The ThinkOrphan Podcast: Recent Episodes
Think Orphan
ThinkOrphan, the podcast for orphan excellence, helping you navigate the global orphan crisis with experts from around the world.
Trauma has the potential to cripple individuals that have experienced adversity, poverty and exclusion. There isn't an area where this is more clear than in global orphan care and there isn't a better person to walk us through what building resilience looks like than our guest today. Dr. Nicole Wilke is the Director at the CAFO Research Center where she leads a team focused on making research applicable to everyday practitioners in global child welfare. On the show, Nicole talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about what she's learned both from living in Peru as well as through the research that she has conducted in promoting better practice for orphaned and vulnerable children. We close our conversation with diving into the new book that she co-wrote with Dr. Amanda Howard called Overcoming which is out now. There's something in this conversation for everyone, so jump in with us!
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Resources and Links from the show
Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride
Overcoming: What Scripture and Science Say About Resilience (CAFO Site)
Overcoming Book on Amazon
CAFO's Core Elements
Transitioning to Family Care Resources
Conversation Notes
- The needed mutuality between Global North and Global South within the family of God
- The difference between endogenous and exogenous empowerment in cross-cultural missional work
- Christians in orphan care had become known with leading with their hearts rather than their heads
- Addressing the distrust between research and Christian orphan care practice
- The products and resources at the CAFO Research Center that turns research into applicable practice
- How scripture and science align to bolster understandings of resilience
- Trauma is real and at the same time use of the word 'trauma' is often watered down in the West
- Adversity that turns into trauma happens at an instantaneous and subconscious level and will affect people differently
- The keys to building resilience that can happen at any time for anyone
- Data-informed practices and frameworks that will promote resilience in children
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
The problems surrounding poverty are wicked and complicated. Pat answers and short term solutions are never going to get us where God is calling us to be. The challenge is that nonprofits often experience constraints (either real or perceived) that keep them from innovating better approaches to meeting peoples needs. We're joined today by Abe Wright and Greg Bixler who are the co-founders of Design Outreach. As an organization that not only values innovation but actively invests and rallies donors towards research and development, they've been able to provide significant upgrades to common problems in WASH and medical care. The communities that we partner with deserve better and Abe and Greg provide us with helpful insight and direction as we iterate and innovate.
Podcast Sponsor
The Resilient Communities Center helps you become all God intended for you to be through training and coaching within a community.
Check Out All The Offerings from the Resilient Communities Center
Resources and Links from the show
Design Outreach Online
When Global Ministries Merge on Think Global, Do Justice (A Conversation with the Leadership from Water For Good)
Conversation Notes
- The necessity of transforming what it means to be a humanitarian organization and the ways in which we operate
- 40% of water pumps are no longer in function and we need to improve that
- The need for collaboration and working with government partners
- Understanding research and development as practical problem solving
- Comparing the efficacy of LifePump with other water pumps or water solutions. The importance of both access to water and the durability of water pumps.
- Wrapping your donors into the work of innovation even as some solutions don’t pan out
- Additional innovations in hygiene and medical care
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
Recorded live from the CCDA Conference in Portland, Oregon, we are joined by three educators equipping students globally to think biblically and pursue justice. On the show today we have Dr. Karen Fancher and Dr. Greg Burch from the Multnomah Campus of William Jessup University alongside Ernesto Duke who is the President at Eternity Bible College. They join Brandon Stiver for a conversation around the trajectory of Christian higher education, balancing ethics and philosophy with skill set development and what it looks like to prioritize spiritual formation as we develop theory and practice.
Resources and Links from the show
Click here to learn more and enroll in the Protective Behaviours Course
Camino Quest Online
Global Development and Justice Master's Program (Jessup University)
Eternity Bible College Online
Blessed Are The Peacemakers with Dr. Karen Fancher
Conversation Notes
- 3:40 - The things that have been most remarkable about being at CCDA
- 9:20 - The complexity of teaching history where victors tell the stories
- 13:40 - Updates from OneAccord and the Lausanne Congress
- 17:20 - The model of making a biblically focused education available and affordable internationally
- 24:40 - The trajectory of higher education for global studies
- 30:00 - Balancing the development of skill sets with understanding the philosophy, ethic and theology underneath what we do
- 37:10 - The priority of slowing down and connecting with God before “doing” the work
- 40:40 - Pilgrimage as a spiritual practice to experience God
There is no lack of complex challenges when delivering health care in the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS crisis. On the show today, we have Echo VanderWal who is the Co-Founder and Executive Director at The Luke Commission in Eswatini. Echo joins Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke for a conversation about calling, the pain and loss created by the AIDS Crisis, the irreplaceable impact of PEPFAR and what it looks like to provide holistic care in rural communities. With over 20 years in the country, Echo points us to what excellence looks like as follow Christ's example of humble service.
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Resources and Links from the show
The Global HIV/AIDS Conversation
The Luke Commission Online
Conversation Notes
- 4:00 - What do Jesus, Conor McGregor and Osama Bin Laden all have in common?
- 5:35 - The importance of having the support of your family when being called to serve God overseas
- 6:55 - Following Christ’s example of service in loving our global neighbors
- 7:50 - The reality of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa during the early 2000s inc consideration of the cost of transport, lack of medicine and poor treatment
- 11:35 - Pursuing professional investment in the national team that is delivering life-saving support in their own country
- 17:00 - The reality of inner pain and the orphaned spirit when family is lost
- 21:30 - Seeking care at scale within rural areas of Eswatini
- 23:35 - Eswatini has the rate of HIV/AIDS in the world - a resounding 26% and why we don’t want that number to go down
- 25:45 - The importance of international partners that provide anti-retrovirals
- 26:45 - How PEPFAR has positively impacted Eswatini, the work of the Luke Commission and what it looks like on the ground.
- 29:10 - The dire reality of potential extinction when HIV/AIDS first expanded in Eswatini
- 31:35 - The erosion of bipartisan support in US politics and how it is now undermining the delivery of life-saving HIV/AIDS support for millions of people
- 35:00 - The risks that face people if PEPFAR pulls out
- 38:30 - The importance of comprehensive healthcare and tracking trends to help an array of health issues that arise across a population
- 47:00 - Don't wait to take the first step when it comes to engaging or even moving overseas to pursue God's heart for justice in the nations
All is futility! Even in Christian nonprofits? We're changing it up a little for episode 265 as Brandon does a solo dive into the book of Ecclesiastes to gather wisdom from Solomon that can inform what we do and more importantly how we do the work of global justice. In an age of Big Impact, this is a word for the nonprofit leader that cares about the ethic of our approach and the opportunity for a compounding influence in a world where it seems that nothing ever changes.
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Resources and Links from the show
Scriptures shared:
- Ecclesiastes 1: 1-4; 8-11
- Ecclesiastes 5: 8-10; 18
- Ecclesiastes 9: 7-10
Andy Crouch Tweet 1; Tweet 2
Conversation Notes
- "All is futility!" - Solomon
- The work of oppressors and corrupt politicians ends in futility, but what about our work that counters their work?
- Brandon shares some of his own global nonprofit futility
- The grace of recognizing how the world works even in it's vanity
- "Eat, drink and experience good"
- Andy Crouch throws shade and "impact" and Brandon says "Amen"
- Does our work matter?
- Getting our priority (singular) in order
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
The number of forcibly displaced people in the world are at an all-time high. On every populated continent, we are seeing conflicts and climates that lead to people fleeing their homes. Our guest today is Myal Greene, who is the CEO of World Relief and he says that the global displacement crisis is the most significant issue that we face in the world today. We look at the last eighty years of how God has used World Relief to meet needs of people from war-torn areas and look at some of the most gripping conflicts today (Ukraine, Sudan and others). Myal has worked with World Relief for nearly two decades both within the US and in Africa. He walks us through what Christians should be aware of when it comes to displacement and how we can be instruments of welcome and support to global neighbors next door and abroad.
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Resources and Links from the show
Good News About Injustice by Gary A. Haugen
Welcoming the Stranger by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang
Walking with the Poor by Bryant Myers
Rich Christians Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald Sider
Refuge by Alexander Betts and Paul Collier
Refugee Stats from the UNHCR
The Evangelical Immigration Table
World Relief Online
Conversation Notes
- 9:40 - In the west, we don’t have a full conception of the level wealth and privilege that we have
- 12:20 - Remembering the last eighty years of what God has done through World Relief
- 15:25 - Finding ways to work with the church and give sacrificially to help the hurting
- 16:45 - A story about the need for both eternal salvation and the restoration of the present
- 24:40 - The impact of the 2021 Haitian earthquake and the fall of Kabul as Myal stepped into his role of CEO at World Relief
- 31:35 - The current displacement crisis is the greatest issue of our time
- 34:15 - “A smaller set of nations in the world are experiencing far greater suffering while the rest of the world is making continued and sustained progress in poverty alleviation”
- 36:55 - Contrasting the Ukraine case study with most other areas of poverty and ensuing conflict
- 38:45 - "Vulnerability is the likeliness that you will experience suffering as a result of shock"
- 40:50 - World Relief sets their focus on the global displacement crisis
- 43:00 - The church can be God’s instrument of welcome to those that have been forcibly displaced
- 46:12 - The importance of understanding underlying issues when discussing the arrival of refugees in a host country
- 52:40 - Working with the church under a biblical vision of community engagement
- 56:00 - Being inspired by God’s Word as a starting point for a life of justice
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
The Great Commission and making disciples is for all Christians, but do we really live that way? We've had a classic understanding of what missionaries ought to be doing, but is that exclusionary? In episode 263, we have Luke Perkins from Crossworld to help us sort it out. Luke served as a missionary professor in Haiti for several years and today is the President at Crossworld where they emphasize that all professions have a role in the work of the Great Commission and the imperative of making disciples throughout the globe.
Podcast Sponsor
No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children and families, you’ll find wisdom, grace, encouragement and community for the road ahead at CAFO2024 in Nashville. It's the go-to spot for those working in Christian orphan care and global child welfare.
Learn More and Register for CAFO 2024
Resources and Links from the show
Crossworld Website
African Friends and Money Matters by David Maranz
Conversation Notes
- 5:25 - What would good helping even look like
- 8:10 - Starting from the beauty and goodness of God in pursuing mission
- 10:00 - Emphasizing all professions beyond the classic missions archetypes
- 17:11 - Defining what disciple-making is all about
- 18:20 - Understanding business as mission with the quadruple bottom line
- 29:35 - Distinguishing between disciple-making and church planting
- 32:20 - The North American church is not designed to make disciples
- 36:00 - The essence and the rhythms of making disciples
- 38:00 - Key questions to ask yourself for disciple making
- 41:00 - Discussing the current state of Haiti
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
We're heading to Kenya for episode 262 as we connect with Steve Kariithi who is the Kenya Program Director at Hope's Promise. Steve talks with Brandon Stiver about what it looks like to do kinship based family care in Kenyan communities. We cover the effects of changing child welfare policy on families and juxtapose that with actions of the government that adversely affect families living in informal settlements. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to work in a slum, this is a good conversation to jump into.
Podcast Sponsor
No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children and families, you’ll find wisdom, grace, encouragement and community for the road ahead at CAFO2024 in Nashville. It's the go-to spot for those working in Christian orphan care and global child welfare.
Learn More and Register for CAFO 2024
Resources and Links from the show
What can we do about injustice? : Blog by Colleen Briggs
The Star Kenya : Families in pain as houses demolished in Mathare
YouTube : Residents of Mathare Lament
YouTube : Over 6,000 households forcefully evicted along Mathare River
Conversation Notes
- Understanding what life is like for families living in slum areas and what causes slums to form on the margins of urban areas
- Bridging impact expectations of western donors when working in severely impoverished areas
- Meaningful interventions that support children to grow up in families
- The effects of 2022 legislation in Kenya that promoted child care reform and changes for organizations serving children
- The Kenyan government is destroying homes and displacing families in the Mathare informal settlement of Nairobi
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
For our July news and recommendation episode, we're joined by orphan care leader Kristen Lowry of Shelter Yetu to dive into a range of topics including the recent anti-virus update that sent the Blue Screen of Death around the world, the unintended results of making education free in Zambia, the legal trials of the Nobel Laureate father of micro-finance and dive into a book on being a whistleblower amidst corruption. There's a lot going on in the world, it's not only the American election we should care about, so jump into these other stories with us!
Podcast Sponsor
No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children and families, you’ll find wisdom, grace, encouragement and community for the road ahead at CAFO2024 in Nashville. It's the go-to spot for those working in Christian orphan care and global child welfare.
Learn More and Register for CAFO 2024
Resources and Links from the show
BBC : How a single IT update caused global havoc
BBC : Zambia made education free, now classrooms are crammed
The Guardian : Under threat of jail, microfinance pioneer vows to keep lending to poorest Bangladeshis
It's Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower by Michaela Wrong
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
Joining the podcast for episode 260 are global child welfare leaders Christopher Muwanguzi from child’s I Foundation, Elli Oswald from Faith to Action Initiative and Jared Scheppmann from Ekisa Ministries. Our guests speak with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about the status of moving people’s mindsets in the west to focus on the need for children to be in families, as opposed to orphanages. We zero in specifically on the country of Uganda and juxtapose the good work being done by organizations like child’s I and Ekisa with the common practice of needlessly placing kids in residential care. With the backdrop of larger cultural narratives and specific stories about orphanhood that are promoted in media.
Podcast Sponsor
No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children and families, you’ll find wisdom, grace, encouragement and community for the road ahead at CAFO2024 in Nashville. It’s the go-to spot for those working in Christian orphan care and global child welfare.
Learn More and Register for CAFO 2024
Resources and Links from the show
The World : American Missionary Accused of Abuse At His Organization, AidChild (First Article)
Barna and Faith to Action : Study on Christian Giving to Orphanages
Faith to Action : Family Care in the News
Conversation Notes
- The deliberate work of Faith to Action and partner organizations to change the western media narrative around orphan care
- The environment within the UK in regards to Global South orphanages
- The country of Uganda has been up and down in supporting care reform, is it currently progressing or regressing
- The setbacks in promoting better care in the Global South when stories like Ghetto Kidz comes out on Britain’s Got Talent
- Comparing the perceived realities for children in orphanages versus the actual realities for such children
- The reality of abuse and corruption within orphanages covered in the media in Uganda
- The role of local governments to meet the needs of the community – capacity and enforcement
- Continuing gaps in coverage even in media that promotes care reform
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
There is no escaping the reality that much of what we're familiar with in global missions and development has some roots in colonialism. There is no better person to help us disentangle God's work from worldly power structures than Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst. Dr. Padilla DeBorst is the Richard C. Oudersluys Associate Professor of World Christianity at Western Seminary. She describes how integral mission addresses gaps in many traditional approaches to missions and what it looks like to live out a contextualized gospel in Latin America.
