In the middle of navigating the coronavirus pandemic, people everywhere are trying to find creative ways to continue to create their work and develop community. We wanted to profile people who are finding creative solutions to keep moving forward in our new normal. Today’s episode is the second in this series.

In Part Two, we talk with Matt Penz about the way his dental practice has adapted to the realities of Covid-19 while keeping the office a safe, warm, and welcoming place for patients, as well as the realities of being a parent during this difficult time. Learn more about Matt at PenzDentalCare.com.

We also chatted with our friend, and frequent Sandbox guest, Heatherlyn. She shared about the ways she has taken her music online during the pandemic and continued to develop a virtual community through those musical experiences. Learn more about Heatherlyn and her music at HeatherlynMusic.com.

In the middle of navigating the coronavirus pandemic, people everywhere are trying to find creative ways to continue to create their work and develop community. We wanted to profile people who are finding creative solutions to keep moving forward in our new normal. Today’s episode is the first in this series.

In Part One, we talk with Ben Grace and Karyn Thurston about Heathen Happy Hour and some of their other creative projects. Learn more about Ben’s music at BenGraceMusic.com and find the Heathen Podcast at HeathenPodcast.com or subscribe wherever you find podcasts.

We also hear from our friend Derek Jensen, who shared with us a little bit about his experience as a chef and managing a restaurant through this difficult time. If you’re near us in Rochester, MN, go snag some delicious food (details at ChestersKB.com)

Join us next time for part two!

For today’s episode, we’re revisiting our live event with Drew Hart. To dig deeper, visit SandboxCooperative.com and click on the discussion tab.

On May 7, 2017 we welcomed Drew Hart for one of our Sandbox Live Events. Drew is a Theology Professor, Church Anti-Racism Trainer, and Justice Activist and author of the book, Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, as well as the upcoming Who Will Be a Witness: Igniting Activism for God's Justice, Love, and Deliverance. We talked with Drew about the themes of his book, and had an excellent conversation with our audience.

More about Drew at DrewGIHart.com, @DruHart, Drew Hart on Facebook

A few weeks ago a groundhog told us how much longer winter would last, and that a new season is right around the corner. It got us thinking about seasons in our own lives, paying attention to where we are and what’s next. What season are you in? Are you in between seasons? What could be next in your story?

In today’s episode we talk about gratitude. What would it look like for us to practice gratitude more consistently? How might that shape our view of our lives and the world around us?

Web comic, I’m Honestly Fed Up With All The Bad News, So I Illustrated 50 Of The Best Ones From 2019: https://www.boredpanda.com/positive-news-2019-illustrations-mauro-gatti/

Dale Fredrickson is a teacher and a poet. He is the author of multiple books and albums, most recently Blessed is the Man. Blessed is the man is the story of how men can grow their capacity for mutual love and become openhearted, emotionally expressive, and relationally connected. Through poetry and the sounds of banjos, mandolins, saxophones, violins, and guitars Dale seeks to inspire men and women alike to let love shape their lives and write their stories.

For more about Dale and his work, be sure to check out dalefredrickson.com, or listen to our previous conversation with Dale in Episode 25.

We hope you are all enjoying the holidays and have the chance to be rested and encouraged this season. We’ll be taking a short break from the podcast, but will be back in mid-late January. In the meantime, here’s a quick word from us and a gift of a poem, On This Night I Wonder, from our friend Dale Fredrickson.

In today’s episode we talk with Emmy Kegler about her book, One Coin Found: How God's Love Stretches to the Margins. In addition to talking about the book, Emmy shared her experience of tension with the Bible and the Christian story, specifically in the ways scripture has been used to marginalize people based on sexuality, race, or beliefs. 

She hopes that through her book, and we hope through this episode, people who have had a broken relationship with the Christian story might have the chance to find something that is liberating, holistic, and healing.

Emmy also challenges us to better care for those who have been cast aside through rethinking our understanding of scripture, reminding us that “coins only disappear if the person who is responsible for recognizing their worth fails in their duty.”