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

In this episode, host Ashley Bell speaks with Renee Boucher from PrayerPDX about transformative prayer. Renee shares how prayer has changed the way she leads and how she got involved with PrayerPDX. Listen as she discusses with Ashley on how recent events have revitalized prayer.

Time stamps

• [00:00] Intro
• [02:43] Two truths and a lie
• [08:53] How Renee got involved with PrayerPDX
• [11:21] Her passion for Portland
• [19:21] How prayer has changed the way Renee leads
• [23:51] Building the habit of prayer
• [38:47] A revival with prayer
• [48:53] A homework assignment

In this episode, host Ashley Bell takes a break from talking about the Rhythms of Transformation and talks about the last three years with the pandemic and racial reckoning. She speaks with her friend, Sam, who is Taiwanese-American. Sam talks about his life, his community, and how he’s processed the last three years and all the heaviness that has happened during that time.

Time stamps

• [00:00] Intro
• [01:51] Meet Sam
• [04:35] Five for Five
• [17:08] How the pandemic affected Sam
• [24:12] The importance of mental health
• [28:54] How Sam has taken care of his mental health
• [33:21] The risk of vulnerability
• [39:55] Our desire to live independently
• [47:00] How this season changed his leadership style
• [53:07] A brief homework assignment
• [56:57] Stretch your muscle

Season Two is titled Rhythms of Transformation, where we'll be talking about both traditional spiritual disciplines as well as non-traditional spiritual disciplines that God uses to transform our character, relationships, and work life. In this episode, host Ashley Bell talks to Connie Armerding, an executive coach and leadership consultant, writer, speaker, and licensed pastor. She is passionate about equipping ministry and marketplace leaders through creating spiritually and emotionally healthy cultures among leaders and their communities. Ashley’s conversation with Connie centers around rest, boundaries and how not to burn out.

Time stamps

• [00:01] Intro
• [01:10] A new year, a new season
• [02:26] A little game with Connie
• [06:53] Who is Connie Armerding
• [09:04] What she’s passionate about
• [14:27] What she’s learned in 2021 and will carry in 2022
• [18:45] Something she’s letting go of this year
• [23:57] What is burnout and how to know if you are burnout
• [35:23] Implementing a routine of rest
• [45:41] Connie’s challenge for the week

In this second part of this two-part series, host Ashley Bell continues her conversation with Ruben Alvarado, a pastor who works in the field of vocational training for adults with disabilities. He discusses his journey throughout ministry and the surprising lessons he learned along the way.

Time stamps

• [0:01] Intro
• [1:36] Ruben’s journey
• [4:49] Lessons learned through ministry
• [12:22] Individualized ministry
• [18:37] Restored belonging
• [30:29] Disabilities and the Christian faith
• [42:26] Closing
• [42:39] Opportunity to respond
• [43:15] Creating a more inclusive environment

In the first part of a two-part series, host Ashley Bell talks to Ruben Alvarado, a pastor who works in the field of vocational training for adults with disabilities. Before Ruben discusses disability theology, he first provides insight into his life. He shares what it was like growing up in his small hometown and the adjustment after his move to Seattle. He talks about how he incorporates his roots in this work and the pain points that helped shape who he is.

Time stamps

• [00:01] Intro
• [02:03] Five for Five
• [06:26] Growing up in his hometown
• [08:58] Moving to Portland
• [10:54] Incorporating his roots in his work
• [12:30] Pain points that shaped Ruben
• [15:53] Unity from a Christian point-of-view
• [20:49] What evangelical should be
• [26:13] Ruben’s passions