Best Sandbox Collaborative Podcasts (2025)

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It's the Elephant, Not the Flea: A Conversation with Peter Neilson 18:51

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1d ago18:51

18:51

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Rev. Peter Neilson (Church of Scotland) about the "quiet revival" happening in the United Kingdom, the danger of sinister aspirations, and the importance of actively participating in hope. Read Beth Daniel's blog post here. Read Peter Neilson's article here.…

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Spiritual Innovation: A Conversation with Hannah Petersen 16:23

8d ago16:23

16:23

TMC Staff Adam Borneman and Amy Valdez Barker speak with Hannah Petersen (Mapping Spiritual Innovation) about her recent work with the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab on the modern landscape of spiritual care, the intersection between innovation and tradition, and the importance of finding new models for spiritual infrastructure.…

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When Fear Is Riding Shotgun: A Conversation with Lisa Yeager 19:59

16d ago19:59

19:59

Program Staff Adam Borneman and Adam Mixon speak with Lisa Yeager (Oak Tree Ministries) about the dangers of privatized faith, the gift of life abundant, and finding level ground at the foot of the cross.

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What Smells Good? More with Malaika Cheney-Coker and Shannon Hopkins 14:57

24d ago14:57

14:57

Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator Amy Valdez Barker continues her conversation with Malaika Cheney-Coker (Ignited Word) and Shannon Hopkins (Rooted Good) and about unlocking creativity, unfreezing permission structures, and the importance of doing entrepreneurial ministry in community.

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I Needed a Sandbox: A Conversation with Shannon Hopkins and Malaika Cheney-Coker 16:10

1M ago16:10

16:10

Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator Amy Valdez Barker speaks with Shannon Hopkins (Rooted Good) and Malaika Cheney-Coker (Ignited Word) about the importance of aligning mission with money, shaping a life with margins, and how we can unleash human creativity for the sake of the greater good.…

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A Well for Those Who Are Thirsty: More with Steve Sandage and Adrienne Mixon 19:52

1M ago19:52

19:52

Program Director Adam Borneman continues his conversation with Adrienne Mixon (Better Days Counseling) and Dr. Steven Sandage (Boston University) about the difference between self-care and soul-care, the limitations of the phrase "helping profession", and the importance of understanding that we are not God.…

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A Multitude of Counsel: A Conversation with Adrienne Mixon and Steve Sandage 19:56

2M ago19:56

19:56

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Dr. Steven Sandage (Boston University) and Adrienne Mixon (Better Days Counseling) about the importance - and limitations - of clergy self-care, the way that existential dynamics compound clergy stress, and why church leaders need to live within a relational ecology.…

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On Their Own Journey: A Round Table Conversation on Youth and Faith 17:43

2M ago17:43

17:43

Program Curator Adam Borneman continues his conversation with colleague Jennifer Watley Maxell and friend Chad Knudsen, along with their high school juniors Skylar and Kate, about the complicated role of technology in their lives, the importance of building intentional community, and the hope they see for their generation when it comes to faith.…

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A Pillar to Lean On: A Round Table Conversation on Youth and Faith 16:20

2M ago16:20

16:20

Program Curator Adam Borneman speaks with colleague Jennifer Watley Maxell and friend Chad Knudsen, along with their high school juniors Skylar and Kate, about what they see among their peers when it comes to faith, how service shapes young people, and the importance of being seen and heard.

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Start Listening to the Youth: A Round Table Conversation on Young Adults and Spirituality 17:07

2M ago17:07

17:07

Facilitator Curator Beth Daniel continues her conversation with colleagues Amy Valdez Barker and Adam Mixon, along with their high school seniors Tre and Ariel, about the latest Barna study on faith among younger adults, the importance of mental health, and whether young people are looking for church or Jesus or both.…

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Faith Beyond: A Round Table Conversation on Youth and Spirituality 15:10

2M ago15:10

15:10

Facilitator Curator Beth Daniel speaks with colleagues Adam Mixon and Amy Valdez Barker, along with their high school seniors Ariel and Tre, about trends in youth and faith, creating space to ask questions, and the importance of a spirit of openness.

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Go See What They're Doing: A Conversation with Kelly Carpenter and Greg Oberg 18:29

3M ago18:29

18:29

TMC Staff Amy Valdez Barker and Adam Borneman speak with Kelly Carpenter and Greg Oberg about their view of church as active laity, how friendship and discipleship intersect, and why it's important to explore the world outside of church on a Sunday morning.

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That Deep Spiritual Need: A Conversation with Dunedin Presbyterian Church 19:51

3M ago19:51

19:51

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Dr. David Shelor (First Presbyterian, Dunedin, FL) and two of his congregants, Dr. Robin Rose and David Bramley, about their church's historic ties to the community; their recent intentional efforts to listen closely to the broader community; and how those efforts are leading them to think about m…

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In the Helping: A Conversation with Barrett Payne and Heather Brown 16:56

3M ago16:56

16:56

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with Heather Brown and the Rev. Barrett Payne (James Island Presbyterian Church, South Carolina) about the centrality of forgiveness to Christian identity, the problem with a "checkbox" approach to faith, and what personal and communal crises reveal about the witness of the church.…

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Don't Live in a Box: A Conversation with Albert Russell and Leon Bell, Jr. 18:51

3M ago18:51

18:51

Pilgrimage Formation Curator Ryan Bonfiglio speaks with the Rev. Dr. Albert Russell (Grace Community Church, Millbrook, AL; Tuskegee University) and the Rev. Leon Bell, Jr. (St. Joseph Baptist, Mobile, AL; Hope for All Gulf Coast) about the tension between forced dislocation and the practice of spiritual dislocation, the challenge of rest for multi…

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If You Don't Evolve, You Die: More with Marthame Sanders and Terrence Smith 14:49

4M ago14:49

14:49

Program Director Adam Borneman continues his conversation with Marthame Sanders (Mudeif Productions) and Terrence Smith (Kill Pride Club) about their current perspective as "lay people", the need to move away from seeing ministry through the lens of "return on investment", and why traditional and non-traditional ministries need each other.…

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Do Y'all Not Hear the Elephants? A Conversation with Terrence Smith and Marthame Sanders 15:46

4M ago15:46

15:46

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Terrence Smith (Kill Pride Club) and Marthame Sanders (Mudeif Productions) about their transition from congregational pastors to alternative forms of ministry, the connection between intuition and disruption, and how the institutional church cannot contain the fullness of the gospel.…

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Finding Myself in the Church: A Conversation with Jamie Butcher and Kelly Chatman 18:05

4M ago18:05

18:05

Pilgrimage Formation Curator Ryan Bonfiglio speaks with the Rev. Jamie Butcher (Covenant Presbyterian, Atlanta) and the Rev. Kelly Chatman about the push and pull of dislocation, the connection between belonging and accountability, and their reflections on our Northern Ireland immersion experience.

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Through the Door of Surprise: More with Elizabeth Lynn and Andrew Yeager 15:27

4M ago15:27

15:27

Program Director Adam Borneman continues his conversation with Elizabeth Lynn (Lake Institute on Faith and Giving) and Andrew Yeager about the disruptive power of parables, the important tension between prescriptive and open interpretation, and how stories can help preachers engage their congregations.…

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The Stories We Are Telling: A Conversation with Andrew Yeager and Elizabeth Lynn 16:13

5M ago16:13

16:13

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Andrew Yeager and Elizabeth Lynn (Lake Institute on Faith and Giving) about our cultural fragmentation, the challenge of the attention economy, and their view from the pew as active laity.

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That's the Hope: More with Esther Sanders and Morgan Burge 12:41

5M ago12:41

12:41

Program Director Adam Borneman continues the conversation with Esther Sanders and the Rev. Morgan Burge (Roswell Presbyterian, GA) about how to be in community with those who are unlike us, the underlying issue of shame, and the role of fear in church and society these days.

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It's Hard to Build a Foundation of Trust: A Conversation with Morgan Burge and Esther Sanders 17:44

5M ago17:44

17:44

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Morgan Burge (Roswell Presbyterian, GA) and Esther Sanders about the assumptions that churches make, what small groups can - and can't - do, and how important it is to be known.

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It's Not Flashy: A Conversation with Katie Garrison and Dee Bibbs 20:00

5M ago20:00

20:00

Program Staff Adam Borneman and Beth Daniel speak with Katie Garrison and Dee Bibbs (Narrow Gate) about mirroring the methods of Jesus, reproducing disciples, and Beth's recent blog post on doing the "little things." Read Beth's blog post here.

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Do You Know Me? A Conversation with Heather Brown and Andy Patterson 18:50

5M ago18:50

18:50

Program Staff Adam Borneman and Adam Mixon speak with Heather Brown and Andy Patterson about the importance of approaching everything with compassion, why reading and travel are important practices, and whether the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace are still possible.

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It Has a Good Hook; And That Hook Is Hope: A Round Table Conversation on Being a Non-Anxious Presence 13:42

6M ago13:42

13:42

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Adam Mixon, Beth Daniel, Mark Ramsey, and Adam Borneman) about the need to preach resurrection, when anxiety masquerades as prophecy, and why proximity and community make a difference in ministry.

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We Already Have a Word: A Round Table Conversation on Ministry Focus 16:35

6M ago16:35

16:35

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Mark Ramsey, Adam Mixon, Beth Daniel, and Adam Borneman) about the imbalance of the current moment, the reality of disappointing others, and the importance of remembering that the final word is resurrection.

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What a Fine Work This Is: A Round Table Conversation on Complexity and Simplicity 11:13

6M ago11:13

11:13

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Adam Mixon, Adam Borneman, and Beth Daniel) about the importance of proximity in embracing the humanity of others, the comforting mystery of God, and the timely wisdom of James Baldwin. Read the original blog post here. Listen here.

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Pay Attention to the Story of Jesus: A Round Table Conversation on Safety and Comfort 12:44

6M ago12:44

12:44

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Adam Borneman, Adam Mixon, and Beth Daniel) about the enduring presence of Jesus, the peril of retreating into our enclaves, and the wisdom of Ecclesiastes for such a time as this.

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Clergy Don't Tend to Be the Healthiest People: A Conversation with Andy Hendren 17:04

7M ago17:04

17:04

Program Staff Amy Valdez Barker and Jennifer Watley Maxell speak with the Andy Hendren (Wespath) about the overall frustrating trends in clergy health, places where positive impact is happening, and what it might look like to redeploy church assets for communal well-being.

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Sustained High Intensity Trauma: A Conversation with Danielle Buhuro 19:50

7M ago19:50

19:50

Program Staff Jennifer Watley Maxell and Amy Valdez Barker speak with the Rev. Dr. Danielle Buhuro (Sankofa CPE) about the difference between hurt and trauma, the importance of clinical pastoral education, and what the Japanese practice of Ikigai can teach us about differentiating our call/s and identity.…

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I Know I Heard the Lord: A Conversation with Matthew Watley 18:43

7M ago18:43

18:43

Program Staff Amy Valdez Barker and Jennifer Watley Maxell speak with the Rev. Matthew Watley (Kingdom Global, Calverton, MD; TKN Leadership Summit) about doing ministry at a high level, the challenge and barrier of pleasing stakeholders, and the gift of rising to meet the crisis. Listen here.

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Deep Time: A Conversation with Dustin Mailman 16:39

7M ago16:39

16:39

Program Staff Jennifer Watley Maxell and Amy Valdez Barker speak with Rev. Dustin Mailman (Deep Time, Asheville) about the power of ministry through social enterprise, his own call to working alongside folks impacted by incarceration, and Deep Time's approach to ministry - including their coffee subscription service. Listen here.…

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Outrage Alone Will Not Sustain Us: A Conversation with Thema Bryant 17:43

8M ago17:43

17:43

Program Staff Jennifer Watley Maxell and Amy Valdez Barker speak with Dr. Thema Bryant about the importance of intergenerational coalitions for wisdom and innovative courage; the need for people of faith to offer continuity of care; and her upcoming book on healing, Matters of the Heart. Listen here.…

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And Yet, I Still Feel Whole: A Conversation with Kathi Vodenicker and Adrienne Mixon 18:07

8M ago18:07

18:07

Program Staff Adam Mixon and Amy Valdez Barker speak with Kathi Vodenicker and Adrienne Mixon (Better Days Counseling) about what the church gets right - and wrong - about mental health, the difference between healing and wholeness, and what Jesus offers us by sharing his wounds. Listen here.

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Pauses Between the Notes: A Conversation with Adrienne Mixon 16:20

8M ago16:20

16:20

Program Staff Amy Valdez Barker and Adam Mixon speak with Adrienne Mixon (Better Days Counseling) about caring for the caregivers, destigmatizing mental health support, and the wisdom of Fred Sanford. Listen here.

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A Stunning Lack of Curiosity: A Round Table Conversation 16:16

8M ago16:16

16:16

Program Staff Adam Borneman and Mark Ramsey speak the Rev. Dr. Joe Scrivner (Stillman College, Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church) about the dangers of communal and individual self-righteousness, the universality of human longing, and how the church can be a source of hope in this moment. Listen here. Read the original blog post here.…

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Your Life As Liturgy: A Round Table Conversation 18:18

9M ago18:18

18:18

Program Staff Jennifer Watley Maxell and Amy Valdez Barker speak with the Rev. Carla Jones Brown about the importance of language, finding hope in the every day, and what kind of preaching is needed.

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Tidings of Comfort and Joy: A Round Table Conversation 19:58

9M ago19:58

19:58

Program Staff Adam Mixon and Jennifer Watley Maxell speak with the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers (Church Planting, The Episcopal Church) about this post-election moment, the distinctive Christian character of the table, and how we choose to show up as the Church.

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Turning Over Tables: A Conversation with Kathy Escobar and Susan Rogers 19:57

9M ago19:57

19:57

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Revs. Susan Rogers (The Well, Jacksonville, FL) and Kathy Escobar (The Refuge, Broomfield, CO) about the downward mobility of Jesus, how we form leadership and wield power, and Kathy's upcoming book (to be released in January, 2025).

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Into New Possibilities Together: A Conversation with Dustin Benac 19:58

9M ago19:58

19:58

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Dr. Dustin Benac (Truett Theological Seminary) about his research into ministry innovation, how crises can truncate our theological imaginations, and the critical importance of testimony.

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This Is Why We're Here: A Conversation with Esta Jarrett and Tom Owens 17:58

9M ago17:58

17:58

Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator Amy Valdez Barker speaks with the Revs. Esta Jarrett (Canton Presbyterian, NC) and Tom Owens (Central United Methodist, Canton, NC) about their ministry in the wake of Hurricane Helene, how the community came together to support one another, and the importance of the church as a safe haven in moments li…

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How Can We Do This Better? More with Mark Nelson and Heather Gorman 19:39

10M ago19:39

19:39

Program Director Adam Borneman continues the conversation with Mark Nelson (Three Rivers Collaborative) and Dr. Heather Gorman (Johnson University) about curiosity as a Christian value, getting stuck at the point of just talking, respecting the image of God in each other, and their book Lunchroom Theology.…

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Pushing Tables Together: A Conversation with Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson 18:30

10M ago18:30

18:30

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Dr. Heather Gorman (Johnson University) and Mark Nelson (Three Rivers Collaborative) about their book Lunchroom Theology, rooting their work in Jesus' hope for Christian unity, and why it's import to take power and abuse into account when building bridges across our divides.…

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Liberation Needs a Midwife: A Round Table Conversation on the Preaching Landscape 19:03

10M ago19:03

19:03

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Ryan Bonfiglio, Adam Mixon, Adam Borneman, and Jennifer Watley Maxell) discuss how God's voice comes from surprising places, what the Creation lesson teaches us, and the sermon they would like to preach to the American church at this moment.

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I'd Rather Talk About Jesus: A Round Table Conversation on the Theological Landscape 16:50

10M ago16:50

16:50

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Beth Daniel, Amy Valdez Barker, Jennifer Watley Maxell, and Mark Ramsey) discuss strength and weakness in Christ, the price of discipleship, and what they would preach to the world today.

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Don't Outsource Hope: A Round Table Conversation on the Ministry Landscape 15:59

11M ago15:59

15:59

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Jennifer Watley Maxell, Adam Mixon, Adam Borneman, and Ryan Bonfiglio) discuss the importance of creating hope locally, speaking prophetically and compassionately, and being thoughtful about what we need to recover.

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Everything, Everywhere, All the Time: A Round Table Conversation on the Ministry Landscape 15:41

11M ago15:41

15:41

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Mark Ramsey, Beth Daniel, Amy Valdez Barker, and Jennifer Watley Maxell) discuss the lovely surprise of optimism, the importance of looking out for community and support, and why we need to continue to root ourselves in Scripture.

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Marinating in Division: A Conversation with Carol Patterson and Rebecca Gurney 18:24

11M ago18:24

18:24

Executive Director Mark Ramsey wraps up our “When Politics Is Upstream of Faith” series, speaking with the Rev. Carol Patterson (Setting the Captives Free) and the Rev. Rebecca Gurney (Reems Creek-Beech Presbyterian, Weaverville, NC) about Jesus' gift for bringing "news from another network, the challenge of educating without alienating, and taking…

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Be Kind: A Conversation with Cody Balfour and Morgan Burge 18:27

11M ago18:27

18:27

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Cody Balfour (Koinonia Church, Nashville) and the Rev. Morgan Burge (Roswell Presbyterian Church, GA) about the challenging, uplifting text of Titus 3; how younger generations give them hope; and what today's church can learn from the American Civil Rights movement. This conversation is part of our ongoing…

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Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: A Conversation with Cody Balfour 17:21

11M ago17:21

17:21

Program Staff Adam Borneman and Jennifer Watley Maxell continue our “When Politics Is Upstream of Faith” series, speaking with Cody Balfour (Koinonia Church, Nashville) about his book; the connection between sin, oppression, and anxiety; the importance of finding faithful community; and how to resist being shaped by fear.…