Best Emerge Berkeley Podcasts (2025)

This week on Sinica, I chat with Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, editor of Foreign Affairs, about how the journal has both shaped and reflected American discourse on China during a period of dramatic shifts in the relationship. We discuss his deliberate editorial choices to include heterodox voices, the changing nature of the supposed "consensus" on China pol…

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The International Solidarity Movement and the Freedom Flotillas 57:54

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14h ago57:54

57:54

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with civil rights attorney and activist Huweida Arraf about Huweida's work to co-found the International Solidarity Movement as well as the different flotilla efforts, including the 2008 Freedom Flotilla, which arrived in Gaza; the 2010 Mavi Marmara, which was stormed by Israeli tr…

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Media, BDS, and Lessons from 25 Years of Solidarity Work 53:58

6d ago53:58

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with Mondoweiss editor Adam Horowitz about the role that Mondoweiss, an independent news organization, has played in the struggle for Palestinian rights over the past 25 years. They also discuss the moral case for the cultural boycott of Israel and what constitutes justice after ge…

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The View from Behind Xi Jinping's Desk, with Jonathan Czin 1:19:43

9d ago1:19:43

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This week on the Sinica Podcast, I speak with Jonathan Czin, the Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy Studies and a fellow at the Brookings Institution’s John L. Thornton China Center. His new essay in Foreign Affairs, “China Against China: Xi Jinping Confronts the Downsides of Success,” challenges the dominant Western narrative of Xi Jinpin…

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Attacks on the First Amendment Continue 39:14

10d ago39:14

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with Jenin Younes, National Legal Director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). They focus on Freedom of Speech in the United States, looking at the Covid pandemic and speech restrictions at that time and the acceleration of the assault on speech by Israel advo…

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The Altar | Fresh Fire | Mimi Harvey 44:07

11d ago44:07

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The altar fire must never go out. God’s Spirit ignites fresh passion when we refuse to live on yesterday’s flame.By Emerge Berkeley

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The Starvation Regime and Plausible Deniability for War Crimes 54:11

13d ago54:11

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with human rights attorney Sari Bashi and policy expert Bushra Khalidi about the current state of humanitarian aid in Gaza, the bureaucracy of restrictions -- including the stated purpose of restricting aid -- and whether international law continues to carry meaning after two years…

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Accountability After Genocide and the Emerging Left-Right Consensus on Israel in America 54:05

17d ago54:05

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with Matt Duss, Executive Vice-President at the Center for International Policy and former foreign policy advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders. They discuss the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the new ceasefire; changes in public assessments of Israel's standing in the U.S. and political…

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The Altar | Make Room | Garfield Harvey 42:40

18d ago42:40

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Jesus cleansed the temple, demanding it be a house of prayer. Renewal begins when God’s people realign their worship around His presence.By Emerge Berkeley

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MAGA & the FBI Break Up with the ADL 57:20

22d ago57:20

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and scholar Emmaia Gelman about the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), including the history and current activities of the ADL and the ADL's approach to advocacy for Palestinian rights and criticism of the state of Israel. They also discuss the ADL's relationship with the U.S. government, including including the ADL surveilling Americans and FBI Directo…

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The Altar | Come Home | Garfield Harvey 36:15

25d ago36:15

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By Emerge Berkeley

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On the new 20-Point-Plan, Recognition of Palestinian Statehood, and Popular Pressure to End the Genocide 35:20

1M ago35:20

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaks with analyst Mouin Rabbani about political and diplomatic developments relating to the Israeli genocide in Gaza. They discuss the "20 Point Plan" that President Donald Trump released today, as well as his joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as…

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The Symbolism of the Flying Tigers: Peking University's Wang Dong on the American Volunteer Group and its Historical and Diplomatic Usages 38:57

1M ago38:57

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This week on Sinica, I chat with Peking University's Professor Wang Dong (王栋), an international relations scholar at the School of International Studies at Peking University, where he also serves as Deputy Director and Executive Director of the Office for Humanities and Social Sciences and the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding. Pro…

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Chosen Path | Mimi Harvey 40:34

1M ago40:34

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Jeremiah places God's people at a crossroads, they must choose between divided devotion or the ancient path of covenant faithfulness.By Emerge Berkeley

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UC Berkeley’s Betrayal of Academic Freedom in this Time of Genocide 23:46

