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....

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....

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, bu...

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...

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 patriarc...

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...

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 fron...

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 i...

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...

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 als...

I've been pondering power partially because of the election but also because I've been studying the life of a powerful woman in the Scripture.  We rarely hear the Church teach on power, let alone about powerful women in Scripture and church history.  We hear of women taught as damsels in distress, and we listen to them framed as temptresses. If we hear about a powerful woman like Deborah...

Recently the New York Times published an article about why Gen Z women are leaving the Church. It stated, “Sixty-one percent of Gen Z women identify as feminist, far greater than women from previous generations.  Younger women are more concerned about the unequal treatment of women in American society and are more suspicious of institutions that uphold traditional social arrangements. In a po...

.Today, we continue our discussion with  Mako Nagasawa , who can help shed light on how the early church viewed abortion, what the science meant, and how we ended up politicizing abortion — an issue that has and continues to impact us, women, considerably.

. We bring our experienced reality, our emotions, and our preconceived beliefs to the table. Emotions play a role in how we think. So maybe we should start there.

We bring our experienced reality, our emotions, and our preconceived beliefs to the table. Emotions play a role in how we think. So maybe we should start there.

JSummer started like any other summer. Steve packed our car full of fireworks and drove to New York to celebrate with family at Mom's lakehouse on Arnold Lake on the 4th of July. My kids flew in, and their partners joined them this year. It was so much fun. All four siblings, their partners, nieces, nephews, and friends joined us, totaling about 70 people. We always cook a lot because we love our...

Join Jackie in this special episode as she introduces Mary, a remarkable octogenarian whose passion for biblical scholarship spans half a century. Mary's wit and deep insights into the New and Old Testaments, especially regarding women in the Bible, captivate Jackie from the moment they meet in Amsterdam. Despite the serious nature of her work, Mary's British charm and humor shine through, making...

In this special episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Dieula Previlon, to discuss her incredible journey and the powerful themes of her new book, "Does God See Me?" Dieula is an ordained pastor, licensed counselor, certified trauma-informed business coach, and the founder of ElevateHer International Ministries and Elevate Life Coaching. Together, we explore our shared experiences, from...

Our conversation was so invigorating that I knew I had to share it with all of you. Marg Mowczko holds a theology degree from the Australian College of Ministries (ACOM) and a master's degree (MA) specializing in early Christian and Jewish studies. Her award-winning thesis on deacons and Phoebe is just one testament to her scholarly prowess. Marg dedicates much of her time to studying, writing, an...

In today’s episode, we are joined by Helene Fisher, a global gender persecution specialist dedicated to tracking trends related to women and religious persecution worldwide. Helene sheds light on the current realities facing women globally and shares how the solutions to their trauma often lie within their faith communities. This powerful message of resilience and healing is relevant abroad and re...

In this episode, Jackie shares her reflections on the joys, challenges, and anxieties surrounding Mother's Day. This episode covers the entire spectrum, from celebrating fabulous mothers to acknowledging some people's complicated relationships with their moms—or their journey into motherhood. Tune in as we explore the meanderings of motherhood and find solace, understanding, and connection in the...

In this insightful episode of our podcast, we delve into the key concepts from the thought-provoking book, "Creating a Culture of Belonging".  We begin by exploring the term "Missional Organization" as defined by Dr. Birmingham, examining its implications and the unique characteristics that distinguish these organizations from others.  The conversation then shifts to a critical...

In this episode, we explore wonder with my friend  Shawn Small , a man unafraid to engage with intellectual rigor and Iowa honesty. Shawn exemplifies the true spirit of the Blessed Alliance, proving that men and women can work together in harmony and mutual respect.  We'll dive deep into his new book, 'Into the Wonder,' exploring themes of faith, understanding, and the beauty of wonder....

Dive into this episode with Jackie as she challenges the notion that theological perspectives are untouched by cultural influences. Jackie unpacks how every individual, including theologians and pastors, interprets religious texts through the lens of their cultural backgrounds. Join us as we explore the intersection of faith, culture, and personal growth, demonstrating that understanding the world...

For the past month, we've delved into the narratives of women in the Bible, exploring the transformative power when women step into male-dominated spaces to preach God's word. Today, join me in making the case for why women should preach. As believers, we've witnessed the impact of silenced voices in faith communities. Let's uncover the untold wisdom and insights waiting to be shared. Whether you'...