As we close out Season 5 of MyBLVD, we pause to reflect, celebrate, and give thanks for all that God has done. This final episode isn’t just a recap—it’s a moment of remembrance. We look back on the conversations that shaped this season: honest dialogue around urban missions, deconstruction and faith, family, manhood and womanhood, loss and resilience, and the beauty and tension of ministry in minority-majority contexts. Missie and Dhati share personal reflections on the year behind us—words that defined their journeys, lessons learned through hardship and joy, and the strength God has formed in them along the way. We also celebrate the heart of MyBLVD: our missionaries—74 missionaries serving faithfully across 43 cities—whose commitment, community, and shared mission make this work possible. As we prepare for Season 6, this episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and carry forward what matters most: staying rooted in Christ, committed to the mission, and connected to community. Thank you for walking with us this season. We’ll see you soon.

What season are you really in—and are you living like it? As we close out Season 5, we slow down to reflect on what it means to discern seasons, steward time faithfully, and trust God’s work even when life doesn’t go according to plan. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 3, the story of Joseph, and lived ministry experience, this conversation explores the tension between planning wisely and surrendering fully to the Holy Spirit. We talk about the difference between chronos (time passing) and kairos (time redeemed), why obscurity is often God’s training ground, and how faithfulness—not visibility—shapes lasting impact. From navigating transitions, disappointment, and delayed outcomes to cultivating rhythms of reflection, rest, and obedience, this episode invites you to stop merely surviving your season and start walking with God in it. Whether you’re in a winter of pruning, a spring of anticipation, or a season that feels confusing and unfinished, this conversation will help you name where you are—and remain anchored in Christ as you move forward. Because every season has purpose… and none of them last forever. 

Advent isn’t just candles, carols, and cozy liturgies—especially for those doing ministry in the urban context.In this episode, Dhati & Missie step into the real tension of the season: how do we cultivate joy without ignoring the weight we carry? How do missionaries and leaders stay emotionally present, spiritually anchored, and resistant to despair when neighborhoods feel heavy, resources feel thin, and the world feels overwhelming? Drawing from Scripture, lived experience, and the incarnation itself, they unpack why celebration can be a form of resistance, how Advent helps us reset our souls, and why Jesus’ first coming—and promised return—gives us a hope that is palpable, not theoretical. Whether you grew up observing Advent or never heard the word until adulthood, this conversation invites you to slow down, grieve honestly, remember deeply, and lean into the hope laid up for us in heaven—a hope strong enough for missionaries, pastors, community leaders, and anyone serving in hard places. You don’t have to choose between sober-minded and joyful. Advent calls us to both.Lean in with us.

In this episode, Dhati and Missie dive into one of the biggest shifts shaping the modern workforce: the gig economy. From serious side hustles to remote flexibility to “I need this job to fund my real dream,” more and more people are redefining what work is — including in ministry spaces. But with that comes new tensions: How do pastors and ministry leaders steward limited resources when staff have multiple jobs? What are the ethical boundaries when someone wants flexibility… but not necessarily accountability? How do we lead well in an era where 1 in 2 workers will be gig workers within five years? And what does Scripture say about work, worship, rest, and motivation?   Missie brings the real-world ethics. Dhati brings the pastoral tension. Together, they ask the honest questions most leaders are afraid to voice. This conversation is for: pastors urban missionaries ministry leaders young adults navigating calling anyone juggling multiple jobs while trying to be faithful If you’ve ever felt the tension between calling, capacity, and hustle culture — this episode brings clarity, conviction, and grace.

Technology has always shaped how Christians share the gospel—from the printing press to podcasts. But artificial intelligence is different. AI isn’t just a new tool… it’s positioned to change the very basis of how human beings live life. In this conversation, Dhati, Missie, and Sho Baraka sit down to wrestle through the ethical, spiritual, and practical implications of AI for ministry leaders and everyday disciples. We talk about: the ultimate ambition of AI and what's at stake for humanity • How AI is changing writing, leadership, creativity, and spiritual formation Whether pastors should use AI for sermon prep, discipleship, or storytelling Where the line is between “productive tools” and “spiritual shortcuts” Why the call of the Christian is not simply production but abiding Why the church has historically been slow to adopt new technology — and whether that’s good The difference between ethical use and unhealthy dependence Otter.ai, Siri, Alexa, deep learning, automation & more Could AI replace human creativity? Should Christians be worried? And of course… some classic Sho humor along the way   This episode isn’t about fear-mongering or blind excitement — it’s about wisdom. How do we live faithfully in a world shaped by AI while still depending on the Spirit, not the algorithm?

What does it really mean to be a man today? In a world caught between toxic stereotypes, soft extremes, and constant cultural confusion, Dhati and Missie take a deeper look at how Scripture offers a better way. In this conversation, Dhati unpacks a biblical vision of manhood shaped by identity—not insecurity. Drawing from Jesus’ life and character, he walks through the four anchors of godly manhood: rejecting passivity, accepting responsibility, leading courageously, and investing eternally. Together they explore: Why so much of modern masculinity is rooted in insecurity How identity as image bearers frees men from cultural performance Emotional health, vulnerability, and the loneliness epidemic among men How strong men and strong women can thrive together without competition The dangers of overcorrection—from soft masculinity to toxic dominance Why Jesus is the clearest picture of what real manhood looks like For missionaries, ministry leaders, and anyone discipling men in urban contexts, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a Christ-centered path forward.

What does the Bible really teach about the role of women in the Church? In this episode, Dhati and Missie dive into one of the most misunderstood conversations in our culture — exploring God’s design for women through the lens of Genesis 1–3, dignity, purpose, and partnership. They unpack: The divine intent behind male and female partnership How sin distorted mutual dignity and purpose What empowerment and submission really mean The role of women in leadership, ministry, and mission Dhati shares his conviction to empower women in ministry and discipleship, while Missie reflects on her lived experience navigating leadership and partnership in the Church. Whether you’ve wrestled with this topic personally or want to learn how to build a church culture that honors both men and women, this conversation invites us back to Eden — where partnership was God’s plan from the beginning.

What happens when hip-hop matures? Dhati and Missie  are joined by Sho Baraka and The Ambassador for a raw, creative, and insightful conversation on the intersection of culture, theology, and the art form that changed the world. #ChristianHipHop #FaithAndCulture #MyBLVDPodcast

What happens when faith becomes a brand? In this honest conversation, Dhati, Missie, Angie and Anthony wrestle with the cultural baggage of evangelicalism—from race and politics to belonging and belief. They explore how tribalism has divided the Church and how Jesus still calls His people to a ministry of reconciliation. This isn’t about taking sides—it’s about returning to the simplicity of following Christ.

A real conversation on how Gen Z is rebuilding faith—from doubt to discipleship, deconstruction to reconstruction.

For missionaries and leaders reaching Gen Z: this episode unpacks how young believers wrestle with truth, trauma, and trust—and how the church can meet them there.

Dhati and Missie explore the trend of deconstruction in today’s church—why it happens, how it can go wrong, and how believers can rebuild with Jesus and community at the center.

Leadership in urban ministry comes with both opportunity and weight.   In this episode, Dhati and Missie break down what it means to lead when you feel unprepared, overlooked, or even like an imposter. Drawing from the IMPACT framework—Influence, Mission, Passion, Action, Commitment, and Trust—they speak honestly about sacrifice, unexpected callings, and the realities of leading across cultural and gender lines.   For urban missionaries who sometimes feel boxed in or questioned, this conversation is both an encouragement and a challenge: your leadership matters, and God’s call is bigger than any role you’ve been assigned.

We’re living in a moment where disagreement feels like war. The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk reminds us not just of political volatility but of how far our culture has drifted from seeing the humanity in one another.   In this episode, Dhati and Missie wrestle with the tension: How do followers of Jesus engage faithfully in a society that thrives on outrage, algorithms, and tribalism? What does it mean to hold conviction without dehumanizing, to grieve without dismissing, and to create spaces where real dialogue can happen?   This conversation challenges us to embrace mutual brokenness, resist the pull of polarization, and return to the gospel’s call: to love without conditions and to see the image of God in every person—even those we may never agree with.

Conflict is inevitable in ministry, leadership, and life—but how we respond makes all the difference. In this episode of the My BLVD Podcast, Dhati and Missie unpack what it looks like to engage conflict in healthy, biblical ways. From Acts 6 to the tensions we feel in our churches, families, and communities, they explore: Why avoiding conflict hurts us more than facing it How leaders can balance authenticity with discretion Practical steps for moving from tension to reconciliation Why conflict can actually strengthen mission when handled well   This conversation is raw, real, and full of hope for leaders navigating difficult spaces.

Welcome to Season 5 of the MyBLVD Podcast! 🎙️   Dhati and Missie kick things off by diving straight into the real tensions urban missionaries and leaders face when vision collides with fear, ethics, and the grind of everyday ministry. From personal stories of loss, transition, and rebuilding after crisis, to wrestling with how morality and mission overlap, this episode gets honest about the cost of leadership. Dhati and Missie unpack what courage really looks like—not the absence of fear, but moving forward anyway, convinced that God has called you to act.   Whether you’re leading a church, a nonprofit, or simply trying to navigate change in your own community, this conversation will challenge you to slow down, examine your fears, and discern when change is Spirit-led versus self-driven.   If you’ve ever wondered how to faithfully lead through organizational shifts, cultural pressure, or seasons of doubt, this episode is for you.

In the Season Four finale of the MyBLVD Podcast, Dhati Lewis and Missie Branch reflect on the journey of urban missions—from growing their missionary network, to defining the heart of what it means to serve in diverse urban contexts. They revisit key lessons, share practical tools, and offer fresh inspiration for those called to make a generational impact through authentic, community-rooted ministry.

In this episode of the MyBLVD Podcast, Dhati Lewis and Missie Branch sit down with Brad Hill from Gloo to explore how AI and digital tools are reshaping urban ministry. From data-driven strategies to community connection, discover how tech can support authentic relationships and help missionaries deepen their local impact.

In this episode, Missie Brnach and Sho Baraka explore how faith, creativity, and community intersect in powerful ways. They unpack how the church can embrace artists and innovative discipleship models to transform urban spaces through cultural expression and communal learning.

In this episode, Dhati Lewis, Missie Branch, and Mark Demise unpack bold, creative strategies for church sustainability in today’s world. They explore why tithes and offerings alone aren't enough—and how churches can develop innovative, income-generating models that support vibrant, multi-ethnic ministry in urban communities.