A Place In Between

We are back for Season Two of A Place In  Between! For this first episode of the new season, we are setting the stage for the rest of the season as we immerse ourselves in the stories of real-life people - not issues - and the tension of joy and suffering that go into a life of faith. I'm joined by Meg Hunter-Kilmer to talk about messy Saints. We discuss the dangers of formulaic faith, the dwelling of God within our circumstances, and of course, the family of Saints. In particular, we hear the stories of: Blessed Columba Kang Wan-Suk (25:50)St. Fabiola of Rome (32:30)St. Oscar Romero & Venerable Rutilio Grande (37:40)Servant of God  Bartolomé De Las Casas (47:55)You can find Meg online  on Instagram at @mhunterkilmerMeg's book for children, Saints Around the World, is available through the St. Paul Center.You can pre-order Pray for Us: 75 Saints Who Sinned, Suffered, and Struggled on Their Way to Holiness through Ave Maria Press.

In this first episode, Rakhi explains what she means by "in between" or "in the middle". (Hint: fences are NOT involved, but Cadbury Eggs and Matt Maher ARE.) Plus, she digs way back into the vault of her college days to bring out some developmental theory in an effort to build a framework around the tension we see in the world. Mostly, Rakhi rambles about her own story, sharing the abridged version of how she ended up a Hindu in Iowa who became Catholic and how that shapes her understanding of the world and what is going on in the mess of life.If you're willing to struggle through the messy places life leads us, you can join the APIB community (because everything's an acronyn, right?) on Facebook, where I hope to continue the discussion we begin in this space.Intro Music is Storybook by Scott Holmes.Interludes are My Personal Journey by Purple Planet Music.

In this second episode of season two, we are diving into the often messy, often ongoing journey of discovering our identities. I'm joined by Shannon Schmidt to talk about the road to self-discovery. We discuss the beauty and difficulties of navigating the multi-faceted components that make up our identities, and some of the frustrations and roadblocks to embracing who God has made us to be.  There may or may not be a few Psych references thrown in as well. (You know that's right.)Links for things mentioned on the podcast:You can find Shannon online on Instagram at @teamquarterblack.The Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast can be found at @psbbpodcast and heard wherever you listen to podcasts (like this one!). You can also support them on Patreon at Plaid Skirts & Basic Black is creating podcasts | Patreon Catholics United for Black Lives is on Instagram at @cublorg.Marcia and Shannon's forthcoming book will be coming out in early 2022 through Ave Maria Press.

Hey hey! Here I come, back from a long hiatus with an overview of Season Two of A Place in Between! What? If The Office can have a six episode first season, absolutely I can too.In this short overview, I share a little bit about the reason for my long break, and refocus on what it is this podcast is all about. I hope you'll listen and let me know what stories you'd like to hear as we talk about what it is to be living a life of faith in this place between.

In this episode, I am joined by Patty Breen, a pastoral minister, writer, & speaker, to talk about guarding against shame, setting boundaries, and how she found God's voice in the midst of her divorce. We discuss the differences between shame and remorse, the importance of the health of our whole persons, and where we see room for growth in the Church in reaching out to those who have experienced divorce.You can find Patty online at @amodergrace on Instagram, and you can find me there as well at @rakstardesigns.Books mentioned:Daring Greatly by Brene BrownBoundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. Gary Townsend(No links provided so you can support your local independently owned bookstore, but they're both available on Amazon as well.)The conversation continues on Facebook and Twitter - or it will when I remember to post there, even though I think Twitter is a dumpster fire. If you're willing to struggle through the messy places life leads us into, join us there as we try to make our way through this place in between!Intro Music is Storybook by Scott HolmesInterludes are My Personal Journey by Purple Planet Music.

In this episode, I am joined by Marcy Kelleher to discuss our struggles and journeys with finding ourselves politically homeless as Catholics. We discuss the discomfort and the freedom in leaving behind party platforms in pursuit of the truth, regardless of where we find it. You'll also hear Marcy's surprising and creative answer to the question of what misfit toy she would be! Because I promised, you can find Marcy on Instagram at @marzipantzshop (I DID spell it right while recording!), and the books we mentioned are listed below. I encourage you to support your local small bookstore and give them a read!The Long Loneliness (Dorothy Day)I Think You're Wrong, but I'm Listening (Sarah Stewart Holland)Love Your Enemies (Arthur Brooks)As always, the conversation continues online on Facebook and Twitter (even though I think Twitter is a dumpster fire). If you're willing to struggle through the messy places life leads us, join us there as we try to make our way through this place in between!Intro Music is Storybook by Scott Holmes.Interludes are My Personal Journey by Purple Planet Music.

In episode four, Rakhi reveals her nerdy side and kicks it back to her high school days on the debate team, pulling out gems like Hobbes, Rosseau, and Locke, with a minor Bill & Ted reference thrown in for good measure. The episode moves from philosophers and onto the Bishops as we look at how we are urged to form our consciences with specific reference to the political scene. In the final segment, Rakhi tries to bring it all together to urge listeners to look beyond political absolutes as we head into the voting booth and out again this November. If you're feeling stuck, listen in and then join the discussion!As always, the conversation continues online on Facebook and Twitter (even though I think Twitter is a dumpster fire). If you're willing to struggle through the messy places life leads us, join us there as we try to make our way through this place in between!Intro Music is Storybook by Scott Holmes.Interludes are My Personal Journey by Purple Planet Music.

In this episode, Jennifer Delvaux, one of my partners in crime (or rather partner in nonsense and colleague in ministry), joins me to talk about learning from other cultures, the power of storytelling, and her transformative experience visiting Rwanda 20 years after the genocide. Jennifer currently works in evangelization and missionary discipleship for the Archdiocese of Chicago after working in youth and young adult ministry for many years.Resources to learn about the 1994 Rwandan Genocide:A bibliography compiled by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum https://www.ushmm.org/collections/bibliography/rwandaLeft to Tell by Imaculee IlibagizaHotel Rwanda (2004 feature film)If you're willing to struggle through the messy places life leads us, you can join the APIB community (because everything's an acronym, right?) on Facebook, where I hope to continue the discussion we begin in this space.Intro Music is Storybook by Scott Holmes.Interludes are Victory by Purple Planet Music.

In this episode, Rakhi's husband Tim, a high school theology teacher and history buff, joins her to have a conversation about the lessons we can learn from St. Paul at the Areopagus in Athens way back in the day. They discuss how there is very little new under the sun, and Rakhi throws in a little wisdom from Buddy the Elf, Bishop Barron, and the wisdom of the Church as they keep exploring how we live in the mess that is the world that surrounds us.If you're willing to struggle through the messy places life leads us, you can join the APIB community (because everything's an acronyn, right?) on Facebook, where I hope to continue the discussion we begin in this space.Intro Music is Storybook by Scott Holmes.Interludes are Victory by Purple Planet Music.

Welcome to A Place in Between! In this not-an-episode introduction, I'll be sharing a little bit about the inspiration behind this podcast, a very brief background about me, and what you can expect in episodes to come. If you're willing to struggle through the messy places life leads us, you can join the APIB community (because everything's an acronyn, right?) on Facebook, where I hope to continue the discussion we begin in this space.