Think Global, Do Justice

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