The Echoes Podcast

Summary We all hide. We hide from God, from each other, and even from ourselves — and it turns out that's not just a spiritual problem. It's a brain problem. In this episode, psychiatrist and author Dr. Curt Thompson joins Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega to explore what neuroscience and Christian spiritual formation have to say to each other about shame, community, and the human longing to be fully known. Links and Resources Subscribe to Echoes magazine (free, quarterly print): echoesmagazine.org Dr. Curt Thompson's website: curtthompsonmd.com The Being Known Podcast: available on all major streaming platforms The Center for Being Known: www.thecbk.org/ The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves (IVP, 2015) The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope (HarperOne, 2023) Paul Borgman, Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard (IVP, 2001) H. E. Butt Foundation: hebfdn.org 

When suffering silences us, where do we turn? Drawing from his forthcoming book And the Sea Was No More, biblical scholar, professor, and author, Dave Nienhuis Nienhuis reflects on suffering, community, and the “victory narrative” that can keep us from telling the truth. This conversation is a powerful look at how God meets us in chaos and how faith makes room for struggle and vulnerability. Show Notes: And the Sea Was No More by David Nienhuis (available for preorder; releases September 22, 2026) The Psalms (especially Psalm 69) Dark Night of the Soul, St. John of the Cross Mental health support Subscribe to Echoes magazine If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow The Echoes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with someone who might need it. 

What if addiction isn’t just about substances—but about the human soul? In this episode of The Echoes Podcast, Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega sit down with bestselling author, Episcopal priest, psychotherapist, and Enneagram teacher Ian Morgan Cron to explore a surprising and deeply human idea: we are all addicts. Drawing from his latest book, The Fix, Ian reframes addiction as a misdirected longing—a search for connection, meaning, and ultimately, God.  This conversation also explores the connection between the Enneagram and addiction, the power of self-awareness, and why “hurt people” may be uniquely equipped to help others heal.  Show Notes: The Typology Podcast with Ian Morgan Cron IanMorganCron.com The Fix by Ian Morgan Cron The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron The Grace of Letting Go, audio from Ian Morgan Cron's 2025 retreat at Laity Lodge The Big Book from Alcoholics Anonymous Carl Jung and 12 Steps origins Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale by Ian Morgan Cron “I do not understand what I do...” Romans 7:15-20 Robert “Bob” Goff Enneagram types Introducing the Enneagram with Richard Rohr 

Summary Largely due to technology, many of us feel more connected than ever—but we also feel less known than ever. In this episode, Andy Crouch talks with us about AI, anxiety, loneliness, and what technology can never replace. Drawing on The Life We’re Looking For, Andy explores why “formation requires friction” and why real hope begins with recovering a more personal, relational, and loving way of life.  Listen now and hear a hopeful vision for what it means to stay human.  Do you like this conversation? You can subscribe to Echoes Magazine for free at https://hebfdn.org/echoes/subscribe/  SHOW NOTES:  Andy Crouch, The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World  Andy Crouch, Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling  Ronald A. Heifetz, Leadership Without Easy Answers Ronald Heifetz, Marty Linsky, and Alexander Grashow, The Practice of Adaptive Leadership  Luke 1:26-42 Hebrews 4:15 Mark 10:45 John 12:6 Andy Crouch, The Tech-Wise Family Christianity Today – Andy Crouch  Praxis – Awaken Your Redemptive Imagination 

Movies don’t just entertain us—they train our imaginations. In this episode, New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson helps us think about Hollywood, media, AI, and the stories shaping our shared reality. It’s a thoughtful conversation about truth, criticism, and how to choose better narratives in a fractured age.In this episodeHollywood is an American “dream machine”Movies shape both personal identity and national self-understandingWhat happens when shared cultural stories fragmentThe bright side of film: friendship, representation, and moral imaginationJoan Didion on truth, spin, nostalgia, and storytellingWhy criticism matters and how it can model civil disagreementHow advertising, lifestyle branding, and media shape our picture of the good lifeWhy AI-generated video poses a serious challenge to truthPractical habits for becoming a more discerning viewerAlyssa’s thoughts on the 2026 Oscar nominees and a few films worth seeking outBooks mentionedWe Tell Ourselves Stories by Alissa WilkinsonSalty by Alissa WilkinsonHow to Survive the Apocalypse by Alissa Wilkinson and Doug JoustraAn Experiment in Criticism by C. S. LewisFilms mentionedThe Truman Show (1998)The General (1926)Ratatouille (2007)E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)Sinners (2025)The Testament of Ann Lee (2025)Train Dreams (2025)Hidden Figures (2016)The Lord of the Rings (2001 - 2003)My Girl (1991)Tron (1982)

In this episode, New York Times bestselling children’s author Sally Lloyd-Jones discusses storytelling, faith, and rediscovering childlike wonder. Drawing from her books, including The Jesus Storybook Bible and Jesus, Our True Friend, Sally helps us explore themes of friendship, trust in God’s presence, and the freedom that comes from approaching faith like a child, allowing space for awe, imagination, and grace.  NOTES:  The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear Sally Lloyd-Jones website Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jon Guerra Tour The Jesus Storybook Bible Jesus Our True Friend Goldfish on Vacation Baby Wren and the Great Gift Tim Keller Henry James: “Try to be one of those on whom nothing is lost.”  Hedonic adaptation Yale Happiness Class John 16:33 (NIV) – “…I have overcome the world.” C.S. Lewis – Four Types of Love Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) – “…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” John 15:13 (NIV) – “…to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.”  Thomas Keating: “…chief thing that separates us from God…” Frederick Buechner: “If there were no room for doubt, there would be no room for me.” Dallas Willard quote 

SUMMARY: Physician and medical ethicist Dr. Lydia Dugdale (Columbia University) argues hope isn’t a careless wish—it’s a practiced habit oriented toward a future good that’s hard but possible. We talk about hope as a communal discipline, the dangers on both sides—despair and false hope—how doctors actually handle prognoses, why imagination relates to hope, and whether “AI grief avatars” help or harm. Along the way: Aquinas, Augustine, and Howard E. Butt Jr. advising us to stay “steady in the saddle.”  NOTES: Hope You’re Well! No, But Really. - Echoes Magazine Lydia S. Dugdale, MD | Division of General Medicine The Lost Art of Dying – HarperCollins Between Presumption and Despair: Augustine's Hope for the Commonwealth | American Political Science Review | Cambridge Core SUMMA THEOLOGIAE: Hope, considered in itself (Secunda Secundae Partis, Q. 17) 

“I love being old.” That comment from a woman in her late 80s stuck with Mark D. Roberts. Today he helps people think about how to flourish in the “third third” of life. In this episode of The Echoes Podcast, we cover why relationships at 20–50 shape our health at 80, what the U.S. Surgeon General calls the loneliness epidemic, how churches can foster intergenerational community, when moving in your 60s+ helps—or hurts—your social fabric, and why “it’s all about you” is a terrible retirement story. Practical, hopeful, and unapologetically positive about how to age well. NOTES:  “Third Third of Life” work from the De Pree Center Third Third Flourishing - De Pree Center Can We Trust the Gospels? by Mark D. Roberts  Ephesians Commentary by Mark D. Roberts Making It Work podcast (co-hosted by Roberts) Harvard Second Generation Study Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the “15 cigarettes a day” stat Laity Lodge (Texas) Christina Rossetti’s Up-Hill | The Poetry Foundation Psalm 103 On Thinking Institutionally (On Politics) by Hugh Heclo Echoes Magazine (free subscription) H. E. Butt Foundation (mission/vision) 

 A frank talk about fathers—what we inherit, what we can repair, and how faith communities help (or don’t). Patton Dodd, author of The Father You Get, shares the story behind his new memoir and the “father hunger” that shaped him. We discuss money and manhood and honest family conversations. The Father You Get released in 2025 and is available in print, audio, and at your local bookstore. NOTES: Host/producer team: Camille Hall-Ortega, Rob Stennett, Marcus Goodyear; editing: Rob Stennett, Kim Stone; music: Jonny Rodgers; executive producers: David Rogers & Patton Dodd. LINKS: Book (print): https://www.amazon.com/Father-You-Get-Believe-Become/dp/1506486983 Book (Bookshop): https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-father-you-get-and-the-ones-you-make-believe-in-and-become-patton-dodd/52778e09f432a4a2 Audiobook (Audible): https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Father-You-Get-Audiobook/B0F49977Q7 Anna Machin – fatherhood research: https://annamachin.com/books/ Echoes Podcast – “The Cure for Loneliness” (Kinghorn): https://echoesmagazine.org/stories/the-echoes-podcast-s1e8/ Echoes feature – “Loneliness Is Killing Us”: https://echoesmagazine.org/stories/loneliness-is-killing-us/ U.S. Surgeon General Advisory (PDF): https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf Fr. Thomas McKenzie sermons archive: https://thisherechurch.com/ Laity Lodge Men’s Retreat: https://www.laitylodge.org/retreats/mens-retreat-2025/ Subscribe to Echoes magazine (free): https://echoesmagazine.org/ H. E. Butt Foundation (about/programs): https://hebfdn.org/ The music of Jonny Rodgers: CINDERTALK The Prodigal Son (Luke 15): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A11-32&version=NIV 

This summer, devastating floods struck Central Texas, leaving families, camps, and entire communities grieving and in shock. In response, the Echoes team hosted two live webinars to support parents, educators, and caregivers facing an urgent question: How do we help our kids cope with something like this?In this season one finale, we share highlights from those gatherings—including two heartfelt conversations with trauma expert Dr. Jamie Aten. A seasoned psychologist and co-creator of Spiritual First Aid, Jamie has spent over 20 years responding to the world’s hardest disasters and has lived through personal trauma himself.He’s joined in the second conversation by Kent Annan, host of the Better Samaritan Podcast, for an honest and hopeful dialogue about grief, parenting, and self-compassion. Together, they offer practical tools and spiritual insight for those walking children—and themselves—through fear, confusion, and loss.Whether you're a parent, pastor, educator, or community leader, this conversation offers grace-filled wisdom for showing up with love, clarity, and resilience when it’s needed most.Mentioned in this episode:Spiritual First Aid, co-created by Dr. Jamie AtenPhilippians 4 and the Lord’s PrayerThe Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-JonesLetter-writing reflection exercise: “Who helped you through this crisis?”1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith…”The Better Samaritan Podcast from Christianity TodayAdditional mental health resources related to the podcast episodeFull recordings of the webinars included in the podcast excerptSubscribe to Echoes Magazine at hebfdn.org/echoes/subscribe to receive a beautiful, free print magazine each quarter.

We live in a difficult time. People have their opinions about how to solve problems, but distrust runs deep. People make promises—especially our politicians—but they can’t always deliver on those promises. In our season one finale, bestselling author and columnist David Brooks joins The Echoes Podcast to explore what’s really missing—and how we might find it again. Brooks helps us see that what’s broken in our world is not simply political, but spiritual and relational. He shares stories of moral formation and vulnerability, and together we practice the simple but powerful act of asking good questions. Along the way, we reflect on the limits of AI, the enduring power of art, and why overinvesting in friendship might just be the hope we need.David Brooks is the author of The Road to Character, The Second Mountain, and How to Know a Person. A columnist for The New York Times and The Atlantic, he’s known for exploring the intersection of politics, culture, and morality.Mentioned in this episode:The Road to Character and How to Know a Person by David BrooksEast of Eden by John SteinbeckThe Gift by Lewis Hyde (referenced contextually)Ronald Reagan’s address at the Laymen’s Leadership Institute in 1974 (excerpted clip begins at 6:50).“Remembering Jim Lehrer” on PBSSubscribe to Echoes Magazine at hebfdn.org/echoes/subscribe/ to receive a beautiful, free print magazine each quarter.

What does it mean to create something beautiful—not despite our limitations, but because of them? We talk with bestselling author and artist Austin Kleon about creativity as resistance, the tension between process and product, and the courage to show our work. From crushed oyster shells to pink conchas, from ancient nun rhythms to the modern grind, this episode reminds us that creativity is not about abundance—it’s about attention. And it might just save our souls. Our guest this week, Austin Kleon, is the New York Times bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going. Known for his accessible insights into the creative process, he writes a widely followed weekly newsletter and shares his own journey of making art with words and pictures. Notes  Steal Like an Artist, Keep Going, and Show Your Work by Austin Kleon The Gift by Lewis Hyde Makoto Fujimura at Laity Lodge Pink concha painting by Eva M. Marengo Sanchez Get a beautiful quarterly print magazine for free at echoesmagazine.org 

