Fabric Podcast

This episode of FabricTV+ shares a Star Wars story about ordinary people living under occupation. Through powerful scenes of community, fear, courage, and awakening, Ian McConnell explores what it takes to stay human in inhuman times, how stories shape resistance, and why telling— and listening to— our stories matter now more than ever.

In moments of crisis, people show up. But what does it mean to stay? In this conversation, Ian McConnell sits down with Greg Meyer, founding pastor of Fabric (originally Jacob’s Well), to reflect on community in the midst of upheaval, and the deeper work of building something that lasts. Recorded during a period of intense disruption and fear in Minnesota, this episode explores why short-term surges of care matter, but why long-term commitment matters even more. Together, Ian and Greg talk about the “three bowls” of community life (gathering, small groups, and personal practice), the difference between showing up for our preferences versus our purpose, and how real community asks us not only to receive care, but to offer it; to be present for others even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. This is a conversation about resisting isolation, choosing relationship over retreat, and weaving ourselves into something stronger than any one moment of crisis. Come for the urgency. Stay for the wisdom.

It takes courage to show up in public situations...and life! The Rehearsal is about, well, rehearsing these moments! We’re thrilled to welcome Fabric’s Danny McMillian up front for the first time for a less-rehearsed conversation with Melissa Lock to introduce The Rehearsal to us, and to take a meta look at the power of showing up and doing a hard thing, even if it’s not perfect.

Stories Matter. The stories we imagine, tell, and give our attention to shape us and our reality. And in the spirit of “life mirrors art, and art mirrors life,” we’re using the art of TV storytelling to help us see ourselves and our relationships with others and God– with a little more clarity and compassion. This episode features Fabric’s own Jessi Bergh talking with Ian McConnell about Stranger Things.

Generosity… in this economy?! Money might make things weird, but it also can make things beautiful. In our final week, we’ll talk about generosity: what it is, what it isn’t, and what it actually does to us (turns out, there’s fascinating brain chemistry involved). In a world that treats generosity as foolish or unrealistic, we’ll explore how this particular shade of green might be the one that frees us— not just spiritually, but practically, too.

We decided to make a quick turn from money to CareIQ in this episode in hopes of resourcing one another in the wake of violence and cruelty that much of the Twin Cities and beyond are feeling.

“What’s mine is mine,” right? You earned it, it belongs to you, and you get to decide what to do with it. That’s the story most of us have inherited...and it makes sense. But that particular shade of green has also gotten us into trouble for, oh… a couple thousand years. In this first episode, we’ll step back and ask a more honest question: what do we really own, and what are we simply holding for a while? Changing the lens might just change how we live.

A baby in a manger. A sky full of stars. The story of Christmas holds both; the small and the infinite, the ordinary and the sacred. Love arrives quietly, yet somehow it changes everything. We are a part of something so big, and so small.

Even before the story is complete, joy breaks through. In friendship, in community, in shared moments that remind us who we are and to whom we belong. As we near Christmas, we practice noticing the light already flickering among us. Sometimes celebration is an act of trust…

Waiting isn’t passive. It’s clearing space, setting things right, building peace one choice at a time. Oftentimes, it’s by virtue of being exactly who we’ve been created to be that we shape the landscape, create “home” in the wilderness, and make room for joy, peace, hope, and love to show up in their own time.

What are you waiting for? Justice, healing, peace, belonging? Waiting in the dark can feel like nothing is happening or ever could, but it’s also where longing and hope often exist together; where everything begins.

Delayed grief is far more common than we talk about—and yet nearly invisible when you’re in the middle of it. In this deeply moving conversation, Ian sits down with Jacqueline Werket— retired board-certified adult nurse practitioner, grief recovery specialist, co-author of The Book on Love, and author of the forthcoming memoir A Grief Postponed. Jackie shares her own story of losing her young son, the decade she spent unknowingly carrying unprocessed grief, and the moment everything finally surfaced. Together, Ian and Jackie explore what delayed grief is, why it happens, how our bodies hold onto loss, and the signs that unresolved grief may be shaping our lives far more than we realize. Jackie also offers practical steps for healing, from therapy and professionally-led grief groups to journaling, ritual, and honest self-expression, and reminds us that grief work is never something we’re meant to do alone. This tender, courageous conversation (an extension of Fabric's "Beyond Platitudes" series about grief) invites listeners to look at their own stories with compassion, curiosity, and hope. Whether your grief is fresh or years old, you are not alone— and it is never too late to begin healing. Learn more about Jacqueline Werket: Website: https://jacquelinewerket.com/ A Grief Postponed (releasing January 2026) To learn more about Fabric, please visit FabricMpls.com or find us on most social media platforms at @FabricMpls You can support Fabric's ministry directly by donating at FabricMpls.com/give

Real care isn’t sentimental; it’s radical. It grows our networks and keeps us healthy enough to show up for one another. To close the series, Carley Kammerer from Wildflyer Coffee helps us practice widening the circle and keeping ourselves healthy so that care can ripple outward into our world. 

Healing takes time, shared rituals, and support. In this episode, you'll hear Chris Lillehei and Lydia Gajdel talk about what it looks like to bring spirituality into focus in care situations.

Have you ever noticed that it’s often easier to offer care than to accept it? This episode encourages us to remember to set and communicate our boundaries and honor our own needs, learning that letting others care for us isn’t weakness, but a vital part of community and love.

When someone is hurting, our words often fall short. Instead of trying to fix things, we can listen deeply. This episode explores how simple presence and compassionate attention can mean more than any explanation ever could.

In this episode, Ian McConnell and Jay Bakker engage in a thought-provoking conversation about the challenges and opportunities within modern Christianity. They explore themes of grace, community, and the importance of dialogue in bridging divides. Jay shares his personal journey and insights on how grace has shaped his life and ministry, while Ian reflects on the role of the church in today's world. CHAPTERS: 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:00:18 Jay's Personal Journey 00:00:43 The Role of Grace in Christianity 00:01:43 Community and Belonging 00:01:59 Conclusion and Reflections LINKS: Jay Bakker | Facebook and Instagram Revolution Church | Facebook and Instagram Fabric - Mpls ("church, for the rest of us") | Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok Ian McConnell | Instagram and TikTok Paul Tillich's "You Are Accepted" sermon, read by Peter Rollins on the Revolution Podcast SUPPORT: To support the mission and ministry of Fabric - Mpls, please visit their giving website. To learn more about Fabric, or to get further connected, please visit FabricMpls.com.

When words fall short, care can still hold. This series invites us to face grief honestly, and practice the kind of care that goes deeper than clichés. Using our CareIQ toolkit, we’ll learn how to show up with empathy, courage, and love that truly connects.

The first followers of Jesus were accused of “turning the world upside down”— and they kind of were. Telling the truth, crossing lines, breaking illusions, loving foolishly. What if being similarly “untamed” is what our world needs from us, too?

People wanted a superhero God, but Jesus told baffling little stories instead: “The kingdom of God is like…” Over and over, he shattered their expectations— sometimes even their hopes. What if Jesus was dangerous to how we pictured God, and even how we pictured him?