Talitha, Arise! Refreshers Are Being Served at The Table!
What we're about (and a list of free resources to help you make the world better!)
Hi Changemakers!
I’m not a big consumer of refresher drinks—often garnished with fruit, flowers, boba, or umbrellas—but my teens love these *non-alcoholic* versions. It’s not that I don’t like a nice refresher, especially under the San Diego sun, but if I am not drinking plain jane water or hibiscus tea, I am drinking my vice: coffee.
The Table—this email—was founded originally based on a chapter in a book I’ve forever been writing—Restart the Rising: Every Woman’s Path for a Better World. I’m excited for some traction I’ve recently been getting, but that isn’t want this email is about. It’s about you and whether you want to be at this Table.
The first chapter of this book is an invitation to sit down and have a drink with me. Why? I believe real genuine conversations are the foundation of changemaking. It begins with community, connection, understanding—and then, through that, inspiration, ideas, synergy, strengths, teamwork. The list of good goes on.
To make a better world, we start at a table together.
I can’t actually have a refreshing spritzer with most of of you. But I am sitting at a table right now, drinking ethical coffee from a shop called Talitha. This is an ancient Aramaic name that has stuck around through millennia. Why? Because in the story associated with it, a young girl came back to life.
It is a call to arise.
I found this coincidentally fitting—partially because if we really were drinking refreshers or coffee together, I’d hope it could be at a cute ethically-sourced place like this. But mostly because that is my goal here: to walk with you (and you with me) AS WE ARISE, TOGETHER.
No matter your gender, your age, your culture, your favorite drink—I want to ensure you actually want to be here. I want to know if you want to keep rising. Even after knocked down a time or ten, like I’ve been, do you still dream of good that extends, multiplies, and flourishes?
Do you want to keep rising with me for a better world?
If so, please stick around. And if not—no hard feelings—you have permission to unsubscribe. There’s no need to burden your inbox or mental load.
That being said, sip this refresher of what we’re here for in our community of Average Advocates below.
Refresher #1: We start with our common beliefs
Here we believe that all humans matter, are equal in value, and worthy of love. We believe we are better together. And that everyday people—including kids—can be changemakers. We believe that our lives have purpose and that we’re each gifted with unique ways to bring our light to the world. We share from our different perspectives, aim to be learners, and act graciously and respectfully.
Sure, there is a lot we might not agree on, too. But we capitalize on these to connect and work together for a better world.
Refresher #2: Know that you belong
Do you want to ensure you belong here? You do if you see yourself between these lines:
Some of you are at the very beginning of this journey — you care deeply about what you see in the world around you, but might not call yourself a changemaker yet (and that’s okay).
Some of you have already been doing this work for awhile — leading in nonprofits, ministries, community initiatives, social impact businesses, and grassroots movements. You want to connect with others, pass on what you’ve learned, and take steps to prioritize and prevent burnout.
Some of you are writers, speakers, or communicators — and I’m walking with you as you amplify your message and brand, learning how to articulate how you bring hope to the world in a way people can feel and respond to.
Some of you are building or growing social impact initiatives — launching nonprofits, designing purpose-driven businesses, or pivoting existing work toward sustainability, ethical practices, and system-wide justice. I’m helping you shape that vision into actual structure and strategy.
Some of you are parents or mentors — you’re wanting to raise justice-minded kids and weave empathy, formation, and kindness into everyday family life.
Some of you are a tension point — you want to make a difference, but you’re worn, busy juggling life, and trying to keep what you and your loved ones safe, all while trying not to lose hope as you look out and see the injustice and brokenness of our world.
If one or more of these applies to you, or you simply want to do your little part in helping the world inch a little closer to flourishing—you’re needed here.
Refresher #3: There is a free library of resources already designed for you
If you’re getting this email, you have access to these digital gifts.1 Feel free to grab whichever ones you want from this file here.
These are my most popular resources:
Justice Daily Manifesto - Your “why” and pledge to 21 values for a better world
Phases of Rising Up - your guide through the journey through changemaking
Journal Through Change - processing loss in transition (both faith-based and neutral versions available)
Purpose Roadmap: Story Worth Living - coaching resource to help you begin processing what matters to you and begin determined the direction of your life
Here are others you also might find valuable:
7 Qualities for Rising Leaders
Intentional Acts of Kindness Checklist
Family Summer Challenge Checklist
Should I Start a Nonprofit? (Guide)
Fundraising Workshop
Help for Sexual Exploitation Poster
Justice-Minded Kids: Supplemental Bible Verses
Nine Social Good Advocacy Ideas
Conversations With Kids About Exploitation: Foundations
Serve: Understanding Justice From A Faith Perspective
Building Your Recovery Support Team Worksheet
Daily List: Evidence-Based Actions to Reduce Depression
All of these resources and more are in this file for you to use whenever you like. I hope you take advantage of them. I’ve spend countless hours over the years creating them simply to empower you.
When I’ve have the right group of people signed up, I’ll be guiding a cohort going through them one at a time, to provide connection and accountability. If you are interested in this opportunity, just reply to this email or message me and let me know.
Refresher #4: We are World Changers United!
World Changers United is a low-key why to connect where I take all the advocacy and awareness topics of each month and make sure you know about them. It’s so much easier to talk about something that matters to you when all the resources are pre-prepped! Jumping on-board with what’s already out there is an easy way to get moving for the good of others.
Choose one thing each month and take one tiny action on it. Join our group on Facebook or follow me on IG to tell me what action you’ll take.
Refresher #5: You can actually talk to me!
Do you want to just connect face-to face? I love talking with new-to-me people in these 20-30 minute no-pressure calls. What you care about? What do you hope to move forward in? What do you need to stay well or connected to your purpose while making the world a better place? Let’s talk about it. Book a conversation with me here.
Refresher #6: There are other ways to connect with me
Okay, if I was you, I’d check out by now. But I want to make sure you’re aware of all these in case they fill a gap for you:
You can always see everything else AverageAdvocate.com.
I also write at Authentically Elisa to talk about personal trauma, healing, faith, and other raw stuff.
I can be found at Flourishing Faith and Justice at a religion column for Patheos Magazine.
I’ve authored two books: Justice-Minded Kids: Bite-sized challenges to empower kids to practice justice, compassion, and love and The Life Mapping Workbook: Align With Your Purpose and Design a Path For Intentional and Impactful Living
What’s your drink of choice?
I’m committed to coaching everyday changemakers in their purpose, message, and practice of doing good. I hope you continue to join me in this, as I know I can’t go it without you. Let’s brush off the grass from our knees and rise together to make a better world.
Out of curiosity, would is your drink of choice? Would you reply or tell me in a comment what refreshing drink you’d bring to this Table as we got to know each other?
Love,
Elisa @averageadvocate
P.S. I’d also let me me one thing you’d love to grow in by commenting on this post in Substack or replying to this email.
Please invite friends if you know any who care about making the world better!
If you happened upon this not in your inbox, but as a post, please subscribe before accessing. These are created for people who want to be part of this community.
That yummy cup of coffee you're holding is my drink of choice! Growth, interesting thing to ponder as I move towards a new season of life. I am not sure - I think of my young adult daughters heading off to college, volunteer work, and my walk with God. I think, during this inbetween time of 1 year-ish, I am waiting. Waiting for direction, waiting for guidance, and wading through transition. Transition doesn't have to be uncomfortable, but it is new. A new I don't know, a new I am unsure of, a new I feel a little shaky about. But it isn't new for God, it is His plan, His guidance, and I'm under His leadership. So, I guess I am looking to better trust the process...which seems like the story of my life - trusting God more than I trust me.
I love a good mocktail - especially if it has health benefits like kombucha! But I would say I want to grow in intentionality. We have many refugees in the area, but I haven't created the space or capacity to get to know them. I'm also a teacher, which gives me space to raise good conversations among 8th graders, but using my time intentionally is a growth area for sure!