Best Cafo Podcasts (2024)

1
Food Poverty, Breastmilk and Blood Metals 52:45

9d ago52:45

52:45

Today on the show we are weaving in and out of various topics, largely surrounding Africa and that touch areas of malnutrition (continent-wide) and trafficking (Congo) and even some really beautiful solutions for helping babies (Uganda). We have Dr. Lauren Pinkston of Kindred Exchange on the show with us to make sense of the news and provide critic…

1
Tiffany Bluhm - Contemplative Formation for the Life of Justice 36:27

16d ago36:27

36:27

In episode 257, Brandon welcomes author and nonprofit director Tiffany Bluhm back to the show. Tiffany is the Executive Director at Made for Pax, a Christian foundation which provides mentorship and vocational development for BIPOC leaders following Christ. The work is specifically employing contemplative formation for those that are engaging in pe…

1
Yasmine Vaughan - Collaborating Together for Global Health 1:04:55

23d ago1:04:55

1:04:55

In episode 256, Brandon and Phil get a crash course in global health from Yasmine Vaughan. Yasmine has her Master's in Public Health and serves as the Technical Advisor for Global Health and Missions with Helping Children Worldwide. Beyond sharing words and conditions that we can't even pronounce, Yasmine shares about the context in West Africa in …

1
The Impact of Long-Term Mentorship (feat. Brandon Denton, Friends of the Children Houston) 44:30

24d ago44:30

44:30

Do you know what the single most important factor in overcoming childhood adversity is? Research found that it is a long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult. Today, we are talking with Brandon Denton who has an impressive resume full of experiences and passion. Brandon was the Founding Executive Director of Friends of th…

1
Dave LeVan and Jon Allen - When Global Ministries Merge 1:05:05

30d ago1:05:05

1:05:05

Joining the podcast for episode 255 are nonprofit leaders Dave LeVan and Jon Allen with Water For Good. Dave and Jon speak with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about the status of worldwide access to water and what it looks like to implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in the Global South. We talk through the tremendous needs as well as ac…

1
Refugees, Maternal Health and Child Marriage 55:26

1M ago55:26

55:26

In this month's 3+1 episode, we're diving into conversation around the current refugee crisis being fueled by conflict and displacement worldwide, jump back into recent conversation on Haiti and the challenges that pregnant mothers are facing in the midst of tumult and also look at the controversy surrounding mass weddings in northern Nigeria that …

1
Matt Rhodes - A Manifesto for Modern Missions 1:02:06

1M ago1:02:06

1:02:06

On the show today, we're joined by missionary Matt Rhodes who is the author of No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions. He talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about trends within missions that emphasize speed and big numbers, but often lack the depth of discipleship that characterized Jesus' ministry. Matt shares about the miss…

1
From the Vault: What is the River? (feat. Jason Johnson, CAFO) 35:53

2M ago35:53

35:53

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month! During this month, we’re not only raising awareness about foster care, but we are also celebrating the beautiful work of collaboration in this space. (Watch our new “As One” documentary series here for some incredible stories about the work happening in our city.) With this focus, we are revisiting the v…

1
Gaston Warner - This is Child Empowerment 56:59

2M ago56:59

56:59

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…

1
Alternate Economies and Climate Change (April 3+1) 54:22

2M ago54:22

54:22

In this 3+1 episode, we're getting into recent news about ways that Russia is getting around economic sanctions to buoy their economy during their war of aggression as well a couple Asian countries where pollution and contamination is having widespread effects on people's health and wellbeing. We've got Amanda Erne joining us for the conversation. …

1
Unlocking Purpose for the Vulnerable (feat. Brian Meza, Petra Cares) 36:28

2M ago36:28

36:28

For young adults who faced significant challenges growing up, it can be very hard to successfully transition into the workforce. They may not have the resources or self-confidence to strive for a fulfilling career. As a result, they may end up unemployed or stuck in a cycle of jobs that don’t offer upward mobility. Today’s guest, Brian Meza, is tac…

1
Dr. Karen Fancher - Blessed Are The Peacemakers 1:17:14

2M ago1:17:14

1:17:14

"We stand together at the foot of the cross and we will work for peace." Dr. Karen Fancher from Multnomah University joins the show today to walk us through the profoundly Christian field of peacebuilding. In her conversation with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke, Dr. Fancher walks us through what it means to promote peace within the humanitarian spac…

