Peterson's born-again experience at the age of 17 catapulted him into the world of Evangelical Christianity, good except that Peterson was, and is, gay. After 17 years of attempting to become "ex-gay", he finally had to accept his reality and seek healing and wholeness. Through his theatrical and stand-up comedy pieces like "Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House" and other work, Peterson has become a leading proponent of the Ex-gay Survivor Movement/Beyond Ex-gay.
Catholic
Harmony and The Front Porch - Philip Gulley
We welcome back Philip Gulley, author of 14 books, to discuss his Front Porch, Harmony, and other series. Even while writing with a tongue-in-cheek style reminiscent of Garrison Keillor, Phil Gulley tackles deep spiritual issues and real frustrations in a way that can help lighten and enlighten folks across the spectrum.
Wild Foods and The Forager's Harvest
Sam Thayer Price is perhaps the Midwest's preeminent expert on wild foods and foraging. With a wide-ranging intellect and a spirit-deep passion, Sam preaches a gospel of connection to the Earth and to the life around us. His new book, The Forager's Harvest is available from Sam's web site, foragersharvest.com.
Todd Dennis and Veterans for Peace
Todd Dennis served in the US Navy on an nuclear submarine from 1997-2003, experiencing a major shift in his world view during that time. Though he was in the military, he found himself wanting to join anti-war protesters when the US attacked Iraq in 2003, and he joined Veterans for Peace once back in the Chippewa Valley.
Stan Gruszynski - Civic Engagement
Stan served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for 10 years, championing sustainable living, farming, and more, and was a keynote speaker at the 2007 MREA Energy Fair. His passion is motivating and connection citizens with our "common wealth", the ways that we can work together for the good of all. I captured his talk at the Energy Fair and visited with him 1-on-1 afterwards.
Voices for Peace 2008 Opening - Military Families Speak Out & Wheels of Justice
A rich event took place on 9/14/2008 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This first segment includes the opening "Circle of Prayer", a presentation by Steve Wagener of Military Families Speak Out and a talk by Paul Melling of Wheels of Justice.
Tom Chisholm of Veterans for Peace
Tom Chisholm served in the military on and off over 45 years, as a medic and a doctor. For most of that time he found himself opposed to all of the wars and military invasions the USA was part of. He's been a long-time member of Veterans for Peace and is a member of the Catholic peace group, Pax Christi, as well.
Tom has also valued his service on a reservation in South Dakota, and his volunteer time as a doctor in Nicaragua.
Kathy Kelly - Voices for Creative Nonviolence Walk Chicago to the Twin Cities
Kathy is currently co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Noviolence, is active with the Catholic Worker movement and since becoming a pacifist has refused payment of all federal income tax for 25 years. She went to prison for one year for planting corn on nuclear missile silo sites and has a Masters in Religious Education from Chicago Theological Seminary.
Delegation to the Middle East - Cathy Sultan, Tom Chisholm, Jason Hicks
Cathy Sultan, Tom Chisholm & Jason Hicks were recently part of a delegation to Israel/Palestine sponsored by the Interfaith Peace-Builders, witnessing first-hand the suffering and aspirations of the people both sides of the wall.
Dan Nerhaugen - Civic Engagement and Literacy
Dan Nerhaugen has a deep concern that we build literacy in the USA - in our schools, but especially in our citizenry. Civic engagement and political literacy are built by reading, and reading books in particular. On his web site, The48er.com, Dan highlights resources to strengthen the civic mind - books and other publications which will help folks in the USA to competently uphold our democratic republic.