For Real with Kimberly Stuart: Recent Episodes
Kimberly Stuart
For Real with Kimberly Stuart invites listeners to eavesdrop on conversations with folks who live and love well, create beautiful things, teach us a ton, and let us in on what they know. Never one for successful small talk (JUNIOR HIGH WAS A STRUGGLE), Kim asks her guests to get right to it, mining stories of honesty and courage and finding plenty of snort-laughter and tears along the way. They tackle faith and grit and joy and sorrow and leave us with hope and renewed perspective to walk the stretch of road that's ours alone.
For more on Kim and her books, visit KimberlyStuart.com
The perfect guest joins us for this final episode of the season. Myquillyn Smith, also known as the Cozy Minimalist, is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcaster, and interior design mentor to millions. Myquillyn and I got to chat about her new book, House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget. If you have always wondered if making your home the place you love has to cost a billion dollars and involve a team of experts, this conversation is for you! Myquillyn dispels that myth and instead arms us with the rules that make sense of design. Myquillan says to think of her approach as a fun decorating school you didn’t have to leave your house for and where your best friend is the professor. Bring in the fun and the friend professor! And bring in practical ways to help us bring beauty to the places where we live!
For the past ten years, Myquillyn Smith, also known as “The Nester,” has been encouraging women to embrace their homes—imperfections and all. Her lived-in, loved-on home has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal and Cottages & Bungalows. Myquillyn is the author of The Nesting Place and Cozy Minimalist Home and was chosen by Christianity Today as one of the top twenty creatives in 2016. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three boys. Find her online @thenester.
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For this episode I have two lovely guests in the studio with me. Laura Klynstra and Mumtaz Mustafa join me to talk about their very odd jobs as creative directors and book designers and to chat about their new beautiful cookbook, Gather and Graze: Globally Inspired Small Bites and Gorgeous Tablescapes For Every Occasion. These two have a combined four decades or so of experience in the publishing industry, so I found it fascinating to peek behind the curtain of their work. In addition to that shared work, they also share a heart for both excellence in design and photography and for bringing people together around delicious food. I think you’ll leave our conversation feeling inspired and hungry, two of my favorite states of being.
Mumtaz Mustafa is an award-winning graphic designer working in branding, digital marketing, and focusing on book cover design. She is Senior Art Director at HarperCollins Publishers in charge of the lifestyle imprint Harvest Books. A native of Karachi, Pakistan, Mumtaz currently lives and works in New York City
Laura Klynstra is senior art director for Revell Books and a freelance graphic designer and photographer. Previously she worked as art director at Hyperion Books and at HarperCollins Publishers in New York City. She is the co-author and photographer of Christmas Baking and lives in Michigan with her family and a menagerie of dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks.
Find them on Instagram @spiceandsugartable, @mumtazmustafadesigns, and @lauraklyn
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Katherine James is an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction. She is an extraordinary writer, a visual artist, just an insanely creative person, and I was floored by her book A Prayer for Orion: A Son’s Addiction and A Mother’s Love. Addiction seems like one of those things that is hidden in plain sight, a reality, not just an idea, and something we are all hungry to put language around so we can figure out how to face it, straight on. I loved learning from Katherine, and I’m so grateful she let us eavesdrop on her life and experience and wisdom.
Katherine James is the award-winning author of the novel, Can You See Anything Now? which won Christianity Today’s book of the year and was longlisted for the Doris Bakwin Prize, as well as a memoir, A Prayer for Orion, about her son’s journey through a heroin overdose. Her short stories, essays, and poetry have been published in a variety of journals and anthologies, and her short story Fishhook, was a finalist for a Narrative Spring Prize.
She has an MFA from Columbia University where she received the Felipe P. De Alba fellowship and taught undergraduate fiction. Presently she’s working on a novel about a mute girl growing up in the Vietnam era.
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We For Real types are the people who are curious to hear great stories, laugh together, and travel all roads, even the hairpin, pothole-filled ones, with the people we love. If you are any or all of these things, you are going to drink up this conversation with two women I deeply admire, love, and always want more time with, even when we are expiring in the Alabama humidity. Katherine Wolf and Alex Wolf are family and dearest friends. They have written a beautiful new book that comes out of Katherine’s miraculous survival of a near-fatal brainstem stroke that left her with significant disabilities. I don’t even want to take one more second without letting you hear from them, so click in right now and get straight to my conversation with the remarkable and generous, Katherine Wolf and Alex Wolf.
Katherine Wolf is a stroke survivor and disability advocate who leverages her redemptive story to encourage those with broken bodies, broken brains, and broken hearts. She and her husband Jay live in Atlanta with their sons, James and John. Together, Katherine and Jay are resourcing people experiencing disabilities through Hope Heals Camp and Mend Coffee. They have co-authored two best-selling books Hope Heals and Suffer Strong. Katherine’s first devotional collection, Treasures in the Dark, is now available.
Alex Wolf is the Resource and Experience Director at Hope Heals, where she has the honor of creating inclusive spaces and communities for families affected by disabilities. She also has directed Hope Heals Camp since its founding in 2017. It is the joy of her life. Alex and her husband, Henry (the other joy of her life), live in Birmingham, Alabama.
Learn more about Hope Heals at HopeHeals.com and Instagram @hopeheals.
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Stephanie May Wilson hosts a wildly successful podcast, Girls Night, and is the author of a brand-new book titled Create A Life You Love: How to Quiet Outside Voices So You Can Finally Hear Your Own. This woman’s heart is for folks wading through what she calls The Everything Era. Between roughly the ages 25 to 35, we make so many formational and transformational decisions. The whole idea can get a tad overwhelming, both for the people living it and for the ones who love them. In this episode, Stephanie offers sound advice, a compassionate heart, and practical tips on building a life that’s made uniquely for you.
8x author and top podcaster Stephanie May Wilson is on a mission to be who she needed when she was younger—walking women through life’s biggest decisions and transitions. Through her books, her podcast, and her online courses, Stephanie helps women take off the pressure of what their lives are “supposed to” look like by now, figure out where they actually want to go in life, and take steps to get there.
Stephanie’s been featured on NBC, the Anthropologie blog, and Relevant magazine. She has also been a longtime blog contributor for CNBC’s Nightly Business Report, Darling magazine, and the Christian Mingle blog.
When she’s not writing, speaking, or recording a podcast episode, Stephanie is usually packing for a global adventure with her husband, Carl, laughing with her close tribe of girlfriends, or curled up in her Nashville home with her twin toddlers, Annie and Quinn. Find her online at StephanieMayWilson.com and Instagram @smaywilson.
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I’m happy to say we have a VIP guest for this episode. Marc Stuart is in the studio. I may have to encourage and persuade a tad bit more than my usual guest interactions, but he did it! And I loved it. Nobody knows me better, cheers for me harder, or can provide behind the scenes more diplomatically than Marc. It was a total joy to force him to talk into a microphone, and I’m pretty sure he still loves me. You can judge for yourself in this very rare and very delightful conversation with the one and only Marc Stuart.
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Dr. Nijay Gupta is my bright and thoughtful guest on this episode. Dr. Gupta is a professor at Northern Seminary, and he’s also the author of a book I drank in, marked up, and talked out loud to the entire time I was reading it. It’s that kind of book. Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church, made me wonder how I’ve read the names of real women in the Bible, some of them over and over, and yet didn’t know their stories or the way their stories intersect with ALL of our stories. A conversation that inspired me, taught me, and made me cry off mic, listen in to my chat with Dr. Nijay Gupta.
