What if wellness isn't about green smoothies, gym memberships, or the latest meditation app? In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Steve Kalber, St. Paul's counselor and former behavioral health nurse, to unpack what wellness actually means—and why it's not the same thing as being "healthy."

Steve breaks down the four domains of wellness (mental, physical, spiritual, and social) and explains why your version of wellness might look completely different from your neighbor's. We talk about the misconceptions fueling wellness culture, the warning signs when things are out of balance, and practical strategies for staying well that don't require a trust fund or a TikTok algorithm.

Whether you're just starting to think about wellness or you're recovering from one too many failed New Year's resolutions, this conversation offers a refreshing, grounded perspective on what it means to live well—in a way that's actually sustainable.

Plus, we kick things off with the weirdest wellness purchases we've ever made. (No judgment. Okay, maybe a little judgment.)

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

For 2025, Melissa Pepper's mantra is JOY. But what does that actually mean when you're navigating leadership responsibilities, medical challenges, parenting decisions, and the everyday chaos of life?

Whether you've never thought about choosing a personal mantra or you're a seasoned practitioner, Melissa's insights will inspire you to think differently about what it means to pursue joy—not as an escape from reality, but as a practice that changes how you move through it.

Books recommended by Melissa:
Designing your life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Kate Bowler Devotional: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection

Join the playlist:
When you need a little boost (and at some point we all do), tune into the Joy Jams playlist inspired by today's episode. Listen to JOY JAMS

Do you have a song or songs that bring you joy? Let us know and we'll continue to build this playlist! 

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

Happy Halloween! Today, Jess and Mark explore Halloween and the monsters lurking in the Bible. 

Special thanks to:

Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Music by PulseBox from Pixabay

Music and sound effects by Tunetank from Pixabay

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

Mark and two St. Paul pastors (Katy and Sara) tackle your biggest (and smallest) questions about faith, life, and everything in between with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

In this episode, hosts Mark and Jess explore the importance of structure and routine in parenting with two seasoned early childhood experts.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

Welcome to Sorta Sacred! Conversations about the joys and challenges of life. Together we're finding something sorta sacred in the most normal parts of our days. 

On the pilot episode, co-hosts Mark Niethammer and Jessica Taylor chat about their backstories, how Sorta Sacred came about, and what future conversations entail. 

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter