Hello friends,
I owe you all an apology for a very conspicuous absence last week. No episode, no email, no social media, nadda!
I'm sorry. And, I hope to avoid such a blip in the future.
That being said, this week might just make up for it, as this week's story is heartfelt and full of layers of rich reflection, laughter, hurt, and hope.
Peace and All Good,
LATEST EPISODE
Easter and the Paradox of Love:
A Story That Will Break and Heal You
'Stories and Other Things Holy' Episode 28:
 Watch 'Stories' on YouTube or Spotify
Listen to "Stories' Here, or on your favorite podcast app
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REFLECTION:
Easter. Paradox.
Joshua Minden
There’s a moment in this episode—subtle, yet soul-deep—where Terry echoes a line from Kinsey’s story that becomes the heartbeat of the reflection: “I think I really fell in love with you tonight.” That line—and the image of Mary, holding the broken body of her son—cracked something open in me.
This week, I’ve been sitting with the paradox of Easter: that joy and grief are not opposites. That the ache is the astonishment. And that sometimes the most sacred love is revealed not in triumph but in tenderness—in the shattering moment when someone dares to weep in front of you, or lets you see them in their full vulnerability.
I wonder if this is part of what resurrection actually means—not escape from suffering, but presence through it. Not just rising, but being risen in the eyes of another who loves you because of what you’ve endured, not in spite of it.
Gracercise #1
“Joy and grief can sit at the same table.”
Whisper it when you’re feeling torn, weary, or caught between the light and the shadows.
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Gracercise #2
Practice of Holding
Take five minutes in silence, imagining someone you love whispering, “I really fell in love with you today.” Let that grace meet the most vulnerable part of you.
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Gracercise #3
Whispered Benediction
Before bed one night this week, speak to God or someone you’ve lost:
“I’m so sorry you had to witness that. But I’m still here. Still loving. Still rising.”
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Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson
Principal Storyteller
Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson is a dynamic storyteller and theologian whose engaging narrative weaves together the rich tapestry of Jesus’ story with our own life journeys. With a passion for narrative theology, poetry, and humor, he invites us to embrace the mystery of grace and spirit. As the mind behind Soul Play and a guiding voice in retreats and faith formation, Terry’s reflections inspire us to see the sacred in every story and every day.
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Joshua Minden
Producer & Host
Joshua Minden is the host and technical force behind 'Stories and Other Things Holy.' With a rich background in youth ministry and Franciscan spirituality, he uses the art of storytelling to spark transformation, healing, and community connection. As founder of Amplify and a skilled communicator, Joshua creates spaces where faith, hope, and shared humanity come alive through every episode.
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"And I imagine Jesus in his in-between space, saying to his mom, 'I am so sorry you had to witness that.' And she says, paradoxically, 'I think I really fell more in love with you today.'"
Terry Nelson-Johnson | Episode 28
