The GoodHard Story Podcast

Katherine reflects on a recent reunion with childhood friends that brought into striking relief the gap between the expectations they had for their lives, and the reality of the lives they are actually living. She walked away from the experience convinced we must expect more of God and less of the world. But how exactly can we do that? Katherine tells us how she’s doing it. ----- Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting will be  available April 9, 2024. Pre-order today. Camp Desoto for Girls Hope Heals Camp ------- Scriptures Referenced: John 16:33 - “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV) Isaiah 43:2 - “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (NIV) Isaiah 45:3 - “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (NIV) Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way. Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram

Join Katherine for a new segment she is calling “Ask Amy Julia” with one of her dear friends and Hope Heals Camp alum, Amy Julia Becker! Amy Julia Becker is an award-winning writer and speaker on faith, disability, and family. She is the author of four books, including To Be Made Well: An Invitation to Wholeness, Healing, and Hope, a guest opinion writer for national publications, and the host of the Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast. Becker is a graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv). She lives with her husband and their three children in western Connecticut. Notes:  5 Things I Wish I Had Known When Our Daughter Was Diagnosed with Down Syndrome - Free Download from Amy Julia  Doctor’s Still Don’t Know How to Talk About Down Syndrome  Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way. Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram

Join Katherine as she chats with Brandi Wilson on her unexpected journey into life as a single mom, and what that journey has looked like as she stepped into this new season. Brandi Wilson is an author, coach, and speaker who has been in leadership for more than a decade at Leading and Loving It, a non-profit created to empower women to love life and ministry. Brandi has helped plant two churches and is passionate about walking alongside single moms and divorced women as they navigate parenting and life. Her latest book is Better Than Okay: Finding Hope and Healing After Your Marriage Ends. Brandi lives with her three sons in Nashville, TN. More at lovebrandiwilson.com. ----------------- Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way.  Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp  Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram

Rev. Esau McCaulley, PhD is an associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He is the author of many works including Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance and his book  Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope won numerous awards, including Christianity Today’s book of the year. His latest project is a memoir entitled: How far to the Promised Land: One Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South. He is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. His writings have also appeared in places such as The Atlantic, Washington Post, and Christianity Today. He is married to Mandy, a pediatrician and navy reservist. Together, they have four wonderful children. Keep up with Esau: On Instagram His website His books ----------------- Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way.  Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp  Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram

Join Katherine as she shares her thoughts on what it means to make hope a habit.   ALSO! Katherine is THRILLED to be part of the IF Gathering this year and she would LOVE for you to join her! This February 23rd and 24th, they are hosting the 10-year celebration at Dickies Arena in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas. If you've never been, this is an incredible two days (a Friday night and Saturday) for you to worship and hear from teachers and pastors who will remind you what our time here on earth is really for: telling people about Jesus. Tickets are $175, and secure your ticket now, and let's make IF:2024 an unforgettable journey together. Be sure to get your tickets here before they are sold out! Hope Heals Book Pre-order Treasures in the Dark  Scriptures Referenced:  Ephesians 4:1 Isaiah 45:3 Isaiah 61:3 Habakkuk 3:17-18 Psalm 42:5 Psalm 16:6 ----------------- Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way.  Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp  Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram

Join Jay + Katherine on the back porch of Hope Heals Camp for a conversation with their dear friends, Heather + Josh Avis.  Heather and Josh Avis are the founders of The Lucky Few, they are the proud parents to three amazing kids: Macyn, Truly and August. Together, they are a multi-able, multiracial family grown together by adoption. Heather is a New York Times best-selling author, podcaster and a Down syndrome advocate. Together Josh and Heather are working to create a more inclusive world where everyone belongs. For more than a decade, they have led this effort by shouting worth, shifting narratives and reimagining what it looks like when we embrace our differences. The Lucky Few is an invitation to build a kinder, more inclusive world. We accomplish this through a combination of advocacy and activism, narrative-shifting and storytelling. The Lucky Few believes in inspiring and challenging our audiences, calling them to listen, read, share, contribute and support as we work to create a world where differences are embraced and everyone belongs.   ---- Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way.  Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp  Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram

Join Jay + Katherine on the back porch of Hope Heals Camp for a conversation with their dear friend, and Pastor to Teens at camp, Nigel Darius, for a conversation of community, belonging, and belovedness. Nigel is a purveyor of all that is true, noble, good, and lovely. His formats and interfaces take just about every form—live lectures, poetry, illustration, podcasts, community organizing, and social justice work. No matter the medium, Nigel consistently communicates one resounding message: there is hope for the healing of humanity. You can find out more about Nigel on his website, check out his book, Fragments & Finality, and be sure to follow him on Instagram.  ---------------- Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way.  Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp  Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram

Join Jay and Katherine Wolf as they sit down with their friends, Jarrett and Jeanne Stevens on the back porch of our favorite place in the world: Hope Heals Camp. They discuss the complexities and joys of doing both life and ministry together, and the unimaginable grief their family has walked through these last few years. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Jarrett and Jeanne Stevens are the lead pastors of Soul City Church in Chicago, IL. They are both prolific authors, speakers, and pastors, and parents to the lovely Elijah and GiGi.  Jeanne is a sought-after speaker, leader, and writer. Her passion to develop people to live boldly & fully gives her a unique voice of hope and challenge. Be sure to check out her most recent book:  What’s Here Now - How to Stop Rehashing the Past, And Rehearsing the Future - and Start Receiving the Present.   Jarrett is the author of several books including Four Small Words, The Deity Formerly Known As God and Creative Matters, and his newest book: Praying Through.  Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way.  Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp  Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram  

Jay & Katherine Wolf are joined by their dear friend, Curt Thompson, MD on this very special episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast recorded at our beloved Hope Heals Camp. In this episode, Curt shares about his newest book, The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope, and how suffering is a defining reality of life. Yet so many of us are so focused on avoiding discomfort that we've never learned how to actually suffer. But what if we could move from anxiety to durable hope? Katherine and Jay take a dive in with Curt on what hope in suffering looks like, and how to find hope amongst the heartache. Be sure to check out Curt's other books as well: The Anatomy of the Soul, The Soul of Desire and The Soul of Shame.  -------- Want some hope in your inbox? Sign up for our semi-monthly Hope Note for a little dose of hope and encouragement along the way.  Learn more about us here: Hope Heals Hope Heals Camp  Mend Coffee Find us on Instagram      

This week, Hope Heals team member, Caroline Young, joins Katherine to ask her what it has looked like over the last 15 years to put all of the lessons she has learned and shares about into practice.  We are so thankful you all joined us for this season on the podcast. We are headed to Hope Heals Camp for the summer, so we will be on a short break, but be sure to subscribe to see when our first episode of our next season airs in the fall!  To learn more about Hope Heals, you can find us at: www.hopeheals.com www.mendcoffee.org www.hopehealscamp.com www.instagram.com/hopeheals