Today's episode, we're trying something different. I'm sending you a postcard from my living room, sharing about the little happenings that make up a day. Bird calls, sunlight, mid-afternoon brownies... it all makes a life. Maybe you can send a postcard back if you're inspired!

Further Resources

Merlin Bird ID app - Cornell Lab

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my old friend Matthew Clark, a storyteller at heart. We met at a Laity Lodge arts retreat 11 years ago, near the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Frio River.

Matthew is a singer-songwriter and author from Mississippi, where he shares his day-to-day life (and morning coffee) with his brother, a ceramic artist.

Matthew’s journey to becoming a full-time artist is marked by faith and resilience. Along the way, he navigated the disorienting grief of divorce yet discovered the surprising, steady love of Jesus. His story reminds us that healing is always possible, though it often takes longer than we expect.

We also get a preview of Where the River Goes, the final chapter in his book and album trilogy, releasing on April 17.

Happy listening!

Further Resources

Matthew Clark’s Website

Matthew’s Instagram

Matthew’s Podcast - S5, E5: The (Understandable) Life of Cynicism and the Reality of Hope

Laity Lodge

The Rabbit Room

Cultivating Magazine

John 4 - The Woman at the Well

Jim Wilder, Christian neurologist and teacher

Support Matthew!

Become a patron to support Matthew’s art + ministry!

Matt Nash has served over 30 years in local churches as a Youth Pastor, Associate, and Lead Pastor. The two of us met online through mutual friends from The Way Back to Ourselves: a community of writers and fellow Jesus lovers.

Right now, Matt's finishing his Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership and recently founded Kardia Community, which offers spiritual mentorship to others.

In this conversation, we talk about his UK-based retreats, writing, and trading certainty for mystery + wonder.

Matt also offers a free, 1-hour exploratory session on Zoom to anyone interested in receiving spiritual direction.

Happy listening!

Further Resources

⁠⁠Matt’s Instagram

⁠⁠Matt’s Substack⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Schedule a free spiritual direction session with Matt through ⁠Kardia Community⁠

Fr. Ronald Rolheiser

Author, Brian McClaren

Episcopal church

Beholding by Strahan Coleman

Commoners Communion

The Way Back to Ourselves community

The Second Cup community

If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it. —Richard Rohr

Matthew 11:28–30: The unforced rhythms of grace

Lectio Divina Prayer

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson

Prayer of Examen

In our first Tuesday Thought of 2025, Bailey shares a short story and invites us to reflect on this question: What if it all works out? Although our brains and bodies are more likely to remember negative experiences, believing for good is deeply important. She leaves us with a blessing from Lamentations 3:21-26.

Happy listening!

Further Resources

Instagram: @baileylgillespie⁠

⁠Bailey's writings on Substack

Psalm 23, NLT

Lamentations 3:21-26, NLT⁠

Music copyrighted by Simon Wester (Stay Here)

Sarah Clarkson is an author living in Oxford, England with her Dutch husband (an Anglican priest) and four hobbit-like children.

Her work centers on beauty, theology, suffering, and story. In her book,Reclaiming Quiet, she explores how quiet is not a discipline we attain but a home we return to—one that helps us grow a listening heart in a loud, disordered world.

She’s also a Tolkien enthusiast, which I couldn’t love more. 💛

In this episode, we talk about:

• Treasuring our longings

• Being rooted in God amidst unraveling ideas

• Oxford life + library cards

• Having an imagination for love and hope

Happy listening!

Dr. Erin Ambrose is a licensed therapist and the director of Jessup University’s traditional undergraduate psychology program.

In this episode, she shares her story of unexpectedly being called to psychology and teaching, surviving cancer, and finding a meaningful, Christ-centered career helping others flourish in mind, body, and spirit.

She also never misses a day of exercise!

One of my favorite parts of our conversation is when Erin shares three paths people can take to expand their social circles, find support, or get professional help if they feel lonely or stuck. She reminds us that we ALL need community. Sometimes, we have the gift of bringing the light to others, and other times, we’ll get to receive it instead. 💛

Further Resources

Read more about Erin

Biopsychosocial Spiritual Model

Jessup University’s School of Psychology

The Dark Night of the Soul by Gerald G. May, M.D.

Patient Trust - Prayer

Caroline Williams is a leading voice in the faith-based approach to yoga. Several years ago, she founded the Yoga Abbey, an at-home yoga sanctuary of peace, presence, and belonging for the lover of God searching for embodied faith. Her popular videos and programs have brought peace to thousands of people. Now, she has passed on leadership of the Yoga Abbey to someone new so she can focus on motherhood and writing.

In this episode, we explore the benefits of movement, why Christians can find value in practicing yoga, the ways God mothers us, and how our understanding of health and well-being shifts in different seasons of life. Caroline also leads us through a guided prayer to center us in God’s love and bring calm to the day. I hope you love it! 💛

Further Resources:

Caroline’s website

Caroline’s Instagram

Caroline’s YouTube Channel: Should Christians Do Yoga?: Part 1

Caroline’s Substack: Mother, God

Domestic Monastery Book

God’s Loving Gaze (Ignatian Practice)

James Finley, Author of Christian Meditation

Simon Wester's Music

Sleeping at Last's Music

The Yoga Abbey

Taylor Parra has strong feelings about plants, honey, memes, and rest. As a beekeeper and owner of The Local Wild, she crafts medicinal honey—“electuaries”—for a tasty, ancient way to get your daily herbs. We talk about how bees are akin to humans, and she makes a case for winter, sharing why surrendering ourselves to the natural seasons (especially those we may not enjoy) is necessary for our souls. We also talk about her evolving faith journey and how she and her husband became reenchanted with God after being disillusioned by the American church.

Taylor is such a kindred spirit. She’s hilarious, and we could have talked for hours. Belonging to a generation where so many are wounded, weary, and disenchanted, her voice is a needed one that reawakens us to the wonder and magic of living. 🐝🌿🕯️✨🍯

Further Resources

A Liturgy for the Keeping of Bees, Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey

New electuary blends: Belly Balance, Eros, Awake & Ready

Practicing the Way Resources

Sacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year Around Jesus

Bailey Gillespie on Instagram

Bailey Gillespie on Substack

Listen to Your Life Podcast on Instagram