12 Aug 2019

Melinda & Michelle-episode 187

 Two dear friends join me on the podcast this week. My long time former radio co-host, Melinda Schmidt, and new neighbor, author Michelle Van Loon. They are both conversation specialists and it was a delight to record with them.

We looked back at a former topic I had received emails about having to do with spiritual growth and development and how there are conferences and churches for everyone at all stages. It’s never one-stop shopping for the spiritual life. We also discussed books we are reading as well as movies we’ve watched this summer.

Find Michelle:
• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
Find Melinda:
• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
 

Note: When clicking through on links to products on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases….Read More

05 Aug 2019

Rozella Haydée White-episode 186

Rozella Haydée White joins me on the podcast to talk about how to Love Big. Rozella is such an engaging communicator. She is a public theologian as well as a coach, writer, and speaker. She digs down into love and how revolutionary relationships are the key to healing the world. She has a message worth listening to and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Here’s how to find Rozella:
• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
 

 
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29 Jul 2019

Michelle Van Loon & Mike Murphy – Episode 185

This week it was nice to have my guests around my kitchen table. Michelle Van Loon, recent transplant to my neighborhood, and my husband, Mike Murphy, joined me. We batted around a couple of topics and took them deeper. We started out talking about the Christian mind, and for the second half of our conversation we focused on an article recently written by Michelle for Christianity Today (CT) online magazine: Your Peak Life Now: How to Face Career Decline with Grace and Faith.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on our conversation. Email Faith Conversations at producer@anitalustrea.com.

Links & Resources:
• Mike Murphy’s Rumblings
• Michelle’s website
• Michelle on Facebook
• Michelle on Twitter
• Wonder Years Gathering
• Arthur Brooks Atlantic essay
• The Perennial Gen
 

 
Note: Wh…Read More

22 Jul 2019

Jeffrey Tacklind-Episode 184

Jeffrey Tacklind joins me on the podcast this week as we look at The Winding Path of Transformation. It’s the title of his new book, and it’s also a truth that we understand when we are on that path. Tacklind describes spiritual transformation as an invitation to paradox. It includes suffering, and through that, we find joy. Sometimes—even often—the transformational path is a downward path, and hence, a paradox. Tacklind says that it’s about finding yourself between glory and humility.

Find Jeffrey:
• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
 

 
Note: When clicking through on links to products on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases….Read More

15 Jul 2019

Shawn Smucker-episode 183

Shawn Smucker joins me again on the podcast. Check out his first time on Faith Conversations. This time around it’s all about fiction and writing. Shawn’s latest book, Light from Distant Stars, recently released and it’s well worth reading. Shawn gives a thumbnail sketch of the storyline and we dive in and talk about writing, specifically fiction. Shawn also lets us know what he’s reading these days: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and The Atlas of Reds and Blues by Devi Laskar.

Follow Shawn:
• Shawn’s blog
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
 

 
Note: When clicking through on links to products on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases….Read More

08 Jul 2019

Kendall Vanderslice-episode 182

Kendall Vanderslice is a writer and baker who studies the intersection of food and theology. Win-Win! I loved my conversation with Kendall and I think you will, too. She has authored the book We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God. Kendall visited dinner churches. And, yes, that is a thing—and an interesting thing at that. Kendall also has a newsletter you might want to sign up for on her website.

Find Kendall:
• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
 

 
Note: When clicking through on links to products on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases….Read More

01 Jul 2019

Jennifer Berry Hawes-episode 181

Pulitzer Prize winner, Jennifer Berry Hawes, joins me on the podcast to talk about her powerful book, Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness. Many of us remember, and certainly the Charleston, S.C., community remembers, when they heard the news that 9 members of Emanuel AME Church had been gunned down at a midweek Bible study. A young white man had entered their midst and even sat through most of the Bible study before pulling a gun and killing 9 of the 12 in attendance.

We talk about what happened, certainly, but even more the journey of forgiveness that ensued in the coming months.

Follow Jennifer Berry Hawes on Twitter and Facebook.

 
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24 Jun 2019

Karen Gonzalez-episode 180

The podcast gets a refresher this week. I hope you like it!

I’m excited to have Karen Gonzalez join me to talk about Immigration. Karen works for World Relief and she has a unique viewpoint because she is an immigrant. She arrived in the United States from Guatemala when she was 9 years old and became a citizen at age 19. She’s written the book The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong. I highly recommend it as she tells her story with the backdrop of some biblical characters and some of the important sacraments of the church.

Find Karen:
• Twitter
• Facebook
 

 
Note: When clicking through on links to products on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases….Read More

17 Jun 2019

Mike Murphy-episode 179

Mike Murphy joins me on the podcast this week after a 2-week hiatus—after the passing and memorial service for my dad. We talk about life, death, transition, and eventually focus in on a couple of Mike’s Rumblings from this past week. The Rumblings are below for those who don’t get them on Facebook. Friend me or Mike, or Like my professional/author page and you can see them each Friday.

Find Mike on Facebook

Rumblings. 6.14.19

1.The late, great, Robin Williams, once said that ”You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”

So true. I love being around people who have a gleam in their eye and a touch of mischief about them. They are always interesting. I pray that none of us ever lose that precious spark of madness we’ve been given. Be a little weird. It will be good for you.

2.”People can…Read More

03 Jun 2019

melinda schmidt & michelle van loon-episode 178

 My two good friends Melinda Schmidt & Michelle Van Loon join me on the podcast this week. We do some freeform conversation reminiscent of the Millrose Club, for those who used to listen to Midday Connection.

Our first topic centered on favorite vacations. Topic number two looked at how we grow and if we need to move beyond things that once helped us grow.

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Email us at producer@anitalustrea.com.

Find Michelle
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Find Melinda
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
 

Note: When clicking through on links to products on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases….Read More