Pray for Micah

Micah has the pleasure of interviewing Michael Camp, author of Confessions of a Bible Thumper, Craft Brewed Jesus, and Breaking Bad Faith. Michael is also the host of the Spiritual Brewpub Podcast. Despite experiencing spiritual abuse and burnout, Michael's path took a transformative turn as he sought answers to the dilemmas of his evangelical worldview. Through rigorous historical research and scholarly exploration, he made startling discoveries that liberated him from harmful theologies, leading him to embrace a vibrant path rooted in reality, historical facts, and the compassionate way demonstrated by mystics and social activists, as he believes Jesus exemplified. Michael's personal journey has inspired others on similar paths, and he now finds purpose in service-oriented organizations like Rotary International, where he spearheads humanitarian projects through Village Savings and Loans (VSL) groups in Tanzania and Uganda. While no longer involved in traditional church settings, he recognizes the value of spiritual and service-oriented communities in fostering personal growth and making a positive impact.

Film production, cinematography, and meaningful storytelling are some of the major topics discussed in Episode 29 between Micah and film producer, DeVonte` Brown. As a Detroit native planted in Kansas City, DeVonte` brings a variety of original perspective to every project as a cinematographer and film director. His passion for his craft and the respect he has for every crew member is something he holds dear. Coming from Detroit, MI, DeVonte` had to grow up faster than most. Although he wasn’t as well off as others, he made the best of the life he was given. Through all the hardship and life lessons, he has gained a hearty work ethic, a strong spirit, and a bright smile.

In Episode 28, Micah interviews Beto Lugo-Martinez, a co-executive director at CleanAirNow where he serves as an environmental justice organizer. Based in Kansas City, MO, Beto is dedicated to amplifying community voices in the fight against environmental racism and addressing the systemic exclusion of frontline communities in decision-making processes. His own experience growing up near a petrochemical facility drives his work at the intersection of environmental justice, climate, and public health.

Micah has the pleasure of hosting community advocate and colleague, Cornell Gorman, in Episode 27 of the Pray for Micah Podcast. Cornell has spearheaded remarkable increases in clientele and revenue, making a positive impact everywhere he goes. As the Operations Manager at LitFitness, he oversaw a remarkable increase in clientele, leading to a 30% revenue surge. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Fit City, where he attracted over 150 clients during its first summer. He became a content creator, generating content that has reached over 4 million organic views. In addition to this work, he also co-founded Generating Income for Tomorrow (G.I.F.T.), an organization dedicated to community enrichment through grant funding and event management, which has raised over $3 million dollars in its first 3 years. He is also a leader in his church and has inspired and empowered countless individuals to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

In Episode 26, Micah hosts Ingrid B. and they delve into breath work, mindfulness, and meditation practices that help us heal personal wounds and find ourselves through self-love. Ingrid was born in Mexico but raised in Kansas City with dreams to explore the world. Since her documentation status didn't allow her that privilege, she explored as much of the country as she could instead. Her corporate career took her to the NE, West, and PNW. Where she found healing and space to explore her spirituality. She began her spiritual journey in 2016 and has since found inner freedom, self-love and has fully embraced her body. Her life goal now is to help others find inner freedom and joy for life. To learn more about her book, "Live Intentionally: A Guidebook to Living Thoughtfully in 30 Days", and her community work, visit www.awakenwithingrid.com

Micah interviews local creative, Diosselyn Tot, in Episode 25 of the Pray for Micah Podcast. Diosselyn was born in Guatemala but has made Kansas City, Kansas her home. She came to the U.S. at 6-years-old and began volunteering in her community at the age of 12. She is one of the founders of the Art Squad, which teaches art classes on street corners, in parks, and at Urban Station. Since its inception, they have painted over 50 murals in alleyways to abate gang graffiti and beautify neighborhood spaces. Today, Diosselyn sits on various boards in the Latino community with a focus on the arts, voting rights, and affordable housing. She is also a featured changemaker in DocuCourse: Art & Advocacy, a documentary film that follows her life journey as she uses art as a tool to nurture youth and transform her neighborhood.

Micah and Lucy share a lot of laughs in Episode 24 as they discuss a range of topics like marijuana legalization in Missouri, the limitations of science and understanding consciousness, and the nature of God and reality. Lucille Cody is the host of the High & Doing Things Podcast, which is a real-time, unedited, unscripted show where you can hear some funny conversations about herself and other interesting humans. It’s also full of singing, interviews, field trips, & random commercials for things that do or do not exist in real life.

Jen Harris is a writer based in Kansas City, Missouri. A sought-after performance artist, Jen is the founder and host of The Writing Workshop KC, whose mission is to nurture creative curiosity and inspire confidence within prompt-based writing workshops. She hosts weekly classes and offers creative coaching to private clients. Jen is a nationally-certified Recovery Coach and Peer Support Specialist. Through an aggressively vulnerable, trauma-informed lens, she unites strangers who share an interest in creative expression and facilitates the development of active, engaged, supportive, empowering writing communities.

In Episode 22, Micah invites multidisciplinary creative, Jessie Van Der Vyver, onto the show to discuss his work in the community and his 2023 film projects that are in development. Jessie has worked in the commercial/narrative/television industry for over 14 years. He grew up as a "hardcore Christian", but over the past 6 years has made a shift in his beliefs. Together they share about their spiritual journeys, the meditation tools they use for personal growth and self-reflection, and how these practices reveal a deeper understanding of our collective consciousness.

Micah starts off the new year by interviewing Justice Gatson, a Kansas City activist and founder of the Reale Justice Network. The nonprofit is a Black-led group advocating for a range of political and social justice issues that directly impact Black and Brown communities like birth justice, survivor support, participatory defense teams, community housing, "buy the block", and the community bail fund. In the episode, Micah and Justice discuss her upcoming documentary, DocuCourse: A Changemaker's Story—Bails & Bonds, which features her life's work and is set to release in March 2023. They also dive into the community projects and social issues that Justice is currently working on this year.