"You Are Not a Machine" with Joy Marie Clarkson

Joy Marie Clarkson holds a PhD in theology from the University of St. Andrews and is the author of two books, Aggressively Happy and, most recently, You Are a Tree. She is also a research associate in theology and literature at King's College London and the books editor for Plough Quarterly.

In our time together, Joy shares about how teaching a course on the idea of beauty in Western Theology has shaped her views on the topic, as well as her study of how art can prepare us for death. Joy also explains the power of the metaphors we use. In our discussion, and in her latest book, You Are a Tree, she helps us move away from impersonal, productivity-oriented metaphors to help us live into more life-giving and generative ways of being human.

"How Technology Is Shaping Our Souls" with Felicia Wu Song

Felicia Wu Song is a cultural sociologist, speaker, and author who studies how social media and digital devices alter the family, community, and organizational life. Felicia has studied History, Communication Studies and Sociology at Yale, Northwestern, and University of Virginia.

In my conversation with Felicia, we discuss her latest book, Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age. Felicia helps us better understand how social media is shaping our relationships, our understanding of beauty, and how we engage beauty. She also unpacks how we can engage digital technologies in ways that don’t feel all-consuming, as well as how we can help safeguard the kids in our lives from the negative impacts of social media.

"The Nearness of God" with Kristi McLelland

Kristi McLelland is an author, professor at Williamson College, and a biblical culturalist who teaches the Bible in its historical, cultural context. Kristi’s most recent book is entitled, Rediscovering Israel: A Fresh Look at God’s Story in its Historical and Cultural Contexts. Kristi’s study trips to Israel, Italy, Turkey, and Greece, as well as her in-person and online resources, position Westerners to discover the Bible within the Middle Eastern context in which it was written.

In my time with Kristi, we talk about what she experienced in Israel that helped her encounter the goodness of God in a new way. Kristi also talks about her reflections on the current situation in Israel, the relevance of the Bible in our lives today, why she believes the Bible is the greatest story there is, and how God is a God who sees his children and acts on their behalf.

"Finding Purpose in All Seasons" with Grace Wabuke Klein

From fleeing Uganda under the reign of Idi Amin as a child to having her prayers to get married answered at the age of 42, Grace Wabuke Klein has had a full life. In her new book, Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life, Grace gives a fresh perspective on the winter seasons we all go through, as well as practical steps to not just survive but to find purpose in the unknown and unexpected.

In my time with Grace, she explains how she remained connected to God during her own winter seasons of struggle, what has helped her establish deep roots of faith, and the lies about beauty she has had to shed over the years. Perhaps most importantly, Grace reminds us of our true identity and deep beauty; ultimately, as Grace says it, “we are a reflection of who God is on this earth.”

"When a Dream Becomes Reality" with Grace Casper

The journal Grace Casper began in elementary school has now become her new book, entitled Dear Parents: Notes from a Child of Divorce. Grace Casper is a writer, speaker, full-time elementary school librarian, and the host of the podcast, Divorce: What I Wish My Parents Knew. She graduated from Baylor University and now lives in Waco, Texas.

In my time with Grace, we talk about how her journal entries became a book and the important message she has for parents undergoing divorce or having undergone divorce. We also talk about the beauty of creativity and dreaming, and how we partner with God when we dream. Grace also discusses trends in social media she is noticing in her generation and the generation behind her, as well as her powerful learnings from those in the disability community.

"The Story Behind My Book, ‘Soul-Deep Beauty,’" with Don Pape & Melissa Johnson

In honor of the release of my new book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, I have a special episode in store for you. I recently sat down to have a conversation with my literary agent, Don Pape. Don has been a champion of my book and its message for years now and I can’t thank him enough.

In our time together, we talk about how Don ended up working in the publishing business, how he then became a literary agent, and the unique features of his company, Pape Commons. This conversation is a special one, as we talk about my heart and passion behind Soul-Deep Beauty, the need for this message amidst today’s media saturated culture, as well as some of the vulnerabilities and struggles that have come up along the way.

"We Are All Artists" with Haejin Shim Fujimura

Haejin Shim Fujimura is a seasoned lawyer and the founder and managing partner of Shim & Associates. Haejin is also the CEO and co-founder of Embers International, an organization committed to protecting, restoring, and empowering victims of injustice with the goal of ending intergenerational exploitation and preventing human trafficking. Haejin is married to renowned contemporary artist, Makoto Fujimura, with whom she leads the “Beauty + Justice” movement. One initiative within that movement is Kintsugi Academy, of which Haejin is the President.

"Beauty Saved Me" with Dr. MaryKate Morse

Dr. MaryKate Morse is the executive dean of the Portland Seminary and lead mentor for the Leadership and Spiritual Formation Doctor of Ministry track. In our time together, MaryKate talks about her experience as a spiritual director, the process of spiritual formation, why she believes more people are being called to the ministry of spiritual direction these days, and how beauty literally saved her life when she was sixteen.

