At the Frontier

The best ideas often begin with a conversation.  At the Frontier is a podcast bringing you into conversations with people thinking, serving, building and asking what comes next for the mission of The Salvation Army.

What if joy isn't just something you feel—but something you do? In this episode, you'll hear from volunteers across The Salvation Army who are showing up in simple, powerful ways—distributing food, helping families in crisis and offering presence when it matters most. Their stories reveal that joy often shows up when we do. If you've ever wondered where to start—or if what you have to offer is enough—this is your invitation. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

Lately, we've been exploring a simple but powerful idea: Joy is meant to be shared. We've heard how stories shape us. How stability restores dignity. How gifts, when given away, multiply. And again and again, we've seen the same pattern: Someone receives help. Hope takes root. And that hope begins to ripple outward. To close this season, we're turning to two recent stories from Caring Magazine—stories that show how that ripple effect is unfolding right now across The Salvation Army's Western Territory. These stories remind us: Joy doesn't always arrive loudly. Sometimes it looks like steady progress. A safe place to sleep. A mentor who checks in. A class that builds confidence. A plan for tomorrow. This is what sharing the joy looks like. Not just inspiration—but transformation. Not just relief—but renewal. Not just help—but the kind of support that makes paying it forward possible. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

Are you loved—or just tolerated? In this episode, Pastor Timothy Jones explores the question at the heart of his book "Fully Beloved": Am I loved? In a culture shaped by comparison, loneliness and performance, many of us quietly strive to prove we're enough. Pastor Jones invites us to discover a deeper freedom—rooted not in achievement, but in grace. Together, we explore how the Trinity reveals a relational God, why insecurity about love fuels exhaustion, and what begins to change when we truly believe we are fully beloved. If you've been feeling worn out from striving, this episode is a reminder: You are loved. Listen now and step into the freedom of grace. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

What does it mean to grow up receiving help—and then spend your life giving it? In this episode, Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang shares her story as the daughter of Hmong refugees who once stood in line at The Salvation Army for Christmas gifts, winter coats and a safe place to belong. Mai reflects on how those early experiences shaped her understanding of community, compassion and leadership—and how receiving hospitality planted a lifelong commitment to serve others. From being the oldest of 16 children to serving her city today, Mai's story is a powerful reminder that when families are supported, joy doesn't stop there. It grows. Discover how belonging becomes the foundation for leadership—and how sharing joy builds stronger communities. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

Why did Jesus choose stories instead of sermons? In this episode, New Testament scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine explores how Jesus' parables don't simply explain God's kingdom—they invite us into it. Rooted deeply in Jewish storytelling tradition, the parables aren't tidy moral lessons. They don't resolve neatly. They don't hand us conclusions. Instead, they challenge us, unsettle us, and ask us to wrestle. Dr. Levine explains how parables "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable," why discomfort can be a sign we're reading them correctly, and how wrestling with these stories actually builds community. This conversation isn't just about ancient texts.  It's about how stories shape us. How they stretch us. And how joy is found not in easy answers—but in meaningful engagement. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

When does a talent become a calling? In this episode, Rhys Jones, Divisional Music Director for The Salvation Army's Cascade Division, shares how music shaped his life—from childhood band camps to mentoring the next generation of young musicians. Rhys reflects on the discipline it takes to grow in a gift, the mentors who encouraged him along the way, and the moment he realized music wasn't just something he did—it was something he was meant to share. You'll hear why comparison can stall growth, how humility protects your calling and how using your gifts to serve others multiplies joy. Whether you're a musician or simply someone discovering your own talents, this episode is a reminder that purpose often grows through practice—and joy grows when it's passed on. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.  

Of course, you will remember meeting Commissioner James Betts in our first episode of the year, in which we introduced him as the new Territorial Commander in the West. Today, we're sharing a message from him, delivered just recently during the Welcome and Installation service held February 14 at the Tustin Ranch Corps in California. Drawing from Romans 12, Commissioner Betts challenges us to move beyond forgiveness alone and into a life of daily surrender—a life shaped by unity, holiness and transforming love. In a world quick to divide and slow to trust, this message calls us back to the refining fire of God's mercy and the joy that comes from laying our lives fully before him. As you listen, we pray you would be encouraged, challenged and renewed—and that the joy of the Lord would strengthen you for the season ahead. Here now is Commissioner James Betts with his message, "Transforming Love." EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

When everything feels uncertain—where you'll live, how you'll provide, what comes next—stability can change everything. In this episode, Lt. Nick Carrillo shares his journey through housing insecurity, recovery and faith—and how receiving help became the turning point that reshaped his future. Lt. Nick opens up about what it's like to live in survival mode, why simply having a safe place to be restores dignity and hope, and how that stability eventually led him from shelter resident to shelter manager—and now to serving others as a Salvation Army officer. This is a story about housing security, but even more, it's a story about the ripple effect of stability—how being helped can plant the seed to help others, and how joy grows when it's paid forward. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

What if sharing a story could actually change the brain? In this episode of The Do Gooders Podcast, behavioral neuroscientist Dr. Paul Zak explains why stories move us so deeply—and how they spark empathy, generosity and joy at a biological level. You'll learn what happens in the brain when we hear a story of hope, why personal stories inspire action more than statistics, and how helping others leads to greater happiness, connection and even better health. This conversation brings science and soul together—revealing why joy spreads through story, and why sharing stories of hope isn't just inspiring… it's a force for good. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.