The Tilted Halo

Ever noticed how two simple words—"what if"—can simultaneously inspire dreams and provoke anxiety? That's the fascinating paradox I, Pastor Kathleen Panning, will unpack in this thought-provoking episode of The Tilted Halo. Remember childhood make-believe? Those carefree days when we'd imagine being teachers, doctors, astronauts—or even pastors—without concern for practicality...

Doubt has gotten a bad rap in religious circles for centuries. Many of us have grown up hearing about "Doubting Thomas" as a cautionary tale – an example of insufficient faith rather than natural curiosity. But what if we've been approaching doubt all wrong? In this eye-opening episode of The Tilted Halo, I challenge the conventional wisdom that doubt represents spiritual failure. D...

Gratitude transforms everything—yet in our demanding, rights-focused world, it's becoming increasingly rare. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore Jesus' Parable of the Money Lenders from Luke 7, discovering a profound link between gratitude and our capacity for love. The parable seems deceptively simple: two debtors, one owing 500 denarii (nearly two years' wages) and anoth...

Have you ever felt stuck in a box of your own making? That nagging sensation that you're trapped in a role, a mindset, or a pattern that no longer serves you? I want to take you on a journey through the concept of breaking free from self-imposed limitations and reframing our past experiences. Drawing from my book "Tilted Halo: Exposing the Truth of Women in Ministry and Untold Stories,&q...

What happens when you're called to blaze a trail with no map to follow? For women in ministry leadership, this isn't just a theoretical question—it's the daily reality of navigating spaces traditionally dominated by men. I launch this episode of the "Tilted Halo" podcast with a powerful reflection on finding your place when there's no clear roadmap. Drawing from my ex...

What does it truly mean to be authentic in ministry? This profound question forms the heart of my conversation with award-winning life purpose coach Edna White, who brings wisdom born from both personal trauma and professional expertise. Edna begins by taking us back to our five-year-old selves—that magical time when we believed anything was possible, when we innately trusted ourselves and the wor...

Journey into the intersection of faith and leadership with host Kathleen Panning and Ambassador Terry Earthwind Nichols in this thought-provoking episode that challenges conventional wisdom about power, choice, and authenticity. Ambassador Nichols shares profound insights on how women of faith bring unique strengths to leadership roles. Far from the stereotype of "soft and gushy," women...

Ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, frustrated that you're not sleeping "like you should"? You're not alone—and surprisingly, you might not even have a problem. Dr. Lucinda Sykes, a retired physician and mindfulness expert who directed the Meditation for Health Clinic in Toronto, joins us again to reveal fascinating truths about our natural sleep patterns. Contr...

Dr. Lucinda Sykes drops a bombshell on The Tilted Halo podcast, revealing research that might forever change how you think about sleep medication. As a retired physician who has helped over 6,000 patients with stress reduction, her mission now focuses on sharing critical information about sleeping pills that many doctors simply aren't discussing with their patients. The conversation uncovers...

Deedra Mager and Megan Hall bring 40 years of combined ministry experience to this powerful conversation about inner healing, authentic leadership, and the freedom that comes through vulnerability. As directors of Dauntless Grace, they've made it their mission to help women connect with meaningful stories—including their own. What exactly is "Dauntless Grace"? It's the courage...

The fishing nets were breaking. The boats were sinking. And Simon fell to his knees. I, Pastor Kathleen, will take us deep into the familiar story from Luke 5 where Jesus instructs Simon to cast nets into deep water after a night of catching nothing. This seemingly simple narrative transforms into a profound message about ministry when we understand the fishing context—in winter and spring, fish s...

Have you ever felt the urge to simply tune out all the negativity in the news and social media? You're not alone. Many of us retreat into comfortable bubbles with like-minded people, but what happens when we disconnect from different perspectives entirely? The division we're experiencing isn't just political—it's seeping into our churches, neighborhoods, and families. When cong...