1
Navigating Transracial Adoption: A Personal Journey (feat. Isaac Etter, Identity) 50:31

3M ago50:31

50:31

Adopting children who are of a different race than your own can be a beautiful thing. But many parents who do so make one crucial mistake—they try to disregard the topic of race altogether. They may feel uncomfortable addressing this subject or think that it’s better just to ignore it. But the truth is, in order to set children up for success, you …

1
Eugene Cho - Advocating for the Hungry 1:27:43

3M ago1:27:43

1:27:43

We are privileged to be joined today by a Christian leader that really embodies the ethic that we are all striving for as we pursue justice, mercy and shalom in the nations. We're grateful to have Eugene Cho join Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke on the show today talking with us about the work of Bread for the World and what it looks like to advocate …

1
Showing Up For Children in the Way They Deserve (feat. Chelsea Floro, Moses Closet of The Woodlands) 46:48

3M ago46:48

46:48

Life as a foster parent is a constant learning process. You complete extensive training, but quickly realize that there's always more to learn. As you figure out the best ways to meet the needs of the children in your care, one thing continues to become clear—every child comes with their own unique needs. The best way to grow in how you're supporti…

1
Malaria, Haiti, Slavery and "Aid State" (March 3+1) 52:27

3M ago52:27

52:27

In this 3+1 episode, we're talking the good (malaria vaccines), the bad (slavery) and a whole lot of Haiti. We've got Mac Archer back on the show to share with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke what she's seeing on the ground in Haiti and what's getting missed in larger media outlets. We talk through the utility of violence by those running the country…

1
Preston Sprinkle and Brandon Stiver - Rethinking Orphan Care 1:22:51

3M ago1:22:51

1:22:51

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 Chris…

1
Helping Birth Parents Make Positive Changes (feat. Catherine Vannatta & Tiffany Maggret) 50:13

4M ago50:13

50:13

The foster care system’s primary goal is to serve the best interests of the families within it. Whenever possible, that means reuniting biological parents with their children. To help a family heal, birth parents need intentional support. But all too often, they aren’t given the resources they need to overcome their challenging life circumstances a…

1
Peter Greer and Ryan Skoog - Leading From Your Knees 56:15

4M ago56:15

56:15

Global nonprofits are notorious doers, always thinking, planning and taking action. In all of our intentionality for programs and justice endeavors, are we being equally intentional to pray? Peter Greer is back on the show, along with new friend Ryan Skoog, to share about the new book that they wrote (along with Cameron Doolittle) called Lead with …

1
From Foster Youth to Social Worker (feat. Travis Hand, Texas Children’s Hospital) 36:17

4M ago36:17

36:17

It’s a joy to have Travis Hand, a Licensed Master Social Worker who currently serves as a Behavioral Health Specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital, on our latest episode of the podcast. Once a teen struggling to navigate the challenges of growing up in the foster care system, Travis gained a strong passion for social work in college. This conversa…

1
Chrina Henson - Pioneering Family Care in the Philippines 59:11

4M ago59:11

59:11

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 …

1
El Salvador, Localization, UNRWA and Bono (February 3+1) 57:58

4M ago57:58

57:58

In this 3+1 episode, we're catching up on some global stories that you might have missed and have a recommendation of the pop variety. We're continuing last month's conversation on elections by looking at El Salvador, talking through localization efforts in global development, the scandal surrounding UNRWA-Hamas and then get Brandon's take on Bono'…

1
Justin Narducci - Heal the Sick, Proclaim the Kingdom 58:19

5M ago58:19

58:19

What does it look like to meet the needs of very vulnerable people in the face of glaring global disparity? What does it look like to bring God's Kingdom through improving access to healthcare in the Global South? These are the questions we're looking at today as we dive into conversation with CEO of CURE International, Justin Narducci. Justin and …

1
Improving the System Together (feat. Shaundricka Easley, Texas Department of Family Protective Services) 28:56

5M ago28:56

28:56

We are delighted to have the Deputy Regional Director at the Texas Department of Family Protective Services, Shaundricka Easley, on the podcast. She has been with the department for over 15 years and had various roles during that time as well as served all 13 counties across the Houston area. Shaundricka gives us unique insight from her vast experi…

1
Dr. Forrest Inslee - Caring for Creation 1:00:34

5M ago1:00:34

1:00:34

You cannot have a conversation around global issues without considering the state of the earth itself. We are talking today with educator, author and climate advocate Dr. Forrest Inslee to learn, "what on earth is happening with the earth?" Dr. Inslee brings a distinctly Christian viewpoint to the conversation as we consider the damage being done t…

1
Sudan, Elections, USAID and MEAL [January 3+1] 49:06

5M ago49:06

49:06

In our first ever 3+1 episode, we're catching up on some global stories that you might have missed. We're talking about the war going on in Sudan, elections throughout the world, USAID waste and then learn of a great recommendation from our guest on developing monitoring and evaluation. Conversation Notes 2:10 - Introduction to the 3+1 format and t…

1
Walking with Families for the Long Haul (feat. Jenni Lord) 42:43

6M ago42:43

42:43

“Who is with them long term?” This is the question that Jenni Lord started asking after her organization helped fund hundreds of adoptions. What she realized is that the breakdown of these adoptive families often stemmed from the parents not being equipped to handle the behaviors and challenges that came along with trauma. Today, Jenni Lord is a re…

1
Dr. Michael Pucci - Owning Poverty 1:17:58

6M ago1:17:58

1:17:58

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 t…

1
A Dedication to Child and Family Well-Being (feat. Jesse Booher, DePelchin Children's Center) 44:17

6M ago44:17

44:17

DePelchin Children’s Center has existed for over 130 years and has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the community. Their mission is to strengthen the lives of children by enhancing their mental health and physical well-being in Houston and central Texas. Jesse Booher is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of DePelchin Chi…

1
Welcome to Think Global 7:44

6M ago7:44

7:44

This podcast is something like day one, while at the same time seven years strong. In this trailer episode for Think Global, Brandon Stiver speaks to the heart of the podcast and the season that God is calling our community into. You’ll hear about some of the updates to the podcast as well as more ways to connect with us. Brandon also introduces Ca…

1
Transitions and a New Beginning 1:08:49

7M ago1:08:49

1:08:49

Phil and Brandon share how God has been working through the podcast throughout 2023 as well as throughout the history since Phil started the show nearly seven years ago. As we close out the year, we share the direction that God is leading us to take the podcast in 2024 and beyond. This is a heartfelt, earnest community conversation on the podcast t…

1
On The Ground in Ethiopia - The Anatomy of an Orphan Care Organization 56:47

7M ago56:47

56:47

In episode 237, we have a special on the ground episode to share how one organization's journey and commitment to family based care plays out through all the people in their organization. We're featuring voices through Selamta Family Project in Addis Ababa and invite you to join us in this conversation to celebrate the family care movement taking p…

1
Creating Safe Spaces for the Next Generation (feat. Chandler James) 32:42

7M ago32:42

32:42

It all started with a simple napkin exercise. Chandler James was asked to write his dream on a napkin. Initially, it seemed like a silly exercise but when he was finished his napkin read: creating safe spaces for the next generation. Chandler James is our Director of Church Mobilization here at The Riverside Project. He has worked in a number of lo…

1
Dr. Lauren Pinkston - Trafficking, Entrepreneurship and Orphan Care Podcasting 1:08:55

8M ago1:08:55

1:08:55

This week we have dedicated 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 …

1
Finding Success in Education for Foster Youth (feat. Dr. Danisha Keating) 49:31

8M ago49:31

49:31

Foster youth face many challenges, and education can be one of them. In fact, studies show that just 4% of children who have experienced foster care will go on to obtain a four-year college degree. Children who are involved within the foster care system also experience a higher number of school transitions, lower academic achievement, heightened ex…

1
Mackynzie Archer - The Emotional Labor of Care-Affected Children 1:23:12

8M ago1:23:12

1:23:12

Mackynzie 'Mac' Archer comes with a deep love for the Haitian people and vulnerable populations. She is an anthropologist, researcher, consultant, and advocate. In this episode we dive into some of her findings in short-term missions, the orphanage system in Haiti, and her most recent doctoral research on the emotional labor of care-affected childr…

1
The Nonprofit Leadership Conversation 1:10:40

8M ago1:10:40

1:10:40

In this Conversation episode, we're joined by nonprofit leaders Leslie Beasley (Miracle Foundation), Dave LeVan (Lifewater International), and Paige Shope (Yoked Partners). We'll delve into how non-profit organizations are increasingly adopting for-profit strategies, blurring the lines between the two sectors. Our discussion will venture into valua…

1
Mobilizing the Church for Care Reform 1:11:04

9M ago1:11:04

1:11:04

In this conversation episode, we bring together leaders within different denominations to talk about care reform and the role the American church can play. Joining ust today are from Kristen Lowry from Shelter Yetu and Send Relief (Southern Baptist Convention), Laura Horvath from Helping Children Worldwide and the United Methodist Church, and Pasto…

1
The Westerner Abuse and Child Protection Conversation 1:19:31

9M ago1:19:31

1:19:31

In this Conversation episode, we're joined by global child welfare professionals Dr. Greg Burch, Kelly Strong, and Dan Hope. We'll look at cases where westerners were given access to vulnerable children in the Global South and then abused those children. We'll explore the significance of cultivating cultures of awareness around child protection. We…

1
Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder - When Collaboration Helps Families 1:19:13

10M ago1:19:13

1:19:13

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 significan…

1
What Is International Foster Care? (feat. Krista Kesseler) 28:29

10M ago28:29

28:29

Anytime there is news related to the border or a refugee crisis, we frequently hear this question: “How does our city serve unaccompanied minors and refugees that come to our country without their parents? Does this affect the foster care community?” You may never have heard the term “international foster care” before, but this is a unique and impo…

1
Peter Greer - Leading Beyond Disillusionment 1:07:43

10M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we delve into the intriguing concept of "The Gift of Disillusionment" as explored in a recent book co-authored by our guest, Peter Greer. Peter is president and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered micro-enterprise development organization serving throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and …

1
The Orphanage Transformation Conversation 1:21:53

11M ago1:21:53

1:21:53

In this Conversation episode, we are bringing together leaders to talk about care reform and transition support services. We have Elli Oswald from Faith to Action, Jonathan Dowell from Weza Care Solutions, and Hannah Won from ACCI. These leaders come with many years experience from providing direct services in an orphanage to leading organizations …

1
Offering Your Family to a Child in Foster Care (feat. Jennifer Clifford) 40:17

11M ago40:17

40:17

This is not working. What do we do next? After several infertility treatments, Jennifer Clifford and her husband, Ryan, asked themselves this question. After a discussion and an informational meeting about foster care, they came to the conclusion that God was closing the door to biological children and opening the door to foster care, specifically …

1
Dr. Hunter Farrell - Decolonizing Christian Mission 1:24:25

11M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

This week we have the co-author of Freeing Congregational Mission, Dr. Hunter Farrell. He served as a long-term missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru and now works as the Director of the World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Dr. Farrell brings a wealth of first hand and research knowledge about Christian Mis…

1
The Global Foster Care Conversation 1:21:38

12M ago1:21:38

1:21:38

In this Conversation episode, we're joined by four child welfare leaders to dive into the nuances, challenges and triumphs of pioneering foster care throughout the world. On the show is Ian Forber-Pratt from Children's Emergency Relief International, Tara Garcia from Identity Mission, Sebilu Bodja from Bethany Christian Services, and Martus Greyven…

1
The Global HIV/AIDS Conversation 1:03:37

1y ago1:03:37

1:03:37

In our second Conversations episode, we're joined by Anna Jackson from Montaña de Luz in Honduras, Brent Phillips from Cherish Uganda, and Dan Stoehr from Reach Ministries in the US, to discuss HIV/AIDS today. What is the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world today? What are the challenges care providers face? Find out how these leaders are working t…

1
Learning to Listen to One Another (feat. Luevenia Chapman) 29:18

1y ago29:18

29:18

There's a place for everyone in supporting children and families here in Houston. That's something we believe firmly here at The Riverside Project. Today, we have the opportunity to share our conversation with Luevenia Chapman, co-founder and Program Director for Hearts with Hope Foundation, a local general residential operation (GRO) that provides…

1
The Central America Conversation 1:07:09

1y ago1:07:09

1:07:09

In our first ever Conversations episode, we're bringing together four global care leaders to talk about Central American cultural contexts, cycles of poverty and violence, family separation and the push factors leading migrants to flee the region. Joining the show is Kara Garcia of Project RED in El Salvador, Erica Switzer of Embraced Intl. in Hond…

1
Mohamed Emmanuel Nabieu - "My Long Journey Back Home" 1:14:19

1y ago1:14:19

1:14:19

This week we have the privilege of delving deeper into the remarkable life story of Mohamed Emmanuel Nabieu. In his captivating memoir, My 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 po…

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