A call to wage peace

Tim Sample is an Arlington resident and the CEO and Co-Founder of 72 Africa, a non-profit committed to conflict resolution and promoting peace in Africa.  We asked Tim to join us and talk about some of the sustainable peacemaking lessons he’s learned over a 40 year career working mostly in the intelligence and policy communities, and how those lessons can help us work through the current challenges we’re facing as a nation.  Tim talks about the danger and promise of an increasingly young African population, the threat of influence by violent extremists, and how this threat could affect our country.   

An 80 second call to action - including a social media challenge as we approach the September 21st International Day of Peace.

How well did I wage peace?

Can we win at peace like we win at war?

Blessed are the peacemakers

Full interview.

Full Tim Sample Interview

A reset for our troubled nation - July 16 on the National Mall

Our country is in need of a reset.  We are divided on numerous fronts including politics, race, socioeconomic status, and religion.  Our government is broken, our nation is broke, and there's a rising sentiment that our country and the world are spinning out of control.  Against this backdrop, a young man named Nick Hall has sparked a movement to put Jesus Christ in the pulse of our nation.  Nick's organization (PULSE) has orchestrated a large gathering on the National Mall on Saturday, July 16th, where they are inviting Christians throughout our nation to set aside their denominational and theological differences and come together for a day of thanksgiving, prayer, and praise.  They are praying for one million people to come and have lined up an outstanding group of speakers and performers including Hillsong United, Ravi Zacharias, and DC's very own Mark Batterson from National Community Church. 

60 second call to action:  Pray for a shift in our nation, and get off the sidelines.  You're the answer to the prayer you've been praying.

The Time Is Now

A quick and urgent call for Divine intervention.

The Heartbeat of Together 2016

Full interview. 

Full Nick Hall Interview

Encouraging service here and abroad

Today we hosted Michelle Haworth, Executive Director of Commissioned by Christ (CBC), and Kathryn Hogan, the Christian Service Coordinator at Bishop O’Connell High School.  CBC is an 8-year-old, local non-profit that has organized 16 international mission trips over the past 6 years, and numerous local one-day service projects.  Until last year, they were completely volunteer-led when they hired Michelle as Executive Director.  Bishop O'Connell is an Arlington-based Catholic High School where all 1,100 students are required to complete ten hours of community service work per year - and many students choose to go well beyond this by participating in things like short-term mission trips overseas.  Their organizations recently joined forces on a trip to Peru and they are working to collaborate on more projects in the future.  CBC is a great example of the impact a few college students can make when they determine in their hearts to serve; and Bishop O'Connell is a great example of what can be accomplished when a school makes community service a priority. 

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in your community and overseas.

Get Crackin'

You're here and you're able - so step up and go!

Here I Am, Send Me

Full interview. 

Full Michelle Haworth and Kathryn Hogan Interview

Promoting a love for Arlington history

Annette and Mark Benbow joined us from the Arlington Historical Society to discuss their love of history and to challenge listeners to honor our past by finding something historical that resonates with us.   Annette serves as the Museum Director of the Ball-Sellers House in Glencarlyn, which is the oldest building in Arlington.  Mark, her husband, is a History Professor at Marymount University and a Director at the Arlington Historical Society.  They are great examples of pursuing your passion in your vocation and community service.     

Anybody can find something in history that hits home with them.

Honoring History While Living In The 21st Century

History is people and it's all around us.

Big Foot, Pawn Shop, Ice Truck Drivers

Full interview. 

Full Annette and Mark Benbow Interview

Helping our food-insecure Arlington neighbors

Dr. Andy Semmel has had a long, distinguished career in public service focusing on foreign policy and national security issues, including serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nuclear Nonproliferation from 2003 to 2007.  But the thing he joined us to talk about is his work as a volunteer with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) since 2008.  AFAC is a local, 25-year-old nonprofit whose mission is to provide supplemental groceries to our Arlington neighbors in need.  They operate 18 sites throughout Arlington County that serve nearly 2,200 families each week.  Andy derives a great deal of joy from this work and considers it something he simply must do not only for the benefit of others, but for his own benefit.  Please note that Andy was delayed in joining the live broadcast, so the interview begins at around the 17:00 mark.  During the first 17 minutes of the show, Sal and Ed offer up information on AFAC along with some interesting statistics and stories. 