Discover how Dr. Ewa Kleczyk, a leader in healthcare analytics, illuminates the hidden yet pervasive issue of imposter syndrome among women in ministry and leadership roles. A staggering 75% of women executives grapple with feeling like frauds despite their accomplishments, and Dr. Kleczyk explains the societal pressures and historical contexts that fuel this self-doubt. Listen as we explore the p...

What does it take to rise above life's toughest challenges?  Join Kathleen Panning as she shares an enlightening conversation with Aretha Taylor, a trailblazer who overcame a tumultuous childhood in Brooklyn to emerge as a successful pastor and CEO. Aretha candidly recounts her journey through the shadows of molestation, abuse, and homelessness, where the power of community and self-belief se...

Can a simple smile change the world around you, even in spaces where negativity seeps in unnoticed? Join me, Pastor Kathleen, as we navigate these pressing questions in the latest Tilted Halo podcast episode. I'll unravel how the pervasive negativity from our daily lives can find its way into our faith communities, impacting everything from worship to vital discussions on budgets and communit...

Welcome to Tilted Halo, the sanctuary for every woman in ministry, and in fact, anyone on this journey of life. In this episode, I share a time when I was abruptly asked to resign from my position, an unplanned circumstance that threw me into a swirl of uncertainty, loss, and despair. However, through this turmoil I unearthed the strength to be grateful and appreciate the good amidst the bad. I&ap...

In this episode I chat with Matt Hug, the master of volunteer recruitment and management, and we share the secrets to transforming your nonprofit's volunteer force. Get rid of those ideas of volunteer callouts, we're headed straight to the power of personal, one-on-one recruitment strategies. Volunteering's personal gains, from skill building to spiritual fulfillment, are often mask...

What happens when our spiritual beliefs clash with our identity? In this episode, Matt Gill, from DO THE DAMN THING Productions, talks about his story, sharing with me the struggle of being a gay man in a devout Christian family. His journey of self-discovery, highlights the crucial role of acceptance within faith communities and reveals the harmful effects of judgment and condemnation. We'll...

Does the phrase "All is fair in love and war" hold true when the going gets tough in our ministry and personal lives? In this episode I am challenging the notion of "All is fair in love and war", opening up the room for a raw and real conversation on the pressures of being a woman in ministry, and how our bad days affect our loved ones. Drawing on personal experiences within a...

What if the way you choose to see the world is actually creating the world you see? That's a bold statement, right? Tune into this episode of Tilted Halo as I talk about the idea that happiness is a choice. I'm inviting all women in ministry, and anyone else who feels the pressure of perfection, to join me in challenging our perspectives. We'll be taking a deep look at some controve...

Ever felt torn between your faith and mainstream social beliefs? In this episode, I'm sharing the story of a woman who wrestled with guilt, doubt and the quest for self-acceptance. I'll also share the story of another woman who escaped a harmful cult, her path towards self-forgiveness, and the struggle to remain faithful amidst her traumatic experience. As we wade through these intricate...

Join me as I go through the theory and practice of gratitude, revealing its striking relevance to your ministry work. Be it as a pastor, music minister, elder, or even in your work unrelated to ministry, this episode shines light on how integrating a culture of thankfulness into your life can be transformative. We'll discuss how to appreciate the 'whats' and 'whos' in your...

Do doubts ever creep into your journey of faith? Don't worry, you're not alone. Join me as I bare my heart, describing my own battle with doubt in the midst of a health scare. In this episode we get vulnerable. I'm sharing my conversations with God that have been filled with questions and uncertainties to turn the tables on the stigma attached to doubts in faith. Far from being mere...

Dare we look at our own flaws as we stand as ministers of God? What if the anger you carry is holding you back from truly experiencing God's mercy? We often overlook our own imperfections while expecting God to inflict punishment on others. This episode will challenge you to hold a mirror to your own actions and attitudes.  As we discuss the uncomfortable reality of anger in our lives, we&apo...

What if your sense of entitlement was obstructing your gratitude? Get ready for this conversation as we dissect the concept of entitlement, the unseen stumbling block to appreciating both life's challenges and its victories. This episode of The Tilted Halo goes into the effects of entitlement on our lives, our relationships, and the communities we're in. We examine different places it sh...