Podcast Episode Summary

Them Before Us #093 | A Journey from Orphanage to Advocacy: Promoting Healthy Citizens in Indiana

Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Jennifer Friesen
Guest: Berjan (Bergen) Crispin, Deputy Director, Good Citizen Project

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the personal journey of Berjan Crispin, who transitioned from orphanage life in Bulgaria to becoming an advocate for strong families and child-centric policy in Indiana. Host Jennifer Friesen explores Berjan's background, motivation for advocacy, and practical approaches for building healthy communities. Key areas discussed include the breakdown of the nuclear family, the necessity of compassionate policy, bipartisan advocacy, and current legislative wins in Indiana protecting children’s rights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Berjan’s Origin Story & Motivation [01:05–04:06]

• Background:
  • Born in Bulgaria (1998), spent early years in an orphanage marked by "abuse, neglect, malnutrition" (01:32).
  • Adopted in 2000 into a Christian conservative family in Wheaton, Illinois—the “Wheaton Bubble.”
  • Younger sibling also adopted; found identity and inspiration in both family and faith.
• Motivation:
  • Commitment to advocacy for strong, pro-family values rooted in personal experience.
  • “I want to be able to use the gifts and the resources that I have to be able to share my story with others and to be a light in a dark world.” — Berjan ([02:26])

2. From Personal Experience to Public Policy [04:06–06:34]

• Education & Research:
  • Heritage Foundation fellowship and academic work on poverty’s “transgenerational” cycles.
  • Key insight: The central importance of the nuclear family in combating poverty and community breakdown.
  • “If the family breaks down, the community breaks down over time.” — Berjan ([04:55])
• Transition to Policy:
  • Shift from corporate finance to legislative sessions in the Indiana House.
  • Commitment to working “on the front lines of culture...rolling up my sleeves” and driving change.

3. Compassionate Conservatism & Community Responsibility [06:34–11:01]

• Addressing Stereotypes:
  • Recognizes the ‘bootstraps’ mentality but urges greater empathy for those from broken or unsupported backgrounds.
  • “When family has been destroyed... Where do people learn how to work hard?” — Jennifer ([07:10])
• Role of Faith Communities:
  • The church must reclaim its place in supporting vulnerable individuals, not just outsource care to the government.
  • “I think the church has gotten a little bit lazy on and has taken a backseat...” — Berjan ([09:46])
• Long-Term Perspective:
  • “We’re not a long-term fix culture...but I think we need to take a step back, look at the big picture...” — Berjan ([10:38])

4. Indiana Policy Wins: Protecting Children & Families [11:01–15:22]

• Parental Rights Legislation:
  • Senate Bill 143 passed after a four-year effort; protects parents from being accused of abuse/neglect for not affirming a child's transition.
  • “...if you...don't affirm your child...that doesn't count as abuse and neglect....these are real issues that need to be addressed.” — Berjan ([11:34])
  • Addressed high-profile cases like the Cox case (parents denied custody after not affirming a child's gender transition).
• Online Safety:
  • New law requires age and ID verification for explicit online materials; further step to “protect kids for as long as they can.”
  • “We’re making sure that we’re taking care of our kids and families and making sure that we’re protecting kids...” — Berjan ([12:38])
• Looking Forward:
  • Acknowledgment that Indiana is not immune from national trends on issues like IVF and surrogacy; ongoing efforts to prioritize children's needs at the legislative level.

5. Bipartisan, Relationship-Driven Advocacy [15:22–19:37]

• Moving Beyond Partisanship:
  • Advocacy is most effective when grounded in person-to-person dialogues, not “shouting from the mountaintops.”
  • “The responsibility is to have winsome arguments and conversations one person at a time and talk about and try and appeal to the humanity of the issue.” — Berjan ([17:34])
  • Listening well and stripping labels is key to policy progress.
• Public Discourse Approach:
  • Host references Charlie Kirk’s model: using public Q&A to persuade, not sow division.
  • “The debate is very rarely for the two people talking...But...undecided...hear a presentation of the arguments and a back and forth offers them something...” — Jennifer ([19:51])

6. The Good Citizen Project & Church Ambassador Network [21:25–25:30]

• Good Citizen Project:
  • National initiative providing legal/policy support to Christian schools and churches with a focus on religious liberty and readiness for cultural/legal challenges.
• Church Ambassador Network:
  • Facilitates connections between pastors and elected officials—“boots on the ground” strategy for both spiritual support and policy input.
  • “We connected with 90% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats. So we're reaching legislators across both sides...” — Berjan ([24:18])
• Resources and Engagement:
  • GoodCitizen US [website] and Indiana Family Institute as access points for information and community involvement.

7. Encouragement for Aspiring Advocates [25:30–28:09]

• Facing Opposition:
  • Acknowledgment of real risks (e.g., activists facing hostility when collecting signatures), but calls for perseverance.
• Inspirational Message:
  • “Have no fear, for I’ve overcome the world....It’s our job, whatever the risk, to be good stewards of what we’ve been given and to step out in faith and to get engaged and get involved.” — Berjan ([26:30])
  • Stresses the eternal value of advocacy and societal engagement despite short-term challenges.

8. Closing Thoughts & Ways to Connect [28:23–29:37]

• Further Engagement:
  • Listeners are encouraged to connect via the GoodCitizen US website, Instagram, and the Indiana Family Institute.
  • “We’re in this for the long haul. This isn’t just an Indiana thing, this is a national thing....Indiana can be the model for the nation...” — Berjan ([28:36])
• Host Reflection:
  • Jennifer praises Berjan’s journey from orphan to family policy leader: “It’s so neat to see how God has used your story...and how you’re using that to support and build up families in Indiana.” ([29:02])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "If the family breaks down, the community breaks down over time."
  — Berjan ([04:55])

• "We want most of the same issues. But the debate comes into how do you get there...But you have to strip the partisanship of it, otherwise nothing's going to get accomplished."
  — Berjan ([18:11])

• "We know how the story ends. And so it's our job, whatever the risk, to be good stewards of what we've been given and to step out in faith and to get engaged and get involved."
  — Berjan ([26:30])

• "We connected with 90% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats. So we're reaching legislators across both sides of the aisle."
  — Berjan ([24:18])

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Introduction & Berjan’s Story| Berjan’s origin and adoption journey | 01:05–04:06| | Entry into Policy Work | Academic work, shift into policy, views on family’s role | 04:06–06:34| | Addressing Stereotypes | On ‘bootstraps’ mentality and empathy for struggling communities | 06:34–11:01| | Indiana Legislative Wins | Parental rights bill and online child safety laws | 11:01–14:48| | Bipartisan Advocacy | Building common ground, dialogue over division | 15:22–19:37| | Good Citizen Project Intro | Legal support for churches/schools, Church Ambassador Network | 21:25–25:30| | Encouragement for Advocates | Advice for getting involved locally amidst opposition | 25:30–28:09| | Closing & Connection | Where to learn more and connect with Berjan | 28:23–end |

Episode Tone

The episode maintains a warm, conversational, and motivating tone. Both Jennifer and Berjan balance stories of personal perseverance with practical advice for listeners aiming to defend children’s rights and strengthen communities.

For Listeners

Missed the episode? This conversation will leave you inspired by Berjan’s journey, equipped with current legislative developments, and encouraged to get engaged—whatever your personal starting point. Indiana’s policies and community approaches offer a model worth exploring, wherever you live.

For further resources and to connect:

• GoodCitizen US [website]
• Indiana Family Institute
• Berjan’s Instagram [to be linked in show notes]