In this episode, host Ashley Bell speaks with Amber Kanallakan about her recent blog post for Joy of It, called “Navigating Our Spiritual Nervous Systems.” Amber shares what motivated the post and her personal experience of trying to navigate spiritual wounds and unmet expectations. She discusses what changes she has seen in the local church and how church leaders can help navigate the collective trauma from the pandemic.

Time stamps

• [00:01] Intro
• [02:47] Two truths and a lie
• [06:10] Goals for the upcoming year
• [08:56] The inspiration behind her blog post
• [14:46] Reentering the building
• [22:35] Biggest changes in the local church
• [31:16] How the church can differentiate in community
• [37:47] How church leaders can help navigate
• [54:07] The biggest gift church leaders can offer
• [58:30] A homework assignment

In this episode, host Ashley Bell speaks with Joi Hailey, an associate worship pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin and a musician who recently released an EP called “Living For You.” Joi talks about the blog she wrote called “Grieving and Waiting” for Joy of It. She shares what inspired her to write it and share her experience of having a miscarriage.

Time stamps

• [00:00] Intro
• [02:52] A trip to Disneyworld
• [07:39] Meet Joi Hailey
• [09:54] Why she wrote “Grieving and Waiting”
• [13:13] Having kids four years apart
• [18:44] How the church can help with grief
• [23:53] How grief bring us closer to the Lord
• [30:48] Psalm 27:13
• [35:33] A homework assignment

In this episode, host Ashley Bell continues her discussions on the rhythms of transformation with Jillana Goble, an author and speaker. Ashley and Jillana talk about the rhythm of love and raising children as a foster mom, biological mom and adoptive mom. Closing the month with May, which is also Foster Care Awareness Month, Jillana previews her new book, A Love-Stretched Life: Stories on Wrangling Hope, Embracing the Unexpected, and Discovering the Meaning of Family, that comes out on June 7. She shares how she allowed her story to unfold as she wrote the book and how fostering has informed the way that she loves.

Time stamps

• [00:00] Intro
• [02:11] About Jillana
• [03:14] Her childhood favorites
• [06:22] Feeling loved and appreciated
• [09:25] Her new book, A Love-Stretched Life
• [11:14] Why she wanted to share her story
• [18:52] The title behind the book
• [20:06] How friendship has shaped Jillana
• [27:42] Does everybody have the ability to be a friend?
• [35:58] How fostering informs the way that she loves
• [42:45] Seeing hope through the last two years
• [53:15] Questions to ask before fostering
• [58:29] Sharing her son’s story in her book
• [1:06:14] A homework assignment and recommended reading