Rumors of Doing Good – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we explore the deep and disruptive belief that every person bears the image of God — the Imago Dei. We reflect on how this conviction, rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus and nurtured within the Anabaptist tradition, calls us to a radically different way of seeing and relating to others. In a world that often categorizes, dehumanizes, and divides, we ask: what kind of community becomes possible when we begin by recognizing the divine in every face? And how might that recognition reshape the way we live, lead, and belong — together?

Many of us are living with a deep dissatisfaction — with organized religion as it’s been, with society as it is, and with the pace and patterns of life that leave us fragmented and exhausted.

Counter Presence: Dissatisfaction Rooted in Hope is a series of conversations born from that unrest, and from a longing to live more grounded, more human, and more faithful lives. Rooted in the conviction that the Anabaptist tradition offers a wealth of wisdom for these times, we take the time to explore what it means to cultivate a countercultural presence — one that is shaped by the life and teachings of Jesus, and formed through community, simplicity, mutuality, and hope.

Not as an escape, but as a faithful way of being in the world, together.

Intro/Outro music by Skinfiltr8r.

In this first episode of season five, I am joined by my friend and colleague Andrew Dungan as we reflect on the place we find ourselves in — culturally, spiritually, and personally. We talk honestly about the restlessness many of us feel and how that led us to discover and appreciate the Anabaptist tradition. This conversation is about naming where we are, not to despair, but to make space for something new to emerge — a way of life grounded in presence, hope, and shared humanity.

Many of us are living with a deep dissatisfaction — with organized religion as it’s been, with society as it is, and with the pace and patterns of life that leave us fragmented and exhausted.

Counter Presence: Dissatisfaction Rooted in Hope is a series of conversations born from that unrest, and from a longing to live more grounded, more human, and more faithful lives. Rooted in the conviction that the Anabaptist tradition offers a wealth of wisdom for these times, we take the time to explore what it means to cultivate a countercultural presence — one that is shaped by the life and teachings of Jesus, and formed through community, simplicity, mutuality, and hope.

Not as an escape, but as a faithful way of being in the world, together.

Intro/Outro music by Skinfiltr8r.

In today's conversation we are joined by Johanna Puirava from Helsinki, Finland where she started  Levähdyspaikka (Finnish for Resting Place), a mobile outreach program for those struggling with homelessness and substance abuse out of the back of her Volvo.  The underlying vision of Levähdyspaikka is the idea that every person is created and precious by God, and deserves to be heard and seen. Join us as Johanna and I talk about what drew her into social work and  how an internship in New York City helped prepared her to start Levähdyspaikka.

If you have enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

 

  Navigating life with a disability presents profound challenges, often catching us off guard. We all tend to take our health for granted—until it’s gone. Then, it’s all too easy to obsess over what we’ve lost. But while we can’t wish away our limitations, we can change the way we think about our disabilities.

Join us as we reflect on our growing awareness of our respective disabilities and what it means for our lives, especially for Ken as he makes some changes in life such as stepping back from the Rumors of Doing Good podcast due to recent health setbacks.  Through our conversation we come to the realization how our disabilities have shaped who we are and the unique gift we have to share with the world.

If you have found today’s conversation to be helpful, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.

Rob & Ken kick off season four of Rumors of Doing Good with a short but poignant conversation about navigating life's transitions such as stepping into new opportunities and recent health challenges.

Reflecting on the mantra of never letting the pressure exceed the pleasure, they share about the need to sometime make changes in their lives in order to continue doing good and still do the things that brings them joy.

Join the conversation as Ken & Rob reflect on the impact this new season of life is having on their lives, their friendship as well as those who are near and dear to them.

If you have found today’s conversation to be helpful, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

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Throughout Season 3 of Rumors of Doing Good, Ken and Rob have been taking time to answer a few questions from listeners they have received over the last few years.

In today’s season three finale, Rob and Ken  takes the time to answer the question of what advice they would give to their younger selves and those who are looking to start doing good in their neighborhood. Thanks for taking the time to tune in to this season of Rumors of Doing Good!

If you have enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks!

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In today’s conversation Rob and Ken are joined by Deborah Loyd who you might have guessed is Ken's partner. In 1998 at an invitation from a friend, they moved to Portland Oregon USA and helped start a church called The Bridge with those in the subcultures. The Bridge offered refuge and a safe space for those who did not fit in but nevertheless loved Jesus with their hearts and proved it by sharing their love for others.

Deborah is a remarkable woman who is passionate about healing and helping folks find a pathway forward for their lives. Join us as she shares with us her adventures of starting The Bridge as well as her experiences of making space for those who feel misjudged and disenfranchised.

If you have enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks!

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In today’s conversation Rob and Ken are joined by  Andrea Campanale from Kingston upon Thames, in Southwest London, England.

In 2005 a friend approached Andrea with an unexpected spiritual experience. Andrea found it difficult to find the words to help her friend, and connect the experience with her own faith.  Becoming more aware of spiritual seekers in her community, Andrea began to attend her local green fair to come alongside spiritual seekers.

From this experience, Andrea created Sacred Space Kingston which grew out of the realization that many people are seeking greater meaning to their lives but don't necessarily expect to find that in the church or through organized religion. Andrea and her friends have found  the divine is best encountered through friendship in community, by appreciating the natural world and when they are able to express their uniqueness in creativity.

If you have enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider subscribing, rating as well as reviewing the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks!

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In today’s conversation, we reflect on how not everyone has had a positive experience with those who are seeking to do good such as faith based communities, the foster care system, the police and so on.

What if every interaction you had with someone trying to do good was painful, what if every interaction you had with a person in the support system made you feel like a waste of time. We take the time to reflect on how we might respond to someone who has been traumatized by those who ended up doing more harm than good.

Please be advised that part of our conversation might be triggering for those who have been affected by sexual abuse.

If you have found today’s conversation helpful, please consider sharing, rating as well as subscribing to the podcast.

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In today’s conversation Rob and Ken are joined by Sesay Abdul Rashid from Makeni Town, Sierra Leone where he and his family noticed hundreds of children living out on the streets, having lost their families due to the Ebola Epidemic in 2014.

Previously a teacher, Sesay and his family began to recognize the knock-on effects of Ebola. Parents were dying, leaving children to fend for themselves, especially girls as they are most vulnerable to exploitation. The family volunteered to take vulnerable girls into their home to provide shelter, love and care. As a result, the Hope Orphanage was born, hosting 74 children.

To this day, the orphanage receives no funding from the government and the family pays to care for the girls, covering their education, clothes and medical needs out of their own pockets.

Sesay and his family would love to expand their orphanage and support more children. They have partnered with Punk 4 The Homeless, which puts on charity punk gigs in the U.K., to raise the necessary funds to expand the orphanage and care for the girls. We are invited to participate in the work of the orphanage to care for these girls by donating to the Orphanage here.