A 90 second call to action.

The Importance of Investing in Your Community

The surprising mix of people who need assistance. 

Defying Stereotypes

Full interview. 

Full Andy Semmel Interview

For more information:  https://afac.org/

Promoting sustainable peace in Africa

Tim Sample is an Arlington resident and CEO and Co-Founder of 72 Africa, a non-profit organization committed to conflict resolution and promoting peace in Africa.  It’s becoming increasingly clear that reacting to major threats around the world after they emerge is not a sustainable strategy.  For example, as of June 2015, the United States was spending $9 million per day fighting ISIS, yet the State Department spends only $5.75 million per year on civil-society-led CVE (countering violent extremism) initiatives across the entire globe.  We are experts at waging war, yet not so good at waging peace.  72 Africa is developing and implementing preventative programs designed to head off the growing influence of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram before they pose a threat to Africa and the United States. 

One minute call to action.

The Unmerited Favor of Man Toward Man

A funny yet telling story.

Shut Up and Listen to the Hippos

Full interview. 

Full Tim Sample Interview

A path to self-reliance for single young mothers

Darlene Bakke is the Executive Director of Borromeo Housing (BHI) in Arlington, VA.  BHI’s mission is to help homeless young mothers become self-reliant in the community through a unique and proven approach focused on education, transitional housing, and child development. Since its inception in 1998, BHI has helped nearly 1,000 young women and their babies, with over 90% of the program’s graduates living independently.

90 second call to action.

So Many Opportunities in Arlington and at Borromeo Housing

A success story.

Chanel and the Diaper Bill

Full interview. 

Full Darlene Bakke Interview

Serving and encouraging job seekers

John Brown is a West Point graduate who served 22 years in the US Army, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2012, who has been serving as a volunteer with Career Confidence for the past three years.  Career Confidence sponsors free seminars every Saturday where industry experts help job seekers become the most marketable candidates they can be.  Previously known as Beltway Job Search Partners, the organization has been staffed completely by volunteers for its 6+ year history and has helped thousands of people.

Quick advice.

Hope, Skills, and Encouragement

An example of the right perspective.

A Perceived Negative Becomes A Positive

I'm looking for a job, not a date.

The Key Is Networking

Full interview. 

Full John Brown Interview

Food fight for starving children

Bryan Jones is the Associate Director of the NorthStar Church Network, a collection of 180 Northern Virginia church congregations representing a wide variety of ethnic, language, and cultural groups.  Kirstie Sherman is a Development Advisor with Feed My Starving Children.  Their two organizations joined forces recently at the Dulles Expo Center where thousands of volunteers packed over 5 million meals in three days for starving children overseas.  Volunteers also dropped off over 6,700 pounds of food for the local Capital Area Food bank at the event, which was dubbed the 2016 Food Fight.  We interviewed Bryan and Kirstie just two days before the food packing event kicked off. 

One minute call to action.

Education and engagement

A favorite story.

Check out my muscle

Full interview. 

Full Bryan Jones and Kirstie Sherman Interview

A compelling story of homelessness and addiction

Milton Brown is a longtime DC resident who battled a heroin addiction for 37 years.  In the same year he overcame his addiction, he became homeless and remained so for four years.  Milton never knew his father, and his mother abandoned him and his brother when he was 9 years old.  He’s the father of two sons – one of whom was murdered over 20 years ago on the streets of Washington DC.  Since emerging from homelessness in 2012, Milton has committed himself to raising awareness of the plight of the homeless and addicted, and to sharing the source of power that helped him emerge from a life of anguish.

One minute call to action.

The Homeless Are Just Like You

90 second call to action.

Better than animals

Full interview. 

Full Milton Brown Interview

For more information:  http://www.littlelights.org/,  http://some.org/

Milton's TEDx Georgetown talk:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQFP5cLQDlo