Origin To Impact

Origin To Impact

di Brad Kelly

Lavoro Educazione

From Refugee to Nation Builder: Chol Alan's Story of War, Faith & Independence

What happens when a child grows up in the middle of a 25 year civil war, becomes a refugee, and then returns home to help rebuild his nation? In this powerful episode of Origin to Impact, Brad Kelly sits down with Chol Amum Alan, a South Sudanese missionary, entrepreneur, and founder of the Need of South Sudan Ministry and the Christian Business Union. Chol shares his remarkable journey of surviving one of Africa's longest and deadliest civil wars, fleeing to Egypt as a refugee, and eventually finding a new home in the United States. He explains how the kindness of American churches, volunteers, and communities transformed his life and inspired him to return to South Sudan after its independence in 2011. This conversation is a powerful reminder that faith, generosity, perseverance, and opportunity can change not only one person's life—but an entire nation. 📍 Find Christian Business Union of South Sudan: https://cbu-ss.com/ https://www.facebook.com/share/1HgVTu1pH9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

From Musician to Activist | Misty Flowers' Political Awakening

Misty Flowers sits down with Brad Kelly to trace her path from apolitical musician to full-time conservative organizer. She talks about the COVID lockdowns that reshaped her worldview, questions she's raised about ballot-handling practices in Whatcom County, her family's firsthand experience with addiction and a local housing facility, and why she believes rebuilding trust and local engagement is the key to shifting Washington's political future.

The Simple Idea That Changed Photography Forever | Blackrapid Founder Ron Henry

In this episode of Origin to Impact, Brad sits down with Ron Henry, founder of Blackrapid Camera Sling — the product that revolutionized how photographers carry their cameras. Ron shares how a frustrating day shooting a wedding led him to a simple idea that no one else had tried, and how a chance late-night conversation with a patent designer set the invention in motion. Ron opens up about growing up in a trailer park after losing his father, dropping out of high school, having his entire camera kit stolen right after he finally saved up for it, and building a photography career from nothing. He walks through the early days of Blackrapid — hand-making 80 straps, launching with an $800 banner ad, weathering online criticism, and eventually building a dedicated factory relationship in Taiwan. This conversation covers entrepreneurship, mindset, dealing with copycats and patents, building (and rebuilding) the right team, and why staying true to yourself matters more than any resume. Whether you're building a product, starting a business, or just trying to figure out your own path, Ron's story is packed with hard-won lessons. 📍 Find Blackrapid: https://blackrapid.com https://www.instagram.com/blackrapid/ https://www.facebook.com/BlackRapidStrap

State Senator Sharon Shewmake on Politics, Power, and Why She's Walking Away

What happens when an economics professor who never planned on politics ends up serving four years in the Washington State House and four more in the Senate? In this episode, host Brad Kelly sits down with outgoing State Senator Sharon Shewmake (42nd Legislative District) for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that crosses party lines without losing its warmth. Sharon opens up about her unlikely path from growing up with no connection to politics, to filing for office on a whim with a $500 fee, to representing her community for six years. She talks honestly about what it feels like to be "put on a pedestal," why she hated losing her first name to the title "Representative," and why she's choosing her kids over a political career. The conversation doesn't stay comfortable for long. As an economist, Sharon breaks down where she thinks markets work — and where they don't. She and Brad dig into capitalism vs. socialism, the millionaire's tax, healthcare in the U.S. versus the U.K., gun control and suicide prevention, trans athletes in youth sports, and immigration reform — all with the kind of respectful back-and-forth that's becoming rare in political conversations. Whether you agree with her or not, this is a conversation about what it actually looks like to serve, to listen, and to disagree well. 🎙️ New episodes of Origin to Impact release regularly. Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoy conversations with leaders in business, politics, and faith.

From Drug Dealer to Pastor: David Garcia’s Incredible Story

What does it take to completely change the direction of a life? In this episode of Origin Impact, Brad Kelly talks with Pastor David Garcia about his extraordinary journey from childhood trauma, gang culture, and drug trafficking to becoming a pastor and founder of the nonprofit A Better Way Out. David shares the painful experiences that shaped his early years, the choices that led him into crime, the moment he faced losing everything, and the unexpected encounter with God that transformed his life. Today, David serves youth and families by helping people escape gangs, addiction, trafficking, and cycles of violence while equipping parents and communities to recognize warning signs before it’s too late. This conversation explores redemption, forgiveness, purpose, and the hope that no one is beyond God’s reach. If you’ve ever wondered whether someone can truly change—or whether your past has to define your future—this episode is for you. 📍 Find David Garcia: A Better Way Out https://www.abetterwayoutwa.org https://www.facebook.com/share/1D8f4QKgEh/?mibextid=wwXIfr Iglesia Pentecostal Nueva Jerusalen (New Jerusalem Pentecostal Church) https://www.facebook.com/share/1MGKSgMWet/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Small Town Kid to 49-Year Law Enforcement Veteran — The Making of Sheriff Bill Elfo

In this episode of Origin Impact, host Brad Kelly sits down with Bill Elfo — the longest-serving sheriff in Whatcom County history — for a rare, unfiltered conversation about a career spanning nearly five decades in law enforcement. Bill traces his path from a small-town kid who moved to high-crime South Florida at age 12, to serving as a municipal officer, to ultimately leading the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office for over 21 years. Along the way, he pulls no punches on the issues that defined his tenure: Washington State's revolving-door criminal justice system, the decades-long failure to build an adequate county jail, the dangers of releasing mentally ill violent offenders, and the political pressures that elected law enforcement officers face every day. He also speaks openly about his personal faith, the loss of his adopted son William, and the Blue Collar Award scholarship created in his memory to support young people entering the trades. And in one of the most gripping segments, Bill walks us through the cold case murder of Mandy Stavik — a 20-year-old Acme resident and Central Washington University student killed in 1989 — and the painstaking detective work that finally brought her killer to justice nearly 30 years later. If you care about public safety, criminal justice, faith under pressure, or just want to hear from someone who gave 49 years to protecting a community, this episode is for you.

School Board Fighter: One Immigrant's Stand for Parental Rights & Girls' Sports | Khush Brar

What happens when an immigrant from the Philippines — raised with values of hard work, faith, and freedom — sits down at a school board table and starts asking questions nobody else will? In this episode of Origin to Impact, Brad Kelly sits down with Khush, a school board member in Lynden, Washington, to talk about what's really happening inside the public education system — and what one determined parent is doing about it. Khush didn't set out to be an activist. She came to America, built a blueberry farm, raised a family, and trusted the system. Then COVID hit. Then she heard about a transgender athlete winning a girls' state championship. Then she started reading the policies — and couldn't stop. In this conversation, Khush breaks down: How gender identity became a protected class in Washington State as far back as 2007 — and why no one raised the alarm The WIAA policy that allows biological males to compete in girls' sports — and the resolution Lynden submitted twice to change it Policy 3211: what it says about bathrooms, locker rooms, pronouns, and what schools are hiding from parents The legal battle between Le Center School District and OSPI — and why it matters for every school district in the state How unelected bureaucrats and teacher unions shape policy that elected board members can barely touch Two major Supreme Court rulings that OSPI isn't telling school districts about Why parental rights must always come before school authority Khush also gets personal about the real cost of standing on principle — the sleepless nights, the friendships lost, and the moment she decided she'd rather wear "troublemaker" as a badge of honor than rubber-stamp policies that harm kids and families. This is a conversation about courage, vigilance, and what it truly means to protect freedom — told through the eyes of someone who had to travel halfway around the world to find it. Freedom isn't free. You have to be vigilant.

Inside U.S. Border Enforcement with a Former Special Agent | Thomas Behm

What do years of combined military and federal law enforcement service actually look like from the inside? In this eye-opening episode, host Brad Kelly sits down with Thomas Behm — retired US Army First Sergeant and 20-year HSI Special Agent — for an unfiltered look at America's border. Tom breaks down the real difference between deportation and voluntary return, explains how the cartel operates more like a business than a war zone, and shares why child exploitation cases are the most dangerous warrants agents serve. He also discusses working alongside Tim Ballard (the agent behind Sound of Freedom), being assigned to the Secret Service during the 2016 election, and why he believes the Pacific Northwest is quietly becoming the next major smuggling corridor. Packed with stories you won't hear anywhere else — including a close call in a Walmart parking lot — this conversation will change how you see the world around you.

Art, Censorship & Cultural Political Economy | Dr. Sophia Kidd

What does censorship in China have in common with the American art world? More than you'd expect. In this episode, host Brad Kelly welcomes Dr. Sophia Kid — gallery owner, publisher, academic, and cultural entrepreneur — for a wide-ranging conversation on art, culture, and the invisible forces that shape both. Sophia spent 15 years immersed in China's art scene, earned advanced degrees in classical Chinese literature at Sichuan University, and taught Chinese culture to hundreds of students — in Mandarin. Now running Sophia Grace Gallery in the U.S., she's drawing striking parallels between artistic self-censorship in authoritarian China and the quiet conformity she sees in America's contemporary art world. From the political chaos at the Venice Biennale to the legacy of Mao's cultural directives, from the spiritual dimension of a single black canvas to the democratizing power of Instagram — this conversation covers the full sweep of what it means to make, sell, and experience art in today's world. If you've ever wondered who decides what "great art" is, why artists lean left, or whether true creative freedom exists anywhere, this episode is for you.

The Dark Truth About Human Trafficking — And How the Church Can Fight Back | Joshua Parriera

In this powerful episode of Origin to Impact, Brad Kelly sits down with Joshua Parriera — pastor, abolitionist, and founder of International Saints and Abolitionists (ISA). Joshua shares his raw, personal journey from sexual brokenness to redemption, and how a life-changing trip to Cambodia ignited his calling to fight human trafficking through prevention and education. They cover the staggering reality of 50 million enslaved people worldwide, the direct link between pornography and sex trafficking, how traffickers groom children online, what parents need to know to protect their kids, and why the Church must start having these conversations. There is hope — and his name is Jesus. 🔗 Learn more & support ISA: isafreedom.org

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