Episodios

  • 71. "Finding My Privilege" with Aitina Fareed-Cooke

    71. "Finding My Privilege" with Aitina Fareed-Cooke
    Jun 11 2024
    You are more than labels. Aitina Fareed-Cooke knows that better than anyone. As a little girl in the foster care system, Aitina was stamped with the “failure to thrive” label—one that many people thought meant that her life was destined to go down only one type of path. Yet God's intervention came in the form of an adoptive mother, a passion for creating and storytelling through music and art, and an unplanned pregnancy. All of these moments shaped her into the person she needed to be, helping her to celebrate her privileges in order for her to come alongside the next generation of creatives who carry the same labels she did so they too can choose the opportunities that define them. Guest Bio: Aitina Fareed-Cooke was told at a young age that she would be a "failure to thrive" as a result of her biological mother's addiction to drugs. But despite being labeled emotionally handicapped by the system, Aitina refused to be defined by it. Instead, she found solace and empowerment through her faith in God and her voice within the creative arts, rewriting her own narrative. Aitina now serves as a Creative Arts Strategist, National Recording Artist, and founder of Get Fokus'd Productions (GFP), an award-winning media arts production company that has been recognized for its exceptional work within the community of Buffalo New York. Get Fokus'd Productions is a company in which creatives partner together to capture 'human-first' stories, a method that prioritizes empathy and connection. In collaboration with a collection of creatives, and through the mentorship of emerging artists, Aitina amplifies community voices using a social design approach, creating a ripple effect of positivity within the creative arts. She earned her BA in English and MS in Education at Buffalo State University and currently serves as a foundation board member utilizing her educational experiences as a mechanism to forge her own creative path. Her musical career has led her to executive produce four full-length albums and collaborate with Grammy award-winning artists, resulting in an impressive collective stream count of over one million through distribution services. Aitina's remarkable accomplishments have firmly established her as a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for positive transformation within the creative arts industry. Notes & Quotes: “These are tools that I can use to showcase . . . the truth and what I believe which is you know at the end of the day, [that] God is agape love, unconditional love. All of these different moments and things that happen in my life, utilizing the creative arts is an opportunity to share that.” “The more that I learned about love through the gospel, the more that I put people in my circle that had love for themselves, for God, and for me. The more that I learned from that circle of individuals, the more it led me to understanding, “I love me.” “I don’t have to accept the chains. I'm literally free. There's freedom in Christ. Freedom in this space of creativity or whatever the case is. I have this freedom and ability. Now what do I do?” “You come from a creative being who created you. We all have. That's privilege. Period.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Learn more about Aitina’s work with production company Get Fokus’d Productions Listen to Aitina’s song Privilege off the Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom deluxe soundtrack on Spotify, or watch the full music video on YouTube. Follow Aitina on Instagram Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review. Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Genesis 50:15-21 Romans 8:14-15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h y 6 m
  • 70. "From Roots to Research" with Nii Addy

    70. "From Roots to Research" with Nii Addy
    Apr 16 2024
    Has it ever felt like you could only choose faith or fact—not both? Well, acclaimed Yale neuroscientist Dr. Nii Addy invites you to see another option, one that connects our brains with our faith. Growing up in the United States with parents who immigrated from Ghana, Dr. Addy has always preferred the unexpected . . . even when living out his relationship with Jesus in a scientific community that—on the surface—seems polar opposite to faith. Hear Dr. Addy’s journey of learning about the connection between Scripture and science, and his open invitation for others to experience it too. Guest Bio: Dr. Nii Addy is the Albert E. Kent Associate Professor of Psychiatry and an Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology at the Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Addy directs a federally funded research program investigating the neurobiological basis of substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety. His team also studies the ability of tobacco product flavor additives to alter nicotine use behavior and addiction. Dr. Addy is the inaugural Director of Scientist Diversity and Inclusion at the Yale School of Medicine, focusing on supporting the faculty development of basic scientists from underrepresented groups at the School of Medicine. He also contributes to graduate student and postdoctoral training and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives through his efforts on campus and in professional scientific societies. In addition to his campus work, Dr. Addy hosts the Addy Hour podcast, discussing topics at the intersection of neuroscience, mental health, faith, culture, and social justice. He has presented scientific lectures at universities throughout the United States and Europe, and he serves on the Board of Trustees for The Carver Project, aimed at empowering and connecting individuals across university, church, and society. Dr. Addy is also a contributor to The Whole Man Project, a book and video series provided by VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. You can learn more about The Whole Man Project—and preorder the book—here! Notes & Quotes: “I've also noticed over the years that as I've been in different environments, there are lots of people who’ve had intellectual or scientific oppositions to faith. But getting back to the relationship, whenever I get to know those folks more, every single time, there's always something deeper.” “God has opened opportunities where I've been able to bring people back into relationship with God because they were able to watch me as a scientist operate in both places, and [they] have enough curiosity where before they were told that their faith and their science were in opposition, and [now] have realized that's actually not the case.” “We keep setting up these different dichotomies. Like, either it's science or it's God as if the two don't meet.” “God has given us different tools where we can use our faith and spiritual practices—prayer, meditation, being in community. All those things can help people navigate through addiction. All those things also impact the brain.” “If we do [think about ourselves and situations] from a perspective that God has given us through the Scripture, that's going to change how we actually approach those situations. If we do that long enough, it's actually going to change aspects of our brain as well.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Learn more about Dr.Nii Addy’s involvement in the upcoming The Whole Man project, provided by VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Explore all the powerful topics and guests featured on Dr. Addy’s video and audio podcast, Addy Hour, here. Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review. Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Philippians 4:6-8 Mark 14:32-36 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 m
  • 69. "Am I That Hard to Love?" with Jerome Gay

    69. "Am I That Hard to Love?" with Jerome Gay
    Apr 9 2024
    Have you ever searched for your love and worth in all the wrong places? Pastor Jerome Gay will be the first one to tell you he has. But it was his father—the person who should have been helping him define these things—not being able to provide what he needed that led Jerome to search for anything to help him earn it. Through twists and turns, Jerome finally found the One who freely loves him—and all of us—with no strings or conditions. And that love has been the fuel for his mission to train up others to grow, teach, and preach the truth of the gospel that makes each one of us…whole. Guest Bio: Pastor Jerome Gay Jr. was raised in Southeast Washington, DC before moving to Raleigh, NC in 1997 to attend Saint Augustine’s College—graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. While there he founded a campus-wide ministry that emphasized the gospel and biblical orthodoxy in the urban context, resulting in the decision of many students to profess Christ as Savior. Upon graduating, Jerome served as an elder for several years. After fervent prayer, he was led to plant Vision Church in Raleigh, North Carolina in October of 2010. As the Lead Pastor of Teaching and Vision, Vision Church has grown by God’s grace and is impacting the inner city by missionally engaging people with the gospel of Jesus Christ through discipleship, leadership development, service, and holistic empowerment. Jerome has a vision to see gospel-centered churches and leaders raised within the urban context and sent out to plant other gospel-centered churches. Jerome is also the Founder and President of The Urban Perspective and the author of four books, Church Hurt: Holding the Church Accountable and Helping Hurt People Heal, Talking to Your Children About Race, The Whitewashing of Christianity: A Hidden Past, a Hurtful Present and a Hopeful Future and Renewal: Grace and Redemption in the Story. Jerome is also a lead contributor to The Whole Man Project, a book and video series provided by VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. You can learn more about The Whole Man Project—and preorder the book—here! Jerome is the proud husband to his wife Crystal and father of two. Notes & Quotes: “Uncertainty is what makes you walk by faith and not by sight.” “I believe you most aptly understand God's will in hindsight. He knows the end from the beginning. We don't. We're living it.” “My contention for the church is we're saying that there's one way, which I concur, that there's one God, I concur, and that there's one book. Again, I concur. We're saying that that's just one for 8 billion people. If we're going to make that claim, and we are, we need to be able to defend it. We should not make that claim that there's one book for 8 billion people and not be able to answer questions.” “We must stop giving faith-based answers to fact-based questions.” “We want to come back to that gospel foundation so that we can have men that are mentally, emotionally, and relationally well and whole.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Learn more about Jerome’s involvement in the upcoming The Whole Man project, provided by VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. You can order any of Jerome’s books, Church Hurt, Talking to Your Children About Race, The Whitewashing of Christianity, and Renewal using these links. Check out Jerome’s work with The Urban Perspective and listen to the podcast on your preferred streaming platform. Jerome’s Instagram Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review. Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Psalm 77 1 Corinthians 7:32 Jude 1:20 Ephesians 6:17 Hebrews 4:12 Genesis 2:18 Matthew 5:13-16 Mark 1:15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    54 m
  • 68. "From Prison Cell to City Hall" with Jermaine Wilson

    68. "From Prison Cell to City Hall" with Jermaine Wilson
    Apr 2 2024
    None of us were created to live a life defined by failures and mistakes—a reality that Jermaine Wilson knows firsthand. During the years when teens should be having the time of their lives, Jermaine was sitting behind bars. Carrying the destructive cycle he felt there was no escape from, Jermaine quickly found himself put back into prison after only a short experience of freedom. But it was spending his most formative years behind bars that gave him the time and perspective needed to build a relationship with God. A relationship that would completely transform his life and take him to the most unexpected places—all the way to city hall. Guest Bio: Jermaine Wilson is the Mission Ambassador for Prison Fellowship and former two-time mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas. As a servant leader, his passion for helping others stems from his humble beginnings and troubled childhood. Jermaine spent seven years behind bars—four of them as a juvenile. While incarcerated as an adult, Jermaine participated in biblically based programs through Prison Fellowship and experienced the life-transforming power of God’s Word. With renewed purpose and vision, he no longer saw himself as a failure and a mistake. After his release from prison, Jermaine created a nonprofit organization, Unity in the Community, to establish trust between citizens and law enforcement. When his criminal record was expunged, he increased his political and civic involvement. In 2017, he was elected city commissioner for Leavenworth, Kansas, and Mayor in 2019. In 2020, he became the first formerly incarcerated person to serve on the Kansas Sentencing Committee. Jermaine is an ordained minister, husband, and father of five children. Notes & Quotes: “I’ve learned that I had to be broken down and stripped away from everything I had in order for God to get my attention. I tell people that I lost my freedom, but discovered my purpose.” “God didn’t create me to fail. God [has] a plan and a purpose for my life. But it took me going to prison, losing time to find a better time and to have quality time with him.” “We spend so much time preparing returning citizens for society, but not enough time preparing society for returning citizens.” “God will use and choose whoever he wants to use . . . and he’ll take the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and the process prepares us for our purpose in life.” Links Mentioned: FINAL TRANSCRIPT LINK Learn more about Jermaine’s work with Prison Fellowship. If you’re interested in getting more information about Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program, check out the program’s homepage. Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review. Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Malachai 2:14 Story of Joseph: Genesis 37-50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 m
  • 67. "Finding Strength in Community" with Moriah Smallbone

    67. "Finding Strength in Community" with Moriah Smallbone
    Mar 26 2024
    We all dream of a life filled with success and glory. But just like Moriah Smallbone knows, real life in the spotlight isn’t always glamorous behind the scenes. Being on her own at 17 and traveling from place to place eventually took its toll. And in the middle of her pain and stress, Moriah realized she had to make a change. Those moments helped shape the bravery that has since led Moriah to chart her own course—one that is constantly inviting the Holy Spirit to help discern when love and grace are required—or what needs to change. Guest Bio: MŌRIAH is a Mexican-American recording artist, actress, and producer from Los Angeles, California. After signing with SONY/Provident in Nashville, Tennessee, her sophomore album BRAVE hit number 9 on Billboard’s CCM Charts and included a collaboration with GRAMMY award-winning rapper Andy Mineo. Her film credits include the starring role in Because of Gracia (2017) and legendary singer Loyce Whiteman in the upcoming Ronald Reagan biopic alongside Dennis Quaid (2024). She plays the role of Bathsheba in the television series The Chosen (2023). Earlier this year, MŌRIAH wrapped filming Journey to Bethlehem, a cinematic musical starring Antonio Banderas released through Sony Affirm this past November. As a music and film producer, MŌRIAH co-hosted K-LOVE/AccessMore’s most successful podcast called BECOMING:us alongside her GRAMMY AWARD-winning husband Joel Smallbone. She co-produced the film Unsung Hero which is set to release in Spring 2024. She has fully self-produced and written her latest EP Curtain Call as well as all accompanying live performance videos. MŌRIAH is currently writing songs for a country album in her home in Nashville, TN with GRAMMY AWARD-winning producer Paul Mabury. Notes & Quotes: “I think we’re such a purpose-obsessed culture, right? Like, we want to find our purpose, but sometimes I wonder if it’s way more simple than that. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just like, how can you help the world around you? How can you help the people around you?” “I think there’s a difference between suffering and misery. And we can’t avoid suffering. Life is going to be hard. Things are going to be disappointing. We are going to be mistreated. But how we choose to respond to suffering can grow our character.” “In my experience, I’ve been most miserable when I have forced myself to stay in a situation where I did not need to be”. “If I’m living in love, if I’m in that place where all that I’m doing is coming from a place of love, then, is there the grace to keep going in this relationship, in this project, in this work, in this path? Or is it time to cut the cord?” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Follow along with Moriah’s current and future projects through her website. Hear more of Moriah’s story in the Unshakable Moxie video series, created by Our Daily Bread Ministries. Listen to Moriah’s music with this Spotify playlist Follow Moriah on Instagram Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review. Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries Follow VOICES on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 m
  • 66. "Faith, Mental Health, and Wholeness" with Maliek Blade

    66. "Faith, Mental Health, and Wholeness" with Maliek Blade
    Mar 19 2024
    Have you ever been confronted with a situation where you felt like you had to be the one to say something? Maliek Blade found himself in that very place when he realized there was a mental and emotional health crisis hitting too close to home that he could no longer ignore. And it was that moment of realization that helped him prepare the way for his life’s path advocating for the “wholeness” of his brothers and destigmatizing the mental and emotional vocabulary that has been desperately needed for generations. Guest Bio: Maliek Blade, a compassionate author, and CEO of the Whole Brother Mission, is passionately dedicated to improving mental wellness for Black men and their families through a nationwide network of culturally competent mental health professionals. With a doctoral-level background in counseling, he brings expertise and empathy to the cause, driving initiatives that destigmatize mental health and enhance access to crucial support. Maliek is also a lead contributor to The Whole Man Project, a book and video series provided by VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. You can learn more about The Whole Man Project—and preorder the book—here! Notes & Quotes: “We need to not allow our experiences with people that say they're representing God to frame how we see God. . .and that's not an indictment on God, but that's further evidence of the brokenness of people.” “Wholeness is having the posture to pivot where necessary. The awareness that I may need to change certain aspects of myself, and then also the fortitude and ability to pour into the lives of others.” “Your mental and emotional health matter, but we have this soul element [and] spirit, [and] salvation is a huge piece. “You can have Jesus and a therapist the same way that you have Jesus and a primary care physician.” Links Mentioned: FINAL TRANSCRIPT LINK Learn more about Maliek’s work with Whole Brother Mission. Check out Maliek’s book, Whole Brother, on Amazon. Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review. Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Isaiah 64:8 Hebrews 11:1 Colossians 1:28 Philippians 4:8 Proverbs 20:5 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Genesis 2:24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 m
  • 65. "Beauty and Chaos" with Lina AbuJamra

    65. "Beauty and Chaos" with Lina AbuJamra
    Mar 12 2024
    If you were to ask Lina AbuJamra what her “ministry thing” is, part of her answer would be a word none of us enjoy hearing: pain. From growing up in Beirut, Lebanon, to processing the loss of dreams, relationships, and career, pain seems to be the soundtrack of her life. But Lina will tell you that the truth that she continues to cling to every day is always louder than the pain. Because of God’s faithfulness, He’ll always create something beautiful out of the chaos. Guest Bio: Lina AbuJamra is a pediatric ER doctor who now practices telemedicine. In her “spare” time, she enjoys attending her nephews’ football games, traveling, and lingering over a fine meal. As a podcaster, conference speaker, and a popular Bible teacher, she founded Living with Power Ministries to provide medical care and humanitarian help to Syrian refugees and others in disaster areas. She also hosts a radio show and is the author of several books. Notes & Quotes: “When a person's life is radically changed by Jesus, you cannot stay the same.” “I thought I knew what it means to be a Christian. I thought I knew what God wanted for my life. And that was the beginning of what has been a life that is above and beyond what I could have asked or thought. But that in it, I thought was at seasons, the worst thing that could be happening for me.” “So I look back and I think, yeah, we were all abused in that system. But I think the biggest gift that comes out of leaving those places as hard and mucky and chaotic as it is, is that God then finally gets you to a place where He shows Himself to you afresh.” “We have confused what comfort is, what success is, what faithfulness is, all these concepts, and it has been harder for us to decipher the goodness of God in the American church than it is in an Assyrian refugee camp.” “If we want to see the goodness of God and experience survival, we're going to have to be willing to suffer a lot more than we are right now.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Learn more about Lina’s Ministry Living With Power Listen to Lina’s podcast, The Hope Podcast, on your preferred streaming platform. Hear more of Lina’s story in the Unshakable Moxie video series, created by Our Daily Bread Ministries. Invite your friends, family, or church group to go through Lina’s newest Bible study, Unshakable Moxie, provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow Lina on Instagram Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review. Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: 2 Samuel 11 Psalm 22 1 Timothy 6:3-5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h y 6 m
  • 64. "Martial Arts, Faith, and the Black Church" with James White

    64. "Martial Arts, Faith, and the Black Church" with James White
    Mar 5 2024
    Sometimes creating change means first seeing the other side of the issue. Pastor James White sits down to share his experiences of crossing the dividing lines and challenging the framework of the world he found himself in. Join us as we see James’ passion for authentically teaching Scripture and leading others to see how understanding race, culture, and diversity can help us to create systems where everyone can thrive. Guest Bio: James White has served as the Senior Pastor of Christ Our King Community Church since its inception. He is a gifted expository Bible teacher, speaker, historian, thought leader, writer, and culture creator. He is originally from Barco, North Carolina, and is a graduate of East Carolina University. After graduation, he joined the full-time staff of Cru, formally known as Campus Crusade for Christ. Through his work, life, and leadership, God has truly cultivated his calling as a grace-filled leader. As a marketplace leader, he serves as the Executive Vice President of the Center for Social Impact for the YMCA of the North in Minneapolis. In addition, he is also a Senior Fellow for The Sagamore Institute. He is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and facilitator for several organizations and companies on issues concerning cultural transformation through diversity, equity, and inclusion. James is also a contributor to The Whole Man Project, a book and video series provided by VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. You can learn more about The Whole Man Project—and preorder the book—here! James’ life continues to be shaped and graced through his 36 years of covenant partnership with his wife, Cynthia, and his three adult children. Notes & Quotes: “[The realities of my racial identity and faith] were always intertwined because the Bible in many ways is a tool that provides freedom and hope.” “God often does things with unnamed, unknown people, but then He creates something. He does something . . . and the only way you could explain it is God.” “A lot of my Bible teaching came out of not wanting to distort what God is really saying and really honoring both. . . liberation, but the expectation that the gospel and Scripture really have.” “Change happens when we create systems so that all can thrive.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Learn more about The Whole Man Project here. Learn more about James’ work with the Equity Innovation Center of Excellence. Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review. Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Matthew 5:38-39 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 m