
The Better Samaritan Podcast
The Better Samaritan is a podcast with Kent Annan & Jamie Aten where we’re learning—along with you—how to more helpfully love our neighbors, from everyday acts of kindness to navigating complex humanitarian challenges facing the church and society. Join us as we interview experts with insight on learning to do good, better.
Latest episodes

Nov 8, 2021 • 31min
Welcoming the Stranger Isn't a Political Burden. It's a Gospel Invitation.
Shane Claiborne, of Red Letter Christians, just spent a few days participating in the “We the People Ride” along the southern border, a story-telling effort to meet the people who live, serve and work along the border.and those who have the best way forward for our immigration and border practices. He joins Kent and Jamie in this episode to describe what he realized there: that hope abounds, especially in places we might be inclined to think are the most hopeless.Listen for more on scarcity mindset, making a choice between love and fear, and how people can take action—at the policy level—on the border crisis.RESOURCES:We the People Ride websiteVal Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch | @ShaneClaiborne(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 1, 2021 • 39min
The Story Philip Yancey Waited 50 Years to Write Actually Explains A Lot
Philip Yancey grew up confused by the contradictions: “We heard about love and grace, but I didn’t experience much,” he says.Throughout his fifty year writing career, this is the book he has contemplated all along: “I truly believe this is the one book I was put on earth to write.”Today Philip joins the Better Samaritan podcast to discuss his new memoir, Where the Light Fell. He reveals what has happened between his mother & brother since writing his memoir, compares the response to the polio with the response to the COVID-19 vaccine, and talks about recovering from a toxic church. Plus, exclusive for Better Samaritan listeners: enjoy 5 ½ hours of Philip’s favorite writing music on our Spotify playlist. RESOURCES:Where the Light Fell: A Memoir (available now)"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch | @philipyancey(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 25, 2021 • 34min
We Know Things Are Bad in Haiti. What’s the Way Forward?
“The question most Haitians are asking [is], what is working today in the country? Because everywhere you turn it’s just one crisis after another.”—Jacqueline CharlesTurmoil keeps broiling in Haiti, with gangs growing increasingly powerful. In addition to recently kidnapping 17 missionaries, gangs also control fuel supplies, preventing internet use, hospital care and more. Haiti was also the last country in the Americas to receive COVID vaccines. Schools are closed, and can’t meet online. But the U.S. has still deported over 10,000 people, mostly Haitians, back into the country, some of whom haven’t been there for 10 years.Award-winning journalist Jacqueline Charles has been covering it all for the Miami Herald, and an immigrant herself. She says that everywhere you turn in Haiti, it’s one crisis after another. In this episode, Jacqueline reveals the political deterioration that has led to gang control of Port-au-Prince, as well as the migration trends, the disappointing role of the U.S., and where she believes the future of Haiti lies.RESOURCES:Read Jacqueline’s coverage in the Miami Herald"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch | @Jacquiecharles(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 2, 2021 • 24min
How Do You Sustain Hope in the Midst of This Work?
We started the Better Samaritan with the goal of addressing two things. Both were inspired by Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s sermon on that parable:
How can we better help the hurting person in front of us?
How can we make the road safer for those to come in the future?
To that end, at the close of every episode of our podcast, we ask the same five questions:
What has surprised you in your work?
How are you learning to do good, better?
What does humility look like in your field?
How can we make the [Jericho] road safer for those coming in the future?
How do you sustain hope?
We thought it would be fascinating to to compile all the answers to each question, one after the other, in order to notice what themes emerged. (Each full episode is linked, so you can go back and listen to the ones you find interesting.)Our guests work diverse fields: public health, racial conflict, climate change, politics, and displacement, just to name a few. We found the resulting product to be fascinating. Compiled in this episode are answers to our fifth and final question: How do you sustain hope?RESOURCES:"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 26, 2021 • 18min
How Do We Make the Jericho Road Safer for Those Coming after Us?
We started the Better Samaritan with the goal of addressing two things, inspired by Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s sermon on that parable:
How can we better help the hurting person in front of us?
How can we make the road safer for those to come in the future?
To that end, at the close of every episode, we ask the same five questions:
What has surprised you in your work?
How are you learning to do good, better?
What does humility look like in your field?
How can we make the [Jericho] road safer for those coming in the future?
How do you sustain hope?
We thought it would be fascinating to to compile all the answers to each question, one after the other, in order to notice what themes emerged.Our guests work diverse fields: public health, racial conflict, climate change, politics, and displacement, just to name a few. We found the resulting product to be fascinating. Compiled in this episode, the answers we got for our fourth question: How can we make the [Jericho] road safer for those coming in the future?RESOURCES:"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 19, 2021 • 15min
What Does Humility Look like in Your Field?
On the Better Samaritan podcast, we’ve had the great privilege of interviewing many humanitarians doing critical work around the world.To close every episode, we ask the same five questions:
What has surprised you in your work?
How are you learning to do good, better?
What does humility look like in your field?
How can we make the [Jericho] road safer for those coming in the future?
How do you sustain hope?
We thought it would be fascinating to to compile all the answers to each question, one after the other, in order to notice what themes emerged.Our guests work diverse fields: public health, racial conflict, climate change, politics, and displacement, just to name a few. We found the resulting product to be fascinating. Compiled in this episode, answers to our third question: What does humility look like in your field?RESOURCES:"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12, 2021 • 19min
How Have You Been Learning to Do Good, Better in This Work?
On the Better Samaritan podcast, we’ve had the great privilege of interviewing many humanitarians doing critical work around the world.To close every episode, we ask the same five questions:
What has surprised you in your work?
How are you learning to do good, better?
What does humility look like in your field?
How can we make the [Jericho] road safer for those coming in the future?
How do you sustain hope?
We thought it would be fascinating to to compile all the answers to each question, one after the other, in order to notice what themes emerged. (Each full episode is linked, so you can go back and listen to the ones you find interesting.) Our guests work diverse fields: public health, racial conflict, climate change, politics, and displacement, just to name a few. We found the resulting product to be fascinating. Last week, we listened to a compilation of answers to our first question: what has surprised you in your work? Compiled in this episode are the answers to our second question: How have you been learning to do good, better in this work?RESOURCES:"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 7, 2021 • 19min
Tearfund Haiti Director on the President's Assassination: 14,000 People Are Already Displaced
Tensions in Haiti have been high ever since President Jovenel Moïse took office in 2017, with increased violence, tensions, and kidnappings. The opposition had even disputed the date of the end of his term, saying it ended in February 2021 according the Constitution. Moïse refused to step down.Meanwhile, Marc Antoine, Haiti Country Director for global Christian nonprofit Tearfund, estimates that the actual level of poverty in Haiti is far greater than the 60 percent reported on the World Bank website. He says that's just the general poverty rate, and another 20 percent of Haitians live in 'extreme' poverty.Now, for the next few weeks, Haiti is under a State of Siege, meaning borders will be closed and food insecurity will be worse than ever. Just a few weeks ago gang violence drove 14,000 people out of their homes... and it's hurricane season.Listen for more from Marc Antoine, Haiti Country Director for Tearfund, on how political instability has already torn apart the country—and how Christians can pray for Haiti, right now.Haiti has been tangled in a web of corruption, unrest, instability, political turmoil over the past three decades... Whenever you have tensions like these, it exacerbates the risk families are already facing.—Marc Antoine, Tearfund Haiti Country Director RESOURCES:Tearfund website, Instagram and Facebook"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2021 • 15min
We Asked 12 Top Humanitarians What Surprises Them in Their Work. Here Are Their Answers
On the Better Samaritan podcast, we’ve had the great privilege of interviewing many humanitarians doing critical work around the world.To close every episode, we ask the same five questions:
What has surprised you in your work?
How are you learning to do good, better?
What does humility look like in your field?
How can we make the [Jericho] road safer for those coming in the future?
How do you sustain hope?
Compiled in this episode are answers to our first question: What has surprised you in your work?Our guests work diverse fields: public health, racial conflict, climate change, politics, and displacement, just to name a few. We thought it would be fascinating to to compile all the answers to each question, one after the other, in order to notice what themes emerged.We found the resulting product to be fascinating. Join us and listen in.RESOURCES:"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 17, 2021 • 43min
WorldVision President Emeritus Rich Stearns on Servant Leadership in the Nonprofit World
Rich Stearns wants to flip the script on leadership.In his new book, Lead Like it Matters to God, he writes that God doesn’t actually look for success. He looks for faithfulness. Join the Better Samaritan email list to receive a discount code for this and other IVP titles!Highlights:How God uses seasons in the wilderness (in Rich’s case, getting fired twice in one year!) to refine our heartsWhy faithfulness is more important that successWhy it’s freeing to surrender your careerWhat humility really looks like in the workplaceThe one superpower every leader can and should useWhat the best organizations do in impoverishes communitiesHow development work has changed in the last 50 yearsQuestions we asked Rich:How is this leadership book different?Which values should young professionals, especially those working in a humanitarian or justice field, work on first?What if I feel called, but can’t find a job in that area?How can we know when it’s time to move from private sector to nonprofit?How do we think through both the immediate and structural barriers to eliminating poverty?Resources: Rich’s podcast: Lead Like It Matters to God"On Being a Good Neighbor", sermon draft by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode produced by Laura FinchTheme Song “Turning Over Tables” by The BrillianceSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSSFollow us on Twitter: @kentannan | @drjamieaten | @laura_e_finch | @RichStearns(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have evangelicals, sometimes we won't. We thinking learning how to do good better involves listening to lots of perspectives, with different insights and understanding with us. Sometimes it will make us uncomfortable, sometimes we'll agree, sometimes we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction. Especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices