Upwardly Dependent

This episode may be the most spiritually rich conversation to date on the Upwardly Dependent podcast. Dr. Krish Kandiah, and Officer of the British Empire and long-time advocate for refugees and orphans, shares incredible stories and deep reflections from his love for God’s word. As the last guest in this series on Orphans and Vulnerable Children, you will be sure to find a renewed passion for not only neighboring well, but also for resting in the love of a Creator who pursues you, as well. There aren’t appropriate words to describe the impact this conversation could have on you, so just go ahead and give it a listen. ... Episode Highlights Intro to Dr. Krish and his work as an Officer of the British Empire (3:29) Wrestling with the responsibility of privilege (6:19) Dr. Krish’s heart for adoption and supporting refugees (9:02) Understanding God’s heart for people on the margins (16:37) A holistic theology informing our care for vulnerable children (22:42) The holiness of slowing down and inviting others in (29:47) Racializing and dehumanizing vulnerable families (31:55) A call to the Church to protect vulnerable children (42:18) ... For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠upwardlydependent.com/shownotes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ... Links ⁠⁠⁠Kindred Exchange⁠⁠⁠ - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission ⁠⁠⁠Emmaus House⁠⁠⁠ - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti  Dr. Krish’s Website - Learn more about Dr. Kirsh and the work he is doing to help to solve problems through partnerships across civil society, faith communities, government and philanthropy. The Sanctuary Foundation - Learn how they are providing compassionate service to vulnerable people through catalytic partnerships between government, churches, civil society groups, the media and individuals. ... Connect with Lauren ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Dr. Krish X / Linkedin

Lauren was first introduced to Nick and Whitney Runyon a decade ago, and was drawn to their videography and storytelling across the globe. Both the Pinkstons and the Runyons entered into their own adoption journeys soon after, and as Lauren’s mind has expanded on the issue of orphan care, so has the work and advocacy of the Runyon’s organization, The Archibald Project. In this conversation, Lauren and Nick meet for the first time. Nick warmly normalizes the growth process attached to complex issues, and graciously invites others to be courageous in their own evolution, as well. After listening to this conversation, you’ll be sure to want to explore the resources linked below. ... Episode Highlights Intro to Nick and his work (2:03) The start of The Archibald Project (6:33) Examining past mistakes and shifting practices (9:51) Telling honest stories about adoption and the foster care system (14:19) Crafting parameters around storytelling as adoptive parents (20:32) Honest stories from adoptive families (24:37) Nick’s advice for people wrestling with the complexities of adoption (29:51) Melinda’s adoption story (35:34) Resources through The Archibald Project (37:46) ... For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠upwardlydependent.com/shownotes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ... Links ⁠⁠Kindred Exchange⁠⁠ - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission ⁠⁠Emmaus House⁠⁠ - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti  ⁠The Archibald Project - Learn more about the stories and resources they have created for families caring for orphaned and vulnerable children. Reimagine Orphan Care - Tune into the podcast to start reimagining orphan care  ... Connect with Lauren ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Nick Instagram / Linkedin

As Lauren says again and again, if you want to see less human trafficking in the USA, start by surrounding vulnerable families while children are young. The majority of domestic trafficking cases involve children who have aged out of or who have interacted with the U.S. foster system.  Lauren was eager to interview Sarah because of her extensive experience in family advocacy. This conversation turned vulnerable and introspective quickly, as Sarah and Lauren both shared their journeys of waking up to their own misunderstandings about what children need to thrive, as well as their grief over the lack of evolution and learning within the American church. ... Episode Highlights Intro to Sarah and her work (2:48) The U.S. justice system is failing families (11:07) A human-centered approach to poverty (14:06) Humanizing the hurt within the system (22:03) A call for faith communities to protect families (25:56) Ethically portraying the stories of vulnerable families (29:16) Sarah’s experience as a CASA volunteer (37:59) Child protection versus family preservation (41:49) How to take action today (50:30) ... For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠upwardlydependent.com/shownotes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ... Links ⁠Kindred Exchange⁠ - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission ⁠Emmaus House⁠ - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti  CASA - Learn how you can become a court appointed special advocate in your local community Together for Families - Learn more about their work to protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities ... Connect with Lauren ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Sarah Linkedin

Kayla and Lauren have been online friends for 10 years, writing and mothering in similar spaces. This conversation takes a deep dive into the relationships parents have with others who mothered our children both before and after they joined our families. Kayla writes heartfelt prayers for parents who are in need of a ministry of words in seasons of deep grief or spiritual dryness. Her top-rated Substack newsletter offers weekly breath prayers, playlists, and encouragement for raising safe and whole families.  Kayla is also the author of “Every Season Sacred” and “To Light Their Way.” With a background in journalism, she hopes to bring curiosity and compassion to how she shows up not only as a writer and podcaster but also as a neighbor, friend, and parent. She considers herself a contemplative extrovert and is the creator of the popular Liturgies for Parents Instagram and Podcast. Her wonder-shaped writing has been featured in a vast array of books, devotionals, and Bible studies. She lives in a former convent with her pastor husband, four kids, and two dogs in her Iowa hometown. ... Episode Highlights Kayla Craig Introduction (1:52) Parenting and how motherhood changes you (11:15) The formation of women in our lives (12:50) Parenting adopted children (17:52) Expanding the network of safety and influence outside the home (26:44) Recognizing the importance of people in the lives of our kids before we met them (31:40) Kayla’s second book “Every Season Sacred” and spiritual rhythms (36:40) ... For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠upwardlydependent.com/shownotes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ... Links Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast Emmaus House - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti  Kayla’s Personal InstagramLiturgies for Parents Instagram Liturgies for Parents Podcast - Tune into Kayla’s podcast for a moment of peace in the chaos of life. “Every Season Sacred” - Reflections, Prayers, And Invitations To Nourish Your Soul And Nurture Your Family Throughout The Year “To Light Their Way” - A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents Liturgies for Parents Top Substack - Follow along with Kayla’s weekly newsletter, playlists, and breath prayers ... Connect with Lauren ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Kayla Instagram / Facebook / Substack

Once you see how institutionalizing children can be harmful to their development, how do you continue to be involved with the care of orphans and vulnerable children? Brent Phillips, CEO and Programs Manager at Cherish Uganda, shares how this organization has evolved over the years to best center families within their care strategy. Brent speaks candidly and truthfully about the unique challenges of this transition, and how the posture of programming organizations is critical to the success of marginalized communities. ... Episode Highlights Introduction to Brent (2:31) Brent’s work with Cherish Uganda (3:08) Pushback to the switch to family based care (6:57) Donors reactions to organization’s narratives about orphan care (10:56) Story behind the short film from Cherish Uganda (16:07) Pastoring donors and inviting them into the story (23:17) How Cherish Uganda differentiates themselves from other organizations in Uganda (25:06) Encouragement to make the shift to pivoting approach to orphanages (30:46) ... For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠upwardlydependent.com/shownotes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ... Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kindred Exchange⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emmaus House⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti ⁠Konbit Haiti⁠ - See how a group of people is transforming communities in Haiti Cherish Uganda - Learn more about the work they do with children with HIV/AIDS.  World AIDs Day video - Walk in the shoes of a person living with HIV, to increase awareness of the stigma and treatment. ... Connect with Lauren ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Brent Linkedin / Instagram / Facebook