Carlos Huerta is back to chat with Andrew and Grace about what it has looked like to partner two or more organizations together and really embrace the word, Partner. Carlos and crew discuss authentic engagement, what is ours to do and when is it time to pass the baton, what happens when conflict arises, when organizations choose partnership over credit, and what it takes to put aside differences to see real change happen. Carlos is the Executive Director of the FPU Center for Community Transformation. With a mix of both for-profit and non-profit experience, Carlos loves to dream of a Central Valley that works for every neighbor, in every part of our city, all the time so that no one gets left out. He oversees the work of CCT, providing support to all programs that serves churches, start-up business, non-profits and school districts. Carlos has the honor of being a Locke Innovative Leader and counts it a joy to live, eat, serve and play in Fresno, CA. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

What exactly is a community school, and what is the benefit not only to the community but to the individual who benefits from it? Grace and Andrew sit down with Darrin Person, Executive Director of the Community Schools initiative with Fresno Unified. Darrin is a long time partner and board member of ENP, and brings a lot of insight to the conversation around what it means to really engage families in underserved communities, in partnership with elementary school faculty and staff. The three chat through what the goal of community school is, and why it matters that a child's needs are seen through a holistic lens, not just a academic lens. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Erin Obwald joins What's Good today to chat through what it looks like to support a school outside the school. Erin runs an organization called Safe 2 School, which prioritizes the safety of the child on their route to and from school. Erin shares about what it takes relationally to build the capital and trust with parents and principals, the changes that are being made around traffic and safer walking routes by the city, and what it takes to educate and train crossing guards to become "guardians of the neighborhood," and empowered leaders. Erin is a lifelong Fresno native with deep ties to the local community. She grew up attending Fresno Unified schools and is a graduate of Hoover High School. She and her husband, her high school sweetheart of 26 years, have 5 children (three adult children and two children still at home). While her professional background is in graphic design, Erin spent most of her adult life homeschooling her children and actively engaging with her church community and local schools within the Fresno Unified. In 2017, she began working alongside her father, the founder of Safe 2 School, a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe passage for children to and from school. Erin recently completed her master's degree in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University in 2023, the same year she became the organization's Executive Director. She is driven by her passion to empower neighborhoods and help school communities not just survive, but thrive, by working together to Build Safer Communities. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Our series Beyond the Bell is a deep dive on the dynamics, stories, and systems that shape our schools today. Whether that be test scores, socio demographics, safety, school choice, all these factors impact not only our kids, but the future of our city. Andrew and Grace open up the series to chat about their own personal lens and world view that shapes how we process and think about school, and how their own decisions as their kids have become of school age have impact. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Soul Care sounds really lovely until its gets real! So we thought we should sit down with some of our staff members about their own personal experience around burnout, high expectations around service as a lifestyle, and the importance of understanding your own personal limits and your opportunities. Our team gets personal about their own stories and how missed opportunities or struggle have shaped how they show up to work and leadership today. To learn more about our team, visit our Staff page - https://everyneighborhood.org/meet-our-team/ Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Can you lead and not have a close friend? Victoria is a leader of leaders - she finds herself in spaces guiding and holding space for the people who are leading the next generation. On this episode Andrew, Grace and Victoria chat through what kind of friendships you'll need to lead for the long haul, confronting your personal fears in community, the necessity of social chemistry in work, how to avoid echo chambers in our circles, and why community is the key to flourishing leaders. To learn more about Leadership Education at Duke Divinity - https://leadership.divinity.duke.edu/To order Victoria's book, Holy Friendships - https://a.co/d/htucagW Rev. Dr. Victoria White catalytically connects individuals, communities, organizations, and resources to increase resiliency and deepen the habits and practices of thriving and flourishing within networks and ecosystems. She is the Managing Director of Grants and Awards at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity where she facilitates capacity building within traditionally marginalized and under-resourced institutions serving pastors and congregations. She is the author of Holy Friendships: Nurturing Relationships that Sustain Pastors and Leaders. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

An investment in your own leadership will not only grow you in your work, but also more than anything your personal life. Today we have the gift of hearing from Jon Hand, co founder of Lead from Transformation coaching, as well as Joyce Harrington, ENP's own Associate Director who is in the middle of LFT coaching course. The two share their personal stories of where their journeys led them vocationally to be a leader desiring to lead from their own work, and that being able to face and journey through your own story is the key to unlock being a healthy leader. To learn more about Learn from Transformation Jon lives in Southern Ontario with his wife Aimee, where they’ve made their home since moving from the U.S. in 2015. With over 27 years of experience in church and business leadership, Jon’s journey took a pivotal turn after a life-altering season of burnout in his thirties. That moment led him to discover the transformative power of coaching—shifting his leadership from command-and-control to a non-anxious, team-empowering style.Since then, he’s built a thriving coaching practice and developed Soul Coaching, a yearlong journey that helps Christian leaders deepen their identity and character in Jesus so they can lead with renewed capacity and bear lasting fruit. Jon is driven by a clear vocational pledge: to wake up every day to challenge, equip, and inspire leaders to lead from their own transformation. Joyce was raised in Fresno and was the first in her family to graduate from college. Obtaining a BS in Business with an emphasis in Accounting she successfully worked in the corporate sector for over 15 years as a Controller. The social events which occurred in our nation in 2019 awakened Joyce to begin combining her Christian faith with the business skills she acquired to help non-profits. She took on the role of Finance Director at a statewide social justice non-profit where she excelled in Operations and Strategic Planning, helping bridge the gaps of programmatic work and back-end operations. With three amazing children in tow, Joyce is passionate about creating a world where faith, work and personal life are balanced. She believes when people are living their purpose, they strive less and are able to bring their whole selves to the workplace and have greater impact in their communities. Joyce finds refreshment, release and retreat in the expansive beauty of the Sequoia National Park and ministering to women.

How does being a high capacity leader and being a non anxious presence intersect? Today Grace and Andrew have the opportunity to chat with Dan Braga, hearing about his story and journey of ministry. Dan talks about how learning from the desert fathers and mothers of faith and practicing a contemplative spirituality saved not only his leadership and ministry, but his faith. Dan asks the question -- can you plant a church that doesn't kill leaders or the people who choose to be part of it...and thrive? And if so, what will that require of your inner life? This episode will encourage you to rethink your pace and your presence you practice in community. We hope it encourages you. Dan Braga loves the noble call of the local church pastor more than ever. He and his wife, Alexis, have been immersed in the church planting world for 20 years and currently lead Neighbors Church. Dan also teaches formation as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Western Seminary, and is midway through a doctorate in Spiritual Theology under Jon Coe at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. A lifelong surfer and self-described kook, he still paddles out almost every morning. To learn more about Neighbors Church, visit - https://www.sdneighbors.church/ Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Ever gotten a big question like, "Hows it going as a leader?" ...and not known what to say? Today on the podcast, Drew Hyun shares his story of walking with Jesus in his own pastoral leadership as being beautiful, disappointing, and hopeful. Drew talks about how God orchestrated opportunity after opportunity for him to experience deep healing, how he got involved with working in Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, and some of the shifts that are happening in the organization relating to community and coaching resources. Andrew, Grace, and Drew chat how our family of origin shapes how we see the world, how to confront our deepest pains and wounds, practice slow down spirituality, all in order to allow our souls to breathe and flourish. Drew Hyun is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Hope Church NYC, a diverse church with three locations in New York City. Drew is also the Executive Director of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, an organization that aims to transform church culture through the multiplication of deeply changed pastors and leaders. He regularly speaks at churches, conferences and college campuses throughout the United States and abroad. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div), and Fuller Theological Seminary (DMin).You can learn more about Drew’s newly released book, Beautiful, Disappointing, Hopeful: How Gratitude, Grief, and Grace Reflect the Christian Story at Amazon, Churchsource, or Barnes and Noble. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

What would your life and work look like if you operated out of the centering presence of Jesus? Today, Mark and Lynn Baker share with us their wealth of wisdom around how our beliefs about who God is matters because it informs how we practice formation. Who is the God who you are seeking to be devoted to? Lynn walks us through what we can discover when we begin to put our beliefs into practice. She shares how prayer and contemplative spiritual formation will move us toward healing our concept of God. To learn more about the Bakers and their work, visit https://www.profmarkbaker.com/

As leaders, we deal with conflict everyday. Whether its inter personal or personal, we each need to own our own piece of the contribution. Dave Obwald is a Pastor at The Well Community Church and a certified transformational coach who walks alongside individuals and organizations in their journey of recovery, growth, performance, and spiritual transformation. With a master’s degree in conflict and peacemaking and over two decades of experience coaching others, he serves as a “transformational tour guide”—always growing and helping others become all that God invites them to be. In this conversation, Dave walks us through how we pick the narratives we live in and how we bring those into conflict resolution and our own recovery journeys. To learn more about Re:generation - https://www.regenerationrecovery.org/ To learn more about Dave's coaching -- https://overtcreativecoaching.com/david-obwald

Welcome to a new series from What’s Good in the Neighborhood—Soul Care and Leadership. In this opening episode, we set the stage for a timely and necessary conversation about what it means to lead from a healthy soul. We’ll explore the rhythms that sustain emotionally healthy leadership, how to navigate conflict without burning out, and why recovery, spiritual practices, and deep friendships aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines. Whether you're leading in a church, a nonprofit, or just trying to be a steady presence in your community, this series invites you to go deeper, get honest, and rediscover the "good" in the neighborhoods we serve and in the souls we lead from. Tune in and journey with us as we talk real soul care for real leaders. Learn more about us at everyneighborhood.org/podcast

Today Andrew and Grace get to chat with local advocate and activist, Ariana Martinez-Lott who spent over ten years in advocacy work and real time relationships with undocumented folks here in Fresno county. Arianna brings real world insight and authentic experience to the conversation. Arianna talks about staying positive, seeing the current situation as an opportunity, and staying curious. Serving as a consultant and engaged community member for local initiatives, Ariana Martinez Lott leverages her cross-sector relationships to strengthen resident-led transformation in Fresno. In her previous role as Community Relations Director for City of Fresno District 3, Ariana led policy analysis, managed district projects, and proudly helped residents navigate complex issues. An avid thrifter, she spends her spare time smothering her two children with kisses, or trying (relentlessly) to convince her husband to let her bring home more plantitas. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Andrew hangs out today with Mark Bowers of World Relief on the podcast. Mark describes how his own personal journey led him to a life on the margins with refugees and immigrants. Mark and Andrew discuss the Church's role and responsibility to the immigrant, how World Relief is addressing and responding to the recent policy changes, and how you can learn and get involved with refugees in your own neighborhood. J. Mark Bowers serves as Sr. Training Advisor for World Relief where his team builds tools for refugee and immigrant ministry in The Workshop. When the screens are powered down, Mark runs a housing business for immigrant families in East Lake—an under-resourced neighborhood where his own family lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. To learn more about World Relief - https://worldrelief.org/ Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Andrew sits down with Mariana Diaz, of Mennonite Central Committee West Coast, and they talk about not only her personal story of immigration, but local immigration policies, ways to navigate and learn the system, and how to be a better neighbor to our local undocumented community. West Coast MCC’s immigration program serves immigrant populations affiliated with our constituent churches and surrounding communities. They provide documentation services, and educational learning opportunities through workshops and outreach. Mariana is a Fresno native and alumna of Fresno Pacific University. She is currently a Legal Immigration Caseworker for the West Coast Mennonite Central Committee where she assists individuals with applying for immigration benefits. She is proud to be able to serve and empower our immigrant community. To learn about MCC visit - https://mcc.org/about/us/west-coast

Considering our current cultural moment, Andrew and Grace process the current administration's philosophy on immigration in light of ENP values and point of view. The two discuss how their personal faith is intersecting with the issue of immigration, and frame up for listeners why we're taking a pause to learn from experts who have dedicated their lives or careers to people who live in the shadows of citizenship. To learn more about the National Immigration Forum To take a look at the Fresno Immigration Timline Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

As we finish out our conversation about being a good neighbor, we finish our series with Christian Gonzalez and Samai Munoz. Both women work personally with women and residents in our urban communities here in Fresno, and have the lived experience of working with people at a slower and messier pace than we would like in order to see real change. Samai is Mexican born, Fresno raised, and transformed through the power of travel, language, people, cultures and traditions. She finds herself continually learning through life experiences about radical acceptance of others and hyper-inclusive spaces. Samai is committed to evolving, self-development and growth in order to be a better family member, friend, and neighbor. Christian Gonzalez is the eldest daughter of immigrant parents. She is the Manager of Neighborhood Development She has worked both in ministry and in local place-making initiatives that build on adopted city plans, policies, and smart mobility streetscapes to encourage new mixed-use housing, businesses, public amenities, and jobs. To learn more about Lowell CDC - https://lowellcdc.org/ To learn more about Parent Engagement with ENP - https://everyneighborhood.org/nd/ Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Today we get the privilege to sit down with and laugh with Pastor DJ Criner! DJ is a pastor, teacher, and visionary here in Fresno as he shepherds the people of Southwest Fresno at St Rest Baptist Church. DJ shares his thoughts about what it means for a church and a pastor to be a good neighbor in their space and place. The three chat theology, contexual ministry, community work, and city flourishing. To learn more about St Rest - https://www.saintrest.org/ To learn more about their SW Food Hub - https://www.fresnometmin.org/StRest-Food-To-Share Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

Mike Oz is the guy who knows a thing or two about finding the best things about where he lives and making them a pretty big deal. Andrew, Grace and Mike talk about what it takes to care about your city so much that you begin to make places for people to hang out at. Mike is the pro at this in Fresno, we are grateful we got the chance to pick his brain about why Fresno refuses to love itself, and creating spaces where people may just change their mind. You can find out more about Fresno Street Eats here: https://fresnostreeteats.com/ Mike Osegueda (aka Mike Oz) is the president/founder of Fresno Street Eats, which serves as both an events company and a business development group for mobile food vendors. Mike lived the first half of his life in the Bay Area, but has adopted Fresno has his home after living here for more than 20 years now, having moved to the 559 to work for The Fresno Bee. In the time that he's been in Fresno, he's taken a big interest in Fresno's inferiority complex, putting a spotlight on the things that make it cool (like tacos!) and building rad things for the community. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.

It's December 19th and it felt fitting that we paused for a moment to recognize the season we are in. Grace and Andrew discuss Advent, the meaning and purpose of the season, and how the God we serve made deliberate choices to come as baby, born into poverty, already so needy. God is in the Manger, by Dietrick Bonhoeffer Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, by Ann Voskamp Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials.