Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm joined by my dear friend Mahnaz Aflatooni Javid, CEO of the Mona Foundation, and one of its founding members. Mahnaz tells me the inspiration behind the Mona Foundation, and how a childhood car ride with her mom changed her life forever. She tells me about coming to the US as a teenager in the 1960s, and being one of only 15 youth volunteers at the Baha'i World Centre. We talk about education, attitudes around development work, the importance of grassroots service, and adopting a humble posture of learning in all that we do. I hope you enjoy our conversation! * Please note that this episode was recorded before the pandemic, so it may sound a little strange that there's no mention of it. If you haven't heard our episode with Dr. Robert Kim Farley about the pandemic when it first hit, I think you'll find interesting: https://bit.ly/2TUFCTK To find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links: * Mona Foundation website: https://www.monafoundation.org/ * We mention the importance of service in the Baha'i Faith: https://bit.ly/2XMxyFW * Mahnaz talks about the Arc on Mt. Carmel (https://bahaipedia.org/The_Arc) and serving at the Baha’i World Centre (http://www.bwc.org/). You may also find this Baha’i Blog article interesting: https://bit.ly/2ySs3Nj * Mahnaz mentions the 1978 Islamic/Iranian revolution and the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran. You can find out more from this article: https://bit.ly/2MjWKyg * Mahnaz mentions the Universal House of Justice (https://universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org/), and the 1983 letter from Universal House Justice establishing the Office of Social and Economic Development [OSED], which you can read here: https://bit.ly/2BnJUN9 * Find out more about the Baha’i contribution to social and economic development here: https://bit.ly/2XkhsnG * Mahnaz mentions Shoghi Effendi (https://www.bahai.org/shoghi-effendi/) and Hands of the Cause of God (https://www.bahaiblog.net/2014/06/hands-cause/). * Mahnaz mentions the following individuals: - Mr. Furutan: https://news.bahai.org/story/261/ - Mr. Fatheazam: https://news.bahai.org/story/964/ - Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/36NQ4BI - Mr.Faizi: https://bahaipedia.org/Abu%27l-Q%C3%A1sim_Faizi - Dr. Muhajir: https://bahaipedia.org/Ra%E1%B8%A5matu%E2%80%99ll%C3%A1h_Muh%C3%A1jir - Dr. Khadem: https://bahaipedia.org/Zikrullah_Khadem - Paul Haney: https://bahaipedia.org/Paul_Haney - Mr. Nakhjavani: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2019/11/a-tribute-to-mr-ali-nakhjavani/ - Dr. Arbab: https://bahaipedia.org/Farzam_Arbab * Mahnaz talks about the book called 'Olya's Story' by Olya Roohizadegan (https://amzn.to/3gydI9N), Mona Mahmudnizhad (which the Mona Foundation is named after), whom together with nine other women, were killed in Iran for being Baha'is. Find out more about Mona Mahmudnizhad here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Mahmudnizhad * Watch the music video for the pop hit song by Doug Cameron called 'Mona With The Children': https://bit.ly/2ZRPlOy * You may also enjoy this version of 'Mona With The Children' by Tom Francis on Baha'i Blog's Studio Sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzAbMDmvMLQ Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. As anti-racism protests continue across the United States and in different parts of the world, in this episode I'm joined by Masud Olufani, an African-American multidisciplinary artist, activist, writer, and Baha'i, who hosts a podcast called 'America's Most Challenging Issue', aimed at tackling the subject of racism in the US. Masud and I discuss racism and some of the challenges of eradicating it. He tells me what it's like to be a black man in the US, and the complexities of identity, and some of the mythologies tied into the fabric of American society. We talk about the idea of discomfort and growth, and how we have to be willing to grapple with it and bear the burden for the greater good. Masud tells me how he became a Baha'i, his work as an artist, and how the Baha'i Teachings and activities have not only changed his life, but can contribute towards racial harmony. I hope you find this important conversation as fruitful and enlightening as I did. Find out more about some of the things we covered by checking out the following: * Masud's website: https://www.masud-olufani.com/ * America's Most Challenging Issue podcast: https://bit.ly/2AoXW0N * We share quote: "As to racial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for well-nigh a century, has bitten into the fiber, and attacked the whole social structure of American society, it should be regarded as constituting the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Baha’i community at the present stage of its evolution. The ceaseless exertions which this issue of paramount importance calls for, the sacrifices it must impose, the care and vigilance it demands, the moral courage and fortitude it requires, the tact and sympathy it necessitates, invest this problem with an urgency and importance that cannot be overestimated." -Shoghi Effendi * Masud interview about his podcast: https://bit.ly/37mfvuu * Masud article on racism & discomfort: https://bit.ly/2UOMDWT * Masud's talk Freeing Ourselves of the Stain of Racism: https://bit.ly/37kj18F * Masud's talk Healing Through Reclamation & Art: https://bit.ly/3dTHunQ * Masud shares: "They whose hearts are warmed by the energizing influence of God’s creative 198 love cherish His creatures for His sake, and recognize in every human face a sign of His reflected glory." -Shoghi Effendi * Rainn quotes Universal House of Justice: "When society is in such difficulty and distress, the responsibility of the Baha’is to make a constructive contribution to human affairs becomes more pronounced. This is a moment when distinct but interrelated lines of action converge upon a single point, when the call to service rings aloud. The individual, the community, and the institutions of the Faith—inseparable protagonists in the advancement of civilization—are in a position to demonstrate the distinctive features of the Baha’i way of life, characterized by increased maturity in the discharge of their responsibilities and in their relationships with each other. ... At a time when the urgency of attaining higher levels of unity, founded on the incontestable truth of humanity’s oneness, is becoming apparent to larger and larger numbers, society stands in need of clear voices that can articulate the spiritual principles that underlie such an aspiration." Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: *YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL *Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3hjMjZN *Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb Find out more about the Baha'i Faith by visiting BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm joined by Sean Hinton, the very first Baha'i to ever go to Mongolia, and therefore be given the title 'Knight of Baha'u'llah' (which you can learn more about in a link below). Sean currently lives in Oxford, England with his family. He trained as a musician, but he's had an extremely varied and interesting career, and life for that matter! I wanted Sean to share the story of how he ended up being the first Baha'i to go to Mongolia, so stop what you're doing and listen to his fascinating story! To find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following: * What's a Knight of Baha'u'llah?: https://bit.ly/2YE1hBS * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3hBHlHl * The 10 Year Crusade: https://bit.ly/3jmge3D * Sean mentions his friend Adam Roberts' grandparents, John Robarts (https://bit.ly/2Eq3biZ) and Audrey Robarts (https://bit.ly/3hzyshu). * Baha'i pilgrimage: https://bit.ly/2EDykz8 * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/2YIGT2N * Mr. Ian Semple: https://bit.ly/3jlZl9k * Baha’i World Centre (http://www.bwc.org/), and you may find this article interesting: https://bit.ly/3b3VkmR * Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/34DYRHj * 19 Day Feast: https://bit.ly/34IfqBY * Sean shares quote: "Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom." -Baha'u'llah * The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/3lsDA9q * The Seven Valleys by Baha'u'llah (https://bit.ly/2YoZ36p), which you can also learn about here: https://bit.ly/3hC6XUH * Hands of the Cause: https://bit.ly/2EATuOD * Enoch Olinga: https://bit.ly/3hAANZN * Sean shares quote: "Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship..." -Abdu'l-Baha Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. As Baha'is and their friends around the world celebrate the 12-day Festival of Ridvan, I thought it would be nice to create a special episode about Ridvan and its significance, so I got online with my friend, Tom Price, to have a chat about this special time for Baha'is. I hope you find this little conversation about Ridvan interesting and informative. * Find out more about Ridvan by checking out this Baha'i Blog page full of articles and resources: https://www.bahaiblog.net/bahai-calendar/about-the-festival-of-ridvan/ * Check out the 'Ridvan Is Everywhere' playlist, which brings you family-friendly programming for all 12 days of the Festival of Ridvan: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsn_g0OpWDwIp99WjEHvuNIYIbOfz-WIr * Learn more about Tom Price by listening to this previous Baha'i Blogcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF2kiyY_uZ0&list=PLePDtgwcyKAQmifUJTw0Kk-hBGL2ZGMJi&index=37&t=1s Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: *YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL *Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast *Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm joined by our very first mother and daughter duo, Barbara and Radiance Talley, living in Maryland, USA. Both Barbara and Radiance are poets, educators, writers, and passionate about tackling the issue of racism in the US. They tell me about the 'Arise: Pupil of the Eye' conference and the impact it's had. We talk about activism and what we all can do to work towards racial harmony. And by sharing some of their poems with me, we get a raw and heartfelt glimpse into their lives and concerns as African Americans in the US. I hope you find this wonderful conversation as engaging and inspiring as I did. To find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following: * Barbara Talley's website: http://www.barbaratalley.me and interviews: https://bit.ly/3hJqW3Z * More about Radiance Talley here: https://bit.ly/2BhyASC * "pupil of the eye" metaphore comes from Abdu'l-Baha: “Thou art like unto the pupil of the eye which is dark in color, yet it is the fount of light and the revealer of the contingent world”. Read more about it here: https://bit.ly/3dgVBT5 * Arise: Pupil of the Conference: https://bit.ly/37Odbwv * Shoghi Effendi quote in 'The Advent of Divine Justice' (https://bit.ly/2YNfFr0): “As to racial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for well-nigh a century, has bitten into the fiber, and attacked the whole social structure of American society, it should be regarded as constituting the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Baha’i community at the present stage of its evolution. The ceaseless exertions which this issue of paramount importance calls for, the sacrifices it must impose, the care and vigilance it demands, the moral courage and fortitude it requires, the tact and sympathy it necessitates, invest this problem ... with an urgency and importance that cannot be overestimated.” * Sadie Oglesby: https://bit.ly/312oWhH * Book 'Lights of the Spirit': https://amzn.to/3hBu6ag * Derek Smith's essay 'Centering the “Pupil of the Eye”: Blackness, Modernity, and the Revelation of Baha’u’llah': https://bit.ly/2NcPTXO * Derik Smith on Baha'i Blogcast: https://bit.ly/2UXEuzj * worldembracing.net: https://worldembracing.net/ * Radiance quotes Quran: “And We desire to show favor to those who were brought low in the land, and to make them spiritual leaders among men, and to make of them Our heirs.” * Barbara mentions: - Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/3eik4Zp - Louis Gregory: https://bit.ly/2YfedhP - Van Gilmer: https://www.bahaichoir.org/director * Barbara shares Shoghi Effendi quote: "The need of the cause in America is the call of the heart and it can never be given save by those who have suffered and who have been trained in the way of sacrifice and humility." * Radiance shares this quote from the Bab in The Dawn Breakers (https://bit.ly/2AP0cP6): "Treasures lie hidden beneath the throne of God; the key to those treasures is the tongue of poets." Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: *YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL *Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast *Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb To find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson