In this episode, Grace and Andrew sit down with Dave Hanson, CEO of Students International, to discuss the critical importance of long-term presence in our communities. The conversation explores why "staying" is a radical act in a world often focused on short-term projects. Dave shares how deep, sustained commitment builds trust, fosters genuine transformation, and moves beyond simple metrics of success. This episode offers practical wisdom for listeners looking to move past quick bursts of service to learn how to invest their time to truly love the people right outside their front door.

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In this week's episode, Grace and Andrew sit down with Jess and Brandon Jackson, Co-Pastors of On Ramps Covenant Church, who live in the Lowell neighborhood they serve. They discuss why physical proximity is the most radical act a leader can perform and what their neighbors have taught them about resilience, faith, and joy. This episode explores the vital shift from trying to "fix" a community from the outside to living with it from the inside. They also tackle the tough choices between pursuing scale versus depth, and how to carry the weight of seeing suffering up close.

Brandon Jackson is the Co-Lead Pastor of On Ramps Covenant Church in Fresno’s Lowell neighborhood, where he serves alongside his wife, Jess. Together, they are passionate about following Jesus, loving their neighborhood well, and helping create pathways for spiritual growth, leadership development, and community transformation. Brandon especially loves investing in the next generation and building relationships that help people grow into all God has for them.

Jess Jackson is the co pastor of On Ramps Covenant Church. She’s passionate about building Jesus-centered communities marked by shared life, justice and deep belonging. Her heart is to see people encounter God in real transformative ways, locally and globally.

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Join Grace and Andrew as they chat with Bryan Feil to discuss the radical act of showing up in your neighborhood and building the practical skill of reciprocity. They explore how shifting our perspective from simply "helping" to recognizing the inherent value in every person and place can transform our communities. Bryan shares powerful insights from his work with Neighborhood Industries and Lanna Coffee Co. on how business and proximity serve as catalysts for mutual benefit and lasting change.

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In this episode, Andrew and Grace chat with James Williams III, a faith-driven leader whose mission is to mentor youth and create safe spaces in West Fresno where young people can grow and thrive. He discusses his journey and how early life experiences shaped his heart for the youth in his neighborhood. The core theme of the episode is the "muscle of consistency," and why the simple act of showing up—week after week—is a radical act in a community.

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In this episode, Kendra Devejian explores how businesses and leaders can move beyond transactional relationships to truly value people as whole individuals—offering meaningful support through real-life challenges like housing, childcare, and mental health. She highlights the practical “good neighbor” skills of proximity, reciprocity, and endurance, showing how we can walk alongside one another in sustainable, life-giving ways.

Kendra Devejian is a fourth-generation Fresno native who has spent her career doing one thing: making sure people in the Central Valley have what they need to thrive. As CEO of Heartland Compass, a workplace-based support program powered by the Fresno Business Council, she and her team meet employees right where they are, inside the companies they work for, helping them navigate life's hardest moments so they can show up fully at work and at home.

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Christy and Kasey weren't looking to become non profit leaders, but they did commit to come in close to girls who were in the foster care system. The two women share their stories about how their personal stories and lives ignited a passion for those who are aging out of the foster care system. The two talk about what it takes to show up for formerly and current foster youth on a day to day basis, the statistics that seem insurmountable, and also the amazing hope and healing they've been able to witness up close.

To learn more about Good Dirt Collective - https://gooddirtcollective.org/

To learn more about the Redemptive Impact Accelerator - https://www.cctfresno.org/ria/

Kasey Jackson and Christy Manning are Co-Founders of Good Dirt Collective, united by their shared experience as foster and adoptive parents and a desire to support young women who have been impacted by foster care. Together, they created Good Dirt Collective to provide pottery-based job training, mentorship, and hope, offering a safe place to grow skills, confidence, and community. This work is rooted in their faith as they seek to follow God’s leading in how they serve others.

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Grace and Andrew get us ready for our new series, The Neighboring Practice. What does it mean to be a good neighbor, not just a person who does a service project annually? The two discuss the social context that has led to a culture of one time service as opposed to a lifetime of proximity, reciprocal relationship, empathy, consistency, and compassion. "The things you are close to are the things you care about." We hope this series inspires you, moves you, and challenges you to think about the person across the street.

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In this episode, Ashley Goldsmith joins the conversation to explore what it means to practice marketing and communications with integrity in the nonprofit world. Together, we unpack the tension between raising funds and honoring people’s dignity—especially when telling stories about communities experiencing hardship. Ashley shares practical insights on how nonprofits can communicate impact without exploiting pain, avoid “poverty porn,” and instead elevate stories of resilience, partnership, and hope.From crafting donor messaging to shaping brand voice, this episode offers a thoughtful framework for ethical storytelling that builds trust, inspires generosity, and reflects the values at the heart of the mission. If you care about communicating in a way that truly impacts communities while honoring the people you serve, this conversation is for you.

Ashley Goldsmith launched Blue Chair Communications her senior year of college out of a fierce desire to creatively share important ideas. For years, she’s helped nonprofits, government agencies, and values-driven businesses translate complex work into stories that move even stubborn hearts. Her ultimate vision? To see the Central Valley become a healthier, safer, more economically and spiritually vibrant place to live because the organizations working toward this reality communicate effectively.

Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive.

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Andrew and Grace sit down with Jeff Jones from Fresno Pacific University to explore the Working Genius framework and why it’s been such a game-changer in the workplace. They share how having a common language around gifts, talents, and skills has helped their teams collaborate more effectively and understand what each person brings to the table. This conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone looking to build healthier, more productive staff cultures.

Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive.

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Artie helped launch and lead Every Neighborhood Partnership over 17 years ago, and today is STILL working in the community development space and is STILL passionate about seeing Fresno flourish. Andrew and Grace get curious about HOW he continues to press in and continues to create community impact. The three talk sustainability, how faith and service parallel each other, long term commitment to the city, and what it costs to lead at a high capacity.

Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive.

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