Nijay K. Gupta is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He has written or edited over twenty books including Paul and the Language of Faith, A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies and the award-winner and best-selling book Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. His latest book is called Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling. He also serves as a senior translator for the New Living Translation and co-hosts the popular podcast Slow Theology with Dr. AJ Swoboda. Find him on Instagram @nijay.gupta.
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Today I am joined by a remarkable woman. Aundi Kolber is an author, speaker, and therapist, and her books Try Softer and Strong Like Water are insightful, kind, compassionate and so wise. Aundi is a trauma expert and a trauma survivor, and I trust her so profoundly to give sound counsel on a really difficult subject. This conversation is for you if you have been through or are going through trauma, or you know someone who has or is surviving something traumatic. Pretty sure that covers all of us. Listen in as Aundi beautifully reminds us we are not alone and that we are made to be free, whole and flourishing.
Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC) and the author of the critically acclaimed Try Softer and her best-selling book Strong like Water. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. Aundi has appeared on Good Morning America, regularly speaks at national events, and is a frequent guest on podcasts such as The Lazy Genius, Typology, and The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Find her on Instagram @aundikolber.
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I’m excited for you to eavesdrop on a conversation I had recently with Sarah Bragg. Sarah is a Tennessee girl, mom of two, and the host of the Surviving Sarah podcast. She’s also the author of a new book that tackles all the questions that keep us up at night, especially as we sally forth into midlife. Is Everyone Happier Than Me? gives solid counsel on what it means to stay curious with ourselves and those around us so we don’t miss the good stuff. I think you’ll love this candid and practical conversation with my friend Sarah Bragg.
Sarah Bragg is a well-loved communicator and author, you can find her hosting the popular podcast Surviving Sarah. Her latest book is Is Everyone Happier Than Me?: An Honest Guide to the Questions that Keep You Up at Night. She is also the author of A Mother’s Guide to Raising Herself: What Parenting Taught Me About Life, Faith and Myself. She is a wife, mother of girls, and a creative entrepreneur. Sarah is a master at brewing coffee and helping others survive well right where they are. Sarah and her family reside in Tennessee.
Check out her podcast, Surviving Sarah, and find her on Instagram @sarahwbragg
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Boy, oh boy, do we have a super fun conversation for you on this episode! I made it exactly zero percent in before needing an inhaler for laughing so hard, if that gives you any indication. Taylor Hughes is making a repeat appearance on For Real, and there’s just something about talking about life with a close friend. Taylor does all sorts of fun things, like solo performing as a magician/storyteller/comedian, going on bus tours with our friend Bob Goff, making Netflix and YouTube specials, and now releasing his second book. We talk about it all and we still didn’t have enough time. That’s what happens with good friends, of course, and I’m so happy you are here to be a part of it all. Listen in to the fun and delight and generosity that is my dear friend, Taylor Hughes.
Taylor Hughes fell in love with the art of illusion as a child when his parents bought him a magic kit for his birthday. More than 30 years and 3,000 shows later, Taylor has become known for his signature style of Magic Storytelling.
He is the Author of Road to Wonder and has 2 Comedy Magic Specials currently streaming: Chasing Wonder on Amazon Prime and Enjoy The Ride on YouTube. His second book MISDIRECTION: A Magician’s Guide to Spotting and Avoiding Manipulation in Your Life is available for preorder and releases everywhere on February 13, 2024. Taylor is married to his high school sweetheart Katie and they live in Southern California with their two daughters Madelyn and Kennedy. Find Taylor on Instagram @magicstoryteller
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I’m telling you, this conversation was a buoy for my heart. Nick Connolly is a pastor and podcaster, he’s a church planter, and he is, as we will discuss, a statistic buster. He knows a lot about persistence, about pressing on, about taking God up on promises that can feel out of reach. I love the bravery of this conversation. You guys know I’m here for the real answers to real questions, and Nick is our guy, trust me. So listen in and get a shot of courage and tenacity with the pride of Charleston, Nick Connolly.
Nick Connolly is the founding and lead pastor of Bright City Church, a ten-year-old faith community located in the heart of downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Not only is Nick passionate about church, he and his wife, Jess, have started multiple small businesses and love how business can be used for the Kingdom. Nick and Jess live in Charleston with their four kids: Elias, Glory, Benja, and Cannon. Find him on Instagram @nconnolly.
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In today’s episode, I’m delighted to bring you some fantastic ways to use all those bookstore gift cards burning holes in your pockets. My guest is Meagan Briggs of the Instagram bookstagrammer fame. First of all, I didn’t know bookstagrammer was a word, and second, Meagan is very good at her job. The woman has a busy life, three kids, a husband she loves, a strange affection for running marathons and yet! She reads hundreds of books a year and gives honest reviews to her following. I have found so many wonderful books through her recommendations, so I was delighted she agreed to sit down and chat with me about all things books!
Meagan has been a bookstagrammer for 4 years and strives to bring her followers authentic book reviews and book content. She also runs a monthly online book club through Instagram, and they have the best time chatting together and listening to authors share about their books. Find her on instagram @meagansbookclub.
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I’m so happy to introduce a return guest to the pod, my mom Patti. No one makes me laugh like my mom, no one has taught me more about faith and courage and pursuing crazy dreams with prayer and humility, and no one gives me more pushback to be a podcast guest like my mom. I love her and am grateful she not only said yes again this year but that she also brought with her Williams Sonoma hot chocolate as a gift. (From here on, I think Patti should contact podcast guests to ask what they’re bringing to recording sessions.) Hot chocolate in hand, Mom and I and the entire Stuart crew wish you and yours a very merry Christmas full of awe, wonder, and a new wash of grace that meets you right where you stand. Comfort and joy in equal measure to you, friends. And so much love, for real.
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A couple of weeks ago, I was hearing over and over in my conversations with friends how much stress and confusion and YOWZA come with the holidays. I love this season. I’m probably baking something as you read these words. I’m in. AND I also know this season comes with its fair share of extra. Extra chaos, extra scramble, extra hosting, extra outpouring, even extra grief. So I asked a question online and in private conversations: If you had the luxury of having your own relationship expert on call during the holidays, what would you want to ask? Oh, man, did the floodgates open. And my guest April Bordeau knew just what to do. April is a phenomenal therapist with over thirty years of experience. She’s a founder and the managing director of Care To Change, a counseling center in the Indianapolis area, and she was kind enough to join me in a late-night recording session. We tackle all sorts of things, so buckle up and listen to this super helpful and practical conversation with April Bordeau.
April is licensed as a clinical social worker. She is a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner and certified educator and a Prepare-Enrich & SYMBIS pre-marriage and marriage facilitator. She is trained in Experiential Therapy, Crisis Intervention Teams and NOVA crisis intervention, Theraplay, and the Suicide PAIR program and is certified in EMDR. April is a QPR Master Trainer, is an approved Focus on the Family Counselor, serving on their Michigan Hope Restored marriage intensive team. April is also a Guide for Onsite who offers world-renowned emotional wellness retreats, therapeutic intensives, residential trauma care, and digital resources.
April and her husband, Randy (also a certified Prepare/Enrich Marriage Facilitator, and marriage retreat facilitator), have been married for over twenty five years and they have two teenagers.
Learn more about why April started Care to Change in this interview on Care to Change’s podcast. Find her on Instagram @april_bordeau_therapist and @care_to_change.
