Sorta Sacred Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:34:10 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2407036 en-us © 2026 Sorta Sacred yes 8eee6ac5-f9ae-59f1-93bc-7b6c62047cb0 jessica@stpaulqc.org Sorta Sacred episodic false Honest, human, lightly irreverent, grounded in something deeper. This podcast explores stories, reflections, and conversations about life intersecting with faith. 


Hosted by Mark Niethammer and Jessica Taylor. Mark is the senior pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa. He is a wine enthusiast, enjoys all things outdoorsy, and is optimistically pessimistic by nature. Mark has been in ordained ministry for more than 15 years. 


Meanwhile, Jessica is the director of communication at St. Paul. She is a whine enthusiast, enjoys all things indoorsy, and is pessimistically optimistic by nurture. 


St. Paul Lutheran Church is a 3,500-member ELCA church located in the Quad Cities.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Sorta Sacred jessica@stpaulqc.org https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ni7plmy1sukohmi4mwg9xelzos2y?.jpg Sorta Sacred https://www.buzzsprout.com/2407036 Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary What if the sacred isn't hiding somewhere far away, but sitting right in front of us — in the steam off a coffee cup, a child's offhand comment, the pattern of cracks in a parking lot?

In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Elaine Olson, a certified spiritual director, ordained pastor and licensed clinical professional counselor who has spent years helping people navigate grief, transitions, and the search for meaning. 

Elaine walks through what it looks like to practice intentional attention in daily life. This is an episode about slowing down enough to notice — and trusting that noticing is its own kind of prayer.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> What if the sacred isn't hiding somewhere far away, but sitting right in front of us — in the steam off a coffee cup, a child's offhand comment, the pattern of cracks in a parking lot?

In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Elaine Olson, a certified spiritual director, ordained pastor and licensed clinical professional counselor who has spent years helping people navigate grief, transitions, and the search for meaning. 

Elaine walks through what it looks like to practice intentional attention in daily life. This is an episode about slowing down enough to notice — and trusting that noticing is its own kind of prayer.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-19786576 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:00:00 -0500 3720 full false Behind the Mic: Kicking Off Season Two Behind the Mic: Kicking Off Season Two We're kicking off a new season of Sorta Sacred! Jess and Mark pull back the curtain on how Season One actually came together — the surprises, the lessons, the moments that stuck with them — and share a bit about what's coming up in the weeks ahead. New episodes start next week, so consider this your official heads-up: things are about to get interesting again.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> We're kicking off a new season of Sorta Sacred! Jess and Mark pull back the curtain on how Season One actually came together — the surprises, the lessons, the moments that stuck with them — and share a bit about what's coming up in the weeks ahead. New episodes start next week, so consider this your official heads-up: things are about to get interesting again.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-19751485 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 06:00:00 -0500 1160 full false In Service to Others In Service to Others What does it mean to serve something greater than yourself — and what happens to your faith when that service asks everything of you?

This week, Jess and Mark sit down with two men who have lived that question from the inside. Rev. Gregory S. Brown is the senior pastor at St. David Lutheran Church in West Columbia, South Carolina, and an Army National Guard chaplain. Lt. Col. David Kelso is a West Point graduate with 21 years of Army service, two tours in the Middle East, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart.

It's a conversation about duty, sacrifice, and the unexpected places where the sacred shows up — even in the hardest ones.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> What does it mean to serve something greater than yourself — and what happens to your faith when that service asks everything of you?

This week, Jess and Mark sit down with two men who have lived that question from the inside. Rev. Gregory S. Brown is the senior pastor at St. David Lutheran Church in West Columbia, South Carolina, and an Army National Guard chaplain. Lt. Col. David Kelso is a West Point graduate with 21 years of Army service, two tours in the Middle East, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart.

It's a conversation about duty, sacrifice, and the unexpected places where the sacred shows up — even in the hardest ones.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Sorta Sacred Buzzsprout-19250585 Fri, 29 May 2026 06:00:00 -0500 3816 full false How to Be An Ally: Race, Faith, and the Work in Front of Us How to Be An Ally: Race, Faith, and the Work in Front of Us In this episode, Jess and Mark sit down with the Reverend Kenneth W. Wheeler — retired ELCA pastor, public theologian, preacher, and author of US: The Resurrection of American Terror.

Rev. Wheeler grew up under Jim Crow segregation in Jackson, Mississippi, and has spent seven decades as a Black man in America bearing witness to the through-line of white supremacy — from the lynching tree to January 6.

Rev. Wheeler talks about what white people don't have to think about, what genuine allyship requires (and what it doesn't), the difference between guilt and action, and what it means to be made in the image of God in a country still reckoning with its original sins. 

"Anger has to be acknowledged and grief has to be honored for growth to happen."

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> In this episode, Jess and Mark sit down with the Reverend Kenneth W. Wheeler — retired ELCA pastor, public theologian, preacher, and author of US: The Resurrection of American Terror.

Rev. Wheeler grew up under Jim Crow segregation in Jackson, Mississippi, and has spent seven decades as a Black man in America bearing witness to the through-line of white supremacy — from the lynching tree to January 6.

Rev. Wheeler talks about what white people don't have to think about, what genuine allyship requires (and what it doesn't), the difference between guilt and action, and what it means to be made in the image of God in a country still reckoning with its original sins. 

"Anger has to be acknowledged and grief has to be honored for growth to happen."

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-19141909 Fri, 15 May 2026 06:00:00 -0500 3631 full false From the Ground Up From the Ground Up What can a bowl of spinach tell you about community, belonging, and what it means to truly welcome a neighbor? 

Ann McGlynn, founder and executive director of Tapestry Farms in Davenport, Iowa, joins Mark and Jess to share how a simple gift of homegrown food from a refugee family sparked a nonprofit urban farm system that has now served over 130 families and grown tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce across the Quad Cities. 

They talk about the intersection of farming, dignity, and healing — and why the word flourishing means something different when you've had to leave everything behind to start over. 

A conversation about roots, in every sense of the word.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> What can a bowl of spinach tell you about community, belonging, and what it means to truly welcome a neighbor? 

Ann McGlynn, founder and executive director of Tapestry Farms in Davenport, Iowa, joins Mark and Jess to share how a simple gift of homegrown food from a refugee family sparked a nonprofit urban farm system that has now served over 130 families and grown tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce across the Quad Cities. 

They talk about the intersection of farming, dignity, and healing — and why the word flourishing means something different when you've had to leave everything behind to start over. 

A conversation about roots, in every sense of the word.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-19104139 Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:00 -0500 3510 full false Faithful Finances Faithful Finances Money is practical. It's also emotional, moral, and — if we're being honest — kind of spiritual. 

In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Martha Wells, a Davenport-based accountant and enrolled agent with over 40 years of experience, to talk about what our finances actually reveal about our values. 

From the anxiety of opening a shoebox full of receipts to the ethics of tax deductions and generous giving to talking to both your kids and your parents about money — this is the money conversation your church probably never had. Practical, honest, and surprisingly hopeful, we hope.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Money is practical. It's also emotional, moral, and — if we're being honest — kind of spiritual. 

In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Martha Wells, a Davenport-based accountant and enrolled agent with over 40 years of experience, to talk about what our finances actually reveal about our values. 

From the anxiety of opening a shoebox full of receipts to the ethics of tax deductions and generous giving to talking to both your kids and your parents about money — this is the money conversation your church probably never had. Practical, honest, and surprisingly hopeful, we hope.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-19022461 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500 3369 full false Perspectives on Faith and Life 2: Live! Perspectives on Faith and Life 2: Live! Mark, Katy, and Sara are back — and this time they brought more jokes (some great, some gloriously terrible), more laughter, and yes, audio gremlins appeared in the pursuit of something new! But that's kind of the point. 

Sorta Sacred was never meant to be overly polished. It's honest, it's human, and it's a little messy — just like faith itself. Pull up a chair for another round of real conversation about the questions that matter most.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Mark, Katy, and Sara are back — and this time they brought more jokes (some great, some gloriously terrible), more laughter, and yes, audio gremlins appeared in the pursuit of something new! But that's kind of the point. 

