Shows
Stories & Other Things HolyTop 10 from Season 1 - #8 - Epiphany: The Gift of Receiving GodSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to #8 in our Top 10 Countdown of the most popular episodes of Season 1 - Epiphany: The Gift of Receiving God (Episode 12)Join us as we revisit this special Epiphany episode of Stories and Other Things Holy. Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson dives into the profound mystery of the incarnation, reflecting on God’s vulnerability and what it means for us to truly receive the gift of divine love.In this heartfelt story, Terry recalls a personal encounter that illuminates the deep connection between giving, receiving, and...
2025-07-0325 min
Stories & Other Things HolyTop 10 from Season 1 - #9 - "I Signed the Book of the Dead?!" A Lenten Wake-Up CallSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Top 10 from Season 1 - #9 - "I Signed the Book of the Dead?!" A Lenten Wake-Up CallIn Episode 22 of Stories and Other Things Holy, Terry recounts a funeral visit that took an unexpected turn when he accidentally signed the “Book of the Dead.” Far from a grim tale, this lighthearted moment leads to profound insights on the Lenten season, our mortality, and how embracing both can ignite hope.In This Episode, We Explore:Terry’s near-death experience and how it res...
2025-06-2306 min
Stories & Other Things HolyTop 10 from Season 1 - #10 - The Surprise of Easter: A Story of Grace, Grit & Dirty DishesSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Top 10 from Season 1 - #10 - The Surprise of Easter: A Story of Grace, Grit & Dirty Dishes#PopeFrancis #EasterMonday #Easter2025 #ChristianPodcast #ResurrectionHope #StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #ActsOfKindness #GraceInFailure #FaithStories #UnsungHeroes #HopeAndGrief #CatholicContent #GomerPyleQuote #EasterReflection #SurpriseGraceEpisode 27 - The Surprise of Easter: A Story of Grace, Grit & Dirty DishesOn this Easter Monday—one filled with both hope and grief following the passing of Pope Francis—we reflect on a story that reminds us what resurrection really looks like: surprise, grace, and the tender solidarity of “I’ve been...
2025-06-1609 min
Stories & Other Things HolyWhy Dance is Essential for Your Spiritual Health – Pentecost Stories That InspireSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Celebrate Pentecost in a uniquely powerful way with this special episode featuring Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson. Through three deeply moving stories—ranging from family bonds to overcoming profound grief—you'll explore the spiritual invitation to dance with joy and resilience, embodying the essence of Pentecost.📌 Chapters:0:00 - Welcome & Introduction1:02 - The First Dance: Uncle Bob’s Touching Request4:47 - Story of Resilience: Poet Gregory Orr’s Journey8:05 - Dancing Through Adversity: A Father’s Love During COVID10:44 - Reflection: Pentecost and the Invitation to Dance12:32...
2025-06-0915 min
Stories & Other Things HolyWhat Happens After We Die? A Heartfelt Story About the Mystery of LoveSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. What Happens After We Die? A Heartfelt Story About the Mystery of LoveWhen we lose someone we love, we're often left with the haunting question: "Where are they now?" In this deeply moving episode of Stories and Other Things Holy, Terry shares his journey from complex theological questions to beautifully simple truth.📖 CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 - Introduction: The Power of Simple Spirituality 01:14 - Kate Braestrup's Memoir: A Line That Changed Everything 02:16 - Becoming an Orphan: The Universal Question 03:49 - 3AM...
2025-06-0208 min
Stories & Other Things HolyEaster to Pentecost: Discover the Power of Mutual Presence in the EucharistSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome back to Episode 30 of Stories & Other Things Holy!This week, Joshua and Terry dust off an archival reflection on Real Presence—from Easter’s Eucharist to Pentecost’s promise of the Holy Spirit.🔔 Subscribe & Hit the BellNever miss an episode—Subscribe and turn on notifications!📖 Chapters[00:00] – Intro & Context: Easter → Pentecost prep[01:26] – Terry’s Camino Cathedral Incense Reflection[03:36] – Cesar Chávez Story: “It’s Mutual”[05:07] – Theology of Mutual Presence in the Eucharist[06:19] – Pr...
2025-05-2708 min
Stories & Other Things HolyWait, There's More! How Easter's Promise Revives Relationships & LifeSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 🌟 Episode 29: Wait, There's More! – Easter Wisdom from Madeline L'Engle 🌟Ever thought your relationship was beyond saving? This Easter season, Terry Nelson-Johnson unpacks a profound life lesson inspired by beloved author Madeline L'Engle. Through touching stories and candid reflections, explore why every marriage and relationship experiences "death"—and how Easter offers us hope and resurrection.🔖 Chapters: [00:00] - Introduction: Wait, There's More! [01:11] - Who Was Madeline L'Engle? [01:54] - Two-Part Invention: A Story of a Marriage [02:54] - Every Marriage Dies—Wil...
