Courageous Conversations from UniteKC

What happens when business leaders stop "supporting ministry" from a distance—and start using their gifts, networks, and wisdom to help the city flourish?

In this episode, Ray and Gary sit down with George (The Barnabas Group Kansas City) to explore how business leaders can strengthen ministries and nonprofits through practical insight, strategic coaching, and collaborative problem-solving. George shares Barnabas' model—connecting ministry passion with business expertise—plus a powerful story of justice work helping survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives through expungement. The conversation also introduces George's emerging vision for "cause solution communities": mapping what's already happening across KC and connecting leaders to collaborate instead of duplicating efforts.

In this Foundations episode of Courageous Conversations, hosts Ray and Gary step back to share the personal stories that shaped their commitment to racial healing, justice, and unity.

From childhood memories during the civil rights era to painful experiences in Christian school, cross-cultural friendships, moments of fear, courage, and unexpected leadership opportunities, this conversation traces how God uses lived experience to form conviction. Rather than offering a program or solution, Ray and Gary reflect on what it looks like to show up humbly, stay engaged through adversity, and take responsibility without assigning blame.

This episode invites listeners to consider their own origin stories—and how God might use them to bring healing, understanding, and unity right where they live.

As Kansas City prepares to host the World Cup, Kwan Porter (Life Mission KCK) shares why this moment is bigger than logistics—it's a Kingdom opportunity. From job fairs that honor people with dignity to a citywide vision for worship and unity, Kwan challenges the Church to lead with hospitality, courage, and love. What happens if thousands of believers simply choose to "do one good thing" at the same time?

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with Porsche Seals, Executive Director of Caring for Kids, for a powerful conversation about advocacy, education, and what it really takes to show up for children in Kansas City.

Porsche shares her unexpected journey from stay-at-home mom and PTA leader to city-wide advocate, leading a growing network of schools, churches, and community partners. Together, they explore why history still matters, how inequity shows up in education, and why mentoring, literacy, and everyday involvement can change a child's future. This episode challenges listeners to move beyond frustration and into faithful, practical action—for the sake of our kids and our city.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with Marvin Daniels, Director of The Hope Center, to explore what it looks like to pursue long-term transformation in Kansas City's urban core.

Marvin shares his journey from Brooklyn to Chicago to Kansas City—and how God shaped a vision not just for a single building, but for an entire neighborhood to experience hope and flourishing. The conversation covers a comprehensive approach to youth development and community development: engaging families, launching a neighborhood health center, opening a school, addressing food access through community gardens, developing internship housing, and renovating the former Annunciation Church into The Gathering KC.

This episode is a masterclass in humble leadership, partnership without a "Messiah complex," and building trust over time—especially when challenges, setbacks, and tragedy inevitably come.

Jeremiah reveals why he and his wife, Mona, wrote the story of the underground and turned it into an award-winning theatrical performance with 20 years of history in KC. Hear some wins and some heartache. Take notes of what we learned. Most of all we talk about why these kind of offerings are important today.

We live in a cancel culture where if we disagree, it is treated with offense. What if we were determined to be unoffendable—where we sought first to understand and then valued friendship over disagreement?

Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with worship leader and marketplace executive Lester Estelle, Sr. to talk about leading in a predominantly white church, building truly multiethnic worship, and staying courageous when resistance shows up. From police-at-the-door misunderstandings to introducing Spanish verses and hymns, Lester shares practical wisdom for creating spaces that look a little more like heaven—on Sunday and beyond.

Words can unite—or divide—before we've finished a sentence. In this candid conversation, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall unpack loaded terms like "privilege," "prejudice," and "I don't see color," and model how curiosity, humility, and responsibility turn trigger words into bridges. Practical stories, honest reflection, and a simple call: don't quit talking—and keep giving grace.

Former Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore joins Courageous Conversations to talk about leadership, community, and the role sports can play in bringing people together. From founding the C You in the Major Leagues Foundation to building the Urban Youth Academy, Dayton shares how empathy, humility, and faith drive his leadership philosophy—and why he believes Unite KC's mission matters more than ever.