Be the Difference

Continuing the theme of justice and the hope that is possible when we choose to be the difference, Chris and Sammy share their reflections on  the TBRI Trauma-Informed Courts Podcast. Join them as they dive into a conversation on the exponential impact of small changes and the ways these changes can make a difference in our everyday lives. 

In this episode, Chris and Sammy discuss specific strategies courtrooms around the country have begun to implement. Hear how we can all can empower individuals to feel safe, regulated and calm in even the most stressful of situations. 

Links to learn more:

TBRI® & Trauma-Informed Courts

All Rise: For the Good of the Children Documentary

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Michelle Clifton earned her PhD in social ethics at Loyola University Chicago and has worked in higher education for twenty years. Michelle’s passion is interrupting the US’s over-reliance on incarceration, finding creative alternatives, such as equitable and accessible education or restorative justice solutions, through collaboration with those most impacted. In 2018, she founded the “School of Restorative Arts,” an MA program in Illinois’ prisons serving over 100 incarcerated men and women at Stateville and Logan Correctional Centers. She currently serves as founding director of prison education at Lewis University launching BA programs in professional studies in Illinois prisons.

In this episode, Michelle shares how she felt the first time she entered a prison classroom, how she processes the hard stories she experiences, and the moment she knew this would be her life’s work. Hear her describe the joy of a graduation ceremony inside a prison, why she calls herself an abolitionist, and the dream she has to see decarceration and liberation in the state of Illinois. 

Links to learn more:

Watch this TED TALK by Michelle

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July is here, and that means Chris and Sammy are sharing a new statistic and a new focus on the Be the Difference Podcast! Join them as they dive into a conversation on justice for juveniles at risk of incarceration, how the Back2Back Cincy team is stepping into this conversation and returning years to local youth who would otherwise be behind bars, and the reasons why these conversations matter.

In this episode, Chris and Sammy discuss transforming punitive consequences into a time of healing for juveniles in Cincy and how conversation is changing the approaches taken for youth with trauma who have committed a crime. Hear how new information is being presented to public defenders and judges and how, together, adults are advocating on behalf of youth who would otherwise be tried as adults, as layers of understanding are being added to the conversation.

Links to learn more:

Want to connect with Chris about this initiative? Email [email protected]

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Sara Jensen is multilingual, the podcast’s first Norwegian guest, and is the Back2Back Monterrey Coordinator of the Transition Program, which comes alongside in transitioning students to independence. Sara has lived all around the world and is very passionate about travel and coffee.

In this episode, Sara shares how old she was when she first felt called to be a missionary, what song influenced her most during that time in her life, and her vantage point on her own story and the changes that have occurred in each season. Hear why where she currently lives is so special, how her growth and understanding of what humans long for in community is influenced by her role, and how she has learned about most of it through the eyes of young adults. 

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It’s a fresh month, which means a fresh focus on the Be the Difference Podcast! Join Chris and Sammy for a delicate conversation in which they discuss social media, its effects on children and teens, females specifically, and the staggering statistics that accompany them.

In this episode, Chris and Sammy discuss something that influences most of us and dive into discussion on developing good rhythms around it. Hear about the evolution of social media, how it may or may not affect developing brains, and how Sammy specifically, as a female, is impacted by the shared statistics and information.

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Matt and Julie Cooper met in high school and have since married, parented both biological and foster children, and have been in ministry together for over 20 years. Matt is the Director of Staff Care for Back2Back Ministries and Julie is the Senior vice President of Training for Trauma Free World. Welcome to part two of this in-depth conversation with the Coopers about their aligned passion to serve the vulnerable, no matter where they call home.

In part two of this episode, we pick back up with the Coopers when they are in a spiritual sweet spot - they felt revival, contentment, and happiness. And then God planted Cancun into both their hearts. Hear how God got their attention individually for a new place of ministry, how we give voice to the children who are a part of our family, and how Matt and Julie, while together, were also separate in their calls to ministry.

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Trauma Free World

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Matt and Julie Cooper have been in ministry together for over 20 years. Matt is the Director of Staff Care for Back2Back Ministries and Julie is the Senior Vice President of Training for Trauma Free World. Matt and Julie met in high school and eventually came to accept Jesus on the same day, at the same event. From a solid friendship to a marriage and years of serving alongside one another internationally and in the states, Matt and Julie have an aligned passion to serve the vulnerable no matter where they call home. 

In part one of this episode, Matt and Julie share their differing vantage points on foster care and their responses to stereotypical gender roles within ministry. Hear how their relationship first began, how they respond when asked how they like working and living together, and all they’ve accomplished together over the last 20 years.  

Links to learn more:

Learn more about Trauma Free World

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New month, new topic! This week, Chris is joined by Back2Back staff and Be the Difference Podcast Producer, Mikeyy Evans. Mikeyy is a videographer, husband to Katie, and father to five-year old twins.

In this week’s episode, Chris and Mikeyy discuss how our definitions of family change as we age, what led Mikeyy and his wife to foster care, and why defining family doesn't have to come  with time constraints and genetic connection. 

Hear what Chris and Mikeyy believe people need for familial access and receive an invitation from them on being the difference for families right where you are. 

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Rob Hall is a former educator, administrator, and counselor. He is a husband, father, advocate, and President of Trauma Free World. Trauma Free World is a community based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is dedicated to helping people around the world heal from childhood trauma. Through in-person and online training, their desire is to assist anyone with an internet connection or mobile phone in healing, and helping others heal, from trauma.

In this episode, Rob shares about his 10-year old self and how most of his professional and personal decisions were born from walking through the next open door to see what would happen and why having a plan didn’t necessarily work out. Hear about how 23 years ago, Rob and his family’s lives were altered completely, about what keeps him up at night, and why Trauma Free World is what it is today, and how it impacts each of us individually and globally.

Links to learn more:

Use the Promo Code: BTD23 to access the Trauma-Informed Care Overview as our gift to you!

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It’s a new month, which means our co-hosts have a new statistic! This week, Sammy shares a staggering statistic about children around the world and their experiences with trauma. It is a stat at the root of the holistic care Back2Back seeks to provide globally. 

In this week’s episode, Sammy and Chris discuss what we are to do with numbers like this and how do we keep from remaining in a state of hopelessness? They share what Back2Back has learned, and now teaches, about trauma and how it is not simply a matter of a good guy versus a bad guy, and why mercy should always be at the forefront of our response, especially to the aggressor. 

Hear Sammy and Chris share why it’s important for us to know and understand a statistic like this and remind us that trauma does not concern itself with zip code, tax bracket, gender, or skin color. 

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