Podcast Sponsor
The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development.
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Resources and Links from the show
Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst's Work Online
Good News From Latin America Book
Conversation Notes
- An introduction to integral mission and what deficiencies it was addressing in world missions
- Disentangling God's work in Latin America from European colonization
- How neocolonialism continues to affect Christian missions and development work
- Ethical practices in global partnerships for missions and development organizations
- Contrasting Jesus' proclamation of the Gospel against the backdrop of Roman imperial rule
- Exiting our echo chambers to hear from Christian leaders in other global contexts
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
Today on the show we are weaving in and out of various topics, largely surrounding Africa and that touch areas of malnutrition (continent-wide) and trafficking (Congo) and even some really beautiful solutions for helping babies (Uganda). We have Dr. Lauren Pinkston of Kindred Exchange on the show with us to make sense of the news and provide critical insight. We dive into questions like if the resource curse is real, the long-term effects of colonialism and the challenges of addressing corrupt supply chains.
Podcast Sponsor
The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development.
Visit The Accord Network Online
Resources and Links from the show
Fox News : UN report says 27% of children under 5 live in severe food poverty, many in Africa
AP News : A growing community of breast milk donors in Uganda gives mothers hope
CBS News : African nation threatens Apple with legal action over alleged "blood minerals" in its gadgets
King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson
Upwardly Dependent Podcast
Faith to Action Webinar feat. Dr. Lauren Pinkston : Caring for Orphans
Conversation Notes
- 2:20 - An update on the Upwardly Dependent podcast
- 6:45 - The high propensity of kids in Africa and around the world that are experiencing food poverty
- 18:45 - The establishment of a breastmilk cooperative organization in Uganda and how it is saving the lives of children
- 33:25 - The supply chain of blood metals in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Apple's role within it
- 40:00 - Supply chains that shift to go through countries that don't have the same ethics that come from a Christian worldview
- 47:25 - Phil's recommendation of Jonathan Haidt's new book, The Anxious Generation
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
In episode 257, Brandon welcomes author and nonprofit director Tiffany Bluhm back to the show. Tiffany is the Executive Director at Made for Pax, a Christian foundation which provides mentorship and vocational development for BIPOC leaders following Christ. The work is specifically employing contemplative formation for those that are engaging in peace and justice work, and that's what we talk about! Tiffany provides us with biblical insight and spiritual practices that can help us sustain the work of community development and justice leaders for the long haul.
Podcast Sponsor
The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development.
Visit The Accord Network Online
Resources and Links from the show
Made for Pax Online
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys by Richard Twiss
Leading from Your Knees with Peter Greer and Ryan Skoog
Conversation Notes
- The link between contemplative formation and sustaining an action-oriented lifestyle
- Stories of civil rights leaders and how they remained rooted in the midst of justice
- The importance of intentional investment of BIPOC Christ followers
- Contextualization and diverse cultural expressions of Gospel embodiment
- The story of the Old Testament is uniquely tied to the migrant experience
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
In episode 256, Brandon and Phil get a crash course in global health from Yasmine Vaughan. Yasmine has her Master's in Public Health and serves as the Technical Advisor for Global Health and Missions with Helping Children Worldwide. Beyond sharing words and conditions that we can't even pronounce, Yasmine shares about the context in West Africa in which their work is centered and we learn the commonalities and differences in public health across different global contexts.
Podcast Sponsor
The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development.
Visit The Accord Network Online
Resources and Links from the show
View and Join the Together for Global Health Coalition
Watch Phil's Sermon on Family Strengthening
Conversation Notes
- Zeroing in on the history and current day realities of Sierra Leone
- Navigating partnerships between western organizations and their corresponding organizations in the Global South
- Integrating current programs and initiatives into broader partnerships at the village level
- Working towards sustainability and reducing outside investment or management
- Together for Global Health Coalition
- Common health conditions and healthcare gaps in the Global South, including those that are oblivious to westerners
- The Global South increasing in conditions that had previously been more represented in the West
- Innovative ways that health practitioners in the Global South meet needs
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
Joining the podcast for episode 255 are nonprofit leaders Dave LeVan and Jon Allen with Water For Good. Dave and Jon speak with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about the status of worldwide access to water and what it looks like to implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in the Global South. We talk through the tremendous needs as well as acknowledge some of the shortfalls of the WASH sector. Our conversation concludes around what it looks like to merge two good-sized global nonprofits as Water For Good and Lifewater International recently underwent that very process.
Podcast Sponsor
The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development.
Visit The Accord Network Online
Resources and Links from the show
View Water For Good/Lifewater Merger Information
Conversation Notes
- Taking in the big picture of water access globally and what the implications are on people's lives
- The similarities and the differences when implementing water, sanitation and hygiene projects in the Global South
- What about all the broken wells in Africa? Is sustainability even possible?
- The reasons that led to the decision for the two organizations to merge into one
- The operations and logistics of merging and integrating two different teams along with their activities
- The post-merger opportunities that are presented to the newly formed Water For Good
- The importance of staying curious and not losing heart in the work of global justice
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
In this month's 3+1 episode, we're diving into conversation around the current refugee crisis being fueled by conflict and displacement worldwide, jump back into recent conversation on Haiti and the challenges that pregnant mothers are facing in the midst of tumult and also look at the controversy surrounding mass weddings in northern Nigeria that includes underage orphan girls. We've got Kelly Strong on the show with us today who is the CEO at Safe International and also an associate providing support to practitioners through the Canopy International coaching collaborative.
Podcast Sponsor
The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference opens soon for a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development.
Visit The Accord Network Online
Resources and Links from the show
Check out the services and support offered by the team at Canopy International
World Relief Blog : The Drivers of Mass Displacement: Ukraine and Beyond
The Guardian : ‘It is simply best not to get pregnant’: women left terrified as Haiti’s maternity services collapse
BBC News : Mass wedding for Nigeria orphans sparks outcry
Book : Refugee - Rethinking Refugee Policy in a Changing World by Paul Collier and Alexander Betts
2017 Refugee Crisis Series : Welcoming the Stranger with Krish Kandiah
Conversation Notes
- 3:50 What it looks like to change the name and rebrand an international charity
- 9:15 Checking in on the current state of "record breaking" forced displacement throughout the world and what to do when the world shows up on our doorstep
- 25:45 The reality of gang violence in Haiti that has collapsed medical clinics and hospitals that women have used to deliver their children
- 36:15 Evaluating a controversial story of mass wedding of orphan girls in Nigeria and what the implications are regarding child rights and international definitions
- 50:40 Brandon's recommendation of a page-turner book that covers modern refugee policy
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
On the show today, we're joined by missionary Matt Rhodes who is the author of No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions. He talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about trends within missions that emphasize speed and big numbers, but often lack the depth of discipleship that characterized Jesus' ministry. Matt shares about the mission that he is engaged in a majority Muslim country Northern Africa and what he's learned from being on the field and what faithfulness (even success) can look like for those spreading the Good News abroad.
Podcast Sponsor
Child Hope International reunites families in Haiti by providing pathways for children in orphanages to return home with the necessary support to thrive. If you need help transitioning your orphanage or are looking for an organization to support in Haiti, reach out to Child Hope International.
Visit Child Hope International Online
Resources and Links from the show
No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions on Amazon
Conversation Notes
- The primary differences between how missions are approached currently as opposed to the days of William Carey and Hudson Taylor
- Current trends in missions work
- Approaching missions with professionalism and being enculturated
- Is professionalism opposed to being relational?
- The trajectory of the relatively recent phenomenon of short term missions and it's increasing share of the overall missionary force
- Not everyone that is a Christian is also an ambassador of Christ, or are they?
- The implications of the center of Christianity moving to the Global South
- Charting milestones for successful missions
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
We are joined today by global nonprofit leader Gaston Warner who is the Global North CEO of Zoe Empowers. Gaston talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about their work among vulnerable families, especially child and youth headed households. Over the years, our show has talked a lot about the need for kids to be raised in families and communities and in this episode we learn about a comprehensive model that emphasizes the children's agency to overcome poverty. We talk empowerment, data, promising practices and it's an episode our orphan care diehards don't want to miss.
Podcast Sponsor
Zoe Empowers is equipping orphaned children and youth-led families with solutions to overcome extreme poverty—for good.
Visit Zoe Empowers Online
Resources and Links from the show
Data and Research from Zoe Empowers
Conversation Notes
- Understanding the reality of child and youth headed households in the Global South
- The empowerment model started by a Rwandan practitioner - how it works and how it's applied across countries
- Intentionally limiting partnerships and what it looks like for both beneficiaries and donors
- Defining the buzzword "empowerment" within global development
- The importance of integrating child rights throughout programming
Theme music by Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
In this 3+1 episode, we're getting into recent news about ways that Russia is getting around economic sanctions to buoy their economy during their war of aggression as well a couple Asian countries where pollution and contamination is having widespread effects on people's health and wellbeing. We've got Amanda Erne joining us for the conversation. Amanda is on staff with World Concern, is an associate with Canopy International and has a wealth of understanding around climate and sustainable agriculture. We discuss if the term "climate change" is still of use in Christian circles or if it turns too many people off and then get into a documentary recommendation focusing on a Malawian farmer advocating for change.
Podcast Sponsor
Child Hope International reunites families in Haiti by providing pathways for children in orphanages to return home with the necessary support to thrive. If you need help transitioning your orphanage or are looking for an organization to support in Haiti, reach out to Child Hope International.
Visit Child Hope International Online
Conversation Notes
- 8:45 Alternate economies that Russia is setting up to get around sanctions
- 21:00 Widespread contamination of drinking water in Bangladesh
- 29:45 Are we overpoliticizing terms like climate change and shutting off Christians to real stewardship issues?
- 35:13 A vicious cycle of pollution, cancer and economic collapse in Lebanon
- 48:00 The Ants and The Grasshopper documentary focuses on the story of a farmer and an advocate in Malawi
Resources and Links from the show
Al-Jazeera : Parallel Economy - How Russia is Defying the West's Boycott
Mongabay : Beneath the surface, a toxic tide threatens Bangladesh’s water lifeline
The Guardian : ‘Where can you hide from pollution?’: cancer rises 30% in Beirut as diesel generators poison city
The Ants & The Grasshopper Documentary
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
"We stand together at the foot of the cross and we will work for peace." Dr. Karen Fancher from Multnomah University joins the show today to walk us through the profoundly Christian field of peacebuilding. In her conversation with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke, Dr. Fancher walks us through what it means to promote peace within the humanitarian space with direct application to situations in Palestine and Sudan as well as explores the biblical foundation for Christians to be actively engaged in bringing God's Kingdom of peace and justice.
Podcast Sponsor
Child Hope International reunites families in Haiti by providing pathways for children in orphanages to return home with the necessary support to thrive. If you need help transitioning your orphanage or are looking for an organization to support in Haiti, reach out to Child Hope International.
Visit Child Hope International Online
Resources and Links from the show
Visit Multnomah University Online and the Graduate Peacebuilding Certificate Program
Strategic Peacebuilding by Lisa Shirch
Combatants for Peace Online
Conversation Notes
- 6:20 How God intertwines our work and our passion into a life story
- 11:05 “Reconciliation takes place when we step across difference”
- 16:00 Honoring those that have been traumatized and not making assumptions as outsiders when trying to understand conflict in other countries
- 19:20 Understanding the biblical concept of shalom
- 24:15 Peace as a central theme for Jesus and his followers
- 29:10 The primacy of being citizens of the Kingdom of God in contested times and situations. Should we be pro-Israel or pro-Palestine?
- 34:00 Common drivers of violence and conflict - disparity, feelings of powerlessness, trauma and redemptive violence
- 43:05 Considering the history of conflict in Sudan and the impact of war trauma on the populations
- 51:10 The difference between peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding in the humanitarian space
- 56:55 Proximity, skills and posture that promote peace
- 1:03:10 The role that foreign bodies, international entities and INGOs should and should not play in conflict resolution
- 1:09:00 Organizations and stories of peace: "We stand together at the foot of the cross and we will work for peace."
- 1:14:10 Learning from the prejudices and hurts in our own heart towards other people and seeking to better understand the Kingdom of God
We are privileged to be joined today by a Christian leader that really embodies the ethic that we are all striving for as we pursue justice, mercy and shalom in the nations. We're grateful to have Eugene Cho join Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke on the show today talking with us about the work of Bread for the World and what it looks like to advocate for the poor and hungry both in the US and throughout the world. Eugene shares a pastoral word for those of us engaged in global justice work and offers his own reflections of how he remains grounded in Christ in the midst of busy lives of pursuing justice.
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Resources and Links from the Show
Overrated by Eugene Cho
Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk by Eugene Cho
Visit Bread for the World Online
Conversation Notes
Conversation Notes
- 5:20 - Finding your vocation through following the Holy Spirit and seeking first the Kingdom of God
- 9:30 - Living a Christian ethic and counteracting egoism, isolationism, scarcity and individualism
- 14:20 - "Right now, this is the worst global hunger crisis in the last fifty years" The gravity of worldwide hunger and where are we seeing the most acute hunger.
- 19:20 - The Five C's that drive hunger globally - COVID, Conflict, Climate Change, Cost, Corruption and how we respond with Compassion and Courage
- 28:30 - The difference between poverty and hunger within the US and poverty and hunger in the Global South
- 36:00 - What Eugene would do if he was a global dictator
- 41:35 - The importance of avoiding apathy and cynicism and embracing learning and praying when it comes to global issues.
- 52:15 - What is true advocacy and should Christians be involving themselves in politics
- 1:04:50 - Humanizing the struggle of families to make ends meet
- 1:09:20 - Staying grounded in the midst of undertaking really big global nonprofit work
- 1:15:55 - Reflecting on Overrated a decade later and pastoring the global nonprofit community
In this 3+1 episode, we're talking the good (malaria vaccines), the bad (slavery) and a whole lot of Haiti. We've got Mac Archer back on the show to share with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke what she's seeing on the ground in Haiti and what's getting missed in larger media outlets. We talk through the utility of violence by those running the country and look at some potentially similar dynamics in other countries. We also discuss forced labor in Asia, the rise of malaria vaccines in Africa and get a book recommendation for a book that just released in the last couple of months.
Conversation Notes
- 3:00 - Podcast shoutouts for community members that are reviewing, sharing and sponsoring the show
- 8:40 - A good news story! Vaccines in sub-Saharan Africa are leading to a decline in infant/child mortalities caused by Malaria
- 21:00 - Looking at the situation in Haiti from someone in the country and with an article by a Haitian leader. Are these really "gangs"? In what ways is it similar to other conflict areas? Is there accountability for foreign interference?
- 37:55 - The exploitation of North Korean enslaved laborers in China and the nature and challenges of reporting on issues within totalitarian nations
- 48:58 - Understanding the context of Haiti and other majority world countries through the economic and anthropological lens of Jake Johnston
Resources and Links from the Show
Al-Jazeera : Could new vaccines end Malaria in Africa?
NACLA : Haiti as Empire's Laboratory
BBC : North Koreans working in China 'exploited like slaves'
Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti by Jake Johnston
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
Today, we're releasing our podcast collaboration with our friends at Theology in the Raw. Brandon had a chance to sit down with Preston Sprinkle and dive into all things global orphan care and discuss the realities of that children in orphanages face worldwide. Our conversation weaves between a theology of calling and mission and how American Christians intersect with orphans in the Global South. We discuss the reality of life within orphanages, why kids end up there and what risk factors and vulnerabilities arise when kids are raised in that environment. This is a good Ethical Orphan Care 101 type episode and we're grateful for the chance to collaborate with Theology in the Raw to raise awareness and education.
For additional follow-up check out Brandon's four part orphan care blog series on Theology in the Raw. Here's the link.
Resources and Links from the show
When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett
In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence by Phil Darke and Keith McFarland
Check out our friends at Cherish Uganda
Get help to transform your orphanage with Canopy International
Global nonprofits are notorious doers, always thinking, planning and taking action. In all of our intentionality for programs and justice endeavors, are we being equally intentional to pray? Peter Greer is back on the show, along with new friend Ryan Skoog, to share about the new book that they wrote (along with Cameron Doolittle) called Lead with Prayer. This is a conversation for everyone, because without God's intervention, nothing would happen anyway. And here's the secret that our guests share with us, "even better than answered prayer, is the very presence of God." Let's think, let's do, but let's also pray.
Resources and Links from the show
Join us for the first ever CarePortal Conference
Lead With Prayer Website (Includes Free Prayer Tools)
Echo Prayer App
Conversation Notes
- 4:25 - Ryan’s background in entrepreneurship and fundraising
- 9:55 - Connection of themes between The Gift of Disillusionment and Lead with Prayer
- 13:10 - The impact of the global church on our lives and taking the Gospel locally and to the ends of the earth
- 17:00 - Why is prayer so overlooked within Christian nonprofits. Peter asks, “Do we think that we have more to do than Jesus?”
- 22:35 - Diving into the research of different leaders around the world and what their prayer lives look like
- 26:35 - Leaders have a friendship first approach to their prayer lives
- 30:03 - It requires intentionality to set up prayer rhythms both personally and as an organizational
- 37:50 - The importance of leaders to repent and avoid the common story of Christian leaders that fall from grace
- 44:20 - Stories of people’s prayer lives
In honor of the World Without Orphans Global Forum and in honor of awesome work being done in the Philippines, we've got Chrina Cuna Henson joining the show. Chrina runs the Manila-based organization Generations-Home and talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about what it's like to promote foster care and adoption in the Philippines. We discuss the reality of violence against children and the pervasive online sexual exploitation of children in the country and learn how Generations-Home is promoting the care and protection of Filipino children.
Resources and Links from the Show
Join us for the first ever CarePortal Conference
Generations-Home Website
"Constance" by Mr. J Medeiros (Music Video)
Conversation Notes
- 2:30 What’s great about the World Without Orphans Global Forum
- 7:50 About Generations Home and their work in the Philippines
- 10:15 How God led Chrina from personal tragedy into running a nonprofit focused on orphans and vulnerable children
- 15:00 Overview of orphanhood and childhood vulnerability in the Philippines including online sexual exploitation of children
- 22:42 Starting a church based, family focused movement in an orphanage and exploitation heavy context
- 34:35 The art of being gracious with people that have good intentions that are just trying to do what they think is best
- 39:30 Foster care and adoption in the Philippines
- 46:10 Getting the local church involved with vulnerable children and families
- 50:35 Being an OVC organization that is based financially in Asia rather than the West
- 55:53 Embracing our own brokenness as we faithfully serve vulnerable communities
In this 3+1 episode, we're catching up on some global stories that you might have missed and have a recommendation of the pop variety. We're continuing last month's conversation on elections by looking at El Salvador, talking through localization efforts in global development, the scandal surrounding UNRWA-Hamas and then get Brandon's take on Bono's recent biography, Surrender. Dr. Greg Burch of Multnomah University joins Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke for the conversation.
Get support for your nonprofit team or project with our team of professionals at Canopy International
Resources and Links from the show
Foreign Policy : What Bukele's Rise Means for the Region
World Relief : Three Trends We're Seeing in Global Development in 2024
USAID : Communicating through a Localization Lens
The Media Line : Hamas Sacrifices Gaza Children, and UNRWA Complicit in Crimes
Bridgely
The Locust Effect by Gary Haugen and Victor Boutros
God of the Empty-Handed by Jayukumar Christian
Conversation Notes
- 2:12 - Discussion on Christian Higher ed
- 8:23 - Considering security, freedom, violence and democracy as El Salvador goes through changes and the leadership of Nayib Bukele
- 22:00 - Why even bother bringing politics into the podcast conversation?
- 26:10 - Trends in global development, localization and the place for outsiders
- 40:30 - Violence against children in Israel-Palestine and the Hamas-UNRWA reports
- 52:34 - Surrender by Bono and reflections on the celebrity activist
Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
What does it look like to meet the needs of very vulnerable people in the face of glaring global disparity? What does it look like to bring God's Kingdom through improving access to healthcare in the Global South? These are the questions we're looking at today as we dive into conversation with CEO of CURE International, Justin Narducci. Justin and his team CURE are distinctly rooted in Luke 9:2 where Jesus commissioned His disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal the sick. For them that means running hospitals in eight countries, providing over 330,000 surgeries and sharing the gospel with 1.5 million people. We get to learn from their experience in this episode of the podcast.
Resources and Links from the show
Cure International Website
Get Support for Yourself or Your Team with Canopy International
Conversation Notes
- 1:40 - Update on Brandon’s work with CarePortal
- 4:05 - Think Global becoming Think Global, Do Justice
- 9:50 - The work of Cure Intl. and how God led Justin into the global nonprofit space
- 12:00 - How scripture points us towards caring for people both locally and globally regardless of ethnicity and upbringing
- 13:20 - The history and the founding of CURE to meet healthcare and spiritual needs of vulnerable children and communities
- 15:20 - The environment in which CURE is working and the harsh realities for families and children
- 21:20 - The feelings of a parent whose child is in need of serious medical care
- 25:40 - The imperative for CURE to provide healthcare to vulnerable children specifically
- 29:30 - Addressing the tremendous disparity when looking at healthcare in Africa versus other areas of the world
- 33:15 - Promoting sustainability and professional development through CURE’s hospitals and partnerships
- 39:00 - How should we think about scaling solutions especially in the face of such tremendous needs throughout the world
- 45:24 - Seeing an organization grow from the founder to subsequent executives without mission creep
- 48:50 - Incorporating Christian ministry care with the medical care to heal the sick and proclaim the Kingdom of God
- 53:35 - The importance of having a specialized skill that you can transfer and train others in
Podcast music by Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
You cannot have a conversation around global issues without considering the state of the earth itself. We are talking today with educator, author and climate advocate Dr. Forrest Inslee to learn, "what on earth is happening with the earth?" Dr. Inslee brings a distinctly Christian viewpoint to the conversation as we consider the damage being done to the environment and how Christians that are engaging vulnerable communities around the world have a role to play in supporting not just people, but all of God's creation.
Resources and Links from the show
Earthkeepers Podcast
Re-imagining Short Term Missions
Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katharine Hayhoe
Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land by Norman Wirzba
Conversation Notes
- 7:10 - Remembering that God loves all ethnicities and nationalities the same and Jesus making us into family
- 10:15 - Blood relation, family and adoption in Turkey
- 15:15 - A snapshot of climate change, extreme weather, ecosystem loss and how a Christian should think through these realities
- 19:45 - The link between poverty and ecological degradation
- 23:40 - Christians believe that people matter most, but is it the case that people are all that matters.
- 27:57 - The way that people divide even in the midst of having something they could agree on (and also Parks and Rec)
- 34:45 - Is there a role for technology to solve our problems or is that just magic thinking that won’t bear enough fruit
- 38:40 - Urbanization is a historic long term trend and how can people do something to take action
- 46:15 - The need to reimagine how we do short term missions
- 52:00 - Promising practices in short term missions and cross-cultural ministry
- 57:45 - Practicing humility and learning as we engage in justice work
In our first ever 3+1 episode, we're catching up on some global stories that you might have missed. We're talking about the war going on in Sudan, elections throughout the world, USAID waste and then learn of a great recommendation from our guest on developing monitoring and evaluation.
Conversation Notes
- 2:10 - Introduction to the 3+1 format and those that are in the conversation today
- 6:35 - The war in Sudan, the current situation, the history, the displacement, the genocide
- 11:35 - The economy of attention, why do we hear about certain problems or conflicts and not others
- 20:40 - Countries representing half of the world’s population are heading to the polls this year.
- 25:10 - Legitimacy of the elections in question and walking the line between perception and reality
- 30:02 - What is the role of the church in civic participation?
- 36:10 - USAID’s biggest contract in history goes a bit sour
- 44:50 - Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning resource for development professionals. Super helpful guide and directed course to equip you for this work.
Resources and Links from the Show
The Guardian : ‘Why are they forgetting about us?’: Sudan watches allies turn from war to aid Ukraine and Gaza
Politico : The global elections Washington should be watching in 2024
Devex : 'Too big to fail': How USAID's $9.5B supply chain vision unraveled
MEAL DPro: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning for Development Professionals
Sometimes in April Movie
The White Man's Burden by William Easterly
Think Orphan's Refugee Crisis Series
Theme music : Standing in the Rain by Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
Author and development educator, Dr. Michael Pucci joins the show to talk with us about the spiritual and relational dynamics of poverty and helps us understand the biblical view of the global family of God. We also dive into a fascinating conversation on the multi-billion dollar aid industry (which is nuanced by the amount of remittances sent to the Global South). Dr. Pucci is based in Kigali where he runs Transformational Initiatives and invests in women's economic empowerment alongside other transformational development initiatives.
Resources and Links
Owning Poverty by Michael Pucci, PhD
2023 Global Philanthropy Tracker Full Report
Join our NEW Patreon Community
Conversation Notes
- What does it mean to coach towards transformation (6:30)
- Applying James 1:27 to understand the powerlessness of individuals and how family is the model for Christians to interact with others (9:30)
- Is it okay to show preference toward certain people within a Christian’s life? (11:35)
- Understanding the condition of poverty and how it applies to everyone (17:50)
- The role of spiritual disciplines to know and participate in poverty (22:35)
- The reactions of people that are first encountering poverty (25:55)
- Poverty and suffering within the global Body of Christ (30:30)
- Hearing how the poor describe poverty (40:20)
- The importance of boundaries and diversity to promote social flourishing (43:00)
- The laying down of power and cultural dominance (51:00)
- Should we be building bridges or taking bridges apart? (57:00)
- The global aid industry, it’s big, it’s not working and the mode of engagement is off (59:45)
- Investigating our actions to see if they align with the Kingdom of God (1:11:00)
This podcast is something like day one, while at the same time seven years strong. In this trailer episode for Think Global, Brandon Stiver speaks to the heart of the podcast and the season that God is calling our community into. You’ll hear about some of the updates to the podcast as well as more ways to connect with us. Brandon also introduces Canopy International, a global community for convening, connecting and collaborating.
Please support the show (seriously, we don’t have backers anymore!) Here’s our freshly set-up Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/canopyinternational/
Please rate and review the show as we seek to reach more globally-minded disciples that are looking for community and meaningful content.
Theme Music : Standing in the Rain by Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License.
Phil and Brandon share how God has been working through the podcast throughout 2023 as well as throughout the history since Phil started the show nearly seven years ago. As we close out the year, we share the direction that God is leading us to take the podcast in 2024 and beyond. This is a heartfelt, earnest community conversation on the podcast today.
We're adjusting the scope, changing the name and stepping into the next phase of this podcast community. We're grateful to have you in this community and are looking forward to going deeper with you as he calls all of us to better serve vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Support the podcast by joining our NEW Patreon community : Link
In episode 237, we have a special on the ground episode to share how one organization's journey and commitment to family based care plays out through all the people in their organization. We're featuring voices through Selamta Family Project in Addis Ababa and invite you to join us in this conversation to celebrate the family care movement taking place in Ethiopia.
Show Notes
- Julia shares how she became involved in the sector (3:30)
- Selamta's programs and striving for forever families (5:00)
- Trust-based relational culture (10:00)
- Transforming children's welfare in Ethiopia (12:00)
- Tamrat shares about Selamta's model (18:30)
- The reality of aging out (21:32)
- Collaboration and partnership on the ground (23:30)
- Connecting with love and care (25:00)
- Providing consistent care (27:00)
- What family can provide (35:00)
- The difference that family makes (41:00)
- Hearing from older youth (48:00)
Resources and Links from the show
Selamta Family Project
On the Ground in Lesotho- The Power of Family Reunification
This week we have dedicated academic and researcher Dr. Lauren Pinkson. Lauren is the host of the Upwardly Dependent podcast and comes with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in human trafficking prevention and community development through social enterprise. She has a passion for exploring creative solutions to bridging cultures and investing in communities. Join us as we challenge preconceptions surrounding human trafficking, shifting perspectives in bridging cultures, and delving into the intersection of podcasting within this sector.
Podcast Sponsor
Sojourn Studio
Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!
Resources and Links from the show
Slavery Footprint
Freedom Business Alliance
Kindred Exchange
Upwardly Dependent
Human Trafficking 101
Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride
You Should be Grateful by Angela Tucker
Conversation Notes
- The intersection of trafficking and orphanage care settings (10:22)
- Promoting freedom business (17:00)
- How we define freedom and changing our framework (24:30)
- The power of story (31:00)
- Responding to what we know now about international adoption (38:00)
- Upwardly Dependent podcast (43:00)
- Foster care into trafficking (48:00)
- Lauren's favorite recommendations (53:00)
Mackynzie 'Mac' Archer comes with a deep love for the Haitian people and vulnerable populations. She is an anthropologist, researcher, consultant, and advocate. In this episode we dive into some of her findings in short-term missions, the orphanage system in Haiti, and her most recent doctoral research on the emotional labor of care-affected children.
Podcast Sponsor
Sojourn Studio
Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!
