Homeless But Human: Recent Episodes
Christ in the City
Welcome to Homeless but Human, a Christ in the City Podcast, where we talk about how to step out of your comfort zone and serve the poor wherever you live. Along the way, you will hear directly from our homeless friends as they embrace this platform to share their stories. Mother Teresa said, "Many people talk about the homeless, but few talk to them." Our desire is to empower even more people to understand the complexity of homelessness and to discover practical and relational solutions for real change. Join us as we answer common questions and hesitations about serving the poor. You’ll also have an opportunity to listen to the homeless and have a window into their lives. Our experience has proven that the deepest poverty of homelessness is sown in the heart long before someone becomes homeless. It’s an all-encompassing experience of being unknown, unloved, and unwanted. Society typically provides shelter, food, and other important, basic needs, but even these resources don’t seem to be enough to solve the deeper issue of homelessness. It’s not ONLY a problem of not having a house, money, or clean clothes. The root of the homelessness is ruptured relationships. Because of this, Christ in the City missionaries walk regular street routes to encounter the homeless. They spend time learning people’s names and stories and return day after day. Over time, these encounters lead to genuine friendships, and trust is built. The disarming power of eye contact and a genuine smile could be all it takes to restore someone's hope in humanity and begin their journey toward healing. We know it’s not comfortable to initiate a conversation with a homeless person you don’t know, especially at first. But you shouldn’t have to feel uncomfortable or confused about how to help. That’s why, each year, the Christ in the City team reaches tens of thousands of people across the country with an approach that gets people out of the pews and into the streets to encounter their fellow man, seeing a person to be loved not a problem to be fixed. In that way, we can treat the root cause of homelessness, recognizing the deeper crisis of relationship, and treating it with the love and hope that comes from meaningful encounters and intentional friendships. What the homeless actually need is you. Just imagine— the impact it would make if that homeless person you pass had even just one friend who knew them by name and cared about them beyond just a passing handout. What difference would that make to that person, to you, and to your local community? And if more people joined together in this mission— what difference would we make to the world?
On this weeks episode of Homeless but Human, we are concluding our summer series with the Lincoln team! Erin and Ryan join us to discuss: • The impact and support of alumni and the community of Lincoln. • First hand look into homeless ministry in a shelter. • The power of someone recognizing how much someone deserves to be loved. Jesus says in the Gospel, the poor you'll always have. Yeah. So even if there is no homeless on the streets, someone's poor out there that you can go and love. We are so thankful for all the support and love we received in each city this past summer. If you ever want to volunteer with us or more information on our mission, you can email volunteer@christinthecity.org.
Summer Series Spotlight: This week we are joined by Brad and Julie from our Gary team! We discuss: How some things and people do not always need to be fixed. What vulnerability can look like when it is a two way street. The beauty of giving AND learning how to receive. Being present to the people God put right in front of you.
Summer Series Spotlight: This week we are joined by Tony and Stephanie from our Dayton team! We discuss: What street minstry in a shelter looks like. The ways childlike joy opened up the hearts of our friends on the streets. Ways that the missionaries in Dayton learned how important it is to waste time with people you care about. The huge need for volunteers in the shelters near you.
Summer Series Spotlight: This week we are joined by Ashley and Luke from our Dallas team! We discuss: How the mindset of, "do not waste time on me" turned into a life-changing friendship. What the streets in Dallas look like. What happened in a choir practice that moved hearts. What "a beautiful place with beautiful people" meant to the Dallas team.
We're kickstarting our summer podcast series again! Throughout the summer, we'll be sharing highlights from each of the cities where we hosted summer mission trips! First up, we have Helen and Jon from our Detroit team! On this week's episode, we discuss: • Unexpected encounters on the streets. • What trust can look like on the streets. • What CIC brought to Detroit and what Detroit gave back to CIC. • Practical ways to encounter the homeless in Detroit!
On this new episode of Homeless but Human, we are joined by two of our Denver missionaries, Luke and Meaghan. On this episode you will hear: How the strength of homeless teens impacts our mission. The way our missionaries are able to play a vital role in the lives of the homeless they encounter Simple ways to encounter the homeless near you.
