The Death Penalty Violates Human Dignity with Sister Helen Prejean

Building a career focused on data, research, and conflict resolution with Hari Prasad

In this episode, host John Byrne catches up with alumnus Hari Prasad, now program associate and researcher at the Carter Center and research associate at Critica Research and Analysis. Prasad shares how his involvement with the Center for Peacemaking helped set him up to pursue a career as a peace and conflict researcher before delving into his areas of expertise, including Syria, Palestine, Ghana, and the role of memes in political discourse.   Through these examples, Prasad elaborates on several important—and often overlooked—components of peacebuilding initiatives. He emphasized the post-war and post-fighting period as an essential period of continued conflict resolution and data collection efforts. He also shared how his research on political memes has shaped his belief that listening in ways that discourages individuals from doubling down on untrue beliefs is an important antidote to extremism.   Prasad’s publications, including those discussed in the episode, are available on his website (https://www.hkprasad.com/publications [https://www.hkprasad.com/publications]). More information about his work focused on Syria with the Carter Center is available online (https://www.cartercenter.org/country/syria/ [https://www.cartercenter.org/country/syria/]).

The Center for Peacemaking’s origin is steeped in Gospel nonviolence with Dr. Terry Rynne

Dr. Terry Rynne, co-founder of the Center for Peacemaking, discusses how the idea of the Center for Peacemaking evolved out of his long-standing interest in and study of Gandhian and Gospel-based nonviolence. He also shares how recent Popes including John XXII, Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV have embraced a return to Gospel nonviolence. Ultimately, Rynne shares success stories from the Center and why he believes those trained in Peace Studies will be future leaders in industries ranging from finance to healthcare to public service. Rynne is the author of Gandhi and Jesus (https://orbisbooks.com/products/gandhi-and-jesus [https://orbisbooks.com/products/gandhi-and-jesus]) and Jesus Christ, Peacemaker (https://orbisbooks.com/products/jesus-christ-peacemaker [https://orbisbooks.com/products/jesus-christ-peacemaker]). He is a contributor to the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative (https://paxchristiusa.org/catholic-nonviolence-initiative/ [https://paxchristiusa.org/catholic-nonviolence-initiative/]).

Journalist Safety and Press Freedom with Dr. Tom Durkin

Tom Durkin, director of safety education for the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, discusses how targeted attacks, kidnapping, and even digital threats are reshaping the landscape of safety preparation for journalists both abroad and at home. He shares about the work of the Foley Foundation, including their online curriculum and risk assessment tools that are transforming journalism education for students and seasoned journalists alike. Durkin also touches on his work with Marquette students through the Center for Peacemaking. The Foley Foundation’s journalism safety curriculum is available online (https://jamesfoleyfoundation.org/journalist-safety/ [https://jamesfoleyfoundation.org/journalist-safety/]).

The Death Penalty Violates Human Dignity with Sister Helen Prejean

Helen Prejean, C.S.J. joined us to share stories and wisdom from her lifelong journey advocating for the abolition of the death penalty. She discussed how she was pulled into this work, ways the death penalty negatively impacts society at large, and how Catholic teaching on the death penalty has evolved in recent years. To close the episode, Prejean reveals how experiences with empathy, forgiveness, and faith can reshape our understanding of justice and give direction to how we are called to act today. Prejean is the author of Dead Man Walking (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/133674/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/133674/]) which was adapted into an Academy Award winning film, and most recently, a graphic novel (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/635448/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/635448/]). Her current project aims to bring attention to the case of Manuel Ortiz, an innocent man from El Salvador who is on death row in Louisiana for crimes he did not commit. For more information, visit sisterhelen.org [http://sisterhelen.org] (https://www.sisterhelen.org/ [https://www.sisterhelen.org/]).

Challenging Stereotypes, Protecting Human Dignity with Dr. Louise Cainkar

Dr. Louise Cainkar, professor of Social and Cultural Sciences and director of Peace Studies at Marquette University, discussed how she became interested in researching human rights and her scholarship on the impact of 9/11 on Arab and Muslim communities. She also shared about the value of Marquette’s Peace Studies program, including opportunities to participate in programs such as the recent Engaging Muslims, Countering Islamophobia immersion. To close the episode, Cainkar discusses the need for human dignity in addressing immigration and the role hope plays in sustaining her research, teaching, and advocacy.   Cainkar is the author of Homeland Insecurity: The Arab American and Muslim American Experience After 9/11 (https://www.russellsage.org/publications/book/homeland-insecurity-0 [https://www.russellsage.org/publications/book/homeland-insecurity-0]). Resources mentioned include Council on American-Islamic Relations (https://www.cair.com/ [https://www.cair.com/]), Institute for Social Policy & Understanding (https://ispu.org/ [https://ispu.org/]), and The Bridge Initiative at Georgetown University (https://bridge.georgetown.edu/ [https://bridge.georgetown.edu/]).