Impossible Beauty

Most often, this podcast focuses on struggles with beauty and body image among women. Today, however, I want to give us a glimpse into the widespread nature of struggles around food, exercise, and body image among men. Eric Pothen is a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach who works primarily with men and knows firsthand the journey of eating disorder recovery. In particular, Eric works with cl...

American culture is full of striving: hustling at work, pushing ourselves in the gym, working to be beautiful or good enough. In today’s conversation, I have the gift of talking with Kimberly Stuart about the concept of grace; how to apply it amidst our culture and why it’s entirely miraculous and worth revisiting.   Kim Stuart is the author of eight published novels, a speaker, a writing coach al...

When discussing the topic of true beauty, it’s also important to talk about the times when life isn’t so beautiful. In today’s discussion, with Michelle Keener, that’s exactly what we tackle.  Michelle K. Keener (PhD, Liberty) is an adjunct professor of Christianity at Houston Christian University, as well as associate research fellow with the Kirby-Laing Centre for Public Theology. She is also th...

About ten years ago, Elise Hu moved to Seoul, South Korea and took a deep dive into the world of K-Beauty culture. Elise is a journalist, podcaster, and the author of Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. She is the host of  TED Talks Daily , a co-host of  Forever 35 , a host-at-large for  NPR , and the host of Accenture’s award-winning Built for Change podcast. She is...

Do you ever struggle with fear or anxiety? In today’s episode, author and pastor, Naeem Fazal shares how beauty can help us overcome fear in our lives. Naeem Fazal is the founding and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a Pakistani, born and raised as a Muslim in Kuwait. He came to the United States shortly after the Gulf War and had a supernatural experience with Jesu...

Bruce Herman is a painter, writer, speaker, and the author of Makers by Nature: Letters from a Master Painter on Faith, Hope, and Art. Bruce also taught studio art for nearly four decades at Gordon College and his art has been exhibited internationally and is in public and private collections worldwide. In our time together, Bruce reminds us that, being made in the image of the Creator God, we hav...

Have you ever asked the question, “what is God’s will for my life?” or “does my life have purpose?” If so, today’s episode is for you. And, thankfully, I couldn’t think of a better conversation partner for these topics than Trevor Hudson.  Trevor Hudson is an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. After spending fifty years doing pastoral ministry in a local congregation, he...

Rasa Troup, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, OLY is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian with over 20 years of experience. She also owns Rasa Nutrition where she helps clients create a healthy relationship with food. Rasa also competed in the Beijing Olympics and has served as a trusted voice regarding nutrition for various communities, including The Minnesota Vikings, The Minnesota Twins, The University of Minne...

The truth is that our soul is always being formed by something. In today’s inspiring interview with Jennifer Tucker , she shares how Christian meditation on Scripture has formed her soul in profound ways. Jennifer Tucker is a bestselling author, artist, graphic designer, follower of Jesus, and an advocate for mental health. In our time together, Jenn shares about her new book, Present in Prayer : ...

Each of us reflects a unique beauty in the world. In today’s episode, Dr. Merry Lin invites us into the process of embodying our truest essential self in the world.   Dr. Merry is a clinical psychologist, author, and podcaster with over 30 years of clinical experience. She is also the Executive Director of  Dr. Lin & Associates where she leads a team of psychotherapists, leadership and life co...

Melanie Penn  is a Nashville based songwriter at the crossroads of faith and culture. Melanie was a mainstay in the theatre scene in New York City for several years, most notably playing Sandy on the Broadway national tour of  Grease!    After Broadway, Melanie transitioned to songwriting and has collaborated with Nashville producer, Ben Shive, on five albums, including the Immanuel project, detai...

Because of our unique identities, passions, and gifts, each one of us embodies a unique beauty in the world. Each of us is a limited edition. In today’s episode, international speaker, theologian, apologist, and author, Amy Orr-Ewing unpacks the beauty of authenticity and encourages us to find our own unique voice.   More specifically, Amy discusses her latest book, Lead Like the Real You: Wisdom...

I am so grateful to be welcoming Dr. Charlotte Markey back to the podcast today. Dr. Markey is a body image expert, professor of psychology and director of the Health Sciences Center at Rutgers University-Camden. She has authored several books, including her latest release, Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life. Dr. Markey also writes monthly for  U.S. News and World Report and Psychology Today ,...

Alastair Sterne’s invitation to joy was an unexpected one. Ironically, it was while struggling with depression that he started to pay attention to the full array of his emotions, including joylessness. In this fascinating conversation with creative director turned pastor, Alastair Sterne , he discusses his latest book, Longing for Joy: An Invitation to the Goodness and Beauty of Life . Alastair is...

In a turbulent world filled with so much darkness, where and how can we find hope? Furthermore, what role might we play in embodying real hope in a very broken world.  These are the kinds of questions I tackle on the podcast today with Tara Beth Leach. Tara Beth is an author, speaker, and the senior pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois. Her most recent publication is a six-week B...

After having two miscarriages, followed by the sudden loss of her husband, Dawn Mann Sanders felt like it was the end of her world as she knew it. Dawn is a Bible teacher and author of When Your World Ends: God’s Creative Process for Rebuilding a Life.   In her book, and in today’s conversation, Dawn shares what she’s learned about rebuilding after significant loss, as well as what the creation st...

So often the fitness industry can feel intimidating, while messages around health and wellness can be confusing or fuel fear and anxiety. And that’s where Michael Ulloa comes in.   Michael is an online personal trainer and performance nutritionist. In his online platforms, and in his work with clients, Michael is calling nonsense on unhelpful or ill-advised fitness and nutrition messages. With a b...

After leaving her childhood home on the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean, author, slow-living guide, and podcaster, Jodi Grubbs, had assumed the rapid pace and hustle culture in the U.S. Soon, she realized that burnout had crept in, and God was inviting her to a return to the "island time" of her past. In her book, Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale, and in today’s conversation, Jodi inv...

Amidst the pressures and messages of diet and wellness culture, it can be hard to know how to help the next generation establish a healthy relationship with food. And that’s where Oona Hanson comes in.  Oona Hanson is an educator and parenting coach. Through her writing, workshops, and private consultations, she supports families in raising kids who have a healthy relationship with food and their...

Given the pain and suffering in the world, when life isn’t so beautiful, it can be hard to know how to interact and relate with God. In today’s episode, Dieula Previlon helps us see how leaning into our questions with God can bring about healing and transformation in our lives.  Dieula is a licensed professional counselor, ordained minister, certified life purpose coach, and the founder of the non...

Words have the power to form us. And that has indeed been the case for author, youth pastor, and podcaster, Micha Boyett . In today’s conversation with Micha, she explains how living with the beatitudes, while raising her son with Down syndrome and autism, has deeply formed her. In our time together, she talks about the Dream of God, a reality in which everything is defined by the love of God, and...

In today’s conversation, I was blown away by how a popular therapy model demonstrates the image of God in each of us. More specifically, author and marriage and family therapist, Molly LaCroix helps us see the relevance of the Internal Family Systems therapy model on the journey to healing and wholeness.   In our time together, we talk about her latest book, Journey to Shalom: Finding Healing, Who...

So often diet culture disconnects us from our bodies and from having a peaceful relationship with food. In today’s episode, I talk with registered dietitian and therapist, Alice Baker , MSRD CEDS-C LMHC LPC LDN, about shedding unhelpful beliefs from diet culture.   Alice Baker has over 27 years’ experience in the field of eating disorders. She currently sees clients in private practice as a dietit...

Dr. Jason Nagata is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at the University of California San Francisco, and is an expert in eating disorders, particularly in boys and men. He has published over 300 articles in academic journals and serves as Senior Editor for the Journal of Eating Disorders , on the International Advisory Board of The Lancet C...

Joy Marie Clarkson has learned the art of seeing goodness, truth, and beauty in our midst and she helps us do the same.   In case you are new to Joy, she holds a PhD in theology from the University of St. Andrews and is the author of two books, Aggressively Happy and, most recently, You Are a Tree . She is also a research associate in theology and literature at King's College London and the books...