Courageous Conversations from UniteKC

Courageous Conversations is a Unite KC podcast hosted by Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall. The show creates space for honest dialogue about race, faith, and unity in Kansas City. Each episode features meaningful conversations with local leaders and community voices—conversations that are often left unheard but desperately needed. Through stories, humor, and trusted guests, Ray and Gary demonstrate how to build bridges, ask hard questions, and take the lid off topics that too often divide us.

Everyone's Flourishing Is Everyone's Business A Courageous Conversation with Lee Roland 07/22/2026

Everyone's Flourishing Is Everyone's Business A Courageous Conversation with Lee Roland Lee took on a failing school by anyway you would measure and in a decade of work turned it into a superior example of thriving. His commitment was to fully understand the needs and then through love, commitment to the task and accountability turn it into a place everyone could be proud of. What he learned there applies to our culture if we would do the same. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/42185410

From Bitter to Better: A Courageous Conversation with Don Lewis 07/08/2026

From Bitter to Better: A Courageous Conversation with Don Lewis Pastor Don Lewis grew up multicultural in California, faced racism inside the church, and chose redemption over bitterness. Hear his story on Courageous Conversations with Unite KC. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/41995605

Repairing Relationships 06/24/2026

Repairing Relationships Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall share practical tools for repairing relationships after hard conversations about race, politics, and faith — and why humility matters more than being right. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/41744435

Adopting Your Neighborhood | A Conversation with Taylor Penrod 06/10/2026

Adopting Your Neighborhood | A Conversation with Taylor Penrod Taylor Penrod moved into Argentine, one of KC's most diverse neighborhoods, opened a coffee shop, and learned that the most powerful mission field is the street you live on. A conversation about incarnational mission and loving your neighbor. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/41591820

Kansas City's Biggest Moment 05/27/2026

Kansas City's Biggest Moment Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall talk about how Unite KC is mobilizing Kansas City churches and leaders to welcome 720,000 World Cup visitors through prayer, hospitality, soccer clinics, worship nights, and neighborhood watch parties. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/41431640

Breaking Barriers w Dr. Greg Ealey 05/13/2026

Breaking Barriers w Dr. Greg Ealey From early in life, Greg, found himself in communities where he was one of a very few black men in a world populated by white people. Learn from his experiences how to thrive and contend for racial harmony and unity. Today Greg pastors a church where the congregation is primarily white while situated in a world of color. They are learning that not only can they thrive but that integration and unity is God’s plan. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/41270175

Not Blaming. Not Shaming. Naming. A Conversation with Lexi Lang 04/22/2026

Not Blaming. Not Shaming. Naming. A Conversation with Lexi Lang Lexi Lang joins Courageous Conversations to talk about the Dividing Lines Tour, racially restrictive deed covenants in Kansas City's neighborhoods, and what it looks like to love your neighbor through knowing your city's history. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/40973895

Origins of Racism 04/08/2026

Origins of Racism In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Ray and Gary wade into deep waters—exploring the origins of racism in the church, the power of silence, and what it means to take responsibility without assigning guilt. Drawing from history, Scripture, and lived experience, they unpack concepts like “inherited head starts,” complicity, and blind spots, while inviting listeners into a hopeful vision of unity rooted in truth. This conversation challenges the Church to listen honestly, speak courageously, and love neighbors in ways that lead to real flourishing. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/40766805

Business Leaders for City Flourishing 03/25/2026

Business Leaders for City Flourishing What happens when business leaders stop “supporting ministry” from a distance—and start using their gifts, networks, and wisdom to help the city flourish? In this episode, Ray and Gary sit down with George (The Barnabas Group Kansas City) to explore how business leaders can strengthen ministries and nonprofits through practical insight, strategic coaching, and collaborative problem-solving. George shares Barnabas’ model—connecting ministry passion with business expertise—plus a powerful story of justice work helping survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives through expungement. The conversation also introduces George’s emerging vision for “cause solution communities”: mapping what’s already happening across KC and connecting leaders to collaborate instead of duplicating efforts. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/40590665

Foundations: Why We Entered this Work 03/11/2026

Foundations: Why We Entered this Work In this Foundations episode of Courageous Conversations, hosts Ray and Gary step back to share the personal stories that shaped their commitment to racial healing, justice, and unity. From childhood memories during the civil rights era to painful experiences in Christian school, cross-cultural friendships, moments of fear, courage, and unexpected leadership opportunities, this conversation traces how God uses lived experience to form conviction. Rather than offering a program or solution, Ray and Gary reflect on what it looks like to show up humbly, stay engaged through adversity, and take responsibility without assigning blame. This episode invites listeners to consider their own origin stories—and how God might use them to bring healing, understanding, and unity right where they live. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/40388325

Unity on the World Stage: A Conversation with Kwan Porter 02/25/2026

Unity on the World Stage: A Conversation with Kwan Porter As Kansas City prepares to host the World Cup, Kwan Porter (Life Mission KCK) shares why this moment is bigger than logistics—it’s a Kingdom opportunity. From job fairs that honor people with dignity to a citywide vision for worship and unity, Kwan challenges the Church to lead with hospitality, courage, and love. What happens if thousands of believers simply choose to “do one good thing” at the same time? /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/40202305

Caring for Kids Is Caring for the City 02/11/2026

Caring for Kids Is Caring for the City In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with Porsche Seals, Executive Director of Caring for Kids, for a powerful conversation about advocacy, education, and what it really takes to show up for children in Kansas City. Porsche shares her unexpected journey from stay-at-home mom and PTA leader to city-wide advocate, leading a growing network of schools, churches, and community partners. Together, they explore why history still matters, how inequity shows up in education, and why mentoring, literacy, and everyday involvement can change a child’s future. This episode challenges listeners to move beyond frustration and into faithful, practical action—for the sake of our kids and our city. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/40060570

Hope Center: Building a Neighborhood Where the Vulnerable Flourish 01/28/2026

Hope Center: Building a Neighborhood Where the Vulnerable Flourish In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with Marvin Daniels, Director of The Hope Center, to explore what it looks like to pursue long-term transformation in Kansas City’s urban core. Marvin shares his journey from Brooklyn to Chicago to Kansas City—and how God shaped a vision not just for a single building, but for an entire neighborhood to experience hope and flourishing. The conversation covers a comprehensive approach to youth development and community development: engaging families, launching a neighborhood health center, opening a school, addressing food access through community gardens, developing internship housing, and renovating the former Annunciation Church into The Gathering KC. This episode is a masterclass in humble leadership, partnership without a “Messiah complex,” and building trust over time—especially when challenges, setbacks, and tragedy inevitably come. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/39887920

Go Underground 01/14/2026

Go Underground Jeremiah reveals why he and his wife, Mona, wrote the story of the underground and turned it into an award-winning theatrical performance with 20 years of history in KC. Hear some wins and some heartache. Take notes of what we learned. Most of all we talk about why these kind of offerings are important today. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/39668655

Unoffendable 12/10/2025

Unoffendable We live in a cancel culture where if we disagree, it is treated with offense. What if we were determined to be unoffendable—where we sought first to understand and then valued friendship over disagreement? /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/39345760

Beyond the Comfort Zone: Music, Multiethnic Church, and the Courage to Lead 11/26/2025

Beyond the Comfort Zone: Music, Multiethnic Church, and the Courage to Lead Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with worship leader and marketplace executive Lester Estelle, Sr. to talk about leading in a predominantly white church, building truly multiethnic worship, and staying courageous when resistance shows up. From police-at-the-door misunderstandings to introducing Spanish verses and hymns, Lester shares practical wisdom for creating spaces that look a little more like heaven—on Sunday and beyond. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/39155725

Trigger Words: How Language Hurts—or Heals 11/12/2025

Trigger Words: How Language Hurts—or Heals Words can unite—or divide—before we’ve finished a sentence. In this candid conversation, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall unpack loaded terms like “privilege,” “prejudice,” and “I don’t see color,” and model how curiosity, humility, and responsibility turn trigger words into bridges. Practical stories, honest reflection, and a simple call: don’t quit talking—and keep giving grace. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/38979345

Beyond Baseball: Dayton Moore on Developing Culture 10/29/2025

Beyond Baseball: Dayton Moore on Developing Culture Former Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore joins Courageous Conversations to talk about leadership, community, and the role sports can play in bringing people together. From founding the C You in the Major Leagues Foundation to building the Urban Youth Academy, Dayton shares how empathy, humility, and faith drive his leadership philosophy—and why he believes Unite KC’s mission matters more than ever. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/38812715

Why Courageous Conversations Matter – The Story of Unite KC 10/15/2025

Why Courageous Conversations Matter – The Story of Unite KC In the very first episode of Courageous Conversations, hosts Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall pull back the curtain on the story of Unite KC and why this podcast exists. Born out of a desire for racial healing after the death of George Floyd, Unite KC has become a movement to love your neighbors at all costs and live into the vision of Uniting People, Uniting Neighborhoods, Uniting KC. Ray and Gary share their personal journeys, the merger of Love KC and Unite KC, and how simple steps like “Do One Good Thing” and tools like the BLESS app are helping people build bridges across divides. With honesty, humor, and hope, they show how courageous conversations can transform hearts and cities. /episode/index/show/519fbb20-d421-4057-9cb4-87221fff77d3/id/38531300

Courageous Conversations from UniteKC

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