The Reconciliation Conversation

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The Reconciliation Conversation
Derrick DeLain & Jason Dukes
INTERVIEW with Chapel Hart
Episode 18 | December 17th, 2020

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO info for Chapel Hart
Chapel Hart is a soulful, country music trio with engaging melodies and tight harmonies and beautiful voices who began as street-performers on Royal Street in New Orleans. The group's colorful and contagious energy has flourished into a full live band experience that fills venues at home in NOLA and around the country.

Danica, Trea, and Devyn have an amazing ability to tug on your heartstrings with a tender yet powerful ballad, then have you pumping your fist in unison to the pulse of hard-hitting rock and roll. The band accentuates the three vocalists, who embody the sweet and southern sound of country with the soulful undertones noting their gospel roots. The cohesiveness of the band has not gone unnoticed as they have garnered thousands of fans from all over the world and have received hundreds of thousands of views online.

The trio has a natural ability to make people join together in song and dance, uniting people of all nationalities, religions, and walks of life.

QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Would you mind kicking off this episode and celebrating this Christmas season by singing a favorite, upbeat Christmas tune?

QUESTION 2 | Jason Dukes
You are from the Deep South. Your hometown is Poplarville, MS. How have those roots shaped you into the women and artists you are today?

QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLain
You are the first brown-skinned trio to break into the country music scene. What is a win you celebrate as well as a hardship you lament from your musical journey so far?

QUESTION 4 | Jason Dukes
What are some of the dreams you hold together for your musical career, and how can you envision using your platform for life-giving purpose?

QUESTION 5 | Derrick DeLain
How might you encourage our listeners with two or three actionable takeaways regarding the steps we must take toward a re-imagined American future together?

QUESTION 6 | Jason Dukes
Can you close out the episode with one of your own tunes?

OUTRO | Derrick DeLain

— Socials for our guest
:: @ChapelHartBand on social media
:: streaming on all platforms
:: subscribe to their YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb_y7IR7k8FoohmTFw4AlVw

— Socials for The Reconciliation Conversation
:: @theReconConvo
:: ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media. Please review us wherever you listen to podcasts, as this can help others find us who are also seeking to join the conversation!

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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The Reconciliation Conversation
Derrick DeLain & Jason Dukes
INTERVIEW with Kaitlyn Schiess
Episode 17 | November 2nd, 2020

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO info for Kaitlyn Schiess
Military brat. Sort-of PK. Liberty U grad with focus on Political Science, Debate Team, and History. Dallas Theological ThM student. Young Adult Women’s Ministry Team with Grace Bible Church Dallas, TX. Connector of theology and spiritual formation and culture-shaping and politics. Author of The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor.

QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Liberty University and partisan politics — THIS IS NOT A FORMER PRESIDENT QUESTION. Rather, can you talk about how your experiences there have shaped your passion for politics now?

QUESTION 2a | Jason Dukes
Continuing in that vein, help our listeners understand the present political reality as you see it. What is really the issue? Why are we such an un-United States?

QUESTION 2B | Jason Dukes
Can you talk about how the American Church’s politics are shaped by our habits and practices, of which we’re often unaware? And please give an example of how this culture-shaping reality has hurt the church as well as an example of how it could help the church.

QUESTION 3a | Derrick DeLain
You assert that there’s a hunger among your peers for better and more theologically-informed thinking about politics, AND that the Christian tradition has rich theological resources for this kind of thinking. Talk about the kind of renaissance you’re seeing in spiritual formation among young church leaders.

QUESTION 3b | Derrick DeLain
Can you explain to our listeners this Liturgy of Politics — the connection between our political work, our corporate worship, and our spiritual disciplines?

QUESTION 4 | Jason Dukes
As we wrap — you insist that the way out of our political morass is first to recognize the formative power of the political forces all around us, and then to engage in ancient yet new ways. What’s a warning you would give to our listeners if the present reality does not change, if we don’t recover historic Christian practices that shape us according to the truth of the gospel?

OUTRO | Derrick DeLain

— Socials for our guest
:: @KaitlynSchiess
:: wrote The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor:: buy her book at https://www.ivpress.com/the-liturgy-of-politics
:: https://kaitlynschiess.com

— Socials for The Reconciliation Conversation
:: @theReconConvo
:: ReconciliationConversation.com

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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The Reconciliation Conversation
Derrick DeLain and Jason Dukes
Episode 16 | Governor Jeb Bush
September 30th, 2020

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO for Gov. Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush is the 43rd governor of the State of Florida, serving from 1999 through 2007. He was the third Republican elected to the state’s highest office and the first Republican in the state’s history to be reelected. He was most recently a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

Governor Bush remained true to his conservative principles throughout his two terms in office – cutting nearly $20 billion in taxes, vetoing more than $2.3 billion in earmarks and reducing the state government workforce by more than 13,000. His limited government approach helped unleash one of the most robust and dynamic economies in the nation, creating 1.3 million net new jobs and improving the state’s credit ratings, including achieving the first ever triple-A bond rating for Florida.

