It was enlightening to spend time chatting with Dr. Kelly Kapic about humility, suffering and how to be a lover of God by embracing finitude. We explore themes of psychology and theology finding their intersections in the Christian life. I felt encouraged and lighter after this conversation. I felt like many hard and heavy aspects of life are actually quite simple as I learn and grow to be like Jesus. Faithfully, imperfectly, and beautifully human.

Enjoy!

Resources:

A lot of books come up in this episode!

The Soul of Desire by Dr. Curt Thompson

Find all of Kelly's books here as well as contact information for potential speaking gigs.

When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbet and Brian Fikkert

Make Sense of Your Story by Adam Young

Kid's Say the Darnedest Things is the title of the episode with my kids. I couldn't remember what I titled it in while recording so here it is!

Kelly mentions our mutual friend Dr. Scott Jones.

Katie is a 5th generation pastor's wife, a worship director, author, and a pioneer for Wives of Elders in the PCA. We use some denominational jargon which I'll attempt to clarify in the resources.

Talking with Katie is like taking a deep breath during a stressful day. She has experienced grief and suffering while serving the local church. She talks about holding these roles simultaneously and how she has grown and learned along the way.

ENJOY!!!

Resources

CDM: the PCA's discipleship ministry

WE: cdm has a ministry for Wives of Elders, both ruling and teaching elders in the PCA

Front Porch Circle: an organization which provides emotional and relational support for pastors' wives through group processing and individual sessions

Beyond the Back Row: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Local Church for Your Family  by Katie Polski

You Are a Child of God: Devotions for Living Your Grace-Filled Identity (Gospel Truth for Women) by Katie Polski

You're Only Human: by Kelly Kapic (cannot recommend this book enough.

Actually just go to Kelly's website and order everything he's written!

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen: I mention this book in this episode and it is very good. But the book that was actually coming to mind was Life of the Beloved. You should read them both tbh!

We all have ways our humanness wreaks havoc in our lives every day. Most of us try to suppress it out of fear someone will see our weakness and be aware that we are imperfect. Or we ourselves will have to face how we are not God.

Matthew O’Hearn carries the effects of a fallen world with every step. The unique way he moves through the world is a reminder to us all we are also weak.

God’s faithful provision for Matthew tells a story of resilience and grace through people and places and faithfulness.

We don’t have to hide behind our brokenness. It is through our finitude God shows us the completeness of His love. Without my limits I would forget He is God and I am human.

Enjoy my friend of a friend and fellow obsessor of Covenant College, Matthew O’Hearn!

Resources:

Park Cities Presbyterian Church

Covenant College

Not mentioned in the podcast but a good resource for those interested in caring for families with disabilities.

I met Bridgett because of this podcast which seems like a milestone and a big step in podcast growth! It is rare to discuss important topics that mean a lot to us and agree with every thought or perspective. I wonder if some listeners may even feel unsettled during this episode. But if we only learn from those we completely aligned with, we will be mentally and emotional stunted Christians. I was personally spurred on toward a deeper truth by Bridgett's words.

Bridgett's perspective is valuable to us all but especially to my single listeners who desire to live out their Christian values in the wild world of dating. Who both long for connection but feel handcuffed by a culture which preaches our bodies are bad and our desires are worse.

Strap in listeners! Bridgett helps us ask the tough questions we're afraid to say out loud!

ENJOY!

Resources:

Bridgett's Website with Free Resources

The Sex Talk You Never Got: Reclaiming the Heart of Masculine Sexuality by Sam Jolman

HERE IT IS! My thoughts about the most recent episodes. An unintentional theme seems to keep popping up in my mind as I've chatted with you all about this season. Coming soon is a my first co-host who I met through Stirring Grey Spaces! Crazy!!! Stay tuned!

Resources:

I often struggle to keep straight what I've heard or read from which source but it's a safe bet my most brilliant thoughts have been gathered from one of the following:

Being Known Podcast

The Place We Find Ourselves

The Allender Center Podcast

Redeeming Heartache

Soul of Desire, Soul of Shame, The Deepest Place

Make Sense of Your Story

If you're looking for an honest, authentic, transparent conversation about fighting addiction look no further. One primary difficulty for those caught in sex addiction is the fear of being found out. There is tremendous stigma in Christian Culture that prohibits Jesus loving folk from finding support.

Jay's openness in this conversation is a gift to all of us. Our shame keeps us bound, drowning in a sea of guilt. Bringing our shame to the light in view of others who love us loosens the trestles, drags us to solid ground and closer to the feet of Jesus in humility and freedom.

“Man's nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.”

John Calvin

Resources:

Shame Interrupted by Ed Welch

SAA

Faith in the midst of unimaginable loss is proof that hope springs eternal. Katherine Teague’s words in this podcast remove every ounce of possible pretense. I felt free of having to prove anything after I spoke with her. To speak about a living, caring, gracious God after her devastating loss emboldens me to love, to be free, to walk in joy and not be afraid.

Katherine’s brother Will and his battle with substance addiction is a topic we frequently return to. Her words are never descriptive but drug use is discussed.

If you are battling substance use disorder and want help call or text 988 👍🏼

Resources:

Katherine's Substack: Streams that Flow

"Make Sense of Your Story" by Adam Young

I changed my approach to reading Scripture after this chat. Lisa’s encouragement to slow down made an instant shift simplifying my attempt to absorb Biblical truth.

We chat about her journey as a mom, a wife and a seminary student. How God has blessed our church with her gift of teaching and the robust mini retreats she and I have started for the women at Rock Creek Fellowship!

If you're in Chattanooga and you wanna attend "Muffins and Mugs" this Saturday morning, August 16th, you will hear Lisa teach and then you will understand why I'm so excited to have her in my sphere!

Check out the show notes below for all the resources she mentions.

Enjoy!

The Biblical Imagination- by Michael Card

Preaching that Speaks to Women- by Alice Mathews

Types of Knowers:

1. ​Silent Knowers

Often shaped by environments where their voice or opinion was suppressed.

1. ​Received Knowers

Trust external authorities over their own internal sense of truth.

Need careful exegetical clarity, but also gentle encouragement to begin developing their own theological voice.

1. ​Subjective Knowers

Begin to distrust external authority and privilege their own experiences.

Learn best through personal connection and empathy.

1. ​Procedural Knowers

Value both reason and experience.

Understand that knowledge comes through process—interpretation, study, dialogue.

Appreciate sermons that equip rather than dictate.

1. ​Constructed Knowers

Recognize that knowledge is contextual and multifaceted.

Learn best through dialogue, mutual respect, and participation in meaning-making.

Licensed Therapist Abby Horton processes how life and emotions can overwhelm us resulting in self harm. And how we can come alongside those we love who battle and fight for recovery.

We need people to know us deeply so they are alerted when we need to be chased down. We need to know there are those in our life who will “stay in the room” as Curt Thompson says, even when it gets sticky. The people who will understand when we need to be prodded along in life and when we need space to use our voice. Those who can decipher when we feel safe or if we simply want to be rescued. Our cloud of witnesses who will be patient and kind. Time with this smart, funny, beautiful soul is a slice of heaven and spurs me on to keep being curious. 

Websites

Psychology Today

Wise Mind Collective in Chattanooga,TN

New Story Behavioral Health

Front Porch Circle 

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Resources

Soul of Shame 

Soul of Desire

You Are Safe Now

Quenched

Understanding Eating Disorders: Parents & Family Members (I can’t link this one but I have it if you need it)

Acronyms

RO- Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT-Dialectical Behavior Therapy

OCD- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Join me on this humbling journey of self actualization. If you caught the previous episode about Friendship, please please please listen to these clarifications.

You should also most definitely read Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

Episode art is stock photo but I plan to replace it with an original image asap!