Blog
53 | Learn to Speak Love | A Conversation on the Power of Words with Nick Jackson of Speak Love
Nick Jackson is an educator, a coach, a motivational speaker, and the founder of Speak Love. Through his impactful speaking abilities and his desire to teach on a skill he is practicing himself, Nick has reached over 1,000,000 people through his keynote addresses. Speak Love is a transformative Craveable Culture organization led with the belief that excellent character and unwavering love will allow us all to reach our fullest potential, together. Specializing in conversations, experiences, and restorative practices, Speak Love impels growth in areas of character and culture.
In this week’s episode, Nick shares how he went from an adolescent who hated school to an in-classroom educator with a desire to use his personal power to effect positive change. He shares about his own upbringing and how it propelled him to where he is today, and why.
Hear Nick share what he loves most about teaching, how meeting a woman outside a church changed the trajectory of his work, and why God gave him the word “me” and how he is using his position to evoke transformative conversation for youth.
Links to learn more:
For more information about Speak Love or to find out more about scheduling a speaker, check out https://www.iamspeaklove.com/
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52 | The Cost of Incivility | A Conversation on the Power of Words with Chris & Sammy
What happens when we speak without considering our words first? Today, Chris shares about an experience on a recent family adventure and how his interaction with a stranger led to considering deeper the power of our words and how and where reconciliation can occur.
In this episode, Chris and Sammy discuss a staggering set of statistics regarding civility, or a lack of it, in the workplace and how it translates to our world outside of work. Hear how incivility and hospitality are related, what two common triggers are for incivility, and how we can each better engage with those around us.
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TedTalk Link: Why being respectful to your coworkers is good for business
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51 | Find Peace With Yourself | A Conversation on Racial Reconciliation with Fred Oduyoye of Reachable Reconciliation
Join us this week as we welcome back Fred Oduyoye! Fred first aired on the Be The Difference podcast in episode four! He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and is the Founder of Reachable Reconciliation, Inc.
Fred draws on his nearly twenty years of experience bridging urban and suburban communities to create intentional spaces for conversation about race, diversity, and responsibility in a small group setting. The goal of Reachable Reconciliation is to move a community from where they are to new places of understanding, empathy, and action.
In this week’s episode, Fred answers a key question: why? Why Reachable Reconciliation? And why is it important to reconcile with ourselves, first? He takes us back to his childhood in Columbia, Maryland and how what he grew up seeing and understanding wasn’t actually what he would see everywhere as he grew up and left.
Hear Fred share why he loves figuring out what makes people tick, why ongoing relational learning is key, and why he believes that if we are not having conversations, we aren’t doing the right work.
Links to learn more:
For more information about Reachable Reconciliation Inc. or to join a virtual cohort today, check out https://www.reachablereconciliation.com/
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50 | Teens in Foster Care | A Conversation on Connection and Relationship with Chris & Sammy
Today is Be the Difference Podcast’s 50th episode! Thank you to all our faithful listeners for joining us in this journey of talking to everyday people about the remarkable ways they’re being the difference.
In this episode, Chris and Sammy discuss a staggering statistic on teens who age out of the foster care system and are thrust into the world. Hear how this impacts them both individually and with the global work Back2Back does, what being a safe adult in the life of a teen with trauma means, and how, as safe adults, we can see coping mechanisms as leadership skills worthy of development. Lastly, we want to know who you know that is making the difference in the life of a vulnerable teen and who understands the glaring need for connection and relationship.
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The Video Sammy mentions: https://topyouthspeakers.com/speakers-topics/josh-shipp
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49 | Learning Around the World | A Conversation on Education and Advocacy with Jes Biondo of Collected Ministries & Sprezza Foundry
Jes Biondo is a daughter, a former Back2Back staff member, a traveler, a teacher, lifelong learner, creator of Sprezza Foundry Shop, and Executive Director and Podcast host of Collected Ministries & Podcast. Jes attributes her desire to say yes, even when she doesn’t know the outcome, to her parents and a teacher from her childhood. She has taught English camps in Thailand, served the vulnerable in Mexico, and held teaching workshops in Kenya, among many other things. She believes serving is never one-sided – we can both teach and learn everywhere we are, and this model allows for sustainability within communities.
In this episode, Jes shares how she knows when God is leading her to something or asking her to reroute. Hear how she believes leaders can best serve and love their single staff members, why loneliness and singleness are not mutually exclusive, and why cultural representation is imperative in the classroom.
Links to learn more:
Collected Ministries & Podcast: https://www.collectedministries.org/
Sprezza Foundry Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SprezzaFoundry
Kilgoris Project: https://www.kilgoris.org/
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48 | The Trajectory of Literacy
Who do you know? When Be the Difference Podcast began, the goal was simple – highlight everyday people making the difference at their jobs, in their communities, and around the world. We realize, though, people don’t often know where to be the difference if there aren’t eyes to see and speak on the difficulties and hardships in the world.
