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Peace Is Here explores global peace light-hearted touch and a scholar’s heart. Join Avis Kalfsbeek, writer of environmental fiction, for a layperson's curriculum of peace. She explores peace treaties, nature’s quiet wisdom, and the down-to-earth creativity required for #TheGreatDisarmament. From deep-dive series on peace heroes to fiction stories and personal riffs, Avis looks beneath the surface to see the peace that is already here.
Episodes
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2025
9 min
This year-end episode offers a moment to pause and take stock. Avis reflects on the work of Peace is Here in 2025, the questions that shaped the podcast, and what it has meant to study peace seriously in a world still organized around war.
The episode looks back on a year of daily practice through series such as Wolff Peace, The Great Disfarmament and The Great Disarmament, Architects of Enough, and the introduction of The Next Peacelands. It also marks personal and creative milestones, including the release of Mono Mutante, the first Kickstarter campaign, and the arrival of Kitty O’Compost.
Looking ahead, Avis shares the direction Peace is Here will take in 2026. The podcast moves into a more intentional curriculum, inviting listeners to become peace scholars through attention, inquiry, and lived moral practice. Peace will be explored through history, philosophy, satire, and fiction, with an emphasis on imagining peace as a practical path rather than a distant ideal.
The episode closes with The Tip of the Peaceberg Prayer, a quiet New Year reflection on gratitude, unweaponed life, and the deeper truth of peace beneath the surface of the world as it appears.
Tomorrow begins a new thirteen-episode fiction series, The Peace Experiments Experiment Zero, where a small town reporter, a fact-checking goat, and a group of young people begin asking the questions adults avoid.
Thank you for listening, for your presence this year, and for walking into the next one together.
Peace and love,
Avis
Download the Peace Was Here 2025 Podcast Recap book: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com/2025
Get the Winter Holiday Reading list with links to the full stories: www.aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
Get Avis’s books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music: “Una Manana” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments – Season Zero starts 1/1/26! (Ep 184)
Dec 30, 2025
Dec 30, 2025
15 min
Kitty Reads Lit for Peace: Edith Wharton – 12/30/25 (The ’Seventies) plus The Next Peacelands
This episode features a New Year’s-season reading from Edith Wharton’s story “New Year’s Day — The ’Seventies,” part of her 1924 collection Old New York. In this piece, Wharton examines memory, reputation, and the quiet consequences of a life lived under the watchful eye of society. Kitty reads a short excerpt that brings out Wharton’s signature blend of precision, empathy, and moral insight.
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up her reporter voice for the forthcoming Peace Is Here series The Peace Experiments exploring peace, AI, and the commons.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
- Get the Winter Holiday Reading list with links to the full stories: www.aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
- Get Avis’s books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music: “The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Intro Music: PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments
- Edith Wharton – New Year’s Day (The ’Seventies) on Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61321
Dec 29, 2025
Dec 29, 2025
14 min
Kitty Reads Lit for Peace: Henry David Thoreau – A Winter Walk plus The Next Peacelands
This episode features a reflective reading from Henry David Thoreau’s 1843 essay A Winter Walk—a quiet meditation on landscape, attention, and the moral clarity that comes from observing nature with patience. Kitty reads a short excerpt that highlights Thoreau’s deliberate pace and his belief that paying attention is its own form of ethical living.
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up her reporter voice for the forthcoming Peace Is Here series The Peace Experiments exploring peace, AI, and the commons.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
- Get the Winter Holiday Reading list with links to the full stories: www.aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
- Get Avis’s books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music: “The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Intro Music: PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments
• Henry David Thoreau – A Winter Walk on Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/9846/pg9846-images.html#chap05
Dec 28, 2025
Dec 28, 2025
14 min
Kitty Reads Lit for Peace: Sarah Orne Jewett – “Aunt Cynthy Dallett” plus The Next Peacelands
This episode features a winter excerpt from Sarah Orne Jewett’s “Aunt Cynthy Dallett,” published in her 1899 collection The Queen’s Twin and Other Stories. Set in the snowy Maine hill country, the story offers a calm, closely observed portrait of kinship, hospitality, and the quiet bonds that hold a community together even in the most isolated seasons.
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up her reporter voice for the forthcoming Peace Is Here series The Peace Experiments exploring peace, AI, and the commons.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
- Get the Winter Holiday Reading list with links to the full stories: aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
- Get Avis’s books: AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music: “The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” RodriguezBandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
- Intro Music: PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments
- Sarah Orne Jewett – “Aunt Cynthy Dallett” on Gutenberg:https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/74980/pg74980-images.html#Page_279
Dec 27, 2025
Dec 27, 2025
15 min
Kitty Reads Lit for Peace: John Burroughs – Winter Sunshine plus The Next Peacelands
This episode features a winter selection from John Burroughs’ 1875 essay collection Winter Sunshine—a calm, observant reflection on landscape, weather, and the steadying practice of paying close attention. Kitty reads a short excerpt that highlights Burroughs’ quiet conviction that nature offers both clarity and companionship.
