Quaker peace activist George Lakey has been singing freedom songs in the streets since the civil rights movement. Today, George says, as our democracy faces an existential threat, it is important that we look to other countries whose people have resisted autocrats and won. On this week’s podcast episode we talk with George about those cases, and the nonviolent database he has helped to assemble which shows 39 recent cases of countries whose people nonviolently overthrew a dictator.

This episode originally aired on March 14, 2025.

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We follow two emerging Quaker communities from different traditions to witness the messy, faithful reality of starting a Quaker meeting. There are no formulas here, only the collective wisdom of people who are discerning a call together. It’s an invitation to explore what happens when we stop trying to control the outcome and simply agree to join the work the Spirit is already doing.

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Quakers believe in loving your neighbor, but what is a peace-loving Friend to do when their city is invaded by armed forces intent on violence? For this week’s episode, we bring you a special conversation with four Quakers from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul who have been wrestling with just that. 

Notes:

Three of our guests are active in ISAIAH, a "statewide multiracial group of faith communities, Black barbershops, childcare centers, and more fighting for racial and economic justice in Minnesota". Information about events and resources for faithful resistance can be found at https://www.isaiahmn.org/

ICE Out of Minnesota has toolkits and resources for dismantling the "pillars of power" that our guests talked about. There are two upcoming actions against Target and Enterprise this week - https://www.iceoutnowmn.com/

If this episode has inspired you to learn more about Quaker resistance, then we recommend the following Thee Quaker Podcast episodes

The “Quakers vs. ICE” Lawsuit

39 Ways to (Nonviolently) Overthrow a Dictator with Quaker Activist George Lakey

A Quaker Response to Crisis with Eileen Flanagan 

How Trump Made Me A Quaker: Faithful Resistance with Daniel Hunter

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This week, we take a field trip to Marlborough Meeting in Kennet Square, PA. Step inside a Conservative Quaker meeting with us to witness a commitment to simplicity and integrity that has endured for centuries. Discover why the ancient instruction to 'stand still' might be the exact antidote to our modern exhaustion.

Want to discuss today’s episode? We created a space for connection, not just content, on Discord—a free app for your phone or computer that works like a digital coffee hour. Join us to meet other Friends walking this path, and don't worry, we have a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started.

https://theequaker.org/discord/

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In a world often governed by force, Quakers have stood apart for centuries with a radical commitment to peace. But this isn't just a political stance; it is a spiritual practice that challenges us to see the Divine in everyone—even our enemies. This week, we dive into the history of the Peace Testimony and explore how its living wisdom can guide us through modern conflict.

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Season 3 continues next week! In the meantime, we are inviting you to join our new digital community on Discord, a private space where we can engage in deeper dialogue and help build a vibrant digital Quaker community. Think of it as a series of organized chat rooms that prioritize safety and quiet over the algorithmic outrage found on platforms like Facebook or X. You can find easy-to-follow instructions for setting up your account by visiting theequaker.org/discord.

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‘Tis the season to answer one of the Internet’s most burning questions…Do Quakers celebrate Christmas? We called up Friends from around the globe to find the answer(s), and you might be surprised at what they say. 

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Zachary Moon was raised in a Quaker Meeting full of anti-war protesters. Then he felt God calling him to join the military as a chaplain. In the following months and years he had to wrestle with that leading and the response of his family and community.

On this week’s episode, we ask, what happens when your calling seems to be in opposition to the thing that unites your faith community? And can you be a Quaker pacifist while wearing a military uniform?

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It’s been a little over two years since we embarked on this journey to give Quakers a platform in the digital age. We believe Quakers have something to offer in the 21st century, and by telling our stories and exploring our practices, we can both deepen and broaden the modern Quaker movement.

This project—Thee Quaker Podcast—is part of our ecosystem of online Quaker media, along with The Daily Quaker Message and Quaker Videos, all published by Thee Quaker Project.

Now with thousands of readers, listeners, and viewers around the world, Thee Quaker Project is bringing daily inspiration and courage to seekers and Quakers and supporting them to take the next steps on their spiritual journeys.

Please consider supporting Thee Quaker Project with a gift of any size. It is only because of listeners like you that any of these projects exist at all. 

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Unlike many Christian traditions, Quakers have no creed. So one of the most commonly asked questions about us—What do Quakers believe?—is sometimes a difficult one to answer. We posed the question to long-time Quakers, new Quakers, Quaker scholars, and more. Join us as we explore this nuanced and rich discussion of Quaker beliefs.

This episode was originally released on July 10, 2024. Check out our full archives for more stories of spiritual courage.

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The School of the Spirit is now accepting applications for year two of its in-depth program "God’s Promise Fulfilled: Encountering and Embodying Grace in the Shadow of Empire." This second year focuses on moving from discernment into action. Participants explore their unique calls to action and learn how to live out their faith in the world, supported by a community of fellow seekers. The program is hybrid, offering four residencies (in-person or virtual) with online meetings in between. If you are seeking spiritual depth and a path for compassionate change, this is for you. Year two begins in May, and registration is open now. Learn more at schoolofthespirit.org/gpf.

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Quaker author and activist Eileen Flanagan joins us to explore the wisdom that she has learned from her decades of experience in organizing around the climate crisis, and how that very crisis is exposing the “illusion of separation” in our times. Eileen helps us move beyond individual conviction to creating effective and diverse coalitions for positive social change.

"Common Ground: How the Crisis of the Earth is Saving Us from Our Illusion of Separation" by Eileen Flanagan

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Westtown School is a Quaker, college preparatory day and boarding school for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. Guided by the essential Quaker calling to seek out and honor that of God in each of us, Westtown School challenges its students to realize their individual gifts while learning and living together in a diverse community. Their campus sits on 600 acres of land that includes a 14 acre lake, an arboretum and natural forest, and an instructional organic farm. Learn more and schedule a visit at www.westtown.edu.

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