Hope Talks

In this episode we are delighted to talk with Arnetta Davis, a wife and mother of three, social worker and community activist in the Columbus, Ohio area. When tragedy strikes, Arnetta is often one of the first people to show up and engage with families - offering not only her skills as a counselor but also springing into action to get needs met. She is truly a role model for love in action and we are eager to learn more about what led her to be this way.

Nana Eshun is a student at The Ohio State University, who is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Theatre. Nana has lived in the United States for about six years and was born and raised in South Africa. She joined us to talk about about her endeavors in film inclusivity and incorporating more “hero” figures of African descent in the narratives and visuals of film and animation.

In this episode we are excited to talk with Nathan Weidner, teacher at Canal Winchester High School in Ohio and screenwriter, director and producer of the film “A Story for Winter”. “A Story for Winter” is about a doctor who gets snowed in at a facility for children with developmental disabilities and somehow gets pulled into the dream of a non-verbal child where she can talk and run and play. More than that, it is a story about living into our human potential to find hope, even amidst great sadness, and forgiveness, even in response to grievous acts.

In this episode we talk with Jill Amos, twice elected Canal Winchester, Ohio, City Council Member. We wanted to learn from Jill in this episode because she is a leader in a growing community, which has experienced divisiveness as part of that growth, and she has a reputation for bringing positivity. We also discuss her desire to continue in a leadership role in turbulent times.

Johnson Mayamba, a Ugandan journalist and human rights activist, is a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University. In this interview with Uganda Christian University student Christiana Ampeire, Johnson gives his research-based opinion of the Covid pandemic as well as the status and needs of the press in his home country. 

Jackie Stewart takes her love of horses to the next level—rescuing them from abusive situations, giving them purpose and peace, and educating others with their stories. Linda Hambly and Patty Huston-Holm conduct this interview with Jackie among her menagerie of animals at Equestrian Ridge farm in rural Vinton County, Ohio.

For over twenty years, Ugandan Idi Seif worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation. In this conversation conducted by journalism students at Uganda Christian University, Seif talks about how the image of Africa gets overshadowed by despair, and the dilemma of broadcasting positive stories in the midst of the continent's woes.

What drives people to speak the word of God openly on the streets? Ugandan Moses Mukitale is one such preacher living and shouting scriptures in public places within the United States. He tells his story to Uganda Christian University's Kefa Senoga.

Despite challenges, 44-year-old Katherine Harrison lives on hope that she will keep and grow her family's fifth generation farm in Groveport, Ohio, throughout her lifetime. Her story is about her more than 600 animals, her friends, the young people she mentors, artistry and more. She says all of nature has a purpose. 

A missionary and pastor from West Africa discusses his research and new book about the life of Jesus through the eyes of an unlikely disciple, Simon Peter. This podcast was recorded in three countries by a journalism student asking questions from Uganda, a journalist issuing queries in the USA, and the subject of the story coming from England. The book's main purpose is to make Jesus known.

Yehosophat Odidi shares what it's like to live with sickle cell anemia, including the added challenges during Covid-19 conditions in Uganda in this interview by students at Uganda Christian University.

Patty Huston interviews Nancy and Kathy, two women who have shared a seven-decade friendship. They share their health concerns, their hopes for the future, their tips for a long-lasting relationship, and a show tune or two.

Jesus prophesied that many will speak His name (Matthew 24:5). Uganda Christian University journalism students interview a well-known, credible member of the clergy with the tough questions about how Christian leaders misrepresent Biblical messages, promising hope and salvation at a cost, to desperate and gullible congregations.

In the midst of a pandemic, nearly 60 letters were exchanged between a 14-year-old and woman in her 70s who never met. Finally, after 15 months, they see each other's faces and hear their voices. But from their own homes in central Ohio, they plan to keep writing...

Social media has awakened all manner of segregation and spawned hate speech globally. Dr. Sara Namusoga of Makerere University's Department of Journalism and Communication in Uganda, Africa, provides her perspective about balancing self-expression with human respect.

An accomplished musician turns what she believed was her lifelong calling into helping others discover hope and life after loss.

From a large house once the site of parties overflowing with friends and family, a COVID widow in central Ohio shares her anger, pain, and hopeful road to recovery. For her, the pandemic isn't over.

An African American husband-and-wife performing arts duo offers insights into challenges and hope during the turbulent time of unemployment and racial injustice in 2020 in this interview conducted by two university students in Uganda, Africa.

A 19-year-old college student, Nathaniel Shaner, discusses the challenges, opportunities and hope of a Christ-centered life.

Two veteran journalists -- the leaders of this podcast -- share their perspectives about 2lst century journalism changes and hope in this first interview collaborative with Uganda Christian University students.

A wife, mother and former teacher becomes a central Ohio exercise icon, drawing 100 people three times a week to her energetic, joyful parking lot workout.

A parks naturalist talks of building personal sanctuaries in our environment.

As the country's most virus-vulnerable elderly in congregate settings were isolated from family members, workers inside did their best fill in the gaps. This central Ohio assisted living activities director describes how her love for the people, her ingenuity and Christian faith brought hope to many.

Coping with loss, fighting addiction and finding identity.

Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reporter Alan Johnson was known as "Dr. Death" for his observation of Ohio prison executions -- 21 of them -- as part of his job. Somewhere in the middle of watching men die, he found God at his side. In this interview, Dr. Johnson describes that experience and his research about forgiveness and the death penalty.

A community-oriented Jewish businessman talks of the homeward pull of hope.

The talented Chinese pianist Qian Yoyo Liu describes her education and American citizenship journey while sharing her passion for music and how she took a leap to open a Music School in Columbus, Ohio called DNA Music Academy during the 2020 pandemic.

Lessons in motivation from someone who coaches frontline healthcare workers.

This Licking County, Ohio, resident is, at age 69, one of the oldest mountain biking jumpers. In addition to the attention he gets with participating in this dare devil sport, he has increasing notoriety for building mountain bike trails. Hosted by Patty Huston-Holm

Jim Nolan interviews a retired cop and teacher of developmentally challenged adults who finds hope in volunteering.

Douglas Olum a 34-year-old from Uganda, Africa, recently published a book about his abduction at age 11 by the Lord's Resistance Army terrorist group. In this interview, he discusses that horrific experience, his escape and how he has found hope and purpose in his life.

Hope, the idea that tomorrow will be better than today, flickers through all major faiths. In this time of pandemic, stories have emerged of ordinary people engaged in hope. With help from two former journalists in our congregation, David's United Church of Christ will share these experiences by means of a new bimonthly audio podcast, which we call “Hope Talks.” For most of my life, as an editor in big city newsrooms, my job was to collect and tell stories of what happened to people and why. Later, as I felt the call into ordained ministry I learned that shared experiences are an important way people form bonds and build community. Twice a month, my colleague Patty Huston-Holm and I will be sharing conversations from extraordinary people who will offer insight into finding hope for daily living. Like Jim, I love good stories. But why tell them in an audio podcast? I've discovered that podcasts are the 21st century version of the town crier. My 20-and-30 something friends in Uganda, Africa, are hooked on podcasts. My exercise buddies in their 40s and 50s love talk media. My neighbor in her 70s talks about her podcasts. What better way to spread the message of faith-based hope! Hope Talks. Bringing you stories of ordinary people living a better tomorrow today, showing us all how to become the change we wish to see. Look soon for a Hope Talks link on the David's website or on your favorite social media platform. And if you have a story to share, or know someone who does, shoot us an email at hopetalks@davidsucc.net.