The COSILoveYou Podcast

This month, our COSILoveYou Podcast builds from last month's episode by taking a look at what two local churches are doing to impact and support nearby schools. Rocky Mountain Calvary and Colorado Christian Fellowship - two very different churches in different parts of Colorado Springs - each have unique approaches to their support of a neighborhood public school, and different stories to tell. Join us as we talk about what works, what doesn't, and why it matters.https://cosiloveyou.com

This episode of the COSILoveYou podcast features Tracey Beal, Founder & CEO of SchoolConnect, a Phoenix, Arizona-based nonprofit that has created innovative partnerships that support hundreds of local schools across the state of Arizona. Starting with just a handful of schools and partners, SchoolConnect is changing the outcomes for education in Phoenix and beyond, and COSILoveYou has begun a formal partnership with SchoolConnect to bring that same model to Colorado Springs. Find out more about why partnership with local schools might be the best way for churches, businesses, and other organizations to affect their community's future.SHOW NOTEShttps://schoolconnectcos.comhttps://schoolconnectaz.org/https://cosiloveyou.com

This is the final episode of our 4-part series on the state of mental health in our community. This month, we focus on mental health in the church and look at the ways pastors might be facing their own challenges, as well as what, where, and how churches can be engaging in this conversation more fully. Join our guests Dr. Eric Sandras and Wade Brown, as we get both a broad and narrow perspective on this challenging issue in our local churches.Sanctuary Churchhttps://www.thesanctuarywestside.org/PastorServehttps://pastorserve.org/https://cosiloveyou.com

In this episode, we speak with three local leaders who represent various sectors of the marketplace, all of whom have a passion for seeing mental health support increase for both employees and owners.  Join the conversation with Betsy Brown, Deb Mahan, and Daniel Campana as we explore the intricacies of dealing with mental health in the workplace, and the roles that the local church can play in being a supportive option for people who are struggling in their vocations.SHOW NOTESbetsy@exponentionalimpact.comdaniel@smartraven.consultingDeb.mahan@gazettecharities.orghttps://cosiloveyou.com

In this episode, we continue our focus on mental health, turning our attention to how it shows up in homes and families. We sit down with two practitioners who come at their work from different backgrounds and tragedies, but who have allowed their own stories of pain to direct them to intentional, creative approaches to supporting people struggling with mental illness. We also discuss how the home environment contributes to or undermines mental health.SHOW NOTESMentallyStrong.com MindfulAndPositive.orghttps://cosiloveyou.com

As many residents of Colorado Springs are aware, El Paso County has experienced uncommonly high rates of teen death-by-suicide over the last 10 years. While much progress has been made to stem this alarming trend, the efforts have also uncovered hidden and complex causes underlying the thought patterns in the lives of our young people. Join us for this first of four-part mini-series on the challenges and complexities of mental health in the Pikes Peak region, with guests David Galvan and Cassandra Walton.Links:Soul Shop Pikes Peak Suicide PreventionBackpack BashTo register for a Soul Shop Training on May 4: http://www.tinyurl.com/soulshoptschttps://cosiloveyou.com

This month's episode of the COSILoveYou podcast features the return of two guests from 2021, discussing the urgent crisis of food insecurity as a result of new cutbacks to the federal government's SNAP program. Tens of thousands of people who rely on government dollars to supplement their food costs are about to experience significant decreases to the amount their household receives, which will have a ripple effect on our community. Listen today, and consider how you, your church, or your community can be a part of a solution.https://careandshare.orghttps://www.crossfireministries.orghttps://cosiloveyou.com

COVID came, and COVID went - or did it? Since the outbreak of COVID-19, county health departments and officials have been in the spotlight in dealing with local health crises. But they have always been there, working in the background to keep entire city and county populations safe and healthy. And that work continues, even though the focus on COVID-19 has waned lately. In more recent days, new challenges and threats to the health of our communities have arisen, and warrant our collective attention as they continue to threaten our young people, aging adults, and other pockets of our community. Susan Wheelan and Dr. Leon Kelly will inform our listeners about current challenges, as well as ways we can work together toward a healthier community.

This episode of the COSILoveYou Podcast features the recording of a panel discussion from our annual Leadership Gathering. Originally recorded live on September 27, 2022, the conversation features 4 local leaders from different sectors of our community: education, public safety, mental health, and poverty & addiction. Hosted by COSILoveYou Executive Director Stu Davis, these four leaders discuss the needs and challenges facing our city, and areas that we can collectively respond in seeking solutions. 

 In the last 2-3 years, several countries or regions of the world have come under tremendous conflicts that have produced mass numbers of migrants and refugees seeking shelter in the United States. While Colorado Springs is not considered a hotspot for refugee relocation, hundreds of immigrant families have found a new home in the Pikes Peak region, with little in the way of support or infrastructure to help in their transition to a new home. What more can be done to support these families? What can churches do to care for these families? Who is already here and helping? Join us as we explore these questions and more with a local organization, a local church, and a local volunteer who are working together to help.

In this episode of the COSILoveYou podcast, we conclude our 2-part series on affordable housing and explore the ideas and possibilities that could address the challenges discussed in the first segment. While the challenges are complex and multifaceted, there are ways for individuals, groups, and at-large communities to work together to combat this rising crisis. Join us as we talk with two local leaders who are making a difference in the issue of affordable housing.Greccio Housinghttps://www.greccio.org/Solid Rock CDChttps://solidrockcdc.com/affordable-housing/Affordable Housing Collaborativehttps://affordablehousingelpasoco.org/

In this episode of the COSILoveYou Podcast, we begin a two-part conversation on a subject that is reaching crisis levels not just in Colorado Springs, but nationwide as well: affordable housing. It's a complex subject, with many different angles, challenges, and opportunities. This first conversation will focus on the challenges our community faces to begin addressing this crisis, and set the table for the second episode where we will discuss potential solutions.The Faith Tablehttps://www.facebook.com/CSFaithTable/Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundationhttps://www.ppcf.org/ppref/Affordable Housing Collaborativehttps://affordablehousingelpasoco.org/

In the fall of 2021, we took a look at the state of education in our city, particularly considering the aftermath of COVID-19. However, the landscape of our public school system continues to evolve, and with it the needs of so many families already living at the margins. In this episode, we'll talk with two local leaders in education about what's happening in their schools, what's changed, and what opportunities exist for local churches to participate as partners in supporting families trying desperately to keep their kids in school. To learn more about partnering with local schools visit https://cosiloveyou.com/schools/

The Catholic community in the Pikes Peak region is large, robust, and provides many seen and unseen supports for hurting families in the Colorado Springs community. The same is true for the Protestant community. Why isn't there a greater sense of partnership between these two prominent parts of our faith community? In this episode, we interview two prominent leaders of our local Catholic community, and discuss the many ways they are supporting needs in our city, and some of the ways we could work toward greater partnerships between Catholic and Protestant faith communities.SHOW NOTESPodcast Episode: In Search Of The Common Good (w/ Dave Runyon of CityUnite)Catholic Charities WebsiteThe Catholic Diocese of Colorado SpringsWebsiteFacebookBishop Golka TwitterBackpack Bash

“All politics is local politics.” This popular phrase has never become more scrutinized with the recent focus on election integrity, with local election officials around the country coming under increasing pressure. In this month's episode, and as the wrap-up to our City Series, we'll talk with the two officials who oversee our elections process - as well as many other details - for both Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Perhaps you didn't realize the many ways that this out-of-the-way administrative position affected your everyday life.SHOW NOTESCity Clerkcityclerk@coloradosprings.gov(719) 385-5901http://coloradosprings.gov/electionsCounty Clerk(719) 575-8683http://epcvotes.com

Colorado Springs is the major city center of El Paso County, and operating a rapidly-growing city and county requires cooperation between city and county officials and departments. This conversation features Colorado Springs City councilwoman Nancy Henjum and El Paso County Commissioner Cami Bremer, talking about how local government works at both the city and county levels, and where they intersect. We also discuss the pressing issues on a growing community, and where local churches can work together to support our civic partners.

In this episode, we are continuing our “City Series” by interviewing two men whose work and responsibilities have more impact on the day-to-day lives of everyday citizens than perhaps any other. The Departments of Public Works in both the City of Colorado Springs and in El Paso County oversee some of the most basic, fundamental services that provide for the safety and health of our community. If you have ever driven on a road, crossed a bridge, or wondered what happens when snow melts off your driveway in our community, you have these guys to thank for figuring that out. If you think there isn't much overlap between what Public Works provides and what the local church does in our city, you may be in for a surprise. Travis Eastonhttps://coloradosprings.gov/public-workshttps://coloradosprings.gov/page/citizen-request-gocosprings-appKevin Mastinhttps://publicworks.elpasoco.com/ https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com/#/homepage

This is the first episode in our upcoming 4-part series we're simply calling the “City Series.” We want to help listeners understand the roles and functions of some of the many city services - and the people who lead them - that have an impact on our everyday lives. In this first episode, we interview Randy Royal and Jayme McConnellogue with the Colorado Springs Fire Department. While it's easy to understand the first-responder nature of any local Fire Department, there is much more that happens behind the scenes to keep our city safe and care for its people. We also talk about the very real impact that working in emergency services has on these local heroes.

