Shows
Mess Makes MeaningSelf-Regulation with Kathleen CrevasseJust in time for the chaos of the season! What is self-regulation, and how do we model that for our children? Join Joy and Raenelle as they interview Kathleen Crevasse on this concept and learn how to offer yourself some compassion in the process.
2025-12-0127 minMess Makes MeaningRisky Play - Don't say "be careful"!Joy Studer interviews Rachel Ramsden, an advocate of Risky Play from the Play Outside Lab in Vancouver, BC. Find out how, as the parents/caregivers and educators living and working with children, we can support their "Risky Play" for their benefit. What do we say instead of "be careful!"Child in Nature Alliance
2025-11-0132 minMess Makes MeaningGentle Parenting, Permissive, or Authoritarian With Rev. Harrison LitzellRev. Harrison Litzell brings his gifts and insights into this episode, focusing on parenting styles, Gentle Parenting, Permissive Parenting, and Authoritarian Parenting, and we have a FREE webinar for any and all to join on October 28th, 1 p.m. EST. Click HERE to register yourself or friends in your community for this special event!
2025-10-0136 minMess Makes MeaningFamily Liturgy---Part 2Diving into an interview with our "man behind the scenes" in creating the Family Liturgy, meet Aaron Niequist. Aaron is a musically talented artist whose creativity knows no bounds. Click HERE to become a free member of Everyday Godly Play and get the morning "Breathe in" and evening "Breathe out" liturgies!
2025-09-1922 min
Mess Makes MeaningFamily Liturgy---- Part 1This episode is a sneak peek into the Family Liturgy created by the Everyday Godly Play Project. More information will be coming soon. Enjoy!
2025-09-0106 minMess Makes MeaningPassive TechnologyKaren-Marie Yust talks to us about "Passive Technology" and the band-aid to boredom it can be. We are incredibly grateful for the ideas and concepts she shares, as well as the thought process that perhaps Passive Technology isn't a bad thing sometimes.
2025-08-0127 min2025-07-0140 min
Mess Makes MeaningHealthy Sports Parents with Jonathan CaroneBeing a parent with children in todays very active and demanding world of athletics can be overwhelming. Jonathan Carone, creator of the "Healthy Sports Parents" is making sense out of this time of life. Come have a listen and soak in this reminder that we are not alone in the messy yet meaningful aspects of parenting today. Healthy Sports Parents
2025-06-011h 10Mess Makes MeaningParenting: The Complex and Beautiful Vocation of Raising Children by Holly Taylor CoolmanHolly Taylor Coolman gifts us with insights in this theologically rich conversation on parenting now and her book Parenting: The Complex and Beautiful Vocation of Raising Children.
2025-05-0146 min
Mess Makes MeaningBless This Mess with Rev. Molly Baskette and Ellen O’DonnnellRev. Molly Baskette and child psychologist Ellen O’Donnnell, the co-authors of Bless This Mess, A Modern Guide to Faith and Parenting in a Chaotic WorldFor a relatable, at many times humorous, and helpful guide this episode takes pieces of the book, Bless This Mess, and addresses some of the parenting concerns at the forefront of our minds. Enjoy!
2025-04-0146 min
Mess Makes MeaningThe Book of Belonging with author Mariko Clark and illustrator Rachel EleanorIncredible creators of the Book of Belonging, author Mariko Clark and illustrator Rachel Eleanor. "The Book of Belonging is designed for families seeking a Bible storybook that reflects the diversity of God’s people and for every reader seeking a more expansive and wondrous view of God. The thoughtful text and rich illustrations present some of Scripture’s most important and overlooked stories—including many female-centered ones—alongside old favorites reimagined to convey greater inclusivity, diversity, and historical representation. Through narratives, mindful practices, and guided wonder moments, children and grown-ups alike will learn who God is and be remind...
2025-03-011h 34
Mess Makes MeaningRage Prayers with author Rev. Elizabeth RileyRAGE PRAYERS originally came out of an off-handed tiktok - inviting people to reject toxic positivity in faith. Christianity is full of practices focused on positivity. Rage prayer is anything but that. Our relationship with God is not hindered but deepened when we bring our whole selves: gratitude and sorrow, joy and rage, and everything in between.Dive into a fun and very real episode with Joy, Raenelle, and the Reverend Elizabeth Riley!Learn more about Rage Prayers HERE
2025-02-0133 minMess Makes MeaningHow to "see" our Teens, Dr. ChanDr. Michael Chan talks to us about the importance of walking alongside Youth as they navigate their faith journey during a time of life that can be challenging. How do we honor their stories? Dr. Chan gives beautiful insights into this discussion on letting your light shine. Dr. Chan joined the Concordia College community in June 2022 as the executive director for faith and learning. Prior to that, he was associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He joined Luther Seminary after completing his Ph.D. at Emory University and a year of r...
2025-01-0121 minMess Makes MeaningSpiritual Conversations with Children with Lacy Finn BorgoIn this episode we hear from Lacy Finn Borgo, who dives into her insights on spiritual conversations with children. What better time to discuss as we enter into the mystery of Christmas. Click HERE to learn more about Lacy and her work.
2024-12-0136 minMess Makes MeaningSacred Spaces within the Home with Jill GidlundGodly Play Trainer, Jill Gidlund, talks to us about sacred spaces within the home. Details on how to make home altars and a reminder to be present. Enjoy this gift of an episode!
