In this third episode of The Bright Side Roundup podcast, join Editor-in-Chief Jason Brudereck and Managing Editor Cy White as they talk about their favorite pieces and features on the website right now and preview upcoming special projects.
The Bright Side is an online publication of the nonprofit Faith First organization. The Bright Side shares stories of hope, faith, resilience, and encouragement. Through news, interviews, personal reflections, and community storytelling, we shine a light on the good happening in the world and highlight people whose experiences point toward perseverance, purpose, positive impact, and spiritual growth.

Join us at The Bright Side for your daily dose of positive news and inspiration: https://livethebrightside.com/

Everyone wants to belong.

We all know what it feels like to be seen, understood, and accepted—but we also know what it feels like to be the outsider.

In this episode of the Live Faith First Podcast, Elliot Sands sits down with Parfait Bassalé, author of The Way of Befriending, to explore how ordinary people can become extraordinary bridge-builders in an increasingly divided world.

Growing up across multiple countries in West Africa before immigrating to the United States, Parfait experienced firsthand what it meant to search for home and belonging. Those experiences eventually shaped both his ministry and his calling: helping people create spaces where others feel seen, heard, and valued.

Together they discuss:

• Why belonging is a fundamental human need

• The difference between being friendly and truly befriending someone

• How curiosity breaks down barriers

• Asking better questions that lead to deeper conversations

• Why forgiveness is essential for building relationships

• The power of becoming "the unexpected friend"

• How churches can create cultures where everyone feels welcome

Whether you're navigating political division, cultural differences, or simply wanting to become a better friend, this conversation offers practical wisdom for building genuine relationships.

Parfait Bassalé is an author, speaker, musician, and consultant. He is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations cultivate cultures of belonging, curiosity, and meaningful connection.

Born in the Republic of Benin, Parfait spent much of his childhood moving throughout West Africa before immigrating to the United States. His own experiences of displacement, identity, and searching for home profoundly shaped his passion for helping others move beyond polarization and into authentic relationships.

Through workshops, consulting, speaking, music, and writing, Parfait equips churches, nonprofits, schools, and organizations to create environments where people feel genuinely seen, heard, supported, and valued.

His book, The Way of Befriending, offers a practical roadmap for overcoming division through courageous curiosity, empathy, forgiveness, and intentional friendship.

He lives in Olympia, Washington, with his wife and three children.

Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.

Connect with Parfait Bassalé

Website: https://www.parfaitbassale.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Parfaitonline

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parfaitonline/

Connect with Live Faith First

Website: livethebrightside.com

Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst

TikTok: @livefaithfirst

Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst

YouTube: youtube.com/@livefaithfirst

Join us at The Bright Side for your daily dose of positive news and inspiration: https://livethebrightside.com/

Do you have a junk drawer?

You know the one—filled with old receipts, random keys, ketchup packets, and things you just can't bring yourself to throw away.

Many of us have an emotional version of that drawer.

In this episode of the Live Faith First Podcast, Elliot Sands sits down with author Laurie Davies to discuss her book, Emotional Hoarding, and why so many of us hold on to shame, regret, fear, anger, bitterness, secrets, and worry long after they stop serving us.

Laurie explains that emotional healing isn't about pretending difficult emotions don't exist—it's about understanding why we've held onto them and allowing God's grace to transform them rather than letting them control us.

Together they discuss:

• What emotional hoarding is—and how to recognize it

• Why shame thrives in isolation

• The surprising connection between regret and God's grace

• How anger often hides deeper wounds

• Why secrets carry such a heavy emotional cost

• Building a healthier emotional foundation through truth and community

• The role of counseling, trusted friends, and God's grace in emotional healing

If you've ever felt weighed down by emotional baggage, this conversation offers practical wisdom and biblical hope for living lighter and freer.

Laurie Davies s an author, Bible teacher, speaker, and podcast host passionate about helping people discover the freedom found in God's grace. Based in the Phoenix, Arizona area, Laurie has spent decades teaching Scripture and encouraging Christians to move beyond fear, shame, and emotional burdens into deeper intimacy with Christ.

Her newest book,Emotional Hoarding: Letting Go of the Stuff That Keeps You Stuck, explores how unresolved emotions—including worry, anger, regret, guilt, shame, bitterness, and secrets—can quietly accumulate over time, preventing us from loving God and others as we were created to do.

Through biblical teaching, practical insights, and personal stories, Laurie equips readers to identify emotional clutter, uncover its roots, and experience lasting freedom through God's grace.

Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.

Connect with Laurie Davies

Website: https://lauriedavies.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieDaviesAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriedaviesauthor/

Connect with Live Faith First

Website: livethebrightside.com

Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst

TikTok: @livefaithfirst

Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst

YouTube: youtube.com/@livefaithfirst