Unitarian Universalist EcoSocialist Network (UUESN) Podcast

Minnesota: Solidarity Forever!

Minnesota is shutting it down! In this solidarity statement released on Friday, January 23, UUESN sides with immigrant communities and organizers calling for a general strike style action: no work, no school, no shopping. As ICE storms Minneapolis in an occupation like surge, clergy and faith leaders are mobilizing across traditions to watch, document, and resist the violence of deportation. We reject neutrality, affirm the movement’s demands, and proclaim what our faith requires in a time of repression: solidarity, refusal, and organized working class power! Solidarity forever!!

What the hell are we supposed to do now?

Today’s episode is a short one but I think this document offers an important framework for approaching the political work we have before us today.  As the United Snakes is lit up by our dictator in chief, millions of people are being radicalized and brought into the movement for revolutionary social change through working class power. Many are wondering, but what exactly are we supposed to do to meet the moment?  So, I’ve drafted a short Marxist-Leninist approach that we hold as our theory of change at UUESN.  It’s titled:  What the hell are we supposed to do now? A short vision of what is to be done from the Unitarian Universalist EcoSocialist Network

Socialism: Unitarian Universalism Incarnate

In this episode from the UU Ecosocialist Network, we explore why socialism is not only compatible with Unitarian Universalist values, but a faithful extension of them. Riding the wave of recent victories like Zohran Mamdani’s election in New York, the episode examines how socialism offers a tangible path to realizing justice, equity, and interdependence in our lifetimes. Drawing on UU theology, early Christian communal practices, labor history, and contemporary eco-socialist initiatives, the podcast unpacks socialism as the democratic organization of the economy for the common good, confronts common myths about human nature and freedom, and highlights the importance of organization, strategy, and solidarity. Ultimately, it is a call to action: to transform our faith into revolutionary practice, building a Beloved Community grounded in dignity, care, and love. Follow us to stay in touch and help build ecosocialism: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@UUEcoSocialistNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/uuecosocialistnetwork/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3Av0Cc2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bit.ly/3Av0Cc2] Website: ⁠⁠⁠tinyurl.com/UUESN⁠⁠⁠ [https://tinyurl.com/UUESN] Reach out for more info: ⁠⁠⁠Gregory@interfaithpower.org [Gregory@interfaithpower.org]

War is NOT Green

In this episode of our ecosocialist podcast, we expose the deep ties between militarism, imperialism, and ecological destruction. Titled "War Is Not Green," this episode challenges the illusion that war and environmentalism can ever coexist—especially as U.S. and Israeli military campaigns escalate across the globe. Grounded in a Leninist framework and infused with Unitarian Universalist values of justice and interconnectedness, we explore how war serves capitalist interests at the expense of people and the planet. We dig into hard science and current events, including the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Iran and Gaza, revealing the environmental devastation—from oil fires to water contamination—that accompanies every missile strike. We uplift Palestinian and Iranian voices, challenge the greenwashing of war, and reject false solutions like "eco-friendly bombs" or "sustainable militaries." Instead, we call for international solidarity, divestment from weapons manufacturers, and revolutionary transformation that puts life before profit. This episode is both a lament and a call to action: faith communities, climate activists, and anti-imperialists must unite to stop the war machine—not just for peace, but for planetary survival. Follow us to stay in touch and help build ecosocialism: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@UUEcoSocialistNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/uuecosocialistnetwork/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3Av0Cc2⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bit.ly/3Av0Cc2] Website: ⁠⁠tinyurl.com/UUESN⁠⁠ [https://tinyurl.com/UUESN] Reach out for more info: ⁠⁠Gregory@interfaithpower.org [Gregory@interfaithpower.org]

Putting the Universalism back in Unitarian Universalism

In this episode, we dive deep into the radical roots—and revolutionary potential—of Unitarian Universalism by reclaiming the "Universal" in our tradition. What does it mean to believe in a faith that affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person, not just spiritually but politically, economically, and socially? We explore Universalism not as a vague ethic of inclusivity, but as a bold demand for universal social policy: healthcare, housing, education, safety, and liberation—for all. Drawing from the legacies of Universalist preachers, socialist theologians, and contemporary movements for justice, we ask: How can UU communities move from charity to solidarity, from symbolic welcome to systemic change? 💡 Whether you're a lifelong UU, a curious leftist, or someone seeking a liberatory spiritual practice, this conversation is an invitation to imagine what faith looks like when it refuses to leave anyone behind. Follow us to stay in touch and help build ecosocialism: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@UUEcoSocialistNetwork⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/uuecosocialistnetwork/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3Av0Cc2⁠⁠⁠ [https://bit.ly/3Av0Cc2] Website: ⁠tinyurl.com/UUESN⁠ [https://tinyurl.com/UUESN] Reach out for more info: ⁠Gregory@interfaithpower.org [Gregory@interfaithpower.org]