Sorta Sacred

What can a bowl of spinach tell you about community, belonging, and what it means to truly welcome a neighbor? Ann McGlynn, founder and executive director of Tapestry Farms in Davenport, Iowa, joins Mark and Jess to share how a simple gift of homegrown food from a refugee family sparked a nonprofit urban farm system that has now served over 130 families and grown tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce across the Quad Cities. They talk about the intersection of farming, dignity, and healing — and why the word flourishing means something different when you've had to leave everything behind to start over. A conversation about roots, in every sense of the word.Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

Money is practical. It's also emotional, moral, and — if we're being honest — kind of spiritual. In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Martha Wells, a Davenport-based accountant and enrolled agent with over 40 years of experience, to talk about what our finances actually reveal about our values. From the anxiety of opening a shoebox full of receipts to the ethics of tax deductions and generous giving to talking to both your kids and your parents about money — this is the money conversation your church probably never had. Practical, honest, and surprisingly hopeful, we hope.Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

Mark, Katy, and Sara are back — and this time they brought more jokes (some great, some gloriously terrible), more laughter, and yes, audio gremlins appeared in the pursuit of something new! But that's kind of the point. Sorta Sacred was never meant to be overly polished. It's honest, it's human, and it's a little messy — just like faith itself. Pull up a chair for another round of real conversation about the questions that matter most.Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

What does it actually mean to stand by someone battling addiction? Not to fix them, not to enable them — but to truly love them? Jenny Halupnik and Dakotah Smith of One Eighty join us to help us understand addiction without judgment, support without losing ourselves, and hold onto hope even when it's hard to find.Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

We all know the feeling—a conversation that starts civil and somehow ends in a standoff. But what if the problem isn't what we're talking about, but how we're talking? In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Dr. Gauri Pitale, Augustana College's Vice President for Culture and Connection and a medical anthropologist, to explore the transformative practice of dialogue—and why it's different from debate, discussion, or even your average conversation.Dr. Pitale brings a fascinating lens to this work: part anthropologist, part community builder, part spiritual seeker. She introduces us to the "cultural iceberg"—the idea that most of who we are is hidden beneath the surface—and challenges us to stop judging people's "branches" and start getting curious about their "roots." From preparing for a hard conversation with your uncle to navigating a heated dinner table moment, this episode is full of practical wisdom and genuine hope.If you've ever wanted to actually understand someone you deeply disagree with—this one's for you.Book recommendation:Why We're Polarized by Ezra KleinThanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

In this episode, Mark and Jess explore how personality differences in relationships can become sources of growth rather than frustration with Dr. Derek Ball, a licensed marriage and family therapist.The conversation centers on understanding personality types through frameworks like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Derek guides the hosts through how to honor these differences rather than simply tolerating them, explaining that a partner's behavior often reveals more about their personality type than about how much they care.The episode offers practical advice for couples looking to understand their differences better, while also exploring how these principles apply to friendships, family, and work relationships. The overarching message: personality differences aren't problems to solve but gifts that invite deeper understanding and fuller love.Recommended resources:Please Understand Me by David KeirseyThanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

Ever wonder if you're doing what you're "supposed" to be doing with your life? You're not alone. In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Keri Bass, Assistant Director of Vocational Exploration and Career Coach at Augustana College, to explore one of life's biggest questions: What is vocation, and how do we figure out ours?It's not about finding the one perfect job or waiting for a lightning-bolt moment of clarity. Keri helps us understand that vocation is so much bigger than a career—it's about how we show up in the world, in our work, our families, and our communities. Whether you're a college student picking a major, a mid-career professional feeling restless, or newly retired and figuring out purpose and meaning, this conversation offers permission to dream, question, and discern.We dive into why "all good work is good work," how to sit with uncertainty instead of rushing to fix it, and what questions we should be asking ourselves as we grow and change throughout life. Plus, Keri shares why vocation isn't always the thing that pays the bills—and why that's actually okay.Did you know only about 20% of people feel clear about their meaning and purpose? This episode will help you start (or continue) the journey of discovering yours.Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