Resources and Links from the show
Most Children In Haitian Orphanages Aren’t Orphans — But US Missionaries Take Them Away From Their Families
Disquieting Gifts: Humanitarianism in New Delhi
Travesty in Haiti: A true account of Christian missions, orphanages, fraud, food aid, and drug trafficking
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Conversation Notes
- How Mackenzie got to Haiti (6:00)
- The reality on the ground at an orphanage (7:30)
- Interviewing children in orphanage systems (10:30)
- Let’s talk about life in Haiti right now (12:00)
- The impact of instability on orphanages (15:00)
- An increase in malnutrition (21:00)
- Most organizations unable to meet basic needs (23:00)
- Sustaining poor child welfare practices (26:00)
- Good intentions (27:00)
- One story from a short-term missions volunteer (31:00)
- Accountable empathy (38:00)
- Are we willing to receiving from other cultures? (41:00)
- The emotional labor we see at orphanages (47:00)
- Wiping the eyes of children between groups of visitors (52:00)
- Emotional labor in family reunification (57:00)
- Building relationships instead of structures (1:12:00)
In this Conversation episode, we're joined by nonprofit leaders Leslie Beasley (Miracle Foundation), Dave LeVan (Lifewater International), and Paige Shope (Yoked Partners). We'll delve into how non-profit organizations are increasingly adopting for-profit strategies, blurring the lines between the two sectors. Our discussion will venture into valuable leadership insights from experienced leaders, strategies to creating an effective team and organizational culture, and how to lead in uncertain times.
Podcast Sponsor
Sojourn Studio
Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!
Resources and Links from the show
Missions Based Management by Peter Brinkerhoff
Think Orphan Episode 219: The Uncharitable Truth about Nonprofits with Lindsey Hadley
Engine of Impact: Essentials of Strategic Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
Uncharitable Movie
Conversation Notes
- The differences between business and non-profit (14:58)
- More organizations operating like for-profit entities (19:00)
- Importance of clarity on impact (23:00)
- Lessons learned leading (32:00)
- Identifying where people will be most effective (42:00)
- Staying focused on your strengths as an organization (57:00)
- Best leadership advice (1:05:00)
In this conversation episode, we bring together leaders within different denominations to talk about care reform and the role the American church can play. Joining ust today are from Kristen Lowry from Shelter Yetu and Send Relief (Southern Baptist Convention), Laura Horvath from Helping Children Worldwide and the United Methodist Church, and Pastor Jacob Lierz from LifeMission Church. We discuss what motivates American churches to engage in global orphan care? How do we encourage them to move towards better practice? Can the church lead the movement for care reform?
Podcast Sponsor
Sojourn Studio
Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!
Resources and Links from the show
1MILLIONHOME Church Resources
Love Wisely course
Short-Term Missions Manual by Faith to Action
Barna Research Study
Send Relief consultant advocates orphan care reform
From the Field: How can your church help orphans?
Freeing Congregational Mission
Breaking Bread Series
Conversation Notes
-
What brought our guests into reforming orphan care (6:00)
-
Advising churches on best practice (13:00)
-
Helping the church ask questions (16:30)
-
Bringing change in missions (21:00)
-
Why are churches and donors reluctant to change? (31:00)
-
Should we stop supporting orphanages? (35:00)
-
Stories of change (42:00)
-
Short-term mission vs. long-term missions (49:00)
-
Improving child protection in missions (58:00)
-
Start with education and ask the hard questions (1:05:00)
In this Conversation episode, we're joined by global child welfare professionals Dr. Greg Burch, Kelly Strong, and Dan Hope. We'll look at cases where westerners were given access to vulnerable children in the Global South and then abused those children. We'll explore the significance of cultivating cultures of awareness around child protection. We'll get into the importance of establishing robust policies and systems designed to mitigate the risks associated with child abuse and exploitation. By fostering environments that prioritize vigilance and the well-being of children, we can better identify and prevent abuses, ultimately ensuring their safety and welfare.
Conversation Notes
- Recurring cases of exploitation in overseas volunteerism (voluntourism) (17:00)
- The risk in naivety (20:00)
- Harming, not helping (24:30)
- The power dynamics that add to vulnerability (27:00)
- White saviors, colonialism, paternalism (30:00)
- Establishing policies and systems that mitigate risk (34:00)
- Creating cultures of awareness and protection (44:00)
- Developing national safeguarding processes (50:00)
- Risk involved with child sponsorship (1:00:00)
- How do we create reporting mechanisms for children (1:08:00)
Resources and Links from the show
SFAC Safeguarding Course
SFAC Homepage
Multnomah Plus Course: Protecting the Vulnerable
Research Paper : Child Sexual Exploitation in East African Orphanages
In this episode, Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder join the show to tackle critical topics such as helping the church rediscover its identity, divisions within the American church regarding poverty, and the intricate relationship between economic empowerment and family well-being. Additionally, they delve into cross-cultural missions, the significance of community and relationships, and discuss ACE's collaboration with Chalmers Center. Tune in for insightful perspectives on poverty alleviation and community building.
Podcast Sponsor
Replanted Conference
The Replanted Conference provides a time away for caregivers to be refreshed, equipped, and inspired! Join us October 12-14, 2023 in Chicago or at a simulcast location near you. Registration now open! Use code '1MH10' to get your Think Orphan discount!
Resources and Links from the show
When Helping Hurts Vulnerable Children
How Soccer Explains Leadership with Graham Daniels
Becoming Whole by Brian Fikkert and Kelly Kapic
Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World by Andy Crouch
Chalmers Center
Alliance for Children Everywhere
Conversation Notes
- What does human flourishing look like? (7:30)
- Helping the church to rediscover who we are (9:00)
- Supporting organizations to transition to family care (16:00)
- The division of the American church on why people are poor (22:00)
- The problems with economic empowerment (24:00)
- The Graduation Approach of economic empowerment (34:00)
- Family as the solution and greatest community asset (37:00)
- Approaching families with humility (41:00)
- Working cross-culturally in missions (43:00)
- The imperative of community and relationship (48:00)
- ACE’s collaboration with Chalmers Center (1:04)
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we delve into the intriguing concept of "The Gift of Disillusionment" as explored in a recent book co-authored by our guest, Peter Greer. Peter is president and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered micro-enterprise development organization serving throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Don't miss this captivating conversation that explores the profound perspective that disillusionment can be seen as a gift rather than a setback.
Podcast Sponsor
Replanted Conference
The Replanted Conference provides a time away for caregivers to be refreshed, equipped, and inspired! Join us October 12-14, 2023 in Chicago or at a simulcast location near you. Registration now open! Use code '1MH10' to get your Think Orphan discount!
Resources and Links from the show
The Gift of Disillusionment
Peter Greer's Website
Free Hope International Downloads
Rooting for Rivals
The Intentional Father by Jon Tyson
Where the Light Fell by Phillip Yancey
Conversation Notes
- The work of Hope International (7:00)
- Biggest lessons learned from the last 20 years (12:00)
- The impact COVID-19 had on impoverished communities (18:00)
- The impact of war on Hope's extensive work in Ukraine (24:00)
- Peter shares about the Gift of Disillusionment (32:00)
- Hope in a world full of cynicism (43:00)
- Being fully present with others (55:00)
In this Conversation episode, we are bringing together leaders to talk about care reform and transition support services. We have Elli Oswald from Faith to Action, Jonathan Dowell from Weza Care Solutions, and Hannah Won from ACCI. These leaders come with many years experience from providing direct services in an orphanage to leading organizations committed to supporting orphanages to transition their models.
In addition to the audio podcast, you can check out the video podcast on 1MILLIONHOME's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@1MILLIONHOMEofficial
Podcast Sponsor
Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit
CAFO2023 is a gathering of more than 2,000 Christian orphan care leaders, parents and practitioners coming together from over 50 countries to worship and learn together. The event is September 20th-22nd in Oklahoma City. Register today!
Resources and Links from the show
Think Orphan Episode 162: The Global Church Pledge with Elli Oswald and Karen Springs
Better Care Network: Phases of Transition
Changing Mindsets and Practice from ACCI
Transitioning Support Survey by Faith to Action
1MILLIONHOME's Youtube channel
Conversation Notes
- Hannah shares about her experience with transition (6:00)
- Jonathan's background in corporate to Agape (9:00)
- Systems of protection and care are in reform (14:30)
- External pressure towards reform (23:00)
- Keeping donors engaged through transition (35:00)
- Care reform in Kenya (37:00)
- Giving local communities the resources they need (41:00)
- Being strategic and thoughtful with all stakeholders (58:00)
- Why do we need to look at policy and frameworks of organizations? (1:00:00)
- Restoring relationships (1:05:02)
- Resources, tools, people (1:09:00)
- First step advice (1:17:50)
This week we have the co-author of Freeing Congregational Mission, Dr. Hunter Farrell. He served as a long-term missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru and now works as the Director of the World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Dr. Farrell brings a wealth of first hand and research knowledge about Christian Mission. After 35 years in intercultural missions, he is calling for a reframing of missions. What would it look like to approach missions with a learning posture? How can we create spaces of connection for shared learning across cultures?
Podcast Sponsor
Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit
CAFO2023 is a gathering of more than 2,000 Christian orphan care leaders, parents and practitioners coming together from over 50 countries to worship and learn together. The event is September 20th-22nd in Oklahoma City. Register today!
Resources and Links from the show
Freeing Congregational Mission
Village Reach
Quiet
The Power of Introverts
Conversation Notes
- Hunter brought back to faith in Congo (4:50)
- Defining missions (10:00)
- The three stones framework (15:00)
- Cultural humility and learning posture (20:00)
- Problematic attitude of giving without receiving (24:00)
- Creating spaces of connection and horizontal learning (40:00)
- Unintended consequences of child sponsorship (42:00)
- Redeeming short-term missions (51:00)
- Key differences in cultures (57:00)
In this Conversation episode, we're joined by four child welfare leaders to dive into the nuances, challenges and triumphs of pioneering foster care throughout the world. On the show is Ian Forber-Pratt from Children's Emergency Relief International, Tara Garcia from Identity Mission, Sebilu Bodja from Bethany Christian Services, and Martus Greyvenstein from Kin Culture. We'll dive into all the nitty-gritty of foster care including questions like "Is foster-to-adopt bad?" "How do you promote something that is completely foreign in many contexts?" and "What role does foster care play in getting kids out of orphanages?"
In addition to the audio podcast, you can check out the video podcast on 1MILLIONHOME's new YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@1MILLIONHOMEofficial
Podcast Sponsors
Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit
CAFO2023 is a gathering of more than 2,000 Christian orphan care leaders, parents and practitioners coming together from over 50 countries to worship and learn together. The event is September 20th-22nd in Oklahoma City. Register today!
Resources and Links from the show
Think Orphan Episode 181: Driving Innovation in Child Welfare with Ian Forber-Pratt
Think Orphan Episode 30: Revolutionizing Orphan Care in India with Ian Forber-Pratt
1MILLIONHOME's new Youtube channel
Conversation Notes
- Foster care across cultural contexts (14:00)
- Building awareness for foster care (17:00)
- Partnering with the local church in foster care (20:00)
- The importance of defining terms (27:00)
- Using what’s working culturally (43:00)
- Recruiting families who root for the biological family (47:00)
- Pioneering care reform in Honduras (54:00)
- Collaboration between governments and organizations (59:00)
- The role of the local church (1:10:00)
In our second Conversations episode, we're joined by Anna Jackson from Montaña de Luz in Honduras, Brent Phillips from Cherish Uganda, and Dan Stoehr from Reach Ministries in the US, to discuss HIV/AIDS today. What is the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world today? What are the challenges care providers face? Find out how these leaders are working to overcome stigma and other obstacles.
Also, you can check out the video conversation on 1MILLIONHOME's new YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@1MILLIONHOMEofficial
Podcast Sponsor
Attachment and Trauma Focused Therapy by Deborah Gray
The ATFT course will prepare you to treat attachment, trauma, and loss issues in children; families. The course teaches approaches for prenatal exposure, executive dysfunction, and family maltreatment.
Resources and Links from the show
Global HIV & AIDS statistics — Fact sheet
Christianity Today: When Politics Saved 25 Million Lives
Think Orphan Episode 190: HIV/AIDS, Child Sponsorships and Fundraising Excellence with Brent Phillips
Conversation Notes
- Current HIV/AIDS data across the globe (4:00)
- The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa (6:00)
- Stigma remains one of the greatest hurdles across countries (10:30)
- Medicine the constant reminder (16:00)
- How COVID-19 impacted HIV treatment (19:00)
- Mother to child transmission in the Global South (26:00)
- Medicine accessibility in Honduras (40:00)
- Overcoming the stigma with stories (45:00)
- The changing perception of HIV (49:00)
- Overcoming stigma with skits and outreach in Central America (55:00)
- One thing you want people to know (59:00)
In our first ever Conversations episode, we're bringing together four global care leaders to talk about Central American cultural contexts, cycles of poverty and violence, family separation and the push factors leading migrants to flee the region. Joining the show is Kara Garcia of Project RED in El Salvador, Erica Switzer of Embraced Intl. in Honduras, Levi Bareither of Story Intl. in Guatemala and long-time children's advocate Onesimo Feliz.
Podcast Sponsors
Attachment and Trauma Focused Therapy by Deborah Gray
The ATFT course will prepare you to treat attachment, trauma, and loss issues in children; families. The course teaches approaches for prenatal exposure, executive dysfunction, and family maltreatment.
Resources and Links from the show
Migration Policy - Central American Immigrants
Think Orphan Episode 183 - Strengthening Children and Families in El Salvador with Kara Wilson Garcia
Show Notes
- Increasing levels of migrants and asylum seekers at US southern border (7:00)
- Kara shares about the current environment in El Salvador (9:00)
- Erica contrasts El Salvador with the work Embrace is doing in Honduras (13:00)
- Levi shares about the situation in Guatemala (22:00)
- Generational poverty paired with lack of opportunity as a driving force (28:00)
- Reunifying children within violent and unpredictable environments (30:20)
- Strengthening families as a preventative factor in migration (33:00)
- Onesimo shares the role of pastors in Latin America (42:00)
- Multiple layers of generational, historical, complex issues (58:00)
- We need more empathy for asylum seekers (1:00:00)
This week we have the privilege of delving deeper into the remarkable life story of Mohamed Emmanuel Nabieu. In his captivating memoir, My Long Journey Back Home, Nabs shares his resilient spirit and unwavering determination to overcome the challenges that marked his childhood and youth. In his second appearance on Think Orphan, Nabs shares more powerful insights. Discover how he is harnessing the strength of his past to forge a path of empowerment, not only for himself but for countless others who have experienced similar adversity.
Podcast Sponsors
Attachment and Trauma Focused Therapy by Deborah Gray
The ATFT course will prepare you to treat attachment, trauma, and loss issues in children; families. The course teaches approaches for prenatal exposure, executive dysfunction, and family maltreatment.
Join the Haiti Family Care Network at the Better Together Conference this July! The Better Together conference will provide a dedicated space and time to convene, share, and learn over two and half days in Nashville.
Resources and Links from the show
My Long Journey Back Home
Watch Nabs on TedxUSW
Helping Children Worldwide
Show Notes
- What prompted the writing of My Long Journey Back Home (11:20)
- A loss of family, community, culture, language, identity (12:00)
- Cultivating resilience and being transformed (13:30)
- Spreading the message about care reform and importance of families (14:00)
- Reflecting on diverse childhood experiences (16:50)
- Growing up with family (17:00)
- Navigating life on the streets (20:00)
- Family cannot be replaced (23:00)
- It is better to grow up in a poor family than a rich orphanage (26:00)
- The abuse in institutions is higher than in families (28:10)
- It’s more expensive to run an institution to family-care (29:00)
- Being taken away to the orphanage (29:30)
- Care without losing identity, connection, belonging (31:00)
- Creating bigger problems by removing children from families (32:00)
- Ways that missionaries have undermined connections with local communities (33:00)
- Changing development to ask communities, what do you need? (35:00)
- Undermining cultural ethics of countries (36:00)
- Understanding the cultural differences and how it can create challenges (38:00)
- Transitioning to family care (40:00)
- Providing hands up not hand outs (44:00)
- When families get stronger, so do communities (47:00)
- Years of cultivating a relationship with the government (51:00)
- Nab’s recommendations (56:00)
This week we are joined by Tiffany Bluhm, the author of Prey Tell and Never Alone. She speaks at conferences, companies, and churches, and her work has been featured in Publisher’s Weekly, Sojourners, Red Letter Christians, the YouVersion Bible app, Jenny McCarthy Show, and more. She serves at the intersection of faith and culture, humor and women’s issues. She lives in the PNW with her husband and two sons. In this episode, Tiffany helps us navigate hard conversations around abuse of power and what it means to create systems of accountability.
Podcast Sponsors
Faith to Action Initiative is hosting an upcoming webinar on Jun 8, 2023! Sign up today!
Beyond Selfie Missions: How Missions Became All About ‘Me’ and What to do About It.
You will learn practical ways to negate “selfie missions”, realign your missions efforts with the heart of God, and participate in transformational and reconciling missions work around the world.
Join the Haiti Family Care Network at the Better Together Conference this July! The Better Together conference will provide a dedicated space and time to convene, share, and learn over two and half days in Nashville.
Resources and Links from the show
Tiffany's Website
Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up
Speaker | Tiffany's Speaking Page
Co-Host | Why Tho Podcast
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Show Notes
- Tiffany Bluhm joins and shares her background (6:40)
- The importance of representation in early childhood (7:00)
- Adopting from East Africa (16:00)
- What you’ve learned as an adoptive parent (19:00)
- Navigating complex trauma and creating safe homes (20:00)
- The importance of self-care for ourselves (21:00)
- The unique isolation of motherhood and not wanting to burden others (22:00)
- Creating community and places families can connect (26:05)
- Tiffany’s take on “Adoption is trauma” (27:00)
- Trying to reconcile with family before international adoption (34:00)
- Tiffany’s book ‘Prey Tell’
- Discussing abuse of power (40:00)
- Biblical example of serving as an ally and bystander intervention (42:00)
- Demanding systematic accountability (43:00)
- When we see an imbalance of power (46:00)
- True accountability outside of the organization (50:00)
- Conflict of interest between leaders and boards (51:00)
- Pathways of reporting that are anonymous (52:00)
- What Tiffany’s currently working on (55:00)
- Tiffany’s personal recommendations (56:30)
- Brandon and Phil’s recap (59:00)
This week, Jason Johnson from Christian Alliance for Orphans returns to the show. Jason is a writer and speaker who encourages families and equips church and organizational leaders on their foster care and adoption journeys. In this episode, Jason names and shares many of the struggles and challenges that foster and adoptive parents go through. He encourages us to find safe spaces and communities where we can process our emotions and have open and honest conversations.
Podcast Sponsor
Faith to Action Initiative is hosting an upcoming webinar on Jun 8, 2023! Sign up today!
Beyond Selfie Missions: How Missions Became All About ‘Me’ and What to do About It.
You will learn practical ways to negate “selfie missions”, realign your missions efforts with the heart of God, and participate in transformational and reconciling missions work around the world.
Resources and Links from the show
Jason's Blog
Reframing Foster Care
Everyone Can Do Something
Episode 167: Jason Johnson Everyone Can Do Something
Episode 216: Poverty and Family Separation in US Child Welfare with Sarah Winograd
Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Quit by Annie Duke
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
Biola Missions Conference on YouTube
Show Notes
- Jason catches us up on what he’s been doing (5:00)
- The differences in how men and women approach fostering (8:10)
- Leading and following (11:00)
- Naming the struggles and grief involved in foster care(15:50)
- Giving ourselves the permission to think and feel (18:30)
- Being able to lean into the community around us (21:30)
- Improving how we do church engagement (25:00)
- Helping churches know how to care (28:00)
- Making the church our audience (31:00)
- Engagement as partnership (33:00)
- Urgency can breed scarcity (34:00)
- Focusing on family preservation and preventative measures (43:00)
- Living within the tensions and the need for foster care (45:00)
- Reckoning with the reality (46:00)
- Gaps and the spirit of scarcity (53:00)
- Gaps in the prevention space (56:00)
- Strategic benevolence and investing in the lives of at-risk families (58:50)
- Jason’s recommendations (1:00:00)
This week we've got Kim de Blecourt from Nourished Hearts back on the show to talk with us about their ministry in Ukraine, the effects of the war on vulnerable children and the importance of coming alongside indigenous churches. Nourished Hearts is a ministry that encourages, inspires, and creates community around those who are involved with adoption, foster care, or orphan care internationally.
Podcast Sponsor
Masters Program at Multnomah University in Global Development and Justice
The M.A. in Global Development and Justice (MAGDJ) program prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, peace building, and transformational community development work. The curriculum seeks to develop compassionate leaders, who are trauma-informed and prepared to support human flourishing in whatever context they work in.
Resources and Links from the show
BBC Article: Deportation of Ukrainian Children to Russia
Kim's Website
Nourished Hearts
I Call You Mine: Embracing Adoption
Relevant Magazine: Re-envisioning Orphan Care
Relevant Magazine: Better Way to Talk about Adoption
Think Orphan Episode 107. Be Patient with Kim de Blecourt
Show Notes
- Kim shares her background (6:30)
- Kim shares about her recent experience in Ukraine (10:00)
- Trying to meet the needs of the internally displaced (12:30)
- Rising concerns for children in Ukraine (17:00)
- War crimes related to separating families (25:00)
- Knowing the heart of God and identifying with the orphan (32:00)
- God labels himself as the Father of the Fatherless (36:07)
- Importance of translating materials to other languages (38:30)
- Rick Warren as one person who has impacted Kim’s thinking (52:00)
- Phil and Brandon recap the conversation (55:10)
- The importance of connections and networking (57:00)
- Just doing the next right thing (1:00:00)
- Relevant Magazine article ‘A Better Way to Talk about Adoption’ (1:03:00)
Kimberly Quinley, a pioneer of family-based care, has spent nearly 40 years serving in Thailand. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of Step Ahead, an organization committed to see all children in Thailand grow up in safe and nurturing families. Kimberly is a founding leader for Strong Families Alliance Thailand (SFAT), a Christian alliance with the same vision and goals as World Without Orphans. In episode 220, we cover everything from the core pillars of family strengthening, to collective impact, creating national roadmaps, and more.
Podcast Sponsor
JOURNEYHOME is offering online courses and practical resources for reforming models of care throughout the world. Created by seasoned frontline practitioners, the instructors in our community share field-tested and solution-based content to safely and effectively get kids home.
Reintegrating Children with Disabilities into Family: Around the world, children with disabilities are 17x more likely than typically developing children to end up living in an institution. Our hope is that this course will help your organization find a way home for children with disabilities.
Resources and Links from the show
Urban Halo by Craig Greenfield
Step Ahead Thailand
Think Orphan Episode 51 with Delia Pop
Show Notes
- Introducing Kimberly Quinley (7:00)
- Understanding the reality of orphanages (9:00)
- Starting Step Ahead (10:30)
- One mother’s dilemma (12:00)
- Keeping families together is the best thing to do (15:20)
- Cross cultural insights, do your homework (18:00)
- Poverty is great reason children enter care (19:00)
- Come listen, and learn (20:00)
- Push and pull factors for children in residential care (25:00)
- Children at risk of trafficking (29:00)
- Strengthening families is most needed (35:00)
- Defining family strengthening (39:00)
- Different areas of family strengthening (40:00)
- Connecting families to services (43:00)
- Collective impact model (50:00)
- Defining shared vision (53:00)
- Monitoring and evaluation (55:00)
- Creating leadership (58:30)
- Drafting a national roadmap (59:00)
- Kimberly’s recommendations (1:03)
- Brandon and Phil recap the conversation (1:15)
Find additional shows and resources on thinkorphan.com
In episode 219, Lindsay Hadley is on to discuss the upcoming release of the documentary "Uncharitable". After many years in the nonprofit sector, Lindsay has become one of the most sought-after consultants and producers. This conversation challenges us to envision an unconstrained nonprofit sector. What if the charities could attract the best leaders, talents, and ideas? What if smaller operations with less impact stopped and those resources went to the best organization solving the problem? We get into these questions and more in this episode of Think Orphan.
Podcast Sponsor
Multnomah University's Masters in Global Development and Justice
The M.A. in Global Development and Justice (MAGDJ) program prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, peacebuilding, and transformational community development work. The curriculum seeks to develop compassionate leaders, who are trauma-informed and prepared to support human flourishing in whatever context they work in.
Resources and Links from the show
Uncharitable Documentary
Dan Pallotta's Ted Talk - The Way We Think about Charity is Dead Wrong
Lindsay's Book Recommendation- Bonds that Make Us Free
Show Notes
- Lindsay shares her background in nonprofit (5:05)
- Her involvement working in orphan care and global poverty (7:30)
- Overhead myth and a real example (17:25)
- Ted Talk behind 'Uncharitable' (24:00)
- Lindsay explains her role as an executive producer (33:00)
- The role risk plays for non-profits (38:00)
- Appreciation in the non-profit sector (49:00)
- The best organizations would grow (51:00)
- Lindsey’s book recommendation (55:00)
- To see ourselves in the other (57:00)
- Lindsey’s most influential person (59:00)
- Joe Ritchie on Caring for Orphans (1:00:00)
- Brandon and Phil recap their talk with Lindsey (1:02:00)
- The overhead myth (1:03:00)
In episode 218, we hear from lawyer and professor, Elizabeth Kirk. Elizabeth is the Director of the Center for Law and the Human Person, as well as a research associate at The Catholic University of America. Her work spans a variety of law in child welfare, parental rights, and adoption policy. In addition to her career, her lived experiences as an adoptee and an adoptive parent, give her a unique perspective and voice to speak into the conversation happening around adoption today. She talks with Brandon about the role that infant adoption could play following last year's Dobbs decision at the Supreme Court, misconceptions around adoption, as well as insight on the decision making process for women that have an unplanned pregnancy.
Podcast Sponsor
Masters Program at Mulnomah University in Global Development and Justice
The M.A. in Global Development and Justice (MAGDJ) program prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, peacebuilding, and transformational community development work. The curriculum develops compassionate leaders and professionals, who are trauma-informed and prepared to support human flourishing in whatever context they work in.
Resources and Links from the show
LifeMark movie
Show Notes
- Elizabeth shares her background and what drew her into this work (5:20)
- The role of adoption in a post Roe vs. Wade world (13:00)
- Overviewing pro-choice arguments against adoption (14:52)
- A view of pregnancy that includes communities (18:20)
- Mothers and decision making in adoption (24:50)
- A global south perspective (27:20)
- Misconceptions concerning adoption (29:00)
- Elizabeth’s adoption experience and a story from a birth mother (35:20)
- Is adoption a viable option in a birth mother’s mind? (49:00)
In episode 217, we have a special on the ground episode to share how one organization's journey and commitment to reunifying families has inspired others. Trust for Africa's work in Lesotho has gone beyond their own organization and now supports other organizations to transition to family-based care. Naomi Schalm, Mafusi Semethe, Mbele Horoto, and Bokang Lipholo all join us in this conversation to celebrate the movement underway in Africa's "Kingdom of the Sky."
Podcast Sponsor
JOURNEYHOME is offering online courses and practical resources for reforming models of care throughout the world. Created by seasoned frontline practitioners, the instructors in our community share field-tested and solution-based content to safely and effectively get kids home.
Resources and Links from the show
Trust for Africa
On the Ground in Lesotho- The Power of Family Reunification
Show Notes
- The challenges for children in residential care (4:45)
- Ramping up family tracing efforts (5:48)
- The hard work of individualized care plans (6:55)
- Importance of follow-up after placement (7:40)
- One 12 year old’s journey home (10:20)
- Another story of family separation and reunification (12:40)
- Are we including children in their restoration? (15:20)
- Mafusi asks what can we do differently? (18:15)
- The start of training other orphanages and childcare workers (19:20)
- Making plans to reunify children (20:30)
- Family strengthening programs (23:00)
- The importance of following up with families (26:00)
- Emotional and psychological challenges for children in care and building resilience (28:15)
- Resolving misunderstandings (30:00)
- Mbele on children aging out of the orphanage (39:00)
- On influencing the country and bringing change (41:30)
- Concerns about transitioning (42:10)
- Director of an orphanage, Bokang, shares about kids aging out (45:30)
- Addressing more than material needs (46:40)
- Children visiting families during holidays (48:40)
- A vision to help more children with a different model (49:30)
Visit thinkorphan.com for additional resources and stories.
In episode 216, we hear from US care reform leader, Sarah Winograd from Together for Families. Sarah speaks passionately about the complexities in child welfare and foster care as a system, how poverty contributes to family separation, and the problematic ways we've seen and judged birth families. She asks the hard questions- if most children aren't coming into foster care because of abuse, what resources and systems are we investing in to keep those families together? What are we doing to intervene and stabilize families in order to prevent separation and keep children in families? Can the church do better?
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 215, we have the privilege of sitting down with Jenn Hook to glean from her experiences in the foster care system and hear about her newly released book, Thriving Families. Jenn is the Founder and Executive Director of Replanted. She's also the author of Replanted: Faith Based Support for Adoptive and Foster Families.
Attachment and Trauma Focused Therapy Course by Deborah Gray - Link
Use the Promo Code "ATFT99" at checkout to take advantage of this limited time deal
Full show notes and links can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 214, we've got filmmaker and justice advocate Jeff Rogers on the show. Jeff talks with us about his work over the years that has highlighted and advocated for children outside of parental care and communities that have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. Jeff shares with us about the new feature documentary Beyond the Island which tells the story of HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea and highlights the work of advocates and the triumph of overcomers. Through the conversation, we learn more about the role that filmmaking plays in enacting community change and advocating for vulnerable children.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 213, Brandon and Phil reflect on 2022 and look forward to 2023 for the podcast and orphan care ministries. This is our annual show to share the state of Think Orphan and what exciting things are coming down the pipe for the podcast. We want to hear from you while we do it all!
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 212, we've got a panel of executive directors that oversaw the transition of their orphanage to family based care. We'll be asking them the hard questions of how they worked with their board of directors and their donor bases to take the journey with them. Brandon will be interviewing past Think Orphan guests and orphan care leaders, Brent Phillips of Cherish Uganda, Ashlee Heiligman of Global Child Advocates and Spencer Reeves of Child Hope International. This panel took place live in Atlanta, Georgia at the Christian Alliance for Orphans Annual Summit.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 211, we're talking with foster care alum, entrepreneur and advocate Justin Black about the new book he co-wrote with his wife Alexis called Re-Defining Normal. Justin shares with us his experience spending some of his childhood and adolescence in care and the importance of supporting foster youth as they exit care. It's a great conversation to think through family, community and what it means to help young people heal and establish their own family successes.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 210, we're talking with Adrien Lewis and Jake Barreth of the Global Orphan Project to learn about their ministry and dive into the Care Portal platform. We get into conversations on youth that are aging out of care, hear about the crisis in Haiti and learn how Care Portal is changing communities throughout the US and Canada. All that, plus Brandon and Phil subject our listeners to pointless sports banter (and it's not even Phil's other podcast!)
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 209, we've got our buddy Craig Greenfield back on the show to catch us up on the Alongsiders movement and tell us about his new book Subversive Mission. We talk with Craig about the five fold ministry framework that he adapted from Ephesians and get our questions answered about ethical cross-cultural missions. If you are doing missions work overseas, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 208, we're in conversation with author and preeminent attachment expert Deborah Gray. Deborah shares from her decades of experience serving children and families through therapy and sets baseline understandings on trauma and attachment. In addition to the stack of books that Deborah has written, she also shares about the Attachment-Trauma Focused Therapy post-graduate course that is now available for the first time ever in an online format. All that, plus we've got our favorite Brit, movie director and podcast editor, Samuel Rich, filling in for Phil this week.
Link to Attachment-Trauma Focused Therapy online course
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 207, we're talking with Nick Runyon, Ashlee Heiligman and Julie Ann Walton about their new media series called Reimagine Orphan Care. Nick from The Archibald Project shares with us about storytelling and the power of media to help orphans and vulnerable children and Ashlee and Julie from Global Child Advocates share some of the misconceptions they've encountered when talking with others about orphan care. All that plus some wrap up conversation on CAFO Summit in Atlanta.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 206, we're talking with Peter Mutabazi about his childhood growing up through various challenges in Uganda and how learning from those experiences propelled him towards foster care and adoption. Peter shares with us about his new book, Now I Am Known, which really encapsulates a lot of what we talk about on Think Orphan. Not to mention, we've got Phil back in the fold after a couple of months off from the pod and we're gearing up for CAFO Summit in Atlanta this week!
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
For our final summer compilation episode, we'll be looking at foster care in the United States - an area that many of our audience members has some familiarity with. We've all heard the triumphs and the challenges of engaging in foster care and this week, we'll be hearing from three guests that are leading the way towards better practice in foster care. Each of our guests have a lot of personal experience welcoming children into their homes and will be walking us through the child's experience, the family's experience and how we can better engage the church and community more broadly to lend a hand in helping children in foster care systems. Check out their books to learn more from each of these guests.
Tori Hope Petersen, author of Fostered.
Jamie Finn, author of Foster the Family.
Jason Johnson, author of Reframing Foster Care and Everyone Can Do Something.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
Caring for orphans and vulnerable children doesn't happen in a vacuum. Throughout the world, there are certain contexts that are particularly challenging to help children and families, none more so than when there is war and conflict. For our third summer compilation, we'll be looking across three different countries in the world where conflict has made orphan care work more difficult and also all the more necessary. As we hear from Ruslan, Kara and Ashlee, let's commit to praying for peace and the protection for children.
Ruslan Maliuta - OneHope - Ukraine
Kara Wilson Garcia - Project Red - El Salvador
Ashlee Heiligman - Global Child Advocates - Myanmar
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
We're back with our second compilation episode for August where we're learning about the transition to family care from leaders within global care reform. We'll be looking at three levels of care reform. First, Delia Pop will be walking us through the research and international movement. Second, Jonathan Dowell will be showing us what this looks like at the country level in Kenya. And last, Spencer Reeves will be sharing about their journey at the organizational level of transition. Check out each of their organizations to learn more about family care.
Delia Pop - Tanya's Dream Fund - Bulgaria
Jonathan Dowell - Weza Care Solutions - Kenya
Spencer Reeves - Child Hope International - Haiti
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
This week we're jumping into our first summer compilation episode and we're learning from friends and colleagues throughout the world about leaving care. Nabs, Sinet, Grace and Tamrat give us first hand accounts of growing up in orphanages in the Global South. Beyond hearing their stories, they also provide insight for moving care forward. We'd encourage you to check out their respective organizations to learn more about care reform and pursuing family care in their respective countries.
Mohamed Nabieu - Helping Children Worldwide - Sierra Leone
Sinet Chan - Cambodia Children's Trust - Cambodia
Grace Njeri - Weza Care Solutions - Kenya
Tamrat Kebede - Selamta Family Project - Ethiopia
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 201, we're talking with Simon Njoroge about his work in family based care, welfare reform and the adoption landscape in Kenya. A little change up, we gave Phil a break and recorded this episode live at the 1MILLIONHOME office in Tacoma, Washington. Apologies for slight audio issue at the start of interview, Brandon is a work in progress! We know you'll learn a lot from Simon and his experience as an adoptee, an advocate and an administrator working in orphan care.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In this special episode of Think Orphan, we celebrate the 200th episode! What started as an idea that Phil just hoped people would listen to has turned into a resource, a movement and a community focused on loving orphaned and vulnerable children with excellence. Join us for this episode where we bring back former hosts, hear from past guests and current listeners and of course look forward to the many more episodes to come.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 199, we're talking with old friend and President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, Jedd Medefind. With his years of leadership in the OVC space, we pick Jedd's brain on what trends he's seeing and what the future might hold for advocates and practitioners alike. We then get into a longer conversation on Roe v. Wade and the practical implications if federal legislation on abortion changes.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 198, we're speaking with Alycia Pinizzotto of Story International in Guatemala about piloting foster care in a new context, parenting teens and ministering in the midst of tragedy. Alycia brings a lot of first-hand experience and thoughtful reflections on ministering to orphans and vulnerable children, not only in Guatemala but in the US system as well.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 197, we're speaking with author, professor and mother Brittany Salmon about the in's and out's of cross-cultural and trans-racial adoption. We learn not only from her family's experience but also research and writing that she's put together in her new book, It Takes More Than Love. After the interview, Brandon and Phil discuss race a little further and emphasize the importance of listening and building towards unity.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 196, we're talking with Tori Hope Petersen. Tori is an author, speaker and foster care advocate with lived experience in the system (oh, yeah, she's also Mrs. Universe). We discuss what foster care looks like from the inside, what changes ought to be made and what compelled Tori to go from being a foster youth, to now welcoming kids in to her home as a parent.
Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 195, we're talking with Dr. Scott Moeschberger. Scott is the Director of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Degree Program at Taylor University and a leading expert globally on violence against children. We discuss the program at Taylor and dig into his upcoming book "Building Cultures of Peace: Psychological Perspectives on Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Children".
In episode 194, we're talking with Morgan Wienberg about her organization Little Footprints Big Steps, serving vulnerable children in Haiti and the new feature documentary Not About Me. Our conversation centers around eager volunteers, maturing into better practice and the prevalence of for-profit orphanages.
Full show notes for the episode can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 193 we're talking with Ruslan Maliuta about the war in Ukraine and the tragic realities for children in the country and those that are fleeing the country. Ruslan is a Ukrainian and a founding leader for World Without Orphans. He currently works for OneHope, a global ministry that helps children engage with God’s story, supporting several networks, including the 4/14 Movement and the World Evangelical Alliance.
In episode 192, we're talking with Author and Advocate, Jamie Finn about foster care, adoption and reunification. Jamie has written extensively on her blog Foster the Family about how God has been working in their family's life and we get to glean from the lessons that they've learned along the way. Jamie's new book "Foster the Family" is available on Amazon or wherever you buy your books.
Full show notes for the episode can be found at thinkorphan.com
In this special episode of Think Orphan, we're joining Pastor and Author Francis Chan as he travels through Kenya to hear about what God is doing in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. Along the way, he talks with care leavers, organization directors and advocates for family based care. This podcast is brought in partnership with JourneyHome, the online community learning platform that is training and resourcing leaders in global child welfare. Visit 1millionhome.com/journeyhome to continue Francis Chan's discovery of orphan care in Africa.
In episode 190, we're talking with Brent Phillips from Cherish Uganda. A long-time friend of the podcast, we get Brent on to share about the work that Cherish is doing in Uganda, what it looked like for them to transform to a family based model of care and then get into the nitty-gritty of fundraising for our missions and whether or not child sponsorships are the way to go.
In episode 189, we're talking with Sinet Chan and Grace Njeri who sit on the USAID Care Leavers Council and are recipients of Miracle Foundation's Youth for Social Impact award. They share their personal experiences of what it was like to grow up in an orphanage and the years thereafter. Hear what they are doing now to help impact future adolescents coming out of institutionalized care.
In episode 188, we're talking with Caroline Boudreaux, the founder of Miracle Foundation. Caroline talks with us about what led her to starting the organization, what child welfare looks like in India and some important reflections on running non-profit organizations with excellence.
Show notes for the podcast can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 187, we're recapping Season 9 of the podcast (July through December 2021) and also looking ahead to the great slate of people coming up on Season 10 of the podcast. You'll also hear Phil and Brandon's top recommendations from 2021 and how people can get behind the work of Think Orphan.
Show notes for the podcast can be found at thinkorphan.com
In this final episode of Season 9, we're talking with the crew over at SFAC (that's Strengthening Families and Children, Phil!) We get into an array of topics with Mick, Dan and Caitlin around child protection, family care services and what they've learned from years working in global child welfare.
Show notes for the podcast can be found at thinkorphan.com
The free e-course "Family Reunification and Safeguarding" can be found at 1millionhome.com/journeyhome
In episode 185, you will hear from Tamrat Kebede who is the Ethiopia Director for Selamta Family Project. Tamrat talks with Phil and Brandon about his own experience growing up in an orphanage and how that has informed his work overseeing Selamta's family and community based model of care. Tamrat also explains the current conflict unfolding in Ethiopia and how that is adversely affecting orphans and vulnerable children in the country.
Show notes for the podcast can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 184, you'll hear from Dr. Susan Hillis who works at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and also serves on the leadership team of World Without Orphans. In this episode, Dr. Hillis shares with us her own background as an adoptive mother, the importance of a global response for orphaned and at-risk children and the far reaching implications of the millions of children left orphaned by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Show notes for the podcast can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 183, you’ll hear from Kara Wilson Garcia who serves as the Executive Director of Project RED. We talk with Kara about the effects of conflict in El Salvador, how reintegration policies can go wrong and the work Project RED is doing to strengthen families and support children.
Show notes for the podcast can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 182, you’ll hear from Jonathan Dowell who serves as the Executive Director of Weza Care Solutions. We talk with Jonathan about Weza Care Solutions and the emphasis on their social work and rehabilitation work. They are filling gaps in the transition between the old system of institutionalized care and maturing organizations in Kenya who want to take on new models of care to help children and families.
Show notes for the podcast can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 181, you’ll hear from Ian Forber-Pratt who serves as the CEO of The Institute for Child Welfare Innovation, the Director of Global Advocacy at CERI, and also teaches at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. We talk with Ian about the work that he and his team are undertaking in domestic and international reform to “Protect Childhood.”
In episode 180, you'll hear from Aaron Blue who serves as the Thailand Director for The Charis Project. We talk with Aaron about the work that he and his team are undertaking in Mae Sot, Thailand to strengthen families and develop communities.
Show notes for the podcast can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 179, you'll hear from Pastor Evans Baggs who serves as the Pastor of Mobilization at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. We talk with Evans about the recent research from Barna Group, Faith to Action and Changing the Way We Care on Christian giving to orphanages. We'll also get his thoughts on the role of the American church in global ministries to orphans and vulnerable children and how to prioritize relationship and accountability with international partners.
Show notes for the episode can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 178, you'll hear from Anja Goertzen Gaona of Paraguay Protects Families about collaborating across sectors in Paraguay and Latin America to promote systemic care reform and family based services.
Show notes for this episode can be found at thinkorphan.com
In episode 177, you will hear from children's rights advocate and global voice for care leavers, Ruth Wacuka. She'll be talking with us about the importance of engaging care leavers beyond just hearing their stories, but collaborating on actual care programming and reforms.
In episode 176, you will hear from Dr. Greg Burch, Chair of the Global Studies Department at Multnomah University and expert on issues surrounding children at risk. He's talking with us today about issues facing street connected children, the problems with statistics when it comes to at risk children and the role education plays to equip practitioners towards caring for orphans and vulnerable children with excellence.
In episode 175, you will hear from Ashlee Heiligman, Global Director at Global Child Advocates talking with us about their transition to family care, working with vulnerable populations and how they've adapted their ministry to serve vulnerable children in Myanmar's current conflict.
In Episode 174, Dr. Rick, Phil and Brandon have a conversation about transitions, working in the OVC sector and preview some of the guests that you'll be hearing from in Season 9.
In Episode 173, you will hear from Jenn Hook, Founder and Executive Director of Replanted, and author of the book also called Replanted.
In this recast, Episode 172, you will hear from Amanda Cox, who has worked with Lumos, Faith to Action Initiative, and Hope and Homes for Children to help orphaned and vulnerable children around the world flourish.
In this recast Episode 170, you will hear from Marisa Stam, Executive Director for Selamta Family Project.
In the recast episode 169, you will hear wisdom from Dr. Mandy Howard, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Samford University, who worked with Dr. Karyn Purvis at the TCU Institute of Child Development for several years.
In this recast Episode 168, you will hear from Josh Shipp, author of the best-selling book, The Teen’s Guide to World Domination, global youth empowerment expert, and acclaimed speaker.
In this recast Episode 167, you will hear from Jason Johnson, Author of Everyone Can Do Something, Reframing Foster Care, and All In Orphan Care, and Director of Church Ministry Initiatives for CAFO.
In Recasted Episode 166, you will hear from Brian Fikkert, President of The Chalmers Center, Professor of Economics and Community Development at Covenant College, and co-author of When Helping Hurts.
[Recast] - In Episode 165 you will hear a conversation between Brian Fisher, co-founder and President of Human Coalition, and Kira Schlesinger, Episcopalian Priest and author of Pro-Choice and Christian
In this recast episode, you will hear from Curt Thompson, Psychiatrist and prolific author, including Anatomy of the Soul and The Soul of Shame.
In Episode 163, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation about their favorite parts about Season 8, things we can all learn from the amazing guests we have had with us this season, a recommendation about a great show, some important news about the podcast, and an opportunity that you don’t want to miss.
In Episode 162, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Elli Oswald, Executive Director of Faith to Action, and Karen Springs, of World Without Orphans.
In Episode 161, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Jeff Juhala, National Director of Training and Ministry Programs for For the Children.
In Episode 160, Dr. Rick and Phil look back on 2020, talk about the ups and downs of this crazy year, opportunities that have arisen because of the lockdowns and travel restrictions, a passage about eagles that has really spoken to Rick this year, and resources that have impacted them over the past 12 months. They also have a fun conversation about a TV show that most would not expect to be covered on Think Orphan.
In Episode 159, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Jared Scheppmann, Executive Director of Ekisa Ministries in Uganda.
In Episode 158, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Lisa Qualls, Co-author of The Connected Parent: Real Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment, and the blog, “One Thankful Mom”
In Episode 157, Dr. Rick and Phil take a look back at the highlights from the first 8 episodes of Season 8.
[ This episode is a recast from January 15, 2019 ]
In Episode 156, you will hear from Dr. Caroline Leaf, neuroscientist, author of numerous books, and global speaker, talking with Phil about:
- How the mind controls the brain and why that is important
- The plasticity of the brain and how it gives us great hope in our work with orphaned and vulnerable children
- The importance of reconceptualizing your past, and rewiring and changing any toxicity in your brain
- Examining and challenging some of the research connected to attachment theory and other orphan care principles
- The importance of knowing your true identity, the science of identity, and how science points us to God and is working to catch up to the Bible.
- The concept that we can’t control our circumstances but we can control how we react to our circumstances
- The place of medication in the context of caring for children suffering from mental and physical disorders and/or trauma in their lives
- And so much more!
In Episode 155, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Spencer Reeves, Executive Director of Child Hope International.
In Episode 154, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Robert Glover OBE, Founder and Executive Director of Care for Children and author of As Many as the Stars: A Story of Change for the Children of China.
In Episode 153, Part 2 of the two-part episode with Keith McFarland, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Keith, co-author/co-editor of In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence and Director of the Institute for Gospel Transformation at New Hope Uganda.
In Episode 152, Part 1 of the two-part episode with Keith McFarland, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Keith, co-author/co-editor of In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence and Director of the Institute for Gospel Transformation at New Hope Uganda.
In Episode 151, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Todd Chipman, a pastor, professor, and author of Until Every Child is Home: Why the Church Can and Must Care for Orphans
In Episode 150, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with DJ Jordan, an adoptive parent and a huge advocate for orphaned and vulnerable children, who has worked on congressional staffs and has contributed on Fox News and CNN, among many other things...
In Episode 149, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Karen Springs, Author of Adoption Through the Rear View Mirror: Learning from Stories of Heartache and Hope and Communications Director for World Without Orphans.
In Episode 149, Dr. Rick and Phil have a conversation with Karen Springs, Author of Adoption Through the Rear View Mirror: Learning from Stories of Heartache and Hope and Communications Director for World Without Orphans.
In Episode 148, Dr. Rick and Phil discuss our pursuit of justice in connection with race relations, orphaned and vulnerable children, and other issues in our world today.
In Episode 147, Dr. Rick and Phil discuss some of the great resources we have to help us in our work to address the priority needs through and after the COVID-19 crisis so that we can love orphaned and vulnerable children with excellence.
In Episode 146, you will hear from Rebecca Patterson and Krish Kandiah, who work with Home for Good.
In Episode 145, you will hear from Brandon Stiver, Director of Community and Church Engagement for 1MILLIONHOME.
In Episode 144 you will hear from Elli Oswald about working to Get Children into Healthy Families.
In Episode 143, you will hear from Arthur C. Woods, Speaker, Teacher, and Writer, talking with Phil about:
- His incredible story and how he started working with teens from hard places
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How we can love teenage young adults who come from hard places
- Why discipleship and mentorship is so important in our work with teens and why it is important for us to know the difference between the two.
- How mentoring teens from hard and traumatic backgrounds differs from those not coming from trauma, and how we can mentor teens from hard places with excellence
- How we can build trust with teens who experienced trauma in their past
- His DVD Series and Podcast, “Trusting the God of the Gospel,” and how it can help teens truly know, trust, and love God
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Defining the terms, “Truth,” “Gospel,” and “God."
-
And so much more!
In Episode 142, you will hear from Ruby Johnston, Co-Founder and Director of International Field Operations for Lamb International, and Executive Team Member for World Without Orphans (“WWO”), talking with Phil about:
- Ruby’s story to see how she got to be where she is today.
- The training work that Ruby does all around the world
- Why the training her and her husband do more than 300 days a year is so important for all of us to know about
- Why understanding the distinction between training and capacity building is so important
- The WWO Road Map and how it can help all of us love OVC with excellence
- How the orphan care movement has changed over the decades that Ruby has been working to equip OVC organizations
- What Ruby believes are some of the biggest issues we are facing today in connection with the care of OVC and how we can address them with excellence
- And so much more!
In Episode 141, you will hear from Mohamed Nabieu (“Nabs”), Child Welfare Programs Liaison for Helping Children Worldwide, talking with Phil about:
- His incredible story from being cared for in an orphanage to transitioning orphanages to family-based care
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How he has been able to deal with his childhood trauma and now help children who have experienced similar trauma in their lives
- Why he loves Mondays and his unorthodox theory about elevators
- The good and bad of orphanages, and why he believes that we need to shift our mindsets from orphanages to family-based care
- How his organization, Helping Children Worldwide, is working to strengthen families and get orphaned and vulnerable children into families
- Why we need to coach the people and not the problems
- Why collaboration with people different from us is so important
- And so much more!
In Episode 140, you will hear from Mike Berry, author of Honestly Adoption (and a bunch of other books), founder of Confessions of an Adoptive Parent, co-host of the Honestly Adoption Podcast, and adoptive father, talking with Phil about:
- The why and what of Mike and Kristin’s new book, Honestly Adoption, and what Mike hopes the reader will experience as they read it
- The difficult questions we face in adoption and foster care
- What it was like for Mike to write this book with his wife
- How are personalities impact how we can work together effectively
- The importance of hearing from the voices of the adoptees
- The importance of self-care in the lives of adoptive and foster families
- Mike’s favorite part of the new book
- And much more!
In Episode 139, you will hear from Phil and Dr. Rick talking about some of the cool things that have happened since the end of Season 6, what’s coming up in Season 7, and a few more things that we know you’ll want to hear.
In Episode 138, you will hear from Phil and Dr. Rick talking about their thoughts on this past season and a few more things that we know you’ll want to hear. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 137, you will hear from Matt Parker, Executive Director of Kids Alive International. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 137, you will hear from Marisa Stam, Executive Director for Selamta Family Project. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 135, you will hear from Corbey Dukes, Guatemala Field Director at Kids Alive International. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 134, you will hear from Jenn Hook, Founder and Executive Director of Replanted, and author of a new book of the same name. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 133, you will hear from Andy Cook, President and CEO of Promise 686. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 132, you will hear from Bruce Kendrick, Director of Outreach at Watermark Christian Church. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 131, you will hear from Randy Daniels, Vice President at Buckner Children and Family Services. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 130, you will hear from Juan Porto, Director of Back2Back’s ministry in Monterrey, Mexico. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 129, you will hear from Aixa de Lopez, pastor and speaker, and David McCormick, Director of ACH in Guatemala. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 128, you will hear from Rob Martin, Director of the First Fruit Institute. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 127, you will hear from Dr. Caroline Leaf, neuroscientist, author of numerous books, and global speaker. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 126, you will hear from Phil and his Season 6 Co-Host, talking about the themes and lessons they learned in Season 5 and what’s to come in Season 6. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from November 12, 2017 ]
In Episode 70, you will hear from Paul David Tripp, Pastor, Author, and Speaker. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from August 2, 2016 ]
In today’s episode, we get to hear from Andy Lehman, the President of LifeSong for Orphans (http://www.lifesongfororphans.org) which is an organization that helps mobilize the church to care for orphaned and vulnerable children. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from June 21, 2016 ]
In episode 123, we hear from John Sowers, President of The Mentoring Project, as well as an author and speaker. We talk about the effects of fatherlessness on our society and the influence of mentoring on the lives of children. He is a powerful advocate for the fatherless and redeeming their story through mentoring. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from June 7, 2017 ] In today’s episode, we get to hear from Mick Pease, the founder of Substitute Families for Abandoned Children (http://www.sfac.org.uk/index.php), which is based in Leeds, England, and works worldwide promoting de-institutionalization and assisting in family based initiatives. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from August 16, 2016 ] In Episode 121, you will hear from Andy Crouch, author of Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing, and Executive Editor of Christianity Today. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from October 18, 2016 ]
In Episode 120, Dr. Russell Moore, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, pastor, and adoptive father. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from April 25, 2017 ]
In Episode 119, you will hear from Kent Annan, author of Slow Kingdom Coming and Co-Director of Haiti Partners. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 118, you will hear from Jason Johnson, Author of Everyone Can Do Something, Reframing Foster Care, and All In Orphan Care, and Director of Church Ministry Initiatives for CAFO. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 117 you will hear from Brandon Stiver, Author, Advocate, and Director of Kingdom Families in Tanzania. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 116, Phil talks to Beth Woods, Executive Director of Hope’s Promise. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 115 you will hear from Mike Berry, author, speaker, and host of the Honestly Adoption Podcast. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 114, Phil talks with Ryan North, adoptive and foster parent and Empowered to Connect contributor. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com.
In episode 113, Phil talks with Sara Beth Fentress, Founder of 127 Worldwide. For full show notes, please www.thinkorphan.com
In episode 111 you will hear from Steve Gillis, Founder and Executive Director of Patch our Planet. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 111, Dr. Karen speaks with Megan Parker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Co-Founder of Abide Family Center in Uganda. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 110 you will hear a conversation between Brian Fisher, co-founder and President of Human Coalition, and Kira Schlesinger, Episcopalian Priest and author of Pro-Choice and Christian. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 109 you will hear two separate interviews. First, Phil talks with Brian Fisher, co-founder and President of Human Coalition. In the second half of our show Phil talks with Kira Schlesinger, Episcopalian Priest and author of Pro-Choice and Christian. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com.
In Episode 108 Peter Greer, President and CEO of Hope International talks with Phil. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 107, Phil talks with Kim de Blecourt, adoptive mother and Executive Director of Nourished Hearts. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In episode 106, Adrian Collins, an adoptive mother and advocate for women facing unplanned pregnancies. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In episode 105, JT Olson, Executive Director of Both Hands, talks with Phil. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In this episode, you will hear Cari Armbruster, Executive Director of Alliance for Children Everywhere. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from August 15, 2017 ]In Episode 103, you will hear from Krish Kandiah, Founder of Home for Good and Author of God is Stranger.For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from November 8, 2016 ]
In Episode 102, you will hear from Gabe Lyons, Founder of Q and Author of Good Faith: Being a Christian When Society Thinks You’re Irrelevant and Extreme. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 101, you will hear from Dr. Karen and Phil, talking about the themes and lessons they learned in the first 100 episodes. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 100, you will hear from Curt Thompson, Psychiatrist and prolific author, including Anatomy of the Soul and The Soul of Shame. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In this episode, Phil sits down with Rick Morton, an author and Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Christian Services. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 98, you will hear from Dr. Jephat Chifamba. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 97, you will hear from Bethany Haley Williams, Ph.D., Founder of Exile International and author of Color of Grace. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 96, you will hear from Stacie Harris, Assistant US Attorney and anti-trafficking advocate. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 95, you will hear from Sarah Gesiriech, Executive Director of Faith to Action Initiative and advocate for orphaned and vulnerable children. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 94, you will hear from Mark Stuart, Executive Director of Hands & Feet Project and former lead singer for Audio Adrenaline. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 93, you will hear from Krish Kandiah, foster parent, Founder of Home for Good, speaker, professor, and Author of God is Stranger and several other books. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 92, you will hear from Andrew Schneidler, adoptive dad, Co-Founder of the Refresh Conferences, and attorney. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 90, you will hear from Sam Dharmapala, founder and CEO of Regenesys BPO. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 90, you will hear from Jason Kovacs, Adoptive Dad, Co-Founder of Together for Adoption, Author, Counselor with Austin Stone Counseling Center, and Speaker. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 89, you will hear from Mark & Jan Foreman, authors of Never Say No, and (Mark) pastor of North Coast Calvary Church. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 88, you will hear from Amanda Cox, who has worked with Lumos, Faith-to-Action Initiative, and Hope and Homes for Children to help orphaned and vulnerable children around the world flourish. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 87, you will hear from Pam Parish, mother of 7, Founder and President of Connections Homes, blogger, and author. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 86, you will hear from Sandeep, Ruth, and Vanita Thomas, public speakers and an adoptive family. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 85, you will hear from Russell Breton, Founder of Vision Launchers, Public Speaker, Former Foster Kid, and Entrepreneur. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 84, you will hear from Brian Fikkert, President of The Chalmers Center, Professor of Economics and Community Development at Covenant College, and co-author of When Helping Hurts. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 83, you will hear from Arturo Barrientos, Director of Development for Casa Viva. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 82, you will hear from Herbie Newell, Executive Director and President of Lifeline Children’s Services. For Full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 81, you will hear from Propaganda, Hip-Hop Artist, Speaker, and Activist. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 80, Phil previews what’s to come in Season 4, which will include more great interviews with experts from around the world, blog posts from Phil and others, and more. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 79, we re-visit Season 3 and share with you excerpts from the Top 10 episodes of Season 3, based on downloads, comments, and feedback during 2017. The link to each episode (or episodes in the case of two-part episodes) is available below, and we hope that you continue to learn from our incredible guests after hearing the clips from their interviews. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 78, you will hear from Troy Livesay, Co-Director of Heartline Ministries in Haiti. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from February 7, 2017 ]
In this two-part interview, Episodes 38 and 39, we hear from Victor Marx, Founder and President of All Things Possible Ministries, Global Speaker, and High Risk Missions Leader. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In this two-part interview, we hear from Victor Marx, Founder and President of All Things Possible Ministries, Global Speaker, and High Risk Missions Leader. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 75, you will hear from Karen Springs, Regional Project Manager for CIS and Eastern Europe and Road Tripper. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from May 31st, 2016 ]
In this episode, we hear from Craig Greenfield, founder and international director of Alongsiders and author of Subversive Jesus. Craig is living out the upside down nature of the Kingdom of God by living amongst and serving in some of the poorest communities in Cambodia and Canada. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from Dec 13th, 2016 ]
In Episode 73, you will hear from Tara Vanderwoude, Social Worker, Advocate, and Educator. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from Nov 15th, 2016 ]
In Episode 30, you will hear from Ian Forber-Pratt, Program Director of Centre of Excellence in Alternative Care of Children and Founder of Foster Care India. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com.
