It got us thinking about seasons in our own lives, paying attention to where we are and what’s next. What season are you in? Are you in between seasons? What could be next in your story?

Episode 96 | Thank You Notes

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 08:00:00 -0600

In today’s episode we talk about gratitude. What would it look like for us to practice gratitude more consistently? How might that shape our view of our lives and the world around us?

Web comic, I’m Honestly Fed Up With All The Bad News, So I Illustrated 50 Of The Best Ones From 2019: https://www.boredpanda.com/positive-news-2019-illustrations-mauro-gatti/

Episode 95 | Your Song to the World

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:00:00 -0600

Dale Fredrickson is a teacher and a poet. He is the author of multiple books and albums, most recently Blessed is the Man. Blessed is the man is the story of how men can grow their capacity for mutual love and become openhearted, emotionally expressive, and relationally connected. Through poetry and the sounds of banjos, mandolins, saxophones, violins, and guitars Dale seeks to inspire men and women alike to let love shape their lives and write their stories.

For more about Dale and his work, be sure to check out dalefredrickson.com, or listen to our previous conversation with Dale in Episode 25.

Bonus | Holiday Break and a Poem

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 10:00:00 -0600

We hope you are all enjoying the holidays and have the chance to be rested and encouraged this season. We’ll be taking a short break from the podcast, but will be back in mid-late January. In the meantime, here’s a quick word from us and a gift of a poem, On This Night I Wonder, from our friend Dale Fredrickson.

Episode 94 | One Coin Found

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:00:00 -0600

In today’s episode we talk with Emmy Kegler about her book, One Coin Found: How God's Love Stretches to the Margins. In addition to talking about the book, Emmy shared her experience of tension with the Bible and the Christian story, specifically in the ways scripture has been used to marginalize people based on sexuality, race, or beliefs.

She hopes that through her book, and we hope through this episode, people who have had a broken relationship with the Christian story might have the chance to find something that is liberating, holistic, and healing.

Emmy also challenges us to better care for those who have been cast aside through rethinking our understanding of scripture, reminding us that “coins only disappear if the person who is responsible for recognizing their worth fails in their duty.”

Episode 93 | Story Time!

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 10:00:00 -0600

In today’s episode each of us share a story of an experience we had that was somehow important - one of those experiences that seemed to be full of life, where we truly noticed something special about what was happening. They’re all tied together, but maybe in surprising ways. Here are a few things to listen for in today’s episode. Why were these awesome? What made these experiences memorable or important? What experiences have you had that you would put in this category?

Episode 92 | New Life Prison Ministry

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0500

For today’s episode, we share our conversation with Rick and Rose Admiral of New Life Prison Ministry in Pella, Iowa. We met Rick and Rose on our trip to Houston last summer and talked with them about their work starting a church inside a prison. They shared stories of hopefulness, encouraged us to consider restorative justice, and remind us of the value of all people, even those we might otherwise cast aside. Find out more about their work at newlife-prison.org.

Episode 91 | Decolonize Lutheranism

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0500

Today we’re excited to share a conversation we had with some folks from Decolonize Lutheranism. What started as an internet meme in response to jokes about Sven and Ole and Lutherans eating Jell-O has shifted into a movement advocating an expansive Lutheran tradition that includes and values the contributions of Lutherans from all cultural backgrounds and identities.

If our faith communities are to be places of healing and of growth together, then we need to do better to provide space for other voices and hear from those who have been left out and cast aside. It’s important to step out of the way and let others share, speak, and lead whose voices have been silenced and marginalized - to hear the ways God has been working in their lives and their communities. We have a lot to learn, and a lot of work to do.

Learn more at DecolonizeLutheranism.org

Episode 90 | Remember to Breathe

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0500

Today marks something a little something different here in the Sandbox as we interviewed Dave about his time away this summer. We had the opportunity to learn a little bit more about his travels and what he learned during his time of sabbatical. We talked about his study of celtic spirituality, the need for rest and taking time to step back, and heard a couple of the essays he wrote while he was away.

Episode 89 | Courage for Community

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode we share our conversation with Stephen Bouman, Director for Domestic Mission in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Stephen shares stories about a variety of experiences in his years as a pastor, church leader, and now with the ELCA, and encourages us to trust in the value of relationship and community to bring change to our neighborhoods.

Episode 88 | Kindling Communication

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode we talked with Ruthie Kolb, owner of Kindling Communication, about how to have healthy conversations around human sexuality and our sexual identities.

Using researched-based best practices in sexual health education, Ruthie facilitates strengths-based, interactive, age-appropriate, and inclusive conversations about sexuality that are adaptable to diverse settings: from schools to church groups and community organizations.

Learn more about Ruthie and Kindling Communication at www.kindlingcommunication.com.

Episode 87 | Weaving Voices Together

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 10:00:00 -0500

In today’s episode, we’ll hear from two women who represented the Women and Justice social statement at the National Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas last summer. We had the chance to sit down with them and learn a lot about the process of creating a social statement and why this one is especially important.

As you’ll hear in the episode, in the ELCA, the Lutheran church organization that hosted this gathering, a social statement is a document that explains how Lutherans live out their understandings of God in relationships to one another. And while these particulars are very Lutheran and ELCA-centric, the process and the topic are much more broad - how are we addressing patriarchy and the role of women in all of our social concerns, no matter our religious background, and how can we discuss this with the people around us who may agree or disagree?

Episode 86 | Water to Thrive

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 11:25:00 -0500

Many of our conversations over the last several months came from our trip down to Houston last summer.

One of those conversations was with an organization called Water to Thrive, a faith-based American nonprofit that funds the building of wells in eastern Africa and spreads awareness about the African water crisis. We had the opportunity to meet with Jazzy Schwolert and Lindsay Pease, who work for Water to Thrive, and learn about their work to bring clean water to all.

Learn more at WaterToThrive.org.

Episode 85 | Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Poorly

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 22 May 2019 12:05:00 -0500

In our world we see a lot of perfection, end result, and final product, but not a lot of the process of the people and things that inspire us. That might lead us to think our own work isn’t good enough if it doesn’t match someone else’s standard of success. But maybe something is worth doing just because of the joy it brings - even at our own level and pace.

Episode 84 | Acts of Wisdom

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 08 May 2019 08:30:00 -0500

Have you ever thought: “You know what somebody should do…? Somebody should…” Could it be that the “somebody” you are talking about is you?

Last summer we had the opportunity to meet with Brad Otto, the founder and president of Acts of Wisdom, a non profit organization dedicated to assisting people in rural Africa in their quest to obtain quality, relevant education. We had a great conversation with Brad, and we’re excited to introduce him and his work. Visit ActsOfWisdom.com for more information.

Episode 83 | Immigration and Seeing the Other

Sandbox Cooperative — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 10:00:00 -0500

In the final episode of our immigration series, we connected again with our friends from St. Michael’s in Albuquerque, New Mexico to see what they have learned over the last 9 months or so since we had our initial conversation. With new developments on the southern border, St. Michael’s has expanded their work in immigration to meet the need, and once again they inspired us with their compassionate work, and the new things they are doing.

