Mess Makes Meaning, Presence over Presents

In this episode of Mess Makes Meaning, we explore the Christian holidays and the rich, complex histories behind them with author Laura Alary. Together, we look at how church traditions have developed over time and how understanding their origins can help us engage more thoughtfully with the stories we’ve been told. From the rhythms of the summer and winter solstices to familiar questions like “Why are there Easter bunnies?” we reflect on how cultural symbols and seasonal celebrations have shaped the way we mark sacred time. These are the kinds of wonderings children naturally bring to us, and this conversation offers helpful context and language for responding with honesty, curiosity, and care. Laura Alary invites us to see these questions not as distractions, but as meaningful entry points into deeper learning and connection. By understanding where traditions come from, we are better equipped to walk alongside children as they explore faith, history, and meaning in the world around them. Join us as we make space for curiosity, history, and wonder, and consider how we can respond to children’s questions in ways that nurture both understanding and imagination.

Happy New Year! While January often invites us to focus on fresh starts, resolutions, and becoming something new, what if we also took time to honor exactly where we are? In this episode of Mess Makes Meaning, Joy and Raenelle sit down with author, yoga teacher, and theologian Ellie Roscher for a thoughtful conversation about embracing the present moment, extending grace to ourselves, and finding meaning in the lives we're already living. Drawing from her work as a writer, teacher, and parent, Ellie shares wisdom on embodiment, creativity, and paying attention to the small things that shape our days. Whether you're stepping into the new year with excitement, exhaustion, or a little bit of both, this conversation offers gentle encouragement to begin not from a place of striving, but from a place of presence.