Hello friends,

Happy Resurrection!! Happy Easter!!

Our Easter episode is coming a little late today. I spent Holy Week in Chicago with my wife and did not get a chance to finish everything in time for our normal early morning launch.

As you may already know, today also brought the passing of Pope Francis, I pray that as we each grapple with the convergence of death and new life, the witness of Francesco will inspire us to reflect on how we face mortality, endure difficulty, and resist injustice.

Peace and All Good,

LATEST EPISODE

The Surprise of Easter:
A Story of Grace, Grit & Dirty Dishes

'Stories and Other Things Holy' Episode 27:

Watch 'Stories' on YouTube or Spotify

Listen to "Stories' Here, or on your favorite podcast app

REFLECTION:

“I’ve Been There,
You’ll Be Okay”

Joshua Minden

Friends,

Easter is barely a dawn old, and already the Alleluias feel heavier in our mouths. At 7:35 a.m. Rome time, Pope Francis—our pilgrim of mercy, the first Latin‑American pope, a shepherd who chose a guesthouse over a palace—returned to the Father’s house at age 88. Reports say a sudden stroke and cardiac arrest ended his earthly journey.

In the quiet shock of that news, I keep hearing the simple line that closes today’s story:

“I’ve been there. You’ll be okay.”

It’s hard to imagine a better epitaph for Francis. Whether he was washing the feet of prisoners, standing with refugees on a windy island, or phoning an ordinary parishioner who had written him a letter, he kept finding ways to tell the world, “I’ve been there—God is with you—keep going.” His papacy was a long, humble note slipped into the doorstep of humanity.

That same humble grace animates Terry’s Easter tale: a young mother, crushed by dirty pans and sleepless toddlers, drags her failure to the dumpster—only to discover it returned, polished, and redeemed by an unseen neighbor. Surprise, surprise, surprise. Resurrection in miniature.

Francis taught us that resurrection rarely announces itself with trumpets. More often it shows up in dishwater hands, in a cardboard box on the porch, in a phone call, in a whisper of solidarity that steadies the soul. He reminded us that we are the people who carry those whispers.

So, on this strangely luminous Monday—where grief and alleluia mingle—let’s honor the Pope’s memory by looking for one small sink of dishes we can wash for someone else. Write the note. Make the call. Leave the porch light of kindness burning.

May the God who surprises tombs and dumpsters alike breathe Easter hope into your ordinary moments this week.

With gratitude and gentle courage,

Joshua

Gracercise #1

Breath of Solidarity

Inhale: “Been there.” Exhale: “You’ll be okay.”

(Repeat for three slow breaths.)

Gracercise #2

Ordinary Grace

As you touch a humble, everyday item—coffee mug, car key, dish—whisper: “Even here, love rises.”

Gracercise #3

Surprise Me, Lord

Before stepping into the day, say once aloud:

“I welcome unexpected resurrection.”

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.

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.