"Aesthetic 'Perfection' Does Not Equal Wholeness" with Amy Julia Becker

Amy Julia Becker is an award-winning writer and speaker on personal, spiritual, and social healing. Amy Julia’s most recent book is To Be Made Well: An Invitation to Wholeness, Healing, and Hope. Becker is a graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv). She also holds a bi-vocational license with the Evangelical Covenant Church.

In this episode, Amy Julia challenges us to look at healing, wholeness, and health in a new way; a way that helps us see ourselves as multidimensional, interrelated beings. She talks about what operating in the world of disability has taught her about beauty, invites us to see others and ourselves through the lens of belovedness, and shows us how being a specimen of physical flawlessness is not the highest form of health and wholeness.

JohnsonMay 23, 2022amyjuliabecker, tobemadewell, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast, melissajohnson, healing, wholeness

"On Earth as it is in Heaven" with Kellie Haddock

Kellie Haddock is a self-proclaimed hope giver. The kind of hope Kellie exudes is not naïve or shallow, but real and hard won. Kellie is a singer, songwriter, wife, and mom. She is also a former widow who has lived through tragedy and found hope and joy on the other side.

In today’s episode, Kellie tells us all about her new album, Orchids from Fire; what inspired it, how she experienced God while creating it, and why this project is different from any other album she’s made. She also talks about how she is able to remain hopeful and connected to God amidst life’s struggles and tragedies, the importance of women celebrating versus competing with one another, and why she believes the role of creatives is to bridge the gap between heaven and earth.

JohnsonMay 16, 2022kelliehaddock, orchidsfromfire, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast, melissajohnson

"Connecting with 'the Invisible God'" with Krispin Mayfield, LPC

Krispin Mayfield is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Oregon. Trained in attachment-based emotionally focused therapy, Krispin has served for over ten years in church-based trauma recovery programs. In today’s show, I am thrilled for him to share how our early-learned blueprint for relating impacts our adult relationships and even our relationship with God.

In our time together, Krispin helps us explore what the four main attachment styles are, how these styles impact our adult romantic relationships, and how they impact our relationship with God. Krispin also helps us understand how we might move toward experiencing a more secure attachment with God.

"We Don't Understand Just How Powerful Love Really Is" with Jena Holliday

Jena Holliday is a Minneapolis-based graphic artist, children’s book author and illustrator, wife, mother, and the founder and Director of the online shop and platform, Spoonful of Faith. Her work can be found at retailers such as Target, Michaels, and Kirklands and her recent children’s book release, A Spoonful of Faith, was featured on Good Morning America.

In our time together, we talk about Jena’s transition from a full-time marketing career to creating her own business as a graphic artist, and what she felt God telling her in that transition. Jena also shares how she creates from a place of worship and sees her work as an incredible opportunity to co-create alongside God.

JohnsonApril 26, 2022jenaholliday, spoonfuloffaith, aspoonfuloffaith, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast

"Connecting with Our Bodies, Connecting with Each Other" with Tara Owens, CSD, CSDS

Tara Owens is the founder and executive director of Anam Cara Ministries, where she has been accompanying others in their journeys with God for 15 years as a certified spiritual director and supervisor. Tara holds a Masters of Theological Studies in Spiritual Formation, combined with a certificate in Death, Dying & Grieving, from Tyndale Seminary, and the Advanced Certificate in Supervision from the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University.

In my conversation with Tara, we talk about soul friendship; what it is, how it impacts the world, and how it plays a crucial role in resisting culture. We also talk at length about Tara’s book, Embracing the Body. Tara helps us move away from cultural trends of objectifying or criticizing our bodies, to instead befriend our bodies and see them as good.

"When Tragedy Happens" with Lisa Appelo

On this week’s episode, I interview author, speaker, and former litigating attorney, Lisa Appelo. In her new book, Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart, Lisa details the story of becoming a widowed mother of seven and what she’s learned in the process. In her writing and in her ministry, Lisa offers hope to those struggling with disappointment or grief.