During his two terms, Governor Bush championed major reform of government, in areas ranging from health care and environmental protection to civil service and tax reform. His top priority was the overhaul of the state’s failing education system. Under Governor Bush’s leadership, Florida established a bold accountability system in public schools and created the most ambitious school choice programs in the nation. Today, Florida remains a national leader in education and is one of the only states in the nation to significantly narrow the achievement gap.

Governor Bush is also known for his leadership during two unprecedented back-to-back hurricane seasons, which brought eight hurricanes and four tropical storms to the state of Florida in less than two years. To protect the state from loss of life and damage caused by catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, Bush worked tirelessly to improve the state’s ability to respond quickly and compassionately during emergencies, while also instilling a ‘culture of preparedness’ in the state’s citizenry.

Governor Bush joined the University of Pennsylvania as a non-resident Presidential Professor of Practice for the 2018-19 academic year. He has previously served as a visiting professor and fellow at Harvard University, an executive professor at Texas A&M University, and has been awarded several honorary doctorates from collegiate institutions across the country. Governor Bush has been recognized for his contributions to public policy by national organizations including the Manhattan Institute, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and the Jack Kemp Foundation. Governor Bush earned his bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.

Governor Bush currently serves as Chairman of Finback Investments Partners LLC and Dock Square Capital LLC, both merchant banks headquartered in Coral Gables.

Governor Bush maintains his passion for improving the quality of education for students across the country by serving as the Chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a national nonprofit education reform organization he founded to transform education in America.

He has written three books, Profiles in Character; Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution; and Reply All: A Governor’s Story 1999-2007.

Governor Bush lives in Miami with his wife Columba. They have three children and four grandchildren.

QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Just to gain context, and since what we do here is called “The Reconciliation Conversation,” how important is one’s educational approach to creating opportunity for reconciliation and a re-imagined 21st Century American future together?

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The Reconciliation Conversation
Derrick DeLain & Jason Dukes
Episode 15 | September 23rd, 2020
Special Guest Ruth Naomi Floyd

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO info for Ruth Naomi Floyd, Emancipatory Artist
A vocalist and composer, Ruth Naomi Floyd has created a discography dedicated to a sacred jazz expression. She has been at the forefront of creating vocal jazz settings that express theology and justice for over 25 years. She leads her own multi-faceted ensemble and her recordings consist primarily of original compositions. Blessed with a soaring mezzo-soprano voice, critics praise Ms. Floyd’s music for its distinctive sound of progressive ensemble jazz that is seamlessly blended with messages of hope, faith, redemption, and love. Ms. Floyd has recorded and performed with such notable instrumentalists as James Newton, James Weidman, Gary Thomas, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington, George Cables, Bobby Watson, Aaron Graves, Matthew Parrish, Mark Prince, Byron Lanham, Bryan Carrot, Uri Caine, Craig Handy and many more.

Ms. Floyd has been a presence and worker in areas of the arts and justice throughout her and career. She has lectured prolifically on the intersection of beauty, theology, justice, culture, and the arts at numerous universities, seminaries, conferences, and academic settings in the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

A committed music educator, Ms. Floyd is Director of Jazz Studies at Cairn University, Langhorne, Pennsylvania and an Adjunct and Artist in Residence at Temple University. Previously, Ms. Floyd taught music for twenty 20 years at The City School.

Ms. Floyd’s recent compositions include “Freedom” which premiered in April 2018 in Wales, United Kingdom. Commissioned in honor of human rights activist, “Freedom” is Mende Nazer’s profound story of survival as a slave in Sudan and London. In the centennial year of Leonard Bernstein’s birth, Philadelphia’s Mann Music Center, in partnership with NEWorks Productions, commissioned Ms. Floyd as one of four composers to create a community mass inspired by Bernstein’s MASS, that explores anew the relevance of faith in our times. The Frederick Douglass Jazz Works is Ms. Floyd’s new body of compositions based on the speeches and writings of the great leading orator, abolitionist, writer, publisher, and statesman.

Ms. Floyd is also an award winning fine art photographer specializing in black and white portrait images. She uses silver based films with 35mm and 4x5 inch view cameras to capture her images and uses traditional wet darkroom technology as well as digital printing on archival papers to produce her final images. Ms. Floyd has received awards, prizes, and grants for her photographic images and her work is included in permanent and private collections. Ms. Floyd’s photographic images have been published in and on the covers of magazines, brochures, and music compact discs.

Ms. Floyd was awarded the prestigious Kimmel Center’s Jazz Residency for the 2019-2020 season. In December 2019, Concordia College - New York, awarded Ms. Floyd an Honorary Doctorate for her unique and valuable contribution to the arts, her commitment to music education, and her justice work.

Ms. Floyd continues to make the city of Philadelphia her home, where for over twenty-five years she has been devoted and active in providing compassionate care and spiritual support to people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in Philadelphia and Africa.

QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Ms. Floyd, you have been at the forefront of creating the beautiful chaos of jazz that expresses theology and justice for over 25 years. What originally moved you to want to do this?

QUESTION 2 | J

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The Reconciliation Conversation
Derrick DeLain & Jason Dukes
with special guest Reconcile Episode 14
September 16th, 2020 INTRO | Derrick DeLain BIO info for RECONCILE
aka Ronnie Lillard is from Fort Myers, FL. He was abandoned by his mom, left to be raised by his dad. Football unfulfilling, rebellion gone empty, and the loss of his grandfather led him to a season of awakening. Jesus used Pastor David Estrada to offer Ronnie a life-altering opportunity. Being mentored and serving in his community led him back to football, which afforded him the chance to get an education at Rice University in Houston, TX. There, he moved into the 3rd Ward and started mentoring inner-city kids. He graduated from Rice with a degree in Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Sociology. Around that same time, he launched into hip hop, going agains the stream with raw, unapologetic, meaningful music, which has been chart-topping on multiple platforms. He serves in his native Miami as an inner-city mentor, an outspoken activist for prison reform, and an advocate for juvenile justice and recidivism on the Miami Circuit Advisory Board. Reconcile is a father of five of his own children and a spiritual father to lots of other children, as he champions the forgotten while living close enough for them to taste and see the hope he found with Jesus. STORY FROM HIS WEBSITE: He was born bound within the gritty landscape of chalked lines. In the middle of his childhood, he suffered his first loss when he was abandoned by his mother and left to be raised by his father in Fort Myers better known as “Little Pakistan.” Despair and poverty were bedfellows and gun shots were more frequent than thunderstorms. Prior to becoming a teen, the message was resoundingly clear. The soundtrack to his life then was “murder rap”, Ronnie survived the culture. Unshaken by the harsh realities, of which he inherited, he succumbed to his surroundings: depleted resources, constant trauma, family disfunction, incarceration, violence, dreads, gold teeth, drugs and firearms. South Florida. Seventeen years his senior, Ronnie’s dad believed that the only outlet to overcome poverty was for his son to pursue football. This was plan A thru Z. Fueled by his own curriculum of delinquency this behavior was in direct conflict with his father’s wish to stay focused and see the dream to its end. Unwilling to concede, at 15, fistfights ensued and Ronnie found himself homeless in the middle of the night. Now free from his father’s roof and expectations, he used his freedom to catapult himself into the nightmare his father tried to avoid. Inasmuch as his grandfather tried to provide him guidance, he let his inner voids guide him and soon found himself truly by himself. The death of his grandfather began the process of his awakening. Like most who lose someone they love, in the immediacy of pain he had immature words with God. Although the loss gave him pause, an unexpected encounter with Jesus had the greatest impact upon his life. Having been court ordered community service while on probation, he sought for an opportunity to fulfill his obligation. At a church in his neighborhood, where he had frequented during the late hours of the night to play basketball on a double rim with half of a backboard. It was there that he met Pastor David Estrada. Estrada was willing to give him the hours that he needed for the exchange of attending bible study and doing odd jobs around the church. Which proved to be just an opportunity for Estrada to impart on Ronnie mentorship and guidance. In the time shared, Ronnie was most struck by the cross of Jesus Christ. It inspired him to want to change his lifestyle and develop a deeper connection spiritually. Although he felt an im

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The Reconciliation Conversation
Derrick DeLain & Jason Dukes
with special guest Dr. Lucretia Berry
Recorded August 18th, 2020
Episode 13
September 2nd, 2020

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO info for Dr. Lucretia Berry
Dr. Lucretia Berry is an anti-race/ism curriculum specialist, a writer for in(Courage).me, the author of What LIES Between US Journal & Guide: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing, a TED Talker, and a Senior Consultant for The American Dream Game. She received her Ph.D. in Education (Curriculum & Instruction) from Iowa State University. She is married to Nathan, and they have three little girls who are the inspiration for Brownicity.

THE STORY of Nathan and Lucretia Berry:
Beyond our bios, we are a white guy and a black woman who are parents to 3 multi-ethnic children. Eradicating deeply intrenched racial, social and cultural lines to integrate a church served as the backdrop for our friendship and then marriage. Its quite a story!

For us, we are intentional about not allowing race to narrate our identity and our lives. We want the same for our children. However, and ironically, it means that we address issues surrounding race, probably more than the average family. Why? When race is addressed in the context of love, it loses its power. We want to empower our children with the truth. We want them to be free to be who they are designed to be, to hear the voice of their Creator over any social-political construct.

That way, we are able to celebrate our 5 different skin tones, 5 different hair textures outside of a race context. And we are able to talk about the creation and illusion of race, referring to it as a horrible idea. Our children are still really young, so our conversations are age appropriate. But, we have established a foundation on which to build.

Essentially, we love being a part of the work of becoming ONE.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
(John 17: 20-21)

ABOUT “brownicity”
A combination of the words brown and ethnicity. Brown represents melanin, the brown pigment we all have. Ethnicity means that which we have in common. Essentially, we all are hues of brown. Brownicity — The word and the work provides space to live in the tension of restoring one human family that has been fractured by the lies and injustice of race and racism. We are dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for racial healing and antiracism.

QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Let’s start with what is most important — what’s it like being a mom in this current tension, and what do you hope your kids remember from their childhood with regard to what their mom emphasized the most?

QUESTION 2 | Jason Dukes
“Many hues. ONE humanity.” What inspired “Brownicity?

QUESTION 3a | Derrick DeLain
What are three essentials you view as “musts” when you engage in “teaching foundational anti-racism education for liberation?”

QUESTION 3b | Jason Dukes
Talk about why educating the family and children is so important to you.

QUESTION 4 | Jason Dukes
You are a brilliant leader who happens to be female — what do you wish more male leaders were thinking about when it comes to cultivating for reconciliation and a new American reality for people of all colors?

QUESTION 5 | Derrick DeLain
Wrapping up, what are one or two simple suggestions you w

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The Reconciliation Conversation | Derrick DeLain & Jason Dukes
with guests Mika Edmondson & Scott Sauls
Recording August 12th, 2020 10:00AM Central
Episode to be published August 26th, 2020

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO info for Mika Edmondson and Scott Sauls

Mika Edmondson — Dr. Edmondson and his wife, Dr. Christina Edmondson, have two daughters. They recently relocated from Grand Rapids, Michigan where Mika had served as founding Pastor of New City Fellowship. Mika earned his Doctorate at Calvin Theological Seminary, with his dissertation entitled “Unearned Suffering is Redemptive: The Roots and Implications of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Redemptive Suffering Theodicy.” Mika was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Calvin, where he also contributed as an Adjunct Professor. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics at Hampton University.

Scott Sauls is Patti’s husband and Abby and Ellie’s dad. He is pastor of Christ Pres Nashville. He’s an INFJ on the Myers-Briggs and Enneagram 4 wing 3. Scott served with Tim Keller with Redeemer Pres NYC and started churches in KC and St. Louis. He is the author of five books including his latest — A Gentle Answer: Our Secret Weapon in an Age of Us Against Them. He blogs at ScottSauls.com. He’s also a UNC Tar Heel fan, which we will ignore for the purposes of allowing him on this episode with us.

QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
For Mika — in your own words, you said, “There are a host of scriptures that reveal God’s gospel determination to unite a diversity of people in Christ for the sake of his glory and worship.” As two black men who both serve as pastors in majority white environments, help our listeners understand why the current protests as well as this reconciliation conversation is so crucial for the Church here in America.

QUESTION 2 | Jason Dukes
For both of you — Christ Pres recently brought Mika on team. First, y’all talk about what excites you about serving together. Secondly, talk about whether you think having leaders from different backgrounds is vital to a healthy church.

QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLain
For Mika — Scott lists Tim Keller, CS Lewis, Leslie Newbigin, Soong Chan Rah, Dorothy Sayers, Jonathan Edwards, Joni Eareckson Tada, Miroslav Volf, Paul Tripp, Ann Voskamp, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Sayers, and NT Wright as influential voices in his life. Highlight a couple of voices who have been influential in yours and talk about how they’ve influenced you, especially in the context of this conversation.

QUESTION 4 | Jason Dukes
For Scott — but Mika feel free to jump in to add anything — Scott, you highlight your Myers-Briggs and Enneagram in your Instagram profile. You have battled with depression and anxiety and written vulnerably and beautifully about it, which I personally so appreciate, as someone who battles with depression, too. Talk about how much self-awareness plays a part in our quest to see reconciliation and on Earth as it is in Heaven.

QUESTION 5 | Derrick DeLain
For both of you — Mike, in regard to your book on unearned suffering and Scott, in regard to your new book A Gentle Answer, talk about what you hope readers wrestle with the most upon reading what you’ve written.

QUESTION 6 | Jason Dukes
For both of you — what’s the one thing you would encourage someone to seek to become or strive to do right now who desires to take either a new step or a next step to cultivate for reconciliation and oneness?

OUTRO | Derrick DeLain

— Socials for our guests
:: @Mika_Edmondson
:: @ScottSauls and ScottSauls.com

— Socials for The Reconciliation Conversation
:: @theReconConvo

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The RECONCILIATION CONVERSATION
Episode 11 | August 19th, 2020
Interview with Dorena Williamson

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO for Mrs. WilliamsonDorena Williamson is a Preacher’s kid, “First Lady,” and a veteran of cross-cultural ministry. In 1995, she and her husband planted Strong Tower Bible Church, a faith community in Nashville that celebrates the beauty of God’s diverse kingdom.

She “writes kids books that adults need, too” and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is the author of ColorFull, ThoughtFull, and GraceFull, children’s books with B&H Kids that feature diverse ethnicity and shape perspective on race, disability and homelessness. As a longtime bridge builder and mother of four, she is passionate about planting seeds of truth for the next generation.

She is also a “stylist” with @evereveofficial. You can learn more about her at dorenawilliamson.com.

QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
You are a mother of 4. Can you share some of the highlights and lowlights from the formative conversations you’ve had with your kids about diversity and racism and the need for reconciliation?

QUESTION 2 | Jason Dukes
ColorFull is one of the children’s books you’ve written. I want to read an excerpt from it so our listeners can hear a little bit of what you’re writing about. Then, can you talk about why this book and more like it are needed to help children see the life-giving beauty of diversity in community?

QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLain
You’re clearly entrepreneurial. You helped start a local church. You help as a stylist with @evereveofficial. You’ve written three kids books. Why start these things? Can you (a) share a bit about the culture of Strong Tower Bible Church and (b) the purpose of Ever Eve Official in order to help our listeners understand why it may be necessary to imagine and create new environments and opportunities in order to see a re-imagined American future together

QUESTION 4 | Jason Dukes
As we wrap up, what would you suggest as both a new step and a next step for someone wanting to cultivate for reconciliation and oneness together? How can we become more ColorFull, ThoughtFull, and GraceFull together?

OUTRO | Derrick DeLain

— Socials for Mrs. Williamson
@DorenaWilliamson
DorenaWilliamson.com
@evereveofficial
WritingforYourLife.com

— Socials for The Reconciliation Conversation
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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The Reconciliation Conversation
Episode 10
with special guest Justin Giboney

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO for Justin Giboney
Christian. Husband. Father. Attorney. Political Strategist. Co-Founder of The AND Campaign. Co-Author of Compassion and Conviction. Co-Host of The Church & Politics Podcast.

QUESTION 1A | Derrick DeLain
In America right now, we are divided. We are polarized. We are either/or. There is not much “AND.” What sub-cultures of America have to desire change in order for the culture at large to move toward reconciliation and unity together?

QUESTION 1B | Derrick DeLain
What about the “sub-culture” within each of us — what about the change needed in each of us?

QUESTION 2A | Jason Dukes
Let’s talk about politics. Isn’t the political party system as we currently know it broken? What is the future, in your opinion, when it comes to politics and parties? And what are the ruts we are stuck in that might need to be challenged?

QUESTION 2B | Jason Dukes
Would you ever run for office?

QUESTION 3A | Derrick DeLain
What is the AND Campaign and why is it needed?

QUESTION 3B | Derrick DeLain
We recommend and reviewed your book! Give the premise of Compassion and Conviction? Why did you write it — what do you hope people do as a result of reading it?

QUESTION 4 | Jason Dukes
What are one or two simple suggestions you’d offer individuals listening who want to take a new step or a next step toward reconciliation and healing and oneness in our country?

OUTRO
— Socials for Justin Giboney
@JustinEGiboney
@ANDCampaign

— Socials for The Reconciliation Conversation
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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INTERVIEW with Janice Gaines
The Reconciliation Conversation
Episode 9
August 5th, 2020 INTRO | Derrick DeLain BIO for Janice Gaines Janice is a believer, wife to @ejgaines (previous guest on The Reconciliation Conversation), a boy mom, a singer/songwriter, and a speaker and teacher. She recently released the three-song collection “All in Control.” And she gets real excited about the chance to teach “Braving the Deep: A Training for Church on Kingdom Diversity and Reconciliation.” QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Let’s jump right in. As a boy mom, what scares you about raising two brown-skinned boys in America? Along with that, though, what gives you hope in this current moment? QUESTION 2 | Jason Dukes
You sing. You write. You teach. What inspires you? And from what you create, what actions do you hope will be inspired in others? QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLain
Talk about “Braving the Deep: A Training for Church in Kingdom Diversity and Reconciliation.” First, if someone wanted to ask you to come train their church leaders, how would they do that? Next, what drove you to want to provide this training? And finally, what’s the “aha” for most people when they hear you give this training? QUESTION 4 | Jason Dukes
What’s the one thing you would encourage someone to seek to become or strive to do right now who desires to take either a new step or a next step to cultivate for reconciliation and oneness? JANICE SINGS AN EXCERPT FROM HER NEW SONG!!! :: OUTRO | Derrick DeLain — Socials for Janice Gaines
@JaniceGaines
Her music available on all platforms
JaniceGaines.com
“Janice Gaines” YouTube Channel
“Braving the Deep” Reconciliation Training — Socials for The Reconciliation Conversation
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media. Please review us wherever you listen to podcasts, as this can help others find us who are also seeking to join the conversation! *Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com<!--

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INTERVIEW with Terrian
The Reconciliation Conversation
Episode 8

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO for TERRIAN
Terrian is from the Memphis area. She is now female vocalist for DiverseCity, TobyMac’s eclectic and funky music group. She is grateful to be a mentor for an all-girls choir called Angel Street (in Memphis). Her musical heroes are Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, and Hillsong United. The way she unwinds is at a coffee shop with her Bible. She is a Singer/Songwriter/Worship leader living a dream in pursuit of a life-giving music career. Her words of advice to someone wanting to do music for a living: follow the Holy Spirit guiding you and take the vision God gives you and run with it. So glad Terrian could join us!

QUESTIONS:

1 — tell us a brief overview of your story, going as personal as you are comfortable to go, including your journey into where you are now with music.

2 — what music has inspired and is inspiring you most?

3 — what personal perspectives on racism and anti-racism could you share, based on your own experiences?

4 — you’ve been a part of what TobyMac calls “Diverse City” — what has that experience been like?

5 — what one or two simple suggestions might you offer to an individual wanting to take a new step or a next step in this journey together toward reconciliation and a new American reality?

:: OUTRO

— Socials for Terrian
@iamTerrian
iamTerrian.com
TobyMac.com/DiverseCity

— Socials for The Reconciliation Conversation
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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The Reconciliation Conversation
Episode 7
Guest: Purshia Gambles

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO for @PurshiaGambles
:: from Lubbock, TX
:: on team with the SALT Network and Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa
:: co-founder of WeAreAmbassador.com
:: dropped some serious truth bombs during the interview!!!
:: digs natural haircare products and has great hair!!! :)

QUESTIONS:

1 — What’s going on right now in American culture from your perspective? And what about specifically in Ames, Iowa in the context of all that is going on in America at large?

2 — What’s an experience in your story that highlights why you care about reconciliation and oneness?

3 — You care about the local church — why would we expect reconciliation in our culture when it’s not in our churches? And why is it so crucial?

4 — Tell us about WeAreAmbassador.com and why y’all started it?

5 — What are some simple suggestions for individuals wanting to take a new step or next step toward reconciliation and oneness?

:: OUTRO | Derrick

-- SOCIALS for Purshia
@PurshiaGambles
@We.Are.Ambassadors

-- SOCIALS for The Reconciliation Conversation
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media. Please leave a review, too, if you don't mind.

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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THE RECONCILIATION CONVERSATION
INTERVIEW with Alan Cross
Pastor. Writer. Historian.
July 15th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick DeLain
Welcome to The Recon Convo. We want to be a space where we can encourage love, expose hate, equip for reconciliation, and emphasize unity so that people of all colors and backgrounds can know our value together as one. Today...

:: Alan Cross BIO | Derrick DeLain
Alan Cross is a follower of Jesus and committed husband and father. He is highly respected in church and journalistic and historical and government circles for his insights on race in the south and immigration culture. He is currently a pastor just north of San Fran, an op-ed contributor for The NY Times and Bulwark Online and RNS, and author of When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus. He has also contributed to Christianity Today, Providence Mag, Time, and MGM Advertiser.

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Alan — as a white guy, what first got you interested in matters of race and immigration?

:: QUESTION 2 | Jason Dukes
How did your time in Montgomery shape all that you are doing right now?

:: QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLain
Talk about two takeaways from your book that you feel like best sets someone up to want to go purchase and read it.

:: QUESTION 4 | Jason Dukes
We try to wrap each episode with one or two simple takeaways individuals can act on right now. What takeaways would you suggest for someone listening who wants to cultivate for reconciliation?

:: WRAP-UP with Alan’s social media and web info | Derrick DeLain

— @AlanLCross on Twitter and Instagram

— Church he pastors — Petaluma Valley Baptist Church — http://www.petalumabaptist.org

— Book — When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus — available on Amazon: When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus https://www.amazon.com/dp/1603063501/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_En78Eb1SPRS79

:: Facebook Page -- When Heaven and Earth Collide -- Alan will be walking through his book each week a little at a time if you'd like to join him over the next month or two.

:: OUTRO | Derrick
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus

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INTERVIEW with Dakota Dozier
Minnesota Viking Football Player #78
July 8th, 2020

:: Dakota Dozier BIO | Derrick DeLain
Dakota Dozier is a professional football player entering his second season with the Vikings. He came to Minnesota as a free agent on April 4, 2019. The West Columbia, South Carolina, native stands at 6-5 300+ and was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round (137th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 54 career games with 11 starts. Last season, he appeared in all 16 games.

As a collegian Dozier made 44 career starts for Furman, and was a First Team All-SoCon selection following both the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Dozier was also named a unanimous First Team FCS All-American following the 2013 season, only the seventh unanimous All-American in program history. He went to Furman from Brookland-Cayce High School in West Columbia, SC. At Furman, he majored in health sciences.

He married his Furman University crush, Haley, and they have one son, Dakota, Jr.

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Dakota — we’ve been boys for a while now. As much as you are allowed, in honor of NFL protocol for players, how have the events of the last two months made you feel as an American black man? As a black father?

:: QUESTION 2 | Jason Dukes
You play in Minnesota. Talk about what it’s really been like there in the community and how city leaders are responding? How is the church responding?

:: QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLain
From your perspective, how is the Viking organization envisioning this coming season in light of current events? And how, from your perspective, is the NFL envisioning this coming season will be different?

:: WRAP-UP with Dakota’s social media and web info | Derrick DeLain
@BullDozier78 on Twitter and Instagram
Along with all Minnesota Vikings social media

:: OUTRO | Derrick
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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INTERVIEW with Jarryd Cole
Founder of WeAreAmbassador.com
Cornerstone in Ames, Iowa
July 1st, 2020

:: Jarryd Cole BIO | Derrick DeLain
Welcome to the home of the Hawkeyes!!! Starting at forward, a senior, at 6-7 and 250 lbs, from Winnetonka High School in Kansas City, MO, # 50 Jarryd Coooooooooooooooooooole!!!!

Seriously, Jarryd has been married for 7 years and is a father to a beautiful daughter! He is on pastoral staff with Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa. And he is the co-founder of We Are Ambassador — a biblically informed Christian coalition that engages issues of religion, race, justice, and culture in ways that pursue reconciliation.

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
Listen, we’ve talked on the phone some since everything has gone down in the past couple of weeks, but as a black athlete that played in a majority white area you’ve had a lot of eyes on you and many people still follow you. How are you processing both externally and internally with what we are seeing right now?

:: QUESTION 2 | Jason Dukes
You are on staff with a church in Ames, Iowa. You are passionate about the prayer of Jesus in John 17. Talk about what, in your opinion, the American Church should be focusing on right now with regard to reconciliation?

:: QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLain
Talk about what We Are Ambassadors is and why you and Purshia and Tracee and Kari were so passionate to launch it?

:: WRAP-UP with Jarryd’s social media and web info | Derrick DeLain
@Jarryd_Cole on Twitter and Instagram
@we.are.ambassadors on Instagram
@waambassadors on Twitter
https://weareambassador.com

:: OUTRO | Derrick
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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INTERVIEW with EJ Gaines and Todd Smith
June 16th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick

:: EJ Gaines and Todd Smith BIO | Derrick
EJ Gaines has been married to Janice for 12 years. She is a celebrated artist on Motown Gospel. They have two adorable sons, Gabe (3) and Benji (6 months). EJ is the Co-Executive Director of Motown Gospel and VP of Marketing for Capitol CMG (Christian Music Group). He has practiced law since 2007. He went to NYU for his undergrad, then St. John’s University School of Law.

Todd Smith is married to his wife Angie, who is an author and speaker. Their children are Ellie, Abby, Kate, Audrey, and Charlotte. Todd is the lead singer of the group Selah. And a Michigan fan! :)

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick
EJ — thinking back over the years, when it comes to the racial tension in our country, how would you describe what you have seen and heard as a leader in the music industry, both historically in our culture as well as historically in the music industry?

:: QUESTION 2 | Jason
Todd and EJ — Todd, you jump in on this one — why is relationship with people of all colors so important to you? AND then, for both of you, can you talk about how your friendship with each other has been so meaningful, especially when it comes to how it has sharpened you and possibly even corrected some perceptions and misperceptions you’ve held?

:: QUESTION 3 | Derrick
EJ — from where you sit as a leader in the music industry with a company that engages with the church specifically, in your opinion, what should the church be doing to engage and influence for change in order to see healing and change in our country?

:: QUESTION 4 | Jason
EJ and Todd — we always want to conclude with one or two takeaways that individual people listening can act on right now. When it comes to cultivating for reconciliation, in hopes of seeing “on Earth as it is in Heaven,” what are a couple of action steps you might suggest for our listeners?

:: WRAP-UP with EJ’s and Todd’s social media and web info | Derrick
@EJGaines on Instagram and Twitter
MotownGospel.com
@ToddSmithOnline on Twitter
@OfficialToddSmith on Instagram
“The Selah Videos” YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSelahVideo

:: OUTRO | Derrick
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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THE RECONCILIATION CONVERSATION
co-hosts Derrick DeLain and Jason Dukes
Episode Two Season One
INTERVIEW with Johnny Grimes
Owner of Wheelhouse Salon in Downtown Birmingham, AL
June 17th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick

:: Johnny’s Bio | Derrick

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick
Birmingham is at least in the top 3 of cities if not the # 1 city when it comes to telling the American Civil Rights story. With all that is going on now, talk about why that history matters and how it’s affecting the sense of the people there?

:: QUESTION 2 | Jason
This has also affected you and your family in a specific way, right? Talk about Wheelhouse Salon that you and your wife Courtney started, and how the protests in Birmingham have impacted y’all.

:: QUESTION 3 | Derrick
So, after y’all got looted, how did you feel? How did you respond?

:: QUESTION 4 | Jason
This road toward reconciliation and healing in our land is going to be a long one. What are a couple of takeaways from our conversation today you would suggest to listeners that they could take steps in right now?

:: WRAP-UP with Johnny’s social media and salon info | Derrick
@JohnnyGrimes2
@wheelhousesalon
http://wheelhousesalon.com

:: OUTRO | Derrick
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

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In Episode One of The Reconciliation Conversation, "guest number one" is Rev. Dr. John Jay Cox, Pastor of the historic Vermont Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. In this episode, we discuss with Pastor Cox:

:: what the sense of the people of DC is at this tumultuous time regarding racial tensions and protests against racial injustice

:: what it's like to pastor geographically and metaphorically right in the middle of The White House and the campus of Howard University (the prominent HBCU)

:: what he thinks the protests are for and why he thinks he and his family should be involved, and

:: a few takeaways in our journey toward renewal and reconciliation together.

We really were encouraged and challenged by Pastor Cox, and we think you will be, too. You may find his and the church's social media and web info below in the show notes.

The Reconciliation Conversation
INTERVIEW with Dr. John Jay Cox
Co-Hosts Derrick DeLain and Jason Dukes
June 9th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick DeLain

:: BIO of Pastor Cox | Derrick DeLain

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain
In the midst of national protests, being in the heart of DC, our Nation’s Capitol, what’s that like? What’s the sense of the people there as you see it?

:: QUESTION 2 | Derrick DeLain
You pastor the historic Vermont Street Baptist Church. The church building is located almost exactly in between The White House and Howard University. You pastor the people there, probably involved in all things DC, including DC politics as well as the rich heritage of that HBCU. What’s that like? How do you navigate that?

:: QUESTION 3 | Jason Dukes
A mutual friend from Nashville introduced us. He told me you participated in a peaceful protest last week. As a white guy, I get why you would do that. But there are a lot of white people out there who may still be struggling with why the protests matters so much AND why you’d be a part. Can you enlighten us on that?

:: QUESTION 4 | Derrick DeLain
Processing what we’ve dialogues through today, what are some specific takeaways and action steps?

:: WRAP-UP with Pastor Cox’s social media and church info
@JohnJayCox
@vabcnwdc
www.vabcnwdc.org

:: OUTRO
@theReconConvo
https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical Intro and Outro by @cdukesmusic - https://cdukesmusic.com

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The Reconciliation Conversation Preview and Pilot Episode
June 3rd, 2020 | Derrick DeLain and Jason Dukes

:: musical intro by @cdukesmusic

:: welcome and intro of hosts (will tell more about ourselves later)

:: pilot episode for what? — The Reconciliation Conversation
We hope to challenge the current system and both senses of privilege as well as entitlement, while honoring every tribe and nation, with special attention to racial disunity in America. We will be interviewing artists and leaders and highlighting resources that help to cultivate for “on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

:: why do we want to do this?
The Reconciliation Conversation exists to expose hate, to encourage love, to equip for reconciliation, and to emphasize unity, so that red and yellow and black and white can know our value together as one.

:: what do we hope to accomplish?
The desired outcome is fourfold — (1) people who weren’t learning from one another in the midst of this conversation to join the conversation, (2) local civil conversations to be held in communities where listenership and interest grows, (3) Community Together Groups to be formed out of those civil conversations that cultivate for local systemic change and cultural transformation, and (4) people from all backgrounds sharing a meal together, sharing their stories together, and becoming a renewed story together. We also are on YouTube. Check it out and subscribe to the No More Night Media YouTube Channel.

:: who are we?
Derrick DeLain with https://proclamationtn.com/
Jason Dukes -- https://livesent.com/author/

:: what’s next?
Episode One coming out next week!!!

:: musical outro by @cdukesmusic -- https://cdukesmusic.com/

:: a No More Night Media production -- PLEASE SUBSCRIBE :)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCod6n6MAIudMLFgKhMyKncg

The Reconciliation Conversation: Recent Episodes

Jason Dukes and Derrick DeLain