Shows
More Than PoliticsCulture War (S2, Ep5)In this fifth episode of Season Two of More Than Politics, host Julie Varner Walsh turns to the problems we face when it comes to today’s politics. She describes how she sees these problems as coming from our human tendency to idolize, to become unhealthily attached to things. And in particular, in this episode Julie discusses our tendency to idolize people – both groups and individuals. Julie believes that this idol has lead us into a culture war, and that we vastly underestimate the role this culture war has come to play in our lives.Follo...
2025-07-1730 minMore Than PoliticsThe Idea of the Possible (S2, Ep 4)In the first three episodes of this season, host Julie Varner Walsh has described some ideas that she sees as timeless – applicable to all humans, whenever and wherever they live.In this episode and those that follow, she begins to orient us to our moment, to our place – to the problems we face, the solutions we need, and the ideas that might help us move forward. She explores how she sees her ideas of the human physics and the spiritual physics playing out in our moment, and how we might use the ideas to guide us.He...
2025-07-0120 minMore Than PoliticsSpiritual Physics (S2, Ep 3)In this episode, host Julie Varner Walsh explores her idea of the “spiritual physics” – a concept through which she tries to make sense of the mess in the world – especially in politics, and in the way politics has come to affect our relationships with one another.She believes there is a truth to human relationship that is both deeper than and counter to our basic human inclinations, and that this truth applies to both small-scale human relationships (like family, friendship, and community) and large-scale relationships (like politics, society, and international affairs). Follow Julie on Instagram and Subst...
2025-06-2516 minMore Than PoliticsFaith and Reality (Season 2, Episode 2)In Season Two of More Than Politics, host Julie Varner Walsh aims to lay a groundwork for how we, as individuals, might consider the political issues and dynamics of our day. And she aims to go as wide and deep as she is able: into history, into faith, into how humans relate to one another, into complicated messes and simple truths.Here in this second episode of Season Two, she’ll begin with the most personal, essential elements of her view on the world: her faith, and how she understands reality itself. Follow Julie on Ins...
2025-06-1718 minMore Than PoliticsA New Beginning (Season 2, Episode 1)Welcome to Season Two of More Than Politics – to this new beginning. In the first episode of the season, host Julie Varner Walsh reintroduces herself, lays out what she hopes to accomplish in this season, and challenges listeners to consider how they might work to improve their communities, their country, and even politics itself.Follow Julie on Instagram and Substack, and subscribe both there and here to support the podcast.Theme music is by www.purple-planet.com
2025-06-1210 min
I'm Feeling Queer Today!Expressing Queerness (Part 1)Welcome to Season 2! In our first episode, we explore transmasculine lesbian expressions through fashion, breaking out of patriarchal expectations of queer women, plus our “Queer Crushes” segment and a piece of original writing from a non-binary poet. Hosted by Lily Mueller (they/she/he) and Claire Florence (she/her). Part 1 of 2⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project. ⏱️ TIME STAMPS:00:05 About this episode01:04 Welcome from hosts Lily & Claire
2024-12-1223 min
Universal Voices/Voces UniversalesA Heart For Forming A Political ConscienceUniversal Voices is back with an all new A Heart For mini-series. In this episode, Alissa welcomes Julie Walsh to share about her heart for forming a political conscience. This episode is packed with goodness as Julie shares her heart around what it is to integrate our moral and political lives. Julie and Alissa dive into:The value of time alone and time with peopleThinking of politics in regards to how it helps us to relate to one anotherThe Truth found in the Universal Catholic ChurchHelping to create welcome in our communitiesPolitics as it relates to our spiritualityLetting...
2024-10-1135 min
Destination On The LeftInsights from the National Tour Associations Travel Exchange (Part 1), with Nicole MahoneyFor this first episode in a special two-part series from the National Tour Associations Travel Exchange, I visited the National Tour Associations Travel Exchange in Shreveport, Louisiana and spoke with several experts in the travel and tourism industry. My guests shared their insights into the travel industry, looking at the trends, challenges, and whether events like NTA Travel Exchange make you a better tourism professional. The wisdom each of these leaders shared is certain to be invaluable for travel industry professionals, both experienced and brand new. In this episode, you'll hear from these extraordinary leaders: Carylann...