On this new episode of Homeless but Human, we are joined by tow of our Denver missionaries, Chas and Michaela. On this episode you will hear: How a a simple birthday celebration can impact someone so deeply. The beauty in being vulnerable with our friends on the streets. How consistency in friendship is life changing.
This week, we are joined on the podcast by our good friend, Roy! He and Nick (a second year missionary) share about: Their unexpected friendship. Experiencing a Broncos game. The immense joy that has come from suffering.
Each month, one of our missionaries writes a Simplicity Check reflection about how life at Christ in the City has changed their perspective on simple living. Each reflection includes a challenge that can be done from wherever you are. This is the first Simplicity Check to be featured on our podcast! Today we are joined by Stephanie to discuss her Simplicity Check: I challenge you to love the person behind the product. In this episode, we discuss: ⁃Being more present and sensitive to what is right in front of you. ⁃The meaning that a homemade gift can have. ⁃What does this mean for serving the poor?
We had our dear friend, Father Mark Mary, back on our podcast to continue to talk about our mission! In this episode you will hear about: ⁃ Is just being friends with the homeless enough? ⁃ The importance of family. ⁃ How to appreciate life and joy in a new way. We are so thankful that Father got to join us again. Please continue to pray for our mission and the mission of the CFRs!
We had a very special guest, and dear friend of Christ in the City, on today's episode of Homeless but Human! Father Mark Mary of the CFR’s joins us to discuss: How do we shake indifference toward the poor? We are all in different states of life, how do we discern what our responsibility is to the poor? How do you know you're successful? What has been the most surprising joy? A concrete exercise you can do in 30 minutes amidst the business of your day to day. We are so thankful that Father got to join us and all the support he has given us through the years!
On this episode of Homeless but Human, we are joined by two members of our Philly staff, Emma and David! You’ll get to hear about: The leadership team's biggest hopes for the Philadelphia expansion What does planting seeds look like with no street cred How you can help the Philly team get started by providing items or meals
On this weeks episode of Homeless but Human, we are concluding our summer series with the Denver team! Ashley and Clay join us to discuss: • Their first time ever doing homeless ministry • How the CIC shirt = street cred • The trust it takes to pass on friendships to the new missionaries We are so thankful for all the support and love we receive in Denver. If you ever want volunteer with us, you can email volunteer@christinthecity.org.
We were invited to spend 3-weeks this summer serving at the homeless shelters in Dayton, Ohio! Stephanie and Liam join us on the podcast today with the highlights! In this episode of Homeless but Human, we discuss: Cartwheels in the rain at a mens shelter Meeting the darkness with radical joy The overlooked gift of listening well The Lord is doing BIG things in Dayton, OH Link in bio to listen to it!
On this weeks episode of our Summer Missions series, we are joined by our Lincoln team! Sophia and Chas tell us about: ⁃ How a beautiful encounter at the bus stop gathered a crowd ⁃ The unexpected reality found on the streets of Lincoln If you’re in the Lincoln area, what can you do? (think Runzas) If you’re in the Lincoln area and looking to get involved, reach out to Mario at: Mario Racicot (402) 327 6202 mracicot@cssisus.org
Summer Missions Spotlight: Stories from Dallas! Shoutout to the Diocese of Dallas who invited us to come and lead their seminarians for the most incredible 3-week summer mission! On this episode, we discuss: - How the presence of seminarians wearing clerics changed the vibe of street ministry. - Southern hospitality is a thing, even amongst the homeless. - What you can do-- even in 30 seconds at a stoplight.
Summer Missions Spotlight: This week we are joined on the podcast by Maddie and Brian from our Gary team! We discuss: • One of our volunteers encountering his high school classmate on the streets • What encouragement looks like in the midst of hopelessness • What the community in Gary has done for our Christ in the City family.
Next up on our summer missions podcast series, we have Valya and Brogan from our Ireland team! On this weeks episode of Homeless but Human, we discuss: - Brining Christ in the City into the Irish culture - What if we do not see any homeless - Ireland’s “chat benches” - Training the Christ in the Street Irish volunteers
We're kickstarting our summer podcast series! Thoughout the summer, we'll be sharing highlights from each of the 7 cities where we hosted summer mission trips! First up, we have Tyler and Rachel from our Boston team! On this week's episode, we discuss: •Can a three week mission trip in a new city actually make a difference? •How the Sacred Heart stopped a man in his tracks. •An unexpected encounter at a Red Sox game. •What CIC brought to Boston and what Boston gave CIC. The Encounter ministry in Boston is spreading like wildfire- led by two former CIC missionaries! If you are in the Boston area, check the link below to get involved. http://Sites.google.com/view/encounterchrist
What If I Actually Don't Want to Talk to the Homeless? One of the most beloved missionaries in our community joined us for this episode! We discuss: -What motivates Aaron on the days he's just not feeling it -Are surface-level conversations worth it? -Becoming a more virtuous man -Bringing this mission back home
A favorite tradition around Christ in the City is hot seat (rapid fire questions from the audience)!!! We have some burning questions that were submitted by our missionaries and listeners. We are excited to have two of our formators on this weeks episode to answer our burning questions! In this episode, we discuss: - What is the most often misunderstood aspect of Christ in the City? - If formators are not counselors or spiritual directors, what's their role? - Phil & Erika's funniest and best moments at Christ in the City
In this episode, our friend Chuck shares what it's been like for him now in housing after 40 years on the streets. We discuss: - What was the hardest thing about being on the streets? - What changed for you to want to move inside? - What is it that brings you life now?
Confronting Mental Health: Where to Begin? with special guest Senite Sahlezghi LPC In this episode we discuss: * The importance of showing up for the people in your life and what that can look like * None of us are entitled to each other's stories or time * How to foster deeper relationships that are not transactional
When someone experiencing homelessness asks for money, it can be hard not to wonder: Am I getting scammed? Would I be contributing to an addiction? What are they really going to use it for? In today's episode, we're back with Sam Schultz, our Director of Homeless Outreach, to discuss another common question we get asked: what do you do when a homeless person asks for money?
Today we're joined by two of our missionaries, Chas and Stephanie, to walk us through a normal average day, which you'll learn quickly isn't normal or average at Christ in the City. In this episode we'll discuss: - Cook teams and getting creative with donated food - What it's like living with 34 other people and where missionaries find rest - Steph’s yo-yo and other creative ways missionaries break the ice in conversations - The complementarity of having both men and women on street teams together - How do missionaries have the energy to keep going every day
Jessica is the mama to sweet, curly haired Nora and a total superwoman. She's spunky, hardworking, and has a sweet tooth for milkshakes. In God's providence, Jessica's path crossed with CIC's "house mom", Betty, when she was working as a case manager at Samaritan House homeless shelter. Betty joins us today to share about the special role she has gotten to play in Jessica and Nora's story. In this episode you'll hear: What it was like being homeless as an expectant mother How important friendship was through housing rejections and doubts about being a mom The need for both emotional support (missionaries' friendship) and social service support (a case worker)
This is one of the most common questions we get asked at Christ in the City. In this episode, we're joined by Sam Schultz, Christ in the City's Director of Homeless Outreach to discuss: The reality of what it takes to get a job while homeless, from facing practical roadblocks to deeper spiritual wounds Why would we help someone who doesn't appear to be helping themselves? How can we approach this question with more empathy?
When Ron met Christ in the City in 2015, he was on the streets and doing his best to stay away from people. He shares what it was like to be distant from all of humanity. You'll get a window into his experience on the streets and hear what a simple hello and invitation did for him. Join us as we hear Ron's story and start to understand what a small encounter can do for someone else’s life. Everyone has a story to tell and we are fortunate to be a part of Ron's!
In the third part of our three-part series on “The Power of Being Present”: Jeff and Anya are back to wrap up the series with one of the most important–and often the most challenging–steps towards being present: the “street walk” through our own hearts. Jeff and Anya will share wisdom learned through encounters on the street, community life, and personal stories and how one of their primary roles as formators is accompanying missionaries on this healing journey of self-discovery. Missionaries come to realize that to love those on the street with the compassion and empathy they need to heal, they must first learn to love themselves in this way. And as listeners will come to realize throughout this episode, this lesson is not just for missionaries. This is a step we all must take in our lives. Before we can be truly present and encounter the brokenness of others–whether they are our family, friends, or those we serve on the streets– we must first take the time to encounter ourselves–even those parts we have kept hidden. As we start a new year, this episode leaves listeners with a simple but challenging invitation: simply take some time for silence. Allow God to be the center of your own internal monolog so that you can be truly present, and He can be the center of every encounter this new year. Thanks for listening and know of our prayers for you during this new year!
