What's Brewing Episodes
What’s Brewing is a Faith Unfiltered series exploring the question: What is mission, and why does it matter?
In each episode, we talk with people who are actively engaging that question — discovering diverse, courageous, and creative ways to follow Jesus, the peaceful One. From neighborhood outreach to global justice, these conversations highlight how faith is lived out in transforming, life-giving ways.
Push play and join the adventure as we explore how God is showing up in communities — and how mission is brewing all around us.
In each episode, we talk with people who are actively engaging that question — discovering diverse, courageous, and creative ways to follow Jesus, the peaceful One. From neighborhood outreach to global justice, these conversations highlight how faith is lived out in transforming, life-giving ways.
Push play and join the adventure as we explore how God is showing up in communities — and how mission is brewing all around us.
June 26, 2026
967 | What's Brewing | Partnering for Outreach
What happens when a congregation stops trying to do everything on its own and starts partnering with its community? In this inspiring episode of What's Brewing, Robin Linkhart talks with Ruth Richardson about how the Kirkwood Community of Christ congregation transformed a simple outreach effort into a thriving ministry of dignity, generosity, and relationship. Through partnerships with Kirk Care and countless community volunteers, Ruth shares how taking a faithful risk created ripple effects of ...
Dec. 18, 2025
914 | What's Brewing | Values Based Financial Management
Maybe you’ve been told to put your money where your mouth is, but have you ever been told to put your money where your values are? In this What’s Brewing episode, we take a step away from doing mission to exploring a new way to make mission possible. Blake Smith hosts Karsten Kaczmar, founder of Real Hope Advisors, to discuss values-based financial management. Karsten emphasizes that everyone has wealth, not just the financially affluent, and shares his journey from financial instability to help...
Oct. 27, 2025
910 | What's Brewing | Ministry for Dummies Cross-Post | Jacob Goes to Africa
Would you rather ... stay home and read old children’s books, or go to Africa and face the realities of abject poverty? One might say they both have their pros and cons. In this What’s Brewing episode cross-post from Ministry for Dummies, hosts Jacob Ross and Humberto Tinsman talk about what they’ve been doing between episodes. Most of their conversation focuses on the lessons Jacob learned during his work trip to Kenya. It sounds like it’s not a trip for the faint of heart. Listen to more epis...
Oct. 23, 2025
908 | What's Brewing | Camp Element
We all talk about trying to be inclusive and welcoming of all, but rarely do we make it our mission and driving force. Well, Laura Schlenker and her staff are doing their very best to live the inclusive dream at their camp for third through eighth graders, Camp Element. From music to food, to activities, to staff roles, creating a space, welcoming environment where every camper feels valued just the way they are is the primary focus. There is nothing they are not willing to do to make everyone f...
Oct. 13, 2025
904 | What's Brewing | Waterloo-Cedar Falls Discernment
It all started with the pandemic which found many congregations gathered in virtual fellowship and worship, helping maintain community despite losses. And, for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls congregation, it didn’t end there. Instead, the entered into a discernment journey that led them to new and exciting adventures. With an emphasis on teamwork, communication, and leveraging their strengths, this congregation has found its new calling. Join host Robin Linkhart and the pastor team of the Waterloo-Ced...
July 25, 2025
872 | What's Brewing | Redwoods Peace Colloquy
At the heart of the Community of Christ is a growing movement towards peace and justice. Once an annual event sponsored by the denomination in Independence, MO, peace colloquies are now popping up in other places. Join host Blake Smith for a conversation with Emily Rose, Sierra Pacific Mission Center Peace and Justice Minister, about the 3rd Annual Redwoods Peace Colloquy being hosted this year in Portland, OR. Get caught up by Emily’s infectious passion for connecting people and resources for t...
June 17, 2025
857 | What's Brewing | Dream with Me | Matt Frizzell
Community of Christ’s 2025 World Conference has come and gone, but the excitement and challenge felt by those gathered has not yet waned. In the quiet moments after the “storm” of Conference, newly ordained Apostle, Matt Frizzell, sat in his new office reflecting on what had taken place and what it meant for him ... and for us ... as we move into the future. In this special episode of What’s Brewing, Matt asks us to dream with him. Imagine what we can accomplish in this world if we first choose ...
June 10, 2025
854 | What's Brewing Re-post | Supporting PRIDE as a Church
In honor of PRIDE month, we’re bringing back this What’s Brewing episode featuring some very recognizable names at Project Zion Podcast. Both the host, Carla Long, and all of the guests, Karin Peter, Blaire White, and Tyler Marz are serving in new roles with the Community of Christ since this episode first aired on May 17, 2022. Not only that, Harmony has been training more and more congregations to become fully welcoming and affirming spaces for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. There’s no better time ...
June 6, 2025
852 | What's Brewing | Hope is Here | 2025 World Conference
Hope is here! For this special What’s Brewing episode, we join the Thursday night First Presidency Worship of the 2025 Community of Christ World Conference, where we hear a message of hope in celebration of all that has taken place in the days leading up to this worship as well as the call into the future. You’ll hear the inspiring words from the newly ordained First Presidency and other leaders as they lead us into hope-filled action. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfilter...
May 30, 2025
850 | What's Brewing | Citizen Diplomacy/Peace Builders
In a world where everything from busy schedules to geographical expanses separates us from each other, the power of personal, one-to-one relationships to build respect and enhance our perceived value of those considered “other” is indisputable. Enter Peace Builders, an extension of the concept of citizen diplomacy being explored in new and exciting ways in the Lamoni Heartland Mission Center. Join host Robin Linkhart for this check-in with guest Chuck Montgomery for an update on what’s been happ...
Feb. 7, 2025
804 | What's Brewing | Partnering in Ministry | Noel Scherer and Janelle Anders
Imagine a world where we worked together, sharing physical, financial and human resources ... a world where the skills and creativity of a variety of persons across geographical spaces were shared in order to magnify the possibilities of ministry and growth. Imagine a place called Guthrie Grove, where that’s exactly what happens all the time. You actually don’t have to imagine. Instead, grab a cup of coffee and listen in as host Robin Linkhart sits down with Noel Scherer and Janelle Anders, the ...
Sept. 10, 2024
754 | What's Brewing | SPEC 2024 Recap
There’s nothing quite like SPEC ... a place where young people can come together for a week of personal exploration, leadership development, visual and performing arts, worship, all you can eat soft serve ice cream, and ... yes ... a bit of healthy sports competition. No matter one’s level of skill in any of SPEC’s program offerings, everyone who attends BELONGS immediately and completely! For decades, SPEC has served as one of Community of Christ’s premier youth events staffed by adults who und...
May 17, 2024
709 | What's Brewing Live Event: The Road to Welcoming and Affirming
The Road to Welcoming and Affirming is a long and winding road, but the travel is well worth it. Just ask our panelists: Nancy McClellan, Matt Bryant, and Humberto Tinsman. In this episode which originally aired as a live event on May 6, 2024, they sit down with co-hosts Linda Stanbridge and Blake Smith to talk about their journey. The lessons they learned ... the roadblocks they encountered ... and the blessings they continue to experience as a result of doing the hard work of engaging Harmony’...
Nov. 21, 2023
651 | What’s Brewing | CBMC New Expressions (Cross-Post)
Have you been looking for ways to make church relevant in an ever-changing world? Is your congregation stuck doing things the way “they’ve always done them?” Fear not, you’re not alone. But there’s great news. God is at work doing something new in places that thought they were done. In a discussion originally held in Chesapeake Bay Mission Center (CBMC), Joelle Wight sat down with a group of panelists to talk about how they are experimenting with “new expressions” of the church... the challenges...
Oct. 27, 2023
641 | What's Brewing | A Changing Church After COVID-19
We’ve all learned that some things in life are inevitable. Change is one of them. But, none of us has ever experienced change as rapidly and constantly like the change that was thrust on us by the COVID pandemic. In this episode of What’s Brewing, host Blake Smith welcomes university professor, avid observer and long-time church member, Kelly Phipps, for a look into post-pandemic trends in the church. Be prepared to do a lot of head nodding, as Kelly puts words to what we’ve all been experiencin...
