Bridging Borders and Healing Hearts: Deb Hensen's Work at the US-Mexico Border - Pt 1

**Episode Summary:**
In this episode of the Transforming Lives panel podcast, hosts Sharmin Prince and Mitzy Dadoun welcome Deb Hensen, a compassionate disruptor, spiritual guide, and lifelong border crosser. Deb shares her journey from corporate marketing at IBM to becoming an interfaith chaplain and border activist. She discusses her work at the US-Mexico border, offering refuge and radical hospitality to those fleeing violence, poverty, and climate devastation. Deb's story is one of transformation, resilience, and the power of presence in healing fractured systems and people.

**Key Topics:**

- **Introduction to Deb Henson:** Deb is introduced as a compassionate disruptor and author of "Borderlines, Stories from an El Paso Shelter." She has spent five winters on the front lines of the US-Mexico border, providing refuge and hospitality.

- **Deb's Career Transition:** Deb shares her journey from teaching French to working in corporate marketing at IBM, and eventually transitioning to chaplaincy and border activism. She discusses the challenges and surprises along the way.

- **Chaplaincy and Border Activism:** Deb explains her role as a chaplain in a trauma hospital and how it led her to work at the border. She highlights the similarities between her chaplaincy work and her activism, emphasizing the importance of presence and adaptability.

- **Cultural and Spiritual Insights:** Deb reflects on the beauty of diverse wisdom traditions and the importance of finding common ground and respect in different cultures and faiths.

- **Lessons Learned:** Deb discusses the skills she brought from her corporate and chaplaincy experiences to her work at the border, including cultural navigation and the joy of humble work.

- **Challenges and Rewards:** Deb shares the emotional and physical challenges faced by those crossing the border and the importance of kindness and support in their journey.

**Quotes:**
- "It's a joy that my Spanish is fluent enough now to be able to not understand every word, but to really understand the stories that people want to share."
- "I am really finding a taste for what I would call humble work these days."

**Call to Action:**
Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own journeys of transformation and consider how they can contribute to creating communities of care and support for those in need.

**Connect with Us:**
- Follow the Transforming Lives panel podcast for more inspiring stories and discussions.
- Share your thoughts and feedback on this episode with us on social media.

**Thank You:**
A heartfelt thank you to Deb Henson for sharing her inspiring journey and to our listeners for tuning in. Your support and engagement make these conversations possible.

Guest: Deb Hansen

"Deb can be reached at [e-mail]."

Host: Sharmin Prince

Transformational Coach, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Trainer, Content Creator.

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