Grief doesn’t just hurt — it rearranges a person. In this episode, host Heather Winchell is joined by writer and counselor Kirsten Black, who invites listeners into honest conversation about grief, suffering, and the faithful wrestle of believing God is good when life doesn’t feel kind.

Kirsten shares how writing became both a lifeline and a way of shepherding others through sorrow after the loss of her son, Ezra. Together, they talk about the difference between having a theology of suffering and actually walking through it, why “not grieving as those without hope” doesn’t mean grief gets smaller, and how the kindest thing someone can do for a grieving friend is often simply be present.

The conversation also gets practical: boundaries with the news, the “bullseye” of emotional energy, solitude and silence as healing, and what it looks like to extend grace when people grieve in very different ways.

In this episode:

• How Kirsten’s writing began (nonprofit blog ➝ CaringBridge during Ezra’s leukemia journey)
• What it means to wrestle with God and stay tethered to hope
• “Theology of suffering” vs. being met by Jesus in suffering
• The question underneath the question: worshiping God for who He is vs. what He does
• Grief with hope ≠ less grief (it’s grief that isn’t hopeless)
• The “bullseye” framework for emotional energy and why boundaries are loving
• Tools for grieving: solitude, silence, reading when prayer feels impossible
• Helping others: cling like Ruth, don’t lecture like Job’s friends
• When grief styles collide in families (looking back vs. looking forward)

Recommended resources:

• Seasons of Sorrow — Tim Challies
• Piercing Heaven (Puritan prayers in modern language)
• Gentle and Lowly — Dane Ortlund

Shout-out (Thanks for Doing That)

• Patrick Richardson — illustrator/designer IG: @januarybegan

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Northern Colorado artist Jessica Kuddes (JMK) creates one-of-a-kind paintings that feel like windows into redemption—visual “spiritual landscapes” that hold out hope when life is hard. In this conversation, we talk about protected margin, art born from grief, and why imagery can carry us when words can’t. 

She challenges my conviction that play doh should never be mixed (but really, how many shades of brown can you make?!?) and talks about how early influences shaped her belief that she is an artist and using that gift matters.

In this episode:

• Jessica Kuddes (JMK) shares how protected margin has shaped both her family life and her creative work
• The early influences that formed her as an artist—from color-mixing with Play-Doh to mentors who named her gifts before she believed them
• Why much of her art begins with asking God for a picture of a “spiritual landscape”
• How grief and trauma transformed her relationship with creativity—and why imagery can carry us when words can’t
• A behind-the-scenes look at a commissioned painting that became a lived reminder of the both/and nature of life
• The core values behind her work: connection, hope, beauty, and trust that God multiplies small acts of faith
• How writing becomes necessary when an idea is “too complex for a two-dimensional image”
• The story of a Philippians 3–inspired piece that unexpectedly accompanied a friend through betrayal and rebuilding
• Why Jessica believes hope doesn’t erase pain—but meets us inside it

Mentioned in the episode:

• Colossians 1:24–27 (ESV)  
• Philippians 3:7–14 (ESV)  
• Itzhak Perlman — “Greatest Hits (Spotify listing)  

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What makes a story actually move people—without resorting to hype or manipulation? In this episode, Heather Winchell sits down with HR Sweat (Lampstand Story Company, Oklahoma City) to talk about the craft of storytelling, why “the first draft is garbage” can be a gift, and how critique becomes a creative superpower. They explore Lampstand’s approach to bespoke work—listening long enough to find the true thread—along with storytelling guardrails like honesty and respect for the audience. Along the way, you’ll hear stories from HR’s early days in video, the leadership feedback that changed his life, and why focusing on the good and beautiful can widen the circle in a divided world.

Key ideas you’ll hear:

• Bespoke storytelling starts with listening long enough to find the connecting thread.
• Honest storytelling often gets simpler with each revision (less “juice,” more truth).
• Respecting the audience means trusting them with complexity and hard realities.
• A compelling “ask” stays tethered to the why, not the swag-bag moment.
• Criticism isn’t the enemy—defensiveness is.

Mentioned in the episode:

Loud Cloud Animation Studio
Johnny Harris (channel)
BibleProject
The Moth
Huberman Lab gratitude episode

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Since launching her cottage bakery earlier this year, Tori Aaker has been delighting Northern Colorado with sourdough loaves, cinnamon rolls, baking mixes, and what many now call the best chocolate chip cookie they’ve ever had - aka "The Number One". Around here, most people don’t even say “Tori” anymore—they just say Baker Aaker.

In this cozy conversation, Heather and Tori talk about what a cottage bakery actually is, how Tori set up her porch hutch, and why her background in photography, design, and branding made it easier to launch quickly. They also get honest about pricing homemade goods, baking at altitude, the joy of feeding people, and the freedom to try things without having to stick with them forever.

Whether you’re a home baker, a small business dreamer, or just someone who loves a good cookie, this episode is a warm invitation to try, taste, and enjoy the season you’re in.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What a cottage bakery is and how the Colorado cottage food law works for home bakers
• How Tori’s upbringing—watching her mom cook for hundreds at church events—shaped her love of serving people through food
• The story behind the now-famous “number one cookie” and the neighbor who insisted she start selling it
• Why the biggest challenge isn’t always pricing, but deciding how much to bake and what sizes to sell
• Baking at altitude in Colorado (including Tori’s tip to slightly reduce butter in cookies so they don’t spread)
• The hidden time cost of cookies versus other baked goods
• Tori’s favorite kitchen tools, including those magnetic measuring spoons and restaurant-style sheet pans with lids
• How her background in photography, branding, and web design made Baker Aaker quicker and easier to launch
• The emotional side of pricing your work and facing imposter syndrome when you sell what you can “just make at home”
• Tori’s fast-start personality, why she’s had multiple businesses, and her permission slip to stop something when it’s no longer right for your season
• Encouragement for kid (and grown-up) bakers: reading the recipe, trying again when it doesn’t work, and learning from mistakes

Where to find Tori / Baker Aaker:

• Website: bakeraaker.com 
• Instagram: @bakeraaker 

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In this heartfelt episode of Thanks for Doing That, Heather chats with the inspiring husband-and-wife team, Marissa and Chris, the founders of the Nashville Blanket Project. From their cozy Airbnb hosting experience to the mission-driven journey of creating beautiful blankets that give back, their story is one of compassion and community. Learn how they turned a simple idea into a thriving social enterprise that donates a blanket for every one sold (12,000 to date!), providing warmth and comfort to those in need across Nashville.

Marissa and Chris share:

• The origins of the Nashville Blanket Project and its evolution into Faircloth
• How they balance family life and running a business together
• The impact of community partnerships and the power of giving back
• Insights into their creative process for designing unique, cozy blankets
• Exciting plans for expanding their offerings and mission in the future

Join us for a conversation that celebrates the spirit of giving, creativity, and the importance of community support. Don’t miss out on the chance to keep Nashville cozy!

Faircloth (formerly Nashville Blanket Project)

Website → getfaircloth.com

AirBNB  →  https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/47872359?source_impression_id=p3_1762455662_P3gbM0bzQ-HgK45G

Instagram → @getfaircloth

Wholesale → fair.com (search “Faircloth”)

Custom blankets → info available at getfaircloth.com

Nonprofit partner: People Loving Nashville → peoplelovingnashville.com

The Ethos Market — collective of local social enterprises → theethosmarket.com

Strings for Hope → stringsforhope.com

Cement Six → cementsix.com

Thistle Farms → thistlefarms.org

The Well Coffeehouse → wellcoffeehouse.com

Books Mentioned:

Snake Oil by Becca Stevens

Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

Places Mentioned:

Sky Blue Café (Nashville)

Get Along / Scout Baby Collective (Nashville)

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Sewing as a superpower? Yes. Creative director Laura Moore (Sew Your Adventure) shows how simple, “quick-win” projects—beanbags, bookmarks, potholders—can spark curiosity, courage, and connection at home. We talk intergenerational skills, her 100-year-old sewing journal from Great-Grandma Minnie, and the story-led Stitch & Story Journal that helps families create, reflect, and celebrate—one stitch at a time.

