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A five-day trek, a river that swallows missteps, and a video call that saves a mother and baby—this is what frontline HIV care looks like in Papua, Indonesia. We sit down with Dr. Agnela “Iggy” Chingwaro, an infectious disease physician from Zimbabwe, whose work braids medical expertise with faith, cultural humility, and stubborn hope. Her story exposes the hard truths behind late testing, the fear of national registration, and the maze of more than 300 local languages that shape how people understand illness, trust, and treatment.

We unpack the crucial difference between HIV and AIDS, why “undetectable” means suppressed rather than cured, and how that nuance can make or break adherence. Dr. Iggy contrasts Africa’s evolving HIV response with Papua’s current challenges, where stigma keeps many away until opportunistic infections like TB and meningitis take hold. She details how government-supplied antiretrovirals, TB, and leprosy drugs still need community bridges—portable diagnostics, trained local educators, and clinics willing to meet people where they are. You’ll hear how her team trains traditional midwives to screen pregnant women, uses telemedicine to coach emergency care, and partners with pilots and pastors to reach mountainside villages.

The conversation turns deeply human: the adoption of a child orphaned by AIDS, the refusal of ambulance drivers to transport patients due to fear, and the practical ways to dismantle myths about transmission. We also shine a light on the “forgotten generation”—youth facing rising HIV rates alongside alcohol and drug abuse—and the vision for a safe, youth-friendly center that offers counseling, education, and dignity. This is global health at eye level: compassionate, persistent, and built on trust.

If this moved you, help us grow the impact: subscribe, leave a rating, and share with a friend. Got thoughts or want to support Dr. Aggy’s work? Email [email protected] and join the conversation.

#HIV;  #AIDS;   #Papua  # Indonesia 

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What if the path back to purpose winds through a kitchen? I sit down with Jeff Reynolds, a chef whose story spans late-teen addiction, a decade in a grunge-era band, a pandemic crisis, a dusted-off Bible, and a calling he once ran from. The turning point is startlingly human—a night of fear and honesty at home—followed by small, faithful steps: reading John, hard questions that outgrew a brother’s answers, and a four-hour lunch with a pastor that reframed “ministry” as more than a pulpit.

We walk through Jeff’s craft and recovery, and into his work at World Relief’s commercial learning kitchen, where refugees and immigrants rebuild livelihoods far beyond the 90-day resettlement window. He explains how culinary training becomes a vehicle for dignity, micro-enterprise, and healing from trauma. Along the way, he learns the language of spice markets, the etiquette of cross-cultural respect, and a deeper theology of the Imago Dei that holds firm in a plural space—open about faith, never coercive, always grounded in love and truth. The result is a kitchen that functions as classroom and community hub, where cinnamon and cardamom carry stories across continents.

Jeff also shares the discernment he and his wife, Lori, are navigating now—what shepherding a flock could look like, why stewardship precedes promotion, and how intentional practices like daily prayer can anchor a life that once drifted. His three takeaways are simple and strong: keep praying for prodigals, hold your calling with open hands, and make space for God every day. If you need a reminder that vocation can be redeemed and redirected, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so others can find Above the Noise. What part of Jeff’s journey speaks to yours?

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Immigration is not a problem without solutions, but a challenge requiring courage, honesty, and political will to address. Our broken immigration systems exploit the vulnerable while benefiting the powerful, yet we have the capacity to create humane policies that recognize the dignity and contributions of immigrants.

• Immigration benefits economies by filling labor shortages and creating businesses
• Mass migrations have root causes including war, climate change, and political unrest
• The claim that administrations only oppose illegal immigration is contradicted by harassment of legal immigrants
• Solutions exist, as demonstrated by programs like H-1B visas for skilled workers
• Immigrants contribute through taxes, housing, education, and cultural enrichment
• Political and corporate interests profit from maintaining broken immigration systems
• Immigration challenges are global issues affecting countries worldwide
• Humane reform requires seeing immigrants as people rather than statistics or threats

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook @AboveTheNoise24. Support this podcast by going to buymeacoffee.com/AboveTheNoise. Remember to subscribe and leave us a rating to help our podcast succeed in the podcast universe. Email your comments to [email protected].

