Words That Breathe Life: Sharlene Provilus on Story, Spoken Word, and the Courage to Begin

Words That Breathe Life: Sharlene Provilus on Story, Spoken Word, and the Courage to Begin

In this episode, Heather sits down with author, spoken word poet, recording artist, and founder of Write Speak Inspire, Sharlene Provilus. Sharlene shares how writing became a place of honesty and healing, how spoken word helped bring her back to faith, and why she believes our stories can create space for others to find freedom. Together, they talk about foster care, restoration, creative calling, the weight and power of words, and the invitation to start with ordinary faithfulness right where we are. Together, They Discuss * Writing as a place of honesty, healing, and reprieve * How spoken word became part of Sharlene’s faith journey * The power of words to comfort, inspire, and bring life * Sharlene’s childhood, foster care experience, and family restoration * The both/and of honoring imperfect people who still left a meaningful legacy * Why honest storytelling can create space for others to tell the truth * The invisible realities facing children in foster care * Write Speak Inspire and Sharlene’s desire to empower students * The Guild Conference and the importance of craft, character, and creative community * Why saying “thank you” can help people keep going * Starting with ordinary faithfulness right where you are Resources Mentioned * Sharlene's website [https://www.sharleneprovilus.com] * Write Speak Inspire [https://www.writespeakinspire.com] * The Guild Conference [https://www.theguildconference.com] * The Rabbit Room [https://www.rabbitroom.com] * The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips * Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky * Sharlene's Substack [https://sharleneprovilus.substack.com] Catch more of the story @thanks.for.doing.that.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/thanks.for.doing.that.podcast/]!

No Waste Places: Sarah Nadvornik on Prairie Gardens, Grief, and Growth

“Be encouraged and be brave. Don’t be afraid of the learning curve.” Kind and wise words from a kind a wise woman. In this imagery-rich conversation, Heather sits down with master gardener and writer Sarah Nadvornik to explore prairie restoration, gardening, grief, limitation, motherhood, and the surprising ways God cultivates growth in our lives. Sarah shares how a season of exhaustion, loss, and feeling uprooted led her to begin restoring native prairie land on her Kansas property—and how tending the earth slowly taught her about resilience, purpose, suffering, and belonging. Together, Heather and Sarah discuss monarch butterflies, deep prairie roots, the wisdom of limits, learning to work with creation instead of against it, and the sacred work of cultivating beauty in difficult places. Together, they discuss: * Prairie restoration and native ecosystems * Gardening as a pathway to spiritual growth * The connection between grief, suffering, and beauty * Why limitation can actually lead to flourishing * Monarch butterflies, milkweed, and interconnected creation * Lessons motherhood and gardening teach about resilience * Practical encouragement for beginner gardeners * Learning to work with creation rather than against it * Deep roots, belonging, and finding home in unexpected places * The sacred work of tending beauty in everyday life Here are the key resources, people, and organizations mentioned in the episode, along with links for listeners who want to explore further: * Every Little Seed Magazine [https://everylittleseed.com/] — The faith-centered publication where Heather first encountered Sarah’s writing, including the “Rooted” issue. * Monarch Watch [https://monarchwatch.org/] — The conservation and education program at the University of Kansas where Sarah volunteers in the Waystation garden. * Missouri Botanical Garden [https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/] — Mentioned as an excellent resource for learning about native plants and regional gardening. * Grow Native! [https://grownative.org/] — A helpful native plant education resource connected to Missouri native gardening and demonstration gardens.   * Alpine Echo [https://alpinecho.com/] — The ethically sourced art and goods company founded by Sarah Anderson, whom Sarah thanks at the end of the episode. * George Washington Carver National Monument [https://www.nps.gov/gwca/index.htm] — Learn more about the scientist, educator, and agricultural innovator discussed in the episode. * Master Gardener Extension Programs (Find Your Local Office) [https://mastergardener.extension.org/contact-us/find-a-program/] — Sarah recommends local extension offices and demo gardens as one of the best resources for beginner gardeners. * Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database [https://www.wildflower.org/plants] — A searchable native plant database similar to the type of resource Sarah references for finding plants suited to your region. * USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map [https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/] — Helpful for understanding your gardening zone, which Sarah emphasizes throughout the conversation. Catch more of the story @thanks.for.doing.that.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/thanks.for.doing.that.podcast/]!

