Faith and Resilience with Ellen Corcella

This episode continues our Thriving in the Wilderness Series by asking what do we learn in the wilderness and how do we carry it forward as we move into a restored life. To do so, we revisit episode #10, originally aired in October 2025, that told the story of the Indiana Fever navigating injuries, loss, and constant change.With a renewed perspective, as the Indiana Fever returns for the 2026 WNBA basketball season, this episode asks us to consider what we are learning during times of wilderness and do we use the values that emerge to sustain us as we move forward in life. Sophie Cunningham expressed these values in an interview with ESPN, "I am so grateful. I know I'm coming off a pretty big knee injury, and so it was never about the money. It was just about the years, because I wanted to be with them. God forbid, a girl loves her teammates." https://www.espn_sophie-cunningham-grateful-return-feverKey ThemesSupport, Trust, and Community: Building genuine connection in the face of chaosBelief in the Transcendent: The power of "we all we got, we all we need"Meaning and Purpose: Feeling valued and valuable in communityAdaptability and Flexibility: Bending without breaking when circumstances changeFuture Orientation: Keep the main thing, the main thing.About the Indiana Fever's 2025 Season“My Love Letter” to the Fever, Ariel PowersInside the Indiana Fever's roller-coaster 2025 WNBA season - ESPNIndiana Fever, without Caitlin Clark and others, remains resilient - The Washington PostThe Fever are surviving the injury bug thanks to resilience and a whole lot of Kelsey Mitchell - Swish AppealHow the Indiana Fever adjust to season-ending injuries - ESPNAbout the HostEllen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma. Through the Faith & Resilience Podcast, Ellen explores the complexity of our lives while illuminating paths towards healing and hope—examining the sacred values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma, and anxiety of our contemporary lives."Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma" by Ellen CorcellaAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Connect with Ellen CorcellaWebsite: www.ellencorcella.comSign up for her Newsletter: www.ellencorcella.comEmail: mailto:[email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaHelpful Resources: ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideSupport the PodcastIf you found this episode helpful, please: Like, Rate, Subscribe and Share#Resilience #Faith #IndianaFever #WNBA #KelseyMitchell #CaitlinClark #sophie_cunningham #2026WNBASeason #EllenCorcella 

Why do we rush past Holy Saturday on our way to Easter morning? In this powerful solo episode, Ellen Corcella invites us to slow down and contemplate the sacred "middle," that Holy day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Companion Episode: This episode is part of the series Resilience: Finding Your Path through the Wilderness —Episode #13: Resilience: Your Path through the Wilderness.In This EpisodePart I: The Day Nobody Talks About: Why Holy Saturday is called "holy" if nothing is happening or does Holy Saturday represent the spiritual hell experienced after experiencing trauma? Part II: Key Takeaways for Spiritual Care: Holy Saturday as a model for supporting those in spiritual hell and why witnessing wounds is essential for true ministryKey ThemesHoly Saturday as the space of trauma's aftermathThe necessity of not skipping the wildernessJesus as the ultimate wounded healerThe courage to witness wounds — our own and others'Resurrection not as erasure, but as transformation with scarsReferenced WorkShelley Rambo - Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining A groundbreaking theological work exploring the "middle" space between death and resurrection as the ground where trauma survivors live.About Ellen CorcellaEllen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and host of the Faith & Resilience Podcast, which explores paths toward healing and hope while examining the sacred values that anchor us through life's challenges.Connect with Ellen:Website: www.ellencorcella.comNewsletter: Sign up at www.ellencorcella.comEmail: [email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaTrauma Informed Resources: ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideEllen's Book: Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of TraumaAmazon: amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Support the PodcastIf you found this episode helpful, please:⭐ Rate the podcast on your listening platform👍 Like and Subscribe to never miss an episode📢 Share this episode with someone in the wilderness💬 Leave a review to help others discover Faith & ResilienceA Word from Ellen"If you are in that place right now — in the middle, in the wilderness, unsure if resurrection is real or even possible for you — I want you to know that this podcast, this community of faithful listeners, is a place where your wounds are welcome. Where your questions are welcome. Where you don't have to pretend you've already arrived at Easter morning."Until next time, may you be resilient in the struggle, and faithful in the serving.

