There’s a video going around about a Florida teacher who spends ten minutes every morning encouraging his students that inspired me in my practice of shalom with the kids. Like most kids, my guys wake up for school in a stank mood. They do not want to go. They’re done. and I get it. I’m careening towards my own version of worst end of the school year mom. But, I saw this video last week and thought myself, what if... Read more
Hey Sistas, Cara and I had a blast talking about “Bad Feminist” written by Roxane Gay on the podcast today. A collection of essays spanning politics, criticism, and feminism from one of the most-watched young cultural observers of her generation, Roxane Gay. “Pink is my favorite color. I used to say my favorite color was black to be cool, but it is pink—all shades of pink. If I have an accessory, it is probably pink. I... Read more
My guest on the podcast this week is Kori Williamson. I learned so much from her. She’s thoughtful, kind, and you’re going to wanna run out to Lowe’s and get a compost bin. You know, tomorrow is Earth Day and I never know what to do! I know that when we think about Shalom, we think about wholeness in our relationships, in systems, and the Earth itself, but that last part feels so inaccessible to me. What does recycling... Read more
The first episode of the Shalom in the City’s books club episode. In the book club episode, Cara and I discuss, “The Light of the World”, by Elizabeth Alexander. In THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, Elizabeth Alexander finds herself at an existential crossroads after the sudden death of her husband. Channeling her poetic sensibilities into a rich, lucid price, Alexander tells a love story that is, itself, a story of loss. As she reflects on the beauty of... Read more
My guest on the podcast this week is Margot Starbuck. I love Margot so much. She’s funny and whip-smart and you’re going to love my conversation with her about her community, “North Street Neighborhood”, a neuro-diverse community built around person with disability. We break down some terms and she gives us the most incredibly Shalom Steps. You know, I sometimes feel so out of depth when it comes to being a good friend to persons with disabilities. But by the... Read more
My guest on the podcast this week is Kristin Schlle. Y’all. She’s kind and welcoming and incredibly generous, not just with her time, but her encouragement too. I hope you take a listen because she’s also incredibly practical on the topic of hospitality which is the practice of Shalom she’s most passionate about. You may know Kristin as the “Turquoise Table Lady”, she’s the founder of the Turquoise Table movement. She put a picnic table in her front yard,... Read more
It’s 6am and the kiddos are asleep. In fact, everyone is asleep. I’m the only morning person in the Moore House. There are so many things I could do in those first quiet moments of the morning, like check Facebook or fold a load of laundry, but ever since I started attending that Bible Study that worries me, I’m eager to ignore my phone and stumble into the living room for my morning “quiet time”. You know, I really hate... Read more
My guest on the podcast this week is Kathy Escobar. Y’all. She is wise and funny and so, so thoughtful. You’re going to love everything she has to say about having hard conversations with people we disagree with and what peacemaking is (and is not). We both share a passion to take big concepts (like Shalom, like unity, like reconciliation, you know…so meta ;)) and making them practical so that we can actually live them out. She tells us about... Read more
Yesterday, I sent a truly terrifying text: “I think I want to join your bible study.” This text has been locked and loaded in my mind for months. I’ve wanted to join this group of women for their weekly bible studies ever since we moved to L.A. The women in leadership are kind and smart and welcoming. I can tell from the newsletters that they’re also thoughtful and I suspect a ton of fun. So, the group itself, I’m not... Read more
If you’ve listened to the podcast you know that I’m starting a book club! Every month, I’m teaming up with my dear friend, Cara Meredith to discuss one book that we think has (or will) make us better Shalom Sistas. We’re Voxer buddies and one week we started talking about our personal reading challenges- she’s #readingforchange and I’m trying to read more books written by African-American women and/or have black protagonists. When we realized we were reading the same kind... Read more
Shalom in the City
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