The Marcella Project

In this deeply personal episode, Jackie Roese shares why she’s stepping away from the mic. Jackie opens up about pain, purpose, and presence with spine surgery on the horizon and a sacred calling to train women to preach. She reflects on what it means to honor a beautifully good body, why women must preach, and how God shows up—even when we’re laid low.

This isn’t a goodbye. It’s a benediction.

To anyone wrestling with calling, chronic pain, and what it means to be faithful when life rearranges you—this one’s for you.

In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, Jackie sits down with Janet Ables, pastor, author, and leadership coach, to expose what it’s really like for women serving in male-dominated ministry spaces. From unequal pay and lack of titles to the subtle (and not-so-subtle) messaging that keeps women “one down,” Jackie and Janet share personal stories, theological insights, and hard-earned wisdom.

Why does it matter if your church has a woman on staff? Because when women are in leadership, it expands the lens through which Scripture is interpreted, gives voice to half the congregation’s lived experiences, and reminds every woman in the pew that she, too, is made in the image of God, with gifts worth using and a calling worth honoring.

Whether you’re in vocational ministry or simply attend a church, this episode will open your eyes to why women in leadership deeply matter, for all of us.

In this introspective episode, Jackie invites listeners to explore a foundational question: What is your native way of being in the world? Rather than diving straight into behavior or belief, she challenges us to uncover our truest self—our Imago Dei—before the world told us who we should be.

She introduces the concept of a rule of life, not as a rigid list of dos and don’ts, but as a gentle structure or trellis that supports spiritual growth rooted in who we truly are. Drawing from ancient Christian practices, the Desert Mothers and Fathers, the Rule of St. Benedict, and modern voices like John Mark Comer and Parker Palmer, Jackie suggests that a life of flourishing begins with reclaiming our birthright self.

Jackie shares her own journey, reflecting that her native way of being is captured in the word WITH—a value that has shown up across her life in relationships, presence, and ministry. She encourages listeners to consider what has always been true about themselves, especially before the pressures of performance, ego, or cultural roles set in.

This episode blends spiritual reflection with practical tools, offering questions for personal discovery and inviting listeners to create a rule of life rooted in their truest identity, not their striving. It’s an empowering reminder that we aren’t here to manufacture a holy life but to live from the goodness already woven into us.

Links for the episode

John Mark Comer, https://www.practicingtheway.org/

Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak https://www.amazon.com/Let-Your-Life-Speak-Listening/dp/0787947350

Three Questions: 

Take a moment to think about who you were before the world told you who you should be. What do you think is your native way of being—who you’ve always been at your core?

If you were exactly the same person you were at age 7—but grown—what would still be true about you? What’s stayed unchanged about how you move through the world?

Take a breath and think of a moment when you felt most yourself. Not performing. Not proving. Just present. What did that version of you feel like?

In this episode, I sit down with the fierce and wise Adrienne Gibson—a therapist, mom, preacher, recent seminary grad, and now co-author with Dr. Scot McKnight (yeah, that Scot McKnight!). Adrienne just finished our She Can Teach training at The Marcella Project, and

y’all—her Palm Sunday sermon was 🔥

We dive deep into the toll life takes on women’s bodies. Adrienne says, “We women are living in

dysregulated bodies—and it’s gonna kill us.” We unpack what that means, how it shows up in

her therapy practice, and how women’s exhaustion isn’t just about busyness—it’s about systems,

trauma, and the deep need for collective care.

Then, we pull back the curtain on complementarianism—what it is, how it harms, and why it’s

not about Jesus. Adrienne shares what trauma research revealed to her about power, patriarchy,

and the stories women bring into her office. It’s raw, real, and deeply relevant.

And because we just celebrated Easter, we talk incarnation, resurrection, and what it means that God gets up. How does that speak to women who feel stuck, silenced, or shattered?

Finally, we get the scoop on Adrienne’s upcoming book and how you can work with her.

This one is for the woman holding everything together and wondering why she feels like she’s

falling apart. You’re not alone—and there’s another way forward.

Forget the mudslinging, the super PACs, and the endless superlatives — what we need in the Oval Office is the guts, grit, and grace of a woman who survived patriarchal oppression, political refugeeship, and raising the Savior of the world. (And did it all without a social media manager.)

We’ll explore how Mary’s life experience — her leadership, her suffering, her faith — makes her more qualified than most modern candidates. Plus, I’ll midrash a little, take a few playful swings at politics-as-usual, and offer a fresh vision for leadership rooted in compassion, courage, and relentless hope.

Because honestly? We don’t just need a President.

We need a Mother.

And Mary gets my vote.

Tired of what’s happening in politics? Me too. I’m reposting an episode to remind us, we need to dream bigger — like Nazareth-big. I’m making the case for why my write-in vote this election would go to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Forget the mudslinging, the super PACs, and the endless superlatives — what we need in the Oval Office is the guts, grit, and grace of a woman who survived patriarchal oppression, political refugeeship, and raising the Savior of the world. (And did it all without a social media manager.)

We’ll explore how Mary’s life experience — her leadership, her suffering, her faith — makes her more qualified than most modern candidates. Plus, I’ll midrash a little, take a few playful swings at politics-as-usual, and offer a fresh vision for leadership rooted in compassion, courage, and relentless hope.

Because honestly? We don’t just need a President.

We need a Mother.

And Mary gets my vote.

On today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend Sarah Bucky Klinginger, a tireless advocate for victims of church-related harm, as we explore the harrowing stories and systemic failures that often leave survivors marginalized and voiceless. 

On today’s episode, we’re talking about : •Abuse in Evangelical Churches – The episode highlights widespread abuse scandals in Protestant churches, exposing how power and secrecy enable harm.

• Narcissism in Church Leadership – Chuck DeGroat explains how churches can foster narcissistic cultures that prioritize image, suppress dissent, and protect abusive leaders.

• The Cost of Whistleblowing – Speaking out against abuse has heavy consequences, yet biblical prophets and faith leaders model the courage to do so.

• Parallels in Politics – The Trump administration mirrors narcissistic church leadership, using chaos, gaslighting, and media manipulation to maintain control.

• A Call to Action & Hope—Inspired by faith leaders and activists, this episode encourages listeners to resist oppression and work toward a more just and compassionate world.Links:

Chuck DeGroat, When Narcissism Comes to Church 

https://www.amazon.com/When-Narcissism-Comes-Church-Community/dp/0830841598  

The Ezra Klein Show https://youtu.be/K8QLgLfqh6s?si=ApVdkYjcVE57pJ1O 

Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett 

https://zondervanacademic.com/products/revelation-For-the-rest-of-us   

Figuratively speaking,

borders are designed to contain people or keep them out. Border teaching aims to stop the flow of movement and imagination. When we discuss frontiers, we;re referring to a more dynamic and

adventurous context. Every explorer we study embraces the idea of venturing into the frontiers. There’s an ebb and flow, along with the excitement and uncertainty of discovery in this frontier

language. Frontier teachers can make us feel uneasy because they lead us into unexplored territory and expect us to take responsibility for our discoveries along the way.

Today, we will explore the woods of Franciscan teaching. Some of what you will hear about original goodness and the primacy of the Incarnation may challenge your understanding. However, Jackie

will guide us through Church history, reassuring us that these concepts are not new but, rather, quite ancient. If we choose to embrace this journey, we may find our faith expanding and our perception of God much larger than we ever imagined.

Suggested Reading Links

Original Blessing: Putting Sin in Its Rightful Place

https://www.amazon.com/Original-Blessing-Putting-Rightful-Place/dp/1451496761

Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi

https://www.amazon.com/Eager-Love-Alternative-Francis-Assisi/dp/1632531402

Many people's work takes place in obscurity, often without big celebrations or news stories. Yet, their contributions speak volumes about what it means to be human and perhaps even how to be more human. Today is my husband's birthday. As many of you know, Steve is the founder and President of Water Is Basic. What you may not know is how he has dedicated his life to serving vulnerable communities in parts of Africa in ways that have nothing to do with water. After today’s episode, you will gain a newfound admiration for Steve and all the others who work behind the scenes to improve the lives of others. You will also realize that I am married to a real-life Indiana Jones. Happy birthday, my love! 

Welcome back to our podcast!

On January 23rd, Steve and I will celebrate our 37th anniversary—what a long time! I thought it would be fun for us to reflect on our marriage and discuss how our ideals about marriage have evolved over the years.

To be honest, I’ve shared the questions I’d like to discuss with Steve, but he hasn’t shared his answers with me, so I have no idea what to expect.

If I were to summarize, most American Christians view marriage as a choice between two people who love each other. Many would choose to have a religious ceremony officiated by a priest or minister and obtain a marriage license from the government. For many Catholics, marriage is considered a sacrament, a concept that emerged in the 1500s. In contrast, many Protestants view it as a covenant, also developed in the 1500s—though there are slight differences in terminology and understanding. We have often heard statements like “Marriage is not about happiness; it’s about holiness,” attributed to Calvin in the 1500s.

We’ve also been taught that “marriage helps keep a man from sexual sin,” a notion stemming from St. Augustine in

the 400s. In our Christian communities, marriage is often viewed as the ideal standard, and in some cases, it can become an idol, a perspective influenced by the Puritans in the 1600s. It's interesting to note that these ideas did not exist in the early Church.

So, how have ideas around marriage evolved, and what on earth does it look like to be

married to Steve Roese?

Links: 

Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage

https://www.amazon.com/Marriage-History-How-Love-Conquered/dp/014303667X

A Christian Theology of Marriage and Family

https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Theology-Marriage-Family/dp/0809141183

Welcome back to our podcast! This Advent season, we’ve been delving into the profound mystery of the incarnation—the incredible truth that Jesus chose to come to us in the flesh. This exploration has been deeply influenced by my studies with the Franciscans, prompting me to reflect on the idea that Jesus would have chosen this path even without the fall. What does this mean for us? 

We’re also taking a closer look at a fascinating intersection of science and faith. 

Recently, we came across a compelling article on microchimerism—an astonishing phenomenon where cells from a fetus can move across the placenta, creating a lasting connection between mother and child. 

This discovery opens the door to a theological conversation that resonates with our celebration of the incarnation: What does it imply about the relationships we form and the depth of God’s presence with us? 

To explore these questions, we are excited to welcome the Rev. Dr. Amy Peeler, an Associate Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and an Associate Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. With her expertise and insights, we’ll unpack the implications of being intimately connected through the miracle of life and consider what it means to have a God who desires to walk among us. 

So, sit back and join us as we journey through these ideas, celebrating the incredible closeness of God with us during this special season.

Links: 

Connect with Rev. Dr. Amy Peeler 

https://amypeeler.com/

She Can Teach https://secure.qgiv.com/for/themarcellaproject/event/shecanteachaustin/

Nurturing the Soul: Spiritual Growth through Franciscan teachings: https://www.themarcellaproject.com/books-and-bible-studies

Article: Microchimerism: A new concept

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6714269/