Phone a Friend

Key takeaways

Silence in communal practice, such as Quaker worship, fosters renewal, grounding, and a deeper connection to oneself and others.
Revelation is better understood as a call to resistance against oppressive empire, emphasizing community and justice, rather than an apocalyptic prediction.
During crises like COVID-19, intentional community-building, listening, and support for local businesses can be powerful acts of resistance to systemic oppression.
Practicing structured sharing in family or community settings helps process fears and hopes, especially during stressful times.
Supporting indie publishers and local initiatives is crucial, especially in times of systemic disruption, as exemplified by the recommendation to buy Daniels' book from Barclay Press.

Summary

Introduction and Context

The podcast begins with hosts Whalen Wong and Sean Hildner introducing their episode, which is focused on exploring spiritual resilience and community building in challenging times. The episode features an interview with West Daniels, a Quaker theologian and small business owner, who discusses his background, his coffee roasting business, and the impact of COVID-19 on his community in North Carolina.

Community and Religious Practices in Times of Crisis

West Daniels shares insights into Quaker practices, particularly the importance of silence and shared reflection, as tools for grounding oneself amid chaos. They discuss how silent worship fosters listening, community, and renewal, especially when facing collective stress and uncertainty. The conversation highlights how these practices help individuals reconnect with their bodies, the moment, and the needs of others, counteracting the isolating effects of modern life.

Adapting to COVID-19 Challenges

The episode delves into how Daniels and his community adapted to the pandemic, including transitioning classes online at Guilford College and maintaining his coffee business through local and remote sales. Daniels also describes holding family meetings to foster communication and shared understanding during lockdown, emphasizing the importance of structured sharing and blessings in maintaining family bonds.

The Book of Revelation as Resistance, Not End-of-World Prediction

Daniels discusses his book, 'Resisting Empire,' clarifying misunderstandings about Revelation. He explains that the text was written by a pastor in the Roman Empire to encourage resistance against oppressive systems, not predict the end of the world. The book highlights how Revelation depicts a vision of alternative communities (the multitude) that resist empire's scapegoating and segregation, emphasizing current parallels with COVID-19 scapegoating and systemic injustice.

Resisting Empire and Building Community During Crisis

The conversation concludes with discussions on how communities can resist oppressive systems—empires—by fostering inclusive, non-segregated bonds that resist scapegoating. Daniels advocates for intentional listening, supporting local businesses, and cultivating moral imagination as ways to oppose empire. The episode underscores the hope that slowing down and listening can inspire collective care, resistance, and resilience.

Show notes

We're back from hiatus! In this episode, we sit down with Quaker theologian and small business owner Wess Daniels, the author of the book Resisting Empire: The Book of Revelation as Resistance. He talks about the value of silence; reshaping systems of money and power; and building community during a time of struggle.

Show Notes

Wess Daniels on Twitter | His blog, Gathering In Light - 1:19

Resisting Empire: The Book of Revelation as Resistance (Barclay Press) - 1:27

Friends Center at Guilford College - 2:11

Fireweed Coffee Co - 2:29

Wess's blog post on holding a family meeting - 4:10

Poor People's Campaign - 15:48