A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast
Welcome to A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast, the podcast where we respond to your questions and comments on issues of faith, social justice and church life. Don't be afraid to write in and ask your question because if it matters to you, it matters to us and it just might be a matter of faith. Whether it be faith in God, faith in others or faith in yourself. We are brought to you by the Office of Faith-Based Investing & Corporate Engagement, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, and Unbound: An Interactive Journal on Christian Social Justice for the Presbyterian Church...
Nerd Faith and Pop Culture w/ Rachel Kessler
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Special Guest:
Rachel Kessler, Author of Nerd Faith: 60 Second Sprints of Spiritual Guidance for the Occasionally Uncool, Episcopal Priest & Chaplain at Kenyon College
Question of the Week:
People often separate pop culture from faith. But how do pop culture and spirituality intersect and how can pop culture actually be an entry point to deeper topics of faith and justice?
Nerd Faith: 60 Second Sprints of Spiritual Guidance for the Occasionally Uncool
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Finding God Everywhere They Told You Not to Look w/ Natalia Terfa
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Special Guest:
Natalia Terfa, Author of It All Counts: Finding God Everywhere They Told You Not to Look; ELCA Pastor, & Host of the Cafeteria Christian Podcast
Question of the Week:
We’ve seen a lot of changes and challenges to the ways we understand what it means to be a person of faith or a church. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic forced communities to embrace new ways of worshipping. What does it mean to embrace new questions and understandings about church or our own faith, es...
Sanctuary for the Soul within the Psalms w/ Marty Folsom
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Special Guest:
Marty Folsom, Author of The Psalms: A Sanctuary for the Soul, Book 1: 1–30
Question of the Week:
Why do ancient prayers like the Psalms still matter in today's world?
The Psalms: A Sanctuary for the Soul, Book 1: 1–30
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A Matter of Faith website
War and the Military Industrial Complex w/ Ben Daniel
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Special Guest:
Ben Daniel, Author of Grace Over Guns & Pastor at Montclair Presbyterian Church, Oakland, CA
Question of the Week:
We often hear about debates between military force ocassionally being justified compared to true, full pacifism. How are we to navigate this debate as Christians?
Grace Over Guns
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The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted Life w/ Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
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Special Guest:
Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, Author of Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted Life & Director of Spiritual Formation at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota
Question of the Week:
People often view the Psalms as scriptures for comfort and consolation. But the Psalms are so much more complex. What do we miss by failing to recognize the full experience that the Psalms depict, which include joy but also grief and struggle?
Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted...
The Spirituality of Motherhood and Parenthood w/ Sarah K. Butterfield
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Special Guest:
Sarah K. Butterfield, Author, Podcaster & Ministry Director
Question of the Week:
Life is so busy for parents, and especially for moms and maternal figures. What does it look like to cultivate spiritual practices in the middle of busy “mom life”? How can spouses and partners support moms so they have time for their own spirituality?
Sarah's Instagram
Sarah's website
Connect with God Quiz
Love Like a Mother by Elizabeth Berget
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The Wisdom of Jesus w/ Rick Hamlin
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Special Guest:
Rick Hamlin, Author of Everlasting Jesus: 40 Days of Timeless Wisdom for Modern Living
Question of the Week:
In today’s busy world full of news and noise, it can be a challenge to actually sit down and read scripture. Then when we finally do, we feel compelled to “get through” the reading to get on to the next thing, without actually absorbing any of Jesus’ teachings. How can we intentionally slow down to truly hear Jesus?
Everlasting Jesus: 40 Days of Timeless Wisdom for Modern L...
Reading the Bible with Love w/ Richard Beck
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Special Guest:
Richard Beck, Author of The Book of Love: A Better Way to Read the Bible & Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University
Question of the Week:
In a polarized and politicized society, people hold very strongly what they believe is "right" or "the truth" when it comes to understanding and interpreting scripture. How can we read scripture together and have productive conversations about it, while navigating these different understandings and dynamics?
The Book of Love: A Better Way to Read...
Communing with the Ancestors w/ William H. Lamar IV
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Special Guest:
Rev. William H. Lamar IV, Author of Ancestors: Those Who Bless Us, Curse Us, and Hold UsÂ
Question of the Week:
In a challenging and polarized world, it is easy to focus only on moving forward and not reflect on our own past and history. What do we miss when we forget to acknowledge and understand our ancestors? How does understanding our ancestors impact how see ourselves, especially as Christians?
Ancestors: Those Who Bless Us, Curse Us, and Hold Us
Debunking Christian Nationalist Myths w/ Warren Throckmorton
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Special Guest:
Warren Throckmorton, Author of The Christian Past That Wasn’t: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History
Question of the Week:
What are the myths that Christian nationalism perpetuates? Who do they empower and how do they misrepresent history and scripture? How can we counter this narrative?
The Christian Past That Wasn't Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History
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A...
Technology, Culture, God, and Self w/ Aaron Cline Hanbury
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Special Guest: Aaron Cline Hanbury, Author of Wired for Wonder: Dispatches on Technology, Culture, God, and Self
Question of the Week: As technology advances, our world and our lives become more technology driven. Is this a “good” thing in terms of how we interact with the world, each other, and how we understand God and the divine?
Wired for Wonder: Dispatches on Technology, Culture, God, and SelfÂ
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What Cinema Teaches us About our Faith w/ Jeffrey Overstreet
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Special Guest: Jeffrey Overstreet, Author of Lost & Found in the Cathedral of Cinema and Through a Screen Darkly and The Auralia Thread series, Professor of Film and Creative Writing at Seattle Pacific University
Question of the Week: We hear that you can experience and find God in the arts. But we also hear how some mediums such as film are more about entertainment or escapism. How can we find God in movies and cinema? How can film help us grow our faith?
Lost & Found in...
How to Live God’s Radical Welcome as a Family w/ Mihee Kim-Kort
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Special Guest: Mihee Kim-Kort, Author of Seeing and Being Jesus in the World: How to Live God’s Radical Welcome as a Family
Question of the Week: It’s hard to be a parent. Our kids and families have so much going on, it is hard to keep track of all the activities. Amidst the busyness, how can parents find the time to engage their children about justice issues in ways that are age appropriate, but also empowering?
Seeing and Being Jesus in the Worl...
What the 'Nones' and 'Dones' Teach Us About the Future of Faith w/ Stephanie Spellers
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Special Guest: Rev. Stephanie Spellers, Episcopal Priest in New York City & Author of Church Tomorrow?: What the 'Nones' and 'Dones' Teach Us About the Future of FaithÂ
Question of the Week: We hear a lot about denominational decline and how the "church is dying" because young people are not going to church. But the response often makes it seem like young people are the problem, instead of the church refusing to adapt to new ways of being faith communities. So, why are young people not going to c...
Conversion Therapy...and What We Should Do About It w/ Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez
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Special Guest: Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, Author of Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging
Question of the Week: How can progressive churches counteract the harm being perpetuated by conservative church culture around conversion therapy and disaffirmation of queer Christians?
Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and BelongingÂ
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A Matter of Faith website
Birding as a Spiritual Practice w/ Ragan Sutterfield
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Special Guest: Ragan Sutterfield, Author of Watch and Wonder: Birding as a Spiritual Practice
Question of the Week: We’ve heard the phrase “finding God in nature.” What are ways that we can connect with God and grow our spirituality that are unique to bird watching?
Watch and Wonder: Birding as a Spiritual Practice
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A Matter of Faith website
An Asian American Experience with American Christianity w/ Kristin T. Lee
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Special Guest: Kristin T. Lee, Author of We Mend with Gold: An Immigrant Daughter's Reckoning with American Christianity
Question of the Week: Immigrant families may (understandably) focus on “fitting in” with the culture, values, or expectations of the country they move to. But what is lost in the process of trying to fit in and “make it” with the new culture in terms of faith and identity?
We Mend with Gold: An Immigrant Daughter's Reckoning with American Christianity
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A History of Iran, the US, and Israel w/ John Ghazvinian
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Special Guest: John Ghazvinian, Author, Historian and Former journalist
Question of the Week: Considering the recent attacks on Iran by the US and Israel, so much misunderstanding and misinformation is flooding our news and social media feeds. How are we to understand what exactly is happening and what is the historical context that surrounds this devastating event? And how are people of faith to respond?
America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present
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Discernment in the Early Church and Today w/ John Lewis
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Special Guest: John Lewis, Author of Discernment in the Early Church and Today: Reclaiming Paul's Vision for Formation and Community Building
Question of the Week: Today’s world and church seem very polarized. But this is not the first time there have been disagreements, tensions, and distrust in our faith communities. What can we learn from early Christian communities and how they overcame barriers and polarization to become a more unified, cohesive community?
Discernment in the Early Church and Today: Reclaiming Paul's Vision for Formation an...
Three Generations From Slavery to the White House w/ John Wrory Ficklin
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Special Guest: John Wrory Ficklin, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs & Author of An Unusual Path: Three Generations From Slavery to the White House
Question of the Week: Your book chronicles your family’s history which includes slavery as well as serving in the White House across multiple generations in different capacities such as ranging from the White House butler to Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. What role did faith play in your family’s story?
An Unusual Path...
Grief and What to Say w/ Shelby Forsythia
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Shelby Forsythia, Author of Of Course I’m Here Right Now: Three Actually Helpful Things to Say to Someone Grieving  | What does it mean to really sit alongside someone in grief and mourning? When talking with someone who is grieving, we hear that people worry about saying the “wrong” thing. Others speak too quickly and fall back on language referencing God or the Bible that could actually be more hurtful than helpful. How do we navigate these dynamics to best support each other? | Of Course I’m Here Right Now: Three Actually Helpful Things to...
Ministry with LGBTQIA+ Youth w/ Cody Sanders
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Special Guest: Cody Sanders, Author of A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth, Updated Edition
Question of the Week: How can and should churches be responding to the attack on diversity and transgender rights in the current political context?
A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth, Updated Edition
Cripping Youth Ministry
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The Roots of Horror in Scripture w/ Brandon Grafius
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Special Guest: Brandon Grafius, Academic Dean & Professor of Biblical Studies at Ecumenical Theological Seminary, and Author of Scared by the Bible: The Roots of Horror in Scripture
Question of the Week: We often skip the more horrific and scary parts of the Bible to focus on the “good” and uplifting parts. What do we miss out on by doing this? What do the scarier aspects of scripture have to teach us?
Scared by the Bible: The Roots of Horror in Scripture
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Reflections on Reading Fiction and Growing in Faith w/ Doug Basler
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Special Guest: Doug Basler, Author of All Swirling and Weaving:
Reflections on Reading Fiction and Growing in Faith
Question of the Week: Christian literature is often focused on academic, intellectual, and non-fiction reading. But how can our faith grow and be challenged through fiction?
All Swirling and Weaving: Reflections on Reading Fiction and Growing in Faith
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Sacred Curiosity w/ Britney Winn Lee
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Special Guest: Britney Winn Lee, Author of Sacred Curiosity: Wondering Our Way Toward Wholeness
Question of the Week: Today’s society is very busy and also very polarized. How do we maintain spiritual and intellectual curiosity in dark times or amidst busy schedules?
Sacred Curiosity: Wondering Our Way Toward WholenessÂ
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How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities w/ Andy Hale
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Special Guest: Rev. Dr. Andrew Hale, Author of Mending the Fracturing Church: How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities
Question of the Week: How can churches and faith communities healthily navigate conflict and tension in this time of polarization? Further, why does conflict in our churches feel so much more personal than conflicts with other members of our communities?
Mending the Fracturing Church: How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities
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Seeking Simplicity, Connection, and Repair in a Broken World w/ Betsy Shirley
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Special Guest: Betsy Shirley, Editor-in-Chief of Sojourners. Sojourners is publishing Light for the Way: Seeking Simplicity, Connection, and Repair in a Broken World
Question of the Week: What does it mean to be spiritually resilient when facing major issues in today’s world, such as division, climate change, and Christian nationalism? How do we become resilient and also share that with others?
Light for the Way: Seeking Simplicity, Connection, and Repair in a Broken World
Sojourners
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The Desert Elders w/ Lisa ColĂłn DeLay
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Special Guest: Lisa ColĂłn DeLay, Author of The Way of the Desert Elders: How the Wisdom of Ancient Christians Sustains Us Today
Question of the Week: Ancient Christians lived and journeyed through deserts, a context that many Christians today do not have. How did the desert inform ancient Christians understanding of faith and God and how can their perspective help us today?
The Way of the Desert Elders: How the Wisdom of Ancient Christians Sustains Us Today
Spark My Muse Podcast
Lisa's Youtube Channel
How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself and Others w/ Jennifer Garcia Bashaw and Aaron Higashi
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Special Guest: Jennifer Garcia Bashaw and Aaron Higashi, Authors of Serving Up Scripture: How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself and Others
Questions of the Week: What are some key things we should have in mind when reading and interpreting Scripture? How do we respond when someone else has a vastly different interpretation or understanding?
Serving Up Scripture: How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself and Others
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Jesus on the Road and Lent w/ Cynthia Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr
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Special Guests: Cynthia Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr, Authors of Meeting Jesus on the Road: A Lenten Study; Cynthia is a retired Presbyterian pastor and retired seminary president, and Christine is pastor at Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church, Louisville, KY
Question of the Week: How can we connect the spiritual themes and aspects of Lent to our physical bodies? Why does this matter and how can it help us better understand Jesus’ life and grow our relationship with God?
Meeting Jesus on the Road: A Lenten St...
Liberating Feminine Wisdom from Christian Patriarchy w/ Angela J. Herrington
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Special Guest: Angela J. Herrington, Spiritual Coach & Author of Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods: Liberating Feminine Wisdom from Christian Patriarchy
Question of the Week: What are examples of how Christianity perpetuates patriarchy? How can women resist and overcome these traditions and attitudes? Further, how can others (especially men) be allies in empowering women and dismantling these patriarchal practices?
Embracing the Old Witch in the WoodsÂ
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Weaving New Ritual w/ Lucy Waechter Webb & Nicole Bauman
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Special Guests: Rev. Lucy Waechter Webb and Nicole Bauman, Facilitators of Weaving New Ritual: a year long community of practice for people with White Christian lineage to reclaim ritual fluency
Question of the Week: How can white Christian descendants relate to their spiritual lineage? What does this look like and why does it matter for broader, collective liberation for both white Christians and Christians of color?
Weaving New Ritual
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Fatherhood, Faith, and Relationship w/ Patton Dodd
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Special Guest: Patton Dodd, Author of The Father You Get: And the Ones You Make, Believe In, and Become
Question of the Week: Is it really possible to have or to be an “ideal” father? What would that look like? How is our understanding of fatherhood informed by our experiences with our own fathers?
The Father You Get: And the Ones You Make, Believe In, and Become
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Joy to the World w/ Robert Boak Slocum
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Special Guest: Dr. Robert Boak Slocum, Author of Joy to the World!
Devotions for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany
Question of the Week: What does it mean to find comfort and hope in the season of Advent, Christmas and then Epiphany? This time can be joyful but also challenging, for example if people have lost family members or are experiencing difficult life circumstances.
Joy to the World!
Devotions for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany
Short Video Excerpts/Presentations about Joy to the World!:<...
Missionary Kids and White Evangelicalism w/ Holly Berkley Fletcher
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Special Guest: Holly Berkley Fletcher, Author of The Missionary Kids:
Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism
Question of the Week: What do the stories and experiences of missionary kids teach us about the issues with white evangelicalism and the missionary model of spreading the Gospel? Additionally, what unique challenges do children raised in missionary families experience?
The Missionary Kids:Â Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism
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A Matter of F...
Trans Advent w/ Zayn Silva & Avery Arden
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Special Guest: Zayn Silva and Avery Arden, Writers for Unbound's Trans Advent Devotional. Zayne is Digital Minister at Middle Collegiate Church, Avery is also a board member for More Light Presbyterians
Question of the Week: As we approach Advent, what does it mean for us right now and what does it mean for your own identity as trans?
Trans Advent
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A Matter of Faith website<...
A Conversation with Britain's First Black Woman Bishop w/ Rt. Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin
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Special Guest: The Rt Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury, Author of Girl from Montego Bay: The Autobiography of Britain's First Black Woman Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin
Question of the Week: How have you seen God in your journey to becoming Britain’s first Black woman bishop? How was your faith challenged and how did your understanding of God grow? Given your experience, what do you see for the future of the Church regarding gender and racial inclusion and empowerment?
Girl from Mo...
Transforming Churches into Trauma-Informed Spaces w/ Julia Matallana Freedman
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Special Guest: Julia Matallana Freedman, Author of Sanctuary of Healing: Transforming Churches into Trauma-Informed Spaces, Recently Ordained in the Episcopal Tradition
Question of the Week: Churches can unfortunately be places where people have to “put on a face” and pretend like their lives are good and they do not have issues. How can churches and faith communities transform from that and become sanctuaries where people can heal from trauma? How do we create these spaces in ways that are intentional and welcoming?
Sanctuary of Healing: Tran...
Rootedness & Home w/ Christy Berghoef
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Special Guest: Christy Berghoef, Author of Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of Homecoming
Question of the Week: Throughout our lives, our faith is challenged and then grows. What did it mean for you to go back to a place you called home but with a different worldview and faith than the one you were raised in? How do we redefine ourselves when returning to places we call home?
Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of Homecoming
Christy's Substack: Pictures of the Secret Garden
Christy's Substack: Pictures of the...
Self-Discovery and Reclaiming Your Narrative w/ GG Renee Hill
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Special Guest: GG Renee Hill, Author of Story Work: Field Notes on Self-Discovery and Reclaiming Your Narrative
Question of the Week: We make sense of the world around us and ourselves through stories. But we often treat these stories, especially the stories we tell about ourselves, as fixed and unchanging. This can lead to cycles of self-sabotage and not liking oneself. How can we change our perspective so these stories are more flexible and dynamic?
Story Work: Field Notes on Self-Discovery and Reclaiming Your Narrative<...
