the remind{h}er podcast

This podcast is for women with anxious hearts and distracted minds, who could use a reminder of who God is and who God calls and invites us to be in the middle of it all. Life often makes it easy to forget, but through a brief reflection and a moment to pause, my hope is that you will be encouraged, comforted, inspired, and reminded of God's presence and faithfulness in your life. Hosted by Julianne Clayton | Cover Art by Gabriela Denton

116: Celebrating Four Years | Q+A! 04/10/2024

116: Celebrating Four Years | Q+A! Today we are celebrating FOUR years of the remind{h}er podcast! And we are doing so by engaging in a q+a conversation of sorts. I'll answer the following five questions today: How did I know I wanted to start a podcast? How did I come up with the name? Basically, what is the podcast's origin story? How do you decide what to talk about/cover in each episode? Where does your inspiration come from? Do you have a favorite episode? Is there a spiritual practice you have tried recently that you have continued? Are there any you tried that you wanted to make work but just did not work? How do you hold grief and hope at the same time? Hope seems out of reach when life is hard. Thank you to those who offered questions! Cheers to four years! I hope you'll listen in :) by Tish Harrison Warren by Jan Richardson | Blessing for the Brokenhearted /episode/index/show/remindher/id/30757803

115: John 13 03/27/2024

115: John 13 With Holy Week in mind, I’m offering a simple reading of a Holy Week passage that has been particularly meaningful in my own life and faith over the years. I’ll be reading from Eugene Peterson’s The Message translation, and after reading it through, I’ll offer just a few questions for your consideration, as you explore how God’s Spirit might be speaking to you through these holy words. Feel free to pause, to rewind, to experience this passage in whatever way you need. As always, I hope it serves you well. If you'd like to submit a question to help celebrate FOUR years of the remind{h}er podcast, you can send me your question by clicking . You can also email your question to Questions can be sent through April 3, 2024. Thanks in advance for your help! /episode/index/show/remindher/id/30552413

114: Use Your Imagination 03/13/2024

114: Use Your Imagination What might it look like to use our imaginations in the context of our faith? Well, with wise guardrails and discernment in place, I wonder if our experience and connection with God and with one another can be enriched through our imaginations. Maybe we can channel our imaginations for good. So what might it look like to reawaken our imagination through spiritual practice? Well, there are probably lots of possibilities, but for this particular episode, I’d like to offer two. One that could be helpful as we seek a deeper connection with God and one that might help as we seek to do good and love our neighbor well. Listen in. /episode/index/show/remindher/id/29740323

113: Welcome Your Weakness 02/28/2024

113: Welcome Your Weakness I don’t know about you, but typically, if I’m hoping to be hired, if I want to be noticed, if I want to be picked, if I long to be liked, I’m probably going to try to put my best self forward. I’ll want you to know all I can do and what I can offer. I’ll try to paint myself in a positive light. I’ll showcase the strengths of who I am, and I’ll make sure you know how I will add value if you choose to accept me. Maybe you can relate? But would it look like if we were to welcome our weakness? If we were to show up as our whole selves—strengths and weaknesses? How might that add value as we seek relationship with one another and with God? Listen in. /episode/index/show/remindher/id/29684048

112: Remember We Are Dust 02/14/2024

112: Remember We Are Dust Ash Wednesday is the day the season of Lent begins. It's a season in which we are invited to think about dying and confront the straightforward reality of our humanity—our flaws and frailty and limits and imperfections. We remember and admit our need for God. We accept our mortality. For me, it's typically a reminder I hold personally. I don’t alway recognize the reality of our shared mortality. But the truth is, we are all dust. We are all fragile and limited beings, in need of God’s grace, God’s care, Christ’s compassion. I am dust and you are dust and we are dust. And maybe Ash Wednesday can also remind us how to treat each other accordingly. Listen in. {Correction: in this episode, I mistakenly share that this article was published in 2023. It was published in Christianity Today in 2021} /episode/index/show/remindher/id/29675998

111: How to Greet Your Soul 01/31/2024

111: How to Greet Your Soul How do we greet our souls? Our souls are more shy than we often realize, even for the most outgoing and extroverted among us. More often than not, they are stifled by the burden of daily demands and over-functioning schedules. There is so much noise and distraction, so much vying for our attention. We are pushed and pulled in multiple directions. We are stretched too thin. And in all of that swirling noise and chaos, our souls cower, scurry off, crumple up, and hide away in a dark, undisclosed corner, overlooked and ignored. Just like that, an integral part of who we are is completely out of sight, out of mind, forgotten. And as much as we might feel this is normal, I wonder if maybe there is a better way. What might it look like to catch a glimpse of our wild souls? To let them emerge, unfold, be welcomed softly into the light? How might we discover and live with a deeper awareness of God at work within so we might continue to serve faithfully beyond? Listen in. /episode/index/show/remindher/id/29675553

110: Be 01/17/2024

110: Be "So, what do you do?" It's a familiar question that's often asked, and sometimes it's one we might struggle to answer. And I wonder if, at its core, we so readily ask it because we have been somewhat conditioned to believe that who we are is synonymous with what we do. One of the things I’m learning is that those two things—who we are and what we do—are certainly connected, but they are not the same. It’s a distinction we often overlook, but it’s a distinction that matters. Listen in. /episode/index/show/remindher/id/29500673

BONUS: A New Year Benediction 01/03/2024

BONUS: A New Year Benediction Typically, a benediction is given at the end of a worship service—after we’ve prayed and sung and confessed and listened to the word of God proclaimed. It’s a way to seemingly seal it all up, close it all out. But what’s interesting to consider is that, really, a benediction is a beginning. A blessing. A sending. A gift. It’s a way to say, “As we move into what’s next, this is what we hope will be true. This is who we hope we will be. And this is who we hope we will become.” So, as we step into this new year, I’m offering a brief benediction for the brand new year. I hope you'll listen in. Sign up for my monthly letter, The Re{collection} by clicking . /episode/index/show/remindher/id/29306478

109: Choose Your Words 12/27/2023

109: Choose Your Words Our words matter and, if chosen and used with wisdom and intention, I believe they can make a good difference. I'm learning that the practice of choosing words—both for the end of a year and for the beginning of another—can serve us well. If you could choose a word to sum up your 2023, what would it be? If you could choose a word to help guide your steps into 2024, what would it be? Listen in. Don't forget to tune in next Wednesday, January 3, for a brief bonus New Year episode! /episode/index/show/remindher/id/29215538

108: Keep Awake 12/06/2023

108: Keep Awake During the Advent season, we know that the darkness is thick and hope can wear thin while we wait for the arrival we long for. We tend to quickly shift from standing at the door watching on tip-toe to turning our backs and impatiently tapping our toes. So what are we to do? What might it look like to faithfully participate in this Advent waiting? I wonder if it might begin by remembering both God-with-us and God-within-us. What does that look like? Listen in. by Fleming Rutledge We'll be back December 27! /episode/index/show/remindher/id/28957468

107: A Life Made From Scratch 11/22/2023

107: A Life Made From Scratch I don’t know about you, but for me, it can be difficult to reconcile how both good and heartbreaking experiences are ingredients included in the recipes that make up our lives. Surely there must be a way to eliminate what is less than ideal, to substitute certain ingredients with better, more palatable alternatives. Certainly there is an easier, turn-a-blind-eye, break-n-bake option, yes? That would be nice. But I’m learning that a life made from scratch isn’t always ideal. Instead, it is real and raw and rich and nuanced and messy and beautiful. So what might it look like to live a life from scratch? Listen in. by Diana Butler Bass Sign up to receive , heading your way at the end of the month! /episode/index/show/remindher/id/28741878

