Podcasts about lindsy wallace

How do you honor the ways in which you've grown while having grace for your past self? Lindsy Wallace interviews Kayla Craig, the “Day One” of the Upside Down Podcast, along with fellow co-hosts Patricia Taylor and Alissa Molina for our final episode.In this episode, we:Hear from Kayla about how she sees God in a more vibrant, beautiful way since the podcast first startedReflect on how different conversations and guests have expanded her language and helped her shape her questionsDiscuss Kayla's vocational discovery of deep spiritual writing that is accessible and maintains an eye for wonder and beautyHear about her current and upcoming projects, including two books and a new podcastTalk about her hopes for five years from now: less burnout, more communal rest, and more tendernessLearn about Kayla's fascination with the TitanicJoin us for the very last episode of our little podcast that could! Let us know what one word would describe your journey with this community. Thank you so much for being a part of the conversation all these years.News, Notes, and Links:Follow Liturgies for Parents on Instagram, subscribe to the podcast, and grab Kayla's book, To Light Their Way.You can continue to support the Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help keep this podcast accessible.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We'll still be on Instagram. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @from_here_sessions, and @lindsy.wallace.Support the show

What happens when you step into your truest self? Kayla Craig interviews fellow Upside Down Podcast host Patricia (aka Patty) Taylor with Alissa Molina and Lindsy Wallace in our second-to-the-last episode.  In this episode, we:Hear Patty describe the growth she has experienced since becoming a co-host and how it's deepened her confidence in who God created her to beTalk about how the podcast has provided a space to show up fully as yourself and what it's like being with people who are not just willing but eager to be on the journey with youDiscuss her significant shift on social media to becoming an anti-racism educator with #somethoughtsfromyourblackfriendHear the wisdom she has to impart to those who resonate with her storyAcknowledge the sacrifices and losses that can come from walking out one's convictions—and how it's still worth itLearn what episodes inspired her, affirmed her, and broadened her faithDiscover everyone's hot takes on raw tomatoes  Join us for our last couple of episodes and hear insights and stories from our hosts that you don't get from our regular episodes or social media.  News, Notes, and Links:Want to listen to or revisit some of Patty's favorite episodes? Check them out here: The Enneagram For Justice Seekers, The Gender & Ethnicity of God with Dr. Christena Cleveland, Native with Kaitlin Curtice, and Maternal Justice with Cessilye Smith.You can continue to support the Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help keep this podcast accessible.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @from_here_sessions, and @lindsy.wallace.Support the show

How does being in an ecumenical space expand and enrich our spiritual lives, within and beyond the walls of the church? Patricia Taylor, along with Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace, put Upside Down Podcast co-host Alissa Molina in the hot seat in the second of our final four episodes.In this episode, we:Hear from Alissa as she explains what the podcast has brought to her life and how it has helped her embrace Catholicism even moreReflect on how the podcast brought up questions of the heart that forced her to see how she's embodying faith beyond the space of worshipDiscuss how past topics and guests revealed that there are so many places to experience GodTalk about the unique ecumenical space the podcast has offered over the years and the impact of it on her faithLearn more about From Here, the nonprofit media organization that Alissa started to encourage the love of God, neighbor, and selfJoin us for our remaining episodes to hear more from our hosts and learn about their journey over the years with the Upside Down Podcast. We're so grateful to have you along. News, Notes, and Links:Be sure to check out From Here and all of its offerings. You can continue to support the Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help keep this podcast accessible.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @from_here_sessions, and @lindsy.wallace.Support the show

What happens when our view of God becomes more expansive, and what does it reveal to us about ourselves and others? Lindsy Wallace is the first Upside Down Podcast host in the hot seat, as she's interviewed by fellow co-hosts Alissa Molina, Patricia Taylor, and Kayla Craig. In this episode, we:Talk about Lindsy's personal and spiritual growth over the duration of the podcast, including connecting with a more expansive view of GodReflect on finding the Divine at the end of ourselves, when so much has been stripped awayHear about Lindsy leaning into her 7 wing (as an enneagram 8)Discuss what it means to live all of it—the exciting and the terrifying—as she's going through all the thingsLearn what topics and people Lindsy wishes we had time to cover and interviewTalk about hope for the future (hint: it's in the margins) Join us for part one of four episodes in which we interview each host, sharing personal stories, reflections, and responses to an array of rapid-fire questions as we wind down The Upside Down Podcast.News, Notes, and Links:Check out Mary Graham on Instagram. Have you ever listened to our interview with Father Gregory Boyle? Find it here.You can continue to support the Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help keep this podcast accessible.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @from_here_sessions, and @lindsy.wallace.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We've got a special announcement to share. Co-hosts Kayla Craig, Lindsy Wallace, Alissa Molina, and Patricia Taylor come together to bring you an important update about the future of the Upside Down Podcast. News, Notes, and Links:You can continue to support the Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help keep this podcast accessible.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @from_here_sessions, and @lindsy.wallace.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What does hope mean to you, and how do you practice it? Lindsy Wallace talks with award-winning musician, writer, and activist Andre Henry about sustaining hope, translating it into action, and how art can help dismantle empires. In this episode, we:Talk about his newly released book, All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep, and who he wrote it forGo over Andre's practice of always reading something about hope to remind himself of what's possibleAsk what the role of art is in the work of justiceTalk about how artists can play so many roles in the movement: creative strategist, messenger, morale keeper, and so onDiscuss what it means for Andre to be an artivistConsider the power of a committed minority working toward social progressTalk about relationships he's lost and what he's gained in community, hope for change, and space for himself to truly beDiscuss the connection between hope and action, as well as the role has faith played in sustaining hopeGo over Andre's hope regimen to stay healthy and mitigate despairJoin us in this rich conversation as we dive into how hope is more than optimism: it's about imagining and creating a better world and writing history. Let us know what you think and what hopeful action you can take in your own communities. News, Notes, and Links:You can find Andre on the web, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and SoundCloud. Order your copy of Andre's book, All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep, here.Check out the book Andre mentioned, Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit, here.Learn more about the work of Erica Chenoweth, Ph.D. on civil resistance. Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @from_here_sessions, and @lindsy.wallace.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

How do we know when we are in a space of true belonging, where our whole person can be welcome, present, and safe? Co-hosts Patricia Taylor, Kayla Craig, and Lindsy Wallace talk with writer, liturgist, and speaker Cole Arthur Riley about freedom and belonging—the good and the bad kind.In this episode, we:Discuss how Black Liturgies came to be and why Cole chose to initially remain anonymousShare definitions of true belonging: spaces where we have the freedom to question, doubt, and change our minds without our status of belonging being at riskConsider how our bodies know what belonging is as opposed to assimilation or conformityTalk about the importance of solitude to better understand what belonging is for each of usPoint out how not all belonging is good and that there are consequences for both staying and leavingAsk what our ancestors teach us about belonging and liberation from harmful spacesWonder what it looks like for there to be a space of belonging for everyone and how, perhaps, it starts with the least of these to shape that spaceJoin us in this conversation about finding belonging and the community that comes with it. We hope it gives you more language for your journey and imagination for what could be.News, Notes, and Links:Follow Cole and her work on her website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and be sure to grab a copy of her new book, This Here Flesh.Add Toni Morrison's Beloved to your bookshelf, if you haven't already.Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @from_here_sessions, and @lindsy.wallace.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

It's our 100th episode! Co-hosts Kayla Craig, Alissa Molina, Patricia Taylor, and Lindsy Wallace celebrate this milestone by looking back on where they've been, what they've learned, and what they hope for this little podcast that could and the community that's grown from it. In this episode, we:Hear from listeners, former guests, and past hosts about their Upside Down Podcast memories and reflections Talk about how the podcast came to be: to create a space for honest conversations about faith, justice, and cultureRemember how each of us got to a point where we needed these conversations and whyDiscuss how caring for ourselves is a communal act and necessary for dismantling unjust systemsRecall pivotal moments with different podcast guests that stayed with us and even shaped our thinkingCelebrate the over five years of building and being a part of this incredible communityThank you so much for being a part of this space, whether you've been a longtime listener or you're just joining us. We're honored you're here.News, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @from_here_sessions, and @lindsy.wallace.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Have you ever considered just how paradigm-shifting grace is? Co-hosts Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace have a conversation with New York Times bestselling author, USA Today columnist, and CNN Senior Political Analyst Kirsten Powers about her new book, Saving Grace: Speak Your Truth, Stay Centered, and Learn to Coexist with People Who Drive You Nuts. Together, they talk about what grace is—and what it isn't—and what it can do.In this episode, we:Point out that practicing grace is far from passive or weak and that it's more for ourselves than for those we extend it toGo over what grace looks like as an enneagram 8Talk about how trauma influences our relationship with the world and peopleDiscuss the trap of dualistic thinking and how it prevents us from empathizing and seeing possibility in othersConsider how learning from other cultures and belief systems that do not adopt dualistic thinking can help inform us about graceTalk about the misappropriation and spiritual bypassing around grace in faith spacesDive into the humanizing effect of grace and how it can dismantle polarizing thinkingJoin us for this conversation about the practice of grace and how it can move us toward wholeness and a more just society. We hope it encourages you to live into it more fully and deeply.News, Notes, and Links:Want to follow along with Kirsten? You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and (sometimes) Twitter!Be sure to check out her book, Saving Grace: Speak Your Truth, Stay Centered, and Learn to Coexist with People Who Drive You Nuts.Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @alissarmolina, and @lindsy.wallace.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

How do we talk with young people about fighting racism when we're struggling with it ourselves? Co-hosts Patricia Taylor, Lindsy Wallace, and Kayla Craig talk with Dr. Jemar Tisby—the founder of The Witness, Inc., cohost of the Pass the Mic podcast, and a New York Times bestselling author—about the need to normalize having conversations about racial justice with the young people in our lives.In this episode, we:Discuss how Dr. Tisby's new book, How to Fight Racism Young Reader's Edition: A Guide to Standing Up for Racial Justice, came aboutTalk about how you keep going in the pursuit of racial justice when attacks and accusations are thrown your wayRemember the example of others who persisted before us, like Fannie Lou HamerPoint out that Christianity can inspire movements toward equity and justice, despite being used to justify the oppositeTalk about the importance of digging in with our families when it comes to racial justice and not letting headlines disciple our youthEmphasize the need to continue educating ourselves about racism to interrupt generational ignoranceAsk how we can encourage youth to persist when they see grownups behaving badlyJoin us for this inspiring discussion about fighting racism by raising up the next generation of justice seekers. We invite you to share your thoughts with us on Instagram and in our Facebook group! News, Notes, and Links:Follow along with Dr. Jemar Tisby on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Substack, and be sure to pick up a copy of his new book, How to Fight Racism Young Reader's Edition: A Guide to Standing Up for Racial Justice.Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @alissarmolina, and @lindsy.wallace.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

How do you live an open-handed life while protecting your peace? Co-hosts Lindsy Wallace, Alissa Molina, and Kayla Craig explore the topic of boundaries: what they mean and why they're crucial in our lives, relationships, and the spaces we exist in. In this episode, we:Define what boundaries are and how they can be designed for the mutual health and flourishing of ourselves and others around usConsider how boundaries can show up in our lives to help us to rest, safety, and receiving what we needGet honest about struggling with the guilt of setting good boundaries Talk about how the idea of boundaries can carry negative connotations, especially in church settings in which we (especially women) are expected to sacrifice and pour out constantlyDiscuss the necessity of unlearning the suppression of our needs in order to serve others and replace that with learning how to articulate our needs insteadLook at the example of Jesus, who often withdrew to lonely placesPush back against the cultural expectation that we have to do everything and show up a certain way to be valuedAsk what is ours to press into and what is the most loving thing to do for ourselves and other peopleJoin us as we dig into why we need boundaries and process out loud what this looks like in our lives. We hope this episode encourages you to check in with yourself. Feel free to share your thoughts on this episode with our community on social media!News, Notes, and Links:Brené Brown writes about three ways to set boundaries.Check out this succinct explainer on boundaries from GoodTherapy.We found this Healthline article about protecting your emotional space to be super helpful.Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @alissarmolina, and @lindsy.wallace.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What's missing when we fail to see the fullness of humanity in the disabled community? In this episode, co-hosts Lindsy Wallace and Kayla Craig talk with Dr. Amy Kenny about persisting in disability, healing versus fixing, and much more.In this episode, we:Reframe the concept of disability away from a hierarchy and instead look to how we think of the natural worldTalk about how being an image bearer is not stripped away when our bodies work in a different wayGo over what ableism is, how we engage in it without even realizing it, and how the prosperity gospel feeds into itDiscuss the disabled Christ, the erasure of disability in scripture, and how we miss out on the richness of scripture when we leave out marginalized communities Talk about how we need to go beyond giving a seat at the table and pursue belonging, leading, and flourishing for the disabled communityGet a preview of her upcoming book, My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church, which deals with the difference between healing and curing as well as rethinking the way we understand disability in the BibleJoin us for this stirring conversation about how we typically view disability and what we might experience instead when we trade in that story for a truer, fuller one.News, Notes, and Links:Amy's work has been featured in Roxane Gay's The Audacity, We are not shadows (an anthology), Sojourners, and the Freedom Road podcast. Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @alissarmolina, and @lindsy.wallace.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What is our first inclination when we hear or see something that stretches the way we see things? Do we reach for fear?  Do we shut down?  Or do we remain curious, asking ourselves questions about our thinking? In this episode Alissa Molina and Lindsy Wallace interview former co-host Shannon Evans about her recent book release, Rewilding Motherhood:Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality. In this episode we:Talk with Shannon about her approach in writing this book Discuss the ways the book stretched Alissa and pushed her to practice a curiosityExplore how curiosity often leads to greater depth and learningEncourage a spirit of wonder, curiosity and depth when considering motherhoodRemembered that kids are often great models of curiosity“I wonder what would happen if we digested these questions as a form of instruction for our own spiritual lives?  What if we took our theological views or our political and social views and held them up under the microscope of our children's inquisitiveness?  What might change, evolve or broaden if we began pelting previously unquestioned beliefs with questions for the first time?" (Rewilding Motherhood)News, Notes, and Links:Order your copy of Shannon's phenomenal book here.Make sure to follow her on Instagram and sign up for her newsletter.Books that were mentioned in this episode: Theology of the Womb:  Knowing God Through the Body of a Woman and Body of Stars.  Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! You can visit us here where you can learn more about this podcast or pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.And you can always find us on Instagram at @upsidedownpodcast. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What comes to mind when you think of prayer? In this episode, Patricia Taylor, Alissa Molina, and Lindsy Wallace interview co-host Kayla Craig about her upcoming book, To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents, and expanding our idea of prayer. In this episode, we:Ask Kayla where her belief that prayer is real and powerful comes from, especially in light of how much prayer gets casually thrown aroundConsider how everything in our lives can be prayerRecount how a difficult experience led Kayla to examine what prayer meant to her and the transformation that happened in her understanding of prayerDiscuss how she addresses tough and complex topics in a nuanced, inclusive way that makes space for allAsk what does persistence in prayer through our weariness and our wait look likeJoin us as we talk about Kayla's journey of putting together her book. We can't recommend it enough to anyone with children in their lives: caregivers, educators, and so on.  News, Notes, and Links:Preorder a copy of To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents from Amazon or from Soul Book Nook, a Black-owned book store that's local to Kayla and can ship anywhere.Can't wait to get your hands on your copy? Here's a special preview.Kayla has put together a collection of free gifts as a thank you to anyone who preorders the book before October 5. Get access to a printable collection of 12 breath prayer cards, a 5-day guided devotional for overwhelmed parents, and a downloadable art print for your home or office.Are you on Goodreads? Be sure to add Kayla's book to your lists and leave a review.Follow Liturgies for Parents and Kayla on Instagram, and check out Kayla's website here. We love Cole Arthur Riley's prayers at Black Liturgies. Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We're on Instagram, too. You can find us individually at @patricia_a_taylor, @kayla_craig, @alissarmolina, and @lindsy.wallace.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

How do you begin to reconnect with your community after over a year of wading through the collective heaviness of a global pandemic? Co-hosts Lindsy Wallace, Alissa Molina, and Kayla Craig gather to connect and reflect on where we are and where we’ve been. In this episode, we:Acknowledge the importance and exhaustion of connecting and how we have to relearn how to connect with no road map for these timesCheck in with each other: how are we really doing after over a year of living through the pandemic (on top of the pandemic of white supremacy, the effects of climate change, and so on)?Ask each other what we are lamenting and grieving, as well as what practices and rhythms have been helpful throughout this timeDiscuss what we are processing: the hard reset some of us have experienced in the wake of the pandemic, stories and voices that have been amplified, and moreShare who we are paying more attention to and whose voices we are pruningTalk about what is giving us hope and the growth that we’re seeing in the cracks in the sidewalksJoin us for this honest conversation as we do some processing of the past year together. Our hope is that as we model connection together, you’ll be encouraged to pursue connection in your own life as well.  News, Notes, and Links:Follow Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley on Instagram and soak in her prophetic words.Add Undrowned By Alexis Pauline Gumbs to your summer reading list.Check out Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America; Essays By R. Eric Thomas.Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Writer and podcast host - Lindsy Wallace - joins the podcast today. Lindsy is a prolific writer whose words penetrate and proclaim her fierce belief in solidarity and Jesus.  Lindsy’s life also reflects her belief in solidarity. Lindsy discusses not only the need to grieve, but her choice to grieve. She shares her insights about grieving well. She warns if we  do not heal and grieve the magnitude of losses, mostly due to our societal woes, hurt people will continue to hurt people. Lindsy gives practical information about why we  should choose to  grieve.  Information for Lindsy:https://www.lindsywallace.com/https://instagram.com/lindsy.wallace?igshid=1njgs3nfkgnjtLindsy speaks on grieving:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upside-down-podcast/id1159542032?i=1000503671863Dr.  Gadson speaks on healing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/season-5-episode-79-necessity-healing-dr-monique-gadson/id1159542032?i=1000501771166Information for Dr. Gadson https://www.drmoniquesmithgadson.com/Follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/And-The-Church-Said-Podcast-106848090932637https://instagram.com/drmoniquesmithgadson?igshid=1bmt2hei1j6i8https://twitter.com/DrMoSmithGadsonSupport And The Church Said:Cash App:  https://cash.app/$andthechurchsaidPayPal:  https://paypal.me/andthechurchsaid?locale.x=en_US