Sept. 12, 2023
623 | What's Brewing | Spec 2023 Recap
For more than 50 years, SPEC has created a unique environment for high school-aged youth to form and experience community. From volleyball camp in its early days to a truly spectacular event where youth can develop existing skills or try something completely new through Leadership, Arts, Sports and Worship, SPEC continues to evolve. In this episode of What’s Brewing, host, Robin Linkhart, gets to the heart of this incredible youth event... and the hearts of its current team of directors, Jenn Ki...
July 21, 2023
606 | What's Brewing | Enriching Sacred Community | Wendy and Bill Brian
Enriching Sacred Community with sacraments, tater tots, and the mission prayer. You had me at tater tots!! Who wouldn’t want to go to a retreat with a title like that... just out of plain curiosity if nothing else? Sounds like just the right mix of fun and seriousness, right? Grab a cup of coffee and join host Robin Linkhart as she sits down with Wendy and Bill Brian to get a look into the creative way they bring sacraments, the Mission Prayer, relationships, hospitality, and yes … tater tots … ...
June 30, 2023
598 | What's Brewing | Portland Congregation
Engaging in mission looks different in every community. It can be experienced through simple acts of service, but it can also be a huge undertaking. Some mission opportunities arise spontaneously, and some take a long time to get up and going. But, once the momentum starts to build and partnerships are formed ... amazing things can happen. Such is the case with the missional ministry happening in and around the Portland Community of Christ. Join host, Carla Long, for a very exciting conversation...
June 27, 2023
597 | What's Brewing | Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission
Looking for a new and exciting learning environment. David Lloyd, Director of the Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM) at Community of Christ Seminary and lifetime member of Community of Christ, has spent the last decade working to make online learning more accessible for everyone while seeking to maintain the community element that can get lost in online environments. Listen in as host, Brittany Mangelson, sits down with David, to hear about the exciting opportunities available ...
May 12, 2023
580 | What's Brewing | Beyond the Horizon Michigan
Not everyone does church the same way or at the same time. Beyond the Horizon is a new expression of the church in Michigan that has shown how amazing things can happen when friends and neighbors come together in relevant and accessible ways to meet their spiritual needs. Join host, Brittany Mangelson as she sits down with Linda Stanbridge for an enlightening conversation about what is possible when we let the spirit breathe. Who knows, maybe there is something to “Pure Michigan.” For more info...
Feb. 28, 2023
552 | What's Brewing | 2023 World Conference Resolutions | Sandee Gamet
Community of Christ World Conference is a great opportunity to participate in the business of the church while connecting with friends (new and old) from around the world. But, it can a bit overwhelming ... especially for those attending for the first time. The great news is that there’s no one better than Peacebuilding consultant and trainer, Sandee Gamet, to set your mind at ease. Sandee has been coordinating conference legislation information sessions for World Conference since 2002, and she ...
Feb. 10, 2023
545 | What's Brewing | Retired WCLC - Where are they now?
Life after service in the World Church Leadership Council... is that really a thing? Of course it is. Grab a cup and “sit down” with former WCLC members Susan Oxley, Rick Maupin, and Ken McLaughlin, as they talk with host, Carla Long, about where they’ve been and how that has affected where they are now. Grandchildren, Camp Mindcraft, building projects, lessons learned, and new and different roles in the church are just some of what you’ll hear about in this episode of What’s Brewing. Host: Car...
March 1, 2022
459 | What's Brewing | Center for Living Water
The Center for Living Water is a new ministry from Community of Christ's Temple in Independence, Missouri. Learn more about the purpose of the Center and how you can get involved in this spiritual movement on today's episode of What's Brewing. For more information visit: https://www.centerforlivingwater.org Host: Carla Long Guest: Daniel Harmon Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyo...
Jan. 4, 2022
443 | What's Brewing | Children's Peace Pavilion
The Children's Peace Pavilion in Independence, Missouri is getting an upgrade! Now called simply The Peace Pavilion, it has been expanded to include exhibits and activities for not only children, but for everyone! On this episode in our What's Brewing series, we are hearing all about the new space, the new classes and programs that will be taught, and how you can get involved even if you aren't an Independence local. Host: Carla Long Guests: Andy Krosen, Cathi Cackler-Veaze...