In the final episode of Season One of "The Art of Letting Go", host James Steensma reflects on the year that was 2020, the issues that plagued us, and the successes and moments of joy in his own life. Along the way, Steensma previews the second season and encourages listeners to continue to #DoBetterBeBetter, and shares his love of Barry Manilow co…

COVID-19 is an Equal Opportunity Virus; it doesn't care who you are, and it can come out of nowhere. Host James Steensma (and his wife, Maggie) got the virus in the weeks leading up to Christmas, 2020. For Steensma, each day brought new symptoms, and by December 31, he questioned whether "tomorrow" would even come. He shares his story, and along th…

What happens when we forget to respond to someone else's need, whether via e-mail, text, or direct message? In this episode, entitled "Things to Remember", host James Steensma relays a situation where he did not remember to respond to an important health-related e-mail from a friend...four months prior. What is the best way to acknowledge the sligh…

Episode 12 of Season One discusses how being "comfortable" can ultimately leave us unmoving and unfeeling. However, does this mean we should exhibit risky behaviors instead? Host James Steensma ponders these ideas in "Comfortably Numb", the current installment of "The Art of Letting Go". Additionally, a challenge is posed for 2021, along with an up…

In "It's A Wonderful Life", the 11th episode of James Steensma's "The Art of Letting Go", the importance of community is discussed. Much like the fictitious movie of the same name, we each may sometimes need others outside of our "inner circle" to help us understand our worth. The art of letting go of the isolation and loneliness we may feel in the…

In Episode 10 of "The Art of Letting Go", James Steensma discusses what it is about needing to have control that causes distrust and a lack of harmony toward others. Is needing to be in control a safety mechanism, Steensma asks, or is it more about pride. In the end, Steensma asks the listeners to consider what "control" means in their own life, an…

While the name suggests otherwise, Episode 9 of James Steensma's "The Art of Letting Go" is not a masterclass on Broadway songs. Instead, the host shares his personal struggle with anxiety, and letting go of what he feels he must hold on to for his own safety. In a revealing chapter, Steensma shares how an anxiety attack led him to believe that gra…

In this 8th episode of "The Art of Letting Go", host James Steensma recounts his failed attempt at college, and the false starts that came in the years that followed. It wasn't until Steensma received the news of his PSC diagnosis that he made a decision to eliminate excuses and to return to college. The lessons learned by recognizing that "can't i…

In "Old Friends", the seventh episode of "The Art of Letting Go", host James Steensma introduces us to his "inner circle" of friends who have maintained a relationship with him for decades. From his earliest childhood memories of friendship to the recent loss of his dearest friend, Steensma shares how each person uniquely impacted him. He encourage…

Episode 6 of James Steensma's "The Art of Letting Go" turns its attention to those particular moments when we cannot be as present as we might hope. For Steensma, each of three specific moments led to dramatic changes in the lives of three people he loved...and for him. Realizing that, as John Donne wrote, "no man is an island", Steensma explores h…

In this episode of "The Art of Letting Go", we continue into part 2 of the story of host James Steensma's liver transplant. He shares the story of his donor, Ellen, and the improbable connections they shared before her anonymous donation. Reaffirming the notion that we are never alone, James points to a mysterious letter that brings both sadness an…

In this episode of "The Art of Letting Go", host James Steensma shares the first half of the story of his life-saving liver transplant. In part one, we learn more about the ravaging effects of PSC, along with a little insight into the world of organ donation. He shares how a fateful phone call changed the course of his transplant, and how a second …

In this episode of "The Art of Letting Go", host James Steensma focuses on those human experiences that bind us to one another: life, death, and the in-between. How do we avoid the pitfalls that come with understanding the finality of death, the isolation of anxiety, or the fear of letting go of past regrets? Steensma invites the listener to have h…

In this episode of "The Art of Letting Go", host James Steensma takes us inside the darkest days of his usage of Oxycontin after a life-saving surgery. In a revealing, sometimes raw segment, he discusses the moment he realized the problem was bigger than he could handle...so he quit cold turkey. In the aftermath, he still finds it hard to forgive h…

"The Art of Letting Go" is a podcast designed to help listeners identify situations that may not be in their control, and how to finally let go of the authority those situations have in one's life. The host, James Steensma, shares his own story of dependency and addiction to prescription medication and, ultimately, emotional relationships. In this …