Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics.
“Praise Hands Podcast 50th Episode Party!” w/ Jackie The Educator, Barna Group’s Brooke Hempell, and more!
In honor of our 50th Episode, Robby chatted with past guests Jackie The Educator, DJ Chuang, Patrick Chappell, Lex The Advocate, Brooke Hempell, and Ricky Ortiz on a fun and laid-back Praise Hands Podcast 50th Episode Zoom Party, including a quick appearance from Robby’s wife Bria Jean Valderrama. Watch the Zoom on YouTube, or hear audio-only on your podcast app of choice.
Kingdom Innovation For A Brave New World w/ Doug Paul
“The church must shift from a mindset of being reformed to being reformers.”
As an innovation strategist, Doug Paul has advised Christian leaders across the US, and his book Ready or Not: Kingdom Innovation for a Brave New World provides a roadmap for church leaders who are eager to shift their ministry during a COVID-19 and post-COVID culture.
On this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Doug and Robby chat about:
• The relationship between diversity and creativity
• Predictions about the future of the church
• Systemic change in church, tech, & racial justice
“Jesus, Justice, and America” w/ Shane Claiborne
“What would it look like for love, not fear, to shape our policies?”
As an activist, author, and speaker, Shane Claiborne has shaped a generation’s view of Jesus and social change. His radical activism has led him to Iraq and Afghanistan (for anti-war efforts), jail (for homeless advocacy), Calcutta (for work with Mother Teresa), and to Washington DC, where today’s interview took place a few steps from The White House.
In this episode highlighting the 2020 Presidential Election, Shane shares:
• Why the death penalty is incompatible with Christian teaching
• How the American church has neglected the teachings of Jesus
• How restorative justice and forgiveness can fix the US prison system
“Why There’s Still Hope Beyond 2020” w/ Dr. Esau McCaulley
“What’s happened in 2020 can’t unresurrect Jesus.”
Dr. Esau McCaulley is an author, priest, and New Testament scholar whose work has been featured in outlets such the New York Times, Christianity Today, and the Washington Post. He completed his doctoral studies under the direction of N.T. Wright, and recently released his book “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope”.
In this second episode of Season 4, Esau and Robby chat about:
• Why voting can be a profoundly Christian act
• How Christianity addresses the brokenness of the world
• Why we must articulate Christian beliefs in public conversations
“Welcome To The Age Of The Microchurch” w/ Brian Sanders and Kathryn Eng
“It’s in the broken pieces that we find the church being reshaped to fit the mission of God in new places, new people and new contexts.” - Brian Sanders
The Underground Network is a diverse movement of microchurches living out the mission of God at the edges of society. In this episode, hear founder Brian Sanders share how their model of ministry activates the creativity of the church, and hear medical clinic director Kathryn Eng share how their Underground Clinic is doing exactly that in Tampa, Florida.
Listen to Episode 38 to hear Brian and Kathryn share:
• Why their church hub is a co-working space, not a sanctuary
• How to use healthcare to show and share the Gospel
• Why the hierarchy must serve the decentralized in the 21st Century
"We have a strong historic tradition. But there are also beautiful things happening now.” Caleb Deas
During this episode, learn how Tiffany Hines, Caleb Deas, and Kelli Marie are shaping the future of Christianity while honoring the rich religious and cultural heritage of Black America.
Hear real-talk about the following:
• Why the church must become more than a building
• How to model Jesus' outward focused-ministry
• Not being 'Black' enough for Black church
"Christ didn’t come to create a Christian-brand. He came to manifest God on earth.” Lawrence Souffrant
On any given day, you might find JR Rivera, Lawrence Souffrant, and Sharona Drake pastoring their communities, teaching young adults, or inspiring thousands of followers through a thought-provoking Instagram post. On April 5, 2019, these three powerful Black Christian Influencers were all in the same room, and we were honored to host a panel with them live at the Create Conference in Atlanta.
Hear this power trio address the following:
• Promoting yourself online without oversharing
• Being a healthy, intentional, and vulnerable leader
• Reconciling your digital and spiritual identities
"We’ve had a huge pulling away within the Black church. They’re not pulling away from the faith, but from the church. And I believe that the church is needed in this next phase.”
During this episode, Chicago-native Jackie The Educator shares about the importance of Christlike reconciliation, provides education around factors preventing racial equality today, and opens up about the hidden wounds of the African-American community.
Hear Jackie's practical insight on the following:
• Is it "Black" or "African-American"?
• Confronting racism inside the Black community
• How she's leveraging social media as a tool for unity
