In this episode, I sit down with Marissa Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, authors of The Myth of Good Christian Parenting, for a sobering conversation about how the Christian parenting industry sold families impossible promises wrapped in biblical authority.

Critiquing parenting books is important, but we also need to recognize how movements born from 1970s political fears, biblical counseling innovations, and prosperity gospel thinking created authoritarian frameworks that promised godly legacies while actually preventing authentic relationships, and how families can move toward seeing children as fully human neighbors instead of extensions of parental control.

Topics Covered

* Understanding the false promise of “train up a child in the way they should go” as a guaranteed formula for producing Christian adults, and how this turned children into extensions of parental desire for “kingdom legacy” rather than autonomous persons

* Why James Dobson’s Dare to Discipline (1970) is far more a conservative political book about restoring order and authority in response to social upheaval than a Christian or biblical parenting resource

* How the biblical counseling movement (starting 1970), inerrancy movement (1978 Chicago Statement), and fears about no-fault divorce combined to create unprecedented emphasis on parental authority as “first principle” and spanking as spiritual practice

* The invention of “liturgy spanking”—transforming what was historically just coercive behavior control into a supposedly godly catechesis connected to penal substitutionary atonement, complete with step-by-step manuals

* Why these frameworks betray entire families: parents are left ill-equipped to relate to children as individuals when external compliance is mistaken for authentic connection, and adult children reclaiming autonomy creates painful estrangement

Timestamps:

01:00 The “Oh No” Moment: When Christian Parenting Advice Doesn’t Add Up

06:00 False Promises of Guaranteed Godly Legacies

12:00 Political Origins: Dobson’s Book as Conservative Response to Social Upheaval

18:00 Biblical Counseling Movement’s Outsized Influence

25:00 The Invention of “Liturgical Spanking” in the 1970s

31:00 How Families Get Betrayed by These Frameworks

37:00 Children as Fully Human Neighbors, Not Property

43:00 Finding the Book and More Resources

In this episode, I sit down with Zach Lambert, author of Better Ways to Read the Bible, for an honest conversation about how to read the Bible in ways that bring life instead of harm.

This isn’t just about finding better interpretations—it’s about recognizing how literalism, apocalypticism, moralism, and hierarchy have damaged real people, and learning to read Scripture through lenses that center Jesus, context, flourishing, and fruitfulness instead. Zach offers both deconstruction of harmful patterns and reconstruction of life-giving practices for engaging with the Bible.

Topics Covered

* How a college professor’s simple assignment to research women like Deborah, Junia, Phoebe, and Priscilla shattered Zach’s assumptions about women’s roles in the church, and why 80% of his class changed their minds after one week

* Understanding the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy as a recent invention designed to police theological borders by saying “if you disagree with our interpretation, you’re not a Christian”—a form of spiritual abuse that weaponizes God’s name for human control

* Why the “apocalypse lens” (obsession with end times, rapture, hell, and judgment) is so pervasive in American evangelicalism: it’s incredibly effective at controlling people through fear, and has influenced American foreign policy for 75 years through Left Behind theology

* Learning from a Jewish rabbi that the Bible’s authority comes from its multiplicity of truths—like a crystal refracting light differently depending on who’s reading—rather than excavating one singular “correct” interpretation for every verse

* Reframing “God hates divorce” through context and flourishing lenses: understanding that divorce commandments were exclusively given to men in a patriarchal society where divorce was often a death sentence for women, not a universal prohibition against leaving abusive marriages

* How humility and healthy diverse community are the essential ingredients for reading Scripture well—because white clergy’s unanimous biblical defense of chattel slavery wouldn’t have survived if they’d been in equitable community with Black people

Timestamps:

01:00 The Assignment That Changed Everything About Women

06:00 Separating Biblical Inspiration from Human Interpretation

10:00 Social Location and Who Gets Called “Just Theology”

16:00 The Chicago Statement as Spiritual Abuse Tool

21:00 Why Apocalypse Lens Dominates American Evangelicalism

30:00 Detoxing Harmful Patterns Through Humility and Community

35:00 Reframing “God Hates Divorce” Through Healing Lenses

42:00 What Makes God Angry According to the Prophets

45:00 Leading a Church Through Interpretive Diversity

47:00 Finding Zach’s Work and Upcoming Book

In 2 Samuel 19, we witness David's complicated return to power after Absalom's death—a chapter that reveals the messy intersection of grief, politics, and justice.

Through three pivotal encounters on his journey back to Jerusalem, we see how David's approach to leadership prioritizes political expediency over genuine justice, particularly in his heartbreaking dismissal of Mephibosheth's legitimate grievances.

This chapter serves as a sobering preview of the kingdom's coming division, showing us the cost of leadership that values loyalty over righteousness and efficiency over authentic relationship.

Topics We Cover

* How David's public mourning for Absalom gets shut down by Joab, leading to immediate political maneuvering that reveals the performative nature of his subsequent "mercy"

* Examining David's encounters with Shimei (performative forgiveness), Mephibosheth (dismissive injustice), and Barzillai (transactional loyalty) as a study in how power corrupts discernment

* Why David's unjust ruling that divides Saul's land represents both a violation of Torah justice and literary foreshadowing of the kingdom's eventual split

* How David's calculated mercy exposes a broader cultural pattern of transactional relationships that prioritizes political gain over authentic love and loyalty

* Exploring how David's "move fast and break things" approach to leadership reflects systems that value efficiency over people, ultimately fracturing both family and kingdom

Timestamps:

01:42 David's Return to Jerusalem

05:13 David's Grief and Political Maneuvering

10:05 Joab's Role and David's Struggles

13:33 Generational Trauma and Loyalty

19:51 David's Strategic Forgiveness

25:20 Chronological and Literary Analysis

27:02 The Impact of David's Actions on Mephibosheth

30:11 David's Strategic Kindness and Manipulation

33:58 The Exhaustion of Maneuvering in a Toxic System

38:39 Foreshadowing the Split of the Kingdom

44:43 Takeaways

Today I’m joined by Courtney Ellis and Elisa Johnston. And the three of us talk about what you do when you’re expecting Jesus to come back quickly, the weird and wild wonder of Pentecost, and what the church looked like when it was first growing.

Courtney Ellis serves as a pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Master. Her books include Uncluttered, Almost Holy Mama: Life-giving spiritual practices for weary parents, and Happy Now: Let playfulness lift your load and renew your spirit  (Tyndale, 2021). Ordained in the PC(USA), Courtney speaks coast to coast, loves Survivor, hates candy corn, and resides in southern California with her husband (and co-pastor) Daryl and three children. Happy Now: Let Playfulness Lift Your Load and Renew Your Spirit with Aspire Press/Tyndale House is available now. Order here!

Instagram: @courtney_ellis_author

Facebook: @authorcourtneyellis

Website: www.courtneybellis.com

Elisa Johnston empowers ordinary people to be fully alive while making the difference they were born to make at Average Advocate, procrastinates on Instagram, and brings freedom to the exploited through Blackout Trafficking. Whenever and wherever she can, she explores with her three littles and adopted housemate. Thankfully, God, her husband, and other favorite introverts are all particularly grounding, because otherwise her passion to raise-up leaders, live missionally, and start world changing things would compel her into a creative oblivion.

Are you disentangling your faith from the culture around you? The greatest tool in that journey for me was the Bible itself. You’ve probably noticed that here on the show we love the Bible, and we take it seriously - but not always literally, and that means that meaning can get a little complicated. But you don’t have to let that overwhelm you. I’ve put together the Big Picture Toolkit to help you understand how all of Scripture fits together in one incredible story, learn some new questions to ask to get at meaning without getting overwhelmed, and see new connections between Old and New Testaments with a special Bible Reading Plan. If you’re ready to get back to basics of your faith, the Bible is a great place to start, and the Big Picture Bible Toolkit can help. Grab yours today free at kateboyd.co/bible.

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

My guest today is Meghan Tschanz, a writer, speaker, and former missionary who is passionate about empowering women and reclaiming feminism for the Christian faith. She's a co-author of the cookbook "Recipes To Take Down the Patriarchy", host of the Faith and Feminism podcast, and an avid traveler. She and her husband, Dustin, live in northeast Georgia. We talk about faith, feminism, and finding purpose from life overseas. 

Quick content warning: there is discussion of sex trafficking and similar rough topics within this episode.

If you want to keep up with Meghan, you can find her online at ...

Follow her on Twitter: @meghantschanz.

Instagram: @meghantschantz

Her book Women Rising is also for sale now and available at the link in our show notes. https://www.ivpress.com/women-rising

 
If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd.  Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

On Today’s show, I’m joined by DeVon Wade and Joy Vetterlein for a walk through Mark 1-2. We talk about how the complex politics of the Israel/Jordan/Palestine region informed our ideas of Jesus’ baptism, what terrifies demons, what wine and bodies have in common, and a lot more.

Joy Vetterlein | Instagram | Twitter
DeVon Wade | Instagram | Twitter

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. 

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Every month, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up now at kateboyd.co/newsletter.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

My guest today is Sheila Wray Gregoire is passionate about changing the evangelical conversation about sex! A popular speaker, marriage blogger, and award-winning author of nine books, including The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex, and her latest book, The Great Sex Rescue, she wants to challenge Christians to go beyond pat answers on marriage to reach real intimacy. Sheila believes in authenticity, and gives real solutions to the very real and messy problems women, and couples, can face. She and her husband Keith spend a lot of their time touring North America in an RV, speaking at marriage conferences, hiking, and birdwatching. The parents to two adult daughters, you can usually find her in Belleville, Ontario, where she’s either knitting, blogging, or taking her grandson out for a walk. 

We talk all about what evangelicals got wrong about sex and how create healthier sex and marriage conversations in our churches. Quick content warning: there is discussion of sex and use of frank terms for sex contained in this episode. 

If you want to keep up with Sheila, you can find her online at ...

https://tolovehonorandvacuum.com

https://instagram.com/sheilagregoire

https://facebook.com/sheila.gregoire.books

https://twitter.com/sheilagregoire

Her book The Great Sex Rescue is also for sale now and available at the link in our show notes. https://greatsexrescue.com/

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

What if we didn't just rediscover Jesus in the Bible? What if we took a look all around us, and found Jesus in unexpected places.

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and this is our last episode of season three around rediscovering Jesus. So I thought it would be fun to take a look at the way Jesus shows up in our culture so we can point more people toward him. So we're looking at Jesus and other influences in the Harry Potter book series -- oh, and there will be spoilers so proceed at your own risk. 

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

What happens to the Church when it can't go in the building? How do you figure out how to worship when gathering like you're used to isn't really doable?

The good news is that Church history and even believers around the world today have already shown us how. Join me as I talk with my friend, Dr. Sandra Glahn, about what church is and how we can continue to do and be it even in these "unprecedented" (but totally precedented) times.

Let me know what you thought of our conversation on Instagram @kateboyd.co and be entered to win a copy of the Earl Grey with Ephesians study by Dr. Glahn.

Dr. Glahn is professor of Media Arts & Worship at Dallas Theo. Seminary and the author of more than 20 books, including the Coffee Cub Bible Study Series. Her latest in that series is Earl Grey with Ephesians.

Website: aspire2.com
Twitter and Instagram: @sandraglahn
Facebook: Aspire2

Purchase Earl Grey with Ephesians here.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Your outer circumstances don’t have to determine your inner steadiness. That’s a message I wrote to myself on a sticky note recently because I needed it. Maybe you do too. Because here’s the truth: we can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. Today, my guest, Nathan Albert, will be talking about some of the practices that can help us stay grounded and connected to God so we can have peace even in the chaos.

Nathan is a professional actor turned ordained preacher, pastor, podcaster, and author, who has a passion to help people find calm, rekindle their faith, and discover the Divine. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance, a Master of Divinity, Certificate in Spiritual Transformation, and dreams about getting his DMin. He's worked as a pastor, campus minister, pediatric chaplain, and as a director at a non-profit. Currently, Nathan is the Associate Chaplain in the Spiritual Life Center at the University of Lynchburg.

He's the author of the book Embracing Love: My Journey to Hugging a Man in his Underwear, blog about contemplative spiriutality and finding God all around us, and host the podcast, The Why Behind the What. He is also a lover of cities, maintains a plant based diet, is a 3w4 and ESFJ, and a champion for the Oxford comma. His wife, Kate, have two sons, Foster and Theo.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Nathan, you can keep up with him at:

Website: nathanalbert.com

Twitter: @nathanalbert

Instagram: @nalbert

Nathan's Book: Embracing Love: My Journey to Hugging a Man in his Underwear

Nathan's Podcast: The Why Behind the What

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

On Today’s show, I’m joined by Amanda Waldron and Jill Richardson. 

Amanda is a Clinical Social Worker and works as a therapist in Grand Rapids, MI.  She’s just launched a new venture called Hey Amanda! where she will be mentoring thoughtful Christian in the midst of doubt and deconstruction, who want to toss toxic teachings, retain the authentic parts of their faith, and discover a deeper way to believe in Jesus. 

Instagram: heyamandawaldron

Twitter: heyamandawal

Jill pastors Real Hope Community Church in suburban Chicago. Her doctorate is in Church Leadership in a Changing Context, with a focus on the next generation and preaching. Her tagline is “Reframed: Picturing Faith what the Next Generation,” and her passion is to work with the next generation to create a healthy church for the 21st century. She’s written or contributed to 6 books, and her latest work is on how interactive preaching can better disciple people. She likes to travel, garden, work with refugees, and break into random musical numbers. She nerds out on Tolkien, tea, and animals of all kinds except spiders.

Twitter: @JillMarieRichar

Insta: @bluehairedpreacherlady

The three of us get together to talk about the sins of church and state (and their redemption), the mob mentality and manipulation, and where does Mark really end and why?

