August 17, 2026 – This Week’s Episode
Episode #85, John Dear with David Beckmann on Abolishing Poverty
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with David Beckmann, former president of Bread for the World, one of the best groups fighting poverty in the world (www.bread.org). His many books include: Eden Revival; The Overseas List; Grace at the Table; Exodus from Hunger, and his latest book, “Poverty Abolitionists: Faith, activism, and Hope for Difficult Times. (See: www.davidbeckmann.org)
“In recent decades the world has made dramatic progress against poverty,” David says. “But now, the second Trump administration has pushed that progress into full reverse. I’m so appalled that we are systematically dismantling things that are important to the poor in the U.S. and the world. It’s certainly possible to end poverty where starvation and malnutrition exist. We don’t have to have millions of kids go without food in the U.S., yet we do.
“The most progressive community in the U.S. are atheists – they are not waiting for God to solve the world’s problems. Our hope is built on Jesus’ promise of the kingdom of God, but we have to do our share and advocate for justice and an end to poverty,” he says.
In the end, he calls us to “seek and form loving, justice-seeking churches; to think critically about our faith and the work to end poverty; and to open our hearts to God’s universal, forgiving love. Those who imagine a loving, forgiving God—not a violent, punishing god–are more inclined to work for justice and the end of poverty.” Listen in and be inspired to join the movement to abolish poverty! God bless you!
August 24, 2026 – This Week’s Episode
Episode #86, John Dear with Tim Shriver on the Special Olympics
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with Tim Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. Tim expanded the organization from one million athletes to over six million athletes in more than 170 countries around the world.After passing on the CEO torch, he wondered how the spirit of the athletes of Special Olympics might provide a model for our divided world. He started a conversation with hundreds of young people, faith leaders, educators, philosophers, scientists, activists and political figures on how we might reclaim our common humanity. So, he formed the nonprofit UNITE which uses what he calls the “Dignity Index,” a new tool to help Americans disagree without demonizing each other.
Tim went to Yale, got his Master’s degree from Catholic University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Connecticut. Before joining the Special Olympics in 1996, he co-founded and currently chairs the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the leading school reform organization in the field of social and emotional learning (SEL). On the side, he is a Hollywood producer of several films including “Amistad.” He is coauthor of “Fully Alive – Discovering What Matters Most,” and co-editor of “The Call to Unite: Voices of Hope and Awakening.” In May, Notre Dame awarded him the Laetare Medal.
“My parents were innovation machines,” Tim tells John. “They were problem solvers.” His mother started the Special Olympics by asking, “‘What if we just spoke each others’ language and ate each others’ food?’ That was peace-building. Last year the volunteer army of human goodness created 80,000 Special Olympics events. Go to an event! There’s a recognizable presence of human dignity and therefore divine energy. There’s a different vibrational field. The Special Olympics is a peacemaking movement.” www.specialolympics.org
When John asks about Unite and the Dignity Index, Tim said it’s based on the insight that “our problems are not based on our differences but how we treat each other when we differ. When we treat each other with dignity, we have a good chance of solving our problems. We try to learn how to treat each other with dignity and reduce contempt.” Listen in as Tim describes various ways to respond to others in keeping with human dignity. God bless you!
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John Dear’s new book
Universal Love:
Surrendering to the God of Peace
By John Dear
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Available from www.orbisbooks.com or call 1-800-258-5838, or Amazon.com
August 17, 2026 – This Week’s Episode
Episode #85, John Dear with David Beckmann on Abolishing Poverty
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with David Beckmann, former president of Bread for the World, one of the best groups fighting poverty in the world (www.bread.org). His many books include: Eden Revival; The Overseas List; Grace at the Table; Exodus from Hunger, and his latest book, “Poverty Abolitionists: Faith, activism, and Hope for Difficult Times. (See: www.davidbeckmann.org)“In recent decades the world has made dramatic progress against poverty,” David says. “But now, the second Trump administration has pushed that progress into full reverse. I’m so appalled that we are systematically dismantling things that are important to the poor in the U.S. and the world. It’s certainly possible to end poverty where starvation and malnutrition exist. We don’t have to have millions of kids go without food in the U.S., yet we do.
“The most progressive community in the U.S. are atheists – they are not waiting for God to solve the world’s problems. Our hope is built on Jesus’ promise of the kingdom of God, but we have to do our share and advocate for justice and an end to poverty,” he says.
In the end, he calls us to “seek and form loving, justice-seeking churches; to think critically about our faith and the work to end poverty; and to open our hearts to God’s universal, forgiving love. Those who imagine a loving, forgiving God—not a violent, punishing god–are more inclined to work for justice and the end of poverty.” Listen in and be inspired to join the movement to abolish poverty! God bless you!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, all major platforms,
and the National Catholic Reporter
August 24, 2026 – This Week’s Episode
Episode #86, John Dear with Tim Shriver on the Special Olympics
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with Tim Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. Tim expanded the organization from one million athletes to over six million athletes in more than 170 countries around the world.After passing on the CEO torch, he wondered how the spirit of the athletes of Special Olympics might provide a model for our divided world. He started a conversation with hundreds of young people, faith leaders, educators, philosophers, scientists, activists and political figures on how we might reclaim our common humanity. So, he formed the nonprofit UNITE which uses what he calls the “Dignity Index,” a new tool to help Americans disagree without demonizing each other.
Tim went to Yale, got his Master’s degree from Catholic University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Connecticut. Before joining the Special Olympics in 1996, he co-founded and currently chairs the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the leading school reform organization in the field of social and emotional learning (SEL). On the side, he is a Hollywood producer of several films including “Amistad.” He is coauthor of “Fully Alive – Discovering What Matters Most,” and co-editor of “The Call to Unite: Voices of Hope and Awakening.” In May, Notre Dame awarded him the Laetare Medal.
“My parents were innovation machines,” Tim tells John. “They were problem solvers.” His mother started the Special Olympics by asking, “‘What if we just spoke each others’ language and ate each others’ food?’ That was peace-building. Last year the volunteer army of human goodness created 80,000 Special Olympics events. Go to an event! There’s a recognizable presence of human dignity and therefore divine energy. There’s a different vibrational field. The Special Olympics is a peacemaking movement.” www.specialolympics.org
When John asks about Unite and the Dignity Index, Tim said it’s based on the insight that “our problems are not based on our differences but how we treat each other when we differ. When we treat each other with dignity, we have a good chance of solving our problems. We try to learn how to treat each other with dignity and reduce contempt.” Listen in as Tim describes various ways to respond to others in keeping with human dignity. God bless you!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, all major platforms,
and the National Catholic Reporter