Meet in the Middle
A space to engage a broad range of topics that encourage civil discourse and promote common good. Each week we consider issues about racial tolerance and inclusion, social justice and equity, peaceable and collaborative relationships, while issuing the reminder to "Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God."
Episodes
54 episodes
Challenges of the Future
Bishop Hector Burgos Nunez is Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh's guest. Bishop Burgos serves the Upper New York Conference, and is the first Latinx bishop of the United Methodist Church's Northeast Jurisdiction. He is also the first Puerto Rican bishop to se...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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39:08
Celebrating Music in Community Through Community
Dr. Herbert V.R.P. Jones, the Founder and Director of the Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh and former Pittsburgh Gospel Choir, joins Rev. Renee Mikell to share his experiences and influences in music, discuss ethnomusicology, a...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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55:15
International Students Coming to America
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks to Keisha Jimmerson, Associate Dean of Students for Diversity, Inclusion and International Student Services for Seton Hill University, and Graduate Assistant George DiMetriotis, a native of Cyprus. They share their ex...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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47:49
Seeking Social Justice
Pastor Zayzay Kpadeh is joined by members of the group Together We Can. This group aims to create a multiracial and egalitarian society in America for all races including marginalized communities.
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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56:19
Women's History Month Episode: Celebrating Women Who Tell Their Stories
Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Rev. Dr. Josephine Whitely-Fields, the author of Pioneer Black Clergy Women. Dr. Whitely-Fields shares why she wrote book, the clergywomen she featured in it, and her own personal experiences of ov...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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42:34
Christmas Reflections
Rev. Renee Mikell is joined in conversation today with a variety of people from all over the country, to share their thought of Christmas in the past and future.
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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30:40
Conversation with Dr. Lee
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh sits down with Rev. Dr. Asa Lee, President of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and share how Dr. Lee came to PTS, his thoughts on racism in America and the World, and his thoughts on the future of the church.
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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49:38
Voter Suppression in the Here and Now
Jamal Craig, President of the Pittsburgh Coalition of Black Trade Unionists joins Re. Dawn Lynn Check as they discuss voter suppression. It's an ongoing situation in many areas, and it might be closer than you think.
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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47:40
Beloved Community in Action
Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Rebekah Greenawalt, Program Director of a camping and retreat center. Rebekah shares her experiences and plans to continue offering a space that supports Beloved Community val...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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20:27
Roundtable to Remember
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh leads a roundtable discussion with Beverly Lawrence, Denise Jones and Barbara Rumore of Together We Can in Venango County, PA. All three share their experiences growing up as children in Oil City, PA .
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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45:48
A Litany of Equality
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh speaks with Rev. Timothy Harmon, Senior Pastor of 2nd Presbyterian Church of Oil City. They discuss the Litany of Repentance that was recently approved at the Presbyterian Church USA's 225th General Assembly held at the Presb...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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44:21
Coping in Buffalo
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh join Rev. Julian Cook, and his wife, Sigourney Cook. Rev. Cook is the Director of Houghton College Bethel Program in Buffalo New York, and Mrs. Cook is a teacher and a talented opera singer. They talk about the March 14th sho...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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52:00
Creating Men of Valor
McKeesport Councilman Timothy Brown talks about the Men of Valor program for youth in his hometown. Rev. Renee Mikell hosts the episode.
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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23:33
Together We Can Roundtable
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh welcomes back members of Together We Can. Clarion area therapist Jeff Polley, and Pastor Tim Harmon of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Oil City join for a roundtable discussion. Also joining the conversation, is Abby Williams ...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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53:49
Why Grandmothers Matter
Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Mrs. Denise Bailey Myers, author of the book, "Grandma's ABC's of Growing Up." The McKeesport native shares why she wrote the book, responds to some false narratives, as well as the role of Grandmothers ...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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39:31
After Shuman
Lou Ransom, Jr., a Tipstaff for the family court of Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Dwayne Woodruff, joins Rev. Dawn Lynn Check for a discussion about the closing of the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center last year, and the affect on th...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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41:46
United Women in Faith
Eight women sought to help women across the world. That energy led them to do more. Today we have United Women in Faith. Over 150 years of acting on their faith. Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks with Linda Thayer, President of the United Methodist Wo...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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41:45
White Fragility and White Grief
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks with Rev. Lynette Moran, Deacon at Bethel UMC and PhD candidate and Mellon Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. Lynette walks us through white fragility and white grief.
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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50:58
Striving for Better Mental Health
Rev Dawn Lynn Check speaks with Sarah Jeanne Browne, a mental health advocate and Forbes writer. Browne shares her journey with mental illness and shines a light on the stigmas surrounding mental health.
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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31:22
Targeted Communities
This interview comes on the heels of shootings in Buffalo New York, and California. Rev. Dawn Lynn Check speaks with Rabbi Sara Perman, a retired Rabbi from the Pittsburgh area and co-chair of the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, who giv...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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37:45
Chaplain in the Middle
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks with Lt. Colonel Rev. Dr. Jonathan Bell who is a chaplain serving in the 171st Air Fueling Wing out of Pittsburgh. Jonathan, who is a United Methodist pastor, is just back from a seven month deployment. Be...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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29:04
Southern African Faith and Family Institute
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh talks with Dr. Elizabeth Hoorn Petersen and Rev. Zukisa Fumba of the South African Faith and Family Institute, talking about struggles in Southern Africa, and how SAFFI works for the betterment of those in need. First of a tw...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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42:38
Supreme Court History in the Making
Meet in the Middle co-hosts Rev. Dawn Lynn Check and Rev. Renee Mikell discuss the Senate confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace Justice Steven Breyer on the U.S Supreme Court.
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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37:27