I interview Jared Ayers, head pastor at First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach, and author of You Can Trust a God with Scars: Faith (and Doubt) for the Searching Soul. We discuss the profound impact of shared meals, the significance of the incarnation in understanding human suffering, and the importance of honesty within Christian communities. We explore themes of hope, the illusion of control, the reality of sin, and the necessity of dignity in relationships. Ayers also emphasizes the need for vulnerability and authenticity in faith, encouraging listeners to embrace their struggles and foster inclusive communities.

Takeaways

Meals are a reflection of our shared stories.
The incarnation shows God's deep understanding of human suffering.
Hope comes from knowing we are not alone in our pain.
Navigating loss requires community support and understanding.
We often live under the illusion of control in our lives.
Christianity addresses the reality of sin and human condition.
Honesty about our struggles fosters a healthier community.
Dignifying others is essential for building inclusive spaces.
Wrestling with faith and doubt is a normal part of life.
Living an integrated life means embracing all aspects of our experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Jared Ayers
02:36 The Significance of Meals and Shared Experiences
05:28 The Incarnation and Its Implications
11:24 Understanding Suffering Through the Life of Jesus
17:16 Finding Hope in Shared Pain
23:15 Navigating Life's Challenges with Receptivity
24:14 Letting Go of Control
26:00 Understanding Sin and Its Impact
28:57 The Importance of Honesty in Faith
32:06 The Power of Grace in Community
34:53 Leading with Vulnerability
37:42 Dignifying Others in a Divided World
40:49 Wrestling with Faith and Doubt
45:31 Living an Integrated Life

Jaclyn Michelle Smith is the author of I'm Sorry I Cremated You: Finding the Funny in Life and Loss. It is a memior that quickly and intuitively cuts to the heart of our universal experience with grief and demonstrates how laughing at the irony of our human condition can provide the space to breathe and create meaning from the absurdity of it all.

In my convesation with Jaclyn Michelle Smith she shares her journey through grief, the importance of friendships, and how humor can be a powerful tool for healing. She discusses her experiences with food, community, and the role of improv in enhancing her communication skills. Jaclyn emphasizes the beauty found in pain and the significance of being present in our lives. Through her memoir, she aims to inspire others to cherish their relationships and find joy amidst life's challenges.

Takeaways

Friendship is essential for navigating life's challenges.
Humor can be a powerful tool for healing and coping with grief.
Improv teaches valuable lessons about listening and presence.
Finding beauty in pain can lead to personal growth.
Community support is crucial during difficult times.
Cherishing memories and mementos can help in the grieving process.
A positive mindset can transform our experiences.
Life is a duality of joy and sorrow, and both can coexist.
Being present allows us to appreciate the magic in everyday moments.
We should strive to see the good in every situation and person.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jaclyn Michelle Smith
02:59 The Impact of Food and Community
05:45 The Importance of Friendships
08:49 Navigating Life's Challenges
11:36 The Role of Community in Difficult Times
14:31 Finding Humor in Grief
17:42 The Journey of Writing a Memoir
20:42 Finding Beauty in Difficult Situations
23:33 The Duality of Life's Experiences
27:18 The Impact of Hoarding on Family Dynamics
28:37 Navigating Difficult Relationships with Parents
30:54 Finding the Good in Difficult People
33:58 The Art of Listening and Communication
37:14 Embracing the Unknown through Improv
39:27 Cultivating Childlike Wonder and Positivity
43:20 Living in the Present Moment
46:22 Growth Through Grief and Loss
49:04 Cherishing Life's Small Moments
55:32 Navigating Heartbreak and Memory
58:46 The Power of Kindness and Perspective
59:38 The Impact of a Poem and Family Legacy
01:01:46 Reflections on the Interview Process and Writing Journey
01:09:35 Exploring Faith and Curiosity in Relationships

How do we become more beautiful together? I speak with Julian Newman about just that.

Julian is the author of Beautiful Together: How to Become a Better Leader & Bridge Builder. He's the founder, and CEO of Culture Creative and The FutureCast Foundation. He is an altMBA graduate and inaugural Anthem Award-winning Diversity & Inclusion Leader of the Year, along with Trevor Noah.

His thought leadership has been featured in a range of media outlets including Forbes Magazine, Fox News, NPR and PBS affiliates.

We discuss the importance of leadership, empathy, and vulnerability in building connections and fostering personal growth. We explore the transformative power of shared experiences, the necessity of stepping out of comfort zones, and the role of curiosity and competence in effective leadership. Julian shares personal anecdotes and insights on navigating emotions, the significance of real conversations, and the journey of self-discovery. Our discussion emphasizes the need for meaningful interactions and the courage to be vulnerable in order to create a more beautiful and connected world.

Takeaways

Listening is crucial for meaningful interactions.
Stepping out of comfort zones leads to personal growth.
Shared meals can create transformative experiences.
Curiosity and competence are essential for leadership.
Investing small efforts can lead to significant outcomes.
Finding meaning in our actions is vital for fulfillment.
Vulnerability fosters deeper connections with others.
Real conversations are necessary for resolving conflicts.
Empathy can bridge divides and foster understanding.
Reuniting with our true selves is a journey worth taking.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Julian Newman and His Work
02:57 The Importance of Presence and Listening
06:03 Experiencing Culinary Adventures and Comfort Zones
08:59 The Role of Collaboration in Leadership
11:38 Transformative Experiences and Personal Growth
14:46 The Hero's Journey and Embracing the Unknown
17:44 Curiosity and Competence in Adventure
20:43 Investing in Small Steps Towards Goals
23:45 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Actions
26:36 Rekindling Wonder and Curiosity
29:46 Building Bridges Through Conversation
32:42 The Power of Connection and Understanding
38:04 The Importance of Face-to-Face Conversations
38:59 Digital Disconnection and Polarization
41:55 Empathy Through Understanding
44:43 Reunion with Our True Selves
50:34 Vulnerability as a Bridge
56:03 The Courage to Apologize
59:49 Finding the Essential in the Immediate

In my conversation, with Pace Randolph he shares his journey as a musician, discussing how he embraced creativity during the pandemic by writing a song every day. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome, and how embracing imperfection can lead to deeper connections through music. Our discussion also touches on the challenges of modern distractions, the joy of road trips, and the significance of community and belonging in our lives. Pace introduces his project, the Choir Imperfect, which aims to bring together 100k voices from around the world to create a collaborative album, highlighting the power of music to foster connection and self-discovery.

Takeaways

Creativity can flourish during challenging times.
Embracing imperfection is key to artistic growth.
Music serves as a powerful form of emotional communication.
Finding balance in life is essential for well-being.
Road trips can provide a sense of freedom and joy.
Being present enhances our experiences and connections.
Modern distractions can hinder our ability to connect with ourselves and others.
Structure and discipline are crucial for creative success.
Community and belonging are vital for mental health.
Self-discovery is a journey that leads to deeper connections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:08 Creativity During the Pandemic
05:51 Embracing Imperfection in Art
08:54 The Power of Music and Connection
11:20 Finding Gratitude and Balance
14:20 The Importance of Disconnecting
17:01 Navigating Modern Distractions
20:11 The Pursuit of Effectiveness Over Efficiency
28:29 The Importance of Presence
37:08 Belonging and Connection
45:14 The Choir Imperfect Project
53:35 The Art of Showing Up

In my conversation with Austin Carty we explore the intersection of writing, personal growth, and the art of preaching. We discuss how technology, particularly AI, has revolutionized content creation, making it more efficient. Austin shares insights from his book, 'Some of the Words Are Theirs,' emphasizing the importance of time in both writing, and life experiences.

