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Welcome to Stories & Other Things Holy! This week, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a powerful story about Sister Joan Chittister’s experience during a near-crisis on a plane, where she moves from saying a prayer to becoming a prayer. In conversation with Joshua Minden, they explore:

The difference between saying prayers and becoming a prayer
How suffering and desperation deepen our connection with God
The significance of the body in prayer and the incarnation
Why memorizing prayers can become an embodied spiritual practice
This episode invites you to reflect on how grace moves through us, even in moments of fear or uncertainty.

Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B.
Book: The Time Is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage https://amzn.to/3UUs5Li
Book: The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life https://amzn.to/3Z8C9Tw


💬 Share this episode with friends and loved ones, and let us know what grace stirs in your heart.
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Let’s continue the conversation and hunt for grace together. #StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #PrayerInAction #BecomingAPrayer #SpiritualReflection #JoanChittister

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Welcome to Stories & Other Things Holy! In this episode, Terry Nelson-Johnson and host Joshua Minden take us on a journey inspired by an encounter on a hot summer hike. A dad and son fully committed to “hunting for everything” becomes a powerful reminder to open our eyes and hearts to the grace surrounding us. Terry reflects on the idea of hunting for grace in everyday life and how these simple, joyful moments hold unexpected wisdom.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How a hiking story reveals hidden layers of grace
• Reflections on making “belief” and embracing a sense of wonder
• The power of grace in everyday encounters and relationships
• A call to see the world through eyes ready to seek and find grace everywhere

Thank you for being part of Stories & Other Things Holy. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to follow along with each story and reflection, and check out our website StoriesandOtherThingsHoly.com for additional reflections, prompts, and more.

💬 Share this episode with friends and loved ones, and join us in hunting for grace in your own life. #StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #FindingGrace #EverydayMiracles #SpiritualReflections

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Welcome to Stories & Other Things Holy! This episode invites us to laugh, reflect, and find holiness in our shared experience of aging. Terry Nelson-Johnson brings us a hilarious gym story that leads to a powerful reflection on what it means to embrace our limits with grace. With Joshua Minden, they discuss the beauty of getting older, accepting our diminishing abilities, and finding humor in life's inevitable changes.

Join us as we explore:

• The spiritual insights of aging and diminishment
• How humor and laughter can open us to grace
• The cultural obsession with youth and its impact on our souls
• Embracing the mystery of life and death

Remember to sign up for our email newsletter at StoriesandOtherThingsHoly.com for additional reflections and "grace-ercises" to deepen your spiritual practice. If you’d like to support our mission, visit our website’s support page.

Thank you for being here. Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with those you love. Let’s keep the conversation going!

The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition (Amazon)

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In this excerpt from Episode 2 of Stories and Other Things Holy, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a powerful story that reminds us of a simple yet profound truth: we often forget to look up. Through humor and insight, Terry paints a picture of how our routines and habits can blind us to the beauty and grace constantly surrounding us. This story is an invitation to pay attention—to see God’s presence in our everyday lives, as Terry shares the story of a biker who never looks up, missing the beauty around him.

If this story resonated with you, watch the full episode to join Terry and Joshua as they dive even deeper into how we can open our eyes, our hearts, and our minds to the gifts of grace around us every day. 🌄

Listen to the full episode here: podcast.storiesandotherthingsholy.com

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Welcome to Stories and Other Things Holy! This week, join host Joshua Minden and principal storyteller Terry Nelson-Johnson as they explore how easy it is to miss the beauty and grace woven into everyday life. Through Terry’s story about two friends on a biking trip, we’re invited to consider the importance of "looking up" and noticing the world around us, an act that reminds us of God's constant presence and the gifts He places in our path.

Together, Joshua and Terry discuss:

• The importance of paying attention and being present
• How routine and familiarity can desensitize us to the beauty around us
• The concept of grace as a feast that we are constantly invited to attend
• Practical ways to develop eyes to see grace in the ordinary moments

Additional Resources: Visit our website for further reflection prompts, journaling exercises, and additional content that helps you live into this week's story.

Stay Connected: For more episodes, reflections, and inspiration, subscribe to our channel and join our email list at storiesandotherthingsholy.com. Don't forget to share this episode and invite friends to discover the joy of being present.

Thank you for joining us for Stories and Other Things Holy!

Book: Learning to Fall by Philip Simmons

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Welcome to the Episode 1 of Stories and Other Things Holy, where we dive into stories that challenge, connect, and reveal our shared humanity. In this episode, Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a personal story about a transformative experience during a vacation that reshaped his prayer life and understanding of God's presence. From the moment of our first breath to our last, Terry reflects on the idea that our very life is suspended between God’s breath. As he recounts the impact of this insight, we explore how storytelling itself can be a healing, sacred act.

🔑 In this episode, we discuss:

• How a simple spiritual insight became a visceral, life-changing experience
• The power of breath as a connection to God
• The healing and renewing nature of retelling stories
• Reflections on the intimate relationship between prayer and presence

🎧 Tune in and reflect on:

• What stories are stirring within you?
• How can your breath remind you of God's ever-present love?

Grace-ercises:
Visit storiesandotherthingsholy.com to access written reflections and prompts to deepen your experience with this episode.

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Don’t let the conversation stop here! Follow us on our journey by subscribing to our newsletter for weekly updates, reflections, and exclusive content. Share the stories with friends, family, and your community!

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🎙️ Stories and Other Things Holy - Preview Episode | A New Storytelling Podcast

Join host Joshua Minden and principal storyteller Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson in this special inaugural episode of Stories and Other Things Holy. Joshua and Terry discuss the early inspirations for the podcast, sharing their passion for storytelling as a profound means of connection, healing, and spiritual reflection. Together, they delve into the importance of stories in grounding theology, revealing holiness in the every day, and shaping our understanding of the sacred. Listen in for a heartfelt exploration that invites listeners to find the holy within their own stories.

Episode Highlights:

• How Joshua and Terry’s collaboration began and evolved into Stories and Other Things Holy.
• Terry's journey from an unexpected commencement speech to becoming a sought-after storyteller.
• The meaning behind the title "Stories and Other Things Holy" and its significance.
• Joshua’s experience reconnecting with his Cherokee roots and the spiritual insights he gained.
• The power of story as a sacred practice, and its place in theology and personal growth.
• A personal story from Terry that underscores the value of shared human experience.

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Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly reflections and Grace-ercises:
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