Posts by Shannon Brockman
The Impact of Gentrification in Nashville
Over the last decade, I’ve seen a dramatic draw toward Nashville with over 30,000 moving here in one year. That’s 82 people per day, bringing Nashville to a population of 1.8 million. This make our city one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S! They come for the music scene, rolling green hills, and a…
Read MoreRestorative Justice & Criminal Reform in Nashville
Most have heard of restoration, but you might not know of restorative justice for criminals. During a recent Real Hope podcast episode, I shared a compelling conversation with Travis Claybrooks, who was born and raised in Nashville and is the CEO of Raphah Institute. I was inspired by Travis’ passion to bridge his personal experiences…
Read MoreHow Trevecca Embraced Their Neighborhood to Impact It
As Christians, we often hear the phrase “in the world, but not of it” used to describe how we’re called to move throughout the culture surrounding us. We typically say this as a shorthand to mean that believers should not be totally removed from what’s going on around us in the “secular” world, but we…
Read MoreHow We Can Pursue the Meaning of “Trevecca” in Our Daily Lives
I’ve lived in Nashville for several years and heard the word “Trevecca” countless times. Trevecca Nazarene University has been a consistent part of the Nashville community for decades. Oddly enough, though I’d seen billboards for the school, read its name in newspapers and heard it said in Christian leadership circles, I’d never really stopped to…
Read MoreReal Hope Ep. 11 – Restorative Justice with Travis Claybrooks, Founder & CEO of Raphah Institute
Download this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Nashville Rescue Mission CEO and Real Hope host, Glenn Cranfield, talks with Travis Claybrooks, Founder & CEO of Raphah Institute, about the concept of restorative justice and the powerful work being done by Raphah Institute. Learn more about Raphah Institute: Website: https://raphah.org/ Instagram: @RaphahInstituteFacebook:…
Read MoreReal Hope Ep. 10 – Shining a Light in Nashville with Dr. Dan Boone
Download this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Nashville Rescue Mission CEO and Real Hope host, Glenn Cranfield, talks with Dr. Dan Boone, President of Trevecca Nazarene University, about his life of ministry and his work to raise up young leaders and shine a light of love in the heart…
Read MoreWhat Does It Mean to Be Generous in Hard Times?
I think most of us want to be generous, especially as Christians. We want to give more than we take and bless others with what we have to share. The problem comes when we worry about not having enough to take care of ourselves. What if we give away too much? What if we don’t…
Read MoreHow to Kick Fear Out of the Driver’s Seat
Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the choice to move forward in spite of it. After all, if there is no fear, there is no need for courage. I was reminded of this recently when I sat down with Gigi Butler, founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes, on the Real Hope podcast. During our conversation,…
Read More3 Essential Practices for Successful Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. The journey is often marked by long hours, sacrificing paychecks and taking risks — all in pursuit of something you deeply believe in. But if you’re lucky and you work hard, you might just make your dream a reality. Gigi Butler is one of those people. She…
Read MoreDreams, Disappointments, and Determination
“I think God always expects us to use our gifts and we all have different gifts. My gift is the gift of faith and a gift of tenacity.” Gigi Butler My latest guest on Real Hope, Gigi Butler, is certainly one of the most tenacious people I know. Her story is one of perseverance and…
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