"Breath Prayer, Anxiety, and Mental Health in the Church" with Jennifer Tucker

Jennifer Tucker is a mom, artist, and graphic designer, primarily working for Ann Voskamp. Jenn is also the author of Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul.

In this conversation, we talk about how both Jenn and her daughter’s struggles with anxiety led her to the practice of breath prayer. Jenn also talks about the importance of making church a safe space for those struggling with mental health issues and encourages us in the slow work of true beauty; it may not be glamorous or a quick fix, but it is ultimately what brings about wholeness and thriving in our lives.

JohnsonNovember 21, 2022

"Meant to Live Fully Alive" with Justin McRoberts

Justin McRoberts is the author of six books, a musician, host of The @Sea Podcast, retreat leader, and leads workshops on the creative process.

In our time together, Justin expands and deepens the ideas of happiness, creativity, and art. He also shares his desire for people to live fully, allowing our souls to actively participate in the world around us. He reminds us that each of us is an essential element in our communities and in the world and that our creative decisions done in love at home and at work deeply matter.

"Why Connection Matters" with Karen Hardwick, M. Div., MSW

In this episode and in her book, The Connected Leader, Montana-based psychotherapist and author, Karen Hardwick, shares all about how to re-connect with our true selves, our purpose in the world, our connection with God, and with other people.

Karen Hardwick is a clinically and spiritually trained psychotherapist-turned-leadership coach, podcast host, and speaker. As a globally recognized leadership consultant, Karen has witnessed a transformation in the lives and performance of thousands of leaders at companies like ESPN, Turner Broadcasting, UPS, and Intercontinental Hotels Group.

JohnsonNovember 7, 2022karenhardwick, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast, whyconnectionmatters, leadership, theconnectedleader

"From Foster Care to Author and Advocate" with Tori Hope Petersen

This week, Tori Hope Petersen’s memoir, Fostered: One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family through Foster Care, will release. Tori is a former foster youth, foster care advocate, and is passionate about foster care reform, adoption advocacy, and vulnerable populations. In addition to her advocacy work, Tori was crowned Mrs. Universe in 2021.

In this episode, I talk with Tori about the powerful story she tells in her forthcoming memoir about growing up in the foster care system, how God’s love has shaped her story, what are helpful and not so helpful ways to support foster youth, and her authentic thoughts on being in the pageant world.

"Healing from Diet Culture" with Liz Wienke, MA, LPC

Liz Wienke wanted to help others find healing in their relationship with food and body image in the same way she had. Liz is a therapist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and a fellow Minnesotan, working at Venture Therapy in White Bear Lake.

In today’s episode, Liz talks about why she gave up dieting, what intuitive eating is and why she’s so passionate about being an intuitive eating counselor, the prevalence of diet culture, the importance of self-compassion, and how faith communities have often gotten it wrong when it comes to our relationship with food and our bodies.

"Persevering in a Broken World" with Cara Whitney

After spending a decade as a radio personality in markets that included Las Vegas, Cara Whitney found herself longing for the simple life. Having grown up on a cattle farm in Northern Wisconsin, she found her way back to the country, this time a horse farm in Nebraska. That is where Cara now lives, along with her husband Dan, known as “Larry the Cable Guy.”

Cara is the author of the bestselling books Fields of Grace and Unbridled Faith. Her latest book is called Country Soul: Inspiring Stories of Heartache Turned to Hope. In today’s episode we talk about lessons of life and faith Cara has learned from the farm, how others’ stories of hope amidst brokenness inspire our own perseverance and faith, and how that “cloud of witnesses” reminds us we’re not alone on this journey home.

JohnsonOctober 3, 2022carawhitney, countrysoul, larrythecableguy, melissajohnson, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast

"Clean Eating, Wellness Culture, and Eating Disorders" with Dr. Colleen Reichmann

In this episode, I talk with licensed clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist, Dr. Colleen Reichmann, all about the trends of wellness culture and clean eating. Dr. Reichmann helps us see how, through the lens of diet culture, our ideas on health and wellness may be a bit warped.

In addition to being a licensed clinical psychologist and eating disorders specialist, Dr. Reichmann is the founder of Wildflower Therapy LLC, and the coauthor of the book, The Inside Scoop on Eating Disorder Recovery: Advice from Two Therapists Who Have Been There.

"Beauty Will Save the World" with Dr. Curt Thompson

Dr. Curt Thompson is a psychiatrist, author, speaker, and the host of The Being Known Podcast. Curt desires to show us how to form deep relationships, discover meaning, and live integrated, creative lives.

In today’s conversation, Curt explains why beauty makes all the difference in our lives; how we can put ourselves in the path of oncoming beauty, and why it’s so important to do so. Curt also names the importance of community in helping us see beauty in ourselves and envisioning beauty amidst the chaos of our own lives. Perhaps most importantly, Curt reminds us that God is a God who wades into the chaos of the world, and the chaos of our lives, and not only sees beauty but is intimately involved in bringing that beauty about.

"Why Soul Care Matters" with Manda Carpenter

Manda Carpenter is an author, speaker, advocate, and the co-host of A Longer Table Podcast, alongside her husband, Eric. Manda has written two books, the most recent being Soul Care to Save Your Life. Manda is very passionate about “seeing people own their full identity and do their inner work,” as she puts it.

In today’s episode, I talk with Manda about why she’s so passionate about foster care, the importance of radical honesty in her own story, why tending to our inner world and wounding is so important, how slowing down is pivotal for self-awareness and soul work, and how beauty so often occurs in the unseen.

"Postpartum Bounce Back Culture is Toxic" with Dylan Murphy, RD, LDN

Dylan Murphy is a Registered Dietitian and the founder of Free Method Nutrition, based in Nashville, Tennessee. Free Method Dietitians practice from a non-diet, Health at Every Size (HAES) approach with an emphasis on Intuitive Eating and mindset work.

In my conversation with Dylan, we talk about unhelpful cultural messages around food and body image that get in the way of women feeling trust, respect, and safety in their bodies. We also discuss why postpartum bounce back culture is toxic, why commenting on body shape and size in general is not helpful, the normalization of disordered eating, and how we can move toward feeling more confidence and peace in our relationships with food and our bodies.

"Celebrating 100 Episodes + 'Undistracted'" with Bob Goff"

Bob Goff is a New York Times bestselling author, hosts the popular Dream Big Podcast, and is the founder of Love Does. Love Does is committed to fighting human rights, caring for the vulnerable, and providing education in conflict zones.

In this episode, I talk with Bob about his new book, Undistracted, and how we go about living a life of purpose. I also talk with Bob about the importance of dreaming, why he left his law practice after 25 years to dream big himself, why courage is beautiful, and the importance of letting go of rules or stories were telling ourselves that no longer serve us. I can’t wait for you to hear this encouraging conversation with Bob Goff.

JohnsonAugust 8, 2022bobgoff, undistracted, dreambig, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast, 100episodes

"Beauty Culture and the Church" with Jo Saxton

Jo Saxton is an author, speaker, International Justice Mission Ambassador, podcast host, leadership coach, and a fellow Minnesotan. Jo invests in women leaders in a number of ways, including an initiative called the Ezer Collective. She is especially passionate about helping women realize and live into their God-given identity.

In today’s conversation, Jo talks about her own struggles with beauty growing up. She also names that the influence of beauty culture is a gentle seduction in the world and in the church. Jo also reminds and challenges us in the church to offer a counter cultural narrative for beauty, turning away from the objectification of women. And with powerful conviction, Jo inspires us to engage our true identity and purpose, as that is what produces true beauty in the world.

"Engaging the Body in Spiritual Formation" with Elizabeth Peterson

Elizabeth Peterson is a certified spiritual director and yoga instructor. Elizabeth seeks to create safe and sacred spaces for individuals and groups to reflect on their own lives, become more aware of God’s presence, and live from their truest identity as Beloved.

In this conversation, Elizabeth explains how engaging God through yoga helped get her through a very difficult season, why she engages spiritual direction and yoga in her work and how they complement each other, and she highlights the importance of connecting with our bodies in our spirituality and overall wellbeing.

