Empowering Your Congregation to Provide Mental Health Support
Release Date: 09/14/2023
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.
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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?
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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.
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Faith, Resilience, and the Realities of Humanitarian Work
The Better Samaritan Podcast
What happens when humanitarian work collides with political upheaval and shifting policies?
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
info_outlineJoin us on today’s episode for a deeply enriching conversation with Laura Howe of Hope Made Strong on the crucial role of the church in addressing mental health issues, particularly in the wake of the pandemic's collective trauma.
We leave no stone unturned, covering topics such as practical ways to empower your congregation to provide solace, support, and strength to those grappling with mental health issues. We also discuss the multitude of ways the Church Mental Health Summit can serve as a catalyst for education and change.
Each of us has a role to play in meeting the growing mental health needs in our circles. We pray this episode encourages those passionate about integrating mental health support within their churches and communities.
Laura’s Bio -
Laura Howe is a clinical mental health social worker, addictions counselor, and project manager. She has spent her 15-year career supporting and serving the marginalized and suffering in her local community. In 2019, Laura launched Hope Made Strong, an organization dedicated to helping the local church care for their communities without burning out. In 4 short (and busy years), the team at Hope Made Strong has grown, and together, they are serving churches worldwide with online courses, cohort groups, training, events, and a podcast. Laura is a refreshing voice in the faith and mental health space: upbeat and practical, with a strategic lens. If you're looking for tools to support your ministry leaders and congregation, Hope Made Strong is a go-to resource.
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This episode was produced by WildfireCreative for the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College.
Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance
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Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have Evangelicals, and sometimes we won't. Learning how to do 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.
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