Shows
Coaching in Higher EducationCoaching in Small and Liberal Arts Colleges | Dr. Sarah Westfall (S1 E05)In this episode, Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Sarah Westfall discuss the unique dynamics of coaching in higher education, particularly within liberal arts colleges. They explore the relationship-driven culture of small colleges, the challenges coaches face in navigating these relationships, and the importance of assessments in coaching.Dr. Westfall also shares insights on transitioning to executive roles, career support, and the cyclical nature of job searches in higher education. The conversation emphasizes the need for coaches to be informed and respectful of the distinct environment of small colleges.Companion Site: https://leadershipimagined.com/podcast...
2026-01-2728 min
The Table PodcastNetworking Smarter, Not Harder with Sarah Gemmell | Ep. 35On today's episode we are joined by networking queen and coach, Sarah Gemmell. Sarah became the queen of networking from building her previous fitness business to a global platform using networking as a main lead generator but also from helping hundreds of business owners generate hundreds of thousands of dollars through quality connections, introductions and referrals. She has created a ground-breaking networking strategy that dives deep into the nuances of how you show up in meetings and events so you can increase the number of quality leads you are getting but in a way that also keeps...
2025-03-1437 min
The Biggest TableHospitality, Belonging, & God's Love with Sarah WestfallIn this episode of 'The Biggest Table', I interview Sarah Westfall, a writer, speaker, and host of the 'Human Together' podcast, known for her book 'The Way of Belonging.' We discuss themes of hospitality, belonging, and experiencing God's love through food and community. Sarah shares her personal journey of belonging, from her uncomplicated childhood to the complexities of adulthood, and the significance of shifting the question from 'Where do I belong?' to 'How can I be a place of welcome?' We explore the importance of internal spiritual work, societal pressures affecting belonging, and the practice of...
2025-03-111h 00
Human TogetherS2 Finale: A Roundtable on Belonging with Rohadi Nagassar & Brittany TinsleyAfter an unplanned break, we are wrapping up season two and our series on belonging with a roundtable discussion. Sarah has invited two guests—Brittany Tinsley and Rohadi Nagassar—to join her in responding to questions that have surfaced from fellow listeners or readers of The Way of Belonging over the course of season two. The desire with these roundtable conversations is to allow room for a variety of thoughts, beliefs, and experiences so that we can continue to walk in compassion, curiosity, and humility as we learn to live more deeply with God and each other.Find...
2025-02-0359 min
Meg's Reading RoomEp 14: Books and Belonging with Sarah E. Westfall (THE WAY OF BELONGING)Welcome to my Reading Room! I'm so glad you're here with me.In today's episode, I am joined by Sarah E. Westfall. Sarah is a mother, podcast host (Human Together), and lifelong writer. We discuss Sarah's book, The Way of Belonging and why "belonging is not something to attain, but someone to become." Sarah also shares some of the books that have shaped her life, the books she's enjoying now, and what her life looks like in this season.It was such an honor and a joy to spend time with her and I can't...
2024-11-2741 min
Still Becoming with Monica DiCristinaEpisode 135 - Conversation with Sarah E. Westfall: The Way of Belonging𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞
Conversation with Sarah E. Westfall
The Way of Belonging
Episode # 135
I am so excited to have author Sarah E. Westfall on the Still Becoming Podcast. In this interview Sarah invites her into her unique lens on the topic of belonging. We discuss the common longing to belong, the desire for "withness," and my favorite part of her book and this conversation: "Belonging is not something to attain, but someone to become."
This is a tender and insightful conversation. We touch faith, grief, God seeing us, and belonging. I can't wait for you to hear this interview!
...
2024-11-1337 min
On SundaysEp 02 - Finding Belonging with Sarah WestfallSarah Westfall joins Kate to discuss her book, The Way of Belonging. Sarah shares her insights on what it means to belong and why this is core to who we are as humans and how we relate.
From her community-building background, Sarah takes our longing for connection as invitation to embrace and extend the deep love of God. After years contemplating how she fit in and trying to earn acceptance, she realized "belonging is not something to attain, but someone to become."
Show Notes
Human Together Podcast
2024-11-1048 min
Behold-Her Beauty with Deborah RutherfordThe Beauty of Belonging: A conversation with Sarah E. WestfallThis engaging dialogue with author, speaker, and podcaster Sarah E. Westfall explores the beauty of belonging, loss, and faith.Sarah reflects on her journey in community development, her experiences as a mother when she lost her son, Carter, how God drew near her, and the biblical story of Hagar and the concept of 'El Roy'—the God who sees. The conversation explores the emotional complexities of seeking internal and external belonging, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on personal needs, practicing patience, and building genuine connections. Practical strategies like the 'circles of belonging' exercise are discussed for fostering au...
2024-10-301h 02
Human TogetherS2, E9: Creativity, Not Competition with Merideth Hite EstevezCreativity does not often come up in conversations about belonging, but in this episode, Sarah talks with Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez (professional oboist and author of The Artist’s Joy) about how reconnecting to our creative identity (yes, all of us…) changes not only how we see ourselves but also how we relate with God and each other. They talk about widening the definition of creativity and handling competition. Merideth also offers some practical questions to reconnect with our creativity and the joy of making, whatever it is that we make.Find episode notes and additional essays on t...
2024-10-1143 min
Human TogetherS2, E8: Self-Care & Communal Flourishing with Tiffany BluhmSarah chats with Tiffany Bluhm (author of The Women We’ve Been Waiting For) about redefining self-care as it relates to our identity, our hunt for wholeness, and our communal flourishing.Find episode notes and additional essays on the communal life at Human Together . Sarah's book The Way of Belonging is available wherever you typically buy your books.Connect with Tiffany on Instagram, or find her books at TiffanyBluhm.com.Human Together is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and is produced and edited by Ben Westfall. Theme music is “Sit with Me”...
2024-09-2633 min
Human TogetherS2, E7: How Much of Me is Welcome? with Jon PyleWhether you are in the pulpit or the pews, you might question how much of yourself is welcome in faith spaces. In this episode, Sarah chats with Jon Pyle (Community Care Pastor in San Antonio) about authenticity, vulnerability, and belonging within the church, especially when you carry questions or wounds.Find episode notes and additional essays on the communal life at Human Together . Sarah's book The Way of Belonging is available wherever you typically buy your books.Connect with Jon on Instagram.Human Together is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and...
2024-09-1947 min
Human TogetherS2, E6: Beyond Othering with Jenai AumanSarah is joined by Jenai Auman to talk about our human tendency to lean toward sameness and distance ourselves from people who are different. Jenai shares her own experience of being “othered” and how placing people into us-versus-them categories can be so damaging to not only our worth but also how we relate. Together, they explore how we can move toward a wider, more welcoming way.Find episode notes and additional essays on the communal life at Human Together . Sarah's book The Way of Belonging is available wherever you typically buy your books.Connect with Jena...
