Where Ya From? Podcast

Everyone struggles with issues of identity. We’re all looking for those “perfect” qualities, whether big or small, that define us. That’s why, when we allow others or our culture to answer that question for us, it can lead to devastating consequences. In this throwback episode of Where Ya From?, Rasool speaks with theologian Ekemini Uwan and discovers how harmful ideologies impacted not only the way she viewed herself, but her relationship with Christ.Guest Bio:Ekemini Uwan is a theologian and writer who has dedicated her life to combating racism and bringing awareness to the issues of colorism, microaggressions, and white supremacy. She is a host of Truth’s Table, a popular podcast for black women, and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary.Notes & Quotes: “So I was praying, praying, asking the Lord, ‘What’s going on? What is the deal?’ And I just sensed that the Lord was saying, ‘Ministry.’”  “I was able to endure because I knew the Lord. I knew He called me here.”  Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT  Learn more about Ekemini’s work with her website.  Listen to Ekemini’s podcast, Truth’s Table.  Check out the award-winning book, Truth’s Table, co-authored by Ekemini Uwan.  Learn more about Rasool’s time in South Africa with this In Pursuit of Jesus episode.   Want to tell us about your favorite episodes? Email us here.   Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.   Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.   Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries.  Follow VOICES on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The power of music, filled with hopeful expressions and joyful melodies, can unite us. But what if the music you love and create gets mislabeled by your own church and community? In this throwback episode of Where Ya From?, world-renowned jazz musician Ruth Naomi Floyd shares her story of caring for the wounded and alienated in her beloved community of Philadelphia and how that, paired with her faith, led her to unapologetically create jazz music that blends theology and justice.Guest Bio:Ruth Naomi Floyd is a vocalist and composer who has created a discography dedicated to a sacred jazz expression that highlights theology and justice. Her progressive ensemble jazz sound and mezzo-soprano voice has received high praise for its messages of hope, redemption, and love. In addition, Ruth continues lectures and performs her music internationally while also being an award-winning photographer specializing in black and white portrait images. Ms. Floyd lives in Philadelphia, where she continues her creative work and justice work.Notes & Quotes: “I think the root of it goes to loving our neighbor as ourselves. I think the more interesting question is who we as Christians—those followers of Christ—who we deem not our neighbor. And so, I think we really need to look with renewed eyes, with the Holy Spirit, and really examine where Jesus went, where He was born, where He escaped to, who He came through, who He spent time with.”  “The Bible is very clear. And Jesus is very clear in His words and in His actions. And we should open our arms to our brothers and sisters. Those who don't embrace Christ in His cross, and those who do.”  We have that great Scripture that says [Jesus] sees and He collects our tears in a bottle, and He cares for them, and He treasures them. Jesus understands our suffering, and He actively knows what you’re going through.   Just as the gospel has emancipated us, we’re willing to help use the gospel to emancipate others as on earth as it is in heaven. So, we don’t have to wait till heaven to experience that freedom and that emancipation. What is stopping us? Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT  Learn more about Ruth’s fusion of music and justice with The Fredrick Douglass Jazz Works.  Want to tell us about your favorite episodes? Email us here.   Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.   Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.   Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries.  Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Lamentations 3:22-23  Genesis 1:1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all have blind spots in our lives—areas where our beliefs, values, or assumptions may suffer because of a lack of understanding or impartiality. Years ago, Daniel Hill suddenly came face-to-face with having to tear down and rebuild what he thought was true. All because of a single conversation, he started a new chapter of his story, helping Christian circles understand the issues of race and justice and inviting them to take action. Join us as we dive into Daniel’s story and learn about the importance of moving from apathy and indifference to caring and practicing justice for all. Guest Bio:Daniel Hill is the founding and former senior pastor of River City Community Church located in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. The church members long to see increased spiritual renewal as well as social and economic justice in the neighborhood and city, demonstrating compassion and alleviating poverty as tangible expressions of the kingdom of God. Daniel has a business degree from Purdue University, an MA in theology from Moody Bible Institute, and a DMin from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of White Awake and White Lies. Daniel is married to Elizabeth, and they are the proud parents of Xander and Gabriella. Notes & Quotes: “When I learned about race outside the church, I realized that without Jesus there’s no way to have these conversations.”  “I think that's the easiest way to bottom line what race is. That it's a story about human value that says this is how it is in direct contrast with God.”  “The Bible says human values [are] tied to the doctrine of the Imago Dei. Race says that your value is not tied to the Imago Dei, it's tied to where you fall on the racial hierarchy.”  Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT  Hear more wisdom Daniel Hill with his two books, White Awake and White Lies, available on Amazon.   Get your free download of the This Far by Faith devotional.   Want to tell us about your favorite episodes? Email us here.   Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.   Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.   Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries.  Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Colossians 1  Genesis 1 and 2 (Imago Dei)  John 14:6  John 8:44 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever stopped to think about the generations that lived on the land centuries before you? For some, this question can bring up a lot of complex emotions and trauma. But it’s by asking ourselves these unsettling truths that lay the groundwork for the seeds of education, information, and action that create real change.  On this Best of Where Ya From? episode, we’re throwing it back to a thought-provoking conversation we had with speaker and author Mark Charles. He talks about the journey of navigating personal trauma and how it inspires the ways he continues to learn and invite others to see the trauma and racism that still impacts Native Americans today. Come join us as we are given an in-depth education about the history of his people and America but hear the hopeful message that the unhealthy roots of the past don’t define our future.  Guest Bio:Mark Charles is a speaker, writer, consultant, former presidential candidate, and dual citizen as an American and a Navajo Native American. Mark teaches the complexities of American history regarding race, culture, and Christendom in order to help forge a path of healing and reconciliation for the nation.   He is a co-founder of the Would Jesus Eat Frybread? college-conference series and has served on the boards of the Christian Reformed Church of North America and the Christian Community Development Association.Notes & Quotes: “Jesus did not come to create a Christian empire. He came to make disciples. He came to offer his body as a living sacrifice. He came to plant a church.”   “I had never thought, okay, Jesus said this. So that means I now go out and try to do something like this. And I would say that year, the difference in my faith is Jesus went from being my luggage to becoming my Lord.”  “I can keep the humanity of everybody in question in front of me. It allows me to treat people better, allows me to speak the truth without using the truth as a weapon.”  Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT  Get your copy of Mark’s book, Unsettling Truths, here.  Watch Rasool’s adventures through the In Pursuit of Jesus series.  Want to tell us about your favorite episodes? Email us here.   Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.   Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.   Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries.  Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned:Acts 10Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the very beginning, God made it clear that we needed each other. In fact, we’re at our best when all of us, men and women, are pursing God’s mission together. But what exactly does that mean? On this “Best of Where Ya From?” episode, Carolyn Custis James shares her personal experience with gender inequality and learning about injustices toward women around the world. These experiences led her to become an advocate for women, the lifelong commitment to helping all men and women see how we need each other to survive, thrive, and grow through the ups and downs of life. Guest Bio:Carolyn Custis James is an advocate for women worldwide and an award-winning author. She specializes in strengthening relationships between men and women and writing about what it means to be a female follower of Jesus in a postmodern world. Additionally, her speaking and writing ministry is dedicated to addressing the deeper needs and issues confronting both women and men as they endeavor to extend God’s kingdom together in a messy and complicated world. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Missio Seminary in Philadelphia and is married to Frank James. Notes & Quotes: The moment the word why crosses your lips, you are doing theology. And if you've been trying to survive on fluff, you don't have anything that's going to hold you.”  “If you are created to image God, it means that your first calling is to know the God who created you to be like Himself. That He is to be our study.”   “Our first calling is to know [God]. And to find out, you know, what He loves and to look at the world through His eyes. And to love what He loves and to join His mission in the world.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT  Get your FREE copy of Marching Forward here!   Want to tell us about your favorite episodes? Email us here!  Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.   Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.   Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries.  Follow VOICES on Instagram.  