We All Need Each Other

The last several years have been difficult on all of us, and pastors have carried a particular burden during those years. Two local pastors, Dr. Theo Williams of Covenant Community Church in South Bend and Adam Sharp of St. Mark Missionary Church in Mishawaka, stepped into lead roles at their respective churches within the last few years. Their insights about these tumultuous times we're living in are very helpful as we consider the current state and future outlook of the Church. Find complete show notes and a link to the video of this episode at transformation58.com/podcast

Have you ever heard of spiritual direction? Don't worry if your answer is “no”. Counseling and – especially around ISI – mentoring are words we hear a bit more often. That's why we brought Michael Baughman on the podcast. Michael is studying to become a spiritual director and has already begun meeting with spiritual direction clients. He helps us understand what spiritual direction is and why it can be helpful. Full show notes, links to video versions and more episodes at transformation58.com/podcast

For the last 13 years Ali & Kory Lantz have lived in Northwest South Bend and have been leading Transformation Ministries. What started as a couple living in a small neighborhood home, trying to be good neighbors and welcoming families into their lives has become an organization that operates several programs for youth and young adults. The growth of Transformation Ministries wasn't something Ali & Kory planned, but they've learned to trust God every step of the way. The latest step started when Kory heard God repeating the word, "Deeper." For Transformation Ministries, going deeper means expanding its programs, opening up opportunities for more students and families to join, starting new programs and dreaming bigger dreams. Construction has started on an industrial building just off Portage Avenue and the project should be finished in time for the 2023-2024 school year. If you'd like to support the Transformation Ministries Deeper Campaign, please visit transformation58.com/deeper_campaign to learn more and find ways to give and/or volunteer. Thank you! For more episodes, show notes and video versions of this and other episodes, please visit transformation58.com/podcast

Kate Berkey and Kristy Mikel are longtime friends, ministry partners and now they are also co-authors of the new book A Place Called Braverly. Braverly is a real place in Mae Sot, Thailand where Kristy lives and works. Kate has also lived and worked at Braverly, but she currently resides in Chicago and works at Devon Oasis Ministry. The major theme of the book is living courageously in the face of opposition, fear and lack of opportunity. This conversation with Kate & Kristy was full of laughs but also clear challenges to choose to live bravely every day. Find more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast

As the Director of Academic Empowerment at Transformation Ministries, Karen West has had to develop rapport with students, parents, school administrators, teachers and more. Her God-given gifts of connecting with young people and a genuine love for people have made her a perfect fit! Find links to video format and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast

Kalyn Lantz has been deeply involved at Transformation Ministries for years. She knows our work as well as anyone and she has helped equip our volunteers to be the best they can be. As a licensed counselor who specializes in trauma-informed care, Kalyn has unique insight into the ways trauma manifests in emotional, behavioral and physical ways. Find video format and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast

Transformation Ministries hosted an event called Timely Topics on Saturday, March 19, that featured three speakers - Marla Godette, Kory Lantz & Dr. Redgina Hill - followed by small group discussions about each speaker's chosen topic. This community-focused event brought together a diverse crowd of people who engaged in meaningful and life-changing discussions. New interpersonal connections were made and many attendees suggested more events like this were necessary. This episode includes each speaker's speech as well as followup thoughts and overall event debrief with co-hosts Dan Weiss & Aaron Charles. Sign up to receive emails about upcoming events hosted by Transformation Ministries at transformation58.com or email us at info@transformation58.com Full show notes and links to video platform are at transformation58.com/podcast

Itzxul Moreno and Alec Torigian are proud to call South Bend, IN, their home even though they didn't grow up here and never imagined they'd live in Northern Indiana. They also serve in the Irion Sharpens Iron program at Transformation Ministries. We hope you enjoy hearing parts of their stories! Full show notes and links to audio platforms are at transformation58.com/podcast

Rapper, poet and author Propaganda joins us to talk about his book Terraform. He believes we are the culture and that our words build worlds. If those things are true, then we should start building a better world! Outro music: Unconditional? by Cam Stillson Full show notes and links to audio platforms are at transformation58.com/podcast

Welcome to Season 2 of We All Need Each Other! We're back after a short break to kick off another year of monthly episodes. This episode is extra special because we're adding some new features to the podcast. We've got a new logo, some new ideas and, most importantly, a new co-host! We're so excited to welcome Ali Lantz to the hosting team. She's the co-founder of Transformation Ministries, the wife of Executive Director Kory Lantz and a trusted voice when it comes to loving others well. Find more episodes, full show notes and more content at transformation58.com/podcast

Most of us know the stories of Moses, Esther, Paul & Silas and Zacchaeus. But have you ever thought about the role privilege played in their stories? In his new book, Dominique Dubois Gilliard looks at these well-known Bible stories from a different lens and translates the lessons he discovered to our current culture. Each of those Biblical characters had a form of privilege and, when faced with an opportunity, used it to subvert systems of power in order to uplift and restore vulnerable people. Find links to the video version of this episode and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast. Outro music: Unconditional? by Cam Stillson

Ali Lantz and her husband Kory founded Transformation Ministries in 2009 with the hopes of being good neighbors and seeing transformation in the urban neighborhood they moved into. They found that the greatest transformation has happened to them as they've built deep relationships and walked alongside their neighbors for the past 12 years. You're invited to join us in January to study and discuss Subversive Witness: Scripture's Call to Leverage Privilege, the new book by Dominique DuBois Gilliard. We'll meet on the first four Mondays in January 2022 at the Transformation Center (1519 Portage Ave., South Bend, IN 46616) from 7-9pm, with an optional free dinner from 6-7pm each night. If you want to join the study group, please RSVP by Monday, Dec. 27! Find more episodes and show notes at https://www.transformation58.com/podcast

Are there topics that are off limits in your organization, church or family? Initiating difficult conversations can be very difficult, but also very rewarding. Pastor Lindsay Fisher joined Dan & Aaron for this episode to discuss what she's learned about having important conversations even when they're difficult. Find the video versions, more episodes and show notes at https://www.transformation58.com/podcast

What does it mean to be a good neighbor? "Show up needy," says author Shannan Martin in this conversation with host Aaron Charles. Martin shares about the lessons her family has learned while living in a place they never expected. Find the video versions, more episodes and show notes at https://www.transformation58.com/podcast

During the course of a normal day or week, how often do you find yourself fascinated by something or someone? Have you ever thought about that question? What is it that captures your attention and triggers your imagination? What can turn you into a little kid filled with wonder and amazement? Aaron and Dan sat down to talk about some of the things in life that fascinate them. Find the video versions, more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast

Dr. Redgina Hill is here to share with us some of what she learned through her study of Critical Race Theory as she was writing her dissertation. She also shares from her own experience as a black woman in America. Find the video versions, more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast

No matter your religious background, if you're a Christian now then you have some practices for spiritual formation. They are the things we all do in order to grow spiritually. You may call it something different, but we want this episode to be a resource for you to learn about some new practices that will lead to deeper spiritual formation. Jasmine Bradley and Karen Grant are no strangers to Transformation Ministries. Jasmine is the Director of Youth Empowerment and Karen is the Director of Greater Impact Prints. Their unique backgrounds and perspectives provided great insight into the topic of Spiritual Formation. Their wisdom and love for Jesus came through loud and clear. We'd like to use this episode and the next blog post (on June 22) as a resource for ideas of practices that anyone can try out and possibly implement for their own spiritual formation. If you have some ideas you'd like to share, please fill out this short form and we'll add your responses to the upcoming blog post. Thanks! Find more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast Watch the video version of this episode at https://youtu.be/U5ggGCzz8ws

On Episode 5 of We All Need Each Other, Dan and Aaron had a conversation with Pastor Stephen Love about his experiences as a pastor and church planter and about how we all bring different perspectives to the table. Find more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast Watch the video version of this episode at https://youtu.be/x9VRJl3EFtc

On Episode 4 of We All Need Each Other, Dan and Aaron had a conversation with Pastor Jonathan Brooks and Kory Lantz about what it means to live in and serve in community. This conversation really got to the heart of what this podcast is all about – the fact that we all need each other and can learn from one another's perspective. Find more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast Watch the video version of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leuvGkIAYds

We are excited to bring you a BONUS episode this week and we're even more excited about the reason for this extra content! We All Need Each Other has a new co-host and his name is Aaron Charles. If you've been paying attention, you know Aaron has already been contributing to the podcast through his writing. He's a gifted communicator and has a heart that fits right into the spirit of the show. Aaron is a native son of South Bend and has lived in Michiana his entire life. He and his wife, Sarah, have been happily married since 2015. Aaron is a writer who believes that God has given each person a spark of creativity. In his occupation, Aaron works as a marketer for an advertising agency. You can engage with his writing further at his website. Watch for more of Aaron's writing on the blog at transformation58.com/podcast, as well as future appearances on the We All Need Each Other podcast.

Social media is one of the most pervasive aspects of our culture today. It has become part of our everyday life. But there are dangers to it, even while there are many positives at the same time. In this episode, Dan was able to join in conversation with Pastor Ryan Flemming, the lead pastor at The Revolution Church in Gary, Indiana. The conversation in this episode focused on social media and how we can use it for good. Find more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast Watch the video version of this episode at https://youtu.be/Iop2AQ0fVDU

Every day's news headlines seem to bring reminders of the fact that racism remains a clear and present danger to our communities. Fighting the darkness of racism is something that Christians must consider in today's world. This conversation gets at the ways all of us can join in the fight and work for a more just society. Jemar Tisby is a historian, author, speaker, and one of the leading voices at the intersection of race, religion, politics, and culture. He reached the New York Times bestseller list with his book The Color of Compromise and has recently published his second book, How to Fight Racism. Find more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast

Whether it comes naturally for you or not, empathy is a very important skill if we hope to understand and love each other well. Guests Arielle Grant & Raquel Storey are former Transformation Ministries Staff members who share insights and examples of how they've seen the value of empathy in their lives. Find more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast Watch the video of this episode here.