Libsyn Directory

Why Lament Matters in Humanitarian Work (And What We’re Getting Wrong)

Release Date: 04/17/2025

How Joyful Generosity Is Changing the Way We Give

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What if giving could be joyful instead of guilt-driven? In this episode, Jamie Goodwin, professor at Wheaton College, shares how her background in global churches, journalism, and teaching led her to a deeper view of generosity. We talk about practical ways to give—like giving circles and hybrid nonprofit models—that engage communities and reflect diverse cultures.

The Future of Foreign Aid

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What’s on the horizon for foreign aid and humanitarian response strategies, especially in light of ongoing funding cuts to foreign aid around the world?

NGO Strategy and Leadership: 10 Steps of Crisis Management

The Better Samaritan Podcast

Veteran humanitarian leader Roger Sandberg joins us to discuss how NGOs can lead effectively in the midst of funding cuts and uncertainty. As political shifts tighten budgets, the gap between global needs and available resources continues to widen. Roger shares practical strategies for assessing risk, strengthening communication within teams, and re-imagining sources of funding.

Faith, Resilience, and the Realities of Humanitarian Work

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What happens when humanitarian work collides with political upheaval and shifting policies?

How Funding Cuts Are Impacting Anti-Trafficking Efforts With Rev. Dr. Sandra Morgan

The Better Samaritan Podcast

How do federal and foreign aid cuts impact anti-trafficking work, both directly and indirectly?

Compassion and Complexity: Evangelicals on Government and Humanitarian Aid

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What happens when churches, governments, and communities work together across differences in opinion for the common good? In this episode, Dr. Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, joins us to talk about how different parts of the evangelical church are responding to shifts in humanitarian aid and funding, and why these varied responses matter.

Beyond Charity: Rev. Eugene Cho on Faith, Advocacy, and Fighting Global Hunger

The Better Samaritan Podcast

How do advocacy and policy help combat child hunger and malnutrition, both in the U.S. and around the world? In this episode, Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World, joins us to talk about what’s needed to tackle food insecurity around the world, what’s working, what’s not, and why surface-level solutions won’t cut it.

What Happens When Foreign Aid Gets Cut? Lessons from the Front Lines

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What happens when humanitarian aid gets pulled, but the needs don’t stop? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Beth Stuebing, a missionary surgeon in Malawi with the Christian Health Service Corps. She shares what it’s like on the front lines of healthcare when funding disappears—and why faith-based organizations working on the ground can’t do it alone.

Faith in Action: How Students Are Advocating for Global Health and Justice

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What happens when college students decide to take action on global issues?

Inside PEPFAR: What’s at Stake and How Churches Can Engage

The Better Samaritan Podcast

This episode, we talk with Jenny Dyer, founder of the 2030 Collaborative, about her involvement raising awareness for HIV/AIDS - from working with Bono and the ONE Campaign to championing global health in Washington and beyond.

More Episodes

What if grief could actually help us do better humanitarian work? In this episode of The Better Samaritan Podcast, Dr. Jamie Aten and Kent Annan explore the idea of lament—or as Jamie calls it, “faithful grief”—and how it can reshape how we approach global challenges and humanitarian aid.

Drawing from Kent’s book Slow Kingdom Coming, personal stories, and research with Biola and the University of Connecticut, they break down how lament isn’t just about sadness—it’s about being honest with God through complaint, praise, and asking for help.

They also share powerful moments from places like post-earthquake Haiti and the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, where leaders model resilience and generosity in the face of scarcity. This episode offers a fresh take on grief, healing, and hope—and how small, faithful actions can lead to significant change in a hurting world. Jamie and Kent conclude with a preview of upcoming conversations on TBS with leaders in different humanitarian sectors, who will be discussing how federal and foreign aid cuts are impacting their area of focus and what may be next.

Want to explore the books, articles, and research mentioned in this podcast?

(2:08) Book: Slow Kingdom Coming - https://www.ivpress.com/slow-kingdom-coming

(3:39) Studies: Biola University & University of Connecticut on lament for Christians - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388450256_Lament_Measuring_a_Christian_Meaning-Making_Coping_Practice https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361353087_Lament_and_Well-Being_Measuring_a_Christian_Meaning-Making_Practice

(5:16) Book: Aftershock - https://www.ivpress.com/after-shock

(8:35) Study: Research strategies on lament and why lament matters - https://www.spiritualfirstaid.org/why-lament-matters-study-slides

(9:48) Workshop: Spiritual Self-Aid - SpiritualfirstaidFree Spiritual First Aid Course Preview

(11:20) Study: On community as a source of hope and resilience among black female cancer survivors - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378169783_Spiritual_Surrender_Initial_Appraisals_of_Cancer_Diagnoses_in_Black_Christian_Women

Resources:

Pick up a copy of Kent’s book - https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Kingdom-Coming-Practices-Justice/dp/0830844554

Download your free copy of our Called to Serve: Navigating Your Christian Vocation in Humanitarian, Disaster, and Development Work e-book, which includes articles full of practical advice, insight, and encouragement. Each of the three sections concludes with thought-provoking questions and a prayer. We hope this e-book informs and guides you toward reflection, prayer, and next steps.

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This episode was produced by WildfireCreative

Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance

Follow on Instagram: @wildfirecreativeco @wheaton_hdi

(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll host Evangelicals, and sometimes we won't. Learning how to “do good, better” involves listening to many perspectives with different insights and understanding. Sometimes, it will make us uncomfortable; sometimes, we'll agree, and sometimes, we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction–especially in our blind spots.)

The Better Samaritan podcast is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers an M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership and a Trauma Certificate. To learn more and apply, visit our website. Get your application fee to the HDL M.A. program waived with code TBS25.

amie Aten, Ph.D., and Kent Annan, M.Div., co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and are the Co-Founders of Spiritual First Aid.

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