Is there truly enough for everyone, and do we really believe there is abundance? Hosts Alissa Molina, Patricia Taylor, Kayla Craig, and Lindsy Wallace discuss what it means to live out of a posture of abundance in a world that has conditioned us to believe in scarcity. In this episode, we:Talk about how we seem to embrace the concept of spiritual abundance yet struggle with the idea of abundance of what we have in this world Discuss how the mindset of scarcity is incompatible with what we profess to believe and how the economic system of our culture thrives on a scarcityDive into how we shift what we believe “enough” means and how much we needConsider whether or not our economic system is an idol and a place from which we draw our sense of securityCover the impact that grind culture, meritocracy, and white supremacy have on our relationships, time, priorities, and moreJoin us for this thought-provoking conversation about kingdom economics. We hope that it catalyzes honest conversations with your community related to stewardship and taking a posture of abundance together.News, Notes, and Links:Lindsy quoted a snippet from The Biblical Vision of Sabbath Economics by Ched Myers.Bookmark this poem by Jessica Faith Kantrowitz.Add Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen to your reading list.We’re big fans of Money and Possessions by Walter Brueggemann.Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What does a liberated faith look like? Writer and speaker Danté Stewart talks with co-hosts Patricia Taylor and Lindsy Wallace about the meaning of liberation and how it impacts how we view God, ourselves, and the world.In this episode, we:Reflect on the complex, beautiful, and terrible journey of liberation, the changes we make along the way, and how we look at the world within ourselves and the world around usDiscuss the influence of writer and activist James Baldwin and the invitation from Baldwin to wrestle deeply and truthfullyTalk about the influence of Black womanist theologians and how they shape Danté’s understanding of liberationGo in depth about how liberation asks us to look at the story of Jesus and see the ways in which he invites us into a better story of God and ourselves than the stories many of us are offeredDiscuss the symbols, myths, and metaphors about God that we have inherited, and how those have oftentimes been incredibly limitedJoin us for this deep conversation with Danté about the significance of the word liberation and how it gives us the ability to narrate our story and have eyes to see an enlarged view of the world.News, Notes, and Links:Keep up with Danté’s work by checking out his website, following him on Instagram, and following him on Twitter. You can find the Instagram post we referenced here. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin is essential reading.We can’t wait to read World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil.Add these books to the stack: Critical Terms for Religious Studies by Mark C. Taylor, In Search of Our Mothers’ Garden by Alice Walker, and Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody: The Making of a Black Theologian by James Cone.Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Why is dreaming so significant, and how do you dream freely? Inspired by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s beautiful inauguration poem, co-hosts Patricia Taylor, Kayla Craig, Lindsy Wallace, and Alissa Molina discuss the necessity of dreaming and having prophetic imagination.In this episode, we:Talk about the boundlessness of dreaming and how it gives us vision for possibilities Ask how creativity relates to dreamingConsider our roles as co-creators with a creator GodAsk how we come to lose our imagination and wonder what we are missing out on when that happensTalk about the need for a community to show us that which we can’t see on our own and who can enter into dreaming with usExplore what it means to have the freedom and openness to dream Join us as we discuss what inspires us to dream, how those around us can be a part of it, what can keep us from dreaming, and the need for prophetic imagination. News, Notes, and Links:Grab a copy of The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman and read a transcript of her inauguration poem here.Check out artist Morgan Harper Nichols on Instagram! We can’t recommend The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann enough.Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What does it mean to "reclaim theology?" And why might that be necessary? Lindsy Wallace hosts this episode with co-host Patricia Taylor, and guest Brandi Miller joins to talk about why it's important for Christians to take theology back from ideas and systems that oppress.Brandi Miller is the host of the Reclaiming My Theology podcast and community that explores how the attributes of oppressive ideologies have infiltrated how we see ourselves, each other, and God. Brandi has spent the better part of the last decade as a writer and campus minister. She largely spends her time writing at the intersection of faith, race, and politics, plays music and writes with Common Hymnal, and develops justice programs for Christian college students. In this episode, we:Define "epistemology"Talk about the individual work of reconciling the difference between deconstructing faith when there's nothing left vs. reclaiming theologyAsk how we can become communities that have hard conversationsExplore how our upbringings shape the way we view GodAsk, "Who does this benefit?"Explore the power of Jesus' parablesJoin us as we consider how to hold on to what we know to be true about the God of all things - and learn to name what has been shaped by cultural ideas, mores, and values.News, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Surprise! Bonus episode!In this bonus episode of Upside Down Podcast co-host Lindsy Wallace shares why grieving 2020 is necessary, what happens in our bodies when we don't grieve, ideas for how to do so in creative and embodied ways, and challenges us with the question, What is the meaning we will make of 2020?News, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

In this episode on the Necessity of Advent, Alissa Molina hosts and is joined by Kayla Craig, Lindsy Wallace and Patty Taylor to discuss Advent as the season quickly approaches. They bring tired and weary hearts, minds, and bodies to flesh out: Awe as it relates to the Word becoming Flesh The reminder that God is near us even if sometimes he feels far The reminder of the tenderness of God that is near the broken The vulnerability of God becoming human The danger in commodifying Jesus Thinking about how we can be intentional in our preparation for the birth of Jesus Exploring Advent as the time of Now and Not Yet Preparing for advent in asking: where has God been faithful this year, where have I lamented this year, where are we practicing joyful hope.Recommended Reading and ResourcesJohn 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth."Sharifa Stevens on Twitter (https://twitter.com/sharifawrites) Kat Armas on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kat_armas/)https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/christmas/what-is-advent.htmlQuotes"We think Jesus came in flesh to teach us to about divinity but in reality, Jesus came to teach us how to be man." -- Richard Rohr"God didn’t just tell us to love our neighbors, he became one." -- Kat Armas“Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people.”News, Notes, and Links:Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!We’re on Instagram too. (https://www.instagram.com/upsidedownpodcast/)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What does it mean for the church to be a witness? What do our 21st-century sensibilities miss about Jesus’ 1st-century sociopolitical relevance? In this episode of Upside Down Podcast, Lindsy Wallace and Patricia Taylor process a conversation with author and professor Drew G.I. Hart about the revolutionary life of Jesus and the ways in which we can usher in his peace for our world.In this episode, we:Consider what it looks like to follow after the way of Jesus in 2020 Lean into the local church as community in the building and in the streetsWiden the experience of Jesus to a political JesusAre challenged to see peace as a disruptor to violenceLean into the power of the embodied, costly, revolutionary love of JesusJoin us as Drew walks us through his experience of the things that make for peace. Let us set aside our 21st Century sensibilities so we may enter into Jesus’ first century. May we hold his socio-political relevance to the light of day and let it shine through in such a way we put his revolutionary teachings to make a Beloved community today. Recommended reading & resources:Who Will Be a Witness - Drew Hart198 Methods of Nonviolent ActionDrew G. I. Hart OnlineDrew Hart on InstagramDrew Hart on TwitterDrew Hart on FacebookQuotes: “The call of Jesus is really quite simple, despite how complicated we have made it by obfuscating that basic Christian vocation. Follow after the way of Jesus.” News, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Upside Down Podcast brings together women (and sometimes a few good men) for unscripted ecumenical conversations about God's upside-down kingdom. We're four women from across the US spanning age, denomination, race, culture, and background. We care deeply about the love of God and neighbor and explore themes of the intersections of faith and justice, with a bit of prophetic imagination. We come together as ordinary humans modeling tough conversations so you can be inspired to continue these conversations offline with your local community. In a time when many Christians are deconstructing their faith, we hope to be a welcoming space where people can be curious, learn, connect, and grow into the beloved community.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What is the importance of community? Patricia Taylor hosts and is joined by Kayla Craig, Lindsy Wallace and Alissa Molina for this episode of examining what community is today. Pull up a seat at our table in the wilderness as we ask each other how community in the time of Jesus can influence an upside-down life today.In this episode, we:Assess the impact of the pandemic on local and virtual communitiesWeigh our desire for community against our dream of it Look at how intimate community should be when it’s toxicWonder if it’s possible to return to a community that has inflicted painEnvision a thriving community that laments and celebrates togetherGet honest about an expectation of community in our livesJoin us as we unpack how to intentionally find a community that is from an abundant God and explore with us how to engage in and foster such an environment. May we enter each space with more grace and more love and make space for those who may be searching for their people and their place too. Recommended reading & resources:Life Together, Dietrich BonhoefferLindsy Wallace on InstagramActs 2:42-47 ESV And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.Matthew 10:14 ESV And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.Quotes: “The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer“We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” James Baldwin"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members... a heart of grace and a soul generated by love." Coretta Scott KingNews, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What does it mean to be for life in 2020? Join us for Season 5 with the hosts you know, founders Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace, veteran Alissa Molina, and our newest voice, Patricia Taylor to kick off a season of exploring what is needed in spirituality, justice, culture, and community.In this episode, we:Evaluate ‘pro-life’ as Jesus intended for abundant life in 2020Grieve what happens to the message and witness of Jesus when professing followers of God are unwilling to lay down life and libertiesSeek to follow Jesus in working for a “more and better life than they ever dreamed of”Discuss what it means to vote for a ‘pro-life’ PresidentShare practical ways we can honor life in our communitiesJoin us as we thoughtfully explore what it means to champion an abundant life in Christ. May we model Jesus in the way we value the Imago Dei in us all.Recommended reading & resources:John 10:10I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. - The Message I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - NIVI came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - ESVUS Birthrates Fall to Record Low, Wall Street JournalUS Historical Abortion StatisticsBrick House in the CItyCasey Chappell on InstagramUpside Down Podcast brings together women (and sometimes a few good men) for unscripted ecumenical conversations about God's upside-down kingdom. We're four women from across the US spanning age, denomination, race, culture, and background. We care deeply about the love of God and neighbor and explore themes of the intersections of faith and justice, with a bit of prophetic imagination. We come together as ordinary humans modeling tough conversations so you can be inspired to continue these conversations offline with your local community. In a time when many Christians are deconstructing their faith, we hope to be a welcoming space where people can be curious, learn, connect, and grow into the beloved community.News, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

