Lament of Hope

Jeffrey Johnston lived as a transgender woman in the sex entertainment industry for nearly twenty years before coming to faith in Christ. Jeffrey shared with me his experience as a transgender woman, and why he detransitioned around the age of forty.

Lauren Styer is a second year Occupational Therapy Doctoral student at the University of Southern California. Lauren talked with me about her journey with Crohn's starting as a young child until her diagnosis when an undergraduate. I was so encouraged by Lauren's love of the Scripture and her strong faith in God's faithful love despite earthly hardships.

It was a gift to speak with Judy about her thoughts on the entertainment industry, as well as her love of creativity and finding a way to express that love apart from the silver screen.

I really ejoyed learning more about singer and songwriter, Odessa Jorgensen. Odessa talked with me about her childhood, the death of her father when she was twenty, and her experience with songwriting.

I really enjoyed speaking with musician and video designer, Chris Zabriskie. Chris and I discussed his departure from Mormonism, his relationship with his daughter, and how he has persevered as a solo composer.

Matt Papa took half an hour with me during his busy travels to share his thoughts on suffering and how we can lean into God during those times. Matt is a singer and songwriter who uses his gift of music to glorify God through vulnerable worship. "Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call" is my favorite song that Matt has written. It has been a huge encouragement to me in times of suffering as it grounds me in scriptural truth, while also allowing me the space to grieve with the Father.

It is an encouragement to me to know Rae Ryan. Rae is an artist who lives in northern Virginia. She is currently experiencing chronic muscle weakness and fatigue without a known explanation. It has been approximately a year since symptoms started, and Rae is still in the midst of medical testing and finding a concrete diagnosis. I spoke with her about how she is coping with her unexplained symptoms, and how she sees life.

Deb Beachy is a dear friend of mine who I met a couple years ago in a local coffee shop in Virginia. Deb has an incredible life story, but I specifically asked her to share in this episode about her experience in the Mennonite community. Deb discusses the difficulties she faced as a Mennonite female, as well as the religious trauma she is still working through after leaving the community.

It was a gift for me to be able to speak with Debbie and Tim Shultz. Debbie and Tim are believers who faced an unexpected pregnancy during their engagement and had an abortion. They are telling their story decades later to share with others the love and healing God has done individually and in their marriage. They want others to know that abortion is not an unforgivable sin. If you want to hear more of Debbie and Tim's story, take a look at their book entitled "Unrobing the Shame: One Couple's Healing Journey After Abortion."

My interview with Poet Laureate of North Carolina, Jaki Shelton Green, was an absolute delight. She spoke with me about loss, the artistry of writing, her childhood growing up in the South during segregation, as well as her value of balance in life. The time flew by as I listened to Jaki share a bit of her worldview with me. Jaki told me so many personal anecdotes with a soothing voice and a reflective, genuine disposition.