The Pod at My Village

In part two of a conversation about the family, Dr. Tom Edwards provides wisdom and practical insights as to how the church is the answer for establishing strong families. 

In the first of a two-part conversation with Dr. Tom Edwards, Phil and Mel converse about the historic breakdown of the family unit in the United States. Dr. Edwards shares from his research from his latest book: "Rise and Rebuild: Why Black Families Matter", as well as from decades of experience.

In this episode, Phil and Mel sit down with a long standing host family: the Zwyth's. Peter and Julie talk about how to manage a marriage and a household while living out biblical hospitality. They speak on the importance of community, working as a team, and hosting rhythms.

In this episode Phil and Mel are joined by their spouses! The Krause's and the Marshall's go toe-to-toe in a newlywed game, competing to determine which couple knows each other better. After the games, the couples talk about marriage and family life in a hosting.

In this second conversation about the mentorship program, Phil talks with Payton Connor and Ben Otto about the mentorship program now.

In this episode, Mel talks with staff member Payton Connor and her husband, former staff member Ben Connor. They chat about the development of the mentorship program from being Learning Extension Centers during Covid, about Payton and Ben's job swap, and about why Ben is still engaged in the program. We hope you enjoy!

In the fourth part of the prayer series, Phil talks to Gerald Murphy, the Senior leader of Garden City Church. Their conversation covers the Disciples' Prayer, praying in community, healing prayer, and praying with expectation.Use the link below to access MVM's prayer resource!https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1For more about Garden City Church:https://gardencitychurch.tv/

In the third part of the prayer series, Mel talks to Contrast Church Prayer Director Sarah Gilmore, as well as Contrast Church Develop Director and MVM staff member Hannah Baltz. Sarah shares how her perspective on prayer has matured through her relationship with prayer. They discuss creating a culture of prayer in the family and in the church.Use the link below to access MVM's prayer resource!https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1For more about Contrast Church:https://www.contrast.church/

In the second interview for the Prayer Module, Mel sits down with staff member Jess Napolitano and Cross City Church Pastor Scott Burns to talk about prayer. In this episode, Scott and Jess talk about what it means to pray out of Scripture. Conversation points include prayer informing Church unity, keeping prayers simple, the "6 S's" of prayer, and more.Use the link below to access MVM's prayer resource!https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1For More about Cross City Church:https://www.crosscitychurch.org/

(Prayer Series, Pt. II). This episode is a conversation with the first guest for the MVM prayer series -- Michael Oldfield, lead pastor of The Potter's House Church. In today's conversation, Phil, Dana, and Michael examine the difference in being a "house that prays" and a "house of prayer". Michael and Dana share insight into the cause and effect of a culture of prayer.Use the link below to access MVM's prayer resource!https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about MVM's philosophy on prayer, as well as introduce prayer resource that MVM has created to support churches.Use the link to access MVM's prayer resource!https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1

In this episode, Phil and Mel dive deep into church engagement. They discuss MVM's philosophy on whole church engagement over individual volunteerism, as well as strategies for engaging 'slow' churches. Enjoy!

In this episode, Mel talks with Community Coach Supervisor Dana Caldwell about the important task of engaging the community as a ministry. Without community engagement, the church would not be in proximity with those who are in need or are socially isolated.Dana shares how she finds herself in family preservation and some of the lessons she has learned along the way! In this episode you can also find talk about balancing the "supply and demand" of church and community engagement, resource fairs, and engaging hospital systems.We hope you enjoy!

This episode was recorded on a snow day in mid-December, and has been held to be played while the MVM staff is at the Upstream Collaborative Conference. Today's episode is a series of conversations with the Krause boys -- Decker, Ryden, and Jay -- as well as Hope Marshall. Topics of conversation include "tickle tackle", Christmas, and some of the "hards" of welcoming other kids into your home.We hope that you have as much fun listening to this as we did recording it!

In this episode, Melody talks with Phil about her family's journey into the family preservation realm.

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about potatoes. They also talk about the Family Vitality Spectrum, a new resource developed by Columbus local, Tom Edwards, in order to see families from preserving to flourishing.

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about MVM core values, focusing on the value of 2026 -- shepherding.Click here to access the Lament Packet:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wp47zpWfMHH1SZN52mZmfvWTnr4Ncww8/view?usp=sharing

In the second of a two part conversation with Ken Norwood, this episode covers all things Upstream Collaborative -- the Mission, core values, the conference, as well as how to get connected. Use the link to sign up for the 2026 Upstream Collaborative Conference from Feb 4-6!https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unshakable-upstream-collaborative-2026-national-conference-tickets-1228250814249?aff=oddtdtcreator

In the second of a two part series on lament, Ali Watson talks with Ministry Lead Jess Seed about her experience with lament. In this episode, they cover the some of the highs and lows of the ministry, the importance of suffering, and finding healing in the Church.

In this episode, Phil and Mel sit down with MVM staff member Ali Watson to discuss the oft-neglected practice of lament. They articulate lament's place in the work of family preservation, recommend resources, and provide practical steps to better lament as a church community.

In this episode, Phil and Mel chat with Caroline Hoover. Caroline and John are a host family from Contrast Church, and in this episode Caroline shares wisdom and memories through their experiences in building relationship; from host family to friends. We hope you enjoy hearing from Caroline as much as we did!

Relationship is important!!! In this episode, Phil and Mel discuss the importance of building relationships with the families that we are coming alongside of, and share tips for how to do so in the holiday season!

In the first of a two part conversation, Phil and Mel sit down with Ken Norwood and talk about his journey into becoming the CEO of the Upstream Collaborative.

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about Phil's recent trip to Ecuador, the importance of family-based care, as well as the efficacy of Trust Based Relationship Intervention (TRBI).

In the second of a two-part conversation with Mandy Litzke and Lori Neff, Phil and Mel continue their conversation about the origins of My Village Ministries. Plus some Phil stories at the end!"Phil, you're so extra"-- Dana Caldwell

In the first of a two-part conversation, Phil and Mel sit down with Mandy Litzke and Lori Neff to talk about how My Village Ministries came to be.

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about:Gall StonesMVM's modelMVM's main objectivesDifferent roles in the ministrythe importance of Church engagementAnd much, much more.We hope you enjoy!

Welcome to The Pod at My Village! In this introductory episode, Phil and Mel introduce themselves, as well as the work My Village Ministries does in family preservation.