In the Midst Podcast

2020 has already been a year.  There aren't a lot of words that can be used to describe all that has happened.  But since the beginning fo the pandemic, we have been talking about this topic, talking about what it looks like to grieve and lament.  We definitely aren't experts, but we are just navigating this like everyone else and wanted to share how we are processing this season. In our new episode, you will hear us talk about what lament is, lamenting in an unexpected season of the pandemic, and lamenting racial injustice.

On our new episode, we have the privilege of chatting with Ali J. We talk about God rebuilding and restoring us, drawing us closer to us. This conversation was encouraging and a beautiful testament to what kind of work that God does in our lives. Ali Johnson loves spoken word poetry, exploring local coffee shops , painting & hanging out with her friends and having meaningful conversations. Ali hopes to travel more & experience the full beauty of the Lord. She seeks the Lord in all that she does and is always looking for ways to serve. She aspires to one day run a nonprofit that serves the city of Memphis or wherever the Lord leads her. You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Episode Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb

In this episode, we talk all things friendship. We (Erin and Larissa) unpack what it looks like to be friends in different types of seasons and how to pursue friendship even when it is hard. We talk about new friendships and old ones. We also share some of our own experiences working through mistakes and how we see the character of God through friendships. You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Episode Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb

|| S2: Episode 3 || Jenna Brack || Sometimes it seems like God is doing something in your life but you just don’t know what it is. This week we chatted with Jenna Brack about calling, sitting in seasons of stirring, and much more. Jenna Brack is a writer, teacher, and mom living in Kansas City. She has a background in Education, but she currently coaches writers and creatives through Jenna Brack Writing, LLC. Jenna enjoys good coffee, serious conversation, and not-too-serious fiction. Other books we chatted about: Julia Cameron’s Artist Way Teach Us to Want by Jen Michele Restless by Jenni Allen You can receive monthly writing tips and newsletter updates from Jenna Brack Writing here. https://tinyletter.com/jennabrack If you are local to Kansas City, you can sign up for Jenna's next five-week community writing class here. https://bit.ly/2Ohj9ON Her recent essay, "Tracing the Circling Birds," was published in Fathom Magazine and can be found here. https://bit.ly/355z1Kb You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Episode Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb

|| EPISODE 2 of SEASON 2 || TRANSITIONS OF LIFE || As we are getting ready for a transition in seasons, we wanted to highlight the topic of transitions of life. Have you ever been through a huge season of change or transition in your life? One that you wouldn’t have imagined or maybe expected. Moved to a new city or changed jobs? We spent some time today sharing stories about our seasons of transitions in our lives. We talked about how God was faithful and changed us and what we are still learning. You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Episode Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb #transitionsoflife #inthemidstpodcast #seasons #moving #changing #newthings #Godsfaithfulness #faith #chistianpodcast #faithlife #podcast

Friends, we are so excited to be back for another season of telling stories about how God is working in the midst of different seasons of life. It is fun to think a year ago, we were barely in the brainstorming stage of what this podcast would be and now we are getting ready to launch a Season 2. Our first guest is a special one, Mandy Bredehoft is a long time friend of ours and it was such a blessing to have her share about her and her husband’s journey into foster care. Mandy Bredehoft’s most favorite roles in her life are wife, teacher, foster mom and aunt.  She and her husband live and teach in Wichita, KS. She also is a K-State fan and an Enneagram 8. You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Episode Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb

S1: Episode 15 || Counseling and Therapy || by Erin Kenner and Larissa Spare

S1: Episode 14 || Alix Carruth || by Erin Kenner and Larissa Spare

|| Episode 13 || Betsy Wagner || We had the opportunity to chat with Betsy Wagner about her accomplishment of finishing her counseling degree and the journey it took to get there. Our conversation covered what it is like to move into our gifts and actually own them and what it looks like for a counselor to practice self care. At the end of the conversation, we talked about what it looks like to lean into doubts and mystery about God. Betsy is a recent graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Arts in Counseling. She has been married to David for five years and they live with their two toddler boys in Kansas City, MO. For the past four of those five years, one or both of them were attending grad school. During this time, the family grew and so did the need for grace in their lives to parent and study!  Find her with the kids soaking up the sun at a park, or if she has a moment alone, she might be her reading and sipping on a (nitro) cold brew. Most days, her mission is to get out of the house on time and get her one-year old to sleep through the night.  You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Episode Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb

We sat down with Anna Morrell to talk about being in the midst of surprises and unexpected obstacles even in seasons of saying yes to the Lord. She shared how God's timing can seem confusing, but often we will look back and see him working in a bigger story that we can comprehend. Anna Morrell is a lady who loves Jesus and singing and picnics and exploring nature on long walks. Anna is currently an interior designer in Kansas City. In 2018, she served as a missionary in Asia while navigating a long distance relationship with her soon-to-be husband Logan. Anna dreams to be an old lady who "Laughs at the days to come." (Proverbs 31:25) You can catch Anna's music here: https://soundcloud.com/anna-marie-morrell You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb

On this episode, we talk with Laura Austin about walking through a season of grief, what it means to make a home at all stages of life and much more. Laura is a wife, mother, and writer who loves to help women put their hope in Jesus, especially in the season of desiring marriage. Though she loved many parts of being single in her twenties, her non-existent dating life left her feeling pretty helpless and stuck. But God kindly taught her to pray boldly and see her own role in the process of finding a good man to marry, and now Laura enjoys encouraging other women to do the same (@heymrsaustin). She loves the art of homemaking, studying the Bible, and throwing parties. And although she’s had the joy of traveling all over, she is happiest at her home in Southern California on the front porch with her people nearby. You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Episode Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb

Episode 10 || Madelynne Jones || On this episode, we had the privilege to sit down with Madelynne Jones and chat about life and all that she is learning in a season of waiting. Madelynne is a writer and artist living in Kansas City. She spends most of her money on coffee and concert tickets. She loves throwing parties and spending time with friends, especially if it means being outside. Her corgi-beagle dog Hugo is almost always by her side. She does a weekly music newsletter where she covers niche genres in music and new music discovery.  Sign up for her newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/ae116276222e/listeningnow  Check out her artwork: madelynnejones.com Follow her on instagram: @madelynnerae You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com. Sign up to receive our NEW Weekly Episode Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/gnQWGb

On this episode, we interview Brooke Spare on what it looks in the middle of several different roles and how God uses our weaknesses. We talk Instagram, motherhood, creativity, and even how the pioneers were made of tougher stuff! Brooke Spare is a wife, mother, mixed media artist, stationery enthusiast, and bird aficionado. She is the sole operator of Cheeky Beak Card Co, a small greeting card company that combines kitschy quirkiness and fine art. She is most inspired by strong color schemes, bold line work, and odd conversations overheard at the grocery store. Originally from Manhattan, Kansas, she currently resides in Minneapolis with her family.  You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com.

This is part 2 of Erin and Larissa's conversation about the Enneagram. They talk about how the Enneagram has been a tool for understanding relationships and themselves in the world. As well, they talk about what it shows us about God. There are a ton of resources that help us understand more about the Enneagram, here are a few! If you are a newbie: Enneagram Institute.com The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile https://amzn.to/2TSMcLJ @YourEnneagramCoach on Instagram Other resources: Typology Podcast- Ian Cron https://apple.co/2THogI1 Journey Through The Enneagram- Suzanne Stabile https://apple.co/2SEEEvC Sacred Enneagram by Christopher L. Heuertz You can always find us on Instagram @inthemidstpodcast and email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com

Episode 7 || Enneagram with Sarah Yocum || In this episode, we talk all about the enneagram and how it has effected our understanding of ourselves and our friendships. Our friend Sarah Yocum joins us to talk about her journey with the Enneagram and what that has meant for her. Sarah Yocum is 7th English teacher and coach in a small Missouri tourist town. When she is not teaching and hanging out with her students, you can find her cooking, reading, driving her moped Veronica, or trying to type fictional characters and their enneagram type. There are a ton of resources that help us understand more about the Enneagram. If you are a newbie: www.enneagraminstitute.com "The Road Back to You" by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile https://amzn.to/2Ds3V2t @YourEnneagramCoach on Instagram Other resources: Typology Podcast- Ian Cron https://apple.co/2THogI1 The Enneagram Journey- Suzanne Stabile https://apple.co/2SEEEvC "Sacred Enneagram" by Christopher L. Heuertz https://amzn.to/2vbM1vk Sleeping At Last - Enneagram Songs The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile https://amzn.to/2DwxobE You can always find us on Instagram @inthemidstpodcast and email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com

We had the privilege to sit down with Sandee Finley, to chat about being sitting in sad feelings, writing, and being in a season of transition. Sandee Finley has been married to Greg for 31 years. They raised their five children in rural Missouri before recently moving to the suburbs of Kansas. She is a recently retired homeschool teacher who still surrounds herself with books and school supplies and toys and kids of all ages. References: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com.

