Lasting Change

Have you ever needed to step away from the noise of everyday life to hear God? At El Refugio in Ecuador, Jim Olsen and his team create space for young people, churches, and communities to encounter Jesus through nature, adventure, discipleship, and intentional relationships. In this episode of The Lasting Change Podcast, Scott talks with Jim about the story of El Refugio, the power of experiential...

Most of us want to help, but it’s easy to step in like the hero and accidentally keep people stuck. In this episode, Scott Olson talks with Hector Chavez De La Rosa, a One Collective Catalyst, about a different kind of leadership: coming alongside in ways that help people rise up. Hector shares the idea of being a “ window and a mirror ”, showing others what’s possible while reflecting hope in a w...

Community development doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with one person who has a skill and a leader willing to connect the dots. That’s what happened in northeastern India, where One Collective Catalyst Pradeep began walking alongside his community. By empowering a local beekeeper, he helped create jobs, restore dignity, and open doors for spiritual transformation. Listen in to...

Most of us think leadership is about stepping up. But what if real impact starts when you step back? In this episode, we talk with Emily Hooper, a former physical therapist who now leads community development work in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Emily shares how she moved from “doing the work” to empowering local leaders—and why true transformation happens when we stop trying to lead everything ourselves....

What does it take to truly show up for refugees—especially when language, culture, and broken systems stand in the way? In this episode of  The Lasting Change Podcast , we explore how real change happens when we move beyond surface-level help and into long-term relationships. You’ll hear practical insight on bridging cultural gaps, collaborating across organizations, and showing up with humil...

What does real anti-trafficking work look like? In this episode of the Lasting Change podcast, we sit down with Andrew Larson—One Collective’s catalyst in Athens, Greece—to explore the realities of sexual exploitation, the complexity of trafficking, and what it takes to make a meaningful difference. This episode isn’t a tidy story of rescue. Instead it’s a look at what it means to break isolation,...

Description What if the true measure of success in missions wasn’t how much you built—but what continued after you left? In this episode of The Lasting Change Podcast , hosts Michael Proctor and Danielle Kelly sit down with Brandon Weidman , Director of Development at One Collective and the founding catalyst of the organization’s work in Nicaragua. Brandon shares how a short-term mission trip turn...

Do you desire to be generous but don’t know where to give or which organizations to trust? With so many nonprofits vying for attention, it can be overwhelming to know which ones are truly effective and aligned with your values. If you’ve ever wondered how to ensure your contributions are making a real impact, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn how to evaluate a nonprofit’s trus...

Do you see big problems in the world and feel overwhelmed by the thought of making a difference? Maybe you’re passionate about helping others but unsure where to start or how to turn that passion into action. The idea of stepping into a role that could create real change can be daunting, especially when the path forward isn’t clear. If you’re wrestling with these feelings, this episode offers valu...

Everyone knows the struggle of finding a job that feels impactful, especially those planning to transition from school to the workforce. What could it look like to choose a job that is full of purpose and connects with the work Jesus is doing around the world? Join us today on the Lasting Change podcast, where we are talking with Michael Proctor, One Collective’s Marketing Manager and Podcast prod...

Often, marketing gets a bad rap - coming across as unethical, manipulative, and leading us to spend money on things we don't really need. But what if marketing could be a force for good? A tool to unify organizations around a shared vision and purpose that truly betters the world? Join us today on the Lasting Change podcast, where we talk with Evan Wise, Sr. Director of Advancement at One Collecti...

We live in a fast-paced world, and most of us are always trying to do more in less time. It is often immensely difficult for leaders to slow down amidst the pressures and demands of work and life and this can often lead to burn out and leaders not finishing well. How can we as leaders find the value of slowing down, and how can leaders practically implement rest into their lives? Join us today on...

Anyone exploring leadership can tell you that hard decisions come frequently. Newer leaders are often put into situations where they have to take risks to move forward. Learning to grow as a leader usually requires making mistakes and choosing direction when you don't have all the information or experience that helps you understand the right way forward. What does taking a healthy risk as a new le...

We all are victims of our childhood. Everyone has had good and bad experiences that have made us who we are today. Regardless of our past, we want to grow and become well-adjusted individuals, but doing this alone feels impossible. How can we heal, and how can we play a part in the healing process of those around us? Join us today on the Lasting Change Podcast, where we talk with Debbie Douce, One...

We all share the desire to treat everyone as Jesus did. Sadly, there are many marginalized people who are often dehumanized and never experience the way Jesus treated people. How can we as individuals meet the marginalized where they are show them the love of Jesus, and treat them as he did? Join us today on the lasting Change Podcast, where we talk with Eric Costanzo, executive director of Rising...

When leading teams, we want to enable individuals to flourish, and we want collaboration to be the norm, not the exception. But building effective teams that work together is hard, especially if it is cross-cultural. Communicating and being aware of cultural context is extremely challenging, let alone the normal challenges of team building. How can we build effective teams that come together to co...

Creating lasting change around the world cannot be done alone - it takes a team of supporters. But communicating with supporters around the world can be challenging. How can we communicate effectively about the work we are passionate about and enable our supporters to feel like they are a part of the work we do? Join us today on the Lasting Change Podcast, where we are talking with Lisa Wolf, SVP...

Today, there are places in the world that need support more than ever. Countries are in crisis, and as leaders, we want to help. We want to play our part in alleviating the pain and needs across the world. But helping is much more imbiguous than it should. Knowing how to help those in crisis should not be a challenge. How can we, as leaders, provide support to those in Crisis? How can we be confid...

Leading cross-culturally is challenging. It is nearly impossible to be aware of all the different ways people live and work. How can we, despite the inability to be aware of so many differences, lead successfully across multiple cultures? Join us today on the Lasting Change Podcast, where we are talking with Simon Majumdar, world-renowned broadcaster, chef, and author. Together, we talk about the...

Today, trauma is happening at a larger scale than most of us have ever seen. Real wars are being fought, and individuals are hurting. As leaders, we want to do everything we can to create peace and stability in our communities and lives. But few things are more daunting than this task. In a world full of hurt, what can we do as leaders to create peace and stability? Join us on the Lasting Change P...

Leaders around the world often have a plan, a direction they are taking their team and ministry - but often that plan gets disrupted. Fear and doubt about direction is often the result. How can leaders stay calm and flexible when God asks them to change course? Join us today on the Lasting Change Podcast, where we’re talking with Kristen Choitz, leader in Zambia. Together, we discuss the impo...

Finding sustainable ways to fund work around the world is a big challenge. Sometimes good projects can fail because they aren't setup from the start with sustainability in mind. How can leaders find sustainable ways to fund work in ways that really last? Join us today on the Lasting Change Podcast, where we’re talking with Robert Swarthout, a three-business-time founder with experience in software...

Every leader knows that leading people requires embracing vulnerability and learning from failures. But as leaders, we often cling to the desire to project confidence and intelligence all the time. What if leadership was less about having expert intelligence and more about cultivating humility, curiosity, and openness? Join us today on the Lasting Change Podcast, where we’re talking with Ian Simki...

Every leader who is trying to make change happen knows that it takes innovation and risk. Leading people to move away from what is traditional and comfortable, into a space of innovation comes with a myriad of challenges - but change and new ideas can lead to incredible opportunity. Join us today on the Lasting Change Podcast, where we’re talking with Brandon Weidman, Sr. Direc...

Hard emotional conversations are inevitable in the professional and personal world. Often, we fear and avoid having crucial conversations that would lead to a new relationship, healthier marriage, or promotion. Managing these heightened emotional conversations should not be something we fear but rather an opportunity to grow and heal. Join us today on the Lasting Change Podcast, where we talk with...