Lena K. Gardner is the executive director of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU). She shares her journey of finding community and activism within Unitarian Universalism, her call to social justice work, and the importance of anger in creating change. Lena also talks about the challenges and heartbreak involved in social justice work, and how she finds strength and hope in the power of collective action. The conversation explores the themes of power, liberation, and the importance of community. Lena emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-determination as sources of power, and the need to challenge societal systems that perpetuate inequality. She encourages individuals to cultivate a healthy sense of mistrust and to envision and create a better world. 00:00 Finding Unitarian Universalism 05:37 Getting Started in Social Justice 09:51 Justice Work in Personal and Professional Life 13:35 The Transformative Power of Anger and Buddhism 19:20 If Not Justice, Then What? 24:59 Navigating Heartbreak and Despair in the Pursuit of Justice 28:39 A Taste of Power 32:21 Believing in the Possibility of Collective Liberation 39:43 Love as Power 49:20 The Limitations of Making Others Care 57:08 The Power of Love and Challenging Shame 01:05:03 Supporting MUUSJA Sparks of Justice is a podcast hosted by Leslie Mills with the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). The first season consists of six episodes interviewing UU activists from Minnesota, exploring each person's path to getting involved in social justice, resources for overcoming heartbreak, and the rewards of being involved in movements for change.