In this episode of The Rest Is Just Geography, Chesed sits down with Henry and Leigh—two people who have spent the last twenty years serving overseas in diverse corners of the world. Beginning in their single years and continuing as they married and started a family, God led them from remote and rugged landscapes to bustling urban centers. Listen in as they share their journey of endurance across cultures, continents, and changing seasons of life and ministry.

Together, they reflect on what it means to embrace “the long obedience” amid constant change, drawing from Hebrews 12:1 and its call to run the race with endurance. Their stories remind us that while the backdrop of ministry may shift - from country to country, assignment to assignment, season to season - the core posture of faithful obedience remains beautifully unchanged, rooted in the rhythms they first formed during their years of emerging adulthood.

This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.

Podcast editing: Cohen Kern, Peyton Rice, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.

Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.

Podcast cover image: Photography and design by Jonathan Brown.

Please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.

Season 2, Episode 5 — A Sacred Storybook
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, Chesed sits down with Dr. Tom Steffen, a leading voice in the field of orality, to explore the profound beauty of Scripture as story. Dr. Steffen shares parts of his own journey—how the Lord shifted his perspective from approaching the Bible as a textbook to seeing it as a living, unfolding narrative—and how that realization transformed both his personal engagement with Scripture and the way he communicated the gospel to oral peoples overseas.

Together, they reflect on the power of seeing and sharing the text of the Bible as a sacred storybook. This conversation invites listeners to consider the narrative richness of God’s Word and the unique way story speaks to the heart.

This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.

Podcast editing: Cohen Kern, Peyton Rice, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.

Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.

Podcast cover image: Photography and design by Jonathan Brown.

Please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.

Streetlights: https://www.streetlightsbible.com/

Reconnecting Storying to Ministry: https://a.co/d/00iZTIfj

In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Matt to reflect on the long and winding journey of pursuing overseas work through his emerging adult years. Matt shares how his path unfolded with many unexpected twists and turns, taking far longer than he ever imagined—but ultimately leading him and his family to life and ministry in West Africa.

Together, they explore the often-hidden preparation phase of overseas calling, recognizing how God’s providence and sovereignty were at work in every delay, redirection, and season of waiting. This conversation is a reminder that purposeful preparation is never wasted, and that God is faithful in both the journey and the destination.

This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.

Podcast editing: Peyton Rice, Cohen Kern, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.

Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.

Podcast cover image: Jonathan Brown

Please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.

In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, Chesed sits down with Avery for a practical conversation on the concept of calling and the vital role of the local church in the Great Commission. Together, they explore key passages of Scripture that ground the church’s role in sending and reflect on some of their own observations and experiences.

Whether you’re preparing to go overseas, exploring your place in God’s story, or simply wanting to root yourself in a church with a global vision, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and next steps.

This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.

Podcast editing: Peyton Rice, Cohen Kern, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.

Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.

Podcast cover image: Jonathan Brown

In the second episode of Season 2 of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesedcontinues her conversation with Marie. Marie shares more of her college journey and the ways that God reignited her heart for cross-cultural life.

Through Scripture—especially 2 Corinthians—Marie reflects on how God taught her that she didn’t need to be “perfect” or impressive to be used by Him. Learning to see herself as a jar of clay, and to boast in weakness rather than strength,became a turning point. That shift shaped her confidence, not just in who she was, but in how God works through her. Listen in as Marie and Chesed remember the way this process prepared Marie to return overseas with a renewed boldnessto share her faith.

This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast editing: Peyton Rice & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.
Podcast cover image: Photography and design by Jonathan Brown.

In the first episode of Season 2 of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Marie, an adult Third Culture Kid (TCK), for the first of three conversations. Together, they reflect on the ways their lives have been interwoven across seasons and how God used the process of discipleship to shape their faith, their friendship, and deepen their understanding of Scripture. As they share their journeys, they return to shared Scripture and reflect on the ways God was with them and worked in them.

This episode invites listeners into the beginning of Marie’s story and sets the foundation for the conversations that will continue throughout the season.

This episode was produced by Chesed Anne DentFitzsimons.Podcast editing: Peyton Rice & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer,performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.Podcast cover image: Original photograph by Jonathan Brown, Graphic design and layout by Rob Dent

In this season finale of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with her mom, Anne Dent, to share her story of stepping into marriage and adulthood while living overseas for the first time. Through her story, we uncover a powerful lesson God taught her in that season: the importance of being temporarily permanent—choosing to dig deep and invest fully, even when the time in a place is short.

“There’s a big difference between being temporarily permanent and permanently temporary,” she often says, and in this episode, we unpack how that mindset shaped their family’s rhythms, especially around holidays. From Thanksgiving and Christmas to celebrations in unexpected places, Chesed and her mom share how they created meaningful traditions for familiar holidays wherever they were—while also embracing new cultural celebrations along the way.

As we wrap up Season 1 and head into the holiday season, this conversation invites you to embrace presence, purpose, and joy—no matter where in the world you find yourself. Season 2 launches in January!

Produced by: Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons
Podcast editing: Peyton Rice, Cohen Kern, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons
Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander
Podcast cover image: Created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork

In this part 2 episode of The Rest is Just Geography, Chesed continues the conversation with Caleb, a fellow third culture kid (TCK), diving deeper into what it means to navigate the emerging adult years while carrying a globally-shaped story. Building on Part 1, where they explored identity, transition, and the role of biblical literacy, this episode focuses on the invitation to process difficult experiences in order to grow in to a maturity that is both emotional and spiritual.

Together, they reflect on how God meets us in these spaces as “the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4), offering hope and healing even when our stories feel fragmented. Through honest dialogue and practical insights, Chesed and Caleb invite listeners to consider how grace and growth intersect in the midst of cross-cultural complexity.

Produced by: Chesed Anne Dent FitzsimonsPodcast editing: Peyton Rice, Cohen Kern, & Chesed Anne Dent FitzsimonsPodcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like SanderPodcast cover image: Created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork

In this part 1 episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Caleb, a fellow TCK, to reflect on their journeys and what it was like to move to the United States for college.

The conversation begins by defining key terms that shape the third culture kid (TCK) experience, offering a framework to better understand the unique challenges and strengths of growing up between worlds. Caleb and Chesed share personal stories of transitioning to life in the United States for college, highlighting cultural adjustments, identity questions, and moments of growth. Throughout their journey, biblical literacy played a vital role, offering comfort and clarity as they connected with God’s story and the cross-cultural lives of biblical characters they could deeply resonate with.

This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast editing: Peyton Rice & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.
Podcast cover image: Created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.

In Part 2 of this two-part conversation on The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed continues her discussion with Janelle, a graduate student studying counseling, to explore how we can respond well to culture shock and transition. Building on the foundation from Part 1, this episode focuses on practical strategies for navigating the emotional and spiritual challenges that often come with cross-cultural movement.

Together, Chesed and Janelle share helpful tips for managing transition in healthy ways, offering insights from both personal experience and professional perspective. The episode concludes with Chesed sharing her favorite Scripture passage for seasons of transition— Exodus 6:1-8.

This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.Podcast editing: Cohen Kern, Peyton Rice, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.