Suffer Strong Podcast

Blessed are those who mourn. Most of us have heard it over and over…but I know I'm not the only one wondering how this could be true in God's kingdom.Megan Fate Marshman will give you imagination for how the mourning and meek and poor in spirit might be called blessed…and might actually believe they're blessed. This friend of mine has navigated the deepest kind of loss after her husband's death in 2021. Since then, Megan has become a survival guide for grieving and healing with hope. She is navigating her “new normal” with incomparable grace, gratitude, and a steady trust in God's good plan. Today she's sharing how she's managing to do that, and how you can too.Here's just a bit of the riches waiting for you if you listen:The surprising blessing of being needyWhy we've got to be honest with God about our anger and anxietyBuilding your dream team of friendsWhat “good” actually means, by God's definitionThe role of spiritual rhythms in our soul formationIf you need a fresh vision for flourishing in the most difficult seasons, this episode is for you.“The good things of God are chiefly peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost in this life; fruition of God's presence, and vision of his blessed face in the next, and these good things God never bestows upon the wicked, never withholds from the godly.” - Sir Richard Baker“Settled Into Place” by Oh Sparrow - https://youtu.be/oa7zaK_lP-k?feature=sharedMegan Fate Marshman on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meganfate/Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing by Megan Fate Marshman - https://a.co/d/4m4JNv2Scriptures referenced in this episode:Matthew 5Revelation 21Psalm 139Romans 8:28Psalm 84:11There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

From the early days of my stroke recovery, home—and all the rituals of home—have been a major part of my healing. Home has looked a lot of ways over the years, but my family and I have always tried to make it a place of comfort, rest, and connection. If you're on a journey to finding a “new normal,” I cannot overstate the importance of making your home into a place of healing.So how do we do that exactly? Today I'm joined by Phylicia Masonheimer, who believes in the power our homes have in forming us and ministering to others. We're talking through the big and small ways that any home can be a place of soul-deep rest and renewal.Phylicia is a mom and wife, bestselling author, Bible teacher, and the founder of Every Woman a Theologian. Her work is all about helping Christian women understand, live out, and communicate their faith with clarity and grace. I took away so much from our conversation. Here's a preview:How to make home a place of peace and productivityConnecting with God in our daily home routinesA beautiful new definition of hospitalityCreating a healing space when you don't have a typical home lifeIf you're looking for the first step toward your new normal, this conversation is the place to start!Show Notes:Mend Coffee and Goods - https://mendcoffee.com/Every Home a Foundation: Experiencing God through Your Everyday Routines by Phylicia Masonheimer - https://a.co/d/4WZyrQhPhylicia's website: phyliciamasonheimer.comPhylicia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phyliciamasonheimerScriptures referenced in this episode:Psalm 16:6Psalm 84:11***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

At some point, you've probably felt like you were living in some strange alternate version of your life. Maybe it was after a tragedy as dramatic as a stroke. Perhaps it was something as mundane as realizing you're middle aged. We desperately want to find our way back to the way life used to be, but it turns out that version of life is beyond our reach. So what are our options here? We can keep longing for what was—unsatisfied, absent, and stuck. Or we can learn to love the “new normal” in front of us. Yeah, I like that option.Today I'm joined by my wise and wonderful friend Susan Robinson to uncover how we can learn to love the lives we never imagined living.I loved this conversation so much. Here's a preview of what we got into…The thing that helped make my post-stroke life feel not only normal, but hopefulWhat advice I'd give to my pre-stroke selfWhat I miss most about my old lifeThe childhood dream that has been the most difficult to releaseI hope you enjoy this important conversation, friend, and, even more than that, I hope you can learn to truly enjoy your one precious life.Show Notes:Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting - https://a.co/d/51XN3fqWhat's Here Now?: How to Stop Rehashing the Past and Rehearsing the Future--and Start Receiving the Present by Jeannie Stevens - https://a.co/d/4EUeIXuThe GoodHard Story Podcast Episode 96: Losing Memory and Keeping Hope with Alzheimer's Expert Megan Carnarius - https://pod.link/1496882479/episode/60ed5c2e5e34383a7079f18c20333809Scriptures referenced in this episode:***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

“Hope is believing in advance what can only be understood in reverse.”These words have been the rally cry of my soul for over a decade now, but I didn't come up with them myself. Philip Yancey did. This gentle, thoughtful writer has spent his career exploring the topic of suffering which, as you can imagine, has meant so much to me. Today I have the honor of sitting down with Philip to talk about some things that we can't understand today, but trust we'll understand some day. (Like his recent Parkinson's diagnosis.)This hour with Philip filled my soul, and I think it'll do the same for you. Here's what you can expect if you join us in the conversation:Why pain is not the enemyThe most helpful definition of health I've heard yetWe can receive God's comfort, even when we don't understand HimStewarding the suffering we never wantedThe best thing we can be for God to use usIf you need a compassionate, encouraging voice speaking into your suffering—whatever it may be—then this episode is for you!Show Notes:Where Is God When It Hurts by Philip Yancey - https://a.co/d/6xf3QxVThe Gift of Pain: Why We Hurt and What We Can Do About It by Philip Yancey and Dr. Paul Brand - https://a.co/d/3GapVr9“Parkinson's—The Gift I Didn't Want” by Philip Yancey for Christianity Today - https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/02/philip-yancey-ct-parkinsons-diagnosis-gift-i-didnt-want/How Should We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture by Francis A. Schaeffer - https://a.co/d/f5H3bxkWhere the Light Fell: A Memoir by Philip Yancey - https://a.co/d/47InSUWScriptures referenced in this episode:2 Corinthians 1:4Romans 8***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Some of you will want to turn this episode off about three minutes in because we're talking about deconstruction. I say this with love: skipping this episode would be a mistake! Whether you've never doubted your faith for a moment or you're ready to burn it all down, today's conversation has something so good for you. I guarantee it.Having an out-of-the-blue stroke as a healthy 26 year-old and losing the life I loved so dearly pretty much cured me of pretending I had all the answers. Grief, heartbreak, and unmet expectations have a way of undoing the framework we have for reality—and that includes the way we understand God, the Bible, and our faith communities. Friends, on the other side of all my certainty I found something so much better. I learned mystery and doubt aren't something to fear or feel ashamed about.My guest is the remarkable Erin Hicks Moon. She's an hysterically funny and incredibly poignant writer and podcaster who has become a beloved spokeswoman for those of us who are tired of pretending to have all the answers.Here's a preview of what we'll get into:How to normalize doubt, rather than glamorize or villainize itWhy faith has become synonymous with certaintyHow to parent kids when we don't have all the answers about faithWhat do to when the Bible stops making senseIf you need to feel less alone and ashamed as you wrestle with your doubt, this episode is for you.Show Notes:I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out With God by Erin Moon - https://a.co/d/eqjrhLnMeredith Ann Miller - https://www.instagram.com/meredithannemillerCounterpoint series from Zondervan - https://zondervanacademic.com/products/category/counter-pointsGood Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand by Jeff Chu -https://a.co/d/1tXrmDUThe Faith Adjacent Podcast - https://faithadjacent.com/Erin on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erinhmoonErin on Substack - https://erinhmoon.substack.com/Scriptures referenced in this episode:Genesis 32:22-32***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Aging is a privilege and we should treat it like the gift it is. But the gift of aging comes with complex challenges and unavoidable sadnesses, like memory loss. If you're caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia—or if you're facing a memory loss diagnosis yourself—I want to offer some encouragement and practical wisdom for you to navigate this tender experience as well as you can.This week's podcast guest is Alzheimer's specialist Megan Carnarius, who is doing the hard and holy work of dignifying the experiences of people living with memory loss. I pray today's conversation with Megan gives you fresh hope for your future and the futures of the ones you love. Here's just a preview of what Meg and I covered:Making every stage of aging as good as it can beNavigating the “hand-off” of independenceLearning how to help the soul of our loved ones shine throughFinding “fall out” blessings in life with memory lossReframing our older years as an “Inner adventure”If you need expert advice for navigating the realities of memory loss, this episode is for you.Show Notes:A Deeper Perspective on Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Practical Tools with Spiritual Insights by Megan Carnarius - https://a.co/d/dI1lbRsScriptures referenced in this episode:2 Corinthians 4:16***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

I've processed and shared countless insights from my second-chance life, but no idea has resonated more deeply and widely with you all than the idea of “invisible wheelchairs.” You know what I'm talking about—those unseen parts of our stories that feel like they're holding us back from the most abundant versions of our lives.Maybe your invisible wheelchair is shame, doubt, worry, loneliness, or insecurity. As a physically disabled person, I'm dealing with “invisible wheelchairs” that have absolutely nothing to do with my stroke. There's plenty of dysfunction to go around (HA!) and I'm letting you into what feels most disabling to me these days.On this episode, my teammate Caroline and I are working through the invisible wheelchairs in our own lives and the opportunities they offer us, if we have eyes to see them.Tune into this episode to hear how you can…Identify your invisible wheelchairsFind creativity within your unique constraintsDe-personalize and get curious about your invisible wheelchairsShow up as the person you are today, not the one you thought you'd beIf you've needed language for the inside stuff that's holding you back, this episode is for you!Show Notes:Suffer Strong: How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything by Katherine and Jay Wolf - https://a.co/d/beOpiYdOpen Spaces Podcast with Jeff and Jourdan Johnson - https://www.theopenspacescollective.com/podcast⁠⁠Mend Coffee and Goods⁠ - https://www.mendcoffee.org/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠ - https://hopeheals.com/campThe Story Work Conference - https://theallendercenter.org/event/storyworkconference/Make Sense of Your Story: Why Engaging Your Past with Kindness Changes Everything  by Adam Young - https://theallendercenter.org/event/storyworkconference/Scriptures referenced in this episode:Romans 12:!2***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

“It's not so much our story that makes us who we are. It's God's story who makes us who we are.” Identity, for so many of us, is the sum of our memories, our personality, and the ability to tell the story of who we are. So what's left when we lose all the things that make us who we are? John Swinton is a disability theologian who is helping people find God in the experiences of mental illness, memory loss, and intellectual disability. This gentle genius (with a glorious Scottish accent, I might add!) hangs out in the places where memory, identity, and disability meet. Turns out, there's much to be learned about how to live and how to love from people experiencing mental challenges.Dr. Swinton shared more profound thoughts in our hour together than most of us will have in a decade. You don't want to miss his insights on...How do you live well when your mind is atypicalWhy hope and joy are a possibility, no matter whatDealing with the fear of losing your memory or cognitionFinding flexibility and humility in the Christian faithWhat we have wrong about our relationship to timeIf you want to believe there's more of us beyond our memories and our minds—or if you want to hear my attempt at a Scottish accent!—then this episode is for you.Show Notes:Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship by Dr. John Swinton - https://a.co/d/fHyOjJWScriptures referenced in this episode:Colossians 3:3***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Today I'm offering you a masterclass in grieving well. One day—maybe even today—you will look at your story and see the very thing you prayed you'd never see. You could numb out and absolutely no one would blame you. But you have another option. It's harder, but so much better.Today, in my most tender conversation ever on The GoodHard Story Podcast, my strong-yet-soft sister-in-law Mary Austin Wolf Hall shares the treasures she's found in the deep darkness of a late term miscarriage. She's faced her grief head-on as an act of faith and I've been changed by witnessing it.Here's a preview of what we'll unpack:How we can prevent unprocessed griefWhat felt most comforting after her lossFinding the right proportions of mourning and distractionWhat to do when the platitudes don't feel satisfyingIf you want to face your grief head-on when the time comes, this episode is for you.Friends, my conversation with Mary Austin will focus on late term miscarriage and infant loss. I pray God will use our words to encourage those of you who are ready to hear them. If this discussion doesn't feel supportive to you today, please feel free to skip today's episode.Show Notes:MEND Coffee and Goods: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Treasures in the Dark: https://a.co/d/7JrkmFvDark Clouds Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop: https://a.co/d/bC8aXBNEmpty Arms: Hope and Support for Those Who Have Suffered a Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Tubal Pregnancy by Pam Vredevelt: https://a.co/d/enkfvtbRisen Motherhood Podcast Grief mini-series: https://www.risenmotherhood.com/griefScriptures referenced in this episode:Job 42:10-13***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

You'll reckon with depression at some point in your life, if you haven't already. Whether it's seasonal, circumstantial, or a lifelong reality, it's possible to “partner with God” as we navigate depression. I had the privilege of taking notes from the winsome and wise Hannah Brencher about the disciplines she's putting into place to live faithfully with depression. Whether you're dealing with darkness today or simply looking to optimize your mental wellness, this conversation is packed with practical tips and refreshing takes on caring for our minds and souls.This is what's waiting for you on this episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast:Building a battle plan for depressionReframing wrestling with God as intimacy with GodDeveloping a soft heart and thick skinQuitting our addiction to distraction and numbing outIf you're looking for trustworthy straight talk about being a person of faith living with depression, this episode is for you.Show Notes:Hannah Brencher on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hannahbrencherScriptures referenced in this episode:John 9***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopehealsSubscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals

Chronic pain is an (often) invisible form of suffering that can swallow someone whole—body, mind, and soul. Persistent pain is a daily reality for so many of us. It's vitally important that we learn to cope and hope in healthy ways.Today I'm speaking with Olivia Feller-Gerber. She's an  author, entrepreneur, and advocate who has lived with the “invisible wheelchair” of chronic pain since she was a teenager. For those of us dealing with the felt-but-not-seen reality of chronic pain,  I want you to lock into this conversation. I'm praying it feels like a pep talk from God himself about holding onto hope when the pain just won't stop.Here's what this conversation holds for you:Letting go of the story you thought you should haveLiving like a victor rather than a victimRejecting our entitlement to health, comfort, and easeFacing a lifetime of pain with a “manna mindset”Supporting friends living with chronic painIf life with chronic pain feels lonely and overwhelming, this episode is for you.Show Notes:Olivia Feller Gerber on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/letterstoholdhope/Olivia's website - https://www.letterstoholdhope.com/Hold Hope: Encouragement for Christians with Chronic Pain by Olivia Feller - https://www.letterstoholdhope.com/holdhopebookEp. 85 - My New Way of Understanding Beauty with Brook Hensley - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-85-my-new-way-of-understanding-beauty-with/id1496882479?i=1000689600342Olivia's conversation starters Instagram Reel - https://www.instagram.com/p/DFJJOXPpdHf/Scriptures referenced in this episode:2 Chronicles 20:21Romans 8:28Exodus 16***There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopehealsSubscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9...Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals

I'm not gonna lie to you. Yes, my stroke set me free from cultural beauty standards in so many ways. But I do NOT have it all figured out. Strongholds and struggles remain. (Like the fact I obsessively highlight my hair every 8 weeks...) So I was a little intimated by this “Ask Me Anything” episode about beauty and body image. I feel like a fraud sometimes!You showed up with honest questions, so I tried to show up with honest answers in return. And my teammate Leah joined in to add some of her signature, straight-talk wisdom—and it's SO refreshing!You need to tune in to The GoodHard Story Podcast this week if you've asked yourself any of these questions:How do I learn to love a body that contributes to my suffering?What does God think of Botox? (My answer might surprise you!)How do I reckon with the reality of “pretty privilege?”Why do I let numbers on a scale determine my value?How can I rewire my brain from thinking habitual negative  thoughts?If you're looking for an honest, outside-the-box conversation on approaching beauty and body image with hopeful realism, this episode is for you!

Most of us have been told a lot of lies about beauty. We've been given the wrong story about what beauty is, why it matters, and who it belongs to.Today I want to replace at least a few of those lies with five truths I uncovered when my outer appearance changed completely. These truths aren't popular and they might even make you uncomfortable. (In fact, I kinda hope they do!) Facing these realities took me decades and a lot of heartache, but the pain has been worth the freedom I now feel from our culture's ludicrous definition of beauty.During our time together, I'll share…Why beauty won't get you what you actually wantWhat happens when our priorities get out of orderHow sacrifice can lead to the truest beauty What our fixation on beauty is actually trying to tell usIf you feel compelled to refresh and realign your beliefs around beauty, this episode is for you.Show Notes:Suffer Strong: How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything by Katherine and Jay Wolf - https://a.co/d/hR7Yj4lThere's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

The first time I looked in a mirror after my stroke, I didn't know who was staring back at me. My face was unrecognizable, and my body might as well have been a stranger's. It took me years to accept the reality of my new appearance. Feeling anything close to "positivity" was not in the realm of possibility.We're living in the era of body positivity and I am HERE for it! But as a woman living with disabilities, I can't always muster up positive feelings about a body that doesn't function well much of the time. This reality could set me up for some major body negativity, but I've found another option.Today we're talking all about body neutrality—what it means, how I got here, and why I'm convinced it's the healthiest relationship I can have to my body. In this unguarded episode, my teammate Leah and I get vulnerable about our physical insecurities, the cultural beauty standards we have (and haven't) internalized, our experiences with weight loss, and the weirdness of postpartum body changes.If body positivity feels out of your reach, you need to hit play on this episode in your favorite podcast app.Show Notes:Suffer Strong - https://a.co/d/8DKyzM7Jess Connolly - https://www.instagram.com/jessaconnolly/Breaking Free from Body Shame by Jess Connolly - https://a.co/d/fAj7sL8Episode 85: My New Way of Understand Beauty with Brook HensleyMy Body Neutrality writing that appeared on Live Original: https://liveoriginal.com/author/katherine-wolf/Scriptures referenced in this episode:2 Corinthians 4:162 Chronicles 20:12 (Katherine did not make it up!)***There's so much more to the story.For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

“I am the embodiment of the worst case scenario. I am what every athlete fears and what pregnant parents dread. I am the catalyst for losing faith and questioning God.”Those stunning words were written by today's guest Dr. Amy Kenny, a brilliant author and scholar who lives with disabilities. That phrase— “worst case scenario”—resonates so deeply with me since I was born with a congenital brain defect that, essentially, exploded out of the clear blue when I was in my twenties.Today I have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Amy Kenny. This brilliant woman's work has helped me see that the “worst case scenario” might actually be the best case scenario for my life. She's guided me in learning that my body—disabilities and all—is not an impediment to being an image bearer of God; it's actually a channel through which I can bear God's image most fully. On this episode, we will… Unpack the controversial concept of a disabled God Investigate our standards of bodily perfection Parse out the critical difference between being cured and being healed Celebrate disability as a creative force Identify the traces of divinity to be found in our bodiesIf you need permission to believe your body bears God's image—whether you have disabilities or not!—this episode is for you.Show Notes:My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church - https://a.co/d/3DZTIt1Dr. Amy Kenny at Calvin University - https://youtu.be/URPc3nMll5s?feature=sharedScriptures referenced in this episode:Luke 14 - The Parable of the BanquetJohn 9***There's so much more to the story.For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite chapters of a book I've ever written. Several years ago, my husband Jay and I released a book calledSuffer Strong. It's all about how we were able to survive anything because we were willing to redefine everything—from failure to trauma to commitment. Even beauty. That's the chapter you're about to hear.Before my stroke, I had never put too much focus on the way I looked. But once my face became paralyzed and my body lost a lot of its typical function, I had no choice but to confront the deep-down story of beauty that I had been told…and believed. After years of grappling with that story, I came to understand that it's actually a story about fear, control, and shame. The truest beauty, it turns out, comes from putting down the shame and embracing our belovedness.If you're ready to trade in your old definitions of beauty and start living in freedom, I pray hearing these words invite you to take the first step in walking away from shame.Suffer Strong - https://a.co/d/8DKyzM7There's so much more to the story.For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visithttps://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me in Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content:https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠:https://hopeheals.com/⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠:https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠:https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram⁠:https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

I'm going to make a big claim: This will probably be the most sweeping, inspiring conversation on beauty you'll hear in your life. I say this with such confidence because Brook Hensley changed the way I understand beauty. And she's about to do the same for you.  Over the next several weeks, we're going to focus deeply on the story of our beauty and our bodies—what the story is, who is telling it to us, and what needs to change. But before we get into the flesh-and-bones of it all, I want to talk about beauty as a concept. Why, oh why, does it matter to us so much? That's where Brook comes in. This brilliant friend of mine is inviting you and me into a surprising and subversive new way of thinking about beauty. Join in on this unmissable conversation to understand… What the “third way” of beauty means for your life Why beauty and vanity are not the same thing How beauty can be an act of resistance and rebellion If you're waiting to unlock a mind-blowing expansion of your relationship to beauty, this episode is for you. Show Notes: Hope Heals Camp - https://hopeheals.com/camp/ Upcoming speaking events: https://hopeheals.com/upcoming-events The Soul of Desire by Dr. Curt Thompson - https://a.co/d/0J89OXU Beauty Will Save the World by Brian Zahnd - https://a.co/d/3N6yPdA Walter Wink - https://a.co/d/4xjwKxz “Why It Matters” by Sara Groves - https://www.saragroves.com/song-lyrics/why-it-matters The Overview Effect - https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/houston-we-have-a-podcast/the-overview-effect/ Earth rise photo - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230511-earthrise-the-photo-that-sparked-an-environmental-movement Blue marble photo - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Marble “This Is What I Do To Feel Close To You” by John Guerra - https://youtu.be/nSozD9_vHo0?feature=shared Andrew Peterson - https://www.andrew-peterson.com/ On Beauty and Being Just by Elaine Scarry - https://a.co/d/bj0RBTC “The last act is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason.” - T.S. Eliot Scriptures referenced in this episode: 1 Samuel 14:7 Romans 1:20 Psalm 27:4 Psalm 90:17 Matthew 5:30-41 John 8:12 Matthew 5:14-16 *** There's so much more to the story: ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here. YouTube Show Notes There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Recently I received emails from two people in very different circumstances who were grappling with (essentially) the same question: Who is telling me the story of who I should be? Their messages struck me so deeply because, for the first half of my life, I asked other people to tell me that story. I desperately wanted to please people by giving them the power over who I was and what I should do. Then I was set free by, of all things, a massive stroke. My new physical limitations meant I was no longer capable of pleasing everyone, all the time. And neither are you, whether you live with disabilities or not. So let's get real about it.  We simply cannot go any further into our conversation on identity formation without coming to terms with who we're trying to please. My teammate Caroline Young is joining me on this week's episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast to offer a glimmer of hope (and maybe a big deep breath) for all of us people-pleasers and perfectionists. Here's what we get into: Discerning God's conviction from man's condemnation My honest opinion on perfect church attendance Acting out of guilt versus obedience Identifying the outside influences on our self-image If you want to prioritize pleasing God over pleasing people, this episode is for you! Show Notes: I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assaud - https://youtu.be/e5xEYgGr6ms Star for Jesus and Other Jobs I Quite by Kim Stuart - https://a.co/d/4GnHtlN Scriptures referenced in this episode: Hosea 6:3 *** There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

If you think your calling is collateral damage in the hurt and hardship you've experienced, I understand how you're feeling. The work I'm doing now looks nothing like the dreams I had for my life. But now, I can't imagine dreaming up anything better. Today on The GoodHard Story Podcast we're covering one of my all-time favorite topics: how our limitations—rather than our strengths—invite us to lean into God's calling for our lives. Give me 45 minutes of your day and I'll give you a new way of approaching your purpose. I'm sharing how you can… Figure out what your “creative best” actually is Take radical responsibility of your story  Allow your calling to evolve and grow Dream new dreams for your life Find clarity through your boundaries If you need fresh vision for the good purpose in your hard story, this episode is for you. Show Notes: Treasures in the Dark Entry 46: Dreaming New Dreams - https://a.co/d/4n1npsd “The most progress we can make is turning around” - C.S. Lewis Scriptures referenced in this episode: Psalm 16:6 John 3:30 Galatians 6:4-5 Romans 8:28 Ephesians 4:1 *** There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

How could it be true that God withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly? I spent years trying to make God's ways align with my definition of goodness, but nothing ever seemed to click. Finally, I realized I actually needed to redefine what goodness meant to me. It was not an easy process, let me tell you, but it has formed me for the better. My friend Lysa has been on the same journey of redefining everything in a life that has upended every expectation she had. While our pain has taken completely different forms, she is my sister in suffering whose extraordinary character has been formed by hardship, not in spite of it. No one is more qualified to coach us on identity formation than Lysa TerKeurst. I'm inspired and challenged by who she is today and who she is still becoming, and I think you will be too. You do not want to miss out on the goodness and grit today episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast. Here's just a preview of what you'll take away: Identifying shame scripts in your life What to do with the things that will never make sense to you Making space for the sweetness of the unexpected Selecting your soul's board of directors If you're ready to become better instead of bitter because of your heartbreak, this episode is for you. Show Notes: Therapy and Theology Podcast - https://lysaterkeurst.com/therapy-and-theology/ I Want to Trust You, But I Don't by Lysa TerKeurst - https://a.co/d/2Q6mHfK Lysa's TikTok dance in New York - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDTBG8np6mm/ Scriptures referenced in this episode: 2 Corinthians 1:4 Psalm 84:11 *** There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

I don't re-listen to my own podcast episodes often, but I'll be replaying this one many times over. My guest Dr. Dan Allender is a trauma therapist. And if you just assumed this episode has nothing for you, consider Dr. Allender's words: “All life east of Eden is a form of trauma.” Whew.  So, yeah, you need to hear this. Dr. Allender's work has been a gamechanger in my life and I insist that you have access to his wisdom, too! He has given me a framework for understanding, grieving, and telling my story, and I cannot think of a more trustworthy voice to speak into our conversation on identity formation.  On this episode, the kind and brilliant Dr. Allender shares… The one thing you can do to take a step toward health Why wrestling with God can be a form of worship How to create the community you long to be a part of If you want support in becoming who you're meant to be, this episode is for you. Show Notes: The Allender Center - https://theallendercenter.org/ The Allender Center Podcast - https://theallendercenter.org/category/podcast/ Curt Thompson Confessional Community - https://curtthompsonmd.com/the-way-of-the-confessional-community/ Adam Young on The GoodHard Story Podcast Episode 71 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-71-what-your-feelings-are-asking-of-you-with/id1496882479?i=1000671653634 Scriptures referenced in this episode: 2 Corinthians 4:10 Romans 12:15 Psalm 22:1 *** There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

It's 2025, friends. Who do you hope to become in the year ahead? You and I are probably not going to become people of resilience, compassion, and courage by accident. Our circumstances, beliefs, relationships, and decisions are shaping our souls—in both good and hard ways—every minute of the day. I want to understand exactly how it's happening. And what I can do to create the identity I want. Today we're talking to my winsome friend Bob Goff—author, speaker, and unofficial spokesperson for belovedness. This mentor of mine knows how to live whimsically *and* strategically, and I am determined to learn how to do it too. On this episode, Bob is sharing exactly how you can… Find God's one and only plan for your life and mine Start asking “What if?” with HOPE instead of anxiety Become a note taker of your own life (and why it will change everything) If you're ready to start living like you're loved (because you are), this episode is for you! Catching Whimsy: 365 Days of Possibility - https://www.bobgoff.com/books/catching-whimsy/ Treasures in the Dark Entry 32: The Habit of Hope - https://a.co/d/3mcRhmK Treasures in the Dark Entry 60: What If? - https://a.co/d/3mcRhmK Scriptures referenced in this episode: Romans 8:19-23 (The Passion Translation) Romans 5:3-5 Hebrews 11:1 Galatians 5:6 Philippians 4:6 Mark 9:24 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 *** There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

"Hope is not a fixed point I will reach. Hope is the living force that propels me through the ongoing cycle of hurting and healing." In these sacred weeks surrounding Christmas, I want to acknowledge that the holiday season isn't such a bright time for all of us. These final days of the year can be a painful reminder of what we once had. What is no longer. What will never be. Each week in the month of December, I'll be sharing a short reflection that invites you reconsider your darkest seasons as times of formation, preparation, and possibility. Treasures in the Dark Read Along Starting January 9, 2025, I'll be hosting a 90-day read along of Treasures in the Dark over on Instagram. Make sure you're following me there because I'll be streaming some readings from the book, sharing behind the scenes content, and hosting discussions with all of you. If you want to grab your own copy of Treasures in the Dark, it's available wherever books are sold. You can find the audiobook on Spotify or Audible. Like what you heard? There's so much more to the story⁠⁠. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 ⁠Spotify⁠: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=4e5a0a76749b4d91 Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe at https://hopeheals.com/hopenote.

"Hope is an escape hatch from the what-if loop because it gives you and me permission to live the lives we have. It narrows our vision to work with what's in front of us. Hope puts to rest all the lives we could have lived and gently reminds us, “This is the one you've got. Don't waste it.” In these sacred weeks leading up to Christmas, I want to acknowledge that the holiday season isn't such a bright time for all of us. These final days of the year can be a painful reminder of what we once had. What is no longer. What will never be. Each week in the month of December, I'll be sharing a short reflection that invites you reconsider your darkest seasons as times of formation, preparation, and possibility. Treasures in the Dark Read Along Starting January 9, 2025, I'll be hosting a 90-day read along of Treasures in the Dark over on Instagram. Make sure you're following me there because I'll be streaming some readings from the book, sharing behind the scenes content, and hosting discussions with all of you. If you want to grab your own copy of Treasures in the Dark, it's available wherever books are sold. You can find the audiobook on Spotify or Audible. Like what you heard? There's so much more to the story⁠⁠. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 ⁠Spotify⁠: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=4e5a0a76749b4d91 Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe at https://hopeheals.com/hopenote.

"Some of the best fruit in my life will be incubatedin dark, cold seasons of suffering." In these sacred weeks leading up to Christmas, I want to acknowledge that the holiday season isn't such a bright time for all of us. These final days of the year can be a painful reminder of what we once had. What is no longer. What will never be. Each week in the month of December, I'll be sharing a short reflection that invites you reconsider your darkest seasons as times of formation, preparation, and possibility. Treasures in the Dark Read Along Starting January 9, 2025, I'll be hosting a 90-day read along of Treasures in the Dark over on Instagram. Make sure you're following me there because I'll be streaming some readings from the book, sharing behind the scenes content, and hosting discussions with all of you. If you want to grab your own copy of Treasures in the Dark, it's available wherever books are sold. You can find the audiobook on Spotify or Audible. Like what you heard? There's so much more to the story⁠⁠. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine. Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 ⁠Spotify⁠: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=4e5a0a76749b4d91 Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe at https://hopeheals.com/hopenote.

In these sacred weeks leading up to Christmas, I want to acknowledge that the holiday season isn't such a bright time for all of us. These final days of the year can be a painful reminder of what we once had. What is no longer. What will never be. Each week in the month of December, I'll be sharing a short reflection that invites you reconsider your darkest seasons as times of formation, preparation, and possibility. Treasures in the Dark Read Along Starting January 9, 2025, I'll be hosting a 90-day read along of Treasures in the Dark over on Instagram. Make sure you're following me there because I'll be streaming some readings from the book, sharing behind the scenes content, and hosting discussions with all of you. If you want to grab your own copy of Treasures in the Dark, it's available wherever books are sold. You can find the audiobook on Spotify or Audible. Did you like what you heard? There's so much more to the story: Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here.

I became disabled in an instant, but my husband Jay did not become a caregiver in that same instant. No one, like, gave him a pamphlet or anything! He had to learn by trial and error, and the stakes were high. Many of you, dear friends, are in a marriage with a caregiver or care-receiver and you're navigating what it looks like to uphold a version of your vows you didn't see coming. I am the first person to affirm what a complex position you are in. After nearly 17 years of this caregiving-in-marriage deal, we've learned a few things about healthy conflict, surrendering control, and releasing old dreams. We've also made all the mistakes. So Jay and I want to share a little wisdom—and a LOT of encouragement. Here's what you can expect from our time together on The GoodHard Story podcast this week: The #1 way we “beat the odds” of divorce after a traumatic brain injury What's worked for us (and what hasn't worked) in conflict resolution Leaning into non-traditional gender roles in our marriage Deciding to dream new dreams for our lives How I stopped feeling like a burden in my marriage If you're longing to feel seen and supported in a caregiving marriage, this episode is for you. Show Notes: The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller - https://a.co/d/9P0hVVF Stanley Hauerwas - https://stanleyhauerwas.org/ Hope Heals Camp - https://hopeheals.com/camp Ep. 76 - 5 Ways to Start Believing You Are Worthy of Care - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-76-solo-5-ways-to-start-believing-you-are-worthy/id1496882479?i=1000676043943 Ep. 74 - Unspoken Demands for a Perfect Life with Sho Baraka - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-74-unspoken-demands-for-a-perfect-life-with/id1496882479?i=1000674277593 Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

If there is such a thing as icons of caregiving, Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken are those icons. After a diving accident at 17, Joni became a quadriplegic. Ken and Joni met and joined lives years later. As Ken put it, he “married into disability.”  These two saints have cared for one another faithfully for over 40 years, but it's not always perfect. Joni and Ken were generous to share about the hard conversations they've had to have about overwhelm and burnout. Even through all the hard, this couple affirms again and again how the experiences of caregiving and care-receiving have shown them the heart of Christ.  From healthy communication tips to practical ideas for self care to receiving care well—WOW, do we have a lot to learn from these two?! Join us at the table to receive loads of wisdom from two of my heroes, including… Ken's experience of dating and marrying someone with a disability What it takes to care for Joni's body in a day How Joni expresses her gratitude for the care she receives Practical rhythms of restoration and self care for both caregivers and care-receives Navigating conflict in the complexities of caregiving relationships Keeping a sense of joy in their unusual marriage  Healthy communication tips  If you are craving some real talk about all things caregiving and care-getting, this episode is for you. Joni and Friends website Hope Heals by Katherine and Jay Wolf Scriptures referenced in this episode: 1 Samuel 16:7 John 15:13 There's so much more to the story: ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up ⁠here⁠ for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content. Get to know us: ⁠⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Matt and Ginny Mooney gave round-the-clock care to their first son, a baby boy who lived for just 99 days. All parents are caregivers, of course, but the Mooneys became caregivers in ways they never could have imagined. Now, 18 years later, the Mooneys have opted into a lifetime of complex caregiving as they raise an adopted daughter living with autism and cerebral palsy. I am fascinated and challenged by their choice to take on more responsibility, more heartache, and more grief. My two gracious friends were kind enough to answer every one of my probing questions with humor and vulnerability. And if you join us for this conversation, I bet they'll feel like your kind, funny friends by the end, too! Here's what you can expect to hear on this week's episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast: An honest answer about the most difficult part of caregiving The one thing the Mooneys want most for their daughter living with significant disabilities What to do when you navigate grief and caregiving differently than your spouse The best thing to say and do on tender anniversaries What to expect from your typical kids—and what  NOT to expect—when it comes to caregiving for a sibling Matt and Ginny's #1 recommendations for caregiver self care If you're grappling with the good/hard realities of caregiving of any kind, this episode is for you. Show Notes: 99 Balloons A Story Unfinished: 99 Days with Eliot rEcess bEfriend Mend Coffee & Goods Hope Heals Camp *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts Spotify Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up here for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content. Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠ Instagram⁠

Can I have 27 minutes of your day? That's all I need to convince you of something you've probably never allowed yourself to believe: you are worthy of care. I'm highly qualified—and highly persuasive—in making this pitch to you because, after becoming significantly disabled as a 26-year old, I can truly say that I am at peace with my place as a care-receiver. All thanks to 5 mindset shifts. (And a lot of help from Jesus.) If you haven't reached that place of bone-deep peace, I'm going to change your mind. Or if you're a caregiver for a person who needs a lot of extra help, I'm going to invite you into a new way of seeing your situation. Here's a preview of what I'll share on tomorrow's episode of The Good/Hard Story Podcast. Subscribe on your fave podcast platform to make sure you get the episode tomorrow. Identifying the lies you're believing about needing care Realizing you're not unique in your need for care Confronting your bias against dependence Reframing caregiving as an invitation, rather than a duty Finding the “brand” of care only you can give I am so passionate about this conversation, and I want you to join me in it. If you need a radical mindset shift when it comes to being a caregiver or a care-getter, this episode is for you.

You asked, we answered. And you know we never shy away from the messy, complex, and possibly even invasive questions because we want to be your living survival guides through it all. Bring it on, people! This week's episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast is a special “ask us anything” sesh with me and Jay all about how we're navigating suffering alongside our nearest and dearest—kids, families of origins, friends that feel like family, and even each other. Sit down with us to hear some deeply personal (yet somehow universal) experiences, opinions, and bits of advice. We're sharing all kinds of thoughts about… Engaging kindly with family members who are waiting for you to be “healed” Feeling like a burden to your family and friends Raising kids who are frustrated by your family's limitations Celebrating what we have now while acknowledging what we won't get back The miraculous power of making new memories Shielding our kids from suffering Finding your “framily” in the places you probably don't want to find them Deciding to have another baby after my stroke If you need help believing your hardships could be a gift to the people you love most, this episode is for you. Hope Heals Camp Find the full story of deciding to have another baby in Treasures in the Dark Entry 66: Carpe Diem Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts Spotify Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content. Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠ Instagram⁠

Grief, then gratitude. The longer I live and the more pain I encounter, I'm further convinced that this is the healthy cycle of suffering: grief then gratitude. Mourn the life you thought you'd have, then give thanks for the one right in front of you. Because if we're honest, most of us have some deep-down assumptions about what our lives should look like. For me, that assumption didn't include a massive stroke or disabilities. And for my friend Sho Baraka, his perfect life plan didn't involve raising sons with autism. Sho is living out his good/hard story in that grief-and-gratitude rhythm, and he shared all about how he got to that place. Today, Sho is receiving his family—and his life—as an “abstract masterpiece of what the Master did.” Whew, how good is that? If you join us in this conversation, here's what you'll take away: Encouragement for when we don't get the miracles we hope for How to see suffering as an opportunity rather than a punishment A new way to respond to uninvited prayers for healing Insight for grieving the loss of the lives we thought we'd have Advice for married people raising kids with disabilities If you need to release your demands for a perfect life and open your hands to the gifts of the life you actually have, this episode is for you. Show Notes: Sho Baraka on Instagram And Campaign He Saw That It Was Good: Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken World by Sho Baraka The Big Tent Initiative from Christianity Today A Prayer for Parenting a Child with Special Needs  Every Moment Holy Volume 3 “Words, 2006” Spectacular Bond: Reaching the Child with Autism by Miriam Blank ASD Reading *** There's so much more to the story:⁠ Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here. Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠

My son was just six-months and five days old when I nearly died. Virtually 100% of my parenting career has been informed by the deepest kind of pain. I often find myself wondering, if I could, would I give my sons a different story? One that didn't include my stroke and all the suffering it caused? I didn't have much help wrestling with that question as a new (and newly disabled) mom. So I want to encourage and equip you—the mom or dad struggling to shield their kids from the suffering—with practical advice for parenting through your pain. Our kids are gonna survive the suffering. And, spoiler alert, I believe they might even be better because of it. Join me and my unbelievably wise friend Susan to find out how to… Intentionally narrate your family story to your kids Empathetically encourage resilience Reframe overwhelm as abundance in your home Guide your family through non-linear grief Prevent raising kids who are afraid of the world Discern what slack to cut in your home during hard seasons Find rest for yourself so your can parent well If you need a parenting pep talk from someone who's processing her own pain, this episode is for you. Show Notes: The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom Raising Girls and Boys Podcast with David Thomas and Sissy Goff “True hospitality is when someone leaves your home feeling better about themselves, not better about you”. - Shauna Niequist Scriptures referenced in this episode: James 1:4 Romans 5:3   Romans 8:28 Ephesians 4:1 *** There's so much more to the story: Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here.