2024-09-1347 min
Human TogetherS2, E5: Choosing to Stay with Sara BillupsContinuing our series on belonging, Sarah and guest Sara Billups dive into the notion of staying put—both to a geographical location but also to the church. Sara shares pieces of her own story as they ask: how does attaching ourselves to places and people affect our sense of belonging? Where and how might God be inviting us to stay?Find episode notes and additional essays on the communal life at Human Together or say hello to Sarah on Instagram.Connect with Sara Billups at Bitter Scroll on Substack.Human Together is written an...
2024-09-0500 min
Human TogetherS2, E4: Authenticity and Attachment with Aundi KolberSarah talks with Aundi Kolber (therapist and author of Try Softer™ and Strong Like Water) about the interplay between authenticity and attachment. They talk about how our sense of belonging and ability to connect is affected when we carry unrepaired relational wounds. Aundi also offers some hard-earned wisdom on how we can take small steps toward healing while still honoring the experiences that have brought us where we are.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comDiscover more about Aundi and her work at AundiKolber.comHuman Together is...
2024-08-2953 min
PRN: Pause, Renew, NextThe Way of Belonging: A Conversation with Sarah WestfallWelcome to Season 7 of the PRN Podcast! I’m so excited to kick of this new season with a fantastic guest, Sarah Westfall. Sarah recently wrote a book called, The Way of Belonging: Reimagining Who We Are and How We Relate. I loved getting to dive into deep conversation with her about such an important topic.
This season on the podcast, our theme is “in process.” We, as humans, are all in process, most of us finding ourselves in the messy middle, navigating our way. Belonging and community is an important aspect of the human experience, and I’m gr...
2024-08-2700 min
Human TogetherS2, E3: Reconnect to What's Within with Chuck DeGroatIn this third conversation in our series on belonging, Sarah talks with Chuck DeGroat (professor, licensed therapist, & author of Healing What’s Within) about how so many of us live “habitually disconnected.” Together, they explore what it might look like to pay attention to our internal landscape and longings as a means of finding our way back home to ourselves, to God, and to each other.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Chuck at chuckdegroat.netHuman Together is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfa...
2024-08-2238 min
Untidy FaithSarah Westfall | How to Belong Wherever You AreWhen you don't know who you are or where you fit anymore, how do you belong? Join me for this conversation with Sarah Westfall as we discuss ...how grief is often the catalyst for transforming our beliefs about belongingwhy belonging isn't about fitting inthe secret to finding belonging wherever you gohow to create authentic connectionswhat the Prodigal Son parable reveals about God's invitation to belongingSarah E. Westfall is a writer, speaker, and host of the Human Together podcast. Her previous work includes serving as director of community for online writing groups and as a...
2024-08-1940 min
That Makes Total Sense!Episode 262 – Sarah WestfallReading through Sarah Westfall’s book, The Way of Belonging, felt like making an instant friend! It felt like making a friend who also struggles with new friendships, what it means to belong, and who is also a huge fan of Henri Nouwan (more on that in the episode!). Sarah is asking questions I think many … Continue reading Episode 262 – Sarah Westfall
2024-08-1958 min
Human TogetherS2, E2: Coming Home to Ourselves with Kimberly PhinneyWho we are and how we relate are intimately connected. In this episode, guest Kimberly Phinney shares how life-threatening illness shifted not only her sense of self but also her pursuit of belonging. Sarah and Kimberly talk about identity based on performance, expanding our definition of belonging, and valuing presence in the midst of pain.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Kimberly at thewayback2ourselves.comHuman Together is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and is produced and edited by Ben Westfall. Theme...
2024-08-1440 min
The Love OfferingThe Way of Belonging with Sarah WestfallReimagining Who We Are and How We RelateThe welcome of God changes everything.No one is a stranger to loneliness. Despite how social we are via text, chat, and notifications, we are far from being truly connected. We all want someone else to really see us and choose us for who we are. We want a place to finally fit in. But what if finding the right people or the right place is not the answer?From her community-building background, Sarah E. Westfall...
2024-08-1337 min
Human TogetherS2, E1: Perpetually Out of Place with Prasanta VermaLoneliness is part of the human experience, but ethnic loneliness carries added layers of complexity for many people who have historically been pushed to the margins. In our season two opener, Sarah talks with Prasanta Verma about the ache to belong, how our “in-betweenness” can be essential to one’s identity, and practicing curiosity with ourselves and others.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Prasanta at prasantaverma.comHuman Together is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and is produced and edited by Ben Westfa...
2024-08-0734 min
Journal Gently: Healing with God through quiet reflection, honest conversations, and gentle journaling[Ep 159] Loneliness and Belonging: A Conversation with Sarah WestfallSomething that I have often struggled with as an adult is making new friends. It's easier when you're younger and in school. You see your classmates every day or kids from youth group each week. You're given opportunities to interact and see if there is someone kind of like you that you could be friends with. Talk with. Hang out with. But as an adult, time for friendships seems more limited. While we, of course, have others at church or Bible study we can turn to for fellowship and prayer, it still feels hard sometimes to find...
2024-08-0637 min
Good God Talks: Short Bible Devotional, Hear God, Relationship with God, Contemplative Prayer, Christian Podcast, Faith, Spiritual Life, Prayer Prompts, Christian WomenEP#185 The Beautiful Reason You Long for Belonging with Sarah Westfall - Heartbreak / Give Your Heart a BreakSend us a textFrom Today’s Episode:Welcome! We’re in our Heartbreak / Give Your Heart a Break Series and today’s topic is The Beautiful Reason You Long for Belonging with Sarah Westfall.Sarah E. Westfall is a writer, speaker, and host of the Human Together podcast. Her previous work includes serving as director of community for online writing groups and as a student development professional on college campuses. She has been published in RELEVANT, Fathom Mag, and (in)courage. Sarah lives in Indiana with her husband, Ben, and four s...
2024-08-0108 min
By Words: Honest Faith Talks to Encourage Everyday Christian Women134. The Loneliness Cure: How Our Ache for Belonging Invites Us to Embrace & Extend the Love of God (ft. Sarah Westfall)Today we’re talking about BELONGING with Sarah Westfall, author of The Way of Belonging: Reimagining Who We Are & How We Relate. Sarah shares her personal journey and the experiences that sparked her passion for exploring how we connect with others and find our place in the world.
Sarah explains the concept that "belonging is not something to attain, but someone to become.” We discuss common barriers that keep people from experiencing genuine belonging, as well as practical ways to break through these challenges.
Whether you feel deeply connected or are searching for that sense of b...
2024-07-1146 min
Doable DiscipleshipOur Need for Belonging with Sarah WestfallIn all of the conversation around identity, relationships, loneliness, doubt, there is a key word. That word is belonging. Belonging is packed with so much meaning because it can impact or influence us personally and relationally. It is a fundamental human need to be known, to feel belonging, but that is true of what you think about yourself as much as it is what you think of your place with others. We’ve talked about identity on this podcast, and we’ve talked about relationships. Today, we’re going to focus on bridging these two topics through reimaging who we are...
2024-07-0951 min
The BETWEEN PodcastSarah Westfall: "The Way of Belonging"This episode of The BETWEEN Podcast features a gentle and beautiful conversation between host Matt Mattson and our special guest, Sarah Westfall.
What if BELONGING isn't something to attain, but instead is someone to become?
How could faith offer a kind of belonging that could transform us all into "people of welcome"?
Sarah E. Westfall is a writer, speaker, and host of the Human Together podcast. She has a brand new book out titled, The Way of Belonging: Reimagining Who We Are and How We Relate. Her previous work includes serving as director of...
2024-06-1754 min
Be FilledLive Chat - Author Sarah Westfall Season 5 Ep. 5 - The Way of BelongingHey everyone!
Welcome to Season 5 Episode 5.
I couldn't be more thrilled to introduce you to my guest, Sarah Westfall. She is the Author of a newly released book titled, The Way of Belonging.
After reading a snippet of her book, I knew that her message needed to be heard. How often do we fill our cups with negative words spoken externally from those around us or better yet, internally from ourselves?!
Why is it so hard for us to believe in who God says we are?
Why do we...
2024-06-121h 00
Dear Wallflower66 | Why Does Community Matter? (with Sarah E. Westfall)This week, Keelia is joined by author and podcaster Sarah E. Westfall to discuss why community is important, and how to challenge the voice that tells us that we'll never belong.
LINKS:
Preorder your copy of 'The Way of Belonging': https://tinyurl.com/ah8v3u78
Visit Sarah's website: www.sarahewestfall.com
Sarah's suggestion (No Home, song by Jess Ray): https://tinyurl.com/dmfe2h6z
Keelia's suggestion: No link — text that person you've been meaning to reach out to!
Sarah's IG: @sarah_westfall
Keelia's IG...
2024-05-1548 minDear Wallflower66 | Why Does Community Matter? (with Sarah E. Westfall)This week, Keelia is joined by author and podcaster Sarah E. Westfall to discuss why community is important, and how to challenge the voice that tells us that we'll never belong.
LINKS:
Preorder your copy of 'The Way of Belonging': https://tinyurl.com/ah8v3u78
Visit Sarah's website: www.sarahewestfall.com
Sarah's suggestion (No Home, song by Jess Ray): https://tinyurl.com/dmfe2h6z
Keelia's suggestion: No link — text that person you've been meaning to reach out to!
Sarah's IG: @sarah_westfall
Keelia's IG...
2024-05-1548 min
Human TogetherS1, E12: A Pastor's Journey with Steve BeznerWe’re wrapping up season one with Steve Bezner, and this episode covers a number of bases. Steve shares about his own pastoral journey, the communities that have formed him as well as the loneliness he can experience within the role. Sarah and Steve also chat about his forthcoming book Your Jesus is Too American (October 2024).Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Steve on Instagram.To support the podcast and access extended episodes, essay series, and book club, become a Human Together subscriber.Th...
2024-04-3031 min
Human TogetherS1, E11: Practice Hospitality with Linnea BergstromSarah chats with Linnea Bergstrom about hospitality in the middle of our everyday lives. Linnea shares how she has had to rethink her approach to welcoming people into her home and a few practical ways she is learning to invite others in.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Linnea on Instagram.To support the podcast and access extended episodes, essay series, and book club, become a Human Together subscriber.The Human Together podcast is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and is...
2024-04-2429 min
Human TogetherS1, E10: The Risk of Rootedness with Amanda Held OpeltMusician and writer Amanda Held Opelt joins Sarah to talk about what place has to do with the communal life. They cover a little bit of everything: church, creative circles, online life, as well as Amanda’s latest book Holy Unhappiness: God, Goodness, and the Myth of the Blessed Life.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Amanda at amandaheldopelt.com.To support the podcast and access extended episodes, essay series, and book club, become a Human Together subscriber.The Human Together podcast is wr...
2024-04-1751 min
Human TogetherS1, E9: A Curious Compassion with Brandy WallnerSarah chats with Brandy Wallner about curiosity and compassion—two ingredients that are essential to being human together, but don’t always come easily. Brandy shares pieces of her own in-process journey of growing up with a strong sense of duty and desire to be right as well as what she is actively learning about finding comfort in questions and embracing with-ness as a way of Jesus.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Brandy at Curious Compassion on Substack.To support the podcast and access exte...
2024-03-2635 min
Human TogetherS1, E8: Finding Poetry within the Pain with Grace E. KelleyPoet Grace E. Kelley sits down with Sarah to talk about goodness that grows out of the ground and out of our grief. They chat about Grace’s newfound farm life, navigating wounds and weariness, and her new collection of poetry, as the Sparrow flies.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comYou can find Grace most often at her Substack, The House of Rest.To support the podcast and access extended episodes, essay series, and book club, become a Human Together subscriber.The Human Together po...
2024-03-1929 min
Human TogetherS1, E7: A Simpler Way to Love with Gary MorlandGary Morland joins Sarah to talk about what he has learned about the communal life through 51 years of marriage. They talk about the complexities of being committed to another person for the long haul and how small acts of love go a long way in how we relate to one another.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Gary at SimplerMarriage.com.To support the podcast and access extended episodes, essay series, and book club, become a Human Together subscriber.The Human Together podcast...
2024-03-1233 min
Human TogetherS1, E6: Knowing When to Stay or Go with Emily P. FreemanSarah and guest Emily P. Freeman talk about the shared struggle we often experience when trying to decide whether to stay or to go. Whether we are assessing relationships, ideas, faith communities, or the PTA, these decisions often carry the weightiness of a capital D. In this conversation, Emily shares some of the wisdom she has collected in her latest book How to Walk into a Room, giving us a framework for paying attention and discerning our way forward with peace and compassion.Find episode notes and ways to connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.com...
2024-03-0537 min
Human TogetherS1, E5: Embracing Limits and Being Held with Lara d'EntremontSarah is joined by Lara d’Entremont, who generously shares her story of navigating anxiety amidst the throes of young motherhood. They chat about the pressure we often put upon ourselves to “have it all together” and learning to live within our own limitations, while also inviting the love and care of God and other people along the way.Find episode notes at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Lara on Substack.To support the podcast and access extended episodes, essay series, book club, and more, become a Human Together subscriber.The Human Togeth...
2024-02-2732 min
Human TogetherS1, E4: Peace in the Dark with Jessica HerbergerSarah chats with author and Bible teacher Jessica Herberger about the significance of Holy Saturday, both in the context of our current season of Lent and our in-between days of darkness. Jess shares a bit about caregiving for her parents and how that season was formative to herself and her family. They also go in-depth about the days leading us toward Easter, exploring the invitation found within her latest book Peace in the Dark.Find episode notes at sarahewestfall.comConnect with Jessica at jessicaherberger.comTo support the podcast and access to...
2024-02-2038 min
Human TogetherS1, E3: Stay with the Questions with Drew JacksonSarah is joined by pastor, poet, and public theologian Drew Jackson, and they talk about how questions have become formative to Drew’s work and to the way he relates to God, himself, and the world. They also chat about poetry, pastoring, and cultivating a life of paying attention.Find episode notes at sarahewestfall.com.To support the podcast and access to extended episodes, essay series, book club, and more, become a Human Together subscriber on Substack.The Human Together podcast is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and is produced and ed...
2024-02-1331 min
Human TogetherS1, E2: Making Space for Difference with Lore Ferguson WilbertNavigating our differences is not easy, and disagreements often become a reason to pull away from one another. In this episode, Sarah talks with author Lore Ferguson Wilbert about ways we can stay tender toward each other’s humanity and deepen our connections, even when our thoughts and opinions do not align.Find episode notes at sarahewestfall.com.To support the podcast and access to extended episodes, essay series, book club, and more, become a Human Together subscriber on Substack.The Human Together podcast is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and is...
2024-02-0631 min
Human TogetherS1, E1: Where We Find Home with Tasha JunSarah sits down with Korean-American storyteller and author Tasha Jun to talk about the tension of inhabiting in-between spaces and finding a sense of home in people, places, and (our favorite) food.Find episode notes at sarahewestfall.com.To support the podcast and get access to essays, extended episodes, book club, and more, join us over at Human Together on Substack.The Human Together podcast is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and produced and edited by Ben Westfall. Theme music is “Sit with Me” by Sarah Scharbrough.
2024-01-3026 min
Human TogetherIntroductionJoin Sarah E. Westfall for a peek into the new Human Together podcast, featuring conversations on the communal life. It’s a podcast for people who agree it is not good to be alone (but who secretly wonder whether it might be easier). Season one begins January 2024.To support the podcast and get extended access to essays, extended episodes, book club, and more, join us over at Human Together on Substack.The Human Together podcast is written and recorded by Sarah E. Westfall and produced and edited by Ben Westfall. Theme music is “Sit with Me”...
2023-12-2604 min
Advent Calendar HouseA Rugrats Passover🫓 Previously on the Advent Calendar House, we helped our favorite talking babies stop a true meanie in “A Rugrats Chanukah.” This time, we’re ignoring the rules of another long-standing tradition as “Rugrats” reimagines the story of Passover. 🎙️ Sarah Shay and Zach Gozlan join us as we witness grown men throwing temper tantrums and ending up locked in the attic. 📺 I found this special hiding in a 4-hour VHS recording of Nick on CBS from 2003. **** 💬 Topics & Tangents: Pilot House on “I Dream of Jeannie,” which would not be seen the night this premiered. ...
2023-07-071h 58PRN: Pause, Renew, NextShow Up: Loving Through Grief with Sarah WestfallHow do you love someone who is going through grief and loss? What do you say? What do you not say? How can you show support?
In today’s episode, guest Sarah Westfall and I begin to engage these questions. Sarah has been through tremendous loss personally, and shares some of her story with us. She also shares how her community showed up well for her during such a raw season of her life.
This is the second part of my conversation with Sarah Westfall. If you missed the last episode, I really suggest you go...
2022-11-0839 minPRN: Pause, Renew, NextBetween You + Me: A Conversation with Sarah WestfallToday we’re talking about belonging and community, a subject that is applicable to every human on the planet, in any season of life. We all long to belong and be seen.
This month’s guest, Sarah Westfall, is a writer and fellow boy-mom who was gracious enough to share her own thoughts about cultivating community on this week’s episode. Sarah has written an online resource called Between You + Me, which can be found on her website: sarahewestfall.com.
Sarah and I are going to be continuing our conversation together in next week’s episode...
2022-11-0132 min
The Stories Between Us156 Sarah Westfall and Being Human TogetherToday the wonderful Sarah Westfall joins us to talk about community--is digital community real? Is it good? Is there anything we can do to bring it to a more complete place? She also talks about her long and winding (and ongoing) publishing journey and how a devastating loss opened her eyes to her own need for community. Check out more of Sarah's writing at Human Together.
2022-10-1844 min
SimplyWhySarah E. Westfall: Art & ReflectionThis week Connor is joined by writer and public speaker: Sarah E. Westfall. Sarah is also the host of the Not My Story Podcast and her writing can be found in places such as Fathom Mag, Relevant, and her collaborative devotional Be Still. Listen in to hear how you can make time for deep reflection, tell your story in a manner that's true to you, and how to speak on what you know. Follow Sarah:Website: https://www.sarahewestfall.com/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6b1wXPxAaaRh2qu18Gg3wV?s...
2022-09-2818 min
Fierce CallingSarah Westfall: Finding Grace in the Unexpected Stories We Never Expected to TellWhen finding grace in the unexpected stories we never expected to tell, we discover something significant.
After the devastating loss of her son, Sarah Westall had a raw conversation with God telling Him, “This is not my story–this is not the story I thought I would be telling, this is not the story I want to tell–God, please take it back!”
But Grief Became Her Deepest Grace
Sarah shares how even though she walked through indescribable pain, her grief became her deepest grace. We also learn what blessed her in the darkest...
2021-12-0738 minFierce CallingSarah Westfall: Finding Grace in the Unexpected Stories We Never Expected to TellWhen finding grace in the unexpected stories we never expected to tell, we discover something significant.
After the devastating loss of her son, Sarah Westall had a raw conversation with God telling Him, "This is not my story--this is not the story I thought I would be telling, this is not the story I want to tell--God, please take it back!"
But Grief Became Her Deepest Grace
Sarah shares how even though she walked through indescribable pain, her grief became her deepest grace. We also learn what blessed her in the darkest moments and what others did for her that...
2021-12-0738 min
Not My StoryNot My Story: The EpilogueSarah invites her husband and Not My Story producer/editor Ben Westfall to join her in this final episode. They reflect on common themes that surfaced throughout the life of the podcast, guests or ideas that stuck with them, as well as behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the podcast’s creation and final chapter.For full episode notes, visit NotMyStoryPod.com.To sign up for Sarah’s newsletter The Shelf, CLICK HERE.
2021-10-1449 min
Not My StoryCurt Thompson [Art + Ash series]Psychiatrist and author Curt Thompson returns to Not My Story for the Art + Ash series. Sarah and Curt discuss what it looks like to live out the truest version of our stories within the context of community by asking two important questions of ourselves and of each other. They go on to talk about Curt’s newest book The Soul of Desire (coming October 2021 with IVP), which includes a framework for how we can pursue both beauty and connection within confessional communities, even in the presence of suffering.For full episode notes and ways to connect with bo...
2021-09-2257 min
Not My StoryKaren Swallow Prior [Art + Ash series]Reader, writer, and professor Karen Swallow Prior joins Sarah in episode 46 of Not My Story. They begin by talking about how good literature affects the way we see and experience the world (including a few must-read suggestions from Karen!). Sarah and Karen also discuss the distinction between art and creativity, and Karen shares about her own wrestling to make her words beautiful when her first response to writing isn’t artful but analytical. Their conversation also dives into social media, what it looks like to approach platforms like Instagram and Twitter as an avenue for beauty and goodness, holding bo...
2021-09-1540 min
Not My StoryRachel Kang [Art + Ash series]In Not My Story episode 45, Sarah is joined by Rachel Kang—writer of poems and prose and founder of Indelible Ink Writers. Sarah and Rachel explore what it means to be “creative” in our everyday lives and how perhaps we need to redefine “the creative” within church and culture. Rachel shares a bit of her own journey, particularly how she has shifted her view of writing and making music from a “hoarded hobby” to a way of giving and cultivating community with God and with people. For full episode notes and ways to connect with both Sarah and Rachel, vis...
2021-09-0945 min
Not My StoryShawn Smucker & Maile Silva [Art + Ash series]Shawn Smucker and Maile Silva—writers and co-hosts of The Stories Between Us podcast—help Sarah kick off the Art + Ash series with a candid conversation about the creative life. They chat about some of the joys and struggles they’ve experienced navigating two writers living under the same roof, while also parenting their six kids and fostering a family culture that prioritizes creative pursuits. Maile talks about how essential writing is to her overall health and wellness and how she’s had to wade through difficult seasons of her career not going as planned. Sarah, Shawn, and Maile also dis...
2021-09-0145 min
Not My StoryFinding Freedom within Limits with Ashley HalesIn episode 43, Ashley Hales joins Sarah to talk about the seemingly upside-down freedom she’s found within the goodness of God’s limits. Ashley is the author of A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits (coming Sept. 14, 2021) and invites us to reframe how we think of limits—as an invitation instead of a restriction. Ashley shares some of her own story of questioning cultural values of hustle and of independence and how some basic boundaries can help us embrace a fuller, more connected life..For full episode notes and ways to connect with b...
2021-08-2534 min
Not My StoryThe Hunt for Validation with Heather Lobe JohnsonHeather Lobe Johnson tells her story of looking for her worth in external validation, resulting in a string of broken relationships. She talks about getting divorced at age 24 and searching for who she was out of the brokenness while still trying to be a mom to her two-year-old son. Sarah and Heather talk about co-dependence versus interdependence in relationships, the good and not-so-good things people did to support Heather, and discovering the lavish grace of God.For full episode notes and ways to connect with both Sarah and Heather, visit NotMyStoryPod.com.To sign up f...
2021-08-1849 min
Not My StoryEveryday Grace with Jill E. McCormickGrace is a word used often in church circles, but what does this word really mean in the midst of everyday life? Jill E. McCormick—host of the Grace In Real Life podcast—joins Sarah in episode 41 of Not My Story to explore these questions together. Jill talks about her own journey being a “try-hard girl” and wrestling with what grace really looks like day in and day out, especially when life did not go as planned. They talk about the tendency toward striving, how to extend compassion to yourself and to others, and a few practical ways to live a g...
2021-08-1145 min
Not My StoryLoneliness, Leadership, & the Church with Jay Y. KimIn episode 40, pastor and author Jay Y. Kim joins Not My Story to share his experience not only leading a church through a pandemic, but also launching a book about the church’s need for physical presence at a time when everything went digital. They dive into the joys and the struggles that come with leadership, the gift of generous assumption, and the need for community. Toward the second half of their conversation, Sarah asks Jay where he’s finding hope for the church in such a divided cultural climate and what it looks like to remain part of the...
2021-08-0448 min
Not My Story"Held" with Jodi GrubbsIn episode 39, Sarah is joined by slow-living advocate and Our Island in the City Podcast host, Jodi Grubbs. In her twenties, Jodi unexpectedly became a young widow—a traumatic event that shifted the course of her life and her faith. Jodi’s story offers a glimpse into what it looks like to be pursued by God in the midst of deep grief, to be held even when she didn’t know it. Sarah and Jodi talk about processing loss and moving forward, the role of authentic community in her healing process, and how slow living became an important part of Jod...
2021-06-3040 min
Not My Story"It's Just Time" with Barry BenderIn this special Father’s Day episode, Sarah welcomes her dad, Barry Bender, to Not My Story to talk about what has and has not gone as expected raising four kids. With 37 years of fatherhood under his belt, Barry shares about the differences between having children in the home versus parenting adult kids, the importance of prayer, and how he has been intentional along the way. You especially do not want miss his nuggets of wisdom he shares toward the end.For full notes from today’s episode and more, visit NotMyStoryPod.com.For more ways...
2021-06-2342 min
Not My Story"A Great Pause" with Meredith McDanielMeredith McDaniel, licensed counselor and author of In Want + Plenty, sits down with Sarah to talk about the “great pause” of 2020. Meredith shares what it was like to have her plans for debuting her first book uprooted and how she shifted her expectations. She also talks about what it has been like to walk alongside her clients in such an intense season of isolation, upheaval, and division. Sarah and Meredith discuss wilderness seasons and uncensored conversations with God, the things they hope we take with us out of pandemic life, the value of sharing and holding stories, and much more...
2021-06-1637 min
Not My Story"Walking through Trauma" with Ryan KujaSpiritual director, therapist, and writer Ryan Kuja sits down with Sarah to tell the story about being abducted in Zimbabwe and the resulting trauma he experienced. Ryan shares about how that unexpected event fractured pieces of who he was, the ways trauma manifested itself in his body and his life, and how he found healing ways to move forward in therapy and in contemplative Christianity. Now a trauma-informed therapist himself, Ryan also shares some important insights about what trauma is, how we can recognize it, and ways we can extend compassion to others.For full episode notes...
2021-06-0945 min
Not My Story"Rewrite Your Story" with Latasha FergusonLatasha Ferguson—educator and host of the Overcome to Become Podcast—joins Sarah in episode 35 to share her story of becoming a teen mom and navigating single parenthood while still trying to figure out her identity and relationship with God. Latasha talks about her early years of stubborn resistance, the struggles of being a single mom of two girls, and how God has relentlessly pursued her in it all. Sarah and Latasha talk about the role of community in our everyday lives, holding on to hope, and how our stories connect us.For full episode notes and ways...
2021-06-0242 min
Not My Story"Grief and Joy Can Coexist" with Catherine RickettsCatherine Ricketts, a Philadelphia-based writer and musician, talks with Sarah about the consecutive loss of both her father and brother, speaking candidly about the different ways grief manifested itself in her life and in her relationship with God. Catherine reflects on the juxtaposition of grief and joy as she was simultaneously falling in love while also caring for her dying father, only to be followed by the tragic death of her brother and a season of intense questioning. Sarah and Catherine discuss moving forward when you no longer feel “safe” from pain, finding hope in God’s mercy, and lettin...
2021-05-2641 min
Not My Story"We All Want to be Seen" with Terence LesterWriter, activist, and founder of Love Beyond Walls, Terence Lester sits down with Sarah to tell a number of stories—from the formation of his not-for-profit organization to his unexpected journey to becoming a communicator. Sarah and Terence talk about where Love Beyond Walls began, its mission, and how to see people in poverty or facing homelessness not as problems but as “people going through problems.” They talk about the human desire to be seen, what happens when we allow ourselves to be interrupted, as well as Terence’s newest book, When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together...
2021-05-1938 min
Not My Story"Growing Slow" with Jennifer Dukes LeeJennifer Dukes Lee, author of Growing Slow, tells the story of how she traded her fast-paced journalistic career in the city for a life on the farm. Jennifer talks about coming to grips with her limitations as well as the physical, relational, and spiritual effects of running too hard for too long. Sarah and Jennifer discuss what it looks like to “un-hurry your heart” in practical, everyday ways as well as embracing the various seasons of our lives.For show notes and ways to connect with both Sarah and Jennifer, visit today’s episode page a...
2021-05-1227 min
Not My Story"It's All Necessary" with John BlasePastor-turned-poet and literary agent John Blase tells his story of how an unforeseen season of change disrupted not only his career and family, but also his identity and lens on faith. John reflects on what he thought his fifties would look like, the losses that seemed to stack up, and what happened when the dominoes fell. In this conversation, Sarah and John discuss what it looks like to wade through grief, embodied prayer, having compassion for our younger selves, and more. For show notes and ways to connect with both Sarah and John, visit today’s e...
2021-05-0534 min
Not My StoryPursuing Rest & Holding Loss with Anna KettleBlogger, author, and marketing professional Anna Kettle shares her unlikely story of pursuing a slower, simpler, more soulful life, a journey that led to her writing the book Sand Between Your Toes. Sarah and Anna talk about practical ways to embrace a different pace of life, navigating internal noise and distractions, and the tension between pursuit and surrender. The second half of their conversation shifts to Anna’s journey with recurring pregnancy loss and how she walks well with grief on a day-to-day basis when the future remains unknown. For show notes and ways to con...
2021-04-2841 min
Not My StoryFriending as Adults with Kerrah FabacherCounselor, writer, and boundaries coach Kerrah Fabacher joins Sarah in episode 29 to talk about making and keeping friends in adulthood. They begin by chatting about Kerrah’s family, work, and podcast, and then Kerrah tells the story about her first experience with deep friendship and how it changed her. Sarah and Kerrah talk about some of the struggles of being the new person in the room or trying to make friends alongside jobs, kids, marriages, or other commitments. Kerrah also gives some great tips on what it looks like to be authentic in our everyday lives. ...
2021-04-2241 min
Not My StoryBecoming (Lessons from Dad Life) with Nirup Alphonse [you + me series]Pastor Nirup Alphonse joins Sarah to talk about some of the unexpected things that have surfaced in fatherhood. Nirup shares stories from early parenthood, including how his cultural background impacted his perspective, and what he’s learned along the way—about not only diapering, but also what it looks like to be a daily disciple-maker with his kids. Sarah and Nirup spend a bulk of the conversation discussing what it looks like to parent through the lens of becoming, the need to build trust, and the power of forgiveness. For show notes and ways to conne...
2021-04-1448 min
Not My StoryMotherhood & the Value of Friends with Julie Short [you + me series]Julie Short—a higher ed professional, Enneagram Coach, and co-host of the Momnesia Podcast—joins Sarah to talk about what hasn’t gone as planned in motherhood and how friendships have made all the difference. They chat about some of the difficulties Julie has faced with infertility, a high-risk pregnancy, and even life as a working mom, as well as the joys she has experienced along the way. Julie opens up about how crucial friendship have been in her motherhood journey, and (because we had to go there) how the Enneagram informs how she parents. For sho...
2021-04-0735 min
The Joyful Mourning - A Podcast for Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy or Infant Loss114. Navigating Marriage & Faith After A Life-Limiting Diagnosis with Sarah WestfallThis week I am talking with Sarah Westfall about her son Carter and her experience with grief over the past 10 years. Carter was diagnosed with a prenatal life-limiting condition and during our time together she talks about what it was like to make the decision to continue carrying a baby that would not live long outside the womb, what she would tell a mom who has recently received a life-limiting diagnosis for her baby and what she wishes she had known about carrying and delivering a baby with a life-limiting diagnosis. Sarah also talks about navigating marriage...
2021-03-251h 11
Not My StoryReconciling with a Parent with Jonathan Puddle [you + me series]Jonathan Puddle, host of The Puddcast and author of You Are Enough, joins Sarah in episode 26 to talk about the breakdown of his relationship with his father and the reconciliation that followed. Jonathan gives us a glimpse into his childhood and to what contributed to the distance between himself and his dad. They talk about Jonathan’s complex range of emotions, the wrestling he did with God, and what ultimately led him toward a path of restoration with his father. To see the show notes and find ways to connect with both Jonathan and Sarah, vis...
2021-03-2447 min
Not My StoryLife after Divorce with Jodi Rosser [you + me series]Podcaster and writer Jodi Rosser joins Sarah to tell her story of navigating life after divorce. In this conversation, Jodi shares how divorce broke her in so many ways, but out of the wreckage, God began to put her pieces back together. Sarah and Jodi discuss how divorce is a unique grief that is often ongoing and unseen. They talk about Jodi’s struggle to navigate not only her own complicated emotions, but also the feelings of her two young sons and her new life as a single mom. As a former self-proclaimed perfectionist, Jodi shares how she’s foun...
2021-03-1037 min
Not My StorySingleness & Self-Talk with Kate Hurley [you + me series]Singer-songwriter and author Kate Hurley joins Sarah to share her unexpected story of prolonged singleness. As a former musician with Enter the Worship Circle, Kate talks about her experiences touring and what it looked like to find community while on the road. We talk about her expectations for adulthood—dreams that included marriage and motherhood—and what her conversations with God looked like when those desires seemed so far off. Kate shares openly about what the church did (and did not) do well in surrounding her as a single woman and reflects on how unraveling her thought patt...
2021-02-2439 min
Not My StoryMarried (Again) with Deb & Gibson Hopper [you + me series]Marriage rarely goes exactly as anticipated. In this episode, Sarah talks with Deb & Gibson Hopper about how they found each other after their first marriages ended in divorce. They share about their experience blending families, navigating expectations, and establishing new traditions. Now married for twenty-six years, Deb and Gibson offer valuable insights on healthy communication, developing friendships outside marriage, the importance of sex, and more.For full show notes and links from today’s episode, visit NotMyStoryPod.com.Join Sarah’s email community at SarahEWestfall.com/subscribe and receive your copy of Interrupted: Prayers & Meditations in t...
2021-02-1048 min
Not My StoryLoving Your Neighbor with Shannan Martin [you + me series]Shannan Martin, author of The Ministry of Ordinary Places, joins Sarah to talk about her unlikely journey from a picture-perfect life on the farm to a messier, but fuller way of living alongside her neighbors in Goshen, Indiana. Sarah and Shannan talk about what it really means to follow Jesus’ command to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” They discuss what love looks like on the ground, practical ways to connect with neighbors, how to navigate differences, and more.For full show notes and links from today’s episode, visit NotMyStoryPod.com.Join Sarah’s email community...
2021-01-2752 min
Not My StoryPoverty, Justice, & Jesus with Dr. Alvin Sanders [you + me series]In episode 21, Sarah talks with Dr. Alvin Sanders—president and CEO of World Impact—about our relationships to poverty, justice, and Jesus within the local church. Dr. Sanders shares about his start in urban ministry and how his experiences have reshaped his understanding of poverty and of God’s desire for all communities to flourish. They discuss what it looks like on the practical level for individuals and local churches to engage in redemptive poverty work, right where they are. For full show notes and links from today’s episode, visit NotMyStoryPod.com.Join Sarah’s email co...
2021-01-1339 min
Not My StorySexuality and the Church with Rachel Joy Welcher [you + me series]In episode 20, Sarah talks with Rachel Joy Welcher, author of Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality. Rachel shares how pervasive views on sexuality within the church in the early 2000s shaped her expectations as a teen and young woman, but when those expectations didn’t pan out, she was left asking big questions about sexual purity and following Jesus. In this conversation, Sarah and Rachel talk about purity culture, how sexuality impacts our relationships, navigating unmet desires, how to have good dialogue about sexuality within the church, and more.For full show notes and li...
2020-12-3043 min
Legacy MattersJim and Sarah are moving on.It has been many a month since Sam, Sarah and Jim have recorded a group podcast but the trademark silliness remains. We catch up on our Winter plans, the joys of ice fishing in Minnesota and our take on plastic surgery and the popularity of makeover apps.While the pandemic has temporarily curbed our kitchen table chats, we look forward to a fresh start in the coming year. Our team, along with the podcast, is also working hard to unveil our new private social networking platform for purpose driven communities. Let’s restore the dignity, self-worth and po...
2020-12-231h 06
Not My StoryWhere We Go from Here with Dr. Curt Thompson [you + me series]From pandemic life to racial injustice to a divisive election, the past twelve months have been hard. Many things stand between us, causing us to question, “Where do we go from here?” In episode 19 as part of the [you + me] series, Sarah invites psychiatrist, speaker, and author Dr. Curt Thompson to talk about all that has transpired in 2020 and to lend insight into how this year of the unexpected has impacted us relationally—with God and with each other. They talk about the effects of isolation, pursuing vulnerability in the face of differences, and dismantling shame. Their conversation also explor...
2020-12-1654 min
Not My StoryDorina Lazo Gilmore-YoungSix years ago, Dorina’s life took an unforeseen turn when her husband Eric Lee was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. In episode 17, Dorina shares about losing her husband, becoming a young widow, and navigating life as a single parent to their three girls. She talks candidly with Sarah about her season of wrestling with God and the crazy-but-beautiful plot twist Dorina did not see coming. Their conversation also includes how to combat the fear of losing a loved one, the comparison trap, running, books, food, and more. To get all the links from today’s conve...
2020-11-1842 min
Not My StoryKristina M. WardKristina never envisioned herself as a pastor’s wife—let alone an adoptive mom with six kids. But that’s just how God chose to grow part of her family and her faith. In episode 16, Kristina opens up with Sarah about their adoption journey and what it’s been like to join her husband in full-time church ministry. They chat about the expectations Kristina put on herself early on as a pastor’s wife, the questions she held for God when adoption did not seem rational, and what she has learned about relentless love along the way.To g...
2020-11-0441 min
Not My StoryDavey BlackburnIn November 2015, Davey Blackburn came home to find his wife, Amanda Grace, tragically murdered during a home invasion. Davey was left to pastor their church as a single dad of their fifteen-month-old son Weston. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Davey to hear his story and to talk about how God turned a “festering, rotting thing” into an avenue of grace. He talks about grief, his path toward healing from the trauma, and the ways God showed up in his darkest moments. Davey’s story is ongoing, continued in the life of his family and his work as a writ...
2020-10-2144 min
Not My StoryDr. Julia HurlowHave you ever sensed God saying “not yet”? In episode 14, Sarah sits down with Dr. Julia Hurlow who shares about a long season of waiting—a ten-year journey that involved multiple moves, job uncertainty, and dreams deferred. Sarah and Julia talk about contentment, the role of community, and finding a sense of “home” when nothing goes as planned.CLICK HERE FOR FULL EPISODE NOTESBECOME A MEMBER of the Not My Story Community
2020-10-0743 min
Not My StoryDr. Lucretia BerryABOUT THE EPISODERacial reconciliation and healing was not the work that Dr. Lucretia Berry originally picked. Her younger self envisioned a future well-entrenched in the black community: her college, her career, her church, and ever her future husband and family. But that is not the path God laid out. In episode 13 of Not My Story, Lucretia talks with Sarah about her experiences growing up within black America, moving to a predominantly white area, agreeing to partner with her pastor to transition their historically black church to a multiethnic congregation, and marrying a white man. In 2015, all...
2020-09-2337 min
Not My StoryChuck DeGroatAfter studying at Oxford, Chuck DeGroat experienced a personal breakdown that led to major changes not only in his career path but also his faith. In episode 11, Chuck recalls his journey from being a man with all the answers to a man who experiences God in the questions. Sarah and Chuck discuss the dangers of chasing prestige and of looking at faith through a dogmatic lens. They talk about parenting, writing, reading, and his most recent book, When Narcissism Comes to Church.For more about Chuck or this episode, check out the show notes at NotMyStoryPod.com.
