I hope you’re proud of how well we focused this time! Please clap. Christina shared about her upcoming Writing Retreats (!!!) and Dusty talked about her free workshop/challenge, The Free Refill - both serving Christian writers, creatives, and leaders. Plus we get into why Dusty wrestled in high school (and still wishes she could) and how Christina joined a swimming group.

→ scroll for the chapter breakdown + links

LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

Subscribe for free to join us every week, chatting about theology, creativity, business, and whatever else we can’t stop talking about.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

key topics

* The power of creative retreats in spiritual renewal

* Integrating faith into artistic and business pursuits

* Upcoming retreats and community building

* Personal growth and new ventures in writing and teaching

* The role of beauty and art in healing and connection Dusty’s journey into wrestling influenced by family history

* Christina’s autoimmune challenges and finding water therapy

* The importance of technique over brute strength in wrestling

* Community and support in adaptive sports

* The role of self-control and patience in physical activities

* The impact of sports on mental health and confidence

* The story of wrestling in high school and its life lessons

* Water Warriors: a swimming group for people with disabilities

* The significance of community in maintaining motivation

* Balancing athletic pursuits with family and personal health

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

We had a lot of interruptions but so many giggles! Plus, a wonderful conversation around why it’s a holy act to get dressed, why Dusty might be leaving her church, and some fun updates about Christina’s studies at Oxford.

We hope you enjoy!!!

LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Substack

* Join The Free Refill by Dusty Hegge

* Get on Christina’s writing retreat waitlist!

* The “Getting Dressed” Article: Why Dressing Well is a Radical Act

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

Subscribe for free to join us every week, chatting about theology, creativity, business, and whatever else we can’t stop talking about.

THE CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction: Sharing Personal Faith Journeys

01:49 - The Challenges of Academic Writing and Learning Styles

03:57 - Reframing Learning and Spiritual Growth

06:57 - The Role of Church Community and Connection

09:59 - Balancing Church Expectations and Personal Needs

12:56 - The Impact of Church Size and Structure

16:02 - Understanding Church History and Its Complexities

18:52 - Dealing with Church Hurt and Disillusionment

22:08 - Finding Peace and Purpose in Spiritual Journey

25:11 - The Importance of Diversity in Church Communities

30:03 - Personal Reflections on Church and Faith

34:47 - Moving Forward: Seeking Authentic Community

39:53 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Listeners

Did you catch last week’s episode?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

Apparently this is a pretend health podcast now?

Dusty shares about ongoing migraines, her new hair, a free resource she created for ministry-minded authors and leaders, plus a bicycle mishap involving a hamburger and some serious miscommunication.

And Christina shares about her experience with endometritis, snooty (or just straight up rude) comments on her Substack Notes, and the challenges of stepping into assertiveness (with kindness) as a woman.

We both have exciting business updates and a desire to lean more into reading as we pursue writing with more intention! It’s a long one, but a GOOD one, and we both hope you thoroughly enjoy it.

We’d love to hear what stood out to you! Leave a comment here on Substack or tag us on your favorite platform - we really love hearing from you guys!

Join The Free Refill by Dusty

Christina’s writing retreat waitlist

LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Substack

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

Subscribe for free to join us every week, chatting about theology, creativity, business, and whatever else we can’t stop talking about.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

* Chronic pain management and medication attitudes

* Understanding migraines and their triggers

* The importance of self-care routines

* Navigating internet rudeness with kindness

* Balancing family life and personal health

* Dealing with rude comments and protecting mental health

* The importance of spiritual and academic formation in writing

* Strategies for community building and engagement

* The role of reading and prayer in creative work

* Balancing firmness and gentleness online

Recently on the Podcast:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

You can watch the full episode on Substack!

This really is the girliest episode there ever was. We start with periods, talk about clean beauty routines, Christina unboxes her new Ffern perfume, and Dusty discusses content strategy.

→ scroll for the chapter breakdown + links

LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

Subscribe for free to join us every week, chatting about theology, creativity, business, and whatever else we can’t stop talking about.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

* Minimalist beauty routines and clean skincare

* Digital organization and file management strategies

* Website design tips for entrepreneurs

* The emotional impact of clutter and organization

* Personal stories of growth and creativity Storytelling in branding and fragrance

* Balancing long and short-form content

* Content strategy and audience engagement

* Personal growth and creative authenticity

* Building community through shared interests

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

Christina shares about her experience managing endometriosis and her prom redo! Dusty shares about period pain and Grease: The Musical. Which segues into a conversation about social media, world-building as a marketer, and church history. (Yes, you read that right. We really went all over the place.)

It’s a classic Christina and Dusty convo, and we hope you enjoy it!

LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

SEND US AN EMAIL! → [email protected]

Tell us what you’ve enjoyed, ask us a question, share something you’d like to hear us yap about on the podcast, or just say hi! We’d really love to hear from you!

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

* Women’s health and medical gaslighting

* Lifestyle changes for managing endometriosis

* The impact of societal views on motherhood and fertility

* Experiences with theater and cultural events

* Social media ban in the UK for under 16s

* Ethics and origins of cosmetic brands

* The art of marketing and world building

* Church history, heresies, and ecumenical councils

* The importance of understanding Old Testament for New Testament reading

* The role of church history in modern faith

* The significance of safe theology and doctrine

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

Christina is writing poetry again. Dusty teaches Christina how to brew the perfect pour-over. And we both have a whole lot to say about nothing in particular. We cover UK farming (in response to the newest season of Clarkson's Farm), the importance of fashion, the ball Christina is GIDDY to attend, and honestly? I forgot what else. We cover a lot of ground, laugh a lot, and say very little of actual importance. Enjoy!

→ SUBSCRIBE (and comment!) ON SUBSTACK

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

SEND US AN EMAIL! → [email protected]

Tell us what you’ve enjoyed, ask us a question, share something you’d like to hear us yap about on the podcast, or just say hi! We’d really love to hear from you!

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

* The emotional impact of poetry and its healing power

* Balancing motherhood and personal passions

* Choosing and customizing a dress for a special event

* The significance of embracing each stage of parenting

* The connection between art, fashion, and self-expression, coffee brewing techniques, and eco-friendly practices

* The influence of industry and farming on local communities

* The importance of supporting local businesses and sustainability

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

Oh, the heels of last week’s mostly silly conversation, this week we got real deep, real fast! Dusty has a new sweater that made her question her political beliefs, and Christina shares about her connection to Scottish heritage. This segues into a wonderful conversation around biblical history, the importance of reverence in worship, and how apathy is the death of - well, most things - and how Dusty’s view of heaven has shifted.

LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

→ scroll for the chapter breakdown + links

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

Subscribe for free to join us every week, chatting about theology, creativity, business, and whatever else we can’t stop talking about.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

* Dusty had a full political values crisis before buying an American flag sweater and bought it anyway.

* Christina found a Scottish poet thirty minutes before recording and ended up grieving a cultural heritage she can’t quite claim.

* Losing any real sense of cultural roots might be why so many American evangelicals can read the Bible their whole lives and still miss the point.

* Dusty burst into tears during communion as a teenager while her peers snickered

* The pendulum between white-knuckle legalism and “God loves me anyway” apathy keeps swinging, and the American church might be living out the consequences right now.

* Dusty used to genuinely not want to go to heaven, and C.S. Lewis is largely why that changed.

* There’s a yellow Tinkerbell dress Christina can’t wear to her Oxford summer ball, and what that opened up about existing in a body nobody sexualizes.

More From Christina and Dusty:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

This week, Dusty’s frustrated about the Instagram update no one asked for, and Christina has thoughts about the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. But most of our conversation centers around pop culture, the need for digital boundaries, and a desire for more light-hearted conversations in the online space.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

* Dusty’s reaction to Instagram’s new disappearing content feature is a face that says everything you need to know.

* Why the bot purge on Instagram might actually be the beginning of social media collapsing in on itself.

* The question every parent is quietly wrestling with — when do you actually give your kid a phone, and what do you do in the meantime.

* Why Substack being desktop-first might be its most underrated feature, and what that means for people trying to break a scrolling habit.

* The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ending has people divided — and it says a lot about how you see women and ambition.

* Tolkien vs. George R.R. Martin as a proxy for two completely different beliefs about whether humans are capable of redemption.

* Dusty got banned from watching Grease as a child for repeating something Rizzo said, and she has not recovered.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

Christina has new hair (and a lot of feelings about it), and Dusty gets on her soapbox about trad wife culture, slow living, and what ambition is actually supposed to look like. They get into the pressures placed on men and women, why good friendship matters so much, and why we're all so grateful for long-form content these days. Dusty's got exciting book news, and Christina is still buried in her Oxford philosophy papers (because Philosophy is…a lot, and the surgery really didn't help).

→ scroll for the chapter breakdown + links

LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

LINKS MENTIONED:

No Dumb Questions Podcast

Subscribe for free to join us every week, chatting about theology, creativity, business, and whatever else we can't stop talking about.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

* Christina realized her hair was a security blanket after chopping most of it off.

* Why trad wife culture, slow living, and hustle culture might all be lies we keep falling for.

* What “holy ambition” actually looks like when the world only rewards visible metrics.

* Why downplaying the weight of fatherhood ends up hurting everyone, not just men.

* The reason men can’t “chit chat” the way women do — and the edge women don’t realize they have.

* Why long-form content might be the last sane corner of the internet (AI ads, we’re looking at you).

More from Dusty and Christina:

If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it and let us know what stood out!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com

We start where we always do — in the thick of real life — with a rogue robin, a bird loose in Christina's attic, and Dusty getting hacked at 2am. Things get a little heavier from there as Christina opens up about something that's had her genuinely grieved and glued to her phone, which spills into one of those conversations about discernment and digital noise that we could honestly talk about for hours. Dusty also has book news — the kind we've been hoping for — and we get into what the road to publishing actually looks like, why Christian writers can't afford to stay silent, and what we both wanted to be when we grew up.

CHRISTINA’S LINKS: Website | Substack | Instagram

DUSTY’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Substack

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

* We finally got to the bottom of why Filbert the Robin won’t stop attacking the windows.

* Someone tried to steal from Dusty in the middle of the night — and she almost missed it.

* Christina’s long-overdue essays are finally in, and we’re celebrating accordingly. (!!!)

* When do you speak, and when do you stay silent? A question neither of us has a clean answer to.

* Dusty has some very exciting book news she’s been waiting to share.

* A moment from Christina’s feed that stopped us both cold and felt like a rallying cry for Christian writers.

* What Christina’s Wind & Breath workshops are, how they work, and how to join.

* What we each wanted to be when we grew up.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristinaanddustyshow.substack.com