Episode 82 | Immigration and Sanctuary

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 13:00:00 -0500

As we continue our series on immigration, we’ll share our conversation with Marian Bock. We had the opportunity to connect with Marian through David and Joe, who shared about their community, St. Michael’s, in our last episode. Marian is a member of the Albuquerque Friends Meeting House, a quaker community in Albuquerque providing sanctuary for a woman named Emma. We had a great conversation, and learned so much about our immigration system, the joys and struggles of sanctuary, and the place that each of us can have in alleviating this crisis that so many face.

Episode 81 | Immigration and Community

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 12:00:00 -0500

The conversation on immigration is incredibly heated in our culture. But we believe the conversation can change when we begin with the dignity and value of all people - and our guests today showed us just that. As we continue our series on immigration, we’ll introduce you to the community at St. Michael Episcopal Church in Albuquerque. We felt an instant connection with them, and they had so much to share and teach us - not only about immigration - but about openness.

An Introduction to Immigration

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 15:42:00 -0600

We are about to enter into yet another election cycle, and once again immigration issues are at the forefront of it all. We are no experts on the matter, but we wondered - what does the conversation look like if we start with the worth, value, and dignity of all people?

In future weeks these episodes will include conversations we had in New Mexico last summer, but we want to begin this topic by replaying a conversation we had in Episode 12.

A few years ago the Syrian refugee crisis was all over the news. Pictures were showing up everywhere of people fleeing the violence in their home country. And of course, fear and a heated conversation on immigration were at the center of our political discourse. In the middle of all that, we had a conversation with Scott Hicks, a lawyer in Ohio whose practice centers in immigration law, to dispel some of the fears and misconceptions around this process. (You can read the Scott’s post that prompted this conversation here).

Episode 80 | You Are Good, Just As You Are

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:30:00 -0600

About a month ago we asked the question, “What do you wonder about?” We invited listeners to message us and let us know. In today’s episode we heard from a listener named Kelly. She was wondering what it means to live as a person of belief in a pluralistic society. What does it mean to maintain and strengthen relationships while still remembering that you are good just as you are?

We’d love to know what you wonder about too, so let us know! It’s easy - send us a message via social media, email us at podcast@sandboxcooperative.com OR call us and leave a voice message at (507) 722-1086.

Episode 79 | Generation Justice

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:11:00 -0600

While we were on a road trip we met leaders from Generation Justice in Albuquerque, New Mexico who taught us that love, listening and honoring people’s stories can change the world.

Generation Justice is a multi-racial project that centers race equity to train youth to harness the power of community through leadership, media, narrative, and critical consciousness. Their mission is to inspire youth to become multidimensional leaders who are committed to social transformation. In New Mexico, Generation Justice has been recognized as the premier youth media and leadership group, and locally and nationally, has been the recipient of numerous awards. Learn more at GenerationJustice.org.

Episode 78 | I Wonder What The Preacher's Daughter Said

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 16:11:00 -0600

In this episode we talk with writer and organizer Carla Godwin and musician Ben Grace about a new song they co-wrote called “Preacher’s Daughter.” The song sparked conversation on a wide range of topics from creativity, to faith, and to discovering, claiming, and using your voice.

About Ben Grace

Australian singer-songwriter Ben Grace’s impeccably crafted songs hover in the space between lightness and the depths, wrestling their way through humor and melody to peel back the layers and reveal the naked truth of us. Through the specificity of his own deconstruction, Ben writes into our universal search for belonging, spiritual homecoming, and desire to live seen and unashamed. Find Ben’s music on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, or on Bandcamp. Follow Ben on all social media @BenGraceMusic.

About Carla Godwin

Carla is a Minneapolis-based writer and speaker and co-creator of the national conversation for women in leadership, She Is Called. In addition to hosting Holy Writ Podcast, she is a regular panelist on the Christian Feminist Podcast. On a summer day in the Twin Cities, she’s cycling on the city trails or playing at Lake Harriet with her daughters. The long northern winters give her plenty of time for her other diversions—coffee and books. Find more about Carla and She Is Called at SheIsCalled.com.

Episode 77 | Mowing Snow

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 10:45:00 -0600

Have you ever experienced a change in your life, your relationships, your work… and just plowed ahead like everything is fine and nothing is different? How do we acknowledge when a season has changed and lean into a new reality? In this episode we will explore these ideas and consider some ways to get unstuck, to look up, and live into the “new thing.”

Check out the video from May 2, 2013 : Mowing Snow

Special thanks to Julie Stevens and Charles Ortloff for their thoughts in this episode.

Bonus | Holiday Break and What Do You Wonder About?

Sandbox Cooperative — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 12:15:00 -0600

With Christmas and New Year’s coming, we are taking time to pull some new stories and podcasts together for 2019… and there is a whole lot of exciting stuff to look forward to: St. Michael's Church in Albuquerque, Generation Justice, and more conversations from our time in Houston last summer. But between now and then, we want to hear from you…

What do you wonder about?

What inspires your curiosity? What do you want to know more about or wish you had an answer to?

Would you share your answer with us? Here’s how:

Send us a message via social media, email us podcast@sandboxcooperative.com
OR call us and leave a voice message at (507) 722-1086.

Episode 76 | Sharing the Meal

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 10:15:00 -0600

A lot of our holiday traditions revolve around food… but maybe none more than Thanksgiving with its iconic turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes and gravy. As we enter this season current estimates are that more than 800 million people - or 11% of the world’s population - are hungry.

Thankfully, there are organizations working to change this every day. In this episode we share our conversation with Mikka McCracken. Mikka works with ELCA World Hunger, an organization that offers health clinics, microloans, water wells, animal husbandry, community meals, advocacy, and more to develop sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn more at ELCA.org/hunger.

Episode 75 | On Demand

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 09:15:00 -0600

We live in a society that values speed, productivity and efficiency; and our technology drives this in a way that can often be unhealthy. These are good things to a point, but maybe we’ve gone a bit too far. In this episode, we talk about some practices that might help us get back on track and allow us to own our devices, rather than letting our devices own us.

Episode 74 | When the Saints

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 10:45:00 -0500

What is it about our ancestors? Why do we care? When it comes to celebrations honoring those who have died, we often think of things like The Day of the Dead from Mexico, or maybe All Saint’s Day. These global observances and celebrations come from all different faith backgrounds: Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, as well as tribal traditions and religions. No matter where you are from, there is just something about celebrating and remembering those who came before us, and make us who we are today.

Special thanks to Nancy Goede for sharing her experience about researching her family history. Be sure to check out her book, Uncovering Lives: Discovering One Immigrant Generation’s Secrets and Lives of Forgiveness, Grace, and Healing.

Episode 73 | Mosaic

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 13:00:00 -0500

This past summer, we caught up with some friends from Mosaic. Mosaic is a faith-based organization serving people with intellectual disabilities. We learned about their unique approach to building community and connection through their life changing work.

Learn more about Mosaic and how you can get involved at MosaicInfo.org.

Jacqueline Bussie Q&A (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 11:55:00 -0500

On September 23, 2018 Sandbox Cooperative welcomed Dr. Jacqueline Bussie to the Sandbox stage to talk about her new book, Love Without Limits. We discussed how we can learn to love as God does—without limits or exceptions. This podcast contains the Q&A portion of the evening event.

