Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of doing good? What happened and how did it make you feel?
Often times when we seek to do good in the communities that we are part of, we can get caught up thinking that we are the ones doing the good. But what about the times when we unexpectedly find ourselves on the receiving end from those we are journeying with?
Join Ken and Rob in this final conversation of season one of Rumors of Doing Good as they share their experiences of being surprised when the tables have turned in their journeys with folks who live outdoors as well as punks, squatters and the activist community.
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Look out for season two of Rumors of Doing Good early 2021!
Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
Rumors of Doing Good: S1 E13 I Wasn’t Expecting That!?!
In today’s conversation Rob & Ken are joined by Blessi Kumar, a health activist from New Delhi, India. For the past ten years, Blessi has been passionately advocating on behalf of folks with TB in the developing world. She is the co-founder of the Global Coalition of TB Activistswhich seeks to destigmatize as well as create space at the table for folks with TB when it comes to policies, healthcare as well as social norms. Listen in to Blessi’s story of journeying with folks with TB as well as why this is such an important issue in the developing world.
The Global Coalition of TB Activists have produced a series of books entitled Conversations of Resilience in the War Against TB, sharing stories of children, women and men with TB who have experienced stigma. Their stories can be read/downloaded here:
We’ve caused a turning point in the Earth’s natural history. Everybody Now is a podcast about what it means to be human on the threshold of a global climate emergency, in a time of systemic injustice and runaway pandemics. Scientists, activists, farmers, poets, and theologians talk bravely and frankly about how our biosphere is changing, about grief and hope in an age of social collapse and mass extinction, and about taking action against all the odds.
On 19th October 2020, Everybody Now is being released by podcasters all over the world as a collective call for awareness, grief and loving action.
With contributions from:
Dr. Gail Bradbrook – scientist and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion Prof. Kevin Anderson – Professor of Energy and Climate Change at the University of Manchester Dámaris Albuquerque – works with agricultural communities in Nicaragua Dr. Rowan Williams – theologian and poet, and a former Archbishop of Canterbury Pádraig Ó Tuama – poet, theologian and conflict mediator Rachel Mander – environmental activist with Hope for the Future John Swales – priest and activist, and part of a community for marginalised people Zena Kazeme – Persian-Iraqi poet who draws on her experiences as a former refugee to create poetry that explores themes of exile, home, war and heritage Flo Brady – singer and theatre maker Hannah Malcolm – Anglican ordinand, climate writer and organiser Alastair McIntosh – writer, academic and land rights activist David Benjamin Blower – musician, poet and podcaster
Permissions:
The song Happily by Flo Brady is used with permission. The song The Soil, from We Really Existed and We Really Did This by David Benjamin Blower, used with permission. The Poem The Tree of Knowledge by Pádraig Ó Tuama used with permission. The Poem Atlas by Zena Kazeme used with permission. The Poem What is Man? by Rowan Williams from the book The Other Mountain, used with permission from Carcanet Press.
Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
Rumors of Doing Good: S1 E11 Everybody Now – Climate Emergency & Sacred Duty
Sometimes in doing good we find ourselves in situations where the environment is unpredictable, hostile, where the demands are overwhelming, and the social support is sorely lacking. When this happens, the joy of caring for our neighbors can become difficult. When we’re running on empty, it’s hard to continue to care for others when we find ourselves worn out. It’s not a personal failing or a flaw, it’s simply a matter of being human.
Join Ken & Rob in part II of their conversation as they share their experiences of burnout and how they dealt with it. In today’s episode, Rob concludes the conversation by sharing how he experienced burnout after finding himself journeying with the activist community that was highly unpredictable, at times hostile, the needs being overwhelming while under-supported by the church.
Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
If you have found today’s conversation to be helpful, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcaston your favorite podcast platform.Thanks!
Some Ideas on How to Handle Burnout
1. Practice tuning into your physical and emotional needs with respect.
In doing good, especially when we have a sense of mission or when the needs are great and overwhelming, it is so easy to suppress our feelings and keep on doing what we feel called to do. It takes time and practice to learn, listen and respect to what our bodies and emotions are telling us.
2. Be honest with how you feel and turn the compassion you have for others toward yourself.
It might be helpful to start by imagining what we would tell a friend or a partner if they were suffering, and speak to ourselves in the way we would speak to them.
3. Remind yourself that nurturers and caregivers need care too.
As folks who engage in doing good in our community, we need to remind ourselves that we can’t love our neighbors if we don’t take the time to love ourselves.
4. Take time to enjoy the things you enjoy.
It is important to take some time to rest and do things that bring you life – whether its music, sports, reading, films or hanging out with friends.
Rumors of Doing Good: S1 E10 When Caring for Others Lead to Burnout part II
We’ve all been there. That feeling you get when you’re so overwhelmed, all you want to do is… nothing. That feeling has a technical name — burnout — and it occurs when we’re over-worked, overtired, and generally over it. Mission-driven leaders, who tend to be highly motivated, passionate, and over-committed, are even more at risk of burnout than the average person. They push their limits and exhaust themselves precisely because they care so much.
Join Ken & Rob in this two part candid conversation as they share their experiences of burnout and how they dealt with it. In today’s episode, Ken kicks off the conversation by sharing how burnout crept up on him in his journey with folks who live outdoors.
Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
If you have found today’s conversation to be helpful, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcaston your favorite podcast platform.Thanks!
Signs That You Might Be Experiencing Burnout
Emotional/mental/physical signs of exhaustion:
Low energy most days, fatigue that does not subside even after a night of sleep, dreading getting out of bed
Feeling more negative or pessimistic in both professional and personal life
Being more forgetful of appointments, responsibilities, events, or chores
Insomnia even when you’re physically exhausted or having fitful, restless sleep; not being able to fall asleep for hours; or waking up throughout the night.
Increase in illnesses due to a weakened immune system
Physical symptoms such as chest pain, muscle tension, stomach aches, headaches (If you experience any of these physical symptoms, get a medical check to rule out any other issues)
Anxiety – feeling so tense and worried that you feel impaired in your ability to do work
Depression – feelings of sadness, worthlessness, guilt or hopelessness
Depersonalization signs:
Wanting to isolate yourself from others
Avoidance of projects, people, responsibilities
Feeling disconnected from others and yourself, finding that you’re not as engaged as you used to be
Diminished effectiveness:
Lower productivity, undermined performance and despite your efforts feeling more behind
Sense of apathy or caring less about either the tasks, others or your performance
Feeling angry or irritable, frustrated with not being as effective
Rumors of Doing Good: S1 E9 When Caring for Others Lead to Burnout
In today’s conversation Ken and Rob are joined by Vivian Brocato from Orange County, California where she started and heads up Punx & Monx, a church for those on the fringes of society.
Listen in as Vivian shares her experiences of loving folks who live in the margins in O.C., and her passion for the arts. Vivian also discusses her commitment to the monastic lifestyle, cultivating silence, solitude, retreats as well as service to those impoverished in various mental, physical, spiritual and emotional ways.
The Rev. Vivian Brocato, MA, is an artist, devoted daughter, rad aunt,awesome sister, loyal friend and ordained Deacon in the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others. She received a Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship from George Fox Seminary, her Masters of Arts in Theology and Ministry from Fuller Seminary, and is currently in an Anglican Studies program at Northern Seminary. For nearly 15 years, Vivian has served a larger children’s mental health agency in Southern California in various roles.
As people who are endeavoring to do good, what does it mean to befriend others?
In today’s conversation Ken and Rob explore what it means to engage with folks on their terms rather than on our terms and why its important.
Ken and Rob also take some time to share their experiences of relating to punks, metalheads, folks without homes as well as anarchists and squatters on their terms and some things they have learned along the way.
Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcaston your favorite podcast platform.Thanks!
Rumors of Doing Good: S1 E7 Navigating Soft Entry Points
In today’s conversation, Rob & Ken are joined by Mark Seger who facilitates Community Dinners in low income apartment buildings in Portland Oregon USA.
Mark lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and two kids. He met his wife Tracy in Dublin, Ireland where they worked together in the burough of Rialto leading children, teens and young adult community services with Liberty Community Church. Seven years later they moved to Chandler, AZ to serve a church plant and run cafes. God gave them a green light to plant a church in Portland where they made an absolute mess of things. That is where their “divine do-over” started. Community Dinners was born from a “Forge” listening exercise where their neighbors told them what good news looks like in the neighborhood. They’ve been been adventuring in Oregon since 2009.
For more info on Community Dinners, please visit the Community Dinners website here.
Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcaston your favorite podcast platform.Thanks!
Rumors of Doing Good: S1 E6 Mark Seger – Facilitating Community Dinners in Vertical Neighborhoods
What message do we communicate when we seek to do good in our communities and what does it say about the values that we hold?
In today’s conversation Ken and Rob take some time to share their hearts on what they hope to communicate when they are out and about doing good in their communities.
Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcaston your favorite podcast platform.Thanks!
Rumors of Doing Good: S1 E5 The Beautiful News of Doing Good
From L to R: Peter Shantz, a community member and Jhon Henry Camargo.
Jhon Henry Camargo from Barrancabermeja, Colombia joins us in today’s conversation as he shares about his experiences as part of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), accompanying campesinas who are experiencing the effects of corruption in Colombia.
CPT places teams at the invitation of local peacemaking communities that are confronting situations of lethal conflict. These teamssupport and amplify the voices of local peacemakers who risk injury and death by waging nonviolent direct action to confront systems of violence and oppression.
The work of CPT includes:
Accompanying partners as they work nonviolently to defend their rights and communities.
Advocacy: amplifying the stories and voices of those experiencing violent oppression.
Human rights observation and reporting.
Solidarity networking: partnering with individuals and organizations to work toward change.
For more info on the work of CPT and current locations of CPT teams worldwide, please visit www.cpt.org. For more info on CPT in Colombia including info on joining a delegation to learn and observe the work of CPT in Colombia, please visit www.ecapcolombia.org.
Today’s conversation has been translated by Pierre Shantz, also a member of Christian Peacemaker Teams in Colombia.
Special thanks to Criseida Blancas for her production assistance with today’s conversation.
Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcaston your favorite podcast platform.Thanks!
Rumors of Doing Good: S1 E4 Jhon Henry Camargo – Accompanying Campesinas in Colombia
rumorsofdoinggood.com 