Our Time to Rise in Midlife

Latest Episodes:

Ep.291: Faith + Art Sister Straight Talk Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

We've had our summer school of sorts with professors from around the country talking to us about how art and faith enhance each other. Consider this episode with Krista and Alex the class discussion. Our two podcast hosts sit down together and talk about what challenged them from the previous episodes in the series, what they want to change in their own lives as a result, and how engaging with creative works enhances our understanding of who God is and who our neighbors are.

These two talk about the power of story, the need for shared experiences, their creative outlets, and God's reflection in us as makers. Though you get to listen in on their thoughts, this is meant to be a group discussion. Tell us about what struck you! Where are you inspired to interact with the arts? How has art impacted your faith? What kind of creative expression gets you feeling or thinking?

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -Pablo Picasso

Ep.290: Faith + Art: Singing in the Dark with Ginny Owens Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

Music is powerful and has echoes of the eternal within it. It also can see us through difficult and dark times.

Ginny Owens, an award winning singer / songwriter, author, and speaker joins us to talk about the role music has played in her life and faith from a young age. As a blind singer who literally sings in darkness, she also carries the message that anyone can learn to find a melody in dark and lonely seasons.

You will be captured by Ginny's story, and inspired to find your own way to weave music into your faith story.

Ep.289: Faith & Fine Arts: Appreciating Visual Arts with Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

When we think of art, we often think of the canvas and the painter. Visual arts, from paintings to drawings, sculpture to tapestry, are creations that can both inspire and intimidate us. Art historian Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt joins us for our "summer school series for grown-ups" on faith and art to remind us we have what is needed to interact with the visual arts. We don't all need to be art historians to be able to appreciate and respond to the artwork around us.

Elissa is an art and art history professor at Covenant College and gives us insights on how to think about our own interactions with visual arts. From the importance of seeing art in person to appreciating the making involved we can all learn more about our neighbors by interacting with the work. Elissa encourages us to not automatically dismiss art we don't care for, but use our discomfort as an opportunity to learn more about the stories involved. In this way art we don't like can be a bridge to learn, and therefore love our neighbors, more fully.

Whether you're looking for some inspiration to approach your local museum with new eyes, or you are wanting to pull out some pencils and paper to sketch your backyard view, this third episode in our series will help you see the world around you with fresh eyes and know that there is much to find that is true and beautiful.

Ep.288: Faith & Art: Theatre with Mitchell Thomas Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

We often don't think of theatre as an avenue for exploring our faith, but today on the series we discuss the unique role the theatre arts can play if we engage as a participant or active audience member.

Mitchell Thomas, chair of the theatre department at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, joins us to share his expertise. We talk about how storytelling can help us as we move through life, how we can bring our faith to the stage in multiple ways, and why it's important to explore all types of theatre.

At the end Mitchell shares multiple theatre exercises that will give your family permission to be silly together in your own living room. Krista has experienced the fun these bring as Mitchell is her brother and he does these around the campfire every summer with her family.

This is a topic you may have not thought a great deal about and it may just open up a whole new world – listen in!

Ep.287: Fine Arts & Faith: Literature with Karen Swallow Prior Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

We're back! The podcast took a break in June and we are back with a new series on faith and the fine arts. We like to think of it as a summer school for grown-ups where we get to take all of the electives we didn't have time for in school. As we think through the arts, we can look for what is true and beautiful and how that is a reflection of God's nature. That's our kind of curriculum!

We are kicking the series off with English professor Karen Swallow Prior to talk about the benefits of reading good literature. We discuss why reading literature matters, how our reading habits are changing with technology use, and the importance of setting aside time and space to appreciate the beautiful. Karen explains how experiencing lessons with a character helps to grow our empathy in a different way than simply reading the moral of a story and how reading can enhance our Christian faith.

It's not too late to do some fun summer reading. This conversation can inspire you to pick up an old classic or a modern novel. Karen reminds us that speed doesn't matter when reading through a novel, so no pressure to check books off your list, but she does share some of her favorites in case you need a recommendation from a professor. Consider this your summer school English class that will change how and why you are picking up that great novel.

