InflexionPoint Podcast: Cultivating Change from the Inside Out Inflexion Point Podcast

The Art of Community Conversations   Thank you for tuning in to the latest episode of InflexionPoint Podcast where we are dedicated to the art of listening in authentic conversation. We challenge our audience to listen actively and intentionally for the purpose of critical self-reflection, in-depth perspective-taking, personal transformation, and ultimately social impact. The 2024 theme explores the Art of Community Conversations in today's climate of systemic and institutional racism, antiracism activation, Equity Diversity & Inclusion, and book banning.   In This Episode We Explore A Central Question:  Why is it important to consider the long-term potential of humanity when making decisions today, and how can we balance immediate needs with the goal of a prosperous future for generations to come? To answer this question we take a peek into The Precipice of Change, The Heritage Foundation, the Project 2025 Presidential Transition, and its Mandate for Leadership. We also consider reactions and counteractions to Project 2025.   We Are Standing on the Precipice of Change The Precipice of Change, a book by Toby Ord, contemplates the roles we all can play in reducing overarching risks and implications . It describes how people can make a difference through global interconnectivity—be it in academia, policymaking, philanthropy, or public debate. The Heritage Foundation and Project 2025 is building now for a conservative victory through 4 pillars - policy agenda, personnel, training, and the Mandate for Leadership, a 180-day playbook for Presidential Transition. The Stop Project 20025 Task Force is a central hub for pro-democracy to coordinate examining, highlighting, and counteracting the undermining of democracy.

The Art of Community Conversations Thank you for tuning in to the latest episode of InflexionPoint Podcast where we are dedicated to the art of listening in authentic conversation. We challenge our audience to listen actively and intentionally for the purpose of critical self-reflection, in-depth perspective-taking, personal transformation, and ultimately social impact. The 2024 theme explores the Art of Community Conversations in today's climate of systemic and institutional racism, antiracism activation, Equity Diversity & Inclusion, and book banning.   True Connections: The Bible, Black People, and Restorative Justice Exploring the Black (people of African descent) presence in the Bible can shed light on often overlooked perspectives and histories. It's fascinating how biblical narratives can intersect with themes of restorative justice, especially in today's context of addressing systemic racism and promoting inclusion. Highlighting these connections offers our listeners a richer understanding of how historical texts can inform contemporary social justice movements. Some biblical examples include: The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40The Song of Solomon (Song of Songs)Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 37-50)Paul's Letters on Unity in Christ (e.g., Galatians 3:28)Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26)The Queen of Sheba (King Solomon)Hagar (Abraham)Keturah (Abraham)Zipporah (Midianite/Moses)Ethioipan Woman (Cushite/Moses)Candace Queen of the Ethiopians  What Does the Bible Say About Restorative Justice? The Bible addresses social justice in various ways, providing principles and narratives that advocate for fairness, compassion, equity, and equality. These biblical principles and narratives continue to inspire individuals and communities to advocate for social justice, address systemic issues, and promote fairness and equality. They provide a foundation for understanding and engaging with contemporary social justice movements and challenges. Here are some key themes and passages that reflect biblical perspectives on social justice:  Concern for the Poor and VulnerableProphetic Call for JusticeJudgment and AccountabilityJesus' MinistryEquality and Non-DiscriminationRestorative Justice Acts of Mercy and Compassion The Bible does not use modern concepts of race in the same way we understand them today. However, it does address themes related to ethnicity, diversity, and God's vision for all people. While the Bible does not use our contemporary racial categories, its teachings provide a foundation for understanding and promoting equality, unity, and respect for all people, regardless of ethnicity or background. The Bible challenges believers to embrace God's inclusive vision and work towards justice and reconciliation in a diverse world. Here are some key aspects of how the Bible intersects with the concept of race: Creation and humanityIsrael's identityEthnic diversity in the BibleJesus' MinistryUniversal GospelUnity in ChristEschatological Vision These figures and references underscore the presence and contributions of African peoples in biblical narratives. They also challenge readers to consider the Bible's multicultural and multiethnic context in relationship to issues we face today including racism, inequity, inequality, and social injustice.

