Natasha Ngindi is an anti-diet nutritionist and the founder of The Thick Nutritionist brand. She is also a certified Zumba instructor and advocate for promoting enjoyable movement for all bodies in a non-judgmental, body-positive environment.

In short, Natasha is passionate about spreading the word about the anti-diet message, body acceptance, health at every size, and intuitive eating. She believes that we all deserve to live a fulfilling life, free of the pressures of diet culture.

Stasi Eldredge is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold nearly three million copies. She is a teacher, conference speaker and the director of women’s ministry at Ransomed Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God’s love, and learn to live in God’s kingdom. Stasi founded this ministry with her husband, John, and it has been used by God to change the hearts of men and women all over the world.

In short, Stasi’s passion is to see lives transformed by the beauty of the gospel. And, as you will see by my conversation with Stasi, her heart for seeing God’s beauty at work in the world and in all people is remarkable and inspiring.

Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor from Castle Rock, Colorado and is the author of the book, Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode-and into a Life of Connection and Joy.

I absolutely loved my conversation with Aundi. In our time together, she taught me all how when we pay compassionate attention to ourselves and stay curious, we are more able to heal and notice true beauty in our lives. If you are ever hard on yourself or struggle to believe in your own belovedness, this episode is for you.

Jean Kilbourne is a renowned activist, speaker, and author. She is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on the image of women in advertising, in addition to her critical studies of alcohol and tobacco advertising. Beginning in the 1960’s, she began to explore the connection between advertising and various public health issues, such as eating disorders, violence against women, and addiction. She wondered how messaging in advertising contributes to these issues.

To counteract the harmful messages in advertising, Kilbourne launched a movement to promote media literacy to help prevent these public health issues. Jean is also the creator of the renowned film series, Killing Us Softly: Advertising’s Image of Women and has authored two books: Can’t Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel and So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids. Millions of people around the world have viewed Kilbourne’s films, lectures, and television appearances.

Jean Kilbourne helps us recognize how powerful advertising is. It’s everywhere and it’s always teaching us something; sending us some kind of message about what our culture defines as beautiful or desirable. Kilbourne reminds us of our freedom; the freedom to examine the messaging in advertising and media and then decide if we want to adopt and live into those values and messages.

If you have ever struggled with body image or your relationship with food, this episode is for you. Christy Harrison is an anti-diet registered dietician, certified intuitive eating counselor, an accomplished journalist, and the author of Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating. She also hosts a weekly podcast called Food Psych, which is one of Apple’s top 100 health podcasts, with tens of thousands of listeners worldwide.

In Christy’s words, her mission is to “help you recognize diet culture for the life thief that it is, and tune back into your body’s inner wisdom about how to truly nourish yourself—so that you can free up space in your life for bigger and better things.”

Christy’s work has been hugely transformational and inspiring in my own life. So, whether you are new to the concept of diet culture or are very familiar with it, I am hopeful that Christy’s message may shift your relationship with food and body image in some pivotal ways.

Carlos Whittaker is an author, speaker, and, according to his wife, a hope dealer. Carlos is a father of three and documents his family’s life, struggles, and adventures in front of a large social media following. As he addresses topics ranging from bird watching to racism on social media, he demonstrates vulnerability, curiosity, and grace.

Carlos has authored three books: Moment Maker, Kill the Spider, and his latest title, Enter Wild. In short, Carlos is a master at showing what it looks like to live out a fervent and adventurous faith in the midst of real life.

Lacy is an author, teacher, and spiritual director. She provides spiritual direction and teaches at the Renovaré Institute, for the Doctor of Ministry program in Spiritual Direction at Fuller Theological Seminary and at Portland Seminary. Lacy also provides spiritual direction for adults through GoodDirtMinistries.org and for children at Haven House. She also recently released her latest book "Spiritual Conversations with Children: Listening to God Together."

So, if God is the source of beauty, it seems important to know more about how we might draw near to that Source. Thankfully that is, in fact, Lacy’s specialty.

I will forever be grateful for Melody Olson. For years, I was a bit skittish about how distant the characters and culture of the Bible felt. However, after studying passages from the Old Testament with Melody for a few years now, I am steadily seeing that the gracious heart of God is very much alive and well in the entirety of the Bible; yes, even in the Old Testament, that felt so dusty and removed to me before.

In addition to leading Scripture Circles in the rabbinical tradition, Melody Olson is a gifted singer/songwriter and Director of Music and Art at Awaken West Seventh in St. Paul, Minnesota. There is artistry in all that Melody is involved in, awakening hearts and minds to the beauty alive in the world and alive in the character of God. I think you’ll also find that to be very true in our conversation together.

This week's episode is a little different. I realized that after 17 episodes I haven't told you much about who I am, my story, and how I got to be so passionate about beauty. So, this week I take some time to tell you about my own experience of beauty: what's brought me life, what's been toxic, and how I'd love for you to join the Impossible Beauty movement.

Steve Wiens is a spiritual teacher, writer, and pastor who has authored three books, entitled "Beginnings," "Whole," and most recently "Shining Like the Sun: Seven Mindful Practices for Rekindling Your Faith." Steve also hosts a weekly podcast called This Good Word. Wiens is a gentle companion in the journey of spiritual development and loves coming alongside people in reconstructing their faith when old theological foundations have fallen apart.

Because of Steve’s thoughtful approach to faith, my conversation with him around authentic beauty is fascinating. In our time together, we talk about what it means to awaken to God and, so, awaken to the very real Beauty that is generative, communal, and very much alive and well in our midst.