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Ashlee Gadd is probably best known for creating Coffee + Crumbs, a life-infusing, creative corner of the internet where moms write and make and share and grow. Ashlee has done this work herself and wrote this beautiful book (her own photography included) called Create Anyway: Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood. We talk about how to continue to create during full (or outright hysterical) seasons, permission slips for moms, and how to get a little less precious about perfect conditions for creativity. We are all wired to make things, so whether your idea of creativity is to write a sonnet or to make spreadsheet into a color-coded extravaganza, this conversation is for you.
Ashlee Gadd is the founder of Coffee + Crumbs--a beautiful online space where motherhood and storytelling intersect. As a writer and photographer, Ashlee has spent her entire motherhood creating in the margins. When she's not writing or vacuuming Cheerios out of the carpet, she loves making friends on the internet, eating cereal for dinner, and rearranging bookshelves. She and her husband have three kids and live in Northern California.
Learn more at ashleegadd.com, coffeeandcrumbs.net, and Instagram @coffeeandcrumbs.
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Today I get the chance to chat with a woman who had a crazy idea that made a lot of people give her the side-eye, but she stuck with it and boy, did it work! Stephanie Nelson, known as the Coupon Mom, took her love of clipping coupons (I didn’t even know there was a love like that), and she turned it into millions of dollars worth of donated groceries and a lot of really happy people who saved money for their families. And her heart is to help people find their own superpower and use it for good. I think you’ll love hearing from the woman who has single-handedly redeemed the Costco mailer for me.
Stephanie Nelson is the founder of the Coupon Mom website, which launched the coupon movement that took America by storm in 2008. As a savings expert, Stephanie has appeared on many national and local television news shows, including Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her entrepreneurial Coupon Mom concept started a national cottage industry of other “coupon moms” as she inspired women to start profitable websites in their communities. Her book The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half was a New York Times bestseller. Stephanie currently hosts her podcast, Pivotal People.
Find her online at StephanieNelson.com, her podcast Pivotal People, and on instagram @stephanie_nelson_cm.
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Dr. Emily Smith is a rock star epidemiologist, a UN presenter, and an author, not just of scientific articles I cannot understand but also a new book that I CAN understand. Dr. Emily has done a deep dive into what it means to be a Good Samaritan in 2023, both within our local communities and as people of faith who know God so loves the world.
Emily Smith, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine/surgery at Duke University and at the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI). Her debut book, The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger About Loving Our Neighbors, releases Oct. 24, 2023 from Zondervan.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith became known as the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist through her social media outlets which reached over 10 million people in 2020-2021. She continues posting on the social account and her Substack blog with a monthly reach of 2-4 million. Her work has been featured in TIME Magazine, NPR, the Washington Post, Christianity Today, and Baptist News Global.
Before joining the faculty at Duke University, Smith spent four years at Baylor University in the department of public health and was a research scholar at DGHI for two years. Smith received her Ph.D. in epidemiology from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill and a MSPH from the University of South Carolina.
Smith has been married to her pastor-husband for 20 years and they have two fantastic children, one spoiled golden retriever and a new very-friendly goldendoodle puppy.
Find Dr. Smith online at emilysmith.substack.com and Facebook @friendlyneighborepidemiologist.
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On this episode, we have the ridiculous joy of welcoming Sean Dietrich to the pod. Sean, who also writes under the name Sean of the South, is one of the most creative people I know. He writes long form, short story, fiction, memoir, narrative essay, some of the absolute best stuff on social media, and as of this fall, Kinfolk, one of my favorite novels of all time. I feel a little like a sloth when I think about Sean’s productivity, but he’s such a nice guy, I can only be happy for him (and for us!). I’ll say no more and just let you listen in because this guy doesn’t need any more introduction from a Northerner or anyone else.
Sean Dietrich is a columnist, novelist, and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Southern Living, Reader's Digest, Garden and Gun, The Tallahassee Democrat, the Birmingham News, The Mobile Press Register, and his column appears in newspapers throughout the U.S. He has authored fifteen books, he is the creator of the Sean of the South Podcast, and makes appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.
You can find Sean at SeanDietrich.com and Facebook and Instagram @seanofthesouth
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Kayla Craig joined us on For Real in our very first season. I loved her then and love her still, so I’m stoked she agreed to talk with me again. Kayla is a writer, a great question generator, a podcaster, a mother, and she writes the words I can’t seem to find some days when I’m talking about and with God. I love the way Kayla stubbornly and persistently invites the holy into ordinary moments and how she does that beautifully in her new book, Every Season Sacred, and in this conversation.
Kayla Craig is a former journalist who brings deep curiosity and care to her writing. She's the author of Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way. With a poetic, prophetic voice, she created the popular Liturgies for Parents Instagram account, which Christianity Today named an "essential parenting resource." She also hosts the Liturgies for Parents podcast. Kayla's nuanced and accessible reflections, essays, and prayers are featured in various books, devotionals, and Bible studies. Kayla lives in a 115-year-old former convent in her Iowa hometown, where she hopes to create spaces of welcome alongside her four children, two dogs, and pastor-husband, Jonny.
You can connect with Kayla at kaylacraig.com and on Instagram @kayla_craig and @liturgiesforparents.
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I hope you’re hungry because today my guest is Bri McKoy. Bri is a fantastic cook. She’s the cook that you not only want on your Meal Train list, you might fake an injury just so she brings you a meal. But she did not start cooking until forced, so she has empathy for regular people. She is the every-girl that you want in your kitchen, teaching you how to make delicious food with confidence and joy. You are going to love this woman and the way she will help you launch out of any cooking slump, any season.
Bri McKoy is an accidental home cook, the author of The Cook’s Book and a lover of gathering people around her everyday table. She is the creator of The Everyday Kitchen Masterclass, a five-week online course that teaches people how to become more confident home cooks. Find stories and recipes on her food blog at OurSavoryLife.com or watch her videos with recipe tips and tricks and read her reflections on Instagram @brimckoy.
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I'm super excited to be back at the mic to announce our third season of For Real! A third season? Who even are we? What an honor that you take us along on your coffee run, your carpool loop, your drive to the gym if you're that kind of person who will outlast us all because of self-discipline.
This season is already making me laugh and cry and want to linger for more. We have already recorded a bunch of these conversations and let me just assure you that you do not want to miss an episode.
Season three of For Real launches September 12. Subscribe on your favorite streaming platform right now so you don't miss a single episode!
Our last episode of Season Two! We made it! Again! And oh, man, do we have the best season ender for you. My guest is Jami Nato, and I want to assure you that she makes me snort-laugh. You know that really undignified laughter that makes you feel like you never actually left junior high but are still that awkward kid in braces and Aqua Net? Snort laughter in braces? That’s what I do with Jami Nato, AND I also learn a lot about redemption and forgiveness and how to be the person God hand-made me to be. I think you’re going to love this episode with author, Midwesterner, and fellow child of the 80’s, Jami Nato.
Jami Nato is a serial entrepreneur and leader of a multi-million dollar business built on faith, community, authenticity, and courage. Navigating life with her wonderful husband of 14 years and 4 unruly children is her greatest love and challenge.
She’s passionate about not doing laundry, hoarding socks, loves using humor, writing and honesty to convey the truth of the gospel. Sharing her own personal over comings with well-timed, awkward humor helps her and her audience navigate through tough topics. While she continually plans for the future, she recognizes God’s role as The Ultimate Curator of her life.
