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
 

 
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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
 

 
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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
 

 
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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
 

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27 May 2019

Belinda Bauman-episode 177

What does it look like to experience the audacious power of empathy? Belinda Bauman joins me on the podcast this week to talk about the message of her book Brave Souls. We touch on cutting edge neuroscience as well as biblical parables along with stories of brave women from across the globe. Belinda’s journey toward empathy can also be ours.

Check out these links:
• One Million Thumbprints
• Empathy Quiz
• Belinda on Twitter
• One Million Thumbprints on Facebook
 

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13 May 2019

Christopher Smith-episode 176

Christopher Smith is a writer, community developer, and founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He has authored a number of books, including the award-winning Slow Church. This week he joins me on the podcast to talk about How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church. 

We are wired for community and in order to cultivate community we must be in conversation. It seems to be a lost art in our society including our churches. Chris writes with such insight including the theological roots of conversation as well as the healing potential of conversation.

Find Chris on Twitter and Facebook.

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06 May 2019

Marilyn McEntyre-episode 175

Marilyn McEntyre joins me again on Faith Conversations. She is an award-winning author of several books on language and faith. Her current title is another beauty, When Poets Pray. Marilyn is also a retreat leader and workshop presenter. We dive into the content of several poems on the podcast and Marilyn has the opportunity to explicate them for us.

Many ask how to understand poems and Marilyn gives two questions to keep in mind as we read poetry:
1. What does this poem invite me to do?
2. What does this poem require of me?
She says sometimes we need to let go of figuring it out!

Marilyn also mentioned a book by Carol Gilligan, In A Different Voice.

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29 Apr 2019

Michelle Van Loon-episode 174

Michelle Van Loon joins me again in follow up of our last conversation where Michelle posed the question, “When was the last time God moved you deeply?” We’d love to hear your stories as well. Send an email to producer@anitalustrea.com. Michelle also mentioned two older books of hers, Parable Life and Uprooted. 

Find Michelle in these places:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
 

…Read More