Mended Futures | Presented By FIVE18 Family Services and Vision30

Presented by FIVE18, the tenth and final episode of Season Two of the Mended Futures Podcast features entrepreneur and educator LaShonda Brown. What started as a YouTube channel has grown into a thriving online community, where entrepreneurs encourage one another and learn together. LaShonda is passionate about helping people of all ages and backgrounds confidently embrace technology and new oppor...

Presented by FIVE18, episode nine of season two features Doug Waldo of Best Christian Workplaces as he shares his journey into Kingdom-focused leadership and the profound difference meaningful work can make. Doug discusses how Christian organizations can create healthier, more engaging workplaces where employees feel valued, inspired, and connected to a greater mission. Drawing from 23 years of re...

Presented by FIVE18, the eighth episode of season two features Mollie Cash, a Case Worker for Virginia Cares, who gives listeners a glimpse into the beautiful work they’re doing in and around our community. Mollie leverages her own lived experiences of mercy and reconciliation to empower individuals who are reintegrating into society following incarceration. This episode focuses on Mollie’s encour...

Presented by FIVE18, the seventh episode of season two features Luke Eberle, Associate Development Officer for Samaritan’s feet, who gives listeners a glimpse into the beautiful work they’re doing around the globe. The non-profit organization serves children in need worldwide through providing shoes as a foundation for hope and a better life. Luke shares about how the mission runs so much deeper t...

In the sixth episode of season two of Mended Futures Podcast, Amy Keenan-Amago, founder of the Arc Studio, invites listeners into the heart of her journey — one that led to the creation of a studio devoted to artists with developmental disabilities. In this episode she offers a tender glimpse into daily life at the Arc Studio, sharing the beauty of the artwork and the richness of the lives behind...

In the fifth episode of the second season of the Mended Futures Podcast, Jeff Nitz, CEO of FIVE18, joins Evan and Liz to share thoughtful conversations about what 2026 holds. He speaks about advancing the Vision30 goal of placing every child in a safe home surrounded by a faithful community by 2030. Drawing on his own family of adopted and biological children, he reflects on what he’s learned abou...

Presented by FIVE18, our fourth, season two Mended Future Podcast episode features Dr. Jen Owen, Director of FIVE18 Counseling. She joins Evan and Liz to share about FIVE18’s Sensory Santa experience and how it serves to bring Christmas cheer to children with special needs. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into arranging a magical meeting with Santa, carefully designed to honor eac...

Presented by FIVE18, the third Mended Futures Podcast episode focuses on this Thanksgiving season. Hosts Evan and Liz reflect on how God has worked in their lives in 2025, generously providing “good and perfect gift[s].” They also share the rewarding opportunities God gave them to “do good works” this year and how He equipped them to best serve. Then, we invite you to listen in as staff across the...

Presented by FIVE18, the second Mended Futures Podcast episode introduces this season’s new host, Evan Burgener, a FIVE18 Donor Engagement Coordinator. In this interview, we explore: Why he decided to dedicate so much of himself to the FIVE18 mission What inspires him to intentionally value each person each day The details of how he serves our community in his role What he’s most excited about for...

Presented by Five18, The Mended Futures Podcast is back for season 2! This week we have the pleasure of hearing from our new season 2 host, Liz Mahan. Liz is currently a Five18 Family Services Donor Care Coordinator. This episode introduces our new hosts, explores the ins and outs of donor engagement, and details life in the nonprofit space. Tune in monthly for more true stories about healing and...

It is with heavy hearts that we are saying farewell to Season 1 of the Mended Futures Podcast. In this final episode, Taylor and Allison look back at their favorite memories from this season, what they have learned, and their plans for the future. At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships that ensure children are safe, and families are restored. Our v...

On this week's episode, we are joined by two women who work for a HumanKind, another Lynchburg nonprofit focused on the care of children and families. Taylor and Allison chat with Kloie Rogers and Graycen Hurt about the mission of HumanKind, their passion for helping families, and the many fundraising events they put on each year. For more information about HumanKind: https://www.humankind.org/ At...

This week, we are joined by our very own Sarah Phelps! She is the Director of Donor Engagement at FIVE18 Family Services. We get to know more about Sarah's background, her passion for working for nonprofits, and if she is the product of a mended future. At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships that ensure children are safe, and families are restored....

On this week's episode, we get to talk to the one and only Courtney Green who is the Founder and Executive Director of Love Heals. Taylor and Allison talk to Courtney about how she started her nonprofit, the ways which she's making ends meet, and why she is so passionate about her cause. For more information about Love Heals: https://www.weareloveheals.org/ At Five18 Family Services, our mission i...

This week, we are joined by our very own Liz Mahan! She serves as the Donor Care Coordinator at FIVE18 Family Services. Taylor and Allison chat with Liz about her journey through the nonprofit space, her passion for checking in on people, and her horse book! You don't want to miss it! At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships that ensure children are...

This week, we sit down with Debbie Lester who is the Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development) for Amherst County at Virginia Tech. Taylor and Allison chat with her about why she left the school system, her current role and how she has found her purpose in ministry. Thank you to our sponsor, CarePortal! https://www.careportal.org/ At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of fai...

This week, we have the honor of sitting down with Derrick Parham who serves as the Teen's Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg. We chat with Derrick about his upbringing, his passion for mentoring, and his role at the Boys & Girls Club. For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg: https://www.bgclyh.org/ Thank you to our sponsor, CarePortal!...

This week, Taylor and Allison chat with Lindsey Runda, who is the Children's Pastor for Crosspoint Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. We learn about Lindsey's love for ministry, how she began pastoring kids, and the importance of counseling. For more information about Crosspoint Church: https://crosspointonline.com/ Thank you to our sponsor, CarePortal! https://www.careportal.org/ At Five18 Family Ser...

This week, we have the pleasure of sitting down with FIVE18's own Chief Strategy Officer Jim Herron! Taylor and Allison get to know a little bit more about his journey through becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, raising biological, adoptive, and foster children, as well as his current role with our organization. As always, we hope you enjoy! Thank you to our sponsor, CarePortal! https://ww...

This week, we get the chat with Outreach Coordinator for the Interfaith Outreach Association Jeffrey Snow! We talk to Jeffrey about the mission of Interfaith Outreach and how it positions itself in many parts of the Vision30 river. We hope you enjoy! For more information about Interfaith Outreach: https://www.interfaithoutreach.org/ Thank you to our sponsor, CarePortal! https://www.careportal.org/...

This week, we have the pleasure of being joined by Trae Watkins who is the Vice President for both the Community Development branch of the Bank Of The James and Grow A Future. We talk to Trae about going back to the basics of mentoring, creating systemic change, and leading a "purpose-driven life". We hope you enjoy! For more information about Grow A Future: https://www.growafuture.org/home Thank...

This week, we had on Sean & Erin Mills to talk about their journey as foster parents and how they serve Christ in their everyday life. Sean serves as the Outreach and Counseling Director at Waymaker Church while Erin is the Associate Director for the LU Center for Financial Literacy. For more information about Waymaker: https://www.waymaker.church/ Thank you to our sponsor, CarePortal! https:/...

We continue our conversation with filmmaker/producer Darrick Landreneau, diving more into his family life and how his creative spirit has impacted the many people who he's worked with and who has followed him. Follow Darrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrick/?hl=en Thank you to our sponsor CarePortal! https://www.careportal.org/ At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build comm...

This week, we have the privilege and honor of talking to filmmaker and producer Darrick Landreneau. Taylor and Allison sit down to discuss his documentary "From My Eyes", The 100 Pages Project, and his upbringing. For more information about the 100 Pages movie project: https://100pagesproject.com/ Thank you to the sponsor of this week's podcast, CarePortal! https://www.careportal.org/ At Five18 Fa...

This week's broadcast was a previously aired interview with Claudia Fletcher. Claudia has recently experienced a serious medical event and we feel the importance of re-sharing her life and passion. At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships that ensure children are safe, and families are restored. Our vision is every child in a thriving family, support...