Joshua currently works as the Director of Recruitment for Teach for America while also serving as a local representative on the Prince George's County Board of Education. My relationship with Josh began with me as a youth leader and him as an energetic and creative teenager, so hearing about his journey and accomplishments was especially rewarding.Guest: Joshua M. ThomasInterview Date: April 27, 2021Parish: MTC Greater WashingtonRelated LinksLinkedIn: Joshua M. ThomasTeach for America: https://www.teachforamerica.org/Josh's campaign: http://www.joshuamthomas.org/Prince George's County Public Schools: https://www.pgcps.org/board/thomasMarthoma Community PodcastSUBSCRIBE to get an email when new episodes are posted.CONTACT the hostFacebookInstagramTwitterVisit www.marthopodcast.com to learn more.Support the show

Dony Oommen has been a Marthoma choir enthusiast for many years both as a choir member and as a choir leader. More recently, he has been sharing his musical talents through his YouTube channel, DeeCee Music Productions. We discuss his journey, our shared experiences with MTC choirs, and his thoughts on opportunities for improvement.Interview Date: April 3, 2021Guest: Dony OommenParish: Christos MTC (Philadelphia)LinksDony on LinkedInDony’s music on FacebookDony's music on YouTube: DeeCee Music Productions PlaylistMarthoma Community PodcastSUBSCRIBE to get an email when new episodes are posted.Send me an email.Leave a review on Facebook.Tag us on Instagram.Ask a question on Twitter.Support the show at buymeacoffee.com.Visit www.marthopodcast.com to learn more.Support the show

Betsy Chacko is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Therapist, Christian Counselor, and author of her blog, TheFamilyIBuilt.com. Our conversation covers her professional work, as well as how she goes about creating content for her site. We also explore how the topics she covers can benefit our community.Interview Date: April 5, 2021Guest: Betsy ChackoParish: Staten Island MTCConnect With BetsyLinkedin - Betsy ChackoInstagram - @ByBetsyChackoFacebook - @ByBetsyChackoThefamilyibuilt.comMarthoma Community PodcastSUBSCRIBE to get an email when new episodes are posted.CONTACT the hostFacebook - @marthopodcastInstagram - @marthopodcastTwitter - @marthopodcastVisit www.marthopodcast.com to learn more.Support the show

Captain Shibu Philipose currently serves as the Assistant Chief for the Investigative Branch of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police based in Silver Spring, Maryland. He also serves as the Vice President for America Malayalee Law Enforcement United (AMLEU). Their mission, “To be a conduit between law enforcement and the community it serves, primarily the Malayalee American community.”Shibu and I discuss family, his path to becoming an officer, and more detail on how AMLEU hopes to serve the community.Interview Date: March 2, 2021Guest: Shibu PhilipposeParish: MTC of Greater WashingtonResourcesAMLEU.orgShibu on LinkedInMarthoma Community PodcastSUBSCRIBE to get an email when new episodes are posted.CONTACT the hostFacebookInstagramTwitterVisit www.marthopodcast.com to learn more.Support the show

Guest: Merlin KochunilathilParish: St. Thomas MTC Delaware ValleyInterview Date: February 9, 2021This year’s Diocesan Leadership Conference was held virtually due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was also the first MTC leadership conference that my guest, Merlin, has had a chance to attend, so I was curious to hear her thoughts.-------------------------------------------------------------------------WEBSITE: www.marthopodcast.comCONTACT: george@marthomacommunitypodcast.comFacebook: @marthopodcastInstagram: @marthopodcastTwitter: @marthopodcast-------------------------------------------------------------------------DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBESupport the show

Guest: Divya MathewParish: Carmel MTC (Boston)Interview Date: February 2, 2021Divya and I discuss how she was informed that she was ineligible to serve as a lay leader (executive committee role) for her parish based on her gender. We then go on to discuss the actions she’s taken since then along with the comments and feedback she has been getting as a result.-------------------------------------------------------------------------WEBSITE: www.marthopodcast.comCONTACT: george@marthomacommunitypodcast.comFacebook: @marthopodcastInstagram: @marthopodcastTwitter: @marthopodcast-------------------------------------------------------------------------DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBESupport the show

Guest: Rev. Dennis AbrahamMother Parish: St. John’s MTC (NY)Current Parish: Vicar of the MTC of San Fransico Bay AreaInterview Date: January 26, 2021I sit down with Dennis Achen to reflect on his path to ministry, his experiences as a Vicar, and how his current studies are broadening his views on the mission of the church, and the role the Mar Thoma Church must play moving forward.As of this interview, Dennis Achen is furthering his education at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA, and is studying Liturgical Studies in the Department of Religion and Practice.___________________________________WEBSITE: www.marthopodcast.comCONTACT: george@marthomacommunitypodcast.comFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @marthopodcastDON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBESupport the show

Guest: Been DavidParish: St. Thomas MTC (Lombard, IL)Interview Date: January 19, 2021In this interview, Beena and I have fun geeking-out on the challenges of singing an Eastern classic after years of training and experience as a Western classically trained vocalist.The song, Yahoodiayile Oru Grammathil, is a popular Christmas devotional song that was made popular by Yesudas. Beena's version almost sounds like a different song, while still evoking the same feeling of Christmas. We explore what lead her to prepare and record the song, along with what was involved with the process. You can hear the song either on YouTube or Facebook.Yahoodiayile oru grammathil / യഹൂദിയായിലെ ഒരു ഗ്രാമത്തില്‍Hear the song on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6La0JtFd6WYHear the song on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mezzomama/videos/10159110645241399/?__tn__=%2CO-ROther Samples of Beena's Operatic Singing:higher register - https://mezzomama.bandcamp.com/track/o-pallida-lamico-fritz-p-mascagnilower register (start at 0:25) - https://mezzomama.bandcamp.com/track/o-ma-lyre-immortelle-c-gounod-saphoEast vs. West -- the myths that mystify (TED Talk referenced by George)https://www.ted.com/talks/devdutt_pattanaik_east_vs_west_the_myths_that_mystify/up-next?language=en___________________________________WEBSITE: www.marthopodcast.comCONTACT: george@marthomacommunitypodcast.comFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @marthopodcastDON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBESupport the show

Guest: Pushpa SamuelParish: Silicon Valley MTC (CA) & Horeb MTC (Los Angeles, CA)Interview Date: January 5, 2021Pushpa shares the story of her journey to the present day where she is getting ready to finish her theological studies (M. Div.) with plans to become a board-certified chaplain. She hopes that sharing her story will be an encouragement to others interested in ministry, especially women, and looks forward to remaining active in our community.CHAPTERS00:00:35. Introduction & Background00:04:13. Pushpa's path to seminary00:10:22. George's Response/Experience00:12:56. Volunteer to Principal00:20:55. Joining the local MTC00:27:55. Neighborhood Missions00:32:20. Motivations to Join Seminary00:40:50. Reactions to joining seminary00:43:25. What is Chaplaincy?00:46:11. Chaplaincy in the MTC00:57:15. A broader visionLINKSCity Impact: https://www.sfcityimpact.com/Pushpa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pushpa-samuel-1500a12/___________________________________SUBSCRIBE FOR EMAIL UPDATES: http://marthopodcast.com/subscribeMAIN WEBSITE: www.marthopodcast.comCONTACT GEORGE: george@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Guest: Ron JacobParish: Long Island MTC (NY)Interview Date: December 30, 2020KEY TOPICS:Part 1 (Previous Episode)Ron's backgroundExperience of serving in the Diocesan Assembly and CouncilThe Mar Thoma Church ConstitutionPart 2Women serving as lay leaders (lay ministers)"The Revolution" (Article by Ron, originally published in the Marthoma Messenger, click here for the full paper)Background on "Be The Match"Ron on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-jacob-md-b3779a6/Be The Matchhttps://bethematch.org/Support the show

Guest: Ron JacobParish: Long Island MTC (NY)Interview Date: December 30, 2020KEY TOPICS:Part 1Ron's backgroundExperience of serving in the Diocesan Assembly and CouncilThe Mar Thoma Church ConstitutionPart 2Women serving as lay leaders (lay ministers)"The Revolution" (Article by Ron, published in the Marthoma Messenger)Background on "Be The Match"https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-jacob-md-b3779a6/Support the show

Guest: Merry ThomasParish: Horeb MTC of Los Angles (Los Angeles, CA)Interview Date: December 14, 2020After ending our interview, we decided to hit record again and explore the topic of women serving as lay leaders in the madhbaha (altar). We also hear the story of how she was asked to do just that.___________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBEVISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.marthopodcast.comCONTACT ME DIRECTLY: george@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Part 2 of 2 (Go back and listen to Part 1 first!)Guest: Merry ThomasParish: Horeb MTC of Los Angles (Los Angeles, CA)Interview Date: December 14, 2020Our interview continues as we reflect on the role that Youth Chaplains play in our diocese, and we discuss the possible future of a lay chaplain ministry.___________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBEVISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.marthopodcast.comCONTACT ME DIRECTLY: george@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Guest: Merry ThomasParish: Horeb MTC of Los Angles (Los Angeles, CA)Interview Date: December 14, 2020EPISODE SUMMARYMerry and I share our observations and thoughts after attending this year’s Diocesan Assembly meeting as representatives for our respective parishes.___________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBEVISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.marthopodcast.comCONTACT ME DIRECTLY: george@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Go back and listen to Episode #11 for Part 1 of this interview!Guest: Rev. Larry VargheseParishes: MTC of Silicon Valley, Sacramento CongregationInterview Date: 6/4/2020“The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning.” -- Emil Brunner, Swiss Reformed TheologianReferences Mentioned:The Marthoma Church Heritage and Mission by Alexander Mar ThomaMission and Liturgy: Contest, Convergence and Congruence with special reference to the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian ChurchContact Larry Achen: https://www.facebook.com/larrypv_____________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!www.marthopodcast.comgeorge@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Don't miss the second half of this interview in episode #12!Guest: Rev. Larry VargheseParishes: MTC of Silicon Valley, Sacramento CongregationInterview Date: 6/4/2020References Mentioned:The Marthoma Church Heritage and Mission by Alexander Mar ThomaMission and Liturgy: Contest, Convergence and Congruence with special reference to the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian ChurchContact Larry Achen:https://www.facebook.com/larrypv_____________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!www.marthopodcast.comgeorge@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Guest: Shaun RajanParish: St. Andrews MTC (NY)Interview Date: 5/30/2020During my conversation with Shaun, I also got to hear some of Shaun's thoughts around an article by Charles Samuel that he had shared on Twitter several days before. It didn't quite go with the episode topic, so I've broken out as a bonus episode. Enjoy!Referenced Article: I Still Believe The 'Indian Church' Must Diehttps://www.charlessamuel.com/Shaun's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-rajan-a4848178/Shaun's Twitter: @MCIronMan_____________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!www.marthopodcast.comgeorge@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Guest: Shaun RajanParish: St. Andrews MTC (NY)Interview Date: 5/30/2020Back in May, I spoke with Shaun about his thoughts on the impact that COVID has had on both his teaching and on our worshipping community as a result of the push to go exclusively virtual.Shaun is an assistant professor of mathematics at Westchester Community College in New York and is currently a member at St. Andrews MTC, NY.REFERENCES:The Sunday Seven YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJyh65f-XLO6ldqCEHWEKaMaPaVdl9HBAThe Sunday Seven Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/the_sunday_seven/Get in touch with Shaun:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-rajan-a4848178/Twitter: @MCIronMan_____________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!www.marthopodcast.comgeorge@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Guest: Nirmala AbrahamParish: Philadelphia MTCInterview Date: 5/16/2020I chat with Mrs. Nirmala Abraham about how she, as a grandparent and an elder in our community, works to "stay relevant" in the eyes of her grandchildren and our MTC community. Our conversation ranges from her engagements with her children, grandchildren, and their peers to our missions fields among Native Americans, Sevika Sanghom, and navigating the future of the MTC. Finally, we hear her thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between the young and old.Having come to America in 1968, Nirmala Aunty has played an active role in the establishment of our [North American & European] diocese and has held many different leadership positions over the years. She currently serves as the Mandalam representative for her parish._____________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!www.marthopodcast.comgeorge@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show

Danielle Verghese, an internal medicine resident, recently helped to organize demonstrations supporting #WhiteCoatsForBlackLives in Philadelphia. Her original tweet from their first event has had over 44K views as of this post, and was "liked" by 2.5K people. But more importantly, Danielle tells us the story of why she felt the need to get involved, how the initial event came to be, and what the experience has been like so far.The full video version of this interview (via Zoom) is also available for viewing on YouTube (click here).Related Link: https://whitecoats4blacklives.org/Danielle on Twitter: @DanielleVMD_____________________________________DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!www.marthopodcast.comgeorge@marthomacommunitypodcast.comSupport the show