Podcasts about Liberian

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes back Kendall Hughes, D.Min., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Dr. Hughes shares moving stories—from a group of teens who made amends after a traumatic act of vandalism, to incarcerated men working through shame and accountability in a high-security penitentiary. These stories highlight the power of restoring dignity and finding healing through meaningful change.  Reflecting on his rich learning journey, Dr. Hughes draws from Indigenous teachings, global traditions, and interfaith wisdom. His commitment to continued education and cultural responsiveness showcases why lifelong learning is essential for restorative facilitators. Whether it's through role-playing in training sessions or learning from Ojibwe, Navajo, Somali, and Liberian communities, Hughes emphasizes the importance of humility and curiosity in this work. Dr. Hughes has extensive experience starting and leading restorative programs in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and for the state of Minnesota Office of Restorative Practices. He began his career in a nonprofit, learning from leaders in lower income communities as they built affordable housing, places of worship, and schools. He spent two decades as a chaplain in federal prisons. Working with incarcerated men, he developed an18-month residential program offering skill building, encouraging relationships, and opportunities for transformative dialogues with survivors of violent crimes and men who had caused deep harm. In 2019, Dr. Hughes co-founded Three Rivers Restorative Justice, focusing on pre-charge restorative conferences and training facilitators. He has served on the Third Judicial District's Committee on Equity and Justice as well as the Dodge and Olmsted County Corrections Taskforce. While earning his Doctorate of Ministry, he wrote a thesis on how chaplains in the Bureau of Prisons can reduce recidivism.  Tune in to learn more from Dr. Hughes and to explore how dignity-centered approaches create space for social and personal transformation.

Engineer Your Success: Building Liberia’s Future Through Infrastructure with Jackson Jala Yoko In this episode of 'Engineer Your Success,' host Dr. James Bryant welcomes Jackson Jala Yoko, a civil engineer with a remarkable journey from war-torn Liberia to successful infrastructure projects in the US, and back to his homeland. Jackson shares his childhood experiences during the Liberian civil war, his escape from becoming a child soldier, and his passion for education. After gaining extensive experience in the US, Jackson discusses his return to Liberia to establish his own company with the goal of empowering local Liberians and developing sustainable infrastructure. The conversation highlights the importance of perseverance, vision, and the drive to make a positive impact on one's home country. 00:00 Introduction: A Childhood Amidst Conflict 00:47 Welcome to Engineer Your Success 02:04 Guest Introduction: Jackson Jala Yoko 02:20 Educational Journey and Professional Achievements 05:30 Returning to Liberia: Vision and Challenges 14:06 Opportunities in Liberia and Africa 16:13 Role Reversal: Interviewing the Host 18:38 Conclusion: Building Something Great   ABOUT THE GUEST: Jackson Jallah Yoko is the founder of Ducor Engineers & Constructors and a civil engineer with 15+ years of experience across Liberia and the United States. Born in Monrovia during Liberia's civil conflict, he persevered to earn his Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Stella Maris Polytechnic and dual Master's degrees from the University of Texas. His impressive portfolio includes managing multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects including the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Terminal F ($3.5B), Dallas Area Rapid Transit Cotton Belt Line ($1.2B), and numerous commercial developments as a Regional Project Manager overseeing $120M in projects across Texas and Louisiana. After building his expertise abroad, Jackson returned to Liberia in 2024 to lead infrastructure development initiatives focused on building local capacity and creating sustainable solutions for his homeland through public-private partnerships. Website URL www.ducorengineers-constructors.com  LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-jallah-yoko-b4b8124b/   Engineer Your Success  Let's connect! Find Dr. James Bryant on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I'd love to hear from you. Grab Your Copy of the Engineer's Blueprint for Success Here: https://www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/engineers-blueprint/  You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website, www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com, and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Our guest is Dr Katrin Paehler, Professor of modern European history at Illinois State University.First, a journalist describes how he accompanied Hitler through the embers of the Reichstag fire in 1933.Then, the harrowing recollections of a doctor who saved survivors of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.Next, a woman describes how she was caught between her job and her clan during the UN's disastrous Somalia mission in the 1990s.A Liberian woman explains how she helped end the country's civil war.Finally, how Germany's 'death zone' became a natural paradise.Contributors:Sefton Delmer - British journalist at the Reichstag fire. Dr David Tuggle - surgeon at the Oklahoma City bombing. Halima Ismail Ibrahim - former UN worker in Somalia. Leymah Gbowee - Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace. Professor Kai Frobel - co-founder of Germany's 'Green Belt'.(Photo: Reichstag building on fire. Credit: Corbis via Getty Images)

All throughout history, Women have ignited revolutions, challenged regimes, and reshaped societies through protest. In this episode, Stauney and Sadie explore ten powerful women-led uprisings that changed the world—each sparked by urgent demands for bread, peace, equality, or justice. From the March on Versailles and the Bread and Roses Strike to Iceland's Women's Day Off, the Liberian sex strike, and the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran, join us as we examine the slogans that stirred crowds, the strategies that forced change, and the legacies that continue today. These protests weren't footnotes in history—they were turning points. This is what happens when women revolt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top headlines for Monday, March 24, 2025In this episode, we explore the Trump administration's controversial proposal to use the U.S. military to temporarily detain illegal migrants in a buffer zone along the southern border, sparking discussions about immigration policies. Next, we discuss the financial toll of ongoing sexual abuse investigations within the Southern Baptist Convention, which have already amounted to nearly $13 million, shedding light on the profound implications for the organization and its members. Finally, we share the inspiring story of NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, who credits his unwavering faith in Jesus for helping him endure nearly nine months stranded in space. 00:11 Trump admin. considers military buffer zone at southern border01:07 Ex-Futures Church pastor granted bail after child porn charges01:56 SBC has spent nearly $13M on expenses related to sex abuse probe02:53 Christian teacher fired for biblical views on sin loses case03:44 Christian beaten by Iranian prison guard for requesting treatment04:44 Israeli hostage shares his experience with UN Security Council05:40 Liberian lawmakers mediating United Methodist property dispute06:34 NASA astronaut stranded in space: God was there in hardest times#BorderSecurity #Immigration #ChurchScandal #PastorControversy #SouthernBaptist #ChurchAccountability #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianPersecution #HumanRights #ReligiousFreedom #IsraelHamas #MiddleEastCrisis #ChurchDivision #ReligiousDispute #NASA #FaithInSpaceSubscribe to this PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastFollow Us on Social Media@ChristianPost on TwitterChristian Post on Facebook@ChristianPostIntl on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeGet the Edifi AppDownload for iPhoneDownload for AndroidSubscribe to Our NewsletterSubscribe to the Freedom Post, delivered every Monday and ThursdayClick here to get the top headlines delivered to your inbox every morning!Links to the NewsTrump admin. considers military buffer zone at southern border | PoliticsEx-Futures Church pastor granted bail after child porn charges | U.S.SBC has spent nearly $13M on expenses related to sex abuse probe | Church & MinistriesChristian teacher fired for biblical views on sin loses case | EducationChristian beaten by Iranian prison guard for requesting treatment | WorldIsraeli hostage shares his experience with UN Security Council | WorldLiberian lawmakers mediating United Methodist property dispute | WorldNASA astronaut stranded in space: God was there in hardest times | Living

