Where Ya From? Podcast

When we accomplish big things we often look back and realize we didn’t do it on our own. Whether it’s family members encouraging us or a whole community cheering us on, a few faces usually come to mind when we think about the path we take to reach success. On this episode of the VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Grammy award–winning artist Lecrae joins host Rasool Berry once again. This time, Lecrae...

Everyone struggles with issues of identity. Maybe it’s the way we look or the amount of success we have achieved, but either way, the question “Who am I?” is fundamental. That’s why when we allow others or our culture to answer that question for us, it can lead to devastating consequences. In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Rasool speaks with theologian Ekemini Uwan and discovers h...

Just because you’re not someone’s cup of tea doesn’t mean you aren’t a cup of tea. In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, award-winning gospel singer Kierra Sheard-Kelly shares her journey from condemnation to body positivity, as well as her passion for spiritual self-care and living boldly in faith. Guest Bio: Kierra Sheard-Kelly is an award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, actress,...

Great minds think alike, or so we’ve been told, but what if different minds help to build better communities, better companies, and even better churches? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, international business consultant Skot Welch discusses diversity, equity, and inclusion and shares his passion for creating communities that reflect the diversity that God designed. Guest Bio: Sk...

Is God only concerned with saving souls? Or does He care about both the spiritual and physical well-being of humanity? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Dr. Esau McCaulley shares his origin story with Rasool and outlines what the Bible has to say about being socially active and pursuing justice. Guest Bio: Rev. Esau McCaulley, PhD, is an assistant professor of New Testament at Whe...

In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Dr. A.R. Bernard teaches us that there are no small churches or small impact—just small thinking. Learn how God took A.R.’s four-member, store-front church and expanded it to the Christian Culture Center and understand that we all can make positive change in our communities by being faithful to whatever plan the Lord has in store for us. Guest Bio...

When two worlds, cultures, or concepts collide, what happens? Often, there’s a sense of conflict. But what if, instead of facing these collisions with conflict, we met them with a willingness to understand? In this episode of Where Ya From? , Rasool Berry shares his own story of faith, culture, and identity. Listen as we discuss his experience of growing up in Philly and going to boarding school,...

Culture change only happens when we change culture. So how do you become a culture maker versus simply a culture consumer? In this episode of Where Ya From? , Andy Crouch discusses the implications and applicable processes of Christians understanding better how to speak to and influence culture versus talk against it. Listen as we discuss culture, being creators, and the implications and influence...

Music is a universally loved language of expressions and melodies. But what if the music you love, create, and share gets mislabeled by your own church and community? In this episode of Where Ya From? , musician Ruth Naomi Floyd shares her story of growing up in Philadelphia and caring for the wounded and alienated and how that, paired with her faith, led her to unapologetically create jazz music...

In this episode with Dr. Alma Zaragoza-Petty, we explore the educational systems in place that hold back so many and her work to challenge the system as part of her God-given purpose, the difference in experiences of growing up in Mexico and Los Angeles, and the pivotal moments in her faith-filled journey. Guest Bio Dr. Alma Zaragoza-Petty was born in Los Angeles and raised in Acapulco, Mexico, fo...

This episode with Daniel Hill tackles the uncomfortable but necessary conversations about the intersections of race, culture, and faith that the church has often ignored. It's time to stop ignoring the blind spots that exist and instead acknowledge them and take action to erase them. Guest Bio Daniel Hill is the founding and senior pastor of River City Community Church located in the West Humboldt...

In this episode with Lecrae, we discuss the challenging but enlightening moments of healing from past trauma, reconciling with perceptions people have of us and realizing we don’t have to fit that mold, and finding the power of restoration. Guest Bio Lecrae is a leading figure in the gospel-rap movement, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, actor, and entrepreneur.  He is the president,...

This week’s episode with Mark Charles shows the need for us as a society to face the truths even when uncomfortable, describes the steps he is taking to help decolonize the gospel for the Navajo Nation, and demonstrates how our own trauma can lead to understanding and reconciliation. Guest Bio Mark Charles is a dual citizen of the United States and Navajo Nation. He is an activist, public speaker...

Today's episode with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah explores the need to listen to the voices of the disenfranchised in our society and our church, his experience of growing up as part of an immigrant family, and why we need to go beyond one culture's assumptions and biases of the way "things are done." Guest Bio Dr. Soong-Chan Rah is currently serving as the Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism at Ful...

In this week's episode with Carolyn Custis James, you will learn about the "Blessed Alliance," and why a Kingdom strategy is strengthened by women and men working together; how to listen to our calling about and taking action to make a difference; and why it's essential to ask the big question of "why" for our theology.  Guest Bio Carolyn Custis James is an advocate for women worldwide and an awar...

In this week’s episode with Dr. Christina Edmondson discusses the importance of treating our mental health as significantly as our physical health; Black dignity and embracing her identity as a Black woman; and how we can learn to embrace and love our own identities. Guest Bio Christina Edmondson holds a Ph. D. in counseling psychology from Tennessee State University, an MS degree from the Univers...

Jemar Tisby is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Color of Compromise , president and co-founder of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, and co-host of the podcast Pass The Mic . Jemar attended the University of Notre Dame and joined Teach For America at the Mississippi Delta Corps, where he taught sixth grade and became the principal. He received his MDiv from Reformed Theologi...

Kristen “KB” Newton is the creator and founder of HEARTConvos, an organization that helps people build authentic relationships through having hard conversations. She was previously the DJ for both the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever. She’s married to her husband, Mike, and they have a daughter.  Instagram Quote “Vulnerability and the formula for vulnerability is the exact same formula for being e...

Rich Pérez is a unique storyteller and thought-leader in the Hispanic-American experience. His life has layers, and he has put time into understanding how they’ve shaped who he is and what he cares about. From 2011 to 2020, Rich and his family planted Christ Crucified Fellowship in his hometown neighborhood (Washington Heights). Rich is also the author of Mi Casa Uptown: Learning to Love Again.  T...

Ambassador Sujay Johnson Cook is a woman of firsts. She was the first Black woman Chaplain to the New York Police Department and the first female senior pastor in the 200-year history of the American Baptist Churches. She was also the first and only female President of the historic Hampton U Ministers Conference. She was selected to be a White House Fellow in 1993 and later served as a presidentia...

What do you do when someone challenges your faith? One of the world’s most sought-after Christian apologists, Lisa Fields, combines her passion for biblical literacy with her heart for sharing God’s love to all those she meets. She is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Religious Studies and of Liberty University with a Master of Divinity...

Where Ya From? Podcast  creates an atmosphere where all people—regardless of our differences—can openly discuss ideas, issues, culture, experiences, faith, and more so we can learn from each other and the Word of God. New episodes released weekly on Tuesdays. Where Ya From? Podcast  is presented by the Voices Collection, a part of Our Daily Bread Ministries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...