#immigration

#immigrants

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The transformative power of arts-based intervention for vulnerable youth takes center stage in this compelling conversation with Clarine Cave, founder of Partners That Care International in Barbados. What began as a personal journey through sports, military service, and community development has blossomed into a life-changing mission serving at-risk adolescents and food-insecure families across the island.

Stepping into the heart of Barbados' educational challenges, Clarine shares the remarkable story behind her organization's innovative 3MD (Make Music Make a Difference) program. This two-year scholarship initiative uses musical instruction as a vehicle for profound behavioral change, teaching vulnerable teens aged 13-16 to identify emotions, regulate responses, and develop interpersonal skills through collaborative band experiences. The results speak volumes: "The children we get at the beginning of this program are unidentifiable at the end," Clarine observes.

Beyond musical transformation, Partners That Care tackles food insecurity through its Summer Fiesta program, providing essential hampers to families during school breaks when government meal subsidies aren't available. 

While welcoming youth of all backgrounds without religious requirements, the organization's leadership approaches challenges with unwavering spiritual conviction. "If it's too big for you to handle, then it is a God project," Clarine explains, offering encouragement to listeners contemplating their own seemingly impossible dreams.

#partnersthatcareinternational

#Barbados

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Fear powers our immigration debates. We hear it in political rhetoric, see it in policy decisions, and witness its impact on millions of lives. But what lies beneath this fear? Is it justified? And how can we move beyond it?

Today's episode delves into the complex emotions that drive our responses to immigrants and refugees. We start by clarifying important distinctions – who qualifies as an immigrant versus a refugee or asylum seeker – while acknowledging sobering statistics: 123 million people worldwide have been forced from their homes, with 44 million classified as refugees. These aren't faceless masses but individuals with dreams, fears, and stories that deserve to be heard.

We explore a rarely discussed immigration pathway: "citizenship by investment" programs allowing wealthy individuals to purchase legal status for $100,000-$500,000. This creates a two-tiered system where some can bypass the very lines others are told to wait in patiently. Meanwhile, misinformation fuels negative stereotypes about immigrants "stealing jobs" or "draining resources," despite consistent evidence showing immigration's positive economic impacts. 

For people of faith, this conversation demands alignment between spiritual values and social perspectives. We cannot claim to love God while discriminating against our neighbors. 

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When four friends tear open a roof to lower their paralyzed companion to Jesus, they demonstrate what truly matters in our faith journey – enduring empathy that refuses to give up on people. Pastor Grantley Martelly unpacks this powerful story from Mark 2, revealing how these determined friends teach us about walking alongside others until they can encounter Jesus for themselves.

In a world reeling from wars, persecution, natural disasters, and even a "loneliness epidemic," we're called not to retreat into our comfortable spiritual bubbles but to bring the world's pain to the throne of grace. While we can't control global turmoil, we absolutely can control who we bring people to meet. That's the heart of enduring empathy – demonstrating such a deep understanding of God's goodness that we're compelled to lend our faith to others until they develop their own.

The paralytic's friends didn't tell him about Jesus – they physically carried him there. Their determination reveals what true discipleship requires: persisting through barriers, causing necessary disruption, and believing that an encounter with Jesus changes everything.

Most striking is Jesus' response: "When he saw their faith" – not the paralyzed man's. Sometimes people need to borrow our faith until they find their own. Jesus first addressed the man's spiritual needs before his physical condition, showing that true transformation happens from inside out. 

Are we willing to walk alongside the messy, the broken, the difficult? Or have we become "too holy to be Christ-like," forgetting that Jesus met us in our own mess? Salvation without discipleship is just cheap grace. The Christian walk was never meant to be solitary but about journeying together through the unexpected. Will you tear up some roofs to bring others to the One who transforms?

#empathy     #discipleship

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Four Black fathers gather around the kitchen table for an intimate, powerful discussion about raising Black boys into exceptional Black men. Their conversation weaves through personal histories—from functional alcoholism in the Caribbean to Black Panthers in Seattle—revealing how each man's upbringing shaped his approach to fatherhood.

The dialogue crackles with hard-earned wisdom as they explore the importance of Black male visibility in schools and communities. Their presence benefits not just their sons but all the children in the room. These fathers speak candidly about breaking generational cycles—forgiving their own fathers for "survival behaviors" while consciously creating different paths for their sons. They share stories of teaching their boys to navigate a world where they might need more education than their peers to maintain equal footing, balancing the harsh reality of societal bias with the promise of unlimited potential.

Faith emerges as a cornerstone of their parenting philosophy. Rather than sheltering their sons from worldly influences, they've taught them to analyze media through a biblical lens, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for deeper understanding of their values. 

Whether you're raising Black boys or simply interested in understanding the unique challenges and joys of Black fatherhood, this episode offers profound insights into creating legacy, building character, and nurturing the next generation of leaders. Join us for this vulnerable, inspiring conversation about love, legacy, and the sacred responsibility of raising sons.

#raisingblackboys   #blackfatherhood   #forgiveness

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Join us on a journey of hope and reconciliation as we navigate the complex emotions following a tumultuous election season. With Dr. Andrea Sims and retired Pastor Dave Rhodes, we confront the challenges that politics have imposed on faith communities. Together, we unpack the critical need for justice, mercy, and faith to maintain respectful and constructive dialogues, even when disagreements arise. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of how individuals of faith can rise above the negativity and division that often surface in political discourse.

Our conversation delves into the divisiveness that has crept into faith communities, where political differences have fractured relationships and distanced us from shared values of charity and love. Through painful accounts of racism and threats faced by African-American students, we stress the urgency of empathy, forgiveness, and reconciliation within churches. With stories that highlight the disillusionment of some believers, we underscore the importance of self-reflection and repentance. This episode is a call to action for believers to align their actions with the teachings of servanthood over power, ensuring that faith communities authentically reflect their values.

We emphasize the power of love and words in nurturing unity and hope. We encourage listeners to engage in personal journeys confronting uncomfortable truths, including racism and historical biases. With hope anchored in God's unchanging love, we invite listeners to find strength and solace in becoming students of God's Word demonstrating love for our neighbors in these challenging times.

#election2024; politics 2024; #worldelections; #loveyourneighbor

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Join us for an illuminating conversation with David Holston, CEO of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), as he shares his inspiring journey from a Colorado farm with dreams of piloting to leading a global mission organization. David’s story takes us through his experiences in Savannah, Georgia, and his dedication to serving others which ultimately led him to Moody Bible Institute and then to Indonesia. With over 17 years of experience in the field, David offers a unique perspective on MAF's mission to deliver aid and hope to the world's most isolated regions, showcasing how aviation serves as a lifeline in challenging times.

Discover the critical role MAF played during the COVID-19 pandemic, as David recounts the logistical hurdles of transporting vital supplies like test kits and vaccines to remote communities. The discussion extends to MAF's alignment with the teachings of Jesus, focusing on both spiritual and physical support. We also explore the transformative power of empowering local leaders within MAF, highlighting inspiring stories of individuals who have become key figures in their communities, embodying the shift towards a more diverse and inclusive mission aviation landscape.

In this episode, we also shine a light on the evolving dynamics of global missions, emphasizing the rising influence of countries like Brazil and Nigeria. Through programs like International Pathways, MAF is fostering a more inclusive missionary model, breaking down traditional barriers. From providing exceptional medical care in unexpected locations to overcoming technological challenges in isolated areas, David invites listeners to reflect on their potential contributions to a mission-driven life, making a global impact one flight at a time. With stories of resilience and innovation, this episode promises to inspire those passionate about aviation, medicine, and cross-cultural service.

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Join us as Chief Rafael Padilla of the Kent Washington Police Department opens up about the profound changes in policing and community relations over the course of four transformative years. Against the backdrop of nationwide racial reckonings, the George Floyd protests, and the global pandemic, discover how Chief Padilla's perspective on law enforcement has evolved, prioritizing values like service, integrity, and professionalism. We navigate the complex journey of adapting policing practices to better serve and protect communities, ensuring that every officer is a beacon of compassion and accountability.

The episode takes a critical look at pressing social issues threatening community safety, particularly the rise in youth violence and the devastating fentanyl crisis. Chief Padilla sheds light on the socio-cultural dynamics at play and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle these challenges. We also tackle broader topics such as immigration and border challenges, highlighting the humanitarian aspects and real-world implications for local communities. Throughout, we emphasize finding peace in chaos, encouraging hope and proactive community engagement as pathways to reconciliation and progress.

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