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.
“Financial Fraud And The Future Of Global Christianity” w/ Gina Zurlo
“People trust pastors to handle their money and assume that everything is okay. It’s not.” Gina Zurlo
By the year 2025, as much as $100 Billion per year in Christian-donated dollars will be lost due to embezzlement, estimates Gordon-Conwell’s Center for the Study of Global Christianity. The Center’s co-director is Gina Zurlo, who, along with co-authoring The World Christian Encyclopedia, was named among BBC’s 100 most influential and inspiring women of 2019.
In this paradigm-shifting episode, hear Gina share about:
• The Pros And Cons of Entrepreneurial Christianity
• Practical Ideas For Relationship Across Faith Backgrounds
• The Biggest Trends Shaping The Future Of Christianity
“The Myth Of ‘Organic’ Diversity” w/ Patrick Chappell
“People want diversity to happen organically, but sometimes you have to be intentional on the way to organic.” Patrick Chappell
Growing up Black in the South, Patrick Chappell attended both predominantly Black and White churches and often felt like an outsider in each. But his pain led him to his purpose: creating grace-filled spaces for diverse relationships and intentional conversations.
Learn from Patrick’s story and expertise on the following topics:
• How he survived a childhood of physical abuse and deep-seated racism
• Why leaders must proactively pursue those on the fringes
• How intentional, encouraging words can overcome fear and division
“Rethinking Urban Church Planting” w/ NYC’s Ricky Ortiz
“If you want to change a society then you have to tell an alternative story.”
NYC-native Ricky Ortiz had a heart to reach his city, but knew that traditional church planting financial models would prove difficult in the high-cost Big Apple. A few years later, Ricky’s thriving Meta Church serves as inspiration for church planters across the US. In this episode, hear Ricky share the strategic steps he’s taken to develop socioeconomic diversity and financial sustainability in an urban context.
Hear Ricky’s wisdom on topics like:
• Inspiring A Shared Vision In Your Local Church
• Why He’s Okay With Members Missing Sunday Morning
• Tips For Reducing Your Church’s Tithe Dependency
“Data And Diversity: A Call To Dig Deeper” w/ Barna Group’s Brooke Hempell
“Averages only tell the average story. They don’t tell a minority’s story.” Brooke Hempell
As the Senior Vice President of Research at Barna Group, Brooke Hempell and her team have interviewed thousands of leaders across America about issues of faith and culture. Yet some of her most meaningful insights have come from pursuing racial reconciliation and church planting in her hometown of Atlanta.
In this episode, hear Brooke share trusted insight including:
• Common Misperceptions About Economic And Racial Realities
• How Millennial and Gen-Z Voices Are Challenging The Status Quo
• Surprising Data About The Power Of Diverse Worship Music
“Can We Trust Kanye West?” w/ KJ Scriven
“The church was here before Kanye West, and the church will be here after Kanye West.” KJ Scriven
As well as being the Creative Arts Pastor at Charlotte-area’s Transformation Church, KJ Scriven collaborates as a songwriter and artist with diverse voices outside the local church. Hear KJ’s thoughts on Kanye West, Kirk Franklin at the Dove Awards, and other issues shaping Christian creativity.
Listen now to hear KJ and Robby chat through:
• Scriptural Perspective On The Christian Kanye West
• How Black Musicians Have Shaped The Sound Of American Music
• Creating Music With Those Who Don’t Share Your Faith
“Rediscovering The Biblical Vision Of Diversity” w/ KJ Scriven
“Proximity breeds relationship, relationship breeds understanding, and understanding breeds compassion.” KJ Scriven
Multiethnic worship pastor and songwriter KJ Scriven has a passion to see the church become the diverse family Jesus envisioned.
Dive right in to hear KJ and Robby discuss:
• How Slavery Shaped The African-American Worship Experience
• Robby’s Story Of Confronting A Distracting Tambourine Player In Church
• How The Early Church Gave Voice To Underrepresented Minorities
“An orphan doesn’t just feel like an orphan at 10 o’clock on Sunday.” Robbie Reider
With around 20 congregations throughout Ohio and Kentucky, Crossroads Church is a Jesus-following, people-loving, and city-changing machine. In this episode, hear Chuck Mingo and Robbie Reider share unbelievable moments of racial reconciliation and community transformation, as well as vulnerable stories of challenges they face every day.
"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
