Rumors of Doing Good

In this episode, we explore the deep and disruptive belief that every person bears the image of God — the Imago Dei. We reflect on how this conviction, rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus and nurtured within the Anabaptist tradition, calls us to a radically different way of seeing and relating to others. In a world that often categorizes, dehumanizes, and divides, we ask: what kind of community becomes possible when we begin by recognizing the divine in every face? And how might that recognition reshape the way we live, lead, and belong — together? Many of us are living with a deep dissatisfaction — with organized religion as it's been, with society as it is, and with the pace and patterns of life that leave us fragmented and exhausted. Counter Presence: Dissatisfaction Rooted in Hope is a series of conversations born from that unrest, and from a longing to live more grounded, more human, and more faithful lives. Rooted in the conviction that the Anabaptist tradition offers a wealth of wisdom for these times, we take the time to explore what it means to cultivate a countercultural presence — one that is shaped by the life and teachings of Jesus, and formed through community, simplicity, mutuality, and hope. Not as an escape, but as a faithful way of being in the world, together. Intro/Outro music by Skinfiltr8r.

In this first episode of season five, I am joined by my friend and colleague Andrew Dungan as we reflect on the place we find ourselves in — culturally, spiritually, and personally. We talk honestly about the restlessness many of us feel and how that led us to discover and appreciate the Anabaptist tradition. This conversation is about naming where we are, not to despair, but to make space for something new to emerge — a way of life grounded in presence, hope, and shared humanity. Many of us are living with a deep dissatisfaction — with organized religion as it's been, with society as it is, and with the pace and patterns of life that leave us fragmented and exhausted. Counter Presence: Dissatisfaction Rooted in Hope is a series of conversations born from that unrest, and from a longing to live more grounded, more human, and more faithful lives. Rooted in the conviction that the Anabaptist tradition offers a wealth of wisdom for these times, we take the time to explore what it means to cultivate a countercultural presence — one that is shaped by the life and teachings of Jesus, and formed through community, simplicity, mutuality, and hope. Not as an escape, but as a faithful way of being in the world, together. Intro/Outro music by Skinfiltr8r.

Bonus Episode – What happens when creativity meets compassion?  In this special conversation, I sit down with my daughter Gwen to talk about a project she and her Girl Scout troop took on — knitting blankets for people experiencing homelessness. It started as a small idea, but quickly became a meaningful way to offer warmth, dignity, and human connection. We talk about what inspired the project, what the girls learned along the way, and why simple acts of kindness can ripple further than we think. If you enjoyed this conversation, please consider sharing it with a friend, rating the show, and subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. It helps others find the podcast and join the conversation, too. Intro/Outro music by Skinfiltr8r.

In the season four finale of Rumors of Doing Good, Ken Loyd returns to chat with Rob about the remarkable female leaders who have shaped their lives. Together, they reflect on the significant impact these women have made and emphasize the importance of making room for their unique gifts and perspectives in a world traditionally dominated by men. Thank you for joining us this season! If you enjoyed today's episode, please consider sharing it with friends, subscribing, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by Skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation, I'm joined by Ray Motsi from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has a complex history, marked by significant violence stemming from the colonial rule of the British Empire and the subsequent fight for independence in the 1960s through the 80s. This history has deeply influenced the culture, where violence often became the preferred means of resolving conflict. The 1980s saw the continuation of this violence, with the government using brutal methods to suppress opposition. Amidst this culture of violence, Ray co-founded Grace to Heal in 2003, with the mission of helping people process trauma and fostering peace, reconciliation, justice, and conflict transformation in Zimbabwe. I hope you enjoy this fascinating conversation with Ray as he shares his journey of standing alongside his people as a peacemaker. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing this podcast with your friends as well as subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation, I'm joined by my good friend Gordon McDade, who hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he still resides. Growing up, Gordon directly experienced and witnessed the conflict between those advocating for an independent Ireland and those loyal to the United Kingdom—an era known as The Troubles. In this tumultuous environment, Gordon felt called to become a pastor, mediator, and peacemaker in his divided city. Join us as Gordon shares the joys and struggles of cultivating peace, starting a church in the city's contested areas, and his harrowing experience of being caught in a bomb explosion. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing this podcast with your friends as well as subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

Ken Loyd returns to the Rumors of Doing Good podcast to talk with Rob about their experiences of dealing with mainstream churches, organizations and leaders who don't always appreciate or take the time to understand those who are trying to do good in the margins. Listen in as they share wisdom they have learned on how to navigate a world that doesn't always have their best interest at heart. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing this podcast with your friends as well as subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.   Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation, I'm joined by my friend Eagle Spits from Nottingham, United Kingdom. As a teenager, Eagle discovered his passion for punk rock. In 2009, he had a profound experience with Jesus. Inspired by the writings and stories of Dorothy Day of providing radical Christian hospitality towards the poor, Eagle began organizing punk shows in 2010 under the banner of Punk 4 The Homeless to support street children. Today, several Punk 4 The Homeless gigs are regularly held across the UK punk scene, benefiting an orphanage a family started in Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic of 2014. You might recall we spoke with that family back in Season 3, Episode 8 of this podcast. I hope you enjoy our conversation as Eagle shares his love for punk rock, his faith journey, and the inspiring story behind Punk 4 The Homeless. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing this podcast with your friends as well as subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation, I am joined by Ariatna Karlet, a 24 year old remarkable entrepreneur from Colonia Tovar, Venezuela. Ariatna started Monos, a casual clothing company in the midst of recent social, political and economic turmoil of Venezuela. Through her business, Ariatna hopes to provide quality clothing as well as jobs while supporting herself  and her family in order to help rebuild and bring about healing for her country. Today's conversation is translated by Wolfgang Fernandez, founding director of Next Step. Originally born in Venezuela, Wolfgang seeks to come alongside and equip social entrepreneurs such as Ariatna Karlet, as well as providing essential supplies for those struggling with poverty and supporting farmers in developing sustainable agriculture practices.  If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing this podcast with your friends as well as subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.  Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation, I'm joined by my friend Eric Knox from Portland Oregon USA. As a former pastor, Eric noticed how  students of color often lacked role models of color within the  Portland school system. As a result Eric started the HOLLA Foundation in 2013 with the goal of providing mentors for students of color in response to the lack of representation. Through HOLLA, Eric also started a school for students of color  as well. Join us as we talk about the story of HOLLA, why representation matters as well as some basketball. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation we are joined by Johanna Puirava from Helsinki, Finland where she started  Levähdyspaikka (Finnish for Resting Place), a mobile outreach program for those struggling with homelessness and substance abuse out of the back of her Volvo.  The underlying vision of Levähdyspaikka is the idea that every person is created and precious by God, and deserves to be heard and seen. Join us as Johanna and I talk about what drew her into social work and  how an internship in New York City helped prepared her to start Levähdyspaikka. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.  

  Navigating life with a disability presents profound challenges, often catching us off guard. We all tend to take our health for granted—until it's gone. Then, it's all too easy to obsess over what we've lost. But while we can't wish away our limitations, we can change the way we think about our disabilities. Join us as we reflect on our growing awareness of our respective disabilities and what it means for our lives, especially for Ken as he makes some changes in life such as stepping back from the Rumors of Doing Good podcast due to recent health setbacks.  Through our conversation we come to the realization how our disabilities have shaped who we are and the unique gift we have to share with the world. If you have found today's conversation to be helpful, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

Rob & Ken kick off season four of Rumors of Doing Good with a short but poignant conversation about navigating life's transitions such as stepping into new opportunities and recent health challenges. Reflecting on the mantra of never letting the pressure exceed the pleasure, they share about the need to sometime make changes in their lives in order to continue doing good and still do the things that brings them joy. Join the conversation as Ken & Rob reflect on the impact this new season of life is having on their lives, their friendship as well as those who are near and dear to them. If you have found today's conversation to be helpful, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

Throughout Season 3 of Rumors of Doing Good, Ken and Rob have been taking time to answer a few questions from listeners they have received over the last few years. In today's season three finale, Rob and Ken  takes the time to answer the question of what advice they would give to their younger selves and those who are looking to start doing good in their neighborhood. Thanks for taking the time to tune in to this season of Rumors of Doing Good! If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks! Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation Rob and Ken are joined by Deborah Loyd who you might have guessed is Ken's partner. In 1998 at an invitation from a friend, they moved to Portland Oregon USA and helped start a church called The Bridge with those in the subcultures. The Bridge offered refuge and a safe space for those who did not fit in but nevertheless loved Jesus with their hearts and proved it by sharing their love for others. Deborah is a remarkable woman who is passionate about healing and helping folks find a pathway forward for their lives. Join us as she shares with us her adventures of starting The Bridge as well as her experiences of making space for those who feel misjudged and disenfranchised. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks! Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation Rob and Ken are joined by  Andrea Campanale from Kingston upon Thames, in Southwest London, England. In 2005 a friend approached Andrea with an unexpected spiritual experience. Andrea found it difficult to find the words to help her friend, and connect the experience with her own faith.  Becoming more aware of spiritual seekers in her community, Andrea began to attend her local green fair to come alongside spiritual seekers. From this experience, Andrea created Sacred Space Kingston which grew out of the realization that many people are seeking greater meaning to their lives but don't necessarily expect to find that in the church or through organized religion. Andrea and her friends have found  the divine is best encountered through friendship in community, by appreciating the natural world and when they are able to express their uniqueness in creativity. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks! Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation, we reflect on how not everyone has had a positive experience with those who are seeking to do good such as faith based communities, the foster care system, the police and so on. What if every interaction you had with someone trying to do good was painful, what if every interaction you had with a person in the support system made you feel like a waste of time. We take the time to reflect on how we might respond to someone who has been traumatized by those who ended up doing more harm than good. Please be advised that part of our conversation might be triggering for those who have been affected by sexual abuse.

If you have found today's conversation helpful, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation Rob and Ken are joined by Sesay Abdul Rashid from Makeni Town, Sierra Leone where he and his family noticed hundreds of children living out on the streets, having lost their families due to the Ebola Epidemic in 2014. Previously a teacher, Sesay and his family began to recognize the knock-on effects of Ebola. Parents were dying, leaving children to fend for themselves, especially girls as they are most vulnerable to exploitation. The family volunteered to take vulnerable girls into their home to provide shelter, love and care. As a result, the Hope Orphanage was born, hosting 74 children. To this day, the orphanage receives no funding from the government and the family pays to care for the girls, covering their education, clothes and medical needs out of their own pockets. Sesay and his family would love to expand their orphanage and support more children. They have partnered with Punk 4 The Homeless, which puts on charity punk gigs in the U.K., to raise the necessary funds to expand the orphanage and care for the girls. We are invited to participate in the work of the orphanage to care for these girls by donating to the Orphanage here.

In today's conversation Rob and Ken are joined by Elizabeth Sparks from Tacoma, Washington USA where she lives and works with the Catholic Worker community for the past seven years. Since 1983, the Tacoma Catholic Worker seeks to build community defined by deep respect and mutal belonging with their houseless neighbors. They do this by providing a place to stay for houseless folks as well as folks who have been previously incarcerated so that they can work on their goals towards stability.  Join us as Liz shares her remarkable story of providing radical hospitality and how living in community with folks who don't have a place to call home has impacted her.        

Throughout Season 3 of Rumors of Doing Good, Ken and Rob will be taking time to answer a few questions from listeners they have received over the last few years. In today's conversation, Rob and Ken  takes the time to answer the question of what keeps them from giving up on themselves when doing good becomes hard. Listen in to their candid conversation as they share their innermost thoughts on what keeps them motivated. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks! Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation, Ken and Rob are joined by Vivian Labib Nouer, an award winning artist and social entrepreneur from Cairo, Egypt. Initially an interior designer, she decided to combine her skills in marketing and interest in the arts to start up Charisma Arts in order to showcase local artists who were struggling to market themselves. However on a life-changing trip to Upper (read lower) Egypt, Vivian encountered many poor families who depended on the women of the family for economic survival. Moved with compassion, she decided to use Charisma Arts as a way of empowering these women to sell their art and handicraft by giving them a platform to share and sell their art so they can support their families. Since then the artisans Vivian has empowered as a social entrepreneur have grown to include refugees, prisoners, orphans and other folks who find themselves marginalized.  If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks! Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

How we make sense of our world is shaped by the culture in which we find ourselves. In contrast, uncommon sense can be described as thinking outside of the box that culture presents us with. In today's conversation, Ken and Rob talk about how the prevailing common sense of Western culture may not always be helpful in seeking to engage or trying to help people in doing good. At times we may need to tap into uncommon sense in order to engage more meaningfully with folks. Join Rob and Ken as they explore what uncommon sense might look like in a world that seeks to live in a box. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's episode, Ken and Rob continue their conversation with Peter and Liz Digitale Anderson who happen to live a few blocks away from where George Floyd was murdered by a white male police officer in Minneapolis Minnesota. As community peacebuilders, Liz and Peter decided to journey with their neighbors towards healing and justice in light of Floyd's murder. Join us in part two of our conversation with Peter and Liz as they share their remarkable story of re-imagining justice and safety in their neighborhood. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks! Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation, Rob and Ken are joined by  Peter and Liz Digitale Anderson who happen to live a few blocks away from where George Floyd was murdered by a white male police officer in Minneapolis Minnesota. Within days the protests spread all over the world as Floyd's murder inspired a global reckoning with racism.  As community peacebuilders, Liz and Peter decided to journey with their neighbors towards healing and justice in light of Floyd's murder. Join us in part one of our conversation with Peter and Liz as they share their remarkable story of re-imagining justice and safety in their neighborhood.

Throughout Season 3 of Rumors of Doing Good, Rob and Ken will be taking time to answer a few questions from listeners they have received over the last few years.   In today's conversation, Ken and Rob will be taking time to answer the question of how their childhood experiences have influenced who they are and what they  are passionate about today. It is wild to think about how our childhood experiences shape who we are today.   If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks! Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's final conversation of season two of Rumors of Doing Good podcast, Ken  & Rob  are joined by Josh Hawk who  helps lead  St. Johns Church  in Portland Oregon which was born when two local churches merged together when they realized they were better together than apart. With limited resources, they made a decision to partner with the city of Portland to provide a stable tiny house community for the most vulnerable in order to fulfill their calling to love their neighbors. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks! Stay tuned for season three of Rumors of Doing Good coming your way soon! Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

You might have heard the expression,  "A little bit of kindness goes a long way". Join Rob and Ken as they share and reflect on their experiences of how practicing goodwill with others can do  wonders for the person we are helping as well as ourselves. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, why not practice kindness today  by sharing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

In today's conversation, Ken & Rob are joined by Turinawe Samson from Kampala, Uganda where he seeks to create space for the LGBTQ community as well as creating spaces for dialogue and understanding in a society that is actively hostile towards the LGBTQ community. Samson believes that "every human being should be respected simply for being who they are, a part of Life's creation." Through his teaching and activism, Samson is working for a new generation - one that is open-minded, open-hearted, diversity-embracing, and committed to serving all of humanity.

In today's conversation, Ken reads a page from his dairy about the time he had the runs but nevertheless needed to go out and take care of some errands when he noticed he wasn't exactly alone. Join us as we reflect on how the world can be a shitty place for the most vulnerable among us. If you have enjoyed today's conversation, it would mean the world to us if you are able to subscribe, rate and review the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

In today's conversation Rob and Ken are joined by Zion Tauamiti, Samoan born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand where he currently lives to this day working with young people as a wellness chaplain. At the age of 33 Zion suffered a cardiac arrest and subsequently went into coma for six days. As a result of this life changing event, Zion was inspired to start an organization called Healing Song Pese Wairua in order work with Maori and Pacific young people with the aim of increasing their well-being that is undergirded by the Māorian values of Whānau which emphasizes connection with family.

In trying to do good, we often measure success in a variety of ways such as how many meals we have served or how many people we have helped.   In today's conversation, Ken and Rob take the time to talk about the ups and downs of trying to measure success in their adventures of doing good. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation Rob and Ken are joined by Annika Spalde from Vadstena, Sweden. Annika is a deacon in the church of Sweden as well as an activist for peace, animal rights as well as climate change. One of the many ways she commits to doing good is by practicing veganism which is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly refraining from eating anything made from animal products as well as rejecting the idea of seeing animals as a commodity. Join us as she shares with us her journey of becoming a vegan and how caring for animals in this way is connected to her spirituality. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Oftentimes we hear what is being said, however hearing is a lot different from listening. In today's conversation Ken and Rob talk about how listening is often something we take for granted when communicating with those we are journeying with. Join them as they discuss how active listening can do wonders for the person we are in conversation with- and for ourselves. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation Ken and Rob are joined by artist and musician John Friedrick from Silverton, Oregon USA, a rural town where he has lived for the last 13 years, pastoring Oak Street Church. Listen in as John shares about the joys of getting to know his neighbors, including starting an annual arts event focusing on inclusion and participation, and the challenges of seeking to do good in a small town where everyone knows his name If you have enjoyed  today's conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

At some point in our journey of doing good, we will probably experience grief. It can manifest itself in so many different ways such as shock or disbelief, denial, guilt anger and even depression. Join Rob and Ken as they share and reflect on their experiences of grief and how grieving with others can be a powerful and transformative experience in doing good. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r. If you have have found today's conversation to be helpful, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

In today's conversation Rob and Ken are joined by Bill and Eve Perry who were running a bustling fruit and veg shop in the heart of the East End of London, England when they felt a divine nudge to close down the shop in 1995 and open a community space called The Garden Cafe. The cafe aims to bring the local community together and improve quality of life for folks who live nearby through providing delicious meals and running community projects with a particular emphasis on young people and those with learning difficulties as well as mental health issues. Listen in as Bill and Eve share their remarkable journey of running a vibrant cafe as they sought to live out the values of Jesus in their local community.

Join Ken and Rob  as they kick off season two of Rumors of Doing Good talking about becoming curious instead of imposing their own rules when engaging different cultures as well as their experiences of engaging and respecting the cultural norms of folks who live outdoors as well as the anarchist community in their adventures of doing good. Cultural norms are the guidelines by which one lives. They are the common expectations, standards and rules that people in a social group follow to influence their behavior. Growing up in a particular culture, cultural standards are frequently learnt and reinforced via parents, friends, teachers and others.

Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of doing good? What happened and how did it make you feel? Often times when we seek to do good in the communities that we are part of, we can get caught up thinking that we are the ones doing the good. But what about the times when we unexpectedly find ourselves on the receiving end from those we are journeying with? Join Ken and Rob in this final conversation of season one of Rumors of Doing Good as they share their experiences of being surprised when the tables have turned in their journeys with folks who live outdoors as well as punks, squatters and the activist community. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Look out for season two of Rumors of Doing Good early 2021!

In today's conversation Rob & Ken are joined by Blessi Kumar, a health activist from New Delhi, India. For the past ten years, Blessi has been passionately advocating on behalf of folks with TB in the developing world. She is the co-founder of the Global Coalition of TB Activists which seeks to destigmatize as well as create space at the table for folks with TB when it comes to policies, healthcare as well as social norms. Listen in to Blessi's story of journeying with folks with TB as well as why this is such an important issue in the developing world. Go here for more info on today's show, including links and show notes. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks!

Everybody Now is a conversation about what it means to be human on the threshold of a global climate emergency, in a time of systemic injustice and runaway pandemics. Scientists, activists, farmers, poets, and theologians talk bravely and frankly about how our biosphere is changing, about grief and hope in an age of social collapse and mass extinction, and about taking action against all the odds. 
On 19th October 2020, Everybody Now is being released by podcasters all over the world as a collective call for awareness, grief and loving action. With contributions from: Dr. Gail Bradbrook - scientist and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion Prof. Kevin Anderson - Professor of Energy and Climate Change at the University of Manchester Dámaris Albuquerque - works with agricultural communities in Nicaragua Dr. Rowan Williams - theologian and poet, and a former Archbishop of Canterbury Pádraig Ó Tuama - poet, theologian and conflict mediator Rachel Mander - environmental activist with Hope for the Future John Swales - priest and activist, and part of a community for marginalised people Zena Kazeme - Persian-Iraqi poet who draws on her experiences as a former refugee to create poetry that explores themes of exile, home, war and heritage Flo Brady - singer and theatre maker Hannah Malcolm - Anglican ordinand, climate writer and organiser Alastair McIntosh - writer, academic and land rights activist David Benjamin Blower - musician, poet and podcaster Permissions: The song Happily by Flo Brady is used with permission. The song The Soil, from We Really Existed and We Really Did This by David Benjamin Blower, used with permission. The Poem The Tree of Knowledge by Pádraig Ó Tuama used with permission. The Poem Atlas by Zena Kazeme used with permission. The Poem What is Man? by Rowan Williams from the book The Other Mountain, used with permission from Carcanet Press.