In Love Without Limits, Bussie imparts practical solutions for people who yearn to love across difference. Through poignant memoir, engaging theological reflection, inspiring stories of friendship, creative readings of scripture, and shout-outs to some of love’s unsung heroes, Bussie challenges readers to answer God’s call to practice a love so vast that it excludes no one.

More about Jacqueline at JacquelineBussie.com, @JacquelinBussie, and on Facebook.

Jacqueline Bussie at Sandbox Cooperative (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 11:52:00 -0500

More about Jacqueline at JacquelineBussie.com, @JacquelinBussie, and on Facebook.

Episode 72 | Keep the Shrimp Tails with Linda Kay Klein

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 11:58:00 -0500

In Episode 72 we share our conversation with author, speaker and social entrepreneur, Linda Kay Klein. Linda just released her book, Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free. Linda is also the founder of Break Free Together - an organization that helps people to release shame and claim their whole selves.

She has spent over a decade working at the intersection of faith, gender, sexuality and social change. She earned an interdisciplinary master’s degree from New York University focusing on American evangelical Christian gender and sexuality messaging for girls. Linda Kay Klein has been featured in the New York Post, the Huffington Post, National Public Radio, and now, Sandbox Cooperative!

Episode 71 | Growing Up

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 10:45:00 -0500

Growing up means something different to just about everyone. But if you could go back in time, what would you tell the 15-year-old version of yourself? In this episode, we talk about growing up, what to do with the advice we receive, and how we mark the ways that we grow and change over time. We also hear from a variety of people sharing what they would tell their 15-year-old selves.

Episode 70 | The Communication Struggle Is Real, Part 3

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 10:45:00 -0500

In our contentious society, it seems like we really have no idea how to share our thoughts, ideas, fears, hopes and dreams. How can we do this better? We’ve had several fascinating conversations with professional communicators and in part three of this series we share our conversation with Duane Sauke, a former educator and realtor who is currently serving as a representative in the Minnesota State Legislature.

Episode 69 | The Communication Struggle Is Real, Part 2

Sandbox Cooperative — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 11:12:00 -0500

In our contentious society, it seems like we really have no idea how to share our thoughts, ideas, fears, hopes and dreams. How can we do this better? We’ve had several fascinating conversations with professional communicators and over the next few months we’ll be sharing these conversations. In part two of this series we share our conversation with Emily Carson, author of Holy Everything and the director of communications for the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA.

Episode 68 | Reimagined Songs (Part 2)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 10:45:00 -0500

In this episode, we continue our conversation Chris Tripolino of the Reimagined Songs Project. Chris and others are writing a whole new library of songs that can support communities growing together as they sing and seek and discover what is coming into existence as "church." Interested in joining the project? Consider joining the Facebook group, or visit ReimaginedSongs.com.

Episode 67 | Reimagined Songs (Part 1)

Sandbox Cooperative — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 13:15:00 -0500

In this episode, we talk with Chris Tripolino of the Reimagined Songs Project (Part 1 of 2). Chris and others are writing a whole new library of songs that can support communities growing together as they sing and seek and discover what is coming into existence as "church." Interested in joining the project? Consider joining the Facebook group, or visit ReimaginedSongs.com.

Hope (Houston, Part 3)

Sandbox Cooperative — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 17:34:00 -0500

We're live on location in Houston for the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Youth Gathering. Each day of this gathering there are themes, and today's theme is Hope. Here are a few of our thoughts and some insights from a variety of youth and adults at the gathering.

Grace (Houston, Part 2)

Sandbox Cooperative — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 16:35:00 -0500

We're live on location in Houston for the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Youth Gathering. Each day of this gathering there are themes, and today's theme is Grace. Here are a few of our thoughts and some insights from a variety of youth and adults at the gathering.

Love (Houston, Part 1)

Sandbox Cooperative — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 19:45:00 -0500

We're live on location in Houston for the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Youth Gathering. Each day of this gathering there are themes, and today's theme is Love. Here are a few of our thoughts and some insights from a variety of youth and adults at the gathering.

Episode 66 | The Communication Struggle Is Real, Pt 1

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 10:37:00 -0500

In our contentious society, it seems like we really have no idea how to share our thoughts, ideas, fears, hopes and dreams. How can we do this better? We’ve had several fascinating conversations with professional communicators recently, and over the next few months, we’ll be sharing these conversations. Part one of this series contains our conversation with Karen Ortloff, a psychologist at Bluestem with powerful insight into good communication.

Episode 65 | Another Round with Samir Selmanović

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 10:39:00 -0500

We featured a conversation with Samir Selmanović a few weeks ago in Episode 62. We had so much fun with him, that we figured it was time for another round!

Samir is a “secular pastor for business leaders” and focuses on the humanization of business. He loves his home country of Croatia, the streets and humans of New York City, and the changing seasons in Central Park, which sits next to his apartment where we caught up with him last year.

Learn more about Samir at Wisdom Workroom.

Episode 64 | Where Are You From?

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 23 May 2018 10:45:00 -0500

Have you ever been asked the question, “Where are you from?” One way of thinking about that question could also be “When you come back to yourself, to your core, Where are your roots?” Things like our family, our religious traditions, or even the town where we grew up can have a significant impact on the way that we think or the things we do. But those things don’t have to define us.

Episode 63 | Abundant Life Now

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 09 May 2018 15:45:00 -0500

A lot of religious traditions teach that you are lacking, that you are not enough. But others teach that you already have “it.” You have what you need. Perhaps the job of a leader in a community is to help bring that to the surface – to help bring your gift and strength forward so you can share it. And maybe when that happens we can live more abundantly – right now.

Episode 62 | The Hum of the City with Samir Selmanović

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 16:05:00 -0500

In Episode 62, we talk with Samir Selmanović about how meals and other rituals sit at the center of relationships that help us continue to learn and grow. (Note: this episode does contain explicit language)

Existence is sacred; nothing is ordinary; work is intimacy. As a “secular pastor for business leaders” Samir is focusing on the humanization of business. Samir loves his home country of Croatia, the streets and humans of New York City, and the changing seasons in Central Park, next to which he lives with his wife Vesna and daughters Ena and Leta. When the going gets tough, Samir goes into his kitchen and cooks up kindness for family, friends, and strangers. Learn more about Samir at Wisdom Workroom.

Episode 61 | Where Else Would You Live?

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:58:00 -0500

“Wait until you get to the real world.” Many of us hear that phrase as a young person, but what do we miss if we discredit youth and don’t hear their voices? Youth aren’t waiting for the real world (because where else would we live?). They’re in it and have valuable insight to share in our conversations.

Science Mike McHargue at Sandbox Cooperative (Live Event Revisit)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:57:00 -0500

For today’s episode, we’re revisiting our live event with Science Mike McHargue. To dig deeper, visit SandboxCooperative.com and click on the discussion tab.

Mike McHargue (better known as Science Mike) is an author, podcaster, and speaker who travels the world helping people understand the science of life’s most profound experiences. His bestselling debut book, Finding God in the Waves, has helped thousands understand faith in the 21st century.