Austin Carty is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina. He holds an MDiv from Wake Forest University and a DMin from Emory University. He is the author of High Points and Lows: Life, Faith, and Figuring It All Out and The Pastor's Bookshelf: Why Reading Matters for Ministry, which received the 2023 Christianity Today Award of Merit and was named Book of the Year by Preaching magazine. His new book, Some of the Words Are Theirs: The Art of Writing and Living a Sermon.

Our conversation delves into themes of hope in hardship, the significance of place and personal history, and the journey of self-discovery through writing. We also touch on the complexities of human emotions, and the challenge of caring in a distracted world, ultimately highlighting the legacy of our words and actions.

In this conversation, I talk with Andrew Camp a former chef, a former pastor interested in all things food and spirituality and host of as he explores with his guests the intersection of food and faith--how food, the table, and hospitality might inform our lives in ways that are more conducive to the life we were created to live.

We explore the intersections of food, spirituality, and connection. We also discuss the significance of meals in fostering relationships, the importance of creating intentional spaces for connection, and the role of curiosity in understanding ourselves and others. Our dialogue also touches on the tension between joy and grief, the beauty found in the mundane, and the journey towards living an integrated life. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Andrew emphasize the need for authenticity, humility, and the recognition of limits in our lives.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Podcasting and Technology Challenges
01:02 The Significance of Meals in Life and Spirituality
06:03 Food as a Medium for Connection and Memory
09:32 Breaking Down Barriers Through Shared Meals
13:54 Creating Intentional Spaces for Connection
17:54 Nurturing Curiosity in a Fast-Paced World
24:28 Finding Wonder in the Mundane
29:11 Creating Meaningful Connections at the Dinner Table
32:00 The Importance of Being Present in Everyday Moments
34:37 Intentionality in Relationships and Experiences
37:35 Navigating Expectations and Curiosity in Conversations
40:08 Finding Awe in Everyday Life
44:02 Living with Tension and Embracing Limits
48:09 Flourishing in Our Unique Journeys

In our conversation, I talk with Jimmy Darts author of his new book Undercover KindnessSaying Yes to Love, No to Fear, and Embracing the Life-Changing Power of Ordinary Generosity. Jimmy is a star in the world of social media best known for his heartwarming "random acts of kindness" and "giveback" videos that inspire more than twenty million followers to pay it forward and spread positivity in the world. He is GoFundMe's top organizer of fundraisers started for others, and his work has been featured in media outlets including CNN, Fox News, and Today.

We discuss the transformative power of kindness, the importance of maintaining a soft heart, and the role of questions in personal growth. We explore how to navigate disappointment with hope, the significance of generosity, and the beauty in everyday life. Our discussion emphasizes the value of attention and presence in relationships, the necessity of forgiveness for personal freedom, and the idea of living an integrated life filled with childlike faith and purpose.

Takeaways

Questions can be a catalyst for change.
Maintaining a soft heart is essential for personal growth.
Disappointment can lead to deeper hope and understanding.
Generosity is a key to living a fulfilling life.
We must actively seek beauty in the world around us.
Paying attention to others can transform relationships.
Childlike faith allows us to embrace life fully.
Forgiveness is crucial for our own freedom.
Living an integrated life means valuing every moment and interaction.
Everyone has equal value and deserves kindness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:58 The Power of Questions
05:52 Maintaining a Soft Heart
08:47 Navigating Disappointment and Hope
12:00 Understanding Choice and Attitude
15:41 The Role of Generosity
19:01 Recognizing Opportunities for Kindness
21:41 The Ripple Effect of Kindness
24:50 The Importance of Perspective
27:58 Stewarding Your Heart and Mind
31:12 The Power of Small Acts
34:16 The Impact of Kindness on Identity
36:06 Valuing People and Paying Attention
39:12 Forgiveness as a Path to Freedom
43:05 Childlike Faith and Its Importance
51:20 Living an Integrated Life