Podcasts about Belonging

We're celebrating PFN's birthday by shining a light on the partners who have been part of our journey toward people-first leadership, meaningful work, and purpose-driven impact. This special feature from The CultureCon Podcast with Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld captures the heart of their work and the shared mission that brings us together. Enjoy! — In a world starving for real connection, what if the answer is as simple and as radical as pulling up more chairs?

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes back Jen De Oliveira to celebrate her early reader graphic novel, Pip and Pals Otter Space. Jen shares how Pip, a river otter, went through many iterations—from the youngest of three siblings, to a tinkering kid with a "fix-it" dad, to the green-furred "space otter" readers meet today. Guided (and sometimes challenged) by her editor Esther Hernandez, Jen describes the emotional roller coaster of being told a story "isn't quite working" and having to return to the sketchbook to discover something better. Jen explains how she thinks in both words and pictures, making comics the perfect medium for her storytelling. She traces her journey from wanting to work in animation, to teaching elementary school, to rediscovering comics as a classroom teacher building a more diverse library for her students. Jen also dives into craft—outlining like a screenwriter, thumbnailing pages, and learning to let images replace unnecessary dialogue. Beneath the silly "otter space" premise, the book explores identity, belonging, and the idea of home. Pip wonders whether she truly belongs where she is or if there's a distant "home planet," opening rich opportunities for family conversations about community, multiple homes, and feeling like you don't quite fit in. Jen also makes a strong case for graphic novels as real reading, emphasizing visual literacy and the power of "reading as thinking." In the final segment, author and longtime educator Melanie Padgett joins the show to discuss Aikens River Rat, a middle-grade novel inspired by her late husband's 1970s South Carolina childhood. Centered on twelve-year-old Adrian and his beloved Paw Paw, the book celebrates intergenerational relationships, outdoor adventures, and the beauty of South Carolina's rivers. Melanie highlights how stories like these can both meet classroom learning goals and spark meaningful family conversations about nature, history, music, and shared memories.

Friend, have you ever experienced a season where everything you thought was secure suddenly fell apart?This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with Bible teacher, author, speaker, and teaching pastor Alli Patterson to talk about freedom, failure, redemption, and learning to build our lives on the only foundation that truly lasts.Alli shares her powerful personal story of coming to faith as a teenager, drifting away from the Lord during college and early adulthood, and eventually walking through a devastating season of brokenness that nearly destroyed her marriage. Through that painful experience, she encountered the kindness, forgiveness, and presence of Jesus in a way she had never known before.What I love about Alli's story is that it reminds us that God is not afraid of our mess. He is a God of redemption, restoration, and second chances.We also dive into her newest Bible study, Spirit-Led Bible Study: Six Practices to Bring the Bible to Life, where Alli teaches practical ways to approach Scripture that move beyond simply reading words on a page and into genuinely encountering God through His Word.One of my favorite moments from this conversation was Alli's reminder that hearing God's Word is only part of the equation.Jesus didn't simply call us to listen.He called us to build.The storms of life reveal what our foundation is made of, and true freedom comes when we choose to build our lives on Christ instead of success, comfort, achievement, or our own plans.Whether you've struggled with failure, finding your footing after difficult seasons, or feeling intimidated by studying the Bible, this conversation will encourage you to take the next step toward Jesus and trust Him to rebuild what feels broken.Bio:Alli Patterson is a teacher, author, wife and mom of four out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She currently serves as a Teaching Pastor at Crossroads Church on the national teaching team. Alli is the leader of Woman Camp and founder of the Ignite Conference out of her passion for equipping women in the Kingdom of God.As a lifetime learner and lover of scripture with a seminary degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, Alli loves to create ways for others to know and love Jesus through his Word. She has created a fresh approach to Bible study in the release of Spirit-Led Bible Study, coming February 2026. She has written two books, How to Stay Standing and Blueprint for Belonging- both providing practical help translating Biblical principles into real life. Alli speaks at events and conferences and enjoys podcasting. She is a runner and die-hard Buckeye football fan who loves Mexican food almost as much as her bratty calico cat.Anchor Verses:Luke 6:47-49Luke 6:45Connect with Alli:Website: https://www.allipatterson.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/theallipattersonLinktree: https://linktr.ee/theallipattersonAbout Spirit-Led Bible StudyIn Spirit-Led Bible Study: Six Practices to Bring the Bible to Life, Alli teaches practical and approachable ways to engage Scripture, helping readers move beyond simply reading the Bible to truly interacting with God through His Word.The study introduces six practices designed to help believers observe, interpret, pray through, and apply Scripture while allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the process.***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we'd be so grateful if you'd take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it's a simple way to make a big impact!***

Equity work in nonprofits requires more than diversifying leadership pipelines—it calls for organizations to examine how workplace culture, decision-making structures, hiring practices, and everyday interactions continue to reflect broader systems of inequity. Despite our current environment of backlash, these are issues that nonprofits need to continue to grapple with. This episode of the podcast Nonprofit Mission: Impact revisits conversations about equity, inclusion, and power in the nonprofit sector, exploring how broader societal systems show up inside nonprofit organizations. Through reflections from a variety of guests, Carol Hamilton and her guests: ·      Examine the emotional toll of assimilation and code-switching, ·      Explore the ways organizational culture often undermines equity efforts even when intentions are good. ·      Highlight practical pathways forward. These practical pathways include: ·      deep listening to communities, ·      rethinking hiring and leadership pipelines, ·      embedding equity into organizational strategy rather than treating it as separate work, and ·      cultivating cultures where people can show up more authentically. Throughout the episode, Carol Hamilton and her guests emphasize that change requires both systemic attention and everyday interpersonal choices that help people feel seen, heard, and valued. Episode Highlights Time-Stamped Highlights 00:00 — Why Equity Work Still Matters 02:17— Nonprofits Reflect the Larger Culture 05:00— Understanding the Systems We Inherit 07:30— Representation, Power, and Listening to Communities 13:00— The Emotional Toll of Assimilation and Code Switching 17:00— Why Diversity Without Cultural Change Fails 21:18— The Hidden Cost of Equity Work 24:00— Reimagining Executive Search and Leadership Pipelines 26:24— Embedding Equity Into Strategy and Leadership 30:29— Building Communities of Support 31:46— Creating the Future Through Everyday Actions About your podcast host: Carol Hamilton, principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations align around clear priorities and take meaningful action toward their mission. When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them

