Composing Change: Ken Medema’s Journey from Concerts to Justice Through Music https://www.kenmedema.com/ In this uplifting episode of the "To Be and Do" podcast, host Phil Amerson welcomes renowned composer, performer, and all-around creative force Ken Medema for a conversation brimming with humor, heart, and musical insight. From the outset, it's clear that their friendship is built on decades of camaraderie and good-natured ribbing, instantly putting listeners at ease and drawing them into ...

Because: To Be and Do Show Notes In this thoughtful Advent episode, host Philip Amerson invites listeners to pause and reflect on the depth of the season through the wisdom of theologian and poet Howard Thurman. Sharing both the inspiration and the resonance of Thurman's poem "Christmas is Waiting to be Born," Philip Amerson weaves together history, personal story, and a call to inward transformation at the holidays. This episode is a gentle, stirring reminder that the truest meaning of Christma...

Show Notes: To Be and Do In this heartfelt episode of the “To Be and Do” podcast, host Phil Amerson reconnects with Calvin Kimbrough and Nelia Kimbrough, two extraordinary artists and community builders whose creative journeys have shaped not only their own lives, but entire neighborhoods and faith communities. Together, they explore the transformative power of art, the resilience of faith communities, and finding joy—even in tough times. Three Takeaways from the Episode: 1. Creativity as Fre...

Because Host: Phil Amerson Show Notes In this short yet heartwarming episode of "To Be snd Do," Phil Amerson invites us into a gathering of retired friends wrestling with the world's problems but choosing, just this once, to focus on joy. Through personal stories and the power of poetry, Phil Amerson reminds listeners to pause and reflect on what truly brings them happiness in life. Episode Summary Phil Amerson begins by recounting a recent meeting with a group of retired men. Typica...

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, and Evansville. Lis...

Finding Thin Moments: A Reflection on Everyday Grace On this heartfelt episode of To Be snd Do, Phil Amerson invites us into a quiet yet profound moment from his everyday life, guiding listeners to become more alert to the subtle intersections of the sacred in the seemingly mundane. This short reflection, rooted in a chance encounter on Walnut Street, is a gentle reminder that what many spiritual traditions call "thin moments" — those rare times when the distance between the ordinary and the div...

To Be and Do Podcast Guest: Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross Dr. Gross’s book "Not Just Sunday: Reimagine the Reach and Rhythms of Your Church" The Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross has been a transformational ministry thought leader for 2 decades. Serving in diverse contexts, from urban neighborhoods to multicultural suburban communities. Dr. J is known for his unique ability to connect with a wide range of audiences and make the gospel both accessible and practical for everyday life. His journey has...

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, host Phil Amerson returns to the Indiana University campus to share a candid conversation inspired by the legacy of Dr. Herman B. Wells. Joined by guest IU Dad, the discussion spans reflections on leadership, recent changes at IU, spiritual values, and personal sources of joy. The result is an intimate portrait of campus life and a call for humility and community in higher education. Three Key Takeaways: Listening Matters—True Leadership Conne...

To Be and Do Podcast Guest: Dr. Javon Caldwell-Gross The Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross has been a transformational ministry thought leader for 2 decades. Serving in diverse contexts, from urban neighborhoods to multicultural suburban communities. Dr. J is known for his unique ability to connect with a wide range of audiences and make the gospel both accessible and practical for everyday life. His journey has included serving at one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country, St. ...

To Be and Do Podcast: Featuring Phil Amerson In this heartfelt "Because" episode of "To Be and Do," we welcome Phil Amerson as he reflects on recent changes at the university, the shifting landscape of academic freedom, and the enduring legacy of Dr. Wells. Through personal storytelling and sharp observations, Phil Amerson highlights the deep connections between faith, the academic community, and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Below are three key takeaways from this episode: 1...

Show Notes: To Be and Do Podcast Host: Philip Amerson Guest: De'Amon Harges Welcome back to the To Be and Do podcast, where community, creativity, and connection are at the heart of each conversation. In this episode, Philip Amerson catches up with De'Amon Harges—the “original roving listener”—for a candid discussion about his family history, the creation and impact of the Learning Tree, and the ongoing journey to cultivate communities built on gifts, dignity, and abundance. Three Takea...

To Be And Do BECAUSE In this thought-provoking episode, host Philip Amerson reflects on the challenges facing church communities today, especially around the concept of “open doors.” Drawing upon personal experiences, urban insights, and the wisdom of Jane Jacobs, Philip Amerson invites listeners to consider the deeper implications behind hospitality, security, and belonging in religious spaces. Here are three key takeaways: 1. Rethinking Security in Sacred Spaces Philip Amerson opens the con...

Show Notes – To Be and Do Podcast Host: Philip Amerson | Guest: De'Amon Harges In this transformative episode, host Philip Amerson welcomes De'Amon Harges—known as the “original roving listener” and a pioneering social banker—onto the To Be and Do podcast. DeAmon shares his experiences and insights on interdependence, social capital, and the power of community resources, shifting the conversation from scarcity to abundance. De'Amon describes his work in Alberta, speaking at the Aging Alberta ...

Because On this reflective episode of "To Be snd Do," host Philip Amerson invites us back to “coffee time” for a warm but honest conversation about hospitality, belonging, and the symbolic (and literal) locked doors of today’s churches and faith communities. With humor, storytelling, and gentle wisdom, Phil challenges us to reimagine what it means to be welcoming—both as individuals and as congregations—and asks how we might shift from insularity to radical interdependence. Travel with Phi...

Guest: Dr. Steven Curtis (he/him) Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of To Be snd Do, Dr. Steven Curtis unpacks the science behind stress, trauma, and addiction, drawing on both clinical experience and neuroscience. Through compelling stories and clear explanations, Dr. Curtis offers a compassionate look at why addiction often stems from our attempts to manage chronic anxiety—and how brain plasticity plays a key role in healing. He also shares actionable strategies from his new book,...

In this thoughtful and gently humorous episode of "To Be and Do," host Philip Amerson reflects on the symbolic and literal meaning of doors — those that open, those that close, and what they say about our communities. Inspired by a personal mishap at a Los Angeles synagogue, Phil considers how physical barriers can reflect deeper societal attitudes about belonging, welcome, and hospitality. Phil begins by recounting a memorable experience early in his career: accidentally getting locked in th...

Show Notes: To Be and Do Podcast Host: Phillip Amerson Guest: Dr. Steven Curtis Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of the To Be and Do podcast with Philip Amerson! In this conversation, Phil welcomes Dr. Steven Curtis, a neuroscience-trained clinical psychologist and author with over three decades of experience in performance psychology. The discussion centers on Dr. Curtis’s forthcoming book, Rebalancing After Stress, Trauma and Addiction, and dives deep into the ways stress, tr...

Host: Philip Amerson Theme: Experiencing Angelus Moments in Everyday Life In this heartfelt mini-episode, Philip Amerson explores the idea of “Angelus moments”—those rare, holy instances when the world seems to pause and invite us into a state of reflection and prayer. Drawing from personal memories and reflections, Phil encourages listeners to consider where they might encounter such sacred pauses in their own lives. Three Memorable Takeaways: Angelus as a Universal Call to Prayer Phi...

Show Notes: To Be and Do – Guests: Amy Rich, John Rich Host: Philip Amerson Location: Patchwork Central, Evansville, Indiana In this episode, host Philip Amerson welcomes back Amy and John Rich, co-directors of Patchwork Central, for the second conversation about their work and vision for building community in Evansville, Indiana. The discussion takes a heartfelt look at the challenges and hopes surrounding Patchwork Central, with an emphasis on the future of social programming, the imp...

Why We Read Scripture: Exploring Meaning, Not Just Rules In this insightful and reflective episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson invites us into a “because moment,” where he explores the question: Why do we live as people of faith? This week’s focus is on how we approach and interpret scriptures—a subject close to Philip’s heart and crucial for anyone on a spiritual journey. Philip opens the episode by acknowledging his own spiritual practice: reading a chapter of scripture each mor...

Guests: Amy Rich (she/her), John Rich (he/him), co-directors of Patchwork Central Host: Philip Amerson In this inspiring episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson sits down with Amy and John Rich, the dedicated co-directors at Patchwork Central—a vibrant outreach hub in Evansville, Indiana. Together, they share stories, insights, and the ethos behind Patchwork’s unique approach to nurturing a thriving, supportive community. From their daily routines to life-changing ministry work, Am...

Host: Philip Amerson Episode Summary: In this brief yet profound "Because" episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson offers listeners one of his signature “because moments,” centering this reflection on the wisdom of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Amerson delves into Heschel’s teachings about the journey toward healthy righteousness and what it means to live more faithfully. Drawing from Heschel’s thoughts, this episode invites us to consider the role of embarrassment—not as shame, but as an e...

In this thought-provoking episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Philip Amerson dives deep into the concept of community—particularly interdependence over individualism—and explores how our institutions and everyday practices can better promote collective well-being. Drawing from personal reflections, stories from the healthcare field, and insights from theologians and sociologists, Phil challenges us to rethink how we invest our resources, relate to one another, and nurture both self and nei...

In this reflective episode of "To Be snd Do," Philip Amerson invites listeners to pause amid the rush and explore the meanings of grace, presence, and spiritual reassurance. Drawing inspiration from the opening lines of the Gospel of John—"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"—Phillip offers insights into finding the sacred in our everyday lives, even (and perhaps especially) when we feel most lost. Three Takeaways from the Episode: 1. Life and Grace Are Already Present Philip Amerson enc...