1M ago23:46

23:46

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with UC Berkeley Professor Ussama Makdisi, who was recently informed that UC Berkeley shared his name, along with those of 159 other Berkeley faculty & students, with the federal government for "alleged incidents of antisemitism." Peter & Ussama discuss the absurdity of experien…

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Jasmine Sun on Silicon Valley through a Chinese Mirror 1:11:18

1M ago1:11:18

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This week on Sinica, co-host Tianyu Fang makes his debut on the show to join me in interviewing his Stanford classmate and talented writer Jasmine Sun, who studies the anthropology of disruption. This summer, she took a trip to China with a group of friends with different levels of China experience, from people raised in the country to total novice…

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FMEP Fellows Peter Beinart & Ahmed Moor on Palestinian statehood & US politics 25:02

1M ago25:02

25:02

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellows Ahmed Moor and Peter Beinart speak about the new developments with Palestinian statehood and their meaning and implications. They also discuss American politics and culture, discussing the shifts on the Right regarding Israel and looking ahead at the 2026 midterms.Peter Beinart is a Non-Resident Fe…

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Unfollow | Marketplace Faith | Garfield Harvey 47:28

1M ago47:28

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The end goal of following Jesus isn’t just spiritual depth, it’s missional impact. You were created to make a difference. In our final week of Unfollow, we’ll discover how to live sent in your everyday world, on campus, in your career, and beyond. Let’s unfollow comfort and step into God’s calling.By Emerge Berkeley

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Poetry of the Camps: Poems from Gaza on Homeland, Miracles, and Freedom 47:28

1M ago47:28

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaks with zehra imam, who launched Poetry of the Camps, a poetry program in Gaza with young writers. Basman Aldirawi and Duha Hassan Al Shaqaqi, former participants in the program who have become co-leaders of it, joined in the conversation. Basman and Duha shared what it meant for …

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On the Global Sumud Flotilla Heading for Gaza 39:39

1M ago39:39

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with David Adler, co-general coordinator of the Progressive International, who is currently on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy currently on its way to Gaza. They discuss the remarkable cross-section of people who have joined the flotilla and what they hope to ac…

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Yascha Mounk on China and Western Liberalism 1:22:03

1M ago1:22:03

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This week on the Sinica Podcast, I chat with well-known author and public intellectual Yascha Mounk about his recent fascination with China, his approach to learning about the country and learning Chinese, and his thoughts on how China fits into the current crisis of Western liberal democracy. 7:15 – Yascha’s experience of living in China and learn…

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UNFOLLOW | Self-made Spirituality | Garfield Harvey 40:40

2M ago40:40

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We’re all being shaped by something. But Jesus offers a different path—one that forms us from the inside out. This Sunday, Unfollow continues as we unpack what it looks like to grow spiritually in a culture of distraction. No hype, no shortcuts—just transformation through God’s presence and truth. It’s time to unfollow passivity and grow with purpo…

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Apartheid, Genocide, and the Growing Chasm in the Right's Support for Israel 36:17

2M ago36:17

36:17

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with Daniel Levy, President of the U.S./Middle East Project (USMEP). They discuss Levy's argument that the way that Israel withdrew Israeli settlements from Gaza in 2005 set the stage for today's genocide; as Levy put it in a recent +972 Magazine piece, the current Israeli paradigm…

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What Did the September 3 Parade Mean? 1:43:11

2M ago1:43:11

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This week on Sinica, I speak first with retired Senior Colonel Zhou Bo, a frequent commentator on Chinese military and security affairs and a prolific writer now at the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, and with Rana Mitter of the Harvard Kennedy School and author of Forgotten Ally, a book about World War II in …

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UNFOLLOW | Isolation | Garfield Harvey 44:47

2M ago44:47

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Tired of surface-level connection? Longing for something more than just “fitting in”? Jesus didn’t just call individuals—He built a family. This week in Unfollow, we’ll explore what it means to truly belong in a community shaped by love, honesty, and purpose. In a world that celebrates independence, discover the freedom of belonging.…

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What Does China Want? The Authors of a New Paper Challenge the DC Consensus 1:29:32

2M ago1:29:32

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This week on Sinica, I chat with Dave Kang (USC), Zenobia Chan (Georgetown), and Jackie Wong (American University in Sharjah, UAE) about their new paper in International Security titled "What Does China Want?" The paper, which has generated quite a bit of controversy, takes a data-driven approach to examine the claim that China seeks global hegemon…