We talk with Sarah Guild about God meeting our needs that we don’t even know we have and what it looks like to be in an in-between season. And we discuss after the interview how God uses those needs that we have to show us more of him and discuss what that looks like in our lives. Sarah Guild is a women’s minister at Redeemer Fellowship Johnson County in the Kansas City area. She is a wife to Jamie and mother to 4 kiddos. She loves hiking, gardening, reading, and playing all kinds of things outside, and painting. References: Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones A God Who Sees by Jason Upton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUtPrPPAwdI the Bible Binge Podcast- Jamie Golden and Knox McCoy You can connect with us on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or email us at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com.

We recap our top 5 of 2018. Even though we haven’t been with you during the entire year. We wanted to share with you some important things from the year and share how God used them in the midst of our current seasons Here are few links to the things mentioned: Civil Rights Museum- Memphis, TN https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/ Books: “We're Going to Need More Wine” by Gabrielle Union https://amzn.to/2CQsO8R “How to Fix a Broken Record” by Amena Brown https://amzn.to/2F8Abdg “I’m Still Here” by Austin Channing Brown https://amzn.to/2Qp1JwX “Becoming” by Michelle Obama https://amzn.to/2LV3v8E “Remember God” by Annie F. Downs https://amzn.to/2COunnR “Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones https://amzn.to/2TnO1fC Movies: Black Panther Crazy Rich Asians The Greatest Showman Barre3- A mix of yoga, pilates and ballet You can find out more here. https://barre3.com/ Podcasts: “That Sounds Fun” https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/that-sounds-fun-with-annie-f-downs/id944925529?mt=2 “Popcast” https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-popcast-with-knox-and-jamie/id712316884?mt=2 “The Bible Binge” https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bible-binge/id1347735219?mt=2 Also, credit to British Royalty! :)

Our friend, Rachel Jenkins, sits down with us to chat about what it looks like to be in a season of engagement and prepare for marriage. We also talk about what it looks like to be getting married in your 30s. Rachel Jenkins is a STL girl living in KC for the last 6 years and has known Jesus for the last 3. He has radically changed her life through his love, grace, and through community with other believers. She love her God and she loves her people. She also loves her culture. You can connect with Rachel @rachel.c.jenkins on instagram. Also follow along with us on this journey on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or connect with us over email at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com.

On this episode, we interviewed Rachel Mills about being in the season of recovery and forgiveness. Our conversation encompassed many topics from the Jesus Story Book bible to what it looks like to honor God in doing the hard work of healing. Rachel Mills loves baking, reading and vintage dresses. She lives and works in Kansas City, Missouri, and spends her time serving at church and within the city. She aspires to be a ballerina as she just signed up for ballet classes. Rachel is also someone who seeks to be the person that shows up to support the people she loves and wants to make them feel seen, loved and heard. If you don't have it, you should buy the Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones You can connect with Rachel on instagram @miss_millie. And follow along with us on this journey on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or connect with us over email at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com.

On this episode, Larissa and Erin talk to Bethany Campbell about her journey as a stay at home mom. Bethany spends her days having dance parties with her two little girls, being a boss lady of her small business and is wife to a pastor. She enjoys pizza and long walks through Target alone. We talk through what it looks like for God to sustain us through unexpected seasons and how God is meeting us in that. You can connect with Bethany on her socials @lifestyle_with_b. Also follow along with us on this journey on instagram @inthemidstpodcast or connect with us over email at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to “In the Midst”, a podcast centered around stories of people in the midst of life. The good, the hard, and the hilarious parts of our stories that maybe we gloss over for the sake of moving on to the next thing. Our goal is to bring you into the lives of our friends and potential friends and share how God is moving in the midst of their lives. You can connect with Erin and Larissa at inthemidstpodcast@gmail.com and on Instagram @inthemidstpodcast.