
AJB Recommends: Learning About Uncoupling Dignity From Achievement
“I want to sever the connection between dignity and accomplishment altogether.” So says Justin Hawkins on The Lucky Few Podcast last week. Uncoupling Dignity from

AJB Recommends: Resources About Critical Race Theory
Parents are worried about their kids learning Critical Race Theory in the classroom. Some are concerned about indoctrination. Some are worried about kids only learning

AJB Recommends: When Is Healing a Placebo?
Emotional, social, and psychological stress causes a lot of pain and illness. Migraines, backaches, auto-immune disorders, skin conditions, gastrointestinal distress—all of these can arise from

AJB Recommends: Healing From a Year of Covid-19
I’ve read several resources lately about healing from a year of Covid-19. Did you see that New York Times article about languishing? Multiple friends sent

AJB Recommends: Podcasts About Segregated Schools and Social Healing
What should we do, corporately and individually, about the reality of America’s segregated schools? How does engaging the truth of our horrific past help lead

AJB Recommends: Spiritual Practices for Personal and Social Healing
It’s hard to heal myself. It’s hard to even admit I need healing, much less figure out how to do whatever it takes or what

AJB Recommends: The Hiding Place
A single, middle-aged woman living with her sister and father in Holland does not sound like the makings of a riveting story. Add to this

AJB Recommends: One Book You Must Read, and Five More That I Recommend
If you’ve been tracking with me for a while in this space, you’ll want to go buy Dear White Peacemakers (or ask your library to

AJB Recommends: Watch, Read, Listen
Looking for something to watch, read, and listen to this weekend? Here’s one of each that I recommend: 1. We just started watching The Chosen,

AJB Recommends: Resources for Learning About Genetic Editing and Animal Navigation
Should we edit the genetic makeup of our kids if we can? How do birds and salmon and lobsters figure out how to navigate thousands

AJB Recommends: Five Sweet Gifts That Delight
This week I stumbled across three essays, a podcast, and a video that each brought me deep delight and gratitude. I wanted to share these

AJB Recommends: Resources for Lent
I’m usually scrambling to get my act together when it comes to Lent. I truly appreciate this season every year when I am invited to

AJB Recommends: Podcasts for Understanding the Black Experience
One of my greatest challenges is getting out of my own homogeneous demographic bubble and really finding opportunities to listen to voices from perspectives different

AJB Recommends: Resources for Black History Month
Do we need resources to learn about Black history? When I was in high school, I didn’t understand that most of the history I learned

7 Non-Fiction Books I’m Reading in 2021
I tend to read a novel before I fall asleep every night, but I end up having multiple non-fiction books going at the same time—one

AJB Recommends: 5 Novels I’m Reading in 2021
One sign that I am a nerd at heart: I would rather go on a shopping spree in a bookstore than a shoe store. So

AJB Recommends: Resources for Processing the Riot at the Capitol
Like so many of us, I’ve been trying to process the events of last Wednesday, January 6th, when supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol.

AJB Recommends: Top 3 Episodes of Season 3
Here are the top three episodes from Season 3 of my Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast based on audience downloads! Now is a great

AJB Recommends: Holiday Favorites
Last night, William and Marilee and I cuddled in my bed together to watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, one of my holiday favorites. It’s

AJB Recommends: All the Fascinating Ideas
I have so many fascinating ideas to share for you to consider! I took the whole week of Thanksgiving off. I shut down my laptop

AJB Recommends: Gifts for People Who Already Have Everything
For the past three years, I have taken Marilee with me on the annual trip to buy gifts for her eleven cousins. This year, she