"To Be And Do" with Philip Amerson

In this heartfelt episode of To Be and Do , host Philip Amerson sits down with longtime friend and folk musician Ed Kilbourne—who reflects on his journey from a missionary kid to a highly respected figure in progressive Christian circles. Together, they offer candid insights on leaving behind rigid church traditions, the evolution of faith, and the unexpected joys of serving others with authentici...

Welcome to another thoughtful episode of To Be and Do with Phil Amerson at the helm. In this inspiring installment, Phil invites us to reconsider the environments we nurture—not just the natural world, but the “ecology of faith” that shapes our spiritual and communal lives. Through personal anecdotes and keen observations, the discussion challenges us to rethink how we engage with differences with...

In this heartfelt episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Philip Amerson welcomes the legendary singer, storyteller, and folk theologian Ed Kilbourne for a warm and candid conversation. With over 9,000 performances to his name, Ed Kilbourne brings a lifetime of humor, insight, and experience to the table. Together, they reminisce about decades of friendship, reflect on the evolution of faith and...

Welcome to this special introductory episode of “To Be and Do” with your host, Phil Amerson. In this brief but engaging segment, Phil Amerson gives listeners an exciting look at what’s on the horizon for the podcast in the coming months—promising a season filled with compelling conversations, inspiring guests, and thoughtful exploration of faith, community, and service. Phil Amerson starts by shar...

Start your new year with inspiration and reflection on this "Because" episode of To Be and Do . Host Phil Amerson welcomes listeners into 2026 with wisdom, personal stories, and powerful scriptural insights. As he marks the beginning of his ninth decade, Phil Amerson shares the intimate moments of pondering what truly matters and how each of us might use the time ahead meaningfully. The episode op...

In this special "Because" episode of “To Be snd Do,” Phil Amerson welcomes listeners to a celebration that is both personal and universal—the turning of a new year and a milestone birthday. As we prepare to step into 2026, Phil Amerson invites us into his story, reflecting on the sweep of time and the power of gratitude as he marks the beginning of his ninth decade on earth. Born on January 1st, 1...

In this warm-hearted holiday episode of To Be snd Do, Philip Amerson invites listeners into his home, settling in for a reflective discussion on meaningful holiday symbols and the deeper messages they carry. Centered around the theme of staying grounded and hopeful during challenging times, Philip Amerson shares personal stories and traditions that illuminate how objects and rituals can foster a s...

In this uplifting episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Phil Amerson welcomes his longtime friend and musical collaborator Ken Medema < https://www.kenmedema.com/ > for a heartfelt conversation about the importance and challenges of community. Both speakers blend humor, music, and serious reflection as they discuss their experiences and hopes for fostering deeper connections among people...

In this deeply reflective "Because" episode of To Be and Do , Philip Amerson offer listeners a moving meditation rooted in the Advent season. Through compassionate conversation, poetry, and powerful personal observations, the episode challenges us to examine how we wield power, embrace paradox, and recognize the inherent dignity in every person—especially during a time of year that calls for hope,...

In this gentle and reflective "Because" episode of “To Be and Do,” host Philip Amerson invites us to pause, just for a few moments, in the spirit of Advent—a season characterized by anticipation and wonder. this meditation weaves together personal memory, the meaning of community, and the power of poetic storytelling to guide us towards a more mindful and heartfelt experience of the holidays. Phil...

Show Notes — To Be snd Do Podcast Episode Title: Advent.1 In this heartfelt Advent-themed episode, host Philip Amerson invites listeners to pause and reflect during the December season, connecting the journey of Advent to wisdom found in the writings of Howard Thurman. As the world starts to buzz with Christmas preparations, Philip Amerson gently directs our attention towards deeper, more meaningf...

Show Notes for "To Be snd Do" In this reflective episode of the "To Be snd Do" podcast, Philip Amerson invites us into a moment of meditation centered around Ted Kooser’s evocative poem, "The Red Wing Church." Through poetic imagery and personal contemplation, Philip Amerson shares insights into the ever-evolving nature of churches and their role in communities, reminding us that meaning and sacre...

In this uplifting episode of the "To Be snd Do" podcast, host Phil Amerson welcomes renowned composer, performer, and all-around creative force Ken Medema for a conversation brimming with humor, heart, and musical insight. From the outset, it's clear that their friendship is built on decades of camaraderie and good-natured ribbing, instantly putting listeners at ease and drawing them into an authe...

Because: To Be and Do Show Notes In this thoughtful Advent episode, host Philip Amerson invites listeners to pause and reflect on the depth of the season through the wisdom of theologian and poet Howard Thurman. Sharing both the inspiration and the resonance of Thurman's poem "Christmas is Waiting to be Born," Philip Amerson weaves together history, personal story, and a call to inward transformat...

Show Notes: To Be and Do In this heartfelt episode of the “To Be and Do” podcast, host Phil Amerson reconnects with Calvin Kimbrough and Nelia Kimbrough, two extraordinary artists and community builders whose creative journeys have shaped not only their own lives, but entire neighborhoods and faith communities. Together, they explore the transformative power of art, the resilience of faith communi...

Because Host: Phil Amerson Show Notes In this short yet heartwarming episode of "To Be snd Do," Phil Amerson invites us into a gathering of retired friends wrestling with the world's problems but choosing, just this once, to focus on joy. Through personal stories and the power of poetry, Phil Amerson reminds listeners to pause and reflect on what truly brings them happiness in life. Episode Summar...

Show Notes: To Be and Do In this heartfelt episode of To Be and Do, Phil Amerson welcomes longtime friends and collaborators, Calvin Kimbrough and Nelia Kimbrough, for a reflective and inspiring conversation about a lifetime of ministry, community building, and joyful, radical hospitality. With decades of collective experience as educators, artists, activists, and spiritual leaders, the Kimbroughs...

Finding Thin Moments: A Reflection on Everyday Grace On this heartfelt episode of To Be snd Do , Phil Amerson invites us into a quiet yet profound moment from his everyday life, guiding listeners to become more alert to the subtle intersections of the sacred in the seemingly mundane. This short reflection, rooted in a chance encounter on Walnut Street, is a gentle reminder that what many spiritual...

To Be and Do Podcast Guest: Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross Dr. Gross’s book "Not Just Sunday: Reimagine the Reach and Rhythms of Your Church" The Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross has been a transformational ministry thought leader for 2 decades. Serving in diverse contexts, from urban neighborhoods to multicultural suburban communities. Dr. J is known for his unique ability to connect with a wide range of...

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, host Phil Amerson returns to the Indiana University campus to share a candid conversation inspired by the legacy of Dr. Herman B. Wells. Joined by guest IU Dad, the discussion spans reflections on leadership, recent changes at IU, spiritual values, and personal sources of joy. The result is an intimate portrait of campus life and a call for humility...

To Be and Do Podcast Guest: Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross Dr. Gross’s book "Not Just Sunday: Reimagine the Reach and Rhythms of Your Church" The Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross has been a transformational ministry thought leader for 2 decades. Serving in diverse contexts, from urban neighborhoods to multicultural suburban communities. Dr. J is known for his unique ability to connect with a wide range of...

To Be and Do Podcast: Featuring Phil Amerson In this heartfelt "Because" episode of "To Be and Do," we welcome Phil Amerson as he reflects on recent changes at the university, the shifting landscape of academic freedom, and the enduring legacy of Dr. Wells. Through personal storytelling and sharp observations, Phil Amerson highlights the deep connections between faith, the academic community, and...

Show Notes: To Be and Do Podcast Host: Philip Amerson Guest: De'Amon Harges Welcome back to the To Be and Do podcast, where community, creativity, and connection are at the heart of each conversation. In this episode, Philip Amerson catches up with De'Amon Harges—the “original roving listener”—for a candid discussion about his family history, the creation and impact of the Learning Tree, and the o...

To Be And Do BECAUSE In this thought-provoking episode, host Philip Amerson reflects on the challenges facing church communities today, especially around the concept of “open doors.” Drawing upon personal experiences, urban insights, and the wisdom of Jane Jacobs, Philip Amerson invites listeners to consider the deeper implications behind hospitality, security, and belonging in religious spaces. H...

Show Notes – To Be and Do Podcast Host: Philip Amerson | Guest: DeAmon Harges In this transformative episode, host Philip Amerson welcomes DeAmon Harges—known as the “original roving listener” and a pioneering social banker—onto the To Be and Do podcast. DeAmon shares his experiences and insights on interdependence, social capital, and the power of community resources, shifting the conversation fr...