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On The Art of Stability, join host Rusty McKie and friends as they discuss navigating the instability of life and what it takes for them to stay grounded in Christ so they can go the distance in life and work.
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Cultivate the Ordinary

Travis and Jessie Vangsnes

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The great writer Walker Percy gifted the world with an inspiring and thought provoking line with his words: "Consciously cultivate the ordinary." So many of us today find ourselves living in a foggy and disorienting world where we are held captive to hectic schedules, polarizing news narratives, and our addiction to technology. We find ourselves continuously battling things like isolation, anxiety, fear, boredom, and apathy. What if instead of being held captive we could find ourselves capti ...
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In this episode, Travis and Jess are joined by pastor and ministry leader Rusty McKie to talk about his upcoming book releasing July 16th, pre-order here: The Art of Stability: How Staying Present Changes Everything Available on Amazon (Digital only) Rusty is an author, pastor, trauma informed coach, and spiritual director. He's a contributor to th…
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In this episode, Jess, a trauma-informed resilience coach and a living testament to overcoming mind-body syndrome and chronic pain patterns shares her experiences in the world of chronic pain and its psycho-somatic nature. Travis shares a funny story about his “pet wheel.” Jess provides answers to the most pressing questions surrounding chronic pai…
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In this episode, Danny Smith joins Travis and Jess to talk about a really common experience so many of us face--chronic pain. Danny shares his personal experiences and story around suffering from debilitating chronic back pain for years. He tried everything to help his back find relief and was at the point of total despair and desperation when he h…
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In this episode, Travis and Jess are joined by Sarah and Jared McCrory to talk about everything from soul care to seeking the easy yoke of Jesus to discovering new purpose and taking courageous risks of faith. They tell relatable stories of wrestling with the trap of a faith identity rooted in performance for God instead of resting in our belovedne…
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In this episode, Travis interviews Jess about her journey of helping people find wholeness and healing in their lives. As an artist, Jess has a great gift of seeing possibility and beauty in places others may not. Her deep compassion and empathy for others, coupled with her hopeful and creative idealism, make her really skilled in helping people fi…
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In this episode, Christa Hardin (MA Counseling) joins Travis and Jess again to talk marriage and ways we can become healthier as individuals and within our marriages. Christa helps us unpack what healthy boundaries are, how to establish them for ourselves, for our marriages, and finally in community. Cultivating the ordinary in marriage happens in …
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In this episode, Travis and Jess are joined by Christa Hardin (MA Counseling) to talk marriages and relationships. She brings wise perspective on the various stages of marriages and speaks into the common reality of so many couples feeling they have lost their glow, or spark. Using a mountain analogy, she walks us through the basics needs of relati…
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In this episode, professional artist Tamara Brown joins Travis and Jess and shares her inspiring story of becoming a self-made artist and entrepreneur after leaving the corporate world. Her unlikely journey led her to gaining a licensed partnership in 2011 with a major national greeting card company and her designs were featured on cards in Walmart…
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In this episode, Travis and Jess talk all things foster care in light of May being National Foster Care Awareness Month. They both work for the national org, America's Kids Belong whose mission is to improve the outcomes and experiences for kids in foster care. Travis and Jess are former foster and adoptive parents and are very passionate in helpin…
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Travis and Jess are joined by Michelle Wegner to discuss the topic of beauty. They talk about beauty and its relationship to God, our souls, and why we need beauty in our lives. There's a fascinating connection between beauty, grace, and truth that the three also discuss. As the Benedictines say, "Beauty is truth shining into being." Michelle serve…
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Many of us long to escape our difficult lives and the contexts we live in. We wish we could see things with the joy and child like wonder we used to have. Marcel Proust once said, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." Travis and Jess discuss the things that cloud our eyesight and what it means…
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In this episode, Travis and Jess engage with Bob Harding on a fun and lively conversation around seeing the world and finding meaning in our stories through quotes. Bob is the pastor at CrossLife Church in Spartanburg, SC. He wrote the foreword to Travis' book Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope. He and Trav…
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In this episode, bi-vocational pastor, Jeremy Sparks joins Travis on a thought provoking conversation around Jeremy's unique vantage of seeing the world through the lenses of being both a pastor and firefighter. These two roles remind Jeremy everyday just how fleeting life is. The two discuss Jeremy's vision and heart for the church he planted 10 y…
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In this episode, Travis and Jess talk all facets of hospitality with their friend and President of the Soul Care Institute, Kaylene Derksen. There's plenty of laughs at the outset as the conversation steers around Northern accents, cows, and reminiscing about growing up on farms in the upper Midwest. Kaylene and her husband Jimm are gifted in the a…
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Travis and Jess host Steve Smith again in this part 2 episode, where they talk about the ministry of spiritual direction. At its core, spiritual direction is about companioning with someone who helps discern where God has been and is at work in one's life through intentional listening and prayer. It's really less about "direction" and more about be…
