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.

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.

Nicole Zasowski is a licensed marriage and family therapist, writer, and speaker. She is also the author of From Lost to Found: Giving Up What You Think You Want for What Will Set You Free. In her book, Nicole reveals her own story of how challenges such as unwanted transition, multiple miscarriages, and crippling anxiety gave way to a deepened faith and connection with Jesus. She has also been a regular contributor to Darling Magazine – a publication for women that seeks to redefine femininity and challenge women to find their true identity and purpose.

Dr. Jillian Lampert is a Registered Dietician, adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota and is the Chief Strategy Officer at The Emily Program, a treatment program for those struggling with eating disorders. Dr. Lampert is also the Co-founder and President of the Residential Eating Disorders Consortium and the Treasurer of the Eating Disorders Coalition, a DC-based national organization for eating disorders policy and advocacy.

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.

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.

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.

Arielle is a Spoken Word Poet, author, and speaker. She has shared her work in keynote talks with companies such as Google, Lululemon, and Tedx and has emceed events such as Anchored in Love for teenage girls, featuring surfer Bethany Hamilton.

What strikes me about Arielle is the power of her words; not only the words themselves, but the conviction and artistry in her delivery. Her words have the power to pierce through life’s superficial trappings and speak directly to the soul; reminding us of Whose we are and calling forth the stirrings of our true self.

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.

Evelyn Tribole’s message is a breath of fresh air. She is a wise and compassionate voice, teaching people around the world how to reconnect with their bodies and make peace with food.

Evelyn is a registered dietician, the author of 9 books, and co-author of the best-selling book: Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach, which has been the basis of over 125 studies to date. Evelyn enjoys public speaking around the world and trains health professionals on how to help their clients cultivate a healthy relationship with food, mind, and body through the process of Intuitive Eating.

Miles Adcox is the Owner and CEO of Onsite, an internationally known emotional wellness lifestyle brand that delivers life-changing personal growth workshops, inspiring content, leadership retreats, and emotional treatment. Miles is also a speaker, podcast host, business leader, coach, and works with and consults several NGO’s. His work at Onsite has been featured on 20/20, Good Morning America, New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Dr. Phil Show, and The Doctors. Miles Adcox has devoted his life to living into these three concepts: Empathy over action, love over agenda, and grace over advice.

Melody Miles is a writer, coach, founder of the company Soulcation, and formerly an international expert at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. There she helped launch the global campaign to eradicate malaria.

After working in 25 African countries by the age of 30, Melody found herself hyperventilating, in the midst of a panic attack, utterly confused why she felt so stressed, exhausted, and unhappy inside the life she always thought she wanted. In the wake of her pain, she quit her dream job, sold her belongings, and traveled solo around the world to forge a new way forward. On the other side of her adventure, Melody founded Soulcation, a company helping fellow hustlers, perfectionists, and world-changers develop regular self-care routines that calm inner chaos and revive the soul.

Natasha is an anti-diet nutritionist and the founder of The Thick Nutritionist brand. She is also a certified Zumba instructor and advocate for promoting enjoyable movement for all bodies in a non-judgmental, body-positive environment.

In short, Natasha is passionate about spreading the word about the anti-diet message, body acceptance, health at every size, and intuitive eating. She believes that we all deserve to live a fulfilling life, free of the pressures of diet culture.

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.

Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor from Castle Rock, Colorado and is the author of the book, Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode-and into a Life of Connection and Joy.

In our time together, Aundi taught me all how when we pay compassionate attention to ourselves and stay curious, we are more able to heal and notice true beauty in our lives. If you are ever hard on yourself or struggle to believe in your own beloved ness, this episode is for you.

Jean Kilbourne is a renowned activist, speaker, and author. She is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on the image of women in advertising, in addition to her critical studies of alcohol and tobacco advertising. Beginning in the 1960’s, she began to explore the connection between advertising and various public health issues, such as eating disorders, violence against women, and addiction. She wondered how messaging in advertising contributes to these issues.

If you have ever struggled with body image or your relationship with food, this episode is for you. Christy is an anti-diet registered dietician, certified intuitive eating counselor, an accomplished journalist, and the author of Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating. She also hosts a weekly podcast called Food Psych, which is one of Apple’s top 100 health podcasts, with tens of thousands of listeners worldwide.

Carlos Whittaker is an author, speaker, and, according to his wife, a hope dealer. Carlos is a father of three and documents his family’s life, struggles, and adventures in front of a large social media following. As he addresses topics ranging from bird watching to racism on social media, he demonstrates vulnerability, curiosity, and grace.

Carlos has authored three books: Moment Maker, Kill the Spider, and his latest title, Enter Wild. In short, Carlos is a master at showing what it looks like to live out a fervent and adventurous faith in the midst of real life.

Lacy Finn Borgo is an author, teacher, and spiritual director. She provides spiritual direction and teaches at the Renovaré Institute, for the DMin. in Spiritual Direction program at Fuller Theological Seminary and at Portland Seminary. Lacy also provides spiritual direction for adults through GoodDirtMinistries.org and for children at Haven House. She also recently released her latest book Spiritual Conversations with Children: Listening to God Together.

So, if God is the source of beauty, it seems important to know more about how we might draw near to that Source. Thankfully that is, in fact, Lacy’s specialty.

In addition to leading Scripture Circles in the rabbinical tradition at Art House North, Melody Olson is a gifted singer/songwriter and Director of Music and Art at Awaken West Seventh in St. Paul, Minnesota. There is artistry in all that Melody is involved in, awakening hearts and minds to the beauty alive in the world and alive in the character of God.