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:
Everywhere you look in American history, you will find the language, stories, and concepts from the Old and New Testaments.
Evangelical legend Elisabeth Elliot may have had a gay relationship. And that matters.
As empathy becomes politicized, these women are practicing it in the extreme.
Some see the AI facilities as a sign of the apocalypse, others see an opportunity to advocate for environmental stewardship.
Gen Z Thinks that Religion Got Too Political
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Podcast
Good Hang with Amy Poehler and Anne Lamott
For Anne Lamott, it goes Jesus, the cat, and then everyone else. Amy hangs with the 'Bird by Bird' author and talks about how she deals with bad reviews, binging on 'Below Deck' and People magazine, and dating someone who's allergic to cats.
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The Table Where We Meet by Jess Janz
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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