Verses Mentioned: Genesis 1 & 2  Ruth 1-4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do you do when someone questions your deepest beliefs? How do you respond? In this first episode in our “Best of Where Ya From?” series, we’re throwing it back to the very first conversation we ever had on the podcast. That was when we sat down with Lisa Fields, the highly regarded Christian apologist and founder of the Jude 3 Project, to hear how the struggles and questions of her own faith forced her to go back to the basics and reevaluate everything she believed. Unknown to her at the time, this season of doubt led to a career and life of apologetics that would not just be difficult—but almost impossible—for a young, Black woman. Guest Bio:Lisa Fields is one of the world’s most sought-after Christian apologists. She combines her passion for biblical literacy with her heart for sharing God’s love to all those she meets. Lisa is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a bachelor of science in communications and religious studies. She also graduated from Liberty University with a master of divinity and a focus in theology. Her time in seminary propelled her into her calling as an apologist. During her last year of seminary, her passion to teach others how to defend their faith became very clear. It was then that the Jude 3 Project was born. As founder and president, Lisa’s primary mission for the Jude 3 Project is to help the Black Christian community know what they believe and why they believe.  Since starting the Jude 3 Project, Fields has received several honors, most notably, Christianity Today’s recognition of her work as an apologist in the African American community. Though these accolades have been encouraging, Fields continues to break new ground for the sake of the gospel by adding production to her resume. She helped produce and create two documentaries, Unspoken, an in-depth look into the Christian heritage of Africa and people of African descent; and Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom, the groundbreaking documentary presented by the Voices Collection and Our Daily Bread Media. Additionally, Lisa also published her first book, When Faith Disappoints: The Gap Between What We Believe and What We Experience, this past summer.Notes & Quotes:“So I feel like a faith that can’t be tested, can’t be trusted. And so I continued to test it and put it under scrutiny because I believe that if it was truth, it will always be found to be true.”  “Relationship shows you what’s going on in people’s lives and people’s world, and it helps you not to have such a narrow view of concepts, I think. Because you’re like, ‘Okay, this is a great concept in theory. How does this flesh out in a person’s everyday life? What is this person experiencing?’ It helps you be able to speak to some of the issues differently and with a level of empathy because you actually know people in these situations, and you’re not making these rigid kinds of statements that aren’t considerate of other people’s experience.”  “The tendency for people that have bad experiences is to overcorrect; and when you overcorrect, you’re still not corrected.”  “I think, relationally though, it is easier for people to receive hard truths from people they are in relationship with versus strangers. And so it doesn’t mean that I water down the message. It means that when I share the message, people trust me enough to believe that I’m not trying to do them harm with the message that I’m sharing.”Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT  Learn more about Lisa’s work with the Jude 3 Project here.  Get your copy of Lisa’s book When Faith Disappoints on Amazon.    Want to tell us about your favorite episodes? Email us here.   Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.   Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.   Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries.  Follow VOICES on Instagram.  Verses Mentioned: John 6:68  1 Peter 3:15  Jude 3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you know when it’s time for a change? After five years and seven powerful seasons, the Where Ya From? Podcast is taking its final bow. It’s been an incredible ride and one that you, our faithful listeners, truly made worthwhile. As we reflect on the timely conversations and courageous people of faith and strength, we can’t begin to describe all the ways that God has moved in our own stories—and hopefully yours too. With this special episode, you’ll listen to Rasool share some of the biggest lessons he’s learned from this experience, hear what’s happening with the rest of the season, and even get a first glimpse into the next project we’re already working on.Host Bio:Rasool Berry is a teaching pastor at The Bridge Church in Brooklyn, New York; the host of the Where Ya From? Podcast; a co-host on the Discover the Word Podcast; a contributor on “The Whole Man Project”; and the director of partnerships and content development at Our Daily Bread Ministries.Notes & Quotes: “What would happen in a world of intensifying hostility if the church modeled what it looked like to be quicker to listen than to speak? Well, from my experience and hosting Where Ya From?, it would result in us having a greater appreciation for each other in spite of our differences. It would result in more love and less hate.”  “Multiple perspectives help us see God’s goodness.”  “The questions we often come to God with reflect our culture, regardless of where we’re from. And God’s timeless answers offer universal wisdom that we can all benefit from.” “The fact that struggle is the birthplace of strength reveals why the best art often comes from hard situations. God blesses the broken and restores beauty from ashes.