106: Tune In 11/08/2023

106: Tune In Each day, it seems we are bombarded by a variety of "voices," numerous options of what or who to give our attention to. The loudest most blatant ones draw us in and, if you’re like me, they can distract us from what is true, leading us further away from our deepest identity—the Voice who calls us beloved. This isn’t an invitation to escape reality, nor to discount, dismiss, or belittle the experience of suffering. But it is an invitation to intentionally be reminded of hope, reminded of joy, reminded of compassion and justice and humility. It’s an invitation to notice the beauty and to experience what it’s like to be called by name and led by Love. That’s the Voice we’re meant to know. And that’s the Voice we’re meant to follow. I hope you'll tune in :) Learn more about author and spiritual director, Jan Johnson . Learn more about artist, writer, and minister Jan Richardson . {It wasn't the plan, but apparently I reference two wonderful Jans!} /episode/index/show/remindher/id/28550984

105: Step Outside 10/25/2023

105: Step Outside I can’t help but notice that there seems to be a spiritual conversation happening when we spend time outside. Anxious thoughts are met by calm reassurances. A drained spirit is strengthened, lifted, and refreshed. Fear moves toward trust. Despair turns toward hope. And we're reminded of our deepest belonging. We are met by reminders, nudges, glimmers, glimpses of who God is and who we are as a part of God's good creation. I hope you'll listen in. And I hope you'll step outside :) by Caroline Oakes {Life with God Podcast} /episode/index/show/remindher/id/28412369

104: God's Steadfast Love Endures {Psalm 136} 10/11/2023

104: God's Steadfast Love Endures {Psalm 136} In the last remind{h}er, I referenced Psalm 136 and the refrain used 27 times in the 26 verses of the psalm. But I didn’t get a chance to read all 26 verses, and today, I’d like to take a few minutes to do just that. Sometimes I think it’s worthwhile for me to simply offer words from scripture and consider what God might be inviting us into through these words crafted thousands of years ago. There is something important and meaningful about considering how God is still at work through the words of scripture today, as we seek to engage and connect with God through it. So, I hope you'll listen in and I hope Psalm 136 serves you well :) /episode/index/show/remindher/id/28278380

103: Repeat Yourself 09/27/2023

103: Repeat Yourself When life feels wobbly, repetition can be a steadying practice. Repeating something helps us recall it. We absorb what we repeat. In many ways, repetition influences who we become. And for me, that means it matters. I'm learning that when it comes to our formation, some things are worth repeating. What role might repetition play as we seek to become the people God calls and invites us to be? Listen in. Sign up for The Re{collection} ! Visit for a transcript, speaking inquiries, or to learn more :) /episode/index/show/remindher/id/28150286

102: Use Good Grammar 09/13/2023

102: Use Good Grammar As someone who loves to write, I believe grammar is important on a page. But lately I’ve been considering how grammar might also have something important to say as it translates into our actual lives. Maybe, choosing to use good and truer grammar on the page could be its own sort of spiritual practice for our lives—a practice that reminds us of the way of Jesus. I know it sounds a bit unconventional, but that's what we're unpacking today. I hope you'll listen in! by Constance Hale /episode/index/show/remindher/id/28014912

101: For When You Forget 08/30/2023

101: For When You Forget Each episode, I share that we are called to remember. But that call is an invitation, not a prerequisite; and our inevitable spiritual forgetfulness will never be a dealbreaker. Not with God. As John Swinton reminds us, it is God's memory, not our own, that is most important. In today's episode, we're exploring that a bit. I hope you'll listen in! /episode/index/show/remindher/id/27884748

100: Celebrate 08/16/2023

100: Celebrate What are you celebrating? Certainly it depends on the season, the chapter, the circumstance—there are days, weeks, months, even years when answering a question like that feels impossible. And that’s okay. We don’t have to bypass, rush through or gloss over what breaks our hearts. It’s important to acknowledge that. But most days, most weeks, most months, most years, heartbreak isn’t all there is; reality is a mixed bag. The good is there, if and when we’re ready to dig in and recognize it. And I'm learning that, at its core, celebration is simply a noticing. A marking. A remembering. A spiritual practice that reminds us of the goodness of God. We're celebrating 100 episodes, and I hope you'll listen in! Click for random holidays we can celebrate each day. Don't Hesitate by Mary Oliver from Visit for transcripts, The Re{collection}, and more! Cover art by /episode/index/show/remindher/id/27762870