If God is a God of blessing – then what about all the suffering we go through? And anyway, if God does bless, does that just mean a new car and a bigger house?   Does God want to Bless Me? Perhaps you've heard people say that we're “Blessed to be a Blessing”. But man, it's so easy to get the wrong idea about what God really, truly means by that word “blessing”. I see so much misunderstanding about God and His heart and where He stands on blessing us. There seems to be a couple of extreme positions on this whole subject of God's blessing – two opposite ends of the spectrum, if you like. On the one end, it goes something like this. God wants to bless me, therefore, I should believe Him for the new Mercedes convertible, more money and a bigger house and a big diamond ring. In effect it kind of reduces God down to some sort of sugar daddy: it's all about me, I am at centre stage – I name it and I claim it. And you know something, lots of Christians believe that. Now the problem that I have with that end of the spectrum is that when I take that and I hold it in one hand and I hold the cross of Christ in the other – when I look at Jesus, this Jesus that gave up everything for me; this Jesus who was nailed to a cross, beaten and bruised and brutalised, not even with the clothes on His back – and I compare those two things, you know something, this end of the spectrum over here, jars with that, don't you think? And it leads to some of the worst excesses – the tele-evangelists pressuring people for money and flying around in their private jets. Is that where that should end up? I mean is that what God's blessing is all about? The other end of the spectrum is you have to be poor to serve God. Money is evil. In fact, we just had a phone call, just the other evening, in the middle of the night, someone responding to a program, saying, "money is evil". Well, no that's not what the Bible says. The Bible says, “The love of money is the root of all evil”, but money itself isn't evil. "People who are rich are evil." I was talking to a man in India recently. India by and large, is a country of extremes – there is the very rich and there's a large, large number of very, very poor people. And this man was being very critical of a Christian leader who just happened to have a nice house in a nice area. He believed that it was wrong for him to have money. Then I looked at this end of the spectrum – you have to be a pauper to serve God. And then I go to the Bible and I read about Abraham, who was God's chosen man; he was very wealthy. I read about King Solomon, he was very wealthy. Yet King Solomon was still God's anointed leader over Israel. He was full of God's wisdom. Do you see the problem? You go to either end of the spectrum and you take teaching about God's blessing to the extreme and you know, I think you end up with the wrong answer. God is a God of balance and when we look at our lives, what we see is that we go through times of blessing, where there's joy and everything seems to be going well and we all go through difficult times. You see the problem. At one end you can have people getting the extreme prosperity thing in their heads and we can end up thinking it's all about us. It plays right into the hands of the world; it's the me, me, me – the next plasma TV, the next car, the next big thing. If you don't have that, obviously you don't have enough faith. On the other hand, if you have this perception that you have to be poor to be a Christian, well if that were the case, who would ever fund the work of the Lord on this planet? God has always chosen to fund His work through His people. And then on top of the pure monitory thing, there's the reality of tragedy and pain and suffering. I mean some of these things are indiscriminate – earthquakes, tsunamis, a young person who loves God dies of cancer, in a car crash or there's divorce or there's retrenchment or there's all that stuff of life that we all experience some times. Are you with me? So what's God's plan? Does God want to bless me or not? Is it okay for me to ask for His blessing? Is it okay for me to expect His blessing, or is that presumptuous? This is an important question. It is in a sense where the ‘rubber' of faith hits the ‘road' of life. It's when it comes to faith in God being active, right in the midst of life's realities today, the things we all have to face. We get up in the morning, we pray, we look forward to the day … How do I pray, what do I give thanks for? That difficult situation that's going be confronting me at work today, can I ask God to help me with that? Is God in all of that? That's why we are doing this series "Blessed to be a Blessing". I'm a simple man. I open the Bible, I see what God's Word says on a subject and you know God is largely a God of balance. I love to be empowered with God's Word and hopefully as we share these next twenty, twenty five minutes together we will both be empowered by God's Word. The problem with teaching on blessing is that you just can't take one verse and say, "That's it! See, God is a God who blesses; therefore I can ask Him for the next big car". You end up with an extreme position. Just as if you say, "You can't have any money to serve Jesus. You have to sell everything you have, give it all away", because Jesus did say that to one young ruler. I'd like to look at God's perspective; the whole thing. Is God a God who blesses? Well, let's just start with what we mean by the word "bless"? It has a number of different meanings but the main connotation is God's divine favour – God intervening to make something better or to give us something that will bring us joy or happiness, financial blessing, spiritual blessing, physical blessing, healing, anything and everything. God's divine favour – His blessing becoming active in our lives. The question is, is God in the blessing business? The word "bless" or "blesses" or "blessed" or "blessing", appears three hundred and fifty eight times in the Bible. The first time you see it is in the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis chapter 1, verse 22. Let's go there and have a bit of a look at what God's up to. Genesis chapter 1 is the account of God's creation. He creates the light out of darkness and the heavens and the earth and the oceans and the dry land and the plants. And the first time He creates a living creature, this is what He says: So God created the creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems. According to all their kinds and every winged bird according to its kind and God saw that is was good and God ... Listen to this: ... and God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas and let the birds increase on the earth'. The second time that the concept of ‘blessing' happens in the Bible is in that same chapter, a few verses on, verse 26: Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image and in our likeness and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, over the livestock over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him, male and female, He created them. God blessed them and said to them” – see, there it is again – “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth and subdue it and rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over every living creature that moves on the ground.' And then God said, ‘I give you every seed bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it, they will be yours for food and all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground; everything that has breath of life in it, I give every green plant for food.' And it was so. That's creation! Let me ask you something – do you think God's in the business of blessing us?   If God Blesses why do we Suffer? So we've looked at God's own account of His creation, Genesis chapter 1. The very first living creatures He creates, He blesses them. He says, "Go and multiply, increase in number and fill the earth." And He creates humanity, man and woman, and He hands the whole of that creation over to them. What an enormous blessing! You and I are joint owners in creation! Why? Because God created us in His own image and then He handed the whole thing over to us. Just stop and think about that for a minute. What a huge blessing! Right at the point of creation, God was in the blessing business. That's profound! And His plan for us was to live in relationship with Him – Adam and Eve. Genesis, chapter 2, verse 15: The Lord God took the man and put him is the Garden of Eden to till it and to keep it. A perfect plan of blessing and as you probably know, Adam and Eve rebelled. They did the one thing that God said, ‘don't do' and there were consequences. Rebellion against God always has consequences. To the woman He said, “I will greatly increase your pains in child bearing, with pain you will give birth. Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you.” To Adam He said, “Because you listened to your wife and you ate from the tree about which I commanded you ‘you must not eat', cursed is the ground because of you. Through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you'll eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken – for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Enter pain and suffering because humanity rebelled against God. And for the rest of the history of humanity, there are consequences. Now you might say to me, “Berni that is so insensitive. If there's a still born baby, if tens of thousands are killed in a tsunami, if some young teenager is raped and murdered, how can you say that?” Here it is, God made us in His image but when who He is doesn't suit us, we try and remake Him into our image. God is a God of blessing – that was His plan, that's why He put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But they rebelled and when that happens there is an interruption of blessing, there's an interruption in the relationship with Him. Have a look at it. In Leviticus chapter 26 is a perfect summary of where God stands on this. It's a summary of the old covenant; the relationship between God and Israel. And He lays out the relationship in this chapter. Let's go there and begin at verse 1. He says: Don't make idols or set up a sacred stone for yourselves, don't place a carved stone in your land to bow down to it because I am the Lord your God. If you observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary, I am the Lord. If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commandments, I will send rain in its season and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field will be full of fruit and your threshing will continue until grape harvest and grape harvest will continue until planting and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. I will grant you peace in the land and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid of them. I will remove savage beasts from the land and the sword will not pass through the country. You will pursue your enemies and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favour and make you fruitful and increase your numbers and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last years harvest when you have to make room for the new one. I'll put my dwelling place among you and I won't abhor you and I walk among you and be your God and you will be my people. I'm the Lord God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. I broke the bars of your yolk and enabled you to walk with your heads high. But, but if your won't listen to me and carry out all these commandments and if you reject me and my decrees and you abhor my laws and fail to carry out those commandments and so violate this covenant, then I will do this - I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease and fever will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain because your enemies will eat it. I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies, those who hate you will rule over you and you will flee, even when there is no one pursuing you. See, God first and foremost is a God of blessing. He wants to be in relationship with His people and He is God – He gets to say this is how it is. And when Israel turned against Him, there were consequences. And you and I both have rebelled against God; we both have turned our backs on God at some point in our lives. I was talking to a man just the other day. He's my own age, he's a good friend of mine and he was talking about his three adult sons. This man had a dream to bless his sons. He's an entrepreneur. He's good at making money. He worked as a team with his sons; he wanted to build a business empire and to see them blessed and their children blessed. But one by one, they rejected him and his plans – they didn't honour their father. They went their own way; they turned their backs on him. It sounds like a parable, doesn't it? This is a true story – a friend of mine. And this is what my friend said to me, he said, “Berni, I really wanted to bless them, I wanted to give to them but now that they have rejected that, in their self-centered, selfish ways, I can't bless them.” and it's the greatest sadness of his life. That man is made in the image of God. What he said about his heart to bless his sons is exactly, exactly where God is coming from. God is a God of blessing, but when we reject Him, when humanity rejected Him, when you and I as individuals rejected Him, it interrupts the relationship. And it's in that relationship that we are blessed – that's God's plan. So we've all done that. Can we still go to God and ask Him to bless us?   Can I ask for God's Blessing? I hope that as we have looked into God's Word so far on the program, it's had a profound impact on you. God's heart is to bless us – it's in His very nature. That's what creation was all about. A huge abundant, indescribable blessing from Him to us. But when we reject Him, when we try to reconstruct God in our own image rather than accepting Him for who He is, we interrupt that blessing. It's as simple as that. Now we have all done that, so can we still ask God for His blessing, for His favour, for His grace? Absolutely, because God is a God of forgiveness. I'd like to take you to a place, a prayer by a man called Jabez. Someone wrote a book about this a few years ago and it became very prominent, but this prayer is in the Old Testament. If you have a Bible, grab it. We are going to First Chronicles, chapter 4, verses 9 and 10. It‘s in the middle of nine chapters of genealogy, you know, so and so begat so and so who begat so and so who begat so and so - nine chapters - riveting! Smack bang in the middle of that God stops and tells us the story of this Jabez. Obviously He thought it was important enough to break this riveting flow of the genealogies. Good stuff, thank you Jesus. Here's the prayer of Jabez: Jabez was honoured more than his brothers and his mother named his Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, “O God, that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory and that your hand might be with me and that you might keep me from hurt and from harm.” And God granted his request. Jabez gets called "You're a pain" by his mother. Imagine if your mother or my mother named us that. Not a great start in life is it? Mustn't have been for Jabez because Jabez cried out to God. He cried out to Him in desperation, out of his pain, out of his imperfect life. We don't know much more about him but what we do know is that everybody has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and he rejected God in his life at some point, just the way that you and I have. And in his desperation he calls out to God. You might say, "Berni, how do you know that Jabez rebelled?” Let me ask you, if you're a parent, what's the first or the second or the third word that every child learns? "No!" Isn't it? And God's Word clearly teaches that we all have turned our backs on Him. So Jabez is a fallen man just like you and I are fallen human beings. What does Jabez ask God? “God, that you would bless me indeed.” Not just any sort of blessing an ‘indeed' blessing; not just an ordinary blessing of God, “I really, really, God, want you to bless me.” Secondly he asks God to enlarge his territory. In the Old Testament, land was very important, in terms of blessing. I mean, land is somewhere we live. If you have a house in the suburbs, you might take that for granted. If you happen to live in a Liberian refugee camp in Sierra Leon, where you are listening to this program, you won't be taking land for granted. Jabez asks God to enlarge his territory. Thirdly that God's hand might be with him. What a great blessing that is! And fourthly, that God would keep him from hurt and harm. And listen to what it says, (Jabez is a person just like you and me) listen to what it says next. It says, “And God granted his request.” This man put his faith in God and he asked God for a blessing. Once I discovered this prayer, I started praying it regularly, with my own twist. I said, “God, that you would bless me indeed today. I want to see your presence; I want you to be with me. God, that you would increase my borders and my territory. That more and more people would listen to these programs.” You know, I started praying that two years ago when these programs were being listened to by a few people on a few stations and now they are listened to by hundreds of thousands, even millions of people in over eighty countries around the world. God answers those prayers. “God that you would send your hand with me that doors would open for the work that we do and that you would keep me from evil that I wouldn't cause any pain.” It is just the Lord laid on my heart. The point is we can ask God for blessing. God is a God of great blessing and blessing happens in relationship with Him. When we reject God – listen to me – when we reject God it breaks the blessing. Just like that friend of mine that I was talking about with his sons. God wants to bless you … God wants to bless me and there's a purpose; there's a reason for His blessing. It's not just for us but as we will see over the next few weeks on the program, God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. But right from the beginning, right from the first creature that He created on this earth, He wanted to bless them. And when he created humanity, He wanted to bless them. And when He had a relationship with His people, Israel, He wanted to bless them. And we all turned our backs on Him and so God then gave us the greatest blessing that there could possibly be – He opened the door to a relationship with Him through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. God is a God of blessing. Yes, we go through ups and downs in our lives, and we're going to have a look at some of those things over the next few weeks, but when I open the Bible I see a God who wants to engage, not just with humanity as a whole, but with little people like you and me and His heart is to bless us.