In this episode, Ben Norquist and Brian Miller make the case that American Christians have become a placeless, rootless people and that we are shaped by inherited land stories. That our land is exceptional. That property is something to wall off. That the ground exists to be taken and turned into wealth. We dig into where these stories came from, how they affect our faith, and why it matters that Scripture opens with God calling place good. We talk about how to read the place you actually live, whose stories get monuments and whose get erased, and what better land stories, ones shaped more like Jesus, might look like.Dr. Ben Norquist is a writer, researcher, and communications strategist whose work explores how Christian understandings of land shape mora/l imagination and public life. He serves with the Bethlehem Institute for Peace & Justice, engaging American Christians on questions of theology, justice, and the realities in Palestine. He is co-author of Every Somewhere Sacred: Rescuing a Theology of Place in the American Imagination (InterVarsity Press, 2026).Brian Miller (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is professor of sociology at Wheaton College and regularly teaches about and publishes on Christian residential and cultural patterns. His books include Sanctifying Suburbia: How the Suburbs Becamethe Promised Land for American Evangelicals and Building Faith: A Sociology of Religious Structures, coauthored with Robert Brenneman.Ben & Brian's Book:Every Somewhere SacredConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeSupport the podcast and the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Darlene Thomas, Executive Director of Greenhouse17, a domestic violence shelter and advocacy program in Kentucky built on a 40-acre farm. Darlene shares how Greenhouse17 reimagined shelter by moving away from shame, secrecy, rigid rules, and one-size-fits-all support. Together, they discuss survivor shame, community belonging, financial abuse, economic repair, and why safety is only one part of rebuilding after abuse. Darlene explains how abusers can trap survivors through ruined credit, stolen identities, unpaid debts, lost income, and financial dependence, and how Greenhouse17 helps survivors begin repairing those pieces through education, support, stipends, and survivor-centered care. This conversation is also about worth. It is about what can happen when survivors are treated as people with value, not problems to manage. Through farming, flowers, handmade products, community connection, and grace, Greenhouse17 offers a model of shelter where survivors are supported, trusted, invested in, and given room to grow. Click here to learn more about Greenhouse17.org To download the financial handbook mentioned in this episode -> CLICK HERE CLICK HERE if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summer is here, and with it comes an invitation to embrace the sacred practice of faithful fun. In this episode of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman explores how joy, play, rest, and community can become powerful spiritual practices that renew the soul.Drawing from experiences at the Wild Goose Festival's silent disco, community Pride celebrations, and the June Rainbows photo challenge, Tara reflects on the biblical call to Sabbath and the importance of creating spaces where all people are welcomed, celebrated, and loved. Along the way, she shares stories of unexpected connection, healing, belonging, and moments of "life to the full" that remind us that faithful fun is more than recreation—it's sacred work.Whether you're feeling weary, overwhelmed, or simply looking for inspiration this summer, this episode invites you to stop waiting for "someday" and make room for joy today. Discover how practices of rest, playfulness, acceptance, and community can help you experience renewal and abundance in everyday life.Join us for a summer conversation about faithful fun, Pride, Sabbath, and the holy shenanigans that surprise, encourage, and transform us all.Send Tara a Text MessageSupport the showRev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary's Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

Do you really love Jesus or do you love the benefits of Jesus. If you really love Jesus you'll not only appreciate what he's done for you but you'll want that for others. Your heart will break for what breaks His heart…..Those People.At Discover Church, we exist to see our city changed by Jesus, one life at a time, by helping people discover LIFE in Christ, BELONGING in Community & PURPOSE in God's Calling on their life so that they can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.-You can join us live on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11:00 am, either in person or online! Visit www.discoverchurchkc.com for more information!

Spiritual realities are voice-activated. “Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth.” “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” so without question, right believing will produces right speaking. But since we are spiritual people, according to this passage, right speaking can absolutely influence our believing.

Remember, “God is the Holy One, who inhabits eternity.” Our prayer with this talk is that we allow the apostle John's revelation to give us a fresh, BORN-AGAIN, eternal perspective. You've gotta wrap your head around this, right now, regardless of your beliefs, you are an eternal being.

Fluent Fiction - Danish: Dancing into Belonging: Søren's Journey in Ancient Rom Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2026-06-15-22-34-02-da Story Transcript:Da: Solen kastede sit varme lys over de brostensbelagte gader i det antikke Rom.En: The sun cast its warm light over the cobblestone streets of ancient Rom.Da: Det var sommerens højdepunkt, og byen strålede med liv og glæde.En: It was the height of summer, and the city buzzed with life and joy.Da: Farverige bannere svajede i vinden, og folk strømmede mod forum, hvor midtsommerfesten begyndte.En: Colorful banners swayed in the wind, and people flocked to the forum where the midsummer festival was beginning.Da: Søren gik langsomt, lidt bag Astrid og Freja.En: Søren walked slowly, a little behind Astrid and Freja.Da: Hans øjne var åbne, men hans sind var fyldt med tanker.En: His eyes were open, but his mind was filled with thoughts.Da: "Kan jeg virkelig føle mig hjemme her?"En: "Can I really feel at home here?"Da: tænkte han.En: he wondered.Da: Astrid derimod strålede af forventning.En: Astrid, on the other hand, was beaming with anticipation.Da: Hun elskede nye eventyr.En: She loved new adventures.Da: Freja, en varm og indbydende romersk kvinde, smilte opmuntrende til Søren.En: Freja, a warm and welcoming Roman woman, smiled encouragingly at Søren.Da: "Det er en smuk tradition," sagde hun, mens hun pegede på danserne, der svang sig rytmisk til musikken.En: "It is a beautiful tradition," she said, pointing to the dancers swaying rhythmically to the music.Da: De tre nåede frem til festivalens hjerte.En: The three reached the heart of the festival.Da: Atmosfæren var elektrisk med duften af eksotiske krydderier, der svævede gennem luften, og lyden af latter, der blandede sig med trommers rytmer.En: The atmosphere was electric with the scent of exotic spices wafting through the air and the sound of laughter mingling with the rhythms of drums.Da: Søren følte sig stadig udenfor.En: Søren still felt like an outsider.Da: Rom med sine mægtige søjler og historier var overvældende.En: Rom, with its mighty columns and stories, was overwhelming.Da: Han ønskede at passe ind, men sproget og skikkene var så fremmede.En: He wanted to fit in, but the language and customs were so foreign.Da: "Astrid, hvordan kan du være så rolig?"En: "Astrid, how can you be so calm?"Da: spurgte han lavmælt.En: he asked softly.Da: Astrid klappede ham venligt på skulderen.En: Astrid patted him kindly on the shoulder.Da: "Bare hengiv dig til øjeblikket, Søren."En: "Just give in to the moment, Søren."Da: Freja trak dem mod danserne.En: Freja pulled them towards the dancers.Da: "Kom, dans med os!"En: "Come, dance with us!"Da: opfordrede hun med et stort smil.En: she encouraged with a big smile.Da: Men Søren tøvede.En: But Søren hesitated.Da: Dagen skred frem, og festivitasen blev mere intens.En: As the day progressed, the festivities became more intense.Da: Mennesker omkring dem begyndte at danse, og musikken steg.En: People around them began to dance, and the music soared.Da: Astrid greb Sørens hånd og Freja lo ved hans side.En: Astrid grabbed Søren's hand, and Freja laughed by his side.Da: Endelig, i festivalens højdepunkt, gav Søren efter.En: Finally, at the height of the festival, Søren relented.Da: Med en dyb indånding trådte han ind i ringen af dansende mennesker.En: With a deep breath, he stepped into the circle of dancing people.Da: Frejas latter fyldte luften, og Astrids opmuntrende blik gav ham mod.En: Freja's laughter filled the air, and Astrid's encouraging look gave him courage.Da: Musikken bar ham.En: The music carried him.Da: Hans fødder fulgte rytmen, og hans hjerte åbnede sig.En: His feet followed the rhythm, and his heart opened up.Da: Et sjældent smil bredte sig på hans læber, en oplevelse af frihed og glæde.En: A rare smile spread across his lips, an experience of freedom and joy.Da: Da natten faldt på, var Søren ikke længere blot en tilskuer.En: As night fell, Søren was no longer just a spectator.Da: Han var blevet en del af festen, en del af Roma.En: He had become part of the celebration, part of Roma.Da: Astrid tog et billede af hans smil; et øjeblik af ægte lykke.En: Astrid took a picture of his smile; a moment of true happiness.Da: Søren havde krydset grænsen fra frygt til glæde.En: Søren had crossed the boundary from fear to joy.Da: Han forstod nu, at verdens storhed ventede på ham, hvis han bare turde træde ind.En: He now understood that the greatness of the world awaited him if he only dared to step in.Da: Den nat i Rom lærte Søren at omfavne det ukendte og glæde sig ved nye eventyr uden frygt.En: That night in Rom, Søren learned to embrace the unknown and rejoice in new adventures without fear.Da: Han havde fundet sin plads i fjerne egnes skikke, fyldt med selvtillid og håb.En: He had found his place in the customs of distant lands, filled with confidence and hope.Da: Nu vidste han, at ingen steder var for fremmede til at blive hjemme.En: Now he knew that no place was too foreign to become home. Vocabulary Words:cobblestone: brostensbelagteanticipation: forventningencouragingly: opmuntrenderhythmically: rytmiskelectric: elektriskexotic: eksotiskewafting: svævedeoverwhelming: overvældendeforeign: fremmedehesitated: tøvederelented: gav efterspectator: tilskuerembrace: omfavneboundaries: grænsensoared: stegrar: sjældentbanners: banneremingling: blandedetradition: traditionadventures: eventyrflocked: strømmedemighty: mægtigecolumns: søjlerheart: hjertefestivities: festivitasensofter: lavmæltscent: duftenapparent: oplagtecustoms: skikkeconfidence: selvtillid

Hear Joni share a sweet story about her friend's son – it'll be sure to make you laugh! -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Lionel Exploring the Sociological and Psychological Underpinnings of Collective Celebration Following a Major Sports Championship. Furthermore Highlighting How Public Rituals and Sports Fandom Serve as Vital Tools for Human Tribalism, Providing a Sense of Belonging in an Increasingly Fragmented and Isolated Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Faculty Records Promised Belonging But Marked Me for ErasureBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dark-mysteries-the-strange-and-unusual-podcast-2026--5684156/support.Darkest Mysteries Online

Recorded live at The Conduit in London in September 2024, Baratunde and Elizabeth Stewart sit down with their friend and longtime collaborator Jon Alexander, author of CITIZENS and co-host of the podcast How To Save Democracy, for a conversation about citizen as a verb: the radical, hopeful idea that democracy isn't something we have, it's something we do. They get into the story we inherited about independence, the older and truer story about interdependence, the four pillars of citizening, and why a moment when so much feels like it's collapsing is exactly the moment to start building. The timing is no accident. On Saturday, June 13, 2026 Jon takes the TED Democracy stage in Philadelphia at the birthplace of American independence, during America's 250th, to make the case for interdependence. A British man crossing the Atlantic to tell us the move is getting back together. Keep practicing democracy. The verb, not the noun. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 "We're gonna need some builders" (cold open)00:02:11 Welcome to How To Save Democracy00:02:45 How this London night came together00:03:40 Citizen as a verb, and the shift from head to heart00:05:40 Latent love: citizen, not consumer00:07:25 Story as the most powerful technology we have00:09:45 Consumer democracy and the only restaurant in town00:10:59 Why the vote still matters00:12:06 Head, heart, and gut00:16:24 Co-authors of this world: nature, each other, machines00:20:29 The four pillars, one at a time00:21:00 Pillar 1 - Invest in relationships (including with yourself)00:29:45 Pillar 2 - Understand power (and your attention)00:33:35 Pillar 3 - Commit to the collective (Bahrain and Broadband Bruce)00:44:10 Pillar 4 - Show up and participate00:44:25 Questions from the room00:46:42 Belonging, authoritarianism, and the case for builders00:49:38 Burnout, rupture, and repair00:52:35 Doomsday Preppers: two ways to survive00:54:10 How might we live together, period00:56:35 Citizens, not just consumers LINKS How To Save Democracy with Omezzine Khelifa & Jon Alexander: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-save-democracy/id1823945285 American Indigenous Democracy: A Call for Interdependence — the book from Haudenosaunee elders and wisdom keepers: https://americanindigenousdemocracy.com Jon Alexander / CITIZENS: https://jonalexander.netSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

326 | Sun Yung Shin My guest today is Sun Yung Shin, poet and author of the new book Heart Eater: A Memoir of Immigration, Belonging, and How We Find Ourselves in Language. Sun Yung's work examines the complexities of transracial and transnational adoption, identity, and the limits of what some adoptees can ever truly know about their origins. We discuss some of the pressures adoptees carry to make sense of their stories, and why we need to move beyond the expected search-and-reunion narrative.   Full Show Notes and Transcript Here   Join our adoptee community on Patreon here   Check out our upcoming live events here!   Find out more about Adoptees for Family Preservation here!   Support Haley's new podcast here!   This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing stated on it, either by its hosts or any guests, is to be construed as psychological, medical or legal advice. Please seek out professionals in those fields if you need those services. The views expressed by the hosts of Adoptees On or any guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organization or other person unless otherwise stated.

Discover fresh insights for church communications and digital ministry in this episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast. This episode brings together digital ministry practitioners from the Phygital Ministry Fellows program. They share practical takeaways and deep reflections on building real relationships, fostering belonging, and creating spiritual spaces online.Whether you're a full-time digital pastor or new to online ministry, this episode will help you reimagine how to meet people in digital arenas—moving beyond simply broadcasting content to nurturing meaningful connection and community. You'll hear firsthand about real questions people carry into digital spaces, how to connect with younger generations, using pop culture as a bridge to faith, and the ethical considerations every church should make before trying the latest technology.(00:00) - Introduction: Rethinking Digital Ministry(02:08) - What Questions Are People Bringing Online?(05:00) - Belonging, Anxiety & Purpose in Digital Spaces(07:38) - Digital Spaces as First Stop for Spiritual Questions(09:39) - Are Online Relationships Really Shallow?(13:54) - Discord and Deep Community Formation(16:47) - The Gift of Vulnerability & Agency Online(18:58) - Markers of Trust in Digital Gatherings(21:41) - Rethinking Youth Engagement: Asking Better Questions(23:03) - Grieving the Old Models & Embracing Humility(24:08) - What Draws Young People to Online Spaces?(28:10) - Pop Culture as Sacred Text(32:14) - Theology of Incarnation and Presence in Digital Ministry(36:14) - Practicing Neighborliness in Virtual Spaces(37:48) - Ethics of Technology Use in Church(39:23) - Voices in the Wilderness: Pastoring Beyond the Walls(42:02) - Practical Takeaways for Digital Ministry(45:46) - Resources and ClosingMyCom is a production of United Methodist Communications. Find more episodes, show notes and links, and more resources for your communications ministry toolkit at www.ResourceUMC.org/MyCom-Podcast

Could one magical journey change how children see the world? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Sheila A. Morrow on her new children's book Kam and Santa's Global Adventure: A Magical Christmas Across the World!Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comSheila A. Morrow is an award-winning, international bestselling children's author, U.S. Army veteran, SIU business graduate, and former Hollywood children's talent agent whose career spans more than a decade in children's entertainment, storytelling, and talent development. After years of working directly with children, families, and young performers across film, television, and commercial media—gaining a firsthand understanding of how stories shape confidence, identity, and emotional growth, she returned to Illinois to focus on writing empowering, culturally inclusive children's books centered on empathy, curiosity, and belonging. Her work supports social-emotional learning (SEL) and multicultural literacy and has earned national and international Amazon Bestseller recognition, Royal Dragonfly Book Award acknowledgment, and 2025 Family Choice and Parent's Pick Awards. Sheila is currently building a cohesive children's literature ecosystem spanning picture books and future middle-grade series focused on empathy and global awareness. www.sheilaamorrow.com Order on Amazon: https://a.co/d/06xyz4mw To learn more about the show and interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

In this episode, panelists discuss what American democracy has and hasn't delivered on equality, access, and opportunity, and whether that internal reckoning is now inseparable from the country's standing and credibility as a world leader.   Host: Meena Bose, Executive Dean, Public Policy and Public Service Programs and Director, Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs, Hofstra University; CFR Member    Guests: Jamelle Bouie, Opinion Columnist, New York Times    Jane Kamensky, President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello; Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History Emerita, Harvard University    Elizabeth Rule, Assistant Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies, American University; Author, Indigenous DC: Native Peoples and the Nation's Capital   Introductory Remarks: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations; CFR Member    Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR's Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: America at 250: Democracy, Belonging, and Power

There's a feeling that's difficult to explain…because on the surface…everything looks connected.You have conversations.You have relationships.You move through different spaces.

Why do so many girls disengage from sport during their school years and what can schools do to change that? In this special Teachers Talk Radio show in partnership with the Football Association (FA), hosts Tom Rogers and Rae Whitehouse are joined by Stacey Mullock, Head of Development at The FA, and secondary teacher Helen Tonks to explore the barriers still holding girls back in sport and school life. Whether it be misogyny and exclusion to body confidence, periods, kit anxiety and the fear of judgement, this honest and practical conversation looks at the real experiences many girls face and why these issues extend far beyond the football pitch. Drawing on insights from the FA & Barclays Made for This Game: Breaking Barriers campaign, the panel discusses how schools can create environments where girls feel confident, included and able to belong. The conversation explores what misogyny looks like in schools today, how teachers can open difficult conversations with confidence, and the small cultural shifts that can make a big difference. With 90% of schools now offering girls equal access to football, progress is real but access alone isn't enough. This show looks at what comes next and how teachers can help girls build confidence, resilience and a lasting sense of self-worth.

Speaker - Rudy Nikkerud Message - I Love God's House "I Said Yes To Jesus" - Click Here! The Belonging Cø • Nashville, TN USA For the latest on what's happening at church, visit thebelonging.co

What does it mean to find home in a wounded world? In this deeply moving episode of Now and Then ...Again, host Wendy VanderWal Martin welcomes Dr. Carlos Thompson, professor of Christian Ministry and Disability at Western Theological Seminary and steward of the Friendship House Fellows Program. Fresh from his keynote address at the Henri Nouwen Society's international conference, Longing for Home: The Prophetic Witness of Henri Nouwen in a Wounded World, Carlos reflects on the enduring wisdom of Henri Nouwen and the surprising places where God meets us. Drawing from Nouwen's vision of the “wounded healer,” Carlos explores why our deepest longings cannot be fulfilled through achievement, expertise, or self-sufficiency. Instead, home is something we receive—not create. Through stories of community, disability, friendship, and faith, he offers a powerful invitation to embrace vulnerability, honor our human neediness, and become fellow travelers with one another. This conversation challenges the myth of independence and reveals how belonging is discovered in relationship—with God and with others. Thoughtful, honest, and hope-filled, it is a rich exploration of what it means to slow down, “waste time” with Jesus, and discover that the very needs we try to hide may be the doorway to divine belonging. If you long for deeper connection, this episode is for you. Resources & Links Western Theological Seminary: https://www.westernsem.edu/ Friendship House: https://www.westernsem.edu/beyond-the-classroom/friendship-house/ Bio and Contact for Carlos: https://www.westernsem.edu/faculty/thompson/ Book Discussed: Wounded Healer Finding Our Way Home * TO DONATE & SUPPORT: https://henrinouwen.org/donate/ * SIGN UP FOR FREE DAILY E-MEDITATIONS: https://henrinouwen.org/meditation/ * MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://henrinouwen.org/ * FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/henrinouwensociety/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/nouwensociety FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/nouwensociety/ PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.ca/henrinouwen/

(Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center) Drawing in the Buddhist teaching of dependent co-arising, this talk explores what it means to belong to a living world

Two time Emmy and Peabody Award winning Documentary Filmmaker Deeyah Khan has dedicated over a decade of her life to making empathetic and unflinching films which deal with some of the most important and polarizing issues confronting our world today; extremism, violence against women, inequality, racism and social exclusion.Deeyah has filmed with:battle-hardened jihadis, members of armed militia groups, American domestic terrorists and white supremacists, And through these encounters she's had illuminating and often surprising results. After spending a number of months filming with members of the United States' largest neo-Nazi organization, three high-ranking figures, including the leader, left the movement and rejected its white supremacist ideology. All of them crediting their encounters with Deeyah as the catalyst for them to leave.Today we'll engage in a deep and moving discussion about what Deeyah has learned from her unique and extraordinary experiences. Learnings that in essence come back to the power and potential of:Radical curiosity,Deep listening,Choosing Love,And having a fierce and unwavering commitment to center the inherent dignity of all human beings.This is the final conversation in our mini series on Love. A four letter word that is perhaps one of the most complicated in our culture,and yet simultaneously may be the most important practice for our time. This series, which has been years in the making ultimately brought together some of the world's leading:Peace and reconciliation workers, Conflict transformation experts,Scholars on compassion, altruism, and generosity,Storytellers,Writers, FilmmakersAnd spiritual teachers To unpack how Love, as Deeyah so beautifully puts it,"Is, and has always been, the great interrupter." Love is what can help to break cycles of violence, hatred, and polarization.Love is what connects us.Love is what liberates.Love is what heals.Love is what brings us back to each other. And Choosing Love is exactly what these times are calling for. For more on Deeyah, her films, music, and other offerings please visit deeyah.com Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations from our mini-series on Love:On the Possibility of Meeting Hate with Love | Dr. Barbara TintOn Love and the Illusion of Separateness | Elias AmidonOn Awakening, Belonging, and Love | Henry ShukmanOn Love, Storytelling, and Radical Curiosity | Baktash AhadiOn the Power of Love | Stephen G. PostEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

(Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center) Drawing in the Buddhist teaching of dependent co-arising, this talk explores what it means to belong to a living world

In this deeply grounding and insightful episode #215 of the Self-Care Goddess Podcast, we begin with a gentle guided check-in to bring body, heart, and mind into coherence creating the space for an honest, expansive conversation about leadership, intuition, burnout, and self-trust.Joining us is Elisa Cristalogo, coach, speaker, and founder of Coaching and Medicine Incorporated. Elisa supports high-achieving women in midlife who feel exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in cycles of overworking and yo-yo dieting, despite looking “successful” on the outside.Together, we explore:✅What intuitive leadership really looks like in high-pressure environments✅A pivotal leadership moment that reshaped Elisa's career and leadership style✅Why relationship-building is the foundation of sustainable success✅The hidden signs of burnout many women miss until it's too late✅How control, perfectionism, and over-responsibility impact women's health✅Why modern leadership is shifting from over-proving to self-trust✅How women can create healthier boundaries at work and at homeThis episode is especially powerful for ambitious women navigating midlife transitions, leadership roles, or the quiet realization that “doing it all” is no longer sustainable.This conversation is a reminder: You don't need to push harder to succeed, you need to listen deeper.

Bruce Lipton famously said that The Matrix is more a documentary than a movie. And that to be truly free, humans must escape the subconscious programming they have been subjected to since childhood. In this episode from the Align Podcast, Bruce Lipton explains why fear may be at the root of most modern illness, how beliefs shape biology through epigenetics, and why 95% of our lives are driven by subconscious programs. We also explore self-love, stress, healing, personal responsibility, psychedelics, consciousness, and practical ways to reprogram the mind. ALIGN PODCAST EPISODE #598 IS SPONSORED BY:

Rest to Return, a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We begin by gathering around a single question: What do we need in order to sustain our sacred purpose? I received Kohenet smicha from The Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute in July 2017. The chorus of voices affirming that I am a Kohenet was recorded during the ceremony. The Torah reference about ceasing from work comes from Breishit 2:2. My understanding of Jewish people as “people of the book, body, and earth” has been informed by a number of sources and teachers; notable among them is Rav Kohenet Taya Mâ. Though I have come to understand that many somatic therapists and practitioners have written about the way that trauma can cause people to dissociate from their bodies, I learned it from a variety of sources and forums, none of which credited a source. The Kabbalistic concept of the Four Worlds is outlined in greater depth here. Octavia Raheem is an embodied practitioner and author who you can learn more about here. Asher Yatzar by Dan Nichols Helen Marie is a psychotherapist who you can learn more about here. The story of Reb Zusha is paraphrased from Martin Buber's Tales of the Hasidim. I learned the concept of makom kavuah (our fixed place) from Rabbi David Jaffe, Founder of Kirva, during a session about the Mussar concept of anavah (being right-sized). This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS's core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org, including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira on retreat this August: Returning Anew   Learn more about Keshira's latest class at IJS on Mindful Speech as a Spiritual Practice Learn more about Shevet, IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s)  IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity Sits for Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information. Join our mailing list to be notified about our upcoming fall courses, including Keshira's Earth, Moon, Mindfulness year-long class.

Thank you, friends, for clicking on this episode of the Pondering Purple podcast, a source of information, insight and inspiration for those who love MKs and those who are MKs.In this second segment of the series on TCKs and Neurodiversity, we go deeper into the topics, exploring what neurodiversity is, its strengths and challenges, and why it so often gets missed in cross-cultural contexts. You'll also hear quotes from adult neurodivergent MKs about their lives and the lessons they've learned. Note: this is an audio recording of the article found here.One more installment in this series will drop in the next couple of weeks—a video of those eleven adult TCKs revealing more of their stories. You won't want to miss seeing their faces and hearing their voices! Send a quick email to ⁠shellphoenix@gmail.com⁠ if you'd like to be notified when they do.The TCK Profile page:https://michelephoenix.com/neurodiversity-tck-profiles/Articles quoted in this episode: How to Help Neurodiverse TCKs in Transition – Jenilee GoodwinHow to Notice Neurodiversity in Third Culture Kids – Jenilee GoodwinNavigating Neurodivergence and Third Culture Identity – Dr. Kristen WilliamsonThird Culture Autism: Being Different in a Difference – Nanyadiri (Lala)Belonging in Translation: Autism, ADHD, and the Hidden Labor of Adapting Across Cultures – Dr. Laura MannucciMentioned in this episode:The Child Serve article on supporting families with children with greater needs: https://www.childserve.org/help-caregiver/The previous episode with Jenilee Goodwin: ⁠https://youtu.be/K4c24djz9Vg⁠Further recommended reading:Belonging in Translation — Laura MannucciDifferent, Not Less — Chloé HaydenDivergent Mind — Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You — Jenara Nerenberg Driven to Distraction — Hallowell & RateyEmbracing the Autism Spectrum — Dr. Stephanie HomesLost in Translation — The Social Language Theory of Neurodivergence — Janae Elisabeth  Neurodiversity for Dummies — John Marble, KhushbooChabria, and Ranga JayaramanUnmasking Autism — Devon PriceUniquely Human — Barry PrizantUniquely Us — Dr. Stephanie HomesMake sure you subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss any episodes!To purchase your copy of Pieces of Purple, visit any Amazon hub around the world. (US: https://amzn.to/4nQC9B7)To purchase your copy of Of Stillness and Storm, visit: https://amzn.to/2Qjs7OdLearn more about me, access my resources, and read my articles on my website: www.michelephoenix.comFour ways to make sure you don't miss an episode:1. Click subscribe after you find Pondering Purple on the podcast platform of your choice.2. Friend and follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--I'll announce new episodes as they release. (Make sure you hit "Follow first" under the "Follow" tab.)3. Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The MK Hub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a group on Facebook solely devoted to sharing new materials as I produce them.4. Receive email notifications by writing “subscribe to podcast” in the subject line of a message you send to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shellphoenix@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. (I promise--that's all you'll receive. No newsy epistles or cat pictures!)

What happens when an organization says all the right things about culture, puts the values on the wall, launches the initiative, and nothing actually moves? Carlee Wolfe has spent more than two decades inside that gap, and her answers will challenge how you lead. Carlee Wolfe is Associate Vice President of Leader Development and Organizational Effectiveness at Hyatt Hotels, where her work sits at the intersection of global leadership, talent strategy, and culture. Her perspective is shaped not only by the boardroom but by two decades of coaching volleyball and volunteering with the Olympic and Paralympic movement, including adaptive sports. In this episode, we explore: Why the moments before and after a big transformation matter more than the launch itself, and how leaders ride the wave ahead of their teams What organizations consistently get wrong about high performance, and why doing your job well makes you a great performer, not an underperformer Why belonging does not mean comfort, and what happens when belonging becomes a brand promise with no actions, policies, or behaviors behind it How community functions as real organizational capacity, from shared learning in the age of AI to carrying the weight together Why burnout never wins for anyone, and how to lead for sustainable output instead of endless hours Timestamps (estimates, confirm against final edit) 00:00 Cold open: when culture initiatives do not move culture 01:10 Welcome and what this show is about 01:52 Meet Carlee Wolfe 03:05 Carlee joins the conversation 03:55 The arc of transformation: leading the before and after of big moments 07:00 What organizations misunderstand about high performance 10:55 Doing your job well makes you a great performer 11:05 Silicon Valley, global work cultures, and the overwork trap 12:40 Output over hours: burnout, capacity, and decision quality 16:30 Belonging does not mean comfort 20:50 Trust is built when actions match the words on the wall 21:30 Community as capacity: carrying the weight together 24:55 The bar you can raise alone versus the bar you can raise with others 27:55 Where to find Carlee 28:25 Join the Difference Makers on Patreon Connect with Carlee Find Carlee Wolfe at: LinkedIn (search Carlee Wolfe) and https://www.aceandarrowconsulting.com Connect with us Subscribe, leave a review at https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com/reviews/new/, and share this episode. Visit https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com for more resources. Join the Difference Makers community for the exclusive conversation with Carlee: patreon.com/aworldofdifference Connect with Lori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriadamsbrown and https://loriadamsbrown.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He who BELIEVES in the Son of God has THE WITNESS in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the TESTIMONY that God has given of His Son. 1 John 5:10-12 (NKJV) 11, And this is the TESTIMONY: that God has given us ETERNAL LIFE, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:10-12 (NKJV) 12, He who has the Son has LIFE; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:10-12 (NKJV)

The church has long been a site of healing and hurt. Is that changing?While some have found community, joy, support, and love in their church home, others have faced isolation, shame, abandonment, and even deep traumatic wounds. But if you don't necessarily want to give up your religion or leave the church - what does repair look like? What does spirituality look like for those who have ‘church hurt?' To get into it, Brittany is joined by Candice Marie Benbow, theologian and author of Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who've Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn't Enough, and Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, author of Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging.Candice and Timothy show Brittany how ‘church hurt' stretches out from the pulpit and into cultural norms around gender, sexuality, acceptance. And they teach Brittany what it means to create a spiritual relationship on your own terms.Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluseFor handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Understanding who we are in Christ will help us overcome much of the confusion currently saturating our world. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses who Jesus tells us we are—children of God, His friends, and salt and light in the earth. When we belong to Jesus, He becomes our Lord, and we have the great blessing of building a relationship with Him. Pastor Allen shares what each point of our identity as Christians means on a practical level and how we can only find spiritual growth when we're willing to change. We have the most valuable friendship in the universe available to us, so let's humble ourselves and get ready to grow.

This week… there's a real swirl of the “both/and” of it all. A lot of potential for relational growth and upleveling that can feel expansive and positive, while also amplifying tenderness and vulnerability. Big swells and expansions may be met with big dips and contractions. Strong sensations of fatedness align with awareness of the potentials in our own choices. Use this week's astrology for embodying knowledge and turning it into wisdom. Every time you show up for “the thing” and bring your best, you're learning and becoming wiser—even if you feel challenged or flat out fail. Don't waste your lessons! ✨✨✨This week-ahead reading for June 8-14, 2026 is an excerpt from this week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somatic Space class⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Renee Sills. For the full-length forecast and embodied practice for this week, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠purchase the recording here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ✨✨✨UPCOMING AT EMBODIED ASTROLOGY:

Join our online community ↓https://www.knowthyselfcollective.comTodd Rose is a Harvard-trained social scientist, former high school dropout with a 0.9 GPA, and co-founder of the think tank Populace. His research centers on the gap between what people privately believe and what they publicly say, and the profound consequences of that gap for individuals and for society. This is one of those conversations that reframes something you thought you understood and doesn't let you go back.What We Dive Into:1. Your brain estimates group consensus using a simple shortcut: the loudest voices repeated most often. On social media, that is 10% of users creating 80% of content.2. Belonging means being accepted for who you actually are. Fitting in means changing who you are to be accepted. 3. Authenticity is not about being perfectly accurate about who you are. It is about making choices you genuinely believe align with who you are right now.✨THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:https://www.mudwtr.com/knowthyselfUse code KNOWTHYSELF for up to 43% off sitewidehttps://drinkLMNT.com/KnowThyselfTry LMNT & get a free sample pack ___________00:00 Intro01:27 What Are Collective Illusions?02:05 The Cost of Self-Silencing05:06 How We're Hardwired to Conform07:40 Why the Brain Is Easily Fooled About Group Consensus09:13 Social Media and the Amplification of Fringe Views13:20 What Americans Actually Want in Private21:01 Who Profits from Keeping Us Divided23:52 Foreign Manipulation and AI Bot Farms29:37 The Most Consequential Collective Illusions36:38 What Authenticity Actually Means41:15 The Coming Age of Courage42:14 Belonging vs. Fitting In49:44 René Girard and Mimetic Desire59:43 How Collective Illusions Can Shatter Overnight1:05:58 The Velvet Revolution and the Power of Authenticity1:12:09 How to Build the Muscle of Living in Truth1:20:25 Todd's Personal Collective Illusion: Faith and Identity1:24:34 Spiritual Exploration and Holding Beliefs Lightly1:32:23 Certainty and Knowledge Are Inversely Correlated1:41:42 Fulfillment Over Achievement1:50:31 Small Actions That Raise Collective Consciousness___________✨MORE FROM TODD↳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltoddrose/↳Populace: https://populace.org↳https://www.toddrose.com/

June is Pride Month, and on this episode of Grade 1 View, Levi and Kelsey sit down with John Gianitsis, MSNA, CRNA and Carlota Izaguirre, DNP, CRNA and from the Nurse Anesthesiology Pride Foundation (NAPF) to discuss representation, belonging, mental health, and community within the nurse anesthesia profession. We'll also explore the organization's evolution from GALA to NAPF and the important role it plays in supporting LGBTQ+ CRNAs, students, and allies.   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

S10 E4—Do you ever wonder what your life would look like if you had made different decisions a long time ago? Author Karen Swallow Prior joins Amy Julia Becker for a conversation about regret, human limitations, and her experience of not having children. Together, they explore what it means to face the losses of the past while remaining open to the unexpected opportunities and possibilities that can emerge alongside them.00:00 Introduction to Personal Narratives04:22 Navigating Infertility and Ethical Dilemmas07:10 The Role of Faith and Community in Decision-Making11:01 Control, Risk, and Reproductive Technologies17:30 The Intersection of Calling and Life Choices20:57 Navigating Regret, Limits, and Choices25:07 Historical Context of Childlessness29:07 Imagination and Reality in Family Dynamics37:25 Reimagining the Good Life Without ChildrenMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Christianity Today essay by Karen Swallow Prior: “The Birds and the Bees, Babies and Me”Institute for Family Studies essay by Amy Julia Becker: “Confessions of a Middle-Aged Mother”You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful by Karen Swallow PriorThe Midnight Library by Matt Haig_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Karen Swallow Prior, Ph.D. is the 2025-26 Karlson Scholar at Bethel Seminary. She is a popular writer and speaker, a contributing writer for The Dispatch, and a columnist for Religion News Service. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vox, The Washington Post, Christianity Today, and many other places. Her most recent book is You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful (Brazos 2025).CONNECT with Karen: karenswallowprior.comFacebook: Karen Swallow PriorInstagram: karenswallowpriorX: @KSPrior Substack: @karenswallowprior__We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

What if those brief conversations - with a barista, a neighbor, or someone sitting next to us - matter far more than we realize?Gillian Sandstrom, a University of Sussex psychologist and author of Once Upon a Stranger, explores why we're so reluctant to talk to people we don't know, what happens when we do, and how seemingly small interactions can add up to a richer, happier, and more connected life.

Do you ever feel like you're constantly trying to prove yourself as a stepmom?If only you could just be more patient, more understanding, more involved, or more helpful, then maybe you'd finally feel accepted in your blended family?In this episode, Alicia dives into a struggle many stepmoms silently carry: the belief that they have to earn their place in their own home. Whether you're dealing with outsider syndrome, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling invisible in your stepfamily, this episode will help you understand why belonging cannot be earned through sacrifice and exhaustion.Alicia shares the mindset shift that changed everything for her—the moment she stopped auditioning for acceptance and started recognizing her own worth. She also breaks down the common traps stepmoms fall into when they tie their value to their partner's approval, their stepkids' behavior, or the overall success of the family dynamic.If you've ever felt like you're working harder than everyone else just to feel like you belong, this conversation will remind you that your worth is not something you have to prove.Support the showWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list,  get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.

Episode 114: We're back and talking about the challenges and possibilities of non-coercive community. In this conversation, Shane and Michael dive into the complexity of what happens when the forces of capitalism and individualism and/or the toxicity and abuse of previous religious communities make belonging to any community really challenging. One of the really potent aspects of high-demand religious communities is the degree of belonging people can experience, and then the overwhelming betrayal when that belonging is ruptured. What does this mean as we attempt to build safer non-coercive communities of trust and care in non-coercive ways? Are there still ways to belong to community when our previous experiences make this so difficult? How do communities speak about reciprocity, sustainability, mutual obligation and so on, when people have become understandably suspicious or triggered by the dynamics of community life? Shane Meyer-Holt co-leads Fitzroy North Community Church in Melbourne and Michael Frost is involved in leading Edge Kingsland in Auckland.

“The question ‘What are you?'… it's a question that's asked as a demand for this person in front of you to make themselves legible to you… ‘You don't fit my categories; I don't know what to do with you.'” In this episode of Centering: The Asian American Christian Podcast, hosts Daniel Lee and Yulee Lee talk with Courtney Turner, chair of the Department of Global Studies and Assistant Professor of Intercultural and Global Studies at Southern Nazarene University, and a Research Fellow for Formation and Mixed Race Studies at Fuller's Asian American Center. Drawing from her own story as a second-generation mixed race, fifth-generation Asian American, Courtney explores the complexity of mixed race identity, the pain of not being “enough” to belong, and how the church can better love and pastor mixed-identity Asian Americans (including mixed race, mixed ethnicity, and adoptees). The conversation also highlights the role of media representation, problematic questions like “What are you?”, and why language and formation spaces are crucial for healing. Resources Mentioned Kip Fulbeck, Part Asian, 100% Hapa – Photo and narrative project featuring mixed-race Asian Americans, including follow-up portraits years later to show how self-descriptions change over time. Bill of Rights for people of mixed heritage: https://www.apa.org/pubs/videos/4310742-rights.pdf Fuller's Asian American Center - aac.fuller.edu Sign up to receive more updates from the AAC: https://aac.fuller.edu/newsletter/ If you appreciate the work we do at the Asian American Center at Fuller Seminary, please consider supporting us! Your monetary support sustains our vital work and expands Asian American research, leadership development, and pastoral formation for the Church in the year ahead. Donate here: fuller.edu/giveaac.

I've meditated for years, but lately my mind explodes with tabs the second I sit down. Regina Leffers has meditated daily for 45 years, and she just reframed everything for me. Turns out, you might already be meditating without knowing it. Five seconds of genuine gratitude shifts your brainwaves. Heart-mind coherence changes the energy of any room. And consciousness isn't a ladder—it's a rubber band. If you've ever said “meditation isn't for me,” this conversation is your permission slip. 00:00 Amy's Meditation Struggle & The Alpha Shift 03:01 Health Crisis That Started 45 Years of Daily Meditation 06:39 The Light Practice: Feeling Your Own Soul in the Body 09:59 Gratitude IS Meditation (Brainwaves Explained Simply) 13:39 The Nine Facets of Consciousness (Survive to Be Creation) 17:20 Othering, Belonging, and Collective Consciousness 23:43 Oneness Moments: Ocean, Birth, Weddings, Aunt Marge's Hug 26:55 Two Shortcuts to Heart-Brain Coherence 30:27 Stuck in Care & Empathy? The Shadow of Facet Six 35:41 Alpha Brainwave Music: The Cheat Code 38:32 Consciousness Expands and Contracts Like a Rubber Band 42:35 Free Meditation & Where to Find Regina Leffers Learn More About Regina LeffersWebsite: reginaleffers.com (includes a free guided meditation download) JOIN MY COMMUNITY In The Space Between membership, you'll get access to LIVE quarterly Ask Amy Anything meetings (not offered anywhere else!), discounts on courses, special giveaways, and a place to connect with Amy and other like-minded people. You'll also get exclusive access to other behind-the-scenes goodness when you join! Click here to find out more --> https://shorturl.at/vVrwR Stay Connected: - Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/ysvafdwc- Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/yc3z48v9- YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/ywdsc9vt- Website - https://tinyurl.com/ydj949kt Life, Death & the Space Between Dr. Amy RobbinsExploring life, death, consciousness and what it all means. Put your preconceived notions aside as we explore life, death, consciousness and what it all means on Life, Death & the Space Between.**Brought to you by:Dr. Amy Robbins | Host, Executive ProducerPodcastize.net | Audio & Video Production | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Emma first came to China for a two-month internship, she had no intention of learning Chinese. In fact, she had spent years telling herself she simply wasn't a "language person." But after returning to China a second time, a desire to communicate her strict vegan diet led her to begin studying Mandarin. What started as a practical goal soon became a transformative personal journey.In this episode, Emma shares how she went from intense textbook study and relentless productivity to discovering that real language growth happens through connection, conversation, and embracing mistakes. She reflects on joining an HSK 2 class with zero Chinese background, burning herself out through perfectionism, and eventually finding a healthier approach by building friendships with Chinese speakers and immersing herself in everyday life.More than a language-learning story, this is a conversation about transformation. Emma and Jared explore cultural adaptation, reverse culture shock, and how learning Chinese can change not just how you communicate, but how you think, who you become, and where you belong.

Does it ever look "awfully peopley out there"? Community is one of the great gifts of being human, but it comes with its share of hurt and problems...Belonging is a transformation agent crucial for cultivating emotional resilience. In this On the Trail episode, we discuss Building Bounce Chapter Seven: Connecting with People, where we talk about relationships in the Bible, vulnerabilty and authenticity and a continuum of trust, relational skills tools, and more.Thank you for joining us – father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner – on the trail to a deeper walk with God!  

Matthew 3:13-17 – Belonging

Discover the power of natural inclusion. Tonya Wollum shares a heartwarming reflection on community, belonging, and seeing children with disabilities seamlessly included in a small town community event.

Do you really love Jesus or do you love the benefits of Jesus. If you really love Jesus you'll not only appreciate what he's done for you but you'll want that for others. Your heart will break for what breaks His heart…..Those People.At Discover Church, we exist to see our city changed by Jesus, one life at a time, by helping people discover LIFE in Christ, BELONGING in Community & PURPOSE in God's Calling on their life so that they can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.-You can join us live on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11:00 am, either in person or online! Visit www.discoverchurchkc.com for more information!

The Prayer That Includes Us | Living From Belonging Instead of Striving | John 17:6–19

Brian Wilfong - The Freedom of Belonging to Christ Pt. 7