"Reconciling Faith and Science" with Dr. Dale Gentry

Dr. Dale Gentry wants you to know that faith and science are not enemies. Dr. Gentry is the Conservation Manager at Audubon Minnesota and the founder and director of Disciple Science, a podcast and video series helping people connect with God through creation. He has a M.S. in Biology, a Ph.D. in Atmosphere, Environment and Water Resources and teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Northwestern in Saint Paul, MN.

In this episode, Dr. Gentry details his own story of wading through deep questioning on his way to reconciling faith and science. He also talks about why he’s so passionate about birds and why we should care about them as well, how to connect with God through creation, and the role imagination plays in our interactions with nature.

JohnsonJuly 18, 2022dalegentry, drdalegentry, disciplescience, faithandscience, 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.

"When Is Exercise Dysfunctional?" with Lisa DeKam, PT, MPT

Lisa DeKam has worked as a physical therapist for twenty years and in an eating disorder treatment setting for 12 years. As Lisa describes it, she loves “exploring meaningful movement, embodiment, and the incredible ways that our bodies work.” Lisa also co-founded the Axia Project, alongside Jacquie Danz, which we talk all about back in episode 73.

In this conversation, Lisa helps us see the joy and helpfulness of moving our bodies, beyond the common scripts of diet culture. She also highlights unhelpful messages she sees at work in our culture, indicators of a dysfunctional or unhelpful relationship with exercise, and how we can be intentional about directing our relationship with moving our bodies toward balance and wellbeing.

JohnsonJuly 5, 2022

"How To Raise Kids Who Have A Healthy Relationship With Food and Their Body" with Megan Hadley, MS, RDN, LDN

Megan Hadley is a registered dietitian nutritionist with her Masters in Nutrition. She is also the owner and founder of Simple Nutrition, where she provides in-person or virtual, one on one, nutrition therapy and coaching using Health At Every Size® and Intuitive Eating informed practices.

In today’s conversation, we talk about Megan’s new webinar, “How To Raise Kids Who Have A Healthy Relationship with Food and Their Body.” We also discuss what diet and wellness culture are and how they might be getting in the way of our relationship with food or our bodies.

"Beautiful People Don't Just Happen" with Scott Sauls

In this episode, Pastor Scott Sauls helps us conceive of beauty in a refreshing, counter-cultural way. Author and pastor, Scott Sauls, currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee.

In his new book, Beautiful People Don't Just Happen: How God Redeems Regret, Hurt, and Fear in the Making of Better Humans, Scott helps us see how true beauty is forged and formed within us over years. In our conversation today, Scott tells us all about his book, how his own experiences of depression, anxiety, and struggle have shaped his views on beauty, and how his experience of God’s goodness has deepened amid his trials.

"Restoring Our Souls in Chaotic Times" with John Eldredge

I am thrilled to have therapist, New York Times bestselling author, and the president and founder of Wild at Heart Ministries, John Eldredge, on the show.

In today’s show, John shares all about his new book, Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times. In light of the pandemic, polarization in our country and around the world, the onslaught of technology, and so much else, John notes the prevalence of struggle and burnout he is seeing. He discusses trends he’s noticing in the wake of the pandemic, provides specific tools to restore our souls, and describes how, as he puts it, beauty heals.

JohnsonJune 6, 2022johneldredge, resilient, impossiblebeauty, impossiblebeautypodcast

"Disordered Eating, Social Media, and Gen Z" with Nicole Baumann

Nicole Baumann is a sophomore and the Chief of Staff of Student Government at the University of Notre Dame. This past February, Nicole shared an original poem she wrote on social media, entitled “May Our Daughters Break the Curse.” In powerful words and images, Nicole addresses the prevalence and dangers of the normalization of disordered eating.

In her poem and in our conversation, she discusses how disordered eating thrives on the widespread acceptance of the notion that a woman’s worth is intrinsically tied up in her size. She also discusses the surprising response to her poem, shares about her own experience of disordered eating, and identifies some of the major influences she sees impacting Gen Z, when it comes to struggles with food and body image.