Sometimes in doing good we find ourselves in situations where the environment is unpredictable, hostile, where the demands are overwhelming, and the social support is sorely lacking. When this happens, the joy of caring for our neighbors can become difficult. When we're running on empty, it's hard to continue to care for others when we find ourselves worn out. It's not a personal failing or a flaw, it's simply a matter of being human. Join Ken & Rob in part II of their conversation as they share their experiences of burnout and how they dealt with it. In today's episode, Rob concludes the conversation by sharing how he experienced burnout after finding himself journeying with the activist community that was highly unpredictable, at times hostile, the needs being overwhelming while feeling under-supported by the church.

We’ve all been there. That feeling you get when you’re so overwhelmed, all you want to do is… nothing. That feeling has a technical name — burnout — and it occurs when we’re over-worked, overtired, and generally over it. Mission-driven leaders, who tend to be highly motivated, passionate, and over-committed, are even more at risk of burnout than the average person. They push their limits and exhaust themselves precisely because they care so much. Join Ken & Rob in this two part candid conversation as they share their experiences of burnout and how they dealt with it. In today's episode, Ken kicks off the conversation by sharing how burnout crept up on him in his journey with folks who live outdoors. For more info on today's episode including  show notes as well as possible signs that you might be experiencing burnout, visit www.rumorsofdoinggood.com

In today's conversation Ken and Rob are joined by Vivian Brocato from Orange County, California where she started and heads up Punx & Monx, a church for those on the fringes of society. Listen in as Vivian shares her experiences of loving folks who live in the margins in O.C., and her passion for the arts. Vivian also discusses her commitment to the monastic lifestyle, cultivating silence, solitude, retreats as well as service to those impoverished in various mental, physical, spiritual and emotional ways.  

As people who are endeavoring to do good, what does it mean to befriend others? In today’s conversation Ken and Rob explore what it means to engage with folks on their terms rather than on our terms and why its important. Ken and Rob also take some time to share their experiences of relating to punks, metalheads, folks without homes as well as anarchists and squatters on their terms and some things they have learned along the way.

In today's conversation, Rob & Ken are joined by Mark Seger who facilitates Community Dinners in low income apartment buildings in Portland Oregon USA. Listen in as Mark shares how Community Dinners was born out of the ashes of a "failed" church plant and how it transformed his understanding of what doing good looks like. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.  

What message do we communicate when we seek to do good in our communities and what does it say about the values that we hold? In today's conversation Ken and Rob take some time to share their hearts on what they hope to communicate when they are out and about doing good in their communities. Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks!

Jhon Henry Camargo from Barrancabermeja, Colombia joins us in today's conversation as he shares about his experiences as part of Christian Peacemaker Teams, accompanying campesinas who are experiencing the effects of corruption in Colombia. For more info including links and show notes for today's conversation, please visit www.rumorsofdoinggood.com Special thanks to Criseida Blancas for her production assistance. Intro/Outro music by Skinfiltr8r.

Ken and Rob take time to chat about Ken’s mantra, ‘Because Everyone Deserves to Be Loved‘ and how this mantra can help guide us in our day to day lives. For more info including links and show notes, please visit www.rumorsofdoinggood.com. Intro/Outro by skinfiltr8r.  

In today's conversation, we are joined by Rachel Byers from Cologne, Germany. Listen in as Rachel shares about her experiences of journeying with sex workers in one of the largest brothels in Europe. For more info including links and show notes, please visit www.rumorsofdoinggood.com. Intro/Outro by skinfiltr8r.

We thought it was only fitting that we begin this podcast by taking the time to introduce ourselves and talk about how and why we got into doing good, especially among marginalized folks. Join us as we take a trip down Memory Lane and chat about some of the highlights of what we have been up to over the years until now. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the Rumors of Doing Good podcast! Intro/Outro by skinfiltr8r.

Rob and Ken talk about how they first met on Valentine's Day 2002 in Portland Oregon which sparked a lifelong friendship as well as what Rumors of Doing Good podcast is about and how it got started. For more info including links and show notes, please visit www.rumorsofdoinggood.com Intro and Outro music by skinfiltr8r.