Thee Quaker Podcast

Sarah and Angelina Grimke were unapologetically anti-slavery and pro-women’s rights. Their convictions were driven by their faith in God, yet it got them booted from Quakerism, made their name a curse among their Southern peers, and even caused controversy among fellow abolitionists. The Grimke sisters made history, yet their names have largely been forgotten. Today, we introduce you to these unlikely abolitionists.-----Want to contribute to an upcoming episode?Leave us a voicemail and tell us what silent worship means to you and what tips you would give to someone who was trying it for the first time: Call us at 215-278-9411 or email a voice memo to producer@quakerpodcast.com  Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

Todd Drake is a Quaker graffiti artist and printmaker who uses the street name "Quaker pirate". In this episode, Todd teaches the finer points of graffiti etiquette, explains the provocative inspiration for his new portrait of Benjamin Lay, and shares his philosophy of doing good without asking permission. See his work here: https://quakerpirate.format.com/  Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

Benjamin Lay was a fierce abolitionist whose dramatic protests against slavery embarrassed the powerful Quakers of his day. They kicked him out and tried to erase him. This is the story of his return.Marcus Rediker's Books: https://www.marcusrediker.com/books/Abington Monthly Meeting's Efforts Towards Reconciliation: https://www.abingtonquakers.org/Groups/380563/Benjamin_Lay_Reconciliation.aspx Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

Quakers are widely known for being early and outspoken abolitionists, and while that is true, it is not the whole story. Join us as we explore the Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery, its delayed impact, and the people who continued to fight the good fight even after many believed that it was already won.  High Definition scan of the 1688 Germantown Quaker Petition Against SlaveryThe Grimke Sisters: How Two Southern Slave-Owning Quakers Became America’s Fiercest Abolitionists This episode is brought to you by Olney Friends School. Located on a 350 acre campus in Barnesville Ohio, Olney Friends School is a leading Quaker day and boarding school that boasts a 3:1 student to teacher ratio and a 100% college acceptance rate. Since 1837, Olney has pioneered a progressive educational model that adapts to each student’s unique needs. Their flexible, project-based curriculum blends mastery learning with intellectual exploration, preparing diverse learners for college success and lifelong curiosity.To enroll your student or to learn more, visit olneyfriends.org. Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

Quakers have a long history of getting into trouble for the sake of justice, but what drives them to act? Why do some Quakers feel compelled to break the law, make public demonstrations, or disrupt business as usual? In this episode, we explore those questions through the story of Jane McCarthy, a 74-year-old grandmother with incurable cancer who is risking her home to protest her council's investment in fossil fuels. We then travel back to the 17th century to uncover the urgent motivations of the first Quakers, who used disruptive and radical tactics in their quest to turn the world upside down.Erica Canela's forthcoming book: https://ericanela.co.uk/blog/zealous-a-darker-side-of-the-early-quakers/Season 1 episode on James Naylor: https://quakerpodcast.com/james-nayler-the-quaker-who-rode-into-bristol/This episode is brought to you by Olney Friends School. Located on a 350 acre campus in Barnesville Ohio, Olney Friends School is a leading Quaker day and boarding school that boasts a 3:1 student to teacher ratio and a 100% college acceptance rate. Since 1837, Olney has pioneered a progressive educational model that adapts to each student’s unique needs. Their flexible, project-based curriculum blends mastery learning with intellectual exploration, preparing diverse learners for college success and lifelong curiosity.To enroll your student or to learn more, visit olneyfriends.org. Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

Season 3 of Thee Quaker Podcast is two short weeks away. Co-hosts Jon Watts and Zack Jackson take you on a tour of where the podcast has been and where it is going. This season we’ll focus on “Quaker prophetic witness”: We’re talking about guerilla theater, loving your enemy as you’re confronting them, impossible odds, and stories of spiritual courage that you’ve never heard before. Season 3 launches on August 12th with new episodes every Tuesday.  Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

When the federal government rescinded a decades-old policy protecting houses of worship from immigration raids, a group of Quakers filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. Their argument is uniquely Quaker: the threat of armed agents in their meeting houses creates a "chilling effect" that doesn't just lower attendance, it fundamentally obstructs their ability to worship, a practice which requires the presence of a diverse community to hear the full expression of God.What happens when Quakers sue the government? What might be the unexpected ripple effects? And what does it mean for the future of religious freedom when standing by your principles lands you on the radar of a congressional committee? Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

In times of political upheaval, when institutions feel unreliable and the future uncertain, how do we resist authoritarianism without becoming what we oppose? Daniel Hunter, co-founder of "Choose Democracy" and seasoned organizer, shares how Trump's second election unexpectedly led him to claim his Quaker identity and discover how ancient Quaker principles provide a roadmap for modern resistance. He reveals remarkable acts of civil disobedience happening right under our noses, and explains why recognizing these moments of courage is crucial for building sustained resistance. This vital conversation explores finding strength in uncertainty, courage in community, and hope in the midst of chaos, offering practical resources for resistance grounded in spiritual practice.Daniel Hunter – https://www.danielhunter.org/Choose Democracy – https://choosedemocracy.us/“How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning” by George LakeyWorld Quaker Day is on Sunday, October 5th, 2025, and this year’s theme is “Love your neighbor.” Friends World Committee for Consultation would like to invite you to take that message to heart and live it out in your own local community. Find helpful ideas for how to do that and free resources at fwcc.world/worldquakerday. Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

A few months ago, twenty police officers smashed down the door of Westminster Quaker meetinghouse and arrested a handful of young activists as they sat eating hummus and breadsticks. This dramatic raid triggered a profound response from a faith community that hasn't been the target of a similar action since the 17th century.  When the very act of dissent is being criminalized, how do we stand up for what is right? How do we demand justice while leaving the door open for reconciliation? Can silence, solidarity, and a simple cup of tea challenge the aggression of the state?   Youth Demand - https://youthdemand.org/Quakers in Britain - https://www.quaker.org.uk/ Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

Chloe Schwenke, a passionate professor and transgender activist, shares her inspiring journey of acceptance within the Quaker community amidst ongoing political challenges to trans rights. She delves into the notion of 'Quaker anger,' advocating for it as a spiritual response to injustice rather than mere despair. Their conversation highlights the importance of transforming this anger into action, fostering advocacy for marginalized groups and urging faith communities to uphold human dignity through authentic activism.