Sparks of Justice

Jan 31 2025 6 ep. 52 mins 3

Sparks of Justice Podcast artwork

This podcast lifts up the stories of local activists to inspire you to get involved in your own communities. It can be difficult to keep our hearts open to all the injustices that are impacting society. In an increasingly complicated world, we want to connect to the good work that’s already being done. Because it’s only by coming together that we can build a movement. This podcast is hosted by Leslie Mills and produced by the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (www.muusja.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting UUs to create a more just and loving world.

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Rev. Leslie Mills: Leaving Our Comfort Zone (Immigration and Civil Disobedience) BONUS EPISODE

Jan 31 2025 11 mins

In this clip from Episode 5, Rev. Leslie Mills shares her story of traveling to Phoenix in 2010, getting arrested, and spending the night in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 4th Avenue Jail. She explores the narrative arc of the events that led up to her decision to drive across the country to participate in the National Day of Non-Compliance, while drawing out the interconnected web of pe

Rev. Kelli Clement: Waking Our Hearts (Reproductive Justice)

Jan 31 2025 58 mins

In this lively conversation, Rev. Kelli Clement shares her journey from a fundamentalist upbringing to becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister deeply engaged in social justice, particularly reproductive justice. As a bonus, she turns the tables on our host and draws out Leslie's story about traveling to Phoenix to get arrested while protesting anti-immigration legislation in

Julica Hermann de la Fuente: Creating Our Future (Institutional Change through ARAOM Ministry)

Jan 30 2025 50 mins

Julica Hermann de la Fuente is a coach, educator, and healer dedicated to moving our Unitarian Universalist institutions towards social justice and liberation. This episode explores Julica's journey from being a passionate college activist through burnout, healing, and finding a more sustainable and fulfilling path forward. From the importance of institutional change, to the he

Rebecca Donley: Healing Our Stories (Advocacy for Survivors of Abuse)

Nov 11 2024 54 mins

Rebecca Donley is a professional advocate for people who have survived domestic and sexual abuse. With warmth, grace, and candor, she shares the story of her journey into this deeply emotional work, her experiences with burnout and recovery, and ultimately her vision for building strong communities that are sustained on a network of healthy relationships. How can we help bring this

Nico Van Ostrand: Finding Our Joy (BIPOC Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries, UUA)

Aug 01 2024 73 mins

Nico Van Ostrand is a Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries Specialist with the UUA. In today's episode, Nico emphasizes the interconnectedness of diverse justice movements and the deep need for intergenerational activism in community. Whether engaging on a large scale or a very personal level, Nico believes that social justice should be joyful, even as it is challenging and sometime

Lena Gardner: Building Our Power (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism)

Jul 24 2024 66 mins

Lena K. Gardner is the executive director of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU). She shares her journey of finding community and activism within Unitarian Universalism, her call to social justice work, and the importance of anger in creating change. Lena also talks about the challenges and heartbreak involved in social justice work, and how she finds strength and hope in