Pepperdine University Spiritual Life Podcast Office of the Chaplain, Pepperdine University

Season 2, Episode 1 kicks off with the 8th President of Pepperdine University, Jim Gash and First Lady, Joline Gash. Jim and Joline share their vocational journeys, early memories that sparked their love, and their hopes and dreams for a new season of Pepperdine. Listen in as President Gash shares his dream to see Pepperdine as a unified body gathering with more intentionality towards worshipping and praying together.
Jim Gash (JD '93) began his term as the eighth president and chief executive officer of Pepperdine University on August 1, 2019. The first alumnus to lead Pepperdine as president, Gash has served the University in a professional capacity since 1999. Prior to assuming the presidency, he was the associate dean for strategic planning and external relations at the Pepperdine School of Law, where he provided operational oversight for many signature development initiatives. As a 20-year Pepperdine Law professor, his primary areas of focus included evidence, torts, and international human rights.
He is married to Joline Gash ('92), and together they have three children, Jessica ('18); Joshua, a Seaver College senior; and Jennifer, a Seaver College sophomore.

Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of the largest gang rehabilitation center in the world, discusses the radical power of kinship. "Father G" as he is most commonly referred, shares his own formation journey and calling into vocational ministry. His stories and experiences of finding God in all things are sure to inspire any listener towards a life of radical kinship. 
In the face of law enforcement tactics and criminal justice policies of suppression and mass incarceration as the means to end gang violence, Fr. Boyle, his parish and community members adopted what was a radical approach at the time: treat gang members as human beings.
In 1988 he founded what would eventually become Homeboy Industries, a conglomerate of social enterprises employing and training former gang members in a range of vocations, as well as providing critical services to thousands of men and women who walk through its doors every year seeking a better life.
Father Greg is the author of the 2010 New York Times-bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. His 2017 book is the Los Angeles Times-bestseller Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship.
He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, the White House named Father Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics.

Three professors from Pepperdine's Rick J Caruso School of Law, Professor Michael Helfand, Dr. Sukhsimranjit Singh and Professor Tiffany Williams discuss Pepperdine's Christian mission and spiritual experiences from their diverse faith traditions. They share wisdom from their own experiences an Orthodox Jew, a Sikh, and a Christian.

Michael Helfand is a professor of law and Associate Dean for faculty and research. He's an expert on religious law and religious Liberty as well as a frequent author and lecturer.

Sukhsimranjit Singh is the managing Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. Dr Singh travels all over the world speaking about dispute resolution.

Tiffany Williams is an Assistant Professor of legal research and writing. Professor Williams has extensive experience in law firms and as an administrative law judge and she is an ordained Christian minister and advocate for the global advancement of women and girls.

Jennifer Berry Hawes shares remarkable testimonials from the 2015 shooting at  Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Hawes recalls conversations with the three surviving victims and discusses her book, "Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness.”
Jennifer Berry Hawes works on the newspaper's Watchdog and Public Service team focusing on investigations and long-form narratives. She has worked on the newspaper's staff for 15 years covering religion, healthcare and other beats. Hawes led the newspaper's coverage of the Emanuel AME Church massacre and published a book about the tragedy with St. Martin's Press entitled, "Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness."

Today's spiritual life podcast features four Seaver College seniors. Listen in as Sara asks students, Caroline Sisson, Matthew Pastor, Jared Lee, and Allison Lee to reflect on their spiritual lives and how they are processing recent interruptions to their senior year. 

Today's spiritual life podcast features Pepperdine Student leaders and members of the Student Wellness Association Board (SWAB). Listen in as Sara asks Seaver students, Giuliana Golon, Amanda Fricker, and Morgan Clinton to reflect on their experiences with SWAB at Pepperdine and what it means to engage the spiritual as part of wholistic health.