The Habit

Jen Pollock Michel is an author, speaker, and mentor in the MFA in creative writing at Whitworth University. She is the author of six books, most recently A Rule for the Rest of Us: An Ancient Practice for Making the Daily Decisions that Shape Faithful Lives, Every Monday she sends out a Substack newsletter, A Habit Called Faith. You can subscribe at jenpollockmichel.substack.com. In this episode, Jen and Jonathan Rogers talk about the Rule of Saint Benedict, and the idea that a “rule for life” has more to do with guideposts or handrails than laws or demands or even catalog of commitments—and certainly not a means of working harder or longer, but a means of simplification and clarification in the midst of of overwhelming choices and the cult of productivity. And we talk about five steps for making your own personal rule.
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J.R. Briggs is the founder of Kairos Partnerships, an organization committed to serving hungry leaders through coaching, consulting, and speaking. He serves on staff with the Ecclesia Network and Fresh Expressions, and as guest instructor for Friends University in the Masters of Spiritual Formation and Leadership program. He is also the author of several books, most recently The Art of Asking Better Questions. In this conversation, J.R. and Jonathan Rogers talk about questions as a way to connect with others, starting a writing project with questions rather than answers, and the humility required to follow a question to which you don’t know the answer. Also, J.R. offers two questions that can create all kinds of opportunities.
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Dr. Jason Crawford is a professor of early modern literature and culture at Union University. In his research and teaching he works on both tragedy and suffering and comedy and laughter. His latest book is God's Fools: Saints, Prophets, Martyrs, and the Making of Modern Comedy. In this episode, Dr. Crawford and Jonathan Rogers talk about standup comedy, Saint Francis, Saint Lawrence (the patron saint of comedians), and the surprising connections among martyrs, holy fools, and the comedians of our own era.
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Scott Sauls is the author of books, most recently The Mercy King: How the Kindness of Jesus Heals Your Sin, Shame, and Weakness. In this conversation, Scott Sauls and Jonathan Rogers talk about our tendency to confuse being useful with being lovable. They also talk about the dangers of comparison and the value of restlessness.
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In this episode, an artist roommate gives Chelsea Barnwell reason to reassess her own frugality and practicality, and Isla Rickerton tells of her recovery—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—after an act of harrowing violence.
"Leaving Home Stories,” is a special summer series in which writers from The Habit Membership read personal narratives on the theme of leaving home, literally or metaphorically, temporarily or permanently.
Sponsored by The Habit Membership for Writers.
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