Lament of Hope

Allison Eide is a rising voice in the young adult Christian community as she shares her mental health struggles and victories through music. Allison talked to me about her journey with anxiety and OCD as well as the power of the gospel in her life. Her first album, "Love Who I Am," comes out this Saturday, March 29th!! Check out her website for upcoming tour dates!

Brian Cox has starred in several Shakespearean and other stage productions with the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Additionally, he has been in several films as well as the HBO series Succession. We talked about his acting career, his growing up years, and what he values in life.

Abbie Stockard sat down with me several weeks ago to talk about her faith, passion to raise awareness regarding cystic fibrosis, and the beauty pageant journey. Miss America 2025 is an important season in Abbie's life, but her ultimate goal is to care for children facing severe illness. She is a senior at Auburn University pursuing a degree in pediatric nursing.

Catherine Coldstream's memoir, My Years as a Nun, was published last year, and details Catherine's over a decade-long experience in a silent, Carmelite monastery in Northumberland. Catherine sat down with me to talk about how she came to live in the monastery, what the day-to-day looked like, and how her experience impacted her faith and the way she views monastic orders now.

Mary Alice Hostetter's memoir, "Plain: A Memoir of Mennonite Girlhood," was published in December of 2022, and the paperback copy hit shelves about six weeks ago. Mary Alice shared her journey with me from growing up in a sect of the Mennonite community to leaving it as a young woman and pursuing higher education. We also talked about being lesbian, and her transition to the Quaker faith.

Jean Lee's memoir, Alzheimer's Daughter, is a raw and moving account of a daughter caught in the tension of wanting to honor her parents while also needing to address their worsening mental and physical abilities. Jean Lee sat down to talk with me about her story, and how her life has been impacted by writing a memoir and helping to found AlzAuthors.com. AlzAuthors.com is a nonprofit organization that creates an online community for caregivers of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's. It is a community where caregivers can support one another and learn from the experiences of those who understand. 

Maria Rose Evans is a rising vocalist based in Colorado. Her song, "Drunk Again," created in collaboration with Song House Collective and released in the fall of 2023, has amassed over 3.5 million plays on Spotify and almost a million views on YouTube. I spoke to Maria about her life and walk with the Lord as a young woman who struggles with mental health and has faced several tragedies. "Drunk Again" is a cry of my own heart, and it was a gift to connect with a fellow Christian who walks with the Lord keenly aware of her brokenness. We inhabit broken bodies and minds, but not without an ever-present and faithful God Who has defeated the power of death, no matter its form.

Don Most sat down with me for half an hour to talk about his life and acting career. We talked about his reflective personality, his passion for acting and music, and explored big life questions.

Nabeel Masih was imprisoned in 2016 on blasphemy charges, sentenced to ten years in 2018, and then released on bail in 2021. Nabeel was taken from his home in 2016 after reposting a social media post that officials found offensive to one of Islam's most holy worship sites. Nabeel endured beatings, physical deprivation, and unsanitary conditions in prison before being released on bail. He awaits the ultimate decision on his case with fear, and wonders if God is punishing him.

British Asian Christian Association: https://www.britishasianchristians.org/baca-news/baca-rescues-two-christian-families-from-sexual-violence-and-brick-kiln-slavery/United States Commission on International Religious Freedom: https://www.uscirf.gov/religious-prisoners-conscience/forb-victims-database/nabeel-masih

Bonus episode! This is the second of three interviews with individuals in Pakistan who have experienced pain and suffering due to Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Nawab Bibi is the wife of Zafar Bhatti, who is the longest serving blasphemy prisoner in Pakistan. He was imprisoned for alleged blasphemous texts in 2012, given a life sentence in 2017, and then sentenced to death in 2022. Zafar along with advocates are still fighting for justice in his case in hopes of eventual release. It has been over a decade since Zafar's imprisonment, and his wife continues to advocate for his freedom and hold on to the hope of being with him again.
British Asian Christian Association (BACA) article on Zafar Bhatti and his wife: https://www.britishasianchristians.org/baca-news/zafar-bhattis-fight-for-justice-court-denies-delay-tactic-evidence-as-health-concerns-mount-for-nawab-bibi/
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom: https://www.uscirf.gov/religious-prisoners-conscience/forb-victims-database/zafar-bhatti