E126 Rob Bell Welcomes You to Firdus
Hello, friends! Please welcome Rob Bell to the podcast! Yes, real Rob Bell. We sit down to talk about his new book, Where’d You Park Your Spaceship? So good. We talk about grief, curiosity, and liminal space. I highly recommend this book. 5 Stars.
E125 Jonathan Foster on Reconstruction
Please welcome Jonathan Foster to the podcast! We have a great conversation about atonement theories, reconstruction, grief, and the Theology of Consent. Follow Jonathan on TikTok, FB, and his website.
https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com/
E4/E124 Megan Cousins Throws a Curveball

Welcome back, friends! Megan Cousins is a friend and newly published author. We spend time discussing her process and how it has become an act of spiritual formation. Check out Megan on IG.
IG @authormegancousins
IG @joann.c.bastien @this.is.her.story
YouTube @joanncbastien
Apple, Google, Spotify, YouTube
E3 Ben Strait is the Nazarene Catholic
@thenazarenecatholic
@joanncbastien
E120 Hope Ray on Betrayal Violence, Stay Shaming, and the Psychology of Persuasion

Welcome back, friends! Please give a shout out to my new friend, Hope Ray. Hope is a therapist who specializes in Betrayal Violence. There is so much in this episode that will be helpful to pastors and lay people. We discuss betrayal in the context of marriage, but you will see the easy correlation to the church. You will want to listen more than once.
Follow Hope on all the SM channels:
TikTok @HopeRayTherapy
IG @HopeRay
Hope Ray LPC CSAT CHFP CCPS
Follow me:
E118 Megan Hall on Deconstruction & the Enneagram
Get ready, friends! This episode is locked and loaded. Haha. Megan shares her story and, in the second half, we discuss how each enneagram number may handle the deconstruction process. Megan’s story includes how politics influenced her journey towards deconstruction. I believe many of you will be able to relate.
Books to consider:
The Making of Biblical Womanhood
E117 Dr. Mark Karris on Healing Religious Trauma
Welcome back! I’m excited for you to meet Dr. Mark Karris. In this episode, we talk about his new book and healing from religious trauma. You can connect with him on his website or find his books on Amazon.
E116 Dr. Brent Neely of Ancient Prayers

Hello, friends! Dr. Brent Neely joins me on the podcast to talk about the ancient church and how it can help ground us when everything seems to be falling down around us.
E115 Deconstruction: The Day Grace Died

Welcome back to the deconstruction series! In this episode, I share some personal stories. It was the day grace died and I needed to find a way forward.
E114 Mary Detweiler on When the Glass Ceiling is Stained
Welcome back, friends! I’m taking a short break from the deconstruction series to bring you this interview with Mary Detweiler. Let’s talk about the stained glass ceiling! Also, check out Mary’s author page on Amazon.
E113 Zack Hunt on What it Means for the Bible to be Inspired
Welcome back! It’s the next installment of the Deconstruction series. Today, Zack Hunt joins me to discuss his new book, Godbreathed. We discuss the doctrine of Inerrancy and why there is a better way to understand Scripture.
Follow Zach on all social media platforms.

E112 You Are Here: The Great Deconstruction
Welcome back to the podcast! I am beginning a new series on Deconstruction. You can find the introductory episode here or on Spotify.

New Podcast Episodes

New episodes are ready to download. These are sermon shorts from my Breaking Bad series. Videos included.
Also, I have some guests coming to the podcast to talk about their most recent book. I can’t wait for you to meet them!
http://www.thisisherstory.life
Find the podcast cast on Google, Apple, Stitcher, and more.
E106 Bri Stensrud on Women of Welcome and Refugee Work
Welcome back, friends! This episode was recorded nine months ago, but I wasn’t ready to release it. I have a great conversation with Bri Stensrud who is the Director of Women of Welcome. You will love her passion for refugees and immigrants.
Find her on IG
Briana Stensrud Children’s Book

E105 Rev. Elaine Briefman on Overcoming Spiritual Abuse

Welcome back, friends! Here we go!!! Pastor Elaine Briefman has been a guest on the podcast previously. You can find that episode here.
In this episode, we define spiritual abuse, narcissism, gaslighting, and the challenges of dealing with it inside the church walls. Check out some links below fore more informaiton.
Dr. Letiah Fraser on Disability Theology

Welcome back to the podcast! I know, I know. It’s been six months and we have so much to talk about.
Dr. Letiah Fraser talks about Disability Theology and how the Church can be the best version of Herself.
I’m Not Your Inspiration – Ted Talk
Top Ten Reads of 2022

Welcome 2023! I’m ready for this year and I’ve already read one book. I didn’t hit my reading goal last year, but there were several good ones. Here’s my top reads of 2022.
Where the Light Fell by Philip Yancey – this is a memoir, and Yancey doesn’t disappoint. He’s an artist with words. I honestly resisted reading it because I thought it would be rhetoric, but Yancey tells the hard truths of his life. Bravo!
Preaching to Those Walking Away by Graham Standish – this book is filled with practical steps and the reasons why they work. Hang in there for the first chapter. I was ready to stop reading. But there’s a shift early on in the book that keeps you engaged. Definitely worth reading more than once.
God of Justice and Mercy by Isabel Hamley – it’s an excellent commentary on the Book of Judges. I highlighted most of it. You will want this in your library if you preach or teach.
When Women Lead by Carolyn Moore – she was speaking my language and articulated things that were hard to put into words. I love her authenticity and energy. Lots of practical advice.
Love Undocumented by Sarah Quezada – this author weaves her story throughout the book while helping us to better understand the immigration process. Informative and relatable. Also, she was a guest on the podcast.
Speaking by the Numbers by Sean Palmer – this is a primer on the enneagram, but from the perspective of a speaker/preacher. He walks the reader through each number and how they receive your message. It’s practical and inspiring.
Developing Female Leaders by Kadi Cole – I really appreciate the author’s easy-read style. Cole has great insights from years of developing leaders. It’s a great book for women and men, and the chapter on the Billy Graham Rule is fabulous.
Divergent Mind by Jenara Nerenberg – this book came at the right time. You know what I mean? Good insight. It felt like she was in my head.
Influencer by Patterson, Grenny, and Maxfield – the authors had good ideas and insights about being an influential leader. We’re all leaders in some way, which makes it relevant no matter who reads it.
The Quiet Before by Gal Beckerman – such a great history book! If you like history, you will love this book. It reads like a novel
Happy reading in 2023!
E102 Sarah Quezada on Love Undocumented
Thanks for joining me on the podcast!
Sarah Quezada works with Women of Welcome doing immigration and refugee work. She talks about her work there and we discuss Sarah’s book, Love Undocumented. I’ve included resources below. You will love this episode!
Women of Welcome
Love Undocumented
IG @womenofwelcome
http://www.thisisherstory.life
http://www.joanncbastien.com

E101 Dr. Courtney Skiera-Vaughn Talks about Free the Girls
Thanks for joining me for episode 101! Dr. Courtney Skiera-Vaughn is the Director of International Programming for Free the Girls. We talk about the work she and the ministry is doing to help women regain independence after experiencing human trafficking.
Free the Girls (IG)
Free the Girls (web)
Here’s an article that explains the LUUUUTT model:
What Happened To You by Bruce Perry & Oprah (book)

E100 Megan Hall & Deedra Mager Talk about the Enneagram

Here it is! I’m so excited for you to meet my guests for this 100th episode! I never expected to record more than a handful of episodes, but here we are.
First, congratulations to Gina Weeks on winning the $100 gift card to either Barnes & Noble or Audible. Thank you to everyone for listening, sharing, and following along. It has been so much fun and I have learned a lot along the way. These guests have been gracious and generous with their time.
Megan Hall (4) and Deedra Mager (1) share their stories about discovering the enneagram and how it can bring self-awareness and growth. You can find their podcast here: Dauntless Grace.
Follow them on Instagram:
Books Mentioned:
E99 How to Deal with Haters

Welcome to E99! One more episode until I reach 100. Thank you for following this journey. I would like to give away a $100 GC to either Barnes & Noble or Audible (your choice). Here’s what you need to do:
- Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen
- Share on social media and tag me in it
- Make sure to tag my new FB account or Instagram. My old FB account was hacked.
- You can also send me a text or DM of a screen shot of you post
- Make sure I have a way to connect with you. I want to be able to send your GC to the right place.
In this episode, I talk about dealing with haters. I’m not an expert, but I do know about haters. LOL. You can listen to the podcast on Apple, Google, or Spotify. You can also see this episode on YouTube.
http://www.thisisherstory.life
Grieving Leadership

Life is filled with highs and lows and lots of ordinary, boring days. A leader that I greatly admired recently came crashing down. Definitely a low place.
Another friend said that what makes these things difficult is that there seems to be no place to file the experience. Our hearts and minds don’t have a category for it. Then another friend said he had to create a filing system long ago for experiences like this and now it’s overflowing.
Truth is stranger than fiction.
Today I’m leaning into Jesus a little more. I can’t change what happened. I can only process it and learn to forgive. It feels like we should be able to do more though. So today God is asking me to become the leader that I want to see. And that is a task worthy of my energy.
Lean into Jesus, friends. Become the leader that you want to see.
E98 Dr. Jenny Matheny on the Wynkoop Center, Advanced Education, and Discerning Next Steps
Thanks for joining me for episode 98! Woohoo! I’m giving away a $100 gift card to either Barnes & Noble or Audible. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen
2. Share on social media and tag me. See links below to the new FB pages (my old ones were hacked)
3. Make sure I have a way to send you the GC. Add your email here.
This is Her Story Podcast (FB page)
JoAnn C Bastien (FB page)
Instagram @joann.c.bastien @this.is.her.story
Episode 100 Give Away

I’m getting ready to celebrate episode 100! To celebrate, I’m giving away a $100 gift certificate to either Barnes & Noble or Audible. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen
2. Share the podcast on social media
3. Make sure I have a way to send you the certificate. You can add your email here.
E97 Pastor Karrie Roberts on Being Dyslexic

Welcome back, friends! This is the final episode in the neurodivergent series. I may come back to it at some point, but I have enjoyed learning more about the gifts that ND people bring to the Kingdom.
As we approach episode 100, I want to give away a $100 gift certificate to either Barnes & Noble or Audible. Please subscribe to the podcast and share it on social media. You will need to either tag me in it or send me a screenshot, and I will enter your name in the drawing. Please note my new FB pages below (my other ones were hacked).
Dyslexic Pastor (Karrie Roberts)
This is Her Story Podcast (FB page)
JoAnn C Bastien (FB page)
Instagram:
@joann.c.bastien @this.is.her.story
E95 Pastor Jessica Broich on Spiritual Discernment

Welcome back! I’m taking a short reprieve from our neurodivergent series. I met Pastor Jessica Broich at the WHWC conference in March. We have a fun and inspiring conversation about discernment and using our imaginations to engage God. Jessica has several ways that you can connect with her ministry. You can check out her websites below.
Meet Pastor Jessica Broich here
Class on encountering God through our imaginations
E96 Pastor Kelli Fulks on the Podcast

Welcome back! We are closing in on episode 100. Let’s celebrate! I’m giving away a $100 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Share on Social Media and Tag me
3. If you share on Facebook, then you will have to take a screen shot and email it to me at info@joanncbastien.com (since I have been hacked)
4. Otherwise, share on Instagram: @joann.c.bastien or @this.is.her.story
Please welcome my friend, Pastor Kelli Fulks! She is a Children’s Pastor in Flushing, MI. Kelli is also a licensed counselor. We talk about recognizing the signs of neurodivergence and how to enlist others to help us along the way.
I’m including a few resources from episode one below:
Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World that wasn’t Designed for You – Nerenberg
Embrace Autism (test)
E94 Pastor Tammy Herbert on Shepherding Neurodivergent People in the 21st Century

Welcome back! Please welcome Pastor Tammy Herbert from Alberta, Canada. In this episode, we talk about learning creative ways to shepherd those who are neurodivergent. Even as we move into this post-pandemic world, we may see the culture shift in such a way that even neurotypical persons would benefit from innovative approaches in ministry.
Here are some resources mentioned in the episode:
True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind (Ted Talk)
Mindsight (Dan Siegel)
Brain-Body Parenting (Mona Delahooke)
E93 Michele Taylor on CBT and OT for Neurodivergent Clergy

Welcome back! Let’s talk about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and the use of medication. We also discuss the benefits of getting tested and how ND people are a gift to the world.
Check out this book recommendation and TedTalk about Temple Grandin. She is autistic and a Professor of Animal Science. Temple uses her gifts to bring innovative solutions to the livestock industry.
Temple Grandin Ted Talk
Thinking in Pictures – Temple Grandin
http://www.thisisherstory.life
E92 Pastor Jesse Briles on ASD and Pastoral Care

Welcome back, friends! In this episode, I talk with Pastor Jesse about being diagnosed with ASD as an adult. We talk about pastoral care, higher education, and finding a diagnosis as an adult. It is an honest and candid look at finding our gifts and graces along the way.
You can follow his FaceBook page below:
Here is a book recommendation on ASD:
E91 NEURODIVERGENT CLERGY Part 1

Here we go!
Let’s talk about neurodivergent clergy. In this episode, I highlight ASD, ADHD, and SPD. I talk about what these look like in my life and give some resources. Check out the links below and watch for parts 2-5.
Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World that wasn’t Designed for You – Nerenberg
Mom on the Spectrum
How to ADHD
Embrace Autism (test)
ADHD self-assessment
http://www.thisisherstory.life