エピソード

  • Episode 173: Kimberly Stuart-Letting Go of Striving

    Episode 173: Kimberly Stuart-Letting Go of Striving
    2025/06/10
    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 alongside author Bob Goff, co-leads writing retreats, and hosts two podcasts, For Real with Kimberly Stuart and The Writing Room. In today’s conversation, Kim shares about her latest book, Star for Jesus and Other Jobs I Quit: Rediscovering the Grace that Sets Us Free. In particular, Kim discusses what drew her to the topic of grace, how we might reframe perfectionism, what living a great story looks like, and how we can use our agency to redefine beauty in our lives.

    This was such a fun and meaningful conversation; I can’t wait for you to listen!

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    52 分
  • Episode 172: Michelle Keener- When Life Isn't Beautiful

    Episode 172: Michelle Keener- When Life Isn't Beautiful
    2025/05/28
    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 the director of discipleship for a growing church in Las Vegas and an award-winning novelist and devotional author.

    In our time together, we discuss Michelle’s latest book, Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors. Michelle helps us see how we can be a loving, healing presence to those undergoing struggles, how the church can be more helpful and attentive to those undergoing or recovering from trauma, and what Job teaches us about the beauty of God amidst suffering.

    My hope is that this conversation will help you feel less alone in any struggle you may be undergoing and, as Michelle says, may we experience God to be our place of refuge.


    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    37 分
  • Episode 171: Elise Hu- The Rise of Skin Care and AI in Beauty Culture

    Episode 171: Elise Hu- The Rise of Skin Care and AI in Beauty Culture
    2025/05/13
    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 also the co-founder of the podcast production company Reasonable Volume.

    In today’s conversation, Elise opens our eyes to South Korea’s intense appearance expectations and how some of those same K-Beauty trends have now made their way into American culture. She discusses how the digital world is impacting beauty standards, including increasing the pressure on all of us to “optimize” our appearance, and how K-Beauty culture’s emphasis on flawless skin has made its way into Western beauty culture in significant ways.

    Most importantly, Elise reminds us that beauty is so much bigger than societal standards and that our worth has nothing to do with our appearance. This is such an important episode; I can’t wait for you to listen!

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    43 分
  • Episode 170: Naeem Fazal- How Beauty Conquers Fear

    Episode 170: Naeem Fazal- How Beauty Conquers Fear
    2025/04/29
    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 Jesus that changed the course of his life.

    In our time together, Naeem shares about his unexpected and life-changing conversion experience, as well as about his new book, Tomorrow Needs You: Seeing Beauty When You Feel Hopeless. In particular, he discusses his belief that beauty is the antidote to fear, why we need to put fear on a leash, and how we can practically allow beauty to speak loudest in our lives.

    This is such an inspiring episode; I can’t wait for you to listen!

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    58 分
  • Episode 169: Bruce Herman- Made to Be Makers

    Episode 169: Bruce Herman- Made to Be Makers
    2025/04/15
    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 have all been created to create. He also awakens us to the miracles all around us, discussing how God’s own being is revealed in the things He’s made. As a master painter, Bruce’s insights on beauty in the human face and figure, as well as in the world around us, are profound and distinct. I found this interview to be deeply inspiring; I hope it is for you as well.

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    50 分
  • Episode 168: Trevor Hudson- Your Life Has Great Purpose

    Episode 168: Trevor Hudson- Your Life Has Great Purpose
    2025/04/01
    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 now gives his time to lecturing, teaching, and writing in the areas of spiritual formation and spiritual direction.

    In our time together, we discuss his latest book, In Search of God’s Will: Discerning a Life of Faithfulness and Purpose. Trevor shares practical ways to discern God’s personal will for your life, helping you to become the unique person God has shaped you to be, and ultimately allowing us the privilege of participating in the hope of the entire universe. In profound and inspiring fashion, Trevor reminds us of God’s nearness and active presence in our lives, as well as the true character and astounding love of God.

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    45 分
  • Episode 167: Rasa Troup, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, OLY- Your Body Does Not Need to Be 'Fixed'

    Episode 167: Rasa Troup, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, OLY- Your Body Does Not Need to Be 'Fixed'
    2025/03/17
    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 Minnesota Athletics, The Emily Program, and TRia Orthopedic, among others.

    In our time together, Rasa shares about her own struggles with nutrition as a competitive athlete and Olympian. She also highlights common lies in the field of nutrition, such as certain bodies having more value (based on their size and shape), as well as health having a ‘look.’ Rasa also gives important insight regarding the recent rise in the use of GLP-1 medications, including potential dangers to be considered. Overall, Rasa demonstrates the importance of flexibility and non-perfection when it comes to nutrition and so helpfully reminds us that our bodies indeed do not need to be fixed.


    Informed Consent for GLP-1 medications document discussed in this episode:
    https://sizeinclusivemedicine.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MSSI-GLP1-Informed-Consent-10.pdf

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    54 分
  • Episode 166: Jennifer Tucker-Abiding in God's Presence

    Episode 166: Jennifer Tucker-Abiding in God's Presence
    2025/03/05
    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: A Guided Invitation to Peace Through Biblical Meditation. Specifically, she shares how mindfulness and Christian meditation have deeply shaped her, especially in recent seasons of struggle. She also helpfully reframes anxiety as an invitation to connect with God and shares how mindfulness and Christian meditation can help us redefine beauty. I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode!


    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    50 分