Best of To Be and Do: In this deeply engaging episode of "To Be And Do," hosted by Phil Amerson, listeners are invited into the life and reflections of Bud Herron. A storyteller with a rich background in media, Bud shares profound insights shaped by his experiences from his upbringing and college years at Indiana University. Growing up in Hope, Indiana, Bud paints a vivid picture of his middle-class family life, the socio-economic divides present in his childhood town, and the unexpected perspe...

Best of To Be and Do: In this deeply moving episode, Philip Amerson welcomes Tom Heaton for a candid and vulnerable conversation on grief, faith, and the abiding power of human connection. Tom Heaton, a pastor, blogger, and humanitarian, shares the tragic experiences of losing both of his sons, Jose and Manny, to acts of violence. The episode explores his responses not just as a father but also as a Christian and a pastor, and what these experiences have taught him about God, prayer, and being ...

Best of To Be and Do: To Be and Do Podcast: Show Notes Host: Phil Amerson | Guest: Seana Murphy In this deeply engaging episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Phil Amerson welcomes Seana Murphy, a proud parent, experienced professional, and lifelong learner, for a conversation full of wisdom, reflection, and encouragement. Phil, ever grateful to his many "teachers," counts Seana among them—though she reminds us that the lessons go both ways, especially when it comes to building community a...

Best of To Be and Do: In this compelling episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Phil Amerson welcomes Tim Soerens, executive director of the Parish Collective, for an enriching conversation about what it means to be the church in the neighborhood and how that impacts both individual lives and communities. Listeners are taken on a journey that weaves together stories of playful evangelism, real-life examples of neighborhood flourishing, and the deeper meaning of church as a connective force i...

Best of To Be and Do: Show Notes: To Be and Do In this heartfelt episode of To Be and Do, Phil Amerson welcomes longtime friends and collaborators, Calvin Kimbrough and Nelia Kimbrough, for a reflective and inspiring conversation about a lifetime of ministry, community building, and joyful, radical hospitality. With decades of collective experience as educators, artists, activists, and spiritual leaders, the Kimbroughs share vibrant stories from their journeys in places like Nashville, Atlanta,...

In this "Because" episode of “To Be and Do,” the focus turns to a reflection on the difference between “shibboleth” and story—a conversation rooted in language, belonging, and the deeper meaning behind words. The episode opens with a reflection on the biblical term “shibboleth,” highlighting how, in the Book of Judges, it was used as a password to distinguish insiders from outsiders by the mere sound of a word. This serves as a springboard for considering how language can be used to divide or un...

Best of "To Be and Do": Show Notes: To Be and Do Podcast In this eye-opening episode of the To Be and Do podcast, Philip Amerson sit down with attorney Christie Popp, a founding partner at Popp and Bullman Law Offices, to demystify the realities of immigration law and its intersection with current U.S. judicial practices. Christie Popp offers a candid, accessible overview of how immigration enforcement really works and the everyday injustices faced by immigrants—especially in Indiana and the ...

Episode Overview The conversation focused on the concept of welcoming strangers and the deeper societal and spiritual meanings behind how new people are received into communities. Using examples from both Midwest traditions and biblical scripture, the discussion explored the enduring power of hospitality, neighborliness, and the ethical responsibilities we have toward those considered “strangers.” Three Key Takeaways 1. The Subtle Power of Language in Building Community One concept disc...

Episode Summary The conversation focused on the meaning of interdependence versus independence, reflecting on what it means to be part of a larger community. Marking a pause after nearly 100 episodes, the discussion explored themes of transition, farewell, and ongoing connection, drawing inspiration from personal anecdotes and the work of Frederick Buechner. Listeners are invited to consider the significance behind the word "goodbye" and to recognize the depth of everyday partings, whether wi...

This episode brings listeners a reflective monologue on the state of community, responsibility, and social judgment through the lens of everyday moments observed in a city neighborhood. The conversation focused on the issue of trash and debris in public and private spaces, using these scenes as a springboard to explore broader societal concerns about empathy, wealth distribution, and how different groups are perceived and treated. The narrative opens with an evocative account of witnessing a ...

Episode Summary In this deeply moving episode, Philip Amerson welcomes Tom Heaton for a candid and vulnerable conversation on grief, faith, and the abiding power of human connection. Tom Heaton, a pastor, blogger, and humanitarian, shares the tragic experiences of losing both of his sons, Jose and Manny, to acts of violence. The episode explores his responses not just as a father but also as a Christian and a pastor, and what these experiences have taught him about God, prayer, and being pres...

Episode Overview The conversation focused on reflecting upon recent calls by Indiana's governor and lieutenant governor to emphasize the biblical mandate behind the so-called "nuclear family" during the month of June. The discussion challenged the narrow interpretation of family promoted by political and religious leaders, highlighting the broader, more inclusive portrayal of family found in scripture and lived experience. Personal anecdotes, biblical references, and a powerful story about a ...

Episode Overview In this episode, Phil Amerson sits down with Tom Heaton, founder of Mission Guatemala and longtime leader in missions and justice ministries in Indiana and beyond. Together, they explore Tom Heaton journey from local church challenges to creating a nonprofit making a tangible difference in rural Guatemala. The conversation touches on the organization’s origins, ongoing projects, guiding principles, and the power of genuine partnership. Three Key Takeaways 1. Turning Fru...

"Because of Scriptures" Episode Summary In this reflective episode, Speaker A (Phil Emerson) invites listeners to reconsider how they approach scriptures—not as a rigid rule book or quick-fix spiritual guide, but as a diverse library meant to be wrestled with thoughtfully. Sharing both personal insights and common misinterpretations, Speaker A encourages daily reading and deeper engagement, using the Gospel of John as a starting point. The episode offers wisdom on how context and careful r...

Episode Overview In this reflective episode of To Be and Do, Phil Amerson confronts the current moral and civic climate of America, with a focus on the shifting purpose of higher education, the role of public service, and the increasing divides in political and community life. Using recent political candidates and legislative trends as a springboard, the conversation explores what it means to foster both individual and collective character the episode highlights the urgent need for renewed ci...

Episode Summary In this reflective "Because" episode, Phil Amerson shares insights on faith, the evolving role of religious institutions, and how communities can rediscover a deeper sense of purpose by looking beyond organizational boundaries. Drawing from an encounter with theologian Willie James Jennings, Phil Amerson encourages listeners to notice the abundance of "unused gospel" and the opportunities for divine-human connection present all around, not just within the walls of institutiona...

To Be and Do Podcast Episode Overview In this episode, Phil Amerson reflects on new research from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research regarding recent trends in American religious life. The episode explores the nuanced realities behind church attendance numbers, the influence and limitations of megachurch culture, and the often-overlooked power of small congregational acts. Amerson recounts personal experiences from pastoral work, sharing stories that reveal how renewal happens not j...

In this reflective and thought-provoking "Because" episode of To Be and Do, Phil Amerson guides listeners through a contemplation of faith, community, and the essential distinction between form and substance in religious life. Opening with Sam's evocative lines about coffee and time, the mood is set for a discussion grounded in both the everyday and the transcendent. Phil Amerson, discusses the often-overlooked difference between focusing on religious structures—like congregations or denomina...

In this inspiring episode of the To Be and Do podcast, Phil Amerson welcomes the multifaceted and ever-energetic Brad Miller, a retired United Methodist clergy whose dedication to ministry and media has only expanded in retirement. Miller shares insights from his years of creativity in service, his pivot into podcasting, and his commitment to “meaningful media”—producing positive, transformative content that touches listeners' lives. Here are three key takeaways from today’s conversation: ...

In this reflective "Because" episode of To Be and Do, Phil Amerson explores the evolving nature of parish life, the power of faith expressed beyond institutional boundaries, and the temptation to focus on perfecting forms rather than embracing the messy, vibrant reality of faith in action. Through vivid storytelling and thoughtful analogy, the episode invites listeners to reconsider how they recognize and respond to the spiritual rhythms that pulse through ordinary and extraordinary moments alik...

Show Notes: To Be and Do Guest: Jonathan Massimi, Managing Director at Civic Bloom Host: Phil Amerson Episode Overview In this reflective episode, Jonathan Massimi delves into the complexities of leadership transitions within faith communities. Drawing from his experiences in Kitchener, Ontario and the frameworks of asset-based community development (ABCD), Jonathan Massimi and Phil Amerson explore how structure and spontaneity coexist, the role of institutional frameworks, and the s...

Episode Overview In this reflective episode, Philip Amerson takes listeners behind the scenes of a pastors’ retreat he helped facilitate, diving into the “why” behind gathering faith leaders away from their usual busy routines. Instead of offering programs or solutions, the focus was set on shared reflection about the future of the church—from a place of rest, quiet, and intention. Using a powerful analogy from the documentary From Mao to Mozart and a moving personal story, Philip Emerson cha...

Episode Overview In this insightful episode, Phil Amerson reconnects with Jonathan Massimi in a reflective conversation exploring the intersections of technology, memory, and spiritual community. Together, they probe what it means to be human in an age where artificial intelligence and digital tools shape not just our actions, but also our relationships and our collective memory. Drawing on classroom experiences and personal practices, Jonathan Massimi challenges listeners to consider the imp...