Advertise on podcast: Above The Noise: Faith; Race; Reconciliation.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast If compassion doesn’t change what we do, is it compassion at all? Sitting in Barbados with Dr. Kerry King, a clinical psychologist whose career sits at the intersection of substance use treatment, mental health care, and faith, we get honest about what compassion really requires when people are carrying pain that doesn’t fit the script. We break down why “seeing” isn’t enough, how faith and mental health can work together, and what small actions can create real belonging in a community. We discuss: • Dr. King’s background in co-occurring substance use treatment and mental health systems.  • The false divide between faith and science and how to live in the middle. • Why mental health feels complex and why quick fixes fail. • Compassion as a three-legged stool.  • The difference between empathy and compassion, and how boundaries prevent burnout. • How church messaging can miss lived experience around divorce, singleness, and family life.  • Performative compassion versus being a consistently decent neighbor.  • What gangs and bars teach about inclusion, connection, and belonging.  • Small compassionate acts that add up to systemic impact, including diaspora barrels and remittances.  • Three closing takeaways: pay attention, lean in with curiosity, take a risk, choose vulnerability to remind people they’re not alone  Remember to subscribe and leave us a rating.  Email us your comments at abovethenoise.buzzsprout.com And follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @abovethenoise24.  Dr. Kerry King, The King Institute, www.thekinginstitute.org #compassion #drkerryking #thekinginstitute promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast A flashing light in your rearview mirror can change your life, even when you’ve done nothing wrong. Grantley Martelly sits down with Dakarai Larriett, an Alabama entrepreneur and public servant, to unpack a 2024 Michigan State Police traffic stop that Dakarai says spiraled into humiliation, fear, and a wrongful DUI arrest despite a negative alcohol test. What starts as a routine roadside interaction becomes a case study in racial profiling, discretionary policing, and how quickly your rights can feel conditional on an officer’s assumptions. We dig into the aftermath most people never see: the long FOIA fight for body camera footage, the frustration of partial releases and redactions, and the reality that “charges dropped” does not always mean “record erased.” Dakari explains why qualified immunity can block accountability, how the incident still surfaces in background systems, and why transparency in evidence handling matters for public trust and for ethical law enforcement. Dakarai shares the thinking behind a proposed Motorist Bill of Rights, including federal standards for traffic stops and real-time video uploads to a neutral third-party cloud so defense teams can access evidence without months of delay. He also connects generational trauma to the present, discusses his memoir Don’t Flush, and explains how this experience helped push him into an Alabama US Senate campaign focused on criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, education, and community-based policing.  Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find these stories and the reforms they demand. #darakrailarriett #criminaljustice #LarriettforAlabama promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast What if public safety isn’t about bigger dragnets but about deeper trust? We take a hard look at recent immigration enforcement actions—from major cities to smaller communities—and ask whether sweeping raids, status revocations, and third-country deportations make anyone safer. The stakes become painfully clear as we reflect on the reported killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota and confront a pattern of unequal outrage when victims are people of color. When dignity is optional, rights become negotiable; when leaders reward lies, the system below them bends. We walk through how dehumanization takes root: rhetoric that paints neighbors as threats, policies that blur due process, and operations that net legal residents alongside suspects. Then we get practical. We share specific steps to turn outrage into action: speak up in your circles with clarity and respect, write your representatives, show up at public forums, and ask for evidence instead of slogans. We talk about voting with facts rather than fear, setting nonnegotiables like truth, targeted enforcement, and constitutional protections, and refusing to excuse cruelty because it helps “our side.” Faith and ethics run through this conversation—not as a weapon, but as a spine. Love your neighbor becomes a civic practice: do not tie your success to someone else’s misery, and don’t call harm “order.” Real safety is precise: pursue violent offenders with focus, protect the innocent with discipline, and restore trust by telling the truth even when it is costly. If you’re ready to replace performative outrage with steady action, this is a roadmap for building a community that values both security and humanity. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a rating. Tell us where you stand and what step you’ll take next—we’re listening. Subscribe to this podcast here on YouTube and follow us on our audio channels on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and any of your favorite channels Share your comments and text directly with me from the audio podcast as well Email us your comments at above the [email protected] Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @AboveThenoise24 Please share this episode with a friend #immigration       #immigrant   #reneegood     #alexpretti promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast What if the antidote to polarization isn’t a louder argument, but a quieter practice of showing up, listening, and serving together? Grantley sits down with Jim Koppel—educator, coalition-builder, and cofounder of Strategic Applications International and Servant Forge—whose career stretches from late-night ride-alongs with a gang unit to shaping national prevention policy and facilitating 21st century policing reforms. The thread through it all: proximity changes outcomes. When people meet face to face, when training centers de-escalation and culture, and when youth have real jobs and mentors, communities get safer. We unpack the five protective factors that keep young people on track—hope, caring adults, skills, control, and altruism—and why employment quietly powers them all. Jim shares what 20,000 listening-session voices taught his team about fear, bias, and structural gaps like language access that distort incident reports and deepen mistrust. We also examine how the Minneapolis Police Department reframed training around the sanctity of life, showing how policy and practice can diverge across agencies and why curriculum quality matters as much as length. Then we pivot to the Freedom Fast, a civic invitation rooted in American history and embraced across faiths and the nonreligious alike: six monthly fasts on the fourth leading to July 4. Fasting here is broad—food, social media, or anything that creates room to reflect. The aim is simple and demanding: pause, relate, and serve beyond the headlines. As states consider resolutions and communities pilot models, we make the case that a more perfect union is built in small, repeatable acts—on front porches, in plazas, at the mailbox. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review to help others find the show. Ready to take the next step? Join the Freedom Fast at thefreedomfast.us, send us a text from the show notes, and tell us how you’ll show up this month. #thefreedomfast #fasting promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast The volume is up, the outrage feeds are endless, and too many voices use Jesus as a brand for power. We press pause and ask a harder question: what does faith look like when you strip away celebrity, nationalism, and culture‑war noise and return to the way of Jesus? We start with the warnings of Matthew 7—being known by our fruit, not our slogans—and the centering call of Micah 6:8 to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. From there we draw a sharp line between Christ’s kingdom and the pursuit of dominance, showing how religious nationalism confuses allegiance to Jesus with allegiance to a party. Fresh from a civil rights pilgrimage to Montgomery and Selma, we trace painful continuities from Jim Crow to today’s rhetoric and ask the church to tell the truth about complicity, echoing Jamar Tisby and Bryan Stevenson. The measure of spiritual health, we argue, is not platform size but how we treat the poor, the accused, and the marginalized. This conversation gets practical. We talk about turning down the noise, matching your news time with scripture time, and learning to wait in prayer rather than chase instant answers. We walk through reading the Bible in context, resisting proof texts and shallow takes, and building real friendships across difference instead of huddling in ideological tribes. We offer heart‑check questions—about control, scarcity, and joy at others’ losses—that help expose self‑righteousness and invite repentance. Throughout, the thesis stays clear: Jesus is enough. Not as an excuse to withdraw, but as a mandate to embody justice, mercy, humility, and neighbor love right where we live. If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more thoughtful conversations at the intersection of faith, race, and reconciliation, and leave a written review so others can find the show. Your voice helps amplify a quieter, stronger way forward. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast A five-day trek, a river that swallows missteps, and a video call that saves a mother and baby—this is what frontline HIV care looks like in Papua, Indonesia. We sit down with Dr. Agnela “Iggy” Chingwaro, an infectious disease physician from Zimbabwe, whose work braids medical expertise with faith, cultural humility, and stubborn hope. Her story exposes the hard truths behind late testing, the fear of national registration, and the maze of more than 300 local languages that shape how people understand illness, trust, and treatment. We unpack the crucial difference between HIV and AIDS, why “undetectable” means suppressed rather than cured, and how that nuance can make or break adherence. Dr. Iggy contrasts Africa’s evolving HIV response with Papua’s current challenges, where stigma keeps many away until opportunistic infections like TB and meningitis take hold. She details how government-supplied antiretrovirals, TB, and leprosy drugs still need community bridges—portable diagnostics, trained local educators, and clinics willing to meet people where they are. You’ll hear how her team trains traditional midwives to screen pregnant women, uses telemedicine to coach emergency care, and partners with pilots and pastors to reach mountainside villages. The conversation turns deeply human: the adoption of a child orphaned by AIDS, the refusal of ambulance drivers to transport patients due to fear, and the practical ways to dismantle myths about transmission. We also shine a light on the “forgotten generation”—youth facing rising HIV rates alongside alcohol and drug abuse—and the vision for a safe, youth-friendly center that offers counseling, education, and dignity. This is global health at eye level: compassionate, persistent, and built on trust. If this moved you, help us grow the impact: subscribe, leave a rating, and share with a friend. Got thoughts or want to support Dr. Aggy’s work? Email [email protected] and join the conversation. #HIV;  #AIDS;   #Papua  # Indonesia  promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast What if the path back to purpose winds through a kitchen? I sit down with Jeff Reynolds, a chef whose story spans late-teen addiction, a decade in a grunge-era band, a pandemic crisis, a dusted-off Bible, and a calling he once ran from. The turning point is startlingly human—a night of fear and honesty at home—followed by small, faithful steps: reading John, hard questions that outgrew a brother’s answers, and a four-hour lunch with a pastor that reframed “ministry” as more than a pulpit. We walk through Jeff’s craft and recovery, and into his work at World Relief’s commercial learning kitchen, where refugees and immigrants rebuild livelihoods far beyond the 90-day resettlement window. He explains how culinary training becomes a vehicle for dignity, micro-enterprise, and healing from trauma. Along the way, he learns the language of spice markets, the etiquette of cross-cultural respect, and a deeper theology of the Imago Dei that holds firm in a plural space—open about faith, never coercive, always grounded in love and truth. The result is a kitchen that functions as classroom and community hub, where cinnamon and cardamom carry stories across continents. Jeff also shares the discernment he and his wife, Lori, are navigating now—what shepherding a flock could look like, why stewardship precedes promotion, and how intentional practices like daily prayer can anchor a life that once drifted. His three takeaways are simple and strong: keep praying for prodigals, hold your calling with open hands, and make space for God every day. If you need a reminder that vocation can be redeemed and redirected, this conversation will meet you right where you are. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so others can find Above the Noise. What part of Jeff’s journey speaks to yours? promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast Immigration is not a problem without solutions, but a challenge requiring courage, honesty, and political will to address. Our broken immigration systems exploit the vulnerable while benefiting the powerful, yet we have the capacity to create humane policies that recognize the dignity and contributions of immigrants. • Immigration benefits economies by filling labor shortages and creating businesses • Mass migrations have root causes including war, climate change, and political unrest • The claim that administrations only oppose illegal immigration is contradicted by harassment of legal immigrants • Solutions exist, as demonstrated by programs like H-1B visas for skilled workers • Immigrants contribute through taxes, housing, education, and cultural enrichment • Political and corporate interests profit from maintaining broken immigration systems • Immigration challenges are global issues affecting countries worldwide • Humane reform requires seeing immigrants as people rather than statistics or threats Follow us on Instagram or Facebook @AboveTheNoise24. Support this podcast by going to buymeacoffee.com/AboveTheNoise. Remember to subscribe and leave us a rating to help our podcast succeed in the podcast universe. Email your comments to [email protected]. #immigration #immigrants Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast The transformative power of arts-based intervention for vulnerable youth takes center stage in this compelling conversation with Clarine Cave, founder of Partners That Care International in Barbados. What began as a personal journey through sports, military service, and community development has blossomed into a life-changing mission serving at-risk adolescents and food-insecure families across the island. Stepping into the heart of Barbados' educational challenges, Clarine shares the remarkable story behind her organization's innovative 3MD (Make Music Make a Difference) program. This two-year scholarship initiative uses musical instruction as a vehicle for profound behavioral change, teaching vulnerable teens aged 13-16 to identify emotions, regulate responses, and develop interpersonal skills through collaborative band experiences. The results speak volumes: "The children we get at the beginning of this program are unidentifiable at the end," Clarine observes. Beyond musical transformation, Partners That Care tackles food insecurity through its Summer Fiesta program, providing essential hampers to families during school breaks when government meal subsidies aren't available.  While welcoming youth of all backgrounds without religious requirements, the organization's leadership approaches challenges with unwavering spiritual conviction. "If it's too big for you to handle, then it is a God project," Clarine explains, offering encouragement to listeners contemplating their own seemingly impossible dreams. #partnersthatcareinternational #Barbados promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast Fear powers our immigration debates. We hear it in political rhetoric, see it in policy decisions, and witness its impact on millions of lives. But what lies beneath this fear? Is it justified? And how can we move beyond it? Today's episode delves into the complex emotions that drive our responses to immigrants and refugees. We start by clarifying important distinctions – who qualifies as an immigrant versus a refugee or asylum seeker – while acknowledging sobering statistics: 123 million people worldwide have been forced from their homes, with 44 million classified as refugees. These aren't faceless masses but individuals with dreams, fears, and stories that deserve to be heard. We explore a rarely discussed immigration pathway: "citizenship by investment" programs allowing wealthy individuals to purchase legal status for $100,000-$500,000. This creates a two-tiered system where some can bypass the very lines others are told to wait in patiently. Meanwhile, misinformation fuels negative stereotypes about immigrants "stealing jobs" or "draining resources," despite consistent evidence showing immigration's positive economic impacts.  For people of faith, this conversation demands alignment between spiritual values and social perspectives. We cannot claim to love God while discriminating against our neighbors.  Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast When four friends tear open a roof to lower their paralyzed companion to Jesus, they demonstrate what truly matters in our faith journey – enduring empathy that refuses to give up on people. Pastor Grantley Martelly unpacks this powerful story from Mark 2, revealing how these determined friends teach us about walking alongside others until they can encounter Jesus for themselves. In a world reeling from wars, persecution, natural disasters, and even a "loneliness epidemic," we're called not to retreat into our comfortable spiritual bubbles but to bring the world's pain to the throne of grace. While we can't control global turmoil, we absolutely can control who we bring people to meet. That's the heart of enduring empathy – demonstrating such a deep understanding of God's goodness that we're compelled to lend our faith to others until they develop their own. The paralytic's friends didn't tell him about Jesus – they physically carried him there. Their determination reveals what true discipleship requires: persisting through barriers, causing necessary disruption, and believing that an encounter with Jesus changes everything. Most striking is Jesus' response: "When he saw their faith" – not the paralyzed man's. Sometimes people need to borrow our faith until they find their own. Jesus first addressed the man's spiritual needs before his physical condition, showing that true transformation happens from inside out.  Are we willing to walk alongside the messy, the broken, the difficult? Or have we become "too holy to be Christ-like," forgetting that Jesus met us in our own mess? Salvation without discipleship is just cheap grace. The Christian walk was never meant to be solitary but about journeying together through the unexpected. Will you tear up some roofs to bring others to the One who transforms? #empathy     #discipleship promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast Four Black fathers gather around the kitchen table for an intimate, powerful discussion about raising Black boys into exceptional Black men. Their conversation weaves through personal histories—from functional alcoholism in the Caribbean to Black Panthers in Seattle—revealing how each man's upbringing shaped his approach to fatherhood. The dialogue crackles with hard-earned wisdom as they explore the importance of Black male visibility in schools and communities. Their presence benefits not just their sons but all the children in the room. These fathers speak candidly about breaking generational cycles—forgiving their own fathers for "survival behaviors" while consciously creating different paths for their sons. They share stories of teaching their boys to navigate a world where they might need more education than their peers to maintain equal footing, balancing the harsh reality of societal bias with the promise of unlimited potential. Faith emerges as a cornerstone of their parenting philosophy. Rather than sheltering their sons from worldly influences, they've taught them to analyze media through a biblical lens, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for deeper understanding of their values.  Whether you're raising Black boys or simply interested in understanding the unique challenges and joys of Black fatherhood, this episode offers profound insights into creating legacy, building character, and nurturing the next generation of leaders. Join us for this vulnerable, inspiring conversation about love, legacy, and the sacred responsibility of raising sons. #raisingblackboys   #blackfatherhood   #forgiveness promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast Join us on a journey of hope and reconciliation as we navigate the complex emotions following a tumultuous election season. With Dr. Andrea Sims and retired Pastor Dave Rhodes, we confront the challenges that politics have imposed on faith communities. Together, we unpack the critical need for justice, mercy, and faith to maintain respectful and constructive dialogues, even when disagreements arise. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of how individuals of faith can rise above the negativity and division that often surface in political discourse. Our conversation delves into the divisiveness that has crept into faith communities, where political differences have fractured relationships and distanced us from shared values of charity and love. Through painful accounts of racism and threats faced by African-American students, we stress the urgency of empathy, forgiveness, and reconciliation within churches. With stories that highlight the disillusionment of some believers, we underscore the importance of self-reflection and repentance. This episode is a call to action for believers to align their actions with the teachings of servanthood over power, ensuring that faith communities authentically reflect their values. We emphasize the power of love and words in nurturing unity and hope. We encourage listeners to engage in personal journeys confronting uncomfortable truths, including racism and historical biases. With hope anchored in God's unchanging love, we invite listeners to find strength and solace in becoming students of God's Word demonstrating love for our neighbors in these challenging times. #election2024; politics 2024; #worldelections; #loveyourneighbor Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast Join us for an illuminating conversation with David Holston, CEO of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), as he shares his inspiring journey from a Colorado farm with dreams of piloting to leading a global mission organization. David’s story takes us through his experiences in Savannah, Georgia, and his dedication to serving others which ultimately led him to Moody Bible Institute and then to Indonesia. With over 17 years of experience in the field, David offers a unique perspective on MAF's mission to deliver aid and hope to the world's most isolated regions, showcasing how aviation serves as a lifeline in challenging times. Discover the critical role MAF played during the COVID-19 pandemic, as David recounts the logistical hurdles of transporting vital supplies like test kits and vaccines to remote communities. The discussion extends to MAF's alignment with the teachings of Jesus, focusing on both spiritual and physical support. We also explore the transformative power of empowering local leaders within MAF, highlighting inspiring stories of individuals who have become key figures in their communities, embodying the shift towards a more diverse and inclusive mission aviation landscape. In this episode, we also shine a light on the evolving dynamics of global missions, emphasizing the rising influence of countries like Brazil and Nigeria. Through programs like International Pathways, MAF is fostering a more inclusive missionary model, breaking down traditional barriers. From providing exceptional medical care in unexpected locations to overcoming technological challenges in isolated areas, David invites listeners to reflect on their potential contributions to a mission-driven life, making a global impact one flight at a time. With stories of resilience and innovation, this episode promises to inspire those passionate about aviation, medicine, and cross-cultural service. promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.

Send us a Text Message about the podcast Join us as Chief Rafael Padilla of the Kent Washington Police Department opens up about the profound changes in policing and community relations over the course of four transformative years. Against the backdrop of nationwide racial reckonings, the George Floyd protests, and the global pandemic, discover how Chief Padilla's perspective on law enforcement has evolved, prioritizing values like service, integrity, and professionalism. We navigate the complex journey of adapting policing practices to better serve and protect communities, ensuring that every officer is a beacon of compassion and accountability. The episode takes a critical look at pressing social issues threatening community safety, particularly the rise in youth violence and the devastating fentanyl crisis. Chief Padilla sheds light on the socio-cultural dynamics at play and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle these challenges. We also tackle broader topics such as immigration and border challenges, highlighting the humanitarian aspects and real-world implications for local communities. Throughout, we emphasize finding peace in chaos, encouraging hope and proactive community engagement as pathways to reconciliation and progress. promotes my new integrated website. Support the show #abovethenoise24 # faith #reconciliation #race #racialreconciliation #compassion We appreciate your support: Buy Me A Coffee Stay in touch: Email us at: [email protected]: @abovethenoise24Instagram: abovethenoise24Podcast art by Mario Christie.