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unFOLLOW | Skepticism | Garfield Harvey 31:41

2M ago31:41

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There are a thousand voices trying to tell you who you are, what matters, and what’s true. But Jesus invites you into a better story—one not built on fear or confusion, but faith and eternal hope. This Sunday, we kick off Unfollow by looking at what it means to "believe" in a world full of doubt.By Emerge Berkeley

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The Holocaust, the Nakba, the Genocide in Gaza & How the I.H.R.A. Definition of Antisemitism Censors Scholars 58:28

2M ago58:28

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with Marianne Hirsch, Professor emerita of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. Professor Hirsch made news recently when she withdrew from classroom teaching because Columbia instituted the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism, telling the Associated Press that “‘A…

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Trump's India Tariff Tirade: A Gift to Beijing? With Evan Feigenbaum 1:03:36

2M ago1:03:36

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This week on the Sinica Podcast, I welcome back Evan Feigenbaum, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Evan served for many years as a State Department official, was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia and Central Asia among his numerous positions in government, and was instrumental in buil…

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How Israel Targets Palestinian Journalists in Gaza 27:57

2M ago27:57

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with Laila Al-Arian, the executive producer for Fault Lines, an award-winning current affairs program on Al Jazeera English. They discuss what it's like to be a journalist in Gaza and how Western journalists have failed their Palestinian colleagues. They also talk about remember…

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The First Step | Garfield Harvey 40:56

2M ago40:56

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In “The First Step,” we explore the powerful moment in Acts 2 when the crowd, convicted by the truth of the gospel, asked, “What shall we do?” This message dives into Peter’s bold response—repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit—and unpacks how that call still echoes today. This message invites you to take that first step into new life, tr…

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The Engineering State and the Lawyerly Society: Dan Wang on his new book "Breakneck" 1:32:43

2M ago1:32:43

1:32:43

This week on Sinica, I'm delighted to be joined by Dan Wang, formerly of Gavekal Dragonomics and the Paul Tsai Law Center at Yale University, now with the Hoover Institute's History Lab. Dan's new book is Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future, and it's already one of the year's most talked-about books. In this conversation, we go beyond w…

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Necroviolence: On Israel's Corpse Captivity Policy and Palestinian Practices of Dignity & Defiance 46:54

2M ago46:54

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaks with researcher Randa Wahbe about the Israeli policy and practice of holding Palestinian corpses as part of the broader Israeli regime of control over Palestinians. At present, Israel holds more than 740 Palestinian bodies. Randa describes this practice of control, which can be…

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Unmerited | Godly Pursuit | Garfield Harvey 42:33

2M ago42:33

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The resurrection empowers us to pursue godliness and faithfulness. As followers of Christ, we are called to live lives that reflect His resurrection power. This week, we’ll explore what it means to pursue righteousness, godliness, and faith, living in light of the eternal hope we have in Christ.By Emerge Berkeley

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"No Way But Forward": Life in the Gaza Strip 35:11

3M ago35:11

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, former FMEP President Matt Duss speaks with professor & author Brian Barber, who recently published No Way But Forward: Life Stories of Three Families in the Gaza Strip. The book tells the stories of day-t0-day life under decades of military occupation, building on the close relationships Brian built there thro…

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Chinese and U.S. AI Applications in Public Administration: Lessons and Implications for Ukraine 1:18:46

3M ago1:18:46

1:18:46

Artificial intelligence has been a frequent topic on Sinica in recent years — but usually through the lens of the two countries that have produced the leading models and companies: the United States and China. We’ve covered generative AI, national strategies, governance frameworks, and the geopolitical implications of AI leadership. This webinar, b…

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Palestinian Citizens of Israel, the Future, and Inconsequential Palestinian State Recognition: a conversation with Diana Buttu 46:36

3M ago46:36

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaks with Palestinian-Canadian lawyer and analyst Diana Buttu. They discuss Palestinian citizens of Israel, who have long navigated Israeli racism and have faced accelerated repression over the last 22 months that has included arrests, threats, and efforts to impeach Palestinian Kne…

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From lawless spaces to true liberty: rethinking AI's role in society 1:38:37

