Gospel Con Carne

Mobile Loaves & Fishes
  • 4.5 (2)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Monthly

The 'Gospel Con Carne' is a gritty journey of Tex-Mex theology that explores the woundedness of society through untold stories of homelessness. Our host, Alan Graham, is the founder and CEO of Austin, TX-based Mobile Loaves and Fishes – a social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless for more than two decades. Alan also is the lead visionary behind the innovative Community First! Village – the country's only master-planned community designed specifically for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.

  1. 2d ago

    The Power of Presence, with Ilene Green

    On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with a longtime friend of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Ilene Green!   Ilene's journey to Community First! Village began long before she called Austin home. While living out of state, Ilene started volunteering with Mobile Loaves & Fishes when her son, Charles, began working at the organization. After retiring from a career as a teaching aid, where she spent years working alongside children and adults with disabilities, Ilene moved from Illinois to Austin and quickly found a new place to serve.   What started as simple volunteer work in our Genesis Gardens and Community Market has grown into a beautiful rhythm of showing up, listening and loving our neighbors well. Every Wednesday, Ilene spends the entire day at the Village; walking the neighborhood, sitting with neighbors, learning their stories and helping them access the support they need.   For Ilene, it's never about the state of someone's home—it's about the person inside it. She celebrates neighbors' growth, encourages them through challenges and cherishes the friendships she's built along the way. She's witnessed firsthand that the blessings flow both ways, as neighbors and volunteers continue to teach, encourage and love one another. In this episode, Ilene reminds us that patience and grace can go a long way, and that sometimes the greatest gift we can offer someone is simply our presence.

    37 min

  2. Jun 5

    Celebrating 10 Years at the Village, with my Neighbor Shorty Joe

    On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our longtime neighbor and friend, Shorty! Born and raised in Houston, Texas and one of many siblings, Shorty's life has been shaped by both hardship and resilience. After losing his mother at just nine years old, he eventually spent 31 years living on the streets, struggling with addiction and searching for stability and belonging along the way. Everything began to change when Shorty moved into Community First! Village in November of 2016. Now approaching 10 years at the Village, Shorty reflects on what it means to finally have a place to call home after decades without one. After knowing Alan for more than two decades, he says the Village has become the family he never thought he would have—a place where he feels deeply loved, supported and known. In this episode, Shorty reflects on the loss of some of the friends he made at the Village, the peace he finds living near the memorial garden and the moment he instinctively ran into a burning RV to save a fellow neighbor. Through every story, Shorty reminds us to look out for one another, love one another and never underestimate the pure goodness found in community.

    34 min

  3. May 20

    Becoming Whole Again, with my Neighbor Brenda

    On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our neighbor and friend, Brenda!   Born and raised in Midland and one of 14 siblings, Brenda's life has been marked by both deep love and deep hardship. After losing her sense of identity and falling into addiction, Brenda spent more than a decade living on the streets of Austin. This experience humbled her in ways she never imagined. In the midst of it all, Brenda made the incredibly difficult decision to entrust her young daughter to her father, knowing she couldn't raise her child on the streets. However, through every season, Brenda's daughter and family never stopped loving her.   Everything began to change when Brenda connected with a case worker through the Trinity Center, which ultimately led her to Community First! Village. Since moving into the Village in 2018, Brenda has rediscovered who she is—reclaiming her name, her purpose and her sense of self-worth. Today, she loves cooking, enjoys working onsite, and recently moved into a new PMRV on our expansion property. Most of all, she cherishes the friendships she's built and the community she now calls home.

    32 min

  4. Apr 27

    Dreaming Again, with my Neighbor Debra

    The Gospel Con Carne podcast is back! Join us this season as Mobile Loaves & Fishes' Founder & CEO, Alan Graham, and his guests share the powerful, untold stories of individuals who have experienced homelessness—and the hope that meets them along the way.   We're honored to kick off the season with Debra, one of Alan's neighbors in Community First! Village. A lifelong wanderer and mother of eight, Debra's journey has included seasons of hardship—homelessness, addiction and raising her family as a single mom—but also deep resilience and growth.   After beginning her sobriety journey in 2007, Debra has now been in recovery for about 18 years. She found her way home to Community First! Village in December 2025, where she is finally able to fully live into her calling as an artist. Through painting, murals and sculpture, Debra uses her gifts to share love, freedom and faith.

    38 min

  5. 2025-11-04

    A Life Restored, with my Neighbor Ruvi

    On our season finale of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our neighbor and friend, Ruvi. Born and raised in Cuba, Ruvi grew up amid political and economic hardship. After graduating, he traveled the world while working for the Cuban government before coming to Austin nine years ago to seek asylum, leaving behind his family in Cuba.  Life in the United States brought new challenges—learning English, starting over and eventually losing his job as a medical assistant in 2020. The pandemic led to homelessness and deep emotional struggle, but it was during that time Ruvi found God and began rebuilding his faith.  While homeless, Ruvi worked as a swim instructor for the YMCA until a co-worker told him about Community First! Village. In February 2023, he moved into his new home in the Village surrounded by a supportive and loving community. Today, Ruvi gives all glory to God for restoring his life and reminds us that no matter where we are, God is always present—even when we don't see Him right away.

    38 min

  6. 2025-10-14

    Freedom in Faith, with my Neighbor Deirdre

    On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our neighbor and friend, Deirdre. Born in California, Deirdre's early life was marked by loss and instability. Even after her father died from addiction, she turned to alcohol and drugs at a young age, leading to years of struggle, incarceration, homelessness and heartbreak. After entering a long-term therapy program, Deirdre rebuilt her life, got married and stayed sober for 15 years. When her marriage ended, her addictions and path toward homelessness returned. Healing came by way of a women's home in Fort Worth and also a supportive church in Georgetown. In March of 2025, Deirdre moved home to Community First! Village, where she has continued her journey of restoration. Today, Deirdre shares her story with honesty and hope, reminding us that addiction is often a symptom of deeper pain and that healing begins when we learn to see our own worth.

    53 min

  7. 2025-09-24

    Home in Christ and Home at the Village, with my Neighbor Jeff

    On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our neighbor and friend, Jeff. Raised in a strict military household and serving in the Navy himself, Jeff's life was marked by both discipline and deep loss, including the passing of his parents and two siblings. For 30 years he battled addiction, but it was during a season of homelessness in Austin while living under a bridge that he encountered God in a life-changing way.   With the support of many who believed in him, Jeff eventually moved to Community First! Village in June of 2020. He now serves as a neighbor leader, a role selected by staff to help welcome and encourage his fellow neighbors. He also plays drums with Home Street Music and finds joy in reading faith-based books. For Jeff, life is no longer about survival—rather, it's about surrender. He says he has learned he can't take a single breath without God and regularly clings to the truth that through Christ, everyone can be made new.

    34 min

  8. 2025-09-03

    From Bridges to Building Dreams, with my Neighbor Jim

    Join Alan on this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast as he sits down with our friend and neighbor, Jim. Life for Jim has been marked by its share of highs and lows. He has experienced the joy of being a father, and has also experienced deep loss after losing his wife to cancer. In 2017, Jim faced another battle when a life-threatening illness left doctors uncertain if he would make it. Miraculously, he survived and ended up moving to Austin from Kansas in search of a fresh start.    Unfortunately, a plumbing job that Jim had lined up fell through and he found himself homeless, living under a bridge for four years. Even then, Jim says he avoided the traps of addiction and leaned on his faith, finding hope through Mosaic Church and later moving to Community First! Village in December of 2022.    Today, Jim treasures the dignity of having his own front door and the stability of home. Close with several of his neighbors, he uses the Village as a foundation to keep moving forward. His next dream? Starting a construction business with his son. Through it all, Jim has held onto one belief: something better is always around the corner and having a goal is the key to finding your way.

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The 'Gospel Con Carne' is a gritty journey of Tex-Mex theology that explores the woundedness of society through untold stories of homelessness. Our host, Alan Graham, is the founder and CEO of Austin, TX-based Mobile Loaves and Fishes – a social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless for more than two decades. Alan also is the lead visionary behind the innovative Community First! Village – the country's only master-planned community designed specifically for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.

Information

  • Creator
    Mobile Loaves & Fishes
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Gospel Con Carne

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