How do we find true belonging in our communities, and what responsibility do we have to help others do the same? On this episode of The Echoes Podcast, hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega welcome Reverend Ben McBride, faith leader, activist, CEO of the Empower Initiative, and author of Troubling the Water. Ben shares his powerful story of moving his family to East Oakland’s “Kill Zone” to live alongside the youth he served. As you can imagine, it wasn’t always easy. Join us as we explore the challenges of finding belonging, building bridges across differences, and the profound lessons Ben learned along the way.

LINKS & RESOURCES
Do you like this story? You’ll love Echoes Magazine. Print subscriptions are free from the H. E. Butt Foundation:
Subscribe - Echoes Magazine (hebfdn.org)

See the Echoes video and article that inspired this episode:
Know Your Neighbor: Rain or Shine - Community Engagement (hebfdn.org)

Read our president David Rogers’ reflect on what he has learned from Rev. Ben McBride:
Widening Our Circle - From the President (hebfdn.org)

Hear our president David Rogers on Ben McBride’s podcast An Invitation to Become:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4p1GtejMKyaewpOalIejj9?si=Q2HFRec3R_OJxxIRlz_dnA

Buy Ben’s Book and learn more about the Empower Initiative:
Ben McBride Book Troubling the Water — Ben McBride

Empower Initiative

REFERENCES

• Latasha Morrison - Be the Bridge - Website
• Dr Sean Genwright - The Four Pivots - Website
• Mark 12:31 - 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

The Echoes Podcast launches on January 7th, 2025. Join us as we dive into real-world questions about community, faith, and human connection. Guided by hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega, each episode explores personal journeys and societal challenges with inspiring guests—from faith leaders and poets to social advocates—whose stories shape our shared experiences.

From the creators of Echoes Magazine by the H. E. Butt Foundation, The Echoes Podcast continues the magazine's legacy of storytelling that fosters understanding, empathy, and action.