Advertise on podcast: Ending Poverty Together

with guest David Collins, founding president of Food for the Hungry Canada. | Did you know Food for the Hungry Canada started with just two people, a lot of risk, and a big vision? Journey to the past with us as we celebrate 30 years of FH Canada with founding President David Collins.  From humble beginnings to navigating the challenging landscape of relief and development work, David shares candidly about the early days. And yet, it is those same challenges and extreme circumstances that shine a light on human resilience, the strength of community, and God’s provision.  Join us in celebrating 30 years of history, faith, and an unwavering commitment to end poverty together—one community at a time.  Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Abraham Somavarapha of Advisors With Purpose. You have people and causes that are near to your heart—even ones you wish you could support more than you already do. So, did you know that with good estate planning, you can do that and more?  Abraham Somavarapha from Advisors With Purpose explores the benefits of estate planning—easing tax burdens, ensuring family is taken care of—and supporting what you care about.  Discover how you can leave a legacy of impact, even beyond your lifetime. Recommended Resources: Do I need a plan? - take the survey Episode hosted by Shelaine.

With Niki Whaites, VP of International Development at Big Bad Boo Studios. We seemingly know more about world events than ever before—conflict, disasters, hunger, climate change, to name a few. In a world flooded with sensational headlines and heart-breaking stories, how do you avoid being overwhelmed by it all? How do you cut through the noise? Nikki Whaites, Vice President of International Development at Big Bad Boo Studios, reassures that it's actually okay to feel overwhelmed! But, amidst the media clamour and the chaos of a world in strife, we can still engage in a meaningful way. Listen in as Nikki explores media’s connection to poverty and the ways in which we can channel our focus and passions to bring about positive change in our world. Recommended Resources Big Bad Boo Studies - website

with guest Jenny Stoecker, Senior Program Officer at Food for the Hungry Canada. You have to admit— you can’t always do things on your own. Whether it’s a neighbour to hold the ladder, a friend to drive us to the airport, or a shoulder to lean on for comfort, we all need the support of our community. So why is it that organizations all-too-often view each other as competitors instead of allies? Join Jenny Stoecker, Senior Program Officer at Food for the Hungry Canada, as she highlights how collaboration, when done well, can mean the difference between band-aid fixes for poverty versus deep, positive change not only for the present, but for the future as well. Every organization has unique strengths and fields of expertise. So, when melting pots replace silos, organizations learn from each other, become stronger together, and are better suited to come alongside the people they serve. Recommended Resources: Better Together - blog article Collaborative Resources from FH Canada Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Kadee Smedley of Covenant House Vancouver. Consider the people in your life and where they come from— we don’t all get an equal “start”, do we? For too many youth in homelessness, the lack of a safe home, square meal, and warm bed rob them of mental health and personal belief in their future. Our teen and young adult years play a big role in the opportunities we have and how we achieve our goals. Kadee Smedley, ordained minister and spiritual care practitioner at Covenant House Vancouver, shares about the life-changing importance of providing a safe, dignifying space for youth who have experienced trauma and homelessness. A fresh start can lead to a better future. Recommended Resources: Covenant House Vancouver Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Andrea Soberg, Business Professor at Trinity Western University. When it comes to work, we all want to be valued for who we are and for what we bring to the table. You’d never want our potential to be out-weighed by stereotypes or inconveniences before even being given a chance. Yet, when it comes to hiring a woman, all-too-often potential employers first see the challenges rather than the unique expertise and passions she may bring to a role. Andrea Soberg from Trinity Western University shares about what women and other minority groups face in securing good jobs. More than raising awareness, she offers tangible suggestions to employers—let’s start thinking differently about work and begin designing jobs in new, creative ways. So the next time your company is hiring, perhaps the question needs to be asked, is there room for building this role differently? The results in your workplace may be surprising, in the best way possible! Recommended Resources: International Women's Day - toolkit, Gov't of Canada webpage Interview with Andrea Soberg - article Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Peter Roebbelen, President of the Charis Foundation. Have you ever stared at rows upon rows of products on the grocery store shelf and felt paralyzed by the options? Don’t they all do pretty much the same thing? Some could argue the same thing is happening in the charity world, where services may be duplicated because nonprofits are doing the same work, sometimes even right down the road from one another. In this episode, Peter Roebbelen, President of the Charis Foundation, stresses that partnership and collaboration is a “high Kingdom value”—one of the most powerful tools we have for making a difference. He encourages organizations, charities, and businesses to look for ways to work together more closely. It’s not about slicing out smaller pieces of the pie, but rather through collaboration we expand the size of the entire pie! And then we have more to give those we’re working to serve. Recommended Resources: Charis Foundation - website Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Randall Bear, from Nadleh Whut’en, Dakelh nation, of the Duntem’yoo Bear clan. How is your story rooted in the place—the land—you call home? If you’ve been displaced from that place, is that another facet of poverty? Randall Bear Barnetson, an Indigenous artist from Nadleh Whut’en in Northern BC who now resides in Vancouver, shares his personal experience with poverty—not poverty from a lack of possessions, but as a result in not living on the land he’s from. He shares about the importance of place and how wealth isn’t defined by how much you own, but is rather defined by being in community with others. Randall emphasizes the power of sharing our own stories, especially as they relate to the places we call “home”. For him, these stories find expression in his artwork, which is deeply shaped by his connection to his ancestral lands. Join Randall as we delve into place, poverty, and personal story. Recommended Resources: Randall Bear - Instagram Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Amos Manirakiza of Food for the Hungry Burundi Do you remember when you learned to read? That excitement as new worlds and stories opened up to you? Literacy is a skill that affects every aspect of life. From traffic signs to job opportunities to even reading this podcast description! Your life would probably look pretty different if you hadn’t learned to read as a kid. But for too many children in Burundi, a future of illiteracy is an all-too-common reality. In this episode, rediscover your own love of reading with Amos Manirakiza, Education Coordinator at Food for the Hungry (FH) Burundi, as he shares about the Let’s Learn to Read program. This innovative program is changing the narrative for kids struggling with literacy in Burundi. Not knowing how to read can have a real impact on self-esteem, leading many students to drop out of school. But with Let’s Learn to Read, children are turning the page on school dropout rates, unlocking a future of possibilities, and discovering a newfound love of learning. Recommended Resources: About the work in Burundi at FHCanada.org Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Andy Harrington of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank The hunger crisis—it’s in the news a lot these days. Food prices have gone up every year since 2019. 1 in 4 are food insecure. Over 800 million go to bed hungry. 45% of child deaths globally were hunger-related. But why is hunger rising at such an alarming rate? And, in the face of such overwhelming need, can you and I really make a difference? In this episode, Andy Harrington, Executive Director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, sheds light on the root causes driving food insecurity. Statistics inform us of the need—and can be alarming with good reason—but tell a limited part of the story. With personal accounts about what displaced farmers face, how conflict limits resources, and the ways climate change is devastating local harvests, Andy reminds us that behind each stat is a real human with a real story. Andy’s hope-filled perspective reveals that each one of us holds the power to ignite astonishing change by starting with just one hungry person.   The next time you see a news story about global hunger, don’t dismiss it as mere statistics. Instead, remember that a person lies behind that number—a person worthy of dignity and respect. Recommended Resources: Canadian Foodgrains Bank - homepage Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Aaron White, director for 24-7 Prayer Canada, teacher at Westminster Theological Center, podcast host of Two Wise Fools, author, and neighbourhood enthusiast. Have you ever taken time to walk through your neighbourhood and point out the beauty you see? It’s so easy to see the lacking, the grisly, the ugly, that all-too-often we miss the simple joy and charm all around us. Aaron White, resident of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, shares about the incredible beauty found in his neighbourhood—the beauty of “family”. Not necessarily always in a nuclear family, but in a biblical family that goes beyond bloodlines and into community.  Sometimes focusing on the rough edges can leave us feeling helpless to bring about change in our own neighbourhoods, churches, and cities. But what if we started even smaller—with our tables? What if we invited someone new and began to change the way we eat together? Such a simple and beautiful invitation has the potential to ripple beyond our wildest imagination. Recommended Resources: Vancouver Downtown Eastside - Vancouver City website 24-7 Prayer Canada - website Westminster Theological Center - website Two Wise Fools - podcast Episode hosted by Shelaine.

With guest Laura Solberg, Executive Director of Kentro Christian Network. In a world that champions individuality and independence, the idea of being connected often takes a back seat. We may say “we’re all in this together”, but how often do we see that truly play out? Yet, with connection comes a whole world of unexpected benefits. Join us as Laura Solberg, executive director of Kentro Christian Network, sheds light on the true value of connection and relationship between individuals and organizations alike. Discover how being part of a network can go beyond access to resources or financial benefits and create a sense of belonging that fosters growth and impact. Because, when you really dig deep, our world doesn’t just have an independence issue—we have a disconnection issue. Recommended Resources: Kentro - website Episode hosted by Shelaine.