In this episode of the Wolff Peace series, host Avis Kalfsbeek explores Robert Paul Wolff’s personal contribution to his 1966 anthology with the essay An Analysis of the Concept of Political Loyalty. Rather than obedience, Wolff suggests that loyalty is a kind of identification with the state—one that might even lead to principled resistance.

Paired with Wolff is Pauli Murray—civil rights lawyer, poet, priest, and powerful legal mind behind some of the greatest progress in racial and gender equality. Murray’s life exemplified a kind of loyalty that held America to its best ideals.

In this episode:

• The difference between obedience and loyalty
• Pauli Murray’s legacy in civil rights and gender equity law
• Two reflection questions to consider your own loyalties

Visit aviskalfsbeek.com to learn more about the podcast and books.

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

Bandcamp | Spotify

Try my voice clone “Amaya Calm” on Eleven Labs for your audio book or other creative project: https://try.elevenlabs.io/peace

Robert Paul Wolff’s Political Man and Social Man: Amazon link

In this episode of the Wolff Peace series, host Avis Kalfsbeek explores the story of Paul Le Meur, a French teacher who faced an impossible moral decision during Nazi occupation—and chose not to comply. His story is paired with the extraordinary resistance of the villagers of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, who sheltered thousands of Jews during the Holocaust without fanfare or credit.

Both remind us that peace often lives in quiet places—and in the brave hearts of ordinary people.

In this episode:

• A reading of Le Meur’s wartime decision
• The remarkable resistance of Le Chambon
• Two peace questions to guide your week

Visit aviskalfsbeek.com to learn more about the podcast and books.

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

Bandcamp | Spotify

Try my voice clone “Amaya Calm” on Eleven Labs for your audio book or other creative project: https://try.elevenlabs.io/peace

Robert Paul Wolff’s Political Man and Social Man: Amazon link

From the U.S. Supreme Court to the streets of Cape Town: this episode of Wolff Peace examines what it means to protect conscience in law and in life.

Host Avis Kalfsbeek explores Robert H. Jackson’s stirring opinion in Barnette, which rejected forced patriotism in favor of moral independence, and pairs it with the radical compassion of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who led a nation toward justice without vengeance.

In this episode:

• The reversal of Gobitis in Barnette
• Desmond Tutu’s legacy of truth, justice, and reconciliation
• Two reflection questions to guide your personal and civic values

Visit aviskalfsbeek.com to learn more about the podcast and books.

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

Bandcamp | Spotify

Try my voice clone “Amaya Calm” on Eleven Labs for your audio book or other creative project: https://try.elevenlabs.io/peace

Robert Paul Wolff’s Political Man and Social Man: Amazon link