If you're like me, you often hear from people reflecting back on how they made it through a hard time. We need those stories, and I value them deeply. But I really, really want to hear from the people who are in the thick of their pain, without a neat resolution or final closure in sight. My dear friends Brent and Ashley were kind enough to share their experience of present-tense pain, specifically in the form of a life-altering medical diagnosis. As you and I know all too well, hurt refuses to be contained. It reverberates through families and communities. Brent and Ashley are no exception. Their suffering has had a profound effect on their marriage, their kids, and their friendships. But so has their hope. Live from the center of the storm, Brent and Ashley are giving you and me a look into how they manage to make it through each day. And I am so eager for you to benefit from their generous, hard-won wisdom. If you join me on this episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast, here's what you'll take away: Proof that investing in your community today matters for tomorrow Why Christians should be the first to acknowledge the sting of death Practical insight for having hard conversations with young kids about how your family is hurting Encouragement that your suffering can be an invaluable gift to the people in your life Why you shouldn't wait for easy times to start making memories with the people you love If you need some honest but hopeful company in your misery, this episode is for you. Show Notes: Ashley Monogue Photography Integrus Hope Heals Camp Scriptures referenced in this episode: Ecclesiastes 7:2 Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts Spotify Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up here for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content, Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠ Instagram⁠

I've been healed in so many ways by learning to tell my story. But there's some work that needs to happen before we can tell our stories. That work starts with our emotions. The stories of your life and mine are hidden beneath our emotions. When we understand the emotions, we understand the story. And, as I said, understanding our own stories is totally crucial to healing and wholeness. (Why do you think I tell my story for a living?!) This conversation with Adam Young is a bucket list item for me. Adam is a brilliant trauma therapist who specializes in supporting people in understanding the story of their lives. The harm, the heartache, and the miraculous joy to be found in the midst of all the hurt. His work has been transformative for me. Friend, you cannot miss this conversation because God might just use Adam's wisdom to transform you too. If you join me on this episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast, here's what you'll take away: Why the past might still feel present to you How we know negative emotions belong in the “Christian plot” Why your biggest trauma isn't the only story that matters in your life How to stop minimizing your experience of hurt so you can move toward healing How to gather a community that can bear witness to your hurt and healing  If you're searching for an empathetic guide to emotional health, this episode is for you. Show Notes: The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast Bessel van der Kolk - https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/ Ep. 16 Why Lament (Surprisingly) Leads to Life and Freedom Dan Allender Curt Thompson GoodHard Story Podcast Episode 68 with Debra Fileta Confessional communities Treasures in the Dark Scriptures referenced in this episode: Job 9 and 10 John 11:35 Jeremiah 6 and 8 Habakkuk 3:17-18 Genesis 50:20 Psalm 119:32 Romans 12:15 *** There's so much more to the story: Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here.

God is giving you and I permission to feel our feelings. But are we giving permission to ourselves? I'm on a quest to engage my emotions with health and wholeheartedness, and Jennie Allen joined me on a leg of the journey. Jennie is a friend of mine who happens to have written the book on understanding and expressing our feelings as God intended us to. My conversation with Jennie is as heartfelt as it is practically applicable to your life. Her generous wisdom will leave you equipped to understand what you're feeling, put those emotions in their proper place, and then use those feelings as positive points of connection with God and other people. If you join me on this episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast, here's what you'll take away: Step-by-step instructions for engaging your emotions in healthy ways Reconciling the reality of your fallen-ness with the validity of your feelings Encouragement to stop fixing and start feeling for your hurting friends A prayer from Jennie FOR you If your emotions leave you feeling like too much or too little—or, somehow, BOTH—this episode is for you. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hopeheals.com/podcast. Show Notes: @jennieallen on Instagram Jennie's website IF:Gathering Gather25 Untangle Your Emotions Hope Heals Camp Confessional Communities Get Out of Your Head Dan Allender Adam Young GoodHard Story Podcast Episode 68 with Debra Fileta Scriptures referenced in this episode: Ecclesiastes 3:4 Hebrews 4:15 Ecclesiastes 7:2 John 16:33 John 11:35 Ephesians 4:26-27 Jeremiah 17:9 *** There's so much more to the story:⁠ ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. ⁠Subscribe here.⁠

“I'm a Christian because of the shortest verse in the Bible: Jesus wept.” Something I didn't wake up to until after my stroke is the fact that joy and sadness can co-exist. In fact, they can do it pretty beautifully if we allow them to. My friend Scott knows how to be sad. That may sound like a backhanded compliment, but hear me out. I think learning to fully engage our sorrow is one of the healthiest rhythms we can find, especially as followers of Jesus. He was, after all, called the “man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” So how do we befriend our sadness in the way of Christ? That's what I'm covering on this week's episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast, with the help of Scott Erickson. An artist, writer, and one of the most intriguing thinkers I've ever known, Scott has found deep camaraderie with Jesus through his sadness. And he's inviting you and me to do the same. If you join me on this episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast, here's what you'll take away: Releasing yourself from being a constant sales pitch for Jesus Making the shift from getting God's attention to awakening to where God is at work What we mean when we talk about hope A peek into Katherine's new SOS group Scott's hack for facing his fears Want to invite God into your sadness, but don't know where to start? This episode is for you. Show Notes: @scottthepainter on Instagram Scott's Substack Image Pilgrimage Scott's story of meeting Sadness at Disneyland Inside Out Hope Heals Camp Justin McRoberts Honest Advent Art Against Despair The GoodHard Story Podcast Episode 76 with Andy Squyres Backwards Kingdom Treasures in the Dark Entry 65: A Library of Living Survival Guides Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner Dan Allender Curt Thompson Say Yes Future Dead Artist mug Scriptures referenced in this episode: John 11:35 Isaiah 53:3 Romans 5:3 1 Peter 5:10 Psalm 139:7-10 *** There's so much more to the story: ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here.

Did you know that scholars have identified 39 distinct emotions that Jesus felt recorded in the Bible? Is anyone else as encouraged by this as I am?! Our emotions can be a pathway to wholeness and healing if we know what to do with them.  This is just one of MANY gems of wisdom waiting for you on The GoodHard Story Podcast. While guest Debra Fileta is not *technically* my therapist, this episode was so cathartic it might as well have been a paid session! Debra is an author and licensed professional counselor who is using her life to study the emotional health of Jesus and sharing how we can access that health for ourselves. I left our conversation with a deeper understanding of my own feelings and some simple practices for taking ownership of my emotions. If you join me on this episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast, here's what you'll take away: A simple formula for intentional healing Identifying the belief systems underneath our feelings Why we project our pain onto God Differentiating between the voice of God and anxiety How to prevent emotional explosions Taking control of our thought patterns The difference between self care and soul care Desperate to experience emotions in the way God intended? This episode is for you Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hopeheals.com/podcast. Show Notes All things Debra Fileta! Debra's website Instagram Talk to Me Podcast Soul Care by Debra Fileta Reset by Debra Fileta Treasures in the Dark by Katherine Wolf Katherine on Debra's Podcast What's Here Now? by Jeanne Stevens I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequest Scriptures referenced in this episode: Romans 12:2 John 10:10 John 2:1 Matthew 13:1 *** There's so much more to the story: Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here.

“Our theories about God and the way he works get confronted with the reality of our lives.” This is the most refreshing conversation I've had in a long time, friends, because I got to talk about some kind of taboo topics without an ounce of the baggage. Joining me this week is Andy Squyres, a brilliantly one-of-a-kind songwriter who never, ever shies away from graciously grappling with the tough stuff. I've received so much from his songs and essays, and I received even more from speaking with him about all my favorite things—you know, like suffering, sorrow, and doubt. Normal! If you join me on this episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast, here's what you'll take away: Comfort for the days that God feels absent Hope for a new kind of faith after deconstructing Where to fit doubt into your friendship with Jesus What to do when God doesn't come through for you An alternative response to political anxiety Looking for a safe place to work through some doubts about who God is and whether he's good? Then this episode is for you. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hopeheals.com/podcast. Show Notes Andy Squyres on Instagram: @andysquyres “Casimir Pulaski Day” by Sufjan Stevens The Life We're Looking For by Andy Crouch “Backwards Kingdom” by Sam McCabe ft. Andy Squyres “Why It Matters” by Sara Groves The Cellist of Sarajevo *** There's so much more to the story: ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here.

Before the GoodHard Story Podcast takes a short summer break, Katherine is recapping her favorite moments from Season 3. She's distilling over 30 hours of conversations and reflections into a potent 20-minute dose of hope! What you'll take away from this conversation… Start a community from scratch Reframing our emotions as a strength instead of a weakness Becoming better—instead of bitter—because of our losses As we prepare for the next season of the podcast, we need to hear what YOU want to hear! Let us know what hurt you're holding today so that we can start some helpful, healing conversations between Katherine and her most trusted teachers. If you want to help us create future episodes, email us at resources@hopeheals.com or DM us on Instagram (@hopeheals) with questions you'd like answered or topics you want covered. Show Notes: Donate to Hope Heals: hopeheals.com/give Favorite Season 3 Moments: Episode 37: Ask Amy Julia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-37-ask-amy-julia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ueGdkR3BPASl10PY319Gx?si=e1356478bdc240f7 “Experiencing disability or being in proximity to disability is a way to embrace our own humanity. It can also call us into love, care, and mutual receiving.” ——— Episode 39: Putting It Into Practice with Caroline Young Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-39-putting-it-into-practice-with-caroline-young Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/39AXj8Bk71LjcUbHAHQpnH?si=0625bc43b2a74d63 “Find the people without the people and make them your people.” ——— Episode 46: “Strong Like Water”: Designed for Emotional Agility with Aundi Kolber Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-46-strong-like-water-designed-for-emotional Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0EN8lXrxbRjGXNY7WyFWqg?si=d3474bb03cf94a3c “When Jesus promised to give us ‘life to the full,' he was giving us permission to embrace the full spectrum of human emotion. We are being invited into experiencing deep feeling and emotional flexibility as a strength, not a liability.” ——— Episode 55: Hard-Fought Contentment: Integrating Our Losses into Wholeness with Jerry Sittser Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/epiode-55-hard-fought-contentment-integrating-our-losses Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fzhl7BoYlQ0S2K4IKvEEe?si=1bcf5b1d507c4a12 “Grief does not have to diminish us. Grief can become integrated into healthier, more whole versions of ourselves.” “Our responses to loss can define us, rather than the loss itself defining us.” “God, spare me from a perfect life.” ——— Episode 60: My Prayer for YOU: Borrow This Benediction for the Good/Hard Life Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-60-my-prayer-for-you-borrow-this-benediction Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vJvuFKDPa2a765SojnlQS?si=77c38e6cd34c4320 “I'm not responsible for what has happened to me, but I am responsible for what I do with it.” ——— Episode 63: Wonderful/Terrible: Cultivating a Gritty Faith Instead of a Pretty Faith with Kay Warren Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-63-wonderful-terrible-cultivating-a-gritty Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Iq8Y3prH2QQMfIoezsRIX?si=62242adb5e3b4a0d “We are never more like Christ than when we are sitting with people in their suffering.” Scriptures referenced in this episode: Romans 8:32 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Romans 15:13 *** Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Have you ever spent a thousand hours studying something? Other than the back of your own eyelids, that is. Today, Katherine is joined by her friend Dr. Joel Muddamalle, who recently spent one thousand hours studying everything the Bible has to say about humility. He's sharing everything he learned with us! What he has to say might surprise you, and it's certain to convict you. If you sense you might be harboring hidden pride and finally feel ready to recover your God-designed humility, this episode is for you. What you'll take away from this conversation… Why humility is the key to developing resilience against humiliation How to invite God to re-order your ambitions Making the switch from resenting your limitations to resting in them instead All things Joel Muddamalle: https://linktr.ee/muddamalle The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility by Joel Muddamalle: https://a.co/d/bYj1ypQ Hope Heals Camp: https://hopeheals.com/camp Proverbs 31 Ministries: https://proverbs31.org/ “These Are The Days” by Cory Asbury: https://g.co/kgs/fRaQBGz Scriptures referenced in this episode: Genesis 1, 2, and 3 Matthew 11:28-29 Philippians 2:8-9 *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Katherine spent her first Mother's Day unconscious in an intensive care unit, a fact that has brought a flavor of bittersweetness to every Mother's Day since. Today she's reflecting on the experiences of parenthood that were eventually restored to her, as well as the ones she will simply never get back.  If your life is feeling more like a famine than a feast and you're hungry to hear from someone who has found her way back to a full life, this episode is for you. Today's episode is an excerpt from the Treasures in the Dark audiobook! If you're listening on Spotify Premium, you can stream Treasures in the Dark for free as a part of your subscription. Grab your own copy of the book today in print, ebook, or audiobook formats at treasuresinthedark.com or wherever books are sold. Show Notes: Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting by Katherine Wolf: https://hopeheals.com/treasures Scriptures referenced in this episode: Joel 1:16 Joel 2:25-27 *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

In this episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast, Katherine discovers a kindred spirit in Kay Warren, who founded the beloved Saddleback Church with her husband Rick. Kay and Rick have endured the earth-shattering loss of one of their sons, who died by suicide in 2013. Both Katherine and Kay were in tears by the end of the conversation, which spans from the complexities of mental illness to the life-saving power of respite to the privilege of sitting with suffering people. Kay could not have been more generous in sharing her hard-won insights into the most terrible kind of grief. What you'll take away from this conversation… What to do when God stops making sense The single experience that can make us more Christlike The one question you should never ask someone who is suffering How a marriage can withstand unimaginable loss If you need to hear a story of deep hurt and even deeper hope, this episode is for you. Show Notes Hope for Mental Health: https://hope4mentalhealth.com/ Breathe: https://saddleback.com/connect/ministry/outreach-retreats The Wounder Healer by Henri Nouwen - https://henrinouwen.org/read/the-wounded-healer/ Lews Smedes - https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/smedes_recordings/ Walter Brueggemann - https://www.walterbrueggemann.com/resources/ “Pay mind to your own life, your own health, and wholeness. A bleeding heart is of no help to anyone if it bleeds to death.” - Frederick Buechner Scriptures referenced in this episode: 1 Corinthians 15:43-45 *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

As Katherine observes the sixteenth anniversary of her stroke this week, she's reflecting on one of the most transformative treasures she's discovered in the darkness of her pain: If the worst day of Jesus' life was eventually called good, then maybe one day my worst day could be called good too. But this is no ordinary podcast episode! We are so excited to be sharing a clip straight from the Treasures in the Dark AUDIOBOOK! If you enjoy this little preview book, we sure hope you'll pick up a copy of your own. And if you're listening on Spotify Premium, you can stream Treasures in the Dark for free as a part of your subscription! Grab your copy of the book today in print, ebook, or audiobook formats at treasuresinthedark.com or wherever books are sold. Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting by Katherine Wolf: https://hopeheals.com/treasures *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Amy Julia was a high-achieving, religiously devout Princeton grad who lived with the nagging feeling that there must something *more* to life than what she had experienced so far. Then her first child was diagnosed with Down syndrome, and Amy Julia began her journey into a version of “the good life” that she never expected. Amy Julia joins Katherine for a deeply vulnerable conversation about the theological reckoning that took place in her heart and mind when she became a parent to a child with intellectual disabilities. She emerged with a new understanding of God's love and her own inherent value. Today, eighteen years later, she's inviting us all to re-imagine what belonging and belovedness really looks like for people with AND without disabilities.  What We'll Cover: How to determine if you're settling for a lesser version of the good life The one place in the Bible where we get an “equation” for God and what it means about how we see ourselves and other people Why there are no such things as “special needs,” only human needs https://amyjuliabecker.com/ https://www.instagram.com/amyjuliabecker/ Reimagining the Good Life Podcast: https://amyjuliabecker.com/podcast/ Hope Heals Camp: https://hopeheals.com/camp/ “The Blurring Is Part of the Beauty”: https://comment.org/the-blurring-is-part-of-the-beauty/ Andrew Leland: https://www.andrewleland.org/ Mend Coffee & Goods: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ “Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” - Philip Yancey  Scriptures referenced in this episode:  Luke 14:15-24 *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote

Are you ready to replace the “God, help me to have a good day tomorrow” bedtime prayer? Maybe for your kids…and maybe for yourself! Today, Katherine is offering you a benediction fifteen years in the making. What started as a bedtime prayer for her sons has become her prayer for a generation of souls hoping to live their good/hard story well to the very end. If you need fresh inspiration and real-talk motivation for your prayer life today, this episode is for YOU! What We'll Cover: What we miss out on by seeing life as only good OR hard. How we can become better, instead of bitter, from our suffering The surprising ways that Jesus defined “blessedness” and what it means for our pain The opportunity we have to reframe painful limitations as the places of ultimate freedom Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting by Katherine Wolf: https://hopeheals.com/treasures “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” - C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses This Is a Joyful Rebellion! by Brad Montague - https://youtu.be/Pp_gxJspWEI?si=K7Uf_qvq9EAXVY-e My Benediction for The Good/Hard Life May you see life as a good/hard story that God is writing. May you open your hands to release old dreams and receive new ones. May you find the miracle you've been looking for has been right in front of you all along. May you accept the stunning capacity you have to endure because of Jesus, who endured for you. May you live out the hardest parts of your story with a joyful rebellion against the darkness. May you believe the boundary lines around your life are good and pleasant because God uniquely assigned them to you. May your invisible wheelchairs become avenues to a new kind of freedom because of Jesus Scriptures referenced in this episode: Psalm 139:16 Isaiah 43:18-19 John 12:37 John 16:33 Deuteronomy 31:6  Psalm 16:6 Philippians 4:13 Galatians 6:5  *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Raise your hand if, in the last week, you've answered the question “How are you?” with some version of “Good! Busy, but good! Just tired.” In the kingdom of hustle, busyness is next to godliness. Rest is something to be earned. But in the kingdom of God, rest is an invitation from Jesus himself. Today Katherine is joined by Jess Connolly to talk about why we're all so tired of being tired and what on earth we can do about it.  On this episode we'll cover… The four types of fatigue you could be experiencing without even realizing it Why the Sabbath is evidence of God's love for his kids The surprising secret to dealing with exhaustion If you need a starting place to form sustainable and transformative rhythms of rest, this episode is for you. Social Caption: Raise your hand if, in the last week, you've answered the question “How are you?” with some version of “Good! Busy, but good! Just tired.” And, if I can be really honest, I kind of love giving that answer. I hate to admit it, but being tired feels like a status symbol. In the kingdom of hustle, busyness is next to godliness. Rest is something to be earned. But in the kingdom of God, rest is an invitation from Jesus himself. I recently sat at the feet of my friend and teacher Jess Connolly to understand why we're all so tired of being tired and what on earth we can do about it.  On the latest episode of #TheGoodHardStoryPodcast we'll cover… The four types of fatigue you could be experiencing without even realizing it Why the Sabbath is evidence of God's love for his kids The surprising secret to dealing with exhaustion If you need a starting place to form sustainable and transformative rhythms of rest, this episode is for you. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hopeheals.com/podcast.

This week, Katherine is sharing why Resurrection Day has never meant more to her than it does now. For most of us, “resurrection” means the one-time-only, past-tense miracle that proved Jesus was who he said he was. It was an experience specific to him. But after surviving a catastrophic stroke, Katherine realized she really needed resurrection to apply to her. In a slow-motion miracle of her own, she experienced victory over death. It's looked less like a rolled-away stone and more like being rolled away in a wheelchair. But even so, resurrection became personal and present-tense. So what has she learned? Jesus' resurrection wasn't a one-time event. It was actually a first-time event that sparked a chain-reaction of resurrection through the rest of time. He set the staggered but certain rhythm of disappointment then delight, hard then good, wounding then healing, death then new life. This week on The Good/Hard Story Podcast, we're unpacking what resurrection has looked like in Katherine's day-to-day and how you might experience it in your own way. And if now is NOT the time for new beginnings in your life, she has a word for you too. Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting by Katherine Wolf: https://hopeheals.com/treasures “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” from The Country of Marriage by Wendell Berry Mend Coffee & Goods: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom A Grace Disguised by Dr. Jerry Sittser Joni by Joni Eareckson Tada Hope Heals by Katherine and Jay Wolf: https://hopeheals.shop/collections/books-resources/products/hope-heals-signed-personalized “The point of the resurrection…is that the present bodily life is not valueless just because it will die…What you do with your body in the present matters because God has a great future in store for it…What you do in the present—by painting, preaching, singing, sewing, praying, teaching, building hospitals, digging wells, campaigning for justice, writing poems, caring for the needy, loving your neighbor as yourself—will last into God's future. These activities are not simply ways of making the present life a little less beastly, a little more bearable, until the day when we leave it behind altogether. They are part of what we may call building for God's kingdom.” - N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope Scriptures Referenced: John 11:25 *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Today Katherine is trying her best to keep her cool as she interviews her longtime hero Dr. Russell Moore, the editor in chief of Christianity Today. You don't want to miss Dr. Moore's fresh insights on some of our favorite themes, like dealing with unmet expectations and anticipating God's future presence and provision in our stories. If you're looking for nuanced approaches to some weighty issues in Christian culture and in your personal relationship with God, this episode is for you. What We'll Cover: Why being failed by our idols can actually be a grace The virtues we can cultivate when we find ourselves in “the wilderness” of life  How to maintain relationships with when your ideologies and opinions don't align Finding security within mystery Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hopeheals.com/podcast. ---- Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America by Russell Moore: https://a.co/d/htjNDnm “A Christian is one who points at Christ and says, ‘I can't prove a thing, but there's something about his eyes and his voice. There's something about the way he carries his head, his hands, the way he carries his cross—the way he carries me.'” - Frederick Buechner The Russell Moore Podcast: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/russell-moore-show/ Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com Scriptures referenced in this episode: Hebrews 6:19 Romans 5:3-5 *** Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote

Be honest. Deep down, are you waiting for a happy ending before you feel permission to celebrate your life? In this solo episode, Katherine is sharing how she stopped waiting for closure and began practicing the spiritual discipline of “joyful rebellion” against fear and despair. We want to share something that could change everything for you: It's possible to celebrate the lives we *actually* have, rather than the lives we wish we had. Because when we celebrate our here-and-now lives, we are taking radical ownership of the stories we've been given. We're thanking God for another day in the land of the living. We're acknowledging that He is with us in the messy middle. Today on the podcast we're talking… What it looks like to celebrate and mourn at the same time Katherine's personal and practical recommendations for hosting your own “brokenness brunch” (which includes a very enthusiastic sidebar on frittatas!) The life-changing magic of surrounding ourselves with a diversity of hard stories Why we should NEVER “save the good stuff” for special occasions How to take radical ownership of the story you've been given If the hope of a happy ending is getting in the way of your healing, this episode is for YOU! -- Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting by Katherine Wolf: https://hopeheals.com/treasures Adam Young's research on the healing power of telling your story: https://adamyoungcounseling.com/2019/12/10/why-engaging-your-story-heals-your-brain/ *** Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

After Katherine's stroke nearly 16 years ago, she was desperate for a “survival guide”—some voice to offer real hope in the aftermath of such disorienting loss. Jerry Sittser, the author of A Grace Disguised, was one of the few trustworthy resources she found after searching far and wide. Dr. Sittser became a bona fide member of the young suffering club when he lost his wife, mother, and young daughter in a catastrophic car accident. The lowest point in his life has developed an astoundingly robust faith and authentic joy.  Sounds like someone we could all learn from, doesn't he? What we'll cover… The possibility that grief could become integrated into healthier, more whole versions of ourselves Allowing our responses to loss to become what defines us, rather than the loss itself defining us Discovering new capacities to develop hard-fought contentment after losing the good things in our lives Practical ways to offer comfort to the people in our lives who are suffering If your loss is swallowing you whole today and you're in desperate need of a survival guide, this episode is for you. --- Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/