Where do we encounter God—in extraordinary mountaintop moments, or in the quiet rhythms of everyday life?In this episode of the Faith & Resilience Podcast, Rev. Ellen Corcella welcomes Pastor Tara Eastman for a thoughtful conversation about resilience rooted in faith, creativity, and community. Tara shares her evolving understanding of theopoetics—a creative engagement with God through poetry, art, contemplation, and community. Drawing on the wisdom of Julian of Norwich, she reflects on the famous vision of the hazelnut, a reminder that all creation exists because God made it, loves it, and keeps it.Through practices such as Lectio Divina and Visio Divina, Tara invites us to discover “thin spaces,” those moments when the sacred feels especially close. She reads her poem “Thin Space Day,” which finds holiness in ordinary routines—carpool lines, lunchtime walks, coffee breaks, and daily commutes.As the season of Lent reminds us that faith often unfolds in wilderness spaces, this conversation offers this hopeful reminder: God’s presence even in the most ordinary moments of our day.About Our Guest: Pastor Tara EastmanPastor Tara Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and practitioner of Holy Shenanigans. In her podcast, Pastor Eastman shares stories that surprise, encourage, and sometimes even turn life upside down – all in the name of love, as she takes listeners on a journey of unforgettable spiritual adventure that is always sacred but never stuffy. Through practices like Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, and creative expression, Tara encourages people to notice the sacred in everyday life and to recognize the “thin spaces” where God’s presence feels especially near.Connect with Pastor Tara EastmanLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tara-eastman-814354228 Holy Shenanigans Podcast: https://holyshenanigans.buzzsprout.com/1347916Resilience Series EpisodesEpisode #13 – Resilience: Your Path Through the Wildernesshttps://share.transistor.fm/s/1643fd5aEpisode #14 – Dr. Natalie Hamrick: How Faith Transforms Our Response to Stress and Illnesshttps://share.transistor.fm/s/1643fd5aAbout Ellen CorcellaEllen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), author of Walk with Me: A Journey Through the Landscape of Trauma, and host of the Faith & Resilience Podcast, which explores paths toward healing and hope while examining the sacred values that anchor us through life's challenges.Connect with Ellen:Website: www.ellencorcella.comNewsletter: Sign up at www.ellencorcella.comEmail: [email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaTrauma Informed Resources: www.ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideEllen's Book: Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of TraumaAmazon: store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2BookBaby: store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Support the Podcast:If you found this episode helpful, please:⭐ Rate the podcast on your listening platform👍 Like and Subscribe to never miss an episode📢 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it💬 Leave a review to help others discover Faith & ResilienceProduced by: Loren Richmond, Jr. Resonate Media ProductionCopyright: Faith & Resilience PodcastUntil next time, may you find resilience in the struggle, and faith in the serving.

Can faith actually change the way our bodies and minds respond to stress, illness, and trauma? In this episode, Ellen Corcella welcomes Dr. Natalie Hamrick, founder of Healing Journey Ministries, to explore how partnering with God transforms our capacity to cope with life'sgreatest challenges. Dr. Hamrick shares practical tools for building resilience and discusses the key components of holistic healing that integrate deep faith with psychological expertise.About Our Guest: Dr. Natalie HamrickDr. Natalie Hamrick is the founder of Healing Journey Ministries, where she combines psychology with God's Word to help people address past difficulties and thrive as their authentic selves.Author of:Cope by Faith: Partnering with God to Get Through and Triumph from the Cancer Experience - AmazonHope in the Rainbow: A Guide for LGBTQ Folks to Heal from Spiritual Struggles and Reconnect to God (forthcoming)Connect with Dr. Hamrick:Blog: The Healing JourneyFacebook: facebook.com/HealingJourneyMinistriesEtsy Shop: Mirielle Boutique - inspirational necklace pendants with God's WordDr. Hamrick also leads spiritual retreats integrating interactive art and meditation on topics including accepting God's love, healing from church wounds, working through shame, and embracing God's promises while holding doubts.About Ellen CorcellaEllen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and host of the Faith & Resilience Podcast, which explores paths toward healing and hope while examining the sacred values that anchor us through life's challenges.Connect with Ellen:Website: www.ellencorcella.comNewsletter: Sign up at www.ellencorcella.comEmail: [email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaTrauma Informed Resources: www.ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideEllen's Book: Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of TraumaAmazon: amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Support the PodcastIf you found this episode helpful, please:⭐ Rate the podcast on your listening platform👍 Like and Subscribe to never miss an episode📢 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it💬 Leave a review to help others discover Faith & ResilienceProduced by: Loren Richmond, Jr. Resonate Media Production Copyright: © 2026 Faith & Resilience PodcastUntil next time, may you be resilience in the struggle, and faithful in the serving.

Faith & Resilience is a podcast for those seeking to navigate life's complexities with hope, faith, and courage. Each episode offers contemplative exploration of how we can live out our deepest values in an anxious world.About the HostEllen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma. Through the Faith & Resilience Podcast, Ellen explores the complexity of our lives while illuminating paths towards healing and hope—examining the sacred values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma, and anxiety of our contemporary lives.Related EpisodesEpisode #7:Getting Back Up: John Lewis' Legacy of ResilienceEpisode #10: We all We Got, We all we need: Indiana Fever's Impossible Season of ResilienceEpisode #11: It takes a Revolution of the Heart: Dorothy Day, Faith, Food and Radical Humanity"Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma" by Ellen CorcellaAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2 Connect with Ellen CorcellaWebsite: www.ellencorcella.comEmail: [email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaTrauma Informed Resources: www.ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideSupport the PodcastIf you found this episode helpful, please:⭐ Rate the podcast on your listening platform👍 Like and Subscribe to never miss an episode📢 Share this episode with someone who might benefit💬 Leave a review to help others discover Faith & ResilienceYour support helps expand our reach to those seeking resilience in the struggle and faith in the serving.Until next time, may you be resilient in the struggle, and faithful in the serving.Produced by: Loren Richmond, Jr. Resonate Media Production Copyright: © 2026 Faith & Resilience Podcast

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Lynel Beaty speaks with host Ellen Corcella about navigating grief. Dr. Beaty recounts her deeply personal story of her husband's unexpected death at 60 years old, illuminating the pain, dashed expectations, and upended relationships that follow the loss of a loved one. Dr. Beaty reminds us that such events may shatter our faith, but faith also allows us to reframe our grief and remind us to keep living.Key Lessons from This EpisodeThere will be hard times where we simply go through the motions of life.Over time, we can reframe our understanding of grief, allowing us to move forward with our grief.If you are grieving, it is okay to feel emotion, to acknowledge empty seats around holiday tables, and crying is perfectly normal. After all, we are human beings.If you are supporting someone who is grieving, let them feel what they need to feel. Do not try to make them happy or move them away from their feelings, they will be very grateful.About the GuestRev. Dr. Lynel Brooks Beaty is a compassionate faith leader, chaplain, and innovator in spiritual care. A board-certified chaplain with years of experience, Dr. Beaty is the Founder of Alice's Hope, LLC, a comprehensive grief support program.In her book, She Kept Living: A Meditative Journal, Dr. Beaty reminds us that there is no blueprint for navigating life after losing a loved one. In the book, the author invites those who are grieving to use writing as a tool to heal your mind, body, and soul, providing personal reflections, writing prompts, and scriptures that will help you reflect on your grief journey so you can keep living. The book is available on Amazon and other online retailers. Find Dr. Beaty on Linkedin and at Alice’s Hope.About the HostEllen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma. Through the Faith & Resilience Podcast, Ellen explores the complexity of our lives while illuminating paths towards healing and hope—examining the sacred values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma, and anxiety of our contemporary lives.Resources"Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma" by Ellen CorcellaAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Connect with Ellen CorcellaWebsite: www.ellencorcella.comEmail: mailto:[email protected]?subject=PodcastLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaTrauma Informed Resources: ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideSupport the PodcastIf you found this episode helpful, please:⭐ Rate the podcast on your listening platform👍 Like and Subscribe to never miss an episode📢 Share this episode with someone who might benefit from this conversation💬 Leave a review to help others discover Faith & ResilienceYour likes and subscribes, through the mysterious algorithms of social media, helps expand our reach to those seeking resilience in the struggle and faith in the serving.Stay tuned for our next episode, where we continue exploring stories of faith, resilience, and transformation.Until next time, may you find resilience in the struggle, and faith in the serving.Episode Keywordsgrief, loss, bereavement, faith, resilience, healing, chaplaincy, spiritual care, navigating loss, grief support, coping with loss, trauma, hope, courageProduced by: Resonate Media Producer: Loren Richmond, Jr. Host: Ellen Corcella Copyright: © 2025 Faith & Resilience PodcastFaith & Resilience is a podcast for those seeking to navigate life's complexities with hope, faith, and courage. Each episode offers contemplative exploration of how we can live out our deepest values in an anxious world.

When the safety net tears. When hunger returns to the faces of children. When we're tempted to turn away from our neighbor's suffering—what then?In this episode, Ellen Corcella explores the life and legacy of Dorothy Day, a bohemian writer who became one of the twentieth century's most powerful voices for the poor. Day's journey from Greenwich Village radical to Catholic Worker founder offers profound lessons for anyone seeking to live out their faith in action.Through Day's famous call for a "revolution of the heart," this episode examines what it means to:Repair our hardened heartsHonor the dignity of all peopleSee the spark of the divine in each otherPractice faith through daily spiritual disciplinesBuild transformative communityWhether you're grappling with how to respond to economic injustice, searching for ways to serve your community, or simply seeking to deepen your faith practice, Dorothy Day's life offers four essential guideposts: transformation takes time, persistence and trust matter, faith requires practice, and we cannot go it alone.Scripture ReferencesLuke 14:13-14 - "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind"Luke 4:18 / Isaiah 61:1 - "To proclaim good news to the poor... to set the oppressed free"Micah 6:8 - "Seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God"Learn More About Dorothy DayDocumentary: "Dorothy Day: Don't Call Me a Saint"Book: "The Long Loneliness" - Dorothy Day's autobiographyPeter Maurin's "Easy Essays": easyessays.orgFind a Catholic Worker House: catholicworker.orgAbout the HostEllen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma. Through the Faith & Resilience Podcast, Ellen explores the complexity of our lives while illuminating paths towards healing and hope—examining the sacred values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma, and anxiety of our contemporary lives.Get Ellen's Book"Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma" by Ellen CorcellaAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Connect with Ellen CorcellaWebsite: www.ellencorcella.comNewsletter: Sign up at www.ellencorcella.com for a free download on the "Keys to Building Resilience"Email: [email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaTrauma Informed Resources: ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideSupport the PodcastIf you found this episode helpful, please:⭐ Rate the podcast on your listening platform👍 Like and Subscribe to never miss an episode📢 Share this episode with someone who might benefit from Dorothy Day's story💬 Leave a review to help others discover Faith & ResilienceYour support through the mysterious algorithms of social media helps expand our reach to those seeking resilience in the struggle and faith in the serving.Next EpisodeStay tuned for our next episode, where we continue exploring stories of faith, resilience, and transformation.Until next time, may you find resilience in the struggle, and faith in the serving.Episode KeywordsDorothy Day, Catholic Worker Movement, faith in action, social justice, poverty, serving the poor, spiritual practice, religious transformation, community building, resilience, trauma healing, Christian ministry, Gospel living, economic justice, spiritual disciplinesProduced by: Ellen CorcellaCopyright: © 2025 Faith & Resilience PodcastFaith & Resilience is a podcast for those seeking to navigate life's complexities with hope, faith, and courage. Each episode offers contemplative exploration of how we can live out our deepest values in an anxious world.

In this episode, host Ellen Corcella explores the Fever's extraordinary season of comebacks and draws powerful lessons about resilience that apply to our own seasons of crushed expectations and losses.Key ThemesSupport, Trust, and Community: Building genuine connection in the face of chaosBelief in the Transcendent: The power of "we all we got, we all we need"Meaning and Purpose: Feeling valued and valuable in communityAdaptability and Flexibility: Bending without breaking when circumstances changeFuture Orientation: Keeping our eyes on what's aheadFeatured StoryThe 2025 Indiana Fever season—a case study in resilience through:Caitlin Clark was injured after 13 games;Recently recruited Veteran Dewanna Bonner leaves team;Season-ending injuries to Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, and Chloe Bibby;Kelsey Mitchell hurt and Alyah Boston fouls out of decisive 5th playoff game; andYet the team tied the game, forcing it into overtime, finding themselves within five game minutes from the WNBA Championship series.About the Indiana Fever's 2025 Season“My Love Letter” to the Fever, Ariel PowersInside the Indiana Fever's roller-coaster 2025 WNBA season - ESPNIndiana Fever, without Caitlin Clark and others, remains resilient - The Washington PostThe Fever are surviving the injury bug thanks to resilience and a whole lot of Kelsey Mitchell - Swish AppealHow the Indiana Fever adjust to season-ending injuries - ESPNAbout the HostEllen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma. Through the Faith & Resilience Podcast, Ellen explores the complexity of our lives while illuminating paths towards healing and hope—examining the sacred values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma, and anxiety of our contemporary lives."Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma" by Ellen CorcellaAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Connect with Ellen CorcellaWebsite: www.ellencorcella.comSign up for her Newsletter: www.ellencorcella.comEmail: mailto:[email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaHelpful Resources: ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideSupport the PodcastIf you found this episode helpful, please: Like, Rate, Subscribe and Share#Resilience #Faith #IndianaFever #WNBA #KelseyMitchell #CaitlinClark #2025WNBASeason #SacredValues

What if we've been reading the Gospels wrong? In this powerful conversation recorded live at the 2025 Wild Goose Festival, theologian and author Jennifer Bashaw challenges us to flip the script on familiar Gospel stories. Instead of focusing solely on Jesus's death, Bashaw reveals how Jesus consistently positioned himself alongside society's scapegoats—women, the poor, infirm and the outsider. Through this lens, we discover how Jesus exposed the scapegoating mechanisms that create victims in the first place. This episode will transform how you read Scripture and help all of us recognize the dangerous patterns of scapegoating still playing out in our communities today.Key TakeawaysRecognize the Pattern: Learn to identify when political, religious, and social leaders use scapegoating tactics—blaming marginalized groups (immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, racial minorities) for complex societal problems. These tactics distract from problem solving and accountability.Amplify Silenced Voices: Move beyond speaking about marginalized communities to creating space for them to speak for themselves. Choose Companionship Over Control: Jesus modeled walking alongside the vulnerable rather than exercising power over them. This challenges us to examine where we seek dominion versus where we offer genuine solidarity—in our congregations, places of worship, families, workplaces, and communities.SUPPORT THE SHOW If you find value in Faith & Resilience, please consider supporting us:- Hit Like and Subscribe to help others find the podcast- Leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform- Share this episode with others who want to discover the inherent values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the trauma, turbulence and anxiety of our lives.Jennifer Bashaw | jgbashaw.com Professor, minister, theologian and author of Scapegoats: The Gospel through the Eyes of the Victim Available on AmazonEllen Corcella | ellencorcella.com Author of Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma and ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is the host of the Faith & Resilience Podcast, exploring the sacred values that anchor us through contemporary turbulence, trauma, and anxiety.Discover healing and hope in Ellen's powerful book: "Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma."Purchase Options:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Website: www.ellencorcella.comConnect with Ellen:Upcoming events: https://www.ellencorcella.com/events-1Email: [email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaHelpful Resources: www.ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideAbout the "Wild Goose" Festival -  www.wildgoosefestival.org The Wild Goose Festival is an annual gathering that brings together people from diverse backgrounds to explore the intersection of faith, justice, music, and art. It serves as a space for meaningful dialogue about faith-inspired social justice and community building.

What happens when you wander into an open-air festival seeking spirit and justice and find a whole community committed to using music, art, conversation and community to engage faith-inspired social justice. This episode explores how encounters with poetry, music, people and community can transform our understanding of ourselves, our despair and lead us to the sacred spaces where healing happens.Join Faith & Resilience host Ellen Corcella as she shares her serendipitous encounter with Rev. Tara Eastman at the Wild Goose Festival. Tara is and Host of the Podcast “Holy Shenanigans.” Tara asked me to speak with her about how poetry, art, music, theology, and the sacred intersect to guide us on our faith journey.In this episode, Rev. Corcella shares the Holy Shenanigans, Podcast Episode “Finding Faith & Resilience,” through an encounter with Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese.”Ellen Corcella - Author, speaker, faith leader and ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Host of the Faith & Resilience Podcast explores the complexity of our lives while illuminating paths towards healing and hope, examining the sacred values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma and anxiety of our contemporary lives.Tara Eastman - Host of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Warran, PA, is engaging, curious, energetic, and searching for God through encounters with music, art, poetry, community and the other.Holy Shenanigans PodcastWebsite: https://holyshenanigans.buzzsprout.com/ Follow on Facebook and InstagramDiscover healing and hope in Ellen's powerful book: "Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma."Purchase Options:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcella BookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2 Website: www.ellencorcella.com Connect with Ellen:Upcoming events: https://www.ellencorcella.com/events-1 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcella Sign up for the Faith & Resilience Newsletter Helpful Resources: ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicide   About the “Wild Goose” FestivalThe Wild Goose Festival is an annual gathering that brings together people from diverse backgrounds to explore the intersection of faith, justice, music, and art. It serves as a space for meaningful dialogue about faith-inspired social justice and community building.Mary Oliver Resources"Wild Geese" - Essential ReadingMary Oliver's beloved poem "Wild Geese" speaks to themes of belonging, acceptance, and finding one's place in the world."Devotions" Poetry Collection"Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver" (2017) is a comprehensive collection spanning Oliver's acclaimed career, featuring poems that explore nature, spirituality, and the sacred in everyday life"The Summer Day" - Famous for the line "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?""The Journey" - About finding courage to leave what no longer serves you

In this powerful episode, Ellen Corcella explores the concept of resilience through the extraordinary life of Congressman John Lewis. Drawing from the Latin root resiliere ("to leap back"), she examines how faith can be the foundation for bouncing back from life's most challenging circumstances and achieving our goals. Through Lewis's example of getting back up after every beating, arrest, and setback during the Civil Rights Movement, listeners discover practical ways to build resilience in their lives.Key Topics CoveredThe Etymology of Resilience: Understanding resiliere - "to leap back"John Lewis's Faith-Fueled Resilience: From sharecropper's son to Civil Rights iconBloody Sunday (March 7, 1965): Lewis's remarkable courage at the edge of Edmund Pettus BridgeCore Faith Beliefs That Build Resilience: God's unconditional loveThe divine spark in everyoneHope as eternal possibilityThe Beloved Community visionSeven Keys to Building Resilience: Worldview and transcendenceFeeling loved and secureMeaning and purposeFlexibilityDiscipline and taking care of basicsPlanning for the futureSeeking supportScripture ReferencedRomans 5:1-5 - Paul's teaching on how suffering produces perseverance, character, and hopeFind "Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma" by Ellen CorcellaPurchase Options:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Connect with Ellen CorcellaWebsite: www.ellencorcella.comSign up for the Faith & Resilience NewsletterVisit for support resources on grief, PTSD, suicide, and lossEmail: [email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaSupport Resources: ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicideUpcoming EventsWild Goose Festival WorkshopEvent: "Resilient Faith" workshop with Ellen CorcellaDates: August 28-31, 2025Website: wildgoosefestival.org/convo-hall-2022-Resilient Faith WorkshopSpecial Offer: Use Ambassador Code A-EC for $50 off Adult Weekend TicketsResources & LinksJohn Lewis Resources"How the images of John Lewis being beaten during 'Bloody Sunday' went viral" - The Conversation"John Lewis: Love in Action" - On Being Podcast with Krista Tippett (2013)National Archives: John Lewis - March from Selma to MontgomeryAdditional ResourcesJulia Cameron's tools for creativity and "The Artist's Way": juliacameronlive.comHow You Can HelpLike this episodeSubscribe to the Faith & Resilience PodcastShare with others who might benefit from this messageLeave a review to help expand our community of resilient faithClosing Thought"We must never give up. We must never give in. We must never give out. We must keep the faith and keep our eyes on the prize." - John LewisRemember: You have within you the capacity to get back up. Your faith can be the foundation that helps you leap back, again and again, into the fullness of life God intends for you.

The Faith & Resilience Podcast explores the complexity of our lives while illuminating paths towards healing and hope, examining the sacred values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma, and anxiety of our contemporary lives.Episode SummaryIn this inspiring episode, host Ellen Corcella explores the extraordinary life of Mother Frances Cabrini, drawing from the recent film "Cabrini." Despite facing enormous opposition from church and city officials, this poor immigrant nun arrived in New York City in 1889 and built the largest charitable organization in the world. Working in the disease-ridden slums of Five Points Manhattan, she established nearly 70 hospitals, schools, and aid institutions across multiple continents in just thirty-four years. Ellen examines how Mother Cabrini's life serves as an antidote to our contemporary sense of futility, demonstrating that through faithful persistence and prophetic imagination, we can become architects of hope rather than empires of outrage.Key Lessons We Can Learn from Mother CabriniFaith - Mother Cabrini lived with confidence in what was hoped for and assurance of what she did not see. Her actions stemmed from steadfast trust in God and love of God's people.Tenacity - Mother Cabrini did not take "no" for an answer. Imagination - Mother Cabrini possessed what theologian Walter Brueggemann described as "prophetic imagination" - the ability to see beyond current limitations to envision what can be healed, restored, or created in God's world. Call - Mother Cabrini understood what is required of people of faith - "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God." Micah 6:8Courage - Mother Cabrini did not conduct risk assessments or calculate odds of success. She was simply a determined spirit to proceed.ResourcesFind "Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma" by Ellen Corcella:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcellaBookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2Connect with Ellen Corcella:Website: www.ellencorcella.comSign up for the Faith & Resilience NewsletterVisit for support resources on grief, PTSD, suicide, and lossEmail: [email protected]: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcellaUpcoming Events:Ellen will be offering a workshop "Resilient Faith" at the Wild Goose Festival, https://wildgoosefestival.org/convo-hall-2022, August 28-31, 2025Use Ambassador Code A-EC for $50 off Adult Weekend Tickets

Ellen Corcella – Author, speaker, faith leader, and ordained minister with the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. Ellen’s new book, Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma, illustrates that when we embrace our own woundedness, we can become sources of healing and hope for ourselves and others. Learn more at www.ellencorcella.com  In this episode, Ellen explores how our greatest strength isn't found in external measures of success but in our spiritual foundation, something that can never be taken away. She also delves into practical ways to connect with our spiritual core, and how to support others through difficult times.I would love for you to visit me at www.ellencorcella.com, check out my blog posts and subscribe to my twice monthly Faith & Resilience Newsletter for additional information and insights on faith, spirituality, trauma, loss and resilience. Visit my author page and learn more about Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma at Bookbaby.com, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and other major online and retail bookstores.Finally, I would love to meet you at the Wild Goose FestivalWhen: August 28-30, 2025What: Four-day Spirit, Justice, Music and Arts FestivalEllen's Workshop: "Resilient Faith" - Interactive session on enhancing our resilience through practices like meditation, mindfulness and prayer. 

In this episode, Ellen Corcella, author, speaker and ordained minister, explores the values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma and anxiety in our lives. Rev. Corcella lifts up a countercultural faith perspective on generosity in which we are encouraged to be open to sharing, giving and integrating with others and our community. The podcast shares ways in which generosity opens our hearts to ourselves, each other and our communities. 1.     Generosity loosens the grip on our hearts, allowing us to enter the world in grace and to offer unconditional love. 2.     We begin to see others not as competitors for scarce resources, but as fellow human beings deserving of dignity and care. 3.     We start to ask different questions, i.e., instead of asking "Do they deserve this?" we can begin to ask, "How can I help?" 4.     When we operate from an abundance rather than scarcity, we are better able to live with confidence in things hoped for and the assurance of things not seen.5.     The practice of generosity increases our capacity for empathy and compassion If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and leave us a review, we would love to hear from you.Links and Resources·      If you need resources on spiritual well-being, trauma and grief, please visit  https://www.ellencorcella.com/find_Help ·      Visit my author page for more about Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma, and the ways we can learn to live with - rather than run from - our trauma. ·      Walk with Me is available at Bookbaby.com and, if you prefer, for preorder at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and other major online bookstores. The eBook is available on all major platforms.The Faith & Resilience podcast will be released on the second and fourth Thursday of each month and is produced by Resonate Media Production, producer Loren Richmond, Jr.Again, a big thank you for listening. 

