Wild Geese, Work, and Wonder

Wild Hope

This is a podcast designed to foster conversation and deeper reflection on vocation. We interview current students and alumni from PLU from various disciplines, asking big questions, and really fleshing out what vocation looks like in the everyday. The name is a reference to Mary Oliver’s poem, Wild Geese. Discovering vocation is not about being perfect or good, but about listening. It requires authenticity, self-awareness and awareness of the world around us. Hosted by Becca McInally, a student at PLU, this is a podcast made in collaboration with the Wild Hope Center for Vocation.

Episodes

  1. 05/03/2021

    Episode 4: Peacebuilding & Vocation

    In this episode, I speak with Andrew Larsen ('15) and Rahel Ambachew ('22) about peacebuilding, justice work, and vocational discernment. They share their thoughts on the meaning of peace as well as some practical tools for peacebuilding in everyday life.  During his time at PLU, Andrew majored in Religion and Anthropology and minored in Political Science. He was in the first cohort of the Wild Hope Fellows, studied away in Bosnia, Serbia, and Italy, and was a Peace Scholar in 2014. After graduating, he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Comoros. He is now a Program Associate in Justice, Peace and Human Rights working in the Philippines with Global Ministries and its partners. Learn more about his work by reading his blog: https://larsenglobalministries20.wordpress.com/ Rahel is currently a junior at PLU, and majoring in Biology. Rahel is an Act Six Scholar, was a Peace Scholar in 2020, and is also a Wild Hope Fellow. Rahel works as the youth program director at a local community center and interns for Fred Hutch Cancer Research center. She is also the co-founder of Youth Voices for Justice (@youthvoicesforjustice) which seeks to fight systemic racism against BIPOC communities in South King County through mutual aid efforts and pressuring politicians to make a change. This podcast was produced by Becca McInally in collaboration with the Wild Hope Center for Vocation at Pacific Lutheran University. Our music was composed by Emma Christensen. Have an idea for the show? Email us at wildhope@plu.edu. Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on all things Wild Hope at @pluwildhope.

    38 min
  2. 04/19/2021

    Episode 3: Education and Advocacy

    In this episode, I talk with Jonathan Jackson ('12) and Sophia Barro ('22) about their passion for education and advocating for students. They share some of their own stories and how their experiences have shaped their callings and their values.  During his time at PLU, Jonathan was an Act Six Scholar, which is a leadership development and scholarship program, which empowers students to use their education make a difference in their communities. He also studied away in Oaxaca, Mexico and Granada, Spain. In 2020, he received his Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from PLU, and he is also a member of the alumni board. Jonathan is the Executive Director of Palmer Scholars, a family-oriented post-secondary academic success foundation, which supports "underrepresented students of color in Pierce County to overcome financial, cultural and social barriers as they pursue higher education."  Sophia is a junior at PLU, and a part of the 2020-2021 cohort of the Wild Hope Fellows. She is pursuing her degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Reading and a minor in Religion. She hopes to be the kind of teacher that is a safe place for her students, and inspires them to find their own callings to serve. She won the Wild Hope Essay Contest in 2020, which explores the theme of "Service Amidst Crisis." This podcast was produced by Becca McInally in collaboration with the Wild Hope Center for Vocation at Pacific Lutheran University. Our music is created by Emma Christensen. Have an idea for the show? Email us at wildhope@plu.edu. Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on our latest projects, @pluwildhope.

    36 min
  3. 03/16/2021

    Episode 2: Law and International Education

    In this episode, I talk with Chelsea Linsley ('10) and Juliana Andrew ('21) about their vocational motivations for pursuing law. We also discuss the importance of recognizing the theological underpinnings of U.S. policy, examining where this has been destructive and where spirituality has potential for fueling movements toward justice. They also share some of their takeaways from studying abroad with and beyond PLU.  Juliana is majoring in both Religion and Global Studies with a concentration in International Relations and minoring in the Peace Corps Prep program. Juliana has studied away with PLU in Greece, Oxford, and Norway. In the fall, she plans to start a dual degree program, pursuing her J.D. and her Master’s of Theological Studies. Chelsea graduated from PLU in 2010 with her Bachelor’s in Anthropology and Global Studies with a concentration in Development and Social Justice. While at PLU, she studied away in Norway, South Africa, and Namibia, and served as a Sojourner Advocate at the Wang Center. She then got her J.D. at George Washington University, studying International and Environmental Law, and studying abroad at the University of Oxford. Chelsea now works at the Berkeley-based nonprofit, As You Sow, where she handles environmental and toxic exposure litigation. She is also the founder of The Law School Project, which coaches students who are seeking purpose-driven careers in law. You can learn more about The Law School Project by following @lawschoolproject on Instagram.  This podcast was produced by Becca McInally in collaboration with the Wild Hope Center for Vocation at Pacific Lutheran University. Our music is created by Emma Christensen. Have an idea for the show? Contact us at wildhope@plu.edu. Follow us on Instagram @pluwildhope!

    52 min

About

This is a podcast designed to foster conversation and deeper reflection on vocation. We interview current students and alumni from PLU from various disciplines, asking big questions, and really fleshing out what vocation looks like in the everyday. The name is a reference to Mary Oliver’s poem, Wild Geese. Discovering vocation is not about being perfect or good, but about listening. It requires authenticity, self-awareness and awareness of the world around us. Hosted by Becca McInally, a student at PLU, this is a podcast made in collaboration with the Wild Hope Center for Vocation.