Ep.286: Secrets Of A Centered Soul - Straight Talk With Krista & Alex Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Today is the last episode in the "Secrets Of A Centered Soul" series, and Alex and Krista talk about what they learned, what they loved, and some practices they employ that weren't discussed in the series.

From being in nature, to journaling, to intentionally creating spiritual friendships, you will hear how Krista and Alex keep their souls centered, and how they are continuing to grow.

This episode feels like sitting down to talk to a sister about the series as a whole. It's straight talk, pure and simple. Join us!

SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW

The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg

"Try practicing your way into faith" – Blaise Pascal

"There's nothing accidental about the spiritual life. It requires our intention – our agency. It requires that we show up." -Dallas Willard

I Told The Mountain To Move – Patricia Raybon

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." – John Muir

"If the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy. There's truth in that. Both sin and busyness have the exact same effect—they cut off your connection to God, to other people, and even to your own soul." – Corrie Ten Boom

Pray As You Go App

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun

Walter Brueggemann – Praying the Psalms

Ep.285: Secrets of a Centered Soul: Prayer with Patricia Raybon May 25, 2021

Show notes

As we talk about what it means to have a centered soul, we must talk about how we communicate with God. Prayer is our ongoing conversation with the one who made us and loves us. It's mysterious and sometimes overwhelming to consider God hears any of what we feel or say. We invited award-winning author Patricia Raybon to this series to talk with us about how we talk with God.

Patricia reminds us of the simplicity of prayer. It is about spending time with God. This means we don't have to always be talking, we can simply be. But when we have something to say, we don't need to edit, we can bring our full thoughts and hearts into the ongoing conversation. Prayer takes time and Patricia reminds us that we can't skip over relationships, we must invest time.

We find our prayer life is often reflected in our tangible life. We can love people well by being with them, making ourselves available, and putting aside our agendas. Honest, agenda-free prayer helps us love others better because it gives us the practice we need to be open to what unfolds. If you feel intimidated by prayer, stuck in your prayers, or wondering if praying is even real, push play and listen in to our conversation.

Ep. 284: Secrets To A Centered Soul - The Habits of Faith with Jen Pollock Michel May 18, 2021

Show notes

Habits. Many have them around morning coffee, exercise, repetitive words, or before bed rituals. But have you ever considered turning your faith into a habit?

As we dive further into our Secrets To A Centered Soul Series, Jen Pollock Michel, an award winning author, helps us see how turning our faith into a habit can transform our days, and eventually, our entire lives. Through the five practices of seeing, living, loving, knowing, and obeying, we learn how to nurture a vibrant life of faith.

Ep.283: Secrets To A Centered Soul: The Holy Spirit with Jeannie Cunnion May 11, 2021

Show notes

The Holy Spirit can feel a bit mysterious, the part of the Trinity we can't quite get our arms around. In our continuing series on Secrets of a Centered Soul, Jeannie Cunnion shares with us about the gift of the Holy Spirit that all followers of Jesus receive. Jeannie doesn't want us to miss out on all the Holy Spirit has to offer us. From comfort to counsel to power, we have a gift we can tap into.

Jeannie shares with us 5 things we can know right now that will help us better understand and receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is for our good, never leaves us, and dwells within us. In this episode, we talk about the healing power of the spirit and what it looks like for someone else to walk in the spirit. If you are facing challenges and are asking God for help in taking that next step, doing that hard thing, the Holy Spirit is available to you.

For the person who is seeking a new hope, wanting to know God's nearness in a powerful way, this conversation will act as a reminder that the Holy Spirit is our strength and we can face so much more when standing in its power.

Ep.282: Secrets To A Centered Soul - Using Movement As Spiritual Practice with Elizabeth Peterson May 04, 2021

Show notes

What role does movement and the body play in spirituality? Elizabeth Peterson, spiritual director and yoga instructor, is here to guide us in our understanding.

In this Secrets of the Centered Soul Series, we are looking at various ways to deepen our relationship with God. In this episode we talk about why movement matters and the healing power found in being present in our bodies.

For the first time ever on our podcast, we have Elizabeth guide us through a short live spiritual practice. We pray it will be a blessing for you.

If you are looking to grow spiritually, you've come to the right place.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Our Time to Rise in Midlife

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected