Faithful Politics Podcast
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From Dropout to Doctorate: Dr. Terence Lester on Trauma, Poverty, and Hope
Posted
August 21, 2025
Views
122
Likes
6
Engagement
4.92%
August 21, 2025
122
6
4.92%
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42:31Now PlayingWhat does it take for a rose to grow through concrete? 🌹
In this episode of The Faith Roundtable, host Josh Burtram (co-host of the Faithful Politics Podcast) sits down with Dr. Terence Lester—Atlanta minister, activist, storyteller, and author of From Dropout to Doctorate.
Dr. Lester shares his incredible journey from homelessness to earning a PhD, and how faith, community, and trauma-informed care can break through systemic barriers like poverty and generational trauma. Together we explore:
🌍 Generational & historical trauma
📚 Educational injustice in marginalized communities
⛪ The church’s role in compassion & justice
💡 How relationships and community create “borrowed courage”
🙌 Practical ways you can help “make the invisible visible”
This conversation will challenge your assumptions and inspire your faith—whether you’re a leader, educator, or simply someone who wants to better understand how to love your neighbor.
👤 Guest Bio
Dr. Terence Lester is the founder of Love Beyond Walls, a nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness and poverty. He also teaches and directs public policy initiatives at Simmons College of Kentucky. His work has been featured in USA Today and NBC. He’s written several books, including I See You, When We Stand, All God’s Children, the children’s book Zion Learns to See, and his latest, From Dropout to Doctorate.
🔗 Links & Resources
👉 Support Love Beyond Walls: lovebeyondwalls.org
👉 Get Dr. Lester’s latest book From Dropout to Doctorate: terencelester.com/books
👉 Follow Dr. Lester on Instagram
, and Facebook
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