237 episodes

ThinkOrphan, the podcast for orphan excellence, helping you navigate the global orphan crisis with experts from around the world.

The ThinkOrphan Podcast 1MILLIONHOME

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 71 Ratings

ThinkOrphan, the podcast for orphan excellence, helping you navigate the global orphan crisis with experts from around the world.

    Dr. Lauren Pinkston - Trafficking, Entrepreneurship and Orphan Care Podcasting

    Dr. Lauren Pinkston - Trafficking, Entrepreneurship and Orphan Care Podcasting

    This week we have dedicated academic and researcher Dr. Lauren Pinkson. Lauren is the host of the Upwardly Dependent podcast and comes with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in human trafficking prevention and community development through social enterprise. She has a passion for exploring creative solutions to bridging cultures and investing in communities. Join us as we challenge preconceptions surrounding human trafficking, shifting perspectives in bridging cultures, and delving into the intersection of podcasting within this sector.
    Podcast Sponsor

    Sojourn Studio

    Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!

    Resources and Links from the show

    Slavery Footprint

    Freedom Business Alliance

    Kindred Exchange

    Upwardly Dependent

    Human Trafficking 101

    Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride

    You Should be Grateful by Angela Tucker
    Conversation Notes

    The intersection of trafficking and orphanage care settings (10:22) Promoting freedom business (17:00) How we define freedom and changing our framework (24:30) The power of story (31:00) Responding to what we know now about international adoption (38:00) Upwardly Dependent podcast (43:00) Foster care into trafficking (48:00) Lauren's favorite recommendations (53:00)

    • 1 hr 8 min
    Mackynzie Archer - The Emotional Labor of Care-Affected Children

    Mackynzie Archer - The Emotional Labor of Care-Affected Children

    Mackynzie 'Mac' Archer comes with a deep love for the Haitian people and vulnerable populations. She is an anthropologist, researcher, consultant, and advocate. In this episode we dive into some of her findings in short-term missions, the orphanage system in Haiti, and her most recent doctoral research on the emotional labor of care-affected children.

    Podcast Sponsor

    Sojourn Studio

    Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!


    Resources and Links from the show

    Most Children In Haitian Orphanages Aren’t Orphans — But US Missionaries Take Them Away From Their Families

    Disquieting Gifts: Humanitarianism in New Delhi

    Travesty in Haiti: A true account of Christian missions, orphanages, fraud, food aid, and drug trafficking

    The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

    Conversation Notes

    How Mackenzie got to Haiti (6:00) The reality on the ground at an orphanage (7:30) Interviewing children in orphanage systems (10:30) Let’s talk about life in Haiti right now (12:00) The impact of instability on orphanages (15:00) An increase in malnutrition (21:00) Most organizations unable to meet basic needs (23:00) Sustaining poor child welfare practices (26:00) Good intentions (27:00) One story from a short-term missions volunteer (31:00) Accountable empathy (38:00) Are we willing to receiving from other cultures? (41:00) The emotional labor we see at orphanages (47:00) Wiping the eyes of children between groups of visitors (52:00) Emotional labor in family reunification (57:00) Building relationships instead of structures (1:12:00)

    • 1 hr 23 min
    The Nonprofit Leadership Conversation

    The Nonprofit Leadership Conversation

    In this Conversation episode, we're joined by nonprofit leaders Leslie Beasley (Miracle Foundation), Dave LeVan (Lifewater International), and Paige Shope (Yoked Partners). We'll delve into how non-profit organizations are increasingly adopting for-profit strategies, blurring the lines between the two sectors. Our discussion will venture into valuable leadership insights from experienced leaders, strategies to creating an effective team and organizational culture, and how to lead in uncertain times.

    Podcast Sponsor

    Sojourn Studio

    Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!


    Resources and Links from the show

    Missions Based Management by Peter Brinkerhoff

    Think Orphan Episode 219: The Uncharitable Truth about Nonprofits with Lindsey Hadley

    Engine of Impact: Essentials of Strategic Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector

    The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

    Uncharitable Movie

    Conversation Notes

    The differences between business and non-profit (14:58) More organizations operating like for-profit entities (19:00) Importance of clarity on impact (23:00) Lessons learned leading (32:00) Identifying where people will be most effective (42:00) Staying focused on your strengths as an organization (57:00) Best leadership advice (1:05:00)

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Mobilizing the Church for Care Reform

    Mobilizing the Church for Care Reform

    In this conversation episode, we bring together leaders within different denominations to talk about care reform and the role the American church can play. Joining ust today are from Kristen Lowry from Shelter Yetu and Send Relief (Southern Baptist Convention), Laura Horvath from Helping Children Worldwide and the United Methodist Church, and Pastor Jacob Lierz from LifeMission Church. We discuss what motivates American churches to engage in global orphan care? How do we encourage them to move towards better practice? Can the church lead the movement for care reform?

    Podcast Sponsor

    Sojourn Studio

    Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!

    Resources and Links from the show

    1MILLIONHOME Church Resources

    Love Wisely course

    Short-Term Missions Manual by Faith to Action

    Barna Research Study

    Send Relief consultant advocates orphan care reform

    From the Field: How can your church help orphans?

    Freeing Congregational Mission

    Breaking Bread Series

    Conversation Notes

    What brought our guests into reforming orphan care (6:00)
    Advising churches on best practice (13:00)
    Helping the church ask questions (16:30)
    Bringing change in missions (21:00)
    Why are churches and donors reluctant to change? (31:00)
    Should we stop supporting orphanages? (35:00)
    Stories of change (42:00)
    Short-term mission vs. long-term missions (49:00)
    Improving child protection in missions (58:00)
    Start with education and ask the hard questions (1:05:00)

    • 1 hr 11 min
    The Westerner Abuse and Child Protection Conversation

    The Westerner Abuse and Child Protection Conversation

    In this Conversation episode, we're joined by global child welfare professionals Dr. Greg Burch, Kelly Strong, and Dan Hope. We'll look at cases where westerners were given access to vulnerable children in the Global South and then abused those children. We'll explore the significance of cultivating cultures of awareness around child protection. We'll get into the importance of establishing robust policies and systems designed to mitigate the risks associated with child abuse and exploitation. By fostering environments that prioritize vigilance and the well-being of children, we can better identify and prevent abuses, ultimately ensuring their safety and welfare.
    Conversation Notes

    Recurring cases of exploitation in overseas volunteerism (voluntourism) (17:00) The risk in naivety (20:00) Harming, not helping (24:30) The power dynamics that add to vulnerability (27:00) White saviors, colonialism, paternalism (30:00) Establishing policies and systems that mitigate risk (34:00) Creating cultures of awareness and protection (44:00) Developing national safeguarding processes (50:00) Risk involved with child sponsorship (1:00:00) How do we create reporting mechanisms for children (1:08:00)
    Resources and Links from the show
    SFAC Safeguarding Course
    SFAC Homepage
    Multnomah Plus Course: Protecting the Vulnerable
    Research Paper : Child Sexual Exploitation in East African Orphanages

    • 1 hr 19 min
    Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder - When Collaboration Helps Families

    Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder - When Collaboration Helps Families

    In this episode, Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder join the show to tackle critical topics such as helping the church rediscover its identity, divisions within the American church regarding poverty, and the intricate relationship between economic empowerment and family well-being. Additionally, they delve into cross-cultural missions, the significance of community and relationships, and discuss ACE's collaboration with Chalmers Center. Tune in for insightful perspectives on poverty alleviation and community building.

    Podcast Sponsor

    Replanted Conference

    The Replanted Conference provides a time away for caregivers to be refreshed, equipped, and inspired! Join us October 12-14, 2023 in Chicago or at a simulcast location near you. Registration now open! Use code '1MH10' to get your Think Orphan discount!

    Resources and Links from the show

    When Helping Hurts Vulnerable Children

    How Soccer Explains Leadership with Graham Daniels

    Becoming Whole by Brian Fikkert and Kelly Kapic

    Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World by Andy Crouch

    Chalmers Center

    Alliance for Children Everywhere

    Conversation Notes

    What does human flourishing look like? (7:30) Helping the church to rediscover who we are (9:00) Supporting organizations to transition to family care (16:00) The division of the American church on why people are poor (22:00) The problems with economic empowerment (24:00) The Graduation Approach of economic empowerment (34:00) Family as the solution and greatest community asset (37:00) Approaching families with humility (41:00) Working cross-culturally in missions (43:00) The imperative of community and relationship (48:00) ACE’s collaboration with Chalmers Center (1:04)

    • 1 hr 19 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
71 Ratings

71 Ratings

Kaitlin Riffel ,

Definitely Worth a Listen!!

The Think Orphan Podcast is incredibly informative, conversational and thoughtful in the way they approached tough subjects. There was a wide variety of topics talked about by people who are well informed and have done a lot of work with orphans and vulnerable children. This is a great resource to learn more about organizations who are working to alleviate this problem and who will give helpful opinions and resources on how we can take tangible steps to help with this issue! Definitely is a humbling podcast and makes me recognize that the world is far bigger than just me :) thankful for this resource!

Ayye Deb ,

A Student’s Perspective

There are many treasures throughout these episodes! For a course called, “Orphaned and Vulnerable Children,” we were given this podcast to go through to listen and reflect on the conversations within various episodes. I’m so blessed to have been exposed to such insights! This podcast’s scope of conversations makes each episode worth the time to listen!! It’s not just focused on one problem within the orphan crisis which creates a great atmosphere for tough talks and vulnerability! I would recommend to all! Caring for orphaned and Vulnerable children should be a Christina “thing” rather Everyone pursuit.

kar_woo ,

Worth the Listen! :)

The Think Orphan Podcast was super informative and engaging! Something I really enjoyed was being able to go through and hear some of the same speakers on different topics. It added a level of continuity while still providing new and intriguing facts with each new podcast. I also really enjoyed hearing how the Lord worked in each of the speaker’s lives to get them to the place where they felt the urge to help those who were also in need. Some individuals went very deep with great sentiment while relaying their memories while others just enjoyed sharing what they have been learning in terms of psychological advancements or even research breakthroughs. I thought it was a pretty healthy balance that gave people a chance to share their testimony while also being able to share their expertise.

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