Shop Talk With Brandi and James

Episodes

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  Season 6 Episode 11: Neurotheology: How Our Brains Shape Our Relationships with Dr. Jim Wilder 29.10.2026 56m

  Dr. Jim Wilder joins Brandi and James to explore neurotheology and how the brain shapes relationships, identity, leadership, and spiritual formation. Drawing on neuroscience and decades of work with trauma, Jim explains why lasting transformation happens through relationships, awareness of God’s presence, and practicing relational skills in community together. Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6 Episode 10: Counseling in Member Care with Dr. Kenyon Knapp 16.10.2026 42m

  In this Shop Talk episode, Brandi and James interview Dr. Kenyon C. Knapp from Liberty University about the emerging field of member care for cross-cultural workers. Dr. Knapp emphasizes the need for established competencies, intentional recruitment, and integrated counseling approaches, while highlighting Liberty's advanced training programs designed for this specialized care. Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season Six Episode 9: Leader Development with Ralph Schubert 24.09.2026 29m

  In this episode of Shop Talk with Brandi and James, Brandi and James talk with Ralph Schubert, Leadership Development Coordinator for SIL Eurasia. Ralph brings decades of cross-cultural ministry and leadership experience, including 13 years with SIL in Tanzania followed by 10 years as Director of Personnel with Wycliffe Germany. Since 2017, he has focused on leadership […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6 Episode 8: Speech Language Pathology with Jeannie 15.09.2026 43m

  Speech-Language Pathology and Supporting TCKs with Disabilities In this episode of Shop Talk with Brandi and James, Brandi and James talk with Jeannie, a U.S.-certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in supporting Third Culture Kids (TCKs) with disabilities and their families. Having lived and served in Asia for more than two decades, Jeannie brings extensive experience in assessment, […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6, Episode 7: Unexpected Departure, Displacement, and Evacuation with Lisa Green 10.08.2026 47m

  In this Episode Brandi and James talk with Lisa Green, Executive Director of Olive Tree Counseling Center. Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an MA in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College and more than 15 years of counseling experience. She has also lived outside her passport country for more than a decade, bringing both professional […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6 Episode 6: Dr. Elizabeth Loewer on Navigating Self-Harm and Suicidality In Cross-Cultural Families 20.07.2026 42m

  Content Note: This episode discusses self-harm and suicide. While we hope this conversation equips families, caregivers, and organizations to better support those who are struggling, some listeners may find these topics difficult. Please listen at your own pace. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or is in immediate danger, seek help […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6 Episode 5: The Impact of Trauma on Organizations with Dr. James Covey 06.05.2026 42m

  Join Brandi as she interviews James on this edition of Shop Talk. His recent PhD dissertation explores how individual trauma experiences over time begin to impact—and sometimes infect—how an organization develops and functions. Viewing trauma as contagious within a system can help organizations prevent harm and find healing in the aftermath of trauma. His dissertation […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6 Episode 4: Intensive or Immersive Care with Andrew Brown 08.04.2026 47m

  Join Brandi and James as they interview Andrew Brown, the program director at Alongside. They discuss the ministry of Alongside and explore short-term, intensive, or immersive care models for cross-cultural workers. Around the world, many centers offer a variety of care options, including counseling, debriefing, spiritual direction, coaching, inner-healing prayer, and training. Most of these […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6 Episode 3: The Impact of Perfectionism with Ben Porter 09.03.2026 34m

  Join Brandi and James as they talk with Ben Porter about perfectionism and its impact on cross-cultural workers. He notices in his practice that perfectionism is a recurring theme and a contributing factor to burnout, fatigue, and even moral injury. Roz Shafran defines clinical perfectionism as “the setting of personally demanding, self-imposed standards that are […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6 Episode 2: Care for Latino Workers with Diogo Militão 01.02.2026 41m

  Join Brandi and James as they learn more about caring for workers from the global South and especially Latinos. Diogo Militão is a clinical therapist originally from Brazil, with over two decades of experience in cross-cultural mission work and member care. He has served in West Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, and currently lives […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 6 Episode 1: Localization For Cross Cultural Organizations with Dr. Johnstone Ndunde 09.01.2026 39m

  Join Brandi and James as they interview Dr. Johnstone Ndunde, the global director for SIL. They talk about the concept and principles of localization, and Dr. Ndunde’s perspective on working cross-culturally in a predominately Western organization as a Kenyan. The shift in the global mission movement from “the West to the Rest” doesn’t mean a […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 14: Season Wrap up and Christmas Special 19.12.2025 24m

  Join Brandi and James as they highlight some of their favorite episodes from this year and explore the themes that connect them. In the second half, they’re joined by colleagues who share what their cross-cultural Christmases have been like in Northern Asia, North Macedonia, and all the way to Papua New Guinea. Thank you so […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 13: Predicting Worker Burnout through Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, and Leadership with Dr. Tasha Mitchell 19.11.2025 46m

  Join Brandi and James as they sit down with Dr. Tasha Mitchell to discuss her research on missionary burnout, exploring how leadership, emotional intelligence, and resilience play a role in preventing and predicting burnout among missionaries. Dr. Tasha Mitchell currently serves as the Clinical Director at Willow Creek Counseling Center. She received an M.A. in […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 12: Safety Stories with Ulrika Ernvik 29.10.2025 38m

  Join Brandi and James as they meet with Ulrika Ernvik to discuss helping people navigate traumatic experiences using Safety Stories. With extensive experience working with children and adults in Sweden and Thailand, Ulrika has dedicated her career to helping people process trauma and rebuild safety. Her curiosity about how ordinary people can support healing led […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 11: Navigating Organizational Change and Transition with Kimberly Drage. 10.10.2025 44m

  Join Brandi and James as they sit down with Kimberly Drage to explore the complexities of organizational change. Kimberly highlights the crucial distinction between change and transition, noting that every transition inevitably involves some form of loss. She emphasizes that, while organizations often devote substantial energy and resources to managing change, the process of navigating […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 10: Prepping for Re-Entry, home assignments or furloughs with Kristen Cagwin 26.09.2025 46m

  Join Brandi and James as they sit down with Kristen Cagwin to discuss both the external and internal preparations necessary for a smooth transition back to home cultures. Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 9: Hollistic Care with Dr. Alex Galloway 02.07.2025 45m

  Join Brandi and James as they talk to Alex Galloway about the different types of care that are needed and available for cross-cultural workers. This includes ways sending organizations can be resourced and equipped and how to find outside or external help when needed. This type of help can be cousneling, spiritual direction, coaching and […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 8: Socially Acceptable Addictions with Bethany Dearborn Hiser 04.06.2025 39m

  Join Brandi and James as they talk with Bethany Hiser about the socially acceptable addiction to work. There can be an unhealthy attachment or co-dependency on work that shapes our identity and sense of acceptance. Work often becomes the socially acceptable addiction, particularly for those in full-time ministry and cross-cultural work. A significant part of […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 7: Bouncing Foward: a fresh look at Resilience and Stress with John Fawcett 30.04.2025 43m

  Join Brandi and James as they interview John Fawcett and discuss resilience and stress for cross-cultural workers. John defines resilience as the capacity or ability to manage, cope, and thrive amid change. Change is a constant in life, and the stress it brings can lead to distress. The ability to navigate these changes and distress […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/
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  Season 5 Episode 6: Reflections on Theology of Suffering and Moral Injury with Dr. Charlie Schaefer and Dr. Frauke Schaefer 09.04.2025 50m

  Join Brandi and James as they talk with Dr. Frauke and Dr. Charlie Shaefer about the theology of suffering. We all have one, as it frames the way we believe about the nature of God and the suffering we encounter. Frauke talks about what often causes spiritual struggle is the discrepancy between prior assumptions and […] Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/