Do “kids these days” have you scratching your head? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Crystal Kirgiss joins Camille Hall-Ortega and Marcus Goodyear to explore the ancient roots of adolescence, the unchanging traits of teenagers across time, and why understanding young adults has more to do with showing up than keeping up with trends. Whether you're a parent, a mentor, or just someone who wants to support the next generation, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder that you’re not the first person to face these challenges.    Even if you don't have kids, simply being a good neighbor can include noticing and caring for teens in your community. You don’t need to be cool—you just need to be there.    Notes  Dr. Crystal Kirgiss – Director of Discipleship Content at Young Life, author, speaker, and expert on the history of adolescence.  Hosted by Camille Hall-Ortega and Marcus Goodyear.  The Relate Study by Young Life  Young Life Discipleship Resources Eugene Peterson’s book on raising teenagers  Crystal’s article in the Echoes Magazine (Issue 1, 2025)  

Sister Pearl Ceasar has a remarkable journey from classroom teacher to nonpartisan community organizer. Guided by her deep faith and commitment to justice, Sister Pearl spent decades building coalitions for change in San Antonio and across Texas. She explains how personal relationships, listening, and persistence can transform neighborhoods—and entire cities. Co-hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega join Sister Pearl to reflect on faith, leadership, and the power of binding communities together for the common good.🔗 Subscribe to Echoes Magazine for free: EchoesMagazine.org 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Episode Notes: "If you’re walking and no one is following, you’re not leading—you’re just out for a walk.""Real change happens when neighbors listen to each other—and move forward together.""Organizing isn’t about politics; it’s about love made visible in community.""Faith isn’t abstract. It’s building drainage systems, raising wages, and ensuring everyone has a fair shot.""Justice is slow work, but the only thing slower is doing nothing at all."COPS/Metro AllianceProject QuestIndustrial Areas Foundation (IAF)Learn more about community organizing in Texas at the West/Southwest IAF.Production Team:Written and produced by Marcus Goodyear, Camille Hall-Ortega, and Rob Stennett Hosted by Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-OrtegaEdited by Rob Stennett and Kim Stone Executive Producers: Patton Dodd and David Rogers Graphic Design Manager: Hilary Commer Junior Designer: Lindsay Bruce Content Creator: Alyson Amestoy Staff Writer: Beth Avila Funded by the H. E. Butt Foundation Special thanks to our guest Sister Pearl Ceasar. 

Grammy-winning musical artist and author Ashley Cleveland joins The Echoes Podcast to talk about grit. Through addiction and recovery, heartbreak and healing, Ashley invites us into a story where surrender becomes strength, vulnerability becomes vision, and brokenness gives way to beauty. This is a conversation about faith forged in fire, and the quiet, astonishing power of telling the whole, unvarnished truth. 🔗 Subscribe to Echoes Magazine for free: EchoesMagazine.org 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Episode Notes: Little Black Sheep: A Memoir by Ashley Cleveland. Ashley Cleveland’s extensive discography includes three Grammy Award wins for Best Rock Gospel Album: The Daylight’s Shot, You Are There, and Lesson of Love.  Also referenced: Olga Samples Davis (Echoes Podcast previous guest) Rust College (Historically Black College) Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1968 “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”  Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Madeleine L’Engle (Author, speaker at Laity Lodge, mentioned via archive clip) Ignatian spiritual exercises (19th annotation) Ashley Cleveland’s sermons at Church of the Redeemer  Production Team: Written and produced by Marcus Goodyear, Camille Hall-Ortega, and Rob Stennett Hosted by Camille Hall-Ortega and Marcus Goodyear Edited by Rob Stennett and Kim Stone Executive Producers: Patton Dodd and David Rogers Graphic Design Manager: Hilary Commer Junior Designer: Lindsay Bruce Content Creator: Alyson Amestoy Staff Writer: Beth Avila Funded by the H. E. Butt Foundation Special thanks to our guest Ashley Cleveland for being vulnerable about her struggles and for talking with us about grit. 

Theoretically, we are more connected than ever, yet loneliness is a growing crisis. Research shows that social isolation can be as harmful to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. What’s behind this epidemic of disconnection, and what can we do about it?In this episode, psychiatrist and theologian Dr. Warren Kinghorn joins hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega to explore the medical and theological roots of loneliness. Drawing on his work with veterans, students, and other communities, Dr. Kinghorn offers a powerful perspective on why we struggle to find belonging—and how embracing vulnerability and deep connection can change our lives.From the impact of social media to the lessons of faith, from the role of community to the surprising effects of shame, this conversation is a hopeful reflection on what it truly means to belong.🔗 Subscribe to Echoes Magazine for free: EchoesMagazine.org🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.Episode Notes:Echoes Magazine feature on Dr. Kinghorn: Loneliness is killing us: Duke University, the University of Aberdeen, and guests explored solutions at a recent Laity Lodge retreat.Dr. Warren Kinghorn’s faculty page at Duke UniversityWayfaring: A Theological Journey by Warren KinghornSurgeon General’s 2023 Report: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and IsolationThe New York Times: Why Is the Loneliness Epidemic so Hard to Cure? (paywall)Pew Research Center: 2025 Religious Landscape StudyGallup: Church Attendance Has Declined in Most U.S. Religious GroupsFrom the UK: Loneliness minister: “It’s more important than ever to take action”From the World Health Organization: Commission on Social ConnectionThe Congregational CollectiveBraving the Wilderness by Brené BrownMadness and Grace by Matthew S. StanfordThe Soul of Shame by Curt ThompsonJosef Pieper, German philosopher and authorAlbert Borgmann, philosopher of technologyGenesis 2-3 (Biblical account of humanity’s brokenness)1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (The Body of Christ and community)Production Team:Written and produced by Marcus Goodyear, Rob Stennett, and Camille Hall-OrtegaEdited by Rob Stennett and Kim StoneExecutive Producers: Patton Dodd and David RogersGraphic Design Manager: Hilary CommerJunior Designer: Lindsay BruceContent Creator: Alyson AmestoyStaff Writer: Elisabeth AvilaWriter: Elizabeth CoffeeFunded by the H. E. Butt FoundationSpecial thanks to our guest Dr. Warren Kinghorn for his thoughtful exploration of loneliness, belonging, and mental health.

“Your zip code shouldn’t determine your life expectancy—but in many American cities, it does.” In this eye-opening conversation, San Antonio vascular surgeon Dr. Lyssa Ochoa talks with us, your hosts Camille Hall-Ortega and Marcus Goodyear, about the stark health disparities in our communities. She highlights a 20-year gap in life expectancy between San Antonio neighborhoods just miles apart. This issue has complicated roots—including historical practices like redlining—and today, some communities are seeing higher rates of diabetes, amputations, and other chronic illnesses. Through her work at the SAVE Clinic, Dr. Ochoa advocates fiercely for equitable healthcare, investing in underserved neighborhoods, and offering compassionate, accessible care. Join us as we discuss why true community health means caring for our neighbors.🔗 Subscribe to Echoes Magazine for free: EchoesMagazine.orgEpisode Notes:Echoes Magazine feature on Dr. Ochoa: “What My Patients Are Facing Is Beyond Medical Need”Know Your Neighbor: “Making San Antonio” with Dr. Christine Drennon of Trinity UniversityLaity Lodge: “Becoming a Beloved Community” by Michelle Lugalia-HollonSAVE Clinic (San Antonio Vascular and Endovascular Clinic) founded by Dr. Lyssa OchoaDr. Roberto Treviño and the National Diabetes Prevention ProgramU.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Social Determinants of Health frameworkSan Antonio Report: Southside economic growth offers opportunity to work toward healthy equitySan Antonio Report: Medical group ordered to pay $8M for Medicare fraud to lay off employees, close locationsSouth Bexar County Medical Needs Assessment Report 2023San Antonio Express-News: Losing Limbs to a Terrible DiseaseCBS Morning News: “Less about people and more about profits”: Investors’ role in closure of San Antonio Hospital Under ScrutinyProduction Team:Written and produced by Camille Hall-Ortega, Rob Stennett, and Marcus GoodyearEdited by Rob Stennett and Kim StoneExecutive Producers: Patton Dodd and David RogersGraphic Design Manager: Hilary CommerJunior Designer: Lindsay BruceContent Creator: Alyson AmestoyStaff Writer: Beth AvilaWriter: Elizabeth CoffeeFunded by the H. E. Butt FoundationSpecial thanks to our guest Dr. Lyssa Ochoa for highlighting health disparities and advocating passionately for equitable healthcare in our communities.