Find her online at JamiNato.com and on Instagram @jaminato.
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I’m trying not to hyperventilate. Sara Groves is on the pod today. This means that the woman who has sung the soundtrack to my adult life is ON THE POD TODAY. Sara has been singing my favorite songs for 25 years. She is an exquisite writer, thinker, and truth teller. She puts words and melodies to what our hearts can’t do on their own. And she’s also a Minnesotan, which means she knows how to weather pretty much anything. Lean in, folks, and enjoy a conversation I absolutely loved with singer-songwriter, Sara Groves.
Sara Groves is a 25+ year veteran singer/songwriter and recording artist with a passion for justice. Since 2005 she has been an artist advocate with International Justice Mission, a global organization that works to protect the poor from violence. In 2011, Sara and her husband Troy opened a unique community art center, Art House North, in a 115+ year old church. Sara’s 14th and most recent album, What Makes It Through, is a poignant reflection on reconciliation. Troy and Sara live in St Paul with their three children, Kirby, Toby and Ruby.
Find her online at SaraGroves.com and Instagram @grovesroad.
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Yowza. This conversation will not let me go. In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with a man who knows a lot about Plan B. Strahan Coleman was a touring musician and songwriter for years, and he had a very robust prayer life until he became so sick, he couldn’t get out of bed and he could not muster the energy to pray as he had before. Plus, he was rather irritated with the God of the universe who suddenly seemed very silent and very unwilling to give Strahan the help he needed. If you have ever felt like God isn’t very cooperative or that he’s distant or that prayer is mostly for super spiritual people, this is a conversation for you. I loved it, loved Strahan’s book, and cannot wait for you to listen in on what he had to say.
Strahan Coleman is a writer, spiritual director, and award-winning musician from Aotearoa, New Zealand. After spending ten years recording and traveling as a folk artist, he founded Commoners Communion in 2017, a ministry exploring conversations in Christian spirituality. Since then, he has given himself to his passion of helping others deepen their experience in God through his writing, podcast, spiritual retreats, and online prayer schools. He has published Beholding and three prayer books, Prayer Vol. 01, 02, and 03, poetic devotionals inviting the reader into a deeper honesty, vulnerability, and closeness with God. Strahan currently lives by the beach in the Coromandel in Aotearoa, New Zealand with his wife, Katie, and three sons, Mikal, Theodore, and Finley.
Learn more about Strahan at his website, CommonersCommunion.com and Instagram @strahanmusic.
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Author Jennifer Dukes Lee is a woman who is so dear to me and who has taught me so much. She is wise, funny, and exactly the same person in real life as she is in public. This is a remarkable and delightful character trait, I’m sure you agree. We get to talking about Jennifer’s new project, Stuff I’d Only Tell God, which is unique for her and a gift to us. We also dive into what it looks like to show generous compassion toward ourselves, how to be real with God, and the point of all this brutal honesty. I know you’ll love hearing from my friend and fellow Iowa girl, author Jennifer Dukes Lee.
Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband have invested a life into raising crops, pigs, two beautiful humans, and an enduring faith. A former news reporter, she thinks you can learn a great deal by paying attention to what comes after the beautiful curve of a question mark. She's the author of several books, including her latest, Stuff I'd Only Tell God.
Find Jennifer at JenniferDukesLee.com and on Instagram @JenniferDukesLee.
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I’ve had the great joy of counting Tosca as a dear friend for many years, so this conversation was a blast for me. Tosca is the New York Times bestselling novelist of a slew of books in a slew of genres, and she crushes them all, including her newest release, The Long March Home. Tosca is a former ballerina, a former beauty queen, and a former city girl who now lives on a farm in Nebraska. She’s also wise, kind, and one of the hardest workers I know. I think you’ll love getting to hear from her on this episode. Also! I highly recommend pre-ordering The Long March Home and getting some fantastic swag, including a secret epilogue. Follow Tosca for all the details.
Tosca Lee is the New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels including The Line Between, A Single Light, and The Legend of Sheba. Her work has been translated into seventeen languages and optioned for TV and film. She is the recipient of multiple awards including two International Book Awards. Her work has been praised as “deeply human…” “powerful…” and “mind-bending.”
Lee earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Smith College. A former first runner-up to Mrs. United States, she lives in Nebraska with her husband and two of four children still at home. Find her online at ToscaLee.com, Instagram, and Facebook.
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Today we get the chance to hear from a pastry chef. I want you to enjoy the idea of that right now because EVERY DAY should include some wisdom from a pastry chef. Kendall Vanderslice is a baker, a writer, the owner of a beagle named Strudel (I mean, come on), and she is the author of a new book: By Bread Alone: A Baker’s Reflections on Hunger, Longing, and the Goodness of God. I so enjoyed hearing from Kendall, both in her lovely book and in this conversation. She is a woman who has a lot to teach us about the beauty of community, persistence in a broken world, and the many good things that happens when we share our tables.
Kendall Vanderslice is a baker, writer, and speaker, as well as the founder of the Edible Theology Project, a ministry that connects the Communion table to the kitchen table. She is a graduate of Wheaton College (BA Anthropology), Boston University (MLA Gastronomy), and Duke Divinity School (Master of Theological Studies). Her bylines include Christianity Today, Bitter Southerner, Christian Century, Religion News Service, and Faith & Leadership, as well as her book We Will Feast (Eerdmans 2019). Kendall lives in Durham, North Carolina, with her big-eared beagle named Strudel, where she teaches workshops on bread baking as a spiritual practice.
Visit her online at KendallVanderslice.com, Instagram and Facebook.
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Tyson Motsenbocker is an author and musician who, in addition to having the best last name to say out loud, wrote a beautiful book about his 40-day pilgrimage up the coast of California. Tyson’s luminous and beloved mom passed away, and only a few short days after the funeral, he walked out his front door and across the state. Motsenbocker walked hundreds of miles as he started to process his grief and his disappointment with a God who felt suddenly unsafe. Maybe you can identify with a world that looks abruptly and irrevocably different. What on earth is a person to do? I think you’ll enjoy hearing Tyson’s stories of how we walk these roads, what we learn, and how we return home and bring some of the road with us.
After years on the road, Tyson Motsenbocker returned home to the impending death of his 57-year-old hero and mother. He begged God to heal her, but she died anyway. With the death of his mother followed the death of the childhood version of his faith. Shortly before her death, however, Tyson became intrigued by the complicated legacy of Father Junipero Serra, the 18th-century Franciscan monk and canonized saint who dedicated his life to the idea that tragedy and suffering are portals to renewal. Father Serra was a complicated figure – one who built Missions up and down the California coast, spreading Christianity and care, as well as colonizing the native population and stripping them of their traditions and culture.
Tyson discovered Serra's "El Camino Real," a 600-mile pilgrimage route between Tijuana and San Francisco that had been largely forgotten for more than 200 years. Two days after his mother's memorial service, Tyson set out on a pilgrimage of sorts, intending to walk from San Diego to San Francisco along the El Camino, following in the footsteps of the saint. Tyson's journey takes him down smog-choked highways, across fog-laden beaches, past multi-million-dollar coastal estates, and through towering redwood forests. And as he walks, Tyson also wrestles with his faith, questioning the pat answers and easy prayers he once readily accepted, trying to understand how hope and tragedy can all be wrapped up in the same God. The people he meets along the way challenge his understanding of the meaning of security, of what it means to live a meaningful life, and of the legacies we all leave behind.