It’s Black Maternal Health Week in America. Join host Alissa Molina and co-host Lindsy Wallace as we no longer only follow along with the work of Cessilye Smith, but have the opportunity to sit and learn from her. Her work in the areas of maternal health and justice are powerful. As she works to help drop the staggering numbers of black women who die in childbirth, we invite her in to teach us.Cessilye is a racial and maternal justice activist committed to tearing down walls of oppression and division in order to build bridges that lead to solution-based practices. Cessilye's passion for black women and for her community is what compelled her to co-found Abide Women's Health Services, an organization that exists to improve birth outcomes in communities with the lowest quality of care. Executive Director, anti-racist and maternal justice activist, speaker and educator are just a few of the many hats she wears. In this episode, we:Hold the COVID-19 pandemic to the light of how we desire humanity to beSit with Cessilye’s background and learning to lamentConsider stress and racism as Biological Weathering Unpack black women leadership against white privilege and followershipDive into self-care as an act of resistanceJoin us as we challenge ourselves to live 2020 as the year of the changed; by our votes of politics, money, and positions held. May we be people who fight to maintain hope to actively counter injustice. Recommended reading & resources:The Coronavirus Called America's BluffAbide Women's COVID-19 Amazon Wish ListCessilye Smith on InstagramAbide Women websiteAbide Women on InstagramAbide Women on TwitterAbide Women on FacebookKilling the Black Body by Dorothy RobertsMedical Apartheid by Harriett WashingtonThe Nap Ministry on InstagramSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We’re exploring the fullness of our humanity: the good, the bad, and how to hold space for each other. In this episode, we welcome guest Sister Didi Madden, a Dominican Sister of Blauvelt, NY. Sister Didi is a psychotherapist, a farmer, and the justice promoter for a collaboration of Dominican congregations in NY and NJ. She currently works on Harmony Farm in Goshen, NY.In this episode, we:Begin to unpack the both/and of humanityAsk what is the need that people are living out ofExplore how categorization creates division Address how to respond with invitationAre challenged to learn to celebrate what is differentHost Gina Ciliberto leads the conversation with Lindsy Wallace and Kayla Craig.Join us as we explore how to develop the capacity to be in relationship fully with each other, even as we are afraid and without all the answers. May we be people who answer the invitation to meet people and not categorize them, and be able to see with eyes of faith who the person is.Recommended reading & resources:The Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, NYNews, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Is anger all bad? What’s the difference between healthy, constructive anger and unhealthy, destructive anger? In this episode, Kayla Craig leads a vulnerable discussion about anger, emotions, and faith with Lindsy Wallace, Alissa Molina, and Gina Ciliberto.Have you ever wondered: Is God an angry God? Should Christians get angry? Should women get angry? Could we use our anger to change the world?In this episode, we:Unpack what we were taught about anger growing up in the church, by our families of origin, and from society.Explore how “angry” has been weaponized against women, especially black women and women of color.Define the difference between constructive healthy anger vs. destructive toxic anger.Explore what made Jesus angry and what that tells us about “righteous” anger.Join us as we explore space for anger in the Christian tradition. May we be holistic people who listen to our bodies, minds, and souls...who neither ignore anger nor dwell in it, but move through it in constructive action.Recommended reading & resources:It’s okay for Christians to be angry. What matters is what you do with that anger. (Washington Post)Everyday Ignatian: Prayer Showed Me My Anger — And That’s a Good Thing (Post by Shannon Evans)Christena Cleveland: From Hostility to Humility to HealingWhat Constitutes "Healthy Anger"?Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God by Brian Zahn (Book)Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen (Book)Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication (by Meenadchi)News, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

It’s Complicated. The more we learn about the suffering of the world, the more difficult it can become to live in it. Join host Lindsy Wallace along with co-hosts Kayla Craig, Alissa Molina, and Gina Ciliberto, to unpack living as engaged, thoughtful, neighbor-loving humans in a world where every choice has unintended, and possibly unknown, consequences. In this episode, we:Share examples of complication in our livesUnpack where we go from learning of the complications that surround usGet technical discussing cognitive dissonanceDiscuss how we protect against overwhelm that results in paralyzationLook to the life of Jesus to teach us what it means to be human in a complicated worldJoin us as we acknowledge the privilege of embracing the complicated pieces of our own worlds while working to balance this with the compassionate love we can offer back to those around us. May we be people who learn how to recognize the complications around us and from that, walk with humility on the road to solidarity. “May we be refuge for the complicated” - Propaganda, It’s Complicated, Crooked Recommended reading & resources:D.L. Mayfield’s Christ + Pop Culture Recap of The Good PlaceSo You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma OluoIt’s Complicated, PropagandaNews, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together listener group on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What can Catholics and Protestants learn from each other's traditions? Can we work together in God’s upside-down kingdom? And when can—or should—we set aside the subtle (or not-so-subtle) differences in thought, doctrine, and practice of our own Christian belief systems to work toward a common good?Alissa Molina hosts an intimate and honest ecumenical conversation with co-hosts Kayla Craig, Gina Ciliberto, and Lindsy Wallace. We’re thinking outside the box when it comes to our unofficial theme of this season: Get Your People and applying it to a discussion on ecumenism, hoping to model empathetic and loving discourse about our faith traditions.In this episode, we:Discuss the meaning within ecumenical friendshipsModel asking and answering difficult questions (like about communion/Eucharist) with grace Break down misconceptions about Protestantism and Catholicism (What are Evangelicals? What is non-denominational? What's a mainline denomination? Why do Catholics use the phrase "convert"?)Explore the importance of having a posture of curiosity instead of defensivenessTalk about how we can apply a more nuanced and intentionally upside-down approach to our faithsJoin us as we explore how to develop deeper understandings between our Protestant and Catholic sisters and brothers. Reading & Resources:Alissa on the Catholic Feminist Podcast“Why I Stay” by Shannon EvansCCDA7 Key Differences Between Protestant and Catholic DoctrineProtestant Tour of Catholic ChurchNews, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Together Facebook Group!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Season 4 | Episode 58 - Good GriefGrief is the deep sorrow, anguish, and pain we feel after a loss or a death of a loved one. We all know it when it comes to us, in our hearts and in our bones. But, once we’re faced with that heaviness, what do we do with grief? How do we move forward with it or lean into it?Host Gina Ciliberto and co-hosts Lindsy Wallace, Kayla Craig, and Alissa Molina talk about grief as it relates to the Upside Down Kingdom.In this episode, we:Define grief and what can be confused for griefExplore what it means to hold grief or to feel deprived Talk about Jesus’ weeping contrasted with today's worldUnpack how we balance grieving with “being okay”Get creative in how we speak to or support people who are grievingJoin us as we walk through what it means to grieve as faith-based believers. May we be people who are eternally hopeful and lean into the Kingdom of here and not yet as we sit in our lamentations and in the unknowing, and to allow our neighbors the same grace. Recommended reading & resources:Nora McInerny's TED Talk4 Ways to Deal with Death and GriefHot Young Widows ClubNora Borealis Leticia AdamsLaura Kelly Fanucci, author of Everyday Sacrament & Grieving Together News, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Podcast host Lindsy Wallace discusses the connection between proximity and solidarity. The differences may surprise you, but the need will leave you questioning how we, as the Church, do this. Connect with Lindsy: @lightbreaksforth

Lindsy Wallace followed Jesus to the margins and discovered more beauty and hope than she ever imagined.  Alongside her husband, she is raising five kids who joined their family via birth, foster care adoption, and international adoption. She is passionate about downward mobility, ushering in a more livable planet, and good tattoos.  She is the co-founder of the Upside Down Podcast, an ecumenical conversation about faith, justice, and the upside-down kingdom of Jesus. Today on the show Lindsy and I are focusing on downward mobility and how it has shaped her story.  If you aren’t familiar with downward mobility, it’s basically the opposite of the American dream.  She and her husband chose to go from home owners to renters, from a diverse community to a low-income, sometimes dangerous neighborhood, from having middle-class neighbors to living in solidarity with those on the margins of society.    We talk about her time in that neighborhood in Miami, about how when she thought of herself as a part-time missionary, since she was also busy with her five kiddos, her supervisor assured her that she was every bit as effective because she was modeling what it looked like to parent well.  She tells us how she became an advocate for safe, affordable housing and we also talk about what it means to shed and spend privilege.    Lindsy’s ideas and points of view challenge me in the best way and hope they will challenge you too.  Mentioned in this Episode Upside Down Podcast Dean Brackley InnerCHANGE Matthew 25:35-40 'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Lindsy's Favorite 5 All My Relations Podcast Voices Rising – Servant Partners Press The Bail Project Beating Guns by Shane Claiborne and Michael Martin Giving up Instagram for Summer Connect with Lindsy Instagram | Facebook | Website   Connect with Girls Talking Life Show Notes for this Episode | Instagram | Facebook

This week we have a recap episode!  Every eight or nine episodes we pause to think about what we've learned from our guests.  This week it's just Colleen behind the mic sharing what she's learned from this set of conversations.  We'll be looking at episodes 52-60.  This includes Pornography Addiction with Mark Macdonald, Depolarizing Politics with David Lapp, Sexual Orientation in the Church (part 2) with B.T. Harman, Mass Incarceration and Prison Reform with Dominique Gilliard, Trans Identity and the Church with Ellie Dote, The Reality of the American Dream and Upward Mobility with Lindsy Wallace, Non-Binary Gender Identity with Mason Aid, Sexual Orientation and the Church (part 3) with David Bennett and Reframing the Singular Narrative with Jonathan Brooks.  

Hope is still possible, even when the pain of the world feels like too much. What if kindness, empathy, and compassion are the way forward? Join host Kayla Craig and co-hosts Lindsy Wallace, Alissa Molina, and Gina Ciliberto with special guest John Pavlovitz. John is a writer, pastor, and activist. In the past five years, John's blog Stuff That Needs To Be Said has reached a diverse worldwide audience of millions of people. In 2017 he released his first book, A Bigger Table. His second book, Hope and Other Superpowers, arrived in November of 2018.In this episode, we:Unpack what “hope” and “resistance” means and how we live them in today’s worldExplore the role that community plays in hopeAsk how we move beyond soundbites into embodied hopeReconcile the temptations of apathy against savorism Identify steps each of us can take right now to be the kind of person the world needsJoin us as we explore hope as resistance, pulling those threads to see how it looks like in our actual lives. May we be galvanized, encouraged, and compelled by this conversation on pressing into pain and choosing a way of hope, even when the world feels pretty hopeless.Recommended reading & resources:Hope and Other Superpowers by John PavlovitzJohn PavlovitzNews, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

  This week we are talking about the American Dream.  What is the American Dream?  Is it accessible to everyone? My guest is Lindsy Wallace, a wife and mother who has followed Jesus to the margins of society.  We talk about the concept of the American Dream as well as downward and upward mobility, the ways in which our systems are designed with some inherent injustice, and what is necessary to begin to affect that.   Follow Lindsy on Instagram.  Check out her podcast and follow it on Facebook and Instagram.   Year of Action: Spend some time researching and considering the American Dream.  What do you think it is?  Do you think it's accessible to everyone?  What does the American Dream actually look like and how does it play out for ALL people?  Spend some time coming to you own understanding of the American Dream and it's possible limitations.  If you want to go further perhaps check out some of the resources Lindsy mentioned.   Also mentioned on this show: The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein Rethinking Incarceration by Dominique Gilliard Tattoos on the Heart by Father Greg Boyle

You can’t fully explain it. But we’ve all experienced the phenomenon: Inner tugs that just won’t let us go. What are callings? How do we define vocation? Inspired by one of our first and most-popular episodes, "Hashtag Blessed," comes "Hashtag Called." Gina Ciliberto hosts a conversation on what it means to be “called” with co-hosts Alissa Molina, Kayla Craig, and Lindsy Wallace.In this episode, we:Unpack what “calling” means (and doesn’t mean) to our hostsAsk about when vocations/callings are not so much about happily communing with God and understanding personal mission but, rather, a source of anxietyWonder if (and how) it’s possible to have more than one true callingExplore callings as they relate to prestige or successSee how callings come through othersJoin us as we dive into that inner-pull, that haunting thing that is “a calling.”Recommended reading & resources:Leonard Lopate on Calling Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work by Dave IsayLaura Fanucci runs the Communities of Calling Initiative for the Collegeville Institute at Saint John’s University in Minnesota. As part of her theological work on vocation, she has written To Bless Our Callings: Prayers, Poems, and Hymns to Celebrate Vocation and co-authored Living Your Discipleship: 7 Ways to Express Your Deepest Calling.News, Notes, and Links:Support more conversations like this on Upside Down Podcast! Please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Learn more at Upside Down Podcast.We’re on Instagram, too.Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What is prayer? Why does it matter? Is there a right way to pray? Join Kayla Craig, Lindsy Wallace, and Alissa Molina as they enter into an engaging, unexpected, fast-paced conversation with Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson; the authors of Prayer: Forty Days of Practice. We talk about praying when you don’t want to pray or don’t know how, being angry at God, creation as a form of prayer, and why prayer is an important part of God’s upside-down Kingdom.Justin McRoberts is an author and musician who hosts the @Sea Podcast and lives with his wife and two kids in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay area. Scott Erickson is a touring painter and performance artist who mixes autobiography, biblical narrative, and aesthetics to create art. He lives with his wife and three kids in Portland.In this episode, we:Discuss how our understandings of prayer can grow and change over time;Address why prayer can feel contrived or unnatural;Ask why art and prayer are important in God’s Kingdom;Talk about lament, anger, and privilege when it comes to prayerAnswer how writing and creating can be redemptive tools.Join us as we dive into prayer, creativity, and spirituality. Recommended reading & resources:Authors: Justin McRoberts + Scott EricksonBook: Prayer: Forty Days of PracticeNews, Notes, and Links:If you’d like to support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free, please visit us, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Follow Justin online and on InstagramFollow Scott online and on Instagram and on The Say Yes Showhttp://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

In this episode, Lindsy Wallace is joined by guest co-host and friend of the podcast Diana Oestreich in a conversation with Claire Swinarski of The Catholic Feminist Podcast to discuss the “F” word, as well as labeling ourselves and others.In this episode, we:Learn The Catholic Feminist Podcast origin story;Unpack the definition of “feminist”; Discuss the impacts of the feminist label in our current cultural climate;Learn how we love one another even when we label ourselves differently;Identify female saints and biblical mothers who can inspire us all!Join us as we explore what it means to be a feminist, diving into what labels we claim and the good and bad that comes from claiming labels for ourselves and ascribing them to others.Recommended reading & resources:Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist by Dorothy DayChristena ClevelandNews, Notes, and Links:If you’d like to support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free, please visit upsidedownpodcast.com/give, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Follow Claire online.Follow Diana online.Join the Upside Down Tribe podcast listener group on Facebook.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What is ethical storytelling? Why is it important to allow others to tell their own stories? In this thought-provoking episode, we're back from our hiatus to do a deep dive into what to consider when sharing the stories of others in a way that honors their dignity. Kayla Craig hosts with Lindsy Wallace and guests Dr. Melissa Borja and refugee advocate podcaster Jacob Mau.Melissa Borja, a core faculty member in the Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies Program at the University of Michigan, earned a PhD and MPhil in history from Columbia University, in addition to an MA in history from the University of Chicago and an AB in history from Harvard. She researches migration, religion, politics, race, and ethnicity.Because Jacob Mau believes in the power of the voices and stories of displaced people, he created a podcast called Beyond Soundbites, a six-episode series that calls refugee supporters to an ongoing search for the personhood of refugees, the meaning of home, and the presence of God in stories of displacement.In this episode, we:Ask what it means to "magnify" and "amplify" stories.Peel back how storytelling is significant and is approached differently by people doing different types of work—for example, oral historians like Melissa, advocates like Jacob, journalists like Kayla, and people working in ministry like Lindsy.Discuss the importance of thinking carefully about the position and context of both the storyteller and the audience, and the (sometimes unequal) relations of power that can complicate their relationship.Dive into the sacred aspects of storytelling and story-listening - as Melissa says, “the grace of listening to another’s story” and the powerful spiritual act of simply being present for people who are sharing their story.In this episode, we ask:What does it mean to tell "ethical" stories?How can we place others as the subject -- not the object -- of stories?Why is it true that in justice work, we show ourselves as the victim, or the hero, but rarely the perpetrator?What guidelines do you follow when sharing others' stories?What do we do with the phrase "voice for the voiceless?"Discussion questions to ask yourself + others:There’s been some talk about performative social justice, and that’s something we've seen played out on Instagram, if we're honest, with our friends, and if we're really honest, sometimes with ourselves. Why is there an urge to do this, sometimes even under the guise of humility? How can we protect ourselves against this? What questions should we ask ourselves?Are we okay with experiencing connection and NOT sharing? Does everything have to be shared?How do we incorporate God’s word and our faith into storytelling in respectful, kind ways?How do we avoid centering ourselves?When have you made a storytelling mistake? What did you learn from it?News, Notes, and Links:Support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free! Please visit upsidedownpodcast.com/give, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going. We couldn't do this without you!Visit Upside Down Podcast for more episodes, to learn more about us, see behind-the-scenes details.Be part of our listener community: Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What does "representation matters" mean? Ryan Tolbert of Tru-Colour Bandages joins Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace to discuss what representation is, why it matters, their own representation experiences, and how they believe a kinder, more inclusive planet is in our future.In this episode, we:Learn the Tru-Colour Bandages origin story;Unpack what it means to say “representation matters”;Share our own personal representation experiences;Learn about the relationship between representation and diversity;Discuss how we can increase the diversity in our lives.Join us as we explore how representation and diversity benefit all of us.Recommended reading & resources:Visit: Trucolourbandages.com Shop: Tru-Colour Bandages at TargetWatch: W. Kamau Bell's Netflix Special, "Private School Negro"Watch: Chris Rock's Documentary "Good Hair"Listen: Once Upon a Time in WakandaNews, Notes, and Links:If you’d like to support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free, please visit upsidedownpodcast.com/give, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.@tcbandagesVisit Upside Down Podcast's website to learn moreJoin the Upside Down Tribe on FacebookSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Consumption! Capitalism! Consumerism! Christmas! We’re hitting pause and engaging the heart of consumption, capitalism, consumerism and most importantly, the heart of Christmas. What does it mean to celebrate the birth of Jesus, a poor kid from Nazareth who learned his father’s trade and had nowhere to lay his head? Ashley Hales and Shannan Martin join us as we ask: How do we opt out of the glitz and glitter around us to make space in our homes for the baby Messiah born in a manger?Shannan Martin, author of “The Ministry of Ordinary Places,” is a speaker, blogger, wife, and mom of four. Ashley Hales is a writer, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mother of four. She is the author of “Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too Much.” Ashley and Shannan join Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace for a conversation about staying Christ-centered in a season of excess.In this episode, we:Share how the life of Christ influences our approach to celebrating the Christmas holiday;Discuss whether modern capitalism is compatible with Christian living;Share how we mindfully engage in gift-giving; andThink about how we can emulate the life of Christ as consumers.Join us as we discuss how we can celebrate Christmas in a capitalistic society while emulating the life of Jesus.Recommended reading & resources:“Finding Holy in the Suburbs” by Ashley Hales“The Ministry of Ordinary Places” and “Falling Free” by Shannan MartinThe Pray as You Go app and podcastShannan Martin’s 12 Ways of ChristmasAdventconspiracy.org and @adventconspiracyThe Blessed is She Advent devotionalWalter Brueggeman’s two Advent devotionalsListen to our conversation on ethical fashion with Lauren Pinkston of Wearthy (episode #32).News, Notes, and Links:If you’d like to support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free, please visit us here, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Find Ashley on Instagram: @aahalesFind Shannan on Instagram: @shannanwriteshttp://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/upsidedowntribe/?fref=nfSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Immigration has become a polarizing and politicized topic in our country and our world. Demeaning phrases and overwhelming statistics are thrown around with frightening ease and often it seems we have forgotten that we are talking about people. We’ve invited today’s guest, Sarah Quezada, to remind us of the humanness of immigration. Sarah is a writer and nonprofit professional in Atlanta, Georgia, with more than a decade of experience working across cultures and leading conversations about justice, faith, and serving among the poor. Sarah joins Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace for a conversation about the upside down response to immigration.In this episode, we:Share our early encounters with (and thoughts about) immigrants;Hear Sarah’s stories from the border; Dispel common misconceptions about immigration;Learn how we can engage with people who have different views; and Reflect on how we can be more welcoming.Join us as we learn how we can better love our neighbors and work toward justice, peace, and reconciliation.Recommended reading & resources:- “Love Undocumented: Risking Trust in a Fearful World” by Sarah Quezada- Sarah’s weekly newsletter: The Road Map- Listen to our conversation with Salem Afangideh, immigration attorney and Nigerian immigrant (episode #19).News, Notes, and Links:If you’d like to support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free, please visit upsidedownpodcast.com/give, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.@sarahquezadahttp://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/upsidedowntribe/?fref=nfSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We're excited to share our first episode ever recorded with a live audience, recorded at the Upside Down Gathering on Sept. 21. In this conversation, we dive into the tension between faith deconstruction and reconstruction, guided by professional counselor and friend of the podcast Aundi Kolber. Kayla Craig, Lindsy Wallace, and Shannon Evans open up about their own faith journeys in this special episode.In this episode, we tackle the questions:What was your faith upbringing like? What have pivotal points been in your journey?What has deconstruction of faith looked like for you? Why is reconstruction important?What books, thoughts, or spiritual leaders have helped shape your faith?Do you consider yourself an evangelical?How has your view of God changed?Join us as we share our honest experiences inside and outside of the church, reflecting on how our Christian faith has been shaped, molded, broken down, and built up on this long and winding journey with Jesus.Recommended reading & resources:To learn more about Kayla, Lindsy, and Shannon’s faith journeys, check out episodes #8, #9, and #12. To learn more about Aundi’s work, listen to episode #36 on mental health.News, Notes, and Links:If you’d like to support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free, please visit http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/give, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going.Follow Upside Down Podcast on Instagram: @upsidedownpodcastVisit our guest moderator Aundi on Instagram: @aundikolberVisit our Website to learn more: http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/upsidedowntribe/?fref=nfSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We talk vulnerability with Mandy Smith, lead pastor of University Christian Church, a campus and neighborhood congregation with its own fair-trade café in Cincinnati. Mandy is a regular contributor to Christianity Today and Missio Alliance and the author of “The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry.” She also is the director of Missio Alliance’s SheLeads Summit: ChurchTogether and creator of The Collect, a citywide trash-to-art project. Mandy joins hosts Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace to examine a spiritual view of vulnerability, finding hope within the prophetic imagination. In this episode, we: - Learn from Mandy about how vulnerability shapes our creativity, casts a new vision for how the church views gender, and how we can reconstruct our own faith Talk about what to believe when we think God has made a mistake in his callings Discuss the healing power of creating art from trash Create space for others to be human and for God to be God. Join us as we hear words of wisdom from Mandy, who has a soft pastor heart and brilliant mind. Recommended reading & resources: “The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry” by Mandy Smith Missio Alliance: http://www.missioalliance.org/author/mandysmith/ “The Surprising Solution When Gender Dynamics Seem to Be Destroying the Church,” by Mandy Smith:https://www.missioalliance.org/the-surprising-solution-when-gender-dynamics-seem-to-be-destroying-the-church/ News & Notes: - Thank you for joining us at the Upside Down Gathering! - Join Mandy Smith on Nov. 10 at the Church Together Summit. We’ll hear not only how God has revealed new ways to understand gender, but also how God is revealing new depths of the Gospel. The panel will be made up of pairs of male-female ministry partners, sharing the challenges and joys of ministering together. Join us onsite at PazNaz in Southern California, or attend one of the streaming sites around the country: https://www.churchtogethersummit.org/. If you’d like to support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free, please visit upsidedownpodcast.com/give, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going. Links: @uccmandy http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/ Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/upsidedowntribeSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We kick off season three with an extra special conversation with one of our friends at Preemptive Love Coalition! Jessica Courtney, co-founder and Vice President of International Programs for Preemptive Love Coalition, joins Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace to discuss unmaking violence and pursuing a more beautiful world. With heart and humility, Jessica shares her personal stories of what it’s like to learn from her Iraqi neighbors. In this episode, we: Learn about PLC’s history and how the organization has evolved; Hear why Jessica and her family decided to move to Iraq, despite the risks; Share how we can hold onto hope in a volatile and scary world; and Learn how we can get involved in PLC’s mission. Recommended reading & resources: Support PLC: https://www.purecharity.com/preemptivelove “Cynical” song by Propaganda: https://genius.com/Propaganda-cynical-lyrics “Preemptive Love: Pursuing Peace One Heart at a Time” book by Jeremy Courtney News & Notes: We’re excited to see many of you in Chicago on Sept. 21-22 for our first-ever live event, The Upside Down Gathering! We’ll be joined by Preemptive Love Coalition’s key relationships officer Diana Oestreich, who will share more stories about unmaking violence and lead us all toward a posture of peace. Even if you didn’t get a ticket, if you live in or near Chicago, you’re still welcome to join us on Saturday night, for a free concert with Micah Bournes. Follow us on Instagram throughout the weekend for behind-the-scenes content! If you’d like to support us to keep Upside Down Podcast ad-free, please visit upsidedownpodcast.com/give, where you can pledge a few dollars of monthly support to help us pay our bills and keep the conversations going. Links: @preemptivelove @jessicajcourtney http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/ Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/upsidedowntribe/?fref=nfSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