In this episode of the COSILoveYou podcast, we'll sit down with 3 men who operate in very different arenas of the local marketplace to talk about the intersection of faith and business. While businesses operated by faith-driven owners or leaders often have faith-centered values and principles behind their operations, there are everyday challenges that can lead to these owners feeling confused about how to bring their faith to work. Specifically, we'll discuss the hidden challenges of operating a business from a place of faith in ways that benefit employees, clients, and customers without making them feel objectified or judged. We'll also give you a preview of some ways that COSILoveYou hopes to convene more of these conversations around faith & business in the coming months.Yemi Moboladehttps://www.yemimobolade.com/https://www.project42cos.com/David Leinweberhttps://anglerscovey.com/https://anglerscovey.com/event/2022-fly-fishing-film-tour/https://ppora.org/Joel Malickhttps://www.steadfastwealthco.com/team-member-01/joel-malickhttps://www.theafterwork.net/https://www.amazon.com/afterwork-honest-discussion-retirement-future/dp/B08VV6VLNG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12TV5AXY8NVV0&keywords=after+work&qid=1643389296&sprefix=tablecoth%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1

In our first episode of 2022, we take a step back from issues in Colorado Springs and have a conversation with Dave Runyon, Director of CityUnite in Denver, Colorado. The author of The Art of Neighboring talks about the importance of loving your literal neighbors, the challenges and joys of collaborating with government leaders, and what it looks like to pursue "The Common Good" with those we may not always agree. SHOW NOTESThe Art of NeighboringCityUniteCOSILoveSchools

In this episode of the COSILoveYou podcast, we want to explore the issues and intersections where inequities exist across racial lines in the Pikes Peak region. While Colorado Springs and its surrounding areas are less racially diverse than most other parts of the nation, challenges (and barriers) for communities of color in arenas like education, business ownership, and others make it difficult for many to catch up with their white neighbors. We will uncover a bit of the local background to these challenges, as well as future opportunities where solutions can be found.SHOW NOTESViva Marketinghttps://www.vivamarketinggroup.comColorado Springs Hispanic Chamberhttps://www.facebook.com/CSHBCCOS/Danielle Summerville InfoRISE Coalition 

This bonus episode of the COSILoveYou Podcast contains the Q&A session hosted by Kevin Palau of the Luis Palau Association, and Stu Davis of COSILoveYou. Together, the two leaders follow up their presentation with a live question-and-answer session with listeners about both broad and specific topics related to City Gospel movements in Colorado and beyond.

In this month's episode, we take a step back from the in-the-weeds conversation about pain points in Colorado Springs, and talk with Kevin Palau about City-Gospel Movements. Kevin is the Director of the Luis Palau's Association's City-Gospel Initiative, as well as the President of TogetherPDX in Portland, Oregon. As a mentor to COSILoveYou, Kevin has guided church movements across North America to how they can work toward the peace and prosperity of a city. This episode is a replay of a webinar hosted by our friends at Thrivent Financial, with applications for those living in Colorado Springs, but also looking to start a movement in other parts of the country.

In this episode of the COSILoveYou podcast, we wrap up our two-part look at the issue of homelessness in and around Colorado Springs. Our first episode explored chronic homelessness, which often affects adults who have been living on the streets for many years. Family homelessness - not exclusively, but often - is situational, and brought about by different circumstances than those living in chronic homelessness situations. Join us as we talk with two local leaders of nonprofit organizations working with homeless families.Dream Centers - https://www.dreamcenters.com/Mary's Home -  https://www.dreamcenters.com/marys-home/Family Life Services - https://flscs.org/

In this episode of the COSILoveYou podcast, we begin a two-part look at the issue of homelessness in and around Colorado Springs. Specifically, this episode focuses on chronic homelessness, and the many layers of complexity that the men and women trapped by it face on their road to self-sufficiency. Join us as we talk with Andy Phelps of the City of Colorado Springs, and Travis Williams from Springs Rescue Mission.SHOW NOTESSpringsRescueMission.orgHelpCOS.orgPikes Peak Continuum of CareCatholic CharitiesSalvation ArmyPartners in HousingHomeward Pikes PeakIthaka

