Off Script: A Conversation with Amy Julia Becker

Off Script: A Conversation with Andrew Plocher

Well folks… this totally lovely conversation was thwarted by some bad Internet. I’m sharing it with that caveat, because it’s worth a listen for some real gems. It’s such a shame because I’ve known Andrew Plocher for some 15 years and he’s one of my favorites! Kind, thoughtful, and full of integrity. We will have him on for a do-over soon! In the meantime, check out his Substack, called Second Psalms [https://pastorplocher.substack.com]. Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe [https://maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

“These Truths”: Jesus, Washington, Jefferson, and Us

A sermon preached on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon as part of our faith250 [https://faith250.org] worship series. Here’s the scripture text. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202%3A1-11&version=NRSVUE] It’s a bit harrowing to try and reflect responsibly on church and state in a sermon, but I think we avoided any obvious trip wires. People seemed to appreciate the chance to reflect on these matters in advance of the United States’s 250th, so I’m getting this out there quickly. Would love to hear your thoughts. And if you’re listening via podcast app, thanks for sharing this with anyone you think might need to hear it. Ratings and reviews are also much appreciated. Thanks for reading The Blue Room with MaryAnn McKibben Dana! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe [https://maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Off Script: A Conversation with Amy Julia Becker

In celebration of the publication of Better Than Normal: Virtues for an Off-Script Life [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884831/better-than-normal/], and to explore the themes of the book, our Off-Script series continues! So grateful to Amy Julia Becker [https://amyjuliabecker.com/] for this conversation, and for her ongoing work. Here’s a great overview of her work on belonging. [https://amyjuliabecker.com/why-belonging-matters/] And here’s the episode I mentioned of her podcast, Reimagining the Good Life, about how we can design a more human and humane world [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-design-a-more-human-world-with-sara-hendren/id1488137984?i=1000768528135]. Follow along with Amy Julia’s work on Substack here [https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips]. Thanks for listening, and see you next time! And remember, reviews, ratings, and shares are always welcome. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe [https://maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Who Is This For?

A sermon preached on Sunday, June 7 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon VA. The audio gets a little weird at the very end; sorry about that! Here’s the scripture text. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209%3A9-13%2C%2018-26&version=NRSVUE] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe [https://maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Off-Script: A Conversation with Dr. Zed Zha

In celebration of the publication of Better Than Normal: Virtues for an Off-Script Life [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884831/better-than-normal/], and to explore the themes of the book, our Off-Script series continues! I was so excited to chat with Zed Zha, MD (she/her) [https://substack.com/profile/142274595-zed-zha-md-sheher], creator of the Ask the Patient [https://drzedzha.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] community and author of Consented: A Doctor’s Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy [https://bookshop.org/p/books/consented-a-doctor-s-call-to-end-medical-violence-and-reclaim-patient-autonomy-zed-zha-md/299ae06cc4d16685?ean=9798889842965&next=t], which came out on the same day as my book. In addition to being birthday buddies, the two books have so much to say to one another about how we can build healthier, more inclusive systems. Here’s just one example of Zed’s compassionate writing. [https://drzedzha.substack.com/p/the-poor-historian] Thanks for tuning in! See you next time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe [https://maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]