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!

“Women do truly initiate these key movements in redemption history…All of a sudden this narrative came, how each life was linked and…how, more than bread crumbs, it became a highway that people had overlooked.” — Ingrid Faro

What would it mean for all of us—women and men—to understand that from the beginning women are a part of God’s plan for the world, including its redemption? This question is at the heart of Redeeming Eden: How Women in the Bible Advance the Story of Salvation by Ingrid Faro with Joyce Koo Dalrymple (Zondervan, 2005).

This summer Women Scholars and Professionals offered the opportunity to read and discuss Redeeming Eden. We had robust and helpful conversations and were thrilled when the authors agreed to join us for our last call. We recorded so we could share it with you. We hope you enjoy the conversation and are encouraged to pick up and read this book!

For show notes or more information please visit our article on Substack.

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’m always in the abyss…I used to feel like it was wrong that I was there…that God was upset with me that I was always there. And I realized I had grown into trusting more that God holds all of it. I’m not outside of God.” — Jean Neely

Author and educator Jean Neely joins us on the podcast to talk about the complicated reality of living with mental illness and her journey of faith along the way.

How do people who suffer from on-going mental illness reconcile this reality with a desire to nurture a life of faith believing that God—full of love and mercy—hasn’t abandoned them? Dr. Jean Neely. Jean’s recent book Christ in the Abyss: Cultivating Deep Faith amid Depression and Despair, is a beautifully written, honest, and vulnerable look at how Jean has lived with the realities of Bi-Polar Disorder and at the same time has sought to know God and experience his presence in all the ups and downs. Jean writes from her own situation, but the words of wisdom and encouragement she shares are helpful to all who suffer, whether from chronic illness or other challenges, and to those who want to understand and love them.

As a bonus, Jean's allowed us to publish her Introduction as a preview for our listeners. And if you listen past the end of the credits, you'll hear a bonus excerpt from our interview where Jean talks about the process of becoming a Benedictine oblate. So, jump right in. We are so glad you are here!

For show notes and other information, visit our Substack article.

Welcome to The Wise & Courageous Podcast, where we host conversations with women leaders about how they are seeking and engaging wisdom and courage in their leadership and work in this unique season.

“Once you have been to the edge of the cliff, it gives you a heart for others who are feeling like they are barely hanging on.” — Pamela Simmons

Pamela Simmons joins Nancy Pedulla on The Wise and Courageous Podcast for a conversation about her journey to becoming an instructor who is passionate about serving community college students with a heart for each person’s situation and needs.

Professor Pamela Simmons found her calling as an educator while tutoring classmates as an undergraduate. She loves “demystifying” accounting — translating complex ideas into something clear, practical, and even enjoyable lessons for her students. A CPA with both an MBA and a Master’s in Accounting from Kent State University, she taught at Kent State University, Hiram College, Wayne College, and Baldwin Wallace University before finding her home at the student-centered Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). She remains dedicated to helping every student overcome challenges and reach their fullest potential.

How do you find the Lord’s invitations in the midst of the circumstances of your life? Pamela shares her unexpected career journey, from working in the university business office to deciding she wanted to invest her time in teaching others in a student-centered college. She describes her experience as the mom of a disabled child and the way that has deeply impacted her teaching and her values.

Listen for her determination to help a sight impaired student pass a challenging Accounting course. Listen to the end to hear about how prayer infuses her work with students. For the purposes of this podcast, we are defining leadership as the stewardship of people, culture and purpose, guiding and serving others toward a shared vision or outcomes.

Welcome to the conversation!

— Nancy Pedulla

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 think it’s important to learn how to treat ourselves humanely and find opportunities of flourishing for ourselves — of course for ourselves, but also as an act of representation for others. I think that’s really important.” — Elaine Howard Ecklund

Social scientist Elaine Howard Ecklund and Management Scholar Denise Daniels join us on the podcast to talk about their research regarding the integration of faith and work and what it means for women.

What does it look like to integrate faith and work within a normal, full life? Sociology professor Elaine Howard Ecklund and management professor Denise Daniels join us on the podcast to discuss their recent book Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work. In our conversation, we hear from Denise and Elaine about their research into faith and work as a connected whole. We hear their thoughts about the unique challenges for women in the workplace and the ways faith plays an unexpected role. Denise and Elaine also offer important suggestions for the ways we view power in the workplace and how we can use the power we have for good. In addition, we’re pleased to let you know that InterVarsity Press is offering a discount on Working for Better 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 the authors share about their practices of finding rest in the midst of their full lives.

One quick note before we get to this conversation. We’ll be taking the summer off here at The Women Scholars & Professionals Podcast, but we hope that you can enjoy catching up on previous episodes during this short break. We’ll return in August, when you’ll hear interviews from my excellent colleagues as I take a few months of sabbatical leave. I’m planning to record an episode or two before I head off on sabbatical, and I’m delighted for the opportunity to have those cued up for you. I’ll be eagerly anticipating hosting more episodes for you when my sabbatical ends in early 2027, and I’m grateful for my kind and generous colleagues who are making this period of rest possible for me.

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!

Welcome to The Wise & Courageous Podcast, where we host conversations with women leaders about how they are seeking and engaging wisdom and courage in their leadership and work in this unique season.

“It took courage for me to transform myself from somebody who was comfortable in the background doing safe research to doing something much more controversial in the public eye.” — Cynthia Prescott

Cynthia Prescott, Professor and Chair of the Department of History and American Indian Studies at the University of North Dakota joins Nancy Pedulla on The Wise and Courageous Podcast for a conversation about leadership. 

What happens when the research you are doing suddenly takes up more space in public exploration and debate? In this conversation with Cindy, opportunities to lead in the research sphere and in the university invite a new sense of identity as a leader and require growing in courage and wisdom.

Cynthia Culver Prescott is Professor of History and Chair of the Department of History & American Indian Studies and of the Anthropology department. Dr. Prescott’s work focuses on gender in the American West. She combines social history and material culture methods to study the intersections of gender, race, social class, and historical memory.

For the purposes of this podcast, we are defining leadership as the stewardship of people, culture and purpose, guiding and serving others toward a shared vision or outcomes.

Welcome to the conversation!

— Nancy Pedulla

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!