3M ago1:38:37

1:38:37

Welcome back to Generally Intelligent! We’re excited to relaunch our podcast—still featuring thoughtful conversations on building AI, but now with an expanded lens on its economic, societal, political, and human impacts. Matt Boulos leads policy and safety at Imbue, where he shapes the responsible development of AI coding tools that make software c…

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Nuclear Weapons, Ukraine, and Great-Power Competition 1:12:49

3M ago1:12:49

1:12:49

Join me for a conversation with four fantastic panelists about nuclear safety and security issues brought on by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and more broadly on the state of nuclear security globally during this era of dramatic change. This program was made possible by the Ukrainian Platform for Contemporary China and the Center for Sla…

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Unmerited | Steadfast Faith | Garfield Harvey 37:15

3M ago37:15

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In the face of opposition and challenges, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith. This week, we’ll explore how God's strength equips us to stand firm, hold fast to hope, and endure in faithfulness, even when the world around us pushes against us.By Emerge Berkeley

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Destroying the Conditions of Life: Physicians for Human Rights-Israel on Israel's Genocide in Gaza 30:59

3M ago30:59

30:59

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with Aseel Aburass, Director of the Occupied Palestinian Territory Department at Physicians for Human Rights Israel and one of the authors of PHRI’s newest report: “Destruction of Conditions of Life: A Health Analysis of the Gaza Genocide.” Peter and Aseel discuss PHRI's Israel'…

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The World AI Conference in Shanghai: Two tech veterans share their impressions 1:26:01

3M ago1:26:01

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This week on Sinica, Paul Triolo of DGA Albright Stonebridge and tech investor Ryan Cunningham join to talk about their observations and insights from the World AI Conference (WAIC), held in July in Shanghai, and what it tells them about China's ambitions in the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence. Don't miss this one! 04:21 - Ryan on his …

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Unmerited | Hopeful Living | Garfield Harvey 35:42

3M ago35:42

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Hope is a powerful force, and as believers, our hope shapes how we live today. This week, we explore how our future hopes shape our present actions, particularly in times of grief and adversity. Living with confident expectation changes our perspective and strengthens our endurance through trials.By Emerge Berkeley

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Music & Dance in Jerusalem: The Power of Culture in the Face of Israeli Repression 1:14:13

3M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaks with Rania Elias, former director of the Yabous Cultural Centre and the Jerusalem Festival. They speak about Palestinian culture in Jerusalem, both the powerful potential for activities like dance and music to revive Palestinian society as well as the challenges of maintaining …

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Chinese Cooking Demystified: Chris Thomas and Stephanie Li visit Shaxi! 1:17:54

3M ago1:17:54

1:17:54

This week on Sinica: On my final two days in Shaxi in Yunnan, Chris Thomas and Stephanie Li, the hosts of the marvelous YouTube channel Chinese Cooking Demystified, joined me for some cooking and lots of chatting about food! We recorded this show together and focus our conversation on their heroic attempt at a taxonomy of different Chinese cuisines…

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Destroying Palestinian Life in Gaza in a Systemic, Deliberate Way: "Our Genocide" 36:06

3M ago36:06

36:06

FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with Yuli Novak, executive director of the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, about how and why B'Tselem has concluded that Israel is now and has been committing genocide in Gaza for nearly two years. Yuli describes Israeli leaders' statements of intent, Israeli military officers' orders and actions, and th…

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Unmerited | Supreme Authority | Peter Chung 34:06

3M ago34:06

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Christ is supreme over all creation—Creator, Redeemer, and Head of the Church. This week, we’ll reflect on how His supreme authority shapes our lives. What does it look like to live under His leadership in every area of our lives, from our priorities to our actions and interactions with others?By Emerge Berkeley

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Humanizing and Historicizing the World in a Time of Genocide 28:09

3M ago28:09

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In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with UC Berkeley History Professor Ussama Makdisi, who was personally named and targeted by Members of Congress in the recent House of Representatives hearing ostensibly on antisemitism in higher education. Beinart and Makdisi discuss the "surreal" experience of being denounced …

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Unmerited | The Frequency of Humility 38:58

3M ago38:58

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Christ’s willingness to humble Himself is the ultimate example of selflessness. This week, we’ll explore how His humility challenges us to live with a mindset that prioritizes serving others over seeking our own status. We are called to follow His example and reflect His attitude of humility and joy in all our relationships.…