2025-05-1205 min
Stories & Other Things HolyEaster and the Paradox of Love: A Story That Will Break and Heal YouSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 🎙️ Episode 28: Easter and the Paradox of LoveIn this moving Easter reflection, Terry Nelson-Johnson tells the story of Kinsey—a man caught between academic success and the shadow of a cruel father. What unfolds is a moment of intimacy and transformation, echoing one of Christianity’s most iconic images: the Pietà.Through laughter, grief, and paradox, Terry weaves a connection between the pain we witness and the deepening of love. A reminder that grace often lives where sorrow and beauty meet.⸻⏱️ Chapt...
2025-05-0505 min
Stories & Other Things HolyThe Surprise of Easter: A Story of Grace, Grit & Dirty DishesSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Episode 27 - The Surprise of Easter: A Story of Grace, Grit & Dirty DishesOn this Easter Monday—one filled with both hope and grief following the passing of Pope Francis—we reflect on a story that reminds us what resurrection really looks like: surprise, grace, and the tender solidarity of “I’ve been there. You’ll be okay.”In this episode, Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a story of a young mother overwhelmed by life, a black trash bag full of burned pans, and a mysterious...
2025-04-2108 min
Stories & Other Things HolyJesus Among the Ashes: Real Stories of Sacrifice and TransformationSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Episode Overview:In this stirring episode, Joshua Minden and guest Terry Nelson-Johnson guide you through a reflective journey into the mystery of the cross during Holy Week. With stories drawn from real-world hardships—from the early days of the Ukraine conflict to the heartbreak of lost landmarks in Los Angeles—this episode challenges you to rediscover Jesus in every broken and painful moment. Chapter Markers:[00:02] Introduction[01:30] Episode Title & Branding [01:40] Personal Testimony & The Unpolished Cross[03:24] Story of Suf...
2025-04-1410 min
Stories & Other Things HolyTransformative Faith: How a Cross Encounter Inspires Love & GraceSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to Episode 25: A Profound Lenten ReflectionDive deep into this reflective episode where Terry imagines a personal encounter with Jesus on the way of the cross, blending Ignatian spirituality with the art of loving-kindness meditation.Chapters:00:02 – Introduction: Joshua welcomes you to the episode.00:57 – Spiritual Storytelling: Terry introduces the concept of engaging with Jesus on His journey to Golgotha.02:02 – Exploring Buddhist Influences: Terry recounts a transformative loving-kindness meditation worksh...
2025-04-0510 min
Stories & Other Things HolyEmbrace Goodbye: A Sacred Journey of Letting GoSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to Episode 24 of Stories & Other Things Holy. In this episode, host Joshua Minden and storyteller Terry Nelson-Johnson share a deeply moving story about saying goodbye—a layered farewell that invites us to release what no longer serves us. Through reflective dialogue and heartfelt narrative, this episode challenges us to ask: What must I let go of to welcome new life?Chapters:00:12 – Introduction: The Sacred Storytelling Journey01:55 – Terry’s Reflection on the Spiritual Weight of Goodbye03:15 – A Transformative Farewell: Letting Go of the...
2025-03-3109 min
Stories & Other Things HolyEmbrace the In-Between: Let Go & Become Who You’re Meant to BeSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to Episode 23 of Stories & Other Things Holy – the fourth installment in our Lenten series. In today’s episode, Joshua Minden and Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson explore the transformative power of letting go. They share personal stories about leaving behind old identities, the courage to risk vulnerability, and how embracing the in-between can lead to a more authentic self.Chapters: [00:01] – Introduction: Entering the space between past and future[01:41] – Dr. Terry’s reflection on letting go and embracing the unknown[02:47] – Exploring the role of vulne...
2025-03-2409 min
Stories & Other Things Holy"I Signed the Book of the Dead?!" A Lenten Wake-Up CallSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Join us for Episode 22 of Stories and Other Things Holy with Terry Nelson-Johnson. In this candid conversation, Terry recounts a funeral visit that took an unexpected turn when he accidentally signed the “Book of the Dead.” Far from a grim tale, this lighthearted moment leads to profound insights on the Lenten season, our mortality, and how embracing both can ignite hope.In This Episode, We Explore:Terry’s near-death experience and how it reshaped his outlookThe comedic yet meaningful mishap of signin...
2025-03-1706 min
Stories & Other Things HolyReclaiming Your True Self: A Journey of Love & RenewalSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to Episode 21 of “Stories & Other Things Holy.” In this episode, Joshua Minden introduces a powerful reflection drawn from the Gospel of Luke—the story of Jesus’s temptation in the desert—inviting us to question the labels we’ve internalized from our past. Terry Nelson-Johnson then shares an intimate story about a conversation with his mother—a moment when makeup, memories, and vulnerability converge to remind us that even when familiar parts of our identity seem lost, we remain held by an unwavering source of love.Join us as...
2025-03-1009 min
Stories & Other Things HolyRelease Your Pain & Heal: A Lenten Journey of TransformationSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to Episode 20 of Stories & Other Things Holy – a heartfelt Lenten reflection that invites you to explore the transformative power of letting go. In this episode, host Joshua Minden and principal storyteller Terry Nelson-Johnson share a personal and unexpected journey: while visiting Star Rock in central Illinois, Terry experiences a life-changing massage that not only eased his physical tension but also became a metaphor for releasing the familiar pains we carry.Through candid storytelling and gentle humor, Terry reveals how a former steel mill worker turned ma...
2025-03-0310 min
Stories & Other Things HolyLove the Hell Out of Me: A Powerful Story of Healing and BelongingSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to Episode 19 of Stories & Other Things Holy! This week, host Joshua Minden and principal storyteller Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson bring you a heart-stirring tale about a once-vicious dog who finally trusts enough to be loved. Using this unlikely story of healing and connection, we dive into deeper questions of spirituality, grace, and the choice to let go of isolation.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why vulnerability can be the key to true freedomHow “hell” can be anything that keeps...
2025-02-2423 min
Stories & Other Things HolyWhen Play Meets Pain: A Surprising Lesson on LoveSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a story about his seven-year-old son’s daring bobsled-style adventure—sliding down the stairs on a comforter. When play turns painful, Terry witnesses an unexpected moment of resilience that changes his perspective on risk, love, and how we grow from life’s inevitable bumps and bruises.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:A comical yet moving account of a child’s unstoppable spiritHow playful risk can reveal deeper truths about creativity and painInsights on why love n...
2025-02-1724 min
Stories & Other Things HolyThe Destiny to Be Held: A Tender Story of Healing and LiberationSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to Episode 17 of Stories & Other Things Holy! In this heartfelt installment, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson recounts an intimate story centered around his daughter Claire and a pivotal moment of vulnerability in his family. When faced with unexpected challenges—from a family crisis to the tender aftermath of loss—Terry discovers that our destiny is to be held. He explains how being embraced in our most fragile moments transforms shame into humility, isolation into communal healing, and pain into a path toward liberation.Key themes include:• The tr...
2025-02-1037 min
Stories & Other Things HolyHumiliation or Humility? A Story of Grace & FallingSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 📖 Humiliation or Humility? The Wisdom of Falling | Stories & Other Things Holy 🎙️What happens when we fall—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? In this episode, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a poignant story about his mentor, Silky, a man who exuded grace and confidence, and how one unexpected moment changed his perspective on humility, vulnerability, and grace.Terry and Joshua explore the profound distinction between humiliation and humility and how falling is not just a human experience, but a divine o...
2025-02-0322 min
Stories & Other Things HolyThe Trustworthiness of Pain: A Journey Through HealingSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. The Trustworthiness of Pain | Stories & Other Things HolyIn this episode, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson and host Joshua Minden delve into the paradoxical relationship between pain, suffering, and healing. Through a humorous yet poignant story about physical therapy and a profound insight from Terry's son, the conversation explores how pain can be redemptive and lead us to new life when contextualized within love and trust.Reflecting on the Paschal Mystery, they discuss Good Friday moments in life that call us to let go...
2025-01-2722 min
Stories & Other Things HolyYou’ll Never Know Unless You Go: Faith, Risk, and ResurrectionSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to this week’s episode of Stories and Other Things Holy!Have you ever wondered what it really means to take a leap of faith? Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a joyful and tender story about a trapeze experience that illustrates how trust, hope, and risk are all part of living a life of faith. Through reflections on Jesus’ ultimate leap of trust, we’re invited to let go of our fears and take the risk of saying yes to God’s transformative love.🌟 Key Themes...
2025-01-2036 min
Stories & Other Things HolyJesus Wants Your Feet: The Healing Power of VulnerabilitySend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Discover the healing power of vulnerability in this week’s episode of Stories and Other Things Holy. Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a poignant and comical story about aching feet and the unexpected moments that reveal our deepest need for connection and healing. Inspired by Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and Pope Francis’ tender embrace of prisoners’ feet, this episode challenges us to invite God into the unsightly, weight-bearing, and aching parts of our lives. What happens when we allow God to meet us in our chaos and heal us in th...
2025-01-1301 min
Stories & Other Things HolyEpiphany: The Gift of Receiving GodSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. ✨ Epiphany: The Gift of Receiving God ✨Join us for this special Epiphany episode of Stories and Other Things Holy. Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson dives into the profound mystery of the incarnation, reflecting on God’s vulnerability and what it means for us to truly receive the gift of divine love.In this heartfelt story, Terry recalls a personal encounter that illuminates the deep connection between giving, receiving, and participating in God’s work in the world. Together, we explore:The paradox of the wise...
2025-01-0624 min
Stories & Other Things HolyEmbracing the Messiness of Love: Lessons for a New YearSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Happy New Year and welcome to the latest episode of Stories and Other Things Holy!In this special New Year’s episode, we dive into the unforgettable story of Mr. Riva, a man whose life was forever changed by an extraordinary encounter with Pope Francis. Our principal storyteller Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson reflects on the courage it takes to embrace life’s messiness and the transformative power of love and vulnerability. Together with host Joshua Minden, they explore what it means to believe in new begi...
2024-12-3024 min
Stories & Other Things HolyLet's Believe One More Year: A Christmas Story That Changes EverythingSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 🎄 Merry Christmas! In this heartfelt episode of Stories and Other Things Holy, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson takes us back to his childhood with a story that reminds us of the power of belief and wonder during the Christmas season. When Terry’s brother, determined to preserve the magic of Christmas, goes to great lengths to recreate Santa’s visit, a profound lesson in faith and imagination emerges.✨ Join us as we explore the courage it takes to "make belief," the beauty of childlike wonder, and the endur...
2024-12-2331 min
Stories & Other Things HolyThis Is My Body, Given for You: Advent’s Call to Self-Giving Love | Advent SeriesSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to the fourth and final week of our Advent Reflection Series on Stories & Other Things Holy!This week, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson reflects on Rachel Held Evans’ profound meditation on the incarnation, exploring:The mystery of God’s vulnerability in becoming humanMary’s radical self-giving and her role in feeding God HimselfThe connection between surrender, self-giving, and new lifeHow Advent calls us to say “Amen” to God’s presence in the messiness of lifeLet this reflection invite you to embrace the beauty and mystery of t...
2024-12-1608 min
Stories & Other Things HolyAdvent Lamaze Classes: Trusting the Process of Spiritual Birth | Advent SeriesSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to week three of the Stories & Other Things Holy Advent series!This week, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson reflects on Joyce Rupp’s stirring words about birthing new life and Meister Eckhart’s challenge for all of us to become “mothers of God.” Advent isn’t just about commemorating a past event—it’s about making space for God to be born in us today.In this episode, we explore:The concept of spiritual availability: Are you willing to be open to God’s work in your lif...
2024-12-0906 min
Stories & Other Things HolyGod’s Declaration: Joining Us in Our Chaos | Advent SeriesSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to week two of the Stories & Other Things Holy Advent series! This week, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a moving story inspired by Fr. Richard Fragomeni’s homily about God’s radical declaration to join us fully in our chaos.In this episode, we explore:How God’s presence in our chaos transforms our perspectiveThe comforting image of God’s compassion as a loving parentWhy Advent invites us to welcome God’s companionship in our messiest momentsLet this reflection be a reminder that you are no...
2024-12-0206 min
Stories & Other Things HolyYou’re Here! Advent & The Surprise of the Incarnation | Advent SeriesSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. Welcome to Stories & Other Things Holy! This week begins our Advent series, a time to reflect on the surprise and grace of the incarnation. Inspired by Greg Boyle’s moving story of his mother, we explore:The essence of Advent as a "surprise party" for the incarnationWhat it means to wake up and say, "You’re Here!" with gratitude and aweHow this season can help us recognize God’s presence in our lives todayWe’ve kept this episode short to allow more space for you to refle...
2024-11-2506 min
Stories & Other Things HolyWhat Does It Mean to Become a Prayer?Send Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 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 prayerHow suffering and desperation deepen our connection with GodThe significance of the body in prayer and the incarnationWhy memorizing prayers can become an embodied spiritual practiceTh...
2024-11-1820 min
Stories & Other Things HolyHunting for Grace in Everyday LifeSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 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 reveal...
2024-11-1119 min
Stories & Other Things HolyGood For You: Aging With Humor & WisdomSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 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 diminishmentHow humor and laughter can open us...
2024-11-0422 min
Stories & Other Things HolyStory Excerpt from 'Learning to Look Up: Embracing Grace in Everyday Moments'Send Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 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...
2024-10-3004 min
Stories & Other Things HolyLearning to Look Up: Embracing Grace in Everyday MomentsSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 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 impo...
2024-10-2822 min
Stories & Other Things HolySuspended in God's Breath: Reflections on Life, Prayer, and PresenceSend Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 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...
2024-10-2119 min
Stories & Other Things HolySacred Stories: How Storytelling Connects, Challenges, and Transforms Us (Episode 0)Send Terry and Joshua a text using this link. 🎙️ Stories and Other Things Holy - Preview Episode | A New Storytelling PodcastJoin 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 heart...
2024-10-1122 min