Curiosity, Belonging, and the Practice of Dialogue with Brian Adams – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 223)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem speaks with Brian Adams, who has spent nearly three decades building bridges of respect and understanding across more than 40 countries in Africa, Europe, North America, and the Asia–Pacific. Brian reflects on curiosity as a defining thread in his life — a habit of asking questions that began in childhood, often driving his mother to distraction, and later shaped his work across cultures, faiths, and institutions. Growing up in poverty in rural Arkansas and later encountering deep diversity in places like France and West Africa helped him understand belonging as something richer than simple connection: a sense of unity, purpose, and shared humanity. Drawing on his experience as Chair of the Board of Trustees of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), co-founder of the G20 Interfaith Forum, and founder of multiple dialogue initiatives, Brian explores dialogue as a lived practice, not a performance. He speaks about why openness about faith can strengthen trust, what youth teach us about honesty and discomfort, and how ACWAY’s Interfaith Development Goals offer a values-based framework for engaging religious and cultural diversity alongside the SDGs and Inner Development Goals. The conversation closes with reflections on humility, inner development, and the invitation to move beyond knowing others toward actively serving those outside our own circles. Listener Engagement:

• Discover the songs picked by Brian and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.
• Learn more about Brian via his LinkedIn, and the ACWAY's website.
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