In this episode, Chris and Sammy discuss a staggering statistic around childhood literacy. Hear how this impacts them both individually and with the global work Back2Back does, what you can do right now to help children gain access to books and adults who read, and how you can help the podcast grow! We want to hear from you and those you know who are being the difference for one!
To nominate someone to be a guest on a future episode of Be the Difference, fill out the form at this link!
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47 | A Year in Review
Another full year of stories of how everyday people are being the difference for one! Together, we’ve listened to stories of grit, determination, following promptings without knowing how things will end, and how people, everyday, choose to show up for others and leave an impact that won’t be forgotten. Thank you for joining us, sharing with us, and gathering around others to ensure they feel known and loved.
In this episode, Sammy and Chris share a Back2Back tradition called “picture of the day” and share each of their own “pictures of the year” from the podcast. You’ll hear about moments they’ve loved, felt challenged, and grown as a result of people sharing their stories. Hear about their highlights from Season 2 as they review the last year of change-makers.
Sammy’s Clips
30 | Impossible Made Possible | Kevin Schwieger
32 | Patience and Perseverance | Rick and Lisa Bursey
42 | Everyone is Creative | Brad Wise
26 | Weightless Anchor | Andrea Holtman
27 | Open Doors & Red Carpets | Hope and Cheque Garcia
36 | Presence & Proximity | Mike Wilson
Chris’s Clips
25 | Saying Yes in Every Season | Sammy Mathews
29 | Cross Worship | Troy Culbreth
31 | The Power of Presence | Dynette Clark
24 | Being a Young Life Leader | Garrett Dexter
33 | Voices of the Next Generation
45 | From Planting to Preaching | Steve and Kelly Carr
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46 | 12 Ways to Be the Difference This Season | Chris & Sammy
‘Tis the season! For two seasons of the Be the Difference Podcast, we have gathered together to hear of everyday people making an impact in the lives of those around them. We don’t need fancy job titles or a lot of money to come alongside others and offer our time, energy, and resources. As Sammy and Chris reflect on the stories we’ve heard and the lives changed as a result of those stories, they are inviting us to be the difference right now, in the midst of the Christmas season!
In this episode, join Chris and Sammy as they share personal anecdotes and 12 ways you can be the difference today, as we await the celebration of our King’s birth. Hear how they’ve each been impacted by the guests who have shared their own difference-making ways and prepare for the final episode of 2022!
12 ways to be the difference this season:
- Volunteer or donate (volunteer with Bogg, from one of our previous episodes)
- Trade ornaments with a neighbor
- Support a foster family
- Ask good questions
- Pick up a set of Story Cards to use over the Christmas season
- Go on a mission trip
- Shop locally-owned or minority-owned businesses
- Take time to write thank-you cards
- Thank those who have a more intense workload this time of year
- Join an Undivided cohort
- Sponsor a child
- Invest in those who are investing in children
- (bonus) Share an episode of the Be the Difference Podcast with your friends and family!
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45 | From Planting to Preaching | A Conversation on Leadership with Kelly & Steve Carr of Echo Church
Kelly and Steve Carr are husband and wife and Co-Founders of Echo Church in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio. Steve formerly led the church, but in recent years, Kelly has stepped into the Lead Pastor role. Echo Church was founded in 2005 and is a body of believers united by common relationship with Jesus. They believe when we listen to what God is saying, we begin to see the world in a different light, and invite others to journey with them as they ask questions, seek Jesus, and work out their faith.
In this episode, Kelly and Steve share how they named their church, what Steve wanted to call it before Kelly stepped in with a different suggestion, and why they landed on Echo. Hear about why O’Charley’s and the produce department at Kroger were pivotal points in their lives and how Steve taking a sabbatical made room for Kelly to step into a lead pastor role.
Links to learn more:
Learn more about Echo Church
Learn more about the Steve & Kelly
Read Steve’s bi-weekly thread for thinkers
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44 | Perseverance Through Community | A Conversation on Leadership with Michayla White of International Network of Children’s Ministry
Michayla White is a wife, mother, lover of Jesus, and Executive Director of International Network of Children’s Ministry (INCM). INCM exists to connect children’s ministry leaders to what they need – training, resources, and community. Michayla attributes her passion for children’s ministry and those who lead it to her mother, a volunteer children’s ministry director, and seeing her commitment to investing in children and seeing them as important to the family of God.
In this episode, Michayla defines children’s ministry and what INCM believes is the best possible curriculum for children’s ministry leaders to possess. Hear about her own challenges as a woman in leadership, how we can all make the future more equitable for women in leadership, and the questions that keep her up at night.
Links to learn more:
Learn more about International Network of Children’s Ministry
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