Faithful Discourse with Chris Henry

The Work of Seeing

School Social Worker Emily Yarger is on the front lines of the struggles so many children face. She is both a stable force and a flexible adapter, showing up each day to serve students, their families, and the community. She sits down with Chris to discuss the needs she observes every day and the hope and potential she sees in the next generation. Later in the episode, church member and school volunteer Jan Millholland joins the conversation to share how her personal faith compels her to collaborate with Emily as they work together toward a bright future.  

Leading the Way: The Next Generation of Faith

Too often in the faith community, we speak more about young people than we do to young people. In a world of loud opinions, isolation, pressures, and inflammatory clickbait, we invite you to listen to two leaders in our congregation—8th grader Mac and college freshman Maddie—who share how they broaden their perspectives, practice attention, integrate their faith and passions, and hold hope for the future.

Character Is Consequential

From teenage participant to president of the organization, Dennis Bland has devoted his life to the mentorship programs and character cultivation of the Center for Leadership Development in Indianapolis. He sits down with Chris to discuss dedication, hard work, resiliency, and how we must leverage the nurturing we have received to enrich the lives of others.

Take It to the Hoop

President and COO of the Indiana Fever, Dr. Allison Barber, is a catalyst for positive change in Indianapolis and far beyond. Behind her persistently positive spirit and tenacious drive are the values of faith, hard work, boldness, and deep one-on-one relationships—always asking, “How can I help people live their best life? And how can that be used for good?” Join us for this fun and fascinating look into the life of one of our city’s great leaders.
 

Wonder and Play: The Case for Phone-Free Schools

Addictive algorithms. Constant availability and intrusions. There are few—if any—guidelines for good digital citizenship and limits to our time spent on screens. Head of School, Dr. Leslie Hosey, and Director of Information Technology, Ellen Cone, share what they are doing at St. Richard’s Episcopal School in Indianapolis to limit screens (for children and adults) and the psychological and social benefits of rebuilding childhoods of wonder, joy, connection, and play.

Voice of the People

Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili shares his unique story and how his faith shapes his character, informs his actions, and reinvigorates his path. He and Chris discuss faith community and government collaboration, calls to collective action, and the role of listening in rebuilding trust in institutions.

The Grassroots of Innovative Change

Community Organizer. Nonprofit leader. Grassroots outreach strategist. Patrice Duckett-Brown channels her innovative imagination and the promises of her faith as the Executive Director of the Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center. She sits down with Chris to discuss the balance of individual needs and systemic challenges in our community, strategies to create stability for families and lobby for broader change, and how her experiences built her for this moment of leadership.

Philanthropy: The Love of Humanity

From individual carts of groceries to macro solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, congregations play key roles in giving and advocacy. David King, the Karen Lake Buttrey Director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, joins Chris to discuss the shifting trends in generosity and giving, the powerful overlap between nonprofit, business, and government sectors, and how we can be philanthropists with local and global impact.

The Resonant Language of Faith

Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, summarizes the work of the Church in this way: “There is a need. We want to meet it.” She brings her persistent lens of hopefulness to this discussion, sharing how we can leverage the resonant language of faith to dismantle oppressive systems and bring about transformative change.

My Neighbor’s Keeper

Tony Mason, President and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League, joins Chris for a candid conversation about our shared humanity, the rifts that threaten to divide us, and the power of building coalitions of servant leaders to address our neighbors’ needs.  “All of this comes down to us taking ownership, leaning on our faith, and working toward solutions.”