Journey On: Faith Communities, Resilience & Agents of Change

When Linda Morris found her first church community four decades ago, she noticed a spirit of honor from the older members. Following their example, she got involved in places where she saw need, and she invited others to join her. Rather than 'fixing' people, she's on a mission to do what she can faithfully.

Rick Griffin, Director of Training and Curriculum Development with Community Resilience Initiative, is committed to connectedness. Having overcome his own childhood challenges, he encourages members of the trauma-informed movement to stay on top of current brain science, to incorporate stories when educating, and to keep the focus on resilience.

Angie Burleson, Executive Director of the AZ ACEs Consortium reveals the secret to helping kids become healthy is really helping adults become healthy first. In her busy and growing role, she discusses the importance of body regulation and how to make self-care disciplines practical and easily integrated into the every day.

Dave Beach, pastor of Ascend Church in Tempe, Arizona, connects brain science with love and acceptance to help people spiritually. Dave discusses trauma responses and negative patterns and how both can stunt spiritual development.

Iya Affo, founder of Heal Historical Trauma, is a storyteller, trainer, speaker, and traveler. Iya shares how immersing herself in other countries and religions nurtured her respect for other traditions without causing her to yield her own beliefs. She urges listeners to find where they belong, help others belong, choose relationship over stuff, and choose character over growth.

Denisha Workizer, founder of Reclaimed Story groups and podcast and Program Coordinator at the Abortion Survivors Network, turns her painful past into purpose by offering hope and healing to women. Denisha opens up about anger toward God, compassion for others, and creating safe places for the hurting.

Robin Blumenthal, trainer, parenting coach, author, and outreach pastor, opens up about the power of presence, empathy, and curiosity in relationship, particularly the parent-child relationship. Robin discusses how flaws and weaknesses shape our view of the world and give us stronger compassion.

Kavita Bernstein, Chair Of The Board Of Directors for the Arizona ACEs Consortium, shares why she sees Arizona on the tipping point for statewide trauma-informed care. Kavita discusses prayer, extra self-care during heavy times, and how to listen to your body so you can truly help others.

Marcia Stanton, consultant, trainer, social worker, and pioneer of the ACEs Consortium in Arizona, a movement that started with just a few passionate people. Marcia talks about doing the right thing and letting your convictions guide you in the face of resistance.

Dan Steffan, lead pastor at Pure Heart Church in Glendale, Arizona, discusses vulnerability and finding the line between emoting and sharing as a pastor. He calls his church a place for suffering and healing, a place that values people, building relationships, and going slow.

Brenda Cochran, Director of Counseling at Pure Heart Church in Glendale, AZ, talks about shifting church cultures and mobilizing clinicians to accommodate whole person healing within the church.