September Favorites {2024}
Favorites from September 2024: Cultures of Growth by Mary C. Murphy. For anyone interested in how the idea of “fixed” and “growth” mindsets affect communities (and not just individuals), this book is…
Saying Goodbye to Our Church
Before I write anything else, I do want to thank those of you who have decided, voluntarily, to support the work I do through a paid subscription to this newsletter. Not only…
Penny’s First Year of College Three Weeks In
After three weeks of college, here’s how Penny thinks it’s going (scroll down for her video)! How was your first week of college?!? The first week of college was both…
S8 E1 | Narrow Path, Spacious Life with Rich Villodas
Apple YouTube Spotify More! The ways we have envisioned success—whether it’s more wealth, social media followers, recognition, or power—might actually lead us away from an abundant, spacious life. Pastor Rich…
Changing the Social Imagination (one photo at a time)
The images that I saw of people with Down syndrome when our daughter Penny was born 18 years ago were largely black and white, grainy, medical images. They shaped an…
2 Good Books, an Essay, and an Introduction to Season 8
I love taking a break from all sorts of things in the summer, and I also love returning to the rhythms of the fall. I’m especially excited to return to…
Introducing Season 8 of Reimagining the Good Life
Apple YouTube Spotify More! How do we envision the good life in a way that is hopeful and human and freeing and good?My name is Amy Julia Becker. I help…
Our Story: Down Syndrome, Identity, and Love
I was scared when I found out our oldest daughter, Penny, had Down syndrome. My husband Peter and I were 28 years old, and we weren’t prepared to welcome a…
A New Way of Seeing Our Humanity
My first traditionally-published book, A Good and Perfect Gift, tells the story of our daughter Penny’s early years after her diagnosis of Down syndrome. Even more so, it tells the story of…
Penny Is Off to College!
Penny is off to college! She started her first year at Post University. I recorded a video with some of her thoughts over on Instagram. You can watch below. …
