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Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. We're talking with Andrew Hopper, Lead Pastor of Mercy Hill Church in North Carolina. Planted in 2012 with just 30 people, Mercy Hill has grown into a multi-campus, fast-growing church known for its gospel clarity and sending culture. In this conversation, Andrew shares why adoption and foster care have become central expressions of Mercy Hill's mission—and how those practices flow directly out of the gospel. He also unpacks the heart behind his book, Chosen: Building Your Family the Way God Builds His. Is your church unsure how to engage big social needs without drifting from the gospel? Are you looking for a way to mobilize people beyond church walls while keeping discipleship front and center? Andrew offers a clear framework for doing both. Doing good as a sign of the kingdom. // Andrew addresses a common tension churches feel between community engagement and disciple-making. Mercy Hill refuses to treat these as competing priorities. Acts of service—whether foster care, adoption, or family restoration—are not the kingdom itself but signposts pointing to it. Meeting tangible needs creates openings for gospel conversations. These ministries don't replace evangelism; they amplify it by demonstrating the heart of God in visible ways. A church’s collective heartbeat. // Mercy Hill's deep involvement in adoption, foster care, and family restoration didn't start as a top-down strategy but emerged organically from the gifts and passions within the church. Many leaders and members have adopted children themselves, shaping the church's collective heartbeat. Rather than attempting to address every social issue, Mercy Hill chose to focus deeply on a few—believing churches are most effective when they lean into the specific good works God has prepared for them. This focus has mobilized hundreds of families and created a powerful witness in their community. Rope-holding and shared responsibility. // Not everyone is called to adopt or foster, but everyone can hold the rope. Drawing from the William Carey analogy, Mercy Hill equips members to support families on the front lines through prayer, childcare, meals, financial help, and presence. Over time, they've learned that rope-holding works best when built on existing relationships rather than formal assignments. The goal is to ensure no family fights alone in what Andrew describes as intense spiritual warfare. Big vision with baby steps. // Mercy Hill isn't afraid to cast a bold vision—whether for global missions, adoption, or church planting—but they pair that vision with accessible next steps. Prayer nights, giving opportunities, short-term service, and relational support allow people to grow into greater obedience over time. High challenge without guilt creates healthy discipleship. Why Andrew wrote Chosen. // Andrew wrote Chosen: Building Your Family the Way God Builds His not to promote a program, but to give churches a theological foundation for engaging adoption and foster care. The book weaves together Andrew's family story, Mercy Hill's journey, and a deeply gospel-centered motivation rooted in Scripture. Designed to be used individually or in groups, Chosen includes discussion questions and practical guidance for churches or small groups wanting to explore this calling in community. Andrew's prayer is that the book would catalyze thousands of Christian families to participate meaningfully in caring for vulnerable children and families. Gospel-driven motivation. // Underneath everything is Andrew's conviction that gospel motivation outlasts guilt. Behavior rooted in grace goes further than behavior driven by pressure. Adopted people adopt people. Chosen people choose people. That theological clarity fuels Mercy Hill's sending culture, their community impact, and their ongoing growth. To explore Andrew's resources on adoption, foster care, and grab his book, Chosen, visit andrewphopper.com/chosen or follow him on Instagram @andrewphopper. You can learn more about Mercy Hill Church at mercyhillchurch.com. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. We have got a multi-time guest on, and you know what that means. That means that I really respect, deeply admire, and want you to listen up, and today is no exception. Excited to have Andrew Hopper with us. He is the lead pastor of a church that they should be following, that you should be following. He’s a lead pastor of Mercy Hill Church with five locations, if I’m counting correctly, in North Carolina, and is repeatedly one of the fastest growing churches in the country. I love this church on many levels. They’re centered on the gospel and have a radical commitment to sending people to the nations. They have a desire to make disciples and multiply churches. Andrew, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here.Andrew Hopper — Man, I’m so pumped to be here. Love the podcast. Really appreciate it, man.Rich Birch — Yeah, I’m honored that you would come back. For folks that that don’t know Mercy Hill, give me a bit of a kind of an update. Tell us a little bit about the church.Andrew Hopper — Yeah.Rich Birch — Maybe update us from last time you were on.Andrew Hopper — Yeah, man. So just real quick, planted in 2012. We had 30 people, all you know kind of young professional age, and man, just really believe that God could do something incredible ah through, you know just through our our open hands, and he did.Andrew Hopper — And so it’s been 13 years. It’s crazy. We’ve been sort of pushing the same boulder up the same mountain for 13 years, just flywheel kind of concept and keep pushing. And ah the Lord has done an incredible thing, like you said, five campuses. And man, just moved into a new home and hub. That was from last time we had a chance. That’s been really great. Andrew Hopper — We were in a rented location for a long time as our main like broadcast campus. We’re a video-based multi-site. And so um it’s ah it was a three or four-year journey to raise the money and build this new facility. But we’re in, and the Lord has really blessed that with tons of new people, highest baptisms, sent ones, first time guest numbers, all everything that we’ve done. This has been a, you know, we’ve gone been on a ride – praise God for that. It’s it’s, um, it’s for his sake and his renown, but this year has been unlike the others. So it’s been…Rich Birch — Yeah, you were saying beforehand, it’s like 30 or something like 30 some percent year over year growth. That’s insane to keep up with.Andrew Hopper — It is man. And the, and the giving does not, uh, you know, the giving doesn’t happen.Rich Birch — Reflect that yet.Andrew Hopper — So it’s, it’s like, we’re trying to do ministry on a budget of a church that’s 3000, but a church that’s running 4,500. And it’s like, how do you do that effectively without killing everybody?Rich Birch — Nice.Andrew Hopper — All your staff, I mean, so, but we’re, we’re learning, man, we’re figuring it out. It’s fun. We got, we just planted our sixth church. So that’s apart from the campuses. This is first time, Rich, we’ve planted a church in our own city.Rich Birch — Oh, nice. That’s cool.Andrew Hopper — It’s been really, a really cool dynamic and it’s been fun. He’s doing great. Man, it was a college student that we met when he was 19 years old at North Carolina AT&T 10 years later. He’s an elder here. He’s done a lot of different things. And man, he goes and plants a new church in Greensboro about five minutes from one of our campuses and they’re doing great.Rich Birch — Wow. Yeah, that’s so good. Well, the thing, there’s lots I love about Mercy Hill, but one of the things that I’ve loved about your church from the you know the chance we’ve had to journey a little bit over the years about it is you just have real clarity around the mission, this idea of making disciples, multiplying churches. It’s like that has been rock solid from the beginning. When you think about we want churches to have discipleship at its core, this idea of a church that actually grows people up in their relationship with Christ. What matters most at the foundation? How are you keeping that so foundational to you know what’s happening at Mercy Hill?Andrew Hopper — Yeah, I think um I think that we always sort of bought into kind of what we see in Acts 2 as a little bit of a flywheel. We call it gather, group, give, go. A lot of churches have something like that.Andrew Hopper — The the difference, I think, at Mercy Hill a little bit than what I see ah in in in a lot of churches that we help mentor and coach is that 2020 hit and everybody was like, man, what is a church? What is discipleship? What are we going to do now? And and people were kind of… And I do think it was and it wasn’t, you know, it wasn’t just me. I mean, our, you know, our executive pastor Bobby, he was really integral in this. We sort of really doubled down on no, I kind of think the church is going to come back. Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — And I kind of think what we were doing is sort of what our church is set up to do. It kind of a brand thing. We are sort of a big box sending brand. And that, you know, for us, when we look at Acts 2, we’re like, dude, the gathering, there’s no more there’s no more important hour for discipleship and evangelism. And I know there’s a lot of things written against that. And people are kind of almost like downplaying it. Andrew Hopper — We’re just like, man, we just don’t believe it. We believe people need to be in a group. You know, we they need generosity is lead step in discipleship, give. And we got to teach people that there’s a mission bigger than themselves. And if we do that, it’s going to funnel more people into the gathering. Andrew Hopper — So I think fundamentally what I would say, we need to get, you know, we could talk about our value, you know we can talk about values to gospel and [inaudible] identity, but I think landing on you know, it’s very hard now to, to not get a word salad book form or thing. When you ask somebody, how are you making disciples? It can just be like…Rich Birch — Right. Very vacuous. Who knows what that means? Yeah.Andrew Hopper — For us, it’s just been a very clear, simple process.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — Like, man, we believe if someone is in the gathering, if they’re in relationship, if they’re being pushed on generosity, and if they’re living for a mission bigger than themselves, that’s a current of maturity that will move them. They just get in the stream, they’ll move.Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah. Yeah. It’s so good.Andrew Hopper — that’s kind of So you know for us, I think that’s as, you know we’ve we’ve tried to simplify things there.Rich Birch — Yeah. And, and your last episode, I’ve pointed a ton of people to it, uh, to really, and we really unpack a lot of what you talked about there in more detail.Andrew Hopper — Right. Yeah.Rich Birch — You’re going to want to go back and, uh, and listen to that. You’ve reached as a church, you’ve reached a lot of people who don’t grow up in church that it’s like, there’s a lot of people who are there. You know, we used to say we ain’t your mama’s church, but mama didn’t go to church, you know? So, you know, and it’s been a long time that people were there. What challenges have you seen, you know, helping move people from curiosity into real ongoing discipleship? So like, I think there are, we’re seeing a swell of attendance across the country. People are like, oh, I’m kind of interested in this, but we got to move them from just, oh, this is something interesting to like, oh, I’m actually want to grow my relationship with Jesus.Andrew Hopper — Yeah, I mean, and it’s it’s funny too, Rich, you probably have a better bird’s eye view of this than I do. But I feel like churches that have been faithfully growing for like the last 10 years, they’re not really doing a lot different now. Or even though there’s this big swell happening, what I do think is that some churches have sort of decided like, oh, clarity does matter.Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah, that’s true.Andrew Hopper — And don’t try to be friends with the culture. We’re going to speak in and be prophetic. And, you know, even even to the you know Proverbs 25:26 says, you know, there’s there there’s no there’s no benefit in a muddied spring. You know, it’s like you got to be sort of you got to figure out if we’re going to be clear.Andrew Hopper — So, I you know, for me, I think like and you’re right, we do reach most of the people that we reach that are in the camp that you’re talking about our college age. We reach a lot of people, though, ah that are, you know, they’re they’re coming back to the faith because they’re a southerner.Rich Birch — Sure.Andrew Hopper — You know, they they kind of they kind of were, you know, they they did have some church in their background. They’re coming back. Their kids are not only born, but they’re realizing they’re sinners and they don’t have answers. They’re trying to figure that out.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Andrew Hopper — They’re coming back to church.Andrew Hopper — And, you know, I think the biggest thing that moves people from like interest into a decision point is just being very clear on this is what the gospel is. This is the life it compels you to. Are you going to be in or out?Andrew Hopper — One of the things we say at Mercy Hill a lot is like, man, if you’re if you’re just intrigued, you know, if you’re interested, you’re not going to stay at Mercy Hill because we’re never going to let you, you’re going to get pushed every week. And it’s like, man, people are not really in or like that. I’m not going to do that. You know, they’re just like, no I’m not going to sit here and get like pushed every single week on something I don’t really… And the flip side is when people say, all right, you know what? Stake in the ground. I’m in.Rich Birch — Yeah, we’re doing this, yep.Andrew Hopper — I wanna look like this, I want to build my life on this. It’s like, well, now, you know, it’s it’s man, I’m hopefully, you know, putting tools in the belt every single week to live that life.Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah, it’s good. I do think there was a time where people wandered into our churches where I don’t think that happens as much anymore. I think people, when they arrive, they come with questions, with live active questions that they’re trying to wrestle with, kind of regardless of where they’re they’re at in their journey.Andrew Hopper — Yeah.Rich Birch — And they’re what you to your point around, you know, there’s no benefit in a muddy stream. People aren’t looking for anything that sounds like, well, what do you think? Because the reason why they’re there is because they’re asking questions. And so, you know, they’re they’re looking for clarity, like I think you’re saying. Rich Birch — Well one of the things I love about your church is there’s a high commitment to, you’re you’re you’re tearing down what I think is a false dichotomy. Sometimes I think when churches come to this idea of outreach or making a difference in their community, there’s this there can be this gap or false dichotomy between doing good in our communities and making disciples. Like we gave that up at some point. We were like, you can’t, you know, we can’t do both of those things for some reason. Why, why did we do that? Why did we, as churches say, we can’t both make a difference in our communities and also make disciples?Andrew Hopper — Yeah, I think it’s, I actually have a lot of sympathy for the fundamentalist leaning. I know it sounds a little bit weird. Rich Birch — No, that’s fine.Andrew Hopper — Churches that led from the, you know, from the good do good in your city kind of thing. I don’t think they’re right, but I do have sympathy for that because I understand how quickly that sort of, you know, is so hijacked by liberal, by theological liberalism to where it’s finally man we’re digging wells and wherever but we’re not talking about who the true source of living water is. Like we don’t want to be offensive we just want to do good without speaking the whole you know you know live your life as a Christian only use words if necessary, whatever, you know. And and I so I understand why people kind of fled and have fled that.Andrew Hopper — Like, you know, I’ve even had our church before when I when I talk about adoption or we we have a ministry, and a ministry called No More Spectators. We’re like moving people towards community ministry. And we had people kind of going on like, oh, my gosh, this seems like a sign of like churches start going this way and then they lose the gospel.Andrew Hopper — And I’m like, well, the reason you’re kind of feeling like that is because a lot of churches have done that. You know, you’re not [inaudible] like that just out of nowhere. Now, of course, I think it’s a little bit immature and we’ve got to push through. The way we talk about it, Rich, is, man, we want to do good in our community as signs of the kingdom coming.Andrew Hopper — They are not building the kingdom. You know, if we go repaint a house or house a homeless person, one day that person would parted with that house, whether they, you know, get messed up and leave or whether they do great and then would die one day, you know.Andrew Hopper — Or, if we have, ah you know, if we go and, and you know, we’re going to, for example, we have ah ah a family in our church that they need a ramp built because, man, the the brother is struggling with MS and he’s, they’re they’re fighting it like Christians do. We’re going to go do that. You know, we’re going to go build that ramp. That ramp’s going to rot and die one, you know, rot and rot away one day. And, you know, whether it’s 100 years from now or whatever.Andrew Hopper — Like it’s not literally the kingdom. But when the outside world sees us engage and, you know, our church will talk about this primarily when we think about community ministry, we think about it in terms of adoption, foster care and families count, which I can talk to you about. I think it’s bringing a sign of the kingdom that is to the community around us to say, hey, this is not the gospel. But it sure points to the gospel. Rich Birch — Right, right.Andrew Hopper — You know, it’s a pretty good signpost of like, yeah, there’s a kingdom coming where kids aren’t separated from their parents, you know. And and so that’s kind of the way that we think about, it’s not, you know, it’s not the kingdom. It’s a sign of the kingdom that is coming.Rich Birch — Yeah, let’s let’s dive in. So adoptions, foster care, families count. These are not small issues. Like you started with like putting a ramp on, painting somebody – those are like, okay, I can organize my head around that. And then we jump to what I think are obviously significant. How, it can be easy, I think, for church leaders it can be easy where, you know, we got a lot of fish to fry in our own backyard. When you see big problems like that, help us unpack that. Why do you as a lead pastor, why are you passionate about these issues? Why are these the things that you’ve chosen?Andrew Hopper — I think it’s, man, I think it’s great. I mean if you can’t if you don’t mind I’ll go back and give you a little bit of context. I’m a context [inaudible]… Rich Birch — Yeah, absolutely. Let’s do it. Yeah. Andrew Hopper — …number one so I always want to frame it in where we’ve been. But the short answer to the question is I think that every church because it is made up of individual believers that have individual gift matrix, you know they’re they’re gifted the church is gifted in a unique way because the people which are the church are gifted in a unique way, right? Andrew Hopper — And so to me, you know, slapping, you know, a top down every single church has to to manifest signs of the kingdom in X way, which, for for example, I’m not to pick on it, but like, you know, the whole diversity church kind of movement. I love you know, if that’s your brand, that’s awesome. That’s great. Go, go bring signs of the kingdom in that area. But you know what people do is they take their thing and then slap it on every single church. You know, this is the sign of the kingdom that you have to manifest.Andrew Hopper — I don’t think that. It takes every kind of church to reach a city because there’s all you know, there’s every kind of people in the city. Right? For us, though, and I think for a lot of churches that that maybe are are made up a little bit like we are, I think there is a lot of meat on the bone for adoption, foster care, families count ministry. And I think churches could be greatly helped by latching on to maybe, you know, something in particular, maybe this, maybe this specifically. How we got there, Rich, was we had we had, you know, huge movement in our church in 2019. I was very convicted.Andrew Hopper — Some of the exponential stuff was coming out, you know, mobilizing people outside the walls of the church. And I really was, man, I was just really affected by that. And I don’t want the dichotomy, you know, I don’t want, well, you your people serve in the church and not outside the church. It’s like, no, most people serve outside the church. If you watch them, they are serving inside the church as well. It’s it’s like a it’s like, man, you know, just just because serving inside the church is not the finish line, don’t demonize it because it is a starting place.Rich Birch — That’s good.Andrew Hopper — So it’s like, I don’t like that kind of whole thing. But but it did affect me to say, OK, what are we doing to push to the outside? So we we we did a thing. You would have loved this, man. But it except for the fact that it didn’t really work that good. OK, it was awesome.Andrew Hopper — It was, we still have the domain name – nomorespectators.com – I had the tagline: Jesus didn’t die to create spectators. He died to create servants, not spectators, workers, not watchers. We, man, you could go to nomorespectators.com and, you know, it was like, it was like a funnel for all of these community ministry opportunities in our city. So it was, you know, people from the housing, you know, authority type stuff would post things. And it was, it was all this kind of, it had a bunch of stuff in it. Andrew Hopper — In the end of the day, great idea. It was a little too complex. Our people latched on to the foster care, pregnancy network, you know, ended up being families count, Guardian ad Litem and adoption. So our guy that was over all that at the time our sending director, which is hard for me to have a good idea that ends up dying hard, okay that’s just tough for me.Rich Birch — You had a great sticky statement and everything. Come on.Andrew Hopper — I’m the king of sunken cost bias. Okay. Like, I’m like, dude. And so finally around 2020, he came to me and he said, bro, I know this is hard for you. Cause it was like a two year initiative. He’s like, this is hard. He said, No More Spectators needs to just turn into Chosen. And it needs to be like, you had this idea for 30 different things. It just, this needs to be our niche, man. You know, we we don’t do a lot of these other things, but we do this really well.Andrew Hopper — And it was hard for me. Ultimately, it was great wisdom by them, not me. And we started going down that road. And partly, I think it’s because, Rich, is heart is near to my heart. I have an adopted daughter. A lot of our staff have adopted kids. We just have a guy right now. Our associate director of first impressions at the Rich campus is in Texas right now, you know, bringing their daughter home.Andrew Hopper — I mean, so it’s just, and so it’s sort of started to morph into, and the the the big thing I’ll say, and I, you know, I’ve been talking a lot here, but the big thing I’ll say is, if you think about the way I just ah described all that, it doesn’t start with the need in the community. It starts with the gift matrix of the church. The poor we will always have with us. Like there there is no there’s no scenario until Jesus comes back that there’s no kids that need to be adopted, you know.Rich Birch — Right, right.Andrew Hopper — And it’s just the reality of it. And so there’s always going to be need in the community. It’s more about, okay, what are the Ephesians 2:10 works that your church, because the church is made up of people who are individually called, what are the you know what are those works that God has set out for your church? Rich Birch — That’s good.Andrew Hopper — And, you know, so for us, we just felt like, dude, this is a a heartbeat thing. Our people got more, they get more fired up. The greatest thing I’ve ever been able to mobilize our people for prayer for is go to the abortion clinic and pray. I mean, a thousand people on their face in the pavement. It’s like, it just strikes a chord with our church and who we are. So we wanna run after that.Rich Birch — Yeah. Well, I love that. And we’re going to dig out a bunch of this, but let’s think about it first from a perspective of somebody who’s maybe attended your church. They just started. They’re they’re relatively new, you know. The idea of something as weighty as adoption or foster care, that’s a big ask. And you know when you yeah how do I experience that as someone who’s just new? What are some ways that I could get plugged in? What does that look like? That, that, cause I, I’m hard, it’s hard to imagine that I go from zero to, to, you know, adoption, you know, how do I end up or flying to Texas to, you know, pick up a kid. That’s a lot. Help me understand. How are you, cause I know you guys are so good at moving people along from kind of where they are to where you’re hoping to – what’s that look like? What’s the kind of, how do you bring people along in this?Andrew Hopper — Man, totally. I think you’re right. I think it’s a combination of big vision on one end and then baby steps on the other. But the big vision matters.Rich Birch — That’s good.Andrew Hopper — Like we don’t want to be scared of the big vision. So, you know, for example, our weekender process, which I know you talked about some, you know, that weekender process, you know, people literally for years, we would give them a passport application in the weekender process. Because we’re like you’re at this church you’re probably going to be overseas at some point on a mission trip. And so to me it’s like people are like dude that probably scares the crap out of people. And it’s like well, I mean we want to make sure they know what they’re getting into, you know. We’re not telling them they got to do that tomorrow… Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — …but that is the, and then and then there’s all these baby steps, right? Like hey come to you know, every February we do Sent weekend. Come to the prayer night. Like that’s a baby step. That’s not you getting on a plane to go to Nepal. But you know hey we’re doing this missions offering at the end of the year, like maybe get you know. So there’s all these I would say that our the way we think about Chosen ministry, which again: adoption, foster care, families count, and rope holding, which is a big part of this discussion… Rich Birch — Okay. Andrew Hopper —…is that way. It’s big vision on the front end so we’re never going to tell somebody, hey you know, I know you could never do this. Like I’ll never…I think people can do it and they should. Or or you know more Christians than are should. At the same time we’re also not guilting anybody. Like so I’m I you know the the first thing I’ll tell people is like, hey, you know we start talking about adoption. I always say always say, hey, we have not lined up a bunch of little kids in the lobby for you to take one home today, okay. And then I’ll tell them, that’s next week.Rich Birch — That’s great.Andrew Hopper — Okay, so yeah but and we we try hard to like put some levity in it. Man, we’re not everybody’s not going to do that. In fact, a minority, of a small minority is going to do it. But everyone can be involved and there are baby steps.Andrew Hopper — So we try to highlight giving, man. Like if you someone adopts from Mercy Hill, we pay 25% of their adoption. Okay.Rich Birch — Wow. Yep.Andrew Hopper — If they’re a member and they’re in a community group, they get 25%. All right, well, you know, we’re going to connect that. Like, man, you you are never going to adopt. You feel like that’s, but it’s like, well, I give $100 a month to the church. Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — Well, hey, what? You know, you’re you are you are supporting.Rich Birch — We’re making a difference.Andrew Hopper — We do parents night out, you know, for all of our foster and adoptive parents. We do it quarterly. It’s like, hey, those are opportunities to come and serve, man. You can serve the meal you can do. We do rope holding, which I know we’ll probably talk about. But but the the idea of rope holding is just like, man, I’m not going to do this, but I can be in the corner for somebody. They’re in my community group. I want to be their first call if they need a babysitter or they need, you know, a gift card, or whatever they need.Andrew Hopper — So I think, man, we try to do big vision. You know, we’re going we’re going to set a huge vision, you know, for 2030 for 2030. Actually, we just hit our vision for 2025, which is 200 adoptive or foster families. There’s a lot of ways people can be involved with it.Rich Birch — So good. There’s, I think thing I would encourage friends who are listening in, you really should be following Mercy Hill, Andrew, because I do think you’re a very unique communicator where you, and you just described it. And I think to you, it’s just like, that’s just what you do. But this idea of like, you’re calling people to a high bar, but you’re not leveraging shame, guilt. you know, it’s, and I think so many times our language can kind of lean in that direction. Or we can, if we really are trying to push people towards something, or we can just undersell the vision. You know We can be like, oh, it’s not that it’s not that big of a deal. You know It’s not for everybody. So I would encourage people to listen in.Rich Birch — Talk to me about rope holding. How is that, what’s that look like? Unpack what that looks like a little bit.Andrew Hopper — Yeah, so rope so the the the rope-holding analogy, which a lot of your listeners probably gonna already know this, but you know William Carey, Andrew Fuller, William Carey, father of modern missions, he’s he he he makes the statement, “I’ll dangle at the end of the rope in the pit, if you’ll hold the rope,” talking to Fuller. And Fuller held the rope for him. Like, you know, Carey the mission field, Fuller’s raising money, preaching sermons, organizing mission boards. So that’s kind of the picture. Right.Andrew Hopper — So we say, all right, not everybody is going to go down into the pit of foster care adoption, even even families count. I mean, these are these are massive spiritual warfare battlegrounds you know um which is one of the reasons why our church wants to be involved so much. I mean you if you want to talk about getting to the you can do all the rhetoric in the world, brother, you want to get to the very bottom of societal issues, you you be involved in somebody’s story that’s trying that’s trying to get their kids back from the foster care system. You’re trying to help them with that. I mean, every you could fatherlessness, poverty, drug abuse. I mean, everything you can think, you know.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — So this this is just spiritual war. So what we tell people is like, hey, man. If we got people that are mobilizing for for adoption and foster care, we better have people in their corne,r because the enemy is going to bring his war machine.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — And we see it all the time. I mean, you’re going to see, you know, a family steps in to adopt and you’re going to start seeing them, you know, there can be sickness. They can have marital problems. They can have financial things that come up. They can begin to believe lies, frustrations. I mean, There’s just so they can become, you know, their their heart can start getting hard toward the system. I mean, there’s so many things that come at them. And so what we say is we need people in their corner, right. Andrew Hopper — Now, it’s funny because like the way our church has operated was at first we said, all right, we’re going to we’re going to do, you know, the the community group is going hold the rope for the people. And and that that was fine. The problem is when we really kicked off this ministry, so many people got involved that it became overwhelming to the group. So we said we got to start this… Rich Birch — Right. Andrew Hopper — …rope holding ministry. The rope holder ministry is good. It’s like, what does a rope holder do? They kind of do whatever the person needs them to do. Rich Birch — Right. Andrew Hopper — So there are examples of the rope holding ministry going really well, where it’s like, hey, man, they’re they’re helping with ah child care with the other kids when they’re going to foster care appointments in court. And or, hey, we’re we’re helping you do some things around the house whenever you’re overseas doing your adoption, which is going to put you three weeks in country. You know, there are some good examples like that. Andrew Hopper — But the other thing that we’ve learned is, you know, foster care and adoption families that are that are walking through this, they’re going through a very trying time. And to just pair them with somebody they don’t know and say, hey, look, here’s your supporter, it can be a little bit like, oh, that’s awesome, and then they never reach out to them.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — They never reach out – the rope holder’s ready.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — But it’s just like, dude, I don’t I don’t know you. And this is a hard time.Rich Birch — Who are you? Yeah, yeah.Andrew Hopper — And so what we’re trying to figure out now as we reboot that rope holder idea is, you know, how how do you kind of integrate relationships they’ve already had? Almost like, hey, do you have this massive pool of people called rope holders? Or when an adoptive family comes up, you say to them, hey, who can we shoulder tap, rope holder for you.Rich Birch — That’s good.Andrew Hopper — And then we’ll train them.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s cool. Yeah.Andrew Hopper — But not have this pool, but say for you, we’ll put them in. So that’s kind of what we’re, so as part of our reboot for 2030, you know, that’s sort of what’s in our mind right now.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool.Andrew Hopper — We have a whole playbook for the way we’ve done it, which anybody, you know, if anybody wants any of those things, they can go to AndrewPHopper.com/chosen. And I can send you any of that stuff we have, but on the rope holder side, you know, just full transparency, we’re still, you know, kind of, of you know, and I’m sure it’ll always be that way that we make an improvement.Rich Birch — Yeah, always trying to make it better. Yeah. And I want to, yeah, at some point in this journey, you decided, hey, we’ve got to put this vision and framework into writing, like we and you actually ended up writing a book, and friends who are listening in, I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of this book. Listen, we’re almost half an hour in. I know you’re interested in this. This is the kind of thing you, Andrew’s a trusted leader. He’s, I’ve had a chance to take a peek at the book. This will be super helpful for you. But, but that’s a lot of effort to put this together into a book. What pushed you from just leading this ministry to ultimately saying, hey, I want to capture this into a resource that could help other people?Andrew Hopper — Well, you know, Rich, I never really saw myself as like a writer, just like a practitioner, man. Let’s just keep keep working on the thing and going.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — And truthfully, I got approached. Hey, would you have any interest in writing? You know, New Growth Press is the one that’s editing this book and putting it out. And it was funny, though, because the second I was asked, I was like, man, I know what we should do [inaudible] that should be what we should do. It’s it’s our it’s it’s my story’s family story with our special needs child that we’ve adopted. It’s our church’s journey. But more important than either of those two things, it’s a grounding in the gospel-centered motivation. Because I think that is what is so important. We don’t do guilt motivation. And you know, cute kids and sad, cute kids and and sad stories are good reasons, but they you need a great reason, because it’s hard. Rich Birch — That’s good. Yep.Andrew Hopper — You know, and the great reason is of course, adopted people adopt people. And so we delve way into the helplessness of our spiritual condition, how God adopted us and then how, you know, that provides a deep motivation for us to go and do the same for others.Rich Birch — Can you unpack that a little bit more? Because I think this is, ah to me, a core part of the book that I think is really helpful. Even if you’re maybe listening in, you’re thinking, okay, I’m not sure adoption or foster care is necessarily the thing, but you unpack this idea of gospel rather than guilt. And can you talk us through, you know, how, yeah, just talk us through that part, that concept a bit more. Just double click on that a little bit.Andrew Hopper — Yeah. So, you know, when we think about behaviors that flow from the Christian life, there’s really only two ways to think about it, right? Like one of them is we try to do things in order that God would approve of us, you know, that he would, you know, he would, ah he would, he would let us in his family, you know, those those types of things. And we, you know, this is for a lot of Baptistic world, which I am, this was kind of like, wow, this is really revolutionary, but that was 20 years ago – Keller and all that. You know, we just started understanding what more of a gospel center motivation. Andrew Hopper — Of course, the other way to think about Christian behaviors is you are part of the family because of what Christ has done for you. And the family has a culture. The family works a certain way. There’s fruit that will pop out in your life, not so that you can gain entrance into the vine. That’s not how it works. Like, ah you know, you don’t you don’t produce fruit to get in the vine. You produce fruit because you’re in the vine. Andrew Hopper — And so, you know, when we think about like like Titus 2, for example, we think about how the grace of God appears to all men, teaching us not just salvation, but teaching us to obey his commands. So there’s something about salvation that and is inherent to the gospel-centered motivation of of of going out, living the Christian life. You know, it’s it’s kind of the John Bunyan idea when they said, man, if you, you know, if you keep preaching this gospel message, people are going to do whatever they want to do. And he said, no, if I keep preaching this gospel message, people are going to do whatever God wants them to do. Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — You know, and so I think what we’ve done in this book is just say, hey, that that is true universally in our Christian life. Like if I’m not tithing and I’m stingy, I can do motivation in two ways. Number one, how dare you, you piece of trash that you never, you know why would you never give? Look what God, you know, blah blah blah, blah, blah, guilt, guilt, shame, shame. Right. Andrew Hopper — Of course, the other way to say is like, man, what kind of riches has God given you in the gospel? And what kind of inheritance do you now have as a son of the king? It’s like, all right, that’s powerful, you know, and it will it will take us places that guilt never can. Guilt will work for a while. You can put fire under somebody and it’ll move them. But if you put it in them, they’ll run through a wall, you know. Rich Birch — So true.Andrew Hopper — And so it’s like it’s like, hey, OK, so you could do it with all these different things. We’ve tried to take this book and do that with adoption to say, all right.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — We know James 1:27, we need to care for the fatherless and the orphan. We understand. I mean, dude, there ain’t, when you talk about metaphors, there’s two big ones, marriage and adoption, you know? And so if you want to do adoption well, we can do it from two motivations. One motivation is look how many kids need. That’s all and that’s all true. That moves my heart. You know, look, can you believe this story of this kid? And that’s fine.Andrew Hopper — Of course, you could do guilt, too. Like, how dare you, you know, have this nice, happy family and not go adopt a little poor orphan kid. You know, you could do guilt. All those things will be fine. They’ll put fire under you a little bit. But if you want to put the fire in someone that is going to carry them through the long haul of all this stuff, I think it’s better to start with: All right. There’s kids that need to be chosen. Were you chosen?Andrew Hopper — You know, so like one of the you know, one I’ll give you an example. We know of a family here in the tribe. They’ve got an awesome son that is 20-something years old, kids got Down syndrome, and they adopted him from Ecuador. And his story was one day a carpenter was working on this building and he heard cries coming out of a dump, like a trash heap. This child had just been born and been left you know with his deformities had just been left for the dumpster. Andrew Hopper — And they brought him to the orphanage. And next thing you know, you know about three or four years later, he got adopted by this family that we know. And that family’s father, he said, Eddie’s story is my story. I was pulled from a trash heap by a carpenter. And if you it’s like that is powerful. Rich Birch — Right. Yes.Andrew Hopper — You know, when you start thinking about, man, in my sin, I was one who had no part and parcel in the kingdom of God. I was headlong in rebellion. I had rejected. I was not a son. And God lavished his love upon me, that I would be called his child. And if if that has happened to me spiritually, how could I not want to do that? Or at least help those. you know I’m not saying that’s a call for everybody, but be involved in others that are doing that as well.Andrew Hopper — And so that’s what we say. Adopted people, adopt people, chosen people, choose people. And hey, I didn’t answer your last question. Rich Birch — That’s fine.Andrew Hopper — Okay. Your last question was, why did we write the book? Very simply, I think more people just need to think about what I just said. You know, and I think churches do. And I think that if, you know, a lot of churches have adoption-minded people and a little bit of of fuel in that fire might create some really cool ministry in that church. And this book lays really well for being like, man, make it a small group resource for eight weeks. You know, it’s got questions at the end of each chapter.Andrew Hopper — Like my my prayer is that this book would catalyze tens of thousands of Christian adoptions. Rich Birch — Wow. Andrew Hopper — And that’s why we wrote the book.Rich Birch — Yeah. It’s and I thought the same thing as I was looking through it, that this would be a great resource for a small group, a great resource as a staff training thing. Because again, I think there’s two things happening on two levels. From my perspective, there’s what you’re actually talking about – adoption, but then there’s how you talk about it. And I think even both of those, I think could be interesting as a as a staff team to kind of unpack and think about. How do we ensure that what we’re doing is so gospel-infused. That’s part of why i love you as a communicator. I think you do such a good job on that. It’s just fantastic. So I would strongly encourage people to pick it up.Rich Birch — Help me understand the connection. So Mercy Hill is known for, or at least from my perspective, known as a sending church. You know, the thing, one of the and I’ve told again, I told you this before, you’re the first church leader I’ve ever bumped into that has connected new here guests to number of missionaries sent. This like idea of like this funnel of how do we move people all the way along to that? I think that’s incredible. How does that kind of sending culture and adoption, how does that fit together? How does that help kind of fuel the flywheel of what’s happening at Mercy Hill?Andrew Hopper — Well, you you helped me think about this when you came and did our one day for our for our Breaking Barriers group, you know, for the pastoral trainings that we do. Because in your church growth book, you talk about how, ah you know, community ministry is used as an evangelism tool. I’m not, I’m probably butchering the way you talk about it.Rich Birch — Yep. Yep. Oh, that’s good. Yep. That’s great.Andrew Hopper — That was like a big light bulb for me because because we we definitely do that, but we have not leveraged the communications of that.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — And so, um you know, for us now, what we’re trying to really think about is how does our adoption of foster care ministry and rope holding and families count ministry, how does that create open? We call them open doors, right? Rich Birch — Yep.Andrew Hopper — Like, how does it create open doors, questions in the community, where people come in? And we’ve seen it. You know, so like when we’re talking about the sending culture, that pipeline starts when new people get interested in faith, they get interested in church.Andrew Hopper — And, you know, like, for example, we we had a guy, we just did a historic video. Man, he’s saved, baptized, serving now, ah or, you know, family, young family, prototypical Mercy Hill guy, like, man, just you know blue collar heart, white collar job, just that. I mean, just everything we talk about. Right. He’s our he’s kind of our guy. And the way he got connected was his boss had signed up to be a rope holder. And it just blew his mind. Like, why would a guy take limited time and go help these families? I mean, he of course, he thought it was a good thing. But it really intrigued them. Andrew Hopper — And so we’ve tried to we’re trying to leverage more of the communication side. It’s tricky. You don’t want to be like, hey, look at us you know in the community. At the same time, I’m like, man, this year, you know when we’re going to do a pretty significant upgrade to some of the there our foster care system has, there’s a house that has a backyard and the backyard is where families come to play with kids, play with their kids they’re trying to get back from the foster care.Rich Birch — Right. Yep.Andrew Hopper — And we’ve said like, you know what, man, if these parents are putting in, that needs to be like the best, the best backyard, and you know?Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, absolutely. 100%.Andrew Hopper — And so, you know, we’re, we’re going to do a significant investment in some, you know, whatever…Rich Birch — Play structures and yeah. Andrew Hopper — …like a, you know, whatever, like a pergola type thing. They’re going put a shed out there. All going to connect it, pavers, all that stuff is what we want to do. And, you know, we’re, we’re looking at that and I’m going like, yeah, I mean, I get it. Like you don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, but at the same time, that’s not for us. That’s for people that are interested to say like, why would a church do that? You know, like why do they care so much?Andrew Hopper — And it’s because, Hey, sign of the kingdom. We want to build families through adoption. We want to restore families through foster care and families count. This is part of that. So we’ve tried to we’ve tried to use it as a way. And I would really encourage church leaders to think about that. Like, hey, is your community ministry actually an evangelism strategy?Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s good. Love that. And yeah, I would encourage you continue to encourage you to think through those things because I do think that there’s, we’ve seen that there’s huge opportunity for folks who don’t normally attend church. They’re interested the way I’ve said in other contexts is they see it as a good thing. We see it as a God thing. We’re not going to fight them over the semantics of it at the front end. Because like you say it’s it’s the kingdom puncturing through that grabs their attention and you’re like oh what what you know what’s going on there? It’s a first step – how do we encourage those people? Rich Birch — Like on that backyard project, I no doubt if you’re rallying a bunch of guys to go work there, I know that there are guys in your church who have friends who they could invite who don’t attend church who maybe would never walk in your church who’d say, hey, will you come and work for a Saturday for a couple hours and swing a hammer and help us do this thing? Let me explain what this is about.They absolutely would show up, right? 100% they’d show up and and they’ll get intrigued by that. And they’ll be like, oh, what’s going on there? That’s that’s fantastic. Rich Birch — Well, friends, unabashedly, I want you to pick up copies of, not just a copy, copies of this book. So where do we want to send people to pick up copies, that sort of thing?Andrew Hopper — Yeah, man, they can just go to andrewphopper.com/chosen. Rich Birch — Perfect. Yep.Andrew Hopper — The book’s out so they can pick up a copy. I mean, it’s also just like on Amazon or whatever, but that link will take you straight to New Growth Press.Rich Birch — Right.Andrew Hopper — So, yeah, man, would love it. Would love to hear from anybody who’s using it well in a church context um to catalyze Christian adoption.Rich Birch — Love it. Anything else you want to share just as we close and how can people track, go to the website, other places we want to send them as we close up today.Andrew Hopper — Also on Instagram, we have a lot of stuff on Instagram, andrewphopper on Instagram. Yeah, the last thing I would say as a closing thought, Rich, is you know, the Christian adoption boom has sort of happened 20 years ago. People started talking about this a lot more. And now you can feel in some of the podcast world and all that, there’s a bit of a backlash, not not to don’t do it, but also like, hey, no one told us how hard this was going to be. Andrew Hopper — You’re dealing with traumatic situations, kids that have been brought, you know, I mean, it’s, it’s crazy. One thing I try to do in this book is I try to say, Hey, that’s not a good reason to take our ball and go home, you know.Rich Birch — That’s good.Andrew Hopper — Instead we just need to try to shoot as straight as we can. And I do that in this book, man. It is hard. It’s you’re on the front lines of spiritual war. I mean, it’s almost like, dude, the, the, the greatest transfer of faith from one generation to another happens in the home. We love it when adults get saved. I get that. But let’s be honest. Statistically, where does it normally happen? Right. Rich Birch — Yeah. Kids. Andrew Hopper — And so if you got a home that’s broken apart, that Christians are trying to put back together, what did we think Satan was going to do? You know, and so instead of taking our ball and going home, let’s just call it what it is, and then ask the Lord to steel our spine… Rich Birch — That’s good. Andrew Hopper — …and to move forward with the mission. So, yeah, man, I’d love for people to pick it up. And I appreciate the time to talk about it today.Rich Birch — Andrew, thanks so much. Appreciate you. Just want to honor you for the work you do. You’re a great leader. And I love how God’s using you and your church to make a difference. Thanks for being on the show today.Andrew Hopper — Thanks, brother.

