Thee Quaker Podcast

George Lakey is a well known Quaker pacifist, but he didn’t grow up that way. In fact, it wasn’t until George became involved with Quakers that he came to believe in the power of nonviolence.

Now in his 80s, George has spent most of his life as an advocate for social change through nonviolent direct action. In fact, he wrote the book on it. In this episode, he shares his deep conviction that pacifism is the way forward, even in an age of troubling conflict and polarization. We asked George about his lifetime of nonviolent activism, and why Quakers are pacifists.

Find more resources, discussion questions, and a transcript on the episode page.

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Do you have a daily spiritual practice?

On today’s episode, we’re exploring ways that spiritual discipline has helped Quakers connect with the Spirit today and throughout history.

We made this episode to celebrate the launch of our newest project, the Daily Quaker Message, a daily Quaker devotional designed to nourish your spiritual journey.

Visit our episode page for more information on the topics we discussed today, discussion questions, a transcript and more.

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April is National Poetry Month in the US, and we’re celebrating with an episode on Quakers and poetry. We know many people love poetry, but it can also feel opaque. So, we called up two Friends who have found a home both in Quakerism and in verse.

In our first segment, bestselling author Parker Palmer tells us how he gained a love of poetry and how it helped him during a mental health crisis. He'll also help us find a way into the practice of reading poetry for ourselves.

For the second half of our episode, award-winning writer Leah Naomi Green gives us an intimate and experiential look into how her poetry connects with motherhood and the natural world.

Learn more about our guests, find discussion questions and more on the episode page.

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Feeling lost, lonely, and directionless is part of the human experience, just ask the Biblical prophet Elijah. Faced with death for his convictions, he ran into the wilderness and found a God who met him in his grief and despair.

On today’s episode, Quaker pastor Andy Stanton-Henry shares a message of getting lost and being found by the still small voice of the divine. And he helps us lean in to hear it, too.

Transcripts, discussion questions, and more information about our guest can be found on our episode page.

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We have an announcement! Our newest project has launched.

The Daily Quaker Message is an invitation to enter into a closer relationship with Spirit. Every day in your inbox, you’ll get an email with a short Quaker message to meditate on. Often that will be a quote but sometimes a song, a poem, a piece of art, or a video. We’ll also share an exercise to try in your own life and a query to consider throughout the week.

These daily emails are short but powerful, and we hope they will help you move toward a deeper spiritual practice.

Like the podcast, it’s free to subscribe! Sign up at DailyQuaker.com.

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Lifelong Quaker Bayard Rustin was the architect of the 1963 March on Washington, a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and an international peace activist.

His identity as a gay man kept him in the shadows for decades, but he’s become something of an icon in recent years. In this episode, we explore the life and work of this groundbreaking Friend who made an indelible mark on American history.

Visit our episode page for more resources on Bayard Rustin, discussion questions, a transcript and more!

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Quakers have a long history of peacefully fighting for racial equality, and there is a lot to explore about their work during the Civil Rights Movement.

In this episode, we share first-hand stories of Friends whose spiritual courage led them into the heart of the movement, even when they were beaten and threatened with death. Quakers were among the most influential advocates of nonviolent direct action, choosing boycotts and sit-ins over fists and guns. Today, we explore their work and how it affected one of the most important eras in American history.

Visit our episode page for links to books by our guests, discussion questions, a transcript, and to comment.

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Award-winning singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer has been called a “prairie mystic” for her meditative, poetic lyrics and folk-infused melodies. Carrie is also a thoughtful Quaker, whose faith comes through in her music, her poetry, and her podcast with author Parker Palmer.

On this episode, Carrie shares how she came to Quakerism, how she writes from a place of meditation and silence, and, of course, she sings a few songs for us.

Learn more about Carrie Newcomer on her website.

Visit our episode page for discussion questions, a transcript, to comment, and more!

From our sponsor:

New Garden Friends Meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, is accepting applications for a pastoral minister position through April 15, 2024. Find the job description at https://ngfm.org/pastoral-minister-job-description.

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Quaker clothing is something of a mystery for non-Quakers. For more than 300 years, Quakers have been known for their “plain dress.” But what does plain dress mean today?

On this episode, we talk to Quakers who have felt a spiritual leading to dress simply, but as you’ll hear, that means different things to different people.

Comment on this episode, consider our discussion questions, download a transcript and more on our episode page!

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When a midweek worship group for young Quakers sprung up at Portland Friends Meeting in Maine, it ruffled some feathers. Some wondered why they needed to meet separately.

On today’s episode, we hear how this group of millennials found a spiritual home in not one but two weekly meetings for worship.

Our episode page has discussion questions, a transcript, a place to comment, and more. Check it out!

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