Put down those bootstraps.
What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. Is that really true? What does it mean to be an emotionally “strong” person? This week’s podcast conversation features therapist Aundi Kolber and a discussion of her recent book Strong like Water as she explains the paradoxical truth that wholeness and robust inner strength are developed through gentle care for ourselves in times of struggle, stress, and trauma.
“We are worthy to be listened to and attuned to. That is a valid and necessary human need. And the beauty is that it actually makes us able to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.”
Sociologist and theologian Elaine Storkey is another woman who knows about strength and trauma. Women’s History Month has us thinking about this author interview (part of the Spring 2019 Book Club on Scars Across Humanity) and Elaine’s courageous work to raise awareness on behalf of the millions of women across the world who are victims of violent acts.
“Scars Across Humanity was motivated by Elaine seeing the high incidence of rape as a weapon of war in the Congo. The chilling logic behind this? It was ‘cheaper than bullets to exterminate the people you’re trying to annihilate.’”
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Women’s History Month sale at IVP. As part of their Women’s History Month celebration, IVP is offering 30% off select books by women authors. If you check out the list, you’ll find a number of authors who have been featured previously on podcasts (like this one and this one and this one) or in written articles (like this one and this one and this one). So dive into some good books — free US shipping is included!
Emerging Scholars Network has a number of Spring events coming up! Sign up for one of their online conversations.
Black Scholars and Professionals (BSAP) is beginning a new monthly online series entitled “Celebrating our Scholarship” for Black Faculty and Administrators. Sign up for the first event on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30 pm ET as they hear from Dr. Peter Q. Blair on "Democratizing Excellence." Are you interested in sharing your scholarship with BSAP at one of these monthly events? They would love to hear from Black women scholars! Contact the BSAP office for more details.
Four More Things We Loved This Week
“From here on it will only ever be later.” Madeleine Dore considers her alternate, unlived life and makes a case for trying new things — even if it feels like you’re “too late.”
“There is great and completely wondrous joy here. And there is profound, aching, heart-rending sadness. In Lent, we hold both at the same time.” Carrie Bare’s Lent series at Emerging Scholars Network illuminates the full, rich spectrum of this spiritual season.
Are all women called to have children? Katie Pezzutto explores this questions in an essay that won an honorable mention in Christians for Biblical Equality’s 2022 Writing Contest.
Alison Roman’s chickpea stew with coconut and turmeric gets five stars with over 20,000 reviews. Have you tried it?