Sorta Sacred was never meant to be overly polished. It's honest, it's human, and it's a little messy — just like faith itself. Pull up a chair for another round of real conversation about the questions that matter most.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18871060 Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500 1788 full false How to Be An Ally: Addiction and Recovery with One Eighty How to Be An Ally: Addiction and Recovery with One Eighty What does it actually mean to stand by someone battling addiction? Not to fix them, not to enable them — but to truly love them? Jenny Halupnik and Dakotah Smith of One Eighty join us to help us understand addiction without judgment, support without losing ourselves, and hold onto hope even when it's hard to find.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> What does it actually mean to stand by someone battling addiction? Not to fix them, not to enable them — but to truly love them? Jenny Halupnik and Dakotah Smith of One Eighty join us to help us understand addiction without judgment, support without losing ourselves, and hold onto hope even when it's hard to find.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18789143 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0600 3191 full false The Art of Dialogue The Art of Dialogue We all know the feeling—a conversation that starts civil and somehow ends in a standoff. But what if the problem isn't what we're talking about, but how we're talking? In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Dr. Gauri Pitale, Augustana College's Vice President for Culture and Connection and a medical anthropologist, to explore the transformative practice of dialogue—and why it's different from debate, discussion, or even your average conversation.

Dr. Pitale brings a fascinating lens to this work: part anthropologist, part community builder, part spiritual seeker. She introduces us to the "cultural iceberg"—the idea that most of who we are is hidden beneath the surface—and challenges us to stop judging people's "branches" and start getting curious about their "roots." From preparing for a hard conversation with your uncle to navigating a heated dinner table moment, this episode is full of practical wisdom and genuine hope.

If you've ever wanted to actually understand someone you deeply disagree with—this one's for you.

Book recommendation:
Why We're Polarized by Ezra Klein

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> We all know the feeling—a conversation that starts civil and somehow ends in a standoff. But what if the problem isn't what we're talking about, but how we're talking? In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Dr. Gauri Pitale, Augustana College's Vice President for Culture and Connection and a medical anthropologist, to explore the transformative practice of dialogue—and why it's different from debate, discussion, or even your average conversation.

Dr. Pitale brings a fascinating lens to this work: part anthropologist, part community builder, part spiritual seeker. She introduces us to the "cultural iceberg"—the idea that most of who we are is hidden beneath the surface—and challenges us to stop judging people's "branches" and start getting curious about their "roots." From preparing for a hard conversation with your uncle to navigating a heated dinner table moment, this episode is full of practical wisdom and genuine hope.

If you've ever wanted to actually understand someone you deeply disagree with—this one's for you.

Book recommendation:
Why We're Polarized by Ezra Klein

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18707910 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0600 2632 full false Yin, Yang, and Everything In Between: Honoring Personality Differences Yin, Yang, and Everything In Between: Honoring Personality Differences In this episode, Mark and Jess explore how personality differences in relationships can become sources of growth rather than frustration with Dr. Derek Ball, a licensed marriage and family therapist.

The conversation centers on understanding personality types through frameworks like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Derek guides the hosts through how to honor these differences rather than simply tolerating them, explaining that a partner's behavior often reveals more about their personality type than about how much they care.

The episode offers practical advice for couples looking to understand their differences better, while also exploring how these principles apply to friendships, family, and work relationships. The overarching message: personality differences aren't problems to solve but gifts that invite deeper understanding and fuller love.

Recommended resources:

Please Understand Me by David Keirsey

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> In this episode, Mark and Jess explore how personality differences in relationships can become sources of growth rather than frustration with Dr. Derek Ball, a licensed marriage and family therapist.

The conversation centers on understanding personality types through frameworks like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Derek guides the hosts through how to honor these differences rather than simply tolerating them, explaining that a partner's behavior often reveals more about their personality type than about how much they care.

The episode offers practical advice for couples looking to understand their differences better, while also exploring how these principles apply to friendships, family, and work relationships. The overarching message: personality differences aren't problems to solve but gifts that invite deeper understanding and fuller love.

Recommended resources:

Please Understand Me by David Keirsey

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18631092 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0600 4584 full false How Do I Show Up In The World? How Do I Show Up In The World? Ever wonder if you're doing what you're "supposed" to be doing with your life? You're not alone. In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Keri Bass, Assistant Director of Vocational Exploration and Career Coach at Augustana College, to explore one of life's biggest questions: What is vocation, and how do we figure out ours?

It's not about finding the one perfect job or waiting for a lightning-bolt moment of clarity. Keri helps us understand that vocation is so much bigger than a career—it's about how we show up in the world, in our work, our families, and our communities. Whether you're a college student picking a major, a mid-career professional feeling restless, or newly retired and figuring out purpose and meaning, this conversation offers permission to dream, question, and discern.

We dive into why "all good work is good work," how to sit with uncertainty instead of rushing to fix it, and what questions we should be asking ourselves as we grow and change throughout life. Plus, Keri shares why vocation isn't always the thing that pays the bills—and why that's actually okay.

Did you know only about 20% of people feel clear about their meaning and purpose? This episode will help you start (or continue) the journey of discovering yours.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Ever wonder if you're doing what you're "supposed" to be doing with your life? You're not alone. In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Keri Bass, Assistant Director of Vocational Exploration and Career Coach at Augustana College, to explore one of life's biggest questions: What is vocation, and how do we figure out ours?

It's not about finding the one perfect job or waiting for a lightning-bolt moment of clarity. Keri helps us understand that vocation is so much bigger than a career—it's about how we show up in the world, in our work, our families, and our communities. Whether you're a college student picking a major, a mid-career professional feeling restless, or newly retired and figuring out purpose and meaning, this conversation offers permission to dream, question, and discern.

We dive into why "all good work is good work," how to sit with uncertainty instead of rushing to fix it, and what questions we should be asking ourselves as we grow and change throughout life. Plus, Keri shares why vocation isn't always the thing that pays the bills—and why that's actually okay.

Did you know only about 20% of people feel clear about their meaning and purpose? This episode will help you start (or continue) the journey of discovering yours.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18554524 Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600 3217 full false From Seeing Clearly to Living Clearly From Seeing Clearly to Living Clearly It's January—the season of fresh starts, ambitious resolutions, and the eternal hope that this will be the year we finally get it together. But why do so many of our good intentions fizzle out by February?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Beth Repp, an ophthalmologist turned certified life coach, to explore what actually works when it comes to lasting change. This isn't about vision board—it's about understanding the deeper patterns of thought and feeling that drive our actions.

Beth shares why resolutions fail (hint: it's not lack of willpower), what "buffering" is and how we all do it, and why focusing on the next right move is more powerful than any grand plan. We talk about process goals vs. results goals, why momentum beats motivation, and how this approach connects to faith and spiritual practice across all traditions.

Whether you're trying to get healthier, manage money better, or just understand yourself more clearly, this conversation offers practical tools and a whole lot of grace for the journey.

View photo referenced by Beth here. 

Learn more about Beth at bethrepp.com 

Book recommendations from Beth:

1.  Finding Your Own North Star:  Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live.  Martha Beck 

2.  Man’s Search for Meaning.  Victor Frankl

3.  The Let Them Theory:  A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About.  Mel Robbins

4.  How to Lose Weight for the Last Time:  Brain-Based Solutions for Permanent Weight Loss.  Katrina Ubell

5.  Set Boundaries, Find Peace:  A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself.  Nedra Glover Tawwab

6.  The Art of Money:  A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness.  Bari Tessler

7.  Reasons Not to Worry:  How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times — A Practical Guide to Stoicism for Self-Improvement and Personal Growth.  Brigid Delaney

8.  A New Earth:  Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.  Eckhart Tolle

9.  The Daily Stoic:  366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.  Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman

10.  Mindset:  The New Psychology of Success.  Carol Dweck

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> It's January—the season of fresh starts, ambitious resolutions, and the eternal hope that this will be the year we finally get it together. But why do so many of our good intentions fizzle out by February?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Beth Repp, an ophthalmologist turned certified life coach, to explore what actually works when it comes to lasting change. This isn't about vision board—it's about understanding the deeper patterns of thought and feeling that drive our actions.

Beth shares why resolutions fail (hint: it's not lack of willpower), what "buffering" is and how we all do it, and why focusing on the next right move is more powerful than any grand plan. We talk about process goals vs. results goals, why momentum beats motivation, and how this approach connects to faith and spiritual practice across all traditions.

Whether you're trying to get healthier, manage money better, or just understand yourself more clearly, this conversation offers practical tools and a whole lot of grace for the journey.

View photo referenced by Beth here. 

Learn more about Beth at bethrepp.com 

Book recommendations from Beth:

1.  Finding Your Own North Star:  Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live.  Martha Beck 

2.  Man’s Search for Meaning.  Victor Frankl

3.  The Let Them Theory:  A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About.  Mel Robbins

4.  How to Lose Weight for the Last Time:  Brain-Based Solutions for Permanent Weight Loss.  Katrina Ubell

5.  Set Boundaries, Find Peace:  A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself.  Nedra Glover Tawwab

6.  The Art of Money:  A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness.  Bari Tessler

7.  Reasons Not to Worry:  How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times — A Practical Guide to Stoicism for Self-Improvement and Personal Growth.  Brigid Delaney

8.  A New Earth:  Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.  Eckhart Tolle

9.  The Daily Stoic:  366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.  Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman

10.  Mindset:  The New Psychology of Success.  Carol Dweck

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18475152 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600 4040 full false Holidays through the years Holidays through the years Remember when Christmas morning felt like pure magic? When the hardest decision was which cookie to leave for Santa? The holidays look different at every stage of life—and that's exactly what we're exploring in this holiday-themed episode.

Jess and Mark sit down with James Weiss, who takes us on a journey through decades of holiday celebrations. 

This isn't just nostalgia (though there's plenty of that). It's an honest look at how holidays transform as we move from wide-eyed participant to exhausted orchestrator to reflective observer. Whether you're in the thick of creating magic for little ones, navigating the first year your kids celebrate elsewhere, or anywhere in between, this conversation will meet you where you are.

Special thanks to: 

Music by Clavier Clavier from Pixabay

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Remember when Christmas morning felt like pure magic? When the hardest decision was which cookie to leave for Santa? The holidays look different at every stage of life—and that's exactly what we're exploring in this holiday-themed episode.

Jess and Mark sit down with James Weiss, who takes us on a journey through decades of holiday celebrations. 

This isn't just nostalgia (though there's plenty of that). It's an honest look at how holidays transform as we move from wide-eyed participant to exhausted orchestrator to reflective observer. Whether you're in the thick of creating magic for little ones, navigating the first year your kids celebrate elsewhere, or anywhere in between, this conversation will meet you where you are.

Special thanks to: 

Music by Clavier Clavier from Pixabay

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18380822 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600 2105 full false What Makes You Uniquely You What Makes You Uniquely You What if the way you're naturally wired isn't something to fix, but something to celebrate? In this episode, Jess and Mark sit down with Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Professor of Communication Studies at Augustana College and Gallup Certified Global Strengths Coach, to explore the transformative world of strengths-based thinking.

Questions for Wendy:
Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Ph.D.
whmstrengthsconsulting@gmail.com
309-737-7850

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> What if the way you're naturally wired isn't something to fix, but something to celebrate? In this episode, Jess and Mark sit down with Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Professor of Communication Studies at Augustana College and Gallup Certified Global Strengths Coach, to explore the transformative world of strengths-based thinking.

Questions for Wendy:
Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Ph.D.
whmstrengthsconsulting@gmail.com
309-737-7850

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18247041 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:00:00 -0600 3815 full false What the heck is wellness? What the heck is wellness? What if wellness isn't about green smoothies, gym memberships, or the latest meditation app? In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Steve Kalber, St. Paul's counselor and former behavioral health nurse, to unpack what wellness actually means—and why it's not the same thing as being "healthy."

Steve breaks down the four domains of wellness (mental, physical, spiritual, and social) and explains why your version of wellness might look completely different from your neighbor's. We talk about the misconceptions fueling wellness culture, the warning signs when things are out of balance, and practical strategies for staying well that don't require a trust fund or a TikTok algorithm.

Whether you're just starting to think about wellness or you're recovering from one too many failed New Year's resolutions, this conversation offers a refreshing, grounded perspective on what it means to live well—in a way that's actually sustainable.

Plus, we kick things off with the weirdest wellness purchases we've ever made. (No judgment. Okay, maybe a little judgment.)

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> What if wellness isn't about green smoothies, gym memberships, or the latest meditation app? In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Steve Kalber, St. Paul's counselor and former behavioral health nurse, to unpack what wellness actually means—and why it's not the same thing as being "healthy."

