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and the National Catholic Reporter

June 8, 2026

Episode #75, John Dear in conversation with Joyce Rupp

On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with the beloved spiritual writer Joyce Rupp. An international retreat leader and conference speaker, Joyce is the author of three dozen bestselling books on compassion, grief, aging in midlife and in the later years, prayers and poems for every occasion, reflections on nature, and a memoir. Among her bestsellers are Boundless Compassion; Return to the Root; Jesus Guide of My Life; Constant Hope; Dear Heart Come Home; Praying Our Goodbyes; Inviting God In; and Walk in a Relaxed Manner. Orbis Books also published Joyce Rupp: Essential Writings. She is a member of the Servite community (Servants of Mary), was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years, and lives in West Des Moines, Iowa.

“Elderhood is really all about surrender,” she tells me as we discuss her new book, The Years of Ripening. “But I like the word ‘acceptance’ better.

I find the aging process quite exciting: so many opportunities for spiritual growth! We’re surrendering our physical limitations, our relationships, our ego challenges, and ourselves into the mystery of faith.

“Jesus becomes vulnerable in the gospels,” she continues. “As we become older, we become more vulnerable…. We have to start with self-compassion. Without that, we will not be compassionate to others. Acceptance and being with the process of surrender and letting go lead us to being at home in the heart of God. We can’t give in to discouragement,” she concludes. “It doesn’t get us anywhere!” Listen in and be inspired! God bless everyone!

Next week…

The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast welcomes Mel Duncan! For more information, visit here.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, all major platforms,
and the National Catholic Reporter

June 15, 2026

Episode #76, John Dear in conversation with Mel Duncan

On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with one of the great peacemakers of our times Mel Duncan. Mel has been a leader in developing the practice of unarmed civilian protection for over two decades. He started providing nonviolent protective presence along Nicaragua’s northern border in 1984 during the Contra war. In 2002 along with David Hartsough and Mary Lou Ott, he co-founded Nonviolent Peaceforce (www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org). NP’s “nonviolent civilian protectors” provide direct protection to civilians caught in violent conflict and work with local groups to prevent further violence and sustain peace in a variety of conflict areas including South Sudan, Ukraine, the Philippines and the United States.

Mel has represented NP at the United Nations where the group has been granted Consultative Status. Recent UN global reviews as well as Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions have cited and recommended unarmed civilian protection. The American Friends Service Committee nominated Nonviolent Peaceforce for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. In 2018 Nonviolent Peaceforce received the Luxembourg Peace Prize.

Since retiring in 2023, Mel has helped organize a team of unarmed civilian protectors who are now working in Palestine as “Unarmed Civilian Protection.” He worked there for six months in 2025. For the past few months during the ICE occupation, he has been providing protective presence in St. Paul where he lives.

“How do you confront violence with strategic disciplined nonviolence?” Mel asks. “We’ve had thousands of people over the last 25 years who have learned Nonviolent Peaceforce skills to take back to their own communities. There are now over 60 other civil society groups now doing this kind of work in 24 areas of the world. We stress the two hand approach: we resist the injustice with one hand while we reach out to the humanity in every one of us with the other.”

When John asked about Palestine, he said, “The violence has intensified greatly since the attacks on Iran and Lebanon. It’s provided a cover for Israelis to brutally attack Palestinian civilians. What can people do? As Rabbi Abraham Heschel said, we pray with our feet. Know that the Kingdom of God is here and now; it’s a consciousness in all of us. Even when it’s hopeless, we can continue on.” Listen in and be inspired to step up your Gospel nonviolence! God bless you!

Next week…

The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast welcomes Zoughbi Zougbhi! For more information, visit here.

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