This is Good Enough: Breaking the Inertia of Consumption Through Contentment with Christina Gerstner

What if what you already have… is enough? In this episode, Heather sits down with Christina Gerstner, the collector and curator behind @whitepeppervintage [https://www.instagram.com/thewhitepeppervintage/?hl=en], to explore a radically refreshing perspective on home, consumption, and contentment. Christina shares her journey from teacher to vintage seller, her love of thrifting and collecting, and how years immersed in secondhand culture—and social media—have reshaped her convictions about what we truly need. Together, they unpack: * The hidden cost of constant consumption * Why “good enough” might actually be the goal * How social media quietly shapes dissatisfaction * The beauty (and practicality) of secondhand living * Simple ways to create a home you love—without starting over This conversation is both grounding and gently disruptive—an invitation to step out of the cycle of more and into a deeper appreciation for what already is. Catch more of the story @thanks.for.doing.that.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/thanks.for.doing.that.podcast/]!

Examine Yourself, Forget Yourself: A Conversation with Scott Hubbard

What does it look like to examine your life without becoming consumed by it? In this episode, Heather sits down with Scott Hubbard—Managing Editor at Desiring God and lay pastor at All Peoples Church—to explore the tension between self-reflection and self-forgetfulness. Drawing from his upcoming book Examine Yourself, Forget Yourself, Scott shares his personal journey through a season of intense introspection and the slow, grace-filled path toward freedom. Together, they discuss: * The difference between healthy self-examination and inward spiraling * Why Scripture calls us both to look within and look beyond ourselves * How to move from “being stuck in the room” to walking a road that leads somewhere * The role of community, clarity, and Christ-centered focus in understanding ourselves rightly * Practical rhythms for writers, thinkers, and anyone seeking a more grounded inner life This conversation is both deeply theological and refreshingly practical—offering language and vision for anyone who has ever felt trapped in their own thoughts. * Crime and Punishment * The Writer’s Diet * The Book of the Dun Cow * The Whole Christ * Examine Yourself, Forget Yourself (Scott Hubbard’s upcoming book) Catch more of the story @thanks.for.doing.that.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/thanks.for.doing.that.podcast/]!

Passing the Baton: How Your Story Can Be a Lifeline with Founder Kelly Olson

What if the very thing you’ve walked through—the pain, the loss, the questions—is the lifeline to someone else’s hope? In this deeply meaningful conversation, Heather sits down with Kelly Olson, founder and executive director of The Baton Pass, a community helping women move from quiet desperation to connection, healing, and hope. Kelly shares her personal story of trauma, healing, and the moment that changed everything: hearing someone else’s testimony and realizing her story didn’t have to end in brokenness. That experience became the seed of The Baton Pass—a growing movement centered on the power of sharing stories and passing hope from one woman to another. Together, Heather and Kelly explore: * What “quiet desperation” really looks like (and why so many women live there) * The difference between surviving and becoming an overcomer * How storytelling creates healing—not just for the listener, but the teller * Why in-person connection matters in a disconnected world * The beautiful impact of Glimmers of Hope, a handwritten card initiative reaching women in hard seasons This episode is an invitation: to bring your story into the light, to receive hope, and—when you’re ready—to pass it on. Kelly Olson is the founder and executive director of The Baton Pass, a growing community dedicated to helping women connect, share their stories, and experience healing and hope. Based in the Chicagoland area, Kelly leads events, initiatives, and programs that create safe spaces for women to move from isolation to empowerment. Resources Mentioned: The Baton Pass website [https://www.thebatonpass.com] Glimmers of Hope Initiative [https://www.thebatonpass.com/glimmersofhope] Engaging your Story Course [https://www.thebatonpass.com/deployedworkshop] Warrior Chicks book [https://ebooks.faithlife.com/product/48871/warrior-chicks-rising-strong-when-life-wants-to-take-you-down] Catch more of the story @thanks.for.doing.that.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/thanks.for.doing.that.podcast/]!