Maria Izilda da Silva Netto (photo), better known as Izilda, is in charge of Repensar. Izilda, who is from the city of São Paulo, has been a Spiritist since 1987. She works as a volunteer at the well-known Spiritist Centre Nosso Lar – Casas André Luiz, in Guarulhos. Every week she interviews Spiritist authors for her programme, but the roles are

reversed today and she is our interviewee this week:  How did the programme begin? What inspired its creation?

It was broadcast for the first time on March 28^th 2009. It was inspired in a programme of interviews that already existed. Its presenter could not carried on and we decided to create Repensar, which every week introduces the work of a new Spiritist author.

How can we watch it? Does it go on air every week?

Yes, it is a weekly programme, which goes on air on Rede Mundo Maior (in Portuguese) at 18h30 every Tuesday, and through other channels across the country. There is a live feed of all the programmes of the network on www.redemundomaior.com.br and on the Repensar website. And if you go to Youtube you will find previous programmes there.

What are the guidelines to choose the guests for the programme?

We aim at introducing good books with a connection to Spiritism to our public. Our guests – authors, public speakers and mediums – are usually invited by us to come to the programme. But in many cases it is the author or medium themselves, or their publishing house that approaches us. We also invite special guests ahead of big events associated to Spiritism, including the upcoming release of Spiritist films. We have done so far 133 interviews.

What are the main problems you face in the production of the programme?

We have had no problems in getting good interviews. We have sometime to be flexible and change the day of recording, to meet the agenda of our guests, but these are easily overcome problems. 

What has been the biggest joy in all these editions of the programme? 

You get an amazing feeling when the audience send us positive comments and feedback, also when they record the programmes to show in a session at their Spiritist Centres, so other volunteers also have the opportunity to enjoy the interviews. 

What is the feedback you get? 

It is positive. Many readers get in touch in order to ask further questions or to clear out some points of the interviews or books we recommend. Judging by the feedback we get and by the increasing number of people willing to be in our programme, we believe the audience and the impact of the broadcasts are growing. 

You also have a programme on Brazilian Spiritist radio network Boa Nova. Tell us a bit more about that programme. 

The programme, called “Radio Review André Luiz”, is broadcast every Thursday at 16h00. I am part of the team alongside Clelia Borin, Margareth Pummer and Stella Pavanellli. We have a new format, with four women talking about women issues under the guise of Spiritism. 

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

I would just like to point out that many men are regular listeners of our radio programme too, which makes us very happy, of course. To listen to the Boa Nova radio network abroad, you can access website www.radioboanova.com.br.