Welcome to Cloud9, a new podcast series from BahaiTeachings.org! We feature interviews with artists from around the globe to learn about what inspires, uplifts and motivates them to make a positive contribution to the world.

Cloud9

Cloud9 explores the great educational power of drama through the world of mental health and Baha'i-inspired therapy, with psychologist and drama therapist Rezal Martinez-Gillies. 

Learn more at BahaiTeachings.org

The Great Educational Power of Drama On Our Mental Health

Cloud9 explores sustainability, leaving behind an eco-legacy, and environmental stewardship in death care, with the founder of Pahiki Eco Caskets, Cortney Gusik.

Learn more about the Baha'i Faith at BahaiTeachings.org

Eco-Caskets: The Spiritual How – and Why – of Green Burials

Today, what insights can we gain from Abdu’l-Baha’s life, his view of reality, and his writings?

Ambassador to Humanity – Episode One: The Early Years

Have you ever looked up at the sky, and wondered how the universe evolved? That sense of wonder, says our Moments of Meaning guest Faraneh Vargha-Khadem, defines our need for transcendence. 

In this episode of the Moments of Meaning podcast, Professor Varga-Khadem, a cognitive neuroscientist and a Baha'i, reveals how the Baha'i teachings led her on a journey of inner discovery that culminated in her fascinating, insightful profession – and her lifelong interest in discovering and studying the spiritual capacities we human beings all possess.

Please listen here as Professor Varga-Khadem explains her moment of meaning and what it has meant for her inner and outer life.

Discovering Our Spiritual Reality — With Faraneh Vargha-Khadem

Through the words of those who met Abdu’l-Baha in Akka, and reflections from those who have studied his stay there, this second episode of the Ambassador to Humanity podcast tells the story of how Abdu’l-Baha turned an infamous place of suffering into a paradise for pilgrims. 

Credits:

Narrated by Parisa Fitz-Henley and Rainn Wilson with contributions from Michael Day, Kathryn Jewett Hogensen, Mona Khademi, Robert Stockman, and Lesley Taherzadeh O'Mara

Featuring the voices of Penn Badgely, Justin Baldoni, Ford Bowers, James Gillies, Nava Kavelin, Beverley Evans Matthews, Adam Mondschein, Siria Rutstein, and Jordan Wilkinson-Smith

Written and produced by Rob Weinberg and Nathan Rainsford

Assistant Editor: Noah Matthews

Executive producers include Rainn Wilson, Shahin Sobhani, Steve Sarowitz, Maia Reneau, and Ford Bowers for Spring Green Media, in collaboration with 239Days.com and BahaiTeachings.org.

Ambassador to Humanity – Episode Two: The Master of Akka

In this episode, learn how one Baha'i found a way, through meditation, prayer, and a powerful quotation, to dedicate himself to the service of humanity.

Releasing Ourselves From This World — With Iko Congo

In this episode, narrated by Parisa Fitz-Henley and Rainn Wilson, we learn about Abdu’l-Baha’s radical and visionary approach to race relations in the U.S.

Ambassador to Humanity — Episode Four: A Vision of Racial Equality

In this third episode of the Ambassador to Humanity podcast we hear first-hand remembrances from those who met Abdu’l-Baha during his historic visit to the West, and learn how their encounters with this unique spiritual leader shaped the rest of their lives.

To high and low alike, whether in large meeting halls or in private conversations, Abdu’l-Baha created an impression that transformed thousands of lives and significantly enhanced the size and prestige of Baha’u’llah’s Faith in the West.

Credits:
Narrated by Parisa Fitz-Henley and Rainn Wilson with contributions from Michael Day, Hooper Dunbar, Kathryn Jewett Hogensen, Nwandi Lawson, Moojan Momen, Anne Perry, Tim Perry, Robert Stockman, and Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara; and historical reminiscences from Jean Bonn, Joseph Ioas, Monroe Ioas, Sylvia Paine Parmalee, Bahiyyih Randall-Winckler, Eva Swingle, Isabelle Windust, Shinji Yamamoto, and Aziz Yazdi

Featuring the voices of Valerie Atwood, Anthony Azizi, Beverley Evans Matthews, Nathan Rainsford, and Paul Taylor

Extracts from Baha'i Blogcast with Anne and Tim Perry used with the permission of Baha'i Blog

Extracts from Luminous Journey: Abdu'l-Baha in America, 1912, courtesy of Anne and Tim Perry, Perry Productions

Written and produced by Rob Weinberg and Nathan Rainsford

Assistant Editor: Noah Matthews

Executive producers include Rainn Wilson, Shahin Sobhani, Steve Sarowitz, Maia Reneau, and Ford Bowers for Spring Green Media, in collaboration with 239Days.com and BahaiTeachings.org.

Ambassador to Humanity – Episode Three: The Journey West

This episode of Ambassador to Humanity explores how Abdu’l-Baha consistently promoted the equality of the sexes as one of the fundamental teachings of the Baha’i Faith. In his writings, his father Baha’u’llah had unequivocally proclaimed the equality of women and men, and Abdu’l-Baha set out to describe the many implications of that equality in his own talks and correspondence.  

Credits:

Narrated by Parisa Fitz-Henley and Rainn Wilson, with contributions from Ann Boyles, Moojan Momen, and Wendi Momen

Featuring the voices of Justin Baldoni, Beverley Evans Matthews, Naim Rastani, Maia Reneau, and Stéphane Zahrai

Written and produced by Rob Weinberg and Nathan Rainsford

Assistant Editor: Noah Matthews

Executive producers include Rainn Wilson, Shahin Sobhani, Steve Sarowitz, Maia Reneau, and Ford Bowers for Spring Green Media, in collaboration with 239Days.com and BahaiTeachings.org.

Ambassador to Humanity – Episode Five: The March of Women

Episode 6 of Ambassador to Humanity explores how Abdu’l-Baha clearly delineated the deep spiritual principles and attitudinal and behavioral changes required to end war and build an enduring global peace.

Credits:
 
Narrated by Parisa Fitz-Henley and Rainn Wilson, with contributions from Amin Egea, Kathy Hogenson, Moojan Momen, and Tim Perry
 
Featuring the voices of Emily Baldoni, Justin Baldoni, Carmel Irandoust, Adam Mondschein, and Rob Weinberg
 
Written and produced by Rob Weinberg and Nathan Rainsford
Assistant Editor: Noah Matthews

Executive producers include Rainn Wilson, Shahin Sobhani, Steve Sarowitz, Maia Reneau, and Ford Bowers for Spring Green Media, in collaboration with 239Days.com and BahaiTeachings.org.

Ambassador to Humanity – Episode Six: The Road to World Peace

This episode of Ambassador to Humanity describes how Abdu’l-Baha dedicated every waking moment of his life to serving those around him and how, through his example, he encouraged others to do the same.

Credits:

Narrated by Parisa Fitz-Henley and Rainn Wilson, with contributions from Hooper Dunbar, Nwandi Lawson, Wendi Momen, Robert Stockman, and Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara

Featuring the voices of Anthony Azizi, Penn Badgley, Justin Baldoni, James Gillies, Beverley Evans Matthews, Adam Mondschein, Sarah Perceval, and Shirin Youseffian-Maanian

 Written and produced by Rob Weinberg and Nathan Rainsford

Assistant Editor: Noah Matthews

Executive producers include Rainn Wilson, Shahin Sobhani, Steve Sarowitz, Maia Reneau, and Ford Bowers for Spring Green Media, in collaboration with 239Days.com and BahaiTeachings.org.

Ambassador to Humanity – Episode Seven: Servant to All Humanity

Music, the Baha'i teachings assert, is “the food of the soul and the spirit.” In this episode, we explore that spiritual concept with Atieno Mboya, the African Baha'i attorney and legal scholar.

Atieno grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, has lived all over the world, and is an academic in the field of international and environmental law. As a Baha'i and a mother, she practices a rigorous professional discipline and raises her children conscientiously – and one of the things she loves, music, helps her do both. She first learned to sing the songs of the spirit as an elementary school student in a Catholic school, and has continued to express her joy with music in her journey as a Baha'i.

How Music Feeds the Spirit and Soul — With Atieno Mboya

What does it mean to be spiritual in a material world? How do we develop noble human qualities like generosity, kindness, and forgiveness? What is the value of prayer? What is the relationship between religion and spirituality?  

We explore these essential questions in this episode of Ambassador to Humanity.


Credits:

Narrated by Parisa Fitz-Henley and Rainn Wilson, with contributions from Ann Boyles, Michael Day, Wendi Momen, Bahiyyih Nakhjavani, Anne Perry, Steven Phelps, Robert Stockman, and Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara

 Featuring the voice of Penn Badgley

Written and produced by Rob Weinberg and Nathan Rainsford

Assistant Editor: Noah Matthews

Executive producers include Rainn Wilson, Shahin Sobhani, Steve Sarowitz, Maia Reneau, and Ford Bowers for Spring Green Media, in collaboration with 239Days.com and BahaiTeachings.org.

Ambassador to Humanity – Episode Eight: The Life of the Spirit

This ninth and final episode in our Ambassador to Humanity podcast series reflects on the passing of this unique personality as well as the legacy of his life of sacrificial service for humankind today.

Any person who strives to follow Abdu’l-Baha’s example, in whatever measure, takes part in his ongoing conversation with humanity – which has resulted, so far, in the devotion of millions of followers in every part of the world.  Hopefully, this series of podcasts has offered listeners insights into the life and character, thinking and action, of this extraordinary figure, inspiring all who have heard it to continue their investigation into how this Ambassador to Humanity can continue to influence human life today.   

Credits:

Narrated by Parisa Fitz-Henley and Rainn Wilson, with contributions from Ann Boyles, Michael Day, Hooper Dunbar, Kathryn Jewett Hogenson, Nwandi Lawson, Moojan Momen, Wendi Momen, Bahiyyih Nakhjavani, Anne Perry, Robert Stockman, Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara, and Shinji Yamamoto.

Featuring the voices of Anthony Azizi, Penn Badgley, Emily Baldoni, Justin Baldoni, Beverley Evans Matthews, James Gillies, Dana Haqjoo, Carmel Irandoust, and Masud Olufani.

Written and produced by Rob Weinberg and Nathan Rainsford.

Assistant Editor: Noah Matthews

Executive producers include Rainn Wilson, Shahin Sobhani, Steve Sarowitz, Maia Reneau, and Ford Bowers for Spring Green Media, in collaboration with 239Days.com and BahaiTeachings.org.

Ambassador to Humanity — Episode 9: The Exemplar for Today

In this Moments of Meaning podcast, we talk to Adam Robarts, a Baha’i who runs an architectural and engineering firm in China, about a powerful dream involving his father and a massive mirror. 

The mirror, he would later learn, has tremendous resonance and meaning in the Baha’i writings.

Resources:

Moments of Meaning is presented by Sean Hinton, mixed by Jamey Heath, and produced by the team at BahaiTeachings.org.

Music:

Cello by Elika Mahony from the song The Hallowed Beauty.
Yang Qin by Jin R from the album Meditations Of The Spirit.

Finding Knowledge in a Dream — With Adam Robarts

In this episode of the Moments of Meaning podcast, we speak with author and Baha'i administrator Kenneth Bowers about his early Baha'i experiences growing up in the segregated American South.

Join us as we explore the implications of what it really means to regard every member of the human race as a member of your family.


Resources:

Moments of Meaning is presented by Sean Hinton, mixed by Jamey Heath, and produced by the team at BahaiTeachings.org.

Music:

Cello by Elika Mahony from the song The Hallowed Beauty.
Yang Qin by Jin R from the album Meditations Of The Spirit.

Treating All People Like Family — With Ken Bowers

In this episode, Radiance Talley shares her poetry, insights, and reflections about how practicing patience helped her both find beauty in pain and create beauty from pain.

Resources:

Moments of Meaning is presented by Sean Hinton, mixed by Jamey Heath, and produced by the team at BahaiTeachings.org.

Music:

Cello by Elika Mahony from the song The Hallowed Beauty.
Yang Qin by Jin R from the album Meditations Of The Spirit.

Patiently Striving to Create Beauty From Pain — With Radiance Talley

In this Moments of Meaning podcast, Rainn Wilson talks about the brief Baha'i prayer that got him through some of his life’s toughest times. 

Resources:

Moments of Meaning is presented by Sean Hinton, mixed by Jamey Heath, and produced by the team at BahaiTeachings.org.

Music:

Cello by Elika Mahony from the song The Hallowed Beauty.
Yang Qin by Jin R from the album Meditations Of The Spirit.

Facing Tests Through Daily Prayer — With Rainn Wilson

BahaiTeachings.org’s new arts editor Shadi Toloui-Wallace talks with artist, philosopher, and social justice advocate Leili Towfigh about beauty, ceramics and her Baha’i-inspired vision of a world where racial unity conquers hatred.

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Leili Towfigh’s Striking Artistic Vision for Race Unity

Entrepreneur and film producer Steve Sarowitz talks to BahaiTeachings.org about his fascination   with The Bab, the forerunner and herald of Baha'u’llah, and why he was moved to produce the upcoming ABC documentary about the Bab’s remarkable life. 

Check out https://thegatefilm.com for more info.

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Shadi Toloui-Wallace

Film Producer, Steve Sarowitz and the Making of The Gate

This week, we interview Tongan visual artist, musician and dancer, Ruha Fifita about the indigenous art form of Ngatu; the influence of family and culture in her work; and how the arts impact community development. 

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Ruha Fifita and the Unifying Tongan Art Form called Ngatu

BahaiTeachings.org’s arts editor Shadi Toloui-Wallace interviews musician, composer and educator Mtali Shaka Banda about race, religion, identity, his coming of age story, and his latest album Rights of Passage.

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How Jazz Promotes Oneness: An Interview with Mtali Shaka Banda

BahaiTeachings.org’s arts editor Shadi Toloui-Wallace interviews Celine Chhuon, a French photographer based in Paris, about capturing beauty in diversity, unity, authenticity, and love in her timeless photographs.

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How a Fearful Car Wreck Made Celine Chhuon Turn to Photography

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Cloud9 interviews American actor, musician, and social justice advocate Penn Badgley about finding coherence, his online presence, human rights, and becoming a Baha’i.


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How the Baha’i Faith  Changed Penn Badgley’s Life

In Part 2 of our interview with Penn Badgley, Cloud9 learns how the Baha’i Faith has impacted the life of the actor, musician and social justice advocate. We talk about what he’s most passionate about and learn of his plans for the future.

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What’s Penn Badgley Doing When He’s Not on TV?

BahaiTeachings.org talks with SoulPancake Head of Creative Golriz Lucina Gundry about creating meaningful, joyful and uplifting content that could change the world.

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The SoulPancake Story, with Golriz Lucina Gundry

In this episode of Cloud9 we interview Esther Maloney, a theatre and film actor, director, writer, educator and producer who believes everyone has a story to tell.

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Empowering Youth to Share Their Stories Through Film

Cloud9 explores consultation, ethical responsibility, cultural preservation, sincere friendship and female empowerment in the world of fashion, with the founder of the MOZH MOZH label Mozhdeh Matin.

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Strengthening Fashion’s Social Fabric – Sustainably

Cloud9 chats with Indigenous educator, environmentalist, producer, actor, musician, and filmmaker Roman Orona, about pushing boundaries, finding your true calling, uplifting humanity, and amplifying the true narrative of tribal peoples.

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How an Indigenous Artist Views the Baha’i Teachings

Cloud9 explores the social and spiritual implications of Confederate and colonial monuments in this special four-part series. In the second episode, we talk with Dr. Layli Maparyan about the implications of Confederate monuments on people of African descent in America.

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Debating the Future of Confederate and Colonial Monuments

Cloud9 explores the social and spiritual implications of Confederate and colonial monuments in this special four-part series. In the third episode, we talk with Dr. Justin de Leon about the impact of Confederate and colonial monuments on people of Native descent in North America. 

Learn more at BahaiTeachings.org

Monuments and Mascots: Considering a Native American Perspective

In this fourth and final episode of a special four-part series, Cloud9 concludes our exploration of the social and spiritual implications of Confederate and colonial monuments by talking with artist and activist Anisa Tavangar about the future of monuments and memorialization from a Baha’i perspective.

Learn more at BahaiTeachings.org

Finding Beacons of Hope in Monuments and Public Art

Cloud9 interviews music producer Benn Good to learn how hard work and faith empowered a young musician from the Eastside of Los Angeles to land his sixth Grammy nomination.

Learn more at BahaiTeachings.org/Cloud9

Benn Good: From East LA to the Grammys

Welcome to Cloud9 by BahaiTeachings.org! We feature interviews with artists from around the globe to learn about what inspires, uplifts and motivates them to make a positive contribution to the world.

BahaiTeachings.org

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