#341. Conversations with Creatives: Math and AI with Meghan Hopfer

#345. Party Planning Committee: Baby Shower!

The Party Planning Committee is back in session — and this time, they’re celebrating new babies and their mamas with a bouncing buggy full of fun baby shower ideas. Sarah kicks off the episode with a top ten (make that top 20) list of “unexpectedly amazing not-on-the-registry gifts,” including magnetic sleepers, towel warmers, amber nightlights, and more. Erin then rolls out a cute and creative assortment of shower snacks — including some adorable “Nutter-Butter babies.” Finally, Rachel draws on listener feedback and ideas to present a selection of shower games and activities (ranging from super cool to downright cringe-inducing) and encouraging words of wisdom for new moms. Whether you’re hosting a baby shower at home or church, this episode will help you pack your Pinterest board full of great ideas. To take a peep at those sweet “Nutter-Butter babies,” click here [https://hannahjskitchen.com/nutter-butter-babies/]. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge [https://www.facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge/]) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge [https://www.instagram.com/lutheranladieslounge/]. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd [https://www.instagram.com/hymnnerd/]), Rachel (@rachbomberger [https://www.instagram.com/rachbomberger/]), and Erin (@erinaltered [https://www.instagram.com/erinaltered/]) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gjya5P], and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org [lutheranladies@kfuo.org].

#344. Sharathon 2026 Crossover: The Ladies Join Concord Matters

In this special Sharathon crossover episode, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel join the Rev. Brady Finnern as guests on KFUO’s Concord Matters, a weekly program dedicated to discussing the Book of Concord, what the Lutheran Confessions mean for our Lutheran faith, and how they can be applied practically in our various vocations. How well catechized are our Lutheran Ladies, anyway? What do they remember about the Small Catechism from their confirmation days? How familiar are they with the other confessional documents in the Book of Concord? Can Rachel set aside her “quizmistress” title long enough to answer the “Triglotta Trivia” questions Pastor Finnern has prepared for them? The Rev. Brady Finnern is president of the LCMS Minnesota North District and host of Concord Matters. Learn more or listen here. [https://www.kfuo.org/category/concord-matters/] Support KFUO’s entire lineup (including Concord Matters and The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge) when you give during Sharathon 2026 [https://www.kfuo.org/sharathon]. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge [https://www.facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge/]) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge [https://www.instagram.com/lutheranladieslounge/]. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd [https://www.instagram.com/hymnnerd/]), Rachel (@rachbomberger [https://www.instagram.com/rachbomberger/]), and Erin (@erinaltered [https://www.instagram.com/erinaltered/]) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gjya5P], and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org [lutheranladies@kfuo.org].

#343. Book Club Wrap Up: The Little White Horse

In this book club recap conversation, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel discuss themes and ideas in a literary work almost lost to history: Elizabeth Goudge’s The Little White Horse [https://www.amazon.com/Little-White-Horse-Elizabeth-Goudge/dp/0142300276]. Why would an author like Elizabeth Goudge, once a bestseller, go out of fashion? How many genres can one little book be squarely in at the same time? How does this luminous coming-of-age fairy tale school us in the art of dealing with old sins? And what even is an “ideal woman,” anyway? At the end of the episode, Rachel reveals the Ladies’ summer read book club pick for 2026: Ryan Tinetti’s The Quiet Ambition: Scripture’s Surprising Antidote to Our Restless Lives [https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Ambition-Scriptures-Surprising-Antidote/dp/1514011891/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.il5GPz14ZvgYknejGFfKZ_Nyyt-2rDReEe1M909KQxvGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.sMw0tvHp9-9PE5JX_aTId7veXDgruf2Zmd9k-fV60Uc&qid=1777059803&sr=8-1]. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge [https://www.facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge/]) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge [https://www.instagram.com/lutheranladieslounge/]. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd [https://www.instagram.com/hymnnerd/]), Rachel (@rachbomberger [https://www.instagram.com/rachbomberger/]), and Erin (@erinaltered [https://www.instagram.com/erinaltered/]) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gjya5P], and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org [lutheranladies@kfuo.org].

#342. Fermented Fun, Part One: Sauerkraut and Mystery Foods

As Americans begin for the first time to appreciate their gut microbiomes and understand the importance of nurturing good bacteria in the body, fermented foods are enjoying a long-overdue moment in the spotlight — and Erin, for one, is thrilled. In episode one of her new miniseries, “Fermented Fun,” Erin introduces the age-old concept of preservation by fermentation and highlights some of the many foods and beverages that involve some form of fermentation. From pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, and sourdough to yogurt, beer, wine, and kombucha, the culinary applications are nearly endless. At the end of the episode, Erin samples a tray of mystery delicacies assembled by fellow fermentation enthusiast (and KFUO on-air personality) Andy Bates, with hilarious results. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge [https://www.facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge/]) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge [https://www.instagram.com/lutheranladieslounge/]. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd [https://www.instagram.com/hymnnerd/]), Rachel (@rachbomberger [https://www.instagram.com/rachbomberger/]), and Erin (@erinaltered [https://www.instagram.com/erinaltered/]) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gjya5P], and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org [lutheranladies@kfuo.org].

#341. Conversations with Creatives: Math and AI with Meghan Hopfer

Can math and computer science be creative pursuits? While many people associate creativity with artistic pursuits like painting, writing, and making music, God’s gift of human ingenuity extends to all corners of the human experience — as the Ladies find out when they interview Meghan Hopfer, a former math major currently working in the field of computer science and data management. How does math intersect with creativity — or even art and beauty? Why do so many women dislike math and other STEM subjects? How can math, computer science, and creativity come together to seat 20,000 people at the LCMS Youth Gathering — and save a week of painstaking human labor? And how does someone working in the field view the rapid rise of AI? Meghan Hopfer is a computer science professional currently serving with the LCMS Foundation. A graduate of Concordia University, Nebraska, she has also worked on staff for the LCMS Youth Gathering, where she was integral in automating key parts of the planning process. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge [https://www.facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge/]) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge [https://www.instagram.com/lutheranladieslounge/]. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd [https://www.instagram.com/hymnnerd/]), Rachel (@rachbomberger [https://www.instagram.com/rachbomberger/]), and Erin (@erinaltered [https://www.instagram.com/erinaltered/]) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gjya5P], and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org [lutheranladies@kfuo.org].