In this episode, Travis is joined by Leah Busboom to talk about her writing journey, creativity, and insights around creating and making things, much of which involves courage and just trying. Leah has become an award winning Indie author on Amazon for her fictional romance novels. Interestingly though, she graduated with an MS in Physics and has worked extensively in tech as she was with IBM for 22 years. She continues in an important role in the tech/operations side of America's Kids Belong in the space of foster care.

Their conversation involves looking at the fascinating dichotomy between her left brain science/technology thinking and writing fiction as an imaginative right brain exercise. Leah also finds lot of inspiration in creating characters and charting plots through ordinary moments and everyday people she comes across. She shares a touching story about being deeply impacted by a moment in real life that she uses creatively in a story.

Travis is well outside of his comfort zone and knowledge talking about romance novels so you may want to listen in just for that entertainment. Leah talks about what romance means at its core and talks about what the most popular current niche romance novels are (you'll never guess it).

Checkout Leah's books on Amazon.

Additional resources from Travis and Jess:

Guided Pace website: resources for coaching, soul care, and spiritual retreat offerings

Travis' books:

Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope

Redemption's Echo: Living in the Reflection of God's Grace

You are in for a treat on this one and a bit of a wild wide with our 5 year old guest. Travis and Jess are joined by their youngest kid "Dak" for a conversation around things like: wonder, Ninja Turtles, scary moments, funny sounds, and playing outside.

Dak is full of life and imagination and has never met a stranger in his whole life. You'll hear some funny stories, unique insights and an unexpected prayer from this little guy. It's a strong reminder how much kids are a gift to us all and that their joy, wonder, and child like faith are things that tend to dim in us as we age. But these traits don't have to be lost and leaning into our kids' worlds and seeing the world again through their eyes more regularly is just the medicine most of us need.

Additional resources from Travis and Jess:

Guided Pace website: resources for coaching, soul care, and spiritual retreat offerings

Travis' books:

Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope

Redemption's Echo: Living in the Reflection of God's Grace

In this episode, Jess is joined by her mom Julie Dotson to talk about her story and journey of navigating suffering and abuse as a child. Despite this, Julie embarked courageously to find healing and has really seen God's goodness and nearness throughout her life. Waking up to her belovedness as a deeply loved child of God is a big theme she talks about.

Julie also talks about ways she's learned to put God first and how she's cultivating the habit of communing in his presence in ordinary moments in the everyday. She is actively involved in ministry, spiritual direction, and has a long history of helping others heal from all kinds of troubles whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.

She has trained in cranial sacral therapy, art therapy, and now partners with people on their spiritual journey on a soul level.

Julie shares how much she's been impacted by the writings of Henri Nouwen and Dallas Willard. Today Julie walks with others she mentors and helps them on their journeys of finding wholeness and healing.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Books:

Soul Custody: Choosing to Care for the One and Only You

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God

Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

Additional resources from Travis and Jess:

Guided Pace website: resources for coaching, soul care, and spiritual retreat offerings

Travis' books:

Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope