messy but graceful: a parenting podcast

Kim Jones - CoFounder, Executive Director (she/her)

Kim spent 20 years as a pediatrician in Silicon Valley before being called out of that work into changemaking. She was a Changemaker Fellow in 2018 and is passionate about enabling people to find their abundant, purpose-filled life.

https://thechangemakerinitiative.org/ 

Katie Cassady is a wife and mom to three girls in Denver, CO. A beekeeper and avid gardener, she believes stewardship, Catholic Social Teaching, and the practice of Sabbath, hold untold potential for the Church and the world. She holds a Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry and published Sunday Fun as a tool to help families intentionally integrate the practice of Sabbath. She blogs at Blessed Is She and unexpectedhoney.

Glenys Nellist was born and raised in a little village in northern England. The author of multiple award-winning children’s books, including the bestselling ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas, The Wonder That is You, and five popular series: Love Letters from God, Snuggle Time, ‘Twas, Good News and Little Mole, her writing reflects a deep passion for helping children discover joy and hope in the world. Glenys lives in Michigan with her husband, David. https://www.glenysnellist.com/ 

From Debbie:

As Co-Director at Milestones Ministry: I help write, edit, facilitate training, and network and connect with congregations who desire to grow a family ministry model with an emphasis on faith in the home. I have a passion for helping others define the best resources and plans for ministries in their particular setting. I take into account size, space, history, existing resources, and leadership team support as primary sources to encourage active engagement in lifelong faith formation for all ages. Coupled with an understanding of spiritual gifts and uplifting them and adding prayer contribute to a solid base for successful and vibrant ministry in the congregation. Being intentional, setting expectations, and establishing tools for accountability are key.
As a Coach: I have lived in different states, overseas in Japan and Spain, fluent in Spanish, and comfortable in both urban and rural cultures. I describe myself as a life, grief, end of life, and congregational leadership coach. 
I have served on staff in a congregation and been a consultant for both clergy and lay leaders in congregations across the country, in Canada, and in Australia. I have a passion for empowering all ages in using their God-given gifts to embrace and be engaged in ministry in their daily lives.
Feeling alone, over scheduled, and burned out is something I , myself, have experienced. As a result, I have learned that coaching done well can be an effective tool for help and support. I have a great desire to listen, encourage, and support those in leadership roles in congregations.

Karen DeBoer loves children (and their grown-ups too!). As a writer, workshop leader, podcaster and parent of four, much of Karen’s work has been focussed on providing people with practical ideas for forming faith both in community and at home. She is the author of Home Grown Handbook for Christian Parenting; a contributing editor of God’s Big Story Cards, Jesse Tree: God’s Big Advent Story and You’re Invited: A Week of Devotions for Families on the Lord’s Supper; a content curator and creator of online toolkits on topics including The Intergenerational Church, Family Faith Formation and more; she also co-hosted the Open to Wonder podcast. One of Karen’s favorite things to do is to share ideas and you’ll find those in the Dwell at Home ‘5 Ways’ series of resources, in her blogs for The Network and in the chapter on “Faith Practices in Community and at Home” (Chapter 8) which she wrote for the book All Ages Becoming, Intergenerational Practice in the Formation of God’s People. Speaking of home, Karen makes hers in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

Kayla Craig is a former journalist who brings deep curiosity and care to her writing.

With a poetic, prophetic voice, she created the popular Liturgies for Parents Instagram account, which Christianity Today named an “essential parenting resource.” She also hosts the Liturgies for Parents podcast.

Kayla’s nuanced and accessible reflections, essays, and prayers are featured in various books, devotionals, and Bible studies. Kayla lives in a 115-year-old former convent in her Iowa hometown, where she hopes to create spaces of welcome alongside her four children, two dogs, and husband, Jonny.

https://kaylacraig.com/

Liz Emis is the incoming Minister of Education for First UMC in Omaha. She creates spaces for wonder, plurality, and expansive, practical theology with and for children, youth, and families. She is a practical, liberative, childist theologian. She attends Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and will graduate in May '25 with a Master of Divinity degree, concentrating in Childist Studies, Ethics & Education. Liz is a content creator for the project.

Jennifer Grant is an author and editor based in Chicago. Her picture book Maybe God Is Like That Too won a gold medal from the Moonbeam Spirit Awards for excellence in children's literature and was named a book of the year finalist in the Foreword Indies awards. To date, it has sold more than 30,000 copies. Her second picture book, Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too, was named a Junior Library Guild official gold standard selection. She has written several other books for children, including Finding Calm in Nature and What If I Can’t Explain God?, both released in 2023.

Katye is a native Southerner who loves Jesus, musical theater, sports, coffee, and good hugs. An ordained Deacon in The United Methodist Church, she serves on staff at Garrett Seminary. She studied Dance Performance and Religious Studies at SMU, has a MDiv. from Garrett, and studied at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland. She is stepmom to a fantastic 14-year old stepdaughter and momma to twin almost-3 year-old boys. 

Sara Miller (She/Her) is a pastor and mental health educator. She's been in ministry for 11+ years in a variety of settings. Sara has an undergraduate degree in Youth Ministry and, in May 2022, received both a Master of Divinity (MDiv) and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling (MAPCC) from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She's married to her partner Caleb, and they have 1 dog “child”, Mory. When not working, she loves to drink decaf coffee, eat donuts, and read children’s books (the only fiction in her life). Sara lives for time with those she loves, planning trips to far-off places, baking yummy things, exploring nature, and sifting through antique/thrift stores for treasure. She has been known to rant about vegan pizza, tattoos, theology, and the Enneagram.