The Pod at My Village

32. Biblical Fatherlessness

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:29 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel discuss what an orphan is. They open Scripture and show how the biblical understanding of orphan may be different than the West's current view. They explore the relationship between "the orphan and the widow", calling the Church to serve this population as we see them today.

31. Toward an Understanding of Anger

Wed, 20 May 2026 16:41:17 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about anger. They address the biblical mandate against improperly managing anger, the danger of downplaying anger, as well as the deeper roots of expressions of anger. They conclude in giving practical advise for those dealing with and feeling anger in family preservation ministry.

For the Wheel of Emotions: https://canva.link/wjti6k8gjzpjbt0

30. A Conversation about the Church of Columbus (w/ Pastor Nick Nye)

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:02 +0000

This episode is about the Church of Columbus. Phil and Mel talk to Nick Nye, pastor and Executive Director of For Columbus. For Columbus is a collaborative of churches and kingdom minded businesses in Columbus, looking to unify for the Kingdom of God. This episode explores how Nick came into a city unity movement, the importance of unity in the church, markers of unity, and much more. We hope you enjoy!

To learn more about For Columbus: https://www.forcolumbus.org/about

29. A Mentorship Hang (w/ the Knoop's, Journey, and Jhasir)

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:05 +0000

This episode is a long-awaited conversation with two mentor-mentee pairs: Skyler and Connor Knoop mentor sibling set Journey and Jhasir. In this episode we step into their relationship and hear about the mentorship program from the inside. Connor and Skyler also share about their experience with Mentorship in a separate conversation with Payton.

28. Establishing Strong Families (w/ Dr. Tom Edwards)

Sun, 10 May 2026 00:43:19 +0000

Part 2 with Tom Edwards -- toward building stronger families.

27. The Breakdown of the Family (w/ Tom Edwards)

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:20:42 +0000

In the first of a two-part conversation with Dr. Tom Edwards, Phil and Mel converse about the historic breakdown of the family unit in the United States. Dr. Edwards shares from his research from his latest book: "Rise and Rebuild: Why Black Families Matter", as well as from decades of experience.

26. Marriage and Hosting (w/ the Zwyth's)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:40:55 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel sit down with a long standing host family: the Zwyth's. Peter and Julie talk about how to manage a marriage and a household while living out biblical hospitality. They speak on the importance of community, working as a team, and hosting rhythms.

25. Newlywed Game (w/ Erin Krause and Jeff Marshall)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:00:31 +0000

In this episode Phil and Mel are joined by their spouses! The Krause's and the Marshall's go toe-to-toe in a newlywed game, competing to determine which couple knows each other better. After the games, the couples talk about marriage and family life in a hosting.

24. Mentorship Now (w/ Payton and Botto)

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:00:29 +0000

In this second conversation about the mentorship program, Phil talks with Payton Connor and Ben Otto about the mentorship program now.

23. Mentorship Origins (w/ Payton and Ben Connor)

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:35 +0000

In this episode, Mel talks with staff member Payton Connor and her husband, former staff member Ben Connor. They chat about the development of the mentorship program from being Learning Extension Centers during Covid, about Payton and Ben's job swap, and about why Ben is still engaged in the program.

We hope you enjoy!

22. Expectant Prayer (w/ Gerald Murphy)

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:00:38 +0000

In the fourth part of the prayer series, Phil talks to Gerald Murphy, the Senior leader of Garden City Church. Their conversation covers the Disciples' Prayer, praying in community, healing prayer, and praying with expectation.

Use the link below to access MVM's prayer resource!

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1

For more about Garden City Church:

https://gardencitychurch.tv/

21. Modeling Prayer (w/ Sarah Gilmore and Hannah Baltz)

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:00:11 +0000

In the third part of the prayer series, Mel talks to Contrast Church Prayer Director Sarah Gilmore, as well as Contrast Church Develop Director and MVM staff member Hannah Baltz. Sarah shares how her perspective on prayer has matured through her relationship with prayer. They discuss creating a culture of prayer in the family and in the church.

Use the link below to access MVM's prayer resource!

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1

For more about Contrast Church:

https://www.contrast.church/

20. Praying Out of Scripture (w/ Scott Burns and Jess Napolitano)

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:00:23 +0000

In the second interview for the Prayer Module, Mel sits down with staff member Jess Napolitano and Cross City Church Pastor Scott Burns to talk about prayer. In this episode, Scott and Jess talk about what it means to pray out of Scripture. Conversation points include prayer informing Church unity, keeping prayers simple, the "6 S's" of prayer, and more.

Use the link below to access MVM's prayer resource!

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1

For More about Cross City Church:

https://www.crosscitychurch.org/

19. Pursuing Presence w/ Michael Oldfield

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:00:51 +0000

(Prayer Series, Pt. II). This episode is a conversation with the first guest for the MVM prayer series -- Michael Oldfield, lead pastor of The Potter's House Church. In today's conversation, Phil, Dana, and Michael examine the difference in being a "house that prays" and a "house of prayer". Michael and Dana share insight into the cause and effect of a culture of prayer.

Use the link below to access MVM's prayer resource!

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1

18. Intro to Prayer

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:00:33 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about MVM's philosophy on prayer, as well as introduce prayer resource that MVM has created to support churches.

Use the link to access MVM's prayer resource!

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCQF4J97c/aHYCkoQ2diP1N0Y6TdOJxw/view?utm_content=DAHCQF4J97c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdf7604fcc1

17. Church Engagement

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:40:14 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel dive deep into church engagement. They discuss MVM's philosophy on whole church engagement over individual volunteerism, as well as strategies for engaging 'slow' churches. Enjoy!

16. Community Engagement w/ Dana Caldwell

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:00:39 +0000

In this episode, Mel talks with Community Coach Supervisor Dana Caldwell about the important task of engaging the community as a ministry. Without community engagement, the church would not be in proximity with those who are in need or are socially isolated.

Dana shares how she finds herself in family preservation and some of the lessons she has learned along the way! In this episode you can also find talk about balancing the "supply and demand" of church and community engagement, resource fairs, and engaging hospital systems.

We hope you enjoy!

15. A Conversation with (some of) the Kids

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:00:23 +0000

This episode was recorded on a snow day in mid-December, and has been held to be played while the MVM staff is at the Upstream Collaborative Conference. Today's episode is a series of conversations with the Krause boys -- Decker, Ryden, and Jay -- as well as Hope Marshall. Topics of conversation include "tickle tackle", Christmas, and some of the "hards" of welcoming other kids into your home.

We hope that you have as much fun listening to this as we did recording it!

14. The Marshall's Story

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:00:54 +0000

In this episode, Melody talks with Phil about her family's journey into the family preservation realm.

13. The Family Vitality Spectrum

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:44:14 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about potatoes. They also talk about the Family Vitality Spectrum, a new resource developed by Columbus local, Tom Edwards, in order to see families from preserving to flourishing.

12. 2026 Core Values -- Shepherding

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 04:41:09 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about MVM core values, focusing on the value of 2026 -- shepherding.

Click here to access the Lament Packet:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wp47zpWfMHH1SZN52mZmfvWTnr4Ncww8/view?usp=sharing

11. A Conversation with Ken Norwood, Part 2

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:48:22 +0000

In the second of a two part conversation with Ken Norwood, this episode covers all things Upstream Collaborative -- the Mission, core values, the conference, as well as how to get connected.

Use the link to sign up for the 2026 Upstream Collaborative Conference from Feb 4-6!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unshakable-upstream-collaborative-2026-national-conference-tickets-1228250814249?aff=oddtdtcreator

10. A Conversation on Lament with Jess Seed

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 17:54:41 +0000

In the second of a two part series on lament, Ali Watson talks with Ministry Lead Jess Seed about her experience with lament. In this episode, they cover the some of the highs and lows of the ministry, the importance of suffering, and finding healing in the Church.

9. A Conversation on Lament with Ali Watson

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:33:05 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel sit down with MVM staff member Ali Watson to discuss the oft-neglected practice of lament. They articulate lament's place in the work of family preservation, recommend resources, and provide practical steps to better lament as a church community.

8. Caroline Hoover: Building relationships over the holiday

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:32:04 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel chat with Caroline Hoover. Caroline and John are a host family from Contrast Church, and in this episode Caroline shares wisdom and memories through their experiences in building relationship; from host family to friends.

We hope you enjoy hearing from Caroline as much as we did!

7. A conversation about relationship building

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:12:08 +0000

Relationship is important!!! In this episode, Phil and Mel discuss the importance of building relationships with the families that we are coming alongside of, and share tips for how to do so in the holiday season!

6. A conversation with Ken Norwood, Part 1

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:49:59 +0000

In the first of a two part conversation, Phil and Mel sit down with Ken Norwood and talk about his journey into becoming the CEO of the Upstream Collaborative.

5. Ecuador, family-based care, TBRI

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:18:11 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about Phil's recent trip to Ecuador, the importance of family-based care, as well as the efficacy of Trust Based Relationship Intervention (TRBI).

4. Origin Story with Mandy and Lori, Part 2

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:01:47 +0000

In the second of a two-part conversation with Mandy Litzke and Lori Neff, Phil and Mel continue their conversation about the origins of My Village Ministries. Plus some Phil stories at the end!

"Phil, you're so extra"

-- Dana Caldwell

3. Origin Story with Mandy and Lori, Part 1

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:40:12 +0000

In the first of a two-part conversation, Phil and Mel sit down with Mandy Litzke and Lori Neff to talk about how My Village Ministries came to be.

2. My Village Ministries from 10k Feet

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:16:37 +0000

In this episode, Phil and Mel talk about:

Gall Stones
MVM's model
MVM's main objectives
Different roles in the ministry
the importance of Church engagement
And much, much more.

We hope you enjoy!

1. Meet Phil and Mel, Co-directors of My Village Ministries

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 01:08:22 +0000

Welcome to The Pod at My Village! In this introductory episode, Phil and Mel introduce themselves, as well as the work My Village Ministries does in family preservation.