Reframing our Stories: The Podcast

Episode 19: Being the Benchmark: Erin Tarr

In this episode, Kara and Erin discuss the beauty of what happens when we are our own benchmark by not comparing ourselves to others, but instead learning how to encourage and lift one another up. Erin works with those who identify as girls to help them find their confidence in who they are and start to capitalize on that while they are young to help them through the confusing teen years. In their conversation you will hear how many parents seek out similar help after they realize they have been living in scarcity culture instead of abundance. We can all learn from this episode in how we can put to work learning how to treat ourselves kindly as well as those who surround us, by uplifting one another for the gifts we each possess. 

Erin Tarr is a Confidence Coach for teen and tween girls with over 20 years of experience. She educates and coaches young girls while simultaneously helping their families navigate this important life stage.

A Central Illinois Business Magazine 40 Under 40 recipient and an in-demand facilitator and keynote speaker for schools, Erin’s effusive energy and passion for empowering young girls is contagious. She is a frequent podcast guest -- including on Dr. King Speaks, Legendary Marriage, and Reframing Our Stories -- for her advice for youth (and all who work with youth). Her programs and messages have impacted thousands of girls in Illinois and around the world giving them the ability to overcome overwhelming and anxious thoughts so they can move through the world with confidence.

Erin is experienced speaking on topics concerning teens and tweens including success habits, mental health, social media usage, friendships, and family relationships. Erin lives in the middle of the cornfields in Illinois with her husband, Adam, and their own three FIERCE girls.

Learn more about Erin at www.erintarr.com and on Facebook

Episode 18: Sexuality, Grief, Miscarriage: Danae Ashley

Denae and Kara discuss the deep connections between sexuality and spirituality. When we ignore our bodies we end up suffering. God invites us to listen more closely to ourselves daily — we just need to accept that invitation. Sometimes our story isn’t written the way we want it to be, so it’s okay to grieve that and then find life and a new purpose. Your story is still valid even if it is not what you imagined. 

A native of Spokane, Washington, the Rev. Danae M. Ashley, MDiv, MA, LMFT is an Episcopal priest and marriage and family therapist who has ministered with parishes in North Carolina, New York, Minnesota, and serves as the Associate Rector at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Seattle and a therapist at Soul Spa Seattle. Danae uses art, music, drama, poetry, and movement in counseling, spiritual direction, and creation of ritual. Her interfaith Clergy Care Circles directly supports diverse clergy in varied circumstances across the country. She is a proud alumna of Young Clergy Women International (YCWI).

Danae is also one of the contributors of the book, Still a Mother: Journeys through Perinatal Bereavement. Additionally, she produced the play “Naming the Un-Named: Stories of Fertility Struggle”with playwright Amanda Aikman; has written for Working Preacher: Craft of Preaching, Luther Seminary’s Faith+Leader, and Episcopal Café’s Speaking of the Soul series; writes and narrates sermon podcasts for the Episcopal Church’s “Sermons that Work; and has been featured on several podcasts regarding fertility struggle and faith.

Danae's favorite past times include reading, planning future travels with her husband, tending Alvie’s Memorial Garden, delighting in Sophie Grace (adopted pit bull) and her snuggles, dancing with wild abandon to Celtic music, and serious karaoke.

Episode 17: The Ripple Effect of Debunking Sex Myths: Pamela Joy

Pamela Joy left her high-tech career at Apple and Facebook to found Down To There to help the world talk more openly about sex. She is a Somatica® Certified Sex and Relationship Coach, and has a Masters in Counseling Psychology with over 1,500 hours of additional training in the field of sexuality. Through her writing, speaking and coaching, she works collaboratively and experientially with clients to increase their capacity for emotional and physical intimacy. Pamela is also a Trauma-Informed Sex Positive Therapy certified practitioner and on faculty at Esalen. Her education includes a focus on marginalized populations including trans, bisexual, queer and non-monogamous, open and polyamorous communities. Pamela is also passionate about raising awareness within medical and mental health communities about the positive impact of peer support on female sexual health, recently presenting her research on this topic at TEDx Palo Alto.