In Episode 71, you will hear from Robert Day, Author, Radio Show Host, and CEO of Patrick Henry Family Services. For full show notes, please www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 70, you will hear from Paul David Tripp, Pastor, Author, and Speaker. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 69, you will hear from Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, President of Orphan Outreach. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 68, you will hear from Mike Douris, President of Orphan Outreach. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 67, you will hear from Dr. Karen and Phil as they wrap up the refugee crisis series with a conversation about how the guests and conversations during this series have taught, equipped, inspired, and challenged them. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 66, you will hear from Dr. Karen Hutcheson talking with Phil about vicarious resilience and how it relates to the refugee crisis. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 65, you will hear from Emily Gray, World Relief’s Senior Vice President of US Ministries, and Durmomo Gary, World Relief’s Support Services Coordinator. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 64, you will hear from Jodi Jackson Tucker, Orphan Sunday Coordinator for Orphan Sunday. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 63, you will hear from Jeremy Courtney, Founder and Executive Director of Preemptive Love Coalition and author of Preemptive Love. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 62, you will hear from Dr. Karen Hutcheson talking with Phil about complex trauma and how it affects children and adults, including those involved in the refugee crisis. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 61, you will hear from Mark & Jan Foreman, authors of Never Say No, (Mark) pastor of North Coast Calvary Church, and producer of the film, “Iraq: The Forgotten Hope. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 60, you will hear from Steve Haas, Catalyst at World Vision. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 59, you will hear from Khalil Sleiman, World Vision’s Humanitarian Response Director in Iraq and Syria. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 58, you will hear from Scott Arbeiter, President of World Relief. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 57, you will hear from Krish Kandiah, Founder of Home for Good and Author of God is Stranger. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 56, you will hear from our very own Dr. Karen and Phil. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 55, you will hear from Peter Greer, President of Hope International. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 54, you will hear from Jeff Sandefer, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Acton Academy. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 53, you will hear from Jeff Sandefer, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Acton Academy. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 52, you will hear from Delia Pop, Director of Programs and Global Advocacy for Hope and Homes for Children. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 51, you will hear from Delia Pop, Director of Programs and Global Advocacy for Hope and Homes for Children. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 50, you will hear from Kent Annan, author of Slow Kingdom Coming and Co-Director of Haiti Partners. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 49, you will hear from Dr. Sharen Ford, Focus on the Family’s Program Director of Adoption & Orphan Care. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In episode 48, you will hear from Tom Lukasik, 4KIDS of South Florida’s VP of Community Engagement. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 47, you will hear from Michael Miller, Producer of Poverty, Inc., and Poverty Cure, and Research Fellow and Director of Acton Media at the Acton Institute. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 46, you will hear from Michael Miller, Producer of Poverty, Inc., and Poverty Cure, and Research Fellow and Director of Acton Media at the Acton Institute. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 3, we talk about micro-enterprise and poverty alleviation with Peter Greer, President of HOPE International, and how breaking the cycle of poverty preserves, strengthens families, and prevents children from becoming orphans. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 44, you will hear some of our favorite moments from Season 2, during which our guests talked with us about many topics, including:
- The importance of fathers in the lives of kids from hard places and every other child in the world
- Great advice to adoptive and foster parents, adoptees, prospective adoptive or foster parents, and everybody who love any of these people or wants to know how they can better love orphaned and at-risk children (so pretty much everyone)
- How to really connect with kids from hard places, whether biological children, adopted children, or other children in our lives
- Orphanages, short-term missions, deinstitutionalization, human trafficking, orphan prevention, family preservation, maternal care, addressing the effects of trauma, and other hot topics in orphan care
- How we can really communicate and work with each other when it seems that we are so far apart in our beliefs and convictions
- How we can effectively engage in all the suffering and injustice in our world
- How all of these issues are interconnected and need to be addressed in concert with each other
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from October 11th, 2016 ]
In today's episode, you will hear wisdom from Dr. Mandy Howard, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Samford University, who worked with Dr. Karyn Purvis at the TCU Institute of Child Development for several years. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 42, you will hear some of our favorite moments from Season 1, during which our guests talked with us about many topics, including:
- How we can advocate for orphaned and vulnerable children and work together to alleviate the orphan crisis
- How we can help to prevent the proliferation of orphaned and vulnerable children by working to alleviate poverty, strengthen families, and disciple young men and women
- Orphanages, short-term missions, adoption, foster care, mentoring, human trafficking addressing the effects of trauma, and other hot topics in orphan care
- How all of these issues are interconnected and need to be addressed in concert with each other
- And much more!
For more information, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from August 9th, 2016 ]
In today’s episode, we get to hear from Dr. Karen Hutcheson, a Trauma Informed, licensed Clinical Psychologist, Author, adoptive mom and Orphan Care Advocate. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of children from “hard places.” Karen is also the Director of Discipleship and Training at Scarlet Hope.
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 40, you will hear from Jon Bergeron, Counselor with Austin Stone Counseling Center and Speaker. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com.
In this two-part interview, Episodes 38 and 39, we hear from Victor Marx, Founder and President of All Things Possible Ministries, Global Speaker, and High Risk Missions Leader. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In this two-part interview, Episodes 38 and 39, we hear from Victor Marx, Founder and President of All Things Possible Ministries, Global Speaker, and High Risk Missions Leader. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 37, you will hear from Matt Storer, President/CEO of Vision Trust. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 36, you will hear from Christa Sharpe, Vice-President of Aftercare for International Justice Mission (IJM). For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com.
In Episode 35, you will hear from Jason Weber, National Director of Foster Care Initiatives for Christian Alliance for Orphans. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkoprhan.com.
In Episode 34, you will hear from Tara Vanderwoude, Social Worker, Advocate, and Educator. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 33, you will hear from Diana Prykhodko, Ambassador for Father’s House. For full shown notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 32, you will hear from Phil Tuttle, President of Walk Thru The Bible. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
[ This episode is a recast from May 24th, 2016 ]
In this episode, Ruslan Maliuta, International Facilitator of the World Without Orphans movement shares how an idea became a movement. He is a tireless advocate for the fatherless, devoted to making a world without orphans. What if we could live in a world without orphans? For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 30, you will hear from Ian Forber-Pratt, Program Director of Centre of Excellence in Alternative Care of Children and Founder of Foster Care India. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 27, you will hear from Gabe Lyons, Founder of Q and Author of Good Faith: Being a Christian When Society Thinks You’re Irrelevant and Extreme. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
Episode 27, you will hear from Troy Livesay, Co-Director of Heartline Ministries in Haiti, talking with Phil about:
- Heartline Ministries’ incredible work in Haiti with mothers, men, and vulnerable children.
- How we need to deal with the fundamental, root causes, not just the symptoms
- How Heartline does its child sponsorships in connection with family preservation
- How orphanages can potentially hurt orphaned and vulnerable children more than they help them
- How “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” relates to Heartline’s work
- How we can do short-term trips better
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 27, you will hear from Dwight “Transparent” Taylor, Sr., International Empowerment Speaker, Manhood Advocate, Coach, BET Music Matters Winner, and ESPN Featured Hip-Hop Artist. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 26, Dr. Russell Moore, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, pastor, and adoptive father, shares with us about:
- Why Dr. Moore is so passionate about adoption and loving orphaned and vulnerable children around the world with excellence
- The importance of a “whole life” ministry and message to our world today
- How to engage the culture and others who disagree with you in a gospel-driven manner
- The importance of men’s involvement in the orphan care movement
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 25, you will hear wisdom from Dr. Mandy Howard, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Samford University, who worked with Dr. Karyn Purvis at the TCU Institute of Child Development for several years. For full show notes, please www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 24, you will hear a conversation between Rebecca Nhep, ACCI’s CEO of International Programs (accimissions.org.au), and Todd Guckenberger, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries (back2back.org), about some important issues orphan care is facing today. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 23, you will hear from Pastor Billiance Chondwe, CEO of Together Africa Without Orphans and visionary behind the Orphan Sunday movement. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 22, you will hear from Jamie Ivey, host of the podcast The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey. Jamie is an adoptive Mom, speaker, advocate and author. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 1 of Season 2, you will hear from Josh Shipp, author of the best-selling book, The Teen’s Guide to World Domination, global youth empowerment expert, and acclaimed speaker. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 20, you will hear from Andy Crouch, author of Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing, and Executive Editor of Christianity Today. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In today’s episode, we get to hear from Dr. Karen Hutcheson, a Trauma Informed, licensed Clinical Psychologist, Author, adoptive mom and Orphan Care Advocate. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of children from “hard places.” Karen is also the Director of Discipleship and Training at Scarlet Hope.
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In today’s episode, we get to hear from Andy Lehman, the President of LifeSong for Orphans (http://www.lifesongfororphans.org) which is an organization that helps mobilize the church to care for orphaned and vulnerable children. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In today’s episode, we get to hear from Sarah Chhin, who works with children though Cambodia Action and M’lup Russey. She has worked extensively in Cambodia, especially with children phasing out of residential care. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 16, you will hear from three filmmakers, Brittany DeVries, Samuel Rich, and David Bolt, about their films, which advocate for orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. For full show notes, please visit: www.thinkorphan.com
In Part 2 of this two-part Episode, Daniel Kaggwa, Pastor of Sign of the Dove Church in Kampala, Uganda, joins Phil and Kelly to share how his story has informed the work his ministry is doing in Uganda and around the world. For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Part 1 of this two-part Episode, Daniel Kaggwa, Pastor of Sign of the Dove Church in Kampala, Uganda, joins Phil and Kelly to share about his difficult childhood and incredible life, which has inspired and equipped him to fight for orphaned and vulnerable children around the world.
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In this Episode, Ashlie Bryant, Co-Founder and President of 3 Stands Global, joins Phil and Kelly to discuss issues surrounding human trafficking, prevention and educational initiatives. For Full show notes, please visit www.thinkOrphan.com
In this episode, we hear from John Sowers, President of The Mentoring Project, as well as an author and speaker. We talk about the effects of fatherlessness on our society and the influence of mentoring on the lives of children. He is a powerful advocate for the fatherless and redeeming their story through mentoring.
In this week’s episode, you will discover:
- The need for showing up in the lives of children
- The impact of fatherlessness
- The power of a mentor
- The idea of carrying your weight
- The role of discipling and leading men to end the orphan crisis
- The hiddenness of the fatherless
- The Impact of women on fatherlessness
- Core values in mentoring
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In this episode, we hear from Rick Morton, an author and Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Christian Services. Rick shepherds the ministry’s outreach to individual, church, and organizational ministry partners as well as the ministry’s commitment to publishing resources that aid families and churches in discipling orphans and vulnerable children. We talk through the theology of adoption and the role of the church in orphan care around the world.
In this week’s episode, you will discover:
- Discipleship in orphan care
- The struggles foster and adoptive parents face and how the church needs to respond
- The theology of caring for the orphan
- Collaboration as a reflection of the Body of Christ
- How to mobilize the church to face the orphan crisis
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In today’s episode, we get to hear from Mick Pease, the founder of Substitute Families for Abandoned Children (http://www.sfac.org.uk/index.php), which is based in Leeds, England, and works worldwide promoting de-institutionalization and assisting in family based initiatives.
In this episode you will learn about:
- The difference between orphaned and abandoned children
- Family based care versus institutional care
- Managing donor resources
- Community resourcing to prevent orphans
- The generational mindset towards abandoned children
For full show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In this episode, we hear from Craig Greenfield, founder and international director of Alongsiders and author of Subversive Jesus. Craig is living out the upside down nature of the Kingdom of God by living amongst and serving in some of the poorest communities in Cambodia and Canada.
In this week’s episode, you will discover:
- Craig’s New Book, Subversive Jesus and the background of the title
- Craig’s story of living in the slums of Cambodia and the inner city of Vancouver
- The practice of exclusivity to be inclusive
- How his family practices radical hospitality
- Insiders leaving the charge in cross cultural work
- Alongsider’s Academy
- Resourcing to keep children in their communities
- The need for mother and father figures
For show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In this episode, Ruslan Maliuta, International Facilitator of the World Without Orphans movement shares how an idea became a movement. He is a tireless advocate for the fatherless, devoted to making a world without orphans. What if we could live in a world without orphans? For show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
Special Episode with Johnston Moore, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Home Forever, on the specifics of ICWA and the Lexi Case. For show notes, please visit www.ThinkOrphan.com
In Episode 7, Johnston Moore, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Home Forever, speaks with us about the need for permanency for children in foster care, the role of family preservation, the issues in foster care and assisting children aging out of the system. For show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
We had a chance to hear from Rebecca Nhep and were astounded at the depth of understanding she shared with us in regards to the orphan crisis around the world.
Rebecca Nhep is the Joint CEO and Head of International Programs at ACC International. Rebecca runs the ACCI Kinnected program, which focuses on upholding children’s right to a family through deinstitutionalization, family based care and family preservation. Rebecca has been working with ACCIR for 16 years, 11 years field based in Cambodia working on community and family & community strengthening and family-based alternative care programs. Rebecca serves on the board of Children in Families, a Cambodian NGO providing family-based alternative care. For show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 5, Chris Marlow, Founder and CEO of Help One Now, joins Phil and Kelly to discuss empowering high-capacity national leaders, poverty alleviation, family strengthening, and his new book, Doing Good is Simple. For show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 4, Todd Guckenberger, Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries, joins Phil and Kelly to discuss issues surrounding orphanages, mission trips, and a 5-Point Development Plan for every child in B2B’s care. For show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
In Episode 3, Phil and Kelly discuss micro-enterprise and poverty alleviation with Peter Greer, President of HOPE International, and how breaking the cycle of poverty preserves, strengthens families, and prevents children from becoming orphans. For show notes, please visit thinkorphan.com
In Episode 2, Jedd Medefind, President of Christian Alliance for Orphans, joins us to discuss the current landscape of the orphan care crisis, the importance of clarity in caring for children, and the different stages of advocacy. Jedd and CAFO are leading a movement to unite churches and organizations and equip them for the effective care of orphans around the world.
For show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com
Welcome to Season 1, Episode 1 of the Think Orphan podcast. In this episode, Philip Darke and Kelly Stewart define the Who, What, and How of Think Orphan. This week they introduce the topics they will be covering in coming episodes and what led them to their involvement in the global orphan crisis. Phil and Kelly also highlight some upcoming guests, as well as some resources that have influenced their respective journeys toward orphan care. Welcome to Think Orphan!
For show notes, please visit www.thinkorphan.com