In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, host Phil Amerson returns to the Indiana University campus to share a candid conversation inspired by the legacy of Dr. Herman B. Wells. Joined by guest IU Dad, the discussion spans reflections on leadership, recent changes at IU, spiritual values, and personal sources of joy. The result is an intimate portrait of campus life and a call for humility and community in higher education. Three Key Takeaways: Listening Matters—True Leadership Conne...

To Be and Do Podcast Guest: Dr. Javon Caldwell-Gross The Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross has been a transformational ministry thought leader for 2 decades. Serving in diverse contexts, from urban neighborhoods to multicultural suburban communities. Dr. J is known for his unique ability to connect with a wide range of audiences and make the gospel both accessible and practical for everyday life. His journey has included serving at one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country, St. ...

To Be and Do Podcast: Featuring Phil Amerson In this heartfelt "Because" episode of "To Be and Do," we welcome Phil Amerson as he reflects on recent changes at the university, the shifting landscape of academic freedom, and the enduring legacy of Dr. Wells. Through personal storytelling and sharp observations, Phil Amerson highlights the deep connections between faith, the academic community, and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Below are three key takeaways from this episode: 1...

Show Notes: To Be and Do Podcast Host: Philip Amerson Guest: De'Amon Harges Welcome back to the To Be and Do podcast, where community, creativity, and connection are at the heart of each conversation. In this episode, Philip Amerson catches up with De'Amon Harges—the “original roving listener”—for a candid discussion about his family history, the creation and impact of the Learning Tree, and the ongoing journey to cultivate communities built on gifts, dignity, and abundance. Three Takea...

To Be And Do BECAUSE In this thought-provoking episode, host Philip Amerson reflects on the challenges facing church communities today, especially around the concept of “open doors.” Drawing upon personal experiences, urban insights, and the wisdom of Jane Jacobs, Philip Amerson invites listeners to consider the deeper implications behind hospitality, security, and belonging in religious spaces. Here are three key takeaways: 1. Rethinking Security in Sacred Spaces Philip Amerson opens the con...

Show Notes – To Be and Do Podcast Host: Philip Amerson | Guest: De'Amon Harges In this transformative episode, host Philip Amerson welcomes De'Amon Harges—known as the “original roving listener” and a pioneering social banker—onto the To Be and Do podcast. DeAmon shares his experiences and insights on interdependence, social capital, and the power of community resources, shifting the conversation from scarcity to abundance. De'Amon describes his work in Alberta, speaking at the Aging Alberta ...

Because On this reflective episode of "To Be snd Do," host Philip Amerson invites us back to “coffee time” for a warm but honest conversation about hospitality, belonging, and the symbolic (and literal) locked doors of today’s churches and faith communities. With humor, storytelling, and gentle wisdom, Phil challenges us to reimagine what it means to be welcoming—both as individuals and as congregations—and asks how we might shift from insularity to radical interdependence. Travel with Phi...

Guest: Dr. Steven Curtis (he/him) Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of To Be snd Do, Dr. Steven Curtis unpacks the science behind stress, trauma, and addiction, drawing on both clinical experience and neuroscience. Through compelling stories and clear explanations, Dr. Curtis offers a compassionate look at why addiction often stems from our attempts to manage chronic anxiety—and how brain plasticity plays a key role in healing. He also shares actionable strategies from his new book,...

In this thoughtful and gently humorous episode of "To Be and Do," host Philip Amerson reflects on the symbolic and literal meaning of doors — those that open, those that close, and what they say about our communities. Inspired by a personal mishap at a Los Angeles synagogue, Phil considers how physical barriers can reflect deeper societal attitudes about belonging, welcome, and hospitality. Phil begins by recounting a memorable experience early in his career: accidentally getting locked in th...

Show Notes: To Be and Do Podcast Host: Phillip Amerson Guest: Dr. Steven Curtis Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of the To Be and Do podcast with Philip Amerson! In this conversation, Phil welcomes Dr. Steven Curtis, a neuroscience-trained clinical psychologist and author with over three decades of experience in performance psychology. The discussion centers on Dr. Curtis’s forthcoming book, Rebalancing After Stress, Trauma and Addiction, and dives deep into the ways stress, tr...

Host: Philip Amerson Theme: Experiencing Angelus Moments in Everyday Life In this heartfelt mini-episode, Philip Amerson explores the idea of “Angelus moments”—those rare, holy instances when the world seems to pause and invite us into a state of reflection and prayer. Drawing from personal memories and reflections, Phil encourages listeners to consider where they might encounter such sacred pauses in their own lives. Three Memorable Takeaways: Angelus as a Universal Call to Prayer Phi...

Show Notes: To Be and Do – Guests: Amy Rich, John Rich Host: Philip Amerson Location: Patchwork Central, Evansville, Indiana In this episode, host Philip Amerson welcomes back Amy and John Rich, co-directors of Patchwork Central, for the second conversation about their work and vision for building community in Evansville, Indiana. The discussion takes a heartfelt look at the challenges and hopes surrounding Patchwork Central, with an emphasis on the future of social programming, the imp...

Why We Read Scripture: Exploring Meaning, Not Just Rules In this insightful and reflective episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson invites us into a “because moment,” where he explores the question: Why do we live as people of faith? This week’s focus is on how we approach and interpret scriptures—a subject close to Philip’s heart and crucial for anyone on a spiritual journey. Philip opens the episode by acknowledging his own spiritual practice: reading a chapter of scripture each mor...

Guests: Amy Rich (she/her), John Rich (he/him), co-directors of Patchwork Central Host: Philip Amerson In this inspiring episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson sits down with Amy and John Rich, the dedicated co-directors at Patchwork Central—a vibrant outreach hub in Evansville, Indiana. Together, they share stories, insights, and the ethos behind Patchwork’s unique approach to nurturing a thriving, supportive community. From their daily routines to life-changing ministry work, Am...

Host: Philip Amerson Episode Summary: In this brief yet profound "Because" episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson offers listeners one of his signature “because moments,” centering this reflection on the wisdom of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Amerson delves into Heschel’s teachings about the journey toward healthy righteousness and what it means to live more faithfully. Drawing from Heschel’s thoughts, this episode invites us to consider the role of embarrassment—not as shame, but as an e...

In this thought-provoking episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Philip Amerson dives deep into the concept of community—particularly interdependence over individualism—and explores how our institutions and everyday practices can better promote collective well-being. Drawing from personal reflections, stories from the healthcare field, and insights from theologians and sociologists, Phil challenges us to rethink how we invest our resources, relate to one another, and nurture both self and nei...

In this reflective episode of "To Be snd Do," Philip Amerson invites listeners to pause amid the rush and explore the meanings of grace, presence, and spiritual reassurance. Drawing inspiration from the opening lines of the Gospel of John—"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"—Phillip offers insights into finding the sacred in our everyday lives, even (and perhaps especially) when we feel most lost. Three Takeaways from the Episode: 1. Life and Grace Are Already Present Philip Amerson enc...

In this heartfelt and illuminating episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Phil Amerson sits down with Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, the Episcopal leader for Indiana in the United Methodist Church. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of Methodism, the deep-rooted challenges and blessings within Indiana's faith communities, and the personal convictions and legacies that sustain ministry in times of change. Three Key Takeaways: Resilience and Revival in the Face of Change Bishop Malon...

Welcome to another heartfelt episode of "Because" on the "To Be snd Do," Podcast hosted by Phil Amerson. In this brief but profound edition, Phil explores the power of friendship, the depth lurking within familiar scriptures, and the simple—yet revolutionary—idea of gathering together for meaningful conversation, all set to the evocative background of Ken Medema’s song “Coffee Time Again.” Episode Summary: Phil opens the episode by inviting listeners into a “coffee time moment.” He reflects o...

Show Notes – To Be and Do Podcast Episode: Global United Methodism: Bishop Malone’s Insights on Vibrancy Across Continents Guest: Bishop Tracy Smith Malone | Host: Philip Amerson In this warm and inspiring episode of "To Be and Do," host Philip Amerson sits down with Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, the area bishop for Indiana and the President of the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops. Friends since 1990, Phil and Bishop Malone reflect on family, faith, global ministry, and the evolving ...

In this thought-provoking episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson invites listeners to pause and reflect on the deeper layers of their identity through a simple, daily ritual. Opening with the melodic rhyme, “Clock strikes ten. Coffee time again,” Phil sets the mood for a moment of contemplation amid the rush of daily responsibilities and the noise of a world that often seems driven toward “judgment day.” Today’s installment is the third in Phil’s “Because” series—short, insightful thoug...

Show Notes: To Be and Do Podcast Guest: Seana Murphy | Host: Philip Amerson In this special encore episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Philip Amerson welcomes back Seana Murphy, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Indianapolis. Seana's return is cause for celebration, and her wisdom is as timely as ever. Drawing on her lived experience growing up in Indianapolis, serving in community organizations, and raising her son, Seana shares lessons on resi...

Show Notes: To Be and Do – Because.short.2 Welcome back to “To Be and Do” and our special mini-series, the “Because” podcast! In this concise and heartfelt second installment, host Philip Amerson turns his focus to a universal need—encouragement. Drawing inspiration from both ancient scripture and a captivating modern parable, Phil unpacks why, how, and where we find the courage to push forward, especially during challenging times. Phil opens by inviting us into a reflective moment: Where do yo...

On this episode of the To Be and Do podcast from The Belonging Exchange, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller, co-host Philip Amerson, and their remarkable guest, Dr. Charlie Nelms, deliver a heartfelt conversation on actionable steps for making the world a better place. Drawing on Dr. Nelms’ rich experience—from his upbringing in the cotton fields of Arkansas to his decades of leadership in higher education and advocacy for marginalized communities—the discussion pivots from personal reflection to calls for co...