In this week's episode, I had a grounding conversation with Laura Montesanti about why travel can be a practice of healing rather than a form of escape. Laura shared how the silence of Covid helped her reconnect to purpose which led to creating Synergy The Retreat Show, a trade event designed to change how our industry does business by placing wellbeing, community and experiential practice at the center. We explored the idea of destination energy, the importance of designing retreats that truly regenerate people and places, and the small accessible practices such as breathwork, smiling and mindful time in nature that can make wellness feel normal and available to everyone. Laura's stories from trekking in Nepal to living in Montenegro show what becomes possible when place and human connection align. If you work in travel, hospitality or wellness or if you want a holiday that feels meaningful and restorative this conversation offers a powerful lens for rethinking travel.Inside this podcast:- The origin story of Synergy and how the quiet of Covid revealed a new purpose.- Why retreats can be tools for transformation rather than escape.- How community and experiential design create deeper and longer lasting business relationships.- Practical and accessible practices that support wellness such as breathwork and mindful time in nature.- The role of regenerative travel and authentic local connection in healing both guests and hosts.Connect with Synergy & Laura:Instagram → https://bit.ly/4oZu51bLinkedIn → https://bit.ly/4qsz3F1LinkedIn → https://bit.ly/3KyJDLjEpisode Highlights00:00 Meeting Laura Montesanti03:13 Defining the noise of life and how the silence of Covid revealed purpose04:19 Founding Synergy Retreat Show with a focus on community and healing the industry09:31 What makes Synergy Retreat Show unique with experiential sessions and structured meetings11:11 Why traditional trade shows drain people and how to do business more holistically15:13 Creating retreats that speak to men and shifting the narrative around male vulnerability17:10 Personal loss and the drive to support mental health within travel21:31 Destination energy and choosing locations that match inner needs26:21 Trekking to Kura Lake in Nepal and the power of community on the road37:16 Wellness as a life necessity and why schools should teach basic practices42:06 The power of smiling and simple rituals that support wellbeing43:39 A shift toward regenerative business and more purposeful travel54:06 Announcing Synergy's next location in northern Croatia with themes of nature, adventure and freedomABOUT THE PODCAST SHOWThe Noise of Life is a podcast that shares real stories, raw truths, and remarkable growth. Hosted by Steve Hodgson a coach, facilitator, speaker, and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. This podcast dives deep into the “noise” we all face, the distractions, doubts and challenges that can pull us away from who we truly are.

Nepal on the World Boxing Map. Nepali boxing is entering a historic era, and this powerful podcast brings together three of the biggest names driving that change — Lal Prasad Upreti, Chandra Bahadur Thapa, and Sujit Kumar Pun Magar (Jet Boxing). Lal Prasad Upreti gained international recognition at the IBA Men's Elite World Boxing Championships, while Chandra Bahadur Thapa made history as the first Nepali to win a medal at the World Boxing Championships. Guiding this rise is Jet Boxing, an IBA and USA Boxing-certified coach and founder of H2O Athletics, who has shaped Nepal's elite fighters. In this episode, they discuss what it truly takes to compete at the world level in boxing, sharing insights on international tournament experience, Asian amateur boxing standards, and the intense fight camps in Rangasala. The conversation dives into strict training routines, no-holiday policies, mental pressure before fights, and how fighters are selected for global tournaments. They also open up about their personal boxing journeys, family reactions, sacrifices, and what boxing means to them beyond medals. With Mission 2026 in focus, this episode captures the grit, discipline, and vision behind the rapid growth of Nepali boxing on the world stage. A must-watch for boxing fans, athletes, and anyone inspired by Nepal's sporting evolution. GET CONNECTED WITH {guest name}: Lal Prasad Upreti: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pradipkazi__/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pradip.upreti.102 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lalprasadupreti Chandra Bahadur Thapa: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/boxer_chandra/?g=5 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/chandra.thapa.magar.116183 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@chandrathapa426 Sujit Kumar Pun Magar (Jet Boxing): Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DSePIuIk27O/?img_index=1 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Jetslick/ Threads - https://www.threads.com/@jetboxing Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jetboxing  

Listen to the latest weekly update from Nepal, including figures showing that tourist arrivals in 2025 crossed one million, reactions to the proportional representation lists submitted by political parties to the Election Commission, the Nepal Rastra Bank's newly introduced policies aimed at easing foreign investment and the death of boxer Nam Singh Thapa, one of the first Olympians to represent Nepal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. - सन् २०२५ मा करिब ११ लाख ५८ हजार पर्यटकले नेपाल भ्रमण गरेको सरकारी आँकडाले देखाएको छ। सन् २०२४ को तुलनामा पर्यटक आगमन ३.९ प्रतिशतले बढेको अधिकारीहरूले बताएका हुन्। त्यस्तै, दलहरूले निर्वाचन आयोगमा बुझाएको समानुपातिक सूचीबारे टिप्पणी, राष्ट्र ब्याङ्कले विदेशी लगानी भित्र्याउन र बाहिर लैजान सहज हुन ल्याएको नीति र नेपालले सहभागिता जनाएको पहिलो ओलम्पिकमा प्रतिस्पर्धा गरेका बक्सर नामसिंह थापाको निधन लगायत गत सात दिनका नेपालका प्रमुख समाचारहरू सुन्नुहोस्।

In the final episode of our 2025 rewind, we zoom out to the world and what it forced India to confront.From the highs and hard edges of Trump 2.0 and tariffs, to a new redline on Pakistan after Pahalgam, to churn in Nepal and Bangladesh, India's neighbourhood looked anything but stable. Today, we're joined by The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy breaks down what changed, why it matters, and the biggest diplomatic tests waiting in 2026.Hosted by Ichha SharmaWritten and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Nepal is home to a rich and diverse range of amphibians and reptiles, yet much of this wildlife remains misunderstood. In this podcast episode, we sit down with Bishal Prasad Neupane, a leading Nepali herpetologist and conservationist, to explore the hidden world of snakes of Nepal, frogs, crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, and lizards. Bishal shares how he became interested in reptiles and amphibians, explains the different types of crocodiles in Nepal, and why crocodiles survived even after the extinction of dinosaurs. The conversation dives deep into frog species in Nepal, frog hunting practices, frog dissection in colleges, and ethical concerns around amphibian conservation. We also cover turtles and tortoises in Nepal, the legal aspects of keeping turtles as pets, and the key differences between turtle vs tortoise. A major highlight of this episode is snakes—covering poisonous snakes in Nepal, snake behavior, whether snakes are aggressive, what snakes eat, what anaconda is, and how snake rescue works in Nepal. Most importantly, Bishal explains what to do if a snake bites, how anti venom in Nepal is made, and common myths surrounding snake bites. This episode is essential for anyone interested in wildlife conservation in Nepal, reptile research, snake bite awareness, and understanding Nepal's herpetofauna. GET CONNECTED WITH Bishal Prasad Neupane: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bishalneupane0/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@nepalisapien7821/videos  

This episode is a repost of episode 75 of What We Do in the Winter, an oral history podcast about the people of Mull, Iona, Ulva, Gometra and Little Colonsay. It features a conversation with Banjo and Ro Beale to coincide with the release of Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel on BBC iplayer. Originally released for Christmas 2023 it features some seasonal greetings and a wee bit of context about the podcast. Wishing the boys all the very best with their adventure on Ulva, it's a properly dramatic watch, I've only seen one episode and have no idea how it's all going to pan out. Compulsive viewing! Ro is one of the masterminds behind the distillery at Isle of Mull Cheese, and Banjo is a celebrated interior designer, whose work you may have seen in Interior Design Masters, his own series Designing the Hebrides and whose book Wild Isle Style is available from all good bookshops. We cover so many topics in this episode as Banjo and Ro talk about their lives and adventures. To donate to Banjo and Ro's work in Nepal, please drop a line to: ahoy@banjobeale.co.uk Photo of Banjo & Ro by Lisa McKenna For more information please see the episode links on whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

Send us a textMartijn Schirp and I have known each other for nearly a decade. He first reached out after reading a meditation article I posted on Reddit—a message that changed my life and eventually led to us co-founding HighExistence and running transformational retreats together in Costa Rica.Since then, Martijn has lived several lifetimes: professional poker player who finished 102nd at the World Series of Poker, a crisis of meaning in Vegas that led him to a Buddhist monastery in Nepal, and then co-founding Synthesis—one of the first legal psilocybin retreat centers in the world, which partnered with Imperial College London and was called the "gold standard" of psychedelic retreats.Then it collapsed. In 2023, Synthesis went bankrupt, leaving hundreds of students and employees in limbo. Martijn got physically ill from the stress and spent years recovering—volunteering on a farm in Portugal, working with the soil, reconnecting with his teachers.Now he's back with something new: Upāyosis and "A Path Between Worlds"—a 12-month program that weaves Buddhist contemplative training with intentional psychedelic practice. It's the first time we've spoken in depth in years, and I was struck by how different he seems. As he told me: "I don't have to seek anymore. I think I've found it. Now it's more a question of deepening."In this conversation, we discuss:The intergenerational trauma he discovered through ayahuasca (tracing back to his grandfather in a German orphanage during WWII)Why he believes "the container is the medicine"What actually went wrong at Synthesis—and what he learnedThe Buddhist answer to whether psychedelics violate the Fifth PreceptWhy peak experiences aren't enough—and what "altered traits" requireAnimism, ecodelics, and our ethical relationship to non-human beingsWhy spiritual friendship is "the whole of the path"What his new 12-month program actually involvesI'm joining this program myself—not just as an endorsement, but because I've seen how thoroughly Martijn creates things, and I want to deepen my own practice. If you're someone who's had meaningful psychedelic experiences but feels stuck, or you're a meditator curious about how these paths might converge, this conversation is for you.Learn more: upayosis.comContact Martijn here. 

