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Cultivate the Ordinary

Cultivate the Ordinary

Written by: Travis and Jessie Vangsnes
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About this listen

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 captivated? Like children again, living with wonder and awe at the world around us and seeing God's presence more clearly in it. In the ordinary. This podcast seeks to help us all cultivate our ordinary better through inspiring stories, thought provoking quotes, laughter, and lively talks with normal people transforming things in the world around them. We invite you to join us on a fun journey of discovery and curiosity into the ordinary as we look for God's goodness and love through the lenses of joy, wonder, beauty, and hope. About the hosts: Travis and Jessie are passionate advocates for supporting foster care and work for the national org, America's Kids Belong. Travis is also an author and Jessie is an artist. They're both Enneagram/marriage coaches, soul care facilitators, and retreat owners at a property called Shiny Eyes Retreats. Travis has another podcast called "That's So Rad!" and Jess has a podcast called "Transforming Us." Check em out!Copyright 2025 Travis and Jessie Vangsnes Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Relationships Self-Help Social Sciences Spirituality Success
Episodes
  • Year in Review: Random Gas Station Stories to Crazy Karaoke Experiences to Lessons in Faith and Life
    Dec 31 2025

    In this episode of Cultivate the Ordinary, hosts Travis and Jess reflect on the past year, sharing personal anecdotes, funny stories, and lessons learned. They each share a quote for the year that best represented what they were most inspired by or learned in 2025. They discuss the importance of finding beauty in everyday life, the power of quotes, and the significance of community and relationships.

    As they look ahead to the new year, they emphasize the need for personal growth, curiosity, and the cultivation of positive habits, while also acknowledging the challenges that come with it.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Travis humorously describes their podcast roles as interchangeable sidekicks, adding a light-hearted touch to their dynamic.
    2. Jess shares a funny incident where she got sprayed with water at a gas station, and instead of getting upset, she laughed it off, showcasing her graciousness.
    3. Travis recounts a karaoke night where he was pressured into singing "Barbie Girl," a song he found hilariously awkward, especially when a stranger joined him on stage.
    4. Jess emphasizes the importance of embracing play and lightheartedness, reflecting on her word for the year, which was "play."
    5. Jess discusses the importance of forgiveness, inspired by a pastor who forgave the man responsible for a tragic event, encouraging her to let go of personal resentments.
    6. Both Jess and Travis talk about the significance of community and vulnerability, highlighting how opening up to others can lead to profound personal growth and connection.
    7. Jess emphasizes the value of finding beauty in stillness and nature, which has reignited her passion for art and creativity.

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    45 mins
  • Everyone Has a Book in Them: A Fun Conversation on Writing and Self Publishing
    Jul 8 2025

    In this episode of Cultivate the Ordinary, hosts Travis and Jess get back together after a bit of a break from this podcast. They discuss their recent creative projects, including two new podcasts they've launched. This episode centers on the power of writing, the creative process, and what it looks like to publish a book on your own.

    Books and podcast links below:

    Jessie is writing her first book and Travis talks about the two books he wrote. They share personal stories about their writing journeys and offer encouragement to aspiring writers. Travis shares some practical tips on what it takes to write a book and get it published. His belief is that everyone has a book in them.

    The conversation highlights the intersection of creativity, personal growth, and the transformative power of words.

    Travis and Jessie's other podcasts:

    That's So Rad! Podcast

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-rad/id1810887342

    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thatissorad

    Transforming Us

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transforming-us/id1823554264

    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@transformingus

    Travis' books:

    Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope

    Redemption's Echo: Living in the Reflection of God's Grace

    Writing or book publishing questions? Contact us on socials or below at:

    https://guidedpace.com/

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    55 mins
  • Shaped by the Places We Live and Our Need to Be Rooted
    Apr 11 2025

    In this episode of Cultivate the Ordinary Podcast, host Travis explores the themes of rootedness, geography, and personal history as he reflects on his time growing up on a farm in North Dakota. He shares on the importance of place in shaping identity and the innate human longing for connection to our origins.

    Through personal anecdotes and reading book excerpts, Travis discusses how experiences in various landscapes influence our character and sense of belonging. He also emphasizes the need for stability in a fast-paced world and the profound impact that specific places can have on our souls.

    Because of the freedom of technology and remote jobs, many of us can live in places but not be rooted in those places. That's a big problem and the difference between "being stationed" vs "being rooted" changes how we live life.

    Books mentioned in this episode:

    The Language of Cottonwoods: Essays on the Future of North Dakota

    Dakota: A Spiritual Geography

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    27 mins
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