What can children teach us about listening? In the second part of our three-part series on “The Power of Being Present” Jeff and Anya are back to explore this question as we continue our conversation on the art of listening. In this episode, we will dive deeper into what it means to truly encounter someone with a childlike wonder. We will discuss what a 4-year-old in a grocery store can teach us about presence and how (without even knowing it) children’s natural disposition is one of reverence--a cherished virtue of formation at Christ in the City. Jeff and Anya will share how much we can learn from their simple but profound example and how missionaries learn to apply this virtue with the homeless and with their fellow missionaries. Through hearing wisdom gained through personal stories, missionary community life, and encounters on the streets, this episode will invite listeners to approach their own family, friends, or a stranger on the street with a new sense of reverence and child-like wonder. We will leave listeners with an invitation to apply this idea and try a creative “experiment” out on friends and family this Christmas. We are excited for you to try this with us!
What if your only job was to listen? No agenda. No expectation of a perfect response. Simply being present with the other. Would that change the way you do it? In this first episode of our three-part series on “The Power of Being Present”, we are joined by two of our staff formators: Jeff and Anya. Together, they will take us deeper into why the art of listening--and simply being present--is at the center of good relationships: the heart of our encounters on the streets. Through their unique lens as formators, Jeff and Anya explain how missionaries must first learn (and often un-learn) what it means to simply listen before they can be that same presence for the homeless. Through hearing personal experiences and wisdom gained from encounters on the streets, this episode will leave listeners with powerful insights and practical tips to apply these skills in their own lives.
It's hard to face suffering. And sometimes it's even harder to have to watch others go through hard times. Our human nature wants to step in to help with an "I can fix this for you" mentality. But as we'll explore in this episode, people don't want to be "fixed", they want to be loved. Our missionaries face this reality over and over again as they approach the homeless on the streets. We are equipped with knowledge of the local resources, understanding where we can point someone to get a meal, a place to stay, etc. But the truth is, there's a lot of hurt in the world that can't be fixed by a resource. So what can you do? For the answer, we look to Mary and John at the foot of the cross.
The first Christ in the City podcast is here! In this episode of Homeless but Human, we interview our good friend, Chris, about how he would like to be treated in the midst of experiencing homelessness. He shares some simple conversation starters to make someone's day on the streets. Join us as we explore the call to serve the poor in our own communities and the power of relationships to bring about healing.
Mother Teresa said, _"Many people talk about the homeless, but few talk to them." _Our desire is to educate even more people to understand the complexity of homelessness and to discover practical and relational solutions for real change. Join us as we answer common questions and hesitations about serving the poor. You’ll also have an opportunity to listen to the homeless and have a window into their lives. Our experience has proven that the deepest poverty of homelessness is sown in the heart long before someone becomes homeless. It’s an all-encompassing experience of being unknown, unloved, and unwanted. Society typically provides shelter, food, and other important, basic needs, but even these resources don’t seem to be enough to solve the deeper issue of homelessness. It’s not ONLY a problem of not having a house, money, or clean clothes. The root of the homelessness is ruptured relationships. Because of this, Christ in the City missionaries walk regular street routes to encounter the homeless. They spend time learning people’s names and stories and return day after day. Over time, these encounters lead to genuine friendships, and trust is built. The disarming power of eye contact and a genuine smile could be all it takes to restore someone's hope in humanity and begin their journey toward healing. We know it’s not comfortable to initiate a conversation with a homeless person you don’t know, especially at first. But you shouldn’t have to feel uncomfortable or confused about how to help. That’s why, each year, the Christ in the City team reaches 17,000 people across the country with an approach that gets people out of the pews and into the streets to encounter their fellow man, seeing a person to be loved not a problem to be fixed. In that way, we can treat the root cause of homelessness, recognizing the deeper crisis of relationship, and treating it with the love and hope that comes from meaningful encounters and intentional friendships. What the homeless actually need is you. Just imagine— the impact it would make if that homeless person you pass had even just one friend who knew them by name and cared about them beyond just a passing handout. What difference would that make to that person, to you, and to your local community? And if more people joined together in this mission— what difference would we make to the world?