The RAD Podcast

I'm back with a new episode— my first ever unscripted one! — and sharing all about my recent solo getaway, what I read (and reread),  what questions I'm asking, and the recent spiritual breakthrough that's changing everything.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:East of Eden by John Steinbeck // amazon / bookshopBandersnatch: An Invitation to Explore Your Unconventional Soul // amazon / bookshopGetaway HouseEmily Roig -- website / spotify /  "You Are Loved"  (LIVE)Hope MusicMusic + mix by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

It's a new year and The RAD Podcast is back with a new season and a slightly new format! We're kicking things off with some reflections on the book I'm reading by Martin Luther King, Jr, the question I'm asking myself lately about what it might mean to love my inner child, and talking about all the bullet journaling I've been doing lately.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, JrMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 24 and I'm recapping some of my favorite reads from 2020, some of the most meaningful action steps I took this year, and discussing what this year has held and what I hope for in 2021.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:My favorite fiction read for this year: The Scent Keeper by Erica BauermeisterMy favorite debut novel this year: The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi DaréMy favorite non-fiction read: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan StevensonMy favorite romance read: The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez, and the sequel The Happy Ever After PlaylistMy favorite self-help read: Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode— and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi KolberMy favorite memoir: Good Enough: Learning to Let Go of Perfect for the Sake of Holy by my friend Wendi NunneryMy favorite Christian read: Leaving Egypt: Finding God in the Wilderness Places by Chuck deGroat and Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us about Freedom by Kelley NikondehaMy favorite young adult read: The Poet X by Elizabeth AcevedoMy favorite poetry read: What Kind of Woman by Kate BaerMy favorite thriller: The Guest List by Lucy FoleyMy favorite fantasy read: A Court of Thorns of Roses, or the whole trilogy reallyThe rings I get engraved with my word of the year Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 23 and I'm sharing all about my article published in the New York Times on my collage project!SHOW NOTES:Make a Collage with Your NewspaperMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 22 and I'm sharing 5 books that feel like fall, talking about experiencing art, and sharing pockets of peace that I've found inspiring.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Chief Inspector Gamache novels by Louise PennyDevotions: The Selected Poems of Mary OliverThe Secret History by Donna TarttThe Night Circus by Erin MorgensternThe Guest List by Lucy FoleyEpisode 1Virginia Museum of Fine ArtsEpisode 20Nabela Noor on TikTokMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 21 and I'm talking about a book on birth order that was incredibly helpful, celebrating your people and how my friends celebrated an important milestone in my life, and living in the tension between two things at once.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are  On Being podcast episode hosted by Krista Tippett with Brene Brownemail from Girls Night InMinaa B posttweet from Iris McAlpinMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 20 and I'm talking about how I organize my books (both read and unread), a new art endeavor in my life, and my struggle to own calling myself an “artist.”Listen in!SHOW NOTES:15% off at ThriftBooks $10 off $25 at BookOutletmy #alltheradjournals shop!!!I'm on tiktok now!Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 19 and I'm sharing my halfway top ten books, some tips and tricks from the curly girl method I'm trying on my hair lately, and some evolving thoughts on impact vs. intent.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:The Scent Keeper: It reminded me a little of Crawdads, mixed with a bit of The Great Alone... // review hereThe Book of Longings: Would it be sacrilegious? Would it feel inappropriate? Would it be bizarre? // review hereA Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live: Spent my early morning being inspired and soothed and comforted // review hereSo You Want to Talk about Race: It's an essential read, and a reference I'll return to again and again as I keep learning and growing // review hereTry Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy: I brought this book to several counseling sessions to talk about it more // review hereThe Friend Zone: I grabbed it at Target before spending 2 hours at the tire shop for my car, and I almost wanted them to take longer so I could finish it in one sitting??? // review hereA Court of Mist and Fury: I didn't know how it could after the first was amazing BUT THEN I READ IT AND HOT DAMN YOU ALL WERE RIGHT // review hereJust Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption: I left this one unread on my shelf for too long, afraid of what it would open my eyes to and what injustices it would expose // review hereDefiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us about Freedom: I am better for having read her words from her heart and her thoughtful and thought-provoking work // review hereThe Vanishing Half: So good, that it inspired me to start a new thing on tiktok sharing mini book reviews?!??? // review hereMy curly girl highlight (with the process for how i plop my hair)“Praying” by Mary Oliver — from this bookMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 18 and I'm sharing three books about the intersection of faith and LGBTQIA stories, why I love using a basket for my quiet time, and my new motto of “authentic over aesthetic.”Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Conviction by Caleb KaltenbachDoes Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America by Jeff ChuGay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill PerryThings in my quiet time basket:this parallel Bible this incredible Women's Bible Commentary this daily meditation book A Morning and Evening PrayerbookSacred Questions: A Transformative Journey through the BibleMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 17 and I'm sharing 5 young adult books by Black authors I have loved reading, two poems I've written about life lately, and apologies.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:23 Phenomenal Young Adult Books By Black Authors From The First Half Of 2020Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline WoodsonSLAY by Brittney MorrisThis Side of Home by Renee WatsonWith the Fire on High by Elizabeth AcevedoThe Nos of Apologies - The PopcastMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 16 and I'm not done talking about the things that matter and the things going on in our nation right now. Join me as I share about a beautiful book I just finished reading, a journaling exercise I'm loving, and read some words I wrote in 2016 about echo chambers.I hope you listen in!SHOW NOTES:A Sojourner's Truth: Choosing Freedom and Courage in a Divided World by Natasha Sistrunk RobinsonRachel Nordgren (where I first saw the truth/beauty/goodness idea!)Philippians 4:8-9 in The MessageEcho Chambers and Challenging Your ComfortabilityMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This is episode 15 and buckle up friends, because today, I'm going there. We're going to dive into the world of racism and talk about why black lives matter and how we can be better allies to all Black, indigenous, people of color. I hope you listen in!SHOW NOTES:resources helping me be a better ally to bipocI'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing BrownBetween the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi CoatesThe Hate U Give by Angie ThomasMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This week, I'm a morning prayer and an evening prayer I found beautiful and encouraging, talking about how much I love my little backyard garden, and reading thoughts on humility I found in my blog archive.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:A Morning and Evening Prayerbook by Jeanie and David GusheeThe original post “on humility and hard work”Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This week, I'm sharing the story of how EMDR therapy changed and saved my life. There's such a clear before and after EMDR change in my life, and I'm so grateful for how it helped heal me. Note— this story covers sensitive and traumatic material, and some strong language, so it's not one to listen to with little ones!Listen in!SHOW NOTES:You can find the written version of this post here.Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This week, I'm sharing five books that have helped my mental health, a fun list challenge, and how i've realized it's hard for me to share my heart's desires with God.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown TaylorThe Healing Path: How the Hurts in Your Past Can Lead You to a More Abundant Life by Dan B. AllenderNo More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending by Esther Fleece Whole: Restoring What Is Broken in Me, You, and the Entire World by Steve Wiens Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber#listmakerchallenge#radmakeslistsSacred Questions: A Transformative Journey through the BibleMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This week, I'm talking about a crazy reading challenge I accomplished in April, a way I'm staying sane in these days of staying home, and a few birthday traditions I'm looking forward to as I celebrate turning 28 this weekend!Listen in!SHOW NOTES:The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay AdamsThe Scent Keeper by Erica BauermeisterA Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily P. FreemanUntamed by Glennon DoyleHere for It by R. Eric ThomasCut Flower Garden The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre WardMy bookstagram: @alltheradreads Celebrating a birthday in quarantineMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This week, I'm reading beautiful words (that I didn't write!) on rest, then pivoting to talk about trying new exercise styles, and sharing some thoughts on unsolicited feedback on the internet.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David WhyteFitOn appMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This week, I'm sharing more about ways to support the places you love (and which local shops I've been grateful for lately), a quarantine bucket list and ideas to fill it out with, and what I've found is working for me in this season (and a prompt for you to think about the same.)Listen in!SHOW NOTES:RICHMOND FAVES:BBGB Chop Suey BooksFountain BookstoreFAVES IN OTHER STATES:see my bookstagram highlight hereQuarantine bucket listMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

I know we're all in quarantine and dealing with unprecedented times, so it's my hope that this episode full of great books, a compelling psalm, and talk about being learners is an encouraging break from the wild world out there.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:The Friend Zone by Abby JimenezThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins ReidWhat to Say Next by Julie BuxbaumOne Day in December by Josie SilverField Notes on Love by Jennifer E. SmithSacred Questions devotionalPsalm 16 in the NLT + The Message“A Golden Hour” - Tsh OxenreiderJen Hatmaker's new book — Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You (pre-orders open now)Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

These are weird and stressful times, but I'm here to talk about good, helpful, and hopeful things, because I know I need those right now and I'm guessing you do too.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Jen Hatmaker's new book — Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You (pre-orders open now)Calm appPowerSheets (the intentional goal planner I use)Aundi Kolber's book Try Softer (I talk about it a lot in Episode 5!)Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

This week's episode is something different— a deep dive into just one topic instead of our normal RAD rhythm. I'm sharing all about counseling and how going weekly for over three years has both saved and changed my life, and answering some of the most frequently asked questions I get about counseling, too. Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Some posts I've written about counseling:One Year of Weekly Counseling: The Battles, Victories, and Lessons LearnedCounseling and Courage: How Showing Up is Saving Me“How's Your Anxiety?”The Best Books to Read for and about Depression and AnxietyThis is What it Means to Be RealWhat Baked Potatoes Taught Me about Renewing My MindDear Body…on antidotes for anxiety.Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

Hey friends — the world is a crazy place to be right now, but this episode includes no mention of viruses or toilet paper shortages or even Friday the 13th superstitions! Let it be a little break from the madness.Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi KolberBen Rector - “Fear”Amanda Lindsey Cook - “Heroes”New York Times Sunday newspaperMy bookstagramNeedtobreatheSmart SweetsDon't Look BackBrene BrownMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

I'm FINALLY recovered from the flu and back in action — talking about a favorite genre of mine (that you might not expect), the best and most simple thing I do that brings me life, and a phrase I hate (but how I made it work for me, too).Listen in!SHOW NOTES:Young adult books:The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogyTo All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogyWhat to Say Next by Julie BuxbaumTell Me Three Things by Julie BuxbaumThe Cheerleaders by Kara ThomasEverything, Everything by Nicola YoonThe Sun is Also a Star by Nicola YoonLove from A to Z by S.K. AliAmerican Royals by Katharine McGeeSandhya MenonRed, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuistonEVERY YA book I've read!TED article on Amy CuddyAmy Cuddy's TEDtalkMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

SHOW NOTES:The Read Harder Challenge from Book RiotThe 2020 Reading Challenge from Modern Mrs. DarcyA RAD Reading ChallengeInspiration posts for A RAD Reading ChallengeThe Good List (Tsh Oxenreider's podcast)Might I Suggest… (Hayley Morgan's podcast)The National Museum of American HistorySermon series designs by Emma Julian at The ChapelThe women at the re:creation creativity retreat:Paige Daniels - Sunday Vibes PhotoNicole UniceJackie Koenig PaintingCarrie MullinsStacie Heyman - Petal and Stem Floral DesignAustin Kleon - Steal Like an ArtistBob GoffQuestions for self-reflection / questions to reflect on your year (ignore that it says 2015!)Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

I wasn't always a fan of book series— I usually like to move on quickly and read widely— but several standout series convinced me to change my tune. Today, I'm sharing 5 book series I loved, and asking you to share your favorites with me too! I'm also chatting about meeting friends from the internet (I promise not everyone is trying to catfish you!) and using people's names in conversation. Listen in, friends!SHOW NOTES:Three Pines series with Inspector Gamache by Louise PennyThe Selection series by Kiera CassTruly Devious series by Maureen JohnsonA Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. MaasThe Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. LewisMy bookstagram @alltheradreadsAnnie + KelseyMusic by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

SHOW NOTES:Choose Wonder over WorryAmber Rae on InstagramSabbath resources:Garden City by John Mark ComerThat Sounds Fun Podcast January 2018 Rhythms: Sabbath + John Mark ComerPico Iyer // TED Talk + The Art of Stillness bookwhy I sabbathSabbath by Dan B. AllenderHow to Set Boundaries (and Why It Matters)Present over Perfect by Shauna NiequistEmail me to discuss your thoughts on “Is it real? Is it possible?”Music by Drew Dawson (my talented brother!) // Dawson Music on Twitter + InstagramRachel A. Dawson on Twitter + Instagram + bookstagram

The RAD Podcast is a brand new show from Rachel A. Dawson (aka RAD) -- all about reading, action, and discussion. I'm so glad you're here! Listen in to hear more about the show and what to expect in future episodes.