Where the Waves Turn Back is both part journal and part spiritual memoir and, ultimately, a thrilling and deeply satisfying read that asks questions that will resonate with readers seeking meaning in an utterly disorienting age.
Find him online at TysonMotsenbocker.com and on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.
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Sissy Goff is a superhero to the mental health world, and she is a superhero to me. If you or anyone you love is dealing with anxiety, particularly kids and teens, please stop what you’re doing and get a pen and paper because this one is a note-taker. And please know as you wrestle with the fall-out from anxiety, you are not alone, your kids are not alone, and there is so much hope. I am so grateful to have had the chance to learn from therapist, speaker, author, and just a wonderful human being, Sissy Goff.
Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of twelve books, including the bestselling Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls) and her new release for teenage girls, Brave. Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications as well as her own podcast called Raising Boys and Girls.You can find more information and resources at raisingboysandgirls.com.
Find her on Instagram and Facebook.
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What a treat of an episode! Jean Stoffer is an interior designer, a businesswoman, a mother of four and grandma of a bunch more, and a debut author. She also has her own show on Magnolia network, and I highly recommend that after you listen to the pod, you ignore everything else on your list today so you can watch every episode of both seasons. Jean and I got to chat about a host of things, and I left our time together an even bigger fan of hers than I already was (Note: Apologies for the gushing every now and then. I can’t help it.). I’m so excited for you to hear my conversation with the absolutely lovely and gifted and real-life gem, Jean Stoffer.
Jean Stoffer is an award-winning Grand Rapids-based independent interior designer specializing in kitchen and bath designs. Each of her designs is custom suited for her clients' lives and how they hope to use their home. Jean is also the founder of Stoffer Home, a retail store featuring beautiful and functional items for the home, and Stoffer Home Cabinetry, the source for Jean's own line of quality, British-inspired flush inset cabinets. In December 2021, the Magnolia Network began airing The Established Home, a TV series featuring Jean and her design work.
Find her online at JeanStofferDesign.com and Instagram.
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Blaine Hogan is a writer, film and creative director, and actor. On this episode, we talk about all of those very unusual jobs, Blaine’s Midwest roots, his work with celebrities like Usher and Arnold Schwarzenegger and as the less glamorous Pepto Bismol man. We also talk about the beautiful life he and God have wrestled back from the grip of abuse, addiction and trauma, a story he tells in his unflinching and poignant new memoir, Exit The Cave, Embracing a Life of Courage, Creativity, and Radical Imagination.
Formerly the creative director for Willow Creek Community Church, Blaine is currently a full-time filmmaker who directs celebrities from LeBron James to Carrie Underwood. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Margaret, and their three daughters. He holds a master’s degree in theology and culture from the Seattle School for Theology and Psychology and has appeared in many stage productions and television shows.
Find him online at BlaineHogan.com and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
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Welcome to this special Christmas episode of For Real! GUESS WHAT? My mom joins us today, even though she swore she’d never do that again after she stopped by the pod last year. I am nothing if not a persistent firstborn female. My mom is a delight, and I predict you will love her again. I’m honored to be her daughter, and she seems to continue to love me even when I coerce her to talk into a mic. Enjoy this episode and merry, merry Christmas!
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I’m just going to take a big, deep breath about getting to talk with my guest for today. Amanda Held Opelt joins me on the podcast today, and I counted it a privilege to talk with her about her new and debut book, A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing. Amanda’s book is part memoir, part history of bereavement rituals, and altogether one of the most stunning books I have ever read, particularly on the subjects of grief, community and faith. Amanda joined me from her home in Appalachia, and I am so grateful for her generosity of time and spirit.
Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. She writes about faith, grief, and creativity, and believes in the power of community, ritual, shared worship, and storytelling to heal even our deepest wounds. Amanda has spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors. She lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, with her husband and two young daughters.
Find her online at AmandaHeldOpelt.com and on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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Today is such a fun day because I got to chat with Stephen Miller. Stephen is an author, musician, entrepreneur, and YouTube star (to the tune of 750 THOUSAND subscribers, THAT kind of YouTuber), and I love how he and his wife Amanda use that space to tell the great story they’re living with their seven kiddos. Stephen and I talked about how in the world it works to have a bunch of teenagers AND live a public life, how to decide which project has wheels, and what it feels like to be utterly in love with your high school sweetheart, two decades in. I think you’ll love hearing our conversation.
Stephen Miller is a creator and entrepreneur who has grown his platform to nearly one million followers in just a few years through his show The Miller Fam, a channel that displays the beauty of diversity and adoption featuring his large, diverse, adoptive family of nine. With over fifteen years of ministry in some of the nation’s largest churches, Stephen has recorded six studio albums and is the author of Liberating King, Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars and his latest - The Art of Getting It Wrong.
Find him online at TheMillerFam.co and on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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When an introvert writes a book about neighboring, I feel like we must lean in. Today’s guest is the smart and feisty and true-to-her bones introvert, Shannan Martin. I loved hearing from Shannan how we can ALL use how we were made to develop rich community. Shannan’s new book, Start with Hello (and Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors), has ended up to be the kind of book I highlighted, dog-eared, and generally devoured. We dive right into the good stuff, so I’m excited for you to listen in on my conversation with author, Midwest girl, and soup kitchen ninja, Shannan Martin.
Shannan Martin is a mom, wife, and neighbor living in Goshen, Indiana. She is a voracious reader, a wannabe-gardener, a news-geek, a thrift store-stalker, a justice-fighter, and an aficionado of not-too-spicy salsa. Shannan is author of Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places and Falling Free. She is a cook at a local non-profit dedicated to feeding her community and falls asleep most nights thinking about breakfast.
Find her online at ShannanMartin.com, Instagram, and Facebook.
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Jeanne Stevens is a fellow Midwest girl! Hooray! I was honored to finally meet her and have her on For Real. Jeanne lives with her family in Chicago, where she co-pastors Soul City Church. You know that I only chat with folks who will be real with us, and let me just say that Jeanne perfectly fits that bill. Her new book, What’s Here Now? How to Stop Rehashing the Past and Rehearsing the Future—And Start Receiving the Present, is like a litmus test for how to really flourish in the right here, right now. I loved the book and loved learning from Jeanne in this conversation.
Jeanne Stevens is one of the lead pastors of Soul City Church in Chicago’s dynamic West Loop neighborhood, which she and her husband, Jarrett, started in 2010. Soul City is one of the fastest-growing urban churches in the United States. Jeanne has had the opportunity to lead and speak into the lives of thousands of people across the U.S. and around the world.
She is a sought-after speaker, leader, and writer. Her passion to develop people to live boldly & fully gives her a unique voice of hope and challenge.
Jeanne is the author of multiple devotionals including the newly released Less is More as well as Everyday Brave, Grit & Grace, and You Are Enough. Her newest book What’s Here Now? is available now.
In addition to pastoring Soul City Church, Jeanne finds great joy in being a wife to Jarrett, and a mom to her son, Elijah, and daughter, Gigi. You can find her online at JeanneStevens.com and on Instagram.
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Megan Tibbits brightens every room she enters, and our conversation on today’s ep is no exception. We peeked behind the curtain of what it looks like to have a very unusual job, her upbringing as a member of a Jesus version of the Partridge Family, and how she keeps her heart and mind in a healthy place working in an industry that focuses heavily on followers and platforms and perceived perfection. I’m so excited to have you listen in on my conversation with the girl with the guitar, the harp, the pipes, and the biggest heart.
Megan Tibbits is a singer and songwriter of inspirational, Christian music, and a lifelong musical journeywoman. Born and raised in Michigan, not only in a musical family but in a touring family band, Tibbits traveled the country with the group for over ten years, singing on stage by age three, recording harmony vocals by age six, writing songs on guitar by age twelve, and learning piano, harp, oboe, and saxophone along the way. Upon moving to Los Angeles, Tibbits appeared before a national TV audience of ABC’s Rising Star, where she advanced to the top 13. She began making YouTube and Instagram videos that gained the attention of artists such as Alicia Keys, Jonathan McReynolds, Chandler Moore, Tauren Wells, Brandon Lake, and Jennifer Lopez, where she went on to sing and write with McReynolds, and arrange acoustic versions of songs for Lopez to perform on Award Shows and other public performances (i.e. AMA Awards, The 2021 Inauguration, Global Citizen, etc.) In 2020, Tibbits appeared on FOX’s I Can See Your Voice as “The Harpist”. Most recently, Megan toured with New York Times Best Selling Author Bob Goff, appeared on tour, and on the Dove Awards stage singing with Gospel Artist Jonathan McReynolds, and led worship with artist Brandon Lake at Seacoast Church.
Megan resides in LA, writing & recording music, leading worship, touring, and speaking around the country. Find her online at MeganTibbits.com and on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok.
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I can’t imagine a more perfect way to kick off our second season (huzzah!) than to chat with the intrepid and generous Jess Connolly. Jess is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, church leader, podcaster, team builder, and here’s the thing: She is as real a deal as they come. I’m talking unicorn. I loved hearing about her steadfast work, even when her own emotions run wild, her newest book Breaking Free From Body Shame, and her personal battle with anxiety. Have a pen and paper ready—this episode is chock full of good things to take with you on your stretch of road.
As Jess tells it, when she was 15, you would have voted her least likely to succeed and definitely least likely to grow up and talk about the Bible. These days she’s just obsessed with leaving her generation more in awe of God than she found them. Jesus grabbed her heart, gripped it with grace, and she finds deep purpose + passion in His presence.
She spends her days writing books, coaching women, leading their church, and trying to make her kids laugh. Go + Tell Gals is where she coaches + leads women and she and her husband, Nick, have the honor of leading Bright City Church. Find her online at jessconnolly.com and on socials @JessaConnolly.
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For Real with Kimberly Stuart is back! Tune in this season for more real conversations with folks who live and love well, create beautiful things, teach us a ton, and let us in on what they know. Season 2 launches Tuesday, October 4. Follow now on your favorite streaming platform and find Kim online for even more content!
Linktree: @KimberlyStuart
Web: Kimberlystuart.com
Instagram: @kimberly.stuart.writes
Facebook: @AuthorKimberlyStuart
Youtube: Kimberly Stuart
I am grateful to have had a bevy of beautiful conversations this year, but my conversations with Mike Foster stand alone. They have changed me, changed the way I understand the world, and changed my relationships. CONVERSATIONS WITH MIKE FOSTER DO THIS, PEOPLE. I can’t wait for you to listen in on what Mike has learned over many years doing his valuable work and, in turn, what he’s able to teach us.
Known as the Mr. Rogers of self-development, Mike Foster is a best-selling author, speaker, and executive counselor empowering people to build strong lives by turning their setbacks into superpowers.
Mike is a Certified Experiential Specialist recognized by the International Society For Experiential Professionals. He is skilled in utilizing creativity and interactive elements to help people maximize their growth.
Like a grace-flavored snow cone on a hot, judgmental day, Mike’s chart-topping and highly acclaimed Fun Therapy podcast and STRONGEST workshop will give you the one-two punch you need to stop making excuses and start living a stronger, better life.
Mike is the author of several best-selling books including Freeway and Wonderlife. His wildly popular Five Dates fun-books for couples empowers relationships to build a strategy of togetherness. His new book The 7 Primal Questions: The Real Reason Why You Do Anything and How It Changes Everything will release in the summer of 2022.
His work has been featured on Good Morning America, FOXNews and the New York Times. He lives in San Diego with his wife Jennifer and their fluffy dog. You can find him online at MikeFoster.TV and @MikeFoster2000.
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Maria Durso is who I want to be when I grow up, including her hair. Maria met Jesus in a dramatic way and she never turned back. She and her husband Michael pastored Christ Tabernacle in Queens, New York, an outgrowth of Brooklyn Tabernacle, for over thirty years, She continues to lead in various capacities there when not speaking all over the world about her story and the compelling news of the Gospel. She is a force, friends, and I cannot wait for you to listen in on our conversation.
Maria Durso is living proof that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Having come from a childhood devastated by loss and abuse she grew up thinking she could mask her pain with drugs. Her lifestyle could have left her hopeless and alone—yet God kept and preserved Maria’s life.
Understanding firsthand the effects of abandonment, loneliness and rejection, she ministers to those whose hurt lies deep in the heart and works to minister to those who need hope. Armed with discernment, insight into the true character of God, honest about her own experience, and down to earth, Maria is an intercessor, teacher, and powerful speaker. Maria has published two books, From Your Head to Your Heart, and Ageless. God continues to open doors for her to minister in conferences, seminars, and retreats. Connect with her at MariaDurso.com and @MariaDurso129.
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Let’s talk about parenting and breast cancer and the pandemic and all the things that are distinctly PLAN B (C? D? Z?), but can we please figure out how to laugh about it? If that sounds like the way to go, you need to listen to my conversation with author Melanie Dale. Melanie’s newest book, Calm the Hck Down: How to Let Go and Lighten Up About Parenting* had me in stitches, even in the tough parts, which is, of course, the point. I think you are going to love hearing Melanie’s fantastic help on how to approach the life you’ve been given with laughter, honesty, and practical ways we can all lighten up.
Melanie is the author of four books, including her latest, Calm the Hck Down: How to Let Go and Lighten Up about Parenting*. She’s a writer for the TV series Creepshow and her essays are featured monthly at Coffee+Crumbs. For the last five years she played numerous zombies on The Walking Dead when she wasn’t writing or parenting her three kids from three different continents. You can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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On this episode of For Real, I learn a bunch from author Marcus Brotherton, whose new book, A Bright and Blinding Sun, tells the true story of an accidental hero. Marcus has written extensively about military heroes, and I loved learning about how he distills huge movements in history into stories that show the triumph of the human spirit. We also discuss the woes and joys of doing publicity for your work and how to maintain a healthy mindset when in the throes of a book launch. This is a must listen if you are an aspiring author!
Marcus Brotherton is a New York Times bestselling author and coauthor dedicated to writing books that inspire heroics, promote empathy, and encourage noble living. Four of Marcus’ books are New York Times bestsellers, five are national bestsellers, four have been optioned for movies, and one is an international bestseller. His books have also appeared on USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, and ECPA bestseller lists. Born in British Columbia, Marcus earned a bachelor’s degree from Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon, and a master’s degree from Biola University in Los Angeles, where he graduated with high honors. He lives with his wife and their three children in the Pacific Northwest. You can find Marcus online at MarcusBrotherton.com and @MarcusBrotherton.
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I have long loved and admired Sarah Bragg, so it was such a delight to have her join me on For Real! Sarah is the friend you want to move next door, fire up a pot of coffee, and put in a few hours of chatting on the front porch about what it’s really like to be a mom, writer, podcaster, and carpool driver. Sarah has a passion to help folks survive right where they are, and I know you’re going to love hearing her heart.
Sarah Bragg is a popular podcast host, communicator, and author. You can find her on iTunes hosting the podcast Surviving Sarah. She is also the author of A Mother’s Guide to Raising Herself: What Parenting Taught Me About Life, Faith and Myself. She is also a wife, mother of girls, and a creative entrepreneur. Sarah and her family reside in Tennessee. You can find more from her at SarahBragg.com and @sarahwbragg.
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On this episode of For Real, we dive into the potential minefields of sex and intimacy, and Sheila Gregoire was the perfect person to help us know better in order to do better. It was an honor to chat with Sheila, a woman who is on the front lines of bringing hope and freedom to some dark spots in the church. For her book The Great Sex Rescue, Sheila interviewed 20,000 Christian women, and her research illuminates both what we are doing well and how we can move toward a more life-enriching, healthy view of sex and relationships. I learned a ton from Sheila and her book, and I can’t wait for you to listen in on our conversation.
Sheila Wray Gregoire is the face behind To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, the largest single-blogger marriage blog. A sought-after speaker, she’s also an award-winning author of nine books, including The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex. Sheila has a Masters in Public Administration and Master of Arts in Sociology both from Queen’s University. Sheila built the successful blog, To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, with traffic of one million page views a month. Her email list is 45,000 strong and her social media reach is over 100,000. Her podcast, Bare Marriage, has more than 5,000 downloads each week. She is an award-winning author with seven royalty published books. A sought after speaker, Sheila has spoken at churches and conferences around the globe. She is a frequent contributor at Family Life Canada events. Her latest book, The Great Sex Rescue, was featured in the New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly, and Washington Post. She has bylines at Religion News Service, Relevant Magazine, and other news sources. Sheila and her husband Keith, a pediatrician, live in Belleville, Ontario. They have two grown daughters and one very adorable grandson who lives down the road. She enjoys hiking, birdwatching, RV camping trips, and board games. And she knits - even in line at the grocery store. Find her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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Katherine Wolf is the kind of friend who changes every lens of your life from lackluster to technicolor. If it feels like you’re in a moment where you could use a shot of courage and hope mixed with some seriously honest faith, then this is the conversation for you. Katherine knows what all those things truly mean, and I learned so much from her in our conversation.
Katherine is a communicator and advocate. She married her husband Jay in 2004 and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Their son, James was born in 2007, and six months later Katherine’s life nearly ended with a catastrophic stroke. Miraculously, she survived and continues her recovery to this day, including having a miracle baby, John in 2015. Katherine and Jay have shared their journey of steadfast hope through their books, Hope Heals and Suffer Strong, and at speaking events both live and online before millions. Together, they founded Hope Heals camp, a community for families with disabilities like them. Katherine, Jay and their two sons live in the Atlanta area. To connect, visit hopeheals.com or @hopeheals
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Ambassador John Cotton Richmond is a real-life superhero. He combats human trafficking and slavery, he loves his family and friends like a beast, and he does it all with humor and humility. The guy should wear a cape. What an honor to chat with him on this episode! I cannot wait for you to listen in on our hope-filled conversation.
Ambassador Richmond’s career has taken him to the front lines in the global battle against human trafficking. As a Partner at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, he focuses on the intersection between business and human rights. John advises companies on how to keep their supply chains free of forced labor and their workforces free of sex trafficking.
Before joining Dentons, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed John, and he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons from 2018 to 2021. Serving in the nation’s highest-ranking position dedicated to human trafficking, John led U.S. foreign policy related to modern slavery and coordinated the U.S. government’s response to the crime.
Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, John served for over a decade as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, where he prosecuted numerous victim-centered labor and sex trafficking cases. He also co-founded the Human Trafficking Institute and lived in India for three years pioneering International Justice Mission’s slavery work.
John has received numerous honors and commendations, including being named a “Prosecutor of the Year” and receiving the David Alred Award for exceptional contributions to civil rights. His work caused the former head of the FBI’s human trafficking program to call him “every trafficker’s worst nightmare.”
John received his undergraduate degree from the University of Mary Washington and his law degree from Wake Forest University. Ambassador Richmond is a writer and frequent speaker on topics of faith, justice, vocation, and parenting and is a Fellow at the C.S. Lewis Institute. He lives outside Washington, DC with his “Lovely and Talented” wife and their three robust and remarkable children. Find him on social media @JohnRichmond1.
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Jo Saxton is a force, and she leverages that force to lift up others. I really tried hard not to fangirl with Jo, and to her credit, she humored my frothing like the pro she is. She coaches us beautifully in this episode, helping us know how to lead well, love fiercely, and be a people who pour oxygen into the dreams of others. I cannot wait for you to listen in on our rich conversation.
Jo Saxton is an author, speaker, podcast host, and leadership coach. She has dedicated her career to growing leadership teams around the world and empowering women to find their purpose in their personal lives and in leadership.
Born in London to parents who immigrated from Nigeria, Jo credits her family’s unrelenting work ethic and the grace of God for the bold, tenacious approach she takes to sharing her wisdom on identity, influence, and living an authentic life. She is characterized by her effervescent honesty and warm approachability, leaving audiences with practical next steps in areas that are usually a bit ambiguous.
In her latest book, Ready to Rise: Own Your Voice, Gather Your Community, Step into Your Influence, Jo tackles the real life issues women face — workplace harassment, sexism, low self esteem, financial woes, power battles, and old wounds — to help move women beyond disempowerment and together to grow their grit. While providing meaningful wisdom from her own journey to leadership, Jo also adds stories of empowered women from the Bible. Readers will be empowering to change their landscape and build new communities where diverse female leadership can flourish.
Her previous book, More than Enchanting: Breaking Through Barriers to Influence Your World, discusses the role of women in church and society. While her book, The Dream of You: Let Go of Broken Identities and Live the Life You Were Made For helps readers address their past, accept their identity, and learn how to create a legacy they want. In addition to work as an author, Jo has also spearheaded an initiative aimed to help women grow their leadership skills.
Jo lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Chris, and their two daughters. Find her online at JoSaxton.com and @JoSaxton.
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What a total joy to chat with my friend Heather Gudenkauf about the ups and downs of a writer's life, the importance of family, and her new novel, The Overnight Guest. In addition to being a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Heather is absolutely one of the kindest people I know. She lives with open hands and a deep desire to lift others up. I think you'll love hearing our conversation.
Heather Gudenkauf is the Edgar Award nominated, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of eight novels. Her debut novel, The Weight of Silence, was an instant NYT bestseller and remained on the list for 22 weeks. Gudenkauf’s critically acclaimed novels have been published in over 20 countries and have been included in many Best Of lists including Seven Thrillers to Read This Summer by the New York Times, The 10 Best Thrillers and Mysteries of 2017 by The Washington Post, a Best Book of 2017 by NPR, and a Best Book for the Beach by ChicagoNow.com. Her upcoming novel, The Overnight Guest, will be released on Jan. 25, 2022. Find her online at heathergudenkauf.com and @Heathergudenkauf.
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Just in time for a brand new year! Jennifer Taylor Wagner is my guest on today’s episode, and she is the perfect person to help us look into 2022 with a holistic view of health and wellness. Jennifer’s new book, Your Good Body: Embracing a Body-Positive Mindset in a Perfection-Focused World, is just what we need as we reframe how we view weight and scales and food and feeling good in our own skin. I can’t wait for you to hear her story and her hard-earned wisdom.