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Today, I have the pleasure of sharing my interview with Kevin Nye. Kevin is a writer living in Los Angeles who works in homeless services and advocacy. He has an MDiv from Fuller Seminary and an expired minister's license in the Church of the Nazarene. He is currently working on his first book, which is about homelessness and grace. We talked about how you can drop some of our assumptions and help those experiencing homelessness.

If you want to keep up with Kevin, you can find him online at ...

kevinmnye.com

@kevinmnye1 on Twitter and Instagram

Or get his newsletter for the latest updates on his work (and how you can participate) here: http://eepurl.com/hinX4L

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

On Today’s show, I’m joined by Brianna Wilkerson and Bailey Welch-Pomerantz. 

In her business Made Well, 345 LLC, Brianna Wilkerson is a Holistic Health and Life Coach, wife and momma, chai tea lover and at-home crossfitter. She helps women find peace with food, feel confident in their bodies again, and develop a healthy lifestyle that’s more than just about their weight.  She is also an Essential Oils Advocate for doTERRA Essential Oils and loves helping women to use essential oils in simple, fun and effective ways for their health, home and family. Outside of that, she's an Elder, Microchurch Leader, Worship Leader, and on the Board with the Underground Network Inc, a collective community focused on empowering small expressions of the church in cities and around the world.

Bailey Welch-Pomerantz is a writer and professional question-asker committed to empowering you to create radically inclusive communities. She is a queer Christian, podcast host, advocate, and creator of Making Room on the Pew: a podcast and book meant to begin a movement focused on fostering reconciliation between minority communities and the Christian Church through respectful, grace-filled conversations about faith, the Bible, and community. 

The three of us get together to talk about what theological debates really matter, our soft spot for Judas, and how remembering that the disciples were also Jesus’ friends might change our point of view on the stories.

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

In this episode of the Untidy Faith Podcast, Kate Boyd sits down with Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley, author of The Anti-Greed Gospel, for a bold conversation about money, power, and faith that most churches avoid.

This is about more than stewardship. It's a prophetic call to reimagine what Christian community could look like when we take Jesus' economic teachings seriously.

Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley serves as special advisor to the President for equity and campus engagement at Baylor University and co-pastors Mosaic Waco, an intentionally multicultural church in Waco, TX. He has written for Christianity Today, The Anxious Bench, and Mere Orthodoxy.

Topics Covered

* Understanding how Jesus identified money/riches as the primary rival to God for human devotion, and why this spiritual reality demands material responses in how we live and share resources

* How the pursuit of cheap labor and expanded markets drove the development of racial categories as justification for exploitation, creating what Foley calls "a demonic cycle of self-interest"

* Exploring how American Christianity has separated racial justice from economic justice, focusing on generosity and stewardship while avoiding discussions of greed, class, and systemic exploitation

* The difference between generous giving that maintains power imbalances and true solidarity that seeks equality and mutual exchange, as modeled in 2 Corinthians 8

* How to read texts like the Sermon on the Mount without softening their radical economic demands, believing that "by the Spirit we can" live into Jesus' vision of community sharing and mutual care

Timestamps:

00:52 Discussing Money and Greed in the Bible

01:37 Mammon and Its Implications

03:03 Greed, Generosity, and Economic Justice

10:26 Historical Context of Greed and Racism

16:09 Economic Justice and the Church's Role

24:36 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

My guest today is Kat Armas. Kat Armas is a Cuban-American writer and podcaster from Miami, FL who holds a dual MDiv and MAT from Fuller Theological Seminary. Her first book Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence and

Strength (August 2021, Brazos Press) tells the stories of unnamed and overlooked women in Scripture and society. She also explores this on her podcast, "The Protagonistas", which centers the voices of Black, Indigenous, and other women of color in church leadership and theology. We talk all about decolonizing our faith and learning from women on the margins in our lives and in Scripture. Let’s dive in.

If you want to keep up with Kat, you can find her online at ...

katarmas.com

Twitter @kat_armas
Instagram: @kat_armas

Her book Abuelita Faith is also for sale August 10 at the link in our show notes. https://www.amazon.com/Abuelita-Faith-Margins-Persistence-Strength/dp/158743508X

And you can listen to her podcast at: https://theprotagonistas.podbean.com/

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

On Today’s show, I’m joined by Mary Martin and Rick Hill to discuss Mark 11-12. 

Mary is the managing editor of Dallas Doing Good and the founder of Lift Communications, a communications consulting firm serving small nonprofits. Mary loves reading, listening to podcasts, and baking bread. She graduated from Southeastern University with a degree in Journalism & Public Relations, giving her a permanent excuse to ask people to share their life stories. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Mary lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband, Damien, and their two young boys. 

Rick Hill is a speaker, leader and writer based in Northern Ireland. Married to Sarah with two young sons, Rick serves in leadership at Carnmoney Church and works for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in the areas of discipleship and leadership. He is passionate about seeing every follower of Jesus equipped and mobilised to serve in God’s mission. His first book, “Deep Roots of Resilient Disciples” will be published this summer. Rick tweets at @rickhillni 

The three of us get together to talk about the fickle love of crowds, a surprising meaning for fig trees, and oppressive systems.

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Today, I have the pleasure of sharing my interview with Elizabeth Hagan. Elizabeth is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and has been a pastor for 15 years. She saw - and personally experienced - the isolation, loneliness, and shame that remains unspoken when Christians shy away from difficult conversations. She knew that the church could do better to foster a sense of acceptance and belonging. So she wrote Brave Church to open the door to the presence of God in difficult conversations.We talk all about what it means to have a brave church and why we need keep talking even when we disagree. Let’s dive in.

If you want to keep up with Elizabeth, you can find her online at ...

elizabethhagan.com

Twitter: @elizabethagan 

Instagram: @elizabethhagan

Facebook: @revelizabethhagan

Her book Brave Church  is also for sale now and available at the link in our show notes. elizabethhagan.com/bravechurch

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. . Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

On Today’s show, I’m joined by Sarah Callen and Michael Lomuscio to talk through Mark 9-10. 

Sarah J. Callen is a published author currently living in Dallas, Texas. She believes every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story is worthy of being shared. Some of her favorites include: coffee shops, rainy days, and a beautiful work of art. 

Some dislikes include: having her photo taken and driving in traffic. You can connect with her on her website, sarahjcallen.com or on social media @sarahjcallen. 

Dr. Michael Lomuscio is a former research mathematician turned K-12 educator. For the last 11 years, he has served schools as a teacher, leader, and researcher. His research has focused on educational and organizational leadership and utilizing data science and machine learning within education. Michael is passionate about developing aspiring educational leaders and cohosts the Fullstack Educator podcast which provides helpful resources to aspiring school leaders. Michael loves spending time with his wife and two daughters, hiking, reading, and having excessively nerdy conversations about life, science, mathematics, and philosophy. You can connect with Michael on Instagram @Michael_Lomuscio, on Twitter @MichaelLomuscio, and at www.fullstackeducator.com 

The three of us get together to talk about more Old Testament callbacks and images in the Transfiguration, what kept people from Jesus (or brought them closer), and how sometimes our questions tell us all we need to know.

