Society Builders

The first in a series of episodes exploring what effective social action looks like in practice.  In this episode we focus on social action facilitated through individual initiative. Our guest is Faegheh Evans who for over 20 years has been offering 'Spiritual Parenting' courses to almost 700 people in the Perth metro area.  We provide an overview of her curriculum, explore its relation with the core activites and discuss some of her challenges and aspirations.  We also explore the role of individual initiative in a community's wider service arena. The episode concludes with the song 'Spiritual Parenting', drawing on some of the key themes explored throughout the episode.

An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's Ridvan message of 2026 reviewing progress over the past phase of the Nine Year Plan and priorities moving forward.

Includes discussion of the state of the world, 'profound, insightful conversations', a framework for hope, and new patterns for community life. 

The episode concludes with the song: "Ridvan 2026" exploring themes from the message.
Contents:
0:00 Introduction
01:25 Report Card
6:45 State of the World
8:55 Profound and Insightful Conversations
14:22 Community Life
18:59 Hope
31:04 Closing Thoughts
33:19 Song: "Ridvan 2026"

Explore how to engage in meaningful conversations about the turmoil in Iran without falling into division or despair. 
Centered on the principle of constructive resilience, it reveals a powerful alternative to protest—one rooted in unity, service, and spiritual clarity. 

Through historical insight and practical guidance, listeners are invited to transform concern into action, navigate difficult questions with confidence, and become a source of hope in a time of profound uncertainty.
The episode concludes with the song "Constructive Resilience" with lyrics written by Duane to reinforce a key theme in the episode.  Musical composition, instrumentation and vocals were AI facilitated.  Lyrics to the song are as follows:
No matter how bleak the immediate horizons
No matter how dark things may seem
While we obey our oppressor’s rule
It is our Faith that stands supreme
We neither succumb in resignation
Nor imitate the patterns we reject
We walk through every storm of trial
Faithful to our character, in every respect

[chorus]
Like the organs of a body, 
Each part different but aligned
Through our constructive resilience 
A new pattern you will find
Our conscious can’t be stilled 
Because our destiny will be fulfilled
[bridge]
Constructive resilience
Constructive resilience
[verse]
It’s an unbroken record of service
With means consistent with its ends
It’s an integrity that is never shaken
As we serve our fellow friends
Because no matter how dark the horizon
No matter how grim the day at hand
We know our future is bright and luminous
As all will celebrate the Persian land
[chorus]
Like the organs of a body, 
Each part different but aligned
Through our constructive resilience 
A new pattern you will find
Our conscious can’t be stilled 
Because our destiny will be fulfilled
[bridge]
Constructive resilience
Constructive resilience
Constructive resilience
Constructive resilience
Contents:
0:00 Introduction
3:54 Non-Political Response
7:55 Historical Context
17:01 Navigating Crisis
27:30 Persian Cultural Resilience
36:15 Constructive Resilience
40:23 Expressing Sympathy
47:40 UHJ Guidance
59:02 Closing Thoughts
1:02:37 Song: "Constructive Resilience"

An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors on December 31, 2025.  
The episode explores progress in the Plan as it approaches the end of its first phase and provides an exciting glimpse of new patterns as clusters move beyond the third milestone.  This includes new patterns of collaboration with wider society.
The episode concludes with a song summarizing themes in the message: "Bright Horizons Beckon."
Contents
0:00 Introduction
3:12 Third Milestones
12:09 No Fixed Formula
19:14 Beyond Third Milestones
26:07 Collaboration with Society
31:23 Implications for Administrators
36:08 Inspiration
41:38 Closing Thoughts
43:10 Song: "Bright Horizons Beckon"

An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's Ridvan message for 2025.  Includes an exploration of the construct of 'hope' - a summary of key achievements over the past year - and an appeal based on the urgency of the hour.  The episode concludes with an original song, "Ridvan 2025", exploring key themes in the message.
Contents:
0:00 Introduction
1:28 A dark, dark world
3:56 A focus on hope
15:57 Achievements of the year
24:09 Urgency of the hour
26:00 Closing thoughts
27:25 Song: "Ridvan 2025"