Ever wonder if you're doing what you're "supposed" to be doing with your life? You're not alone. In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Keri Bass, Assistant Director of Vocational Exploration and Career Coach at Augustana College, to explore one of life's biggest questions: What is vocation, and how do we figure out ours?

It's not about finding the one perfect job or waiting for a lightning-bolt moment of clarity. Keri helps us understand that vocation is so much bigger than a career—it's about how we show up in the world, in our work, our families, and our communities. Whether you're a college student picking a major, a mid-career professional feeling restless, or newly retired and figuring out purpose and meaning, this conversation offers permission to dream, question, and discern.

We dive into why "all good work is good work," how to sit with uncertainty instead of rushing to fix it, and what questions we should be asking ourselves as we grow and change throughout life. Plus, Keri shares why vocation isn't always the thing that pays the bills—and why that's actually okay.

Did you know only about 20% of people feel clear about their meaning and purpose? This episode will help you start (or continue) the journey of discovering yours.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

It's January—the season of fresh starts, ambitious resolutions, and the eternal hope that this will be the year we finally get it together. But why do so many of our good intentions fizzle out by February?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Beth Repp, an ophthalmologist turned certified life coach, to explore what actually works when it comes to lasting change. This isn't about vision board—it's about understanding the deeper patterns of thought and feeling that drive our actions.

Beth shares why resolutions fail (hint: it's not lack of willpower), what "buffering" is and how we all do it, and why focusing on the next right move is more powerful than any grand plan. We talk about process goals vs. results goals, why momentum beats motivation, and how this approach connects to faith and spiritual practice across all traditions.

Whether you're trying to get healthier, manage money better, or just understand yourself more clearly, this conversation offers practical tools and a whole lot of grace for the journey.

View photo referenced by Beth here.

Learn more about Beth at bethrepp.com

Book recommendations from Beth:

1. Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live. Martha Beck

2. Man’s Search for Meaning. Victor Frankl

3. The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About. Mel Robbins

4. How to Lose Weight for the Last Time: Brain-Based Solutions for Permanent Weight Loss. Katrina Ubell

5. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself. Nedra Glover Tawwab

6. The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness. Bari Tessler

7. Reasons Not to Worry: How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times — A Practical Guide to Stoicism for Self-Improvement and Personal Growth. Brigid Delaney

8. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. Eckhart Tolle

9. The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman

10. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Carol Dweck

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

Remember when Christmas morning felt like pure magic? When the hardest decision was which cookie to leave for Santa? The holidays look different at every stage of life—and that's exactly what we're exploring in this holiday-themed episode.

Jess and Mark sit down with James Weiss, who takes us on a journey through decades of holiday celebrations.

This isn't just nostalgia (though there's plenty of that). It's an honest look at how holidays transform as we move from wide-eyed participant to exhausted orchestrator to reflective observer. Whether you're in the thick of creating magic for little ones, navigating the first year your kids celebrate elsewhere, or anywhere in between, this conversation will meet you where you are.

Special thanks to:

Music by Clavier Clavier from Pixabay

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

What if the way you're naturally wired isn't something to fix, but something to celebrate? In this episode, Jess and Mark sit down with Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Professor of Communication Studies at Augustana College and Gallup Certified Global Strengths Coach, to explore the transformative world of strengths-based thinking.

Questions for Wendy:
Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Ph.D.
whmstrengthsconsulting@gmail.com
309-737-7850

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

What if wellness isn't about green smoothies, gym memberships, or the latest meditation app? In this episode, Mark and Jess sit down with Steve Kalber, St. Paul's counselor and former behavioral health nurse, to unpack what wellness actually means—and why it's not the same thing as being "healthy."

Steve breaks down the four domains of wellness (mental, physical, spiritual, and social) and explains why your version of wellness might look completely different from your neighbor's. We talk about the misconceptions fueling wellness culture, the warning signs when things are out of balance, and practical strategies for staying well that don't require a trust fund or a TikTok algorithm.

Whether you're just starting to think about wellness or you're recovering from one too many failed New Year's resolutions, this conversation offers a refreshing, grounded perspective on what it means to live well—in a way that's actually sustainable.

Plus, we kick things off with the weirdest wellness purchases we've ever made. (No judgment. Okay, maybe a little judgment.)

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

For 2025, Melissa Pepper's mantra is JOY. But what does that actually mean when you're navigating leadership responsibilities, medical challenges, parenting decisions, and the everyday chaos of life?

Whether you've never thought about choosing a personal mantra or you're a seasoned practitioner, Melissa's insights will inspire you to think differently about what it means to pursue joy—not as an escape from reality, but as a practice that changes how you move through it.

Books recommended by Melissa:
Designing your life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Kate Bowler Devotional: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection

Join the playlist:
When you need a little boost (and at some point we all do), tune into the Joy Jams playlist inspired by today's episode. Listen to JOY JAMS

Do you have a song or songs that bring you joy? Let us know and we'll continue to build this playlist!

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

Happy Halloween! Today, Jess and Mark explore Halloween and the monsters lurking in the Bible.

Special thanks to:

Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Music by PulseBox from Pixabay

Music and sound effects by Tunetank from Pixabay

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter

Mark and two St. Paul pastors (Katy and Sara) tackle your biggest (and smallest) questions about faith, life, and everything in between with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.

Thanks to the incredible production team of Sorta Sacred:

Music: Brian Schou

Tech support: Miles Thompson

Design: Lauren Brown

Merch: Allison Winter