Welcome to Season Two of the Wise and Courageous podcast, where we explore the good work of leadership, one conversation at time. The host of this podcast is Nancy Pedulla.

How is your soul at this midpoint in the fall? As part of her interviews in Season 1 of the Wise and Courageous Podcast, Nancy asked her guests to share a spiritual practice that sustains them in their leadership and what it looks like in their lives. The answers are so good we thought they ought to be strung together and published as a podcast of their own. We are so glad you are here and we look forward to sharing conversations about wisdom and courage in the days ahead.

I am convinced that in this unique time we need to hear stories of hope. In the first season of Wise and Courageous, we heard from women whose spheres include history, public health, education, economics, law, and accounting and whose roles include teaching, researching, writing, leading institutes, and running departments and schools. We explored the ways they are rising to the challenges placed before them by growing in courage and wisdom.

We are defining leadership as the stewardship of people, culture, and purpose—engaging others toward a shared vision.In the weeks ahead, I’ll explore leadership and calling in conversations with women about their unique journeys and stories. We will probe questions about leadership and calling that emerge and look for hope. I hope you will join us!

In this first podcast of Season Two, we will hear from each of Season One’s guests about a spiritual practice that sustains and roots them their leadership and work. I hope the array of ways these leaders are engaging with God is an encouragement to you and helps you to explore what you need to stay grounded in this season.

Welcome to the conversation!

-Nancy Pedulla

“So there’s something about that practice that’s given me space for God to speak to me, but also for me to take care of my body and be ready for the next day…that’s been very sustaining.” —Diane Lee

“All of the church needs all of Scripture. It’s for men and women, all of it is for men and women. And what do we benefit when we get it all? We get a much clearer, kinder, more gracious, loving view of God.” — Sandra Glahn

Professor and scholar Sandra Glahn joins us on the podcast to talk about Biblical women and the crucial, integrated role they play in the story of Scripture.

What is the cost to our faith and scholarship when we marginalize or ignore women in the Bible? Professor and scholar Sandra Glahn joins us on the podcast to discuss her recent book A Woman’s Place Is in the Story: Seeing Women in the Biblical Narrative. In our conversation, Sandra helps us to identify the tendency to dismiss women in the Bible or sequester their contributions into brief cameos — all to the detriment of our full understanding of the overarching Biblical narrative. Sandra lays out a set of literary tools to help us improve our reading skills, and then reexamines several narratives by modeling the use of these tools. Our conversation brings insight for scholarship and for devotional reading, and I think you’ll enjoy it. In addition, we’re pleased to let you know that InterVarsity Press is offering a discount on A Woman’s Place Is in the Story for listeners of this podcast. Just use the code IVPWSAP25 for 25% off and free shipping when you purchase the book at ivpress.com. You can find a link to the book and the discount code in the show notes. And if you listen to the end of the credits, you’ll hear an excerpt from our interview where Sandra tells us a little bit about her foray into writing medical thrillers.

So jump right in! We're so glad you're here.

— Ann Boyd

For show notes or more information please visit our article at The Well.

If you'd like to support the work of InterVarsity's Women Scholars and Professionals, including future podcasts such as this episode, you can do so at givetoiv.org/wsap. Thank you for listening!

“I had to tell myself, ‘Don’t apologize for [your ideas] anymore. Put it out there, stand by it, and just share what you know.’ I would tell people to boldly share what it is that you have been given to share.” — Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Professor and scholar Kristin Kobes Du Mez joins us on the podcast to talk about the complicated history of women in the evangelical world and what it means for life today.

For those of us who have grown up in or around evangelical culture, how does that history and inheritance shape our lives? Professor and scholar Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez joins us on the podcast to discuss her recent book Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made. In our conversation, Kristin helps us to explore the complicated impact of evangelical Christian culture on women as she recounts influential movements and people over the last two centuries. The work of reframing these ideas and events sheds insight into our current culture, exposing the intertwined network of faith and self-interest that has resulted in a complex spiritual landscape for Christians today. Kristin guides us through this history and encourages the reader to ask hard questions, leaning into truth and grace. And if you listen to the end of the credits, you’ll hear an excerpt from our interview where Kristin tells of her heartfelt response toward the people who share difficult personal stories with her as they reflect on her writing.

So jump right in! We're so glad you're here.

— Ann Boyd

For show notes or more information please visit our article at The Well.

If you'd like to support the work of InterVarsity's Women Scholars and Professionals, including future podcasts such as this episode, you can do so at givetoiv.org/wsap. Thank you for listening!