You’ll hear:

• Why “right sides together” and repetition build real confidence
• How intergenerational skills (and a 100-year-old sewing notebook!) can shape a home
• A simple mentor→repeat→make-it-you→teach loop that turns learners into leaders
• Practical ideas for teacher gifts, screen-free family time, and creative “quick wins”

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In this craft-rich conversation, writer and lyricist Douglas McKelvey shares the winding path that led to Every Moment Holy, why Volume Two (grief, death, and hope) was formed in community, and how he thinks about vocation through a Kingdom economy—serving real people first. He previews his next book: a young-adult-focused collection (late HS through mid-20s) with longtime illustrator Ned Bustard. We also talk about the Art House in the ‘90s, Rabbit Room, and what it means to “mourn with those who mourn” while keeping hold of joy. Plus a fun closer: Doug invents a Chesterton-inspired coffee drink (“The Father Brown”).

You’ll hear about:

• The loaves-and-fishes posture in what you bring
• How community shapes our lives
• Why joy and sorrow don’t cancel each other out
• A forthcoming EMH book crafted for young adults entering adulthood
• Serving your community vs. chasing what sells

Mentioned in this episode:

• Every Moment Holy, Vols. 1–3 — Rabbit Room Press
• New EMH for young adults (forthcoming; with artist Ned Bustard)
• The Art House (Charlie Peacock & Andi Ashworth)
• Book: Adorning the Dark — Andrew Peterson
• Book: Why Everything That Doesn’t Matter Matters So Much — Charlie Peacock & Andi Ashworth
• Authors mentioned: G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Susanna Clarke (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell)
• Book: Lament for a Son — Nicholas Wolterstorff
• Help The Persecuted (Doug’s shout-out)

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In this episode of Thanks for Doing That, Heather sits down with master carpenter Jay Ballard, whose decades of experience in carpentry and remodeling are matched only by his kindness and optimism. Jay shares how growing up around woodworking shaped his love for the craft—from the smell of freshly cut lumber in his father’s shop to the satisfaction of finishing his first clock case. He also reflects on the values instilled by his parents—hard work, humility, and faith—that continue to guide him in both life and business.

Beyond his story, Jay offers practical wisdom for anyone eager to take on projects around the house. From knowing your limitations to planning realistically, Jay encourages homeowners to approach projects with forethought and courage. His advice balances inspiration with grounded practicality, reminding us that creating or repairing spaces can be deeply life-giving.

This conversation is both a window into the heart of a craftsman and a toolkit for anyone who wants to make their home a place of care, beauty, and belonging.

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“The art of living in season is about learning to see the extraordinary in our ordinary moments.”

“God has a great canvas, and each of us has a little dab of paint to put on it.”

What if the most ordinary parts of your life—gardening, teaching, caregiving, baking, writing—were actually sacred gifts?

In this episode of Thanks for Doing That, Heather sits down with Sylvie Vanhoozer, writer, botanical artist, and author of The Art of Living in Season and The Art of Living in Advent. With wisdom shaped by French culture, church tradition, and her own seasons of caregiving and creativity, Sylvie shares how she learned to see the extraordinary in everyday life.

Together, they talk about:

• The meaning of everyday saints and why small, humble offerings matter.
• How cultural roots and seasons of nature shape our life and attentiveness.
• The story behind Sylvie’s illustrated letters that grew into her first book.
• An overview of her second book -  The Art of Living in Advent.

This is a conversation for anyone longing to be more present, to live with intention, and to discover how deeply meaningful each season of life can be.

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What makes ordinary objects so unforgettable? For Northern Colorado artist Mandy West, the answer is found in color, memory, and perspective. Her paintings capture the beauty of everyday things—a chair, a Vespa, even a laundry truck—inviting us to pause and see what’s often overlooked.

In this conversation, Mandy shares her journey from doodling bubble letters in exchange for Jolly Ranchers to embracing acrylics as her primary medium. We talk about:

• How backcountry skiing with her husband parallels her creative process (“earning your turns”)
• Why being a boy mom shaped her eye for the ordinary and fueled her creativity
• The role of community, critique, and persistence in developing as an artist
• Practical encouragement for anyone wanting to lean into creativity

You’ll also hear how Mandy integrates memory, family, and even her children’s old handwriting practice sheets into her art. This episode is a reminder that the ordinary moments of life hold extraordinary beauty—if we only stop to see them.

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