Episode 1: Mark + Bere

Mark Anderson (00:14)
I am Mark Anderson and President CEO of the National Benevolent Association, and I welcome our listeners to the very first episode of the MBA podcast, Creating Communities of Justice and Care.

Bere Gil Soto (00:29)
And I'm Bere Gil Soto. I'm the director of Young Adult Leadership Development at NBA. And we're so glad that you all are joining us today.

Mark Anderson (00:37)
This podcast is a space where we get to hear directly from the people doing the work of care, justice, and transformation in communities across the country. Plus, we look forward to hearing from other voices, those connected to the MBA orbit. Interesting people doing interesting and innovative things in the world towards the vision we have set for the well being of all humanity.

Bere Gil Soto (01:04)
Yes, and for each episode that we're gonna have, we'll be in conversation with leaders, partners, and practitioners exploring what it looks to stay grounded, inspired, and motivated to do this work.

Mark Anderson (01:20)
Some people may know that in addition to our mission and our vision, MBA is also guided by a set of core values: justice, collaboration, prophetic, and innovative. We want to explore and go deep into how those core values show up across MBA and in the communities we partner with.

Bere Gil Soto (01:42)
And we'll introduce a guest, have a real conversation, and then we'll always end the same way with a question that we'll ask every time. So stay with us.

Mark Anderson (01:54)
Yes.

Bere Gil Soto (01:57)
and so before we jump into future conversations about our guest and all of the things that we're gonna be doing, we wanted to start here. Just just the two of us, Mark and I, to talk about why this podcast exists and what brings us here. Why is the moment, why do we feel like today and right now is the right time to try something new?

And maybe we could start by both answering the question why we said yes to this podcast. For me, I think that as someone who works with young adults, I'm more and more aware of the ways that we engage online. And these ways are constantly evolving. I remember the times when my grandpa would learn about the world in his community by going to the

During the weekend to the newspaper, grabbing the weekend newspaper, going back home, reading it while was drinking his coffee. And then the newspaper, you know, started getting delivered at home daily, and then the internet came and changed the rules of how we engage. And now, with how fast the speed of life is, reading, watching, and listening on demand of what's happening in the world.

I think it's the way to go. NBA is also evolving, and we're adapting in the ways that we engage with folks. And also the ways that we share the work that we do with others, all of our partners. So I said yes because this podcast, to me, as Mark was saying, leaves really into this value, one of our new values of cultivating innovative practices to practice.

to strengthen leaders and empower the communities of care. So that's my why.

Mark Anderson (03:53)
I love that why, Bere, you talked about your grandfather, and it's reaching back to generations past, who've made who we are, but it's who we've made ourselves as MBA, right? So for me saying yes to co-hosting this podcast, besides working alongside the very gifted Bere, it's really about me saying yes to a deeper connection. As the president of MBA, part of my role is to help tell that story.

of who we are, but also to make space for the stories, wisdom, and leadership of others. This podcast gives us a way to listen, to learn, and to invite more people into our community and the work of creating communities of justice and care.

Bere Gil Soto (04:43)
Right now, let's start stay there for a little bit because NBA has always been rooted in innovation. And part of the reason why I said yes was precisely that, living us living into it. And I would be so interested and so glad if you could talk to us about that and where it started, like where is innovation coming from for MBA?

Mark Anderson (05:08)
Yes, absolutely. what's important to name is that when we ask why a podcast, it actually takes us back to who we've always been. The National Benevolent Association began with six women here in St. Louis. They were gathered in a prayer circle in a downtown church coming up on 140 years ago. They were paying attention to what was happening around them.

Poverty, children without homes, people in need of care. And they chose to respond by opening an orphanage and a home for widows.

Bere Gil Soto (05:48)
Mm.

Mark Anderson (05:48)
They the way they responded at that time was new and innovative. And that

Bere Gil Soto (05:54)
Yes.

Mark Anderson (05:55)
spirit of innovation has stayed with us. Innovation at MBA isn't something separate from our work. It's part of who we are, it's part of our DNA, right?

Bere Gil Soto (06:06)
Right.

Mark Anderson (06:06)
It is how we've always listened closely, paid attention to what is changing, and responded with care. Sometimes the innovation looks like starting something entirely new, right? And sometimes it looks like asking better questions, trying a

Bere Gil Soto (06:23)
Mm.

Mark Anderson (06:23)
different approach, or making room for voices that have not always been heard. And often it begins very simply. Paying attention.

What people and communities need, and then be willing to respond faithfully and creatively. That

Bere Gil Soto (06:41)
Mm.

Mark Anderson (06:43)
matters for who we are today as MBA. We are living in a time when communities are changing quickly, as you've already mentioned, Bere. Ministries are facing new pressures. Leaders are navigating questions that did not exist in the same way even a generation ago. So innovation for us.

Is not about chasing the newest trend or fad. It

Bere Gil Soto (07:08)
Mm.

Mark Anderson (07:09)
is about staying awake to the moment we are in. It is about creating spaces where people can learn from one another, test ideas, share wisdom, and imagine what care, justice, and healing can look like in today's world.

Bere Gil Soto (07:27)
Wow.

Mark Anderson (07:28)
And so when we think about a podcast, this podcast, I know it may feel new in format, but it isn't new in spirit. It's another way of staying connected. It's a way to hear directly from the people doing the work, to learn alongside them, and to continue building the relationships that have always been at the center of MBA.

Bere Gil Soto (07:52)
I love that.

Mark Anderson (07:55)
So Bere, why

Bere Gil Soto (07:56)
Yeah.

Mark Anderson (07:57)
does this podcast make sense now?

Bere Gil Soto (08:01)
Oof. Well, as I was

Mark Anderson (08:03)
Yeah.

Bere Gil Soto (08:03)
saying at the beginning, my work with young adults have it has really enlightened me a lot in the ways that people are engaging. And the joke around with my team is I thought I was young and I thought what young adults were about to, and I thought that we put what people were about to, but clearly I'm not. so one of the things that we discovered was

That a lot of people, not only young adults, because how fast the the speed of life today is just fast. The the requirements of our life

Mark Anderson (08:36)
Yes.

Bere Gil Soto (08:38)
is just going, you know, many places at the same time, and our attention is so split and divided. And so we tried something new again, talking about innovation. We tried something new a few months ago. And we decided that instead of doing webinars.

We were gonna launch as part of Young Adult Leadership Development, a vodcast. So it was a conversation pretty similar in a way, if you will, to this. However, it was on a video format and with some educational components rather than hearing from our partners. So we launched that vodcast and the experience and risk response that we got from our audience was completely different from before.

We started getting more engagement, people were looking for that resource more than we expected, and we realized there is a difference in connection these days. Connection

Mark Anderson (09:37)
Yes.

Bere Gil Soto (09:39)
is in a way on demand, and and I don't mean that on demand as it only people whenever I want, but

Again, going back to the idea that life is so split, our attention is so split everywhere. And not

Mark Anderson (09:54)
Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Bere Gil Soto (09:55)
all formats create connection. We have to understand that things change and we have to change. The world changes and we have to change the way in which we engage with folks. And so this format, vodcast and then in this case now the podcast, it creates a different kind of engagement.

I I think of podcasts or vodcast as accompaniment folks, sojourners in a way, right? It's people that go

Mark Anderson (10:26)
Yes, yes, you're right.

Bere Gil Soto (10:27)
with you, they go podcasts or vodcasts go with you to the grocery store and they go to other places as you're doing your chores. And so

Mark Anderson (10:38)
We're traveling with people.

Bere Gil Soto (10:39)
we are traveling, we're sojourners, and I think

Mark Anderson (10:41)
Yes.

Bere Gil Soto (10:42)
that NBA we've always strived

To have connection with people, with our partners, with those we serve with. And this extends it. It's a different way that we can still connect with folks. We have so many stories of people and communities to share and highlight. I'm pretty sure that there might be people in your own region, in your own city right now that you don't even know about the things that they are doing and that we work with them. And so we want to share that.

With others. We know that it's not only the programs also that we offer, it is also sharing the understanding of the hopes, the challenges, and the the moments and life that others are going through that creates that sense of community. So we hope that the stories and experiences that we're sharing in this podcast can help unearth everything that we're about to do and help us just do that, right? That deep

Connection and share understanding. If this format helps us connect differently and more meaningfully, I think it's worth trying.

Mark Anderson (11:54)
That but I I just wanna ditto what you just said. I I'm excited and and and one of the goals is from these conversations that people feel inspired in their own community to respond

Bere Gil Soto (12:06)
That's right.

Mark Anderson (12:07)
and step up and so very excited and

Bere Gil Soto (12:10)
Yes.

Mark Anderson (12:10)
and ditto what you just shared.

Bere Gil Soto (12:13)
Yeah, so and I think that as we continue and thank you all those of you who are listening with for trying something new with us right now as you're listening with us. So as we think about this new season, we want to really be clear also about what this podcast is, and what you can expect and who is it for. It's like taking a ride and going on a road trip, right?

You're just getting on the bus with us and we want to let you know what's our final destination, which stops are we taking, and where are we gonna the routes that we might take. So each episode will center on our core values that Mark was mentioning: justice, collaboration, prophetic, and innovative. And we'll be exploring how those values come to life in real work and with real people.

Not just words out on a website. Some of the voices you will hear will be part of NBA Network, and some will be partners and leaders from outside NBA who are helping us shape this work in really meaningful ways. Now, if you're a leader in social services, a faith-based practitioner, or really just anyone interested in justice, collaboration, prophetic voices, and innovation.

This podcast is for you, my friend.

Mark Anderson (13:39)
It's been years since I've been on a Greyhound bus, but I'm gonna jump on that bus with you and take that trip.

Bere Gil Soto (13:44)
Yes

Let's do it. Let's

Mark Anderson (13:50)
So we are really excited about some of these conversations ahead on this journey, as Bention. We have guests like Emmanuel Freeman, Reverend Katie Hayes, Reverend Lori Tapia, Tyler Hoffman, Reverend Teresa Horde Owens, our own general minister and president of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Finn Flanning,

And others who are helping us think differently about leadership, faith, and engaging in this work of justice and care.

Bere Gil Soto (14:23)
And each episode will be about 45 minutes. I don't know about you, but when I am taking and going on a road trip, I need to know how long is this gonna be?

Mark Anderson (14:32)
Yeah.

Bere Gil Soto (14:34)
So we're not gonna keep you hostage for all day. This episode in every episode will be about 45 minutes. And as I was saying, this is the time that it takes for a nice workout. Maybe we can go do your grocery shopping with you, take a walk with your dog.

Clean the kitchen at night, whatever it is that you wanna invite us into your life, we will go with you. And here's how the structure is gonna flow. So, episode will start and we will introduce a guest. And then we're gonna have a real conversation with our guests. Yes, our guests will receive some of the questions that we are intending to guide the conversation. But if I have learned anything at NBA and my work with NBA these years, is that

We truly believe that the process is the process. And we believe in organic processes. So whereas we may have an intended question and guiding question, we don't know where this conversation is gonna go. So join us for the trip, join us for the ride.

Mark Anderson (15:36)
There's th

right, there's construction on the road. We have to take a detour, right?

Bere Gil Soto (15:39)
That's right. That's right. We

might take a detour. We might, you know, we might get rerouted, but we all are gonna go to the end place together. And so after we have that real conversation with our guest, we're gonna wrap up the theme and and and in a way that you can learn something new, perhaps, or how to get involved in the work that we have shared. And at the end, our closing hopeful moment will end.

Each of our episodes.

Mark Anderson (16:10)
So, as we think about these conversations, it's important to name that they are rooted in who we are as an organization, a nonprofit, a movement focused on compassion and care and equity and justice. Over the past year, we've spent time reflecting on that vision, mission, and core values, building on what has guided us for many years, and also

Naming what is needed for this moment. Those updated vision, mission, and core values were aligned at the end of last year, and they really are an evolution of who we've been. vision

Is a world of thriving communities where justice and care ensure the well being of all humanity.

And our mission is to empower health and social service leaders, organizations, and ministries to do justice and transform communities. And then our core values that I mentioned that we're going to be focusing on throughout this podcast: collaboration, innovation, justice, and prophetic. These shape how we live out our vision and our mission.

And these aren't just abstract ideas for us. They're the lens we bring into every conversation we'll have on this podcast.

Bere Gil Soto (17:45)
And if may I add, all of this that Mark is talking about, everything is grounded in our commitment to equity. That's the foundation underneath everything we do. That doesn't mean that we do it perfectly, but that's the commitment that we are holding on to. It's our commitment to equity. And so we also want to say clearly something. This isn't just something that we want you to listen.

This isn't something that we just want you to consume or take in. I'm a preacher and I love me a good call and response. I love when the congregation is engaged with me and they respond. They say, amen, that's right. There you go, Mark. You you would

Mark Anderson (18:29)
Amen, amen.

Bere Gil Soto (18:32)
be a good congreg a congregant of mine. so we want this to be a conversation. who should we be talking to? Please let us know.

What are you seeing in your community? Engage with us. Leave us comments. send us some questions. What kinds of stories do you want to hear more? Maybe there is something that you heard and you want to expand on and want to listen and hear more about. Please share with us and engage with us.

Mark Anderson (19:00)
So as we mentioned, this is a pilot season for us, and we're learning as we go. We're trying to figure out where the wheels go on the bus, where the where the driver goes, et cetera. There's a lot of learning that we're doing. But we'd love for you to be a part of all of

this as we are creating. So please share with us your feedback, your questions, ideas by mailing to nba at nbacares.org.

So, Barry, we're going to end every episode the same way

Bere Gil Soto (19:31)
Yes.

Mark Anderson (19:31)
I'm excited about this with a question

Bere Gil Soto (19:33)
I love it.

Mark Anderson (19:34)
that we'll ask every guest. We are calling this holding on to hope. Listen again, holding on to hope. And the question is: what is giving you hope right now? So, since I posed the question, I will go first.

Bere Gil Soto (19:55)
Yes.

Mark Anderson (19:56)
So, what is giving me profound hope today is the FIFA World Cup, currently moving through cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. I don't watch much soccer, but I know, bad on me. But witnessing how communities are coming together, it's bringing me so much joy and hope.

Bere Gil Soto (20:18)
Yes.

Mark Anderson (20:18)
On the surface, it's a massive sporting event, right? Which is centered on competition.

That's what sports are, right? It's competition.

But beneath the matches and the scores lies something far more beautiful: a massive masterclass in global hospitality.

Bere Gil Soto (20:38)
Yes.

Mark Anderson (20:39)
Day after day, teams and then tens of thousands of fans from completely different corners of the globe are arriving in these three countries, both big and small cities.

And instead of being met with division, they are being met with open arms.

Bere Gil Soto (20:58)
Mm.

Mark Anderson (20:59)
We are witnessing communities transform their streets, stadiums, and neighborhoods into spaces of profound welcome. We see strangers from across oceans sharing meals, exchanging jerseys, and laughing together in local town squares. In a world that so often feels fractured.

This tournament serves as a powerful reminder of our baseline capacity for kindness. It reminds us that our deepest instinct isn't to fear the stranger, but to welcome them. This is where my hope lives today, in our collective humanity, and in our enduring ability to look across any cultural divide, recognize the other, and simply see a fellow human being.

Bere Gil Soto (21:53)
That's wonderful. man. Yes, how to follow that, right? but for me, I think that what is giving me hope these days during summer season, I think it's my gardening groups and my gardening practice. for me.

Mark Anderson (22:09)
Yes. You had me at gardening.

Bere Gil Soto (22:13)
Yes, yes. Because and the reason being, even though right now we're going through a heat wave, horrible heat wave, so I have not been able to do much, but

Finding ways to connect with other people online or even in person if you do that and learning about plants, how to take care of them, how much light things need, how much water, wind, how like all those things, in an ever changing condition that we're living in. And with global warming, you really don't know how a summer or spring or fall is gonna be. And so for me that's giving me a sense of hope right now.

There's just so much death, crisis, hate, chaos around us in the world,

Mark Anderson (22:59)
Yes.

Bere Gil Soto (23:00)
destruction, and just being part of communities and practices that are centered on life and growth and care just centers me back into what it's most important in in life today. looking into what

I should be focusing my energy on instead of trying to go down a rabbit hole of hopelessness. I think that looking at my garden gives me a lot of hope. Every night that I water it reminds me that change takes time and consistency

Mark Anderson (23:41)
Yes.

Bere Gil Soto (23:42)
and commitment. And not only it gives me hope, but it reminds me of all those things that I'm committed, right? And and my part.

into being able to continue seeing hope beyond what I'm doing right now. Because what I'm doing right now, yes, it will bear fruits, it will bear flowers, it will be, you know, fruitful in a way, but it is not just for this season. It is for the seasons to come. And so yeah, that gives me hope and

Mark Anderson (24:15)
Amen.

Bere Gil Soto (24:16)
Mexico's performance in the FIFA world also gives me a lot of hope. We've been doing yes.

Mark Anderson (24:19)
Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Bere Gil Soto (24:23)
so yeah. After all this,

Thank you all so much. Thank you all so much for joining us for this first episode. I had a lot of fun t talking with Mark and I know that we're gonna have even much more fun talking with our next guest. So we're really excited about this conversations and where this will go.

Mark Anderson (24:46)
Yes, so excited, Barry, to be on this journey with you. and we hope that our listeners you'll follow along, stay connected with us, and join us for the next episode. And you can find this podcast anywhere podcasts are available to download, including Spotify and the podcast app on Apple. So just search NBA Podcast, Creating Communities of Justice and Care.

Bere It was great to be joining with you on this first episode of our podcast. We hope everyone will follow along, stay connected with us, and join us for the next episode.

If you're interested in these discussions, follow along, share with your friends, and please, please join in the conversation.

Bere Gil Soto (25:34)
And until then, friends, take care of yourselves and take care of your communities. Bye bye.

Mark Anderson (25:39)
By

friends.