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Want to tell us about your favorite episodes? Email us here.  Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.  Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: James 1:19-20 Proverbs 12:30 Romans 8:28 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey Where Ya From? fam, Rasool Berry here. I wanted to take a few seconds to let you know about a big surprise we’ve been working on. Drumroll . . . Starting June 10, 2025 you can watch some of your favorite episodes from Where Ya From? on the VOICES YouTube channel! You’ll see the faces behind the voices from our most memorable conversations, and get a better sense of how their story and experiences continue to shape them today. Curious to see which episodes made the cut? Make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel to find out! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@experiencevoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As someone who is still processing what it looks like for her to be a leader in ministry spaces that aren’t always the most welcoming, Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin’s definition of “excellence” has undergone multiple changes over the years. Yet in the last few years, this journey has invited her to ask tough questions of her, over and over, that has reshaped her definition of excellence: Am I leading in the way that pleases God, not me? Am I willing to possibly suffer, get down on my knees, and serve others if that’s what my leadership requires?Guest Bio:Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is the chief impact officer at Christianity Today and founder and executive director of Soulfire International Ministries. She is an accomplished writer and author, serves on various boards and councils, and leads the Grow Ministry at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church in Maryland. She and her husband, Mark, are proud parents to two amazing daughters.Notes & Quotes: “I think everyone has to do their own work of seeking God through the Word of asking the Holy Spirit for revelation. And what you’ll find is that the gospel is full of examples of ways that God builds our identity in Him beyond the confines of the world.” “But redemptive leadership says actually who you are and who Christ has called you to be is represented by your lows. The cross becomes the core of our identity.” “The world says power makes you who you are. That needs to be crucified. The world says perfection makes you who you are. That needs to be crucified. When we crucify the things that the world says make us great, then we get to become who God calls us to be—people shaped according to the cross. People who are dependent on Christ.” The depth of your integrity shows up in how you handle your low moments. And we don’t learn that from a generation. We learned that from Jesus, who says, ‘I am Lord. Not because I came in riding on a horse. I am Lord because I died on the cross. Because I literally went to the depths for you. And if you want to be like me, then you’ve got to take on what I take on.’” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Learn more about Dr. Martin’s work with Christianity Today. Get your copy of Dr. Martin’s book, Made to Lead, on Amazon. Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.  Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Romans 8:28  John 15:13 John 20:11-18 Romans 16:1-2 1 Timothy 2:11 1 Corinthians 11:5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you took one look at Danielle Marck’s resume, your first question would be how can one person get all of these things done? But she would be the first to tell you she hasn’t done it alone. As a singer, songwriter, CEO, founder, entrepreneur, and president of The Witness Foundation, Danielle excels at wearing a lot of different hats. But for every success she’s had, there was first the invitation to surrender and become attuned to God’s voice—even when what she was being called to do went against what she thought the plan was. Each pivot has required Danielle to first step out in trust—having no clue how God was going to work things out but being absolutely sure He will.Guest Bio:Danielle Marck, President of the Witness Foundation, is an emerging leader in the nonprofit sector with over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, three of those years at the Witness Foundation, holding various roles within the organization. Danielle is also the Founder and CEO of The Didoc Group, a consultancy firm dedicated to empowering BIPOC leaders and helping them scale their organizations effectively. An alumnus of West Chester University, Danielle also holds a certification from the Yale School of Management, with a specialization in Fostering Diversity and Inclusion. Additionally, she is in the process of obtaining her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification. Her journey is marked by a commitment to fostering change through ingenuity and compassionate responses. Danielle has been named one of Radio One’s (formerly known as Urban One’s) Boom 30 Under 30, highlighting her impactful contributions and leadership in the Greater Philadelphia community through music and campus ministry.Recently married, Danielle resides close to Philadelphia with her husband, Josh. She enjoys going out to eat and making music in her spare time.Notes & Quotes: “I had these real experiences with God and with people seeing how one word, one moment, one act of obedience can really change somebody’s life. And I wasn’t in charge of that change. I was just in charge of doing my part.”  “Just because you’re not excelling in one area doesn’t mean you’re not intelligent. Just may not be your area of expertise when it comes to intelligence. That’s where God was like, ‘You never sought me about what I wanted you to do. You just pursued your plan B instead of asking me for my plan A for your life.’”  “God has given me glimpses of where He wants to take me. Some of them I’ve seen come to pass. Some are still yet to come. But there’s always that element of we have to trust Him, and we have to believe that what He says is going to happen. And whether we believe it or not, there are things that God’s going to make happen anyway. But there’s a beautiful intimate invitation that he gives us to trust Him.” “It’s the forming [of us to be like Jesus] that makes us more like [God] and where we find joy and peace.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Learn more about Danielle's work with The Witness Foundation. Check out Danielle’s consultancy firm, The Didoc Group. Visit the VOICES website to learn more about our partnership with The Witness Foundation and sign up to receive emails. Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Luke 16:10 Romans 8:28-29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On paper, pastor and author Brady Boyd may seem like an unlikely choice to lead a church. With never receiving any formal seminary training, his path to the pulpit is evidence of God bringing the right mentors and discipleship into Brady’s life to help develop his gifts and passion for loving people. Yet Brady’s biggest test of holding steadfast to the example of Jesus came to a dramatic crossroads. Only 100 days into his new job, he had to comfort his congregation through the devastation of gun violence that shook the entire community—a community that had just gone through a dramatic scandal that played out on the front page of every national newspaper.Guest Bio:Brady Boyd is married to his college sweetheart, Pam, and is the dad to great kids named Abram and Callie. He has written several books, including Remarkable, Speak Life, Fear No Evil, Addicted to Busy, Let Her Lead, Sons & Daughters, and Extravagant. He has most recently published the book, Life-Minded: 8 Intentional Practices for Belonging to God and Each Other, and its complementary Bible study with Our Daily Bread Publishing. He’s also really serious about caring for the people of Colorado Springs by opening numerous Dream Centers.He has a degree in Journalism from Louisiana Tech, has been a radio announcer for professional baseball and basketball teams and was the sports editor for his college newspaper. Before coming to New Life in 2007, he served Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas for almost seven years.Notes & Quotes: “I’ll look back on this part of my life and I’ll say, the church is more resilient than we think. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church. That what Jesus said about the church is true. That we can overcome anything if we will stay faithful and stay steady and believe in Him and trust Him.” “The kingdom of heaven is not an independent work. It’s interdependent. It’s built around community. It’s built around trust. It’s built around self-sacrifice.” “We need Jesus. We need His kingdom. We need His power. We are not enough. Jesus is still enough and we still need Him.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Check out Brady’s new Life-Minded book and Bible study with Our Daily Bread Publishing.  Brady Boyd’s Instagram Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.  Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 Revelation 22:20 Ephesians 4:3 2 Corinthians 12:10 Matthew 22:37-39 Matthew 28:18-20 Psalm 22 Psalm 23 Psalm 91 Psalm 51 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine being wrongly accused of something you never did, spending the prime years of your life in a cold, cramped jail cell. This is happening all while you’re fighting an uphill battle to prove your innocence to people who seem to put up hurdle after hurdle. Jonathan Irons doesn’t have to imagine it. That was his reality—for more than two decades. Join us as we hear Jonathan’s courageous fight for freedom and justice, while considering what we might be able to do for those who are still on the long path toward freedom.Guest Bio:Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons’ story has all the makings of a modern fairytale: full of faith, friendship, a fight for justice, and ultimately the triumph of love. Maya is a basketball icon—a two-time NCAA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, four-time WNBA champion, and WNBA MVP. Jonathan was just 18 years old when he was wrongly convicted by an all-white jury for a crime that occurred when he was 16. With no physical evidence tying him to the crime, Jonathan was handed a 50-year prison sentence, of which he served 23 years. Their lives juxtaposed, it might seem unlikely that their paths would cross.Yet, it was right before her freshman year at UCONN that Maya was introduced to Jonathan by her family involved with prison ministry. She heard his story, and over the next decade, as Maya graduates from UCONN and is drafted into the WNBA, Jonathan pours himself into earning first his GED, then develops a deep understanding of law. The two forged a close friendship, grounded in their shared faith and cultivated through their dedication to finding his freedom. Then, in 2019, at the peak of her career, Maya shocked the world when she decided to step away from basketball to focus solely on Jonathan’s case. After a winding, yearlong effort, Jonathan was finally released. The next day, Jonathan proposed