Let It Matter Podcast

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, speaker, and writer Shannan Martin to discuss themes from her book Start With Hello: (And Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors). Themes like:Simple, practical ways to begin reconstituting connection and community after years of collective distancing, disconnection, and divisionThe importance of noticing homogeny in our existing relationships, in those we interact with & follow on social media, and in those whose books we readThe difference between entertaining and hospitality and how to practice hospitality without pressure to perform or be/present yourself as perfectand more!Guest Bio: Shannan Martin, author of Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, and Falling Free, is a speaker and writer who found her voice in the country and her story in the city. She is a voracious reader, a wannabe-gardener, a news-geek, a thrift store-stalker, a justice-fighter, and an aficionado of not-too-spicy salsa. Shannan works as a cook at a community kitchen and falls asleep most nights thinking about breakfast. She and her family live as grateful neighbors in Goshen, Indiana. You can find her on IG, Twitter, and Threads @shannanwrites or on her website at shannanmartin.com

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Episcopal priest -- and former rector of Kelly's local parish church -- Rev. Catherine Thompson to explore various aspects of the Episcopal church like:The origins of the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and the Episcopal Church in the USThe differences between the Episcopal Church and the ACNA (Anglican Church in North America)The theological beliefs and practices in the categories of: God, mankind (LGBTQIA+ affirmation, egalitarianism, social justice issues, etc.), sin/salvation, heaven/hell, prayer, church polity/governance, sacraments & gatherings, the Bible, and more!To watch/listen to Mother Catherine's first appearance on the Let It Matter Blog during the Women of Valor series where we discuss Priscilla (and Paul/women in ministry): https://youtu.be/19skhNT4-cETo become a Patreon Partner with the podcast, go to Patreon.com/letitmatterpod and join us for as little as $4/mo (USD)!Guest Bio: The Rev. Catherine Thompson serves as the Priest-in-Charge of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland, a community of believers dedicated to growing in their love of God and love of their neighbors. She finds joy in learning and discovering new things, particularly in the area of congregational development. She also enjoys reading, traveling and spending time in nature. She holds degrees from Vassar College and Virginia Theological Seminary. She is married to Mark. They have two adult children and a 19-year-old poodle, named Mia, who offers daily lessons on the nature of unconditional love.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by scholar and professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, Nijay Gupta (DPhil) to discuss themes from his book Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church, in particular:looking closer into the three main issues (used by those seeking to uphold or defend complementarianism/patriarchy) that come from Genesis 1-3: the created order, the use of the word "helper", and the fall/curseslooking at the broader context of the Roman world -- Roman households, social & socioeconomic dynamics, gender roles, etc. -- which is the backdrop to the New Testament and has a huge influence on what is written in there, and which we are too far removed from today to know instinctuallycomparing the narrative + the greeting/commendation/salutation passages (which show Paul's ministry and convictions to be in partnership with many women for the sake of the gospel -- and described as deacons, apostles, missionaries, leaders of house churches, teachers, mothers in the faith, etc) with the specific prohibitions in 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14-- and how to reconcile all of it together without rewriting history..... and much more! Guest Bio: Dr. Nijay Gupta, DPhil. (he/him) is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and is an author, scholar, and Bible translator. His most recent book is called Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He recently co-edited the second edition of Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, and has written & contributed to numerous other books, commentaries, and academic articles in theological journals. He lives in California.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Kat Armas, author of the new book Sacred Belonging: a 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture, to discuss:What it means to “repattern, reweave, and reimagine” Scripture and how doing so gives us fresh insights and leads us toward liberationWhy creation, Holy Spirit, wisdom, the body, and the feminine are five areas which are so ripe for (& in need of) decolonizationHow translation and language can impact our understanding and interpretation of Scripture (with a fascinating conversation about John 1:1 in Spanish, English, Greek, and in extra-biblical uses by the Greeks.)and much more!Guest Bio: Kat Armas (she/her) is a Cuban-American writer and speaker, and host of The Protagonistas podcast, where she highlights stories of everyday women of color, including writers, pastors, church leaders, and theologians. She is the author of Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength which came out in 2021 and Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture which released this month! Kat has also written for Christianity Today, Sojourners, Relevant, Christians for Biblical Equality, Fuller Youth Institute, Fathom magazine, and Missio Alliance. She has an MDiv and MAT from Fuller Theological Seminary, she speaks regularly at conferences on race and justice and lives in Nashville, TN with her family. You can find her on IG and Twitter @kat_armas and on her website at katarmas.com

**Content Warning for this Episode: We discuss topics like sexuality, reproductive healthcare, abortion access, contraception, and more. Please proceed with caution if needed.In this episode, I am joined by Rev. Jes Kast to discuss various aspects of the women's reproductive healthcare conversation (including abortion, contraception, sex education, etc.). Jes is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the United Church of Christ, and pastor of a UCC church in Pennsylvania, where she lives with her wife. She is also a member of the National Clergy Advocacy Board for Planned Parenthood, which you can read more about here. You can find Jes on IG, Threads, and Twitter @revjeskast.Link to: Where Do We Go From Here Podcast Episode 108: The Big One About Abortion

This week's Guest: Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes is a prominent psychologist, theologian, and author whose work focuses upon healing the legacies of racial and gender oppression. She is a professor at Columbia Theological Seminary and the author of Sacred Self-Care, I Bring the Voices of My People, and Too Heavy a Yoke. You can find her on Twitter and IG @drchanequa or on her website at drchanequa.com In this episode, we discuss themes from Dr. Walker-Barnes' new book, Sacred Self-Care.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by writer and fellow podcast host, Morgan Strehlow, to discuss the wisdom and best practices they've picked up throughout their time navigating the job market in various industries, roles, and times. They share best practices related to: job hunting and navigating the job market, salary negotiations, asking for promotions, setting workplace boundaries, office dynamics, personal values, etc. Guest Bio: Morgan Strehlow (she/her) is a literary agent and freelance writer who spent the first decade of her career as a creator, administrator, and researcher in the sports industry. Now she comes alongside authors from longing to book launch, cultivating courage, clarifying their message, and offering advocacy, accountability, and soul care through the writing and publishing process. Morgan also hosts Sanctuary Woman, a contemplative podcast for weary Christians recovering from purity culture and navigating a curious faith. When she's not writing or working with writers, Morgan stays busy as mom to Seth and partner to Sean, in their new home state of Pennsylvania. You can find her on Twitter, IG, and Threads @morganstrehlow or on her website at morganstrehlow.com

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author and spiritual director, Danielle Shroyer, to discuss:-what the word blessing truly means and how original blessing is the truest thing about us as humans-how the doctrine of original sin is unhelpful and unncessary to understanding human nature, sin, and our relationship to God -ways we have cartoonized and flattened the biblical account of Genesis 1-3, and what is actually there in the text when we look closer, and so much more! Guest Bio: Danielle Shroyer is a spiritual director, author, speaker, and former pastor. She currently serves as Spiritual Director in Residence at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, where she creates formation resources and experiences rooted in wisdom spirituality. Danielle is a graduate of Baylor University and Princeton Theological Seminary and was a founding member of the emerging church movement. She is the author of three books, most recently Original Blessing: Putting Sin in its Rightful Place. A 2nd Dan taekwondo black belt and a yoga enthusiast, she and her husband Dan have two college aged children. They live in Dallas with their two rescue dogs and a patio of feral cats. You can find her at danielleshroyer.com, or on Instagram at @DanielleShroyer.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, speaker, and songwriter, Amanda Held Opelt, to discuss themes found in her new book, Holy Unhappiness, such as:-what the emotional prosperity gospel is and how we see it manifest in our lives of faith and how it doesn't hold up to be true-work, marriage, children and how those things promise meaning and ultimate joy, but in reality are still difficult and don't often prove to be the cure-all for bad feelings, and how delight is the invitation to us in those bad feelings-calling, community, and our bodies all being places where platform and "perfection" promise belonging, and how neither platform nor this fragile belonging will safeguard from feeling unfulfilled or difficult emotions, and how humility can shift how we see those things-sanctuary (the church), suffering, and sanctification all promising to protect us from sinking into darkness, isolation, or despair when in fact they can't, and how hope can be the key to keeping our heads above water in those times.Guest Bio: Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. She writes about faith, grief, and creativity, and believes in the power of community, ritual, shared worship, and storytelling to heal even our deepest wounds. Amanda has spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors. She lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, with her husband and two young daughters.Twitter | Instagram | Website | Spotify

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe, is joined by embodiment coach, somatic practitioner, author, and former Miss Canada, Tara Teng, to discuss:what it means that our bodies are a revolutionhow the “unholy trinity” of white supremacy, colonialism, and patriarchy — as well as even some bad interpretations of scripture — have caused so many of us to become disembodiedwhat healing/coming back home to ourselves looks like, feels like, and how we know it's happeninga guided embodiment practice to help us all see our bodies as our best teachers, and more!Guest Bio: Tara Teng (she/her) is an Embodiment Coach who works in the intersections of spirituality and sexuality. Aside from her 1:1 coaching, Tara hosts women's circles, workshops, online classes and retreats on the topics of embodiment, justice, sexuality, and relationships. Tara's first book, “Your Body is a Revolution: Healing Our Relationships with Our Bodies, Each Other and the Earth” is now available everywhere from Broadleaf Books. She also has spent ten years working to advance the socio-economic status of women, diminish sexual violence and end human trafficking alongside collaborative work with community stakeholders, lawmakers, and some amazing organizations. Beyond her work, Tara is a TEDx Speaker, a former Miss Canada and was named Canada's “Woman of the Year” in 2011. She is also a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of her vast human rights work. In her personal life, Tara is a mother to three young children. She lives, works and plays on the unceded traditional territories of the Kwantlen, Matsqui, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations. You can find her on Twitter and IG @misstarateng or on her website at tarateng.com

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author and co-founder/executive director of Theological Horizons, Karen Wright Marsh to discuss:the importance of wonder as a spiritual practice (or discipline) -- even when we are in low seasons (maybe especially then)the importance of adapting new spiritual practices to actually fit into our lives and work for usspecific faith leaders of the past like Thomas Merton, Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi, and Brother Lawrence who invite us into new exercises and practices of wonder Additional Resource: Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Kelter, PhD.Guest Bio: Karen Wright Marsh is the founding director of Theological Horizons, a ministry at the University of Virginia that hosts lectures, spiritual studies, dialogues, and mentoring initiatives. She is the author of Vintage Saints and Sinners: 25 Christians Who Transformed My Faith, which was named an Outreach Resource of the Year, a Logos Booksellers Book of the Year, and a Foreword INDIES finalist. Karen holds a degree in philosophy from Wheaton College and a degree in linguistics from the University of Virginia. She lives with her professor husband, Charles Marsh, at the Bonhoeffer House in Charlottesville, Virginia. You can find her on Instagram @karenwrightmarsh or on her website at karenwrightmarsh.com

In this episode, host, Kelly Wolfe, shares her own personal faith story with Kate Boyd including:•how her first major faith evolution helped prepare her for the second•the factors at play in her transition out of & away from Evangelicalism•how she arrived in the Episcopal church•what she has found beautiful as well as challenging within the Episcopal church•what advice Kelly has for fellow travelers along the road of their faith evolution(s), and more!My thanks to Kate Boyd, author of the book An Untidy Faith, who joined me as a guest host for this episode.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Certified Sex Therapist, Michelle Mower, to discuss:the differences between regular therapy, sex therapy, and sexological bodyworkwho sex therapy is for (hint: any and everyone regardless of relationship status, sexual history or experience level, gender identity, or sexual orientation)how sex therapy can help (i.e., how to give and remove consent, how to talk about STIs, exploring your sexual orientation/identity, taking ownership of your own pleasure and sexuality, how to have healthy communication about sex, overcoming shame, working out your own sexual values, and more!)the particular ways that sex therapy can help us untangle from purity culturepractical tips for learning to discover what sensations you enjoy, finding your voice, asking for consent, etc.and more!Workbook Michelle mentions toward the end of our conversation: The Conscious Sexual Self Workbook: Fritchle, Melissa Jebian: 9781500810863: Amazon.com: BooksGuest Bio: Michelle Mower is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist- Associate, and a Certified Sex Therapist. As a marriage and family therapist, she observes interpersonal dynamics and assists couples and families to create unique relationships that work for them. Michelle uses a sex-positive approach with clients to address sexual concerns and facilitate a deeper understanding and acceptance of an individual's sexuality. She uses narrative, existential, and solution-focused therapeutic processes which are tailored to each individual, couple, or family. Michelle is certified in both levels 1 and 2 of the Gottman Institute's Method Couples Therapy, is a National Certified Counselor, a member of the Texas Counselor Association and the Texas Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. She is currently pursuing a PhD in counselor education at Sam Houston University.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by (returning Let It Matter Podcast guest) Devi Abraham, for a conversation-style episode where we discuss the (mostly) evangelical myth that we - as people and in particular as women - are untrustworthy in our decision making, instincts, intuition, wisdom, etc. Guest BioDevi Abraham is a writer, thinker and cohost of the Where Do We Go From Here? podcast which invites listeners to untangle sex, self and community for a new generation of Christians and to Leave behind purity culture and save what matters. Her writing has been featured in Religion News Service, Sojourners, and ABC Everyday, and she also teaches writing workshops in Melbourne. Devi has a Bachelor's degrees in Journalism and History and loves reading, cooking, and gardening. You can find her in the evenings watching clips of Stephen Colbert on YouTube and eating dark chocolate. She and her husband live in Melbourne, Australia with their three sons, and two pet rabbits. You can find her on Twitter and IG @devi_writes and the WDWGFH podcast @wheredowegopod Join the Let It Matter Podcast Patreon Partner Community at Patreon.com/letitmatterpod

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, spiritual companion, and fellow podcast host, Lisa Colón DeLay to discuss themes from her book, The Wild Land Within, about ways to fill out and cultivate our inner landscapes and spiritual formation — including reincorporating Eastern or Orthodox understandings into our western worldviews, liberation theology and listening to voices from the non-dominant culture, and contemplative prayer practices, including tips for Neurodivergent/ADHD folks who may struggle with contemplative practices, and so much more!Guest Bio: Lisa Colón DeLay (she/her) is a Puerto Rican author, broadcaster, creator, teacher, spiritual companion, and passionate creative collaborator. She is the author of The Wild Land Within: Cultivating Wholeness Through Spiritual Practice, and since 2015 has been the host of the Spark My Muse podcast. Lisa's projects center around enriching the invaluable spaces within each person and the spaces and ways that connect us—for healing within relationships, families, communities, and in the world at large. She has a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Communication Design and a Master's degree in Spiritual Formation, and currently lives in Philadelphia PA. You can find her on Twitter @lisadelay, IG @lisacolondelay, or on her website at lisadelay.com

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, historian, scholar, public theologian, and preacher, Dr. Diana Butler Bass to discuss:-Diana's personal story as a woman, scholar, and theologian before that was widely accepted within much of American Christianity -the recent history of American evangelicalism and the shift made between the 70s and 80s onward, which draws a straight line to the state of evangelicalism we see today-whether or not certainty in our faith is in itself a virtue, what makes it so enticing, and what the focus of our certainty can/should be-how to cultivate curiosity in our personal lives of faith, and much more!Guest Bio: Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., (she/her) is an award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America's most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality. She holds a doctorate in religious studies from Duke University and is the author of eleven books. Her bylines include The New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN.com, Atlantic.com, USA Today, Huffington Post, Spirituality and Health, Reader's Digest, Christian Century, and Sojourners. She has commented on religion, politics, and culture in the media widely including on CBS, CNN, PBS, NPR, CBC, FOX, Sirius XM, TIME, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and in multiple global news outlets. Diana lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband, her puppy, and their sometimes-successful backyard garden. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @dianabutlerbass, on her website at dianabutlerbass.com or subscribe to her fantastic weekly newsletter/writing called The Cottage at dianabutlerbass.substack.com

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by lesbian therapist and Christian, Candice Czubernat, to discuss LGBTQIA+ allyship. -in the language, words, terminology, and pronouns we use-in the societal and political sphere -in the Church and in our homes (whether or not there is anyone "out" - that we know of)-and in the environments that we create and contribute to around us, and so much more!In this ep, Candice mentions the non-profit org she recently founded called Affirming Therapy, which raises funds for LGBTQIA+ folks who need affirming therapy services but can't afford it. To donate one time or setup a recurring monthly donation, go to https://www.mightycause.com/donate/Christian-Closet-FoundationAdditional Links/Resources from this Episode:- "My Kid Came Out. What Do I Do Next?" episode of Where Do We Go From Here? podcast-Candice's Therapy and Coaching Practice, The Christian Closet-Michelle Obama's book referenced in this episode is called The Light We CarryGuest Bio: Candice Czubernat (she/her) identifies as a lesbian and a Christian, she has been a therapist for 17 years and is the founder of the LGBTQ affirming counseling and coaching practice, The Christian Closet, as well as the teletherapy organization Progressive Christian Counseling. In both ministries, she and her team meet with people from all over the world for online telehealth sessions as they navigate the many intersections of life with a Christian faith. She has also recently launched and is the executive director of Affirming Therapy, a non-profit whose main goal is to raise funds for LGBTQ+ people who can't afford mental health services.Candice is a graduate of The Moody Bible Institute and The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. She lives in a small mountain town in southern California with her wife, the love of her life, Crystal, and their 8-year-old boy/girl twins Deacon and Dylan. You can find her on IG @lesbiantherapist or @lgbtq_affirming_therapy or on her website at candiceczubernat.com.

In this episode, host, Kelly Wolfe, is joined by Lyndsey Medford, author of the recently released book My Body and Other Crumbling Empires as:-Lyndsey shares her experience with chronic illness (a rare autoimmune disorder diagnosed in childhood, in remission for several years in older adolescence/early adulthood, and which has returned), disability, and how she has learned to see her illness/disability as a potentially lifelong companion, rather than an enemy. We also discuss:—how our bodies can become sites of Divine revelation, and how she has been met, and ministered to, by God through her body;—burnout, self-care, and when we might need to be looking deeper into the ways we order our lives to better honor our human limitations;— ideas like communal sin/ unintended consequences, and how Shalom (wholeness and integrity found also in community) can help us work toward righting our collective wrongs… and lots more!If you have feedback, questions, or comments about this episode, we want to hear them! Join the conversation on Twitter @letitmatterpod and @kellykwolfe, on IG @letitmatterpodcast , or on the Contact Form on letitmatter.com To partner with the show on Patreon or for more information about it, head over to Patreon.com/letitmatterpod Guest Bio: Lyndsey Medford is a writer, activist, and sometimes disabled person. She lives with a rare autoimmune disorder in the American South and is the author of My Body and Other Crumbling Empires: Lessons for Healing in a World That is Sick. She writes and speaks about spirituality and justice from a disabled and feminist perspective in the tradition of the Christian mystics. She holds a master of theological studies degree from Boston University School of Theology. She and her husband live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. You can find her on Twitter and IG @lyndseymedford or on her website at lyndseyvmedford.com

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, Catholic contemplative writer, and retreat leader, Shannon K. Evans, to discuss:some of the harms caused by "white feminism" and how BIPOC (especially women of color), LGBTQIA+ folks, those in poverty, etc are able to reveal blindspots in white feminism that we need to learn from,Shannon's experience being a feminist in a Christian tradition almost entirely led (in an official capacity at least) by men and how she makes that work for her faith,what sparked the invitation in Shannon's faith to re-imagine God in the feminine, as a Mother, and in other ways that allow her to relate to God in new ways, including with the use of Marian imagery and theology,who her book, Feminist Prayers for My Daughter, is truly for -- and it's far more of us than just mothers of daughters.Additional Links mentioned in the episode:Instagram Live with Shannon and Casey Stanton (of Discerning Deacons) discussing the recent developments within the Catholic Church's listening synod & voting bodyRewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality by Shannon K. Evans on AmazonOur Lady of Peace (which Kelly pointed to during the recording with Shannon and has hanging on her wall) and Our Lady Undoer of Knots (mentioned by Kelly in the conversation on ways that Marian imagery helps us relate to God in the feminine), both by Modern Saints by Gracie. Both are shown on this page which contains all of Gracie's Marian imagery & devotions.Guest Bio: Shannon K. Evans (she/her), a writer in the contemplative Catholic tradition, is the author of Rewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality and Embracing Weakness. She is the social media editor for National Catholic Reporter, a retreat leader for the Jesuits of the U.S. and Canada, a regular contributor to Franciscan Media, and has written for U.S. Catholic, America, and Geez (Jeez) magazines. Shannon speaks regularly at churches, small groups, conferences, and retreats on topics related to motherhood, prayer, and justice, and leads groups in guided meditation. She is a mother of five and lives in Ames, Iowa. You can find her on Twitter @ShannonKayEvans, on Instagram @ShannonKEvans, and on her website at www.shannonkevans.com

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Quaker pastor, Hannah Mullikin Lutz to explore various aspects of Quaker faith & spirituality like:The origins of Quakerism and defining characteristicsQuaker theology and practice around things like: God, mankind, egalitarianism, pacifism, sin, prayer, governance, gathering, the Bible, etc.and more!To become a Patreon Partner with the podcast, go to Patreon.com/letitmatterpod and join us for as little as $4/mo (USD)!Guest Bio: Hannah Lutz (she/her) is a Quaker pastor living in southwest Ohio with her husband and three dogs. In addition to her work as a pastor, Hannah works for the wider body of Quakers as her yearly meeting's office administrator and coaches middle school track. For fun, Hannah enjoys hiking, biking, writing, and reading good books. You can find her on IG @hannahmullikinlutz

In this conversation, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, speaker, and fellow podcast host, Kat Armas, to discuss:how Kat came to and started to see the Bible and the role of women through the lens of what she calls Abuelita Faith or Abuelita Theologywho benefits (and how) when we read the Bible through the lens of the oppressed, rather than the oppressor -- and when we see ourselves rightly in the textthe wisdom, legacy, and sacredness of the survival of women and their faith, and how women (and especially marginalized women) so often become the unofficial priestesses, pastors, and ministers in their families and communitiesvarious women from Scripture and how they pave the way for all of us todaythe Holy Spirit, as the "feminine wild child of the Trinity" and feminine personification of Divine Wisdom (quote from Zaida Maldonado Perez, as referenced in Abuelita Faith)Additional Links: Episode 1 of Let It Matter Podcast - The Image and Image-Bearers of God Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture (Kat's Upcoming Book)Guest Bio: Kat Armas (she/her) is a Cuban-American writer and speaker, and host of The Protagonistas podcast, where she highlights stories of everyday women of color, including writers, pastors, church leaders, and theologians. She is the author of Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength which came out in 2021. And has also written for Christianity Today, Sojourners, Relevant, Christians for Biblical Equality, Fuller Youth Institute, Fathom magazine, and Missio Alliance. She has an MDiv and MAT from Fuller Theological Seminary, she speaks regularly at conferences on race and justice and lives in Nashville, TN with her family. You can find her on Twitter and IG @kat_armas or on her website at katarmas.com

In this episode, Kelly Wolfe is joined by writer and theologian, Erin Lane, to discuss themes from her recent book Someone Other Than A Mother, like:the social scripts & messaging we hear in the Church and in American culture about the virtues of motherhood, its inevitability, and the stigma of remaining childfreelearning to exercise agency over our choices and defy social scripts, while recognizing how they are still presentwhat to do when motherhood is already your reality but it is not the fulfilling, blissful experience the social scripts and narratives promisedhow to combat feelings of inferiority or comparison with other women who have made different choicesGuest Bio: Erin S. Lane is a writer, theologian, and someone other than a mother. She is the author of Someone Other Than a Mother and Lessons in Belonging from a Church-Going Commitment Phobe. She holds a bachelor's degree from Davidson College and a master's degree from Duke Divinity School, both with a focus on gender studies. Mentored by Parker J. Palmer and the Center for Courage & Renewal, she works as a vocational retreat facilitator, helping people discern their wildest questions of purpose. She resides in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her improbable kin. You can find her on Twitter and IG @heyerinlane or on her website at erinslane.com, and her Substack is erinslane.substack.com

Content Warning for this episode: alcohol use, addiction, sexual assault, trauma coping mechanisms, and recovery. In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Episcopal priest, spiritual director, and recovery coach, Erin Jean Warde to discuss themes from her new book, Sober Spirituality: The Joy of a Mindful Relationship with Alcohol, including:our shared experiences with addiction/substance abuse, recovery, and family histories of those thingswhat it means and looks like to have a more mindful relationship with alcohol, our coping mechanisms, and sobrietythe rise in "Mommy-Wine Culture" and the ways women - mothers in particular - are being harmed by it -- in everything from memes to merchandise to social media to new alcoholic productsways those in the Church can be better allies to those in recovery -- especially in terms of the Eucharist, "theology on tap" type social events, and more.Guest Bio: The Rev. Erin Jean Warde (she/her) is an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, recovery coach, and writer. She is the author of Sober Spirituality: The Joy of a Mindful Relationship with Alcohol, coming out April 18, 2023. She offers a course, Discerning Sobriety, which helps participants bring spiritual practices and mindfulness into their relationship with alcohol. She is a Certified Daring Way Facilitator, so she incorporates the research of Brene Brown in the many facets of her work. She lives in Austin, TX with her 3 cats, and in her free time you can find her watching comedy, and thrift or vintage shopping. You can find her on Twitter and IG at @erinjeanwarde. You can explore her offerings around recovery coaching, spiritual direction, and more at www.erinjeanwarde.com. She also has a Substack, called Gather the Inklings, which includes free weekly posts and a community, which you can also find on her website.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author and Licensed Professional Counselor, Aundi Kolber, to discuss themes from Aundi's new book, Strong Like Water: Finding the Freedom, Safety, & Compassion to Move Through Hard Things — & Experience True Flourishing -- themes like:what it means for us to redefine strength, and how it serves us to do sothe importance of felt safetyhow to begin building (or rebuilding) trust with our own good selves, andhow to recognize integration in ourselves when it starts to happen.Links for this Episode: Episode 2: Believing in Our Belovedness with Aundi Kolber AundiKolber.com Aundi Kolber on Twitter Aundi Kolber on Instagram Guest Bio: Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC) and author of the critically acclaimed Try Softer. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by writer and fellow podcast host, Devi Abraham, to discuss several aspects women & work, including:Having the choice to to stay at home and not work outside the home is an example of privilegeHow can we leverage our privilege so that more and more women and families can choose what's best for themThe value of our work -- whether paid or unpaid -- and how value is determined, assigned, and recognizedHow capitalism forms us -- as a society, but especially as women -- and how the post-COVID "quiet quitting" revolution was a direct response to the hustle capitalism forces us intoThere is also a 2-minute sneak peak of a part of the conversation only in Patreon all about MLMs.ONLY ON PATREON: Devi and Kelly also spent about 25 minutes talking all things MLMs: their ubiquity in evangelicalism, the societal problem they aim to address with their business model, whether the reality actually does address it, and how many MLMs operate very similarly to the evangelical church in the West. To hear the full uncut conversation, head over to Patreon.com/letitmatterpod and join our Patreon Partner community for just $4/mo (US).GUEST BIO: Devi Abraham is a writer, thinker and cohost of the Where Do We Go From Here? podcast which invites listeners to untangle sex, self and community for a new generation of Christians and to Leave behind purity culture and save what matters. Her writing has been featured in Religion News Service, Sojourners, and ABC Everyday, and she also teaches writing workshops in Melbourne. Devi has a Bachelor's degrees in Journalism and History and loves reading, cooking, and gardening. You can find her in the evenings watching clips of Stephen Colbert on YouTube and eating dark chocolate. She and her husband live in Melbourne, Australia with their three sons. You can find her on Twitter and IG @devi_writes.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, singles coach, and host of the Unsuitable Podcast, MaryB. Safrit, to discuss:the dominant narratives singles tell the Church about what it means to be a single Christian in the American/Western church (and who is left out when we limit our thinking to one kind of single Christian)dominant narratives the Church tells singles about themselves, God, their sin & need for constant accountability/supervision (what Kelly calls "roommate theology"), marriage, parenthood, sanctification, and wisdomways that single Christians can do internal work to wrestle with and ultimate shed, call out, and refuse to participate in messaging and narratives that either no longer serve them or are actively harmful, and more.Additional Resources and Links mentioned in this episode:Unsuitable with MaryB. Safrit Podcast, Season 9, Episode 1 where Kelly joined MaryB.'s podcast to discuss gender roles, purity culture, therapy, changing desires, and faith evolutions. (Available wherever you listen to podcasts; link goes to show site.)Singles Coaching Interest Form (fill this out for a free 60-minute introductory coaching call); Singles Coaching websiteMaryB's Book: The Single Christian's Church Survival Guide: How to Navigate Church Culture and Conversations Without Losing Your MindFrom the Let It Matter Blog: Kelly's journey of being consciously uncoupled and child-free https://letitmatter.com/blog/f/consciously-uncoupled-child-freeGUEST BIO: MaryB. Safrit is an author, producer, and singles coach passionate about closing the gap between what the church offers and what single Christians need. Her book, The Single Christian's Church Survival Guide: How to Navigate Church Culture and Conversations Without Losing Your Mind, is available on Amazon. You can listen to Unsuitable with MaryB. Safrit wherever you get your podcasts. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok @maryb.safrit. Check out more writings, resources, and freebies at marybsafrit.com.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, poet-storyteller, and speaker, Kaitlin Curtice to discuss themes from her new book, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day, including:Radical Self-love as an act of resistance from a lens of embodiment, rather than capitalism and consumerismEthics as resistance, especially what it means to decolonize the way some of us practice yoga and engage wellness spacesResistance work from a place of joy rather than just angerSolidarity Work as resistance - in the big social moments and the day-to-day smaller moments - and how we can make sure it doesn't slip into becoming performative.A full transcript of this episode is available at rss.com/podcasts/letitmatterpodcastSome additional resources mentioned in this episode:Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul by Najwa ZebianEmbrace Yoga's Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice by Susanna BarkatakiA Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held EvansGUEST BIO: Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing. As an inter-spiritual advocate, Kaitlin participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships. She is the author of Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God and of course her new book as I mentioned, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day. Besides her books, Kaitlin has written online for Sojourners, Religion News Service, Apartment Therapy, On Being, SELF Magazine, Oprah Daily, and more. Her work has been featured on CBS and in USA Today. She also writes a substack called The Liminality Journal. Kaitlin lives in Philadelphia with her family.Kaitlin's Links: Twitter, Instagram, Substack, Website

In this BONUS episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined once again by her personal therapist, Jamie Williams, LPC-S, to discuss:-how to identify when a boundary needs to be set (what it feels like in our bodies, our moods, our relationships that indicates a new boundary is needed or an existing one is not being honored)-why it is important that our boundaries are based on and uphold our own personal values, rather than being based on the behavior of someone else -how to prepare for and have the hard conversations needed to establish or enforce our boundaries, and -how establishing and enforcing boundaries based on our values empowers us to have healthy relationships, integration, and self-attunement. Resource mentioned in this episode:Inner Child Meditation (Healing Your Inner Child by Rising Woman)Jamie Williams is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and the founder of Prosperity Counseling Services. She has over 10 years of experience in helping clients with a wide range of concerns, diagnoses, and traumas. Her therapeutic approach combines Gestalt, Narrative, Jungian Analysis, Experiential, and trauma-focused counseling modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Jamie is also certified in and utilizes Integrative Somatic Parts Work and Neurofeedback. Jamie holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Child and Family studies from Arizona State University and a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. She is also currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Saybrook University. You can follow her/her practice on IG @prosperitycounseling or visit her website at prosperitycounseling.org.

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by artist and iconographer, Kelly Latimore, to discuss:what icons are and historically how they have been an integral part of the Church's spiritual formation, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Churchhow icons can play a role in spiritual formation for Christians still today, especially for those who may not have grown up experiencing their integration into faith expressionsthe role icons can also play in social dialogue, specifically in this conversation around guns, racial injustice, immigration, gender and LGBTQIA+ discrimination in the church, andthe contemplative spiritual practice of Visio Divina: how it's practiced and how it forms usThe specific icons discussed in this conversation will also be posted on this show's Instagram profile in the carousel for this episode.You can find him on Instagram @kellylatimoreicons, on Twitter @KLICONS, or you can view his gallery, shop for prints/candles/etc., and more on his website at kellylatimoreicons.comGUEST BIO: Kelly Latimore is an artist and iconographer from St. Louis, MO. He started painting icons in 2010 while a member of the Common Friars, a small monastic farming community in Athens, Ohio. Latimore's icons often mix classic orthodox iconographic imagery with figures representing the marginalized and the oppressed among us here and now. Latimore's icon “Refugees: La Sagrada Familia,” in which the flight to Egypt is interpreted as Latinx immigrants crossing the desert, adorns the cover of Pope Francis's book “A Stranger and You Welcomed Me.” Latimore has also created a diverse array of icons of unexpected saints such as poet Mary Oliver, author James Baldwin, and TV host Mr. Rogers, and many more.

In this episode, Kelly interviews author, speaker, and immigrant advocate, Karen González, about what it looks like to, and ways we can, center immigrants in the Christian response to immigration. They discuss:the importance of language and the words we choose to use (or choose to unlearn) when talking about immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, as well as the real consequences of that language in their livesethics para joder, where citizens and immigrants partner together to "screw with the system" and defy unjust laws for the protection and flourishing of allpractical, actionable ways we can move the needle toward justice and equity and flourishing for immigrants on both small and large scales, locally and nationally...and the political landscape of recent history and where things stand currently, and what that means for how we vote and what we do in the meantime.THE CONGRESSIONAL SWITCHBOARD PHONE NUMBER TO CALL TO BE CONNECTED TO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE & SENATORS IS (202) 224-3121.GUEST BIO: Karen González is a writer, speaker, and immigrant advocate who emigrated from Guatemala as a child. She attended Fuller Theological Seminary, where she studied theology and missiology, and has worked in the nonprofit sector for 13 years. In addition to her first book, The God Who Sees: Immigrants, The Bible, and the Journey to Belong, she has written for Christianity Today, the Christian Century, Sojourners, and The Baltimore Sun. Her second book, Beyond Welcome, was released in October of 2022. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.You can find her on Twitter and IG @_karenjgonzalez, on her website at karen-gonzalez.com or on her substack at karengonzalez.substack.com.

In this episode, Kelly is joined by author, psychotherapist, and fellow podcast host, Matthias Roberts for part two of this two-part series on Defining Sexual Values for Ourselves. In it, they discuss:how sexual shame can develop within faith-based upbringings (specifically Christianity in this episode)three specific types of shame-based coping mechanisms: shamefulness, shamelessness, and autopilotre-framing the Bible and Christian faith so that they can still inform our sexual values and ethics, but in a more robust, honest, wholistic wayvarious passages of scripture usually taught within evangelicalism and/or purity culture but that leave us with an incomplete "biblical sexual ethic"how people on the journey of defining their own sexual values will often get it right, and will often get it wrong -- and both are normal, okay, and part of the process.GUEST BIO: Matthias Roberts (he/him) is a queer psychotherapist, podcaster, and author of Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms. He is also the host of Queerology: A Podcast on Belief and Being and co-host of Selfie alongside fellow therapist Kristen Howerton. Matthias holds two master's degrees, one in Theology & Culture and one in Counseling Psychology. He is a Fellow at the Allender Center, a nonprofit helping survivors of trauma and abuse heal by stepping courageously into their stories of pain and harm. Matthias writes and speaks nationwide about the intersections between gender, sexuality, mental health, and theology. His newest book, Holy Runaways will release in Fall 2023 (pre-order available now!). You can find Matthias on Twitter and Instagram @matthiasroberts, or on his website. His podcasts Queerology and Selfie are both available wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, Kelly is joined by award-winning and nationally-recognized sex educator, Erica Smith, for the first episode in two-part series on defining sexual values and ethics for ourselves. Here, in Part One, Erica walks us through the Five Circles of Sexuality, originally developed by Dr. Dennis Dailey in 1981, and adapted in Erica's resource My Sexual Values Workbook. We discuss:What the five circles of sexuality are and how they can help us sort through our beliefs, convictions, comfort levels, knowledge, and more to begin defining sexual ethics and values for ourselvesIntimacy: Within this circle are things like communication, non-sexual intimacy in all kinds of relationships, casual sex/dating, commitment, vulnerability, boundaries, and moreSensuality: Within this circle is the ability to give and receive pleasure, to identify what gives us pleasure, fantasy, arousal, desire, how we feel about masturbation for ourselves and/or a partner, the orgasm gap, etc.Power & Sexualization: In this section, we discuss things like agency, consent, power differentials, coercion, manipulation, sexual violence, victim-blaming, using others for our own benefit without care/concern for them, and moreSexual Health & Reproduction: In this section, Erica walks us through what types of things we'll encounter in this circle like contraceptives (communal and individual), STIs, pregnancy, abortion (communal and individual), anatomy, etc.Sexual Identity: Within this circle, Erica talks us through gender identity, sexual orientation, and attraction (whether you identify as on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum or as a cisgendered, straight person).GUEST BIO: Erica Smith (she/her) is an award winning sexuality educator and consultant with over 20 years of experience. She has provided comprehensive sex education and advocacy to young women and LGBTQ+ youth in Philadelphia's juvenile justice system, worked in abortion care, and supported HIV+ and transgender adolescents and their families. In 2019, she developed the Purity Culture Dropout™️ Program to help people learn all of the sex education that they missed growing up in purity culture- sex ed that is accurate, queer inclusive, trauma informed, compassionate, and comprehensive. Erica lives in Philadelphia with her partner and house full of rescue animals. You can find her on Twitter, on Instagram, or at her website by clicking those links. Erica's resource workbooks can be found on her website, or at this link: https://www.ericasmitheac.com/webinars-books

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Jenna DeWitt, a fierce advocate for queer belonging and full celebration in the Church and a woman who identifies as a sapphic aromantic asexual. Jenna is a writer, editor, and resource curator, and today she joins the show to talk about:what the "A" in the acronym LGBTQIA+ stands for (asexual, aromantic, agender)what allo-normativity and amato-normativity mean and why they, as societal and cultural norms in the West and certainly within the Church, need to be dismantled and destroyedwhy the conversation around liberation has to include the freedom not to do something (like have sex, get married, be partnered, have children, etc.), just as much as the freedom to do it, and the freedom to decide for oneself.Guest Bio: Jenna DeWitt (she/her) is a writer, editor, and resource curator. She uses her powers as a sapphic aromantic asexual to advocate for queer belonging in the church and greater awareness of aromanticism and asexuality within affirming theology. Her website, InvisibleCakeSociety.com, provides resources, essays, poetry, and podcast interviews exploring the many facets of queerness, faith evolution, mental health, and more ways people can feel unseen. She lives in sunny Southern California with her 15 plants.Website: https://invisiblecakesociety.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jenna_DeWittTumblr: https://invisiblecakesociety.tumblr.com/Jenna and I joined the CulturalSavage podcast in 2021 to discuss desire, lust, masturbation, sex, and more. You can find links to that episode on letitmatter.com/mediaJenna also joined me on the Let It Matter Blog's Women of Valor series to talk all things Mary Magdalene. You can watch or listen to that conversation here: https://letitmatter.com/blog/f/woman-of-valor-mary-magdalene?blogcategory=Woman+of+Valor

In this bonus episode, Kelly is joined by her personal therapist, Jamie Williams, LPC-S, to talk about:what it means and what is happening in our bodies, brains, and behaviors when we are being triggered after experiencing traumasome tools and practices to keep on-hand when we are triggered to help regulate our bodies and brains back toward safetywhat it looks and feels like in our bodies, brains, and behaviors when we are returning to safety GUEST BIO: Jamie Williams is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and the founder of Prosperity Counseling Services. She has over 10 years of experience in helping clients with a wide range of concerns, diagnoses, and traumas. Her therapeutic approach combines Gestalt, Narrative, Jungian Analysis, Experiential, and trauma-focused counseling modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Jamie is also certified in and utilizes Integrative Somatic Parts Work and Neurofeedback. Jamie holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Child and Family studies from Arizona State University and a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. She is also currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Saybrook University. You can find her on IG @prosperitycounseling or on her website at prosperitycounseling.com

This week, licensed professional counselor and author of Attached to God, Krispin Mayfield joins the show to talk to us about:Attachment Science (previously called Attachment Theory) as a concept and helpful tool -- particularly as it pertains to spirituality and our relationship with GodThe three insecure attachment styles/strategies: anxious attachment, shutdown attachment/avoidant attachment, and shame-filled attachmentand how we can move into secure attachment with God from each other the three insecure stylesKrispin also gives examples throughout the episode of some common messaging heard within Evangelicalism that contributes to insecure attachment with God and, then offers us a truer, more beautiful word in place of those harmful messages.Krispin has generously partnered with the Let It Matter Podcast to giveaway two signed copies of his book. For details on how to enter to win one of those, stay tuned for the end of the episode or keep an eye on the show's IG account.GUEST BIO: Krispin Mayfield has a background in full-time ministry and now practices therapy with individuals and couples as a licensed professional counselor with the state of Oregon. He has training in attachment-based emotionally focused therapy. His first book, Attached to God: A Practical Guide to Deeper Spiritual Experience, was released in 2022. He and his wife have a podcast about 80's and 90's evangelical media called The Prophetic Imagination Station. You can find him on Twitter @K_Mayfield, on IG @krispinmayfield, and on his website at krispinmayfield.com.

This is a really special episode of the Let It Matter Podcast. My guest this week is Amanda Held Opelt, who joined me for a very personal, intimate conversation about our respective experiences of grief and:the ways it transformed us (hint: entirely and forever, in big and small ways),the ways our grief itself has transformed and evolved over time,and how engaging creativity and creative outlets for helped us to process our grief and preserve our memories of such hard, sacred, holy moments.WANT TO EXPLORE THIS TOPIC FURTHER? JOIN US IN PATREON! Get the full uncut interview (over 20 more minutes of this conversation, most of which is discussing how grief changed our faith and how we wrestled with God in our losses) when you join our Patreon Partner community!For just $4 per month (USD), you get exclusive bonus content, additional episodes, exclusive giveaways of books/art/resources, etc, and access to Monthly Matterings, a private monthly zoom call with host Kelly Wolfe and Patreon Partners to discuss recent episodes in more depth, to connect with one another and build community, and to name what is mattering to us each month. For more info or to join the community, go to letitmatterpodcast.com/partnersThe morning after we recorded this conversation, Amanda posted a short reflection on her IG from a term that I used in the episode, "Grief Muscles." Her thoughts were really helpful and beautiful. Read the post hereAmanda recently released her first book, A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing, which she has generously partnered with us to give away a copy so stay tuned at the end of the episode for more details on that.Guest Bio: Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. She writes about faith, grief, and creativity, and believes in the power of community, ritual, shared worship, and storytelling to heal even our deepest wounds. Amanda has spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors. She lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, with her husband and two young daughters.Twitter | Instagram | Website | Spotify

On today's episode I am joined by trauma therapist and author, K.J. Ramsey, to talk about:our body's response to trauma, stress, circumstance, and safetylearning to believe that what our bodies are speaking to us is trustworthy and for our goodspiritual abuse and church harm and what courage looks like specifically in that situationthe theological concept and spiritual practice of blessingYou can find K.J. online at kjramsey.com or across social media @kjramseywrites.Details for the giveaway of K.J.'s newest book, The Book of Common Courage, are in the episode or on the show's IG @letitmatterpodcast

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Sharifa Stevens to discuss Queen Vashti (from the book of Esther chapters 1 and 2), the power and implications of a woman's "no", the ripple effects of women asserting their own agency and autonomy and Knowing from God that can stretch generations, and more!**CW: Because of the time period in the Bible in which this story takes place, there are brief mentions in this conversation of marital abuse, rape, sexual assault & harassment, and alcohol abuse.Guest Bio: Sharifa is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, born and raised in New York, and currently residing with her family in Dallas, TX. She graduated from Columbia University in New York with a Bachelor in African American Studies before earning a master in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Sharifa is a conglomeration of intersections: Bronx wisdom and prep-school code-switching; smoke shop Now-and-Laters and church peppermints; hip-hop and hymns. Intersections can be a mash-up—rife with both tragedy and opportunity; places of pause within movement. Sharifa aspires to use writing as a vehicle that moves readers to intersect with the sacred and the honest. She contributed to the book Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting Sexualized, Vilified, & Marginalized Women of the Bible and Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice. Sharifa is married to a Renaissance man, and mother to two lively boys.You can find her on Twitter and IG @sharifawrites. Her substack can be found at: https://sharifahstevens.substack.com and her website is sharifastevens.com

Today, author and homeless services worker and advocate, Kevin Nye, joins the Let It Matter Podcast to talk about issues of justice and faith regarding our unhoused/homeless neighbors.Kevin's book, Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness, is available now where books are sold!You can find Kevin on Twitter and IG @kevinmnye1 or on his website at kevinmnye.comGoogle local trainings on Narcan/Naloxone if you're interested in learning more about that.

Today, we are joined by therapist and author, Aundi Kolber, to discuss what it means to have "an embodied sense of our Beloved-ness" -- to God, to ourselves, and to others, and the steps we can take toward that. We also discuss what it means to be trauma-informed, grounding exercises, breath prayer, and beauty-hunting.Some Context: I initially recorded this interview with Aundi for the Let It Matter blog series, Embodying Faith, back on November 24, 2021. If you would like to watch that full-length original interview in video format, you can do so here: https://letitmatter.com/blog/f/embodying-faith-trying-softer---featuring-aundi-kolber?blogcategory=Embodying+Faith or here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTcP4rNyeWk That videos has not been edited or cut down, nor does it include the Why This Matters or Benediction sections that are in this podcast episode.Guest Bio:Aundi Kolber is a Licensed Professional Counselor (MA LPC), writer, and speaker. She specializes in trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, and (in) courage. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard won knowledge around the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Her books Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode - and into a Life of Connection and Joy; as well as The Try Softer Guided Journey: A Soulful Companion to Healing are available on Amazon and other major book retailers, or request them at your local library!She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @aundikolber or her website is aundikolber.com.

Surprise! The first episode of Let It Matter Podcast is here, and I'm excited to bring you guys a sample of what's to come in January.This episode discusses the male and female aspects of God, and God's image, as well as the ways that God's image-bearers have historically been misrepresented in English translations of Scripture.An almost verbatim transcript of this episode is available here: https://letitmatter.com/blog/f/woman-of-valor-the-image-image-bearers-of-godThis episode features the scholarly work of Dr. Wilda Gafney in her book A Woman's Lectionary for the Whole Year, as well Rachel Held Evans in her books A Year of Biblical Womanhood and Inspired.