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

My guest today is Meghan Tschanz, a writer, speaker, and former missionary who is passionate about empowering women and reclaiming feminism for the Christian faith. She's a co-author of the cookbook "Recipes To Take Down the Patriarchy", host of the Faith and Feminism podcast, and an avid traveler. She and her husband, Dustin, live in northeast Georgia. We talk about faith, feminism, and finding purpose from life overseas. 

Quick content warning: there is discussion of sex trafficking and similar rough topics within this episode.

If you want to keep up with Meghan, you can find her online at ...

Follow her on Twitter: @meghantschanz.

Instagram: @meghantschantz

Her book Women Rising is also for sale now and available at the link in our show notes. https://www.ivpress.com/women-rising

 
If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd.  Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

On Today’s show, I’m joined by Bekka Luiten and Roland Millington. 

Bekka is a former family pastor and current mental health counselor. Like Kate, her faith was turned upside down and inside out while living and traveling internationally. She lives in Illinois with her husband, and soon they will be moving up to the Chicago area so she can pursue a Doctor of Clinical Psychology. She loves reading, creating paleo and vegetarian dinner recipes, and making music with her band “The Luiten Dilemma."

Roland Millington is a Reverend with the United Methodist Church and author of Ground Zero Revival. You can follow him on Twitter at @Rev_RolandUMC or find him on his website at rolandmillington.com.

The three of us get together to talk about what they thought Messiah meant (and what it really did), why the disciples are fixated on bread, and remembering the humanness of Jesus.

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

My guest today is Sheila Wray Gregoire is passionate about changing the evangelical conversation about sex! A popular speaker, marriage blogger, and award-winning author of nine books, including The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex, and her latest book, The Great Sex Rescue, she wants to challenge Christians to go beyond pat answers on marriage to reach real intimacy. Sheila believes in authenticity, and gives real solutions to the very real and messy problems women, and couples, can face. She and her husband Keith spend a lot of their time touring North America in an RV, speaking at marriage conferences, hiking, and birdwatching. The parents to two adult daughters, you can usually find her in Belleville, Ontario, where she’s either knitting, blogging, or taking her grandson out for a walk. 

We talk all about what evangelicals got wrong about sex and how create healthier sex and marriage conversations in our churches. Quick content warning: there is discussion of sex and use of frank terms for sex contained in this episode. 

If you want to keep up with Sheila, you can find her online at ...

https://tolovehonorandvacuum.com

https://instagram.com/sheilagregoire

https://facebook.com/sheila.gregoire.books

https://twitter.com/sheilagregoire

Her book The Great Sex Rescue is also for sale now and available at the link in our show notes. https://greatsexrescue.com/

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, the podcast where Scripture comes to life through a small group discussion. This season as we talk through the rough and tumble gospel of Mark, you get to be a fly on the wall and see what new things we learn with and from one another as we engage Scripture in community.

I’m your host, Kate Boyd. I’m a disciple maker, writer, and speaker who is making space in the church for Christians caught in the messy middle between conservative and progressive. We love Jesus, love people, and work with God and each other for a better world. Welcome to the show.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

On Today’s show, I’m joined by Chris Morris and Jenna DeWitt. 

Jenna DeWitt is an aromantic asexual Methodist. She spent a decade writing and editing in Christian media, and now edits websites, books, articles, curriculum, blogs, technical writing, and more. She holds a bachelor of arts in journalism from Baylor University and lives in sunny Southern California. You can read her blog, Invisible Cake Society, at invisiblecakesociety.com and find her on Twitter at @Jenna_DeWitt for more on queer advocacy within the church, singleness, mental health, and pop culture. 

Chris Morris is a Christian mental health advocate who writes and speaks about mental health and chronic illnesses at chrismorriswrites.com. He’s been married for over 20 years to the love of his life Barbara, and together they’re raising mostly-adult kids, because parenting never ends. Not that he doesn’t love his kids - it’s just different talking with grown ups who still want help adulting.

The three of us get together to talk about the Jesus who rests, what it means to worship, and what story parallels from the Old Testament come through as John the Baptists meets his fate.

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. And don’t forget to check the show notes to find and follow today’s contributors as well. Thank YOU for joining us, and I’ll see you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Today, I have the pleasure of sharing my interview with Traci Rhoades. Traci is a writer and Bible teacher. She lives in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area with her family. She is the author of Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost. We talk all about discovering the beauty in other church traditions and how we can pursue unity in the Church even with our differences.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

If you want to keep up with Traci, you can find her online at ...

• https://www.tracesoffaith.com
• https://www.facebook.com/tracesoffaithblog
• https://www.instagram.com/tracesoffaithblog
• https://www.twitter.com/tracesoffaith
• https://www.pinterest.com/tracesoffaith

Her book Not All Who Wander are Spiritually Lost is also for sale now and available here. 

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. 

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

On Today’s show, I’m joined by Morgan Strehlow and Amanda Webb for a walk through Mark 3-4. We talk about Jesus’ redefining of family, people calling Jesus bad names, mustard seeds, and more parables.

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Together, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Morgan Strehlow is a writer, project manager and host of the Sanctuary Woman, a contemplative podcast for women. She wears a lot of different hats, but in everything she does she seeks to participate in the restoration of peace on Earth in our communities, in our businesses, in our churches, and in our families. You can connect with her on Instagram @morganstrehlow or on Twitter @morganstrehlow.

Amanda Webb lives in Carrollton, TX with her husband and dog Callie. She runs her own small business, and she enjoys spending time with her niece and dreaming about her next vacation. 

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. 

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

In this episode of the Untidy Faith Podcast, host Kate Boyd sits down with Julia Rocchi to explore how design thinking principles can transform our approach to spiritual questioning. Julia, a practicing Roman Catholic with expertise in design thinking and facilitation, shares how asking better questions—rather than seeking definitive answers—can deepen our faith journey and create space for mystery and growth.

This conversation offers practical tools for those navigating doubt, deconstruction, or simply wanting to cultivate a more curious and expansive relationship with God.

Topics Covered

* Design Thinking Meets Faith: How principles from design thinking—particularly the art of asking strong, open-ended questions—can enhance spiritual exploration and move us beyond binary thinking

* Questions as Tools, Not Threats: Reframing spiritual questioning as complementary to faith rather than opposing it, and understanding how curiosity can foster humility, compassion, and spiritual growth

* The Design Thinking Examen: A practical, step-by-step spiritual practice that adapts traditional Ignatian reflection with design thinking principles to help process life's challenges through productive questioning

* Community and Embodied Faith: The vital role of community in spiritual questioning, including how sharing questions out loud transforms them and how healthy faith communities can enhance rather than restrict our spiritual curiosity

* Productive Tension in Prayer: Embracing discomfort and uncertainty as valuable aspects of spiritual practice, learning to sit with questions rather than rushing toward answers

Timestamps:

01:47 Understanding Design Thinking

05:10 The Power of Questions in Faith

12:58 Design Thinking Tactics for Spiritual Growth

16:35 Incorporating Questions into Spiritual Practice

22:42 The Role of Community in Spiritual Questions

Today, I have the pleasure of sharing my interview with Tiffany Bluhm. 

Tiffany Bluhm is the author of She Dreams and Never Alone and their companion Bible studies, and her latest, Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up. She is cohost of the podcast Why Tho and speaks at conferences and events around the world. Her work has been featured in World Vision magazine and on the YouVersion Bible app, the Hallmark Channel, and the Jenny McCarthy Show. She is committed to encouraging people of faith to live with conviction, substance, and grace. As a minority, immigrant woman with an interracial family, Bluhm is passionate about inviting all to the table of faith, equality, justice, and dignity. She lives in the Pacific Northwest.

She joined me to talk about #metoo, what red flags to look for in churches around sexual abuse, and easy ways you can intervene to help the women around you.

If you want to keep up with Tiffany, you can find her online at …

tiffanybluhm.com

https://www.instagram.com/tiffanybluhm/

https://twitter.com/TiffanyBluhm

And her book Prey Tell is now available for purchase. Grab yourself a copy here. 

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us.

 
Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. 

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Every month, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up now at kateboyd.co/newsletter.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

On Today’s show, I’m joined by DeVon Wade and Joy Vetterlein for a walk through Mark 1-2. We talk about how the complex politics of the Israel/Jordan/Palestine region informed our ideas of Jesus’ baptism, what terrifies demons, what wine and bodies have in common, and a lot more.

Joy Vetterlein | Instagram | Twitter
DeVon Wade | Instagram | Twitter

If you enjoyed our discussion, I’d love if you would rate + review on your favorite podcast player. This helps more people to find the show and learn with us. 

Then come on over to social media and let’s talk about it! You can find me on Instagram @kateboyd.co and on Twitter @thekateboyd. 

If you find yourself in the messy middle as a Christian, you’re not alone, and I’d love to help. I’ve created the Untidy Faith newsletter just for you. Every month, we'll navigate the many tensions of the Christian life and in the process find ourselves wandering closer to the Way of Jesus. When you sign up, you'll get a printable version of the Messy Middle Christian manifesto to your inbox today and first access to more Untidy Faith resources as they come out. You can sign up now at kateboyd.co/newsletter.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

What if we didn't just rediscover Jesus in the Bible? What if we took a look all around us, and found Jesus in unexpected places.

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and this is our last episode of season three around rediscovering Jesus. So I thought it would be fun to take a look at the way Jesus shows up in our culture so we can point more people toward him. So we're looking at Jesus and other influences in the Harry Potter book series -- oh, and there will be spoilers so proceed at your own risk. 

Looking to create biblical community with intimacy and integrity? The Couches & Cathedrals newsletter is for you. Not only will you hear the latest updates about the podcast, but you’ll also get weekly nuggets about building community wherever you find yourself in location or in life. Sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

What if there was one magic skill that could change how you relate to any kind of person? Guess what, there is! It’s called communication.

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and today, I am joined by Dr. Heather Day. Dr. Heather Thompson Day is an interdenominational speaker and contributor for Religion News Service, Newsweek and the Barna Group. She is also an Associate Professor of Communication at Colorado Christian University, and she is passionate about supporting women, and runs an online community called I’m That Wife. She resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Pastor Seth Day, and their three children, London, Hudson, and Sawyer Day.

She’s breaking down what it takes to be a good communicator in every situation and giving us a few cues we can take from Jesus to be memorable and make an impact with our words.

If you want to keep up with Heather you can find her online at:

Twitter: @HeatherTDay

 Instagram: @HeatherThompsonDay

heatherthompsonday.com

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

“Thoughts and prayers” has become one of the king cliches of our time. So how do we begin to put meaningful action behind them to make a difference in the lives of the suffering?

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and today, I am joined by Lindsey Krinks and we’re talking all about how to marry the physical and the spiritual in our worship and care. Lindsey is an activist, street chaplain, and co-founder of Open Table Nashville, an interfaith homeless outreach nonprofit. For over a decade, she has worked on the underside of Nashville—the streets, encampments, jails, slums, and underpasses—while also working with faith leaders, community organizers, and public officials to make the city more hospitable and just. In 2013, she graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School with a Master of Theological Studies degree and was ordained to serve as an interfaith street chaplain. Her first book, Praying with Our Feet, is now available for purchase!

I was really encouraged and refreshed by the portrait of ministry Lindsey paints and how we can each step into that same role in our own lives. 

Belief and practice can’t be separated. They were always meant to be tied together, and Jesus showed us how. I’m grateful for people like Lindsey who continually point us back to embodying him in word and deed. If you want to keep up with her, you can find her online at:

Website: www.lindseykrinks.com -- And where you can purchase her books!

Instagram: @lindseykrinks, @opentablenash

Link to her nonprofit: www.opentablenashville.org

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Can niceness be an enemy of holiness?

There’s a lot of talk about the cost of “cancel culture,” but there is less talk about the price we pay by putting niceness ahead of holiness in approaching our communities and its dynamics. Why is that and how do we change that?

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and today, I am joined by Sharon Hodde Miller and we’re talking all about the price of nice in Christian circles. Sharon Hodde Miller leads Bright City Church in Durham, NC with her husband, Ike. She is the author of 2 books: Free of Me and Nice. She has a PhD on women and calling, and she is the mother of 3 young kids.

As a girl raised in the south who went to charm school, I needed to hear that nice is not always the best option. If you need that reminder sometimes too, then you’re gonna enjoy this conversation. 

We’re called to more than “nice,” we’re called to be holy. And sometimes that means we have to embrace friction in our relationships to create a smoother path for us all as we move toward heaven. I’m so glad Sharon has helped to point us that direction. 

If you want to keep up with her, you can find her online at:

SheWorships.com

Instagram: @sharonhmiller

Twitter: @SHoddeMiller

Enjoy today’s episode? I’d love if you would rate and review on your favorite podcast player to help more people see Jesus anew.

Looking to create biblical community with intimacy and integrity? The Couches & Cathedrals newsletter is for you. Not only will you hear the latest updates about the podcast, but you’ll also get weekly nuggets about building community wherever you find yourself in location or in life. Sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

I have a feeling that some people prefer a God that’s more like a robot. A detached, programmable, predictable deity in the sky. And while God is consistent in character and characteristics, I think we lose something when we divorce him from his human experience -- and all that comes with it.

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and today, we’re talking all about the Jesus who had emotions and what that may mean for all of us humans with emotions too. 

