Podcasts about one generation

A message from Pastor Donn Dirckx. Delivered on 9 August 2026 at Hope City Church.Song used: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-lo-fi-chillhop-beat-background-music-133473/

Aug. 6, 2026 ~ Lisa Walters, co-owner of Mootz Pizzeria & Bar, joins the show to discuss KPMG's newly released 2026 Global Family Business Report that explores how family businesses are navigating the next generation stepping in. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A stand alone sermon delivered 08/02/26.

Are you tired of feeling helpless about our growing global garbage crisis? Host Corinna Bellizzi sits down with Tom Szaky, the visionary founder and CEO of TerraCycle and Loop, to discuss why we must start Rethinking Waste. Szaky explains how his companies are transforming hard-to-recycle items, like cigarette butts and dirty diapers, into valuable resources. They unpack how the modern concept of disposability has failed us and why a circular economy is the target for sustainable social impact. You'll discover how the chess pieces of business and policy must align to drive scalable, real-world change. This eye-opening discussion will challenge you to reconsider everything you buy and throw away. COMPLETE BLOG & TRANSCRIPT: https://caremorebebetter.com/nature-has-no-concept-of-waste-tom-szaky-on-terracycle-loop-eliminating-disposability/ About Guest: Tom Szaky is founder and CEO of TerraCycle, a global leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams. TerraCycle operates in 20 countries, working with some of the world's largest brands, retailers and manufacturers to create national platforms to recycle products and packaging that otherwise go to landfill or incineration. It also created a new circular reuse platform called Loop that enables consumers to purchase products in reusable packaging. Tom and TerraCycle have received hundreds of awards and recognition from organizations including the United Nations, World Economic Forum, Fortune Magazine and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Tom is the author of four books, Revolution in a Bottle, Outsmart Waste, Make Garbage Great and The Future of Packaging. Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomszaky/ Guest Website: https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/ Additional Resources Mentioned: BOOK: Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation: https://amzn.to/4gwCXIE BOOK: Carbon: The Book of Life: https://amzn.to/4kQi9xL Time Stamps: 00:58 00:00 - Why True Change Starts With Natural Capitalism 05:10 02:45 - The Hidden Cost Of An Unsexy Utility 08:11 05:30 - Flipping The Economics Of Trash On Its Head 07:37 09:40 - Surviving The Scrutiny Of The System 13:18 13:15 - The Logistics Of Sorting The Unsortable 34:36 17:50 - Designing For Reuse In A Convenient World 52:16 23:20 - Democratizing Capital For A Cleaner Future BUILD A GREENER FUTURE with CARE MORE BE BETTER: Together, we planted 36,044 trees in 2025 through our partnership with ForestPlanet. We screamed past our goal of planting 20,000 trees thanks to subscribers like you! CAUSE PARTNER: If you value open dialogue, sustainability, and social equity, I invite you to support our new cause partner — Prescott College. To learn more about this effort and to support the show, visit: https://caremorebebetter.com/support/ Follow us on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“The people you're trying to lead may become your greatest teacher.” SUMMARY Matthew Ayers '99 believes leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about listening, learning and serving with joy. Hear how experiences at the U.S. Air Force Academy, on a U.N. peacekeeping mission and leading Dream Centers of Colorado Springs transformed his understanding of leadership. MATTHEW'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP LESSONS 1. Leadership Begins with Ordinary Acts Matthew's grandfather didn't set out to do extraordinary things—he simply noticed people, asked questions, and invited them in. Great leadership often begins with small acts of compassion that have lifelong impact. 2. Lead with Joy One of the defining characteristics of Matthew's grandfather was his joy. Even in difficult circumstances, he demonstrated that joy isn't the absence of hardship—it's a choice that gives others hope and the courage to move forward. 3. Stay Curious About People Matthew learned that leadership starts by genuinely wanting to know people and understand their stories. Curiosity builds trust, broadens perspective, and opens the door to meaningful relationships. 4. Integrity Is Lived, Not Signed His experience during a United Nations peacekeeping mission revealed that values aren't proven by an oath—they're revealed in everyday decisions. Leadership requires the courage to live your principles, even when circumstances become complicated. 5. Influence Doesn't Require Authority Serving alongside people outside his chain of command taught Matthew that leadership often happens through relationships rather than rank. Quiet, consistent influence can move an organization—and a mission—forward one conversation at a time. 6. Presence Is Sometimes the Greatest Gift Whether comforting cadets during tragedy or supporting people in crisis, Matthew discovered that leaders don't always need the perfect words. Simply showing up and being present can have a lasting impact. 7. Listen Before You Lead Matthew's work reinforced that the people closest to the problem often hold the clearest vision for the solution. Leaders who listen deeply make better decisions because they're willing to learn before they act. 8. Let Others Become Your Teachers One of the most powerful themes of the episode is that leadership is not about always being the teacher. Matthew believes the people we serve—and the people we lead—often become our greatest teachers if we're humble enough to learn from them. 9. Transformation Happens Through Action Leadership isn't mastered in a classroom alone. Matthew reminds us that principles become convictions only when we wrestle with them in real life, applying them through service, relationships, and everyday decisions. 10. Leave People Better Than You Found Them Looking back on his grandfather's influence, Matthew's own leadership philosophy comes into focus: serve others with humility, model joy, remain teachable, and help people flourish. The greatest legacy a leader leaves is the positive impact they have on the lives of others. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Opening: Sometimes the Greatest Teachers Aren't the Ones We Expect 00:00:53 – Meet Matthew Ayers, USAFA Class of 1999 00:01:38 – The Story That Changed Everything: Grandpa, Joy & Two Strangers 00:08:47 – Justice Begins at Home: Lessons Passed from One Generation to the Next 00:15:12 – Ethiopia: When Integrity Is Tested in the Real World 00:24:31 – The Difference Between Signing an Oath and Living It 00:31:26 – The Child Who Became the Teacher 00:39:08 – Why Great Leaders Never Stop Being Students 00:45:51 – Leading Through Joy, Compassion & Presence 00:52:37 – Leadership in Practice: Listening Before Leading 00:58:44 – Matthew's Leadership Philosophy 01:03:28 – Advice to His Younger Self 01:06:14 – Final Reflections: Leave People Better Than You Found Them   ABOUT MATTHEW BIO Matthew Ayers, USAFA Class of 1999, is the founder and CEO of Dream Centers, a Colorado Springs nonprofit dedicated to serving women, children, and families through comprehensive healthcare, behavioral health services, and transformational housing. Before founding Dream Centers in 2011, Matthew served as an Air Force officer, managed air and space programs, taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and deployed as an unarmed military observer with the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. A passionate student of leadership, theology, and community development, Matthew believes the most meaningful leadership begins with humility, service, and a willingness to learn from others. Through his work and volunteer service, he continues to champion innovative approaches that strengthen families, empower communities, and create lasting change. Matthew lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Amber, and their two children, Zeke and Halle Joy. CONNECT WITH MATTHEW LINKEDIN  |  DREAM CENTERS CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org Please note: we are only considering USAFA graduates as guests at this time. Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE AT USAFA.ORG/LONGBLUELEADERSHIP AND ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS   FULL TRANSCRIPT Guest: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Matthew Ayers '99  |  Host: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99 Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz 0:00 Sometimes the greatest leadership lesson isn't learning how to teach others; it's discovering that the people you're trying to lead may become your greatest teacher. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99 — Long Blue Leadership starts now. Well, welcome. Our guest today is Matthew Ayers, class of '99. Yes, my classmate. Welcome, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. Let me tell you about Matthew from his military service, where he served in international peacekeeping. Then he went into the classrooms of Fairchild Hall, onto leading an organization called Dream Centers, where he's the CEO, really focusing on a vulnerable set of our community. It's such a pleasure to have you here today, Matthew. Matthew Ayers 0:46 Love being here. Thank you, Naviere. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:48 Absolutely. Well, we're going to jump right in because your story is so unique and so personal. I'd like to take us back in time and talk about your grandfather. I know we had some time talking about him, but I think it's well worth that our listeners and our watchers get to know him a little bit more as well. Let's talk about your grandfather and maybe a particular act of courage. Matthew Ayers 1:09 OK, yeah, he's my hero, and I always continue to this day trying to live life like my grandpa. He just was so inspirational in the way he lived, and he's a very relational servant leader. He pastored most of his life in the Pacific Northwest, but his beginnings were in Wuhan, China, where he was born and raised, and moved to the U.S. when he was 15. Got on a back of a cargo ship, and he and his brother John made their way here. He built railroad with the CCC and flipped burgers, put himself through high school, college, seminary, and he's just got an amazing life. But when I got to know my grandpa as a little boy, he was smoking cigarettes like a chimney and in the local bowling league and playing cards with his neighbors. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:01 I can visualize this man. Yes. Yes. Matthew Ayers 2:06 He was just everybody's person, and he could hang out with anyone. No one was a stranger, and he was genuinely curious about everyone he met. And so he just modeled that with such joy. I just grew up thinking I want to be like my grandpa. He's an amazing guy, And so I've got unlimited stories about him, about someone that really has left a mark on my life, and I was 11 years old, and we were pretty new, about a year or so into living in central Washington State. And he came to guest preach at a local church there, and when he came to visit, of course, we would always go to a local Chinese restaurant.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:53 And did he say it wasn't as good as when he grew up, though? Matthew Ayers 2:57 It was not nearly as good, but he still enjoyed it. He still would enjoy it wherever he went. And so he disappeared like usual, and we just knew he was back in the kitchen, probably washing dishes, hamming it up with the staff. And soon he comes back out, introducing us to staff, and we have all this free food, and he's best friends with this couple. So we were just this was like a normal experience with Grandpa, but on this particular visit, he had some pretty serious conversations after that with my parents, and he had found out that several of the staff were labor trafficked. They were new immigrants from China, and the next day, he brought me along as a little boy, we go down in our little town into a bag alley, knock on the door of a warehouse, no running water, no electricity, no amenities, dirt floor, and I see the rats running around. I'm like, "What are we doing here?” And we get to sit down with these people who are serving at this restaurant and can't speak English and do not know any way to navigate their situation. And he challenged us as a family. Well, he might have just volunteered us, but it was going to happen one way or another, that this couple ended up moving in with us, and we got to be like family with them, and had the most incredible experiences cross culturally just in our own home, and that was my first, maybe you know, shocking example of just the vulnerability of people in every community. It happens everywhere, but what was even more powerful to me about that, and what stays with me, is just how simple it really was looking back, where he just asked the question, and it seemed like such an ordinary, easy thing that that he made it out to be. And looking back, I'm like, well, that that's not easy for most people, but really, it is an ordinary thing that anyone can do. Naviere Walkewicz 5:07 Ask a question and bring someone in, right? Matthew Ayers 5:10 That's it. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 3:46 I'm thinking about you as an 11-year-old, and you said it was kind of your first real glimpse of that experience. How did that shape you as you grew up? Because they were with you, right? And so, first off, did you did you learn to speak Chinese? Matthew Ayers 5:27 No, I learned a few phrases. I should have though. I remember even the simple things like these cross-cultural miscommunications we had about ruining laundry and just doing things so differently that made us sometimes laugh and sometimes have some pretty tense moments. But it was it was all of us learning together. How do we do this? And I think one of my favorite memories was one of these people — they were they just had this incredible ability to do this unique art form of laying small colored thread, and would take months and hundreds of hours per piece of art, and just the beauty of getting to introduce into this art of her culture that was in particular from this region she was from. So we just, I mean, we had so many rich experiences like that. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 6:29 I can imagine. So taking a leap forward, what was part of your journey that led you to the Academy? And when you went to the Air Force Academy, was your goal in mind to think about how to either participate or engage in things cross culturally, or was that just part of your upbringing and your makeup? Matthew Ayers 6:50 Yeah, I thought you might ask me this, and I have nothing here. Honestly, I saw pictures of the Rocky Mountains. I love the beauty of Colorado. It just seemed magical to me, coming from this little town in central Washington, and I wanted to snowboard, so it came with some, you know, really good university education. It was a win-win. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 7:13 Yes. So getting into the Academy, you know, obviously drawn by the aesthetics. What about the service in the military do you think really called you? And would you say that started, you know, with your grandfather, or was that something else you saw throughout just your childhood? Matthew Ayers 7:29 My mom and dad modeled it well, of course. My dad found an amazing and safe place in my mom's home, where she grew up in Wenatchee, Washington, and so they really had this model of my grandpa and grandpa Paul and Lydia serving continually, and they modeled that in our home, in our community, in our neighborhood. I mean, from as young as I can remember, my dad was leading leadership camps for high school students in Washington State and doing incredible things to serve. And servant leadership, which is always kind of a part of the conversation. So it was like the water that we got to swim in. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 8:09 It seems so when you talk about your grandpa and your parents, it feels very warm and comforting and secure. And when I think about our time at USAFA, Matthew, it was — you know while it was, you know, in this ecosystem, and yes, you know, we were growing as leaders, I would say there was chaos around us, you know? How did you navigate that with such a different kind of upbringing, and by what you saw in leadership. Matthew Ayers 8:37 Yep. That is, I think, really insightful, and it's probably — it could be the most powerful part of my growing up, my formation in my family. Because my grandpa, when he did these hard things that were ordinary, but you naturally create friction in these situations where you're serving and helping and bringing cross cultures together and bringing people in need, including us. We needed to be educated in that situation, understanding what was happening in our own community and understanding how to serve. And you don't — there wasn't a formula for that, and we didn't have a lot of coaching or training. Grandpa just pulled us in, and so we learned through doing this kind of life together. And I think that that was the power of it: is that he did it with such joy. So you describe it as this warmth, and absolutely it was. And so having that mindset, I think, built this resilience in us to have joy no matter what the situation was, and to hold those things intentionally. You know, sometimes things are really difficult and sad and sorrowful, but to still be able to carry joy into those situations, you're really able to have that impact on somebody who may need that. So even coming to the Academy and experiencing that, especially the chaos of the first year, it felt like a little bit of a challenge. Like, how do we have joy through this? Col. Naviere Walkewicz 10:05 Well, I think I would have loved to be in your squadron because it sounds like you would have brought some joy to us for sure. Let's talk about after the Academy. There was a particular time while you were serving, you went on to work in — I think it was 2005 — you were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission. Can you talk about some of that experience and how it maybe shaped you? Because I think it was a really transformational moment as well in your leadership journey. Matthew Ayers 10:33 It was. It was. I was in the acquisition career field, and so I didn't have much opportunity to go overseas, but although I really wanted to. So this was one of those few things that I could thankfully got some approval from our commander and got to apply for this mission. And in that, I had this experience of coming out of Asmara, Eritrea, and heading down to our team site, which was pretty remote near the border, just south of Eritrea, and in this very small village in a war-torn area, it was completely austere, and you basically, as military observers, you have a team site you run and you kind of manage this area that you observe with daily patrols. And so I got to be in a team site with people from Ghana and South Africa and Bangladesh, and you name it. I mean, we always had new members coming in and out from one of these 41 nations that were there. And when I arrived at the team site the first day, Adahanit was our team cleaner, and so she was hired by the local staff on our team site. And when she literally ran to me, she saw my uniform and the American flag, and she dropped to her knees and just started weeping. And she was telling me how grateful she was that an American was at her team site now, because Americans had treated her and some of her family and friends and people who were living in this village with a little more respect than they were used to, and that was my introduction to this mission, to this team site, and I just thought, “Wow, what did I step into?” Because there are obviously a lot of really interesting dynamics that I didn't necessarily expect that kind of welcome coming in. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 12:27 We take for granted what seems so normal and usual and expected, right? And so to actually see how what we're expecting can really make a difference to somebody else is really powerful. What was some of that experience like there? Can you talk a little bit more about that mission and really why it, besides that incredible greeting, why it really spoke to you? Matthew Ayers 12:52 What I came to learn over the next six months living in Shiraru was that, you know, we all of us on the mission we had this MOU, kind of a moral obligation that we signed. We had this oath that we gave and communicated. We had a lot of training, extensive training in country, and then when we arrived overseas, and it was so — I think coming from this side, we had these just very clear expectations, and I think also kind of some of the culture that we swim in is filled with moral obligations. Even just our values at the Academy, where we where we were trained, and but it's such a part of American culture. And so what I realized is that although all the soldiers from every nation get to sign this thing and take this oath, it's not necessarily something that was part of the conversations in families growing up, or a part of the water that they swam in. So our day-to-day life there was filled with this tension between what we agreed to do and what was actually happening on the ground, and those things were completely different. So we saw — I mean, I saw two nations get kicked out and dismissed from the mission for starting trafficking rings. I saw two members of our own team site, they ended up running the black market cash exchange for the entire nation of Ethiopia while I was on site. And some of these things I really struggled with. Tried to work with people to help them understand what we were doing is not helpful to locals, and even to the point of bringing some of these things up legally with some of the team at headquarters. But when they're dealing with international trafficking rings, some of those smaller things that were happening at our team site, they just — they didn't even have capacity to deal with. And so that's also tension was like, OK, we have to learn to deal with this on a one-on-one basis in our team site in the middle of several hours' drive away from anyone who has any authority over the space. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 15:06 Wow! So, how did you learn from that? What did — what changed in you, or what evolved in you? How do you grow as a leader from that? Because that's really powerful when you have a mission, and then you have these competing things happening that sometimes challenge values. Matthew Ayers 15:25 It made life so much more complicated for me. I think I went in —   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 15:28 Like, “If my grandpa was here, he simplified things really well.”    Matthew Ayers 15:33 Right. Exactly. Where is this simple answer? There really wasn't. And I remember sitting in several meetings, both formal and informal, with some of the JAGs, some of the legal team there, and just trying to untangle some of these issues and understand what would be worth our time to bring up, even to the highest levels, even if we had to go to Congress. What are some of the things that we need eyeballs here and influence here so that we can change some what's going on ground? It's really negatively impacting people's lives, and some of the things that we had to wrestle with were these larger moral questions of if we do this and we potentially raise these other issues at this particular level, we can end the mission. And we're trying to keep these two nations from destroying each other. So please don't go to this level. Work with us. We're going to work with you. We're going to give you advice, but you need to deal with this one on one with these people that you're working with and serving with, and they may not be from your country and they may not be in your chain of command, but you have at least some level of influence with them. So we need you to be courageous and we need you to have these conversations on a daily basis and help us. So those, that was powerful to me because it wasn't, you know — I at first I felt disempowered and like I don't know what I could do in this position, but over time I think little by little, you know, you can you can move the ball down the field if you stay focused -and you kind of understand the situation you're working within. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 17:11 I'm so glad you shared that because often we might think, “Well, I'm just an acquisitions officer” or “I'm just this and this is not my lane” or “This is not my role.” But I think to your point is we can all be leaders and if we stay focused and we know what we need to be doing, moving the ball down the field is still very much progress. And so thank you for sharing that. I think that was really powerful. You know, you've had so many incredible experiences. I'm curious. So, acquisitions officer, you went and did this UN mission, and somehow you ended back in the hallways of Fairchild Hall teaching cadets. Let's talk about that transition and maybe what leadership looked like after you had some of this real-world and mission experience, operational experience. How did that translate to leading cadets in the way they think, etc. Matthew Ayers 18:03 The mission, you know, sharing knowledge, sharing wisdom, sharing the things that we know we're learning in Management 101. I mean, that's important, right? Col. Naviere Walkewicz 18:13 Yeah. Matthew Ayers 18:13 But what I realized in that role too is just, and I realized this going back to our time. You know, as '99ers…   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 18:24 Gold will shine.   Matthew Ayers 18:25 …and just people who had so much influence on us. That's my always dreamed to come back. That was a dream job for me. I wanted to be back here on campus and influencing kids' lives because I think you are for the first time in your life for most of us. Then you're away from home, and you get to like have your family, your brothers, your sisters, your parents, your grandparents. You can lean on in those situations at home to help you carry that leadership. But this is the first time you get to try it out on your own. And I wanted to get to know people relationally first and build trust so that I could earn a right as little as it was to speak into anyone's life, and maybe learn from them too, because we're all coming from different backgrounds where we can learn from each other. So that environment was incredible to me because it's just so much more than sharing knowledge, right? You know you're transforming. You're part of that transformative process of a person being formed when they're standing on their own values for the first time. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 19:34 Matthew, can you share an example of maybe when you saw that come to life with a cadet and an interaction with you? Was there a time in that that when you were facilitating or when you were an instructor that you actually saw some of those seeds be received and how it actually bloomed? Matthew Ayers 19:52 My very first night on duty, I was officer on duty at night, and you know you do this. Everyone pitches in and has that role at some point or another when they're on faculty here, and there was a suicide, and I remember getting to interact in the moment as the news is, you know, in a grassroots way, very quickly moving through the Cadet Wing. And in the middle of the night, just walking the hallways and seeing kids, and just getting to put my hand on my shoulder and ask if they need to talk, can I pray? Can I support you? And hearing their stories and what they knew, and so life happens, right? No matter what position you're in, no matter where you are, and you get to show up for people where you don't, or you get scared. And I think some of those things, you know, being in Eritrea in the middle of night with people, and that I think you build a little more resilience there too when you're in some interesting situations. And it helps you step into somebody else's space and just be present and I — those are sacred memories for me and those opportunities just to be present. Didn't do anything really but just be there. And I think I'll cherish that always. And I just encourage us. You know, it again — these things seem like so challenging sometimes when you're in a, when the stakes are high and the emotions are high, but those are the most important times to stand in and be present. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 21:42 I feel this tie from your grandpa to you. This ordinary act. I will tell you, the cadets that you spent time with when you were walking the halls that evening, and you put your hand on their shoulder, or you said, "Do you need to talk?” They will take that with them, and there's a good chance that when the moment calls for that from them, they're ready because they saw it in action and they felt the importance of that. Man, thank you for sharing that incredible story. I have to think that that probably played into your decision to jump into the nonprofit space and lead something incredible like you've been doing for the past 10+ years. Matthew Ayers 22:20 If I'm honest, I was a little bit upset leaving the Air Force. I loved that job. I loved what I was doing, but of course, I did have the seed that my grandpa planted, and really, it went back to that first experience that day when he introduced us to the staff at this restaurant. And I thought, I remember making a commitment back then to say, I want to be like my grandpa, and I want to do something. I think with my life, just to interact with vulnerable people and serve them. And so that came true. I got to start some work in the nonprofit world when I got out of the Air Force, and then it led into this opportunity. And I think just casting that vision in that early season of getting out and just sharing this bigger idea of like, OK, we what does the city need? We love Colorado Springs. There's a lot of great nonprofits, and we don't want to duplicate anything. So what do we really need? And that's when I got to go on this journey of just listening to leaders all over our city and discovering what some of those things could be. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 23:29 I love that powerful listening tour. Before we jump into that, I want to just in that piece of time in which you made that transition, I'm curious on how you knew it was time. Because I think many leaders, you know, when they're in different roles, they're looking for the when is the right time for what's next, or and who do you talk to in your corner? What was that transition, and maybe that network around you or your community around you, what did that look like in navigating that decision? Matthew Ayers 1:57 So, Naviere, my life is like one example after another of I have plans in my mind, in my heart, and then they get redirected. And there's a proverb about that that says, you know, people make plans in their heart, and the Lord directs their steps. So this was another clear example of that, of me taking a while to learn what really should be the next step. And I remember the voluntary separation program, that VSP came open, that opportunity. And this is strange. So if anyone's been around the Academy or taught there, you know this. If you haven't, it is rare to have people just come by your office and small talk for a while, right? You're with cadets in your open office hours, or you're teaching, or you're preparing for something. So we're running. We're always running around. And 15 people, several of them — I couldn't have even told you their last name. I was just an acquaintance with them — stopped by my office in my open hours during the day, one after the other, asking the exact same thing: “Are you going to apply for this VSP?” Col. Naviere Walkewicz 25:12 Did you make — I mean, I can't even. That's just kind of blows my mind, right? I'm just I'm putting myself in your shoes in that moment. Yes, please continue. Matthew Ayers 25:22 Yeah. So if Anthony Pedroni is listening, he was the last one, and Tony comes in at like 7 that night in my office and asks the same exact question. We're friends. We work together in the management department. And he said, "Are you going to apply for this VSP?” I said, "No, man, I love my job. I love what I'm doing. Why would I want to leave here?” And he said, "Oh, Mr. Sensitive,” and he walked away. And when he said that, I was convicted. I had not even stopped to pray for a second. Like, is this the right thing to do? And I just knew it was, and I didn't know why. So, I, as an Enneagram 9, I try to lead with my gut instinct. That always just naturally leads first, and I just knew I needed. So I applied that night. I was one of 20 that got it. I got a call the next day, and I was out in 30 days. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 26:11 Oh my goodness. So really, it was this group around you, and then some self-reflection and prayer, and you made that decision. There was really not a lot of talk at all, it sounds like. Matthew Ayers 26:23 There was zero planning. So yeah, but I knew it was right, and I knew if — you know, I just think taking steps of faith, sometimes we need to be redirected. And looking back on my life now, I cannot imagine not doing this nonprofit work early. In my mind, the timing was retire first, be stable, make a good decision, get your retirement, then launch this nonprofit. But that's not that wasn't the best way forward. And so I would just say that for others too, where I had to be redirected, and it was so helpful for me. And that if you know you're holding on to a dream, sometimes it's good to be stable and make that, you know, what might look like a more traditional decision, and sometimes it's not. And to have the courage to be able to at least ask that question. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:15 I love that. So you jumped, and you have now led Dream Centers. Let's talk about this a little bit because I think many people may not know what Dream Centers of Colorado Springs is and the mission. Matthew Ayers 27:30 There's a movement across the world. There's several hundred Dream Centers, and the basic thing that ties it all together is that we share this vision that we would find a real need in a city wherever we're located that's unduplicated, and we go meet that need. So we're not the same organization as any one other of these hundreds of Dream Centers. But I got to go on that listening tour for about six months and learn as much as I could from people here before we decided what we wanted to land on. That would really be something unique and unduplicated that we could offer the city. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 28:09 Do you feel that this is another way that you continued to put on a uniform outside of the uniform, right? So this is a new way of service. Do you think that that was part of not only it was a need that you decided this is the one we're going to do and it's unduplicated, but it actually spoke to you because of your servant leadership background? Matthew Ayers 28:29 Maybe. I think honestly, going back to those roots, my parents, my grandpa. I mean, I think of my wrestling coach in high school and English teacher. They served so well, and they did it with joy. I think just to me, it was a more inspiring way to live, and so I didn't think about it like that, and I don't think about it like that. Although that's absolutely important and valuable, but I think as I as I experience the joy of learning from our clients right now and our staff, and just how rewarding the mission is, yeah, absolutely. It's about serving our community, but it is so joyous. It's — I get so much more out of it that it's like it really is a way of life that that is just incredible. I love getting up in the morning. I love what I get to do. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 29:19 So you are learning from the people you serve. You just — you were just talking about the joy that it brings you. What has changed in you? And I think about it — you know, this is Long Blue Leadership. So from a leadership capacity, because you're leading a team of professionals that's making this joy possible, but curious how it's also really, like, you know, changed you? Matthew Ayers 29:40 Man, I think I've changed every day. There's — you know, I have not had a lot of extreme or challenging situations I've dealt with in life, but I've had like a front row seat to that, and I think that I don't understand what it's like to live in a car, or to live on the street, or to experience domestic violence, or to be without food, and people are in those situations in our city every day, and they have so much to tell us about what's going on with our city, what's working, what's not. How can we improve it? How can we improve it down to the level of interactions, from phone calls and intake and how we're welcomed into a front office, to what actually is going to move the ball and make an impact in their life, and I think those are the things that we know are like adding to the quality of community, and it transfers intergenerationally in our city. So if we don't stop to learn about those things, it we're all going to be affected by that, and we're all going to be life will just not be as rewarding because it is so rewarding to be in the middle of those conversations and experiences. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 31:17 So I'm thinking about it in parallel as leaders. To your point, are you know they have colleagues or teammates that are experiencing things that they haven't. How do you navigate those conversations? How do you actually get to a place where maybe you are driving impact or making it a difference? I'm curious if you could share some of that, maybe some for those who are looking for that leadership as well. Matthew Ayers 31:41 We're always trying to do things with excellence. We're always tweaking what we're doing, and we're trying to just be steady and show up every day and learn what we can. And so I think when we have some big changes we need to make or a program we need to implement, first it needs to come from the people we're learning from, right? And it's not dreamed up without partnership there, and I think it needs to be confirmed by them as well. And so I mean, this again-it's the story of my life. But for several years at one of our programs at Mary's Home, the families we get to be with and serve and learn from were telling me about, you know, “The way that you're setting up this high-challenge, high-support program, and what we're able to accomplish here, and how we're surrounded with love and services and challenge. It is so good. Why aren't you doing that with our children? Why are you not offering the same thing for them?” And we — this was a theme, and I got to hear it over and over and over again. And they probably felt like they were being a broken record, but it was so important that they kept — they felt they had that important message to share. And it took me years of hearing that and then validating it with other people in the community, other people who had come through the program, our graduates, who had been years, you know, after launching for Mary's home, validating it, and I think that whole process was something where, for me, it felt like at least scales had to fall from my eyes. I had to really wake up to the reality of what this is because at first I was thinking there's other organizations that do this, and they continued just faithfully week after week, month after month, to have this conversation and say, “No, you — OK, so you don't really understand, Matthew, what we're talking about, so let's back up.” It was conversations like that. Like, “Let me tell you about my experience here with my children.” “Let me tell you about my experience over here at this service and why it's not working.” And so I think those, you know — it's being in touch with your customer. It's being in touch with your client. It's really — we have to be changed first if we're going to really offer something that's truly transformational. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 34:03 I love how you said you can drive change and it really make an intergenerational difference. I'm curious how your work has changed the lives of your family because I know you know you're married and you have two beautiful children. What does this legacy look like in your household? Matthew Ayers 34:22 Yeah, well I hope that I can you know at least try to live up to my grandpa's way of being. And so like when we're around work, that our kids it feels like a normal thing to do, just to be in service and to be engaged, to be in touch with what's going on in our community, and that it feels normal to come to work and have that warmth and have that encouragement and see models of people just doing normal things that we may if we don't have those models otherwise they seem maybe difficult for a little distant from us. And sometimes they're actually closer than we realize and we just keep them distant because it reminds us of just how maybe vulnerable we are sometimes, or maybe a memory like going back to our childhood that could be implicit. You know, before we're even four, and we remember it with our mind. Our body is remembering it with our emotions, and we're and so we get scared sometimes, and we don't even know why to engage with some big challenges in our city. And that's what I think. Yeah, the day-to-day stuff I want to model for Zeke and Halle Joy are just — you know, this is this is actually super rewarding, and it's one of the best things in the world you can do. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 35:40 So, Matthew, if we can go back in time, and you could talk to your 11-year-old self, what might you tell him today? Matthew Ayers 35:46 I think knowing what I know now and seeing what's possible, what transformation, what kinds of things, and just that we've been able to do with our partners in the city, through Dream Centers, going back to that, all that may seem really daunting and just incredibly tough to imagine or even think about as 11-year-old. But I think I would keep just want to model it for him, you know, just like my grandpa did, and make it make it easy, make it like this is — anyone can do this. Take that next faithful step, that everyone has something that they can do to show just a little bit of genuine curiosity in whoever they're with, that we always have something to learn, and if you can model that with joy, I just think it can be captured so much easier. If you model it in any other way, I don't know that it becomes something that you want to emulate. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 36:45 I love that. And speaking of joy, I have a feeling I know where you might go with this answer, but let's see if you surprise us. You know, what is something you're doing every day to be better, either as a leader, you know, in your in your life? What are you doing every day to be better? Matthew Ayers 37:05 I'll say it's something that I try to do every day. So even this week is a great example. Like, the last couple weeks, I've had conversations with staff where they felt courageous enough to give me feedback, and I got to listen, and I get to learn from them, and they're my greatest teachers. “So, this is how I felt in that situation, Matthew, and this is how I didn't feel seen or heard.” And let me just tell you how that impacted me, and those conversations are, you know, although I wish I could say they're far and few between, they're probably more regular. But I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful that we have a team that really trusts each other, and where we can just be honest and reflect and call each other to this higher place. And my team does that for me. So if I could do one thing, I don't always do it, but if I could do one thing really well, it'd be to keep learning from them. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 38:03 Oh, that's fantastic. May I ask how you accept that feedback? Because, you know, being open to hearing it is one thing, but accepting it, I think, is another. Can you talk about how you do that? Matthew Ayers 38:18 Yeah. Well, I think people are complicated, and all of us, right? We're like this incredible mishmash. You have, like, unlimited layers of variables going on an x-axis and a y-axis, and for some reason, on one day, one person will hit that one button that really affects us more deeply than another. And I see that, you know, with me, I see that with our team. And so, even one staff member will give me feedback that's in this direction, and another and receives it completely differently. So, what I think it does for me is I want to hold all those things as equally valid and say how can I sharpen what I'm doing even more so? Like that thing really landed for somebody and it really hurt somebody else. So how can I adjust? How can I learn from that so that I am presenting, I'm showing up to work my best self in a way that's able to speak to everyone. You can't always do that. You're never going to hit on the head, and that's why we need grace for everyone. We need a little patience. But I think we can always learn too, and we can always sharpen the skills. And I'm so grateful that we can, and that EQ is just one of those things that we can constantly work on. So, yeah. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 39:36 I love that. Well, what is something that we didn't cover today that you feel is really important for our viewers and listeners to hear from you? Matthew Ayers 039:46 You keep doing what you're doing because you're bringing a message that is really — it's not complicated at all, but there's so many layers to this leadership journey, and I think people need examples of that. We don't learn — I think what I know that whether it was just in my work here at the Academy, or the work with the nonprofit, or just growing up in Ellensburg, Washington, learn as much in the classroom, and so we have to wrestle with these ideas. That's important, and these ideas we'll hear today are really important. But we need to the community we live in, the family we're a part of, our work, and we need to apply these things. And that's where we really learn. And I don't think leadership can ever be learned just from talking about it, right?   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 40:43 That's right.   Matthew Ayers 40:43 So we have to be able to apply these ideas constantly and wrestle with them, and talk about them, and keep them front and center. So thank you for doing that. And I know we're going to keep trying to do that within Dream Centers and make it real instead of just theoretical. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 41:00 Well, Matthew, this conversation has been really incredible in many ways. I think some of the things that really stuck with me in this conversation, one, I just really appreciated getting to know your grandpa through you. I mean, he's someone that I also hope that I can emulate in just his finding ordinary ways to make big impact. And I think you're doing that every day in your job, and that's helping to inspire others as well. I really appreciated our conversation how you really have become a student of learning leadership through the through the actions that others have gone through, right? So maybe not living them yourself, but being there in the moment, learning from them. And so I appreciated how you really talk about leadership through learning. And so I think that really came through and folds in our conversation today. And last, I want to end with this because, as I sit here and I smile at you, it's because you bring joy, and I think it's really important that we find joy in the moments, even when they're difficult. If we can continue to like hold onto that thread of joy, life is sure a lot more fun and meaningful, and we bring others along with us in that in that capacity. Matthew Ayers 42:04 Thank you, Naviere. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 42:05 For all of you that are watching this and listening, thank you for joining us on Long Blue Leadership. If you know someone who's on their leadership journey, they really should check out this conversation and all of our others at longblueleadership.org. Many of our graduates have different paths that they want on leadership, and just like Matthew, they have so many wonderful lessons you can pose in them. So until next time, I'm Naviere Walkowicz, Class of '99. We'll see you on Long Blue Leadership. KEYWORDS Primary: Servant leadership, leadership through learning, influence, humility, curiosity, transformation. Secondary: Mentorship, moral courage, resilience, trust, active listening, empathy, community, values-based leadership, feedback, purpose. Supporting: Emotional intelligence, authenticity, growth mindset, stewardship, compassion, vulnerability, presence, integrity, service, relational leadership. The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation    

Send us Fan MailWe're always just one generation away from forgetting God. And wives are no different.In this episode, we'll explore how God's people went from readying for war against their brothers across the Jordan to forgetting about what He had done for them in just ONE generation. Discover how this impacts marriage and also future generations.  Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."First step? Grab the 30 Day Guide: War Room RESET: daily action to regulate, realign, and reconnect. 

In 2003, Florida harvested 242 million boxes of oranges. This season, they're expecting 12 million.That's a 95 percent drop in just over 20 years—in a single generation.Something's very wrong with Florida's orange industry, and that something came here from China.Citrus farmers all over the Sunshine State are seeing the destruction of their family farms and their livelihoods. Some are fighting back—but the challenges they face make the effort a true uphill battle.Let's go through it all together.

One Generation to the Next:  A Homecoming Message on Psalm 145 The post Morning Worship 7-12-26 – One Generation to the Next appeared first on Tunnel Hill Baptist Church.

This message was delivered during our USA250 Celebration Sunday service under the tent on July 5, 2026. The text being expounded is Psalm 145.   To learn more about Tabernacle or access more resources, visit https://www.tabernaclebaptistchurch.com/. 

What one generation neglects the next generation forgets | Pastor Carlos

Raising Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Psalm 78:1-8

Raising Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Psalm 78:1-8

Raising Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Psalm 78:1-8

Raising Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Psalm 78:1-8

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McKenzie McMillan is a travel advisor with The Travel Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marriage and family are the bedrock of society, so when they suffer, everything suffers with them. Today, we are delighted to have back a crowd-favorite: Dr Scott Hahn. We discuss the difference between covenant and contract, what proper Biblical submission and leadership look like, and how God's love is demonstrated through Biblical marriage. St Paul Center Website: https://stpaulcenter.com/Dr Scott Hahn's books (Amazon): https://amzn.to/4dU6c7ONEW: Check out our Merch store! https://shop.lilaroseshow.com/Join our new Patreon community! https://patreon.com/lilaroseshow - We'll have BTS footage, ad-free episodes, and early access to our upcoming guests.A big thanks to our partner, EWTN, the world's leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/ Check out our Sponsors:-EveryLife Women: https://www.everylife.com/lila Buy diapers and women's health products from an amazing company and use code LILA10 to get 10% off!-Seven Weeks Coffee: https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com Buy your pro-life coffee and Save up to 25% with promo code 'LILA' & get a free gift: http://www.sevenweekscoffee.com-Presidio Healthcare: Healthcare and doctors who share your values. Visit: https://www.presidiocare.com/lila -We Heart Nutrition: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/ Get high quality vitamin supplements for 20% off using the code LILA.

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What does it look like to build a church that impacts future generations? In this powerful message from Pastor Robey Barnes at City Rev Church, the vision behind One Generation comes to life through Psalm 48, reminding us that we are called to carry the presence of God into our city as “living stones.” From celebrating the largest family dedication in City Rev history to sharing updates on the future of our church—including the Miami Springs campus, digital discipleship, and the vision for generations to come—this message is both deeply theological and highly practical. As the church moves forward together, Pastor Robey challenges us to fully surrender to Jesus, become doers of the Word, and invest our lives in what God is building across South Florida.

Charge | Blessed To Be A Blessing | Pastor Michael Kennedy

In this episode of Pray the Word on Deuteronomy 11:2, David Platt reminds us to pass God's Word on to our children.Explore more content from Radical.

Can supporting families locally eradicate poverty globally in one generation? Examine the bold vision behind the Family Matters Mega Summit 2026, featuring global experts, youth leaders, and actionable strategies for building resilience and breaking cycles of poverty. Foundation For Optimal Beginnings City: Fort Lauderdale Address: 1994 East Sunrise Boulevard Website: https://www.rolemodelmaker.com/international/

In this powerful episode, we explore how one act of kindness can create a lasting generational impact. Dr. Robin reflects on her childhood experience of being welcomed into the Pfingstens' home, a moment that shaped her understanding of compassion, service, and community.  Through a meaningful conversation across three generations, this episode highlights the importance of mentorship, chosen family, and the role of support systems in personal growth and healing. Together, they discuss faith, resilience, boundaries, and the responsibility we each carry to pour into others.  This episode is a reminder that small, intentional acts of care can influence not only one life, but generations to come.   Key Takeaways:   Small acts of support can create ripple effects that influence generations.  Healing is a personal journey, but community and connection make growth possible.  Faith and trusted relationships provide strength during life's most difficult seasons.  Setting healthy boundaries allows compassion without losing yourself in others' struggles.  The choices you make today can redefine your future, regardless of your past.   We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  Support the Mission | Annual April Fundraiser  Each April, we celebrate Dr. Robin's birthday by giving back. Our annual fundraiser supports the mission of Small Changes Big Shifts, helping us bring whole-person wellness education and resources into communities that need it most.  Our current Shift Experience Scholarship application is open, offering individuals ages 18–30 access to life-changing wellness resources and support. If you or someone you know is ready for the next step in your wellbeing journey but unsure where to begin, we invite you to apply today and join our community.   If this episode inspired you, we invite you to be part of the ripple effect. Your donation helps us expand our reach, empower individuals, and create lasting generational impact through wellness education.  Donate here: https://smallchangesbigshifts.growthzoneapp.com/ap/contribute/VLz1lJPn    Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. 

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. — Psalm 145:4 In this month's devotions we have been looking back on what the Lord—the faithful God—has done. We are also approaching Holy Week, when we remember the finished work of Jesus Christ. He died to save us from sin and to give us new life with God forever. Psalm 145 can help us gain perspective in all this.As I write these devotions, the seminary I serve has been preparing to mark its 150th anniversary of training Christian pastors and teachers. Throughout those years this school has held to the vision and mission of proclaiming the lordship of Christ over all creation.While working on plans for this celebration, I have looked through lots of old pictures. In many old photos are the faces of people who had no idea what God would do through them so many years ago, but they had hopes. They hoped that the God who had carried them so far would continue to carry the next generation, and so on. I am a witness to God's faithfulness through the generations, and, like those who served before me, I am called to commend God's works to the generations that follow. (The anniversary service will be livestreamed tomorrow, on Palm Sunday evening, and we will recall the Lord's works and commend them to the next generation.)What pictures of faith do you carry with you? Remember. Tell. Give praise to our faithful God! Dear God, may we join the chorus of praise from one generation to the next. You are indeed faithful to all your promises and loving toward all you have made. Amen.

This week at Skybreak Church, we continue our ONE MORE series with a powerful message about faith, legacy, and the responsibility every generation carries. In Hebrews 12, we're reminded that following Jesus isn't a sprint, it's a race of endurance, and each generation has a role in passing faith forward. Throughout history, God has moved through generations during moments of spiritual awakening and revival. What does that mean for today? And what happens if we fail to pass the baton? If you've ever wondered how your faith impacts the future, this message will challenge and encourage you to live with purpose. — Join us Sundays at 9AM or 11AM!  We'll be gathering for Good Friday at 7PM, and Easter Sunday at 9AM & 11AM - make plans to join us for a message of hope and something for your entire family. Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more messages on faith, discipleship, and following Jesus in everyday life. — If you accepted Christ we'd love to meet you! Click the link below to introduce yourself so we can help you along your faith journey! Click Here!

This week at Skybreak Church, we continue our ONE MORE series with a powerful message about faith, legacy, and the responsibility every generation carries. In Hebrews 12, we're reminded that following Jesus isn't a sprint, it's a race of endurance, and each generation has a role in passing faith forward. Throughout history, God has moved through generations during moments of spiritual awakening and revival. What does that mean for today? And what happens if we fail to pass the baton? If you've ever wondered how your faith impacts the future, this message will challenge and encourage you to live with purpose. — Join us Sundays at 9AM or 11AM!  We'll be gathering for Good Friday at 7PM, and Easter Sunday at 9AM & 11AM - make plans to join us for a message of hope and something for your entire family. Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more messages on faith, discipleship, and following Jesus in everyday life. — If you accepted Christ we'd love to meet you! Click the link below to introduce yourself so we can help you along your faith journey! Click Here!

In this solo episode of Business, Finance & Soul, Shaun reflects on the role traditions play in shaping cultures, communities, and personal values. After relocating from the West Coast to Massachusetts—where towns date back to the 1600s—Shaun began noticing something powerful: traditions create continuity between generations. They pass down not just rituals and holidays, but ways of thinking, problem solving, and understanding the world. But there's a fragile truth about traditions: We are only one generation away from forgetting them entirely. When traditions disappear, societies often begin reinventing life from scratch. Sometimes this leads to progress—but sometimes it leads to repeating mistakes that previous generations already learned the hard way. This episode explores why cultural memory matters, how modern society replaces traditions without always questioning why they existed, and why stories from older generations may contain wisdom we desperately need today. In This Episode Shaun explores: Why traditions are more than holidays or rituals The fragility of cultural memory across generations How communities historically passed down wisdom through stories and habits Why modern society often replaces traditions without understanding their origins The Founding Fathers' attempt to anchor cultural memory through documents like the Constitution How financial traditions like saving and avoiding debt have shifted in modern society The disappearance of community-based living and neighborhood relationships Why mobility and technology may be weakening social structures The danger of cultural engineering when societies forget their past The balance between progress and preserving hard-earned wisdom Key Ideas From the Episode Traditions Are Cultural Memory Traditions help societies remember what worked—and what didn't. They serve as guardrails built from the experiences of previous generations. We're Only One Generation Away From Forgetting If a generation decides a tradition is outdated, the knowledge behind it can disappear almost instantly. When Traditions Disappear, Guardrails Disappear Without historical context, societies begin rebuilding systems from scratch—often repeating old mistakes. The Founding Fathers Understood This Risk America's founding documents weren't just legal frameworks—they were designed as cultural anchors to remind future generations of lessons learned throughout history. Modern Society Replaces Traditions Quickly From medicine to finance to food and community life, cultural norms are frequently replaced without always questioning why the previous model existed. Technology Is Changing Communities As people become more mobile and digitally connected, local communities and neighbor relationships may weaken. Stories From Older Generations Contain Hidden Wisdom The experiences of parents and grandparents provide context that textbooks and social media rarely capture. Questions Worth Asking Before discarding a tradition, it may be worth asking: What problem was this tradition originally solving? What lessons did previous generations learn the hard way? Are we progressing—or repeating past mistakes? A Challenge for Listeners This week, ask someone older than you one simple question: "What's something your generation understood that mine might be forgetting?" Then listen—without judgment. Because buried inside those conversations are often timeless truths. https://www.youtube.com/@Businessfinanceandsoul www.BusinessFinanceAndSoul.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunenders/ 

The climate crisis is not only a technological or policy challenge — it is also a crisis of worldview. In this powerful conversation, Corinna Bellizzi speaks with Osprey Orielle Lake, founder and executive director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), about how climate justice movements around the world are working to transform our relationship with nature, power, and community. Osprey's work bridges grassroots activism, Indigenous leadership, international climate negotiations, and legal innovations like the Rights of Nature movement. Drawing from her book The Story Is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis, she explores how systems like colonization, extractive economics, and patriarchy have shaped today's ecological crises — and how new stories rooted in reciprocity, justice, and stewardship can guide the path forward. This conversation explores the role of Indigenous knowledge in climate solutions, the fight against fossil fuel expansion, the growing global push for legal protections for ecosystems, and the importance of community-led restoration efforts around the world. Originally recorded in 2024, this episode remains deeply relevant today as movements for climate justice, land stewardship, and ecological restoration continue to gain momentum globally. Key Topics in This Episode Why the climate crisis is fundamentally a crisis of worldview The role of Indigenous knowledge and leadership in climate solutions The Rights of Nature movement and legal frameworks that protect ecosystems The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative Climate justice and the risks faced by frontline land defenders Reforestation projects led by women restoring ecosystems and communities Why global transformation requires both systemic change and cultural shifts About Osprey Orielle Lake Osprey Orielle Lake is the Founder and Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), an international organization that works with grassroots, Indigenous, and frontline communities to advance climate justice and a just transition to renewable energy. She serves on the Executive Committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and the Steering Committee for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. Osprey is the author of The Story Is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis and the award-winning book Uprisings for the Earth: Reconnecting Culture with Nature. Transcript - FINAL - CMBB 172 O… Her work has been featured in publications including The Guardian, Earth Island Journal, The Ecologist, and Ms. Magazine. Resources & Organizations Mentioned Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) The Story Is in Our Bones – Osprey Orielle Lake Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature Movement Rights Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation – Paul Hawken Green Amendments – Maya van Rossum Guest Links Website:https://ospreyoriellelake.earth WECAN International:https://www.wecaninternational.org Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ospreyoriellelake LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/osprey-orielle-lake-4286bb12 Related Episodes Stand Up With The Earth: Fighting Fossil Fuels with Tzeporah Berman Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation with Paul Hawken Green Amendments and Environmental Rights with Maya van Rossum Join the Conversation What stories shape how we see our relationship with nature? Share your thoughts and reflections with us — and tell us what regenerative solutions you're seeing in your community. Join Me at Bioneers 2026 I'll be attending Bioneers in Berkeley from March 26–28 and look forward to meeting Nina in person and hearing her speak live. If you're considering going, now's the time: https://conference.bioneers.org/ ***Use code BRINGAFRIEND for 2-for-1 pricing*** Let's gather, learn, and co-create regenerative solutions together. Support Care More Be Better Care More Be Better is an independent, values-driven podcast. We answer only to our collective conscience. If you believe in regenerative leadership, systems change, and social impact storytelling, please: Subscribe, Rate & Review Share this episode Support the show at: https://www.caremorebebetter.com/support Together, we can care more and be better — and we can even regenerate our leadership models to heal people, planet, and the next generation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In The Epic of the City, Part 3, Pastor Robey Barnes walks through the story of King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18, highlighting both his righteousness and his regret. Though God used Hezekiah to bring reform, defeat the Assyrians, and even miraculously heal him, a subtle but costly mistake followed—he exposed his treasures to Babylon and chose personal peace over generational faithfulness. Through this story, Pastor Robey challenges us to examine our own priorities and redefine what the Church truly is—not a platform for comfort or good advice, but a living body, a spiritual family called to grow together and pass down the fear of the Lord. This message calls every believer to surrender fully to Jesus, invest in the next generation, and take their place in God's mission to reach the city.

Let's see who wins the first match in " The Throwdown"... One Generation lands some jabs and the other one lands Haymakers

This episode explores the historical shift from home births to hospital births in the U.S. Using a 1928–1940 study, the episode explains how rising hospital births initially increased interventions and infection risks and shows that maternal mortality only declined after some simple adjustments. From a Christian perspective, Aly discusses cultural trust in medical institutions, the professionalization of obstetrics, and how understanding this history can help women make informed choices about childbirth today.   Support the Show & Connect with Aly   Get your FREE download of Finding Joy in Pregnancy and Birth E-book when you sign up to be a monthly supporter of the podcast- https://peacefulhomebirth.thrivecart.com/phsupport/    Monthly community calls, 50% discount on Homebirth Hub (faith based homebirth preparation course), and Peaceful Homebirth Community access  - https://peacefulhomebirth.thrivecart.com/phfan/   IG- @peacefulhomebirth   Facebook Group- https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D3VuQe4wb/     Other ways to support the ministry of Peaceful Homebirth:   Araza- Get 15% off paleo certified beauty that heals with code PEACEFULHOMEBIRTH- https://arazabeauty.com/PEACEFULHOMEBIRTH Fullscript- Highest Quality Supplements at a discount. Create your profile here and get 10% off - https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/amcclain1689257819 $20 off a Yoto: https://refer.yotoplay.com/u7l7c!1b70359b00!a?locale=en Temp drop- 5% off https://tempdrop.refr.cc/default/u/aly001?s=sp&t=cp  

Passing on Gods great words to our children

Segment 1 • Gallup reports a growing exodus from church with a surprising population. • Churches pour energy into kids and young families but neglect the elderly. • Scripture calls the older generation essential — for wisdom, discipleship, and stability. Segment 2 • Topical preaching isn't always wrong, but it's risky when it replaces text-driven sermons. • The culture is catechizing your kids faster than the pulpit can. • Polls reveal Gen Z's distorted view of marriage, kids, and purpose. Segment 3 • 690+ LGBT books in a single school district - this is cultural catechism in action. • Drag queens, “gender play,” and normalization of sin are targeting children. • The battle for your child's worldview is being waged at story time. Segment 4 • Churches split over silliness: beards and whether the worship leader's eyes were open. • Healthy churches handle conflict biblically—talk, forgive, reconcile. • How your church argues says more about its health than its attendance numbers. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

In this episode of Remodelers on the Rise Kyle talks with husband and wife team Austin and Callie Cornell of MSC Enterprises They share how they run their remodeling business together balance family life improve their financial clarity and build smoother processes that support steady growth ----- Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! ----- Remodel Your Marriage, Life & Business Retreat – Feb 10-12, 2026 A three-day experience in Franklin TN designed for remodeling-business couples who want to strengthen their marriage, clarify their vision, and build a business that supports a thriving life together. Join Kyle and Sarah Hunt for meaningful conversations, practical sessions, and intentional time to reconnect and refocus for 2026. Sign up here! ----- Takeaways The importance of marriage in business partnerships. Transitioning business ownership requires open communication. Financial clarity is crucial for business growth. Hiring the right team members can alleviate stress. Understanding numbers leads to better decision-making. Having a dedicated office space enhances productivity. Saying no to projects that don't fit your business model is essential. Peer support groups can provide valuable insights. Flexibility in work allows for better family time. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to success. ----- Chapters 00:00 Introduction and History of Lee's Summit 04:06 Predictions for the Chiefs' Season 05:22 History and Overview of MSC Enterprises 07:34 Transitioning from Teaching to Working in the Business 11:55 Lessons Learned in Transitioning from One Generation to Another 15:35 Lessons in Understanding Financials and Charging Properly 19:33 The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers and Creating a Budget 25:51 The Impact of Leasing an Office Space 28:08 The Role of a Project Coordinator in Reducing Stress and Improving Accuracy 36:36 The Importance of Saying No and Focusing on What Works for Your Business 37:38 The Best Decision We've Ever Made 38:42 Finding Support and Encouragement 39:48 The Importance of Regular Meetings