“We live in a world designed to distract us. Quiet isn’t passivity—it’s an active resistance, a space to reconnect with God and ourselves,” says celebrated singer-songwriter Jon Guerra in this episode. He joins hosts Camille Hall-Ortega and Marcus Goodyear to explore the profound relationship between worship, silence, and beauty. Known for his devotional music and work on the critically acclaimed film A Hidden Life, Jon shares his journey from confetti cannons to quiet reflection, crafting songs that offer healing and connection in a noisy world. Together, they talk about the transformative power of worship, the importance of embracing silence, and the ways beauty can draw us closer to God. If you are looking to create a sacred space in your own life, you don’t want to miss this one. NOTES: Jon Guerra’s website  "American Gospel" from Jon Guerra's latest EP Keeper of Days by Jon Guerra A Hidden Life by Terrence Malick On Beauty and Being Just by Elaine Scarry “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins Practicing the Way - John Mark Comer On Beauty and Being Just - Elaine Scarry The Beatitudes from the Gospels (Matthew 5:3–12) The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:10) Ecclesiastes on the rain and sun (Ecclesiastes 9:2) Mary Magdalene at the tomb (John 20:11–18) State of the heart (Proverbs 14:13) Production Team: Written and produced by Camille Hall-Ortega, Rob Stennett, and Marcus Goodyear Edited by Rob Stennett and Kim Stone Executive Producers: Patton Dodd and David Rogers Funded by the H. E. Butt Foundation  Special thanks to our guest Jon Guerra for sharing his insights on worship and music. 

When the city condemns your house and schedules it for demolition, what can you do? On this episode of The Echoes Podcast, we talk about the crisis of affordable housing in San Antonio. Our guest, Elizabeth Cruz, a licensed clinical social worker and project manager at San Antonio Affordable Housing, sheds light on "Operation Rebuild," an initiative focused on saving homes from demolition and restoring hope to families. Join hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega as they discuss the challenges, emotional impact, and victories involved in rebuilding not just homes, but lives. NOTES: Do you like this story? You’ll love Echoes Magazine. Print subscriptions are free from the H. E. Butt Foundation: Subscribe - Echoes Magazine (hebfdn.org) Read the Echoes article that inspired this episode:  It's Your House Now - Community Engagement (hebfdn.org) Watch the short film “Everyone Needs a Home” for free:  knowyourneighbor.com/housing/ Other resources on the Demolition Diversion program: City Recognizes First Home Selected for Demolition Diversion - City of San Antonio Operation Rebuild | LISC San Antonio Echoes - Olga Escobedo - Article Production Team: Written and produced by Camille Hall-Ortega, Rob Stennett, and Marcus Goodyear Edited by Rob Stennett and Kim Stone Executive Producers: Patton Dodd and David Rogers Funded by the H. E. Butt Foundation

Church attendance is declining, and people often wonder: Why should we still go?To answer this question, The Echoes Podcast welcomes Corey Widmer, lead pastor of Third Church in Richmond, Virginia, and a member of the Theological Advisory Council for the H. E. Butt Foundation. Corey shares his insights on the meaning of life, the importance of community, and how the church can better embody Jesus's teachings in a world often disillusioned by religion.Join hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega as they explore the role of the church in modern life and how our beliefs can shape our actions for the better. NOTES:Do you like this story? You’ll love Echoes Magazine. Print subscriptions are free from the H. E. Butt Foundation: Subscribe - Echoes Magazine (hebfdn.org) Read Corey’s Echoes article on “The Four-Part Gospel” that inspired this episode:  The Gospel of Wholeness - Canyon Listen to David Brooks’ full talk at Laity Lodge and one of his articles in The Atlantic: The Deep Humanity of God - Laity Lodge Why Americans Are So Awful to One Another - The Atlantic Investigate materials referenced in this podcast: “We move from being consumers to contributors.” - Andy Crouch  “Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either— but right through every human heart— and through all human hearts.” - Aleksander Solzhenitsyn “People who are lonely are seven times more likely to be active in politics...” - Ryan Street - Source Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jeremiah 29:7-11 Production Team: Written and produced by Camille Hall-Ortega, Rob Stennett, and Marcus Goodyear Edited by Rob Stennett and Kim Stone Executive Producers: Patton Dodd and David Rogers Funded by the H. E. Butt Foundation

Words are powerful. They shape our relationships, influence how we see ourselves, and impact how we experience the world.In this episode of The Echoes Podcast, poet, author, and educator Olga Samples Davis shares her reflections on the significance of words—whether spoken in kindness, passed down through generations, or rooted in faith. Olga reflects on her mother’s wisdom, her journey as an educator, and her faith in the transformative power of language. Because, Olga says, kindness transcends barriers. NOTES: Do you like this story? You’ll love Echoes Magazine. Print subscriptions are free from the H. E. Butt Foundation: Subscribe - Echoes Magazine (hebfdn.org) Watch two Echoes videos featuring Olga in this article:  Laity Lodge's 60-Year Journey - Laity Lodge Browse our poetry reflections: Poetry Stories - Echoes Magazine Buy Olga’s Book, Things My Mama Told Me https://www.amazon.com/Things-My-Mama-Told-Me/dp/1578568196/  Investigate materials referenced in this podcast: Strength in the Lord (Philippians 4:13)  Ernest Hemingway - “We are all broken - that’s how the light gets in”  The Story of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10) “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman Production Team: Written and produced by Camille Hall-Ortega, Rob Stennett, and Marcus Goodyear Edited by Rob Stennett and Kim Stone Executive Producers: Patton Dodd and David Rogers Funded by the H. E. Butt Foundation 

Our culture often equates leadership with tall, confident men. But history and scripture show us that true leadership comes from those willing to listen, collaborate, and empower others," says guest Tod Bolsinger in this episode. Join hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega as they explore with Bolsinger the intricate process of transformation. Drawing from his books Canoeing the Mountains and Invest in Transformation, Tod shares how trust fuels change, why leadership is different from management, and how to navigate the pain of growth. What does it look like to lead with humility and courage? How can we embrace uncertainty, foster collaboration, and inspire transformation in our communities? NOTES: Do you like this story? You’ll love Echoes Magazine. Print subscriptions are free from the H. E. Butt Foundation: Subscribe - Echoes Magazine (hebfdn.org) Investigate materials referenced in this podcast: Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger Invest in Transformation by Tod Bolsinger Practicing Change series by Tod Bolsinger The Mission Always Wins by Tod Bolsinger The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt Leadership on the Line by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky The Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1–15) Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:1–11) The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:10) Eyes on the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:12) Production Team: Written and produced by Camille Hall-Ortega, Rob Stennett, and Marcus Goodyear Edited by Rob Stennett and Kim Stone Executive Producers: Patton Dodd and David Rogers Funded by the H. E. Butt Foundation  Special thanks to our guest Todd Bolsinger, Founder of AE Sloan Leadership, Inc.; author of Canoeing the Mountains, Invest in Transformation, and the Practicing Change series.

How do we find true belonging in our communities, and what responsibility do we have to help others do the same? On this episode of The Echoes Podcast, hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega welcome Reverend Ben McBride, faith leader, activist, CEO of the Empower Initiative, and author of Troubling the Water. Ben shares his powerful story of moving his family to East Oakland’s “Kill Zone” to live alongside the youth he served. As you can imagine, it wasn’t always easy. Join us as we explore the challenges of finding belonging, building bridges across differences, and the profound lessons Ben learned along the way.LINKS & RESOURCESDo you like this story? You’ll love Echoes Magazine. Print subscriptions are free from the H. E. Butt Foundation: Subscribe - Echoes Magazine (hebfdn.org)See the Echoes video and article that inspired this episode:  Know Your Neighbor: Rain or Shine - Community Engagement (hebfdn.org) Read our president David Rogers’ reflect on what he has learned from Rev. Ben McBride:  Widening Our Circle - From the President (hebfdn.org)  Hear our president David Rogers on Ben McBride’s podcast An Invitation to Become:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4p1GtejMKyaewpOalIejj9?si=Q2HFRec3R_OJxxIRlz_dnA  Buy Ben’s Book and learn more about the Empower Initiative: Ben McBride Book Troubling the Water — Ben McBride Empower InitiativeREFERENCESLatasha Morrison - Be the Bridge - WebsiteDr Sean Genwright - The Four Pivots - WebsiteEmpower Initiative - WebsiteMark 12:31 - 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

The Echoes Podcast launches on January 7th, 2025. Join us as we dive into real-world questions about community, faith, and human connection. Guided by hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega, each episode explores personal journeys and societal challenges with inspiring guests—from faith leaders and poets to social advocates—whose stories shape our shared experiences.From the creators of Echoes Magazine by the H. E. Butt Foundation, The Echoes Podcast continues the magazine's legacy of storytelling that fosters understanding, empathy, and action.