Abrimos un espacio de diálogo para hablar del ayer y hoy de las adopciones internacionales en España. Nos acompañan Luda Merino (Rusia), activista por los derechos de las personas adoptadas y autora de "No lo entenderías" (Penguin, 2024); la pintora Marta Qin (China), cuya obra explora la identidad, la memoria y las raíces; Chandra Kala Clemente-Martínez (Nepal), antropóloga y activista; y Laura Heckel (Colombia), cofundadora y presidenta de La Voz de los Adoptados. También participan Javier Álvarez-Ossorio, padre adoptivo de dos niños de Burkina Faso y presidente de ARFACYL (Asociación Regional de Familias Adoptantes y Acogedoras de Castilla y León); Montse Lapastora, psicóloga clínica especializada en adopción y directora de Psicoveritas; y María Victoria Díaz Marugán, pediatra en el Centro de Salud Mar Báltico (Madrid) y profesora universitaria. Una conversación plural y honesta para reflexionar sobre la identidad, el acompañamiento y los silencios que aún rodean a la adopción.

Aaron Miller, Vice President of International Ministry at The Voice of the Martyrs, looks back to recount changes and transitions he saw during 2025 in places like Syria, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, and Saudi Arabia. He also shares stories of sitting down with fellow believers in hostile areas and restricted nations and how VOM's work expanded in countries such as Benin, Indonesia, Morocco, and western Nepal. "In times of transition," Aaron says, "our staff sees opportunities." VOM's field staff is excited by the chance to reach new places, which allows them to learn the needs of our persecuted brothers and sisters, pray for them specifically and find the best ways VOM can serve. You'll hear how VOM is facilitating gatherings where pastors and gospel workers meet brothers and sisters doing similar work in other closed countries. These gatherings are opportunities to hear testimonies, pray together and worship the Lord freely with other persecuted Christians. Listen as Aaron shares sacred sentences written in a letter from an imprisoned pastor thanking VOM for taking care of his wife and children. "I want to thank you for ministering to orphans of living fathers," the pastor wrote, "ministering to widows of living husbands." Hear how you can pray for the specific needs of persecuted Christians, and request your free copy of VOM's 2026 Global Prayer Guide to help you know how to pray throughout this year for Christians in India, Venezuela, and many more hostile areas and restricted nations. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily in 2026 for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria and Bangladesh, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

What happens when two bike adventurers meet outside a supermarket in Turkey, buy a kebab, and end up riding more than half the world together?I sat down with Jamie Hargreaves and Malachi Francis just days after they rolled into the Sydney Opera House, for an in person interviewWe talk about how fast friendships form on the road, the reality behind the hardest days, and why some of the most miserable moments become the most meaningful in hindsight. Jamie reflects on following in his dad Phill's tyre tracks decades later, Malachi opens up about dealing with setbacks on the road and  together they talk about what it really means to share a journey this big.From cycling through Turkey, Nepal, and Central Asia to sleeping in toilets, carrying bikes to base camp, and rolling into the Sydney Opera House together this episode is honest, reflective, and sure to make you laugh.Listen to the previous episodes with both Jamie and Malachi here:Malachi Francis - Ep 102Jamie Hargreaves - Ep 107Jamie and Malachi - Ep 126 - Himalayan ChallengePhill Hargreaves Part 1 and Part 2Follow them on Instagram - @J.A.hargreaves @Malachi_Cycles Check out Old Man Mountain for the perfect way to carry gear on your bike. Support the showBuy me a coffee! I'm an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

Air Pollution in Nepal. Why Kathmandu's Air Is So Toxic. Air pollution has become one of Nepal's biggest public health and environmental challenges, and in this episode, Environmental Engineer & Researcher Trailokaya Raj Bajgain breaks it all down with clarity and data. From understanding Kathmandu air pollution to explaining PM2.5, AQI in Nepal, and how pollution levels can feel equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day, this conversation dives deep into the science behind polluted air. We discuss whether Kathmandu is the most polluted city, the role of vehicle pollution, dust particles, and cross-border pollution from India and China. Trailokaya also explains how air quality sensors, funding, and air pollution data in Nepal work, and why accurate data is critical for effective pollution control strategies. The episode explores the health effects of air pollution, the World Bank air pollution report, and whether wearing a mask is truly effective against PM2.5. We also touch on the future of clean air through AI and technology, personal protection methods, and how youth activism and research can drive change. If you want a clear, science-based explanation of Nepal's air crisis and practical insights on what can be done, this episode is a must-watch. GET CONNECTED WITH Trailokaya Raj Bajgain: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trailokaya Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StoryOfAnOrdinaryHumanBeing/?locale=hi_IN Website - https://trailokaya.com.np/ Email - trailokayaraj@gmail.com | trailokaya.bajgain@duke.edu  

Pradeep Khadka and Pradeep Shahi join Sushant's Podcast for a powerful conversation on modern Nepali cinema, stardom, and the realities behind filmmaking. Pradeep Khadka, one of the biggest stars in Nepali cinema known for Prem Geet, opens up about his acting preparation, dealing with massive fame, crazy fan interactions, handling hate, and the impact of social media and phone addiction on life. British-Nepalese filmmaker Pradeep Shahi, director of EKLO-I and founder of Shy Productions Ltd, shares his unique directing approach, insights into blocking in acting, and how he brings Nepali stories to an international audience. Together, they discuss cinema culture in Nepal, whether it's dying or evolving, and the struggles that shape both artists and individuals. The podcast dives deep into life cycles, personal growth, creative connection with movies, and behind-the-scenes details of EKLO-I, including its concept, shooting timeline, and trailer reaction. This Nepali cinema podcast is a must-watch for aspiring actors, filmmakers, and anyone curious about the real journey behind success in the film industry. GET CONNECTED WITH Pradeep Khadka: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pradeepkhadkaofficial/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pradeepkhadkaofficial/ Pradeep Shahi Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pradeepshahiofficial/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MB1237/ Website - https://pradeepshahi.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradeep-shahi-535b2348/?originalSubdomain=uk  

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 1st of January, 2026. Happy New Year! This is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Zechariah 4:6:‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts.”Then we go to John 12:21: “Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” I really believe 2026 is going to be a year of great harvest and it's not going to be done by theologians. No, it's going to be done by ordinary people, like you and me, blue-collar workers, as they say! Yes, the mother, the young student, the miner, the farmer - we have to bring in the harvest. It is too big for us to rely on the pastors and the leaders of churches, and we respect them and love them dearly, but we cannot expect them to bring in this mighty harvest. You see, Jesus is not coming soon, He is on His way. I have told you that for years, and this is our opportunity now, to tell the world about the soon-coming King.I have a very dear man who is very close to my hear. He is one of my spiritual sons. He has just returned with a band of young men. I don't think there is one of them that is older than thirty years old, and they are not theologians. They are students, school leavers, and they have gone to the other side of the world to preach the Gospel to the people of Nepal. Yes, they have been walking up and down those foothills of the mighty Himalayas, and they have been doing it for over ten days. They have been preaching, they have been binding the strongman and releasing the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work, and what a harvest! We are not talking about tens of thousands of people. We are talking about an old lady who lives by herself in a little hut on top of a foothill, where they had to walk 20 kilometres to reach her and bring her to Christ. We are talking about the sick and the poor. We are talking about strengthening the young church that is growing at a rate on the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. Somebody got healed, somebody came to Christ, somebody was born again, and now they have returned to their home in South Africa. Today, remember the Lord is available to whoever calls upon His name. Those Greeks that came to Israel were asking Philip, “Please sir, we want to see Jesus.” Let's show the world this year who Jesus is! God bless you and goodbye.

As part of Digital December 2025, in partnership with Laxmi Sunrise Bank Limited, this episode explores how Nepal's digital payment infrastructure is shaping the way money moves across the economy from everyday transactions to enterprise and national-level systems. This conversation brings together two key perspectives from Nepal's digital payment ecosystem: Manoj Thapa, Country Head – Visa Nepal, sharing a global view on payments, cross-border commerce, and how international networks connect Nepali businesses to the world. Munni Rajbhandari, COO – Nepal Clearing House Ltd. (NCHL), explaining the national payment rails, enterprise payment systems, and the infrastructure that processes millions of transactions every day. Together, they discuss Nepal's journey from manual, paper-based processes to a digitally connected payment ecosystem — and why the focus is now shifting from building infrastructure to driving adoption, trust, and customer experience. In this episode, you'll learn: How money moves across banks, businesses, and platforms in Nepal What large-scale digital payment volumes reveal about the economy How enterprises and SMEs manage salaries, vendors, taxes, and disbursements digitally Why global payment connectivity matters for tourism, exports, and IT services How digital transaction data builds trust, creditworthiness, and future financial access Why security, standards, and financial literacy are critical as digital payments scale Whether you're a business owner, financial professional, policymaker, or someone who pays digitally every day, this episode helps you understand where Nepal's digital payment system stands today — and where it's headed next. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Digital December | Episode 2 02:00 – Why Digital Payments Matter for Nepal's Economy 05:00 – Nepal's Leapfrog Journey into Digital Payments 07:00 – Women Leadership in Nepal's Fintech Sector 10:00 – What Visa Really Does Beyond Cards 14:00 – Connecting Nepal to Global Money Movement 18:00 – Tourism, Remittance & Early Payment Advantage 23:00 – How Government Payments Went Fully Digital 27:00 – From Cheques to Instant Dividends & Salaries 30:00 – Digital Payments Growth: Data vs Reality 35:00 – What Is NPI? Nepal's Payment Backbone Explained 38:00 – APIs, Account Validation & Secure Transfers 42:00 – Why Trust & Security Come Before Scale 45:00 – Corporate Pay & Enterprise Payments for SMEs 49:00 – How Nepali Businesses Can Accept Global Payments 56:00 – Why SMEs Struggle with Digital Adoption 01:02:00 – Payment Gateways, Aggregators & Automation 01:14:00 – How Digital Payments Build Credit History 01:26:00 – Fraud, Awareness & Consumer Protection 01:44:00 – Final Takeaways: The Future of Digital Nepal  

Sometimes the most profound lessons come from unexpected places. I recently trekked Nepal's Annapurna Circuit, and the experience left me with fresh perspective on gratitude, silence, and what really matters. In this episode, Jessica Wise and I share what we're grateful for, from working with incredible educators around the world to precious family moments. We explore why noticing the good matters so much in our work, the value of coaching relationships, and how to recognize and celebrate the impact we're making, even on the tough days.Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about our Instructional Coaching Institutes:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/in-person-intensive-instructional-coaching-institute/Learn more about our 1:1 Impact Coaching:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/jim-knights-1-1-impact-coaching/

Listen to the latest weekly update from Nepal, including Kulman Ghising's Ujyalo Nepal Party agreement with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the Election Commission's latest announcements, calls to consider tourism an industry and Nepal's national female cricket team prepares for the ICC Women's T-20 World Cup Global Qualifier. - काठमाण्डू महानगरपालिकाका मेयर बालेन्द्र शाह (बालेन) र राष्ट्रिय स्वतन्त्र पार्टी (रास्वपा)का सभापित रवि लामिछानेबिच आइतवार भएको सात बुँदे सहमति अनुसार बालेन रास्वपाबाट प्रधानमन्त्रीका उम्मेदवार बन्ने बताइएको छ। लगत्तै सोमवार उज्यालो नेपाल पार्टी र रास्वपाबिच पनि सहमित भएको छ, जस अनुसार घिसिङ संरक्षक रहेको उज्यालो नेपालले एकता पश्चात रास्वपाकै झन्डा र निर्वाचन चिन्ह प्रयोग गर्ने गरी सहमति भएको हो। त्यस्तै, चुनावी तयारीबारे प्रधानमन्त्री सुशील कार्की र शीर्ष नेताहरूबिच बालुवाटारमा बैठक, नेपालले जापानमा प्रशिक्षार्थी कामदार नपठाउने र महिला टोली टी-२० विश्वकप छनोट खेल्दै लगायत गत सात दिनका नेपालका प्रमुख समाचारहरू सुन्नुहोस्।

A World View from London: Geopolitical tension, environmental clean-ups and predictions for the year ahead Adam Gilchrist joins John Maytham for a global round-up that starts in East Asia, where China has launched fresh military drills around Taiwan, escalating regional tensions and prompting concern about stability in the Taiwan Strait. The conversation then shifts to the slopes of Mount Everest, where Nepal’s efforts to tackle mounting rubbish left by climbers are under scrutiny as authorities rethink how best to protect the world’s highest peak. The segment ends on a lighter but curious note with a look at the latest viral predictions attributed to Baba Vanga for 2026, sparking debate about why prophecies continue to capture the public imagination. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Den politiske situasjonen har juleferie.Vi har en julegave på lur.Hør historien om menneskeetende tigre i Nepal, og hvordan de havner i tigerfengsel - og hvorfor en spesialutsending fra Trysil er med på prosjektet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Agar, Volkan www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

Hear stories from riding a motorcycle in Egypt, Thailand, India, Nepal, Vietnam and becoming an Emmy-winning filmmaker. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show's Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ In Part 2 of this interview, Emmy-winning filmmaker and motorcycle adventurer Alex Chacon reflects on what years of extreme overland travel have taught him about life, creativity, and meaning. From riding across Egypt at sunrise to navigating the chaos of Vietnam, India, and Kathmandu, to experiencing radical hospitality in Pakistan and Argentina, to pushing physical limits in brutal heat across Thailand, Alex shares powerful stories from the road and the metaphors they reveal about resilience, risk, and growth. He also dives deep into his evolution as a storyteller—how his viral 3 Year Epic Selfie video changed his life, why he shifted from cinematic travel montages to vulnerable narrative filmmaking, and how travel continues to shape his artistic and entrepreneurial journey. This episode is a meditation on adventure, purpose, and why travel, at its best, is not just about destinations—but about becoming the next version of yourself. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that's not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn  See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally.  You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

In this episode, Jake interviews Dev about the Church in Nepal.Reverend Dev: President, Kathmandu Bible Institute and Research Center List of Resources ⁠CETI⁠ ⁠Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians⁠ ⁠INFEMIT⁠⁠Langham Literature⁠ ⁠World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission⁠ Journal of Latin American TheologyLatin AmericaSamuel Escobar René and Kathy Padilla Melba MaggayAfricaKwame Bediako Tite Tiénou Emmanuel KatongoleHavila DarbarageLamin O Sanneh Marcy Embar Ediouya Harvey C. KwiyaniMiddle EastVinu Rajendran Vinoth Ramachandra Sydney Roy Tony Deik Shadia QubtiWestern VoicesChristopher J. H. Wright – The Mission of GodDavid J Bosch – Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of MissionLesslie Newbigin - The Gospel in a Pluralist SocietyGraham Joseph Hill ⁠https://grahamjosephhill.com/⁠Stephen B. Bevans – The Church as a Community of Missionary Disciples

Live from LEAD-26 in Zurich. Stephan Siegrist is a professional alpinist. He says leadership means taking the lead when situations are uncomfortable. In mountaineering one person often needs the next rope length and must make small decisions by the centimetre and larger choices every half hour. Some choices are life threatening.  On a recent Nepal expedition his youngest team member developed high altitude pulmonary sickness. The medical problem required bringing the person down quickly. Stefan decided the team must bring him down. He said the most important thing is that everyone comes back home safely. Stefan spoke about risk and crisis. He said if you do not take any risk you do not get forward. He advised to push to the limit but not until it starts bleeding. Over years climbers develop knowledge to find that balance.    About Stefan Siegrist: Professional Alpinist, Climber, Public Speaker. Stephan loves the mountains and he loves sharing the adventure    Resources   his webpage: https://stephan-siegrist.ch/ Please, hit the follow button and leave your feedback: Apple Podcast: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/apple Spotify: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/spotify Follow Gregorio Uglioni on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorio-uglioni/  Gregorio Uglioni is a seasoned transformation leader with over 15 years of experience shaping business and digital change, consistently delivering service excellence and measurable impact. As an Associate Partner at Forward, he is recognized for his strategic vision, operational expertise, and ability to drive sustainable growth. A respected keynote speaker and host of the well-known global podcast Business Transformation Pitch with the CX Goalkeeper, Gregorio energizes and inspires organizations worldwide with his customer-centric approach to innovation.

India Plays Its Cards to Split Bangladesh Gen Z Down the Middle | Hindu Nepal v Islamic BD

From his early days in Nepal on his families subsistence farm, Pramod Acharya has long valued the importance of farming and agricultural sustainability. In his new capacity as Assistant Professor and Extension Forage Specialist with the University of Idaho's Kimberly Research and Extension Center, he will be working to help  Idaho dairy farms and forage producers, finding ways to enhance efficient forage production, storage and utilization.  Acharya said he will focus on sustainable practices rooted in economic practicality. “Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability or capacity of future generations to meet the same needs,” he said. 

Le piogge invernali allagano i campi di Gaza mentre Netanyahu arrivato negli Stati Uniti. Kosovo: il partito al governo vince le elezioni.Nepal: ex rapper nepalese si candida a primo ministro in una votazione chiave dopo le proteste della Generazione Z.La Danimarca dice addio alla consegna delle lettere.Myanmar al voto sotto le armi – elezioni senza credibilità.Guinea al voto dopo il golpe – urne sotto controllo militare.Ucraina, spiragli di pace – resta il nodo dei territori Questo e molto altro nel notiziario di Radio Bullets a cura di Barbara Schiavulli Introduzione: altre buone notizie del 2025

Nitesh Rohit (AnimeCon India) and Rohit Shrestha (Otaku Jatra) are key figures behind the rise of anime conventions in South Asia, popularizing Japanese anime in India and Nepal through cosplay, screenings, gaming zones, artist alleys, and creative workshops empowering youth, supporting local artists, and boosting pop-culture tourism.

Is Nepal in Serious Danger?. Nepal's national security is facing increasing challenges amid rising geopolitical pressure, internal instability, and regional refugee movements. In this in-depth podcast, Hemanta Malla Thakuri, former DIG of Nepal Police and national security expert, Santosh Kumar Dhakal, retired Major General of the Nepal Army, and Jason Vaidya, renowned geopolitical analyst, come together to discuss some of the most critical security threats facing Nepal today. The conversation begins with the Rohingya refugee issue and the possibility of Rohingya refugees entering Nepal. The experts explain what the Rohingya crisis is, whether Nepal is being strategically used, and how refugee movements can impact Nepal's internal security and national security policy. They analyze whether these developments are coincidental or part of broader South Asian geopolitics. The discussion then expands into Nepal's national security challenges, including border security, political aggression, diplomatic tensions involving China and the United States, and concerns surrounding voting rights based on residence. The guests also examine Nepal's social issues, internal unrest, and how governance decisions—such as selling government factories—can affect long-term security. This episode provides rare insights from former top military and police leadership combined with geopolitical analysis, making it essential viewing for anyone interested in Nepal geopolitics, security threats, refugee policy, and political stability. GET CONNECTED WITH Hemanta Malla: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemant-malla-25976920/?originalSubdomain=np Santosh Kumar Dhakal: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/santosh-dhakal-a6962311/?originalSubdomain=np Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/santosh.k.dhakal? Jason Vaidya: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jason.baidya.5/ Twitter - https://x.com/JasonDBaidya  

"The ultimate research laboratory is this mind, body, brain, heart."A privilege to introduce Philippe Goldin, PhD – Professor at UC Davis, mindfulness researcher, and a true bridge between science and spirituality.Join us for a delightful and mind-stretching conversation. Philippe's path spans New York City, a deep study of Tibetan Buddhism across India, Nepal, and Tibet, and groundbreaking research in psychology and neuroscience. Today, we explore consciousness, meditation, ethics, intentionality, and how science and spirituality can inform and enhance each other.Philippe also shares his insights on interpersonal neurobiology, empathy, awakening, and how our intentions ripple through the world - plus fascinating stories of translating for Tibetan Lamas, developing global mindfulness programs with Google and Stanford, and pioneering approaches to mental health, workplace wellness, and climate resilience.Key Takeaways:➖ How meditation and science intersect➖ Consciousness, dark matter, and the unseen➖ Ethics and intentionality in practice➖ The ripple effects of empathy and human connection➖ Lifelong curiosity and learning is essentialI absolutely loved listening to Philippe's unique perspective and highly developed expression on science, psychology, and spirituality. I'm sure it will leave you inspired, curious, and maybe even a little mind-blown

What Is Subaltern Studies? Explained with Chepang & Dalit Context. Dr. Tara Lal Shrestha, a renowned Nepali scholar, author, and academic, joins this insightful podcast to explore subaltern studies in Nepal, focusing on the lived realities of Chepang, Dalit, and indigenous communities. Known for his contributions to culture, environmental activism, and marginalized studies, Dr. Shrestha explains the true meaning of subaltern and what inspired his long-term research on excluded communities. The conversation dives deep into the history of the Chepang community, their traditional lifestyle, migration, cave dwelling, religious beliefs, and evolving identity. Dr. Shrestha shares firsthand documentation experiences and discusses why the voices of the Chepang remain unheard, despite their rich cultural narratives. The podcast also examines Dalit aesthetics, caste as a structural problem, and the role of indigenous aestheticism in redefining Nepali society. From understanding the Nepal caste system to exploring why some Chepang communities are turning toward Christianity, this episode highlights the complex intersections of faith, culture, identity, and survival. The discussion sheds light on subaltern voices, unity and division within the country, and why marginalized communities must be represented through their own narratives. This episode is essential for anyone interested in subaltern theory, indigenous studies, Dalit identity, and Nepal's social issues. GET CONNECTED WITH Dr. Tara Lal Shrestha: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Tara-Lal-Shrestha-100063579727015/  

As part of Digital December 2025, in partnership with Laxmi Sunrise Bank Limited, this special roundtable explores how digital payments and software systems are reshaping businesses and the economy in Nepal. This episode brings together three perspectives from Nepal's digital payment ecosystem: Santosh Tamrakar, Managing Director at IMS Software, sharing the system builder's view on business software, data, and scalable growth. Arun Khatri, CEO of Digital Network Solutions, covering digital infrastructure, security, compliance, QR innovation, and biometric identity. Shashank Prabhat Shrestha, Managing Director of Caffeophilia, offering real-world insights from running a multi-outlet business where most transactions are digital. Together, they discuss Nepal's shift from near-zero digitization to a QR-first economy where digital payments are now essential especially for urban businesses. In this episode, you'll learn: Why digital payments are non-negotiable for modern businesses How QR, cards, and compliance systems work behind the scenes The role of data, loyalty systems, and real-time reporting Why sustainable payment systems can't be free forever What's next: biometric KYC and data-backed, collateral-free digital lending Whether you're a business owner, policymaker, or someone who pays digitally every day, this conversation helps you understand how Nepal's digital payment ecosystem works and where it's headed next. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 02:00 – Digital December 03:20 – How Businesses Depend on Digital Payments Today 05:20 – The Evolution of Digitization in Nepal 06:28 – Covid and the Digital Payment Surge 07:02 – Why QR Payments Replaced Cash in Urban Nepal 07:50 – Real-Time Data and Business Control 11:01 – Digitization vs Digital Transformation 14:17 – Customer Loyalty Systems and Data Usage 21:02 – Entrepreneurial Vision and First-Mover Advantage 27:17 – How Digital Payments Reduce Fraud and Risk 33:06 – Biometrics and Centralized KYC 36:42 – QR vs Card Payments: How Nepal Pays Today 46:26 – MDR Explained: The Cost of Digital Payments 01:08:21 – The Future of Unsecured Digital Lending Want to join us live in the studio as an audience member? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/xZi8yptyoxkkc6aa8    ✉ Reach out to us at partners@doersnepal.com  

Mukesh Awasthi, of Dadeldhura, Pawan Shahi, from Kalikot, and Krishna Sunuwar, became symbols of Nepal's Gen Z Uprising when they were shot and heavily injured while standing up for a cause. On September 8, 2025, as thousands of young Nepalis filled the streets with chants for accountability, transparency, and real change, these three Gen-Zs found themselves at the epicenter of a moment that shook the nation.