Jennifer Taylor Wagneris a certified fitness instructor and successful blogger. She is passionate about challenging the way we think about health, wellness, and regularly writes on the topics of healthy living and body positivity. Whether it's hosting online webinars, speaking in churches, or chatting at MOPS meetings, she is committed to helping others find hope in their journey. Jennifer lives in Virginia with her husband, Phil and their two kids. Visit her online at jenniferwagner.co and @jennifertaylorwagner.
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What an absolutely fantastic way to end the year, with my mom buckling under my pressure to join me on the pod! Patti is wise and funny and beautiful, all things I want to be when I grow up. She won’t be the first to say it, so I will: The woman is a legend. For forty years, she nurtured a family, a marriage, a home, and a deep faith while also flourishing in a career as a professional violinist. These days, when I think about all the things she balanced, it makes me instantly tired and in need of a robust nap. My mom has been married to my dad for 51 years, and they have taught me all I know about loving each other well and still laughing like teenagers after decades together. This conversation was a Christmas gift to me, and I can’t wait for you to listen in.
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What an absolute unicorn-sighting-level treat to have Maria Goff on For Real! MARIA GOFF, YOU GUYS!! Maria has been a steadfast friend and mentor to me. She is the person I go to for real-world advice on family, parenting, and how to make life more beautiful. She is honest and warm and true to the bones. I can’t wait for you to get to listen in on our conversation.
Maria Goff has made a career out of loving her family, serving her neighbors, and turning houses and retreat centers into restful places. She is married to Bob Goff, whom she calls the most helpful and interesting man in the world. They’ve journeyed to Uganda, Nepal, and Northern Iraq to start schools for marginalized kids. They have three adult kids, who are starting families of their own. She lives in San Diego where she and Bob continue to dream about fun and adventures yet to be had with their growing family. Find Maria at LoveLivesHereBook.com and on Instagram @SweetMariaGoff.
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This conversation was a really deep breath in and then out again. Stefanie Boyce is the best teacher of how to swim through the most treacherous, overwhelming waters and emerge with robust hope and honest faith. I hope you grab hold of her words and don’t let go.
Stefanie Boyce is a speaker, yoga instructor, spiritual director, and director of The Oaks, a retreat center designed to help people create, rest, and celebrate in Southern California. In her honest, real-life approach that people have come to love, audiences have found encouragement, inspiration, and renewed hope. Guiding others from a perspective birthed out of her own journey of pain and loss, she encourages others to find beauty in difficult circumstances. In 2019, Stefanie launched her first business, The Inner Sanctuary, hosting workshops, retreats, yoga instruction, and private consultation. Blending her creative passions, psychology degree, church staff experience, and training in spiritual direction and yoga, Stefanie loves holding space for others to get curious, dig deep, and grow. She is a wife and mother to three: Ellie, her brother Jayden and sister Brooklyn, both home in heaven.
Learn more about The Oaks at OaksCenter.com and on Instagram @TheOaksCenter.
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If you are in need of some laughter and whimsy and a reminder of what’s good, this conversation with my friend Taylor Hughes is the ticket. Taylor is a magician, a keynote speaker, and an author, and he tells a great story. I can’t wait for you to listen in.
Taylor Hughes fell in love with the art of illusion when his parents bought him a magic kit for his seventh birthday. More than thirty years and 3,000 shows later, Taylor has become known for his signature style of Magic Storytelling. He is a favorite at Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle, a highly sought-after Keynote Presenter, and his Comedy Magic Special Chasing Wonder is streaming now. His brand-new book Road to Wonder released on September 14, 2021, and is now available everywhere books are sold.
Taylor is married to his high school sweetheart Katie, and they live in Southern California with their two daughters Madelyn and Kennedy. Find him on Instagram @MagicStoryteller and TaylorHughes.com.
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This episode! Yowza. It is definitely one to put on your "listen-again-when-I-have-to-remember-what's-important" list, friends. For years, Jennifer Dukes Lee has been living out the heartbeat of her call to grow slow, right where we are. She is doing this countercultural thing, and we can too. I learned so much from her in this conversation and in her book, Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl, and I can't wait for you to listen in from the fields where you are planting today.
Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn't believe in Jesus; now he's her CEO. Find Jennifer at JenniferDukesLee.com and on Instagram at @JenniferDukesLee.
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Nicole Baart is a gem of gems. She writes beautiful books, she lives (and tells) rich and worthy stories, and she shares my love of Dutch pastries. You need to be her friend. Nicole's new novel, her TENTH (!), releases soon, and after loving every single one of her books, I think this one, Everything We Didn't Say, is my very favorite. I think you're going to love eavesdropping on our conversation.
Nicole Baart is the New York Times bestselling author of the upcoming Everything We Didn’t Say (11/2/21), a Book of the Month selection, You Were Always Mine, and Little Broken Things (available now). She lives in Iowa with her husband, five children, two turtles, and their beloved dog. Learn more at NicoleBaart.com.
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Kayla Craig is smart, sassy, deeply rooted in a rich faith, and a beautiful writer. She also does a lot of laundry at her house and loves her husband, kids, and community with wild abandon. In short, you and I want to be her friend. Kayla's new book, To Light Their Way, is absolutely luminous, and it gives words to us in moments we just can't find any on our own. I think you'll love listening in on our conversation.
A former journalist, Kayla Craig is adamant about paying attention and embracing curiosity in her work as a writer and podcast producer. She writes nuanced, nurturing prayers at Liturgies for Parents on Instagram and co-founded the Upside Down Podcast, a place for ecumenical conversations on faith and justice. She is also a podcast producer for Sacred Ordinary Days. Kayla and her pastor-husband, Jonny, live in Iowa, where they're raising four young kids who joined their family via birth and adoption. When she's not playing LEGOs with her sons or advocating for her daughter with disabilities, Kayla can be found sipping strong coffee. You can connect with Kayla at kaylacraig.com and on Instagram @kayla_craig and @liturgiesforparents.
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My guest for Episode Brand-Spanking-New-Number-One of For Real is the unparalleled Bob Goff. Bob is the New York Times bestselling author of a bunch of books that have changed the way I think and live, including Love Does, Everybody Always, Live in Grace, Walk in Love, and Dream Big. He is an internationally beloved speaker and the founder of Love Does, a nonprofit human rights organization operating in Uganda, India, Nepal, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In his spare time (!), Bob is the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Uganda, co-owner of The Oaks, podcaster to millions, husband to Maria, dad of three, and grandpa of one with one on the way.
Bob does not nap.
I hang out with Bob through our work coaching and leading writing workshops together, and I can just assure you that I take notes every single time. Our conversation in this episode was no exception. It is rich with Bob’s hard-won wisdom and experience, and we cover everything from faith to parenting adult kids to how to really see people well. And chickens. We talk about chickens.
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For Real with Kimberly Stuart invites listeners to eavesdrop on conversations with folks who live and love well, create beautiful things, teach us a ton, and let us in on what they know. Never one for successful small talk (JUNIOR HIGH WAS A STRUGGLE), Kim asks her guests to get right to it, mining stories of honesty and courage and finding plenty of snort-laughter and tears along the way. They tackle faith and grit and joy and sorrow—all of it, even the ugly parts— and leave us with hope and renewed perspective to walk the stretch of road that's ours alone. For more on Kim and her books, visit KimberlyStuart.com.