Blind Faith in AI or Inclusive Coding? In this episode we delve into the groundbreaking work of two powerful and brilliant women in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Joy Buolamwini's research explores the intersection of social impact, technology, and inclusion. She is the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, a groundbreaking MIT researcher, a model and a poet of code. She is also the author of national bestseller Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines and advises world leaders on preventing the harms of AI. Her MIT thesis methodology uncovered large racial and gender bias in AI services from companies like Microsoft, IBM and Amazon.  Dr. Cathy O’Neil is an American mathematician, data scientist, and author. She is the author of the New York Times best-seller Weapons of Math Destruction, and opinion columns in Bloomberg View. O'Neil was active in the Occupy movement. As a data skeptic she uncovers the dark secrets of big data, showing how our "objective" algorithms reinforce human bias. She believes a lot can go wrong when we put blind faith in big date.  AI in Society and Law Enforcement 
"Unregulated and untested AI technologies have put innocent people at risk fo being wrongly convicted." —Innocence Project: When Artificial Intelligence Gets It Wrong The presumption of innocense is a legal principle that every person accused of any crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. AI-empowered law enforcement sometimes results in the presumption of guilt unitl proven innocent.

Community Conversations 2024 At InflexionPoint Podcast we are dedicated to the art of listening in authentic community conversations. We challenge our audience to listen actively and intentionally for the purpose of critical self-reflection, in-depth perspective-taking, personal transformation, and ultimately social impact. The 2024 theme explores the Art of Community Conversations in today's climate of systemic and institutional racism, antiracism activation, Equity Diversity & Inclusion, and book banning.   Featured Guest We are honored to have Rev. Desiree Lawson, newly installed pastor of The Good Shepherds Presbyterian Church in South Easton MA as our featured guest. Rev. Dawson shares her experience as the first Black woman pastor in a previous congregation.

Parables for Understanding a Nation's Sins At InflexionPoint Podcast we are dedicated to the art of listening in authentic conversation. We challenge our audience to listen actively and intentionally for the purpose of self-awareness, in-depth perspective-taking, personal transformation, and ultimately social impact. The 2024 theme explores the Art of Community Conversations in today's climate of EDI, antiracism, and book banning. In this Community Conversation we continue our discussion of Christian Nationalism viewed through the Kwanzaa Principle of Imani (Faith).   “Search for the specific term “racism” in the Bible, you wouldn’t necessarily find it. But that doesn’t mean that the problem of racism isn’t in the Bible, or that we can’t learn from God’s Word as we seek to eradicate racism from our communities and churches...Racism has deformed us, as persons, as communities, as families,” says Rev. Dr. Pedro Agudelo. “And racism isolates us from each other, separates us, and we are designed by God to complement each other.” Oppression is as old as the Old Testament – oppression though enslavement (Israelites in Egypt)Otherization made plain in the New Testament – Jews/Samaritans The diverse family of God - there’s a level of love that’s there; it's the opposite of racism and has the power to eradicate racism. Peter’s vision – what God has made clean, you must not call uncleanRacism goes against God’s will/intention for unity – every human being bears the image of God

Kwanzaa Principle of Imani (Faith) The Imani principle calls for us to believe in ourselves and our capacity to bring about a better society and a better world. On the 7th Day of Kwanzaa, Imani Day, we give thanks and remembrance to family, friends, and historical figures who have contributed to their lives and the betterment of America. This day we remember the faith that our family members and ancestors had to bring us to this point. In this episode Anita, Mavis, and Gail continue their Community Conversation. They examine Christian Nationalism through the lens of the Kwanzaa Principle, Imani (Faith). Join in as they take a deep dive into the ideology of Christian Nationalism, those engaged in active opposition, and The (Unholy) Slave Bible published by missionaries in 1807.

Points of Reflection: Christian Nationalism differs from nationalism, patriotism, and Christianity. Clergy opposition to Christian Nationalism The (Unholy) Slave Bible produced by missionaries in 1807 for the use of enslaved Africans. “Let nobody give you the impression that the problem of racial injustice will work itself out. Let nobody give you the impression that only time will solve the problem. That is a myth, and it is a myth because time is neutral.” — Jim Wallis (America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America)