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In this episode, Travis and Jess interview their good friend and mentor Steve Smith. After years of relentlessly chasing the intoxication of results and "success" in ministry as a pastor, Steve was beyond burnout at a large church in 1996. It was then that he received the life giving guidance and soul care direction from his mentor, Dallas Willard …
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In this episode, Travis and Jess engage their friend Serena Salmans on a conversation that centers around joy and contentment through tragedy and adversity. Serena suffered a traumatic brain injury in high school and talks about dramatically feeling God's providence and presence in the midst of those hard days. They also talk about foster care and …
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In this episode, Sahn Dove, aka "Sahn the Poet," joins Travis and Jess on the podcast in a conversation on words, poetry, and insights about her spoken word craft. Sahn's biggest source of inspiration is her husband, Dove Dupree, who is also a spoken word poet and musician. She's also been deeply influenced and inspired by spoken word artists, Jay …
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In this episode, Travis hosts his brother Dan for a part two conversation. This time the topic centers around their brother Jeremy's life and the past and present stories of him deeply impacting others despite having no voice. Jeremy suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a car accident in 2009 and has not been able to speak. He is able to com…
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In this episode, Travis hosts his brother Dan as they look back at the journey of suffering and adversity that their family has endured since 2009. That summer three of Travis' brothers were in a tragic rollover car wreck in Montana that changed the trajectory of their lives and the family's forever. Jeremy was originally pronounced dead and then g…
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In this episode, Travis engages in a fascinating conversation with Everett Conaway on the art of woodworking and the themes of beauty, creativity, and wonder. Everett also shares thoughts on how his faith converges with his craft and how he sees/feels God's presence in the workshop. The two also discuss worshipping God through our gifts and imaging…
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In this episode, Travis and Jess have a conversation around travel and discuss the fun of seeing new places and experiencing new things. They talk about how these experiences also lead us to cultivate more wonder and curiosity as we journey into the unknown. You'll hear about the time Travis bought a Greyhound bus off Ebay and how that turned out. …
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In this episode, Travis and Jess talk with their good friend Danny Smith-lead singer/songwriter for the band Wasperjaws. They reminisce on meeting one another over a decade ago while working at a children's home in South Carolina. Danny talks about the story behind Wasperjaws' name and the adventures of forming a local four piece band as a fun side…
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In this episode, Travis and Jess discuss marriage and what it means to seek better connection in the everyday together. Jess shares what she finds really beautiful lately and the answer surprised Travis. They talk about what it looks like to "live unhurried" and be more present. They also share about ways to repair and restore connection following …
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**This is the first of a two part series on conflict and connection in relationships. In this episode, Travis and Jess (trauma informed, Enneagram and Marriage coaches) share honestly about their own struggles when it comes to navigating conflict in healthy ways in their marriage. They talk about the three ways people generally respond to conflict.…
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In this episode, our discussion centers around the topic of New Year's resolutions (and lofty goals) and why up to 80% of them fail for most of us. Travis and Jessie talk about their own New Year's resolutions. Travis goes on a rabbit trail about beards and shares about his New Year's goal around better beard grooming and "bearding responsibly" in …
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In this episode, Travis and Jess talk about the themes of wonder, curiosity, and creativity. They ask questions like: "Where does our childlike wonder go?" and "How can boredom lead to curiosity?" They also discuss how God can sometimes dramatically show up in our moments of creativity and curiosity and spark something special. You'll also hear abo…
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In this episode, Travis and Jessie introduce themselves and talk about the idea that sparked the podcast. They also describe their vision for who this podcast is for and what it means to "cultivate the ordinary" in the everyday. Travis reminisces about the difficult journey of caring for his dad with crippling dementia and how he found inspiration …
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Join Cyd, Geoff, and Rusty McKie as they discuss generosity, when instability compounds, and how Jesus' joy makes us joyful people. If you or someone you know is in a lean season, Geoff and Cyd remind us that when Jesus gives us what we need that we have enough. Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw are co-founders of Embodied Faith. Cyd is also an integrative co…
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Join Trisha Taylor, Jim Herrington, and Rusty McKie as they discuss the complexities of leadership today. Here are a few of the topics that they touch on: • The gift of differences • Combating loneliness as a leader • Navigating polarizing ideas • Surviving getting pulled in multiple directions • How to grow in love • The power of Jesus to unite us…
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Join Alison Cook and Rusty as they discuss discernment in the creative process, in difficult seasons of life, and in letting Jesus heal the tender places in your soul. If you’re in a season where you need to make some decisions or simply get oriented to where you actually are, this episode will help you identify and navigate where you’re going. Con…
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Join Kari and Rusty as they discuss the freedom of being mediocre, the contentment that is birthed out of death, and not taking yourself too seriously. Kari's reflections on 6 years of instability will surely encourage you at some point. Connect with Kari on Facebook and Twitter. Check out her work over at https://www.karipatterson.com/. Leading in…
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Join Ted and Rusty as they discuss living with a relaxed posture, preparing to suffer, and letting God hold all of life. If you're in a season of suffering (or walking with someone who is), this conversation will encourage you. Connect with Ted on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Check out his work over at Desert Direction (https://desertdirection…
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Join Winn and Rusty as they discuss beauty, pain, resurrection, and how Jesus holds space for it all. If you're longing for beauty and love, this conversation is for you. Connect with Winn on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Purchase his book book — A Burning in My Bones (https://a.co/d/dz0c8LP). And check out his work at the Eugene Peterson Cente…
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Join Rusty and Michelle Van Loon (speaker and author) as they discuss memory, midlife crises, stages of faith, how our origin story shapes our church family, and so much more. When is the last time you considered your family history? If you think about it or not, it's actively impacting your life. In today’s conversation, Michelle helps us understa…
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Join Rusty and Wendy Alsup (speaker and author) as they discuss what analogies control our life, what to do when life falls apart, and our need to get ongoing support from Jesus. When is the last time if felt like your life was falling apart? Or maybe you feel more like your life is a constant battle. In today’s conversation, Wendy speaks beautiful…
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Join Rusty and Aundi Kolber (therapist and author) as they discuss compassion, moving through pain, and God's kindness in it all. Have you ever struggled to feel safe with people? Maybe you know others love you and are for you, yet you still can’t shake feelings of insecurity around them? One of the most challenging relationships to experience this…
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Join Rusty and John Starke (Pastor of Apostles Uptown in New York and author) as they discuss prayer, waiting on the Lord, and how to refuse building a golden calf in the wilderness. If you are in a dark season with God, then this episode is for you. Follow John on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Get John's new book today — Secret Place of Thunder…
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Join Rusty and Trillia Newbell (author and acquisitions director at Moody Publishing - https://www.trillianewbell.com) as they discuss how sorrow and joy depend on each other, feeling disoriented by the people of God, and the gift of faith in Jesus. If you've ever been confused by the people of God, then this episode is for you. Follow Trillia on F…
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In the first episode of season 2, join Rusty and Jesse Eubanks (founder and executive director of Love Thy Neighborhood - lovethyneighborhood.org) as they discuss how pain turns to goodness, how the truth escapes from jail, and how to stay present to the presence of Jesus. If you've ever been surprised by your pain and not known what to do with it,…
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In the season one finale, Steve and Rusty discuss not taking yourself too seriously, anxiety over life-transitions, and the gift of enjoying life in the moment. Check out Steve's work over at stevecusswords.com for help with anxiety. Also, if you have any thoughts about season one of the Art of Stability or suggestions for season two, I'd love to h…
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In today's episode, Karen and Rusty talk about Resilience, recovering from a tragic accident, and the power of bookending your day in the presence of the Lord. Check out Karen's books (amzn.to/3IBiO2z) and her new podcast Jane and Jesus (apple.co/3ps867h). Also, check out my offerings at Steadfast Ministries, which exist to help you stay grounded i…
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In today's episode, Ryan and Rusty talk about loyalty to friends, pushing harder when life falls apart, and praying the Psalms. Besides pastoring, Ryan is the director of Am I Called ministries which exists to help ministry leaders live, love, learn, and last (amicalled.com). Also, check out my offerings at Steadfast Ministries that exists to help …
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In today's episode, Susan and Rusty talk about having a non-judgmental presence, how cancer moved her from circumstantial stability to true stability, and how slowing down to listen to Scripture helps us know Jesus better. Susan works with Leadership Transformations which attends to the souls of leaders (leadershiptransformations.org).Also, check o…
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In today's episode, Dan and Rusty talk about the temptation to craft an online presence, the bombshell of both his brother’s and daughter’s leukemia diagnosis, and the stabilizing power of getting healthy. If you'd like to connect with Dan, find him on Twitter @villagedanhyun. Also, check out Dan's new bookThe Bible in 52 Weeks for Men (https://amz…
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In today's episode, Scotty and Rusty talk about finding a spiritual father or mother, befriending weakness, and how the gospel makes us more human. If you'd like to connect with Scotty, find her on Twitter @ScottyWardSmith. Also, check out his blog at The Gospel Coalition (https://bit.ly/3dOVvoj). The Art of Stability is a production of Steadfast M…
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In today's episode, Bekah and Rusty talk about enduring criticism, the scariness of getting what you want, and our deep need for companions on our journey. If you'd like to connect with Bekah, find her on Twitter @bekahmason. Also, check out her work at Revoice (revoice.us) and the Pelican Project (thepelicanproject.com). Also, as promised, here's …
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In today's episode, Jamaal and Rusty talk about the importance of friends, how to cultivate friendship, and the power of our imagination in reading Scripture. If you'd like to connect with Jamaal, find him on Twitter @Jamaal711. Also, check out The Eavesdrop for conversations about diversity, multiculturalism, and ethnic diversity - https://www.you…
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God knows what He's doing. In today's episode, Rusty and Darryl talk about our encouragement, family crisis, and digesting God's Word and goodness. If you'd like to connect with Darryl, check out his website at dashhouse.com.The Art of Stability is a production of Steadfast Ministries — which exists to help others stay grounded in Christ to go the …
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