Mike hosts Ask Science Mike, a weekly question and answer podcast helping hundreds of thousands explore the questions they’ve always been afraid to ask. He cohosts The Liturgists Podcast with his friend Michael Gungor. With over a million downloads per month, The Liturgists Podcast is reshaping how the spiritually homeless and frustrated relate to God.

Mike lives in Los Angeles, CA with his wife Jenny and two daughters.

More about Science Mike at mikemchargue.com, theliturgists.com, @mikemchargue.

Episode 60 | Faith and the White House with Melissa Rogers

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 16:45:00 -0500

We’re excited to share our conversation with Melissa Rogers. Melissa recently served as special assistant to the president and executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, during the Obama administration, and is currently a nonresident senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. She has also served as executive director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and is an expert on things like the First Amendment’s religion clauses, religion in American public life, and the interplay of religion, policy, and politics.

We caught up with her by phone a few months back and had a great conversation about religion and politics. Yes, it is possible to do! More than that, it’s probably more important than ever to have conversations like these as we seek to build stronger, more connected communities.

Learn more about Melissa and her current work at The Brookings Institution.

Episode 59 | An Afternoon at the Bowery with Jason Storbakken

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:54:00 -0600

Our guest for today’s episode is Jason Storbakken. Jason spent nearly ten years as the Director of Compassionate Care at The Bowery Mission where he oversaw programs and provided pastoral care to the poorest and most vulnerable New Yorkers. As minister to the homeless, he learned what it means to truly be part of a beloved community.

Since we talked with Jason last summer, he has taken a position as pastor at Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship in New York City. The church is part of the historic peace church movement, oriented toward peace and social justice, non-violent resistance, and faith formation as key themes of Christian witness.

Learn more about Jason and his current work at ManhattanMennonite.org or find Jason’s book, Radical Spirituality: Repentance, Resistance, Revolution at OrbisBooks.com

Episode 58 | It’s Only Weird If It Doesn’t Work

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 17:53:00 -0600

From preparing for a test to cheering on your favorite sports team, superstitions are all around us. Why do we believe them? Can they be helpful? And at the end of the day, what do we do with them?

Episode 57 | Peace, Restoration, and All the Things with Steve Wiens

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:51:00 -0600

Steve Wiens is a pastor, host of the podcast This Good Word, and an author. Steve talked with us about his latest book, Whole: Restoring What is Broken in Me, You and the Rest of the World, how stories can help bring meaning to our experience, and the idea that everything in the world is moving toward wholeness and restoration.

Learn more about Steve at SteveWiens.com.

Episode 56 | Dirty Gospel with Vince Anderson

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 17:50:00 -0600

Every Monday Night for decades the Reverend Vince Anderson and his Love Choir have had a standing gig, currently at the Union Pool in Brooklyn, New York. He shares a brand of music he calls “Dirty Gospel” – a raw, earthy style of gospel music.

Over the years he’s grown community with this gig, being asked to perform weddings, funerals and baptisms for the people who gather at the bar. Vince has been featured on NPR, he’s collaborated with the 9 Beats Collective that we featured in Episode 38 and Episode 39, and he also shares his music with other faith communities in New York City.

Episode 55 | Thankfulness in a Box of Rocks

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 17:48:00 -0600

In today’s episode, we talk about thankfulness. What does it mean to be thankful? Should we be thankful for everything? And is thankfulness something we can learn and practice?

Episode 54 | Dialogue as an Extreme Sport with Regina Mustafa

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:47:00 -0600

In today’s episode, we talk with Regina Mustafa, founder of Center for Interfaith Dialogue on Islam, and previous Sandbox Live Event guest. Regina talks with us about having difficult conversations, and why these conversations are especially valuable today.

Learn more about Regina’s work with CIDI at CIDImn.org

Episode 53 | We Are Marcus

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 16:45:00 -0500

In today’s episode, we talk with Christopher King, founder of We Are Marcus, a virtual character development program designed to nurture students of all backgrounds. Based on his own experience and positive role models, Chris wanted to give kids the same kind of experience he had, using technology and other tools at his disposal.

Learn more about We Are Marcus at WeAreMarcus.com

If you’re a teacher, school leader, or work for a church or community organization, consider trying out the program. Sign up for a three month trial at WeAreMarcus.com/signup.

Episode 52 | Permaculture Farming with John Creasy

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:43:00 -0500

On today’s episode, we talk with John Creasy who is the Associate Pastor at The Open Door Church in Pittsburgh, PA. John also serves as the director of Garfield Community Farm, and has worked to create an ecologically diverse neighborhood farm on nearly three acres of land at the top of the Garfield neighborhood. This farm serves to educate the local church on our call as Christians toward environmental sustainability and to provide healthy organic produce to those of lower income in the Garfield neighborhood.

Episode 51 | Unstuck

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 16:41:00 -0500

When tragedies hit or hot-button issues come front and center, we seem to have the same “conversations” over and over again with the same rehearsed talking points – rehearsed, because we’ve done this before… Sometimes it feels like the divide is just a little too wide to know how to work through things together. We’re stuck culturally and as a society. How do we get unstuck? Can we get past ideologies that fit on a bumper sticker or internet meme and understand each other? Despite our differences, and the real problems that sit at the center, are there some real things that we can learn from each other?

Where Do We Go From Here? – Martin Luther King Jr
We also referenced Paul Schroeder’s book, Practice Makes Purpose. Check it out at SixPractices.com

Episode 50 | Practice Makes Purpose

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 16:40:00 -0500

In this episode, we talk with Paul Schroeder, author of Practice Makes Purpose: Six Spiritual Practices that Will Change Your Life and Transform Your Community. Paul is a social entrepreneur, author, and spiritual teacher who has spent over 20 years working at the intersection of spirituality and social change. He served for more than a decade as a Greek Orthodox priest. After a divorce and a period of personal and spiritual crisis, Paul left the priesthood and founded New City Initiative, a nonprofit organization in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to helping people who experience poverty and homelessness achieve their full human potential.

Learn more about the book at SixPractices.com

Episode 49 | But What’s Next?

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 11:38:00 -0500

Just a couple of weeks ago, not far from us here in Rochester, there was a bombing at a mosque in Bloomington, MN. And less than a week ago, white supremacists and Nazis gathered in Charlottesville, VA held a violent demonstration. In the last couple of days a death threat was posted on the video of our Sandbox live event featuring our friend Regina Mustafa.

Where do we go from here? How do we deal with our perception that this is bigger than we can fix? And how might conversation be a launching point for real solutions?

Episode 48 | Words Are Hard

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 11:37:00 -0500

In today’s episode, we talk about language. In its simplest form, language is made up of words that we use to express something. But from cultural context, personal experience, external pressures, the message is rarely if ever cleanly sent and perfectly understood. Sometimes we think we are communicating in prose, but more often than not, it’s poetry filled with metaphor, innuendo, and inflection. It’s a wonder we can say anything at all.

Episode 47 | The Night Ministry Saunter with Lyle Beckman

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 11:35:00 -0500

Lyle Beckman is a night minister with the San Francisco Night Ministry, a ministry that provides care, counseling, referrals, and crisis intervention to anyone in any kind of distress, every night of the year between 10pm and 4 am. Every night for 52 years, a night minister has been out there, walking the streets with the job of caring for the people who are out when most people have gone in. Lyle has served as a night minister since 2004.