2023-12-131h 09
Hei, det er meg!#134: Vi skravler med Julie VarnerEndelig er hun på plass, girl boss og helseguru Julie Varner! Skravla går og vi er interessert i så mye: hennes karriere, med de utfordringer og fordommer det innebærer, hvem hun er i venninnegjengen og ikke minst: hva hennes guilty pleasure er. Vi har girl crush! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-12-1348 min
The Art of Feminine Business with Julie FouchtEpisode 182 : Breaking the Cycle of Money Shame with Samantha VarnerToday's guest is Samantha Varner, a Canadian hanging out in Texas, loving the sunshine, missing snow and teaching women how to be badass entrepreneurs! She spends her non-coaching hours devouring books, podcasts and drinking all the coffee ;) and a little wine... With more than 10 years of experience in the financial field, her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and years of public relations & marketing training under her belt, she talks business strategy, confidence and mindset so you create PROFIT. Sam is a straight talking, no bullshit kinda gal. She has four not so t...
2022-12-0532 min
Under the Influence with DJJonniBravoS2-E1 - Phlecia Sullivan | Lead Singer In The Band Year of OctoberGo Under the Musical Influence of Phlecia Sullivan answering 9 Questions about her Musical Self. Phlecia started out Singing in the Church, to making Videos of her Writing Songs when she was Little, to Rockin’ Around Country Town. She is the Lead Singer with Josh Sullivan on Guitar, & James Varner on Drums ‘In the Band’, Year of October from Nashville, TN. Do You have Family Gatherings around the Piano? A Rock Scene in Nashville, TN - Really?What Artist or Singer Does her Voice Remind You of?Do You Like Musical S...
2022-07-2927 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 24: Digesting DobbsFriends, it has been a long time. It has been a long time since we've published an episode of More Than Politics. There is an explanation, and we have much catching up to do, but for now we wanted to break in with some thoughts as we try to digest last Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Here we go.Host: Julie Varner WalshFollow Julie on Instagram and visit www.thesewallsblog.com/morethanpolitics to learn more about this podcast.Theme music is by purple-planet.com
2022-06-2812 min
Peace and Possibilities109. What does true freedom mean to you?As far as I'm concerned, true freedom is the choice to do work that we love, that makes an impact, and affords us the experiences we want to have in our lives. For my guest this week, Sam Varner, it's very similar. Her work was born out of necessity and the need to have freedom and flexibility. When we chatted about finding our niche, she emphasized the importance of these questions: What nourishes you? How can you nourish others? How can you make connections? Then once...
2022-03-0225 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 23: Where Free Speech Meets Big Tech (Part 2) with David HancharikIn this week’s episode (the second of a two-part conversation) Julie Walsh talks with David Hancharik, an electrical engineer who has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 36 years. David and Julie discuss the controversy regarding free speech and “Big Tech” – the technology companies that make our internet and social media usage possible. In the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, social media companies suspended accounts (President Trump’s most notable among them) and hosting companies took websites offline. To many, these actions felt like attacks on Americans’ freedom of speech. But were...
2021-03-0537 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 22: Where Free Speech Meets Big Tech (Part 1) with David HancharikIn this week’s episode Julie Walsh talks with David Hancharik, an electrical engineer who has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 36 years. David and Julie discuss the controversy regarding free speech and “Big Tech” – the technology companies that make our internet and social media usage possible. In the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, social media companies suspended accounts (President Trump’s most notable among them) and hosting companies took websites offline. To many, these actions felt like attacks on Americans’ freedom of speech. But were they? It’s not such a sim...
2021-02-2651 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 21: Reconstruction and Criminal Justice: discussing the era and its continued impact with Dede MillerIn this episode Julie Varner Walsh talks with historian Dede Miller for the second part in a series on Reconstruction. Reconstruction was the period immediately following the Civil War, in which the Confederate south was brought back into the fold and millions of formerly enslaved people began to make their way in a new America.While Reconstruction is perhaps less well-known to most Americans than slavery, Jim Crow, or the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s, its impact has nevertheless continued to be felt in our politics and society – especially when it comes to racial inequality....
2021-02-1241 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 20: From One Presidency to the Next with Dr. Michael TowleJulie Walsh and Dr. Michael Towle discuss this moment of transition from one presidential administration to the next: the end of the Trump administration, including the Capitol insurrection and the president’s second impeachment – and the beginning of the Biden administration, including where our parties, our politics, and our country might be heading next.Dr. Michael Towle is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Mount Saint Mary’s University, where he has taught since 1991. He received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
2021-01-2852 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 19: Reconstruction and Voting: discussing the era and its continued impact with Dede MillerIn this episode Julie Varner Walsh talks with historian Dede Miller for the first part in a series on Reconstruction. Reconstruction was the period immediately following the Civil War, in which the Confederate south was brought back into the fold and millions of formerly enslaved people began to make their way in a new America.While Reconstruction is perhaps less well-known to most Americans than slavery, Jim Crow, or the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s, its impact has nevertheless continued to be felt in our politics and society – especially when it comes to racial inequality.In...
2021-01-201h 18More Than PoliticsMTP 18: Unreal: Insurrection at the Capitol and an Unconceded ElectionJulie Varner Walsh goes solo for this episode, reflecting on the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as well as the 2020 election and its aftermath. ***A onetime federal government employee, onetime lobbyist, and longtime student of politics, Julie Varner Walsh’s life has always centered around politics and her Catholic faith. And that has made for some strange combinations. Raised Republican, she worked mostly with Democrats when she was a lobbyist for the Catholic Church on poverty, immigration, and health care matters. Today she finds herself politically homeless, but not politically aim...
2021-01-0742 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 17: Make An Honest Stand with Kevin HeiderIn this episode Julie Varner Walks talks with singer/songwriter Kevin Heider. Kevin, who lives with his wife and four children in Dayton, Ohio, writes hymns, drinking songs, and everything in between. He has recently released an EP called Make An Honest Stand. A collection of six beautiful songs, Make An Honest Stand is perfect for this moment of political discord and cultural upheaval.With lyrics that wrestle with our nation’s history and with the concepts of freedom, patriotism, and justice – and which deal, too, with anger, cynicism, and the pitfalls of social media – Make An...
2020-11-192h 06More Than PoliticsMTP 16: Stories of Saints in Politically Troubled Times with Meg Hunter-KilmerIn this episode Julie Varner Walks talks with Meg Hunter-Kilmer on a topic that is more explicitly Catholic than others she’s covered – but which will also have something to offer listeners of different faiths, or no faith at all: stories of saints who lived in politically troubled times.Given the divisiveness of the 2020 presidential election and how existentially threatening both sides seem to consider it, it’s good to take a longer view. The sad fact is, people have long lived under unjust political systems – systems that are as bad as, if not worse than, our current...
2020-11-101h 06More Than PoliticsBonus: Why You Should Vote, Even When It Feels Like It Doesn't Make a DifferenceIn this brief, bonus episode (which should have been posted a bit before the election -- c'est la vie), Julie Varner Walsh revisits a blog post she wrote in 2014. Adapting it a bit for the moment, Julie posts it to encourage any remaining reluctant voters to get on out there, even if it feels like your vote can't make a difference.This bonus episode pairs well with last week's regular episode. So if you liked that one, you should like this one too.
2020-11-0311 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 15: Election Day Run-up Round-up with Rita BuettnerThis episode is a little different from our usual format. Instead of inviting on a friend to ask them questions, this time Julie Varner Walsh is joined by a friend who’s asking her the questions. In the run-up to election day, Julie and her friend Rita Buettner thought it would be helpful to do a round-up of topics that might be of interest to listeners just before the election. They cover modes of voting, write-in and third-party voting, how to make your final choices (if you haven’t yet), voting even when it feels like your vote...
2020-10-311h 06More Than PoliticsMTP 14: Talking to Children About Politics and Current Events with Laura Kelly FanucciIn this episode Julie Varner Walsh talks with Laura Kelly Fanucci about how to talk to children about politics and current events. In their conversation, Julie and Laura discuss the importance of forming children’s consciences regarding political matters as well as personal. They talk about how to make big issues feel small and approachable, how to incorporate prayer into family discussions on politics and current events, and why politics isn’t as simple as “good guys vs. bad guys.” And as we near the end of a highly contentious presidential election, Julie and Laura also discu...
2020-10-231h 17More Than PoliticsMTP 13: The Kitchen Sink Pundit, Debates Edition with Dr. Jill ScheiblerIn this episode Julie Walsh is again joined by her friend, Dr. Jill Scheibler, for a conversation about the presidential and vice-presidential debates, the president’s Covid diagnosis, the plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, absentee voting (and the tallying of absentee votes). They also talk about polling: How polling works, what it’s been showing lately about the presidential race, and why we shouldn’t write it off.Jill is a community psychologist, a college professor and research coordinator, an art therapist, and the cofounder and Operations & Program Director of the nonprofit Make Studio, which empowers artists...
2020-10-161h 09More Than PoliticsMTP 12: Impossible Dreams of a Better Civic Future with Julia HarrellJulie Walsh talks with Julia Harrell in her most freewheeling podcast conversation yet. They discuss some of the biggest challenges of our time – and then they dream about what a better world would look like. From democracy to education to the news media, Julie and Julia spend some time following Vaclev Havel’s advice: “[W]e must not be afraid of dreaming the seemingly impossible if we want the seemingly impossible to become a reality.”Julia Harrell is an author, a freelance writer, and a stay-at-home mom to four young kids. Her book, How to Be a Hero...
2020-10-081h 13More Than PoliticsMTP 11: The Importance of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dissent, and Running for Office with Abigail BenjaminJulie Walsh and Abigail Benjamin discuss the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the importance of good-hearted political debate and being willing to dissent from your peers, and Abigail’s experience of running for public office for the first time.Abigail Benjamin is a lay Carmelite, a Catholic wife of 20 years, and a homeschooling mom to seven kids ages 17 to 2. She is an environmental and real estate lawyer in her small hometown in Central West Virginia. This year she ran for public office for the first time.Abigail is working on her first novel, "Th...
2020-10-051h 11More Than PoliticsMTP 10: On Executive Power with Dr. Michael TowleJulie Walsh and Dr. Michael Towle discuss the concept of executive power – the power assigned by our constitution to the executive branch of government – and given to it (or taken by it), over more than two hundred years of muddling through the checks and balances instituted by our founders. At a time when the presidency seems to be growing ever more powerful, it’s good to stop and consider the history, and wonder about the future, of executive power in the United States.Dr. Michael Towle is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Moun...
2020-09-251h 00More Than PoliticsMTP 9: Being Open to the Idea that You Might Be Wrong with Dr. Linda WansiJulie Walsh and Dr. Linda Wansi discuss a topic that any good citizen – and especially any good Christian – should be willing to wrestle with: being open to the idea that we could be wrong.From abortion to race to spiritual hang-ups in their own lives, the two discuss the work it takes to be honest with yourself in considering the idea that you could be wrong, and that you need to change. Such work is important in building up one’s own spiritual health, but it’s also important in building up the civic health of a demo...
2020-09-171h 02More Than PoliticsBonus: The Blue Sky DayIn this special, bonus episode, Julie Walsh commemorates the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. She was very near the tragedy that day – working in her office just a half-mile from the Pentagon when the plane struck the building. Julie has written a little about her experience over the years, and now that she’s podcasting, has decided to share her story here too. Visit www.thesewallsblog.com/morethanpolitics to learn more about this podcast.Theme music is by purple-planet.com
2020-09-1111 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 8: The Kitchen Sink Pundit, Conventions edition (Part 2) with Dr. Jill ScheiblerIn this episode Julie Walsh is again joined by her friend, Dr. Jill Scheibler, for the second part of their conversation on the 2020 Democratic and Republican National Conventions.Jill is a community psychologist, a college professor and research coordinator, an art therapist, and the cofounder and Operations & Program Director of the nonprofit Make Studio, which empowers artists with disabilities to grow as professionals with visibility and voice in their communities.Although not formally a student of political science, Politics-watching is Jill’s main hobby. She is an avid daily reader of news, she enjoys the po...
2020-09-0653 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 7: The Kitchen Sink Pundit, Conventions edition (Part 1) with Dr. Jill ScheiblerIn this episode Julie Walsh is joined by her friend, Dr. Jill Scheibler. The two put on their amateur pundit hats to discuss the 2020 Democratic and Republican National Conventions.Jill is a community psychologist, a college professor and research coordinator, an art therapist, and the co-founder and Operations & Program Director of the nonprofit Make Studio, which empowers artists with disabilities to grow as professionals with visibility and voice in their communities.Although not formally a student of political science, Politics-watching is Jill’s main hobby. She is an avid daily reader of news, she enjoys th...
2020-09-0147 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 6: On Being Politically Uncomfortable with Leslie ShollyIn this episode Julie Walsh talks with writer Leslie Sholly about the experience of being politically uncomfortable. The two enjoy a kinship of sorts: their political views are similar to one another, but make them outliers in their respective communities. Leslie, who lives in a conservative, southern, Republican state, identifies as a pro-life Democrat. And Julie, who lives in a liberal, east coast, Democratic state, finds herself as a sort of moderate, uncomfortable Republican. Both identify with the minority parties in their states, but find themselves as ideological minorities even within those parties. Both very we...
2020-08-251h 02More Than PoliticsMTP 5: The U.S. on the World Stage (Part 2) with Dr. Kristen UrbanIn this episode Julie Walsh talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, has spent time in Israel/Palestine, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In 2003/04, she was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Bahrain.In this second of a two-part conversation on the current state of the U.S. on the world stage, Julie and Dr. Urban discuss the Obama and Trump administrations, China and the Middle East, trade and conflict. And they discuss the implications of...
2020-08-1351 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 4: Providing Context on Lebanon with Dr. Kristen Urban (Emergency Episode)In this “emergency” episode, Julie Walsh seeks to provide context on Lebanon for those who are tracking developments related to the August 4th explosion in Beirut, but who don’t know much about the country where it took place.She talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, has spent time in Israel/Palestine, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In 2003/04, she was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Bahrain.To learn the basics about the expl...
2020-08-0936 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 3: The U.S. on the World Stage (Part 1) with Dr. Kristen UrbanIn this episode Julie Walsh talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, has spent time in Israel/Palestine, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In 2003/04, she was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Bahrain.In this first of a two-part conversation on the current state of the U.S. on the world stage, Julie and Dr. Urban review the international developments that, since the end of the second World War, have set that stage.
2020-08-0643 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 2: Discussing This Moment (of Pandemic and Protest) with John MillerIn this episode Julie Walsh talks with John Miller, an award-winning journalist and filmmaker who, as a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal for 13 years, reported from over 40 countries. John, an American, grew up in Brussels. He now lives in Pittsburgh. Julie and John discuss the moment we find ourselves in, both here and abroad: the coronavirus pandemic, the economic uncertainty it has unleashed, and the movement against racial injustice that has followed the death of George Floyd. You can learn more about John, and find links to his work, at www.jo...
2020-07-3042 minMore Than PoliticsMTP 1: Introducing “More Than Politics” (and Myself)This first episode of “More Than Politics” is an introduction to the ideas behind the podcast: the personal and professional stories that brought the host to this point, and the political philosophy those stories engendered in her.Julie Varner Walsh’s life has always centered around politics and her Catholic faith, and that has made for some strange combinations. Raised Republican, she worked mostly with Democrats when she was a lobbyist for the Catholic Church on poverty, immigration, and health care matters. Today she finds herself politically homeless, but not politically aimless. Walsh has found purpose in encour...
2020-07-2727 minMore Than PoliticsComing Soon: More Than PoliticsIntroducing: “More Than Politics”, a podcast for those of us who want something more than what we’ve come to expect from politics – and from our political discourse.Each week, More Than Politics will feature a conversation that helps us put today’s politics in context, that honestly and charitably explores the issues of the day, that encourages us to engage in politics with an attitude of love toward others – even and especially those with whom we disagree. Check back here soon to talk, listen, and dream about “More Than Politics.”Music: https...
2020-07-1601 min