From Disappointment to Determination: A New Path Forward

Ep 62: From Disappointment to Determination: A New Path Forward with Brian Pughsley

Summary of the episode

This episode of noseyAF centers around disappointment and reflection following the 2024 election results, highlighting the importance of community, faith, and resilience. Host Stephanie Graham expresses her pride in the efforts made by individuals who supported Vice President Harris, emphasizing that their hard work should not feel wasted. Reverend Brian Pughsley joins the conversation, offering a powerful message about faith and perseverance during challenging times. He encourages listeners to strengthen their convictions and unite in their causes, reminding everyone that the fight for rights and justice continues. Together, they inspire a sense of hope and determination to push forward, regardless of the obstacles ahead.

Takeaways:

• In times of disappointment, it is essential to reflect on the effort we put into the election process.
• Reverend Brian Pusley emphasizes the importance of strengthening faith and community in challenging times.
• The podcast highlights the necessity of activism and unity within the community for future rights.
• Brian encourages listeners to stay ready and equipped to fight for their rights and the rights of others.
• Stephanie expresses gratitude for the support and dedication of those who worked for change during the election.
• The message is one of hope and resilience, reminding us that God is still in control.

About Rev Brian C. Pughsley:

Rev. Brian C. Pughsley is a multifaceted preacher, actor, rapper, writer, and podcaster dedicated to connecting with people through faith and creativity. Baptized at an early age, he answered his call to ministry on July 4, 2001, and was licensed and ordained on November 21, 2004, at Living Water Missionary Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana, under Rev. Dr. Homer Walker, Jr.

Throughout his ministry, Rev. Brian has served in various pastoral roles, including Associate Pastor for Youth and Media Ministries at Living Water Missionary Baptist Church and Pioneer Missionary Baptist Church in South Holland, IL. His involvement has extended to youth leadership roles at Covenant United Church of Christ and New Faith Baptist Church International, where he supported ministries in prayer, media, and men’s fellowship.

Currently, Rev. Brian serves as Associate Pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ-Gary, where he also contributes as a digital pastor. In early 2023, he joined Immanuel Church Unusual in Chicago as a Digital Pastor, assisting the church's digital outreach as they launched in the area.

In 2018, Rev. Brian started a podcast, which evolved during the pandemic from entertainment-focused content to a ministry without walls, reaching people with messages of hope. A trained actor, violinist, rapper, and singer, he brings his diverse talents to each endeavor, blending artistry and ministry in meaningful ways. In his spare time, he enjoys writing, drawing, and inspiring others.

Currently, he resides in the suburbs of Chicago, IL.

Resources mentioned in this episode

Check out Brian’s podcast, Safe Haven

Organ music Terry Brandford Walk with Me performed by Gregg ”Happy Guitar” Hayes” check out the full performance here

Worship Music: Peace - Deep Instrumental Worship full video here

Connect with Brian

Instagram:

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hey, friends.
Welcome.
And welcome back to Nosy af.
I know a lot of us are feelingdisappointed with the outcome of
election 2024, including myself.
But I did want to take amoment to say how absolutely proud
I am with everyone who did allthat they could to support Vice President

(00:27):
Harris to get her in office.
I mean, we really were doingeverything we could.
Stephisha, Christina, Nikki.
So, so many creators thatreally were knocking on doors, registering
people to vote, driving peopleto vote.
My friend's mom was literallygiving people rides to make sure

(00:49):
that they were able to vote.
And, you know, it's tough.
It's tough to have all of yourhard work feel like it's gone, gone
to be for nothing.
And, you know, I'm reallyproud of us, though.
I'm really, really proud.
And, you know, we put up areally, really good fight.

(01:14):
And, I don't know, it's justbeen tough, but I feel like for me,
this has been an opportunityfor me to really reflect and think.
And.
I don't know, this is where myfaith, my spiritual walk really starts

(01:40):
to get fired up.
So today I.
I'm taking this podcast in abit of a new direction.
I know you've been havingthese election episodes, and here
comes another one.
And, you know, I reached outto my good friend Reverend Brian
Pusley of the Safe HavenPodcast to share a message with us.

(02:02):
Because, you know, as blackfolks, we know when times get dark,
we always turn to the Lord forour strength and guidance.
And so Brian and I went toschool together.
We share the same birthday.
We both love God.
I mean, he's a reverend, and Idon't know, I just thought that him

(02:26):
sharing something would behelpful to me.
And in turn, I'm hoping thatit would be helpful to you.
So, Brian, take it away.
Hello, my name is ReverendBrian C.
Pusely of Safe Haven Podcast.
I want to thank my friendStephanie Graham for inviting me

(02:49):
to take part in this programthis week.
What are we talking about today?
We're talking about trying tofind a new way, a new path, so to
speak, because right now, weare going through so many things.
We are going through what manyof the people in the Bible went through
in 1st Samuel 8, where a lotof the people prayed for King.

(03:10):
They.
They rejected God in this respect.
Now, don't worry if you werethe ones that did not vote for him,
don't worry about it, becauseyou're not the ones that rejected
God, but the ones that did have.
So therefore, what do you do?
You God saying, I let this happen.
But don't worry, I'm not goingto let this.
I'm not going to let his plan prevail.

(03:33):
So therefore, don't sit thereand cower in fear about what's going
to happen in the next four years.
No, this is what you do withinthe next four years.
You continue to get strongerin your faith, you get stronger in
your convictions, you getstronger in your purpose.
Whatever it is that you arehere on this earth for now is the

(03:54):
time to showcase it in astronger and more profound way than
ever before.
Maybe this is a sign.
Maybe this is the lesson inorder for us to receive and achieve
a bigger blessing.
Maybe we got a little complacent.
Maybe we got a little toocomfortable in our skin.
But now, now is the time thatwe do something better.

(04:16):
We do something even better.
We get better.
We get become more united inour cause, in our fight.
Maybe we were a little not together.
Maybe we weren't as united aswe should be.
But now is the time that we,as they say, man up or we woman up.
We get ready.
We get ready for this fight.
Because this battle, this waris not over.

(04:38):
No, it's just getting started.
So therefore, guys, I want tolet you all know that it's not over.
And I'm encouraging you tostay strong, stay prayed up and stay
ready to do whatever it is youhave to do by whatever means necessary
to get the job done, get themission done.

(05:01):
Because right now we'refighting for our rights.
We're fighting for everyone's rights.
We're fighting for female rights.
We're fighting for civilrights, black rights.
Every right that's out therethat is not.
That there are against.
Well, guess what?
We are not going to stand.
We're not going to sit downand let them do what they think that
you can do to us.

(05:22):
Because we are not.
They think we are.
We are stronger than that.
We are.
We are united in the cause tomake sure that the plan that God
has for us.
That's right, God.
God is still in control.
Don't forget that.
Just because you think andfeel that God was off the wheel for

(05:43):
one.
Took his eyes off the prizefor a minute.
No, he did not.
He knows what's going on.
And you know what?
He is equipping you right nowto do what has to be done.
So stay prayed up, stay ready,stay on the battlefield.
Because quite frankly, that'sall we got now.
Because let's continue toeducate our next generation.

(06:05):
Because quite frankly, ifthey're going to do what we think
they're going to do.
Our future has no chance.
But guess what?
Our future does have a chancebecause we're still here.
We're still doing what?
Guess what we're doing.
We're still breathing.
So therefore, let's do it.
Let's do this.
Now, I'm going to give a quickprayer real quickly and then I'm
going to turn it back over tothe host.

(06:25):
Dear Heavenly Father, rightnow, we pray that you just use us,
you equip us to do what wehave to do in order to fulfill your
will.
Heavenly Father, yes, somebodythat we may not like is going to
take over the wheel, but wegot to remember that you are the
king, the true king, the truepresident of our lives, Lord.

(06:46):
Heavenly Father.
So therefore, we're going tojust follow your will.
We're going to follow yourguidance on Heavenly Father, but
we're going to do everythingwe can within the rights that has
been placed before us to makesure that your will is done and achieved
in the way that it should be achieved.
We pray in this prayer in yourson Jesus name.
Amen.
Thank God and I thank you forthis time and I pray that there will

(07:11):
be another time and I shall return.
God bless.
Prayers, community, action, change.
All of these things are soneeded right now, y'all.
I am so happy that we areartists, that we are activists, that

(07:31):
we are filmmakers, that we arechange makers because we're needed
right now more than ever.
And I am so, so, so, so, so,so, so thankful that Reverend Brian
was able to take the time todo a quick hot take, prayer and sermon
for us about a new way.

(07:53):
I am encouraged and honestly,I'm resting in the fact that with
this knucklehead coming tooffice, we really have no choice
but to rest on God and seewhat happens.
All while doing our part.
Just like Brian said.
Safe Haven with Brian Puselyis available in the exact same place

(08:15):
where you are listening to mypodcast, Nosy af.
Thank you for going to churchwith me, y'all.
I really appreciate it.
I said thank you for going tochurch with me, y'all.
I said thank you for going tochurch with me.
I'm pretending like I havechurch organs in my head one day

(08:37):
at a time.
We have each other and I am sothankful for that.
I'm so thankful for that.
Listen, I know this was adifferent podcast.
And next episode we are backwith a brand new artist for you to
meet or be reintroduced toagain and I can't wait for you to

(08:59):
meet them.
I look forward to hearing yourfeedback on this episode, on the
election episodes and youknow, did you like the prayer?
Hate it.
Want more of it?
I want to know.
I truly love when y'all talkto me, so please don't hesitate to
hit me up.
I love hearing from you and Iadore you.

(09:19):
So until next time, y'all take care.
This has been another episodeof Nosy af.
I'm your host, Stephanie Graham.
What did you think abouttoday's conversation?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
Head over to the Nosy AFwebsite for all the show notes related
to this episode.
You can also find me onInstagram at Stephanie Graham, what

(09:41):
would you know?
Or [e-mail] whereyou can sign up for my newsletter
where I share exclusiveupdates about my studio practice
as well as this podcast.
Until next time, y'all staycurious and take care.
Bye.