Jeremy C. Park interviews Chris Whitney, Founder and CEO of One Generation Away, a nonprofit organization that has grown significantly over the last ten years to become a major provider of food assistance and disaster relief across multiple states. The organization's signature mobile food pantry events on Saturday mornings serve hundreds of families through volunteer efforts, combining food distribution with prayer support in a family-friendly environment. Chris discusses the organization's response to the government shutdown, including plans for providing food boxes to furloughed workers and SNAP recipients, while emphasizing the importance of community involvement and financial contributions to address the urgent hunger needs.SummaryNonprofit's Growth and Mission Impact - Chris Whitney, Founder and CEO of One Generation Away, shares how the nonprofit organization began in 2013 with a mission to provide food and dignity to those in need. Whitney explains how the organization has grown from a $1 million operation to a $33 million enterprise over ten years, serving multiple states and providing food assistance and disaster relief. He emphasizes the importance of volunteerism and agility in their operations, with a vision to feed and pray with a million people on a Saturday morning.Mobile Food Pantry Volunteer Program - Chris explains how the organization conducts mobile food pantries on Saturday mornings, where a semi-truck delivers 20,000-30,000 pounds of food, which volunteers then bag and distribute to up to 300 families in a 3-4 hour window. The process includes offering prayer support to recipients without proselytizing, and the events are designed to be family-friendly. Chris emphasizes that the organization relies on volunteers and describes how the experience is life-changing for both recipients and volunteers alike.Government Shutdown Impact and Support - Jeremy and Chris Whitney discuss the impact of the government shutdown on federal workers and SNAP recipients. Chris explains that his organization is providing food boxes for furloughed workers and preparing to support families affected by the cutoff of SNAP benefits. He emphasizes the personal impact of the situation, highlighting how it affects individuals and families he knows personally. Both Jeremy and Chris stress the importance of community involvement and support in addressing this crisis.Addressing Hunger Amid Cuts - Chris explains that his organization, which relies on individual donors and corporations rather than federal grants, needs to use its reserves to respond to immediate hunger needs due to SNAP benefit cuts and furloughed workers. He emphasizes the urgency of the situation, comparing it to natural disasters, and committing the organization to helping feed people in 10 counties. Chris encourages the community to get involved in addressing hunger, promising recognition for those who contribute.Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution Plans - Chris discusses One Generation Away's plans for Thanksgiving, including giving away 3,000 turkeys, a decrease from last year's 6,000 due to budget constraints and increased turkey costs. He notes that there likely will be greater need due to reduced SNAP benefits, but expressed confidence that God would provide a way to make it work. He highlights the importance of volunteerism and financial contributions, and provides information on how to get involved through OneGenAway.com, including volunteering, donating, and reaching out for assistance or replication in other communities.Financial Impact and Food Distribution - Chris Whitney discusses the impact of financial contributions, explaining that a dollar can provide five meals and highlighting their efficient use of funds, with 96 cents going directly to their operations. He mentions their ability to purchase large quantities of food at wholesale prices, such as a 30,000-pound load for $22,000, and their focus on providing both fresh produce and dry goods to SNAP recipients and furloughed workers. Jeremy expresses appreciation for Chris's efforts and the work of his team in supporting the community.Visit https://onegenaway.com to learn more and get involved with One Generation Away. 

It's only 10 minutes—but packed with answers you've been waiting for. In this special Q&A episode, Pastors Robey and Dan take on your biggest questions about the One Generation Initiative and the future of City Rev.  

In this episode of the City Rev Life Podcast, Pastor Craig Stephens and Pastor Robey Barnes continue the One Generation conversation, sharing powerful stories of how God is already moving through this initiative. They highlight personal miracles, unexpected financial provisions, and deep spiritual growth happening within our church family. The pastors talk about what commitment truly means—whether financial or spiritual—and remind us that this is ultimately about faith and participation, not the amount given. For those who missed Commitment Weekend, they offer practical ways to get involved, both in person and online, and extend an open invitation for everyone to be part of what God is doing through One Generation and beyond.

In Episode 7 of the One Generation podcast series, Pastors Robey Barnes and Craig Stephens continue the powerful conversation about the biggest moment in City Rev Church's history — our One Generation two-year initiative. So many in our church family have already found their part in this movement, but some are still wondering what this all means for them.   In this episode, we're answering your biggest questions, including: What actually happened during Commitment Weekend? What if I missed it — is it too late to jump in? How can someone who isn't very plugged in catch up on what One Generation is all about? What if I don't feel ready to make a commitment yet? What if it's just not a good time financially? What if I'm unsure my contribution would even make a difference? How can I get involved now, even if I wasn't at Commitment Sunday? And ultimately — why does this initiative matter so much for City Rev and our future?   Whether you've already made your commitment or you're still figuring out your next step, this episode will help you understand how every single person can play a part in what God is doing through City Rev in this defining season.

Ignoring the problems in our culture won't make them go away. Instead, we need to ask God to move in our homes and communities and be ready to respond to His Holy Spirit. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the increasing lawlessness in our nation—and the growing movement to turn our hearts back to God that we're seeing arise from the young people. He teaches about King Hezekiah, who had an assignment to change the culture in his lifetime, and he shares some lessons we can learn from this Old Testament leader about how to invite God to shape hearts. People are waking up to the reality of a biblical worldview, and we can be a part of what God is doing!

In the finale of our biggest series ever, Pastor Robey Barnes delivers a powerful message on victory through the book of Haggai. Drawing a striking parallel between the celebrations at the end of World War II and the ultimate victory found in Jesus Christ, Pastor Robey traces the prophetic line from Zerubbabel to Christ — the promised “seed” who conquered sin and death. This message calls us to live as people who are already victorious, to walk in the freedom and power Jesus has secured for us, and to rise as One Generation that builds God's kingdom, transforms South Florida, and leaves a legacy for future generations. The sermon culminates in a moving vision of spiritual awakening — with children's prayers and testimonies that display the transformative power of the Holy Spirit at work among us.

In this episode of the One Generation Companion Podcast, Pastors Craig Stephens and Robey Barnes unpack the biblical principle of sowing and reaping—clarifying how it differs from the “health and wealth” gospel. They explore the heart behind giving with expectancy, not expectations, reminding us that generosity is about placing God, not money, on the throne. Through Scripture and practical wisdom, they reveal how true biblical giving is rooted in trusting God's provision and bearing fruit for His glory, not our gain.

This week at City Rev, Pastor Robey Barnes continued the One Generation series with Part 4: The Provision, a powerful message rooted in Haggai 2:15–19. Pastor Robey drew parallels between the Israelites' journey, the WWII victory gardens, and City Rev's vision to build for future generations. He reminded us that God turns seasons of scarcity into blessing when His people prioritize His house and live in obedience. Through stories of faith, reflection, and the call to sacrificial giving, the church was invited to commit—spiritually and financially—to the One Generation initiative. The service culminated in communion and prayer, a moving reminder that God's provision always follows our trust in Him.

In this episode of the City Rev Life Podcast, part of the One Generation series, Host Craig Stephens sits down with Pastor Robey Barnes and Angelica Barros to unpack one of the most practical yet challenging aspects of the initiative—giving. Together, they explore how generosity is more than numbers on a page; it's an act of worship and trust in God's provision. From navigating limited resources to handling disagreements about finances within a family, the conversation offers both spiritual encouragement and real-world wisdom. Grounded in the book of Haggai, this episode invites listeners to seek God's guidance, step out in faith, and discover the joy of aligning their resources with His greater mission.

In Week 3 of the One Generation series, Pastor Robey Barnes encouraged the City Rev Church family to step into God's vision for the next generation in South Florida. Using Haggai 2:1-19, he reminded everyone to “be strong and work,” trusting that God's glory through Jesus will be even greater than what came before. Pastor Robey talked about how past mistakes and ruins don't define us—Jesus is the true temple, and now we, as His followers, are called to bring renewal and hope wherever we go. The service invited people to get involved through mission briefings, use the “One Generation” handbook for guidance, and join in the church's exciting initiatives like the Miami Springs campus, digital innovation, and building a hub campus—all with faith, boldness, and a heart for the future.

Join Host Pastor Craig Stephens, Pastor Robey Barnes, and special guest John Birdsall, CFO of City Rev Church, as they dive deep into the financial heart of the church's One Generation Series. In this revealing podcast episode, they tackle the tough questions about church finances, breaking down how every dollar is carefully stewarded and aligned with biblical principles. Discover the four key biblical categories guiding City Rev's budget, learn about their rigorous financial accountability processes, and hear candid insights about responsible giving. From addressing common concerns about staff compensation to explaining the transparent approach to church finances, this episode offers a refreshing look at how a modern church can honor God through wise financial management. Whether you're a skeptic or a committed church member, this conversation will change how you think about church giving.

In this episode of the One Generation companion podcast, Pastors Robey and Josh join host Craig to unpack how God is stirring a spiritual and financial awakening in South Florida.

In this episode of One Generation, host Josh Slautterback and Pastor Robey Barnes dive into the heart of the prayer initiative that's launching alongside the One Generation series. They discuss what it means for a church to truly lean into God's push, the vision for spiritual awakening across South Florida, and how individuals and families can prepare to be stretched and transformed. This conversation sets the stage for a season of seeking God boldly and responding to His call to awaken His people and transform our city.