On the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, and their families—wearing orange shirts, observing silence, and acknowledging the land we live on. Yet sometimes it feels like performance. Can these gestures move beyond checkboxes and virtue signaling to true transformation? In this episode, I sit with Dr. Mike Hogetorp, facilitator for the Canadian Learning Community for Decolonization and Innovation in Theological Education with NAIITS, to explore how we can enter these rituals with sincerity, humility, and a willingness to be unsettled, taught, and changed—asking what it really takes to cultivate right relationship and authentic reconciliation.
Are we really giving people a voice, or just the illusion of one?
This episode dives into the tension between tokenism and true participation in community work. We look at what it takes to move beyond traditional charity models toward real collaboration—where power is shared, not hoarded. Through the story of the Toronto Underhoused and Homeless Union (TUHU), we explore both the wins and the struggles of creating spaces where people experiencing homelessness can shape the decisions that impact their lives. Along the way, we unpack what this means for food banks, church outreach, and any program that wants to move past symbolic inclusion toward authentic, empowering community.
In this episode, my guest from Sanctuary Ministries of Toronto shares the heart and mission of their work. We delve into what it truly means to create a space of belonging for those marginalized in society. Our conversation covers the intrinsic value of relationships, the challenge of balancing efficiency with genuine connection, and the importance of community over programs. We also discuss the unique dynamics of being a faith-based organization amidst the pressures of urban development and societal expectations. Tune in for a deep exploration of how intentional presence and patience can transform a community.
This episode explores the powerful connection between our physical experiences and spiritual worship. I'm joined by Dr. Kenneth Wallace Jr., a Professor, Formationalist and ordained worship pastor with Street Psalms. Together, we discuss the significance of engaging all our senses in worship, the role of physical experiences in our faith, and how community work can deepen our spiritual connection. This episode sheds light on how worship extends beyond traditional music and cognitive practices, encompassing a holistic and embodied approach to connecting with God. Whether it's through beading, gardening, or the smell of incense, discover how embracing the physical elements of life can lead to a more profound and integrated worship experience.
In this episode, I explore the intersections of faith, harm reduction, and personal transformation with my guests Lorraine Lam and Steve MacDouell. We go below the surface and consider how our theology impacts our views on the speed and likelihood of human transformation. The conversation covers the challenges and importance of harm reduction, how faith communities can engage with this approach, and the complex interplay between individual actions and systemic changes. Through personal stories and thoughtful analysis, the episode highlights the importance of compassion, community support, and policy advocacy in addressing the multifaceted issues surrounding substance use and addiction.
00:00 Introduction to Healing and Transformation04:19 Understanding Harm Reduction06:31 Historical Perspectives on Addiction08:38 The Role of Environment in Addiction12:25 Challenges of Punishment and Prohibition17:20 Faith Communities and Harm Reduction22:07 The Complexity of Harm Reduction23:09 Personal Stories and Reflections41:30 Reevaluating Drug Use and Church Teachings42:23 The Church's Struggle with Substance Users43:40 Fear and Proximity in Addressing Substance Use44:38 The Divide Between City and Suburban Perspectives46:55 The Role of Harm Reduction Spaces50:54 The Church's Role in Policy and Justice01:01:15 Finding Hope Amidst Disappointment
I'm joined by Ahmeda Mansaray-Richardson for a rich conversation on what it means to speak and live authentically in spaces shaped by conformity. From her upbringing in West Africa to her work in development and theological education, Ahmeda shares how using one's vernacular—the language of lived experience—is a radical act of self-preservation and resistance.
Together, we explore:
This episode is a call to reclaim your voice, resist erasure, and embody your faith and identity with courage.
In this convo, my friends Aleke and Hector join me to unpack how vocation is shifting—especially in the social sector. We get into why fewer people are pursuing pastoral ministry and why more are moving toward health, wellness, and counseling.
We talk about:
· How ideas of “calling” are evolving
· Mixing spirituality with professional work
· The tension between confidence and curiosity
· How culture, identity, and personal history shape our work
It’s honest, thoughtful, and full of real-life stories from peoplenavigating these spaces every day.
If you’re in social work, ministry, or just wondering how toconnect your purpose with your job in the social sector—this one’s for you. 💬✨
#Vocation #Calling #SpiritualCare #SocialSector #FaithAndWork#Deconstruction #Counseling #Intersectionality #Purpose #PastoralMinistry
Join us as we continue our conversation with Greg Paul, a passionate advocate for marginalized communities in downtown Toronto. Together, we explore how we can reimagine social services to prioritize human connection, mutual care, and shared safety over agency-centered frameworks. What does it mean to create systems that reflect the humanity of all involved? This episode challenges us to rethink safety as a shared responsibility, fostering trust and support for everyone in the community.
If there's one thing I've learned from Conan O'Brien, it's how to lean into the absurdities of life, to embrace the moments of surprise and keep pace with where it may lead. In a climate that demands preplanned strategies and fully detailed scripts, I wonder whether we are more focused on training our young leaders to execute a set agenda rather than equipping them to discern. While it may be easier to give them a script to read, the craft of improvisation may prove to be the best way to navigate the exceptional margins of society. In a space filled with pain, chaos and excitement, templates may bring a semblance of order, but the intuition of discerning sojourners may go a lot further. In this episode, I end my 3 part conversation with the Director of Youth Unlimited GTA, Scott Moore, where we discuss the role discernment plays in the way we plan and execute programs in the community. We talk about what it means to incorporate the Spirit in our methods and strategies and how we might do this together as a collective entity.
Please do check out the great work of Youth Unlimited GTA!
What would you think is the single most important issue to tackle in this world? If you were given a blank canvas and asked to figure this question out, where would you begin? In this episode, we look at how economists approach this question and investigate alternative, more subjective methods to gather and analyze the experiences and data of how things are going in our programs and communities. Specifically, we look at the emerging phenomenon in the social sector to measure the transformation of participants and the community they seek to serve. How precise do we need to be when it comes to gauging human transformation?
In this episode, I continue my conversation with Scott Moore, the Executive Director of Youth Unlimited GTA (YUGTA) and discuss his experience both developing and deconstructing a measurement tool that sought to gauge the level of transformation occurring within YUGTA's programs. This is the second of a three-part conversation I had with him.
Feel free to check out the great work being done at Youth Unlimited GTA. https://www.yugta.ca/
Asset-Based Community Development is a powerful movement that has shifted the paradigm of so many attempting to work for social change. In reflecting upon my experiences in this framework, I realized the subtle ways the market and the vocabulary of capitalism infiltrate such beautiful values. In my conversation with Dr. Agnes Thomas, the Executive Director of Catholic Cross-Cultural Services, we work through these important questions to discover the discrete ways community development has been commodified to maximize impact in the social arena.
As we consider what it is to be a good neighbour to the general public, particularly those on the margins, this episode asks us to consider what it is to be a neighbour WITHIN the church. As divisions continue to grow amidst our polarized world, it seems necessary to consider how the church can lean upon the words of Christ to find a route towards unity within. Unity might not be the sexiest topic out there, but it sure is necessary for our day. I talk with my good friend and mentor, Dr. Rick Tobias, where we explore the parting words of Jesus in the book of John and how he lays out the missional significance of being unified as one body. This is the last episode of our first season of Good Neighbour Podcast. If you don't catch the ending of this episode, please know how thankful I am for each of you who took the time to listen to these episodes. I hope it was able to stimulate some ideas and conversations in your spheres of influence. Please be sure to look out for our second season in the coming months and click on our social media links (youtube, facebook and Instagram) to view highlight clips of past episodes.
These are my reflections on reconciliation and the aftermath of forgiveness (via Miroslav Volf). Too often, we fail to realize how much a conflict has impacted our relationships. How we nurture relationships AFTER a conflict is paramount to our desires for reconciliation. We can be distant or we can lean in. In this video, I attempt to articulate a post-reconciliation reality that assumes that peace will always be at arm's length no matter how close we think we are.