"Is Self-Love Indulgent?" with Karlyn Benn, LPC

Karlyn Benn is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Glō Coach. In her coaching work, she helps women live a life full of joy, confidence, and courage all while embracing the beautiful body they have right now. Karlyn specifically emphasizes the inner work that must take place within each of us so that we can show up confidently and authentically to shine in the world around us.

"Much More Than a Farm" with Daron Babcock

Daron Babcock is the founder and executive director of Bonton Farms near Dallas, Texas. Starting as a garden in a small lot, Bonton Farms has grown into two fully functioning, organic farms. The mission of Bonton Farms is “to restore lives, create jobs and ignite hope in a once forgotten and neglected neighborhood with some of the most marginalized people.”

Daron’s love for the people there and his passion for bringing about meaningful change is stunning. I truly can’t wait for you to hear more about his story, his heart, and his work at Bonton Farms.

"Letting Go of Comparison" with Javoni Cobb

Javoni Cobb is an eating disorder recovery coach at the Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland. She has her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and currently works with teens and adults struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and body image issues. In her work with clients, Javoni seeks to help them break free from disordered behaviors to discover food freedom, body acceptance, and self-compassion.

"Exercise, Athletics, and Body Image" with Whitney Otto

In this episode, Whitney Otto talks about her experience as an endurance athlete, particularly as a world champion rower. Whitney was a member of the national rowing team and an alternate in the 2000 Olympics. She has also worked with Women’s Sports Foundation to help bring sport to girls in the inner city. Following her full-time rowing career, Whitney went on to get her masters degree in Counseling Psychology and work in the eating disorder field.

"Cultivating Wonder" with Jonathan Self

Jonathan Self is an incredibly gifted England-based photographer, the creator of a photography course for children called “Cultivating Wonder,” and is a copywriter for Penguin Random House publishing. In his photography work, Jonathan largely specializes in photographing families and children, in addition to providing portraits for branding and start-ups, headshots, engagements and weddings.

Melissa KucharskiFebruary 1, 2021beauty, cultivatingwonder, jonathanself, melissajohnson, impossiblebeauty, photography, mindfulness, wonder

"How Love Transforms Us" with Shawna Boren

Shawna Boren is the Engagement Pastor at Woodland Hills. She has served in various pastoral staff roles in both Texas and Minnesota for over 20 years, but it is at Woodland Hills where Shawna is passionate about helping people find their place of belonging within the larger congregation. In my time with Shawna, she shares her powerful story of how love has transformed her life, her own struggles with beauty, and how her view on authentic beauty has been formed over the years.

"Noticing the Voice of Love" with Adam Weber

Adam is the founder and lead pastor of Embrace, a multi-site church based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and the author of Talking With God, a book on prayer, and his most recent book, Love Has A Name. He also hosts a podcast called The Conversation. Adam has a way of talking about really important things in a lighthearted way. He’s a great storyteller, dynamic speaker, and has a way of inviting us to notice the life of God at work all around us.

"Beauty, Shame, and Neuroscience" with Dr. Curt Thompson

Dr. Thompson is a Washington D.C. based psychiatrist, author, and speaker who integrates interpersonal neurobiology and a Christian view of what it means to be human. He seeks to educate and encourage others as they seek to fulfill their intrinsic desire to feel known, valued and connected. Curt’s insights about how the brain affects and processes relationships help people discover a fresh perspective and practical applications to foster healthy and vibrant lives, allowing them to get unstuck and move toward the next beautiful thing they’re being called to make.

"Strengthening the 'Beauty Muscle'" with Stephanie Williams O'Brien

Stephanie is a pastor at Mill City Church in Minneapolis, she teaches at Bethel Seminary, and is the executive producer and cohost of Lead Stories Podcast with Jo Saxton. Stephanie has also authored two books, Stay Curious: How Questions and Doubts Can Save Your Faith and Make a Move: How to Stop Wavering and Make Decisions in a Disorienting World.

Stephanie was kind enough to tackle some tough issues with me: about faith, struggle, and about how she makes sense of the realities of beauty and tragedy.

"Becoming Wholehearted in a Broken World" with Morgan and Cherie Snyder

Morgan Snyder is a strategist, entrepreneur, teacher, speaker and the author of Becoming a King: The Path to Restoring the Heart of a Man. Morgan’s passion is to shape the men and women who are shaping the kingdom of God. In 2010, he established BecomeGoodSoil.com, a fellowship of leaders whose global reach offers guidance for becoming the kind of person to whom God can entrust the care of his kingdom. Morgan serves on the executive leadership team at Wild at Heart and Ransomed Heart Ministries, where he and his wife Cherie have worked with John and Stasi Eldredge for more than two decades.

"How God Sees Me" with Stasi Eldredge

Stasi Eldredge is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold nearly three million copies. She is a teacher, conference speaker and the director of women’s ministry at Ransomed Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God’s love, and learn to live in God’s kingdom. Stasi founded this ministry with her husband, John, and it has been used by God to change the hearts of men and women all over the world.

PodcastMelissa KucharskiJuly 29, 2020impossiblebeauty, beauty, minneapolis, StasiEldredge