The Pod at My Village

In this episode, Phil and Mel continue their conversation with trauma educator Stacey Gagnon. They keep it real as Stacey opens up about some of the difficult and hurtful situations that she has experienced in the Church because of the family god has called her to Mother. But they also go beyond and paint a picture for what it would look like for the Church to welcome in the messy and hard of traumatized stories, provide rest for the weary, and healing for the broken.

In this episode—the first of a two-part conversation—Phil and Mel sit down with trauma expert Stacey Gagnon.

Stacey shares her powerful journey into trauma education and breaks down how trauma impacts young brains and development. Together, they explore why authentic relationships are the ultimate key to healing and overcoming childhood trauma.

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Connect & Subscribe: 🎧 Subscribe for Part 2 releasing next week! 💬 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below.

This episode is part two of a two part conversation with Mandy Litzke. Despite enduring considerable trauma in her childhood, Mandy chose to take in children with trauma in her adult years. In this episode, Phil, Mel, and Mandy talk about what caused her to begin taking in children with trauma, developmental, and other disabilities. She shares her and Dave's heart posture in parenting, as well as practical advice for understanding and parenting children with trauma. In this conversation they also discuss Trust-Based Relational Intervention and the importance of cultivating relationship over seeking results.

In another episode of the trauma resource, Phil and Mel sit down with Mandy Litzke, an MVM Community Couch Supervisor. Mandy had an especially traumatic upbringing, ending her up in the foster system before being adopted. This episode covers her childhood story. They discuss what trauma is, what it looks like to move forward with trauma, triggers, and the hope of the gospel.

Part 2, airing next week, will explore Mandy's adult home. In contrast to the brokenness of her childhood home, Mandy and her husband have taken in 15 kids with a wide array of needs and backgrounds.

This episode kicks off the trauma module. Phil and Mel dive into the topic of trauma, discussing the need for trauma-informed training in the work of family preservation. They introduce Trust-Based Relational Intervention, which prioritizes developing relationship over attaining corrective behaviors. They also introduce the three founding principles of Trauma.

For More on TBRI, see episode 5 of the Pod.

00:00:00 - Start

00:05:17 - Making Ben uncomfortable

00:11:38 - What the Green Mile?

00:16:09 - Phil's most traumatic injury

00:19:59 - Why Phil is passionate about trauma training

00:26:03 - The Marshall trauma journey

00:30:48 - Trust-Based Relational Intervention

00:41:05 - Does building trust in a hosting matter, really?

00:43:39 - The Three Founding Principles of Trauma

00:56:19 - Building up the kindling

00:59:23 - 5 Survival Strategies in children

In this episode, Phil and Mel chat with Mike Mattes, the Executive Director of Kingdom Dads. They talk about his journey into ministry, how he cultivated his home/ministry philosophy, and how college ministry led to building stronger families.

To learn more about Kingdom Dads: https://kingdomdads.org/

To partner with Kingdom Dads: https://kingdomdads.org/register

Join Phil and Mel as they talk with Kim Babb: former OSU football player turned Man Up and Go Senior Philanthropy Officer. They talk about the Uber that changed Kam's life, his college football career, and the importance of fatherhood.

For more about Man Up and Go: https://manupandgo.org/.

To Give to the work: https://manupandgo.org/?give=PYEVM6DX.

In this episode, Phil and Mel continue their conversation about suffering. They continue last week's points on suffering, emphasizing worship, the Word, and the power of lament.

00:00 - Start

03:23 - Office sleepover must-haves

06:44 - Phil's best and silliest qualities

12:32 - Being found by the Lord in loneliness

16:57 - Letting your kids into your suffering

22:12 - Worship amidst worry

32:55 - Accountability for steadfastness and integrity

42:31 - Finding ultimate satiation in the Word

45:31 - Lament Well

In the first of a two part conversation, Phil and Mel discuss what it looks like to suffer well. They explore what it means to be led by the wisdom of God, rather than the wisdom of man, the importance of praying for protection, and the comforting truth of the Lord's discipline on those he loves.

In the first of a two part conversation, Phil and Mel discuss what it looks like to suffer well. They explore what it means to be led by the wisdom of God, rather than the wisdom of man, the importance of praying for protection, and the comforting truth of the Lord's discipline on those he loves.