a Conversation

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde sits down with Dr. Brian Grim—founder of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation and one of the world’s foremost experts on the intersection of faith, business, and public policy.

From the post-Soviet landscape of Kazakhstan to corporate boardrooms in the U.S., Dr. Grim brings decades of experience and powerful insights on how workplaces can become hubs for peace, inclusion, and innovation.

🔥 Topics covered include:

+ Why appealing to self-interest may be more effective than moral arguments

+ Real-life examples of religious freedom in restrictive countries

+ How Fortune 500 companies are pioneering faith-friendly environments

+ A link between religious inclusion and national security

Plus, a preview of the 2025 Dare to Overcome Conference!

🎉 Don’t miss the conversation about how religious freedom and economic growth go hand-in-hand—and why business leaders have a critical role to play.

👉 Learn more about Dare to Overcome and the upcoming IRF Builders Forum (May 20–22, 2025):

- Dare to Overcome: https://events.nouri.ai/events/ba283e89-ff16-4a6e-863d-7e5d627c5962

- IRF Builders Forum: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irf-builders-forum-tickets-1300214298969?fbclid=IwY2xjawKSz4JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuaTRydWpIckVCVEMySnVpAR4uyEgPJTDrfOP7shAO_na9Fmc7qnpc_g_lTXZw_3GZ_rpELKfIoj34X788xg_aem_C2dLT8S7Qa6gtVn6gb1xZg

👤 Guest: Dr. Brian Grim
🏛️ President, Religious Freedom and Business Foundation
🌐 Learn more: https://www.faithandbusiness.org

🔗 Stay connected with LYNC:
https://linktr.ee/lyncommunity.org
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Building Bridges of Faith & Freedom | LYNC Interview with Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi

In this episode of LYNC Interview, host Jessica Eturralde sits down with Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers and Commissioner for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Dr. Elsanousi shares his personal journey growing up in a devout Muslim family, his vision for building multi-faith dialogue, and how grassroots efforts combined with international diplomacy can foster lasting peace and religious freedom.

✨ Topics include:

+ What inspires Dr. Elsanousi’s work in global religious freedom
+ A powerful story of advocacy in Uzbekistan
+ The role of women and youth in peacebuilding
+ How multi-faith collaboration strengthens democracy and resilience
+ What faith leaders can do when dialogue feels impossible

📍 Whether you're a policy maker, faith leader, or peacebuilder, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to build bridges across deep differences.

📌 Watch, like, share, and subscribe to LYNC for more conversations that promote religious freedom, social cohesion, and multifaith collaboration.

🔔 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@LYNCommunity
🎧 Also available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://lync-radio.captivate.fm/
📖 Learn more at: https://lyncommunity.org

About the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers: https://www.peacemakersnetwork.org/

View the USCIRF 2024 Report: https://www.uscirf.gov/

#ReligiousFreedom #InterfaithDialogue #Peacebuilding #LYNCInterview #MohamedElsanousi #USCIRF #FaithAndFreedom #Multifaith #JessicaEturralde #HumanRights #SocialCohesion #IslamicTheology #GlobalPeace

📢 Episode Summary:

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde sits down with Carter Brown, Project Manager for the Covenantal Pluralism Initiative in South Florida and Pastor at Cross Bridge Brickell Church in Miami. Carter shares his journey of building meaningful multi-faith relationships, particularly with Dr. Abdul Hamid Samra, Imam and Director of Religious Services at the Islamic Center of Greater Miami.

Together, their communities have moved from dialogue to collaborative engagement, leading to the first-ever multi-faith picnic and ongoing interfaith discussions. Carter speaks candidly about navigating theological differences while fostering genuine friendships, the challenges of overcoming fear and misconceptions, and how these connections have strengthened his congregation’s faith and mission.