Episode 16: Inclusive Theology: Rev M Barclay

M is the Director and Co-Founder of enfleshed where they are creating and facilitating spiritual resources for collective liberation. They love and linger in the work and the places where poets, activists, lovers, healers, queers, dreamers, and Spirit all coalesce. 

Episode 15: Pop Up Books, Boxes that Confine, and Sex Education: Kristen Lilla

Kristen Lilla is Nebraska and Iowa’s only AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE) through the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). She is also one of four dually Certified Sex Educator and Therapy Supervisors in the world.  In addition, Kristen Lilla published two books in 2019; Boxes and How We Fill Them: A Basic Guide to Sexual Awareness, and Vaginas and Periods 101: A Pop-Up Book. She is frequently quoted in articles for prominent websites including Refinery29 and GlamourUK.

Learn more about Kristen at kristenlilla.com and sexedtalk.com

Episode 14: An Eye for Underdogs: Mark Pickering

Kara catches up with her high school English and journalism teacher, Mark Pickering.  After three decades of teaching, Mark recounts his experiences coming from the business world to teaching literature, writing and business. He advised the school newspaper for five years and coached both boys and girls golf for 23 seasons.  They discuss how journalism provided an outlet for kids from diverse backgrounds to come together, express themselves, find their voice and be heard.

Episode 13: Community Organizing and Race Relations: Elle Dowd

Elle Dowd (she/her/hers) is a bi-furious recent graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and a candidate for ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

Elle has pieces of her heart in Sierra Leone, where her two children were born, and in St. Louis where she learned from the radical, queer, Black leadership during the Ferguson Uprising. 

She was formerly a co-conspirator with the movement to #decolonizeLutheranism and currently serves as a board member of the Euro-Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice, does community organizing in her city as a board member of SOUL, writes regularly as part of the vision team for the Disrupt Worship Project, and facilitates workshops on gender and sexuality and the Church in both secular conferences and Christian spaces. She is publishing a book with Broadleaf, Baptized in Tear Gas, about her conversion from a white moderate to an abolitionist to be released August of 2021. You can pre order here:

https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506470429/Baptized-in-Tear-Gas.

Elle loves spending time with the people she loves and on weekends when there isn’t a global pandemic, she tours the city of Chicago in search of the best Bloody Mary.

To get in touch with Elle and to keep up with updates, visit her website www.elledowd.com and subscribe to her newsletter. You can also see her online ministry via Facebook.com/elledowdministry or follow her on Twitter/SnapChat/Insta @hownowbrowndowd or on TikTok @elledowdministry

Episode 12: Lady Bits Physical Therapy: Julie Kwong

 Julie Kwong, MPT, is the owner and primary therapist for Lady Bits Physical Therapy, based in Sacramento, CA.  

She is honored and dedicated to work with every lady trusting her with their special bits. Having experienced pelvic floor dysfunction herself, she can relate to the experiences, frustrations, pains, and feelings of isolation. As she learns and grows as a therapist (because a good therapist never stops learning), she always seeks to improve her skills and knowledge so that every woman she treats can have the very best that they deserve.

Learn more about Julie at: https://ladybitspt.com/our-practice

This episode is sponsored by Poindexter Real Estate Group: www.poindexterteam.com

Episode 11: Learning Self Worth through Boudoir: Andrea Mendoza

Andrea Mendoza is the owner and artist behind Andi Boudoir. Andrea considers herself a champion of women, and has made it her mission to empower, heal and hold space via photography, helping teach women the power in understanding and feeding themselves as an individual. She operates out of a gorgeous studio in the heart of Old Roseville, CA chasing light and walking women through a journey of self appreciation.

Learn more about Andi and her work at: www.andiboudoir.com/lovenotes

This episode is sponsored by Poindexter Real Estate Group

 

Episode 10: Where the Church Needs to Go: Eric Clapp

In this episode we talk to my friend, Eric Clapp, a Lutheran pastor.  He openly speaks out about white supremacy, is a feminist, and works to be inclusive in his ministry. I have long admired Eric's thoughtfulness, wisdom, and the ability to be open to learn from many other voices. He is an avid reader and wants to see the church become a place that seeks reconciliation and uphold the true teaching of the gospels.