It's January—the season of fresh starts, ambitious resolutions, and the eternal hope that this will be the year we finally get it together. But why do so many of our good intentions fizzle out by February?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Beth Repp, an ophthalmologist turned certified life coach, to explore what actually works when it comes to lasting change. This isn't about vision board—it's about understanding the deeper patterns of thought and feeling that drive our actions.Beth shares why resolutions fail (hint: it's not lack of willpower), what "buffering" is and how we all do it, and why focusing on the next right move is more powerful than any grand plan. We talk about process goals vs. results goals, why momentum beats motivation, and how this approach connects to faith and spiritual practice across all traditions.Whether you're trying to get healthier, manage money better, or just understand yourself more clearly, this conversation offers practical tools and a whole lot of grace for the journey.View photo referenced by Beth here. Learn more about Beth at bethrepp.com Book recommendations from Beth:1.  Finding Your Own North Star:  Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live.  Martha Beck 2.  Man’s Search for Meaning.  Victor Frankl3.  The Let Them Theory:  A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About.  Mel Robbins4.  How to Lose Weight for the Last Time:  Brain-Based Solutions for Permanent Weight Loss.  Katrina Ubell5.  Set Boundaries, Find Peace:  A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself.  Nedra Glover Tawwab6.  The Art of Money:  A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness.  Bari Tessler7.  Reasons Not to Worry:  How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times — A Practical Guide to Stoicism for Self-Improvement and Personal Growth.  Brigid Delaney8.  A New Earth:  Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.  Eckhart Tolle9.  The Daily Stoic:  366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.  Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman10.  Mindset:  The New Psychology of Success.  Carol DweckThanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

Remember when Christmas morning felt like pure magic? When the hardest decision was which cookie to leave for Santa? The holidays look different at every stage of life—and that's exactly what we're exploring in this holiday-themed episode.Jess and Mark sit down with James Weiss, who takes us on a journey through decades of holiday celebrations. This isn't just nostalgia (though there's plenty of that). It's an honest look at how holidays transform as we move from wide-eyed participant to exhausted orchestrator to reflective observer. Whether you're in the thick of creating magic for little ones, navigating the first year your kids celebrate elsewhere, or anywhere in between, this conversation will meet you where you are.Special thanks to: Music by Clavier Clavier from PixabayThanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

What if the way you're naturally wired isn't something to fix, but something to celebrate? In this episode, Jess and Mark sit down with Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Professor of Communication Studies at Augustana College and Gallup Certified Global Strengths Coach, to explore the transformative world of strengths-based thinking.Questions for Wendy:Wendy Hilton-Morrow, [email protected] to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

What if wellness isn't about green smoothies, gym memberships, or the latest meditation app? In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Steve Kalber, St. Paul's counselor and former behavioral health nurse, to unpack what wellness actually means—and why it's not the same thing as being "healthy."Steve breaks down the four domains of wellness (mental, physical, spiritual, and social) and explains why your version of wellness might look completely different from your neighbor's. We talk about the misconceptions fueling wellness culture, the warning signs when things are out of balance, and practical strategies for staying well that don't require a trust fund or a TikTok algorithm.Whether you're just starting to think about wellness or you're recovering from one too many failed New Year's resolutions, this conversation offers a refreshing, grounded perspective on what it means to live well—in a way that's actually sustainable.Plus, we kick things off with the weirdest wellness purchases we've ever made. (No judgment. Okay, maybe a little judgment.)Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

For 2025, Melissa Pepper's mantra is JOY. But what does that actually mean when you're navigating leadership responsibilities, medical challenges, parenting decisions, and the everyday chaos of life?Whether you've never thought about choosing a personal mantra or you're a seasoned practitioner, Melissa's insights will inspire you to think differently about what it means to pursue joy—not as an escape from reality, but as a practice that changes how you move through it.Books recommended by Melissa:Designing your life by Bill Burnett and Dave EvansKate Bowler Devotional: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of ImperfectionJoin the playlist:When you need a little boost (and at some point we all do), tune into the Joy Jams playlist inspired by today's episode. Listen to JOY JAMSDo you have a song or songs that bring you joy? Let us know and we'll continue to build this playlist! Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

Happy Halloween! Today, Jess and Mark explore Halloween and the monsters lurking in the Bible. Special thanks to:Sound Effect by freesound_community from PixabayMusic by PulseBox from PixabayMusic and sound effects by Tunetank from PixabayThanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

Mark and two St. Paul pastors (Katy and Sara) tackle your biggest (and smallest) questions about faith, life, and everything in between with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

In this episode, hosts Mark and Jess explore the importance of structure and routine in parenting with two seasoned early childhood experts.Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter 

Welcome to Sorta Sacred! Conversations about the joys and challenges of life. Together we're finding something sorta sacred in the most normal parts of our days. On the pilot episode, co-hosts Mark Niethammer and Jessica Taylor chat about their backstories, how Sorta Sacred came about, and what future conversations entail. Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:Music: Brian Schou Design: Lauren Brown Merch: Allison Winter