Happy Friday!
I hope July is settling in with a sense of momentum and openness. As summer begins to take shape, I’ve found myself thinking about the things that linger beyond their original moment: an idea that keeps returning, a fleeting interaction, a piece of music, an image, or a conversation that continues to reveal itself over time.
And as always, I’d love to hear what’s been staying with you lately. What’s captured your attention? What thoughts, moments, or discoveries have been circling back?
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Let’s dive in:
A growing number of faith-forward interior designers are decorating homes Christ-first. Turns out it’s as good for business as it is for their souls
A growing number of charismatic Christians see themselves as waging a spiritual battle against the forces of Satan. Sometimes those forces are right across the street.
Rosalía, the Spanish superstar, has created a gothic confessional on the stage of her current tour — and invited her celebrity friends to come spill their secrets.
The aging Kentucky senator’s “proof of life” photo from his hospital bed is a kind of avatar for an era in which our elderly leaders are clinging to power by any means necessary. Behind that, though, is more than a social or political problem: It’s a spiritual crisis few of us want to acknowledge.
Pete Hegseth, as defense secretary, has sought to cultivate an image as a manosphere-friendly leader.
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Podcast
60 Minutes Interview with Former Senator Ben Sasse
“I do think social media is one of the fundamental problems that we’re dealing with right now,” former Sen. Ben Sasse says in an extended interview with Scott Pelley. “It doesn’t encourage a lot of self-scrutiny. It doesn’t encourage a lot of humility.” He adds that social media reinforces an us-versus-them mindset: “We’re definitely right, and they’re definitely wrong,” he says, noting “that tribalism makes us pretty stupid.”
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We all want to be known. Most of us just don’t know how to begin.
When Jess Janz found herself craving deeper conversations―but trapped in a world of small talk―she took a leap. What started as a casual idea in a hair salon soon became Dinner With Strangers: a growing movement where guests gather around a table, introduce themselves without ever mentioning work, and share who they are beyond the job title. No scripts, no expectations―just curiosity, courage, and a seat at the table.
In The Table Where We Meet, Jess reflects on what she’s learned from hosting dinners with more than a thousand strangers across North America. With essays that are both tender and practical, she explores what it means to belong, how to ask better questions, and why connection requires us to risk being truly seen. Alongside her insights are unforgettable stories―funny, heartbreaking, deeply human―that reveal how much we all have in common when we finally let our guard down.
This is a book for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a crowd, tired of surface-level chatter, or unsure how to bridge the gap between isolation and intimacy. The Table Where We Meet is a guide, a memoir, and a quiet revolution―one dinner at a time.
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Thank you so much for being a part of this community! I’ll see you next week.
Jm
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