Be the Difference

Chris & Sammy share a news headline and unpack what it means for both the subjects of the article and those around them. Listen in as they debrief graduations, community, and how each of us can show up for youth right where we are.

In this episode, Chris and Sammy news headlines they’d rather not be news, and how we can still celebrate what’s worthy of celebration. Hear about foster care, why it’s more difficult for older children to find placement and a forever family, and be challenged as our co-hosts remind listeners that we all have the ability to show up for youth in our cities, reminding them they are known & loved. 

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Read the article Sammy mentioned!
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Chris & Sammy are joined by Back2Back Executive Director, Todd Guckenberger! Todd is a husband, father, leader, and visionary. After over 25 years of galvanizing a global staff team, Todd shares the why behind the recent rebrand and why this work continues to be a top priority.

In this episode, Todd shares about a tree house in Monterrey that is expanding with a growing tree, and how that correlates with the organization's rebrand. Todd reflects on his global team and how they challenge him everyday to continue in this fight of pursuing vulnerable children and families. Hear how key phrases helped develop the ministry’s rebrand and what they mean to Todd and the work being done around the world, what he believes Back2Back’s greatest resource is, and how God keeps him, and his team, relentless in the work to ensure every child and family is known & loved. 

Learn more about Back2Back Ministries and see the new look!

Today, Chris & Sammy give listeners a special sneak peak into something big for Back2Back. We are on the verge of a rebrand! Join them as they share about the idea behind life verses and mission statements, and why they matter both for global organizations like Back2Back and for each of us individually. 

In this episode, hear Chris and Sammy share about life verses they’ve held onto through different seasons and why they believe they are a guardrail for what comes next in our stories. Hear about the beauty they both find in the mission of Back2Back and how those things will still be carried through to this new, rebranded season, while also expanding. To end this quick episode, Sammy and Chris leave listeners with a challenge and encouragement for finding our own brand and mission.
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Jayne Schooler is a wife, mother, grandmother, advocate, writer, and voice of wisdom on trauma and its effects on our brains, bodies, and relationships. She and her late husband, David, are beloved, trusted experts on trauma-informed care, how homes should be for healing, and how to step into hard stories with foster and adoptive youth. Jayne is the author of multiple books around foster care, adoption, and trauma-informed parenting, and today she joins Chris and Sammy to discuss her newest book, Caring for Kids from Hard Places, which she co-authored with her beloved husband. 

In this episode, Jayne shares when she first began dreaming of becoming a writer and what initially sparked it, who her first book was dedicated to and why, and how 1977 was a  year that would forever change the trajectory of her and David’s lives and mission. Hear how their journey started as gathering information for their own home and children to being information they needed to share with everyone, why she believes if we don’t have hope, we don’t have anything, and why David’s thoughts on two chair universities and curious compassion will continue to be celebrated and live on.

Links to learn more:

Pre-Order Caring for Kids from Hard Places today!

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As Chris & Sammy look forward to May, which is Foster Care Awareness month, they share the number of children and youth in foster care in the United States today. As they reflect on this statistic, they share their thoughts and views on foster care.

In this episode, find out what surprises Chris most about the statistic shared and how he and Sammy first were introduced to foster care. Hear how Chris and his team view every child and family they serve and the three buckets they use to determine how to best serve them, how when we learn stories of those separated from, when we see them as children of God, often deeply wounded, it changes how we approach foster care and every single person within it.

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Today, Chris and Sammy are joined by Caleigh Willis and Cristen Johnson. Both work for the Anthony Munoz Foundation; Caleigh is the Assistant Director and Cristen is the Director of Programming. The Munoz Foundation seeks to impact the lives of the Greater Cincinnati area youth mentally, physically, and spiritually through their seven Impact Programs. After over two decades of service, more than 55,000 youth have been influenced through the foundation.

In this episode, Caleigh and Cristen share what their high school selves would think of their current career path and how service was modeled for each of them at an early age. Hear about their drive to serve others, the character they each bring to the table and instill in emerging generations, and why donuts are something to celebrate. 

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For more information about the Foundation

76 | Warrior of Eden | A Conversation with Beth Guckenberger

March is International Women’s Month, and today Chris and Sammy are joined by Beth Guckenberger! Beth is a wife, mom, beloved abuela, author, and speaker. Beth joins us today  to talk about her newest book, Warrior of Eden and how she hopes to facilitate conversations honoring women all around the world through it. 

In this episode, Beth shares why the release date for her 14th book felt different and, in some ways, more difficult. She shares how the idea for this book was born and why she considers this conversation one of “and,” not “or.” Hear her concerns about being misunderstood with this book’s publication, why Genesis 2 is key to this conversation, and why this is a book and conversation for both men and women today.  

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

Get your copy of Warrior of Eden

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Kevin Corey is an Indiana native, a husband, father, grandfather, Veteran, and the Executive Director of Wesley Chapel Mission Center. Wesley Chapel is a guiding light and trusted haven that empowers children and families in Over-the-Rhine to practice Christ-like actions that transform the community. Kevin is a former DARE officer, youth coach, and mentor; he has documented his own upbringing and faith in his book Core Redemption: Using Your Trauma to Fuel Your Triumph. 

In this episode, Kevin shares what made him say yes to moving to Cincinnati, how he wakes up in the morning, and what exactly he and his team do when they step into hard stories. Hear how a medical condition transformed his life, how he describes the atmosphere around the work he does, and why offering space to draw near to safety in the midst of danger is a key part of what he and his team do at Wesley Chapel Mission. 

Links to learn more:

Wesley Chapel Mission Center

Kevin's Book Core Redemption

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To kick off February’s episodes, Chris and Sammy discuss two statistics concerning after-school programming and what access means for a child or teen and how do we measure the things that don’t happen as success?

In this episode, Sammy and Chris dive into why after school programming matters so much, and why these programs are a solution for everyone, not just youth who have difficult home lives. Hear how Chris encourages his staff team to measure the outcomes and the non outcomes, and what this means; listen in to better understand why seeing kids just getting to be kids is a huge win.  

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Patience Dimka is a wife, mother, psychologist, and the Assistant Site Director of Back2Back Nigeria. Her time with Back2Back began as a staff psychologist using innovative and unique approaches to provide presence and trauma-informed care to vulnerable children when and where she could. She now helps lead an entire staff team in providing holistic care to those in her own country.

In this episode, Patience shares about what her 10-year old self would think about her current job and lifestyle, and what led her to the work she does everyday with Back2Back. Hear about the unique ways and locations Patience used to connect with children who didn’t know how to use their own voice, why she believes trauma competent care is a lifestyle, and what she comes back to on the hardest days to keep moving forward. 

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Back2Back Ministries

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