🎙️ Key Takeaways:
✔ Multi-Faith Engagement Begins with Relationships – Carter’s journey started with a simple lunch with Imam Samra, evolving into deep interfaith collaborations.
✔ Fear Should Not Be a Barrier – Christians often hesitate to engage with Muslims, but Carter emphasizes that truth wins and engagement fosters love, not compromise.
✔ Jesus Calls Us to Love Our Neighbors – Cross Bridge Church recognizes their Muslim neighbors as true neighbors and actively seeks to love and understand them.
✔ Cultural Awareness & Courage Strengthen Faith – Multi-faith engagement has helped Carter’s congregation become bolder in sharing their faith, more aware of cultural dynamics, and more mission-driven.
✔ Practical Initiatives Can Foster Understanding – The multi-faith picnic created a welcoming space for Muslims and Christians to connect, share food, and celebrate community, leading to new efforts like public movie nights for neighborhood engagement.

🎉 Looking Ahead:
🚀 The second Multi-Faith Picnic is scheduled for April 26th, hosted this time at Cross Bridge Church—continuing the tradition of mutual hospitality and interfaith understanding.

🙏 Final Thought from Carter Brown:
“Multi-faith work starts with prayer—asking God to help us see people as He does and walk where He calls us to go.”

🔗 Watch the full episode now: [Insert YouTube link]

#LYNCInterview #CovenantalPluralism #FaithAndDiversity #ReligiousFreedom #InterfaithDialogue #LoveYourNeighbor

🔗 follow LYNC at lyncommunity.org

FB @LoveYourNeighborCommunity
X @lyn_community

#LYNCInterview #CovenantalPluralism #FaithAndDiversity #ReligiousFreedom #InterfaithDialogue #LoveYourNeighbor

Guest: @NadineMaenza President of the @IRFsecretariat , Former Chair @USCIRF09
Host: Jessica Eturralde

Join Jessica Eturralde as she engages with Nadine Maenza, a leading advocate for religious freedom, in this insightful episode of LYNC INTERVIEW. They explore strategies for advancing religious freedom through advocacy and collaboration, reflect on challenges and triumphs in Uzbekistan, and discuss the global movement for religious liberty.

**0:00** – **Introduction**
Jessica introduces the episode's focus on religious freedom advocacy, relationship-building, and trust.

**0:42** – **Guest Introduction**
Jessica introduces Nadine Maenza, highlighting her leadership roles and extensive on-the-ground experience in advancing international religious freedom.

**1:20** – **Dialogue in Uzbekistan**
Maenza reflects on her assessment (along with other experts invited to visit the country specifically for the delegation) in Uzbekistan in 2024, discussing how advocacy and trust-building created meaningful partnerships with government officials, civil society, and religious leaders.

**5:16** – **Insight into Cooperative Engagement**
Maenza explains the importance of constructive dialogue, tailored recommendations, and collaborative engagement for fostering social cohesion and religious freedom. She shares a personal perspective of addressing sensitive issues with government leaders and the value of balancing public and private advocacy efforts.

**5:45** – **A Case for Advocacy and Relational Diplomacy**
Maenza discusses the importance of fostering cohesive societies and advocating for all religious communities, emphasizing the strength of collective action among minority groups.

**12:00** – **Lessons Learned from Working as USCIRF Chair**
Exploring the complementary roles of advocates raising awareness and builders implementing on-the-ground solutions to advance freedom of religion and belief.

**13:57** – **Call to Action**
Nadine encourages listeners to get involved in the religious freedom movement through advocacy, building, research, and/or amplifying stories of success and persecution.

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**Resources Mentioned:**
- **Report:** *Assessment of Religious Freedom in Uzbekistan: Progress and Perspectives* – [Read Here] https://lyncommunity.org/report/assessment-of-religious-freedom-in-uzbekistan/
- **IRF Secretariat Website:** Visit: https://irfsecretariat.org
- **IRF Roundtable Website:** visit: https://irfroundtable.org

Follow Nadine on Twitter (X) @NadineMaenza

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**Connect with Us:**
If you enjoyed today’s program, please like, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and share this episode on your social media to spread the message of religious freedom. For more stories, case studies, and resources, visit [lyncommunity.org](https://lyncommunity.org).

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**Thank You:**
Thank you, Nadine Maenza, for your dedication to fostering freedom, collaboration, and understanding worldwide! Your insights inspire us to build a better future together.

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, Dr. Eva Witesman from BYU’s Marriott School of Business explores how businesses can transcend profit-driven motives to become active players in fostering social impact, advancing religious freedom, and building resilient communities. She delves into the complexities of business ethics, including the challenges of addressing child labor in global supply chains, highlighting the importance of socially responsible solutions.

Highlights & Timestamps
[00:00 - 01:25] Introduction
Host Jessica Eturralde introduces Dr. Eva Witesman, professor at BYU's Marriott School of Business, and sets the stage for a discussion on how businesses can go beyond profits to foster social impact and religious freedom.

[01:26 - 04:45] Defining Religious Freedom in Business
Dr. Witesman explores how religious freedom intersects with corporate culture, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive workspaces where employees can express their whole selves.

[04:46 - 08:15] The Role of Corporations as Social Actors
Corporations are not just economic entities—they are public and social spaces, says Dr. Witesman. She discusses how businesses can use their influence to promote religious pluralism and shape public discourse.

[08:16 - 13:40] Addressing the Complexities of Child Labor
Dr. Witesman delves into the ethical challenges businesses face in global supply chains, particularly child labor. She explains how simplistic solutions often lead to unintended consequences, such as pushing families into greater vulnerability, and advocates for holistic approaches.

[13:41 - 18:30] Bridging Civil Society and Business for Global Challenges
The conversation shifts to collaboration between businesses, NGOs, and governments. Dr. Witesman underscores the need for intersectoral dialogue to address pressing global issues like religious freedom and social cohesion.

[18:31 - 23:15] Examples of Businesses Driving Positive Change
Dr. Witesman shares real-world examples of corporations that have successfully aligned their operations with moral and ethical values, demonstrating how business ethics can drive peacebuilding and social impact.

[23:16 - 27:45] Markets as Tools for Public Good
The discussion highlights how markets, when designed ethically, can reduce poverty, promote peace, and address societal challenges while respecting cultural and religious diversity.

[27:46 - 32:10] Practical Steps for Businesses to Engage
Dr. Witesman provides actionable recommendations for businesses looking to integrate religious freedom and pluralism into their operations, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and value-driven leadership.

[32:11 - 35:50] Closing Reflections
Dr. Witesman reflects on the transformative potential of businesses when they embrace their role as moral actors. Jessica wraps up the conversation by encouraging viewers to rethink the role of corporations in fostering global change.

Links & Resources
Watch the full episode: LYNC INTERVIEW Episode 5
Visit our website for more episodes: LYNC Community
Learn more about Dr. Eva Witesman: BYU Marriott School of Business

The Grand Bargain of Religious Freedom and Religious Responsibility w/Dr. Dennis Hoover

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde sits down with Dr. Dennis Hoover, Senior Fellow at Love Your Neighbor Community and at the Institute for Global Engagement, and Editor-in-Chief of The Review of Faith & International Affairs.

Dr. Hoover explores themes from his recent speech in Doha, Qatar, titled "The Grand Bargain of Religious Freedom and Religious Responsibility" where he examines the balance between religious freedom and responsibility.

Through a compelling case study on the Mennonite and Amish communities in the U.S., Dr. Hoover discusses how these groups have maintained high levels of religious freedom while upholding social responsibility through law-abiding behavior, economic contributions, and humanitarian work. He highlights the essential “grand bargain” that both governments and religious groups must honor—engaging with mutual respect, making reasonable accommodations, and sharing responsibility for the common good.

Tune in to hear Dr. Hoover’s insights on creating a sustainable environment for religious freedom, the role of governments in protecting minority rights, and the importance of covenantal pluralism in fostering mutual respect and social cohesion.

🔗 Link to Dr. Hoover’s full written article: https://globalengage.org/portico/the-grand-bargain-of-religious-freedom-and-religious-responsibility-the-mennonite-example/

🌐 For more information on religious freedom building, visit: lyncommunity.org

Topics Discussed:

_Balancing religious freedom with social responsibility
_Case study: Mennonite and Amish communities
_The role of governments in supporting religious freedom
_The impact of religious repression on society
_How covenantal pluralism supports sustainable freedom