Unleash Generosity: Recent Episodes

Unleash Generosity

Podcast exploring the intersection of faith, service, philanthropy, and community.

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Aaron is pleased to be joined by a guest co-host for the first time! Herandy Lucas Pino joined Aaron for a wide-ranging interview with Adam Dickson. Adam is the Director of the Langston Multicultural Center in Johnson City, TN. Adam is a well respected elected official, civic leader, and self-proclaimed “community gadfly.” He is a strong advocate for increasing diversity in predominantly white Appalachia and committed to sharing stories about African Americans in Appalchia.

Herandy serves as an instructor and community liaison at the Langston Center working with Adam. She shares about her experience living in Johnson City as a Latinx Dreamer who recently became a college graduate.

Subscribe to the podcast & learn more about Unleash Generosity at https://unleashgenerosity.org. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Rate or review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Become a Patreon supporter and gain access to perks including early access to episodes, bonus episodes, and invitations to community conversations with other listeners and podcast guests.

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couper whose music is featured on this episode.

Show Notes

Herandy Lucas Pino

Adam Dickson

Langston Center

Appalachian Soul

Josh Mancuso

DEI Alliance

Bethel Christian Church-Jonesborough, TN

Grace Temple Church Eternal Life Center-Johnson City, TN

St. Mary’s Catholic Church-Johnson City, TN

First Baptist Church-Jefferson City, TN

Hopwood Memorial Christian Church-Milligan University, TN

Pioneer Grocery-Jonesborough, TN

Milligan University

WJHL article about 2019 ETSU Regionalism Summit focusing on disparities in health, education, and economic opportunities

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Welcome to part 3 of a 6 episode series exploring VALUES that can guide our individual lives as well as the cultures of our faith communities and organizations to be healthier. In this episode Aaron discusses Respect.

Growing out of the first two values of Humility and Hospitality, Aaron suggests that embodying a posture of Respect with those we disagree with offers us the gift of having our views and ideas challenged. Aaron encourages listeners to intentionally get outside our comfort zones, seek out relationships that will stretch us, and find new voices to listen to.

Subscribe to the podcast & learn more about Unleash Generosity at https://unleashgenerosity.org. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Rate or review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Become a Patreon supporter and gain access to perks including early access to episodes, bonus episodes, and invitations to community conversations with other listeners and podcast guests.

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couper whose music is featured on this episode.

Show Notes

Mitch Stein with Pond

Brené Brown Unlocking Us Podcast with Aiko Bethea-Inclusivity at Work: The Heart of Hard Conversations

Jamin Rathbun’s Trinity Arts Center

The Dispatch

David French

Preston Sprinkle’s Theology in the Raw

Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation

Jemar Tisby

Danté Stewart

Tyler Burns

Propaganda (Prop Hip Hop)

Tim Otto

Luke Wilson

Colby Martin

Jackie Hill Perry

Megan Tschanz

Kate Bowler

Jamie Ivey

Marla Taviano

Brie Stoner

Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Sarah Heath

Rachel Spears

Aila Malik

Becky Endicott

Adam Dickson

The Langston Center

Herandy Lucas Pino

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Pond is the most powerful, positive disruptor of the non-profit sector I’ve encountered in my time in the industry. Offering a marketplace where non-profits are paid real dollars to discover the best business and technology solutions in the industry, Pond is flipping the business paradigm on its head. I was truly humbled to be joined by Pond’s Co-Founder and CEO Mitch Stein. Mitch shares about his entrepreneur journey and how his time serving on the Board of the LGBTQ Center of New York inspired him to launch this incredible tech startup.

Digging into faith and spirituality, Mitch shares honestly about some of the harmful experiences he had growing up in the church as he became aware of his identity as a gay man. Mitch asks me a few questions as well, giving me a chance to share how my own Christian faith is continuing to grow and evolve. We both lean into and reflect on the power of listening to the stories and experiences of others.

Subscribe to the podcast & learn more about Unleash Generosity at https://unleashgenerosity.org. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Rate or review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Become a Patreon supporter and gain access to perks including early access to episodes, bonus episodes, and invitations to community conversations with other listeners and podcast guests.

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couper whose music is featured on this episode.

Show NotesPond’s website-joinpond.com

Mitch Stein on LinkedIn

The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick

The Center-The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York

Padrón & Co.-A Houston-based marketing and design company that redesigned the Unleash Generosity website

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This bonus episode is a companion to episode 15 (Season 2 Episode 3) with Daniel Silliman, news editor for Christianity Today . Daniel’s months of investigative journalism led to the revelation of sexual and emotional abuse by Christian apologist and founder of RZIM, Ravi Zacharias.

