Welcome to People Watching!
My guest today is Rachel Hastings.
I've known Rachel for almost ten years now, ever since we started working together in 2015. Getting to know each other through different seasons has built a cherished friendship that continues to evolve.
In this second half of our conversation, we dig even more into self-awareness, identity, and the complexities of relationships and power dynamics. We explore the importance of showing up authentically in various roles, Rachel’s challenges of parenting with love and acceptance, and the significance of community and connection in a digital age. I love how Rachel emphasizes the need for self-interrogation and the courage to navigate personal and societal expectations.
Rachel holds two master's degrees, and has worked in professional Christian ministry and in higher education before transitioning into the publishing industry. She is now Assistant Academic Editorial Director for InterVarsity Press. She attempts to be a soccer mom to three kids, while also finding time to read, cook, walk her dog, and watch horror films.
As in every conversation I have with Rachel, we cover a lot of ground--from parenting to the American evangelical church to what it means to stay true to self even while inhabiting so many different roles in life.
The themes of self-awareness and self-interrogation came up over and over again throughout our conversation. I'm going to be thinking a lot about how that posture and practice shows up, not just in my own life, but in others' lives as well. I'm honestly super impressed that we managed to have this conversation with a lot less cursing than we normally do.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
Let’s be hopeful, creative, and wise—together.
Shalom,
Chapters
00:00 Welcome & Conversation Touchstones
03:52 Identifying Green Flags in Systems of Power
09:07 Stewarding Power and Leadership
12:08 The Challenge of Being True to Self
19:20 The Work of Love in Parenting
24:03 Relationships On & Off-Line
31:06 Power, Platforms, and Personal Formation
36:41 Different Kinds of Proximity in Relationships
42:09 The Most Helpful Thing
44:55 Best, Worst, and Thanksgiving Tacos
49:17 Connecting with Rachel
52:07 Outro
Watch on YouTube!
Links Mentioned
* Scott Erickson art print: https://shorturl.at/j7mSD
* Consolations, by David Whyte: https://shorturl.at/moQJd
* Caesar & the Lamb, by George Kalantzis: https://shorturl.at/oQXJH
Other Places to Find Rachel
* Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/racheldhastings.bsky.social
* X https://x.com/rhastings1987?s=21
* Email rhastings@ivpress.com
Support the Podcast!
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