Peace Is Here with Avis Kalfsbeek

Ep 45 Wolff Peace - Richard Hooker & Dorothy Day

Wolff Peace – Richard Hooker & Dorothy Day

A new series on political philosophy, power, and the pursuit of peace.

In this opening episode of the Wolff Peace series, host Avis Kalfsbeek introduces the legacy of political philosopher Robert Paul Wolff and his influential book Political Man and Social Man. Each episode in this special series pairs a classic thinker from Wolff’s anthology with a modern or historical peacemaker, exploring how ideas about law, authority, and society shape the world we live in—and the peace we hope to build.

We begin with Richard Hooker, a 16th-century Anglican theologian who argued that true political authority must be rooted in reason, consent, and the shared moral order of the community. His vision of peace arises not from force, but from lawful agreement shaped by collective participation.

To balance and expand Hooker’s view, Avis pairs him with Dorothy Day—co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement and a living embodiment of radical hospitality. Day didn’t argue for peace in the abstract—she fed, housed, and cared for those most in need, demonstrating that love in action is the foundation of community and resistance.

This episode includes:

• An introduction to the Wolff Peace series and its mission
• A short profile of Richard Hooker’s theory of law and reason
• A peace pairing with Dorothy Day and her radical ethic of hospitality
• Two reflection questions to take with you into your own life

Visit aviskalfsbeek.com to learn more about the podcast, books, and upcoming episodes in the Wolff Peace series.

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Robert Paul Wolff’s book Political Man and Social Man on Amazon (I am not an affiliate) 

The Birth of the Khalsa by Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh (Introduction excerpt)

In this episode of Peace Is Here, host Avis Kalfsbeek reflects on The Birth of the Khalsa by Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh—a groundbreaking work that reimagines Sikh identity through a feminist, peace-centered lens. Drawing from her own journey through compassionate Kundalini yoga and a growing curiosity about women’s roles in spiritual traditions, Avis explores how Singh’s writing invites us to see the divine as nurturing, liberating, and powerfully maternal.

You’ll hear a narrated reading of a portion of the book’s Introduction and a reflection on why the spiritual wisdom of the Khalsa—often told through masculine frames—may hold transformative potential for peacebuilding today. We also learn about Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, whose poetic scholarship opens doors to a more inclusive spiritual imagination.

(I am not an affiliate for these products.)

The Birth of the Khalsa: A Feminist Re-Memory of Sikh Identity

The Name of My Beloved: Verses of the Sikh Gurus 

Sikh Archive Podcast: The Feminine Sikh Principle with Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh            https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sikharchive/id1533329730?i=1000510464593

Youtube: Sikh Feminism, What do we know? https://youtu.be/_x3h9z4h8Ek?si=D-93gzp-gzsOkpGP

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Get the Books/Join the community: AvisKalfsbeek.com or https://linktr.ee/aviskalfsbeek

Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 10 Social Reform and Am I a Vegan (the best and worst pepperoni pizza of my life)

Avis Kalfsbeek discusses falling off the vegan wagon with a pepperoni pizza and finishes reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 10  Vegetarianism and Social Reform. In this chapter, Henry is bold as usual. He states that vegetarianism can’t save the nation without a societal redistribution of wealth, but that doesn’t make it any less important.  “In the first place, I think we shall do wisely in not claiming too much. The unhappy condition of the lower classes is brought about by many complex causes, which can scarcely be remedied by any single reform. The evil lies in the inequality of the laws which regulate the distribution of wealth, rather than in any actual dearth of means of subsistence. It may therefore be fairly questioned whether, to gain a final and permanent relief, it would not be necessary to go beyond individual food-thrift, and to place the whole system of the production of wealth on a really equitable basis.  On the other hand, we must not fail to claim for our system the immense importance to which it is justly entitled. Though Vegetarianism may not be the only reform that is needed, it is none the less true that no other reform, without it, can be really and permanently successful.” Henry Steven Salt

 

Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf

Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Get the Books/Join the community: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com or https://linktr.ee/aviskalfsbeek

Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us

Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 9 The Philosophy of Cannibalism (and the Carnivore)

Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 9 The Philosophy of Cannibilism (and the Carnivore)  “It is indisputable that there have been, and indeed are, savage tribes who deliberately prefer human flesh to other food ; and it should not escape our notice that these people, in defence of their dietetic peculiarities might use, and probably have used, arguments similar to those now-a-days brought forward by flesh-eaters in justification of their system of diet—'It has always been so;’ ‘it is the regular rule of our society ;’ ‘ our medical men approve of it ;’ ‘we are strong and healthy on this diet ;’ ‘it is evidently the law of Nature ;’ ‘it is much kinder to the victims than to leave them to die of a lingering old age ;’ ‘the world would be over-run with old and sick people if we did not ​eat them ;’ ‘it is absolutely necessary at times to take life ;’ ‘we must be practical, and not give way to humanitarian sentiment’—all these are fallacies which must surely have been employed by many a patriotic cannibal, as well as by the Englishmen who are determined to see no fault in their native beef…So, without wishing to weaken the just detestation in which cannibalism is at present held, I should like to inquire a little into the reasons on which this abhorrence is based, and to see if they do not lead us to wider and fuller conclusions than those hitherto reached by well-meaning anti-cannibalistic flesh-eaters.” Henry Steven Salt

Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf

Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Get the Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.

Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog

Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us

(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)

Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 8 Sport (killing animals for fun)

Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 8 Sport (killing animals for fun) “The essence of so-called sport " consists in the excitement derived from the pursuit and killing of animals. It seems that there are two warring instincts in men's minds—one, the brutal passion, which prompts them to pursue and slaughter innocent and helpless creatures, a passion which, unfortunately, has been so strengthened by centuries of habit, that in some persons it is engrafted like a second nature ; the other, the gentler, and surely not less natural feeling, which bids us pity, sympathise, and save. I believe that this latter instinct is des- tined eventually to triumph over the former, and the triumph would be the speedier, were it not that certain attendant circumstances com- bine to throw a fictitious charm over our national field-sports, and so prevent us from realising the great cruelty that underlies them.”  Henry Steven Salt

Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf

Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Get the Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.

Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog

Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us

(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)

Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 7 On Certain Fallacies (myth-busting carnivore attacks on vegetarianism)

Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 7 On Certain Fallacies (Myth-busing carnivore attacks on vegetarianism)  “The absurd assertion so often made, that animals were ‘sent' us as food may be classed under this same head. The mere fact that we ​have been accustomed to eat flesh-food, no more proves that animals were created for this purpose than the existence of cannibalism proves that missionaries are “sent” to the South Sea Islands solely as an article of food, or the existence of slavery that black men were “sent” to be the slaves of white. In barbarous times cruel practices are originated, and afterwards are confirmed by centuries of habit, till at last, when humanity raises a protest against them, men are so blinded by custom as to attribute to God or nature that which is in reality only the result of their own vice and degradation.” Henry Steven Salt

Henry Stephen Salt’s 11 Fallacies - Carnivores Arguments Against Vegetarians

1)    The Teeth

2)    Vegetarianism is impossible in cold climates

3)    Vegetarianism involves too much thinking about one’s food

4)    Vegetarianism is bullshit (“a mere crotchet”) 

5)    We ought to eat meat for the sake of others

6)    What should we do without leather?

7)    What would become of the animals?

8)    It is better for the animals themselves to live and to be killed, than not to live at all.

9)    Is it right to refuse to conform to the dictates of nature?

10) The necessity of taking life

11) The scriptural argument

Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf

Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. 

Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/  

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW 

Get the Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at www.AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.

Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog

Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us

(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)

Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 6 Sir Henry Thompson on Diet (Surgeon Sir Henry Thompson: "It is a vulgar error to regard meat in any form as necessary to life.")

Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 6 Sir Henry Thompson on “Diet” (Surgeon Sir Henry Thompson: “It is a vulgar error to regard meat in any form as necessary to life.”  Thompson also wrote (1879) “…it is a fair computation that every acre of land devoted to the production of meat is capable of becoming the source at three or four times the amount of produce of equivalent value of food, if devoted to the production of grain. In other words, a given area of land cropped with cereals and legumes will support a population more than three times as numerous as that which can be sustained on the same land devoted to the growth of cattle.”

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Get the Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.

Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog

Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us

(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)

Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf

Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

Illustration: Britishfoodinamerica.com 

Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 5 Medical Men and Food Reform (Doctors' prejudice against vegetarians)

Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 5 Medical Men and Food Reform (Are Doctors prejudiced against vegetarians?) 

 “The commonest obstacle to Food Reform, as indeed to every other Reform, is prejudice…The influence of medical men, both on public and private opinion, is unquestionably very great, and at present nearly the whole weight of this influence is thrown into the scale against us. What answer are we to make to the question, so often asked—'Why are so few doctors Vegetarians ?’” (H.S. Salt 1886)

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Get the Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.

Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog

Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us

(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)

Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf

Earthling Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

National Library of Medicine Article: “Vegetarian and Vegan Diets: Beliefs and Attitudes of General Practitioners and Pediatricians in France” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9370229/

Science Direct Article: “Removing barriers to plant-based diets: Assisting doctors with vegan patients”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214804324000156

Retire There Podcast Episode with Janet Christian (moving to Spain cures her pancreatitis at Minute 12:30): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retire-there-with-gil-gene/id1538684576?i=1000540228466

Meatless Mondays Benefits – Johns Hopkins University https://meatlessmonday.publichealth.jhu.edu/resources/benefits-eating-less-meat-and-more-plants

Reduces risk of heart disease  One study demonstrated that daily consumption of processed meats was associated with a 42 percent higher incidence of coronary heart disease.  

Helps reduce cholesterol  Nearly 25 million U.S. adults have high cholesterol, but many of them are unaware of this, as high cholesterol has no symptoms. Animal products are the only source of dietary cholesterol; they are also the primary source of saturated fat in our diet, which is associated with higher blood cholesterol levels. 

Helps prevent type 2 diabetes  Approximately one in three American adults has prediabetes—a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.  

Kidney health In the United States, about 30 million adults have chronic kidney disease—and most aren’t aware of it. One in three American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. 

Boosts immune system function  A healthy plant-based diet can help strengthen your immune system to aid in fighting viruses and help you recover more quickly from illness.  

Supports a healthy weight Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of serious health problems. Substituting more plant-based foods in place of meat can help contribute to a healthier body weight. 

Lowers greenhouse gas emissions  Nearly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of meat, dairy, and eggs—more greenhouse gases than the world’s entire transportation sector—cars, trucks, planes, trains—combined. Eating more plant-based foods can help reduce emissions associated with meat production. 

Saves water  Meat, particularly beef, has the highest water footprint of all foods. Eating a more plant-based diet has the potential to decrease agricultural water use by 50%. 

Prevents deforestation  Livestock production uses 75% of the Earth’s agricultural land. Shifting to a more plant-based diet reduces deforestation while decreasing agricultural land use by 80%. 

Reduces species loss Livestock production is the biggest human contributor to species decline and has led to an over 60% decline in species populations since 1970.  

Meatless Mondays Helps build healthy habits 

Research suggests that people are more open to trying healthy behaviors at the start of the week. Monday offers a weekly opportunity to “reset” and get back on track. Studies show that people who restart a healthy habit at the beginning of the week are better able to maintain progress over time. 

Fosters discovery of new foods Use Meatless Monday as an opportunity to explore new types of recipes, ingredients, and cuisines. Experiment with unfamiliar foods to find new favorites.   

Saves money Foods like beans, lentils, and tofu are cost-effective protein sources that are typically less expensive than many types of meat, seafood, and poultry. One study found people saved 16% on food costs by switching to a plant-based diet. 

Expands culinary skills  With new ingredients comes the need for new cooking methods. Try using different techniques like braising, air frying, stuffing, and puréeing to make meals more exciting.  

Strengthens a growing movement Meatless Monday is active in more than 40 countries and available in countless schools, companies, and communities around the world. 

Photo: www.twospoons.ca Recipe “Creamy Vegan Mushroom Pasta” https://www.twospoons.ca/creamy-vegan-mushroom-pasta/

 

Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 4 Some Results in Food Reform (or does vegetarianism keep you sober?)

Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 4 Some Results in Food Reform (or does vegetarianism keep you sober? “…of most pressing interest at the present day, is the remarkable fact that abstinence from animal food almost invariably brings with it abstinence from all alcoholic drinks.” (H.S. Salt 1886)

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Get the Books: The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.

Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog

Get the Audio Book: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us

(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)

Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf

Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

 

Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 3 Good Taste in Diet

Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 3 Good Taste in Diet. “How foolish and inconsistent it is to be vastly fastidious about the manner in which one's food is served up, and at the same time to be totally indifferent as regards the quality, from an aesthetic view, of the food itself! ” (H.S. Salt 1886)

 

Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Get the Books: The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.

Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog

Get the Audio Book: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us

(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)

Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism: https://archive.org/details/pleaforvegetaria1886salt/page/n1/mode/2up

Another digital book version of Henry Stephen Salt’s A Please for Vegetarianism: https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf

An Introduction to the Aesthetic Movement by V&A Museums:

https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/an-introduction-to-the-aesthetic-movement?srsltid=AfmBOoozKsaFv3ztaHWH1CQkQ_SisDvRIuJa7zy5BzSZSApuYF-URmL6

Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

Podcast cover image yellow plate: Hatsukoi https://hatsukoi.co.uk