In this episode of the COSILoveYou podcast, we delve into the challenges faced by public school administrators and teachers in engaging and supporting at-risk students. Students from impoverished backgrounds consistently perform below grade level, graduate at lower rates than their peers, and require more support to succeed in and out of the classroom. We'll talk with a local principal about the real-life effects of poverty on education, and a local pastor on what local churches can do to lend a helping hand to some of these challenges.COSILoveYou.comHarrison School District 2 - https://www.hsd2.org/Centennial Elementary - https://www.hsd2.org/CESPanorama Middle School - https://www.hsd2.org/pmsSolid Rock Christian Center - http://solidrock-cs.org/Pulpit Rock Church - https://pulpitrock.com/Pando Collective - https://thepandocollective.com/

In this episode of the COSILoveYou podcast, we explore the strengths, issues, and challenges uniquely present in southeast Colorado Springs. Typically referred to simply as “The Southeast,” it's the most diverse area of the Pikes Peak region, yet also lacks some of the basic resources many other parts of the community take for granted. Listen in as we discuss the partnerships and opportunities that the faith community can engage in to be a part of meeting needs and building community in southeast Colorado Springs.SHOW NOTESRise Coalition: RiseSoutheast.comSolid Rock CDC: www.solidrockcdc.comCommUNITY Pantry: https://www.solidrockcdc.com/services/food-pantryBe U: www.beuonpurpose.orgWeighOut Ministries: https://weighoutministries.org/Kingdom Builders: https://kbflc.org/ Hillside Connection: https://www.hillsideconnection.org/Harrison School District 2: https://www.hsd2.org/COSILoveSchools: https://cosiloveyou.com/cosiloveschools/

This installment of the COSILoveYou Podcast zooms in on the issues and people affected by food insecurity in and around the Pikes Peak region. Join us as we hear from two local leaders working at different levels to ensure that no family goes hungry. If you're looking for ways to help hungry people be fed, look no further.SHOW NOTES: Care & Share http://careandshare.orgCrossfire Ministrieshttp://crossfireministries.org

This month, we invite Dr. Mark Mayfield of Mayfield Counseling and Dr. Charles Benight of UCCS, and the National Institute for Human Resilience to speak about the mental health landscape in Colorado Springs. How has COVID-19 impacted overall mental health? How do we build resilience?Show Notes: Mayfield Counseling https://mayfieldcounseling.comUCCS Grit Programgrit.uccs.eduYouth Mental Health First Aid with Education For A Lifetimehttps://educationforalifetime.com/ymhfa/COSILoveYou.com

In this episode, we highlight issues facing families in crisis, specifically those in the foster care and adoption communities. With nearly 800 children in El Paso County in the foster care system, opportunities abound for churches and people of faith to make a difference in the lives of children and families across our community. Join us as we talk with Jenni Swogger of El Paso County DHS and Mike Worley of CarePortal. SHOW NOTES:Care Portal - https://www.careportal.org/Beautiful Redemption - https://www.beautifulredemption.com/Fostering Hope - https://www.fosteringhopefoundation.org/CASA - https://www.casappr.org/Lutheran Family Services - https://www.lfsrm.org/Catholic Charities - https://www.ccharitiescc.org/Safe Families - https://coloradosprings.safe-families.org/Hope & Home - https://hopeandhome.org/Hope's Promise - https://www.hopespromise.com/Pulpit Rock Church Bunkbed Ministry - https://pulpitrock.com/love-your-neighbor/DHSJenniSwogger@elpasoco.comElPasoCo.com 

In this first-ever episode of The COSILoveYou Podcast, we kick things off with an interview with Mayor John Suthers. COSILoveYou has worked with the Mayor's office for many years, and the development of a pattern of listening to the needs of our city has inspired many forms of response to meet needs and seek our city's good. We also highlight an upcoming event called COSILoveSchools Day, a city-wide opportunity for churches and businesses to get involved with a nearby neighborhood school later this spring.SHOW NOTES: Eric Swanson on Platformshttps://www.cityshelf.org/eric-swanson-platforms#Eric Swanson's Personal Websitehttps://www.ericjswanson.com/Behind The Springs Podcast https://www.coloradosprings.gov/podcastCOSILoveSchoolshttps://cosiloveyou.com/cosiloveschools/info@cosiloveyou.com