This week on Breaking Bread the hilarious Retta joins us at the table! She shares about getting her start in stand up, transitioning into acting, and hosting her show on HGTV. We even get the behind the scenes scoop of some crazy houses she's filmed at. As fellow New Jerseyans Tom & Retta also bond over home cooked meals growing up. Enjoy! For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box - when you go to Wildgrain.com/PAPA to start your subscription. Get 40% off your first order with Trade at https://www.drinktrade.com/papa Check out Retta's show, Ugliest House in America, on HGTV. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00:00 Intro Song 0:00:15 Wild Grain Ad 0:01:05 Tompapa.com 0:01:47 Welcome & eating bread 0:02:49 Traveling shows 0:03:44 Funky smells in houses 0:06:20 Pressure of Hosting & Ugliest House in America 0:09:44 Retta's personality & navigating HGTV 0:12:30 Standup into acting 0:14:28 Grass Valley, CA house & SangRETTA 0:17:04 New Jersey & moving out 0:19:45 Singing, religion, and musicals 0:24:45 Family & brother who is a sneaker head 0:27:15 Handbag obsession 0:32:29 Wild Grain Ad 0:34:08 Trade Coffee Ad 0:36:04 Liberian food growing up 0:38:00 North Carolina open mics 0:42:00 Moving to LA 0:43:38 Moesha 0:45:42 Stand up & creativity 0:49:47 Slackers audition 0:52:00 LA & the industry 0:56:57 Uncomfortable moment 0:58:29 Proud parents & cooking 1:02:49 New season of Ugliest House in America 1:05:30 Crazy house story ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Papa is a celebrated stand-up comedian with over 20 years in the industry. Watch Tom's new special "Home Free" out NOW on Netflix! Radio, Podcasts and more: https://linktr.ee/tompapa/ Website - http://tompapa.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tompapa Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tompapa Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/comediantompapa Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/tompapa #tompapa #breakingbread #comedy #standup #standupcomedy #bread #retta #parksandrec #newjersey #housedesign

Aged 19, Jude Kriwald cycled from England to India, a journey that he describes in vivid detail in this week's episode of Cool Conversations. From embracing Iranian hospitality to sneaking through Tibet, his first major adventure left him with many stories to tell, and a taste for more. Jude Kriwald is an adventurer and a volunteer. He founded adventurementor.org to support others in their quest for adventure, and he was recently named 'Emerging Leader of the Year' by the British Exploring Society. Last year, Jude travelled to West Africa and followed an unmarked track through the Liberian jungle with his bicycle. His film about the experience, Alone Across Gola, has already won a Best Documentary Award and will be released later this year. This is a fantastic conversation and reminds us all to not rest on our laurels, but to pick up our dreams and go out to find adventure! What's Jude reading: Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman What's Jude listening to: Seek, Travel, Ride podcast. And he recommends checking out Owmi, a little known but brilliant musician

Did you know that Liberian dictator and international war criminal Charles Taylor broke out of prison in Massachusetts? He also earned an accounting degree, lived in Roxbury, and smuggled illegal goods from Southie's ports. Journalist Nate Horman has all the details about this wild corner of Boston history. Milt Williams to the Patriots. Celtics City on HBO.  "Diamonds and Guns: AN INFAMOUS WEST AFRICAN WARLORD'S BAY STATE JAILBREAK" by Nate Homan. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

Send us a textIngel Clay is a Liberian poet and writer who has worked in the development sector reaching the west African region.In her conversation with Prof. Moyo, Ingel discusses the African Women Writers programme as well as the intersections of development and creative practice, which she embraces. Some of their talking points include;- How her identity is a personal journey and the idea of being perfect in one's own way.- Her upbringing in a post-conflict Liberia has shaped her perspective, contributing to her understanding of identity, culture, and the importance of community engagement.- Reflections on the challenges and slow progress in Liberia's recovery while remaining hopeful for the future.- The influence of historical protests led by women in Liberia inspires her writing in seeking to explore and present women's voices and experiences.==This series of conversations with women in African philanthropy was recorded on the sidelines of the African Women Writers retreat that took place at the Wits Rural Facility in Limpopo, South Africa, and hosted by CAPSI's Adɔyɛ Programme and Nawi Afrifem Collective. Adɔyɛ is dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the contributions of African women in philanthropy while creating spaces for dialogue, learning and collaboration.Visit the podcast webpage: https://bit.ly/484AEr3#podcast #philanthropy

Hi, I'm Nu—a designer, strategist, and educator dancing between design, culture, pedagogy and socially-engaged art. My practice integrates and reframes design beyond aesthetics. I'm interested in how design can serve as a catalyst for meaningful social change, informed by my Liberian heritage and a commitment to counter-culture ideals. I believe in the regenerative power of creativity to reimagine what is possible and to shape more inclusive and sustainable futures.

Storytelling shapes leadership, builds trust, and creates lasting change. On this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Fatu Kaba, a Liberian peace activist, entrepreneur, and author, shares how storytelling became her most powerful tool. From surviving civil war to advocating for marginalized voices, she discusses how truth-telling challenges systems, fosters inclusion, and strengthens leadership. Fatu explains why leaders who embrace storytelling create deeper connections, inspire action, and build organizations that stand for something greater. She also reflects on the impact of performative inclusion, the importance of listening, and the courage it takes to create real change. More about Fatu Kaba: https://www.heartsglobal.ca More about Dan Pontefract: https://www.danpontefract.com

What if we're doing community engagement … wrong? How long should the process really take for a museum or exhibition? What's the difference between demographics and psychographics? What does it mean to “move at the pace of community”? Why do community engagement experts sometimes cringe when they hear the word “charrette”? And what exactly does “community” mean?Nu Goteh (Founder and Principal of ROOM FOR MAGIC, and Co-Founder of Deem Journal) joins MtM host Jonathan Alger (Managing Partner, C&G Partners) to discuss “Community Engagement Misconceptions.” Along the way: Red Bull, lived experience experts, and Burnt Caramel Cookie Crumble. Talking Points: 1. What Does Community Mean?2. Moving at the Pace of Community3. Engagement Isn't Free4. Finding Partner Organizations5. Charrettes Are One Tactic (They're Not a Strategy)6. The Inherent Tensions7. The Ice Cream TestHow to Listen: Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-the-museum/id1674901311 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6oP4QJR7yxv7Rs7VqIpI1G Listen at Making the Museum, the Website: https://www.makingthemuseum.com/podcast Links to Every Podcast Service, via Transistor: https://makingthemuseum.transistor.fm/Guest Bio: Hi, I'm Nu—a designer, strategist, and educator dancing between design, culture, pedagogy and socially-engaged art. My practice integrates and reframes design beyond aesthetics. I'm interested in how design can serve as a catalyst for meaningful social change, informed by my Liberian heritage and a commitment to counter-culture ideals. I believe in the regenerative power of creativity to reimagine what is possible and to shape more inclusive and sustainable futures. As the Founder and Principal of ROOM FOR MAGIC (studio practice) and the Co-Founder of Deem Journal (research & narrative practice), I see design as more than a tool—it's a language that connects people, places, and histories, offering pathways to restore and reshape the world. For me, design carries within it the life of communities, the rhythm of culture, and the potential for social regeneration.  I am passionate about creating projects that not only spark imagination but also nurture a sense of being, becoming and belonging. Whether building platforms for dialogue or designing systems for change, I am driven by a vision of community-focused spaces that invite others to participate, collaborate, and thrive. Design, at its best, becomes a bridge—a way to reclaim agency and envision new possibilities.About Making the Museum: Making the Museum is hosted (podcast) and written (newsletter) by Jonathan Alger. This podcast is a project of C&G Partners | Design for Culture. Learn more about the creative work of C&G Partners:https://www.cgpartnersllc.com/ Links for This Episode: Nu via Email:nu@roomformagic.comRoom for Magic: https://www.roomformagic.com Nu's Personal Website:https://www.nugoteh.com Deem Journal:https://www.deemjournal.com@deemjournal (Instagram)Links for Making the Museum, the Podcast: Contact Making the Museum:https://www.makingthemuseum.com/contact Host Jonathan Alger, Managing Partner of C&G Partners, on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanalger Email Jonathan Alger:alger@cgpartnersllc.com C&G Partners | Design for Culture:https://www.cgpartnersllc.com/ Making the Museum, the Newsletter: Liked the show? You might enjoy the newsletter. Making the Museum is also a free weekly professional development email for exhibition practitioners, museum leaders, and visitor experience professionals. (And newsletter subscribers are the first to hear about new episodes of this podcast.) Join hundreds of your peers with a one-minute read, three times a week. Invest in your career with a diverse, regular feed of planning and design insights, practical tips and tested strategies — including thought-provoking approaches to technology, experience design, audience, budgeting, content, and project management. Subscribe to the newsletter:https://www.makingthemuseum.com/

We are honored to speak with Gwen Austin - a prominent businesswoman, author and philanthropist. She is a Liberian-born American residing in the LA area. She shares her story of immigration to this country and reflects on the changes she has seen in the US and the changes we are seeing on the Continent.

In this episode Truth talks with Nate Homan,  author of “Diamonds and Blood : An Infamous West African Warlord's Bay State Jailbreak.”  Nate is a south Shore-born punk rock amateur boxer who graduated from Emerson College and has written for the Boston Phoenix, Metro Boston/NYC/ Philly, Front Page Detectives, DigBoston, and the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. The two discuss the plight of Charles Taylor – and his rise from college campus radical to mass-murdering megalomaniac.   This began the night he slipped out of the Plymouth House of Correction in Plymouth, MA and made his way across the Atlantic Ocean to his homeland of Liberia, and he led a brutal coup d'etat in 1989. In 1991, Charles Taylor bankrolled a ruthless rebel army in Sierra Leone known for the abundance of child soldiers who hacked the arms off of enemies and innocent civilians alike. By conquering the mountains along the Liberian border, Charles Taylor hijacked the international diamond trade for nearly 15 years. After a bogus election in 1997, Charles Taylor became the 21st Commander in Chief of theRepublic of Liberia.  Perched on a throne of blood, Charles Taylor stacked fortunes in Swiss bank accounts. He broke bread with world leaders, Fortune 500 executives, mercenaries, mass murderers, gem trading jihadis, and big time American televangelists. At the end of his reign, Charles Taylor was convicted of international war crimes in 2012.   For more info: IG: @natehomanboston WEB: https://binj.news/2024/01/07/an-infamous-west-african-warlords-bay-state-jailbreak-2/   As always, please hit the subscribe button if you like and support what we do! You'll get early access to new episodes! Also please leave a review!   Follow us on IG: @bigtruth TikTok: @bigtruthpodcast YouTube: @thebigtruthpodcast   For feedback, questions, sponsorship info contact: bigtruthpodcast@gmail.com For more info: http://www.bigtruthpodcast.com To support the show: http://www.patreon.com/bigtruth   The Big Truth Podcast is proudly sponsored by: - Choppahead Kustom Cycles (IG: @choppahead / www.choppahead.com) - Jeffrey Glassman Injury Attorneys ( www.jeffreyglassman.com )  IG: @gottagetglassman - Tattoo Flash Collective – www.tattooflashcollective.com – use promo code: BIGTRUTH for 10% off your order - Omerta (IG: @omertamia / www.omertamia.com) - use code: BIGTRUTH at checkout for 20% off your order! - Heavy (IG: @heavyclothing / www.heavy.bigcartel.com)

Ep.231 Lina Iris Viktor is a Liberian- artist who lives and works in Italy. Influenced by architecture, archaeology, West African sculptural traditions, ancient Egyptian iconography, classical astronomy and European portraiture, her paintings, sculptures, performances, photography and water-gilding with 24-carat gold produce a charged materiality that address philosophical ideas of the finite and the infinite, the microcosm and macrocosm, evanescence and eternity. Her use of gold, marble, bronze, wood and volcanic rock establish an intimate and intangible timelessness whilst her focus on black as ‘materia prima' challenges the sociopolitical and historical preconceptions surrounding ‘blackness' and its universal implications. By interweaving disparate materials, methods and visual lexicons associated with contemporary and ancient art forms, Viktor authors an idiosyncratic mythology that threads through deep time, knitting together a diasporic past with an expansive present in order to divine future imaginaries. Viktor received her BA in film at Sarah Lawrence College and studied photography at The School of Visual Arts in New York. Solo exhibitions include Sir John Soane's Museum, London (2024); Fotografiska Museum of Photography, Stockholm & Tallinn(2020); Autograph, London (2019); and New Orleans Museum of Art (2018), among others. Group exhibitions include the Museum of the African Diaspora [MoAD],San Francisco (2024); Hayward Gallery, London (2022); North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh (2020); Somerset House, London (2019); Ford Foundation, New York(2019) ); Ford Foundation, New York (2019); Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento (2018); Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville (2016); Spelman Museum of Fine Art, Atlanta (2016); and Cooper Gallery, Harvard University, Cambridge (2016). Photo credit ©2024 Courtesy of LVXIX Atelier.   Sir John Soane Museum https://www.soane.org/exhibitions/lina-iris-viktor-mythic-time-tens-thousands-rememberings Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD https://www.moadsf.org/exhibitions/liberatory-living Pilar Corrias https://www.pilarcorrias.com/exhibitions/419-lina-iris-viktor-solar-angels-lunar-lords/ Hayward Gallery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1ZHUFirMRM&ab_channel=SouthbankCentre New Orleans Museum of Art https://noma.org/exhibitions/lina-iris-viktor-a-haven-a-hell-a-dream-deferred/ Fotografiska Stockholm https://stockholm.fotografiska.com/en/exhibitions/lina-iris-viktor Autograph https://autograph.org.uk/online-image-galleries/lina-iris-viktor-some-are-born-to-endless-night-dark-matter-exhibition-highlights Elephant https://elephant.art/lina-iris-viktors-distinct-mythology-a-photo-diary-from-the-artists-home-on-the-amalfi-coast/ Apollo Magazine https://www.apollo-magazine.com/lina-iris-viktor-soane-museum-review/ An Other https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/15758/lina-iris-viktor-interview-mythic-time-sir-john-soane-museum-exhibition Artnet https://news.artnet.com/art-world/lina-iris-viktor-2379189 British Vogue https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/lina-iris-viktor-sir-john-soane Something Curated https://somethingcurated.com/2023/03/21/interview-lina-iris-viktor-on-the-libyan-sibyl-beauty-as-a-tool-for-truth/ The Art Newspaper https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/08/03/a-brush-with-lina-iris-viktor New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/arts/design/in-the-black-fantastic-london.html

Kuwait's Ali Alghanim & Sons Group is looking into setting up an insulin factory in Egypt in partnership with foreign companies as part of its expansion in Egypt. The group is also exploring the development of a tourist resort overlooking the Red Sea.The government holding intensive discussions to resolve the issue of the long-awaited capital gains tax on EGX transactions, and even look for alternatives, a government source said. Egypt has reportedly signed agreements with Shell and Total Energies to purchase a total of 60 LNG shipments in 2025 for around USD3 bn, an unnamed government said.Planning and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al Mashat touted the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) as a potential hub for Ukrainian grain storage and re-export to Africa during a high-level meeting in Cairo with Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister, according to a ministry statement. She also invited international partners to visit the area to explore its potential as a logistics and manufacturing hub.The Liberian crude oil tanker Chrysalis passed through the Suez Canal yesterday for the first time since being targeted in a Houthi attack last July, according to a statement from the Suez Canal Authority. The CBE sold USD1.06 billion in T-bills with a 364-day maturity period, at an average yield of 4.25%.The CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation announced that a program was signed with the Egyptian government to provide financing facilities to support petroleum products and food security worth USD1.5 billion, adding that the financing will be allocated primarily to the EGPC and GASC.EFIC released 4Q24 unaudited standalone results posting a 169% YoY (+258% QoQ) to EGP950.5 million, bringing FY24 net profit to EGP1.5 billion, a 161% YoY.Raya Auto plans to establish a USD 50 mn EV assembly plant in Egypt next year, CEO of the Raya Holding automotive unit Mohamed El Naggar told Asharq Business. Head of the Egyptian Drug Authority stated their strategic plan for building inventories for six months to the most important medicine's active ingredients, as a part of solving the scarcity crisis in the Egyptian drug market. Head of suez canal authority Ossama Rabie declared the accomplishment of the canal duplication project and its readiness for operations. Rabie added that the authority issued the navigational charts for the canal.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai delivered his State of the Nation address Monday evening, his second since taking office in 2024. As Dennise Nimpson reports, the speech took place against the backdrop of rising tension in the country

Arthur (@arthurbourbon) was born and raised on a small French Caribbean island called Guadeloupe. He started surfing at a very young age with his parents, and competitions led him to move to France as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Arthur began a professional surfing career, competing on the European Pro Junior and QS circuits for a few years before switching to a free surf career. While traveling to the world's most beautiful surf spots, he discovered a new passion that would also become a profession: filmmaking. Since then, Arthur has divided his time between surfing and filmmaking. Primarily focused on documentary films, he seeks to tell surf-related stories that go beyond the sport itself, often addressing broader themes like environmental or social impact. In 2020, he released the critically acclaimed documentary “Water Get No Enemy” about the Liberian surfing community. Last year, Arthur had the chance to return to Liberia to continue documenting their story. A new film titled “We The Surfers” will be released soon.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can join my newsletter on Substack. It's glorious. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

On Daybreak Africa: Authorities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo say M23 rebels have seized the town of Minova, a key supply route for the provincial capital, Goma. Plus, Trump's executive orders on gender draw mixed reactions across Africa. Divided views arise over the legacy of the late former Liberian warlord and senator Prince Johnson. Cervical cancer remains common despite global efforts to reduce it. A Nigeria governor sees opportunities in economic adversity. A new graduate-level school is set to open in Rwanda in September. It's called the Africa School of Governance. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Former Liberian warlord-turned-Senator Prince Y. Johnson was celebrated at his funeral as a hero. Dennise Nimpson reports from Monrovia

The state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter happens Thursday at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The 39th U-S president died December 29, 2024 at age 100. . Carter visited Liberia and Nigeria in 1978. Liberian journalist and former diplomat Gabriel Williams remembered Carter in articles about his affairs in Liberia. He tells VOA's James Butty Carter's life was one of service and ensuring democratic governance around the world, including Liberia.

Website: https://saltmustflow.comOTHER PLATFORMSRumble: https://rumble.com/c/SaltyCrackerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaltyCrackerTwitter/X: https://x.com/SaltyCracker9Locals: https://saltycracker.locals.com/SUPPORT SALTYWebsite: https://saltmustflow.com/support/SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/salty-crackerCash App: https://cash.app/$saltmustflowMerchandise: https://saltmustflow.com/shop/Mrs. Salty's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChnZMOno3rthe1LHvcxufdwMusic by: https://incompetech.com/ Crinoline Dreams In Your Arms--Disclaimer-- These are the opinions and ramblings of a foul-mouthed lunatic. They are for entertainment purposes only and are probably wrong. You listen at your own risk.

Kate Adie introduces stories from Mexico, Lebanon, Liberia and Tanzania.Mexico's first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is preparing for a potentially bumpy year, as Donald Trump returns to the White House with threats of tariffs and mass deportations. Will Grant looks at the challenges ahead in 2025.On Saturday 4th January 1975, Jim Muir pulled up in Beirut, marking the beginning of a decades-long career reporting for the BBC from the Middle East. He recalls what the 'Switzerland of the Middle East' was like in the months before civil war gripped the country, and how it has changed over the years.The Liberian warlord-turned-politician, Prince Yormie Johnson, recently died at the age of seventy-two. The BBC's former Africa Correspondent, Hilary Andersson, recalls meeting him when she was first starting out as a journalist.Last year, Reha Kansara and her friends challenged themselves to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. While they made it to the foothills to fulfil their promise, they also discovered a few truths about the adage that it's the journey, not that destination that really matters.Series producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Happy New Year!!! Time is flying by. Although this episode was suppose to drop last year, Im giving it to you now because this is one you don't want to miss. Liberian born hip-hop artist B.Bless stops by for a powerful interview. I had no idea my mans was this knowledgable, but I'm so glad he didn't hesitate to speak. Aside from his music, he speaks heavily on what we digest. In terms of mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Tune in now and see the video episode on YouTube @Robin Evette #pillowtalkpodcast

On today's Daybreak Africa, Liberian authorities release protesters involved in the "White Tuesday" march including a man former president's political aide who said he never protested, the deputy head of Tanzania's opposition Chadema party says there's a plot hatched against him, and the top US diplomat announces $200 million in aid for war-torn Sudan. Tune in for all this and more on Daybreak Africa.

Liberian officials have released some protesters arrested this week for taking part in the "White Tuesday" protest. Police say the protesters were arrested for breaking security lines. Among those released is Sekou Kalasco, former aide to former Liberian President George Weah. Kalasco tells VOA's James Butty he was freed on bail but maintains he was arrested even though he never took part in the protest.

On today's Daybreak Africa, Liberian police investigate a fire at the national legislature building, some suggest international experts be asked to help with the probe, and Kenyan President William Ruto staunchly defends a livestock vaccination program. All this and more and Daybreak Africa.

The embattled speaker of Liberia's divided House of Representatives says the fire that consumed a part the country's legislative building on Wednesday is an unfortunate and horrible event. Speaker J. Fonati Koffa tells VOA's James Butty that the Liberian government may have to ask for international assistance to do more forensic investigating.

Hundreds of Liberians took to the streets Tuesday to demand what they called adherence to the rule of law. As Dennise Nimpson reports from Monrovia, the police used teargas to disperse the crowd and arrested several protesters.

Episode SummaryIn this episode of the GoMission podcast, Mark Gilmore sits down with George Zarris, founder of Christian Radio International, to discuss how radio and modern technology are revolutionizing global evangelism. George shares his personal journey from pastoring to broadcasting and reveals the incredible impact of Christian radio in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and the Philippines. Get inspired by stories of transformation, including a terrorist-turned-preacher, and learn how you can be part of taking the gospel to every corner of the earth.Topics DiscussedGeorge Zarris's early life and calling to ministry.The founding of Christian Radio International and its mission to spread the gospel worldwide.Success stories from Africa, the Middle East, the Philippines, and Mexico.The integration of radio with internet streaming and satellite broadcasting.The role of young people and technology in fulfilling the Great Commission.Key TakeawaysLeveraging mass communication tools like radio can exponentially increase gospel reach.Christian radio stations have led to thousands of conversions, from a Liberian terrorist to entire communities.Modern technology, including internet streaming and satellite delivery, is making global evangelism more accessible than ever.The Great Commission is within reach, and young people with technical skills can play a vital role in its fulfillment.If you have your own unique story of gospel advance or if you sense God leading you toward a particular people group, we'd love to hear about it. Even if it's just a sentence or two, share what God is doing in an email to gomission@theegeneration.org.GoMission, hosted by Mark Gillmore, is a monthly, missions-focused program designed to expose young people to the people, stories, and opportunities happening across the globe in the world's harvest fields. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

Members of the Liberian Diaspora are making an annual month-long return to Liberia this December. They have been invited there by the government. Joining us to talk about the trip are Clarice Ford-Kulah, chair of the Planning Committee, and Naquetta Ricks, a Liberian immigrant who also is a representative in the Colorado state legislature for State District #40, tells VOA's James Butty, some of the goals of the return include bonding with Liberians at home to promote reconciliation, tourism and investment opportunities

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female elected head of state in an African nation and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate joins Mike Shanley to discuss the role of aid donors, localization, and women and development. This episode was recorded live at the Society for International Development-US Annual Dinner on 13 November 2024.   BIOGRAPHY: Internationally known as Africa's “Iron Lady,” President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a leading promoter of peace, justice and democratic rule. She grew up in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, where she married and had four sons. President Johnson Sirleaf later moved to the United States where she earned an accounting degree from the Madison College of Business and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. In her efforts to bring justice to her people in Liberia, she has spent more than a year in jail at the hands of the military dictatorship of General Samuel Doe and had her life threatened by former President Charles Taylor. She campaigned relentlessly for Taylor's removal from office and played an active and supportive role in the Transitional Government of Liberia as the country prepared for elections in October of 2005. President Johnson Sirleaf was a presidential candidate in the 1997 Liberia general election where she finished second in the field of 13. Before that, she served for five years as Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa of the United Nations Development Program as Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and was the first woman to lead the United Nations Development Project for Africa. She served as the Chairperson of the Governance Reform Commission of the National Transitional Government of Liberia until she resigned in March 2004 to accept the nomination of the Unity Party of Liberia as the party's leader. In November 2005, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected President of Liberia and became the first woman to lead an African nation. In the elections she defeated popular world-class soccer star George Weah with an impressive 59.4 percent of the vote. In October 2007, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civil award, for her personal courage and unwavering commitment to expanding freedom and improving the lives of people in Liberia and across Africa. And in 2010, as the only female and African Head of State, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the World Top Ten Leaders.   LEARN MORE Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Aid Market Podcast. You can learn more about working with USAID by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and AidKonekt. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn. You can learn more about the Society for International Development-US online here. 

A Liberian government scholarship program for 250 students to study Science and Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the United States has collapsed after Liberians questioned its legitimacy. Dennise Nimpson reports from Monrovia

On Daybreak Africa: The son of one of Mali's top politicians says the country's ruling junta has arrested his father for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso. Plus, Namibians are voting in presidential elections Wednesday. The UN AIDS agency says upholding human rights is essential for ending the disease. A new report exposes the legal loopholes protecting rapists in Africa. Nigerian activists and lawmakers coalesce against gender-based violence. Africa displacement triples, fueled by conflict, violence and disasters. Liberian government scholarship comes under criticism. Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire deal. For these and more tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Greetings Glocal Citizens! This week our Writing as Activism @ Pa Gya! 2024 continues in conversation with Liberian novelist, journalist, film critic, curator, speaker and lecturer of African Literature and Arts at Leiden University in the Netherlands, Vamba Sherif. Vamba has written several novels, including The Emperor's Son (2024), a novel about emperor Samori Touré, The Witness (2011), Bound to Secrecy (2007), The Kingdom of Sebah (2003), Land of My Fathers (1999), and the memoire Unprecedented Love (2021). He has curated several anthologies, including the bestselling Black: Afro-European literature in the Netherlands and Belgium. His work, which has been translated in many languages, deals with themes such as migration, belonging, love, the history of slavery, colonialism and the African resistance to it, and the mysteries of existence. These are all themes that Vamba brings to vivid life in our discussion. Click the and check out Vamba's Pa Gya! session (https://www.youtube.com/live/GIP5DqSjC_k?si=uV_GjrsM0mwn_wJK) centering his latest book The Emperor's Son. Where to find Vamba? On LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vamba-sherif-50767755/) On Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vamba.omarsherif/) On Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vamba.sherif) On X (https://x.com/vambasherif) Vamba's essential Pan-African activism reading list: [The Radience of the King)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheRadianceoftheKing) by Camara Laye (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camara_Laye) and excerpt to the introduction by Toni Morrison (https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2001/08/09/on-the-radiance-of-the-king/?srsltid=AfmBOoqxwN5ZH14QIhyQGo80szFC7bLl7aF7ogRxSVSw6N6M5oh1mwJc) Other topics of interest: Who was Samori Touré (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samori_Ture)? Kolahun, Liberia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolahun_District) Liberia's First Civil War (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Liberian_Civil_War) About Edward Wilmot Blyden, father of Pan-Africanism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wilmot_Blyden#:~:text=As%20a%20writer%2C%20Blyden%20has,of%20the%20%22African%20race%22.) About the Gulf War (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War) Senegalese filmmaker, Ousmane Sembène (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ousmane_Semb%C3%A8ne) About Groningen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groningen) Why lekker (https://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/dutch-expat-news/why-dutch-always-lekker) is so sweet… The Comet (https://youtu.be/aQzgZTmwAPc?si=O9t7qHFyV2PeYLYa) by W.E.B Dubois

An independent member of the Liberian House of Representatives says Speaker J. Fonati Koffa deserves due process. This comes as one group of members, which claims to have the majority, is demanding the removal of the speaker for conflict of interest. Speaker Koffa has refused to step down. Independent member, Ellen Attoh Wreh, tells VOA's James Butty, removing the speaker must follow the constitution and the rule of law.

Its four more days before Americans go to the polls to elect either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump as their next president. Both candidates have been campaigning heavily around the nation, particularly in the seven so-called battleground states. Americans will also choose members of the Senate and House of Representatives and local offices. Some of the local candidates are of African descent. One of them is Naquetta Ricks of Liberian descent who is seeking re-election for her third two-year term as Colorado State Representative for District 40. She tells VOA's James Butty, her challenger is a MAGA – Or “Make America Great Again” – Republican

On Daybreak Africa: Clashes rocked several cities across Mozambique on Thursday. This, as the opposition shrugged off internet restrictions to rally nationwide strikes over a disputed presidential election. Plus, a Liberian immigrant runs for a third two-year term. Malawi begins nationwide fuel rationing as its crisis deepens. Kenya's high court clears the way for the swearing in of a new deputy president. Can a ‘Nebraska nice' politician win over rural America and become the next US vice president? We also have a profile on Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance. Analysts say a handful of races across the US will likely decide control of the Senate. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Liberia's Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) says it will investigate allegations of bribery to overthrow the Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Fonati Koffa. According to local media, one member of the House confessed that he and other lawmakers received bribes of US$25,000 each to support a resolution to remove the Speaker, with $15,000 paid up front. LACC Chairperson Alexandra Kormah Zoe says Liberian laws prohibit public servants from soliciting and receiving bribes. She tells VOA's James Butty, anyone found culpable will be prosecuted irrespective of their official status.

the world's only sourdough Liberian, Karl de Smedt, talks with Will Grant, 2017 Caputo Cup Non-Traditional Division Champion about sourdough live from the Puratos Issaquah Innovation Center. Learn more about the Sourdough Library Find more about WIll's restaurants and his competition career Karl and Will have been on the show before so check out their previous episodes. Find Puratos at:@PuratosUSA- Twitter@PuratosUS- Instagrampuratos.us

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.”~Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974), French novelist, playwright, and filmmaker “Whatever controls us is our lord. The person who seeks power is controlled by power. The person who seeks acceptance is controlled by the people he or she wants to please. We do not control ourselves. We are controlled by the lord of our lives.”~Rebecca Pippert, author and speaker “My faith is very important to me. The values that guide my work, they are very important to me. For me it is important not just to go out there and talk but that my talk is matched with the action. I don't think I would be where I am if I didn't have my faith in God.”~Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and 2016 Dartmouth Commencement Speaker “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”~Attributed to Confucius (c. 551-c.479 BC) “I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness.”~Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, aka, “Mother Teresa” (1910-1997), Albanian-Indian nun “What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.”~Ellen Glasgow (1873-1945) novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner “You are a sinner, a great, desperate sinner; now come, as the sinner you are, to the God who loves you. He wants you as you are; He does not want anything from you, a sacrifice, a work; He wants you alone.”~Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), Life TogetherSERMON PASSAGESelected Passages from Proverbs Proverbs 11:30 (ESV)The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,and whoever captures souls is wise. Proverbs 22:29 (ESV)Do you see a man skillful in his work?He will stand before kings;he will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 3 (ESV)1 My son, do not forget my teaching,  but let your heart keep my commandments,2 for length of days and years of life  and peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3 (ESV)13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,  and the one who gets understanding,14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver  and her profit better than gold.15 She is more precious than jewels,  and nothing you desire can compare with her.16 Long life is in her right hand;  in her left hand are riches and honor.17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,  and all her paths are peace.Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)“Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;don't try to figure out everything on your own.Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;He's the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:9 (MSG)Honor GOD with everything you own;give him the first and the best.Your barns will burst,your wine vats will brim over. Proverbs 15:22 (MSG)“Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail;take good counsel and watch them succeed.” Proverbs 16:10-16 (MSG)“A good leader motivates,doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit.GOD cares about honesty in the workplace;your business is his business.Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;sound leadership has a moral foundation.Good leaders cultivate honest speech;they love advisors who tell them the truth.An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives;you're smart to stay clear of someone like that.Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives;they're like spring rain and sunshine.Get wisdom—it's worth more than money;choose insight over income every time.”

In this episode, learn about the U.S. Energy Permitting Reform Act and how a music class inspired a student to gain new insights on climate change. We also explore how listening enhances climate communication skills. For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit www.cclusa.org/radio   Barbara Wankollie's Soundscape: Climate and Colonization Through Sound We highlight Barbara Wankollie, a Liberian political science student at Bucknell University. She created a soundscape reflecting on colonization and Africa's role in the Anthropocene, inspired by Gabrielle Hecht's essay The African Anthropocene. Barbara's piece blends original music with field recordings, starting with rain and drums to symbolize harmony with nature, then shifting to industrial sounds representing colonization's disruption. A powerful moment in her work came from an accidental recording during a trip to Baltimore, where she and her international friends reflected on Black community and identity. This soundscape offers a unique lens on the intersection of climate and colonization. The Nerd Corner: The Energy Permitting Reform Act Dana Nuccitelli unpacks the bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act, which aims to streamline clean energy projects while boosting fossil fuel extraction. A "super team" of experts modeled the bill's impact, estimating it could reduce U.S. climate pollution by up to 25% by 2050, with fossil fuel provisions having minimal effect on increasing emissions. This act could play a key role in a cleaner energy future. Resilience Corner: The Power of Listening Tamara Staton explores how deep listening enhances collaboration, reduces stress, and builds emotional resilience, which is crucial for long-term climate action. She connects listening to improved trust, creativity, and support within the climate movement, highlighting its value in both personal and professional resilience.

In this episode, learn about the U.S. Energy Permitting Reform Act and how a music class inspired a student to gain new insights on climate change. We also explore how listening enhances climate communication skills. For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit www.cclusa.org/radio Barbara Wankollie's Soundscape: Climate and Colonization Through Sound We highlight Barbara Wankollie, a Liberian political science student at Bucknell University. She created a soundscape reflecting on colonization and Africa's role in the Anthropocene, inspired by Gabrielle Hecht's essay The African Anthropocene. Barbara's piece blends original music with field recordings, starting with rain and drums to symbolize harmony with nature, then shifting to industrial sounds representing colonization's disruption. A powerful moment in her work came from an accidental recording during a trip to Baltimore, where she and her international friends reflected on Black community and identity. This soundscape offers a unique lens on the intersection of climate and colonization. The Nerd Corner: The Energy Permitting Reform Act Dana Nuccitelli unpacks the bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act, which aims to streamline clean energy projects while boosting fossil fuel extraction. A "super team" of experts modeled the bill's impact, estimating it could reduce U.S. climate pollution by up to 25% by 2050, with fossil fuel provisions having minimal effect on increasing emissions. This act could play a key role in a cleaner energy future. Resilience Corner: The Power of Listening Tamara Staton explores how deep listening enhances collaboration, reduces stress, and builds emotional resilience, which is crucial for long-term climate action. She connects listening to improved trust, creativity, and support within the climate movement, highlighting its value in both personal and professional resilience.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “Everything has been figured out, except how to live.”~Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980), French existentialist philosopher “God writes straight with crooked lines.”~Portuguese Proverb “[‘Acknowledge God in all your ways' (Proverbs 3:6)] has far more to do with one's experience of God than with comprehension of doctrinal points about God.”~John F. Evans, professor of Hebrew and Presbyterian clergyman “The poet only asks to get his head into the heavens. It is the logician who seeks to get the heavens into his head. And it is his head that splits.” “A madman is not someone who has lost his reason but someone who has lost everything but his reason”~G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), author and literary critic “Isn't it interesting how simply being in proximity to God creates a moral self-awareness…? [T]here is something about God that is so pure, even if unspoken, that when near Him, it becomes so plain that nothing is like Him, especially in terms of righteousness.”~Jackie Hill Perry, Holier Than Thou: How God's Holiness Helps Us Trust Him “It is easier for us to get to know God than to know our own soul...God is nearer to us than our own soul, for He is the ground in which it stands...so if we want to know our own soul, and enjoy its fellowship, it is necessary to seek it in our Lord God.”  “The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love.”~Lady Julian of Norwich (c. 1343-c.1416), theologian, anchoress, and mystic “I have come to one conclusion: All that I am, all that I aspire to be, all that I was before, is by the grace of God.”~Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and 2016 Dartmouth Commencement SpeakerSERMON PASSAGEProverbs 3:1-12 (ESV)Proverbs 31 My son, do not forget my teaching,  but let your heart keep my commandments,2 for length of days and years of life  and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;  bind them around your neck;  write them on the tablet of your heart.4 So you will find favor and good success  in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,  and do not lean on your own understanding.6 In all your ways acknowledge him,  and he will make straight your paths.7 Be not wise in your own eyes;  fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.8 It will be healing to your flesh  and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth  and with the firstfruits of all your produce;10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,  and your vats will be bursting with wine.11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline  or be weary of his reproof,12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,  as a father the son in whom he delights. Hebrews 12 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,  nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,  and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Stay Safe - A Morning Cup of Murder Podcast Coming Soon! Have a close call with something horrifying? A dark family story you've been needing to share? What about an unexplained encounter? Share your stories with us by emailing them to staysafesubmissions@.com and they could be read on a future episode! Subscribe on Youtube for special episodes: https://youtube.com/@morningcupofmurder?si=y6y52dP-CUcPBEaW Join us on Patreon! For as little as $1 get amazing bonus content you can't hear anywhere else! https://www.patreon.com/morningcupofmurder Looking for Merch? Get exclusive designs on Teepublic and Bonfire! Teepublic: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/morning-cup-of-murder?ref_id=35179&utm_campaign=35179&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Morning%2BCup%2Bof%2BMurder Bonfire: https://www.bonfire.com/store/morningcupofmurder/ Want to drop us a line or see what else we have going on? Find all things Morning Cup of Murder at our website: morningcupofmurder.com Want kid-friendly chills? Check out our show The Cryptid Catalog where my son Killian and I weave a biweekly cryptid creature feature. https://open.spotify.com/show/7vwn8JNkTPOmxwRoHsVDc1 Information on today's episode: September 9th: Samuel Doe Killed (1990) Being in power can place a target on your back. On September 9th 1990 a man's life was taken by a group of individuals tired of his reign. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Doe, https://www.nairaland.com/3842515/rise-fall-samuel-doe-liberia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

African domestic workers trapped by their labour contracts in Lebanon as border tensions with Israel escalateA young Liberian poet in America tells us why bookshops are needed back home. And why are Mixed Martial Arts rising in popularity in Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen, Rob Wilson and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos Technical Producer Nick Randell Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Full Text of ReadingsMonday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 407The Saint of the day is Dedication of Saint Mary Major BasilicaThe Story of the Dedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary's title as Mother of God in 431. Rededicated at that time to the Mother of God, St. Mary Major is the largest church in the world honoring God through Mary. Standing atop one of Rome's seven hills, the Esquiline, it has survived many restorations without losing its character as an early Roman basilica. Its interior retains three naves divided by colonnades in the style of Constantine's era. Fifth-century mosaics on its walls testify to its antiquity. St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal churches in memory of the first centers of the Church. St. John Lateran represents Rome, the See of Peter; St. Paul Outside the Walls, the See of Alexandria, allegedly the see presided over by Mark; St. Peter's, the See of Constantinople; and St. Mary's, the See of Antioch, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her later life. One legend, unreported before the year 1000, gives another name to this feast: Our Lady of the Snows. According to that story, a wealthy Roman couple pledged their fortune to the Mother of God. In affirmation, she produced a miraculous summer snowfall and told them to build a church on the site. The legend was long celebrated by releasing a shower of white rose petals from the basilica's dome every August 5. Reflection Theological debate over Christ's nature as God and man reached fever pitch in Constantinople in the early fifth century. The chaplain of Bishop Nestorius began preaching against the title Theotokos, “Mother of God,” insisting that the Virgin was mother only of the human Jesus. Nestorius agreed, decreeing that Mary would henceforth be named “Mother of Christ” in his see. The people of Constantinople virtually revolted against their bishop's refutation of a cherished belief. When the Council of Ephesus refuted Nestorius, believers took to the streets, enthusiastically chanting, “Theotokos! Theotokos!” Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Frances and Jah share their Liberian love story, the history behind the school they support, and their 3-day cook-a-thon to raise funds, featuring Frances's famous potato salad.

//The Wire//2200Z July 16, 2024////ROUTINE////BLUF: HOUTHI ATTACKS CONTINUE TO ESCALATE IN RED SEA. USSS UNDER SCRUTINY FOR SECURITY CONCERNS EXPRESSED IN THE WAKE OF TRUMP SHOOTING.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Red Sea/HOA: Houthi attacks on commercial shipping continue to escalate. Yesterday afternoon, Houthi forces successfully attacked the M/V CHIOS LION, a Liberian flagged tanker. This attack was carried out via an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) in a similar manner as the M/V TUTOR which was sunk a few weeks ago. AC: The status of the LION remains unclear, however the Houthis released a video of the attack, showing the detonation of the USV against the hull of the LION. From this footage, it is likely that the LION suffered extremely severe damage during this attack.Admin Note: As a reminder CENTCOM and other US government agencies have modified the term “Unmanned Surface Vessels” to be “Uncrewed Surface Vessels”, due to the DoD's policy on gender-neutral language. This policy to modify doctrinal warfare terms has been in place for some time, but frequently causes confusion among those who are unaware of the stripping of the suffixes “-men” or “-manned” from certain terms. Most of the time the acronym remains the same, however keyword searches throughout military doctrine are made more challenging by the altering of such language. This should be considered when conducting independent research.-HomeFront-USA: CNN has claimed that President Trump's security detail has been increased due to an alleged Iranian plot on his life. AC: This is overwhelmingly likely to be a lie intended to detract from the security concerns observed over the past few days.Texas: Recovery efforts continue in the wake of the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl. Crime has increased substantially in some areas as many linemen have reported being attacked while trying to conduct repairs to electrical transmission lines.Pennsylvania: Questions remain unanswered regarding the Trump assassination attempt, with what little information that has been released resulting in even more questions. For instance, the Director of the USSS has provided more information regarding the reasoning behind why no security presence was on the roof occupied by the shooter. USSS Director Cheatle stated that the pitch of the roof presented a fall hazard risk so it was not occupied by security forces before the incident, even though it was identified as a security risk.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Over the next few weeks, the USSS will likely seek to engage in narrative shaping to prevent the truth from coming to light. For one, the claims of the pitch of the roof occupied by the shooter being too steep and presenting a fall hazard are almost certainly false as that roof was less steep than an adjacent rooftop already occupied by a USSS CAT team. While the old adage of “never attributing to malice what can be ascribed to incompetence” is certainly true, we must ensure that the inverse is not attempted by the USSS within the information space. Over the past few years, it has become clear that the knee-jerk reaction by most federal agencies when faced with scrutiny is to lie, even regarding easily verifiable information. This, while not surprising, unfortunately influences the lessons learned by the average person who seeks to reduce the risk of tragedy occurring again.Though purely speculative, it must be considered that lying so openly and deliberately about a roof pitch being too steep would bring about complaints of DEI practices, incompetence, etc….anything but malice. Somewhat ironically, the USSS lying to make themselves seem like incompetent diversity hires, because that narrative is somehow more palatable than the truth, is a concerning detail that is likely to be overlooked as all sides expre