#039: Creating Space for People to Experience Jesus - Jim Olsen
Jim Olsen, director of El Refugio in Ecuador, on a retreat center outside Quito where ropes courses and silence open people to Jesus. How shared adventure, reflection and scripture shape disciples.
#37: How One Leader Sparked Community Transformation Through Beekeeping
Pradeep, a One Collective catalyst in northeastern India, on the beekeeper he challenged to train others. Seventy people trained later, why community development doesn’t have to be complicated.
#36: Why the Best Leaders Work Themselves Out of a Job -Emily Hooper
Emily Hooper, former physical therapist and One Collective catalyst in Kenya’s Rift Valley, on helping without creating dependency. Why the best leaders work to make themselves unnecessary.
#35: Why Trust Matters in Refugee Work
John, a One Collective catalyst who has spent nearly a decade with refugees, on earning trust when language, culture and broken systems get in the way. Why bridging existing groups beats starting new ones.
#34: Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking in Athens
Andrew Larson, One Collective’s catalyst in Athens, Greece, on what real anti-trafficking work looks like. Why steady presence over years, not rescue alone, is what changes lives in the brothel districts.
#33: Scaling Ministry Sustainably
Brandon Weidman, One Collective’s development director and former catalyst in Nicaragua, on measuring missions by what locals can do for themselves. How a catalyst resources leaders instead of running the show.
#32: How to Know If You Can Trust a Nonprofit with Your Money
Mark Erkenswick, KPMG partner and chair of One Collective’s finance and audit committee, on how to tell if a nonprofit deserves your money. The signs of integrity, the red flags and a two-year cash plan.
#31: Essential Questions to Ask Before Joining a Nonprofit - Carley Fortosis
Carley Fortosis, One Collective mobilization leader and former refugee worker, on what to ask yourself and an organization before joining. Mission, staff care, accountability and why obstacles don’t disqualify you.
BONUS: Discovering Purpose at One Collective - Michael Proctor
Michael Proctor, One Collective’s marketing manager and podcast producer, on how he found the organization and his place in its work. What a job can look like when it connects to purpose.
#30: Creating Change Through Marketing - Evan Wise
Evan Wise, One Collective’s senior director of advancement, on whether marketing can be a force for good. Why starting with your audience’s real needs builds trust that lasts longer than quick conversions.
#29: Learning the Value of Slowing Down - Robert L. Gallagher
Robert L. Gallagher, professor of mission and intercultural studies, on why leaders burn out instead of finishing well. How to build solitude, prayer and silence into a schedule that never slows down.
#28: Why Taking Risks is Important for New Leaders - Danielle Kelly
Danielle Kelly, One Collective’s area director for Europe and catalyst in Athens, on taking risks early in leadership. What a healthy risk looks like when you don’t yet have the experience to be sure.
#27: Learning how to Heal - Debbie Douce
Debbie Douce, One Collective strategist for at-risk youth, on healing from her own trauma and walking with others through theirs. How your past can stop feeling like a weight and start shaping how you help.
#26: The Importance of International Hospitality - Eric Costanzo
Eric Costanzo, executive director of RisingVillage, on how marginalized people get dehumanized and what it takes to see them as God does. Dignity as the starting point for any hospitality.
#25: Learning to Build Inclusive and Effective Teams
Mike and Michelle, who run a coffee shop social enterprise with a vocational program for neurodivergent adults, on building teams that actually collaborate. What inclusion looks like day to day.
#24: The Importance of Clarifying Your Messaging - Lisa Wolf
Lisa Wolf, SVP of client experience at Westfall Gold, on clarifying your message so supporters understand their part in the work. Why clear communication is the foundation of lasting relationships.
#23: How to Respond to Crisis - John Lyon
John Lyon, global relief and development leader and lawyer, on how individuals can help communities recover after crisis. Why cash usually beats donated goods and how to know you’ve actually helped.
#22: The Importance of Leading with Humility - Simon Majumdar
Simon Majumdar, broadcaster, chef and author, on leading across cultures where no one can grasp every nuance. Why humility is the skill that lets a leader work in rooms they don’t fully understand.
#21: Individual Responsibility in Large Scale Trauma - Melissa Sinclair
Melissa Sinclair, professor of conflict analysis and resolution at George Mason University, on individual responsibility in large-scale trauma. Why peace leadership starts with working on yourself first.
#20: Learning to be a Flexible Leader - Kristin Choitz
Kristin Choitz, One Collective leader in Zambia, on what happens when the plan you built for your team gets disrupted. How to stay calm and flexible when God asks you to change course.