Impossible Beauty

How might our days and conception of beauty change, if we started our morning with God, the author and origin of beauty itself? This is the exact topic we tackle in today’s conversation with Tara Beth Leach. Tara Beth is an author, speaker, and the senior pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois. In today’s conversation, she shares about her latest book, The Great Morning Revolution: Daily Spiritual Practices for Meaningful Moments with God. Specifically, Tara Beth discusses how an invitation from God to connect with Him in the morning changed her life, rhythms, and perspectives amidst a desolate season of loss.She also shares how connecting with God in this daily rhythm not only can make us more attentive to God, but can help us live into a truer understanding and experience of beauty. As Tara Beth says, “We were made to be in relationship with the most beautiful one of all.” May our mornings be an opportunity to connect with the One our hearts are made for.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Anna Rollins is the author of Famished: On Food, Sex, and Growing Up as a Good Girl. Anna’s debut memoir examines the rhyming scripts of diet culture and evangelical purity culture, both of which direct women to fear their own bodies and appetites.Anna is an award-winning instructor who taught English in higher education for nearly 15 years, and her writing has appeared in outlets like The New York Times, Slate, Electric Literature, Salon, Joyland, and more. In today’s episode, Anna shares how societal messages around beauty and body image contributed to her struggles with disordered eating. We also discuss Anna’s research on purity and diet culture’s impacts on women’s relationships with their bodies and food, as well as how the concept of self-control might be helpfully framed as we enter the season of Lent.My hope is that as we name and shed unhelpful theologies related to food and our bodies, we might find more freedom, healing, and wholeness.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Kids and teens these days face all kinds of stressors, including pressures around beauty and body image. In today’s episode I talk with Dr. Chinwé Williams all about the power of connection in building both emotional resilience and body image resilience in kids and teen.  Dr. Chinwé Williams is a speaker, best-selling author, and Licensed and Board-Certified therapist whose expertise includes child and adolescent development, women’s wellness, & anxiety and trauma management. In today’s conversation, we discuss Dr. Williams' most recent book, entitled Calm, Courageous, and Connected: A Parent's Guide to Raising Emotionally Resilient Kids. Specifically, she discusses how and why building emotional resilience is a relational posture, how she sees beauty and body image pressures impacting kids and teens, and the emotional impact of young people getting the message that their value comes from their appearance.Dr. Williams' insights are both wise and encouraging. May you leave this conversation feeling empowered to see and connect more deeply with the young people in your life.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

On this week’s episode, we talk about current societal trends impacting women and girls, leading them to believe that they are always on show and that the way they look is the most important thing about them. Thankfully, we have a trusted companion to do so in Oona Hanson. Oona Hanson is an educator and parenting coach. Through her writing, workshops, and private consultations, she supports families in raising kids who have a healthy relationship with food and their body. She has been featured in television programs, like Good Morning America, and her work has been featured in various publications, including People, USA Today, US News & World Report, Today, CNN, and The Washington Post. In our time together, we unpack a recent article Oona wrote on her Substack, entitled, The Life of a Girl Who’s Always on Show: Help Your Daughter Navigate a World That’s Constantly Judging Her Looks. Specifically, we talk about the showgirl imagery in Taylor Swift’s latest album, how we might interact with the next generation around the prevalence of weight loss ads, and the recent TikTok, now banned hashtag, #skinnytoc.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

On this podcast, I am committed to helping listeners (and myself) understand beauty in its truest, most life-giving sense. And that is why I am so excited to start the new year with David Taylor as today’s guest.David Taylor is a theologian, author, speaker, priest, and director of initiatives in art and faith. As Associate Professor of Theology & Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, he has lectured widely on the arts, from Thailand to South Africa. He has also written for The Washington Post, Image Journal, Theology Today, Worship, Religion News Service, and Christianity Today, among others. Additionally, in 2016 he produced a short film with Bono and Eugene Peterson, entitled Bono and Eugene Peterson: THE PSALMS.In today’s episode, David not only gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his class on beauty at Fuller Seminary, but also shares his own biblically grounded understanding of what true beauty is. David also uncovers lies about beauty he sees at work in Western society, discusses how we might navigate aging in a broken world, and helps us see how we can know God in and through the arts. My hope is that this conversation will leave you feeling deeply encouraged, as you are reminded that true beauty is alive and at work in the world.David's latest book: Naming the Spirit: Pneumatology Through the Arts Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Amidst the busyness of the Christmas season, it can be hard to take the time to slow down and contemplate the breadth and depth of Jesus’s birth. In today’s episode, Trillia Newbell helps us do just that. Trillia is the author of numerous books, including Bible studies, children’s books, and non-fiction titles, such as her latest book: Behold, The Lamb of God Has Come: Celebrating the 25 Days of Christmas Together. Trillia also supports other writers as the Acquisitions Director at Moody Publishers. In today’s conversation, Trillia invites us to reflect on the character and work of Jesus, as well as how the Christmas story helps us persevere in faith amidst a broken world. Trillia also helps us see why societal beauty standards are unhelpful and, instead, invites us to embrace the beauty of diversity. My hope is that this conversation may open your mind and heart anew to the beauty and hope that the Christmas season brings.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Amidst the inreasing pressures of beauty culture to run from any hint of aging, it makes sense that cosmetic procedures and skincare products are surging in popularity. And, yet I wonder if we might meet aging in a different way. And that’s where Joyce Rupp comes in.Joyce Rupp is the author of numerous bestselling books, an international retreat leader, a conference speaker, was a volunteer with hospice for fifteen years, and is a member of the Servites or Servants of Mary community. In today’s conversation, Joyce helps us see aging from a more life-giving perspective and expands our view of what beauty is and what role it plays in our transformation. Joyce also shares about her own faith journey and how she persists in knowing God as good and beautiful amidst a very broken world.May this conversation ground you in knowing a deeper beauty that is already present in you and all around you.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

In 2013, after 16 years of hospital and community work, Registered Dietician and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, Jessica Setnick, closed her private practice to fulfill her mission of educating primary care professionals about eating disorders, dysfunctional eating behavior, and how to best promote recovery and prevention. In addition to speaking and authoring numerous publications, Jessica also mentors the next generation of eating disorder professionals through case consultation and supervision.In my conversation with Jessica, she discusses how shame and fear-based messages in the health care field often make people's eating issues worse, as well as the normalization and prevalence of disordered eating behaviors in American society. Jessica also addresses recent food trends like orthorexia and clean eating and when trying to eat healthily becomes unhealthy.In our conversation and in her work, such as in her Heal Your Inner Eater Workbook and workshop, Jessica helps all of us take a step back and evaluate what our food behaviors and beliefs are and if they bring us life.These topics and Jessica's work are important for all of us who have been exposed to the inundation of diet and wellness culture; may this conversation help you find greater wholeness in your relationship with food and your body. Link to handout on Orthorexia: Positive vs. Pathological NutritionBuy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

On this podcast I seek to redefine beauty as “the life of God at work in us and all around us.” In today's episode, Courtney Ellis helps us experience the life of God at work in nature, specifically among birds. Courtney Ellis is an author, speaker, pastor, and host of The Thing with Feathers Podcast. She holds a master’s degree in English literature from Loyola University, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and alongside her husband, she pastors Presbyterian Church of the Master in Orange County, California.In my time with Courtney, we discuss her latest book, Looking Up: A Birder’s Guide to Hope Through Grief. Courtney shares how birding can be a gateway to a deepening awareness of beauty in the world, how it can lead us to hope, and why she sees birding as a spiritual practice. In short, Courtney helps us see that birds remind us that God is at work all around us and that He is with us; all we have to do is look up.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Gretchen Andrew left Silicon Valley for the art world and now refers to herself as a “Search Engine Artist.” Gretchen uses her experience as a former computer scientist at Google and her artist training in London with Billy Childish to “hack systems of power with art, code, and glitter,” as she states it, and helps make invisible parts of technology visible. Her work has been featured in outlets such as The Washington Post, Fortune Magazine, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, and The Financial Times, among others.  In my time with Gretchen, we discuss her latest limited series, entitled Facetune Portraits: Universal Beauty, currently featured at The Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan. In this series, and in our time together, Gretchen helps us see how AI is shaping beauty standards, the pressures those standards create, and the resulting invisible scars of these developing technologies. Given the rapid pace and pervasiveness of these technologies’ impacts, this conversation is such an important one. I can’t wait for you to listen and learn more.**Also, please know that at points this conversation includes some mature themes, in case you’d like to be mindful of when and where you listen to this episode.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Ellen Wildman decided she didn’t want to hate her body anymore. So, she set out on a journey to heal and change that relationship. In today’s episode, Ellen tells us about her journey of healing and self-acceptance and the book that she wrote as a result.Ellen Wildman holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Denver Seminary and is the author of Single and Not Sorry and most recently, Already Whole: 90 Devotions for Being at Home in the Body God Gave You. In my time with Ellen, we discuss lies from beauty and diet culture that get in the way of partnering with our bodies, how we can shift from our bodies being a project or enemy to our partner, and what it means to be made in the image of God. As you listen to our conversation, may grace, healing, and wholeness infuse your relationship with your body as well.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

The tricky part about diet culture is that it oftentimes masquerades as health and wellness. Given that, in today’s episode, Leslie Schilling and I discuss and even debunk some of today’s most prevalent wellness trends.Leslie Schilling is a registered dietitian, sports nutritionist, nutrition therapist, and the author of Feed Yourself: Step Away from the Lies of Diet Culture and into Your Divine Design. Leslie also served as a performance nutrition consultant for Cirque du Soleil®, is an expert contributor to U.S. News & World Report, and has been featured in media outlets like Health, Women's Health, Self, Pregnancy Magazine,Yoga Journal, The Huffington Post, and on HGTV.In our time together, Leslie discusses the oftentimes disordered nature of clean eating, including her thoughts on Whole 30. She also gives important insight on increased fears regarding sugar consumption, as well as artificial dyes. As you’ll hear today, Leslie is an advocate for helping her clients, and people in general, find peace with food and their bodies. I hope that’s exactly what this conversation moves you toward today.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

After struggling with doubt for years, Zach Windahl committed to an intensive Bible study program in Australia that completely transformed his life and changed his thoughts on the Bible. Since then, he has written The Bible Study, which has since sold over 500,000 copies, and launched The Brand Sunday, a company that creates resources that help people engage with God’s Word. In short, Zach’s mission is to simplify the Bible so anyone – no matter their background – can understand it, apply it, and grow in their faith. In today’s conversation with Zach, we dive into his new book, The Bible Simplified and discuss why and how the Bible is relevant to and transformational for modern readers, what the Bible teaches us about authentic beauty, and how Zach maintains belief in a good and beautiful God in a world so full of struggle and suffering.I found this conversation to be so inspiring; I hope it is for you too.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Most often, this podcast focuses on struggles with beauty and body image among women. Today, however, I want to give us a glimpse into the widespread nature of struggles around food, exercise, and body image among men.Eric Pothen is a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach who works primarily with men and knows firsthand the journey of eating disorder recovery. In particular, Eric works with clients navigating eating disorder recovery, disordered eating, and body image struggles, helping them break free from the grip of food rules, body shame, and self-doubt.In today’s conversation, Eric helps us better understand the differences between disordered eating and eating disorders, why men are often hesitant to seek help for struggles with food and body image, names some of the disordered trends he sees at work in our culture when it comes to food and body image, and gives us helpful reminders of how we might all work toward greater wholeness in these areas.I can’t wait for you to listen in to this important conversation!Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

American culture is full of striving: hustling at work, pushing ourselves in the gym, working to be beautiful or good enough. In today’s conversation, I have the gift of talking with Kimberly Stuart about the concept of grace; how to apply it amidst our culture and why it’s entirely miraculous and worth revisiting.  Kim Stuart is the author of eight published novels, a speaker, a writing coach alongside author Bob Goff, co-leads writing retreats, and hosts two podcasts, For Real with Kimberly Stuart and The Writing Room.  In today’s conversation, Kim shares about her latest book, Star for Jesus and Other Jobs I Quit: Rediscovering the Grace that Sets Us Free. In particular, Kim discusses what drew her to the topic of grace, how we might reframe perfectionism, what living a great story looks like, and how we can use our agency to redefine beauty in our lives.  This was such a fun and meaningful conversation; I can’t wait for you to listen!Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

