EXTRAordinary Lives

Mackenzie is a recent college graduate who has lived for over a decade with the sleep disorder narcolepsy (specifically, Type 1 Narcolepsy with Cataplexy). Amazingly, Mackenzie has persevered with a positive attitude and accomplished more than many her age, including becoming an EMT in Italy during the Covid lockdown. Wise and kind, she shares about the impact Jesus has had on helping her deal with her illness and developing her self-confidence. Her story is inspiring, and you'll enjoy getting to know this impressive and thoughtful young woman.

Mackenzie quotes the insightful Dr. Seuss: “Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind, don’t matter.”

For a wonderful article about Mackenzie's study abroad in Florence, click here.

You can also find this podcast episode and others on Ellen's EXTRAordinary Lives website at https://www.extraordinary.live/

Yaneth (pronounced Janet) is the Team Leader of Cru's high school ministry in Houston. She was born in El Salvador and moved to the U.S. at the age of 4. Yaneth, along with her friend Debby Minell, who is on staff with Cru in the Twin Cities, share about Cru's summer nationwide high school missions trips to 6 continents and stories about teens who are going. Yaneth also shares thoughtfully about the hardships of feeling marginalized leading the team as a brown woman and about an exciting 1,000 Women campaign she developed with the help of some good friends. You'll be inspired by the joyful, resilient spirit and amazing stories of this EXTRAordinary woman.

For more information about Cru's high school ministry in Houston, go to https://www.cru.org/communities/hs/houston/. For info on the 1,000 Women Campaign see https://sites.google.com/cru.org/a-thousand-women-campaign/home

Yaneth recommends the book, Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us about Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength by Kat Armas.

To listen on the EXTRAordinary Lives website, go to https://www.extraordinary.live/episodes/38-yanethdiaz

Matt is a clinical psychologist and elder at Seacoast Community Church. His passion is helping people experience the transforming power of Christ. To do this, he integrates theology, psychology, and the journey of spiritual formation. In this episode, Matt helps us begin to recognize and better understand when and why we might be feeling a block in our relationship with God and others, and better yet, he leaves us with the hope that we can experience healing and closeness in our relationships.

Matt recommends a free app he has developed and is excited to share with everyone. Go to https://www.emotionfit.us⁠ to check it out. You can download the free resource for mental health at https://www.emotionfit.us/program. He also mentions a helpful resource called Freedom in Christ ministries, https://www.ficm.org/.

To learn more about spiritual formation, listen to an insightful conversation with Sue Smedley on Episode 31 ("Part 2") of the EXTRAordinary Lives podcast.

Ellen mentions Psalm 139:23-24. For a fun song that features this verse, listen to one of Ellen's favorites, "I Just Wanna Know" by 1980's Christian alternative rock artist Steve Taylor.

The EXTRAordinary Lives podcast can also be found at https://www.extraordinary.live/

Dianne Sivulka lives her life centered on making a difference for the Lord. She talks about trusting God through the painful experience of 10 years of infertility, her fun and impressive travel business, Travel on Purpose, and the book club associated with that, plus her new development role with an international microfinancing organization that helps women. You'll hear about her love of different countries and cultures and get an in depth look at traveling to one of her favorite places, Guatemala. You'll be touched by her stories and insights.

For more information about Travel on Purpose and the book club, click on travelonpurpose.com. She also mentions her current role with Tirzah International; go to https://tirzah.org/. For Ellen's website, EXTRAordinary Lives, go to extraordinary.live.

Susie Berner experienced God's love and faithfulness during her father's colon cancer and, later, during her own colon cancer. She admits to being shy to share her faith, but she has been faithful to do so. She even joined Cru's high school ministry staff to learn how to share the gospel better, and she has seen God change hearts. Susie is wise and authentic, and her extraordinary stories will inspire you.

Susie mentions the devotional Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman. We also mention these Bible versions: Amplified Bible, NIV (New International Version), the Living Bible, J.B. Phillips/New Testament, and The Message. She also enjoys a compilation of Bible commentaries by David Guzik, free online at https://enduringword.com/#commentary.

At the beginning of the episode, Ellen also gives a quick update in which she announces she’s a new grandma (!) and gives some highlights about upcoming interviews.

Cynthia Zorn is a mom who has chosen to be a passionate advocate for her daughter, Mackenzie, who was diagnosed with narcolepsy (specifically, Type 1 Narcolepsy with Cataplexy), a serious sleep disorder, at the early age of 10. When Cynthia noticed uncharacteristic behaviors in Mackenzie, who went from being very active to sleeping an inordinate amount, Cynthia didn't give up on pursuing a diagnosis, which took a year. Cynthia's faith has remained strong, and she has been inspired by her daughter's vibrant relationship with Jesus. You'll hear about their trust in God in the midst of a difficult circumstance and their determination to bring good to others through it. 

Cynthia has written an article about being an advocate for your children. You can find it on my website, www.extraordinary.live/blog-1-1 or by clicking here.  She also mentions a helpful organization for those who have or think they might have a sleep disorder: project sleep at https://project-sleep.com/.

Sydney and Austin have amazing God stories, including Syd overcoming an eating disorder in high school and Austin enduring a stressful on-call job in foster care. Married 3.5 years, they are already expecting baby #2, and baby #1, though the cutest little girl on earth, has "a scream that could break glass" - and she cried for a full year. You'll gain valuable insights on how to handle and overcome tough situations, and you'll be inspired by Syd and Austin's faithfulness and trust in the Lord, the lessons they've learned, and how sticking together "is just more fun."

Sue Smedley co-directs the Rivendell Institute's program on spiritual formation at Yale. On this week's show, she delves more into the process and practices of spiritual formation, which endeavors to help those following Jesus go deeper in their faith  - from head to heart, from knowledge to application. The Rivendell Institute website puts it this way: "As followers of Christ, it is our desire to grow in our faith and see Christ 'formed' in us. Spiritual Formation is the process that enables us to move from knowledge to practice as we seek to live as Christ followers in the spheres of influence in which we find ourselves." Sue also shares an EXTRAordinary story about a student becoming a believer through a vision of Jesus. Sue is fun, inspiring, and insightful. You won't want to miss this interview. 

In addition, Sue refers to influential and beneficial books about spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines by these authors: Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and Henri Nouwen, and she and Ellen both gush over Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming. Ellen also mentions 2 impactful books: Tim Keller's Galatians For You ( and quotes from p. 182) and Andrew DeCort's book Flourishing on the Edge of Faith (and quotes from p. 54). 

At the age of 6, Sue Smedley told God she would be His missionary. She was shy and nervous about public speaking, but as she saw God work through her, she gained confidence. She worked with Cru's high school ministry for many years and now writes curriculum and teaches about spiritual formation to graduate students at the Rivendell Institute at Yale. You'll be hooked by her caring and fun personality and extraordinary God-stories. 

In the podcast, Sue mentions God's goodness to us and Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." 

She also talks about the book by Sue Edwards and Barbara Neumann, Organic Mentoring: A Mentor's Guide to Relationships with Next Generation Women.

In addition, Sue refers to influential and beneficial books about spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines by these authors: Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and Henri Nouwen.