Conflict can strengthen relationships—if handled well. Nina Barnes shares why avoiding conflict causes more harm, how to tell the truth with kindness (not just niceness!), and why “agreeing to disagree” isn’t always the answer. Learn strategies for turning conflict into deeper connection.

This episode kicks off the newly relaunched Mending Divides Podcast, where Dr. Jer Swigart has unfiltered conversations about conflict—what it is, why it matters, and how to navigate it well—with those who think deeply about it.

Chapters

01:00 Start

01:34 Conflict is inevitable

04:43 Conflict styles

06:36 Conflict as an opportunity

09:15 Suspicion in the Absence of Conflict

10:53 Conflict is modeled for us

15:48 Nina’s Direct Conflict Style

16:50 Niceness vs. Kindness

21:17 Truth-telling with Kindness: What’s the Goal?

26:30 Getting Practical - How to do this

32:54 Agree to Disagree?

36:56 Dehumanization is “the line”

42:53 A Real Life Story

50:56 Invitations

58:32 Closing

Guest bio: Nina Barnes

Nina Barnes is a Spiritual Director, the Founder of Transforming Journey, and a featured faculty member of Global Immersion’s Leadership Cohort. She is a seasoned leader who spends her life accompanying Reconciling Leaders as they grow their cultural awareness, resilience, and prophetic witness.

Nina's Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Whitworth Ministry Summit

Repairers of the Breach June 24-27, 2025 "Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in." (Isaiah 58:12) In the face of division, apathy, anger and violence, how do we as Christian leaders not grow weary? How do we remain awake to all that feels broken in our congregations, communities and world? How do we hold tension between the urgency of change and the slow pace of transformation? How do we nurture faith communities that restore hope and peace? Join us in June to explore these questions and more. Together, we will: Enjoy deep, formational worship experiences Process this cultural moment in community with other pastors Nurture our spiritual health and rest Discern where God is calling us now

Whitworth Ministry Summit

Lent Reflections

Throughout this season of Lent, our Peace Fellows offer weekly reflections that will guide us as we confess our complicity, reject the temptations of power, and move toward one another in love. Watch for those reflections, delivered once a week on our blog throughout Lent and join the conversations on Instagram and Facebook.

Blog

Become an Ember

EMBERS is our community of investors and partners committed to igniting and fueling the Everyday Peacemaking movement. Through their continued monthly support, EMBERS members accompany us in our work of forming Everyday Peacemakers and Reconciling Leaders to mend divides.

Donate - Embers

Welcome to the Mending Divides Podcast, formerly known as the Everyday Peacemaking Podcast! Join us for a brand new series of unfiltered conversations about conflict and how we navigate it.

In a world familiar with conflict, Mending Divides offers a fresh perspective. Hosted by Dr. Jer Swigart, this Global Immersion podcast delves into the conflicts we all face through insightful conversations with those who deeply understand them.

This isn’t just about prescribing peace-building techniques. Mending Divides invites you into the lives, stories, and practices of individuals shaping our understanding of conflict resolution. Through their journeys, we discover what it means to confront our own conflicts head-on.

Expect candid dialogues that:

• Challenge assumptions and explore diverse paths to peace.
• Shed light on the roles of religion, culture, and biology in conflict resolution.
• Share stories of resilience, creativity, and courage that inspire hope.

Join us as we explore the many dimensions of conflict and peace. Follow us on Instagram @globalimmerse and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Look out for our first episode coming later this month!

In this final episode of the 2024 season of the Everyday Peacemaking Podcast, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart reflect on the past year, emphasizing the importance of radical reflection over resolutions. They explore the Hebrew concept of ‘zakar,’ which means to remember and retell a story vividly. Jer shares an impactful experience from a war-torn village in Burma, while Osheta recounts her journey of shedding commitments and rediscovering her creativity.

Together, they invite us to engage in self-reflection, identify pivotal moments from 2024, and look towards 2025 with hope and renewed commitment to Peacemaking.

03:01 Jer remembering

10:58 The Power of the Resurrection

17:05 Osheta remembering

22:45 Navigating the discomfort

25:26 Stones of remembrance

27:28 Invitation to remember

PRO-HUMAN Apparel - Get your PRO-HUMAN shirt, hoodie, hat or more in our online store at https://www.bonfire.com/store/global-immersion/

Want a free PRO-HUMAN t-shirt? Make a donation of $100 or more or start a recurring monthly gift of $25 or more by December 31, and we’ll send you a free PRO-HUMAN t-shirt! Donate at globalimmerse.org/donate

• 
  
• Learn more about us: globalimmerse.org
• 
  
• 
  
• Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
• 
  
• 
  
• Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
• 
  

In this episode, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart explore what peacemaking looks like in the aftermath of the election. They unpack how different communities are processing the results and the impact on marginalized groups, emphasizing that there’s no single “right” way for a peacemaker to use the ballot. With honesty and grace, they wrestle with the best way to engage with those we’re in relationship with—especially those who voted differently.

Grounded in the teachings of Jesus, Osheta and Jer navigate calls to action, the challenge of loving enemies, and the need to confront harmful policies. They remind listeners that “it’s not the end of democracy” and invite them to embrace radical, subversive peacemaking. This episode challenges you to reflect deeply on your role in mending divides and building the beloved community—because the work doesn’t stop with an election.

00:39 Setting up the conversation

02:17 Osheta’s Family Conversation

02:58 Impact of Elections on Different Communities

04:27 Jer’s Initial Reflections and Grounding Reminders

08:26 Navigating the Frenzy

12:06 The Role of Friendship in Peacemaking

13:41 Loving our enemy

19:39 The Responsibility of White Peacemakers

23:44 Distinct Gifts and Graces

26:07 If you voted for Trump...

30:56 The Urgency of Peacemaking

36:42 Different kinds of fear

40:30 Jesus’ Strategy

PRO-HUMAN Apparel - Get your PRO-HUMAN shirt, hoodie, hat or more in our online store at https://www.bonfire.com/store/global-immersion/

Want a free PRO-HUMAN t-shirt? Make a donation of $100 or more or start a recurring monthly gift of $25 or more by December 31, and we’ll send you a free PRO-HUMAN t-shirt! Donate at globalimmerse.org/donate

Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

In the uncertainty of an imminent election, Osheta and Jer offer a hopeful alternative to getting swept up in the anxious swirl of this divisive political moment. They invite us to receive the gift of our own belovedness and then extend this recognition to others. They offer this practice as a vision toward fostering the beloved community from within these politically charged times. Through personal reflections, theological insights, and practical strategies, they emphasize the importance of embracing our intrinsic worth as beloved individuals. Episode highlights include insights on beginning our day as the beloved, input on self-regulation in the midst of triggering moments, and an invitation to be anchored as pro-human peacemakers.

02:18 Belovedness as un-american

04:27 Jesus’ belovedness

13:15 Owning your belovedness

18:02 Microdosing belovedness

23:31 Belovedness on election day

25:51 Jesus’ strategy

27:38 The belovedness of our enemy

30:28 Belovedness beyond the ballot

31:38 Pastoral wisdom for election day

• Apply for the 2025 Leadership Cohort by November 15, 2024 at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• 
  
• 
  
• Pick up some Pro-Human apparel: bonfire.com/store/global-immersion
• 
  
• 
  
• Learn more about us: globalimmerse.org
• 
  
• 
  
• Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
• 
  
• 
  
• Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
• 
  

Autumn is here, and with it come plenty of starts and a constant barrage of asks to give, volunteer, and show up for meaningful causes. In this episode, Osheta and Jer explore the reality of compassion fatigue and how to discern ‘what’s mine to do.’ With personal anecdotes, they discuss the pulls on our empathy, managing the feeling of being stretched like Gumby, and the importance of grounding oneself spiritually to make wise decisions. From reflective daily practices to the Ignatian Examen, this conversation provides practical insights on maintaining peace and showing up authentically during this busy season.

02:10 Osheta’s compassion fatigue

05:29 Jer feels like Gumby

08:55 Osheta burns out

10:33 Doing the deeper work

14:38 Three things to look for

18:10 Mentorship

19:56 Socialized as a woman

21:35 Practice: Three questions

23:11 What’s mine to do?

25:33 Osheta does the examen

30:32 Closing

• Sign up for the cohort interest list or RSVP for an info session at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• 
  
• 
  
• Pick up some Pro-Human apparel: bonfire.com/store/global-immersion/
• 
  
• 
  
• Learn more about us: globalimmerse.org
• 
  
• 
  
• Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
• 
  
• 
  
• Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
• 
  

In this episode, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart delve into the realities of failure and mistakes as crucial elements of our growth as peacemakers. They explore the anxiety around mistakes, the societal pressure to avoid them, and the importance of embracing mistakes as pathways to improvement rather than perfection. The discussion includes insights from poet Zedeka Poindexter and emphasizes the need for courage, humility, teachability, and generosity in both making and receiving mistakes. This liberating conversation invites listeners to reframe their approach to failure as a way to engage more deeply in the journey of peacemaking.

01:45 Spark from Zedeka’s Poetry

03:35 Navigating Divides and Fear of Mistakes

07:39 Learning Through Trial and Error

10:52 Insights from Ted Lasso

13:13 Infrastructure of self-reflection

13:49 Creating space for mistakes

18:47 Courage, Humility, and Teachability

24:43 How to receive an apology

27:08 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

• Zedeka Poindexter www.zedekapoindexter.com
• 
  
• 
  
• Hear her Peach Cobbler piece - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwYFMtUD70w
• 
  
• 
  
• Brenda Salter McNeil’s new book, Empowered to Repair: https://www.saltermcneil.com/empowered-to-repair
• Photo by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash
• 
  
• Learn more about the Leadership Cohort at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• 
  
• 
  
• Sign up for the cohort interest list or RSVP for an info session at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• 
  
• 
  
• Learn more about us: globalimmerse.org
• 
  
• 
  
• Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
• 
  
• 
  
• Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
• 
  

In this episode, Osheta and Jer reflect candidly on the common experience of loneliness, recognizing that it’s always a part of the path of peacemaking. Reflecting on their recent Deep South immersion with the 2024 Leadership Cohort, they share their journey from isolation to discovering a sense of companionship and learning how to be lonely together.

Through theological reflections and personal stories, they explore the significance of befriending loneliness, prioritizing companionship over community, and finding comfort in prayer practices. They encourage us all to acknowledge our own loneliness without anxiety, while seeking a way forward together with others on this journey.

01:44 shared experience of loneliness

04:38 befriending loneliness

11:08 finding your prayer practice

13:50 being lonely together

19:09 companionship more than community

22:02 gentle invitations

• Learn more about the Leadership Cohort at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• 
  
• 
  
• Sign up for the cohort interest list or RSVP for an info session at globalimmerse.org/cohort
• 
  
• 
  
• Learn more about us: globalimmerse.org
• 
  
• 
  
• Photo by hanya kumuh on Unsplash
• 
  
• 
  
• Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
• 
  
• 
  
• Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
• 
  

This episode was a spontaneous conversation between hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart reflecting on the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump. They discuss their immediate reactions, the importance of maintaining a peaceable presence, and how to navigate violent political climates as peacemakers.

The conversation emphasizes the need for creating safe spaces, fostering sacrificial relationships, and building communities committed to repair. Diving deep into personal anecdotes, theological reflections, and practical advice, this episode offers a specific call to action to move beyond social media posts and instead, to gather around tables and lead through these tumultuous times.

00:41 Reacting to the Assassination Attempt

04:52 Personal Reflections and Boundaries

09:06 The Role of Peacemakers in Turbulent Times

16:50 Political violence

19:41 Embracing Fear and Love

20:07 Starfish vs. Spider Leadership

21:12 The Illusion of Eliminating Ideologies

24:17 Building Communities of Peacemakers

Learn more: globalimmerse.org

Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate

Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

In this episode, Osheta and Jer delve into the intersection of parenting and peacemaking. They grapple with the temptation of fixing vs. being, naming the lure of project-oriented parenting and peacemaking. The high stakes of Christian parenting in particular are addressed, opening up a discussion about when we might need to reparent ourselves rather than focusing solely on the needs of our children. Unique practices in each of their households are shared, culminating in an invitation to parents to find their own authentic style of peacemaking as the greatest gift they can give their children.

The conversation offers valuable insights for parents and peacemakers alike, exploring how to nurture children in a way that allows them to grow into the everyday peacemakers our divided world so badly needs.

02:42 Fixing vs being

06:03 How do you want to be remembered by your kids?

07:31 The problem with project-oriented peacemaking

14:19 The stakes of Christian parenting

18:18 Lowering the stakes

20:35 Reparenting ourselves vs. Parenting our kids

22:43 Household practices

23:55 Impatience with our own formation

25:50 Bringing kids into a story

28:06 Shielding kids from mistakes and failure

30:19 Integrity in our own style of peacemaking

33:17 closing

Learn more: globalimmerse.org

Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate

Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

Jer kicks off the episode with a story about a recent encounter with his own stereotypes at a Guns to Gardens event in Bend, Oregon. This experience led him to question the fables he’s fabricated about “those people.” They wrestle with stereotypes as organized lies that shape the way we see others, and explore how to balance this awareness with genuine caution or wisdom in potentially unsafe situations. The conversation delves into broader themes of confronting stereotypes, the importance of proximity, and the interior transformation needed to see others as beloved. Listen for insights on disarming both physical weapons and the stereotypes that arm our imaginations.

02:38 Guns to Garden event context

05:15 Becoming a gun decommissioning site

10:07 The chopped up SUV

16:15 The interior work

17:33 How do we discern?

21:31 The Man or the Bear

24:31 Stereotypes

28:53 Practical ideas to get into proximity

34:30 announcements and credits

Learn more: globalimmerse.org

Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate

Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com