November is here! This means many things, but for the Be the Difference Podcast, it means a month of new guests who bring their own stories and experiences in being the difference. It also means we are highlighting a new topic: voices in leadership! To kick off, Sammy and Chris meet with special guest, Beth Guckenberger, and ask for her insight on women in leadership and why it matters.

Beth is co-executive Director of Back2Back Ministries, as well as an author and speaker who has long held leadership positions within the evangelical world. She is currently writing a new book about the very topic of women being used by God in leadership positions. In this episode, hear a little bit more about the heart behind this month’s topic, why Beth’s next book started as a secret between her and Jesus, and how her heart has grown and expanded on this topic. Hear two words of encouragement as we engage in this conversation and who Beth’s own examples of women in leadership are. And please join us throughout this month to hear from two other women who lead within their own spheres of influence and ministry, and how we can each support the women in our lives who are leading with grace and love.

Links to learn more:

Hear more from Beth at Reckless Faith

Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

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Brad Wise is a husband, a father, a creative, and the founder of Boonrise – a video production company that exists to tell a better story through videos, experiences, and workshops that spark hope and action. Brad loves looking at things one way and asking if there’s a better or different way to do it; this intrigue and passion started in his adolescence when, instead of writing a paper on the effects of steroids, he asked to do a video instead. What began as a way to make his friends laugh and do work he actually enjoyed has turned into creating space and content where people can share and listen to each other’s stories. Brad shares, “When we tell our stories and we listen with kindness and imagination, something transcendent happens.”

In this episode, Brad shares his own definition of creativity and art, and how everyone can belong within that world. Hear about a woman named Joan he could listen to for hours and the story she shared that is one of his favorites, what exactly Boonrise means, and why Brad and his team chose it for their organization, and what is next for their team and why he is excited for what’s to come. 

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Boonrise

Learn more about Leadercast’s upcoming event Amplify

Learn more about Bespoken Live.

Follow Boonrise on Social Media:

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Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

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Check out this bonus episode of Be the Difference! Today, our faithful producer Mikeyy shares a teaser for episode 41 with Brad Wise, founder of Boonrise. Sammy asks Brad who fostered the creative spirit in him, and Brad’s response is a beautiful story of how his mom stepped in, let him experiment, and formed the storyteller that he is today.

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

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Katie Guiliano is an artist and the founder of Hosanna Revival, a company that exists to excite people about engaging in scripture by creating beautiful and intentional tools for their lives. Katie’s relationship with Jesus began after she graduated high school and truly flourished, along with her business idea, in Spain while reading her plain black covered, bilingual Bible. What started in a secret Etsy shop with just Katie in 2015 is now well-known globally and is made possible because of a team of 13 dedicated artists and business-minded people, plus two sweet dogs.

In this episode, Katie shares about the very humble beginnings of Hosanna Revival and what spurred her to create and build a business simultaneously. Hear why she and the Hosanna team pray over every product before it leaves their hands, how she believes art and creativity will always point us back to Jesus, and why she felt led to paint the cover of a Bible in the first place.

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Hosanna Revival

Follow Hosanna Revival on Social Media:

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Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

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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.

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

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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.

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Legacy 685

Follow Legacy 685 on Social Media:

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Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

Follow Back2Back Ministries on Social Media:

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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.

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

Special thanks to COhatch Mason for providing podcast studio space.

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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.

Links to learn more:

Learn more about myLIFEspeaks

Follow myLIFEspeaks on Social Media:

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Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

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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.

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

Follow Back2Back Ministries

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