2024-11-0133 minMess Makes MeaningGrief with Jessica Field*Warning: This episode can be triggering. Grief. This topic can be taboo with kids, but that doesn't mean it isn't real. Join us as we get emotional talking with our expert guest Jessica Field and find out what we as the parents/caregivers who treasure our children can do when it comes to grief.Guest: Jessica Field MPS, is a Spiritual Wellness Coach for individuals and groups. She builds off of her diverse experience in trauma, mental health, social services, and spiritual care to walk with others through grief, forgiveness, purpose, and joy. To...
2024-10-0131 minMess Makes MeaningFamily Rhythms with Godly Play StaffJoin the Godly Play Foundation staff as they talk about the ups and downs of leaving summer, greeting fall, and implementing family rhythms to have their kids feel as supported as they can be during this change of season. Stay tuned for the blessing at the end of each episode because that is especially for you, the parents/caregivers listening. You are enough. You are loved. For Wondering prompts to do with your family at the table, bedtime, or in the car, text "WONDER" to (833)359-7488I wonder what family rhythm your family likes best
2024-09-0134 minMess Makes MeaningPower in Silence with Melinda Wenner BradleyOn this episode we talk with Melinda Wenner Bradley (she/her) about the importance of silence. Melinda is a licensed Godly Play Trainer and the Director of Communications and Training for Faith & Play Stories. Since 2005, she has been sharing Godly Play and Faith & Play stories in children's programs, intergenerational worship, school classrooms, teacher workshops, and international travel in the ministry among Quakers. Her teaching ministry weaves together interests in children’s spiritual lives, program development, and support for families and teachers in faith communities and schools. Melinda advocates shifting religious formation away from scholastic models and toward ex...
2024-08-0131 minMess Makes MeaningPlay with Rev. Dr. Lakisha LockhartRev. Dr. Lakisha R. Lockhart is a mother, wife, daughter, sister, former Zumba instructor, Womanist and coolest auntie around. She believes in the power of play, movement, aesthetics, and creative arts in life and in theology, using the body as a locus for theological reflection. She is a consultant, executive secretary for the Religious Education Association, and in her professorial role as Assistant Professor of Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary she is not only a teacher, but a facilitator, rope jumper, game-player, advocate and catalyst for critical consciousness and engagement in educating in faith and...
2024-07-0130 minMess Makes MeaningFive Love Languages of Children with Dr. Jennifer Thomas5 Love Languages of Children expert Dr. Jennifer Thomas dives deep into the possible love languages of children and how we can apply this knowledge as the parents and caregivers.
2024-06-0140 minMess Makes MeaningChurch Hurt and Mental Health with Dr. Jessica Young BrownAs we step into Mental Health Awareness Month, we're thrilled to have Dr. Jessica Young Brown join us on the podcast! 🌟 We're talking about important topics like mental health in the church and religious-related trauma. You won't want to miss this insightful conversation!Dr. Jessica is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her passion lies in making mental health accessible and equitable, especially for marginalized communities. With expertise in areas like racism's impact on mental health and the intersection of faith and mental well-being, Dr. Brown brings a wealth of kno...
2024-05-0131 minMess Makes MeaningEvery Season Sacred with Kayla CraigKayla Craig is the insta-famous creator of Liturgies for Parents and the author of Every Season Sacred. Kayla has such a beautiful way of speaking to the heart of parents who have a love of faith and their children and want to connect the two.
2024-04-0133 minMess Makes MeaningScience and Spirituality with Daniel WolpertDuring this episode, Daniel Wolpert talks through Christianity in an Age of Science and the road blocks Christians can some times go up against around this topic. Dan is the Executive Director and co-founder of MICAH, the Minnesota Institute for Contemplation and Healing, he is a spouse, partner, ally, activist, and dad. Dan has been a student of the spiritual life since age 21 and has taught in the fields of psychology and spiritual formation in numerous settings. In addition to his retreat and teaching work, Dan provides counseling and spiritual direction services at MICAH. He is also the a...
2024-03-0143 minMess Makes MeaningWoven in Trust with Meredith MillerGodly Play Foundation brings us an heart-opening interview full of aha moments with the incredible Pastor Meredith Miller, author of "Woven: Nurturing a Faith your Kid Doesn't Have to Heal From." Meredith offers us a different way of looking at strengthening our relationship and our children's relationships with God. Find more of Meredith's resources on here website: https://meredithannemiller.com/
2024-02-0133 minMess Makes MeaningFresh Starts with Ellie RoscherHAPPY NEW YEAR! Now is the time of fresh starts, but also, how do we honor where we are? We were honored to speak with our guest Ellie Roscher. Ellie is the author of Remarkable Rose, The Embodied Path, 12 Tiny Things, Play Like a Girl and How Coffee Saved My Life. Her writing also appears in the Baltimore Review, Eunoia Review, Mothering Spirit, Inscape Magazine, and elsewhere. Ellie teaches yoga and writing in Minneapolis. She holds an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in Theology from Luther Seminary.
2024-01-0138 minMess Makes MeaningPresence over Presents with Cynthia Williams InskoIn our first episode we dive into the busy holiday season and how the Reverend Cynthia Williams Insko offers tips and tricks for being present with our children in the mess of it all. From practical tips to AHA moments, Joy and Raenelle truly soaked up this information and can't wait to implement these ideas in our own households.
2023-11-1025 minMess Makes MeaningWelcome with Joy and RaenelleWelcome to Mess Makes Meaning with Joy and Raenelle. Brought to you by the Godly Play Foundation, we are here as fellow parents who understand we all want to nurture our children's spirituality, but life is messy and some times finding the meaning in that mess is hard. We will talk with guests each episode who have insight into ways we can care for our children while caring for ourselves as we make meaning together through narrative, wonder, rhythm and play.
2023-11-1002 min