The Blue Room with MaryAnn McKibben Dana

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]

You Will Be My Witnesses

A sermon preached on Sunday, May 17 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon VA. Here is the text. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%201%3A6-14&version=NRSVUE] 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]

Off-Script: A Conversation with Joelle Henneman

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! Joelle Henneman, United Methodist pastor who writes at TransPreacher [https://substack.com/profile/187572481-transpreacher], was a fantastic conversation partner. Here’s a recent sermon [https://lookedwithcompassion.wordpress.com/2026/05/12/resurrecting-theology/] and her website [https://transpreacher.com]. Thank you Joelle! Thank you for your work of justice and authenticity. 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 Joseph Yoo

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, I’m excited to launch Off-Script, a series on Substack Live/podcast series. And our first guest was a rockstar! Joseph Yoo [https://josephyoo.com/] is a pastor and writer who went big on social media with his wonderful video about his son [https://substack.com/@josephyoo/note/c-140940969?r=45uwt&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web]. I think it resonated with so many people because he exposed the oppressiveness of a world that demands people conform to cultural expectations of “normal.” Loved this conversation and I know you will too. Thanks again Joseph! 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]

For the Generations

A sermon preached on Sunday, April 19 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon VA. Here is the text. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202%3A14a%2C%2036-41&version=NRSVUE] 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]