Lament of Hope

Lucrezia Borgia has been considered for centuries one of history's most depraved women. Was she? Historian, Richard Drake, discusses with me his research on Lucrezia, and how the historical record disproves her sordid portrayal.

Rachel Hankinson is a close friend of mine who shared with me her experience with chronic illness. Rachel has lived with pain for the majority of her life, and yet she is continuing to grow in her walk with the Lord despite the hard.

Shweta Subram is a playback singer and independent vocalist who currently resides in Dubai, India. Shweta spoke to me about playback singing in Bollywood, the value of seizing opportunities, and her love of family.

Jeffrey Johnston lived as a transgender woman in the sex entertainment industry for nearly twenty years before coming to faith in Christ. Jeffrey shared with me his experience as a transgender woman, and why he detransitioned around the age of forty.

Lauren Styer is a second year Occupational Therapy Doctoral student at the University of Southern California. Lauren talked with me about her journey with Crohn's starting as a young child until her diagnosis when an undergraduate. I was so encouraged by Lauren's love of the Scripture and her strong faith in God's faithful love despite earthly hardships.

It was a gift to speak with Judy about her thoughts on the entertainment industry, as well as her love of creativity and finding a way to express that love apart from the silver screen.

I really ejoyed learning more about singer and songwriter, Odessa Jorgensen. Odessa talked with me about her childhood, the death of her father when she was twenty, and her experience with songwriting.

I really enjoyed speaking with musician and video designer, Chris Zabriskie. Chris and I discussed his departure from Mormonism, his relationship with his daughter, and how he has persevered as a solo composer.

Matt Papa took half an hour with me during his busy travels to share his thoughts on suffering and how we can lean into God during those times. Matt is a singer and songwriter who uses his gift of music to glorify God through vulnerable worship. "Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call" is my favorite song that Matt has written. It has been a huge encouragement to me in times of suffering as it gr...

It is an encouragement to me to know Rae Ryan. Rae is an artist who lives in northern Virginia. She is currently experiencing chronic muscle weakness and fatigue without a known explanation. It has been approximately a year since symptoms started, and Rae is still in the midst of medical testing and finding a concrete diagnosis. I spoke with her about how she is coping with her unexplained symptom...

Deb Beachy is a dear friend of mine who I met a couple years ago in a local coffee shop in Virginia. Deb has an incredible life story, but I specifically asked her to share in this episode about her experience in the Mennonite community. Deb discusses the difficulties she faced as a Mennonite female, as well as the religious trauma she is still working through after leaving the community.

It was a gift for me to be able to speak with Debbie and Tim Shultz. Debbie and Tim are believers who faced an unexpected pregnancy during their engagement and had an abortion. They are telling their story decades later to share with others the love and healing God has done individually and in their marriage. They want others to know that abortion is not an unforgivable sin. If you want to hear mo...

My interview with Poet Laureate of North Carolina, Jaki Shelton Green, was an absolute delight. She spoke with me about loss, the artistry of writing, her childhood growing up in the South during segregation, as well as her value of balance in life. The time flew by as I listened to Jaki share a bit of her worldview with me. Jaki told me so many personal anecdotes with a soothing voice and a refle...

I enjoyed speaking with freelance concept artist, ⁠Even Mehl Amundsen⁠ , who originates from Norway. He has worked for Blizzard, Blur, Wizards of the Coasts, and several other studios. Even shared with me his thoughts on what it means to be alive, death, the beauty of concept art, as well as his relationship with his mom. Listener discretion advised as expletives are used.

I really enjoyed speaking with Catherine last week. ⁠Catherine⁠ has worked in the acting industry for over thirty years. She shared with me the postive influences her parents had upon her childhood and on her acting, as well as her own thoughts on raising children in environments that foster confidence and not fear. Catherine also told me about a time she used her love of Shakespeare to express he...

Reconciling pain with the goodness of God is the hardest aspect of the Christian life for me. I find it difficult to trust God's goodness when my circumstances cause me emotional or physical pain. I was blessed to talk about this topic with Aileen Challies yesterday. Aileen is the wife of Tim Challies, who authored the book "Seasons of Sorrow." This book, which honestly seems a devot...

I really enjoyed getting to speak with William Wall this past week. William talked to me about his parents, his journey with Still's disease, and how he became an atheist. I was also able to hear from him about his newest novel,  Empty Bed Blues , which tells the story of an Irish widow who seeks to recreate her life in Italy.

It was a pleasure getting to speak with author and actress, Karen Grassle. Karen was my childhood "Ma" in many ways through her character of Caroline Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie. I admired the character's inner strength and resilience amidst hardship and change. Karen Grassle seems to share a similar resilience to the character she portrayed as she discussed with me how sh...

I am very glad that I was able to speak with singer and songwriter, Audrey Assad, about her experience with faith, trauma, and womanhood. Audrey shared with me how she experienced Christianity growing up, as well as what her thoughts on God are now. You will find Audrey's conversation with me vulnerable, honest, and personable. Thank you, Audrey, for taking the time to talk with me!

I know Bonnie's acting work best through the character of Mrs. Edwards on "Little House on the Prairie." Bonnie is 94 now, and yet she is continuing to act. She even published a memoir this year entitled "Middle of the Rainbow." Bonnie talked with me about her difficult relationship with her parents, her 70+ marriage, her thoughts on love and life, and her work ethic. If in...

It was a pleasure speaking with pianist and classical music enthusiast, Susan Hammond. Susan founded the Classical Kids audio stories, which have consisted of tales such as "Song of the Unicorn," "Mr. Bach Comes to Call," and "Tchaikovsky Discovers America." Susan has a deep love for classical music, and it is central to her life. Susan discusses her life as a pianist...

I really enjoyed talking with Isaac Horn. He spoke with me about the concept of rest, the importance of community, how he would change the world if he could, and experiencing hardships. Isaac is genuine and super personable. Thank you, The Arcadian Wild's Isaac Horn, for taking the time to talk with me!

Conversing with Emma is a delight to my soul. I always walk away from our conversations feeling refreshed and inspired. Emma talked with me about the different waves of feminism throughout history, as well as the challenges she faces as a women in our modern culture. Emma shared with me what it means to be a woman, and how glorious femininity is as defined by Scripture.

It was a pleasure speaking with Alison Arngrim, who played the despised and yet beloved "Nellie Oleson" on the Little House on the Prairie TV series. Alison talked with me about the aftermath of sexual abuse in her childhood, as well as her passion to protect vulnerable children from sexual abuse inside the home.

Krickitt Carpenter is so much more than the book and the film, The Vow, can portray. Krickitt lost her memory of her marriage around ten weeks after tying the knot due to a traumatic brain injury suffered in a car accident. Krickitt shared with me her walk with the Lord through the aftermath of the car crash, and how she wrestled with her husband's affair over twenty years later. Krickitt also...