The Collective Table

What happens when empathy moves beyond individual compassion and becomes a tool for systemic change? In this episode, host Jenell Coker sits down with Dinora, the Executive Director of the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), to explore how faith-based organizing builds power among the most vulnerable. As the oldest daughter of immigrant parents who fled civil war in El Salvador, Dinora became a "translator" early in life—navigating complex systems for her family in a language they didn’t speak. She shares a heart-wrenching childhood story of a brush with law enforcement that exposed the harsh realities of structural bias—a reality Jenell contrasts with her own experience to highlight the profound difference privilege makes. Together, they discuss: The Power of Faith-Based Organizing: How SDOP unites congregations to move from charity to justice, securing wins like the Immigrant Legal Defense Program and the Oceanside Police De-escalation Policy. The Challenge of Coalition: Why real solidarity isn't supposed to feel like "home," and the difficult work of building bridges across race, class, and faith. Intersectionality & Identity: Dinora’s experience leading as a queer, Latina, Catholic woman, and the tension of navigating spaces that don't always fully embrace her. Avoiding the "Oppression Olympics": How to honor distinct pains without letting them divide the movement for collective liberation. Join us for a conversation about living in the "in-between" and using that unique vantage point to build a more just and empathetic world. Mentioned in this Episode: San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP) Coalition Politics by Bernice Johnson Reagon The "Oppression Olympics" (Elizabeth Martínez & Angela Davis) Learn more about us at Oceansidesanctuary.org Follow us on Instagram @Oceansidesanctuary

This special book club episode features a conversation with Peter Makari, co-editor of Rooted in Faith and Justice, about how Christian faith communities engage issues of Israel–Palestine, antisemitism, and human rights. Makari explains the long history of Christian denominations condemning antisemitism while still critiquing Israeli government policies, and he urges listeners to center the voices of Palestinian Christians in understanding the conflict. The discussion touches on misinformation in the West, the importance of decolonizing assumptions, and practical steps people of faith can take to support justice and peace. Guest Bio: Peter Makari is the Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe with the Common Global Ministries Board of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a role he has held since 2000. He is deeply engaged in national interfaith and policy work, serving as co-convener of both the National Council of Churches’ Interreligious Convening Table and the Faith Forum for Middle East Policy, while also representing his denominations on the boards of Churches for Middle East Peace and the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign. An Egyptian-American with extensive experience living and working in the Middle East, Peter previously served with the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services in Cairo and the Middle East Council of Churches in Cyprus. He holds advanced degrees in Middle East studies and politics from the American University in Cairo and New York University. He is co-editor of Rooted in Faith and Justice and Restoring Dignity, and author of Conflict and Cooperation. He is a member of West Park United Church of Christ in Cleveland, Ohio. Learn More About Us: The Collective Table is a Ministry of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church in Oceanside, CA Follow us on Instagram

When Kris spotted a flyer for Food Not Bombs on a Provo street corner, he didn’t hesitate—he called the number right away. He already knew what the group stood for: feeding people, not profit. What he didn’t know was that this moment would set the course for the rest of his life. In this episode of The Collective Table Podcast, host Jason Coker shares how Kris’s journey—from the punk rock shows of Provo, Utah to a two-year mission in Guatemala, to his work as a public librarian—reveals empathy as both a personal practice and a social force. Raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kris began asking hard questions about faith, justice, and belonging. Punk rock offered community. Activism gave those convictions purpose. And the library became the place where it all came together—a space of radical inclusion where everyone belongs. Through Kris’s story, Jason explores what sociologists call social infrastructure—the shared spaces that hold communities together—and how they mirror the very heart of empathy itself. Curious. Courageous. Deeply human. This is Kris’s story—and a testament to empathy as the quiet architecture of community. Learn more about us at Oceansidesanctuary.org Follow us on Instagram @Oceansidesanctuary  

When Victoria first walked into the Oceanside Sanctuary Food Pantry, she wasn’t looking for a new calling, or even a job—she was just dropping off donations. But a simple invitation to help unload boxes changed everything. In this moving episode of The Collective Table Podcast, host Jason Coker shares how a simple act of kindness became another chapter in Victoria’s lifelong journey of compassion—and what her story teaches us about the enduring power of empathy. From her parents’ immigrant journey from Costa Rica and Guatemala, to her own path through loss, burnout, and quiet resilience, Victoria embodies compassion in action. Along the way, Jason explores what science and scripture both teach us: that empathy is more than emotion—it’s the engine of compassion, courage, and community. Featuring reflections from pantry volunteers and deep dives into research and gospel stories, this episode invites us to ask: When does empathy call us to cross the boundaries of comfort, and when does it become the bridge that heals? Quiet. Sad. Hopeful. This is Victoria’s story—and the story of how empathy transforms us all.   PS: The Collective Table is a production of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church. Click here to learn more about us and our mission

Holy Disruption: Reimagining Church with Rev. Amy Butler Episode Description: What happens when the traditional model of church no longer fits the world we live in? In this thought-provoking conversation, Rev. Amy Butler, author of Holy Disruption, joins us to talk about what it means to courageously reimagine faith communities for our time. Drawing from her experiences as a pastor and leader, Rev. Butler explores how declining attendance and shifting cultural landscapes—while challenging—can actually open doors for creativity, innovation, and renewed mission. We talk about: Why “holy disruption” is essential for spiritual growth and institutional renewal Stories of communities breaking free from convention to embody God’s love in new ways How social enterprise can fuel sustainable ministry and healing in the world The personal courage it takes to lead change in faith spaces Whether you’re a pastor, lay leader, or someone yearning for a faith that feels alive and relevant, this episode will leave you inspired to imagine what’s possible when we stop clinging to the past and start embracing the Spirit of disruption. Guest Bio: Rev. Amy Butler is the founder of Community Church of Honolulu and the former Senior Minister of The Riverside Church in New York City—the first woman to hold that position. Through her writing and leadership, she advocates for courageous faith, inclusive community, and creative expressions of God’s love in a rapidly changing world. Her latest book, Holy Disruption: Discovering Your Place in God’s Movement of Change, invites readers to see the decline of traditional structures not as loss, but as sacred opportunity. Learn More About Author: Book: Holy Disruption by Rev. Amy Butler  Follow Rev. Amy Butler: Website, Instagram Learn More About Us: The Collective Table is a Ministry of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church in Oceanside, CA Follow us on Instagram