Jesus is safe. Jesus is caring. Jesus gave us a glimpse of what being fully human can be, and that included having emotions and relating to others with them. They didn’t make him less God, and they don’t make us less godly either. I don’t know about you, but I take a lot of comfort in knowing that he will be as tender with me as with his friends because he counts me among them.

Enjoy today’s episode? I’d love if you would rate and review on your favorite podcast player to help more people see Jesus anew.

Looking to create biblical community with intimacy and integrity? The Couches & Cathedrals newsletter is for you. Not only will you hear the latest updates about the podcast, but you’ll also get weekly nuggets about building community wherever you find yourself in location or in life. Sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

What if reading the Bible isn’t just an invitation to know God and your beliefs better but also to imagine a better world? What if it’s an invitation to empathy and understanding?

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and today, I am joined by Sharifa Stevens as we talk about engaging your prophetic imagination when engaging with Scripture and with life. Sharifa is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, born and raised in New York, and currently residing with her family in Dallas, TX. She graduated from Columbia University in New York with a Bachelor in African American Studies before earning a master in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. She contributed to the book Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting Sexualized, Vilified, & Marginalized Women of the Bible and Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice. Sharifa is married to a Renaissance man, and mother to two lively boys.

And let me tell you, you’re gonna love her and learn from her. I loved this conversation so much that I jumped it ahead in the queue.

Consider this your invitation to engage your imagination more often in life and especially in your spiritual practices. And your invitation to keep up with Sharifa online, which you won’t regret.

You can find her at:

sharifastevens.com
Twitter: @sharifawrites
Instagram: @sharifawrites

Enjoy today’s episode? I’d love if you would rate and review on your favorite podcast player to help more people see Jesus anew.

Looking to create biblical community with intimacy and integrity? The Couches & Cathedrals newsletter is for you. Not only will you hear the latest updates about the podcast, but you’ll also get weekly nuggets about building community wherever you find yourself in location or in life. Sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

There’s a lot of talk about how Christians should interact with power today, and with good reason. In the US over the last few weeks, we’ve seen the name of Jesus invoked in some strange ways in the pursuit of power. Is that how Jesus would want us to lead?

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and today, we’re talking through Mark’s account of how Jesus interacted with government AND religious leaders during his lifetime. When we do, we can see how Jesus was actually bringing in a whole different kind of power and leadership to the table. And one that we can emulate today.

The Kingdom of God is unlike any other. It’s one we can participate in bringing to earth every single day. But only if we choose to keep our eyes on that kingdom instead of building our own, like Jesus did.

Enjoy today’s episode? I’d love if you would rate and review on your favorite podcast player to help more people see Jesus anew.

Looking to create biblical community with intimacy and integrity? The Couches & Cathedrals newsletter is for you. Not only will you hear the latest updates about the podcast, but you’ll also get weekly nuggets about building community wherever you find yourself in location or in life. Sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Come find me and tell me what you thought over on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website 

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Scandal has become a part of the evangelical reputation, pushing many to leave churches. So how do we create a community that feels safe?

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and we’re talking about safe spaces. With many leaving larger congregations and searching for community in smaller spaces, it’s important to talk about accountability because smaller communities are also not immune to issues of spiritual and physical abuse. 

Today, my guest is Mary DeMuth. Mary DeMuth is an international speaker and podcaster, and she’s the novelist and nonfiction author of over forty books, including Pray Every Day (Harvest House Publishers 2020) and We Too. She loves to help people re-story their lives. She lives in Texas with her husband of 30 years and is the mom to three adult children. And she’s joining me to lend her prophetic voice to how we create safety in our communities no matter what size.

Mary is wise and helpful, and I’m so glad she shared from her experiences and wisdom to help us create a healthier environment to grow as disciples together.

To Learn More from Mary

Find out more at marydemuth.com. Be prayed for on her daily prayer podcast with over one million downloads: prayeveryday.show. For sexual abuse resources, visit wetoo.org. For writer mastermind information, go to writermastermind.com. For cards, prints, and artsy fun go to marydemuth.com/art.

Social Media:
Instagram.com/marydemuth
twitter.com/marydemuth
facebook.com/authormarydemuth

Looking to create biblical community with intimacy and integrity? The Couches & Cathedrals newsletter is for you. Not only will you hear the latest updates about the podcast, but you’ll also get weekly nuggets about building community wherever you find yourself in location or in life. Sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter 

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

In this episode of the Untidy Faith Podcast, host Kate Boyd welcomes back guest Sharifa Stevens to discuss her new book about prayer and poems. Their conversation explores how many Christians struggle with barriers to authentic prayer, often feeling they must approach God in a "perfect" way. Sharifa shares her journey toward understanding that there's no wrong way to bring our full selves to God, and how harmful theology has created unnecessary barriers between believers and authentic spiritual connection.

Sharifa Stevens is a writer, poet, speaker, and singer. She is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, born and raised in New York, and currently resides with her family in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Columbia University in New York with a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies before earning a master’s in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Sharifa aspires to use writing as a vehicle that moves readers to intersect with the sacred and the honest. She co- authored Only Light Can Do That and contributed to the books Vindicating the Vixens, Rally, and Lecrae’s upcoming Set Me Free. Sharifa is married to a Renaissance man and is a mother to two lively boys.

Topics Covered:

* Barriers to prayer that many experience, including the feeling that we can't approach God with certain struggles or that we need to be in an "almost heavenly state of being" to pray

* How performance-based faith and "worm theology" (focusing on our unworthiness) creates voids in our relationship with God and prevents authentic connection

* The impact of gender on spiritual experiences, particularly how women are often infantilized in church contexts and discouraged from spiritual autonomy

* How our bodies often signal when we're holding back parts of ourselves due to fear, and why vulnerability can be difficult after negative experiences

* The value of written prayers and spiritual resources that give us language when we can't find our own words to express our experiences to God

Timestamps:

02:06 Understanding Prayer and Barriers

06:14 Personal Experiences with Prayer

08:53 The Impact of Theology on Self-Perception

21:34 The Role of Women in Faith and Society

27:12 Jesus and His Treatment of Women

28:34 Modern Conversations on Women's Roles

30:03 The Impact of Bad Theology

35:18 Navigating Faith and Mental Health

38:46 The Importance of Community and Self-Trust

44:04 Embracing Emotions and Coping Mechanisms

46:35 The Role of Compassion in Faith

Have you ever taken the time to re-examine what you believe about Jesus? I have, and this season on happy and holy, we're talking all about the surprising things that I found when I re-examined the life of Jesus as an adult.

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and we are diving into season three, all about discovering Jesus. And we're gonna start with some of the bigger picture moments. Or, you know, the arc of the bigger picture of who Jesus was and how he fits into history, spiritual and physical.

You may or may not learn things you already know, but today we’ve set the stage for the season and the surprises to come about Jesus.

Looking to create biblical community with intimacy and integrity? The Couches & Cathedrals newsletter is for you. Not only will you hear the latest updates about the podcast, but you’ll also get weekly nuggets about building community wherever you find yourself in location or in life. Sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Come say hi and tell me your favorite thing about Jesus at ...

• kateboyd.co/podcast
• instagram.com/kateboyd.co
• twitter.com/thekateboyd
• facebook.com/kateboyd.co

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Ever found yourself in the middle of a hard season or circumstance? Ever wondered where Jesus was or if he would ever see you there? 

He will, and he does. And more than that, he enters into your story to change it.

You’re listening to Happy & Holy, a podcast about discipleship and community and how we meet each other right where we are to be the people of God on planet earth. And when we do, we have the potential to become the happy and holy disciples we are meant to be. 

I’m your host Kate Boyd, and today, we kick off season 3 all about rediscovering Jesus. I thought there was no better place to begin than with my friend, Kat Armstrong. Kat was born in Houston, TX where the humidity ruins her curls. She is a powerful voice in our generation as an innovative ministry leader, sought-after communicator and author of two books: No More Holding Back and The In-Between Place. As the co-founder of The Polished Network, an outreach for professional women navigating career and exploring faith, she is invested in the lives of women eager to learn about how the scriptures are relevant to their everyday lives. She has a masters from Dallas Seminary and her husband Aaron have been married for eighteen years, and live in Dallas, TX with their son Caleb and attend Dallas Bible Church where Aaron serves as the lead pastor.

She joined me to talk about Jesus’ encounter with the Woman at the Well, and how that story changed her life (both Kat’s and the woman’s). I think you’ll love our conversation.

 If you want to keep up with Kat, you can find her at:

• www.katarmstrong.com 
• www.instagram.com/katarmstrong1
• www.twitter.com/katarmstrong1
• www.facebook.com/katarmstrongauthor
• Purchase the In-Between Place today at https://www.katarmstrong.com/the-in-between-place

Looking to create biblical community with intimacy and integrity? The Couches & Cathedrals newsletter is for you. Not only will you hear the latest updates about the podcast, but you’ll also get weekly nuggets about building community wherever you find yourself in location or in life. Sign up today at kateboyd.co/newsletter

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

The Jesus I follow today is not the same Jesus I thought I knew when I was growing up. Digging into the Gospels as an adult with experience in different contexts and circumstances changed what I thought about Jesus, and it made him more beautiful to me than ever.

Following Jesus is the one thing I'll not stop doing, because he's worth following. But he's also surprising. This season I'm digging into a few things that surprised me when I took a look back on Jesus of Scripture as an adult. He didn't change, but the things I see in him certainly did. 

You, me, and a few guests along the way will all unpack what we thought we knew and what really is. Thanks for joining me.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Your outer circumstances don’t have to determine your inner steadiness. That’s a message I wrote to myself on a sticky note recently because I needed it. Maybe you do too. Because here’s the truth: we can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. Today, my guest, Nathan Albert, will be talking about some of the practices that can help us stay grounded and connected to God so we can have peace even in the chaos.

Welcome to Happy & Holy, the podcast about creating biblical community with intimacy and integrity wherever you find yourself in location or in life. I’m your host, Kate Boyd, and I’m so glad you’re here to join myself and Nathan in a conversation about contemplative Christianity.

Nathan is a professional actor turned ordained preacher, pastor, podcaster, and author, who has a passion to help people find calm, rekindle their faith, and discover the Divine. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance, a Master of Divinity, Certificate in Spiritual Transformation, and dreams about getting his DMin. He's worked as a pastor, campus minister, pediatric chaplain, and as a director at a non-profit. Currently, Nathan is the Associate Chaplain in the Spiritual Life Center at the University of Lynchburg.

He's the author of the book Embracing Love: My Journey to Hugging a Man in his Underwear, blog about contemplative spiriutality and finding God all around us, and host the podcast, The Why Behind the What. He is also a lover of cities, maintains a plant based diet, is a 3w4 and ESFJ, and a champion for the Oxford comma. His wife, Kate, have two sons, Foster and Theo.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Nathan, you can keep up with him at:

Website: nathanalbert.com

Twitter: @nathanalbert

Instagram: @nalbert

Nathan's Book: Embracing Love: My Journey to Hugging a Man in his Underwear

Nathan's Podcast: The Why Behind the What

If you’re looking for more advice on how to create and lean on community like your small group or a house church to stay grounded, I provide reflections and resources and community discipleship practices for that very thing with the Couches & Cathedrals Newsletter. Learn more and sign up to get these delivered to you weekly at kateboyd.co/newsletter.

As always, come share your ideas, questions, and takeaways with me over on Instagram @kateboyd.co! See you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Life right now can feel like a blur. Days turn into weeks and now months later, we’re staring at our same 4 walls at home feeling overwhelmed. It’s hard to worship in a space that also functions for work, school, relaxing, cooking, cleaning, and a million other things. But today, we’re talking with Amber Brandt who is going to give you not just tips to create a space for worship physically but also mentally. 

Amber Brandt is a StoryBrand certified copywriter, speaker, and an IAPO certified interior decorator known as The Coziness Consultant. Amber works with people from all walks of life to create spaces that are beautiful, cozy, and most importantly, aligned with their values. She believes our homes should help us live our best lives. Amber lives in Grand Rapids, MI with her husband Kyle and daughter Winslow.

If you enjoyed that conversation, you can keep up with Amber online here:

thecozinessconsultant.com

instagram.com/thecozinessconsultant

facebook.com/thecozinessconsultant

twitter.com/ambercozybrandt 

If you’re looking for more advice on how to create worship at home with your small group or as a house church, I provide reflections and resources for that very thing with the Couches & Cathedrals Newsletter. Learn more and sign up to get these delivered to you weekly at kateboyd.co/newsletter.

As always, come share your ideas, questions, and takeaways with me over on Instagram @kateboyd.co! See you next time.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Do you have single people in your life? Are you the single in the church and you need a different layer of care in the pandemic? You are not alone. We are all stretched in different ways, and those who live alone are feeling extra lonely and often extra on the outside of church. Stick with us today, and we’ll cover how we can be mindful of that and care for the needs of our single brothers and sisters.

Welcome to Happy & Holy, the podcast about creating biblical community with intimacy and integrity wherever you find yourself in location or in life. I’m your host, Kate Boyd, and I’m so glad you’re here. Joining me today to talk about creating a church where single people flourish (even in a pandemic) is Holly Stallcup.

Holly is the Executive Director and founder of Rise, a community working toward the Church being the best place to be a woman. Rise is building a long table where diverse women can connect, be equipped & lead. People are her passion. Rest for her is hot tea, good books, painted nails & delicious food shared with good people. She lives with her beloved dog Jack in Fort Worth, Texas. And boy, do we go deep in today’s conversation. I know I loved talking with Holly, and hopefully you’ll leave as inspired as I did.

Keep up with Holly and Rise at:
nowsherises.org

Rise Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NowSheRises

https://twitter.com/HollyStallcup

https://www.instagram.com/hollystallcup/

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

It’s no secret that we’re all feeling the strain of being far from our churches over the last six months, and the same has gone for our pastors. So how can our pastors care for us and how can we care for them? That’s today’s hot topic. Welcome to Happy & Holy, the podcast about creating biblical community with intimacy and integrity wherever you find yourself in location or in life. I’m your host, Kate Boyd, and I’m so glad you’ve joined us.

My guest today to talk all about pastoral care -- for us and for our pastors -- is Amy Ickes. After working for 5 different churches in 5 different denominations, Amy decided it was time to work for the whole Church. She provides coaching for women in ministry and consulting services for churches. She specializes in helping men and women on staff thrive together, launching new ministries, and writing discipleship and leadership curriculum. When she's not working, she loves to be outside in the summer, and curled up on the couch with a quilt, a cat, and a cup of coffee in the winter.

Find Amy at:
Website: https://www.aymiejoi.org/
Social Media: @AymieJoi

Grab Amy's ebook Caring Well in COVID: A Pastor's Guide here. Use the code HHKATE2020 for a discount!

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Neighborhoods are often designed to keep you isolated from your neighbors, but with a little intentionality, you can change that.

Author D.L. Mayfield joins me to share how she became passionate about loving her literal neighbors and how it challenged her to make bigger changes for the sake of their flourishing.

Come let me know what you thought of our conversation on Instagram @kateboyd.co to be entered to win a copy of Myth of the American Dream.

D.L. Mayfield is an author and activist who is trying very hard to be a good neighbor. Her most recent book is The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety and Power.

Follow D.L.

dlmayfield.com/
Twitter and Instagram: @d_l_mayfield

Purchase D.L.'s book Myth of the American Dream here.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

Are you feeling lonely right now? You're not alone, and also you're totally normal. It turns out we're wired for friendships, and statistics show that online connections don't always cut it.

But there are ways to stay connected to our friends even while COVID continues to be top of mind. Bailey T. Hurley shares her best tips and ideas for keeping our friends close and drawing near to our neighbors even when we can't be together in the same way we were before.

Bailey T. Hurley is everyone's favorite community cheerleader. She tackles the complicated topic of friendship and community by helping women find simple, and approachable rhythms to make their friendships thrive. 

Follow Bailey
baileythurley.com
Instagram: @bailey.t.hurley

Purchase the Rooted in Love study guide and/or mug here. 

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

What does it mean to be faithful with your vote in 2020? It's actually a much bigger question than you think, and it all starts with helping us define politics and the Christian's role on earth.

Kaitlyn Schiess guides us with this thoughtful interview into viewing politics on a broader scale and helping us with some "gut check" questions to work through our lives every day but that also apply at the ballot box. 

Come let me know what you thought of our conversation on Instagram @kateboyd.co to be entered to win a copy of Kaitlyn's new book A Liturgy of Politics.

Kaitlyn Schiess is a writer and seminary student living in Dallas, TX. Her first book, The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor, will be published with InterVarsity Press on Sept 8, 2020. You can find her writing at Christianity Today, Christ and Pop Culture, Fathom Magazine, and at kaitlynschiess.com.

Follow Kaitlyn
kaitlynschiess.com
Instagram and Twitter: @kaitlynschiess

Purchase A Liturgy of Politics here.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most bizarre and tragic chapters in the David narrative - the death of Absalom. Set against the backdrop of a father-son civil war, 2 Samuel 18 tells the surreal story of Absalom getting caught in a tree while riding a mule, and Joab's brutal decision to kill him despite David's explicit command to "deal gently" with his son. We explore the literary complexity of this text, including surprising parallels to Jesus' death, the politics of empire, and the profound cost of unchecked power dynamics within families and kingdoms.

Topics Covered

* The absurd circumstances of Absalom's death - How Absalom gets stuck in an oak tree while riding a mule and the darkly comic elements that make this biblical narrative so memorable

* Literary parallels between Absalom and Jesus - The striking similarities including hanging from a tree, betrayal, burial under stones, and the presence of multiple messengers racing to deliver news

* Joab's defiance and the exploitation of the Cushite messenger - How Joab deliberately ignores David's command and sends a foreign messenger (the Cushite) to deliver the devastating news, highlighting issues of belonging and exploitation of marginalized people

* David's dual role as king and father - The tension between David's political needs as a ruler and his emotional devastation as a father, including the shift from calling Absalom "the young man" to "my son"

* The broader costs of empire and injustice - How this tragic family drama reflects larger themes about the price of power, the perpetuation of cycles of violence, and the missed opportunity to address injustice against Tamar that started the whole conflict

Timestamps:

01:09 Recap of David and Absalom's Conflict

02:07 The Battle and Absalom's Fate

03:17 Joab's Defiance and Absalom's Death

04:40 The Aftermath and David's Mourning

05:26 Literary Parallels with the Crucifixion

21:12 Joab's Role and the Cushite Messenger

27:17 David's Dual Roles and Moral Dilemmas

32:18 Takeaways

What happens to the Church when it can't go in the building? How do you figure out how to worship when gathering like you're used to isn't really doable?

The good news is that Church history and even believers around the world today have already shown us how. Join me as I talk with my friend, Dr. Sandra Glahn, about what church is and how we can continue to do and be it even in these "unprecedented" (but totally precedented) times.

Let me know what you thought of our conversation on Instagram @kateboyd.co and be entered to win a copy of the Earl Grey with Ephesians study by Dr. Glahn.

Dr. Glahn is professor of Media Arts & Worship at Dallas Theo. Seminary and the author of more than 20 books, including the Coffee Cub Bible Study Series. Her latest in that series is Earl Grey with Ephesians.

Website: aspire2.com
Twitter and Instagram: @sandraglahn
Facebook: Aspire2

Purchase Earl Grey with Ephesians here.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

We can't be together like we normally would be, but that doesn't stop us from being the Church or doing what the Church does for each other and in the world. At least, it doesn't have to. It does mean we've gotta think outside the box.

In season 2, we're making the shift to all things biblical community centered on intimacy and integrity. And we're kicking off with a series all about what it looks like to do all of that even when we can't be together in the same ways.

Tune into the preview to learn a little more about what we'll cover this season and moving forward as we become happy and holy disciples together.

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram

The Christian life requires radical transformation -- not just once but for the rest of our lives. Today, Megan joins me to talk through wrestling with doubt and deconstruction to reconstructing your faith and repeating the process.

Megan Westra is a dynamic and passionate public speaker, and holds an MDiv from Northern Seminary. With over a decade of pastoral experience, she is deeply committed to the work of the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, and particularly in the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee, where she's lived and worked for ten years with her husband Ben, and daughter, Cadence. She loves to read; runs slowly but with persistence, and is an unapologetic coffee snob.

meganwestra.com
@mwestramke on Twitter and Instagram
Megan K. Westra on Facebook

Order Megan's book at https://meganwestra.com/book/

Kate Boyd - Book | Bible Studies | Coaching | Newsletter | Instagram