Gift of Need

We are celebrating the release of fifty podcasts this month by starting a Gift of Need YouTube Channel. Each week for the next 5 weeks we will be releasing 10 of the previous 50 podcast episodes starting with the two-part introduction. Catch up on your favorite guests many who are now on video podcasts. If you are new to the Gift of Need you can head over to my Jude DiMeglio Trang Substack page fo...

Host: Jude DiMeglio Trang Guest: Meera Govil Description: Jude sits down with Meera Govil, founder and owner of the beloved Eltham Bookshop in Melbourne, Australia, to explore why independent bookstores matter. Meera shares her remarkable journey from growing up in New Delhi with a love of books to building a thriving independent bookstore that has served its community for nearly three decades. To...

Host: Jude DiMeglio Trang Guest: Sarah Bush Description: Jude welcomes mixed media artist, writer, and creativity coach Sarah Bush for a thoughtful conversation about imagination, creativity, and the ways these uniquely human gifts help us navigate life. From the artistic influence of Taos, New Mexico, to the challenges of perfectionism and the rhythms of the creative process, Sarah explores how c...

Description: In this episode, Jude talks with filmmaker, photographer, musician, and videographer Chris Carlone about the importance of independent filmmaking and the unique role indie artists play in preserving stories, building community, and bringing authentic voices to audiences. From music videos and documentaries to creative passion and perseverance, Chris shares why storytelling through fil...

Host: Jude DiMeglio TrangGuest: Elicia Johnson Description:In this episode, Jude sits down with author, artist, farmer, and educator Elicia Johnson to discuss her new novel Endling , a high-concept steampunk adventure that explores hope, purpose, imagination, and the power of story. Together they examine why content-appropriate epic fiction matters, how great literature inspires new adult readers...

Host: Jude DiMeglio Trang Guest: Sam Quinones Episode Summary: In this follow-up episode, I continue my conversation with investigative journalist and author Sam Quinones about the deeper roots of addiction—and how the unraveling of community has created fertile ground for despair, mental illness, and drug dependency. We revisit themes from Dreamland and The Least of Us but widen the lens to inclu...

Episode Summary: In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed investigative journalist and author Sam Quinones to talk about the human cost of addiction, the silence that once surrounded it, and why community is a vital need in the face of overwhelming societal challenges. Sam is the author of Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic and The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope i...

Host: Jude DiMeglio TrangGuest: John T Benedict Description:In Part 2 of this conversation, Jude continues her discussion with artist and sculptor John T Benedict about spirituality, creativity, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in art and human connection. John shares how his spiritual experiences, meditation practices, and conversations with AI inspired his book, The Artist a...

Description: In this episode, Jude DiMeglio Trang talks with Arizona artist and sculptor John T. Benedict, founder of Some Distant World. Known for his large-scale metal angel sculptures and celestial-inspired works, John shares how his childhood imagination, supportive parents, and creative spirit shaped his life as an artist. Together, they explore the role of imagination, beauty, and visual art...

Host: Jude DiMeglio Trang Guest: Christina Dent Description: In Part 2 of this conversation, Jude DiMeglio Trang continues her discussion with Christina Dent, founder of End It For Good and author of Curious: A Foster Mom’s Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction . Together, they explore why traditional approaches to addiction recovery often fall short and why it’s time to recon...

Description: In this episode, Jude sits down with Christina Dent, author of Curious: A Foster Mom’s Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction , to explore a radically different way of understanding addiction. Drawing from her experience as a foster mom and nonprofit leader, Christina challenges the traditional view of addiction as a moral failure and instead reframes it as a compl...

Host: Jude DiMeglio Trang Guest: Dr. Steve Tracy Description: In this episode, Jude DiMeglio Trang is joined by Dr. Steve Tracy, president of Mending the Soul Ministries and former professor of theology and ethics, to explore how Scripture is used within faith communities—either as a source of healing or as a tool that can unintentionally (or intentionally) cause harm. They discuss the realities o...

Description: Jude is joined by father-son artist team Mark and Jesse Smothers to explore the world of murals and public art. They share their journey into large-scale painting, the challenges and surprises of mural work, and how art can transform communities. The conversation also dives into the history of murals, artistic inspiration, and how creativity meets both personal and societal needs. We...

Host: Jude DiMeglio Trang Guest: Pastor Chris Davis Description: In this episode, Jude sits down with Pastor Chris Davis to explore how the “gift of need” intersects with immigration, mercy, and hope. Drawing from his experiences living among diverse immigrant communities, Chris shares how stepping outside of a life of comfort reshaped his faith and understanding of people. The conversation challe...

With Kim Bradley, Author of Shakespeare’s Guide to Living the Good Life Description: Jude welcomes back author Kim Bradley to explore the role of satire in Shakespeare’s works and why it still matters today. They discuss how Shakespeare used irony, humor, and exaggeration to challenge rigid social structures, political authority, and human folly without crossing the dangerous lines of Elizabethan...

Description: In this episode, Jude talks with Dr. Michelle Reyes about the importance of cultural intelligence (CQ) and why it matters in an increasingly diverse and globalized world. Michelle shares from her personal experience growing up in a multicultural family and her professional work teaching cultural engagement and through her Success Culture Coaching Program. Together they explore how cul...

Description: In this powerful and tender episode, Jude is joined by her husband John and dear friend Linda Bale to talk about the profound reality of grief. Together, they walk through the layered experiences of losing siblings, parents, and—most heartbreakingly—their 25-year-old son, JL. They discuss the Five Stage of Grief and why learning to grieve well helps to heal in the moment and for the f...

Guest: Chuck Tampio Description: In this episode of The Gift of Need Podcast , Jude DiMeglio Trang welcomes art historian, museum docent, and lifelong student of art Chuck Tampio to explore why we need expressionist art—through the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. Together they examine van Gogh’s spiritual background, personal struggles, mental illness, and artistic breakthroughs, as well as the...

Description: In this episode of The Gift of Need Podcast , Jude DiMeglio Trang speaks with pastor, author, and missionary Bob Ekblad about what it means to practice compassion at the margins of society. Drawing from decades of ministry in Central America, France, Africa and the Pacific Northwest, Bob shares how proximity to suffering transforms theology, reshapes identity, and clarifies the radica...

Host: Jude DiMeglio Trang Guest: Jenny Valentish Description: In this episode of the Gift of Need Podcast , Jude DiMeglio Trang welcomes journalist, author, and writing coach Jenny Valentish to explore introversion, social anxiety, and the hidden gifts that introverts bring to the world. Drawing from her newest book, The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House , Jenny shares practical strategies, p...

Host: Jude DiMeglio Trang Guests: Julie Remer & Josh Remer Description: In this episode of The Gift of Need Podcast , Jude DiMeglio Trang sits down with Julie and Josh Remer to explore how caring for our neighbors around the world can become a profound response to human need and fulfill a sense of calling. Drawing from their experiences volunteering with Mercy Ships on the Africa Mercy in Senegal...

Description: In this episode of The Gift of Need Podcast , Jude DiMeglio Trang sits down with longtime Tucsonan, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder Bryan Benz to explore what a truly compassionate response to societal need looks like—especially for young people aging out of the foster care system. Drawing from decades of business experience, years of international community development, and deep...

Description: In this episode of The Gift of Need Podcast , Jude DiMeglio Trang welcomes author, researcher, and lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast Kim Bradley for a lively conversation on why humans need laughter—and how Shakespeare’s comedies meet that need so profoundly. Together, they explore the Elizabethan worldview, the role of comedy in challenging rigid social hierarchies, and how Shakespeare...

Description: In this episode of The Gift of Need Podcast , Jude DiMeglio Trang speaks with Robynne Jeisman, founder of Turntable in the San Francisco Bay Area, about the complex crises facing young people today—including homelessness, juvenile justice involvement, exploitation, and trafficking. Drawing from nearly three decades of global experience, Robynne shares how safe housing, wraparound care...

Description: In this episode of The Gift of Need Podcast , Jude DiMeglio Trang sits down with writer, poet, musician, and lifelong storyteller Charlie Hodges for a rich conversation on the art and necessity of storytelling. Drawing from Charlie’s upbringing in rural East Tennessee, his career as an engineer, and decades of writing and creative practice, the discussion explores how stories shape id...