Steve breaks down the four domains of wellness (mental, physical, spiritual, and social) and explains why your version of wellness might look completely different from your neighbor's. We talk about the misconceptions fueling wellness culture, the warning signs when things are out of balance, and practical strategies for staying well that don't require a trust fund or a TikTok algorithm.

Whether you're just starting to think about wellness or you're recovering from one too many failed New Year's resolutions, this conversation offers a refreshing, grounded perspective on what it means to live well—in a way that's actually sustainable.

Plus, we kick things off with the weirdest wellness purchases we've ever made. (No judgment. Okay, maybe a little judgment.)

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18107145 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600 2883 full false Year of Joy Year of Joy For 2025, Melissa Pepper's mantra is JOY. But what does that actually mean when you're navigating leadership responsibilities, medical challenges, parenting decisions, and the everyday chaos of life?

Whether you've never thought about choosing a personal mantra or you're a seasoned practitioner, Melissa's insights will inspire you to think differently about what it means to pursue joy—not as an escape from reality, but as a practice that changes how you move through it.

Books recommended by Melissa:
Designing your life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Kate Bowler Devotional: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection

Join the playlist:
When you need a little boost (and at some point we all do), tune into the Joy Jams playlist inspired by today's episode. Listen to JOY JAMS

Do you have a song or songs that bring you joy? Let us know and we'll continue to build this playlist! 

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> For 2025, Melissa Pepper's mantra is JOY. But what does that actually mean when you're navigating leadership responsibilities, medical challenges, parenting decisions, and the everyday chaos of life?

Whether you've never thought about choosing a personal mantra or you're a seasoned practitioner, Melissa's insights will inspire you to think differently about what it means to pursue joy—not as an escape from reality, but as a practice that changes how you move through it.

Books recommended by Melissa:
Designing your life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Kate Bowler Devotional: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection

Join the playlist:
When you need a little boost (and at some point we all do), tune into the Joy Jams playlist inspired by today's episode. Listen to JOY JAMS

Do you have a song or songs that bring you joy? Let us know and we'll continue to build this playlist! 

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18180292 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600 3304 full false Behemoths, and Zizs, and Mutant Locusts, Oh My! Behemoths, and Zizs, and Mutant Locusts, Oh My! Happy Halloween! Today, Jess and Mark explore Halloween and the monsters lurking in the Bible. 

Special thanks to:

Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Music by PulseBox from Pixabay

Music and sound effects by Tunetank from Pixabay

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Happy Halloween! Today, Jess and Mark explore Halloween and the monsters lurking in the Bible. 

Special thanks to:

Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Music by PulseBox from Pixabay

Music and sound effects by Tunetank from Pixabay

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-18057549 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500 1952 full false Perspectives on Faith and Life Perspectives on Faith and Life Mark and two St. Paul pastors (Katy and Sara) tackle your biggest (and smallest) questions about faith, life, and everything in between with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Mark and two St. Paul pastors (Katy and Sara) tackle your biggest (and smallest) questions about faith, life, and everything in between with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-17907323 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500 3559 full false From Chaos to Calm(ish): Family Routines That Stick From Chaos to Calm(ish): Family Routines That Stick In this episode, hosts Mark and Jess explore the importance of structure and routine in parenting with two seasoned early childhood experts.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> In this episode, hosts Mark and Jess explore the importance of structure and routine in parenting with two seasoned early childhood experts.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Buzzsprout-17863445 Fri, 03 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500 1972 full false Pilot Pilot Welcome to Sorta Sacred! Conversations about the joys and challenges of life. Together we're finding something sorta sacred in the most normal parts of our days. 

On the pilot episode, co-hosts Mark Niethammer and Jessica Taylor chat about their backstories, how Sorta Sacred came about, and what future conversations entail. 

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Welcome to Sorta Sacred! Conversations about the joys and challenges of life. Together we're finding something sorta sacred in the most normal parts of our days. 

On the pilot episode, co-hosts Mark Niethammer and Jessica Taylor chat about their backstories, how Sorta Sacred came about, and what future conversations entail. 

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou 

Post-production: Cooper Schou

Design: Lauren Brown 

Merch: Allison Winter 

]]> Jessica Taylor Buzzsprout-17824049 Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0500 1601 full false