2020-08-2637 min
Not My StoryMolly HuffmanIn episode 10, Sarah talks with Molly Huffman about the “treasures found in darkness.” Molly shares about the loss of her mom in her early twenties and how she struggled to understand why God didn’t seem to hear her prayers. They discuss what it was like for Molly to wrestle with her grief and her faith—and then to experience loss again a few years when her son passed away and her marriage fell apart. Molly’s story is one of incalculable loss, but we have so much to gain from her perspectives on faith, lament, and the love of God.
2020-08-1244 min
Not My StoryAmanda AndersonFriendship can be complicated—especially as adults. In episode 9, Sarah sits down with Amanda Anderson—speaker and author of All My Friends Have Issues: Building Remarkable Relationships with Imperfect People (Like Me). Amanda shares her story of how a broken friendship became an unexpected wake-up call to unhealthy relationship patterns with friends, family, and even God. In this conversation, Sarah and Amanda talk about Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA), skewed views on Christian friendship, and how to build healthy relationships as adults.For full episode notes, go to NotMyStoryPod.com, and be sure to connect with podcast on Instagram for...
2020-07-2945 min
Not My StoryTasha JunWhat if we saw ethnicity as a crucial part of our stories, connecting us not only to each other, but also to God? In episode eight of the Not My Story podcast, guest Tasha Jun talks about how discovering her ethnic identity became a pathway for greater understanding of God, herself, and the world. Tasha encourages us to consider how who we are and where we come from play an integral part in our own spiritual development and sense of belonging. Sarah and Tasha also discuss travel, writing, books, and more.For full episode notes, to go...
2020-07-1533 min
Not My StoryNicole ZasowskiPerformance, praise, perfection—what happens when they’re not enough? In episode seven, Nicole Zasowski talks with Sarah about how she had built an identity and a career based on her achievements. She notes how she “treated God like a vending machine,” which even worked for a while—until it didn’t. A cross-country move became the turning point when Nicole’s carefully curated life began to crumble, and Nicole began to ask God some difficult questions. In this conversation, Nicole and Sarah talk about career, loss, identity, miscarriage, and how to hope when your hands are empty.For more ab...
2020-07-0136 min
Not My StoryWillie SmithFormer running back turned financial advisor, Willie Smith, tells his story of when football dreams were shattered by injury at age seventeen. Willie and Sarah talk about misplaced identity and how to hold plans with an open hand. Willie also opens up about his experience as a black man in America, especially in the wake of events precipitated by the George Floyd murder. Willie generously shares his own stories and insights and offers thoughtful reflections on how America can continue to move forward toward racial equality.To get full notes from today’s episode, go to notmystorypod.co...
2020-06-1746 min
Not My StoryMichelle KrolIn episode five, Michelle Krol opens up about what it’s been like to raise five sons (including quadruplets!) and how motherhood has been an unexpected avenue of healing from deep childhood wounds.For full show notes, go to notmystorypod.com.For updates, articles, and more from Sarah, you can also subscribe to her monthly newsletter.
2020-06-0336 min
Not My StoryK.J. RamseyIn episode two, Sarah chats with therapist and author K.J. Ramsey about chronic illness, suffering, and showing up for other people in the midst of grief and pain. K.J. also shares about her book This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers.For detailed notes and links from the conversation, visit notmystorypod.com. You can also connect with Sarah, K.J. and other Not My Story podcast guests on Instagram.
2020-05-0643 min
Not My StoryBen WestfallIn this introductory episode, Sarah invites her husband Ben Westfall to help kick off the podcast and join her in telling a few of their own unplanned stories. They talk about their faith, family, and the loss that changed them.For full show notes, go to notmystorypod.com.Connect with the podcast on Instagram at @notmystorypod.
2020-04-2946 min
Not My StoryNot My Story - TrailerWelcome to Not My Story—a conversational podcast about faith and the unexpected. Author and speaker Sarah E. Westfall talks with guests about the unplanned pieces of their lives and how those narratives shifted their understanding of God. Full episodes start May 2020, but you can catch the sneak peak here, where Sarah reveals what you can expect from the show.To get the latest, subscribe to the show and follow along at NotMyStory.com or on Instagram.
2020-03-0101 min
Advent Calendar HouseShalom Sesame - Chanukah🕎 Kick off Hanukkah with the objectively better son from “Growing Pains” spinning bad puns like he made them out of clay. 🎙️Sarah Shay stops by as we shine a light on a 1990 episode of “Shalom Sesame,” an on-again, off-again co-production of “Sesame Street” and its counterpart in Israel, “Rechov Sumsum.” **** 💬 Topics & Tangents: “Shalom Sesame” on Muppet Wiki. Israel’s Big Bird stand-in, Kippi Ben Kippod, is mistranslated as a porcupine despite clearly being a hedgehog. A similar but unclothed costume was used in Spain’s Barrio Sésamo for Espinete, who’s identified as a hedgehog...
2019-12-221h 00
Girls Talking Life#17 Sarah Westfall [Sacrificial Motherhood]My guest today is Sarah Westfall. Sarah is a faith-based blogger, a speaker and a regular contributor to LifterToday (a Christian lifestyle website) and the quarterly devotional, Light from The Word. She is an Indiana-born girl, wife to Ben and mama to five boys. It’s her joy, and it’s chaos, but being a parent is what has grown her the most spiritually. Sarah and I start our conversation talking about her family and what it’s like to be a boy mom. We talk about raising our kids up to be the men and women we want the...
2019-05-131h 00
Advent Calendar HouseLamb Chop’s Special Chanukah🕎 Hanukkah is here, so here’s a 1995 special starring sock puppets hanging out with Mr. Miyagi, the dad from Growing Pains, and the mayor of Gotham City. 🎙️ Sarah Shay returns to the Advent Calendar House to reintroduce me to “Lamb Chop’s Special Chanukah,” which miraculously brings together Pat Morita, Alan Thicke, and Lloyd Bochner as both dinner guests and computer-generated, one-dimensional superheroes. There’s now a better copy of “Lamb Chop’s Special Chanukah” on YouTube. The one we watched for this podcast was from some guy holding his iPad’s camera up to a TV. Check out Sarah...
2018-12-041h 21
Advent Calendar HouseA Rugrats Chanukah🕎 In the Advent Calendar House’s first Hanukkah episode, we follow the Rugrats on their mission to stop the “Meanie of Chanukah” and make him take a nap. 🎙️ Sarah Shay joins the search and helps count all the misspoken “babyisms” along the way. **** 💬 Topics & Tangents: Sarah’s top 2 favorite spellings of “Hanukkah.” E.G. Daily (Tommy) as Dottie in “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” A tale of 2 panics: Babies climbing up to open flames vs. babies trying to blow out Hanukkah candles. Stu’s giant, tacky menorah vs. the Miami Marlins’ home run cel...
2017-12-181h 03