In the bonus episode we focus primarily on Daniel’s book, Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith.To access additional bonus episodes, early access to all episode releases, and invitations to join in Unleash Generosity community conversations, become a Patreon supporter. For as little as $3 a month you can support the show and enjoy these benefits along with my deep gratitude for your investment in the sustainability of the podcast.

Subscribe to the podcast & learn more about Unleash Generosity at https://unleashgenerosity.org. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Rate or review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couperwhose music is featured on this episode.

Show Notes

Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith

CT Article: Ravi Zacharias’s Ministry Investigates Claims of Sexual Misconduct at Spas

CT Article: Inside RZIM, Staff Push Leaders to Take Responsibility for Scandal

CT Article: NDAs Kept These Christians Silent. Now They’re Speaking Out Against Them

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In the second of a six part VALUES series, host Aaron Scott discusses the posture of Hospitality. This episode builds on the first value of Humility discussed in Episode 14 (Season 2 Episode 2).

The Humility conversation focused on the reality that none of us are perfect and we all need to learn and grow by listening to others experiences and perspectives. Growing out of the foundation of Humility is the key message of Hospitality: everyone is welcome and needed to show up as their full-selves.

Aaron connects the importance of welcoming everyone to show up authentically with the previous episode’s interview with Daniel Silliman. Daniel’s reporting for Christianity Today demonstrates the type of trauma and harm that can accompany cultures of silence in religious and non-profit organizations. While a posture of Hospitality does not guarantee we will all agree about difficult topics, ensuring we create cultures of honesty and accountability that rejects silence is essential to creating true inclusion and healthy belonging.

Subscribe to the podcast & learn more about Unleash Generosity at https://unleashgenerosity.org. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Rate or review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Become a Patreon supporter and gain access to perks including early access to episodes, bonus episodes, and invitations to community conversations with other listeners and podcast guests. This week, look for a FREE Bonus episode with Daniel Silliman that includes 30 minutes of additional conversation not included in Episode 15.

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couper whose music is featured on this episode.

Show NotesBrené Brown’s Dare To Lead Podcast interview with Aiko Bethea-Inclusivity at Work: The Heart of Hard Conversations

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Trauma, abuse, and violence in faith communities is a challenging topic because our spiritual communities should be safe spaces. Unfortunately, faith leaders are routinely being identified as abusers and ousted from their roles because of inappropriate behavior. In many cases, faith communities and non-profits are both failing to prevent abuse and actively trying to cover it up.

For people of faith, regardless of our spiritual traditions or beliefs, we must wrestle with what it means when faith communities and organizations are the source of such trauma. We must ask ourselves and be willing to wrestle with hard questions.

Today’s guest is Daniel Silliman, news editor for Christianity Today . Daniel’s months of investigative journalism led to the revelation of sexual and emotional abuse by Christian apologist and founder of RZIM, Ravi Zacharias.

Please be advised, mature content is discussed in this episode, including sexual and emotional abuse.We also discuss:

  • Daniel’s training as a historian with expertise in American Evangelicalism and his book, Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith
  • His involvement in Christianity Today’s podcast, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill

Subscribe to the podcast & learn more about Unleash Generosity at https://unleashgenerosity.org. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Rate or review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Become a Patreon supporter and gain access to perks including early access to episodes, bonus episodes, and invitations to community conversations with other listeners and podcast guests.

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couperwhose music is featured on this episode.

Show Notes

Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith

CT Article: Ravi Zacharias’s Ministry Investigates Claims of Sexual Misconduct at Spas

CT Article: Inside RZIM, Staff Push Leaders to Take Responsibility for Scandal

CT Article: NDAs Kept These Christians Silent. Now They’re Speaking Out Against Them

CT Article: Sexual Harassment Went Unchecked at Christianity Today

CT Article: Safeguard Gaps Leave Refugees Vulnerable to Sexual Abuse, Exploitation

Eerdmans Youtube Interview about Reading Evangelicals with Kristin Kobes Du Mez
author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

Englewood Review of Books Youtube Interview about Reading Evangelicals with David Kiger

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Host Aaron Scott introduces Humility as the first of six core values that will be described throughout Season 2. Each of the other five values (hospitality, collaboration, respect, intentional engagement, and radical imagination) will be featured in an upcoming episode.

Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at https://unleashgenerosity.org. Get involved with the showby dropping me a DM or engaging with other Unleash Generosity listeners on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Please do a rating or review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Become a Patreon supporter and gain access to perks including early access to episodes, bonus episodes, and invitations to community conversations with other listeners and podcast guests.

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couper whose music is featured on this episode.

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Season 2 begins with Aaron sharing about his personal and professional journey over the last 18 months that included the break between seasons 1 and 2. Aaron then plays a segment of a sermon by Tim Ross titled Climbing the Mountains delivered at Hopwood Christian Church on 5/1/22. Reflecting on the sermon, Aaron casts a vision of what to expect in season 2 of the podcast including in-depth guest interviews and a six episode series on the following values: humility, hospitality, collaboration, respect, intentional engagement, and radical imagination.

Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at https://unleashgenerosity.org. Get involved with the showby dropping me a DM or engaging with other Unleash Generosity listeners on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Please do a rating or review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Become a Patreon supporter and gain access to perks including early access to episodes, bonus episodes, and invitations to community conversations with other listeners and podcast guests.

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couperwhose music is featured on this episode.

Show Notes

Hopwood Christian Church Worship Service Livestream. Tim’s sermon begins at 46:34.

Richard Rohr Meditation on The Two Halves of Life Adapted from his book, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David Brooks

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Season 2 of the Unleash Generosity Podcast will be available on Saturday June 11 on any of your favorite podcast directories or streaming services as well as on the Unleash Generosity website: https://unleashgenerosity.org/.

Subscribe on the Unleash Generosity website or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss the in-depth interviews host Aaron Scott will have with faith and non-profit leaders, donors and community activists.

Please do a rating or review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Get involved with the show by dropping me a DM or engaging with other Unleash Generosity listeners on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Support the show by becoming a Patreon supporter.
For just $3 per month, Generous Listeners will receive:

  • early access to episodes
  • access to all bonus episodes

For $5 per month, Generous Community Members will receive:

  • invitations to attend hybrid community gatherings to continue the conversation beyond the podcast
  • earl access to episodes
  • access to all bonus episodes

For $10 per month, Generous Partners will receive:

  • the opportunity to co-host an episode
  • invitations to attend hybrid community gatherings to continue the conversation beyond the podcast
  • earl access to episodes
  • access to all bonus episodes

Thanks to my friend Daniel Couper whose music will again be featured on Season 2 of the podcast.

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As we enter the holiday season, we kick off a series of episodes focused on creatively mobilizing philanthropy. Three women, Claire Marr, Nancy Knight, and KC St. Louis share about why they’ve found participating in 100+ Tri-Cities Women Who Care to be meaningful. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

100+ Tri-Cities Women Who Care

Abingdon Olive Oil Company

Abuse Alternatives, Inc.

All Aboard Travel

Appalachia Service Project

Appalachian Sustainable Development

Branch House

Holston Habitat for Humanity

HOPE (Help Our Potential Evolve)

Levi’s Legacy

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

One Acre Cafe

Obituary for Rachel Cunningham Ruetzel

ReFrame Foundation

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast TN

The Shepherd’s Inn Women’s Shelter

Tennessee Action Coalition

VIP Seen Magazine

A Closer Look, 98.5 WTFM

Daniel Couper Music

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Over the last decade the State of Tennessee has addressed a national challenge, staggering debt loads and equity gaps in accessing and succeeding in post high school education. A beneficiary of the program and current staff member, Ben Sterling, tnAchieves Senior Director of Content, shares how a program started in Knoxville grew into a state-wide solution that has enrolled 100,000 Tennesseans in college and provided an innovative national model. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

tnAchieves Website

tnAchieves on Facebook

tnAchieves on Twitter

tnAchieves on Instagram

tnAchieves on LinkedIn

Daniel Couper Music

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With election day upon us, Christian author, speaker, and peace and social-justice advocate Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove joins me to discuss faith and political engagement. In this episode, the second of a two part conversation, Jonathan shares about two New Monastic Intentional Christian Communities: the Rutba House, where he lives in Durham, NC, and the Simple Way in Philadelphia, PA. Connecting back to part one of our conversation, Jonathan talks about the Poor People’s Campaign and the call for a shifting of the moral narrative in the United States to care for marginalized people. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

Poor People’s Campaign-A National Call for Moral Revival

The Simple Way

Christian Community Development Association

School for Conversion

The Rule of St. Benedict: A Contemporary Paraphrase

To Baghdad and Beyond: How I Got Born Again in Babylon

Strangers at My Door: A True Story of Finding Jesus in Unexpected Guests

Reba Place Fellowship

Reba Place Church

Rutba House, New Monasticism, and more about Jonathan

Ibram X. Kendi’s How to be an Antiracist

Inspired Podcast Interview with Jonathan

Daniel Couper Music, heard throughout the episode

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As we close in on election day 2020, Christian author, speaker, and peace and social-justice advocate Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is my guest for an important conversation about the intersection of faith and political engagement. In this episode, part 1 of a 2 part discussion, Jonathan reflects on his roots in rural North Carolina, his Baptist upbringing in a white church and community, and his struggle with American Christianity’s relationship with the religious right and racism. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

