Weave & Cleave

Karen Cheong was seeking trauma healing when her husband, Robert, began asking the question, "Where does Jesus make a difference in brokenness?" Decades later, Gospel Care Ministries was born, a ministry that equips church leaders and church members with answers to that question. As the Cheongs put it, "The church should be the first place people go for help."  Using the framework of the gospel, t...

Gabby Avalos was an ASU student when she joined an internship that connected her with Pastor Yoo and his diverse community of servant leaders. She thought it'd be a short-term connection. She thought she'd pursue social work after getting her degree. God had other plans, and forturnately for Gabby (and the world), she listened. This captivating interview covers it all - mental health and its abili...

A fifty-five year old book sparks a lively conversation between Pastor Yoo and Michelle. What could be relevant about words penned so many decades ago? Francis Schaeffer's 'The God Who is There' explores themes of compassion and patience, the fight against argument and perfection, and the supreme generosity and joy of knowing the God who is there. Schaeffer's book reinforces the need for a lifesty...

At Sunshine Acres Children's Home, children ages four to eighteen-plus live together in homes with house parents. Much of their schooling and programming is at Sunshine Acres, creating a sense of community and family. Staff members, Joe, Fred, and Rob discuss what its like to create a trauma-informed culture in an organization with a seventy history, and how its helped them create a clearer vision...

Weave & Cleave's podcast co-host, Michelle Stiffler, shares a little about her passion for physical movement, and the launch of Sincerity Method - an approach to integration that blends strength training, mind-body disciplines, and somatic coaching. She also shares the struggles of being multi-faceted in a society that would prefer you pick one path and do one thing. (If you know about suppres...

Derek Sessom, LPC and the Trauma-informed Care Coordinator at Trinitas Church in Phoenix, AZ, has been committed to trauma-informed living for nearly a decade. Listen in as he talks about the solution to loneliness, the key elements of acceptance, and all that can take place when you live in your created design. If you need permission to courageously take hold of your God-given passion, this episo...

Welcome to 2024, and season 3 of Weave & Cleave! Dr. Sanghoon Yoo and Michelle Stiffler chat about the disciplines they keep year in and year out, how they begin a new year, and how they each commit to their spiritual relationship and spiritual growth. The conversation turns to salvation and what it means to 'work out' one's salvation. This first episode of the year is one you don't want to mi...

Maybe, if we really consider faith, faithfulness, and trauma-informed compassion for others and ourselves, everything can be simplified into two words: Only YOU. Only God. Pastor Yoo and Michelle reflect on the specific attributes of Father, Son, and Spirit, sharing personal glimpses and understandings of God's unending care. As we wrap up the season, we want to thank you, our listener, for gettin...

Kathleen Welcher was brand new in her role as Care and Connections Pastor at First Christian Church (Phoenix, AZ), when she took Pastor Yoo's trauma-informed care training, and to her surprise, got triggered. Four years later, Kathleen is amazed to see how First Christian Church has applied the trauma-informed lens to their ministries, their community, and their unity as a team. We're grateful for...

If Life and Hope are evidence of fruit in a Christ follower, so are Cross and Glory. No question, cross is a familiar, but difficult word. But perhaps, in bending to take up our own cross and carry it each day, this is where we begin to understand true glory. Not ours, not glory of our own knowledge, hands, or will, but the inexpressible glory of God. Listen in.

In honor of World Trauma Day on October 17th, Pastor Yoo offers four words that highlight the evidence of Christ's fruit in us. How do these rather simplistic words become radical characteristics in a Christ follower? How does our perspective shift when we apply the lens of heavenly life and hope over earthly life and hope? These are big questions, but fret not, we have trauma-informed answers!

What is worship? Culturally, worship is often synonomous with music, instruments, and being in a church building with a leader to guide the experience. Corporate worship is important in the Christian faith. (MELT worship has a long history within The Faithful City, and it's making a resurgance.) But what about private worship ? For those in or coming out of a traumatic season or recovery process,...

Pastor Aubrey Barnwell at First New Life Church in Phoenix, AZ, wanted to go beyond implementing the principles of The Belonging Project - he wanted belonging to be part of his church's DNA. Katrina Harrell, parishoner, licensed therapist, and Director of Mental Health at First New Life, assured him belonging was already a dominant trait at FNL. Join us as we talk with Barnwell and Harrell about t...

Pastor Yoo defines the last 3 values of S.H.I.N.E. while providing texture from twenty years of multi-ethnic ministry at ASU. Just as trauma can shatter lives, it can also shift perspectives. Humility finds a place to take root and grow. Similarly, differences can create division, but when humility enters, so does wholeness and unity.

Who doesn't love a helpful acronym?! Join Paster Yoo for S.H.I.N.E. and the 5 values that will get you thinking broadly about being a disciple who makes disciples. This conversation lends structure to the holistic lifestyle required for those who offer constant care with a trauma-informed lens.

What does a trauma-informed community of co-journeyers look like? Sanghoon Yoo offers 3 Cs - principles to practice that make a real difference. First: Challenges. Yep, the conversation goes deep fast, going beyond acknowledging challenges as the human condition and straight into accepting challenges without shame. What are the other elements? Listen in!

If you coach, mentor, help, serve, or support people, you need these three stages on the discipleship continuum. Spoiler: Process and community are a big piece of each one. If you're working on becoming more like Jesus, you need these three stages, too. Listen in as Sanghoon Yoo simplifies the contemplative actions of a trauma-informed disciple and a trauma-informed disciple maker.

Being, Doing, and Belonging. Where does Becoming fit in? This episode goes deep as Dr. Sanghoon Yoo and Michelle Stiffler chat about the inner self, growth, goals, outcomes, and the countercultural ways of Jesus and His Spirit. If the growth mindset has ever made you anxious, this episode offers a different perspective. Becoming shouldn't feel stressful. Listen in.

You're excited about trauma-informed care and you want next steps. You want training, resources, and a way to get involved. This episode is for you! As a bonus, this episode highlights conference feedback. As an extra, EXTRA bonus, Dr. Sanghoon Yoo and Michelle Stiffler venture into unpopular territory, distinguishing safety from familiarity and comfort (because let's be honest, humans like to def...

Sheridan Correa shares her incredible story of childhood wounds, inner turmoil, unresolved pain, and eventually, belonging. Her journey toward wholeness and transformation may sound different from yours, but the obstacles of perfectionism, performance, and people pleasing will likely sound familiar. This vulnerable episode is sure to captivate. **Be advised, this episode mentions suicide and subst...

Jesse Kohler, Executive Director of CTIPP, shares the beginnings of the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice, including the vision, the hope, and the dream. CTIPP is a national organization that supports the work of both government and organizations. Listen to this episode for more on policy change and bringing trauma-informed to your community, then head over to CTIPP.org for practica...

The Maricopa County Public Health Department is the third largest in the country, so when Tracy Cruickshank began dreaming about connecting faith leaders with substance use prevention and recovery training, it was no small undertaking. She met Sanghoon Yoo, and together, The Belonging Project began to take shape. What does a fruitful collaboration require, particularly between faith communities an...

Jad and Jamie Levi, pastors of Trinitas Church in Phoenix, Arizona, realized they didn’t need a physical location to be the church. They have a unique model for creating communities on mission and bringing heaven to earth, empowering people to extend ministry right where they are. Already invested in the work of engaging people with big T and little t trauma, the Levis found trauma-informed traini...

Domingo Arambula, Arizona State Rep & Team Lead for Celebrate Recovery talks about facing people pleasing, establishing boundaries, and living in the victor’s mentality. He gives all the credit to his relationship with Jesus. Listen as Domingo shares his passion for helping others by inviting everyone to the table, offering a safe place, and letting people know they belong.

How do we co-journey with others who have experienced trauma and its effects? We prepare. We reflect and receive and ready ourselves for grace, acceptance, and unconditional love. This produces a capacity for endurance over performance and faithfulness over productivity.