Inside Nepali Journalism: Censorship, Funding & Politics. Jibram Bhandari is one of Nepal's most respected journalists and news executives, known for his fearless reporting and deep understanding of Nepal's political and media landscape. In this powerful podcast conversation, Jibram Bhandari shares his journalism journey, starting from the 1990 media environment to reporting during the Nepalese Civil War and navigating censorship, misinformation, and political pressure in modern Nepal. The discussion explores the current media crisis in Nepal, including media funding, the role of NGOs and INGOs, and how journalism can be misused by the government. Jibram Bhandari critically examines secularism in Nepal, the Raja Badi movement, the debate between belief in monarchy versus political parties like the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and whether Nepal's system can truly be reformed. This episode also dives into Gen Z protests, misinformation verification, misuse of police power, and controversial incidents like the Tinkune protest. Jibram shares insights on key political figures, including Kul Man Ghising, Harka Sampang, Rabi Lamichhane, and Durga Parsai, while discussing the possibility of new political parties and the future direction of Nepal. If you're interested in Nepali journalism, Nepali politics, media ethics, and real conversations about power, truth, and responsibility, this podcast with Jibram Bhandari is a must-watch. GET CONNECTED WITH Jibram Bhandari: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jibram.bhandari.3/ Twitter - https://x.com/jibrambhandari TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jibram.talks?lang=en  

Amy is joined by authors and educators Gloria and Bob Rees to discuss midrash --stories we write to interpret scripture and create meaning -- exploring the endless possibilities of imagination and the radical power that women hold to write our own midrash and change the spiritual landscape.Donate to Breaking Down PatriarchyGloria Gardner Rees has taught English in the US, China, India, and Nepal. Her studies include nutrition, gerontology and adult development. Currently, she is involved in interfaith, humanitarian, and environmental work. In addition to writing midrash, she is co-editing a collection of essays by Latter-day Saints titled Pillars of my Faith.Robert A. Rees is a scholar, poet, and humanitarian. He is the author of “Toward a Mormon Feminist Midrash: Mormon Women and the Imaginative Reading of Scripture,” Sunstone (2012) and “The Midrashic Imagination and the Book of Mormon,” Dialogue (Fall 2011). His most recent book is Imagining and Reimagining the Restoration (Kofford Books, 2025).

What if your next big adventure did more than give you a view, what if it gave you perspective?In this episode, Kelly sits down with Frank Castro, founder of Adventure International, a luxury adventure outfitter known for high-end trekking and mountaineering experiences rooted in ethical guiding, fair wages, and deep respect for the local teams who make expeditions possible.Frank shares how his early years operating in Tanzania sparked a mission to raise the standard for Kilimanjaro outfitting, not just through elevated logistics and top-tier gear, but through meaningful investment in guides, porters, cooks, training, and long-term community impact.From there, Adventure International expanded into the Himalayas, Peru, and Ecuador, later growing into eco-dome glamping, conservation-driven safari camps, luxury surf travel, and privately guided U.S. National Parks experiences.This conversation explores what makes a truly exceptional adventure DMC, why risk management is everything in high-altitude travel, and why more travelers are seeking experiences that reset the nervous system and reconnect them to what matters.You will learn:How Adventure International began as a high-level Kilimanjaro operator grounded in ethical labor practicesWhy luxury adventure travel sits at the intersection of challenge and comfortWhat travel advisors should look for in an adventure DMC, especially for high-risk itinerariesHow Adventure International expanded from Tanzania into Nepal, Peru, and EcuadorWhy eco domes, glamping, and conservation-led travel are shaping the futureWhat families should consider when planning adventure travel across age rangesWhy nature-based travel is becoming essential in a screen-heavy worldHow North America is emerging as a powerful adventure destination post-COVIDWe talk about:00:00 Intro 01:00 Travel Kinship, DMCs, and the role of ethical operators02:00 The origin story, Tanzania, Kilimanjaro, and “doing it the right way”04:00 Ethical operations, wages, training, and industry shifts06:00 Expanding into Nepal, Peru, and Ecuador09:00 Eco domes, safari camps, and conservation impact12:00 Luxury surf travel and concierge-style itineraries13:30 COVID, U.S. National Parks, and family adventure travel16:00 What makes a great adventure DMC and risk management realities21:00 Setting expectations for iconic treks and crowd realities23:00 Building balanced itineraries with elevated extensions25:00 Why adventure travel is rising as nervous system medicine28:00 Transformational moments and shared humanity on the trail32:00 Family travel guidance and age considerations35:00 Slowing down, North America focus, and full-circle travel39:00 Closing reflections and next stepsResources & Links:Ready for your next adventure? Click here to view our Trip Planning Packages & 2025 Pricing: https://transform-with-travel.captivate.fm/packages Connect with Adventure InternationalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/100063483463682/info/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AdventureIntnlInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventureinternational/Website:

Pradeep Shahi, a British-Nepalese filmmaker and founder of SHY Productions, presents EKLO - I, Nepal's first large-scale sci-fi thriller, featuring Kabita Nepali a national Wushu champion and Himalayan Roadies Season 7 gang leader who makes her action-packed film debut performing all her own stunts, alongside veteran actor and senior pilot Vijay Lama. The film is set to release on January 1, 2026.

Natuurreligies zijn al eeuwenoud en gaan bijna zo ver terug als de mens bestaat. In de moderne wereld worden nog altijd heidense geloven gepraktiseerd. Zo ook het sjamanisme: een geloof dat zijn oorsprong heeft in Siberië, maar dat tegenwoordig in uiteenlopende vormen voorkomt, met invloeden uit onder meer Nepal en Bali. Sanne Bloemink onderzoekt het sjamanisme in Nederland. Ze ondergaat zelf een sjamanistisch ritueel en spreekt met wetenschappers en deskundigen. Productie: Matthijs Domen en Kees van den Bosch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the latest weekly update from Nepal, including Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane's release on bail, the government formed following the Gen Z movement completes 100 days, KP Sharma Oli's re-election as chair of the CPN-UML party and India's East Bengal Club win over Nepal's APF in the SAFF Women's Club Football Championship 2025. - राष्ट्रिय स्वतन्त्र पार्टीका सभापति रवि लामिछाने धरौटीमा रिहा भएका छन्। बिगो बापत ३ करोड ७४ लाख बुझाएर उनी रिहा भएका हुन्। यसका साथै जेन जी आन्दोलन पछि बनेको सरकारको सय दिन पूरा, केपी शर्मा ओली नेकपा एमालेको अध्यक्षमा पुनः निर्वाचित, सर्वपक्षीय सरकारका लागि केही जेन जीहरूको माग र साफ महिला क्लब फुटबल च्याम्पियनसिपमा भारतको इस्ट बङ्गाल क्लबको जित, नेपालको विभागीय टोली एपीएफ ३-० को गोलले पराजित लगायत गत सात दिनका नेपालका प्रमुख समाचारहरू सुन्नुहोस्।

The Australian Nepali Multicultural Centre (ANMC) has organised the Melbourne Spiritual Festival 2025 in its premises. Starting with a ‘Kalash Yatra' on Thursday, December 18 the program concludes on Tuesday, December 23. SBS Nepali spoke with campaign coordinator and ANMC Vice President Keshav Kandel about the program's objectives, plans to expand the community centre and the importance of passing culture on to the next generation. We also spoke with community members who participated in the festival's inauguration program. - अस्ट्रेलियाका विभिन्न शहरहरूमा नेपाली बहुसांस्कृतिक केन्द्रहरू बन्ने र बनाउने निर्माणार्थ चरणमा छन्। यही वर्षको अगस्ट महिनामा सिड्नीमा नेपाली बहुसांस्कृतिक केन्द्रको निर्माणको उद्देश्यका साथ सिड्नी आध्यात्मिक महोत्सवको आयोजना भएको थियो। त्यस्तै कार्यक्रम हालै मेलबर्नमा पनि भएको छ। मेलबर्नस्थित अस्ट्रेलियन नेपाली मल्टिकल्चरल सेन्टर (एएनएमसी)मा बिहीबार, डिसेम्बर १८ मा कलश यात्रा सहित शुक्रवार, डिसेम्बर १९ देखि मङ्गलवार, डिसेम्बर २३ सम्म मेलबर्न आध्यात्मिक उत्सव २०२५ सम्पन्न भएको छ। कार्यक्रमका प्रमुख उद्देश्य, एएनएमसीको विस्तारका साथसाथै भावि पुस्तामा सांस्कृतिक चेतना रहेको कार्यक्रमका संयोजक तथा एएनएमसीका उपाध्यक्ष केशव कँडेलले बताएका छन्। यसै सन्दर्भमा थप विवरण र केन्द्रका भावी योजनाका बारेमा संयोजक कँडेल लगायत उद्घाटन कार्यक्रममा आयोजित कलश यात्रामा सहभागी नेपाली समुदायका केही सदस्यहरूसँग एसबीएस नेपालीले गरेको कुराकानी सुन्नुहोस्।

 In This Episode Adi Klevit sits down with Lindsay Nahmiache for a powerful conversation about growth, discomfort, and the systems that allow founders to evolve beyond daily operations. Lindsay shares how unexpected moments—like being stranded in Nepal without a passport—became pivotal experiences that shaped her ability to think clearly, creatively, and strategically. Adi highlights how these personal experiences directly influence leadership style and long-term business success. They also explore the early days of Lindsay's marketing agency, including how saying "yes" before having all the answers led to landing major clients like Virgin Radio. Adi emphasizes that this wasn't luck, but a mindset backed by execution, structure, and a willingness to figure things out. The conversation reinforces how confidence paired with systems creates opportunity. As the episode unfolds, Adi and Lindsay dive into what it truly takes to scale. Lindsay explains why founders must eventually remove themselves from operations—even when it feels uncomfortable—and how strong systems step in to support the business at the next level. Adi reinforces that this transition is essential for founders who want freedom, clarity, and sustainable growth without becoming the bottleneck.  

Today on the podcast, our friend and Revel Bikes founder Adam Miller joins us to chat all things Revel. We get into their 32" bikes they are working on, what it's been like to develop their full suspension titanium bike in the RaTical, plus some classic listener questions ranging from the best burger in Carbondale to Adam's thoughts on modern geometry and everything in between. Tune in! Our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCczlFdoHUMcFJuHUeZf9b_Q Worldwide Cyclery YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCxZoC1sIG-vVtLsJDSbeYyw Worldwide Cyclery Instagram: www.instagram.com/worldwidecyclery/ MTB Podcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/mtbpodcast/ Submit any and all questions to podcast@worldwidecyclery.com Join us on epic mountain bike trips that you will never forget in locations like Tasmania, Italy & Nepal. Grab $250 off any All Mountain Rides trip by just mentioning WWC: https://worldwidecyclery.com/blogs/worldwide-cyclery-blog/all-mountain-rides-all-inclusive-mountain-bike-guided-trips-w-worldwide-cyclery-crew

In this powerful and joy‑filled episode, we sit down with humanitarian, author, and CNN Hero Maggie Doyne for a conversation that left us inspired, grounded, and buzzing with gratitude. Maggie, co‑founder and CEO of the BlinkNow Foundation and subject of the documentary “Between the Mountain and the Sky,” joins us from California during a rare stateside visit. What unfolds is an intimate, honest, and often hilarious exchange about purpose, service, motherhood, grief, art, and the beautiful messiness of being human.Maggie shares the origin story of her life's work in Nepal, beginning with a gap year, a chance encounter with children breaking rocks for survival, and the babysitting money that became the seed for a school, a home, and a community that has now transformed countless lives. She reflects on two decades of building the Kopila Valley community, raising children, navigating unimaginable loss, and learning to lead with heart, humility, and hope.We explore the role of art and storytelling in healing, the decade‑long process of filming her documentary, and the vulnerability of letting the world witness both the triumphs and the raw, unfiltered moments of her journey. Maggie talks about the surprising reactions she's received from audiences, the importance of showing real women in real bodies, and why authenticity matters more than polish.The conversation also touches on self‑care in a world that often turns it into another metric of success. Maggie offers a refreshingly grounded perspective on tending to the basics: medical checkups, community, breath, movement, and the small daily practices that keep us tethered. She shares the voices and music that have supported her through dark seasons, from Raffi to Sarah Blondin, and the rituals that anchor her family.As always, we close with our signature playlist picks, inspired by Maggie's light, courage, and the emotional landscape of her story. Expect sunshine, resilience, childhood joy, and a few nostalgic gems.This episode is equal parts heart‑opening and energizing. Maggie reminds us that world‑changing work often begins with one small step, one act of noticing, one moment of saying yes. Her story is a testament to what can happen when compassion meets action, and when we allow ourselves to show up fully—messy bun, milk stains, and all.Settle in for an episode that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Watch the film, Between The Mountain and the Sky here.

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common congenital conditions worldwide, yet effective care goes far beyond repairing a visible deformity. It requires long-term, multidisciplinary support that addresses speech, hearing, dental development and psychological wellbeing. In this episode, Brian Sommerlad, a surgeon and Chairman of CLEFT, shares four decades of experience in cleft care across the UK and low and middle income countries. Drawing on extensive work in places such as Bangladesh and Nepal, he explains why short-term surgical missions alone are not enough and how well-intentioned philanthropy can sometimes undermine local health systems. The conversation explores what sustainable cleft care really looks like. Brian outlines CLEFT's distinctive approach, which focuses on training local professionals, funding non-surgical roles such as speech therapists and orthodontists, and supporting multidisciplinary teams that can continue delivering care long after external support has stepped back. Key topics include: What cleft lip and palate is, how common it is, and why it affects far more than appearance The lifelong importance of speech therapy, hearing support and dental care The psychological and social impact of cleft conditions on children and families Why teaching and capacity-building create more impact than simply doing operations How poorly designed NGO activity can unintentionally weaken local services The value of treating local clinicians, hospitals and governments as equal partners Practical insights into allocating philanthropic funding for long-term benefit Brian also reflects on his own journey from medical training in Australia to international work spanning Vietnam, Bangladesh, Iraq and beyond, offering candid observations on what has and has not worked in global health over time. This episode is a thoughtful examination of how healthcare philanthropy can move from short-term intervention to lasting change, with lessons that extend well beyond cleft care alone. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.   

In this special festive edition of Battle Lines, Roland Oliphant and Dominic Nicholls cut through the tinsel to tell a story that actually matters.In aid of, The Not Forgotten, a charity born out of the carnage of the First World War, they are joined by Hari Budha Magar, a Gurkha veteran who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan. From a remote village in Nepal to the battlefields of Afghanistan, Harry recounts the moment an IED changed his life and how he rebuilt it again.Join Roland, Dom and Hari for dark humour, blunt honesty and genuine inspiration.Read Jack Rear's profile of Hari Budha Magar: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas-charity-appeal/2025/12/02/first-double-amputee-to-summit-everest/The Not Forgotten is one of The Telegraph's four Christmas charity appeal charities, the others are Motor Neurone Disease Association, Prostate Cancer Research and Canine Partners. You can donate by visiting telegraph.co.uk/appeal2025 or call 0151 317 5247.Producer: Peter ShevlinExecutive Producer: Louisa Wells► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorContact us with feedback or ideas:battlelines@telegraph.co.uk @venetiarainey@RolandOliphant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Bhuwan Kandel moved from Nepal to Gippsland in 2007 to pursue higher education, there were very few Nepali-speaking people in the region. Now a practising paediatrician, Dr Kandel says the regional city has become home, as the Nepali community there also continues to grow. Stories of migrants from various backgrounds building new lives in regional Victoria, including that of Dr Kandel, are featured in a new documentary titled Shared Table: Regional Heroes. During the film's premiere in Melbourne, SBS Nepali spoke with director and co-producer Nandita Chakraborty, producer Niru Tripathi and Dr Kandel about the movie and what it means to make Australia “home”. - भुवन कँडेल उच्च अध्ययनका लागि सन् २००७ मा नेपालबाट रिजनल भिक्टोरियाको शहर गिप्सल्यान्ड आएका थिए। त्यति बेला त्यहाँ नेपाली भाषा बोल्ने मानिसहरू निकै कम रहेको उनी बताउँछन्। अहिले बाल रोग विशेषज्ञका रूपमा कार्यरत डा. कँडेल भन्छन् कि नेपाली समुदाय पनि विस्तार हुँदै जाँदा गिप्सल्यान्ड नै अब उनको घर बनेको छ। डा. कँडेलजस्तै रिजनल भिक्टोरियामा बसोबास गर्दै आएका विविध पृष्ठभूमिका आप्रवासीहरूको जीवनकथा समावेश गरिएको वृत्तचित्र ‘शेयर्ड टेबल: रिजनल हिरोज‘ हालै मेलबर्नमा प्रस्तुत गरिएको थियो। उक्त चलचित्रका साथसाथै अस्ट्रेलियामा नयाँ जीवन निर्माण गर्ने बाटोका बारेमा निर्देशक तथा सह-निर्माता नन्दिता चक्रवर्ती, निर्माता निरु त्रिपाठी र डा. कँडेलसँग एसबीएस नेपालीले गरेको कुराकानी सुन्नुहोस्।

In 2022 at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, Clay Stephens finished 11th in the all around final, 4th with the Australian men's gymnastics team snd qualified for two individual apparatus finals. Clay has battled against insurmountable adversity throughout his career which has resulted in him undergoing six surgeries. As a child he was diagnosed with Poland syndrome which for him means he was born with only one pectoral muscle. Early in his adult life Clay was diagnosed with bowel cancer which was removed following multiple incidents of server stomach pain. After embarking on his senior international career for Australia in men's artistic gymnastics in 2017 he suffered the first of three knee injuries that took him out of the sport for significant periods of time. During this time Clay was awakened a full sports scholarship at the University of Illinois and became the team captain of the men's college gymnastics team. All together he underwent five separate knee surgeries to reconstruct his ligaments on both legs but incredibly Clay was able to find the mental strength to return to elite competition. Most recently he travelled to Nepal to build a new classroom and spend time trekking in the Himalayas. And this is his story. 

Ojaswi Thapa, is a Nepalese entrepreneur and Gen Z activist who became a key communications strategist during the September 2025 Gen-Z protests. He managed social media messaging, promoted anti-corruption, non-violence, and youth empowerment, and emerged as a leading voice for Nepal's youth.

Send us a textWelcome back to Laundromat Resource! In this episode, your host Jordan Berry brings you the latest updates from the world of laundromats, packed with industry news, inspiring stories, and a dash of humor. This week, Jordan Berry covers trending topics like the latest on Alliance Laundry Holdings stock, the controversy around Speed Queen franchise openings, and exciting tech advancements from Wash, Dry, Fold POS designed to make life easier—and more secure—for laundromat owners.We also venture into creative laundromat concepts popping up around the country, from coffee bars to concert venues, and celebrate new openings—including the first-ever laundry lounge in Nepal. Plus, Jordan Berry highlights the charitable spirit in the industry and shares a moment of camaraderie with owners facing unexpected setbacks.Whether you're a seasoned owner, just getting into the game, or simply curious about the industry, this episode is brimming with insights, stories, and the community spirit that drives laundromats forward. Let's dive into all things laundromat, both in your neighborhood and around the globe!Show notes: https://www.laundromatresource.com/laundromat-news-December-19-2025/Don't miss out!Subscribe so you don't miss fresh episodes, exclusive stories, and all the links mentioned in today's show. Got some news to share about your laundromat? Hit reply, or send it in to news@laundromatresource.com – we love celebrating what you're up to!Connect With UsYouTubeInstagramFacebookLinkedInTwitterTikTok

In this episode, Joseph Graham sits down with Jenn Drummond, a trailblazing mountaineer who has redefined what it means to push past limits. From surviving a near-fatal car accident to becoming the first woman in history to complete the Seven Second Summits, Jenn's story is one of resilience, courage, and relentless pursuit of purpose.Listeners will hear how Jenn balances life as a mother of seven with her passion for adventure, entrepreneurship, and inspiring others to live fully and intentionally.2018 – Survived a devastating car accident that became the catalyst for living life with greater intention.2020 – Celebrated her 40th birthday by climbing Ama Dablam in Nepal. Inspired by her son and coach, she set her sights on the Seven Second Summits challenge.2021 – Summited Mount Kenya (Africa) and Gora Dykh-Tau (Europe). Climbed Everest to prepare for future peaks.2023 – Made history by completing the Seven Second Summits with Mount Logan (North America), becoming the first woman and second person ever to achieve this record.Ojos del Salado – South America (2020)Mount Kenya – Africa (2021)Gora Dykh-Tau – Europe (2021)Mount Tyree – Antarctica (2022)K2 – Asia (2022)Mount Townsend – Australia (2022)Mount Logan – North America (2023)Monte Rosa – Europe (2024)Sumantri – Indonesia (2024)Everest – Nepal (2021)Mount Vinson – Antarctica (2021)Kilimanjaro – Africa (2024)Puncak Jaya – Indonesia (2024)Aconcagua – South America (2025)Denali – North America (Attempting 2025)Mont Blanc – France/Italy (TBD)Mount Elbrus – Russia (TBD)Turning tragedy into transformationBalancing motherhood and mountaineeringThe mindset required to tackle world-record challengesLessons from the highest and most technical peaks on EarthRedefining what's possible at any stage of lifeLearn more about Jenn's adventures, speaking engagements, and upcoming projects:Website / Contact: Jenn DrummondThis episode is for anyone seeking inspiration to break through personal limits, embrace resilience, and live with intention. Jenn's story proves that with courage, discipline, and vision, even the tallest mountains—literal or metaphorical—can be conquered.

In this week's episode, I had a grounding conversation with Laura Montesanti about why travel can be a practice of healing rather than a form of escape. Laura shared how the silence of Covid helped her reconnect to purpose which led to creating Synergy The Retreat Show, a trade event designed to change how our industry does business by placing wellbeing, community and experiential practice at the center. We explored the idea of destination energy, the importance of designing retreats that truly regenerate people and places, and the small accessible practices such as breathwork, smiling and mindful time in nature that can make wellness feel normal and available to everyone. Laura's stories from trekking in Nepal to living in Montenegro show what becomes possible when place and human connection align. If you work in travel, hospitality or wellness or if you want a holiday that feels meaningful and restorative this conversation offers a powerful lens for rethinking travel.Inside this podcast:The origin story of Synergy and how the quiet of Covid revealed a new purpose. Why retreats can be tools for transformation rather than escape. How community and experiential design create deeper and longer lasting business relationships. Practical and accessible practices that support wellness such as breathwork and mindful time in nature. The role of regenerative travel and authentic local connection in healing both guests and hosts.Connect with Synergy & Laura:Instagram → https://bit.ly/4oZu51bLinkedIn  → https://bit.ly/4qsz3F1LinkedIn  → https://bit.ly/3KyJDLjConnect with Steve:Instagram → https://bit.ly/3KARQhRLinkedIn  → https://bit.ly/48sw8VjEpisode Highlights00:00 Meeting Laura Montesanti03:13 Defining the noise of life and how the silence of Covid revealed purpose04:19 Founding Synergy Retreat Show with a focus on community and healing the industry09:31 What makes Synergy Retreat Show unique with experiential sessions and structured meetings11:11 Why traditional trade shows drain people and how to do business more holistically15:13 Creating retreats that speak to men and shifting the narrative around male vulnerability17:10 Personal loss and the drive to support mental health within travel21:31 Destination energy and choosing locations that match inner needs26:21 Trekking to Kura Lake in Nepal and the power of community on the road37:16 Wellness as a life necessity and why schools should teach basic practices42:06 The power of smiling and simple rituals that support wellbeing43:39 A shift toward regenerative business and more purposeful travel54:06 Announcing Synergy's next location in northern Croatia with themes of nature, adventure and freedomABOUT THE PODCAST SHOWThe Noise of Life is a podcast that shares real stories, raw truths and remarkable growth. Hosted by Steve Hodgson a coach, facilitator, speaker, and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. This podcast dives deep into the “noise” we all face, the distractions, doubts and challenges that can pull us away from who we truly are.