Episodes

  • Episode 164: Melanie Penn- Reframing Aging

    Episode 164: Melanie Penn- Reframing Aging
    Dec 23 2024
    Melanie Penn is a Nashville based songwriter at the crossroads of faith and culture. Melanie was a mainstay in the theatre scene in New York City for several years, most notably playing Sandy on the Broadway national tour of Grease!

    After Broadway, Melanie transitioned to songwriting and has collaborated with Nashville producer, Ben Shive, on five albums, including the Immanuel project, detailing Melanie’s songwriting journey through the Christmas story.

    In my time with Melanie, we discuss her transition from Broadway to songwriting, and the helpfulness of attending to our emotions in decision making and discernment. She also shares about the experience of losing her dad. In that discussion, Melanie reminds us of humanity’s need for rescue and the hope we celebrate this Christmas season. Also, amidst society’s fear-based messages around getting older, Melanie reframes aging as an opportunity to become more alive.

    I can’t wait for you to listen to this inspiring conversation with Melanie Penn.

    Melanie's song, More Alive.

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    46 mins
  • Episode 163: Amy Orr-Ewing- Remembering Your Unique Beauty

    Episode 163: Amy Orr-Ewing- Remembering Your Unique Beauty
    Dec 10 2024
    Because of our unique identities, passions, and gifts, each one of us embodies a unique beauty in the world. Each of us is a limited edition. In today’s episode, international speaker, theologian, apologist, and author, Amy Orr-Ewing unpacks the beauty of authenticity and encourages us to find our own unique voice.

    More specifically, Amy discusses her latest book, Lead Like the Real You: Wisdom for Women on Finding Your Voice, Pursuing God’s Calling, and Leading with Courage, sharing important insights on the uniqueness of leading as a woman at home, at work, or in ministry. She also dives into some of life’s big questions, including how she holds fast to the beauty of God amidst the brokenness of life. So, if you’re needing a reminder of your unique beauty or perhaps the goodness and beauty of God, this conversation is for you.

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    46 mins
  • Episode 162: Dr. Charlotte Markey- Building Body Confidence Amidst Diet and Wellness Culture

    Episode 162: Dr. Charlotte Markey- Building Body Confidence Amidst Diet and Wellness Culture
    Nov 25 2024
    I am so grateful to be welcoming Dr. Charlotte Markey back to the podcast today. Dr. Markey is a body image expert, professor of psychology and director of the Health Sciences Center at Rutgers University-Camden. She has authored several books, including her latest release, Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life.

    Dr. Markey also writes monthly for U.S. News and World Report and Psychology Today, focusing on individuals’ eating behaviors, body image, and health. She has also been featured in and interviewed by The New York Times, The Economist, The Today Show, ABC News, Time Magazine, and Mens Health, among others.

    In our time together, Dr. Markey shares how societal messages can influence body image and how body image is connected to mental health. We also discuss how diet culture currently presents as “health and wellness” and how an overemphasis on “healthy” or “clean eating” might not actually be good for our overall wellbeing. Dr. Markey also shares how changing our bodies doesn’t actually improve body image and presents us with practices to confidently inhabit our bodies.


    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    48 mins
  • Episode 161: Alastair Sterne-Recovering Joy

    Episode 161: Alastair Sterne-Recovering Joy
    Nov 12 2024
    Alastair Sterne’s invitation to joy was an unexpected one. Ironically, it was while struggling with depression that he started to pay attention to the full array of his emotions, including joylessness.

    In this fascinating conversation with creative director turned pastor, Alastair Sterne, he discusses his latest book, Longing for Joy: An Invitation to the Goodness and Beauty of Life. Alastair is currently the associate pastor at Coastline Church in Victoria, British Columbia. In our time together, he talks about why joy can be so elusive, how we can hold joy alongside suffering, how joy connects us to God, and practical ways we can cultivate joy. Regardless of where you are emotionally today, Alastair’s insights are sure to inspire and encourage you.

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Episode 160: Tara Beth Leach- Hope in Turbulent Times

    Episode 160: Tara Beth Leach- Hope in Turbulent Times
    Oct 29 2024
    In a turbulent world filled with so much darkness, where and how can we find hope? Furthermore, what role might we play in embodying real hope in a very broken world. These are the kinds of questions I tackle on the podcast today with Tara Beth Leach.

    Tara Beth is an author, speaker, and the senior pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois. Her most recent publication is a six-week Bible study entitled, Live in the Light: Radiating the Hope of the Letters of John. In our time together, Tara Beth shares about the important role the church plays in living out light and hope in a broken world. She also talks about how we might live in a grounded and authentic hope and what has inspired her in the belief that, in the end, light wins. Tara Beth also shares some important distinctives of authentic beauty, versus societal ideals she sees at work inside and outside of the church.

    So, if you’re needing a reminder of what true beauty is or where hope might be found, this episode is for you.

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    35 mins
  • Episode 159: Dawn Mann Sanders- Rebuilding After Loss

    Episode 159: Dawn Mann Sanders- Rebuilding After Loss
    Oct 15 2024
    After having two miscarriages, followed by the sudden loss of her husband, Dawn Mann Sanders felt like it was the end of her world as she knew it. Dawn is a Bible teacher and author of When Your World Ends: God’s Creative Process for Rebuilding a Life.

    In her book, and in today’s conversation, Dawn shares what she’s learned about rebuilding after significant loss, as well as what the creation story in the book of Genesis taught her about her own process of grief and rebuilding. If you’re looking for hope and purpose on the other side of loss, this conversation is for you.

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    29 mins
  • Episode 158: Michael Ulloa- Calling Out Nonsense in the Fitness Industry

    Episode 158: Michael Ulloa- Calling Out Nonsense in the Fitness Industry
    Oct 1 2024
    So often the fitness industry can feel intimidating, while messages around health and wellness can be confusing or fuel fear and anxiety. And that’s where Michael Ulloa comes in.

    Michael is an online personal trainer and performance nutritionist. In his online platforms, and in his work with clients, Michael is calling nonsense on unhelpful or ill-advised fitness and nutrition messages. With a background in occupational therapy, he takes a holistic approach to client care, bringing lightness, balance, and joy to the fitness, health, and wellness space.

    ​In my time with Michael, he talks about his own journey, falling prey to fitness content and struggling with body image, as well as the lies he sees at work in the fitness industry. He also discusses how he sees cultural beauty standards influencing the fitness industry and tips for navigating fitness and nutrition content. So, if you’re looking for clarity and balance in your journey with food and movement, this conversation is for you. ​

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    44 mins
  • Episode 157: Jodi Grubbs- Invitation to Slow Living

    Episode 157: Jodi Grubbs- Invitation to Slow Living
    Sep 16 2024
    After leaving her childhood home on the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean, author, slow-living guide, and podcaster, Jodi Grubbs, had assumed the rapid pace and hustle culture in the U.S. Soon, she realized that burnout had crept in, and God was inviting her to a return to the "island time" of her past.

    In her book, Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale, and in today’s conversation, Jodi invites us to grasp a more sustainable approach to life, anchored by the pauses of spiritual practices and an openhandedness before God. Jodi desires to give us all permission to slow down, to see what we’re missing when we don’t slow down and shares practical ways to adopt more gentle life rhythms. She also kindly shares about more tender parts of her journey, such as learning to trust God again after losing her first husband.

    If you’re ready to take a deep breath and settle into a slower, more intentional way of life, this conversation is for you.

    Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.
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    41 mins