39 | Art and Creativity: Beauty & Rebellion | Chris & Sammy
Welcome to season two of Be the Difference! It’s a new month, which means the Be the Difference Podcast is highlighting a new theme. In season two, Chris and Sammy will highlight one big question every month and dive into that question with our guests.
October is here, and we are focusing on one big question – how can we be the difference in others’ lives through art and creativity? Do you consider yourself creative? An artist? Is there a chance we’re all more artistic than we give ourselves credit for? Chris and Sammy answer this question for themselves, discuss how art draws us into community, and how it always unlocks something new within us.
This month, you will hear from two different special guests – Katie Guiliano and Brad Wise – two founders of creative endeavors who have designed their lives after being present through art. Join us this month as our co-hosts take part in creative, honest, vulnerable conversations about art, how it impacts the creator and those who engage with the creation.
Together, all around the world, we are highlighting those who are being the difference. Join us.
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38 | Presence Means Showing Up | A Foster Care & Adoption Conversation with Toni Steere of Legacy 68:5
Toni Steere is a mother, comes from a long line of women who “give their lives away,” and is the Director of Legacy 685 – an adoption, foster, and orphan care ministry within Houston’s First Baptist Church. Legacy 68:5 connects, equips, and sustains families and organizations locally and internationally with resources, education, and practical help.
In this episode, Toni shares about how her heart for Africa led her to Guatemala, what her 10-year old self would say about her life today, and how fasting and prayer changed everything. Hear how God used a young boy named Gus to teach Toni that attachment matters, and why mowing a field with a machete opened doors no human could close.
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37 | Foster Care and Adoption: Cutting Room Floor | Mikeyy Evans
Check out this bonus episode of Be the Difference! Today, our faithful producer, Mikeyy Evans, shares a teaser for episode 38 with Toni Steere, whose work is all about walking alongside kids in difficult spaces. Sammy poses a question – “Why do you keep doing it?” And Toni’s response is just the motivation we all need to step into the gap for the vulnerable and to remember that Jesus trumps trauma.
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Special thanks to COhatch Mason for providing podcast studio space.
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36 | Presence & Proximity | A Foster Care Conversation with Mike Wilson of MyLIFEspeaks
Mike Wilson is a husband, biological and adoptive father, and the Co-Founder of myLIFEspeaks – a non-profit organization whose vision is for every Haitian child to experience family. Mike and his wife, Missy, have never wanted to come in and “Americanize” the culture of Haiti. Rather, they celebrate the Haitian culture while investing in locals to lead others and together elevate the future of Haiti. They know true sustainability and change comes from within.
In this episode, Mike shares about where he was on January 12th, 2010 and how it was a moment he will never forget. Hear how God continually reminds him, “I’m still here,” about what keeps him up at night, and why he will always tell people not to give up on Haiti.
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35 | Foster Care and Adoption: Presence Matters | Chris & Sammy
Welcome to season two of Be the Difference! In this episode, we are kicking off a new season filled with fresh stories and intentional conversations. In season two, Chris and Sammy will highlight one big question every month and dive into that question with our guests.
September is here, and we are focusing on one big question – how can we be the difference in the world of adoption and foster care? Has this topic always felt far away? Has it felt like something only wealthy people can take part in? Chris and Sammy admit it used to feel far away for each of them, but over the years, they’ve come to understand one thing: adoption and foster care is all about being present for someone else. Whether it’s being community around foster and adoptive families or coming alongside bio families as they navigate working to bring their family back together, we all want to feel like we belong.
This month, you will hear from two different special guests who have designed their lives after being present in the world of foster and adoption, and every month of season two, you can listen to a new episode every week!
Together, all around the world, we are highlighting those who are being the difference. Join us.
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34 | What’s Next?
This week, we announce the end of season 1, and the plans for season 2! Take a listen to hear some of the things we have in store, and all about our plans for the summer. Thanks for being the difference with us!
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33 | Voices of the Next Generation
In this week’s episode you’ll hear from 20 children and teens who regularly spend time with the Back2Back Cincinnati team. Hear their thoughts on what’s great about the world, what problems they see that need to be solved, and how they hope to be the difference in the world.
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32 | Patience and Perseverance | Rick & Lisa Bursey
Rick and Lisa Bursey are husband and wife, mom and dad to two boys, and officially the new Site Directors for Back2Back’s ninth global site in Linares, Mexico! Originally from Ontario, Canada, the Burseys have long served children and said yes to every big and small moment God has extended an invitation. In 2008, they quit their jobs, sold their belongings, and moved two hours south of Monterrey, Mexico to a small town called Linares. Today, they are excited for the future of the Linares site and all it will provide for the children they serve.
In this episode, Rick and Lisa share the three words they’d use to describe their life in Canada, how saying yes was like building muscle over time, and why they believe comfort can breed discomfort. Hear how Lisa responded when God put hungry, sad, or withdrawn people in front of her, how one of Rick’s worst moments led to the opening of Possibilities House, and why patience and perseverance are words, and attitudes, they live by.
Links to learn more:
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Special thanks to COhatch Mason for providing podcast studio space.
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31 | The Power of Presence | Dynette Clark
Dynette Clark is a wife, a mother to three, and sees the best in everyone she meets. She is also the Executive Director of Building Blocks for Kids (BB4K), a Cincinnati-based organization with a vision to create community for all children, regardless of challenges, through support, resources, and scholarships. As a child, Dynette always wanted to babysit and long considered being a teacher before getting her degree in business. After having her first son, and attempting to return to work, she realized she wanted to be with her child and started an in-home daycare service. She later received certification for Montessori education and taught while her own children were in school. She and her husband were blessed with a third child, and shortly after he arrived, everything changed.
In this episode, Dynette shares about a baby girl named Sydney who was born in 1998, and how her story was the foundation for Building Blocks for Kids. Hear how Dynette believes our stories are changed when people are beside us, why community is the foundation of what Building Blocks for Kids does, and the one thing every child served through BB4K gives back.
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30.5 | Clips from the Cutting Room Floor | Kevin Schwieger
Welcome to Be the Difference: Clips from the Cutting Room Floor! In these bonus episodes, we turn the reins over to our amazing producer Mikeyy, to share with you some of his favorite conversations from previous episodes that didn’t quite make the final cut.
In this episode, Mikeyy shares a clip from Episode 30 with Kevin Schwieger. In this clip, Kevin shares a story about two brothers who found connection through nature, play, and God shining through the darkness.
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