#139: Sabbatical Reflections | "Love is Working"

After a year-long hiatus, The Puddcast is back with episode 139! Tryphena and I share some heartfelt reflections on my family’s six-month sabbatical to New Zealand, England, Greece, and Finland. I unpack some unexpected discoveries I made about identity, intuition, and the importance of family and cultural roots. We reflect on the diversity of global faith traditions, the impact of stepping outside the North American bubble, and the recognition of humanity's inherent goodness and love.

Jonathan PuddleOctober 22, 2024love, family, church, social justice, rest, life, hopeComment

#122: The embodied faith of our grandmothers (with Kat Armas)

Kat Armas comes to the show this week to discuss embodiment, the sacredness of survival, and the faith of our grandmothers. Kat argues that our grandmothers, especially abuelitas in Latine cultures, function as live-in ministers particularly because the privilege to receive formal religious instruction is often unavailable. We all miss out on the unique, embodied, ways of knowing truth and practicing wisdom when we don’t turn our gaze to these figures who have been in our lives since before we were born. Kat’s book is called, Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach us About Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength, and it’s excellent.

Jonathan PuddleNovember 11, 2021theology, family, embodiment, grandmothers, womenComment

#89: Marriage, Mayoralty + The Opioid Crisis (with Rachel + Cam Guthrie)

I’m honoured to welcome to The Puddcast this week, my city’s mayor, Cam Guthrie! Cam and his wife Rachel shared some of their life story along with insights on managing hectic schedules, putting in boundaries, dealing with criticism, supporting one another’s career goals, the COVID rollercoaster and the opioid overdose crisis. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.

Jonathan PuddleOctober 1, 2020covid-19, marriage, story, family, drugs, opioid crisisComment

#85: De-stigmatizing Suicide (with Kayla Stoecklein)

This week we look at a crucially important topic: suicide and mental health. My guest is Kayla Stoecklein, whose husband Andrew died by suicide two years ago. Andrew had been the lead pastor of their church, and had struggled with significant mental health issues for some time. Kayla shares vulnerably how warning signs were missed and a great tragedy could have been averted. She provides hope and practical help for anyone facing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or suicidal ideation, as well as for those people loving others through it.

Jonathan PuddleSeptember 3, 2020covid-19, family, suicide, mental health, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, pastoringComment

#84: Raising a Multiracial Family (with Marc & Tryphena Gagnon)

I’m joined this week by my good friends Marc & Tryphena Gagnon, who share their story so far raising their multiracial family. Marc is of French Canadian heritage and Tryphena’s family is from India, and they have learned a lot about one another and themselves as they raise their mixed-race children to understand and own their racial identities and engage with the world around them in compassion and love.

Jonathan PuddleAugust 27, 2020covid-19, race, family, parenting, reconciliation, social justice, marriageComment

#57: Separated by the Border (with Gena Thomas)

Gena Thomas joined me on The Puddcast to talk about immigration, family separation, border issues, language, power, foster care, and being Christ to others while also seeing Christ in others. We discussed some of the stories told in her new book, Separated by the Border, all about her family’s journey to return a young girl to her mother, after she was separated from her family at the border. Get your tissues ready.

Jonathan PuddleOctober 24, 2019social justice, foster care, family, justice (legal)Comment

#56: To Hell with the Hustle (with Jefferson Bethke)

Jefferson Bethke (along with his wife Alyssa) is a popular YouTuber, as well as an author and speaker. You know him from the spoken word video Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus. Jeff has a new book out on hustle culture and the importance of slow, quiet, spiritual rhythms. We discussed a whole bunch of things, from social media to Sabbath. Listen here or anywhere you find podcasts.

Jonathan PuddleOctober 10, 2019hustle, lifestyle, family, silence, spiritual practicesComment

#17: Building faith through Worship (with Melissa Joy Boerger)

Melissa Joy Boerger is the worship pastor at Catch The Fire Kitchener. With over 20 years experience, she is one of the most honest, genuine lovers of God that I know. We discussed how to be OK with simple worship in a world dominated by Bethel Music, how to involve kids in your worship band and loads more.

Jonathan PuddleSeptember 20, 2018worship, worship leading, family, faith, melissajoyboerger, catch the fire, kids churchComment

#14: Overcoming adversity & finding purpose (with Krista DuChene)

Krista DuChene is a Canadian Olympian and 2nd fastest Canadian marathon runner, with 3 young kids. We discussed how her faith in God has been woven into every season of her life and running career, and propelled her through incredible setbacks.

Jonathan PuddleAugust 30, 2018running, marathon, olympics, family, parenting, perseveranceComment