to Maya, and weeks later, they were married. Maya was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2021 ESPYS, and the story of her fight for Jonathan’s freedom was told in the ESPN 30 for 30 film “Breakaway.” In 2023, Maya and Jonathan welcomed their first child, Jonathan, Jr. (“JJ”), and published their joint memoir, Love and Justice.Together, they are dedicated to using their now shared platform and social action nonprofit Win With Justice to raise awareness and advocate for issues surrounding criminal justice reform, the important role district attorneys play in the judicial system and the power of each individual to live out their purpose and impact change.Notes & Quotes: “But faith has to become your own. You have to have your own personal relationship with God. I would feel His presence, and just things would line up in a way where I’m like, that can’t be nothing but God, talking to me and looking out for me.”  “When you’re in a situation where you feel dehumanized, the only way that you can feel human is if people treat you like you’re a human being. And when you treat someone like they’re a human being, they care about life, and they care about what happens to other people. That inspires them to change and have a lasting change and to strive for the stars and to have hope and to have vision and to have dreams.”  Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT  Learn more about Jonathan’s work with Win with Justice. Check out Jonathan and Maya’s book, Love and Justice. Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.  Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experiencevoices/ Verses Mentioned: Proverbs 22:6 Habakkuk 1:2-4 1 Kings 19:1-9 Matthew 25:40-45 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maya Moore Irons’ career speaks for itself. As a multi-time champion and all-star for the NCAA, WNBA, and an Olympic Gold Medalist, she achieved almost every success possible in the sport. Yet she shocked the sports world when she left the court at the height of her game—leaving one kind of court for another. Years earlier she met Jonathan Irons, a man sitting in a jail cell hundreds of miles away who didn’t deserve to be there in the first place. God planted the seed of justice within her after that first encounter with Johnathan. And the way God unfolded that story is truly one for the record books. Join us as we hear how Maya’s faith remained her constant strength throughout her career and while fighting for social justice reform within the criminal prosecution system.Guest Bio:Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons’ story has all the makings of a modern fairytale: full of faith, friendship, a fight for justice, and ultimately the triumph of love. Maya is a basketball icon—a two-time NCAA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, four-time WNBA champion, and WNBA MVP. Jonathan was just 18 years old when he was wrongly convicted by an all-white jury for a crime that occurred when he was 16. With no physical evidence tying him to the crime, Jonathan was handed a 50-year prison sentence, of which he served 23 years. Their lives juxtaposed, it might seem unlikely that their paths would cross.Yet, it was right before her freshman year at UCONN that Maya was introduced to Jonathan by her family involved with prison ministry. She heard his story, and over the next decade, as Maya graduates from UCONN and is drafted into the WNBA, Jonathan pours himself into earning first his GED, then develops a deep understanding of law. The two forged a close friendship, grounded in their shared faith and cultivated through their dedication to finding his freedom. Then, in 2019, at the peak of her career, Maya shocked the world when she decided to step away from basketball to focus solely on Jonathan’s case. After a winding, yearlong effort, Jonathan was finally released. The next day, Jonathan proposed to Maya, and weeks later, they were married. Maya was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2021 ESPYS, and the story of her fight for Jonathan’s freedom was told in the ESPN 30 for 30 film “Breakaway.” In 2023, Maya and Jonathan welcomed their first child, Jonathan, Jr. (“JJ”), and published their joint memoir, Love and Justice.Notes & Quotes: “I was like, ‘Oh, this is. . . I’m more like Jesus than I’ve ever been in my life.’ And I wasn’t just like, I’m going to be Jesus in this picture. Like we’re all helping each other, but I’m getting a chance to relate to the gospels and relate to some of these things I’m seeing in Scripture because I need [Jesus]. Because I am seeing this oppression.”  “I don’t know what’s going to happen necessarily, what’s next to do, but I know [God] is going to provide. He’s going to show up every season, every year. You get heartbreak, but then He’d show us something, and then hold on nothing’s happening, and then something, and then He would just keep us going. He’d show himself really undeniably in different ways where it was like, we’re on the right track.”  “The goodness of God and the goodness of this story is what’s going to win.” God’s heart is about justice, and mercy, and dignity, and caring for the vulnerable. . . this is what the Kingdom of God looks like at its purest. Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Learn more about Maya’s work with Win with Justice. Check out Maya and Jonathan’s book, Love and Justice. Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.  Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Colossians 3:23 Esther 4:14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Orsika Fejer-Baas will be the first to tell you that she never thought she would be the person who became a victim of abuse. But the hurtful behaviors of her second husband reached the point where they could no longer be ignored. Yes, as Orsika proudly proclaims, it was only by God’s grace continuing to work in and through her that she made it out of the quicksand.Guest Bio:Orsika Fejer-Baas’ childhood was magical. As an adult, her choices were less than amazing. She moved from one failed relationship to another, had three children, and lost direction in life. She felt as though she let everyone down. Having experienced domestic violence, Orsika knew something had to change. She hit rock bottom and clearly understood the years of abuse were going to drastically transform her life for the better. Her healing journey began well after escaping the abuse. Orsika lived through the pain, the shame, and the guilt of making decisions, which brought sorrow and potential unforgiveness. She understands, firsthand, the feelings of loneliness and desperation. Yet Orsika also knows the journey to healing is through our Lord and Savior, Jesus.Notes & Quotes: I just knew I wasn’t alone. I looked back in the sand and it was the one set of footprints, and it’s God carrying me through it. So it wasn’t ever, “Oh lord, why have you forsaken me?” You know, it was like, “Thank you Lord for carrying me.” “It was truly just by the grace of God that we made it through. God made sure that we were as safe in each situation as possible. And God protected me from, and us, the kids and I, from the free will of those who chose differently than maybe they should have.” “It’s important to share, to give people the hope that there can be a better life and escaping is the best option. You just have to be determined to not go back. And it is important to be able to tell God’s story in all of it, realistically, because that’s how I made it through.” “I found a peace through forgiveness, and that happened only through Christ, and that happened only through God.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT National Domestic Abuse Hotline Learn more about Orsika’s work with Out of the Quicksand at her website. Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.  Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The problems of exploitation and injustice that many women in Lily Meschi’s home country of Iran are living through are close to Lily’s heart because they were once her problems—even when she was thousands of miles away in the United States. In her early adult years, Lily found herself in an overwhelming darkness of abuse and manipulation from which she found no possible escape. Yet, once she came to Jesus through the comforting words of John 1, a new type of life instantly started.Guest Bio:Driven by a passion for intentional living, Lily Meschi dedicates herself to serving in ministry for Iran Alive as the director of partner relations. Born and raised in a Muslim family in Tehran, Iran, Lily’s life took a transformative turn when her family relocated to the US at the age of 18. Amidst struggles and hardships related to her identity as an Iranian woman, Lily discovered Christianity, finding solace and freedom in her newfound faith in Jesus Christ. This experience ignited her compassion for Iranian women who have faced similar oppression, abuse, and isolation. By drawing from her personal journey as an Iranian woman, Lily provides profound insights into the challenges surrounding women’s rights in Iran. She has become a vocal advocate against practices such as arranged marriages of young women to older men in the Middle East, shedding light on societal norms that perpetuate injustice.Introduced to Iran Alive Ministries through a satellite TV program, Lily’s faith journey was further nurtured by the Gospel message presented by an Iranian woman, leading her to pursue education in Bible college to deepen her understanding of Christianity’s teachings and history. Additionally, Lily has shared her story and insights in various media outlets like CBN News, Today’s Christian Living, The Christian Post, and others.Notes & Quotes: “Growing up, I always knew Jesus was one of the greatest prophets who performed many miracles. I had great honor for Him, but he was nothing but a prophet. . . when she read to me that in the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, it was resolved for me. Jesus was God because He was from the beginning, was God, and was with God.” “I needed to understand that there's a loving Father that wants His children to live in complete peace and tranquility with Him, partnering with Him on this earth. And there's a purpose for everyone that is definitely not trauma. His purpose and plan for us is not to harm us, but to bless us, and to give us a hope and a future.” “It all boils down to our intimate walk with our Heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit and the work of Jesus Christ; to really become intimate with Him and learn about our purpose, our destiny, our assignment. So that on the day when we are taken up to heaven, we can say that I did faithfully what you have and the assignment that you have put before me.” Links Mentioned: FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT National Domestic Abuse Hotline Find out more about Lily’s work with Iran Alive Ministries Visit the VOICES website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.  Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out VOICES from Our Daily Bread Ministries. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: John 1:1 John 1:14 John 15:5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices