Be the Difference

Today, on the final Be the Difference Podcast episode, Chris and Sammy are joined by two very special guests—Back2Back Co-Founders and directors Todd and Beth Guckenberger. Four years ago, they first came on the show to kick off this brand-new project, and today, they will be closing out this particular chapter with our beloved co-hosts. In today’s episode, Todd & Beth recount the stories they...

Today, Chris and Sammy discuss a training Sammy recently did with Trauma Free World for an all-deaf audience. How did this impact her? How did it impact the participants? What happens when we enter rooms and spaces with people different from us or with challenges we’ve never experienced? Hear how Sammy saw courage in action, how Chris can relate to bilingual leading and training, and what access a...

Today on the Be the Difference Podcast, Chris and Sammy are joined by a beloved coworker and advocate for vulnerable youth and families. Brandy Pendleton is a wife, mom to four boys, well-versed in football and teenagers, and a licensed social worker with Back2Back Cincinnati. Brandy is passionate about ensuring people around her feel seen, known, celebrated, loved, and encouraged. Today, listen i...

Have you ever wrestled with knowing when to jump into a problem and when to step back? Felt overwhelmed by the weight of an issue and the anxiety swirling around it? Wondered how to find some relief without falling into apathy? Today, Chris and Sammy share a conversation about these very questions. In this episode, Chris and Sammy talk about the concept of benevolent detachment and how they proces...

Brent Billingsley is an artist and an empowering voice behind young disenfranchised youth.  He is also a Behavioral Health Specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center/Psychiatry. Other endeavors include Independent Contracting Therapeutic Mentoring and the co-founder of two nonprofits geared toward the utilization of therapeutic artistic engagement and the performance arts.    His...

How do some people who face adversity overcome and make it to the other side? Is there a secret factor at play and if so can we somehow tap into it? Today, Chris and Sammy share a conversation about these very questions. In this episode, Chris and Sammy discuss what it means to build resilience and the ways in which art and creativity and can change the ways we face adversity and challenge. Links...

Antonio and Priscilla are parents, husband and wife, and co-laborers with Back2Back Ministries. For 17 ½ years, they have faithfully stepped into new roles, learned new skills, and grown with the ministry in Monterrey, Mexico. Today, they sit down with Chris and Sammy to reflect on all they’ve done, all that’s changed, and why they still feel called by God to this work. In today’s episode, Priscil...

Have you ever wrestled with the desire to go or stay? Wished for a character or personality quality that doesn’t come naturally? Wondered if it’s possible to be a missionary right where you are? Today, Chris and Sammy share a conversation about these very questions. In this episode, Chris and Sammy share their own experiences “going” to the mission field and finding the mission field right where t...

In the final episode of this year, Chris and Sammy reflect on the 2024 and the lessons they’ve each learned along the way.  In this episode, our co-hosts share their favorite books, quotes and episodes of 2024. Hear how Chris supported a friend simply by reading alongside him, what practice Sammy is planning in 2025 and how they’ve each been shaped by the conversations they’ve had this year.  Link...

‘Tis the season! Today, Chris and Sammy discuss being fully present in the final weeks of 2024, even as the time passes quickly.  In this episode, our co-hosts share 12 ways you can be the difference this holiday season! Hear how Chris and his family created a holiday tradition that facilitates story and connection and how Sammy likes bringing a smile to someone’s face through thoughtful gift givi...

Chris and Sammy are joined today by Marie Edwards. Marie is the daughter to two parents described as “servant-hearted to their core” by most who know them. Marie is the Out of School Program Director for Community Building Institute in Middletown, Ohio. Marie recalls her childhood and adolescence fondly in this episode, sharing that they were always giving and serving as a family, and she never kn...

Do you know what your next meal will be? Even if you don’t know exactly what you’ll have, do you know there will be food available for you? For your family? Today, Chris and Sammy share a conversation about food insecurity and discuss the ways we can step into this story and honor those we’re serving as we near seasons of giving and gratitude.  In this episode, Sammy shares a staggering and alarmi...

On October 2nd, Back2Back staff, advocates, and supporters gathered with 70 leaders from around the world for A Night of Hope. It is an evening for connection, sharing Back2Back’s work, and galvanizing toward continued work with the vulnerable. Each year, the evening culminates with Beth Guckenberger, Back2Back Co-Executive Director, sharing stories, lessons, and hope for all present. In today’s e...

Today, Chris and Sammy reflect on the Christian Alliance for the Orphan conference (CAFO) and their 2024 theme of Becoming. It was an event filled with an ongoing conversation about God being more concerned with who we are becoming than what we are doing.  In this episode, our co-hosts discuss the question of how to balance the tension of wanting to serve and also becoming who we are designed to b...

Meet Patience on October 2, 2024 at Back2Back’s annual A Night of Hope! From 6.00-8.30pm, we will gather in person at Crossroads Mason Church (990 Reading Rd) for custom-made bites from the sites, stories from around the world of hope never standing still, and live updates from staff, as well as Todd and Beth Guckenberger! If you can’t join us in person, please join us virtually from 7.30-8.30pm....

Which are you more likely to remember? Stories or statistics? In today’s episode Chris and Sammy explore a statistic that answers this question.  In today’s episode, hear how story shapes our everyday lives and inspires us to take brave steps into the future. Hear what kinds of stories they love, why they matter and the power of holding another’s story well.  Learn more about Back2Back Ministries...

Josh and Emily Ballard are high school sweethearts, foster parents, and at 32-years old, became grandparents! Today, they join Chris and Sammy to discuss foster care, why fostering teens is unique, and what continues to lead them to say yes and step into storylines they may not understand in the beginning. In this episode, Josh and Emily share about their mutual tendency to dive in and figure thin...

It’s that time, again! The Summer Olympics, the stories of hard work and triumph - everyday people doing extraordinary things. What does it take? What do they all have in common? Resilience - what does it mean? How do we strengthen it? In today’s episode, tune in to hear how we can define resilience and what it means to Chris and Sammy individually. Hear how resiliency is much like a muscle and ho...

Child Sponsorship is a global program operated by hundreds of organizations around the world. In today’s episode, Chris and Sammy discuss the profound impact of sponsorship programs globally, the way it’s more about relationship shared than money exchanged and an opportunity we all have to be the difference.  In this episode, Steph Duff joins Chris and Sammy to share her experience as a child spon...

Two years ago, at just 24-years old, Megan Henderson said “yes” to God’s call to step into the role of single foster parent. Now a mom to four kids under the age of five, and a staff member at Venture Church in Harrisburg, NC, Megan lives out the church’s mission daily to be a community of people that strive to love loud, risk often, and hope always.  In this week’s episode, Megan shares the momen...

Chris & Sammy share a news headline and unpack what it means for both the subjects of the article and those around them. Listen in as they debrief graduations, community, and how each of us can show up for youth right where we are. In this episode, Chris and Sammy news headlines they’d rather not be news, and how we can still celebrate what’s worthy of celebration. Hear about foster care, why...

Chris & Sammy are joined by Back2Back Executive Director, Todd Guckenberger! Todd is a husband, father, leader, and visionary. After over 25 years of galvanizing a global staff team, Todd shares the why behind the recent rebrand and why this work continues to be a top priority. In this episode, Todd shares about a tree house in Monterrey that is expanding with a growing tree, and how that corr...

Today, Chris & Sammy give listeners a special sneak peak into something big for Back2Back. We are on the verge of a rebrand! Join them as they share about the idea behind life verses and mission statements, and why they matter both for global organizations like Back2Back and for each of us individually.  In this episode, hear Chris and Sammy share about life verses they’ve held onto through di...

Jayne Schooler is a wife, mother, grandmother, advocate, writer, and voice of wisdom on trauma and its effects on our brains, bodies, and relationships. She and her late husband, David, are beloved, trusted experts on trauma-informed care, how homes should be for healing, and how to step into hard stories with foster and adoptive youth. Jayne is the author of multiple books around foster care, ado...

As Chris & Sammy look forward to May, which is Foster Care Awareness month, they share the number of children and youth in foster care in the United States today. As they reflect on this statistic, they share their thoughts and views on foster care. In this episode, find out what surprises Chris most about the statistic shared and how he and Sammy first were introduced to foster care. Hear how...