99: Choose To Be Continued 06/07/2023

99: Choose To Be Continued Whether it’s flipping a house or meeting a goal or living a life, it seems we do our best to avoid being “in-process.” We prefer a quick fix, a finished product, a smooth arrival. We want life and circumstances to feel complete, whole, move-in ready. But the more life I live and the more stories I bear witness to, it seems we’re fooling ourselves; our experiences are never quite as put-together as we’d like. Instead, our actual lives often feel more like the middle. The so-close. The almost. The to-be-continued. So, what if we could rest in that and learn to let ourselves be unfinished? What if we could choose to move through the process without an agenda? What could that look like? Listen in. by Emily P. Freeman by Pierre Teilhard De Chardin We're gearing up for remind{h}er 100! To keep in touch for now, make sure you're part of The Re{collection}! Sign up by See you in August :) /episode/index/show/remindher/id/26952126

98: Get Out of Town 05/24/2023

98: Get Out of Town Sometimes, familiarity can be grounding. Steadying. Sometimes it’s exactly what we need. That is true. And yet, in my experience, a life can become “overly-familiar,” feeling stale, monotonous, mundane. The days all run together because the days all look the same. And sometimes, it might be the unfamiliar that helps us remember the life we hope to live. So, what should we do when we start to feel stuck in our very own lives? Maybe it's time to get out of town. What might we notice? Who might we meet? And how might we return with a fresh and more full perspective? Listen in. Make sure you're receiving The Re{collection}! Sign up /episode/index/show/remindher/id/26914371

97: Welcome the Wonder 05/10/2023

97: Welcome the Wonder Often, I prefer a faith I can figure out. A God I can both know and fully understand. A theology that is set in stone, fitting nice and neat in a sturdy box, where, as author Mike Cosper puts it, “what you see is what you get.” But one thing I’m learning is that a sense of mystery and wonder can be an important part of our faith. Maybe the call is not to be a know-it-all. Maybe the invitation is more wonder-full than that. So what might it look like to lean into the "wow" rather than the "how?" To hold both the explanation and the experience? Listen in. by Mike Cosper by David Benner to sign up for The Re{collection} /episode/index/show/remindher/id/26801097

96: Write It Down 04/26/2023

96: Write It Down In her book, , Allison Fallon writes, “What do you want to remember about your life? What we write down is what we remember. It’s like a time capsule in a way, a lifeline back to the best parts of ourselves. A little popcorn trail of words we can follow so that we never lose sight of the path we’re on. Words help us see ourselves more clearly. They help us remember who we are and what we’re here for.” In today's episode, we're considering the spiritual practice of journaling. Even if you think it's not your thing, I hope you'll listen in. by Winn Collier by Eugene Peterson to sign up for The Re{collection} /episode/index/show/remindher/id/26656254

95: Hope Grows 04/12/2023

95: Hope Grows When it comes to hope, I'd prefer if someone would hand me a metaphorical bouquet of hope-in-full-bloom, something I can point to and easily say, “There’s the beauty. There’s the color. There’s the life.” Like a bunch of hope-filled balloons, I want to grab hold and immediately float above the struggle, the disappointment, the heartache, the fear. I want hope in an instant, hope on-demand. And yet, if you’re like me, our experience of hope isn’t always that easy or care-free. Hope doesn’t always make a bright, grand entrance; hope often starts small, sneaks in the side door and, rather than flipping a switch to turn on the light, it quietly keeps us company in the dark. And maybe that's a good thing. Because maybe that's exactly where hope is cultivated, where hope takes root, where hope begins to grow. Listen in. by Barbara Brown Taylor /episode/index/show/remindher/id/26520159

94: A Non-Judging Presence 03/29/2023

94: A Non-Judging Presence If we’re being honest, we all know the sharp sting of judgement in some way, shape, or form. The way it makes us feel small. And ridiculed. And misunderstood. And yet at the same time, we’ve all cast many a judging eye. But that doesn’t mean passing judgement is what we’re called to as followers of Jesus. So what are we to do instead? While I don’t have a straightforward “how-to” to share with you, and while this is an ongoing struggle in my own life, there are a few invitations I’ve found helpful and important to keep in mind as we seek to embody a non-judging presence. Listen in. to sign up for The Re{collection} /episode/index/show/remindher/id/26373501

