Born in Telemark, Norway, in 1962, Janne Myrdal left her home country after high school to do humanitarian work for refugees. It was through that ministry, which focused on Central America and U.S. inner cities but was based in Texas, where she met Mark, a farmer from the Midwest. The two married in Skien, Norway, in 1994, and raised their three children in North Dakota.

As a politician, Senator Myrdal, a Republican, has been frequently criticized by those who don’t share her pro-life convictions. But it seems time to get at the truth of who she really is, and how she came to have such a passion for life. The story has roots in a World War II account of courage, which eventually gave rise to a deep love for God and cradle-to-grave respect for all humans. 

Visit Roxane's website: https://roxanesalonen.com/

In this episode of “Matters of Soul Importance,” we revisit the question that gained attention through conservative political commentator Matt Walsh’s “What is a woman?” documentary, tweaking it a bit to ask, “What is a man?”

Rob Marco has been asking this question since his teenage years as a boy growing up in a loving but mostly unchurched home in Pennsylvania. Rob began to sense God’s unrelenting wooing as a teen, prompting him to spend time in the wilderness alone, and, for a time, live in a converted school bus with dreams of the consecrated life as a monk dancing in his head.

Eventually, God drew him instead into the domesticated life of husband and father. In this episode, you’ll learn how a street-smart kid from Philly discovered the ancient Church as the surest pathway to peace, and about his zealous thirst for drawing other souls to Christ.

More:

• Rob’s book, “Wisdom and Folly: Essays on Faith, Life and Everything In Between”: https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Folly-Essays-Everything-Between/dp/1957206217
• Article by Roxane, “Everyday Thoughts by an Ordinary Catholic” reviewing “Wisdom and Folly” on CatholicMom.com: https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/wisdom-and-folly-everyday-thoughts-of-an-ordinary-catholic
• Article by Patti Armstrong on the National Catholic Register referenced by Rob, “What is a man? What is a good man? What is a hero?”: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/what-is-a-man-what-is-a-good-man

In this episode of “Matters of Soul Importance,” we ask, Rollie Johnson, Lutheran lay pastor, outdoor enthusiast and motivational speaker, “What does God’s voice sound like?”

When Christians or other people of faith say they have heard God’s voice, what does that mean? Does God really speak to them or is it more a stirring in one’s heart? Rollie, whose passions include bow hunting and building, sewing, flintknapping, camping and canoeing—along with being an accomplished writer and speaker—will explore the question and share some of the ways he has heard God’s voice, and at which decibel.

Rollie’s detailed testimonies of meeting God in nature, and wherever he goes, will equip listeners to stay better attuned to the divine. 

To learn more about Rollie Johnson’s books or speaking, visit his website: https://www.rolliejohnson.com/author/

Visit Roxane's website: https://roxanesalonen.com/

According to Wikipedia, Gilbert Keith Chesterton, who lived from May 1874 to June 1936, was an English writer, philosopher, Christian apologist, and literary and art critic. Some have referred to him as “the prince of paradox.” As Time magazine once observed, “Whenever possible, Chesterton made his points with popular sayings, proverbs and allegories—first carefully turning them inside out.” One of those sayings, “Never discuss religion and politics in polite company,” provided fuel for Chesterton, who once quipped, “I never discuss anything else except politics and religion. There is nothing else to discuss.” 

That revised phrase provided the primary inspiration for this podcast. And now that the first seven episodes of “Matters of Soul Importance” have passed, it seemed right to revisit the source of that inspiration to better understand what this man was about, and why he’s worthy of highlighting. To help reveal the heart of Chesterton, we talk with Mike Hagstrom, longtime member of a local Chesterton Society, educator, and fan of wit.

• Society of G.K. Chesterton website: https://www.chesterton.org/ (many of the book titles mentioned are included)
• The Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton, Vol. 1: https://www.amazon.com/Collected-Works-G-K-Chesterton-Vol/dp/0898700795
• Podcast with Dale Ahlquist sharing about G.K. Chesterton’s, The Everlasting Man: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ave-maria-radio-kresta-in-the-afternoon/id316247661?i=1000651252053
• Roxane's website: https://roxanesalonen.com/

In this episode of “Matters of Soul Importance,” we ask, “Who was Ann Dahl?”

Ann was many things: a southerner by origin who married a northerner and lived much of her life in North Dakota; a woman who was well-traveled, dedicated to her family, and who thirsted to know God better.

Ann Dahl’s death in January 2023 caused the earth to heave, yet the majority of those listening to this podcast likely have never heard of her. That is true of most people in this world, yet that doesn’t mean their impact has been less than the most famous among us. Ann Dahl touched hearts, and she can touch ours today, for memory can traverse time and the spirit lives on. And if we’re willing to listen, the lives and impact of those who have left behind love can reach beyond the veil.

Here, Ann Dahl’s husband, Howard, graciously shares some highlights of his beloved wife from his perspective.

• Vimeo clip of Ann in her own words, as shared during her funeral service on Jan. 28, 2023: https://vimeo.com/925207693#t=4714s 
• Visit Roxane's website: https://roxanesalonen.com/ 

Why would a good God allow suffering? This question has been asked through every age, by all of humanity, and yet suffering seems to be an integral part of our being human. Since no one will get through this world without having gone through suffering of some kind, perhaps there is a way to bring it into a positive light? In this episode of “Matters of Soul Importance,” author and speaker Elizabeth Kelly takes us through her own journey of suffering, drawing us into the heart of its possible good purpose, looking to Jesus as a primary model. As one who has suffered the effects of both an autoimmune disease and, more recently, cancer, Elizabeth is not just talking the talk but walking the walk of suffering. What has she learned along the way? You might be surprised. You could even find hope.

Addtional resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jesus Approaches (Elizabeth Kelly)
• Love Like a Saint (Elizabeth Kelly)
• The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur (Elisabeth Leseur)
• On the Meaning of Christian Suffering (John Paul II)
• Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro
• Saint Mary Mackillop
• Liz’s website: www.lizk.org

God is eager to reveal himself to us, and throughout the ages, humans have discovered God in many ways—including in good literature. In the Christian religion, God is described as “The Word,” which seems to imply that, from the get-go, God wants us to discover him through language. 

In this episode of “Matters of Soul Importance,” Nancy Gourde, a retired English teacher who has shared good literature with hundreds of students through the years, explores the question, “Is God hiding in good literature?” Can we find God, and learn more about the divine, through reading a good story? If you’ve ever been moved by a good story or have searched ardently for God, this is one “lecture” that won’t put you to sleep.

Visit Roxane’s website: https://www.roxanesalonen.com

As one of the millions of women who has endured an abortion, Jody Clemens is equipped to speak passionately about whether abortion is really healthcare, as so many these days contend. In the second part of this two-part interview, she illuminates how she arrived at the decision to end the life of her child, along with her shattering regret.

Jody also shares how she found freedom after years of hiding her deep, dark secret. No matter what side of this issue you fall on, you’ll find fresh insight through Jody’s haunting yet hope-filled journey.

• Rachel’s Vineyard: https://www.rachelsvineyard.org/
• And Then There Were None: https://abortionworker.com/
• Forgiven and Set Free North Dakota: https://forgivenandsetfreend.com/
• Women’s Care Center (local pregnancy resource and free ultrasounds): 
• https://www.womenscarecenter.org/fargo-north-dakota
• Does God Forgive Abortion? podcast, hosted by Brittany Poppe, co-facilitator of the Forgiven and Set Free Healing retreats: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/does-god-forgive-abortion-abortion-forgiveness-redemption/id1668717310

As one of the millions of women who has endured an abortion, Jody Clemens is equipped to speak passionately about whether abortion is really healthcare, as so many these days contend. In this interview, she illuminates how she arrived at the decision to end the life of her child, along with her shattering regret.

Jody also shares how she found freedom after years of hiding her deep, dark secret. No matter what side of this issue you fall on, you’ll find fresh insight through Jody’s haunting yet hope-filled journey.

• Rachel’s Vineyard: https://www.rachelsvineyard.org/
• And Then There Were None: https://abortionworker.com/
• Forgiven and Set Free North Dakota: https://forgivenandsetfreend.com/
• Women’s Care Center (local pregnancy resource and free ultrasounds): 
• https://www.womenscarecenter.org/fargo-north-dakota
• Does God Forgive Abortion? podcast, hosted by Brittany Poppe, co-facilitator of the Forgiven and Set Free Healing retreats: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/does-god-forgive-abortion-abortion-forgiveness-redemption/id1668717310

“Beauty can save the world.”

It’s a phrase that has been uttered in recent decades by various writers. But what exactly does this mean? Can beauty be quantified? Can we agree on what is beautiful? And if so, can it save the world? How?

In this episode, we touch on the three transcendentals of truth, beauty, and goodness. Though all are important factors in drawing us to the Faith, some have predicted that beauty is the one most needed today—and will win over our hearts in the end. We explore all this with Fr. Luke Meyer, pastor of Sts. Anne & Joachim Church in Fargo, North Dakota, including how beauty led him into the priesthood.

Show notes:

• We referenced this document on beauty; from Pope Benedict XVI’s meeting with artists in the Sistine Chapel in 2009: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2009/november/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20091121_artisti.html

• This book was also noted: “A Severe Mercy”: https://a.co/d/8oEVUIQ