Best Upwardly Dependent Podcasts (2025)

1
Race, Ethnicity, and Missions: Miriam Adeney on Missions Drop Podcast 21:23

10M ago21:23

21:23

Recently, one of the book’s contributors, Dr. Miriam Adeney, was interviewed on the Missions Drop podcast. In this interesting conversation with Emily Simmons, Miriam shares about the importance of diversity and unity in the church. She pays particular attention to issues of race and ethnicity, and talks about how those issues can have a huge impac…

1
33. A Holistic Theology Leads us Vulnerable Children (and Their Parents, too) with Dr. Krish Kandiah 51:20

12M ago51:20

51:20

This episode may be the most spiritually rich conversation to date on the Upwardly Dependent podcast. Dr. Krish Kandiah, and Officer of the British Empire and long-time advocate for refugees and orphans, shares incredible stories and deep reflections from his love for God’s word. As the last guest in this series on Orphans and Vulnerable Children, …

1
32. Tell Compelling Adoption Stories, but First Make Sure They’re True with Nick Runyon 46:40

12M ago46:40

46:40

Lauren was first introduced to Nick and Whitney Runyon a decade ago, and was drawn to their videography and storytelling across the globe. Both the Pinkstons and the Runyons entered into their own adoption journeys soon after, and as Lauren’s mind has expanded on the issue of orphan care, so has the work and advocacy of the Runyon’s organization, T…

1
31. The Failures of U.S. Child Protection, and What Christians Should Know About Safe Families with Sarah Winograd-Babayeuski 54:50

12M ago54:50

54:50

As Lauren says again and again, if you want to see less human trafficking in the USA, start by surrounding vulnerable families while children are young. The majority of domestic trafficking cases involve children who have aged out of or who have interacted with the U.S. foster system. Lauren was eager to interview Sarah because of her extensive exp…

1
Orphanage Voluntourism: David Sanon and Steph DeLuca Robinson on the Upwardly Dependent Podcast 48:44

1y ago48:44

48:44

Recently, two of the of the Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions book contributors, David Sanon and Steph DeLuca Robinson, were asked to join a conversation with Dr. Lauren Pinkston on the Upwardly Dependent podcast. In this episode of the Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions podcast, you’ll hear an abridged version of that conversation, entitled The Other…

1
New Approaches to Short-Term Missions: Nathan Nelson on the Broken Banquet Podcast 56:29

1y ago56:29

56:29

In this episode we’ll be featuring a podcast interview of Nathan Nelson, one of the authors featured in that book. Recently Ashley Goad and Wil Bailey asked Nathan to be on their podcast, called the Broken Banquet, to talk about Nathan’s work in missions, missions pastoring, and about his writing. You’ll find a link to the original interview in the…

1
Thinking Global, Doing Justice in Short-Term Missions: Why care about the wider world? 16:26

1y ago16:26

16:26

Recently, Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke asked Forrest Inslee to be a guest on their podcast, called Think Global, Do Justice. Among other things, they about the book he co-edited calledRe-Imagining Short-Term Missions. They also talked about other interesting things like innovative missions practices at Bethany Community Church in Seattle, and even…

1
30. To the Women who Mother the World's Children with Kayla Craig 43:46

1+ y ago43:46

43:46

Kayla and Lauren have been online friends for 10 years, writing and mothering in similar spaces. This conversation takes a deep dive into the relationships parents have with others who mothered our children both before and after they joined our families. Kayla writes heartfelt prayers for parents who are in need of a ministry of words in seasons of…

1
29. Helping Organizations Transition to Better Care with Brent Phillips 34:35

1+ y ago34:35

34:35

Once you see how institutionalizing children can be harmful to their development, how do you continue to be involved with the care of orphans and vulnerable children? Brent Phillips, CEO and Programs Manager at Cherish Uganda, shares how this organization has evolved over the years to best center families within their care strategy. Brent speaks ca…

1
28. The Other Side of the Story: Caregivers & Residents Share Their Experiences with Orphanage Tourism with David Sanon & Steph DeLuca Robinson 49:05

1+ y ago49:05

49:05

It is critical to center the voices of lived experience experts in any human rights conversation. This episode is sure to give you pause at different moments, as David Sanon shares his experience growing up in a boarding school in Haiti, where American donors sponsored his education. After meeting Steph DeLuca Robinson and other trusted partners, h…

1
27. Effective Environments for Care in Therapy, Parenting, and Churches with Eric Gott, LPC 2:56:03

1+ y ago2:56:03

2:56:03

Eric Gott began working with kids who hold difficult narratives as a play therapist in Nashville, Tennessee. He then became a foster dad, and after 3.5 years of courtroom appointments, he and his wife, Leah, became the legal parents of four young children. Eric now serves as a Children’s Minister in Birmingham, Alabama, where he has brought trauma-…

1
26. Normalizing the Attachment Journey with Jamie Finn 46:56

1+ y ago46:56

46:56

Jamie Finn is no stranger to the attachment journey for children and families. Having shared her life as a foster mother for a decade, Jamie knows the beauty and the sorrow of loving kids with difficult beginnings. In this episode, you’ll hear Jamie share the ways her heart posture has changed over the years. If you’re considering becoming a foster…

1
25. How Should Foster Care and Adoption Policies Evolve in a Post-Dobbs United States? with Elizabeth Kirk, JD 44:44

1+ y ago44:44

44:44

In a law-oriented society like the United States, it is critical to engage legal professionals who frame our understanding of adoption and foster care policies in the field of child advocacy. Elizabeth Kirk, who holds a doctorate in law from Notre Dame, is passionate about adoption policy because of the way her own life started and the way she and …

1
24. Theological Frames, Medical Ethics, & Embryo Adoption with Dr. Nicholas Darby 51:12

1+ y ago51:12

51:12

Dr. Nicholas Darby obtained his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and is a distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is a managing partner of Florence Medical Associates, where he practices primary care in Florence, Alabama. He served as chief resident during his time at Cahaba-UAB Fami…

1
23. A Mother’s Ethical Journey to IVF with Ansley Smith 42:53

1+ y ago42:53

42:53

As medicine continues to advance, reproductive technologies provide more options to hopeful parents. Lauren’s sister, Ansley, shares her journey to motherhood with great vulnerability. This episode provides a frame for those who have wandered through ethical questions of in vitro fertilization. The things Ansley discusses here offer both challenge …

1
22. Forming Our Theology as we Form our Families with Shannan Martin 51:08

1+ y ago51:08

51:08

As the mother of four children who joined her family through adoption, Shannan Martin shares how loving and walking alongside the marginalized of her community not only revolutionized her faith, but also made her an unapologetic ally with those who are negatively impacted by the U.S. prison system. Shannan, whose husband is a chaplain in their loca…

1
21. Reimagining the U.S. Justice System Informed By Survivors of Childhood Trauma with Cyntoia Brown Long 57:41

1+ y ago57:41

57:41

Since her release in 2019, Cyntoia Brown Long has been able to travel the U.S. speaking about her experience within the criminal justice system where she was tried as an adult and placed in a womens’ prison at the age of 16. Her story started long before her arrest, however, and long before she found herself fearing for her life in the home of a ma…

1
20. Stories from Death Row: How ‘Criminal Justice’ is Failing Adult Children of Trauma with Patti van Eys, PhD 1:20:33

1+ y ago1:20:33

1:20:33

In this episode, Dr. Patt van Eys provides an incredible foundation of understanding about psychiatric illnesses and the U.S. system for diagnosing and treating mental health concerns. Listeners will find this conversation SO helpful as Dr. Patti connects child development, attachment, and dissociation to the critical ages of neurological growth fo…

1
19. Understanding the Power of Racial Identity for Transracial Adoptees with Angela Tucker 44:06

1+ y ago44:06

44:06

Angela Tucker has been a long-time trusted voice in the space of transracial adoption. As an advocate for children growing up in foster and adoptive homes, she shares her own experience of finding her safest place amongst others who were raised apart from their birth families. Angela facilitates the connection of a vibrant adoptee community full of…

1
18. Understanding the Power of Racial Identity for Transracial Adoptees with Milton Washington 49:33

1+ y ago49:33

49:33

***This episode contains themes of self harm, some mild language, and other concepts that may be sensitive to listeners.*** ... Milton Washington leads a number of ventures as he shares a powerful narrative of an identity formed through transnational and transracial experiences. In this episode, he sheds light on the unique origin to his story, and…

1
17. How might the American Church Apologize for Institutionalizing Children? with Kimberly Quinley 54:10

1+ y ago54:10

54:10

Kimberly and Lauren discuss the particular landscape of orphanages in Thailand, where $40M is donated to homes in 2 of the 76 provinces alone. Kim, a veteran advocate for reformed care led by Thai churches and families, shares how she’s seen practices shift over the years, and where donor churches still need to evolve in their understanding of chil…

1
16. Caring for Vulnerable Families Demands a Church-Wide Response with Jedd Medefind 38:10

1+ y ago38:10

38:10

As the President of CAFO (Christian Alliance for Orphans), Jedd Medefind invites people with any skill set or particular burden to care for the needs of vulnerable children and families. Whether that is through offering prepared meals, financial support, intercessory prayer, physical space, or emotional respite, there are things anyone in the Churc…

1
15. Shouldn’t we be Qualified Before We’re Called? An Academic Approach to Reforming Care with Dr. Kristen Cheney 1:11:48

1+ y ago1:11:48

1:11:48

When Lauren was in graduate school, she committed herself to bringing research and data to inform the ways Christians engage with humanitarian issues. Dr. Kristen Cheney is an incredible resource for Churches to understand the psychology of attachment, best practices around child protection, and the need for excellent qualifications in the field of…

1
14. Family Preservation and the Complications of International Church Involvement with Megan Boudreaux 36:30

1+ y ago36:30

36:30

Like many guests on this season, Megan Boudreaux found herself swept up into the church industry or orphanages. The longer she stayed in Haiti, the more she noticed that something was awry with the North American approach to placing children in institutionalized care. Megan and Lauren discuss the crisis of children aging out of orphanages with no c…

1
13. Why Revisit Orphan Care? with Brandon Stiver 40:26

1+ y ago40:26

40:26

If there is a good place to start this conversation for our season on Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Brandon Stiver is the right person to set the tone. With years of experience in this space, Brandon helped Lauren curate this episode through his knowledge and his connections to voices in this space. He is a co-host of the Think Orphan podcast, a…

1
Season Two: Reforming Orphan Care 8:00

1+ y ago8:00

8:00

Lauren is back with another season exploring the complexities of a global issue that engages many churches, but not always with a cohesive impact. As we follow the mandate of ‘pure religion’ outlined in James 1:27, what does it really mean to care for orphans and widows? What is the invitation to this work, and why isn’t it as simple as a few words…

1
Why Cultural Immersion Matters: Exploring Global Perspectives featuring Haley Hiemstra 56:35

1+ y ago56:35

56:35

On this episode of Upward Together, special guest host Josh Morgenlander is joined by his friend Haley Hiemstra and they talk about what it’s like fully immersing in other cultures when traveling abroad and being grateful for enriching cross-cultural interactions. Thanks Josh (miss u) and Haley for going upward together. (From the archive) https://…

1
What It’s Like Being On a National Tour For Jesus Christ Superstar featuring Faith Jones 55:09

1+ y ago55:09

55:09

Read the reflection here: https://www.jethrocastillo.com/what-its-like-being-on-a-national-tour-for-jesus-christ-superstar-featuring-faith-jones Faith is no longer touring for Jesus Christ Superstar and is now a server for Gayle's Broadway Rose! Find out more about what she's up to: https://www.instagram.com/faithjones/ On this episode of Upward To…

1
Should You Do What You Love for a Living? featuring Thomas Kelly 50:58

1+ y ago50:58

50:58

Read the reflection here: https://www.jethrocastillo.com/should-you-do-what-you-love-for-a-living-featuring-thomas-kelly-upward-together-podcast/ On this episode of Upward Together, I had a conversation with my friend Thomas Kelly, a student at Santa Clara University, studying computer science and accounting. We talk about navigating the balance be…

1
Growing Pains: From Perfectionism to Self-Acceptance featuring Nina Vo 35:59

1+ y ago35:59

35:59

Read the reflection here: https://jethrocastillo.com/growing-pains-from-perfectionism-to-self-acceptance-featuring-nina-vo On this episode, I had a conversation with with my friend Nina Vo, and we touch upon the idea of “growing pains”, especially as we navigate our young lives. We talk about the courage it takes to change course, the importance of…

1
Beyond Sustenance: How Food Shapes Human Connections featuring Georgi Saucedo 32:15

1+ y ago32:15

32:15

Read the reflection here: https://www.jethrocastillo.com/beyond-sustenance-how-food-shapes-human-connections-featuring-georgi-saucedo On this episode, I had a conversation with Georgi Saucedo, a dear old friend of mine who actually was my co-host on the first podcast I ever did, called Storytime. You can probably still find it wherever you listen t…