In this conversation, a rather sleepy Alessia has a late night conversation with a friend across the pond, Lindsy Wallace from the Upside Down Podcast. The main subject is plurality, and how to navigate diverse settings while loving your neighbour well.

In our last regular episode before summer break, we gather to talk about community: not the hashtag or the social media version, but the essence of community as a sense of place and belonging. Host Kayla Craig is joined by Lindsy Wallace, Shannon Evans, and special guest, Rebekah Troche, who lives at Jesus People USA, a church and intentional community in Chicago. In this episode, we: Learn about JPUSA’s mission and ministry and why Rebekah was drawn to it; Share our vision for this fall’s Upside Down Gathering; Talk about how vulnerability and trust play a role in community; Bring forward tangible ways we can begin to cultivate community; and we Tackle listener questions about how to deal with conflict and how an introvert can find respite amid a community-building lifestyle. Join us as we recognize how intentional community with others is pivotal to the upside-down life. Recommended reading & resources: “Community and Growth” by Jean Vanier Jesus People USA: http://jpusa.org Wilson Abbey in Chicago: http://wilsonabbey.com/ Everybody’s Coffee: https://everybodyscoffee.com News & Notes: We’re opening the doors to Wilson Abbey in Chicago for the first-ever Upside Down Gathering on Sept 21-22, 2018. Get your tickets at upsidedownpodcast.com/gathering. We’ll be back in September with brand-new episodes! In the meantime, we’ll feature short sessions and one-on-one conversations with creators and makers in God’s Kingdom, one in June, one in July, and one in August. To have access to those episodes, join our community of $10/month supporters on Patreon: patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast. To have access to a download with tangible, creative ideas to be a more present neighbor right where you are, join our community of $10/month supporters on Patreon: patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

In this episode, we gather to discuss the relationship between women and our bodies. Host Shannon Evans is joined by Lindsy Wallace, Kayla Craig, and special guest, author Colleen Mitchell. Colleen is the author of “When We Were Eve: Uncovering the Woman God Created You to Be.” Together we analyze the effects of both hypersexualization and excessive modesty and wrestle with questions of how to retain the holiness of our physicality in a world bent on making it a source of shame. We discuss how our view of the incarnation affects our view of bodies and how our view of the triune God shapes our view of self. In this episode, we: Discuss our culture’s standards of the ideal female body - and why it affects us so deeply; Share how hypersexualization is seeping into our marriages and relationships - and how we can combat it; Look at the other end of the spectrum - excessive modesty - and the effect it can have on our psyches; Encourage each other to embrace our bodies as “storytellers”; and Think about what it could look like for women to truly delight in their God-given bodies. Join us as we empower women to make peace with our bodies in a holistic way -- and to find holiness in our physicality. Recommended reading & resources: “When We Were Eve: Uncovering the Woman God Created You to Be” by Colleen Mitchell “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk Colleen’s “31 Days of Embodied Faith” blog series Pope John Paul II’s lecture series on Theology of the Body Links: @colleencmitch http://www.blessedarethefeet.com/31-days-of-embodied-faith/ http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/ Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/upsidedowntribe/?fref=nfSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We're grateful to have Dominique Gilliard, author of “Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice That Restores,” join us on the podcast. In addition to being an author and an ordained minister, Dominique is the director of racial righteousness and reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice (LMDJ) initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Lindsy Wallace leads the conversation. In this episode, we: Define mass incarceration and discuss its foundation and history in America; Talk about how mass incarceration plays out in our communities and in society; Share how the Gospel should inform our response; and Provide actions that all of us can take to become advocates for change. Join us as we discuss how Christians can pursue justice that restores and reconciles. Recommended reading: “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson “Slavery By Another Name” by Douglas Blackmon Links: @dominiquedgilliard http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/ Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/upsidedowntribeSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What does it look like to raise upside down kids and be intentional parents in God's Kindom? Are the Beatitudes just for people who aren’t too busy? Was Jesus addressing only non-parents? How can social ministry and family ministry enrich each other In this episode, we talk about how we can preach the Gospel within and through our own families, and how we can include our children in our actions for justice. Kayla Craig leads the conversation with co-hosts Shannon Evans and Lindsy Wallace. In this episode, we: Talk about how we can focus on our parenting goals for our children -- and how those manifest in our decisions; Share how we create family community; Discuss how we can teach and model multiculturalism and nontraditional gender roles in our families; Share six basic principles for family involvement in social action; and Talk how we approach some practical aspects of family life. Join us as we discuss concrete ways of living and parenting that transform Kingdom values into everyday adventures of prayer and action. Resources & recommended reading: The Blessed Is She prayer journal for kids “Parenting for Peace and Justice” by Kathleen and James McGinnis “Never Say No: Raising Big Picture Kids” by Mark and Jan ForemanSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

In this episode, we talk all things Enneagram, an ancient tool that has grown in popularity in Christian spheres in recent years. Most people think of the Enneagram as a personality typing system, but may not be familiar with it or how it can influence us in the upside down kingdom. Lindsy Wallace leads the conversation with co-hosts Shannon Evans and Kayla Craig, along with our guest, Jesse Eubanks. Jesse is the Founder and Executive Director of Love Thy Neighborhood, an urban missions agency providing young adults with social justice internships and Christian community. He also is the host of the Love Thy Neighborhood podcast and is a certified instructor in the Enneagram of Personality. In this episode, we: Talk about what the Enneagram is and how it differs from other personality tests; Walk through each of the nine types; Share our own Enneagram types; Share some of the pushback we have heard about using the Enneagram in the church; and Provide resources for those who want to learn more. Join us as we delve into how the Enneagram can be applied to the upside down kingdom. Recommended reading & resources: “The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective” by Richard Rohr Crosspointministry.com Wepss.com ($10, 30 minutes) @yourenneagramcoach on Instagram Links: @jesseeubanks http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/ Join the Upside Down Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/upsidedowntribe/?fref=nf Support us at www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Professional counselor Aundi Kolber joins for an open and honest conversation about mental health, and the sometimes precarious relationship between mental health and the Christian community. Kayla Craig leads the conversation with co-hosts Shannon Evans and Lindsy Wallace. Aundi Kolber (@aundikolber) is a professional counselor in Colorado, who specializes in trauma, depression, and anxiety. Together we reflect on the impact that mental health challenges have on a person of faith and their loved ones, expose stigmas and cliches, and seek to identify where the Church is failing to support this need and how she could do better. In this episode, we: Share how mental health has affected our families; Break down the popular platitudes and “advice” often given to Christians with mental health struggles; Discuss the obstacles to getting help; Talk about how the Church can better support those affected by mental health disorders -- and what we can do as individuals; and Share the possible redemptive elements of having fragile mental health. Join us as we give a voice to the experience of those suffering the effects of mental health disorders and address how the Christian community can support them better. Recommended reading: “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel van der KolkSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What's it like to “do life” as an adoptive family? Kayla Craig leads the conversation with co-hosts Shannon Evans and Lindsy Wallace. Between us, we have 13 kids, six of whom were adopted. We’ve done foster care, international adoption, and domestic infant adoption. We’re not experts, but we are experienced and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned with our listeners. If you’re not an adoptive family, we encourage you to listen so you’re better equipped to love and support the adoptive families around you! In this episode, we: Talk about the emotional stressors (including financial and marital) that came with adoption; Share what we wish people knew about attachment; Delve into open adoption and birth family communication; Talk about the questions our adopted kids ask (and how we answer them); Talk honestly about what trauma looks like in our homes; and Answer a listener question about the challenges that can arise in the years following an adoption. Join us as we strive to encourage adoptive families and equip families considering adoption. Recommended reading & resources: Karen Purvis Institute of Child Development Listen to one of our very first episodes (Bonus Episode: All About Adoption) Links: http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/ Join the Upside Down Tribe on FacebookSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Do we avoid talking about age?​ ​Why? Kayla​ ​Craig leads the discussion with​ ​co-host Lindsy Wallace and guest host Corinne Shark​ joins us from SE Asia. We talk about it all in this episode​: ​Aging, glorification of youth, unexpected illness in our own lives, fear of aging and death (yeah, we go there), multi-generational relationships, the spiritual wisdom that comes with aging, and milestone birthdays (Kayla just turned 30 and Corinne just turned 40!).​ ​Join us as we model messy, honest conversations about aging from a Kingdom perspective. Further Reading: ​Book: ​“The Art of Growing Old” by Carroll Saussy ​Book: ​"Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life" by Richard Rohr ​Guest Corinne Shark: www.instagram.com/thesaltyshark​ Our website: www.upsidedownpodcast.com Our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/upsidedowntribe Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What is ethical fashion? Everything we wear comes at a cost - often at the expense of artisans abroad who are exploited for cheap labor. Guest co-host Lauren Pinkston of Wearthy joins us at the virtual table, providing first-hand insight and practical tips on how to make intentional, Kingdom-centered choices in the items we purchase. How do we stop sacrificing the dignity of people who made our clothes around the world in poor factory conditions and for poor pay? Lauren leads the way for co-hosts Lindsy Wallace and Kayla Craig to ask hard questions about the effect on human rights, and the environmental impact, that comes from items we wear. Keep listening, because there’s a Wearthy ethical shopping DISCOUNT CODE for Upside Down Podcast listeners! Episode Resources: Wearthy, Lauren's business that brings together different ethically-made clothes and accessories: https://wearthy.org/ True Cost Documentary Lauren recommends: https://truecostmovie.com/ Young Adult Book Lindsy discusses: Boys without Names by Kashmira Sheth Our website: www.upsidedownpodcast.com Our listener group: www.facebook.com/upsidedowntribe Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

You asked; we answered in this episode of Upside Down. Lindsy Wallace hosts a fun "Ask Us Anything" version of the podcast with Kayla Craig and Shannon Evans. We answer listener questions from serious to silly and everything in between. We discuss what it means to be a Christian in a world where Christianity sometimes doesn't have a great witness, answer questions on transracial adoption, and dive into dating and marriage. We also give our "eleventh commandments."Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Does big equal better in God's upside-down Kingdom? Join us as we dive into what God says about all the small things in this episode of Upside Down Podcast. Where does grace factor in as we determine our worth and our actions in God's Kingdom? We dive into inspiration from Henri Nouwen and Mother Theresa (and touch on quotes Christian culture tends to appropriate). We discuss the ever-so-dicy topic of Christian platforms, and land on God breaking into our earth as a baby born to a poor girl among animals and hay, asking what this teaches us about smallness in God's Kingdom. How do we guard against the temptation to value the sexy missions or platforms that tend to lead us to miss the daily callings God has given us? We discuss missions, mega churches, and ministry impact as we look into the advent season. Shannon Evans hosts with Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What does God say about finances? What power does money hold in God's upside down kingdom? Is there really enough to go around in God's economy? In this episode of Upside Down Podcast, we unpack ideas of faith, church, and western culture as it relates to money. Is there guilt and shame surrounding Christians when they think about money? Or are Christians too lackadaisical when it comes to wealth? What does Jesus think of the American Dream? We discuss it all: Idols, missions, simplicity, storage units, scarcity mentality, and going on vacation in this episode hosted by Lindsy Wallace, Shannon Evans, and Kayla Craig. Scripture References: - Luke 21 The Widow's Offering - Acts 2 - Luke 12:12 Parable of the Rich Fool Further Reading: "Freedom of Simplicity" by Richard Foster "The Liturgy of Abundance, The Myth of Scarcity" by Walter Brueggemann "God's Economy: Redefining the Health and Wealth Gospel" by Jonathan Wilson-HartgroveSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Do we put country before God's kingdom? What happens when we conflate being patriotic with being a Christian? Does the flag come before the cross? Join us as we wade into murky waters of nationalism and idolatry with special guest host, and Iraq war veteran Diana Oestreich. We discuss patriotism vs. nationalism, one veteran's perspective of the NFL kneeling during the national anthem, rituals of the pledge of allegiance, and more. Kayla Craig hosts with Lindsy Wallace and Shannon Evans.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

The world is broken. People are hurting. But even - maybe especially - when life is at its most difficult, could the practice and discipline of celebration be what orients our hearts to the Kingdom of God? What does it look like to persevere and celebrate even amid heartache and suffering? Does celebration in God's kingdom look different than partyin' it up with your friends for a treat yo' self day? Is the Church doing it right? Lindsy Wallace, Shannon Evans and Kayla Craig are joined by guest co-host D.L. Mayfield for a rich conversation diving into what celebration looks like in God's Upside Down Kingdom. "I will celebrate the light of Christ in a world of darkness the life of Christ in a culture of death the liberty of Christ in a kingdom of captivity and the hope of Christ in an age of despair I will rejoice always and in everything give thanks." - InnerCHANGE ministrySupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What are spiritual seasons? How do we process transition? What does change look like in God's Kingdom? We dive into what it looks like when expectations are dashed, hope is found, and life takes unexpected twists and turns. We dive into practical ways to stay rooted in unsure times, Lindsy shares how she found herself living life in the slow lane, and we pepper in some laughter and feature a random Lion King reference, because that's how we do. We also discuss some big changes and transitions for Upside Down Podcast, too, and give a hint of what's to come in the fall season. Kayla Craig hosts with Shannon Evans and Lindsy Wallace.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Gentrification: It's a topic often misunderstood, and maybe even a bit controversial. We speak with Leroy Barber, one of the few experts on gentrification. Leroy has dedicated nearly thirty years to eradicating poverty, confronting homelessness, restoring local neighborhoods, healing racism, and living what Dr. King called “the beloved community.” He is currently writing his fifth book entitled, The Injustice of Gentrification: Memories of Home, which is the topic of his conversation with Lindsy Wallace. Kayla Craig and Kristi James join Lindsy for a post-interview conversation as well.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

What is downward mobility and how is it different from simplicity and minimalism? What is the appeal to living a life with less and is it sufficient for the Christian? In this episode we discuss what it looks like to shed our privilege and also use it for the good of our neighbors and the Upside Down Kingdom. Shannon Evans hosts the conversation with Lori Harris and Lindsy Wallace.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Most of us have a love/hate relationship to social media. We recorded this episode live at our Upside Down Podcast retreat, and in this conversational episode hosted by Kristi James with co-hosts Lindsy Wallace, Shannon Evans, and Kayla Craig, we discuss how we try to navigate the tricky Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter waters. We unpack that whole "behind-the-scenes vs. highlight reel" thing, discuss using social media as a numbing tool, dive into our desire for affirmation (or even, to be "right"), and share how we've navigated justice or political issues on Facebook, too. It's a light episode with what we hope is an undercurrent of thoughtfulness -- and we want to hear what you think, too!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

The church is weird and disappointing. And we love it anyway. Why? Join us for a conversation that almost feels like a family meeting. We acknowledge the shortcomings of the local church, but talk about the importance, too. In some Upside Down Podcast episodes, we’ve shared our (valid) frustrations with the church, the church in America, places where the church isn’t doing enough, etc. and we want to take an episode to lay a foundation of our relationships with the Church at large and the local church, too. We discuss church hurt, Catholicism, community, church consumerism, and more. Kristi James hosts with Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

This one goes out to all the moms! (And all the waiting moms, all the foster moms, all the mom-figures, all the women who bring life to their communities, and all the people who have ever loved a mom!) Pull up a chair and join us for some laughs and maybe a few tears in this sweet little motherhood episode. We chat about rocky beginnings, throwing parenting books away, and *the* moment that changed everything. We give a few mom hacks, talk about loosening our grips, and the unexpected ways we're ditching expectations. And of course, we share the darnedest things our kids have said recently. Join us! Lindsy Wallace hosts with Kayla Craig and Kristi James.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Should Christians care about immigration? Our friend Salem Afangideh, immigration attorney, shares her journey into law and gives perspective into why people of faith should care about issues surrounding immigration. We start learning about executive orders but dive into so much more, including immigration myths, how faith affects work, avoiding a savior complex, why self care is important, valuing people over money, and how Salem experiences life as a woman of color. Kayla Craig hosts with Lindsy Wallace and Kristi James. Learn more about Salem and lawyers who care at afangidehglobal.com.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Are we surprised by pain & suffering? In the hardest times, it can feel like hope is out of reach, even for a person of faith. In this honest (but hopeful!) episode, all five co-hosts examine what seasons of sorrow have taught them about Jesus. Lindsy reveals a time in her life that was marked with cancer, death, and unknown, and we all share what NOT to say to someone who is suffering. (Just say NO to Christian cliches!) We dive into how the suffering we’ve experienced has changed the way we think of Jesus' empathy, compassion, love, and sacrifice. Shannon Evans hosts with Lindsy Wallace, Kayla Craig, Kristi James, and Lori Harris.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Doing it all is a myth: And we're here to bust it! Often times, we feel the burden to accomplish everything and spin all the plates. In this special episode (which was recorded LIVE and IN PERSON!) we discuss why we don't have to do it all and how grace covers us. We talk about what we've each given up in our own lives, and how listeners can find freedom from the busy, too. There's lots of laughter + deep truths in this episode: Take a listen and let us know what you think! Kayla Craig hosts with Lindsy Wallace, Kristi James, and Shannon Evans.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Join us as we sit down Amber Newberry, who shares her heartbreaking experience of sexual assault and abortion, and how she found redemption in God's love. (Save this episode for when little ears are not around!) Amber shares how some Christians were hurtful and hateful to her about abortion, and also how other believers brought messages of hope and healing. After Amber shares her story, the hosts process and discuss the statistics of abortion in the church, and how Christians can walk out pro-life beliefs beyond picket lines. Lindsy Wallace and Shannon interview Amber Newberry of Beautiful & Beloved, and then Kayla Craig and Kristi Wallace join the conversation about the gospel, upside-down grace, and wanting to be known by our love.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

How do we walk in a way that supports life in ALL facets of our messy world? We talk about finding a comprehensive life ethic as we affirm that each person is made in the image of God. We go beyond loaded terms like "pro-life" or "pro-choice" and share our hopes of growing in empathy to find a third way. We ask hard questions and discuss some tangible ways to stop vilifying those who see things differently. We’re humbled to wade through these murky waters with you, and we hope and pray that our conversation will be life-giving as you continue to work through these thoughts, too. Kayla Craig hosts with Lindsy Wallace, Kristi James, Shannon Evans, and Lori Harris.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Homeschool, Christian private schools, public education: Which method do you choose? We had so much left to discuss about education, we recorded a PART 2 to Episode 13. We hope to model what it looks like to have thoughtful conversations with people who have landed different places -- and how we can trust the Holy Spirit to work in others' lives. We chat about how saying "yes" to whichever educational method we choose is saying "no" to something else. We discuss how we supplement our individual educational choices based on our family's priorities and principles. We also talk about what we love about our current choices, and times when we've felt judged for the choices we've made. Lindsy Wallace hosts with Kristi James, Kayla Craig, Shannon Evans, and Lori Harris.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Education is a BIG topic, so why not dive in? What does it look like to live upside-down in the schooling choices we make for our kids? Our co-hosts represent public school, private school, and homeschool. We chat about how our own education experiences affect the choices we make today. What role should faith play in approaching education? Do Christians have a responsibility to care about public school in the U.S.? Lori Harris, a public school advocate, shows her passion in this episode. Join us as we share what we're reading (and catch the hot tip for how to sneak in reading if you have a busy schedule!). We chat about WHY we've made the different education choices we've made in this conversational episode. Buckle in for a wild ride - this is the first of probably MANY education episodes! Shannon Evans hosts with Lori Harris, Kristi James, Lindsy Wallace, and Kayla Craig.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We continue our interview series with host Kristi James. Kristi is a work-at-home writer and editor, as well as a church planter's wife and mom to three little girls. Kristi shares about the time (last year) she fell over trying out some sweet dance moves during mini-golf, and the real reason she avoided writing classes in college. She and her family moved to Asheville, NC to plant their church in 2011, and in this episode she shares about how she approaches reading scripture when it feels a little dry, how she landed her dream job, and what keeps her up at night. You can find her on her BRAND NEW blog at www.kristenannjames.com. Kayla Craig and Lindsy Wallace co-host and interview Kristi in this episode.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Next up in our meet-the-host series is Kayla Craig. Kayla's a full-time journalist turned work-at-home mom (of four!) and author. In this episode, we laugh about her accidental first date with her now-husband, whom she met in drama class in high school. We loved their engagement story and cracked up at the fact that they're BOTH ENFPs. Lindsy Wallace and Kristi James co-host this fun episode that dives into faith, motherhood, and owning your fifth-grade awkwardness.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

To kick off 2017, we're getting to know each co-host with a special episode, diving into faith journeys, unexpected stories, and of course, a little fun, too. In this episode, we get to know Lindsy Wallace. She loves Jesus, her husband, their five kids, hot tea, hiking in the woods, and good tattoos. Her family lives in Miami where they seek to bring the Kingdom come to the inner-city as it is in Heaven. When she’s not homeschooling her kids or getting to know her neighbors, she writes about faith, justice, race and more on her blog lightbreaksforth.com.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Joy to the world: What does that mean? What's the difference between happiness and joy? In this advent episode, we discuss the upside down notion that if it’s not good news for everyone, it’s not good news. We share our struggles and victories in finding joy in our own lives, and hope to encourage you, too. Join us as we share upside down thoughts on hope, peace, and joy, and we share a few laughs over our favorite Christmas songs, too. Shannon Evans hosts with co-hosts Kayla Craig, Kristi James, Lindsy Wallace, and Lori Harris.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We speak with Tyler Burns, founding member of the Reformed African American Network and host of the Pass the Mic podcast. This conversation is full of grace and honesty, and is deeply important not only to our culture, but to the Kingdom of God. We ask about The Talk black parents have with their children and the Christian duty white parents have to The Talk. Tyler is also a youth pastor in Pensacola, Florida. Lindsy Wallace interviews Tyler with the help of Lori Harris and Kristi James. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Following Jesus can feel lonely. Why? Is that an entirely bad thing? Maybe we need to flip our view of loneliness upside down. We discuss why it's easy to feel lonely in this kingdom of now and not yet. We dive deep into Dietrich Bonhoeffer's idea that we have to lose to gain, specifically that we have to lose some aspect of community before we can -- through Christ -- have redeemed relationships. Kayla Craig hosts the conversation with co-hosts Lindsy Wallace, Lori Harris, Kristi James, and Shannon Evans.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Hospitality: In God's Kingdom, what does hospitality look like? What's the difference between faith-fueled hospitality and simply entertaining? What does the Bible say about radical hospitality and community? In this episode, our hosts dive into what radical hospitality looks like when we open our hands, hearts, and homes to the people in front of us. Kristi James leads the discussion with co-hosts Lori Harris, Lindsy Wallace, Shannon Evans, and Kayla Craig.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Considering adoption? To celebrate National Adoption Month, we're giving you a special episode dedicated to adoption! Adoptive moms (and co-hosts) Lindsy Wallace, Kayla Craig, and Shannon Evans share their adoption experiences and offer encouragement. From foster care adoption to international adoption to special needs adoption, we discuss what you should know before adopting. We talk about adoption home studies, costs, agencies, consultants, and more. We share what we wish we would have known before we began the process, and important resources to help you as you start the adoption journey.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

We see #blessed all the time, but what does blessed really mean in God's Kingdom? How has Christian culture used the word blessed incorrectly? Correctly? And what does scripture say about blessings? We dive into how Jesus uses "blessed" in the Sermon on the Mount. But it's not all serious: Each co-host also shares what emoji has been describing herself lately. Shannon Evans leads the discussion with Kayla Craig, Lori Harris, Kristi James, and Lindsy Wallace.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

In Episode 2 of Upside Down, we dive into how Christians can easily idolize safety. What does the Bible say about safety? What about fear? What did Jesus say about being safe? We share five different perspectives and personal experiences, and add a little humor to the mix, too (including our guilty pleasures when it comes to music!). Lindsy Wallace leads the discussion with co-hosts Kristi James, Lori Harris, Kayla Craig, and Shannon Evans.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Our pilot episode brings together five Christian women from across the country discussing the intersection of life and faith. Join us as we chat about the upside down life in the kingdom of God. No topic is off limits as we flip the script on our culture and dive into how following Jesus changes everything. Kayla Craig leads the discussion with co-hosts Kristi James, Lori Harris, Lindsy Wallace, and Shannon Evans.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/upsidedownpodcast)

Lindsy is a mom of 4 who has recently moved across the country from KY to FL to live out the good news of Jesus among the poor with both their words and their actions.  They are with an organization that sends families to marginalized neighborhoods, you know, the ones most people try to avoid and ignore.  You're going to love and be challenged by this conversation! what we chat about: calling forth the good God has placed in our kids  doing the brave thing scared how to keep perspective when all the needs around her seem overwhelming

Often times we try to make ministry complicated. We have programs and strategies and big plans, but is that how Jesus operated? In today's podcast Lindsy Wallace talks about being a missionary in Miami where the main strategy is to live like Jesus, amongst the people, listening to their needs and developing relationships that lead to spiritual connections. With this in mind, every one of us is a missionary to our own neighbors, placed there by God to encourage, uplift, and share the gospel while living our normal everyday lives.

In this episode of the Fund Your Adoption Podcast, I interview blogger, orphan advocate, and adoptive mother Lindsy Wallace as she shares her family's inspiring 6 years and counting adoption journey and some really creative fundraisers to help finance their adoption.