93: Add A Little Color 03/15/2023

93: Add A Little Color "If your faith were a color, what would it be?" When it comes to our faith, sometimes, we forget the color. The significance of a faith that is abundant and intricate and vibrant and vast and rich and layered and nuanced. It's not uncommon to experience a faith that, maybe, has faded a bit. I wonder what it might look like to add a little color, both literally and figuratively. I’m learning to welcome whatever the color might be—positive or negative—remembering that each color has its place, that God can create beauty out of any palette, and that I am loved, even in the murky gray. Listen in. to learn more about and sign up for The Re{collection} /episode/index/show/remindher/id/26238135

92: A Prayer for Soul-Healing {Psalm 51} 03/01/2023

92: A Prayer for Soul-Healing {Psalm 51} Today, as we continue to settle into the season of Lent, I want to share a prayer based on Psalm 51. Psalm 51 is the psalm with the familiar line, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” It’s a psalm that confronts our sin, our shortcomings, and all that might keep us from loving God and others well. The truth is, we often avoid talking about these sorts of things. But by acknowledging our sin and the ways we fall short, we welcome God’s forgiveness, healing, and unconditional love. In recognizing our need and removing what blocks, the Spirit of God is better able to flow through us into the world around us. Listen in. /episode/index/show/remindher/id/26092737

91: Make Room 02/15/2023

91: Make Room Fasting is a spiritual practice that can often feel intimidating, unfamiliar, and even mysterious. But it can be practiced in many different forms, and today, as we approach the season of Lent, we're considering how fasting might aid us in focusing on the heart of God, deepening our awareness of God’s presence and provision, and better attuning ourselves to God’s guidance and will. Maybe when we choose to fast, we make room for the movement of God in our lives. I hope you'll listen in. Sign up to receive The Re{collection} by clicking ! Website: /episode/index/show/remindher/id/25938801

90: Seek First the Kingdom of God 02/01/2023

90: Seek First the Kingdom of God When it comes to getting things done, I am a list-maker. And part of why I find list-making so helpful is that makes it easier for me to prioritize. Easier to determine how I can best give of my time, energy, and attention. It keeps me focused and track, helping me remember what is most important. As followers of Jesus, then, it might be important to consider what Jesus prioritized. After all, don't we want to seek what Jesus most sought? So if Jesus had a to-do list of sorts, I wonder what would top the list? Today, if you're feeling distracted and divided, listen in. Find transcripts and sign up for my monthly email, The Re{collection} by visiting the podcast website! /episode/index/show/remindher/id/25798980

89: Slow Down 01/18/2023

89: Slow Down Hurry. Hustle. Don’t miss out. Don’t fall behind. Get ahead. Be efficient. Stay busy. Keep up. Whether we realize or not, this is familiar messaging that’s actually forming us. And it creates an exhausting expectation. It’s a standard we’re striving for, but I wonder if it is the standard we were created for. If you're feeling the anxiety of hurry and hustle, listen in. by John Mark Comer by Mark Buchanan Sign up for The Re{collection} /episode/index/show/remindher/id/25649208

88: Practice 01/04/2023

88: Practice Well, it’s that time of year again. The beginning of the year, actually. And it seems that every time the beginning comes around, we enter in with the best of intentions, maybe some newfound resolutions, hopes, goals. There’s just something about the promise of a fresh start, a new beginning, that prompts in us the desire to refocus, recalibrate, maybe even reimagine our lives a bit. The goals we set and the resolutions we make all need time, commitment, and practice. And I'm learning that the same can be said for our faith. It’s easy to believe that once we’ve professed our faith, we’ve figured it all out. Are good to go. Have nothing left to learn, no room left to grow. But the truth is, faith isn’t only meant to be professed; it’s also meant to be practiced. What might it mean to practice our faith? Listen in. Sign up for my new montly email offering: /episode/index/show/remindher/id/25505571

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