Alastair Sterne’s invitation to joy was an unexpected one. Ironically, it was while struggling with depression that he started to pay attention to the full array of his emotions, including joylessness.

In this fascinating conversation with creative director turned pastor, Alastair Sterne, he discusses his latest book, Longing for Joy: An Invitation to the Goodness and Beauty of Life. Alastair is currently the associate pastor at Coastline Church in Victoria, British Columbia. In our time together, he talks about why joy can be so elusive, how we can hold joy alongside suffering, how joy connects us to God, and practical ways we can cultivate joy.

JohnsonNovember 11, 2024longingforjoy, joy, recoveringjoy, alastairsterne, theodicy, cultivatingjoy, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast

"Invited to Joy and Justice" with Mike Kelsey

Mike Kelsey is a Campus Pastor, and a member of the Teaching Team at the McLean Bible Church near Washington D.C. Mike is a third-generation pastor in the D.C. area. In this episode, Mike speaks to two distinctives of the true beauty reality that God invites us into, a life of joy and justice.

In our time together, Mike explains how witnessing true joy changed the trajectory of his life, the challenges and gifts of leading a multi-ethnic congregation, how justice is central to God’s vision for humanity, and why he believes women’s struggle with beauty is a significant pastoral and discipleship issue in the church.

"What If It's Wonderful?" with Nicole Zasowski, MS, LMFT

Nicole Zasowski is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and speaker. In her new book, entitled What If It’s Wonderful? Nicole invites readers to trust joy and find the courage to celebrate when we have endured seasons of disappointment and despair.

In this conversation, Nicole invites us to open our hearts and minds to joy and celebration in authentic and grounding ways. She also makes a psychological and spiritual case for the importance of embracing joy and celebration, even when it feels scary, and discusses tangible practices to help us move from worry and “what ifs” to embracing the vibrancy of the present moment.