Best Aid Agency Podcasts (2024)

1
Gaza: School strikes leave children’s futures in balance, warns UN aid agency 7:46

3d ago7:46

7:46

In Gaza, the recent spate of schools hit in ongoing Israeli bombardment threatens the futures of a “whole generation” of children in the embattled enclave, the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on Wednesday. In an interview with UN News, UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma explained that for the 600,000 children in Gaz…

1
Top South African Judge emphasizes crucial role of judiciary in fighting climate change 7:28

19h ago7:28

7:28

The 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is underway in New York, bringing ministers and senior officials together to discuss how to get the world back on track to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. One of the key concerns is how best to boost climate action to ensure a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for all - and the…

1
UN aid mission witnesses ‘apocalyptic’ scenes in Gaza city, with most basic supplies non-existent 7:42

21h ago7:42

7:42

Aid teams that reached Gaza City on Friday after a week-long military offensive by Israeli forces described apocalyptic scenes with “building after building” flattened. Some 300,000 people now remain in the north of Gaza, according to latest estimates from the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, which is working to get basic supplies to the mo…

1
Discipleship Double Standard: Women's Ministry vs Beer Ministry 1:09:11

1d ago1:09:11

1:09:11

Today the ladies dive into the unspoken yet pervasive double standards within Come As You Are. Women are often expected to shoulder a litany of duties: keeping the house spotless, cooking meals, making sure to have a daily quiet time, attending Bible studies, ensuring the homework for those studies is completed, serving the church tirelessly, and p…

1
How AI Is Changing The Face Of Coaching & Mentoring In Agencies 15:00

3d ago15:00

15:00

Are you able to afford your own coach? What about a mentor for each of your team members? For most, the answer will be NO but AI is having and going to have a huge impact on this area meaning every agency owner will have their own coach and every time member, their own mentor. In a time when Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising how we manage …

1
Southeast Asia, the ‘ground zero’ for global scamming industry 13:06

3d ago13:06

13:06

Southeast Asia has become the “ground zero” for the multi-billion-dollar global internet scamming industry according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Transnational criminal groups working across the region are targeting victims around the world from so-called scam farms which are operating clandestinely - often alongside legal businesse…

1
Top UN envoy warns against rush to end mission in DR Congo 8:27

4d ago8:27

8:27

The UN Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has fully withdrawn from South Kivu, ending the first phase of disengagement following the request to pull out altogether from the Government in Kinshasa. MONUSCO’s operations began winding down in January, but its Head, Bintou Keita, says there should not be a rush to…

1
Ep 12: Fr. Patrick van der Vorst on Christian Art, Dragons' Den, Songs of Praise & Priesthood 41:15

5d ago41:15

41:15

Join us in this episode of Voices of Change as we speak with Father Patrick van der Vorst. From securing investment on BBC's Dragons' Den for his online art valuation company, to creating the popular Christian Art website, Fr Patrick shares his unique journey into the priesthood. We discuss his appearances on Songs of Praise, his daily reflections …

1
Celebrate Good Times: Melissa Accidentally Throws Tom a Party 53:29

9d ago53:29

53:29

In this episode of Burning Butterflies, we're diving into the chaotic yet revealing story of Melissa's attempt to throw a party. Initially intended to celebrate Froggy's 40th birthday with a "Game of Life" theme, the event takes unexpected turns. Brandi ditches the party, Amanda gets yelled at, and Charlotte and Froggy derail the plans, turning the…

1
12 Essential Steps to Productise Your Agency for Profitable Growth 34:56

10d ago34:56

34:56

Is your agency struggling to keep up with clients who request highly-tailored bespoke services which end up eating into your profitability and efficiency? In an era where agencies are constantly juggling between custom projects and scalability, the transition to productised services can be a game-changer. Many agency owners find themselves overwhel…

1
Called to Lead: A Deep Dive Into The Pastors of Come As You Are 1:15:30

16d ago1:15:30

1:15:30

Welcome to Chapter Three! In this episode of Burning Butterflies, hosts Amanda, Melissa, and Brandi delve into the tumultuous history of pastoral leadership at the Come As You Are Church. Founded by Tom in 1998, the church has seen a steady stream of pastors come and go, each chosen solely based on Tom's authority, with little formal training and n…

1
‘Heatwaves will be more frequent because of human-made climate change’ 6:35

16d ago6:35

6:35

Intense heatwaves like the one that blasted the US Midwest and northeast recently are likely to be increasingly common because of human-induced climate change, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday. As if that warning wasn’t bad enough, climate scientist Alvaro Silva at the WMO told me that dangerous pollutants like ozone …

1
3 Essential Strategies Every Agency Owner Needs to Stay Connected to Their WHY 13:59

17d ago13:59

13:59

Do you ever wonder why you are running your own agency, stuck in the weeds and lurching from one demand or crisis to the next? In the fast-paced world of agency life, it's easy to lose sight of your core motivations and why you started your own agency amidst the daily grind. For agency owners and leaders, reconnecting with your deeper purpose can r…

1
Relief chief pledges UN aid operation will continue across Gaza 14:51

17d ago14:51

14:51

Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths told UN News in an exclusive interview on Wednesday that UN humanitarians remain deeply committed to delivering aid across war-torn Gaza, despite speculation that operations could be suspended due to safety concerns. The UN relief chief denied that any “ultimatum” had been given by the Israeli military,…

1
‘Industrialization’ of cocaine production major factor in drug’s popularity 15:16

18d ago15:16

15:16

The Colombian peace process ended decades of conflict with the FARC, but one unintended consequence may have been an increase in cocaine production. According to the 2024 World Drug Report, a major annual study from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, prices dropped as more groups became involved in the cocaine trade, and the post-war environment hel…

1
Assange release ‘a very good outcome’: UN torture expert 6:39

18d ago6:39

6:39

The UN independent expert on torture said on Monday that the reported plea deal with the United States that has led to the release of Julian Assange “is a very good outcome” to the long running case. The WikiLeaks founder and whistleblower has been fighting extradition from the United Kingdom to the US for the past five years and has reportedly agr…

1
Chapter 3: Ruins to Redemption 15:03

20d ago15:03

15:03

Welcome to Chapter Three! "Ruins to Redemption" This chapter covers the years 2015-2016, which are some of the darkest times in the lives of Melissa, Amanda and Brandi. In this mini episode, the ladies wrap up some loose ends from Chapter 2 and give you a sneak peek into Chapter 3.By Melissa Anne & Amanda Turnbull

1
Keeping the peace isn’t just about laying down weapons, says top analyst 11:49

22d ago11:49

11:49

Around four in 10 countries where conflicts have ended return to a state of war within a decade, which is why investing in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration is crucial to sustaining peace. That was one of the key messages from the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and UN Development Programme (UNDP) at this year’s Symposium on Dis…

1
Conflict in Nigeria largely driven by the climate crisis: UN country chief 12:11

22d ago12:11

12:11

When the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), released its annual report on global trends in June, it showed, for the twelfth year in a row, record numbers of displacement, around 120 million people. Conflict remains the key factor behind the figures, and the report noted that the climate crisis is often a driver of that conflict. On the ground, in the count…

1
Christmas Chaos: Traditions, Expectations & Baby Jesus 1:00:01

23d ago1:00:01

1:00:01

In this final episode of Chapter 2, the ladies take a reflective journey through their experiences with Christmas Eve services at "Come As You Are." Melissa shares the immense pressure she felt to constantly outdo herself, striving for perfection under Pastor Tom's watchful eye. Meanwhile, Brandi opens up about the challenges of making sure the chi…

1
Sudan: ‘We’re in a race against time, but the time is running out’ 14:12

23d ago14:12

14:12

War-torn Sudan is facing a looming famine and the world’s largest displacement crisis as the conflict between rival militaries that started last April grinds on and the situation deteriorates on the ground. UN News’s Khaled Mohamed spoke with Justin Brady, who leads the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the country. S…

1
In a year of elections, why is there a ‘Democracy Paradox’? 14:55

23d ago14:55

14:55

More than 60 elections are taking place in 2024 and, whilst 90 per cent of people say they want to live in a democracy, many are voting for people and systems that are restricting their rights. The UN has expressed concern about this “democracy paradox”, and that fact that some governments and governance systems are becoming increasingly repressive…

1
The Power Of Living In The Present 13:12

24d ago13:12

13:12

Did you know that a holiday in nature could teach you a vital lesson about running your agency? I recently returned from exploring the stunning fjords of Norway, and it was a stark reminder of the power of living in the moment. In the fast-paced world of agency life, where every second is packed with emails, meetings, and deadlines, it's easy to fo…

1
UNHCR ambassador calls for greater access and educational opportunities for young refugees 14:32

24d ago14:32

14:32

Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day with forced displacement surging to historic new levels across the globe, according to the 2024 flagship Global Trends Report from refugee agency UNHCR. UN News’s Pauline Batista sat down with UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Mary Maker from South Sudan, at UN Headquarters in New York, who discu…

1
Women-led organizations in Gaza ‘an inspiration’: UN Women official 9:52

25d ago9:52

9:52

The resilience of women-led organizations to continue working across Gaza to benefit their communities is “an inspiration”, the Special Representative for UN Women in the region said on Wednesday in an interview with UN News. Maryse Guimond from the Palestine Office of the UN agency advocating for gender equality described her first mission to the …

1
One third of global population affected by desertification and land loss 6:43

27d ago6:43

6:43

Some 3.2 billion people, or almost one third of the global population, are affected by desertification and land loss according to the UN’s most senior official dealing with the issue. The loss of land through drought and desertification, which is being driven, in part, by climate change, can have huge impacts on agriculture, development, migration …

1
‘The Taliban have stripped girls of the rights they once had’: Gordon Brown 7:16

30d ago7:16

7:16

It has now been over 1,000 days since the Taliban, the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, banned education for girls beyond sixth grade, a figure described by the Executive Director of the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, as “a blatant violation of their right to education” resulting in “dwindling opportunities and deteriorating mental health”. To r…

1
Living in the metaverse: UN goes virtual for the public good 7:01

1M ago7:01

7:01

The UN’s digital technology agency (ITU) launches ‘UN Virtual Worlds Day’ on Friday a pioneering event designed to integrate the metaverse – ‘an integrated ecosystem of virtual worlds’ – to improve how societies and governance work to greater benefit the public. Virtual reality offers new opportunities for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals…

1
Forced & Fractured Friendships: Tales From the Fall Campaign 1:13:46

1M ago1:13:46

1:13:46

Join Melissa, Amanda, and Brandi as they dive deep into the complexities of the 401 class at "Come As You Are." The fall campaign had everyone buzzing with anticipation, but what ensued was a tangled web of manipulation, misplaced priorities, and unexpected challenges. Brandi opens up about her experience, recounting how she found herself in a grou…

1
Nuclear bids to become leading renewable energy source 19:48

1M ago19:48

19:48

Nuclear power has been a source of optimism and fear since the mid-Twentieth Century. On one hand, it evokes the destructive power of nuclear bombs, the catastrophic explosion of Chernobyl, the Fukushima disaster or, more recently Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, Europe’s largest, which has come under fire since Russia’s full-scale inva…

1
You Think Your Agency is Niched? Think again! 17:02

1M ago17:02

17:02

Do you think your agency has nailed its niche? Think again. In today’s competitive agency landscape, merely believing you have a defined niche (e.g. ‘we are tech specialists’) might not be enough to secure your place and stand out. Many agencies still operate too broadly, which can dilute their appeal and lead to missed opportunities with ideal cli…

1
Children are forced to work in OPT to support their families 7:53

1M ago7:53

7:53

Eight months into the war in Gaza, families have been forced to adapt to what humanitarians often call “negative coping strategies” to survive, as unemployment reaches a staggering 80 per cent. For many in the Gaza Strip, this has meant sending their children out to work, despite the dangers, the UN labour agency, ILO, has warned. Details of this w…

1
Time for big plastic producers to walk the talk on cutting pollution 5:34

1M ago5:34

5:34

The plastics industry needs to show more responsibility and put their money where their mouth is on cutting harmful waste and pollution, especially as it impacts small island States. That’s according to Director General of the Pacific islands environment agency, SPREP, Sefanaia Nawadra of Fiji, who told UN News the outcome document adopted at last …

1
Yemen: International community must build on ‘fragile’ humanitarian progress 6:46

1M ago6:46

6:46

The international community must continue to pay attention to the humanitarian situation in Yemen, where hunger and malnutrition remain chronic after nearly a decade of war. That’s the opinion of Najwa Mekki, Chief of the Strategic Communications Branch at the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, in New York. Ms. Mekki is fresh from a visit to Yem…

1
Unravelling the tales of sharks and dugongs on World Oceans Day 9:03

1M ago9:03

9:03

Sharks and dugongs serve as barometers of the marine ecosystem, but many people overlook their critical roles, perceiving sharks as menacing figures and dugongs as mythical creatures. Ahead of World Oceans Day on 8 June, UN News’s Jing Zhang spoke with Gabriel Grimsditch, a programme management officer at the UN Environment Programme’s marine and c…

1
Sudan: Where ‘people don’t have tomorrow’ without lifesaving aid, warns UNICEF 7:09

1M ago7:09

7:09

A devastating war in Sudan has left 800,000 people trapped in El Fasher in the west of the vast country, UN humanitarians warned on Friday, as they reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire to allow lifesaving aid in. The development comes as disturbing details continue to emerge of an alleged attack on the village of Wad Al-Noura in Jazira state…

1
Alarming levels of global child poverty: UNICEF 10:07

1M ago10:07

10:07

UNICEF has released a new child nutrition report that highlights severe levels of child food poverty due to inequity, conflict, and climate crises. The new report found that millions of children under five have difficulty accessing nutritious and diverse diets necessary for developmental growth. UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, and a lead writer for th…

1
Tech optimists from Google use AI to reach development goals 4:44

1M ago4:44

4:44

With only six years to the 2030 deadline, humanity is alarmingly off track in the bid to reach the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. Keeping track of progress is a gigantic task but one of the global tech giants – Google - is answering the call. At the recent AI for Good Global Summit, Melike Yetken Krilla, who’s in charge of Google’s rela…

1
Marriage Nightmare: Melissa Breaks the Silence 1:27:51

1M ago1:27:51

1:27:51

In this gripping episode of Burning Butterflies, Melissa shares her story of domestic abuse, revealing the hidden layers of pain and manipulation she endured within her marriage. But the story doesn't end there. Melissa shares how the toxic environment of "Come As You Are" exacerbated the abuse. Despite the signs of distress, she was convinced that…

1
‘You need to bring girls back to school’: UN official’s message for Afghan leaders 20:55

1M ago20:55

20:55

Since the Taliban took back power as the de facto authority in Afghanistan in 2021, women’s rights have come under attack. Today, the country barely makes the headlines despite the ongoing suppression of women’s rights and humanitarian crises, such as earthquakes and recent floods. Jorge Moreira da Silva, the Head of the UN Office for Project Servi…

1
How 3 Storytelling Techniques Can Revolutionise Your Team and Client Relationships 12:32

1M ago12:32

12:32

Have you ever felt that your message just isn’t getting through to your clients or team members? In today’s competitive agency environment, where clarity and connection can make or break relationships, mastering the art of storytelling in communication is paramount. Whether you’re struggling to convey complex ideas or seeking to build stronger, mor…

1
AI is being used by the UN to save lives: UN tech official 12:03

1M ago12:03

12:03

The potentially transformative effects of Artificial Intelligence have been brought into focus by the UN in recent days, following a major conference in Geneva: the AI For Global Good Summit. The title of the event says it all: how is the technology being used to further UN-endorsed goals, such as reducing inequality, tackling the climate crisis, a…

1
World Environment Day a chance to spark action to restore ailing land 6:31

1M ago6:31

6:31

Restoring land, halting desertification and building resilience against drought are the focus of World Environment Day on 5 June. Up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is already degraded, while more than three billion people worldwide are negatively impacted by drought, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). UN News’s Julia Dean in Canb…

1
Ep 11: Kayode Akintola on the situation in Sudan and CAFOD's local experts 46:10

1M ago46:10

46:10

Join us in this compelling episode of Voices of Change as we sit down with Kayode Akintola, Head of Africa Region at CAFOD. Kayode discusses the current situation in Sudan, the various challenges facing Africa, and why partnering with local experts is CAFOD's humanitarian work. Don't miss this insightful conversation! Time stamps! 00:00: Introducti…

1
SIDS4: Indian Ocean health expert lauds ‘political commitment’ to take action 3:22

1M ago3:22

3:22

A medical epidemiologist working with the Indian Ocean Commission’s One Health initiative says that the number of ministers from small island States attending this week’s SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda shows there is real “political commitment” to take urgent action. Dr. Lovena Preeyadarshini Mangroo of Mauritius says although all five isl…

1
World must step up support for SIDS as ‘expression of responsibility’ 5:11

1M ago5:11

5:11

The developed world must increase support for small island developing States “not as an expression of generosity but of responsibility”, the UN’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction has said. Kamal Kishore – who also heads up the Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) - was speaking to UN News in Antigua and Barbuda as the Fourth…

1
Searching for Connection: The Reality of Mom's Group 1:17:26

1M ago1:17:26

1:17:26

In this eye-opening episode, the ladies of the Burning Butterflies Podcast sit down to discuss the unique challenges faced by wives and mothers at "Come As You Are" With an expectation for women to be stay at home mothers, many find themselves depressed and overwhelmed. The proposed solution? Mom's group. But what happens in an environment where fr…

1
Gaza’s healthcare teams must be focus of reconstruction, says WHO 10:15

1M ago10:15

10:15

Nearly eight months of war in Gaza have devastated the enclave’s hospitals and clinics but many skilled medical professionals are still there and committed to being part of its future, a senior UN World Health Organization (WHO) official told UN News. “There's a lot of very capable health professionals in Gaza, and they should be very much part - t…

1
From Belafonte to Rihanna, the Caribbean has ‘transformed culture’ 10:38

1M ago10:38

10:38

They may be small islands in size – but the countries of the Caribbean are huge exporters of culture and need to remind younger generations at home of why they should feel proud of where they come from. That’s according to Claire Nelson, a Jamaican based in the United States and founder of the advocacy-based Institute of Caribbean Studies, who’s be…

1
From Agency Owner to AI Entrepreneur: Jodie Cook's Journey 37:45

2M ago37:45

37:45

In this week’s episode, we have a truly inspiring journey to unpack. If you're navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship or intrigued by the intersection of technology and business, you're in for a treat. I sat down with the incredibly accomplished Jodie Cook. Known for her keen insights into entrepreneurship and AI, Jodie has a wealth of exper…

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