1 Pres Pod

Tasha and Phil discuss the ways spiritual friendships develop in faith communities and the power they have in our lives. Are we family to each other? Friends? Both? Their dog Maggie also makes a brief appearance.

Tasha interviews Michelle Santoro, associate director of philanthropy for the organization Undue Medical Debt. Every year First Pres gives away 100% of the Christmas Eve offering to an organization that can make positive change in the community. This year, the Christmas Eve offering will go to Undue Medical Debt. In their work, they collect millions of dollars of people's medical debt and work...

Tasha and Taylor discuss the end of Taylor's class on the Old Testament--what she learned from it and how it has affected her faith life. The two also discuss why the Old Testament matters and how it is actually a good thing that there are very few heroes in the Bible.

Tasha and Phil discuss how gratitude is part of the Christian walk. They share practices they use and the power of gratitude for our everyday living.

Tasha and Rham talk about discernment. How do we discern if God is working in our highs and lows or if it was just us going off on our own? What can we ask ourselves to try to discern God's way for us a little better?

Tasha interviews Jean Koljeski, co-director of the St. John's Sack Lunch Program. They discuss the history of the program, the need it meets, and how it has changed Jean's life and outlook. If you are concerned about food insecurity in our area, listen to this conversation to find out tangible ways to help your neighbors.

Tasha and Taylor talk about what is taught in seminary. Then they share insights from a book Taylor is reading for a class on spiritual disciplines called Liturgy of the Ordinary by author Tish Harrison Warren.

Tasha and Phil talk about how being "spiritual but not religious" has been the mainstay of religious shifts for the last 30 years but that mainstay seems to be shifting again. Generation Z appears to show themselves as a group who are interested in having both authentic faith and being a part of an authentic community.

Tasha meets with Joe Riddle, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, to learn what needs this not-for-profit meet in our community, what its values and goals are, and ways we can become involved.

Tasha talks with Rham as he brings a question lots of people are asking right now: Is the world about to end? Between dates set for the rapture and talk of end-time-signs, what are we to believe? What does scripture say? How can we respond?

Taylor shares with Tasha the spiritual practices she has been learning about in her coursework this fall. The two discuss why developing spiritual practices (habits) is important and the ways it can change the way you live.

Ever wondered what two pastors talk about on their front porch? Between Two Reverends provides a window. In this episode Rev. Tasha and Rev. Phil Blackburn have a conversation about the concentric circles of our connection to others, where the gaps are, and what the church's role is.

Pastor Tasha has a conversation with Sharon Chapman, the executive director of Next Step Homeless Services. They discuss the need in Fort Smith, efforts Next Step makes to meet that need and the partnership between the two organizations.

Rham and Tasha continue their series of conversations where Rham brings a question he's asking in his own life and a lively discussion follows. This episode's question is: Is my use of technology affecting my spiritual life and, if so, what can I do about it?"

Pastor Tasha begins a new series with Taylor Kronberg, member of the church and church staff member, who just began her studies to become a pastor. That adventure will culminate in Taylor earning a "Masters of Divinity" degree. Join Tasha and Taylor in their monthly discussions of what Taylor is learning about the scriptures, faith and herself in this journey. Will either of them ever be...

Each year, FPC gives away 100% of its Christmas Eve offering to a local nonprofit. This year that nonprofit is the Fort Smith Boys Home! Pastor Tasha sits down with the Boys Home executive director Eddie Donovan to discuss the foster care needs in Arkansas, the role the Boys Home plays in meeting some of those needs, and how each of us can support and advocate for the foster children in our commun...

Pastor Tasha Blackburn and Emotional Wellness Coordinator Maria Martinez discuss mental health trends Maria is seeing in Fort Smith as well as tools for dealing with grief and anxiety during the holidays.

The 1Pres Pod returns with a conversation between Tasha and Phil about being the church in times of upheaval.

The 1PresPod has had a longer break than expected! The season kicks off next week with an episode of "Between Two Pastors" but, until then, get your juices flowing with this conversation between Pastor Tasha and member Jarred Rego as they talk politics--no, not THOSE politics--and how we can all live out our citizenship on the local level.

This week, Phil and Stephen discuss souls. Does everyone have one? What happens to them? Where do we go from here? Join us.

This week, Phil and Tasha talk about preaching hard texts and topics. Wha t should be covered in a sermon? How should we approach challenging issues? What's it like for a pastor to approach hard subjects with their congregation? We discuss this and more this week. Join us!

As Rham nears his 4th year of sobriety, Tasha asks him what he’s learned about himself and about his faith.

Tasha has a conversation with Michael Mings, the mobility coordinator of Fort Smith. Michael shares details of a new children’s bike program here in town.

This week Phil is joined by his good friend Kate Davis of the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Together they will talk about the unique challenges facing clergy in modern America, as well as how congregations can best support pastors in this challenging time.

This week Phil and Tasha talk about marriage and pre-marital counseling. What have they learned over the years? How does one apply their faith to their marriage? What happens in a pre-marital counseling session? These questions and more, this week!