When discussing the topic of true beauty, it’s also important to talk about the times when life isn’t so beautiful. In today’s discussion, with Michelle Keener, that’s exactly what we tackle. Michelle K. Keener (PhD, Liberty) is an adjunct professor of Christianity at Houston Christian University, as well as associate research fellow with the Kirby-Laing Centre for Public Theology. She is also the director of discipleship for a growing church in Las Vegas and an award-winning novelist and devotional author.  In our time together, we discuss Michelle’s latest book, Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors. Michelle helps us see how we can be a loving, healing presence to those undergoing struggles, how the church can be more helpful and attentive to those undergoing or recovering from trauma, and what Job teaches us about the beauty of God amidst suffering. My hope is that this conversation will help you feel less alone in any struggle you may be undergoing and, as Michelle says, may we experience God to be our place of refuge.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

About ten years ago, Elise Hu moved to Seoul, South Korea and took a deep dive into the world of K-Beauty culture. Elise is a journalist, podcaster, and the author of Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. She is the host of TED Talks Daily, a co-host of Forever 35, a host-at-large for NPR, and the host of Accenture’s award-winning Built for Change podcast. She is also the co-founder of the podcast production company Reasonable Volume. In today’s conversation, Elise opens our eyes to South Korea’s intense appearance expectations and how some of those same K-Beauty trends have now made their way into American culture. She discusses how the digital world is impacting beauty standards, including increasing the pressure on all of us to “optimize” our appearance, and how K-Beauty culture’s emphasis on flawless skin has made its way into Western beauty culture in significant ways.Most importantly, Elise reminds us that beauty is so much bigger than societal standards and that our worth has nothing to do with our appearance. This is such an important episode; I can’t wait for you to listen!Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Do you ever struggle with fear or anxiety? In today’s episode, author and pastor, Naeem Fazal shares how beauty can help us overcome fear in our lives.Naeem Fazal is the founding and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a Pakistani, born and raised as a Muslim in Kuwait. He came to the United States shortly after the Gulf War and had a supernatural experience with Jesus that changed the course of his life.  In our time together, Naeem shares about his unexpected and life-changing conversion experience, as well as about his new book, Tomorrow Needs You: Seeing Beauty When You Feel Hopeless. In particular, he discusses his belief that beauty is the antidote to fear, why we need to put fear on a leash, and how we can practically allow beauty to speak loudest in our lives.This is such an inspiring episode; I can’t wait for you to listen!Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Bruce Herman is a painter, writer, speaker, and the author of Makers by Nature: Letters from a Master Painter on Faith, Hope, and Art. Bruce also taught studio art for nearly four decades at Gordon College and his art has been exhibited internationally and is in public and private collections worldwide.In our time together, Bruce reminds us that, being made in the image of the Creator God, we have all been created to create. He also awakens us to the miracles all around us, discussing how God’s own being is revealed in the things He’s made. As a master painter, Bruce’s insights on beauty in the human face and figure, as well as in the world around us, are profound and distinct. I found this interview to be deeply inspiring; I hope it is for you as well. Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

Have you ever asked the question, “what is God’s will for my life?” or “does my life have purpose?” If so, today’s episode is for you. And, thankfully, I couldn’t think of a better conversation partner for these topics than Trevor Hudson. Trevor Hudson is an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. After spending fifty years doing pastoral ministry in a local congregation, he now gives his time to lecturing, teaching, and writing in the areas of spiritual formation and spiritual direction.In our time together, we discuss his latest book, In Search of God’s Will: Discerning a Life of Faithfulness and Purpose. Trevor shares practical ways to discern God’s personal will for your life, helping you to become the unique person God has shaped you to be, and ultimately allowing us the privilege of participating in the hope of the entire universe. In profound and inspiring fashion, Trevor reminds us of God’s nearness and active presence in our lives, as well as the true character and astounding love of God.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.