The SSK Podcast — Because Peace Begins With Listening

Chris Workman - Senior Pastor at CrossTrail Community Church, Chapel Hill

In this episode of the SSK Podcast, Shahid Khan speaks with Chris Workman, Senior Pastor at Crosstrail Community Church in Chapel Hill. Together, they explore faith, life experiences, and the challenges facing the modern church, from comfort and consumerism to the intersection of politics and belief . The conversation also turns to the growing impact of artificial intelligence, raising questions about identity, purpose, and what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world. For more on Chris’s reflections on AI and faith, you can explore his sermon series here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbUuUhjnIsbqsT6PToYWPmLskGu_KnH2c&si=HMZFC7p3bs8H3TZf [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbUuUhjnIsbqsT6PToYWPmLskGu_KnH2c&si=HMZFC7p3bs8H3TZf]

Professor Andrew Sisson - Former USAID diplomat and expert in international development and crisis leadership

In this episode of the SSK Podcast, Shahid Khan speaks with Professor Andrew Sisson, Professor of the Practice at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. With over 30 years of experience in international development and crisis leadership, Andrew has worked at the intersection of policy, diplomacy, and people-centered decision-making. Drawing on experiences from Central America, Africa, and post-war Kosovo, Andy reflects on what leadership looks like when the stakes are high and solutions are rarely simple. A central theme of the conversation is his guiding principle: “Take care of your people, and they will take care of you.” He challenges top-down approaches to development, reminding us that people usually have good reasons for doing things the way they do, even when those choices appear inefficient from the outside. This episode offers thoughtful insights on humility, trust, self-care, and leadership in complex and highly fluid environments.

Nancy Barbee - End Polio Coordinator Rotary International (Zone 33), Author, Podcaster, and Educator

In this episode of the SSK Podcast, Shahid Khan is joined by Nancy Barbee, a lifelong educator, community leader, and dedicated Rotary advocate whose work spans classrooms, local government, and global public health. Guided by her personal motto, “When you dream, dream big,” Nancy reflects on what it means to commit to service over the long term. Drawing on decades of experience, she shares insights from her leadership within Rotary, her involvement in international immunisation efforts, and her belief that meaningful change comes from consistency, humility, and showing up for others. The conversation explores how global challenges such as polio eradication connect to local action, why service above self is more than a slogan, and how ordinary people can contribute to extraordinary outcomes when they are willing to think beyond themselves. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on purpose-driven leadership, community engagement, and the quiet power of dreaming big and acting faithfully on that vision.

Reggie Roberson - Lead Pastor at King's Park International Church, Durham

In this episode Shahid Khan speaks with Reggie Roberson, Senior Pastor of Kings Park International Church in North Carolina. Reggie shares his personal journey, from a challenging youth and an early sense of calling at the age of fifteen, through his time studying at the University of North Carolina, to his work today as a pastor, mentor, and community leader. He reflects on how leadership is shaped over time, why character matters as much as talent, and how influence grounded in love differs from manipulation. A central thread of the conversation is the relationship between truth and service. Reggie explores why service without truth can be ineffective, and why truth must be lived out through service if it is to have real impact. Drawing on his background in psychology, politics, and theology, he discusses how faith, education, and civic responsibility intersect in today’s complex social and political climate. The episode also looks at the role of the church beyond its walls, including engagement with college campuses, leadership development for younger generations, and practical responses to local challenges such as food insecurity and educational inequality. Kings Park International Church’s approach to community engagement has recently received wider recognition, including being featured in The New York Times. This is a thoughtful conversation about leadership, integrity, and service, and about what it means to live out a calling with purpose and humility.

Dr Roger Mazze - President Rotary Chapel Hill & Former Professor and Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre in Diabetes Translation

In this episode, Shahid speaks with Dr Roger Mazze — former Clinical Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and Head of a WHO Collaborating Centre in Diabetes Translation — whose pioneering work helped reshape how diabetes is understood and treated around the world. Together they explore what it means to turn medical evidence into real-world impact, why passion matters as much as expertise, and how mentorship can guide students and early career professionals through obstacles and opportunities. The conversation ranges from global health and innovation to Rotary, service and the importance of building strong roots before reaching for the next step.