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up her reporter voice for the forthcoming Peace Is Here series The Peace Experiments exploring peace, AI, and the commons.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
- Get the Winter Holiday Reading list with links to the full stories: www.aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
- Get Avis’s books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music: “The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Intro Music: PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments
- John Burroughs – Winter Sunshine on Gutenberg (various editions): https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4279/pg4279-images.html
Dec 26, 2025
Dec 26, 2025
14 min
Kitty Reads Lit for Peace: Kate Douglas Wiggin – The Birds’ Christmas Carol plus The Next Peacelands
This episode features a warm, humane reading from Kate Douglas Wiggin’s 1886 novella The Birds’ Christmas Carol—a tender holiday story shaped by Wiggin’s early work as a teacher and social reformer. Kitty reads a short excerpt that highlights Wiggin’s belief in community care and the quiet dignity of everyday kindness.
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up for The Peace Experiments (Season Zero), the forthcoming Peace Is Here series exploring peace, AI, and the cultural commons through grounded storytelling and thoughtful reflection.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
- Get the Winter Holiday reading list with links to full stories: www.aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
- Get the Avis’s books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music: “The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
- Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
- Intro Music: PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments
- Kate Douglas Wiggin – The Birds’ Christmas Carol on Gutenberg: https://gutenberg.org/cache/epub/721/pg721-images.html
Dec 25, 2025
Dec 25, 2025
10 min
Kitty Reads Lit for Peace: Mark Twain – A Letter from Santa Claus plus The Next Peacelands
This episode presents a warm, humorous seasonal reading of Mark Twain’s 1875 piece A Letter from Santa Claus—written originally for his young daughter and now beloved for its gentle wit and clear-eyed affection. Kitty reads the letter in full, highlighting Twain’s ability to offer comfort, humor, and truth in the same breath.
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up for The Peace Experiments (Season Zero), the forthcoming Peace Is Here series exploring peace, AI, and the cultural commons.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
- Get the Winter Holiday reading list with links to full stories: www.aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
- Get the Avis’s books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music: “The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
- Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
- Intro Music: PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments
- Mark Twain – A Letter from Santa Claus https://americanliterature.com/author/mark-twain/short-story/a-letter-from-santa-claus
Dec 24, 2025
Dec 24, 2025
23 min
Kitty Reads Holiday Lit for Peace: Alphonse Daudet – The Pope’s Mule (Part 2) plus The Next Peacelands
This episode concludes the story begun in Episode 175! We return to Alphonse Daudet’s classic short story The Pope’s Mule—a charming, historic satire about pride, patience, and delayed revenge set during the Christmas season in Avignon, France. Kitty reads the final portion, where the long-awaited moment of truth arrives.
- Catch up: If you haven't heard the start of this tale, please go back one episode to Episode 175
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up for The Peace Experimentsthe forthcoming Peace Is Here series exploring peace, AI, and the commons.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
- Get the Winter Holiday Reading list with links to the full stories: www.aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
- Get the Avis’s books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music: “The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
- Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
- Intro Music: PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments
- Alphonse Daudet – The Pope’s Mule onProject Gutenberg https://gutenberg.org/cache/epub/73621/pg73621-images.html
Dec 23, 2025
Dec 23, 2025
16 min
Kitty Reads Holiday Lit for Peace: Alphonse Daudet – “The Pope’s Mule” (Part 1) plus The Next Peacelands
This episode features a holiday reading from Alphonse Daudet’s classic short story The Pope’s Mule—a charming, historic satire about pride, patience, and delayed revenge set during the Christmas season in Avignon, France. Kitty reads an excerpt that highlights Daudet’s light touch and his talent for character-driven humor.
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up for The Peace Experiments the forthcoming Peace Is Here series exploring peace, AI, and the cultural commons.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
Get the Winter Holiday Stories Reading list with links to the full stories: www.aviskalfsbeek.com/holiday
- Get Avis's books:AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Music:“The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
- Bandcamp:https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
- Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
- Intro Music:PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series:The Peace Experiments (
- Alphonse Daudet – “The Pope’s Mule” on Project Gutenberg https://gutenberg.org/cache/epub/73621/pg73621-images.html
Dec 22, 2025
Dec 22, 2025
14 min
Kitty Reads Holiday Lit for Peace: Charles Dickens – The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton plus The Next Peacelands
This episode offers a lively seasonal reading from Charles Dickens’ 1836 tale The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton—a Christmas Eve story and an unmistakable early predecessor to A Christmas Carol. Kitty reads a short excerpt that highlights Dickens’ blend of humor, social conscience, and supernatural moral instruction.
Kitty O’Compost continues warming up for The Peace Experiments (Season Zero), the forthcoming Peace Is Here series exploring peace, AI, and the cultural commons.
For this special holiday edition of The Next Peacelands, Avis Kalfsbeek changes her focus from the factual grounding of warzones and arms suppliers to highlight the spiritual organizations and networks actively building peace around the world.
- Get the books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
- Contact Avis: Contact Me Here
- Music: “The Red Kite” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Intro Music: PulseBox on Pixabay
- Upcoming series: The Peace Experiments
- Dickens – The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton on Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/580