天美传媒

What does peacebuilding look like beyond diplomacy and conflict resolution? For Annie Boyd-Ramirez, it begins with accompaniment, opportunity, and hope. A 2007 天美传媒 graduate and co-founder of Programa Velasco, Annie joins host John Byrne to discuss how empowering women entrepreneurs, supporting families, expanding access to mental health services, and investing in children can help build more peaceful communities in El Salvador.

Drawing on nearly two decades of work, Annie shares the story of Programa Velasco's evolution from a small scholarship initiative to a holistic organization supporting economic well-being, trauma-informed care, and community resilience. She also reflects on the role of 天美传媒 students, global citizenship, and why hope is not passive waiting but an intentional commitment to creating a better future.

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What if war is far less effective than we have been led to believe? This episode features a conversation with Dr. David Cochran, professor of politics at Loras College, co-director of the Peace and Justice Minor, and author of The Catholic Case Against War: A Brief Guide.

Drawing from both political science research and Catholic social teaching, Cochran examines the human costs of war, the limits of military power, and the growing movement within the Catholic Church toward a just peace ethic. He reflects on recent developments at the Vatican, his participation in a Rome conference on nonviolence, and what contemporary research reveals about the effectiveness of armed conflict compared to nonviolent alternatives.

The conversation explores just war theory, civilian suffering, international cooperation, the promise of active nonviolence, and the courageous individuals who have challenged cycles of violence around the world. At a time of global conflict and uncertainty, Cochran offers a compelling case for why peacemaking requires not na茂vet茅, but courage, imagination, and a renewed commitment to building a more just and peaceful world. .

Artificial intelligence is transforming education, work, public policy, and daily life at a breathtaking pace. But how should we discern when these technologies serve humanity and when they threaten human dignity, privacy, and the common good? In this episode, host John Byrne sits down with Dr. Michael Zimmer, director of 天美传媒's Center for Data, Ethics, and Society, to explore the ethical challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

Drawing on decades of research in privacy, surveillance, internet ethics, and technology policy, Zimmer discusses why human judgment must remain at the center of decision-making, the importance of cultivating ethical reflection alongside technological innovation, and how 天美传媒's new Discerning AI Community of Practice seeks to bring Jesuit values to one of the defining issues of our time. Their conversation explores AI regulation, privacy, data centers, social justice, the enduring influence of media scholar Neil Postman, and the question facing universities, policymakers, and citizens alike: How do we harness powerful new technologies without losing sight of our humanity?

What do we owe one another in an age of migration, uncertainty, and political division? In this episode, host John Byrne speaks with Dr. Sergio Gonzalez, historian at 天美传媒 and nationally recognized scholar of immigration, religion, and Latino history. Together they explore the history of immigration in the United States, the role of faith communities in welcoming newcomers, the origins and meaning of sanctuary movements, and the moral questions facing communities today.

Drawing on his research and forthcoming books on sanctuary activism, Gonzalez reflects on human dignity, solidarity, and the ways ordinary people can respond courageously when confronted with injustice. He also offers a hopeful vision of education, civic engagement, and the responsibility to see immigrants not simply for what they contribute, but as fellow members of our common human family.

His publications include , , and .

What does it mean to live courageously in a world shaped by fear? In this episode, the Center for Peacemaking welcomes acclaimed actor, activist, and 天美传媒 honorary degree recipient Martin Sheen for a wide-ranging conversation on nonviolence, spirituality, community, and the lifelong work of peacemaking.

Drawing on his friendships with figures such as Daniel Berrigan, his reflections on Mahatma Gandhi, and his engagement with the nonviolent teachings of Jesus, Sheen explores how fear often limits our humanity and how courage can set us free. He discusses poetry as a 鈥減roxy language of the spirit,鈥� the challenges and rewards of nonviolent living, and why authentic faith must be lived rather than merely professed.

Whether discussing activism, faith, poetry, or patriotism, Sheen offers a compelling invitation to become more fully human by embracing courage, community, and the practice of nonviolence.

His podcast is the .

In this episode, host John Byrne speaks with Fr. John Dear, peace activist, author, and Executive Director of the Beatitudes Center for the Nonviolent Jesus. Drawing on decades of advocacy, more than forty books, and a lifetime of work for peace and justice, Dear reflects on the nonviolence of Jesus, the spiritual foundations of civil disobedience, and the challenges facing peacemakers in a time of war, political polarization, nuclear threat, and climate crisis.

The conversation explores Dear's latest book, Universal Love: Surrendering to the God of Peace, his longstanding collaboration with Terry Rynne and the Center for Peacemaking, lessons from leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Andrew Young, and Cornel West, and his hopes for forming a new generation of peacemakers.

Ultimately, Dear offers a vision of hope grounded not in optimism, but in faithfulness to the work of nonviolence and universal compassion.

Dear鈥檚 newest book is . His podcast is .

In this episode of The Need for Courage, host John Byrne speaks with renowned peace activist Kathy Kelly about the challenges and possibilities facing peacemakers today. Drawing on decades of experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Central America, and beyond, Kelly reflects on the human costs of war, economic sanctions, forced migration, and growing global militarization.

The conversation explores the importance of bearing witness to suffering, building relationships across borders, and embracing nonviolent action in the face of injustice. Kelly also discusses her work with Voices in the Wilderness and World BEYOND War, her experiences engaging in civil disobedience and serving time in prison, and the lessons young people can teach us about courage, solidarity, and hope.

From the realities of conflict zones to practical ways individuals can get involved in peacemaking efforts, this episode offers a powerful reflection on what it means to choose courage in an increasingly uncertain world.

In this episode, host John Byrne speaks with Basir Bita, a clinical counselor, peace educator, writer, and longtime advocate for nonviolence. Drawing on his experiences as an Afghan refugee, mental health professional, and collaborator with 天美传媒's Center for Peacemaking, Basir explores the connections between healing, resilience, and social change.

The conversation examines the ongoing challenges facing Afghanistan, including restrictions on women and girls, economic hardship, migration, and the lasting effects of conflict. Basir also reflects on the role of mental health in peacemaking, the importance of listening to one another's stories, and how communities can respond to trauma with compassion rather than fear. Basir offers a powerful vision of peacemaking as a way of living rooted in connection, dignity, and hope.

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What does peacemaking look like when it begins with access to justice?

In this episode, host John Byrne speaks with Fr. Owen Chourappa, S.J., Executive Director of the Legal Cell for Human Rights in Northeast India. For nearly two decades, Fr. Owen and his team have empowered vulnerable communities by providing legal education, advocating for children's rights, combating human trafficking, and offering free legal representation to those who cannot afford it.

Fr. Owen shares how the organization trains local youth as "barefoot lawyers" and paralegals, equipping them to educate their communities, connect families with government resources, resolve local disputes, and assist victims of trafficking. He also reflects on the importance of dignity, community empowerment, and the role of international partnerships, including the Center for Peacemaking's relationship with the Jesuits of Northeast India.

Join us for a conversation about justice as a pathway to peace and how ordinary people can become powerful agents of change in their communities.

How do neighborhoods recover from decades of disinvestment? What role do residents, businesses, universities, government, and community organizations play in creating lasting change?

In this episode of the Need for Courage, host John Byrne speaks with Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, Executive Director of Near West Side Partners, about the ongoing revitalization of Milwaukee's Near West Side. Lindsey shares the history of the neighborhood, the impact of infrastructure and economic change, and how community-driven development can build trust, opportunity, and long-term prosperity.

Center for Peacemaking staff, students, and faculty have been key partners in the Near West Side Partners' community impact since it started in 2015.

What happens when schools prioritize relationships, healing, and belonging? In this episode of The Need for Courage, Willie Maryland and Drew deLutio share the story of the Milwaukee Public Schools Success Center, an innovative partnership that helps students thrive through restorative practices and wraparound support. Their conversation explores the transformative power of compassion, community, and meaningful relationships, offering a hopeful vision for how schools can respond to the social and emotional needs of young people and their families.

Read the mentioned in the episode. And .

Dinorah Cort茅s-V茅lez, a professor of Spanish, specializes in Colonial Latin American literature. More than three centuries before modern debates about gender equality and intellectual freedom, a cloistered nun, Sor Juana In茅s de la Cruz, asked difficult questions about who has the right to learn, speak, and pursue truth. Dr. Cort茅s鈥慥茅lez, who has published extensively on Sor Juana, explores how Sor Juana sought to make education in philosophy and theology accessible to women.

Cort茅s-V茅lez is the author of (鈥淭he Philosophy of Gender of Sor Juana In茅s de la Cruz鈥�).

Dr. Sumana Chattopadhyay, associate professor of Digital Media and Performing Arts, revealed the many insights media studies provides to better understand debates about immigration. She breaks down how sound bites, filter bubbles, affective polarization, and local vs. national coverage shape these stories.

Chattopadhyay also discussed how migrants are turned into symbols in political theater, drawing on the US migrant busing crisis of 2022 as a case study. She demonstrates how media framing and political messaging intensify division around immigration, and she encourages us all to engage in difficult conversations as a way to counter this.

Chattopadhyay is the author of .

Hon. Mary Triggiano is the director of the at the 天美传媒 Law School and former chief judge of Milwaukee County Circuit Court, District 1. She shared many insights about restorative justice, including how it provides an avenue for people who have been harmed to ask questions directly to the person who鈥檚 harmed them鈥攕omething that doesn鈥檛 happen in the traditional system of justice.

Having seen the effects of restorative practices in legal and community settings, Triggiano now works to train as many future lawyers and community leaders in restorative justice as possible. In our conversation, she referenced a she hosted focused on addressing gun violence with victims, first responders, doctors, and offenders.

Dr. Michael Murphy, director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago, discusses how Pope Leo XIV is already directing the Catholic Church to engage with today鈥檚 most important social issues. Having previously collaborated with then Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Murphy shares why he believes building bridges and promoting peace will be cornerstones of the Pope鈥檚 leadership.

Murphy also examines Pope Leo鈥檚 encyclical Magnifica Humanitas including the many angles from which Catholics should engage questions of AI, ethics, and the human condition. He concludes by making a case for why the humanities are more relevant鈥攁nd important鈥攏ow than ever.

Murphy is co-author of the chapter 鈥淭inderization and Transcendence: Girard, McLuhan, and the Apocalyptic Imagination" in and is co-author of the forthcoming book .

Dr. Kimo Ah Yun, the 25th President of 天美传媒, joined us for a discussion about how 天美传媒 is a destination university for students who are interested in discovering their purpose, developing a moral compass, and making a difference in the world. He shared how his own lived experiences鈥攊ncluding being a first generation college graduate and growing up in a Catholic household鈥攈ave impacted how he understands the 天美传媒 difference.

President Kimo also shared his continued commitment to the many ways 天美传媒 students, faculty, and programs engage in service with and for our neighbors as the only Catholic, Jesuit university in the city of Milwaukee. Among these signature programs are the Center for Peacemaking鈥檚 collaboration with the Near West Side Partners and Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee, the Mobile Legal Clinic, the DentaMed mobile dental clinic, and student organizations like Midnight Run. Ultimately, he reiterated that one鈥檚 experience at 天美传媒 should help to see how we are all connected to one another and are called to help one another.

Alumnus Hari Prasad, now program associate and researcher at the Carter Center and research associate at Critica Research and Analysis, shares how his involvement with the Center for Peacemaking helped set him up to pursue a career as a peace and conflict researcher before delving into his areas of expertise, including Syria, Palestine, Ghana, and the role of memes in political discourse.

Through these examples, Prasad elaborates on several important鈥攁nd often overlooked鈥攃omponents of peacebuilding initiatives. He emphasized the post-war and post-fighting period as an essential period of continued conflict resolution and data collection efforts. He also shared how his research on political memes has shaped his belief that listening in ways that discourages individuals from doubling down on untrue beliefs is an important antidote to extremism.

笔谤补蝉补诲鈥檚 , including those discussed in the episode, are available on his website. More information about his is available online.

Dr. Terry Rynne, co-founder of the Center for Peacemaking, discusses how the idea of the Center for Peacemaking evolved out of his long-standing interest in and study of Gandhian and Gospel-based nonviolence. He also shares how recent Popes including John XXII, Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV have embraced a return to Gospel nonviolence. Ultimately, Rynne shares success stories from the Center and why he believes those trained in Peace Studies will be future leaders in industries ranging from finance to healthcare to public service.

Rynne is the author of and . He is a contributor to the .

Dr. Tom Durkin, director of safety education for the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, discusses how targeted attacks, kidnapping, and even digital threats are reshaping the landscape of safety preparation for journalists both abroad and at home. He shares about the work of the Foley Foundation, including their online curriculum and risk assessment tools that are transforming journalism education for students and seasoned journalists alike.

Durkin also touches on his work with 天美传媒 students through the Center for Peacemaking. The Foley Foundation鈥檚 is available online.

Helen Prejean, C.S.J. joined us to share stories and wisdom from her lifelong journey advocating for the abolition of the death penalty. She discussed how she was pulled into this work, ways the death penalty negatively impacts society at large, and how Catholic teaching on the death penalty has evolved in recent years. To close the episode, Prejean reveals how experiences with empathy, forgiveness, and faith can reshape our understanding of justice and give direction to how we are called to act today.

Prejean is the author of which was adapted into an Academy Award winning film, and most recently, a . Her current project aims to bring attention to the case of Manuel Ortiz, an innocent man from El Salvador who is on death row in Louisiana for crimes he did not commit. For more information, visit .

Dr. Louise Cainkar, professor of Social and Cultural Sciences and director of Peace Studies at 天美传媒, discussed how she became interested in researching human rights and her scholarship on the impact of 9/11 on Arab and Muslim communities. She also shared about the value of 天美传媒鈥檚 Peace Studies program, including opportunities to participate in programs such as the recent Engaging Muslims, Countering Islamophobia immersion. To close the episode, Cainkar discusses the need for human dignity in addressing immigration and the role hope plays in sustaining her research, teaching, and advocacy.

Cainkar is the author of . Resources mentioned include , , and .

Delve into the world of financial regulations with an expert panel on the critical need for collaboration between financial institutions, regulators, and nonprofits to ensure that humanitarian efforts are not stifled by regulatory hurdles. Brian Kimari, coordinator of Kenya NPO Working Group on the Financial Action Task Force, discusses how the Financial Action Task Force has produced unintended impacts on peacebuilding and human rights organizations in Kenya with Recommendation 8. Michael Beer, co-director at Nonviolence International, discusses how derisking has impacted Nonviolence International. And Poorvika Mehra, Howard S. Brembeck Fellow at the Charity & Security Network, discusses the challenges posed by de-risking and de-banking practices that often hinder nonprofit organizations from accessing essential financial services. Their combined analysis uncovers the need for a truly risk-based approach that balances compliance with the operational realities of civil society groups.

Suggested resources include , , and .

T. Michael McNulty, S.J. joins to discuss ethics in real estate, immigration policy, and educating leaders who recognize that small steps can have big impacts. The conversation touches on the important role of zoning boards, the case for open immigration, and the value of good trouble to effect change.

His article  is available at America Magazine.

Dr. Grant Silva, associate professor at 天美传媒, discussed how his philosophy course on global justice challenges students to expand their understandings of power, justice, globalization, and nationalism. The course was in part inspired by field research he conducted along the U.S.-Mexico border, including a ride along with a Customs and Border Patrol unit. Dr. Silva also shares his unique approach to understanding racism as a form of self-love, which he argues allows for better understanding of the motivations individuals act on, even when their beliefs are said to lack bias, prejudice, or 鈥渉atred鈥�.

His forthcoming monograph will expand upon the article 鈥淩acism as Self-Love鈥� available at and .

Dr. Gabriel Velez, associate professor at 天美传媒 and author of Making Meaning of Justice and Peace: A Developmental Lens, discussed how peace education and restorative practices shape young people鈥檚 understanding of justice, belonging, and community鈥攂oth in Colombia and Milwaukee. Dr. Velez also shares insights on conceptualizing peace, the challenges of fostering optimism in turbulent times, and practical steps for encouraging youth engagement.

In the inaugural episode, host John Byrne speaks with Pat Kennelly, director of the 天美传媒 Center for Peacemaking. They discuss the Center's goals, highlighting the impacts on student formation and community engagement. The discussion also explores peacemaking in different professions and geographies.