Episode 240: Interview with Natasha Smith

In this very important and special podcast, we give a couple of updates about the future of the Worthy podcast.  If you would like to donate as a "thank you", feel free to do that here. 

Colleen interviews Elyse about her latest book:  Friend of Sinners: Lent Devotions on Following the Crucified King (A 43 Day Lenten Devotional to Prepare for Easter | Includes Reflection Questions for Personal Use or Group Discussion) 

Zach is the Lead Pastor and co-founder of Restore. Born and raised in Austin, he holds a Bachelors of Science in Communication, a Masters of Theology, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Duke Divinity School. Zach is also the author of the forthcoming book, Better Ways to Read the Bible, which is all about transforming the Bible from a weapon that condemns, oppresses, and excludes into a tool that liberates. Zach is the co-founder and board member of the Post Evangelical Collective--a group of pastors, artists, and leaders committed to full inclusion, holistic justice, deep and wide formation, a gracious posture, and the Way of Jesus. He also serves on the boards of the Austin Church Planting Network and the Austin chapter of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network.

Rachael Clinton Chen, MDiv, is a formative voice in the movement toward healing from spiritual abuse. As a trauma care practitioner and pastoral leader, she weaves together theology, psychology, and story to accompany individuals and communities toward a kind of wholeness and resilient faith that tells the truth and pursues repair. She serves as a lead instructor for the Allender Center at The Seattle School and is co-host of the Allender Center Podcast with Dr. Dan Allender. Rachael is a stormborn woman of the Oklahoma plains and received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University. She holds a Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and recently had the honor of being named by Sojourners as one of "9 Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2024." Rachael is devoted to addressing the harm of abuse – especially spiritual abuse – at the intersection of trauma, healing, embodiment and spiritual formation. She leads the Story Workshop for Spiritual Abuse & Healing and recently developed the Allender Center's Spiritual Abuse & Healing Online Course, inviting survivors of spiritual abuse to journey together towards healing and reclamation.

Janyne McConnaughey, Ph.D., award winning author and trauma-informed advocate, lived with the effects of childhood sexual abuse from the time she was three years old until she entered therapy and began her healing journey at the age of sixty-one. Realizing healing was possible for survivors, she first authored three memoirs describing the effects of childhood trauma and the paths to healing. Her most recent publication is Trauma in the Pews: The Impact of Trauma on Faith and Spiritual Practices. Janyne's passion is encouraging other survivors of childhood trauma to seek healing. She is currently a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tabor College (Masters in Education: Neuroscience & Trauma) and has served for four years as Board Member for the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN), two as Board President. Janyne builds on her forty-year career in teaching, teacher education, and an expertise in early childhood development to help educators, caregivers, and church ministry workers understand and apply trauma-informed practices. Janyne, her husband Scott, and rescue dog Weber live south of Seattle and enjoy spending time with children and grandchildren. 

Katie Douglass & Brittnay Tausen join us to talk about their book Love Your Neighbor: How Psychology Can Enliven Faith and Transform Community.

Inspired by deep compassion for others and informed from a Christian perspective, psychiatrist Curt Thompson shares fresh insights and practical applications for developing more authentic relationships and fully experiencing our deepest longing: to be known. He's written several books, including: Anatomy of the Soul The Soul of Shame The Deepest Place   Become a Patreon Supporter  

Adam Young is a trauma therapist and the host of The Place We Find Ourselves podcast. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with master's degrees in social work (Virginia Commonwealth University) and divinity (Emory University). Adam regularly speaks at conferences and currently serves as a fellow with The Allender Center. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with his wife and two children.

Natasha Smith is a grief advocate, speaker, and podcast host. She is the author of Can You Just Sit with Me? Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life. Her work has appeared in Guideposts, Propel Women, Influence magazine, her.BIBLE, and elsewhere. She and her husband, Clinton, have four children and live near Raleigh, North Carolina. You can find her online at imnatashasmith.com.

Faith Chang serves at Grace Christian Church of Staten Island, where her husband is a pastor. She is an editorial board member of the SOLA Network and co-hosts the Westminster Kids Digest Podcast at WTS Books. Her writing on theology, motherhood, ministry, and the Christian life has appeared on Westminster Kids, The SOLA Network, The Gospel Coalition, and The Lausanne Movement. Faith addresses the struggle of Christian Perfectionism - and how God works with us as a "people in process." Through meditations on God's character, she helps women find peace by encountering the love and mercy offered to us through Christ. "Peace over Perfection: Enjoying a good God when you feel you're never good enough"   Become a Patreon Supporter