1
Embracing Change and Honoring Your Authentic Self featuring Aidan Crowley 32:09

2y ago32:09

32:09

On this episode, I had a conversation with Aidan Crowley, someone that I am very honored and lucky to call a friend. She is currently an MD-PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania, and the way she thinks never fails to inspire me. We talk about the concept of “de-differentiation”, or the process of stepping back and considering multiple paths…

1
Transitions and Moving On featuring Josh Morgenlander 1:01:50

2y ago1:01:50

1:01:50

On this episode, Jethro and Josh have one final (but nothing is ever really final) conversation before Josh moves on and goes to medical school, talking about transitions and what they’ve learned over the last year. From Jethro: Upward Together will continue, in a new format — we’re expanding our conversations to other people, bringing in other uni…

1
Short-term missions for mutual transformation, with Jay Matenga 30:06

2y ago30:06

30:06

What would happen if short-term mission trips were built around values of mutual transformation—instead of the usual top-down, one-way dynamic of “service”? What if Christians in the global north really believed that their brothers and sisters in the global south could help them understand God and the world in new, liberating ways? Or that short-te…

1
Short-term missions for long-term relationship, with Robert Katende & friends 25:08

2y ago25:08

25:08

What if short-term missions were focused on long-term objectives? What if short-term teams began to measure their success not on the scope of the work projects completed or the number of people evangelized, but instead on the establishment of authentic, collaborative, long-term relationships between communities of Christ followers in different loca…

1
12. My Why: Season 1 Summary 21:02

2y ago21:02

21:02

For this episode, Lauren spills her heart (and a bit of her life history) to explain the purpose behind this season’s episodes. She discusses how her biblical worldview has changed over time, shares stories from experiences with churches spotted across the world, and offers a hope for a future faith community that stewards responsible Gospel messag…

1
Motives for Mission: Confronting our biases and fears, with CJ Quartlbaum 28:31

2y ago28:31

28:31

What happens when people who participate in short-term missions do it for the wrong reasons? How much damage can be done by short-term teams when they haven’t taken an honest inventory of their own fears and prejudices—when they haven’t done the necessary heart-work in advance? In this episode, we’ll look for answers to these questions as we talk t…

1
11. Good News Must Answer to Bad News (Part 2) with Dr. Aaron Wheeler 55:49

2y ago55:49

55:49

Dr. Aaron Wheeler, the Director of Missional Development for Kindred Exchange, chats with Lauren about four different frames through which people see the world and their place in the Story of God. Too often, he says, our evangelism problem is rooted in a limited theology–we have a “good news” that doesn’t match people’s bad news. This two-part epis…

1
The WHY of short-term missions: Being honest about motives, with Dr. Greg Burch 24:12

2y ago24:12

24:12

Why do people go on short-term mission trips? Are the things we do in the name of “missions” actually reflective of the Great Commission? If we’re honest, how many of these trips are really more about the personal transformation of those who are sent? And if we admit that our primary motive for short-term missions has to do with personal transforma…

1
10. Good News Must Answer to Bad News (Part 1) with Dr. Aaron Wheeler 48:04

2y ago48:04

48:04

Dr. Aaron Wheeler, the Director of Missional Development for Kindred Exchange, chats with Lauren about four different frames through which people see the world and their place in the Story of God. Too often, he says, our evangelism problem is rooted in a limited theology–we have a “good news” that doesn’t match people’s bad news. This two-part epis…

1
Short-Term Missions or Voluntourism? Working against objectification, with Austin Robinson 33:20

2y ago33:20

33:20

What happens when visitors to other culture contexts remain unaware of their own personal agendas? How might short-term mission trips be transformed into opportunities for learning and listening–and for putting aside assumptions? What if humility and teachability became the hallmarks of all mission trips? In this episode, Forrest talks with Austin …

1
09. Power Dynamics in African Aid with Jeje Godfrey Nzirimu 59:14

2y ago59:14

59:14

Lauren talks with Jeje Godfrey Nzirimu, President and Founder of East Africa Energy Solutions, about the many complications of mobilizing both aid and religion across cultures. Jeje highlights concepts of power dynamics, and explains why so many development efforts fall flat or cause unintended harm. With loads of generosity and grace, he shares wi…

1
Re-Orienting for Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions, with Angel Burns and Forrest Inslee 28:26

2y ago28:26

28:26

What happens to our valuation of people when we think of them as “the mission field”? When we relegate churches to that sort of box, is it really possible to think of them as our equals, or to see them as potential partners in service? In this episode, you’ll hear from both Forrest Inslee and Angel Burns, co-editors of the book Re-Imagining Short-T…

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