Vivid Podcast

On this episode, we take you back to 2015 when cycling's biggest event came to Richmond. Get lost in the crowd as you meet locals and Norwegian superfans. Hear the sounds of the race from Libby Hill. Someday big festivals and events will come back. Today's episode is a reminder of what it's like.

How do we have honest, grace-filled conversations about race as Christians? In a moment when so many people are asking that question, Lori Ruffin is helping to show us a way forward.

Professionally, Lori helps organizations make their purpose real as the Founder and Lead Operations Strategist with the COO team. She’s also an alum of RCLI’s leadership program (Class of 2009). This episode explores how Christians might have conversations about race that are welcoming, honest and grace-filled – in pursuit of truth and love.

Things are starting to open up. But how do we do that well?

Danny Avula is the Director of the Health Department for Richmond City and Henrico County. He shares about how he got into public health. At 11:00 Danny provides a snapshot of where we stand relative to COVID-19 before sharing some reflections about how he is navigating this time as a leader. At 24:00, Blaine asks Danny how worried we should be as our kids go back to school, see friends, or visit family.

At 33:05 Jonathan Chan joins for a segment called “Nerd Corner.” Jonathan is the Executive Director of Church Hill Activities & Tutoring. They talk about the giving environment as it relates to non-profits and how organizations should be approaching this moment.

Bonus clip at 46:40 - on the intersection of basketball and good people.

Donna Harris is a startup guru with a hunger to make the world a little bit better. She is the Founder of Builders and Backers; they work to infuse an entrepreneurial spirit the the center of local communities. Donna also Co-Founded 1776 - major initiative in Washington DC that convenes and accelerates startups from around the world. In a wide-ranging conversation, she talks about the role of lament and how it can fuel new, creative responses (2:50). She also shares also how people of faith can play a role both in serving on the frontlines and how people of faith can go upstream to solve our most pressing challenges. She calls it passive serving vs. active solving (13:30). At 40:30 we have an assignment for you: call 804-657-RCLI and let us know what you have been reflecting on and how you - or someone you know - has been responding to the Coronavirus.

You can read Donna’s article on Medium, called The Big Shock: How the Midnight of Crisis Will Bring a New Dawn.

You can subscribe to Vivid’s email newsletter at RCLIWeb.org/newsletter.

The Coronavirus looms. While it’s tempting to focus only on what you need to do, take some time to consider who you need to be.

Justin is a lawyer and writer. He wrote a book called The Common Rule, outlining some weekly and daily habits to help us love God and love our neighbors. Justin shares about his own battle with anxiety. He reflects on why spiritual habits are more important during the Coronavirus than ever. We talk about the role of friendship and Justin urges us not to put up walls and go inward — but to do the opposite by loving our neighbors and moving outward.

For more from Justin, visit thecommonrule.org. You can also read his post at the Gospel Coalition called “9 Ways to Love Your Neighbor in This Pandemic.” As always, you can subscribe to the Vivid email newsletter at RCLIWeb.org/newsletter.

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Blaine Lay provides a sneak peek of what's to come on the Vivid podcast. Visit RCLIWeb.org/newsletter to subscribe to our newsletter. Closing music by Brunswick.