Episode 46 | Freedom Isn’t Finished (with Jo and Chuck)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 11:31:00 -0500

While we were in San Fransisco last summer, we had the opportunity to talk with Chuck Lewis and Joanne Chadwick. Chuck is a retired pastor and night minister. Jo is also retired after a career working in the church, at the YWCA and in suicide prevention. They’ve both worked in support of peace and justice for many years to make their communities and our world a better place to live. Now, both in their 80’s, they reflect a bit on where they’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed.

Episode 45 | Kissing Fish with Roger Wolsey

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:29:00 -0500

Roger Wolsey is the director of the Wesley Foundation United Methodist Campus Ministry at University of Colorado at Boulder. He’s also a writer, and the author of Kissing Fish, an introduction to progressive Christianity. We talked with Roger a bit about his book and other ways of interpreting the Christian tradition.

If you’d like to learn more about Kissing Fish, visit ProgressiveChristianityBook.com or find it on Facebook.

Drew G. I. Hart Q&A (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 31 May 2017 11:15:00 -0500

On May 7, 2017 Sandbox Cooperative welcomed Drew G. I. Hart to the Sandbox stage. This podcast contains the Q&A portion of the evening event.

Drew is a professor at Messiah College with ten years of pastoral experience. He studied Biblical Studies at Messiah College, he attained his MDiv with an urban concentration from Biblical Seminary, and he recently received his PhD in theology and ethics from Lutheran Theological Seminary-Philadelphia. His work has included pastoring in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, working for an inner-city afterschool program, leading anti-racism workshops, adjunct teaching, and doing public theology. His dissertation explored the overlaps of white supremacy and Western Christendom and how Black theology and Anabaptism aid us in untangling our lives from these realities.

His book, Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, utilizes everyday stories, Jesus-shaped theological ethics, and anti-racism frameworks to transform the church’s understanding and witness. Hart’s blog is hosted at The Christian Century and he speaks regularly across the country. Drew and his family recently moved from Philly to Harrisburg, PA.

More about Drew at DrewGIHart.com, @DruHart, Drew Hart on Facebook

Drew G. I. Hart at Sandbox Cooperative (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 31 May 2017 11:00:00 -0500

On May 7, 2017 Sandbox Cooperative welcomed Drew G. I. Hart to the Sandbox stage.

More about Drew at DrewGIHart.com, @DruHart, Drew Hart on Facebook

Episode 44 | One Thing, Part Four (Samir Selmanovic)

Sandbox Cooperative — Fri, 26 May 2017 11:25:00 -0500

All of this week we’re sharing responses to the question we asked each of our guests on our road trip: “If you could tell everyone in the world one thing (not that they would necessarily agree, but they would listen), what would it be?”

In the last part of this mini-series, we talk with Samir Selmanovic. Samir is an executive life coach in New York City who helps others master the alchemy of creativity, compassion, and courage in the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, adding meaning to their success. Samir is also the co-leader of a Christian community called CityLights, and serves on the interfaith relations commission for the United States National Council of Churches.

Episode 44 | One Thing, Part Three (Jason Storbakken)

Sandbox Cooperative — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:23:00 -0500

Today we talk with Jason Storbakken. Jason is the Chapel Director of The Bowery Mission, which is the oldest mission to serve the homeless population in New York City. His congregation is made up of people who, for the most part, have no place to live. He is probably the only pastor I’ve met who wants his church to shrink, and actively works to make that a reality. Jason is also the author of countless articles, as well as the book “Radical Spirituality: Repentance, Resistance and Revolution.”

Episode 44 | One Thing, Part Two (Linda Kay Klein)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 24 May 2017 11:21:00 -0500

Today we talk with Linda Kay Klein. Linda is a storyteller, social innovator, and spiritual seeker who blends research and stories to expose unseen social problems and devise potential solutions. She utilizes her unique approach as a writer, speaker, workshop and meeting facilitator, and nonprofit consultant. Linda is currently writing a book about the impact of religious purity culture on girls, and it is due out next year.

Episode 44 | One Thing, Part One (Vince Anderson)

Sandbox Cooperative — Tue, 23 May 2017 11:00:00 -0500

Today we talk with Vince Anderson. Every Monday Night for decades Reverend Vince Anderson and the Love Choir has had a standing gig, currently at the Union Pool in Brooklyn. He shares a brand of music he calls “Dirty Gospel” – a raw, earthy style of gospel music. He’s grown a community through the years with that gig and has also shared his music with local congregations. Vince also appears on the “Nine Beats” album that we profiled in episodes 38 and 39.

Episode 43 | Transformation and the Common Ground with Tim Otto

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:17:00 -0500

Tim Otto is pastor at The Church of the Sojourners in the Mission District of San Francisco and author of Oriented to Faith: Transforming the Conflict Over Gay Relationships. Tim shared with us a bit about the way this conversation has shaped his own life, but also called us to unity in the midst of our conflict so that we can have real conversations and learn together. Tim challenges and invites us to find common ground for growth in the middle of our divisions.

Episode 42 | Shane Claiborne and the Nagging Problem of Jesus

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:16:00 -0500

In today’s episode we talk with Shane Claiborne – an activist, founder of The Simple Way, and author of Executing Grace: How The Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why It’s Killing Us. We spoke with Shane about the death penalty, the work currently being done to abolish the practice (including current cases in Arkansas), and how we might imagine and create a better future through restorative justice.

To learn more:
Read Shane’s Book, Executing Grace
Learn about the work of Death Penalty Action and Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Episode 41 | The Thrill of the Hunt

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 11:14:00 -0500

It’s the season of Easter Egg Hunts, and kids will be seeking out every last egg and piece of candy in the coming week. We start out in life enjoying the search, the hunt, and the discovery. But over time we can be tempted to lose the excitement in discovering and exploring new things and ideas. New experiences invite us a bit further toward the beauty of the world around us – explore a place where you haven’t been or a topic you aren’t an expert on, and you might just be open to growth and new life.

Episode 40 | Get Organized with Nicole Deane

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 11:00:00 -0500

This episode features our conversation with Nicole Deane, who we had the chance to meet on our road trip last summer. When we spoke with her, Nicole was working with Planting Justice, a non-profit food justice organization based in Oakland, California. Nicole shared with us about how these issues of access to food and meaningful work relate to the challenges of racism and the prison industrial complex. She talked about how together we might discover our common humanity, and begin to address some of these challenges.

Planting Justice works to democratize access to affordable, nutritious food by empowering urban residents with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to maximize organic food production, expand job opportunities, and ensure environmental sustainability in the Bay Area.

Episode 39 | Nine Beats (Part Two)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 11:11:00 -0500

In part two of our Nine Beats conversation we talk with Matt Valler and Mark Scandrette from the Nine Beats collective about some of the ways they are helping to interpret the Beatitudes in a new way. “Somewhere between a story and a dream, there is a whisper of another world, a different rhythm rising… An international collective of amazing troubadours, poets, rebels, provocateurs, sages & activists on the trail of the ancient sayings known as ‘the beatitudes’ A haunting. A cry. A new beat.”

Episode 38 | Nine Beats (Part One)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:09:00 -0600

Somewhere between a story and a dream, there is a whisper of another world, a different rhythm rising… An international collective of amazing troubadours, poets, rebels, provocateurs, sages & activists on the trail of the ancient sayings known as ‘the beatitudes’ A haunting. A cry. A new beat. In this episode we talk with Heatherlyn and Steve Bassett from the Nine Beats collective about the music and album that sits at the center of the project to explore the Beatitudes in a new way.

Episode 37 | Battle Axes and the Boy Who Cried Wolf

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 11:06:00 -0600

Is this story real? Did it actually happen? Does it matter? Why do we have an expectation that if stories matter, they must be “factual”? What if stories of all kinds are teaching tools about what it means to be human? In this episode, we talk about stories and their power to shape and influence us. Why are stories more interesting than facts, and what can we learn from stories if we’re paying attention?

Episode 36 | The Abundance of Music and Cinnamon Rolls

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 11:04:00 -0600

In this episode, we spoke with doctors Chris Hawley and Sam Romeo about a series of house concerts they host as a part of their medical practice at Romeo Medical Clinic.

Romeo Medical Clinic started in 2002 with the idea that a medical practice should care for the whole person and not just the body. They believe that the human health journey should involve health at every level including our World, Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul. Physicians and traditional medical practices are well designed to care for the body, but not as designed as well to care for the mind, spirit and soul. Romeo Medical Clinic chose to add house concerts as a whole health tool because nothing speaks to spirit and soul better than the vulnerable music of singer-song writers. They have a unique gift that causes our spirits to soar and healing for our souls. Romeo Medical Clinic loves to make use of any tool that truly heals and is both scientifically and poetically true.

Episode 35 | Failure, Rejection, and Being Human with Rob Bell

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 11:02:00 -0600

A few months ago we had the chance to talk with New York Times best-selling author Rob Bell. We talked about failure, rejection, and what it means to be human.

Rob is the author of books like Love Wins and the host of his own podcast — The RobCast. He toured with Oprah Winfrey on her “Life You Want Tour,” and he was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. But he’s never been on the Sandbox Cooperative Podcast. Until now.

Episode 34 | Don’t Waste the Ham

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 10:45:00 -0600

Our traditions help us make meaning, but they can also become stagnant. How do we keep ourselves from cutting a perfectly good chunk off the end of a perfectly good Christmas ham? In other words, can we shed some of the unhelpful, rigid nature of our traditions and instead allow them to bring meaning to our experiences? And how might we pass those traditions on from one generation to the next?

Episode 33 | Belief in The Age of Fake News

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 10:45:00 -0600

Fake News has been making headlines as of late as stories and news sources that are based on false information have been gaining our trust. In the Age of Fake News, it’s hard to know what to believe sometimes. But if there’s one thing we know it’s that we can’t let these stories drive us to such opposition that we can’t actually talk with and learn from each other.

How Fake News Goes Viral, The New York Times
How to self-check the news and get the facts, Minnesota Public Radio
6 in 10 of you will share this link without reading it, The Washington Post

Regina Mustafa Q&A (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 11:00:00 -0600

On October 30, 2016 Sandbox Cooperative welcomed Regina Mustafa to the Sandbox stage. This podcast contains the Q&A portion of the evening event.

Regina lives in Rochester, Minnesota and is the founder of Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam, a local organization focused on sharing reliable and accessible information on Islam, as well as promoting healthy interfaith dialogue. She shared some common misunderstandings about our Muslim neighbors, the struggles and joys of living in the United States as a Muslim given our current political and social climate, and helped us ask a very important question together – why is interfaith dialogue so important? And maybe even more at the heart of it – why is it important for each of us to be in relationship with those who aren’t like us?

More about Regina at Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam (CIDI), @cidi_cidimn, Regina Mustafa on Facebook

Regina Mustafa at Sandbox Cooperative (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:45:00 -0600

On October 30, 2016 Sandbox Cooperative welcomed Regina Mustafa to the Sandbox stage.

More about Regina at Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam (CIDI), @cidi_cidimn, Regina Mustafa on Facebook

Episode 32 | Hope, Disappointment, and the Day After

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 10:45:00 -0600

We intentionally recorded this episode of the podcast before any election results came in as a time capsule to ourselves. What do we really hope for? How do we respond when our hopes are dashed and we are disappointed? What about the day after? Well, it is now November 9, 2016 — the day after — and many are disappointed. So let’s pull out the time capsule and reflect on these ideas – Hope, Disappointment, and the Day After.

Episode 31 | Politics, Echo Chambers, and the Humanity of Jesus (with Daniel Kirk)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 10:45:00 -0500

Daniel Kirk is a New Testament scholar and host of LectioCast, a Homebrewed Christianity podcast created as a commentary on weekly lectionary texts. Daniel spoke with us about politics, echo chambers, and how the humanity of Jesus influences the way we might see our faith.

Find more about Daniel Kirk at JRDKirk.com, at Patheos via Storied Theology, or @jrdkirk.

Episode 30 | Belonging and Becoming (with Mark Scandrette)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 22:45:00 -0500

In this episode we interview Mark Scandrette about his newest book, “Belonging and Becoming: Creating a Thriving Family Culture.” Belonging and Becoming centers on the core relationship of family, whatever shape and size that might take, and how we can live together well with meaning. The new book was co-written by Mark and his wife Lisa, and also features pieces written by their daughter Hailey Scandrette (who we interviewed in Episode 27.) Find more about Mark at MarkScandrette.com @markscandrette.

Episode 29 | Mapping the Genome of the Human Spirit (Seity Health)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:45:00 -0500

We are already whole people, though we sometimes struggle to see ourselves as whole. But if we know who we are and what we are capable of… look out! We can live amazing lives. In this episode, Sam Romeo and Chris Hawley of Seity Health in Turlock, CA share with us about the history of their unique health care practice, including a new project which maps the genome of the human spirit – a new way of considering how spiritual well-being affects the other aspects of our health. We hear this as a challenge to be more holistic and integrated in our approach to caring for each other.

Interested in taking Seity’s health assessment? Send an email to info@seityhealth.com and mention Sandbox Cooperative.

To learn more about Seity Health visit SeityHealth.com or view some of their videos on Vimeo.

Episode 28 | O.G. Rev with Harry Williams

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 10:45:00 -0500

In this episode we talked with Harry Williams, whose work has centered on marginalized members of the inner city community in Oakland, CA. Early on, Harry learned the power of the pen for social change – including writing music. (Fun fact, Harry was a fixture in the underground hip-hop movement of the early 1980s in New York City, then known as “The Incredible Mr. Freeze.”) Harry challenges us to take our faith and move it further toward real impact in our lives and communities.

To learn more about Harry Williams visit RevHarryWilliams.us or find Harry on Facebook.

Listen to “Gone,” a song by Harry (aka OG Rev) about the violence his community faces in Oakland, CA.

Find out more about Harry’s upcoming book here: Street Cred: A Hood Minister’s Guide To Urban Ministry, or donate to the book’s GoFundMe page

Episode 27 | Ignited with Hailey Scandrette

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 10:45:00 -0500

In this episode we talked with Hailey Scandrette, co-founder and editor in chief of an online magazine for young adults, Ignited. She also runs Ignited’s online community group, Ignited Collective, where she facilitates discussion and collective action. If you or someone you know might be interested in the work of Hailey and others at Ignited, visit IgnitedMag.com.

Episode 26 | Naked in North Omaha

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 10:45:00 -0500

Good days and bad days are all part of the whole picture. Sometimes we take five steps forward and two steps back. The steps forward are real, and so are the steps back. But the movement is forward.

This episode was recorded live at Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, MN and features a story from our friend Al Spohn, ‘Naked in North Omaha.’

Episode 25 | Keeping Pulse with Dale Fredrickson

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 10:45:00 -0500

In this episode we interview Dale Fredrickson, a pastor and spoken word poet, author of Keeping Pulse: Poems for the Heart. Dale shared some of his poetry with us and we talked about creativity, lament, and paying attention to the whole of our selves. The poems in Keeping Pulse will help you to pay attention to the beating life force around you, to learn the rhythms that your life was intended for.

Dale also has an audio version of his spoken word poetry that you can find on his bandcamp page.

Episode 24 | Road Trip – What We Learned

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:45:00 -0500

Last month we took a crazy road trip out west to gather as many interviews as we could for this podcast. We wanted to hear stories, learn new things, and connect various voices together in a community that is trying to figure out what it means to be a person of faith in today’s world. This episode includes some of our own reflections, as well as pieces from a few of our interviews.

For more on the guests included in this episode:

– Daniel Kirk is a new testament professor who writes at Storied Theology.
– Harry Williams is a pastor and social activist in East Oakland
– Hailey Scandrette is the founder and editor in chief of Ignited Magazine
– Chris Hawley and Sam Romeo practice wholistic health care at Romeo Medical Clinic and Seity Health
– Mark Scandrette is the director of Reimagine A Center for Integral Christian Practice
– Rob Bell is the author of How To Be Here and Love Wins

Episode 23 | Serious Play

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 10:45:00 -0500

You play not because you have to, or because it benefits you in any way, or serves a bigger purpose. You play… just because that’s why! So when was the last time you played? Seriously played? It’s time to get serious about play.

Episode 22 | Life in Real Time, Part 2

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 10:45:00 -0500

This is Part 2 of ‘Life in Real Time.’ We recently spent time at Seasons Hospice, a community based freestanding nonprofit hospice here in Rochester, Minnesota. Care is provided regardless of the religion or spirituality of the patient or family.

We were captivated by these conversations, and we ended up with something that we didn’t anticipate: We set out to talk about death, but learned much more about life.

Many thanks to the staff members at Seasons Hospice who shared their time and stories with us.

Episode 21 | Life in Real Time, Part 1

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 25 May 2016 10:45:00 -0500

Ever since we started this podcast, we have wanted to talk about the end of life. We finally made that a reality as we recently spent time at Seasons Hospice, a community based freestanding nonprofit hospice here in Rochester, Minnesota. Care is provided regardless of the religion or spirituality of the patient or family.

We were captivated by these conversations, and we ended up with something that we didn’t anticipate: We set out to talk about death, but learned much more about life.

Many thanks to the staff members at Seasons Hospice who shared their time and stories with us.

Shane Claiborne Q&A (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 11 May 2016 10:50:00 -0500

On May 1, 2016 Sandbox Cooperative welcomed Shane Claiborne to the Sandbox stage. This podcast contains the Q&A portion of the evening event.

Shane is a founder and board member of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped birth and connect radical faith communities around the world. He has served on peace delegations in some of the most troubled regions in the world. Shane led us in a conversation about social justice, peacemaking, and Jesus.

More about Shane at RedLetterChristians.org, @shaneclaiborne, Shane Claiborne on Facebook

Shane Claiborne at Sandbox Cooperative (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 11 May 2016 10:45:00 -0500

On May 1, 2016 Sandbox Cooperative welcomed Shane Claiborne to the Sandbox stage.

More about Shane at RedLetterChristians.org, @shaneclaiborne, Shane Claiborne on Facebook

Episode 20 | Soul Song

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 10:45:00 -0500

In this episode, we share a conversation with our friend Heatherlyn about music, the importance of sharing your own story, and what it means for a community to sing their soul song. Find out what Heatherlyn is up to at HeatherlynMusic.com.

Episode 19 | The Guilt Free Nap

Sandbox Cooperative — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 10:45:00 -0500

It seems one of the most challenging things we could do is to give up good things. To even take the time to know which things are best sometimes feels like yet another thing to do. In the middle of the world rushing past us, we continue to grapple with the questions of ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What am I here for?’ yet with less and less space to discover our answers. In this episode, we explore the ideas of presence, and slowing down, in order to be a bit more available to who we are and what we do at our best.

Episode 18 | Peter Rollins

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:45:00 -0500

Sometimes we can feel limited in our church communities – like certain things might not be ‘appropriate’ to ask or think. But the reality is that at our best we get the chance to ask questions, share stories, and learn from each other. We believe we are created to be curious, and to encounter new ideas, new concepts, new insights and understandings.

In this episode, Peter Rollins joins us to talk about parables, his book The Divine Magician, and some of the new ideas he is exploring in his work. Peter is a provocative writer, philosopher, storyteller and public speaker who has gained an international reputation for overturning traditional notions of religion and challenging us to consider different ways of thinking about our world and faith.

Episode 17 | Religion and Politics with Tim Penny

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 10:45:00 -0500

News of the presidential race is everywhere. And in the midst of this national conversation, faith continues to play an important role – everything between the way a candidate’s faith might subtly influence their political perspective, to candidates who wear it on their sleeve to a point that seems insincere or dishonest.

In this episode, Tim Penny joins us to talk a bit about the intersection of religion and politics. Tim served in the Minnesota State Senate from 1976-1982, and served 6 terms in the US House of Representatives from 1982-1994. He currently serves as the President and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation where key interests include early childhood and entrepreneur development. Tim is also a senior fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute.

Episode 16 | Outrage

Sandbox Cooperative — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 10:45:00 -0600

There are plenty of things that make us angry, even outraged. Some of the things that make us feel this way are important and others we should just let pass by, but somehow our reaction is often reversed. What does it take for us to channel this outrage better? How do we begin to set a different tone?

Watch Stephen Colbert interview Bill O’Reilley on The Late Show, February 9, 2016.

Further reading:
Why Am I So Angry? from WebMD
The Psychology of Outrage in the Political World from Psychology Today
Parker Molloy’s 5 things the media does to manufacture outrage at Medium.com
7 Ways to Engage Your Customer’s Reptilian Brain at NeuroScienceMarketing.com

Episode 15 | Gift Economy with Heatherlyn and Jason

Sandbox Cooperative — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:45:00 -0600

In November we welcomed Heatherlyn and Jason to the Sandbox stage. While they were here we talked with them about pursuing dreams, challenging current cultural narratives, and the idea of sacred economics and the gift economy. Heatherlyn also shares some of her music with us in this episode.

For more about Heatherlyn and Jason visit heatherlynmusic.com

Further reading:
‘Sacred Economics’ by Charles Eisenstein

Episode 14 | You Are Here

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 10:45:00 -0600

What if we actually started at the beginning of the story? Sometimes the church seems to be saying the things that seem exactly opposite of the way that Jesus lived and the things he taught, and opposite of what many Christians seem to intuitively understand about who God is. It seems like somewhere we’ve maybe gotten the story a bit backwards.

Episode 13 | Baby New Year

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 10:45:00 -0600

As we begin 2016, the new year is full of promise and possibility. The new year brings a new chance, a new opportunity, a fresh start and a new life – so much so that the idea of the ‘Baby New Year’ represents this season. Often as the year progresses, the ‘baby’ grows up, the resolutions fade to the background, and all the good intentions and impulses and goals slowly disappear. But for now we sit at the beginning of something new. What will it take to make the change you need?

Episode 12 | Us & Them

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:45:00 -0600

Insiders, outsiders. Who is us? Who is them? In the news today, the separation is often along the lines of Muslims and Christians, Americans and Syrians. We define who’s in and who’s out based on arbitrary, subjective criteria, often based on fear. But all of these are false dichotomies. There is no them – only us.

Today’s Guest:
Scott Hicks, laywer and pastor from Lebanon, OH.
Read his original Facebook post here, or reblogged here.
This great infographic with the information from Mr. Hicks’ initial Facebook post.
The White House has also detailed the screening process for refugee entry into the United States.

Opening Quote: from Rachel Held Evans. Read it here.

Featured photo via Arbeitsbesuch Mazedonien

Episode 11 | Addiction

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 10:45:00 -0600

What’s the reality of someone who has dealt with an addiction of their own? What about someone who is in recovery? And, maybe to dispel some of the rumors that continue to exist about addiction – what is actually going on physiologically that causes someone to suffer from an addiction? In today’s episode we’ll ask some of those questions. We’ll also discuss the importance of community in dealing with such a difficult disease.

Episode 10 | Paul Phillips, Hope Positive Africa

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 10:45:00 -0600

Sometimes you hear a story that just needs to be shared – and when we interviewed Paul Phillips, we knew his was one of those stories. Paul works with Hope Positive Africa, an intentional community and residential ministry dedicated to demonstrating the love of Jesus daily, in a very tangible way, to the poor and oppressed – in part working with women who are HIV positive. Find out more at HopePositiveAfrica.com.

Until recently, Paul was also a student at The Hatchery LA. Hatchery LA provides an innovative, residential learning program for individuals who want to become social transformation entrepreneurs and invest in a local community for multiple years by launching a sustainable “Common Cause Community.” Check out what they’re up to at HatcheryLA.com.

Episode 9 | Tragedy and Comedy

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 10:45:00 -0600

If somebody asked you, “What are you afraid of?” What would you say? What if somebody asked you, “What makes you laugh?” What would it be like to live a little more in the laughter than fear in our lives?

Episode 8 | Who Are You?

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:45:00 -0500

In some ways our sense of identity is tied to our cultural heritage, maybe our ethnicity. It can be what country we’re from, or what types of food we prefer or what music we listen to. To understand our own identity, maybe we can start by asking, ‘What is my identity? And how does my identity influence my life and experiences?’

Today’s Guests:
Steve Netniss, author of the new book Potential: The Assyrian Quest for Identity, @snetniss
Isai Contreras, El Paso, TX, @iCon3ras

Mike McHargue Q&A (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:10:00 -0500

On September 27, 2015 Sandbox Cooperative hosted Mike McHargue. This podcast episode contains the Q&A portion of the evening event.

More about Science Mike at mikemchargue.com, theliturgists.com, @mikemchargue.

Mike McHargue at Sandbox Cooperative (Live Event)

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:05:00 -0500

On September 27, 2015 Sandbox Cooperative hosted Mike McHargue. This podcast episode contains Mike’s presentation during the evening event.

Mike, affectionately known as “Science Mike,” is a speaker, writer, technology executive, self-ascribed nerd, and co-founder of The Liturgists with Michael Gungor. He travels the country helping believers and non-believers understand and know God in an age of incredible scientific insight.

When Mike isn’t on the road, he lives in Tallahassee, Florida with his wife Jenny, two daughters, and one motorcycle.

More about Science Mike at mikemchargue.com, theliturgists.com, @mikemchargue.

Episode 7 | Rest

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:45:00 -0500

Rest. What is it? Why is it important, why rest? Why should we NOT wait until we’re dead? What would it look like to really have time protected for rest and renewal?

Today’s Guest:
John G. Park, M.D. at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Music Links:
BB King – The Thrill is Gone
Son House – Death Letter
The Civil Wars – Billie Jean
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme

Episode 6 | Translation

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 10:45:00 -0500

Each moment of exchanging words and ideas with someone has two parts. In the first part, you express an idea about something. But in order to really communicate, you need a second part. Translation. How can we get around the things that leave us lost in translation? How can we really listen?

Today’s Guest:
Natasha Bertsch from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Article Links:
NASA: The Golden Record
June, INC.
Fight-or-flight and Information
Eva Green interview

Episode 5 | The Unfiltered Life

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:45:00 -0500

Is it possible to be present in a life where every moment is documented in pictures, video, texts, tweets and posts? Does this impact the way we perceive reality, or see our lives? What about the lives of those we love, or the events of our world? More and more it seems that life is filtered through a digital screen. What would it mean to attempt to live an unfiltered life?

Episode 4 | Soup Kitchens and Eating Contests

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 10:45:00 -0500

We live in a world of soup kitchens and eating contests. We have a food problem. It’s not that there isn’t enough, but there’s certainly a problem in how people get the food they need. What would it look like if we took steps to make sure everyone had enough to eat?

Today’s Guests:
Bishop Steve Delzer of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA
Jennifer Woodford, Executive Director at Channel One Regional Food Bank, Rochester, MN

Episode 3 | Made

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 10:45:00 -0500

It’s an incredibly unique privilege that we can ask questions like: What are you made to do? What gifts do you have? What is your personality? What makes your life meaningful? In this episode of the Sandbox Podcast we explore a bit about going after what it is you’re made to do.

Today’s References:
Shane Hipps on Stirring Soup with a Flute
Story of the Fisherman at BecomingMinimalist.com

Episode 2 | Charleston

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 10:45:00 -0500

Today’s topic is the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. This incredibly awful event has sparked a national conversation about why these things happen and how to begin to actually heal the wound of our racial divide. Our guest is Paul Van Auken, Associate Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, who wrote an article about his experience in Charleston at the time of the shooting.

Article links:
Cape Fear: Sharks in the Ocean and the Pew by Paul Van Auken and
How to Actually Fight for Racial Reconciliation by Christena Cleveland

Episode 1 | Sacred and Secular

Sandbox Cooperative — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:45:00 -0500

In our first Sandbox Cooperative podcast we talk about ‘sacred’ and ‘secular.’ What makes something sacred? What makes something Secular? Is there really a divide? Is there a difference… or is the difference something we’ve created?

Other stuff we talked about:
Ben Folds Five – (Listen | iTunes | Google Music)
‘Jesus Christ’ by Brand New (Listen | iTunes | Google Music)
Louis CK on Flying