Amplify Peace Podcast

Should you give money to that homeless guy at the intersection?  Why don't they get jobs?  These all too common questions need to be discussed and what to do with the guilt we often feel around the homeless.  My friend Pamela Morrison from Phoenix Rescue Mission joins me and we hear her heart and learn better ways to care for the homeless from this amazing non-profit in our city.&nb...

Cary Summers has had a very successful career as a CEO with major corporations.  But he has truly left his mark by bringing Christians together to get big things accomplished including the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C., getting a portion of the Bible translated for every person on earth, and getting clean water to the world's poor.  Very inspiring and helpful conversation. See o...

Michael Shapiro is CEO of the Swappow Plus Foundation.  He has done some pretty radical things in his life.  But the biggest adventure started when he was a teacher and kept seeing the downward trajectory of the kids in his class who came out of broken homes.  His non-profit has a dynamic approach of connecting with kids through skateboarding to build confidence and connections. See...

In a world that shouts for our attention, Linda Morris has quietly been a leader in building bridges of cooperation with her wisdom and life lived by faith.  In my opinion, she is one of the most important leaders in our city.  Linda serves with Harvest Foundation in helping local churches serve the most vulnerable.  Great conversation with a dear friend. See omnystudio.com/listener...

Following God's leading to create a cartoon about vegan zombies?  Seriously?  Guest host Lisa Jernigan takes over the mic and turns the table to ask Jonathan how his mission of peace-making fits with his creative project, a family-friendly animated series called "Meet the Walkerz".  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billy Thrall is CEO and Founder of City Serve Arizona and host of City Talk on Faithtalk1360.  But if you know Billy, you know he is all about connecting people to help those in need.  He has for decades been one of the primary voices in Arizona encouraging unity and cooperation to help those in need.  We also have some epic banter so be warned. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

I'm thrilled to have Darren Chapman, CEO of Tiger Mountain Foundation join me in studio as he shares his amazing journey from gang life in Los Angeles to now helping South Phoenix build community and resiliency through shared gardens and mentoring.  I hope our conversation is inspiring to you as it was to me. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I like to hear from people who have done cool stuff.  Jackie Parks and her husband moved their family to North Africa and raised their small children there.  She now works with Mission1 and promotes peacemaking and working with the global church.  We need to be listening and learning from our brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world more than ever.  See omnystudio.c...

Nate Rogers is the Regional Manager for CarePortal in Maricopa County and sees everyday the needs of children and families in crisis right in our neighborhoods.  We discuss what makes some people and churches leave their comfort zones to help others and why others stay isolated from those in real need.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Jernigan's traditional Christian conservative view of the world was shaken on a visit to Iraq.  Sitting across from an educated Iraqi woman now in a refugee tend and hearing her story, she realized she had a lot to learn.  This led her to found Amplify Peace and share stories and opportunities to bring people together in understanding.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Nuclear Physics Professor Barry Ritchie from Arizona State University joins Counter Culture this week. He shares how he bears witness of his faith on campus and is able to communicate across the divide that many people create on religion, morality and science.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and National Speaker Rhonda Sciortino joins Counter Culture to share her journey through a horrific childhood to become a successful business woman and advocate for vulnerable children.  Great conversation about the transforming power of kindness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is no path to peace without listening and learning.  Azra Hussain is the President and co-Founder of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona.  Great conversation with this amazing bridge builder and peacemaker.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Vera is the author of "A Warrior's Faith" and Director of Grand Canyon University's School of Innovation.  Fascinating insight into the faith of a Navy Seal.  We also talk about why Christians need to be innovating more than ever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bishop Aaron Blake, longtime Pastor and Ambassador on behalf of orphans has poured out his life through his family, church and ministry to help us open our hearts and lives.  Great conversation with someone who walks the walk.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Procknow shares her journey to open her heart and home to six additional children.  The heart of God is for the orphan and to be counter culture we are going to be radical in how we think about family.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josiah and Andrea Friedman from Voices from the Voiceless join Counter Culture to share how they are changing the conversation on abortion from a battleground to finding a common ground that cares for women and children.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The news amplifies fear, but Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  James Rayment, Director of The Al-Ma’idah Initiative shares how dining together and robust conversations are happening between Christians and Muslims.  He shares practical ways we can live together, listen to each other and love our Muslim neighbors.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dennae Pierre, Executive Director of the Surge Network joins us in studio to share encouraging stories of what is going on on the ground with pastors and church leaders in Arizona to help put Jesus on display in a country divided around race.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doesn't it seem like everything turns political these days?  It's a battleground that many of us try to avoid but should we?  How can we learn to be more peaceable in our conversations about politics?  Dave Drum, pastor, ministry leader and author of "Peace Talks - The Good News in a Donkey Elephant War" shares his wisdom and gives us some practical help.  See omnystudio.com/li...

Doesn't it seem like everything turns political these days?  It's a battleground that many of us try to avoid but should we?  How can we learn to be more peaceable in our conversations about politics?  Dave Drum, pastor, ministry leader and author of "Peace Talks - The Good News in a Donkey Elephant War" shares his wisdom and gives us some practical help.  See omnystudio.com/li...

Chris and Bethany Priebe are on mission.  They started Cultivate Coffee to build community in an impoverished area of town.  They also give employment opportunities to people needing a hand up.  And yes, they successfully bribed me with a delicious horchata latte.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen Covell, television and movie producer, is also the founder and leader of the Hollywood Prayer Network which has for almost 20 years faithfully prayed and built bridges of understanding with the entertainment industry.  The Church and Hollywood have often been at odds but Karen shares how we can love, learn and pray with this important part of our culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Adrien Lewis, Chief Innovation Officer at CarePortal, shares his journey and how God transformed his life to serve the "least of these".  His passion is to see the local church care for child in crisis is inspiring.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by Pastor Joshua DuBois for an honest conversation about being a black pastor in a white church.  Very practical examples and helpful thinking so we can move out of our segregated lives and mindsets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.