Emonie Campbell | Episode 290

Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 290 is titled “Emonie Campbell”. Emonie lives life to the fullest and teaches students at Woodland Hills High School to do the same. We’ll get to know her at The Table this evening.Pull up a seat at the table and join us!Getting to Know Emonie CampbellIn this lively episode of Lunchtime in Rome, the guys welcome special guest Emonie Campbell, a vibrant educator and Young Life staff member at Woodland Hills High School who inspires students to embrace life fully. The conversation kicks off with the hosts sharing highlights from their recent vacations, blending humor, heartfelt moments, and a touch of chaos—like Eric's daughter Maggie's breakthrough body-surfing adventure (complete with a dramatic wipeout), Jay's rejuvenating time fishing with his kids, and Brian's whirlwind trips to D.C. and the beach, where he navigated everything from $100 breakfasts to profound car chats with his daughter Abby.The episode then shifts to Emonie's compelling backstory. Born in the Bronx but raised in Butler and Pittsburgh after her family sought a fresh start, Emonie opens up about her challenging childhood marked by frequent moves, her parents' struggles with addiction and separation, and stepping into caretaker roles for her siblings and mother at a young age. Despite these hardships, she shares how her faith journey began in middle school through subtle seeds planted by her family and church experiences, eventually blossoming in high school via Young Life. Emonie discusses her work ministering to Woodland Hills students—showing up consistently, earning their trust, and creating spaces like weekly Bible studies at Dunkin' Donuts to foster belonging and support.Tying into the podcast's core theme from Romans 12:15 ("rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn"), the guys explore Emonie's relational needs, highlighting her high needs for encouragement, comfort, and belonging—shaped by her life's enmeshments and lack of stability. They praise her childlike faith, resilience, and ability to turn personal trials into opportunities for good, as seen in her ministry.Emonie wraps up with inspiring words: "Forward is forward, whether you're running, walking, or crawling," and shares her favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11, as a reminder of God's hopeful plans. This episode is a beautiful mix of laughter, vulnerability, and encouragement—perfect for anyone navigating life's ups and downs.First-time listeners: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app or YouTube, follow on social media, and take the relational needs questionnaire at lunchtimeinrome.com. Join the guys next week for Episode 291! Get full access to Lunchtime In Rome Podcast at www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe