Let go, Lean In

Cindy Kizanis, M.A. MFT, Doctor of Intercultural Studies, is an adjunct professor of Marriage and Family

Today I want to introduce you to a voice I've been listening to for several years. 

Justin McRoberts is an author, coach, speaker, and songwriter. He is the author of six books, including the upcoming, Sacred Strides (May 2023).

For over 20 years, Justin has helped artists, ministers, and entrepreneurs find their way. From the stage, through his stories in books or during coaching sessions, he leans on his years of work and expertise as a minister and artist to help individuals and teams solve problems in their creative processes. 

When he’s not writing, speaking, or coaching, you can find him as the host of the At Sea Podcast.

Carole Duff completed a 34-year career in education, as an award-winning high school history and social studies teacher, mid-management administrator and curriculum technologist. She is also an accomplished presenter, serious flutist, and avid naturalist.

Carole has written articles for the professional journals Educational Leadership and Momentum. After pivoting to writing narrative nonfiction, her short works have appeared in:

The Perennial Gen

Streetlight Magazine

Brevity’s Nonfiction Blog

Mockingbird

An adapted chapter from her to-be-published manuscript Wisdom Builds Her House: A Memoir of Finding Grace in the Third Stage of Life appeared in The Perennial Gen, for which she is a regular contributor. Since 2011, Carole has posted weekly to her long-standing blog Notes from Vanaprastha.

Carole holds degrees from Wheaton College in Massachusetts (BA in History, Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), University of Texas at Dallas (MA in Humanities), University of North Texas (MA in Education Administration, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi), and Goucher College (Certificate in Educational Technology). 

She and her husband, the writer K. A. Kenny, now live in the house whose construction she oversaw in her memoir Wisdom Builds Her House, in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, along with their three dogs. She has a daughter, a son, a step-son, and a son-in-law, and she and her husband share a granddaughter.

Today we learned of another mass school shooting. Monday, March 27, 2023 six people were killed at school. Three children. Three adults. And the gun woman. 

I am overwhelmed. I share a blessing from The Lives We Actually Have by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie called For This Grief-stricken Day. I also talk about what is also true for each of us.

Listen in...

Today is the launch day of Andrea's first book, I'm Such a Messterpiece 

We talk about writing, life and faith sprinkled with dealing with anxiety and depression. It's a great conversation with my friend who is now a published author!

About the book: Battling anxiety and depression, along with the shame and stigma of mental illness, Andrea Nyberg was drowning in hopelessness. With her physical, mental, and spiritual health in a downward spiral, Andrea reached out for help—an act of courage that saved her life and set freedom and healing in motion. Mindful that we are all masterpieces of God despite our messes, Andrea shares her story to help you reframe what it looks like to both love Jesus and struggle with anxiety and depression. You’ll be inspired with practical tools and resources to help you find joy as you reestablish the foundation of your faith, embrace a survivor mindset, and discover that hope and healing are yours for the taking.

I love to share conversations I'm privileged to have recorded for you where you get to learn what the guest is about. In this episode you get to hear a bit of what I am about in the realm of my faith journey. 

In today's episode you hear my conversation with Dorothy Littell Greco. Dorothy is the author of two books on marriage, the most recent one, Marriage in the Middle, is one I'm grateful to have read. Dorothy's bio is a first person account; here's part of how Dorothy introduces herself:

"I’m a story-teller. Sometimes I use words and sometimes I use images. I pay attention to what happens on the sidelines and in the margins. I feel compelled to challenge hypocrisy, mend broken systems, and reveal beauty. Practically speaking, that means my work is fiercely honest and sometimes confrontative. I am like cilantro: you either really appreciate what I bring to the table—or prefer to avoid it. My goal is to point readers and viewers toward hope and healing."

On the letgoleaninpodcast website you'll find links to Dorothy's website, where to find her books and all the ways to get in touch with the work Dorothy is offering. 

Please enjoy my conversation with author, writer, photographer Dorothy Littell Greco.

Do you ever wonder about or ponder questions beginning with the words "What if...? Do you find you listen to a negative voice instead of a voice of encouragement?

This episode is for you.

Important links and questions will be posted in the shownotes on Let Go, Lean In Podcast 

Happy Tuesday! Happy Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras! In fact, laissez le bon temps rouler! Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Lent is an interesting season in the church calendar. If you are familiar with lenten practices you know it's typical to do without something during this season. Some people practice adding in something such as volunteering in the community. 

I share some ideas and practices I've found helpful as I practice my word for the year Restore.

Jessica Richie is a producer and writer. She serves as the executive director of the Everything Happens Initiative at Duke University and the executive producer of the Everything Happens podcast, which hosts wise, funny, and tender conversations between Dr. Kate Bowler and guests about lives that don't always work out. Based on their work together, Kate and Jess co-wrote a book of spiritual reflections called, GOOD ENOUGH: 40ish DEVOTIONALS FOR A LIFE OF IMPERFECTION and a book of blessings called THE LIVES WE ACTUALLY HAVE: 100 BLESSINGS FOR IMPERFECT DAYS. Jess received her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School and lives with her family in Wilmington, Delaware.