In this episode, Ellen Corcella, author, speaker and ordained minister, explores the values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma and anxiety in our lives. Rev. Corcella lifts up the selection of Robert Francis Prevost, as the successor to Pope Francis. To be known as Pope Leo XIV, the new Pope’s first words to the assembled crowd outside of St. Peter’s Basilica were “Peace be with you.” Pope Leo XIV’s words harken back to Jesus’ words when he greeted his followers in the upper room after his resurrection. The peace spoken aloud by Jesus and Pope Leo XIV is not just about the absence of conflict, it is also about centering ourselves in God’s abiding love,allowing us to remain true to our sacred values and to respond to the world’s chaos from a space of reflection and wisdom. The podcast offers simple and effective steps we can take to restore and renew a sense of internal peace including:1. Taking time each day to reset ourselves through mindful breathing and centering prayer.2. Set meaningful boundaries to preserve our peace whether that is time in nature or controlling the endless flow of information through social media and elsewhere; and3. Take time to know and cultivate the sacred values that bring genuine value and well-being to our lives and the lives of our neighbors, through prayer, reading devotionals, sacred texts, and attending to the sacred in community and helping one another.Achieving peace is always a process and a practice. Each time we choose love over fear, compassion over judgement and calm over reactivity, we strengthen our capacity for peace. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and leave us a review, we would love to hear from you.Links and ResourcesI would love you to connect with me at www.ellencorcella.com, check out my blog posts and subscribe to the Faith & Resilience Newsletter for additional information and insights on faith, spirituality, trauma, loss and resilience. Connect with us by visiting my author page for more about Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma, and the ways we can learn to live with - rather than run from - trauma, stress, grief and anxiety. The book is also available for preorder at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and other major online bookstores. This podcast will be released on the second and fourth Thursday of each month and is produced by Resonate Media Production, producer Loren Richmond, Jr.Again, a big thank you for listening. 

In this episode, Ellen Corcella, author, speaker and ordained minister, introduces the podcast’s goal – explores the values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma and anxiety in our lives. Rev. Corcella take a look at the spiritually exhausting demands of secular life, those external factors that have little to do with who we are as children of God. The question is how can we begin to anchor ourselves in times of stress, worry, uncertainty and confusion. Rev. Corcella reminds us that we are loved by God, that we are God’s beloved and no one and no thing can take God’s love away from us.  While this is not an easy process, Rev. Corcella encourages us to reject the world’s efforts to define and assess the value of our lives and to take time to nurture our spiritual values of love, compassion, generosity and compassion.  Please like and subscribe to receive information about upcoming episodes.  Leave us a review, we would love to hear from you.Links and ResourcesVisit my author page and learn more about Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma at Bookbaby.com. The book is also available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and other major online and retail bookstores.Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World, by Henri J.M. Nouwen and more about Nouwen can be found Here.I would love for you to visit me at www.ellencorcella.com, check out my blog posts and subscribe to my twice monthly Faith & Resilience Newsletter for additional information and insights on faith, spirituality, trauma, loss and resilience. This podcast is produced by Resonate Media Production, producer Loren Richmond, Jr.

In this pilot episode, Ellen Corcella, author, speaker and ordained minister, introduces the podcast’s goal – to explore and cultivate the values that anchor us to who we are and who we can be despite the turbulence, trauma and anxiety in our lives. Rev. Corcella talks about how we see hope, how hope has motivated individuals throughout history to advocate for justice, fairness, and better treatment of each other even when it seems impossible and how hope motivates us as individuals and communities of faith to continue to lift up love, compassion, hospitality and generosity in a world that often disregards these values.  Please like and subscribe to receive information about upcoming episodes. Links & ResourcesMore information on Henri Nouwen can be found at https://henrinouwen.org/ .  Nouwen’s thoughts on hope can be found in his book -- Henri J. M. Nouwen (2009). “Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith”, p.16, Harper Collins.Ellen Corcella is a former New York City prosecutor, who left legal practice, entered the seminary and worked almost ten years as a hospital chaplain caring for critically ill and injured patients. Her forthcoming book Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma, will be released sometime in May 2025. Please let us know what you think @Chaplain_Ellen @ellencorcella.com. To learn more, check out www.ellencorcella.com and sign up for the twice monthly Faith & Resilience Newsletter for more information and insights on faith, spirituality, trauma, loss and resilience.This podcast is produced by Resonate Media, producer Loren Richmond, Jr.

Ellen writes and speaks about the intricate relationships between faith, spirit, trauma, and resilience. Aiming to unearth pathways for deeper faith integration and heightened resilience in times of adversity, she urges us to embody love, mercy, courage and hospitality. Ellen’s forthcoming book, Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma, illustrates that when we embrace our own woundedness, we can become sources of healing and hope for ourselves and others. Learn more at www.ellencorcella.com.