Faith is not about training and performing. Faith is not about being scored, judged, or evaluated. <Tweet this.> Despite this, many Christians seem to train extensively; almost as if they are wannabe faith Olympians. I speak from personal experience. When I was in the Olympic training phase of my spiritual journey, I thought everything was binary (right/wrong, black/white, up/down, heaven/hell). …
Discovering Our Scars, Episode 128
Steph and I talk about our physical and emotional scars, but what are the steps we’ve taken to be able to say we love our scars? Do we love our scars? Why? Ratings and reviews are welcome, or you can leave a comment on the episode page at dospod.us. Click here to read more about the episode and access the show notes …
Discovering Our Scars, Episode 127
In this episode, “One of My Twins is Transgender (with Lisa),” Steph and I talk with the mom of a transgender son. Lisa thought she had a son and twin daughters, but by age four one of the twins began to describe themselves differently. Now, Lisa has a son and boy/girl twins. She generously shares with Steph and me how …
Discovering Our Scars, Episode 126
I joke that I am an easy “yes.” I start from “yes,” and I try to say “yes” whenever possible. Steph tends to ask questions and get information before saying yes or no. I admit that I’m a people-pleaser with a serious case of FOMO. Steph confesses that she once said no when a friend asked her to be a …
Discovering Our Scars, Episode 125
My podcast partner, Steph readily admits she has a chip on her shoulder when it comes to men, but the reality is men have tremendous power. They make decisions that impact the lives of women in huge ways, often with very little input from women. In this episode, Steph and I discuss why we think men need to do more …
Discovering Our Scars Episode 124
We continue our journey with Steph through her memoir, Discovering My Scars. Steph and Beth listen to Chapter 2 of the audiobook and discuss it. When Steph was fourteen, she was diagnosed with depression. She reacted by denying her feelings and trying to put on a happy face. In high school, she discovered a love for video production and re-built …
Discovering Our Scars, Episode 123
My daughter, Hannah, recently turned 18 and graduated from high school. In this episode, Steph and I toss out not-so-rapid-fire questions to her about life and what she’s figured out so far. She answers questions about politics, personal rights, and more. When you were 18, how would you have answered these questions? How have your answers changed? Ratings and reviews are …
Discovering Our Scars, Episode 122
Steph’s memoir, Discovering My Scars, is the inspiration for our podcast. For the first time, Steph and I listen to the audiobook version together and discuss it. This episode covers the Introduction and Chapter One. Steph introduces the story and explains her motivation for writing and sharing it. Then we are with her as she uses NSSI as a coping …
Discovering Our Scars Podcast, Episode 116
When Steph was in the mental hospital, Pastor Matt visited her. He brought her clothes and the journal that ended up being the beginning of her book, Discovering My Scars. You heard Steph’s side of the story in Episode 2 and here you can hear Matt’s side of Steph’s story. How did they end up in the same city? How …
Discovering Our Scars Podcast, Episode 115
Ballerinas and figure skaters are graceful. Some folks exhibit grace under pressure. We say grace before a meal (at least, that’s what people call it where Steph and Beth live). So, what IS grace anyway? Steph asks Pastor Beth to explain “grace,” and together they explore how grace exists culturally outside of any religious context. What is the connection between …