Stories & Other Things Holy – Details, episodes & analysis

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Top 10 from Season 1 - #10 - The Surprise of Easter: A Story of Grace, Grit & Dirty Dishes

#PopeFrancis #EasterMonday #Easter2025 #ChristianPodcast #ResurrectionHope #StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #ActsOfKindness #GraceInFailure #FaithStories #UnsungHeroes #HopeAndGrief #CatholicContent #GomerPyleQuote #EasterReflection #SurpriseGrace

Episode 27 - The Surprise of Easter: A Story of Grace, Grit & Dirty Dishes

On this Easter Monday—one filled with both hope and grief following the passing of Pope Francis—we reflect on a story that reminds us what resurrection really looks like: surprise, grace, and the tender solidarity of “I’ve been there. You’ll be okay.”

In this episode, Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a story of a young mother overwhelmed by life, a black trash bag full of burned pans, and a mysterious act of kindness that transforms failure into grace.

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⏱️ Chapter Markers
[0:00] – Easter Monday Reflection
[1:44] – What Easter Is Really About
[2:48] – Meet the Young Mother
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Celebrate Pentecost in a uniquely powerful way with this special episode featuring Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson. Through three deeply moving stories—ranging from family bonds to overcoming profound grief—you'll explore the spiritual invitation to dance with joy and resilience, embodying the essence of Pentecost.

📌 Chapters:

• 0:00 - Welcome & Introduction
• 1:02 - The First Dance: Uncle Bob’s Touching Request
• 4:47 - Story of Resilience: Poet Gregory Orr’s Journey
• 8:05 - Dancing Through Adversity: A Father’s Love During COVID
• 10:44 - Reflection: Pentecost and the Invitation to Dance
• 12:32 - Special Announcement & Future of the Podcast

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• Which story resonated most with you? Comment below!
• Participate in our poll: "Which dance story inspired you most today?"

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Welcome to Episode 23 of Stories & Other Things Holy – the fourth installment in our Lenten series. In today’s episode, Joshua Minden and Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson explore the transformative power of letting go. They share personal stories about leaving behind old identities, the courage to risk vulnerability, and how embracing the in-between can lead to a more authentic self.

Chapters: 

[00:01] – Introduction: Entering the space between past and future
[01:41] – Dr. Terry’s reflection on letting go and embracing the unknown
[02:47] – Exploring the role of vulnerability in transformation
[04:29] – How risk and uncertainty pave the way for renewal
[08:26] – Closing thoughts and a call to trust in the journey

What to Expect: 

• Inspiring insights on self-discovery and transformation
• Thought-provoking reflections on the risks of change and letting go
• Practical encouragement to embrace vulnerability and step into your new self

Calls-to-Action: 

• Subscribe to our channel for weekly spiritual reflections
• Join our newsletter at StoriesandOtherThingsHoly.com for exclusive written reflections and prayer prompts
• Leave a comment: What is one thing you’re ready to let go of to grow into your new self?
• Like and share if this episode inspires you, and consider becoming a supporting member on Buy Me a Coffee

Keywords: 
vulnerability, transformation, letting go, self-discovery, spiritual growth, Lenten reflection, personal transition, risk-taking, inspirational stories, authentic self

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Join us for Episode 22 of Stories and Other Things Holy with Terry Nelson-Johnson. In this candid conversation, Terry recounts a funeral visit that took an unexpected turn when he accidentally signed the “Book of the Dead.” Far from a grim tale, this lighthearted moment leads to profound insights on the Lenten season, our mortality, and how embracing both can ignite hope.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Terry’s near-death experience and how it reshaped his outlook
• The comedic yet meaningful mishap of signing the “Book of the Dead”
• How Lent invites us to “preregister” our own mortality
• The balance between remembering death and celebrating life
• The spiritual practice of facing our human limitations with hope

Key Takeaways:

• Engaging with our own mortality can deepen our appreciation for life
• Humor often arises in unexpected places, even at a funeral
• Lent as a season of reflection, humility, and spiritual preparation
• Remembering death isn’t morbid—it’s a call to live more fully

Join us on this journey of healing, grace, and renewal. If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, share your thoughts in the comments, and consider joining our email newsletter for more reflections and grace-ercises.

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Welcome to Episode 21 of “Stories & Other Things Holy.”
 In this episode, Joshua Minden introduces a powerful reflection drawn from the Gospel of Luke—the story of Jesus’s temptation in the desert—inviting us to question the labels we’ve internalized from our past. Terry Nelson-Johnson then shares an intimate story about a conversation with his mother—a moment when makeup, memories, and vulnerability converge to remind us that even when familiar parts of our identity seem lost, we remain held by an unwavering source of love.

Join us as we explore:
 • How moments of struggle can trigger a renewal of self
 • The interplay between vulnerability, love, and self-worth
 • The spiritual invitation to “remember who you are” even amid chaos

[0:00] – Opening: Connecting the Gospel & Personal Story
 [1:56] – The Paradox of Beauty & Vulnerability
 [3:09] – A Tender Conversation with Mom
 [4:16] – Reclaiming Precious Identity
 [5:20] – Healing Through Love: A Night of Care
 [7:46] – Closing & Community Invitation

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Welcome to Episode 20 of Stories & Other Things Holy – a heartfelt Lenten reflection that invites you to explore the transformative power of letting go. In this episode, host Joshua Minden and principal storyteller Terry Nelson-Johnson share a personal and unexpected journey: while visiting Star Rock in central Illinois, Terry experiences a life-changing massage that not only eased his physical tension but also became a metaphor for releasing the familiar pains we carry.

Through candid storytelling and gentle humor, Terry reveals how a former steel mill worker turned massage therapist encouraged him to “breathe into” his pain and surrender it, leaving him transformed. This reflection ties in timeless gospel themes of healing and renewal, challenging us to face our discomforts so that we may experience liberation and spiritual growth.

[00:00] Introduction & Lenten Reflection Overview
[00:15] Theme: Embracing Vulnerability & Letting Go
[01:32] Terry’s Introduction: The Massage Experience
[02:35] Memory & Connection: Star Rock & Childhood
[03:41] Meeting John: An Unexpected Encounter
[04:29] The Turning Point: Choosing to Embrace Change
[05:36] Facing the Pain: A Transformative Massage
[07:06] Release & Renewal: Breathe Into the Pain
[08:37] Call to Action: Embrace Nature & Healing
[09:03] Closing & Invitation

If you’re on a quest for healing and renewal this Lent, join us on this journey of vulnerability and transformation.

• Sign up for our weekly reflections, prayer prompts, and grace exercises at: StoriesandOtherThingsHoly.com
• Please like, subscribe, and share this video to help spread the invitation to heal and transform.
• Leave a comment below sharing how you let go of your pain.
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Welcome to Episode 19 of Stories & Other Things Holy! This week, host Joshua Minden and principal storyteller Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson bring you a heart-stirring tale about a once-vicious dog who finally trusts enough to be loved. Using this unlikely story of healing and connection, we dive into deeper questions of spirituality, grace, and the choice to let go of isolation.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why vulnerability can be the key to true freedom
• How “hell” can be anything that keeps us from belonging or intimacy
• What it means to let someone—and God—“love the hell” out of us
• Biblical parallels to Lazarus and the significance of “rolling away the stone”
• Practical ways to risk being loved in our daily lives

Key Moments:

• [00:02] Joshua’s introduction to the power of stories and the question: “Have you ever felt like an unlikely candidate to be loved?”
• [01:43] Terry’s anniversary trip story: discovering a dog with a remarkable healing journey
• [06:52] “He let me love the hell out of him” – the line that reframes everything
• [10:08] Connections to other stories of healing and touch
• [14:06] Exploring Lazarus’s story: unbinding ourselves from what keeps us isolated

Resources & Next Steps:

• Sign up for our weekly newsletter at StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly.com for reflections and “gracercises” that help deepen your spiritual journey.
• If you found this episode meaningful, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more stories and spiritual insights.
• Join the conversation in the comments: What would it look like for you to let love break through your toughest barriers?
• Consider becoming a supporting member on Buy Me a Coffee

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In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a story about his seven-year-old son’s daring bobsled-style adventure—sliding down the stairs on a comforter. When play turns painful, Terry witnesses an unexpected moment of resilience that changes his perspective on risk, love, and how we grow from life’s inevitable bumps and bruises.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• A comical yet moving account of a child’s unstoppable spirit
• How playful risk can reveal deeper truths about creativity and pain
• Insights on why love naturally “creates life” and “absorbs pain”
• Reflections on turning everyday moments into profound spiritual lessons

If you’ve ever questioned how to balance risk, care, and genuine love in your life—or if you just need a reminder of how a child’s perspective can transform your own—this conversation is for you.

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• Share your thoughts or a related story in the comments below
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#StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #ParentingWisdom #RiskAndReward #SpiritualReflections #LoveCreatesLife #AbsorbPain #SpiritualParenting #FaithJourney #FamilyLifeLessons #TerryNelsonJohnson #HomilyInspiration #ChristianPodcast

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Welcome to Episode 17 of Stories & Other Things Holy! In this heartfelt installment, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson recounts an intimate story centered around his daughter Claire and a pivotal moment of vulnerability in his family. When faced with unexpected challenges—from a family crisis to the tender aftermath of loss—Terry discovers that our destiny is to be held. He explains how being embraced in our most fragile moments transforms shame into humility, isolation into communal healing, and pain into a path toward liberation.

Key themes include:
• The transformative power of a compassionate embrace
• The distinction between humiliation and being humbled
• How vulnerability leads to spiritual healing and renewal
• The importance of holding one another in both human and divine relationships

Join us on this journey of healing, grace, and renewal. If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, share your thoughts in the comments, and consider joining our email newsletter for more reflections and grace-ercises.

Visit our website: https://storiesandotherthingsholy.com/
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Support the show

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📖 Humiliation or Humility? The Wisdom of Falling | Stories & Other Things Holy 🎙️

What happens when we fall—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? In this episode, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a poignant story about his mentor, Silky, a man who exuded grace and confidence, and how one unexpected moment changed his perspective on humility, vulnerability, and grace.

Terry and Joshua explore the profound distinction between humiliation and humility and how falling is not just a human experience, but a divine one—seen even in the life of Jesus. This conversation invites us to rethink our relationship with failure, embarrassment, and the moments when we are brought back to the ground.

✨ Key Takeaways:
✔️ The difference between humiliation and humility
✔️ How vulnerability can unite us rather than isolate us
✔️ Why falling is an essential part of the spiritual journey
✔️ How grace meets us in our most humbling moments

🙏 Join us in this powerful reflection and share your thoughts in the comments!

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#FaithAndHumility #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianReflection #Vulnerability #GraceInEverydayLife #HumilityVsHumiliation #FaithPodcast #StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly

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