A Normal Week: Church, Relief, and Food Access

What Your Body Remembers: Epigenetics and the Biology of Grace

Dr. Luman Wing is a biochemist who spent twenty‑five years in biopharmaceuticals before writing Genes of Eden, a provocative exploration of how epigenetics might illuminate what Scripture calls "the sins of the fathers." In this conversation, we dig into the Dias and Ressler mouse study, ask whether your grandmother's trauma is still living in your DNA, and wrestle with the thorniest question: if good choices change your epigenome, what makes Christian discipleship different from secular self‑improvement? Lu doesn't shy away from the hard science or the harder theology—and the answers might change how you think about embodiment, addiction, and what it means to be made new. Dr. Lu Wing’s Website [https://lumanwing.org/] Genes of Eden [https://www.amazon.com/Genes-Eden-Epigenetics-Transgenerational-Addiction-ebook/dp/B0FR52843P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JIBN8EXYI9SD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.znGjoIkNyig4sK05WVvpxlPPwFG8N88QBlynz7gwuI_ghxj8LezPoMsWh4o2c8iQst1zu32pv3VPQKACK7tOTXzEA1zJ8PWVVSPih3D2ppQGxHeWBle2kma9GbGihSVqU3DxkMj-RBbasluwZ6kAh-qC_UINheyqYcNTDyhaADouIvQefOwXzWio7WXvyOk9-0M-Mflihr8WyGoimVV61yiuS6F52W4kQAbPxca4yzs.tlSz9KeWHaIYpWeHDgaXGujLeRtOFQcyTyKBGZRRf2s&dib_tag=se&keywords=genes+of+eden&qid=1768916187&sprefix=genes+of+%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trellistranscripts.substack.com [https://trellistranscripts.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Choice with Dignity: Seniors, Space, and a Week of Wins

This Thanksgiving‑week episode is a lively grab‑bag with Josh and Kristel swapping fresh stories from the field. We recap a whirlwind week at the Compassion Center, share a new pilot program giving seniors real choice for household essentials (not just groceries), and talk candidly about our biggest constraint right now: space. The rooms are buzzing with classes, events, and inventory—so much potential, not quite enough square footage. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trellistranscripts.substack.com [https://trellistranscripts.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Four Pillars Guiding Our Work at BRN, HCC, and FAC

Josh and Kristel share how years of experiences, skills, passions, and dreams converged into one four‑pillar framework that unifies their work across Baltimore Relief Network (BRN), Haven City Church (HCC), and the Food Access Coalition (FAC). The conversation covers how the pillars align logistics, community, long‑term development, and sustainable rhythms of rest. Key numbers and updates * BRN pallets of food received in 2024: 3,922. 2025 year‑to‑date food pallets: 3,957 * Quick updates: federal shutdown impacts, BRN development and fundraising, and Kristel’s meeting at the Compassion Center How we got to a unifying principle: * Origin story: The moment the “buckets” snapped into place and why this framework keeps efforts aligned across BRN, HCC, and FAC * Provision: From chaos to choreography in relief logistics, how pallets become people stories with dignity, Tuesday–Friday routes, and a “no‑shame” script * Community: Turning a food line into a welcome table, first‑timer journey, and two simple follow‑ups that build trust * Development: Tools that form people, not just fix problems—couples prompts, a volunteer ladder, and a simple goals loop * Renewal: Rest as infrastructure—micro‑retreats, table practices, and a “small celebrations” policy that sustains joy Ways to engage: * Baltimore Relief Network [http://www.baltimorerelief.com] * Haven City Church [http://www.baltimorechurch.com] * Food Access Coalition [http://www.feedbaltimore.com] * Sermonprep.app [http://www.sermonprep.app] * Unitypath.app [http://www.unitypath.app] * Parable Vineyard [http://www.parablevineyard.com] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trellistranscripts.substack.com [https://trellistranscripts.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Magnetic Cows, Electric Mushrooms, and the Price of AI

Kristel and Josh swap observations from the week—from why herds of cows line up with Earth’s magnetic field to a mesmerizing track made from mushroom electrical pulses. Then they turn to the local and national ripple effects of AI’s surging power demand, community reactions to infrastructure, and what a possible federal shutdown could mean for SNAP and neighborhood food access. Along the way: Ravens fans leaving early, volunteer care at the Center, serving Spanish‑first families, and a reflection on building a life with intention. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trellistranscripts.substack.com [https://trellistranscripts.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

A Normal Week: Church, Relief, and Food Access

In this episode, Josh and Kristel walk through a typical week in their lives, highlighting the work of Haven City Church (https://baltimorechurch.com [https://baltimorechurch.com/]), The Baltimore Relief Network (https://baltimorerelief.com [https://baltimorechurch.com/]), and The Food Access Coalition (https://feedbaltimore.com [https://baltimorechurch.com/]). They share food distribution numbers from their Tuesday and Friday operations, discuss how 30% of food produced worldwide goes to waste (https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/30-food-produced-worldwide-goes-waste [https://baltimorechurch.com/]), and explore what it means to live in a food desert using Baltimore City's mapping data (https://planning.baltimorecity.gov/maps-data [https://baltimorechurch.com/]). The conversation shifts to immigration myths and the current political climate, drawing from Benjamin Cremer's theological response (https://benjamin-cremer.kit.com/a-theological-response-to [https://baltimorechurch.com/]) and data on changing marriage patterns in the US (https://usafacts.org/articles/how-has-marriage-in-the-us-changed-over-time/ [https://baltimorechurch.com/]). They also tackle why people don't trust charities (https://www.perplexity.ai [https://baltimorechurch.com/]) and end on a lighter note with some puppy videos (https://www.instagram.com/reel/ [https://baltimorechurch.com/]). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trellistranscripts.substack.com [https://trellistranscripts.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]