School for Conversion

Inspired Podcast interview with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove discussing his latest book, Revolution of Values: Reclaiming Public Faith for the Common Good

Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

The Wisdom of Stability: Rooting Faith in a Mobile Culture

Free to Be Bound: Church Beyond the Color Line

Red Letter Christians

Eastern University

Christian Community Development Association

Daniel Couper Music, heard throughout the episode

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Former Executive Director and current board member of Appalachian RC&D Council, Roy Settle, talks about his time with the organization as well as working with farmers as a USDA employee. We discuss connections between faith and spirituality and food production, stewardship, and sustainability. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

Appalachian RC&D Council

Americorps

Johnson City Farmers Market Facebook

Kingsport Farmers Market

One Acre Cafe

F3 Northeast Tennessee

Colonial Heights Baptist Church

Genesis 2:15

The Land Trust for Tennessee

Pointer Brand Jeans

LC King Manufacturing Co.

A Chef’s Life on PBS

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

Daniel Couper Music

The Membership Podcast

The 50 Year Farm Bill Atlantic article by Wendell Berry

Untitled Wendell Berry poem from his collection, Leavings

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How has Covid-19 impacted farmers and rural economic development in central Appalachia? Kathlyn Terry-Baker, Executive Director of Appalachian Sustainable Development, shares about the work of the southwest Virginia based non-profit and the perspectives of the growers and partners they work with. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

Appalachian Sustainable Development Website

The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food by Dan Barber

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp, and Lily Hopp Kingsolver

The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan

Daniel Couper Music

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One of the biggest challenges facing marginalized people due to the Covid-19 pandemic is food insecurity due to loss of employment and increased social isolation. Longtime Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, Rhonda Chafin, shared how her organization operates and is responding to the spike in requests for assistance. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee Website

Feeding America Website

ETSU College of Public Health Dean, Dr. Randy Wykoff Video on how health, education, and economic opportunity are interrelated

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In response to the murder of George Floyd, a group of young activists in Johnson City, TN have formed the New Generation Freedom Fighters. I speak with a co-founder and board member, Taquan Hankins, about the goals of the organization. We also discuss his personal life, background, education, and hopes for the future. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

New Generation Freedom Fighters Website

New Generation Freedom Fighters on Instagram

New Generation Freedom Fighters on Facebook

8 Can’t Wait

Northeast State Community College

National Council on Non-Profits Tips On Starting A New Organization

Daniel Couper Music

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An expansive dialogue with Chicago based pastor Terence Gadsden, also known as hip-hop DJ Rock On. We discuss racism and racial justice in the Church, urban Christian community development, youth and college ministry and other topics. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

Terence on Instagram @therealdjrockon

Terence on Facebook

North Park University

Lawndale Christian Community Church

Milligan University

La Villita Community Church

The Firehouse Community Arts Center

How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown

I Am Not Your Negro by James Baldwin

Church Forsaken by Jonathan Brooks

The Hip-Hop Church: Connecting with the Movement Shaping Our Culture by Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson

13th Documentary by Ava DuVernay

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Episode 3 features Leslie Salling, the Director of Resource Development for the United Way of Washington County, TN. We discuss systemic poverty through the lens of the ALICE report that shows how many residents are at risk of falling into poverty as well as other challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Subscribe to the podcast and learn more about Unleash Generosity at www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Show Notes

United Way of Washington County, TN

United Ways of Northeast TN and Southwest VA COVID-19 Relief Fund

National United Way Searchable ALICE Database

Washington County, TN ALICE Report

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

ETSU College of Nursing

ETSU College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences

Unlocking Us Podcast with Brene Brown and Ibram X. Kendi

Tightrope: Americans Reaching For Hope by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

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Episode 2 features an interview with Kiran Singh Sirah, President of the International Storytelling Center located in Jonesborough, TN. Kiran discusses a number of topics including his own spirituality, the importance of investing in the arts and the humanities and the work of the Storytelling Center. Visit www.storytellingcenter.net to learn more about their work.

To subscribe to the podcast and to learn more about Unleash Generosity visit www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Episode 1 includes an introduction to the podcast and an interview with local community leader and businessman Andy Dietrich. Andy helped launch the Region AHEAD COVID-19 emergency response fund to support small businesses across the Appalachian Highlands region of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. To learn more visit www.regionahead.com.

To subscribe to the podcast and to learn more about Unleash Generosity visit www.unleashgenerosity.org or find us on Facebook.