In our time together, we talk about what got Lisa through the days following her husband’s death, her passionate invitation for us all to live life deeply, and how all of life can be viewed as an opportunity to be shaped into the people God’s created us to be.

JohnsonApril 4, 2022

"Faith and Doubt" with Dr. Jeffrey Crafton

One of the most significant spiritual mentors in my young adult years was Dr. Jeffrey Crafton. Dr. Crafton is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church, an adjunct professor at North Park Theological Seminary, and a Sacred Studies teacher at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, teaching classes in ethics and faith formation to eleventh and twelfth graders.

This year, Dr. Crafton is retiring from Minnehaha Academy after 26 years of mentoring thousands of high schoolers, as they wade through pivotal faith-related questions. In my time with Dr. Crafton, we tackle some of the same issues and themes that arise in his classes, including issues of faith and doubt, how he sees science as complimentary to faith, and, after studying the uniqueness of Christianity for decades, what he believes to be most captivating about the person of Jesus.

"The Power of Music" with Chenoa Murphy

Chenoa Murphy started the violin at age 3 and was trained in and completed the Suzuki Violin method. She has achieved both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music, as well as her Doctoral studies from the University of Iowa. She has taught violin and viola and is a member of several symphony orchestras in her area. Her opinions on race can be found on CNN, NPR Illinois, and Huffington Post.

In our time together, we talk about what it was like growing up immersed in classical and Gospel music, why black representation in classical music matters, and why she believes authenticity is cornerstone to embodying true beauty.

JohnsonMarch 21, 2022

"Beauty at the Polish-Ukrainian Border" with Davide Martello, "The Piano Man"

Sometimes light shines brightest in the darkness. And that’s exactly what’s happening at the Polish-Ukrainian border, as Davide Martello plays his baby grand piano. Davide Martello, also known as Klavierkunst, is a German pianist of Italian descent. Martello is known for traveling around conflict zones to play his baby grand piano. His mission is to bring peace through music.

Martello’s work has been featured by outlets such as CNN and has previously been recognized by the European parliament for his “outstanding contribution to European cooperation and the promotion of common values.”

"Raising Kids in Diet Culture" with Sumner Brooks, MPH, RD, CEDRD

Sumner Brooks is a registered dietitian (RDN), author, and mom who has spent over 13 years working in the field of nutrition and eating disorders. She most recently co-authored her second book, entitled How to Raise an Intuitive Eater: Raising the Next Generation with Food and Body Confidence.

In this week’s episode we talk about how diet culture disrupts our relationship with food and our bodies, why fear-based messaging is unhelpful in those relationships, and how to go about raising kids with food and body confidence.

"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.

"Why Disordered Eating is Everywhere" with Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani

Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani is an eating disorders expert physician and the Founder and Medical Director of the Gaudiani Clinic in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Gauidiani completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard, medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, and her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Yale. In 2008, she was one of the founding team members of the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders at Denver Health.

In our time together, Dr. Gaudiani covers so many important topics, including the shocking percentage of people whom she believes have a disordered relationship with food, how diet culture has impacted the medical field, and how most doctors don’t understand eating disorders. She also talks about thin privilege, weight stigma, weight-inclusive medical care, and what a balanced relationship with food and our bodies looks like.

"Reconnecting with Creation" with Rev. Dr. Randy and Edith Woodley

Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley is an author, activist, farmer, scholar, speaker, wisdom keeper, and a Cherokee descendant recognized by the Keetoowah Band. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture and Director of Intercultural and Indigenous Studies at George Fox University/Portland Seminary and his expertise has been sought in national venues such as Time Magazine, Christianity Today, and The Huffington Post.

Edith Woodley is a mentor/speaker on issues concerning Indigenous Spirituality and Creation. She is an Eastern Shoshone tribal member and enjoys carrying on the tradition in her family of Native American beadwork with her jewelry. Together, Randy and Edith are co-creators and co-sustainers of Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice and Eloheh Farm & Seeds, where they invite people to a deeper spirituality and new relationship with creation while modeling regenerative Earth-tending practices and Earth justice.

"When 'Healthy' Isn't Helpful" with Victoria Myers, RD

Victoria Myers is a non-diet registered dietitian and owner of the virtual private practice and online education center, Nourishing Minds Nutrition. Victoria and her staff specialize in empowering women to ditch diets, regulate hormones, heal digestion and learn to practice wellness without obsession. She is also the host of the popular intuitive eating and wellness podcast, the Nourishing Women Podcast. Her mission is to help women let go of the unhealthy obsession with eating healthy, make peace with their body and live their lives to the fullest.

In our time together, Victoria helps us understand what orthorexia is, or the unhealthy obsession with being healthy. She also unpacks the concept of fatphobia, why it matters, and how diet culture has skewed our relationship with food and our bodies.

"Listening to a Different Voice" with Dr. Carol Peters-Tanksley

Dr. Carol Peters-Tanksley is a licensed OB-Gyn physician and Reproductive Endocrinologist, an ordained Doctor of Ministry, an author, speaker, and personal coach. She desires to come alongside others in finding healing and transformation so they can live more fully.

In our time together, Dr. Carol talks about the common struggles around beauty and body image she encountered as an OB-Gyn and tells the story behind why she chose to pursue ministry, in addition to being a physician. Dr. Carol also deeply encouraged me by talking about finding purpose in midlife and beyond and reminded me, and us, that “God will not stop until everything is made right.”

"What God Thinks of Us" with Stephanie Spencer

Stephanie Spencer is an enneagram coach and co-leader of the non-profit, 40 Orchards. 40 Orchards creates safe spaces for people to learn about and wrestle through biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concept of Midrash. Stephanie facilitates Scripture Circles in the Minneapolis area and, remotely, around the world.

In our time together, she explains how reading the Bible in a new way “opened up the world” to her, how we have been made to delight in the world around us, and highlights the common thread of feeling like we don’t measure up when it comes to beauty standards and so often in the life of faith as well. She also reminds us that God is intimately involved in each of our stories and that He sees us as beautiful, good, and rejoices over us, even now.

"Beauty As Protest" with Katy Rose

Katy Rose is committed to creating “art to reflect the beauty of light illuminating the darkness.” Trained in psychology and art, Katie desires to bring depth and meaning to each of her paintings. She is also a contributing author for the “Love God Greatly Bible” published by Thomas Nelson in 2020 and has illustrated and written upcoming projects in children’s literature.

Katie lives in Texas with her husband and four children. She and her husband have made it their mission to serve foster children and under-served populations around the globe. Her fine art business was originally launched for that purpose and continues to exist with that guiding principle.

"Beauty Ideals, Social Media, and Selfies" with The Axia Project

This episode is all about beauty ideals, our relationship with our bodies and food, and social media. I can’t think of better conversation partners for this one than Lisa DeKam and Jacquie Danz, the founders of the Axia Project. Lisa is a physical therapist who works in the field of eating disorders and Jacquie is the mom of two teenage girls who is committed to changing the narrative that a females’ appearance is the most important thing about her. Together, Lisa and Jacquie are committed to teaching women that life is more than your appearance and help women build skills to actively live their God-given worth.

"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.

"How Beauty Changed It All" with Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey has explored the most basic questions and deepest mysteries of the Christian faith. He currently has more than 15 million books in print, published in over 50 languages worldwide, and his books have garnered 13 Gold Medallion Awards from Christian publishers and booksellers.

In my time with Philip, we talk about his new book, Where the Light Fell, and why he believes it is the one book he was put on earth to write. We also talk about how his life story has shaped his writing, how beauty transformed his faith and relationship with God, and how his experiences around the world have shaped his views on beauty.

JohnsonDecember 6, 2021philipyancey, wherethelightfell, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast