We are joined today by global nonprofit leader Gaston Warner who is the Global North CEO of Zoe Empowers. Gaston talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about their work among vulnerable families, especially child and youth headed households. Over the years, our show has talked a lot about the need for kids to be raised in families and communities and in this episode we learn about a comprehensive model that emphasizes the children’s agency to overcome poverty. We talk empowerment, data, promising practices and it’s an episode our orphan care diehards don’t want to miss.
Category Archives: Orphan Care
Rethinking Orphan Care with Preston Sprinkle and Brandon Stiver
Today, we’re releasing our podcast collaboration with our friends at Theology in the Raw. Brandon had a chance to sit down with Preston Sprinkle and dive into all things global orphan care and discuss the realities of that children in orphanages face worldwide. Our conversation weaves between a theology of calling and mission and how American Christians intersect with orphans in the Global South. We discuss the reality of life within orphanages, why kids end up there and what risk factors and vulnerabilities arise when kids are raised in that environment. This is a good Ethical Orphan Care 101 type episode and we’re grateful for the chance to collaborate with Theology in the Raw to raise awareness and education.
Pioneering Family Care in the Philippines with Chrina Henson
In honor of the World Without Orphans Global Forum and in honor of awesome work being done in the Philippines, we’ve got Chrina Cuna Henson joining the show. Chrina runs the Manila-based organization Generations-Home and talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about what it’s like to promote foster care and adoption in the Philippines. We discuss the reality of violence against children and the pervasive online sexual exploitation of children in the country and learn how Generations-Home is promoting the care and protection of children therein.
Owning Poverty with Dr. Michael Pucci
Author and development educator, Dr. Michael Pucci joins the show to talk with us about the spiritual and relational dynamics of poverty and helps us understand the biblical view of the global family of God. We also dive into a fascinating conversation on the multi-billion dollar aid industry (which is nuanced by the amount of remittances sent to the Global South). Dr. Pucci is based in Kigali where he runs Transformational Initiatives and invests in women’s economic empowerment alongside other transformational development initiatives.
Trafficking, Entrepreneurship and Orphan Care Podcasting with Dr. Lauren Pinkston
This week we have academic and researcher Dr. Lauren Pinkson. Lauren is the host of the Upwardly Dependent podcast and comes with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in human trafficking prevention and community development through social enterprise. She has a passion for exploring creative solutions to bridging cultures and investing in communities. Join us as we challenge preconceptions surrounding human trafficking, shifting perspectives in bridging cultures, and delving into the intersection of podcasting within this sector.
When Collaboration Helps Families with Dr. Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder
In this episode, Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder join the show to tackle critical topics such as helping the church rediscover its identity, divisions within the American church regarding poverty, and the intricate relationship between economic empowerment and family well-being. Additionally, they delve into cross-cultural missions, the significance of community and relationships, and discuss ACE’s collaboration with Chalmers Center. Tune in for insightful perspectives on poverty alleviation and community building.
My Long Journey Back Home with Mohamed Nabieu
This week we have the privilege of delving deeper into the remarkable life story of Mohamed Emmanuel Nabieu. In his captivating memoir, Long Journey Back Home, Nabs shares his resilient spirit and unwavering determination to overcome the challenges that marked his childhood and youth. In his second appearance on Think Orphan, Nabs shares more powerful insights. Discover how he is harnessing the strength of his past to forge a path of empowerment, not only for himself but for countless others who have experienced similar adversity.
Confronting Abuse of Power and the Silencing of Victims with Tiffany Bluhm
This week we are joined by Tiffany Bluhm, the author of Prey Tell and Never Alone. She speaks at conferences, companies, and churches, and her work has been featured in Publisher’s Weekly, Sojourners, Red Letter Christians, the YouVersion Bible app, and more. She serves at the intersection of faith and culture, humor and women’s issues. In this episode, In addition to a heart-wrenching conversation on adoption, Tiffany helps us navigate hard conversations around abuse of power and what it means to create systems of accountability.
Canopy International 