INTERVIEW with TerrianThe Reconciliation ConversationEpisode 8

INTRO | Derrick DeLain

BIO for TERRIANTerrian is from the Memphis area. She is now female vocalist for DiverseCity, TobyMac’s eclectic and funky music group. She is grateful to be a mentor for an all-girls choir called Angel Street (in Memphis). Her musical heroes are Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, and Hillsong United. The way she unwinds is at a coffee shop with her Bible. She is a Singer/Songwriter/Worship leader living a dream in pursuit of a life-giving music career. Her words of advice to someone wanting to do music for a living: follow the Holy Spirit guiding you and take the vision God gives you and run with it. So glad Terrian could join us!

QUESTIONS:

1 — tell us a brief overview of your story, going as personal as you are comfortable to go, including your journey into where you are now with music.

2 — what music has inspired and is inspiring you most?

3 — what personal perspectives on racism and anti-racism could you share, based on your own experiences?

4 — you’ve been a part of what TobyMac calls “Diverse City” — what has that experience been like?

5 — what one or two simple suggestions might you offer to an individual wanting to take a new step or a next step in this journey together toward reconciliation and a new American reality?

:: OUTRO

— Socials for [email protected]/DiverseCity

— Socials for The Reconciliation Conversation@theReconConvohttps://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media. Please review us wherever you listen to podcasts, as this can help others find us who are also seeking to join the conversation!

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

The Reconciliation ConversationEpisode 7Guest: Purshia Gambles

INTRO | Derrick DeLainBIO for @PurshiaGambles:: from Lubbock, TX:: on team with the SALT Network and Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa:: co-founder of WeAreAmbassador.com:: dropped some serious truth bombs during the interview!!!:: digs natural haircare products and has great hair!!! :)

QUESTIONS:

1 — What’s going on right now in American culture from your perspective? And what about specifically in Ames, Iowa in the context of all that is going on in America at large? 2 — What’s an experience in your story that highlights why you care about reconciliation and oneness?3 — You care about the local church — why would we expect reconciliation in our culture when it’s not in our churches? And why is it so crucial?4 — Tell us about WeAreAmbassador.com and why y’all started it?5 — What are some simple suggestions for individuals wanting to take a new step or next step toward reconciliation and oneness? :: OUTRO | Derrick-- SOCIALS for Purshia@[email protected]

-- SOCIALS for The Reconciliation Conversation @theReconConvo https://ReconciliationConversation.com*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media. Please leave a review, too, if you don't mind.**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

THE RECONCILIATION CONVERSATION INTERVIEW with Alan CrossPastor. Writer. Historian.July 15th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick DeLainWelcome to The Recon Convo. We want to be a space where we can encourage love, expose hate, equip for reconciliation, and emphasize unity so that people of all colors and backgrounds can know our value together as one. Today...

:: Alan Cross BIO | Derrick DeLainAlan Cross is a follower of Jesus and committed husband and father. He is highly respected in church and journalistic and historical and government circles for his insights on race in the south and immigration culture. He is currently a pastor just north of San Fran, an op-ed contributor for The NY Times and Bulwark Online and RNS, and author of When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus. He has also contributed to Christianity Today, Providence Mag, Time, and MGM Advertiser. 

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLainAlan — as a white guy, what first got you interested in matters of race and immigration? 

:: QUESTION 2 | Jason DukesHow did your time in Montgomery shape all that you are doing right now? 

:: QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLainTalk about two takeaways from your book that you feel like best sets someone up to want to go purchase and read it.

:: QUESTION 4 | Jason DukesWe try to wrap each episode with one or two simple takeaways individuals can act on right now. What takeaways would you suggest for someone listening who wants to cultivate for reconciliation? 

:: WRAP-UP with Alan’s social media and web info | Derrick DeLain

— @AlanLCross on Twitter and Instagram

— Church he pastors — Petaluma Valley Baptist Church — http://www.petalumabaptist.org

— Book — When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus — available on Amazon: When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus https://www.amazon.com/dp/1603063501/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_En78Eb1SPRS79 

:: Facebook Page -- When Heaven and Earth Collide -- Alan will be walking through his book each week a little at a time if you'd like to join him over the next month or two.

:: OUTRO | Derrick@theReconConvo https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media. 

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

INTERVIEW with Dakota DozierMinnesota Viking Football Player #78July 8th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick DeLainWelcome to The Recon Convo. We want to be a space where we can encourage love, expose hate, equip for reconciliation, and emphasize unity so that people of all colors and backgrounds can know our value together as one. Today...

:: Dakota Dozier BIO | Derrick DeLainDakota Dozier is a professional football player entering his second season with the Vikings. He came to Minnesota as a free agent on April 4, 2019. The West Columbia, South Carolina, native stands at 6-5 300+ and was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round (137th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 54 career games with 11 starts. Last season, he appeared in all 16 games. 

As a collegian Dozier made 44 career starts for Furman, and was a First Team All-SoCon selection following both the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Dozier was also named a unanimous First Team FCS All-American following the 2013 season, only the seventh unanimous All-American in program history. He went to Furman from Brookland-Cayce High School in West Columbia, SC. At Furman, he majored in health sciences. 

He married his Furman University crush, Haley, and they have one son, Dakota, Jr.

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLainDakota — we’ve been boys for a while now. As much as you are allowed, in honor of NFL protocol for players, how have the events of the last two months made you feel as an American black man? As a black father? 

:: QUESTION 2 | Jason DukesYou play in Minnesota. Talk about what it’s really been like there in the community and how city leaders are responding? How is the church responding? 

:: QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLainFrom your perspective, how is the Viking organization envisioning this coming season in light of current events? And how, from your perspective, is the NFL envisioning this coming season will be different?  

:: QUESTION 4 | Jason DukesWe try to wrap each episode with one or two simple takeaways individuals can act on right now. What takeaways would you suggest for someone listening who wants to cultivate for reconciliation? 

:: WRAP-UP with Dakota’s social media and web info | Derrick DeLain@BullDozier78 on Twitter and InstagramAlong with all Minnesota Vikings social media

:: OUTRO | Derrick@theReconConvo https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media. 

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

INTERVIEW with Jarryd ColeFounder of WeAreAmbassador.comCornerstone in Ames, IowaJuly 1st, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick DeLainWelcome to The Recon Convo. We want to be a space where we can encourage love, expose hate, equip for reconciliation, and emphasize unity so that people of all colors and backgrounds can know our value together as one. Today...

:: Jarryd Cole BIO | Derrick DeLainWelcome to the home of the Hawkeyes!!! Starting at forward, a senior, at 6-7 and 250 lbs, from Winnetonka High School in Kansas City, MO, # 50 Jarryd Coooooooooooooooooooole!!!!

Seriously, Jarryd has been married for 7 years and is a father to a beautiful daughter! He is on pastoral staff with Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa. And he is the co-founder of We Are Ambassador — a biblically informed Christian coalition that engages issues of religion, race, justice, and culture in ways that pursue reconciliation.

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLainListen, we’ve talked on the phone some since everything has gone down in the past couple of weeks, but as a black athlete that played in a majority white area you’ve had a lot of eyes on you and many people still follow you. How are you processing both externally and internally with what we are seeing right now?

:: QUESTION 2 | Jason DukesYou are on staff with a church in Ames, Iowa. You are passionate about the prayer of Jesus in John 17. Talk about what, in your opinion, the American Church should be focusing on right now with regard to reconciliation?

:: QUESTION 3 | Derrick DeLainTalk about what We Are Ambassadors is and why you and Purshia and Tracee and Kari were so passionate to launch it?

:: QUESTION 4 | Jason DukesWe try to wrap each episode with one or two simple takeaways individuals can act on right now. What takeaways would you suggest for someone listening who wants to cultivate for reconciliation?

:: WRAP-UP with Jarryd’s social media and web info | Derrick DeLain@Jarryd_Cole on Twitter and [email protected] on Instagram@waambassadors on Twitterhttps://weareambassador.com

:: OUTRO | Derrick@theReconConvohttps://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

INTERVIEW with EJ Gaines and Todd SmithJune 16th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick

:: EJ Gaines and Todd Smith BIO | DerrickEJ Gaines has been married to Janice for 12 years. She is a celebrated artist on Motown Gospel. They have two adorable sons, Gabe (3) and Benji (6 months). EJ is the Co-Executive Director of Motown Gospel and VP of Marketing for Capitol CMG (Christian Music Group). He has practiced law since 2007. He went to NYU for his undergrad, then St. John’s University School of Law.

Todd Smith is married to his wife Angie, who is an author and speaker. Their children are Ellie, Abby, Kate, Audrey, and Charlotte. Todd is the lead singer of the group Selah. And a Michigan fan! :)

:: QUESTION 1 | DerrickEJ — thinking back over the years, when it comes to the racial tension in our country, how would you describe what you have seen and heard as a leader in the music industry, both historically in our culture as well as historically in the music industry?

:: QUESTION 2 | JasonTodd and EJ — Todd, you jump in on this one — why is relationship with people of all colors so important to you? AND then, for both of you, can you talk about how your friendship with each other has been so meaningful, especially when it comes to how it has sharpened you and possibly even corrected some perceptions and misperceptions you’ve held?

:: QUESTION 3 | DerrickEJ — from where you sit as a leader in the music industry with a company that engages with the church specifically, in your opinion, what should the church be doing to engage and influence for change in order to see healing and change in our country?

:: QUESTION 4 | JasonEJ and Todd — we always want to conclude with one or two takeaways that individual people listening can act on right now. When it comes to cultivating for reconciliation, in hopes of seeing “on Earth as it is in Heaven,” what are a couple of action steps you might suggest for our listeners?

:: WRAP-UP with EJ’s and Todd’s social media and web info | Derrick@EJGaines on Instagram and TwitterMotownGospel.com@ToddSmithOnline on Twitter@OfficialToddSmith on Instagram“The Selah Videos” YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/TheSelahVideo

:: OUTRO | Derrick@theReconConvohttps://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

THE RECONCILIATION CONVERSATION co-hosts Derrick DeLain and Jason DukesEpisode Two Season OneINTERVIEW with Johnny GrimesOwner of Wheelhouse Salon in Downtown Birmingham, ALJune 17th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick

:: Johnny’s Bio | Derrick

:: QUESTION 1 | DerrickBirmingham is at least in the top 3 of cities if not the # 1 city when it comes to telling the American Civil Rights story. With all that is going on now, talk about why that history matters and how it’s affecting the sense of the people there? 

:: QUESTION 2 | JasonThis has also affected you and your family in a specific way, right? Talk about Wheelhouse Salon that you and your wife Courtney started, and how the protests in Birmingham have impacted y’all.

:: QUESTION 3 | DerrickSo, after y’all got looted, how did you feel? How did you respond? 

:: QUESTION 4 | JasonThis road toward reconciliation and healing in our land is going to be a long one. What are a couple of takeaways from our conversation today you would suggest to listeners that they could take steps in right now? 

:: WRAP-UP with Johnny’s social media and salon info | Derrick@JohnnyGrimes2@wheelhousesalonhttp://wheelhousesalon.com

:: OUTRO | Derrick@theReconConvo https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media. 

**Musical intro and outro by @cdukesmusic (https://cdukesmusic.com)

In Episode One of The Reconciliation Conversation, "guest number one" is Rev. Dr. John Jay Cox, Pastor of the historic Vermont Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. In this episode, we discuss with Pastor Cox:

:: what the sense of the people of DC is at this tumultuous time regarding racial tensions and protests against racial injustice

:: what it's like to pastor geographically and metaphorically right in the middle of The White House and the campus of Howard University (the prominent HBCU)

:: what he thinks the protests are for and why he thinks he and his family should be involved, and

:: a few takeaways in our journey toward renewal and reconciliation together.

We really were encouraged and challenged by Pastor Cox, and we think you will be, too. You may find his and the church's social media and web info below in the show notes.

The Reconciliation Conversation INTERVIEW with Dr. John Jay Cox Co-Hosts Derrick DeLain and Jason Dukes June 9th, 2020

:: INTRO | Derrick DeLain

:: BIO of Pastor Cox | Derrick DeLain

:: QUESTION 1 | Derrick DeLain In the midst of national protests, being in the heart of DC, our Nation’s Capitol, what’s that like? What’s the sense of the people there as you see it?

:: QUESTION 2 | Derrick DeLain You pastor the historic Vermont Street Baptist Church. The church building is located almost exactly in between The White House and Howard University. You pastor the people there, probably involved in all things DC, including DC politics as well as the rich heritage of that HBCU. What’s that like? How do you navigate that?

:: QUESTION 3 | Jason Dukes A mutual friend from Nashville introduced us. He told me you participated in a peaceful protest last week. As a white guy, I get why you would do that. But there are a lot of white people out there who may still be struggling with why the protests matters so much AND why you’d be a part. Can you enlighten us on that?

:: QUESTION 4 | Derrick DeLain Processing what we’ve dialogues through today, what are some specific takeaways and action steps?

:: WRAP-UP with Pastor Cox’s social media and church info @JohnJayCox @vabcnwdc www.vabcnwdc.org

:: OUTRO @theReconConvo https://ReconciliationConversation.com

*Thank you for subscribing on YouTube and the podcast and for following on social media.

**Musical Intro and Outro by @cdukesmusic - https://cdukesmusic.com

The Reconciliation Conversation Preview and Pilot EpisodeJune 3rd, 2020 | Derrick DeLain and Jason Dukes

:: musical intro by @cdukesmusic

:: welcome and intro of hosts (will tell more about ourselves later)

:: pilot episode for what? — The Reconciliation Conversation We hope to challenge the current system and both senses of privilege as well as entitlement, while honoring every tribe and nation, with special attention to racial disunity in America. We will be interviewing artists and leaders and highlighting resources that help to cultivate for “on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

:: why do we want to do this? The Reconciliation Conversation exists to expose hate, to encourage love, to equip for reconciliation, and to emphasize unity, so that red and yellow and black and white can know our value together as one.

:: what do we hope to accomplish? The desired outcome is fourfold — (1) people who weren’t learning from one another in the midst of this conversation to join the conversation, (2) local civil conversations to be held in communities where listenership and interest grows, (3) Community Together Groups to be formed out of those civil conversations that cultivate for local systemic change and cultural transformation, and (4) people from all backgrounds sharing a meal together, sharing their stories together, and becoming a renewed story together. We also are on YouTube. Check it out and subscribe to the No More Night Media YouTube Channel.

:: who are we?Derrick DeLain with https://proclamationtn.com/ Jason Dukes -- https://livesent.com/author/ 

:: what’s next? Episode One coming out next week!!!

:: musical outro by @cdukesmusic -- https://cdukesmusic.com/ 

:: a No More Night Media production -- PLEASE SUBSCRIBE :)https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCod6n6MAIudMLFgKhMyKncg