RECENT POSTS
Who Counts as Human? with Brian Brock, PhD
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S10 E8—Difference often exposes our tendency to rank people as “better” or “worse.” Theologian Brian Brock, PhD, joins Amy Julia
Celebrating Milestones: Anniversary, College Dreams, and a Graduation Blessing
This past week, Peter and I celebrated our 27th anniversary with two nights away in Mystic, CT. We are BIG fans of short vacations close
Rejection and the Voice of Love: Announcing Everyone Matters
One of the things that comes with being a writer is rejection. Earlier this spring, I received another rejection for an essay I had written,
What I’m Reading, Watching, and Listening To: July 2026
Books, essays, podcast episodes, and more that I think are worth your time, plus recent cultural news that I’m paying attention to in the month
Why Forgiveness Isn’t the First Step with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S10 E7—Saying “I’m sorry” isn’t enough to repair personal or institutional harm. Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, author of On Repentance and
Advice for Penny’s First Solo Flight: A Network of Care in the Skies
Our daughter Penny is 20 years old and has Down syndrome. I cannot believe the outpouring of support, encouragement, and advice we received from far
Penny in Fourth Grade: What Inclusion Teaches Us About Disability, Education, and Belonging
When she was in fourth grade, Penny was supposed to do a project on a “big question.” She decided to learn about Down syndrome. Later,
Who Gets to Tell the Story? Disability, Hollywood, and Family with Craig Thomas
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S10 E6—Is disability a tragedy to overcome, a burden to bear, an inspirational lesson for everyone else? Or is there
Juneteenth, Human Flourishing, and the Practice of Love
Years ago, our daughter was rejected from a preschool program as soon as the director heard that she had Down syndrome. The label she received
Taking the Next Step: Preparing for Penny’s First Solo Flight
I just got off the phone with Delta Airlines. I explained that Penny—our 20-year-old daughter with Down syndrome—will be flying on her own for the
Telling Our Story of Down Syndrome
I mentioned last week that I have been thinking about a response to the controversy over YouTuber Jesse Ridgway’s announcement that his wife chose to terminate
What I’m Reading, Watching, and Listening To: June 2026
Books, essays, podcast episodes, and more that I think are worth your time, plus recent cultural news that I’m paying attention to in the month
Racism, Greed, and the Good Life with Malcolm Foley, PhD
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S10 E5—Where does racism come from? Many of us assume it’s rooted in hatred or fear, but what if it’s
The Dispatch | How We Tell the Story of Down Syndrome
Recently, Jesse Ridgway, a YouTube influencer, announced in a lengthy social media post that his wife had terminated her pregnancy at 20 weeks due to
When Life Doesn’t Turn Out as Planned: Finding Belonging Beyond Unfulfilled Dreams
I never got a Ph.D. I never became a school chaplain. The life I planned is not, in many ways, the life I got. There
What Is a Dugnad? The Surprising Connection Between Happiness and Social Change
I learned a new word, and I love it: DUGNAD: A uniquely Norwegian cultural concept that refers to a collective coming together for community, voluntary,
Just Show Up: The Surprising Gift of Saying Yes to Connection
Most of us find reasons not to, but it is almost always worth it to just show up. My most recent opportunity to be reminded of
The Life You Planned vs. the Life You Got with Karen Swallow Prior, PhD
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S10 E4—Do you ever wonder what your life would look like if you had made different decisions a long time
