Northern Colorado artist Jessica Kuddes (JMK) creates one-of-a-kind paintings that feel like windows into redemption—visual “spiritual landscapes” that hold out hope when life is hard. In this conversation, we talk about protected margin, art born from grief, and why imagery can carry us when words can’t.

She challenges my conviction that play doh should never be mixed (but really, how many shades of brown can you make?!?) and talks about how early influences shaped her belief that she is an artist and using that gift matters.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Colossians 1:24–27 (ESV)
• Philippians 3:7–14 (ESV)
• Itzhak Perlman — “Greatest Hits (Spotify listing)

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What makes a story actually move people—without resorting to hype or manipulation? In this episode, Heather Winchell sits down with HR Sweat (Lampstand Story Company, Oklahoma City) to talk about the craft of storytelling, why “the first draft is garbage” can be a gift, and how critique becomes a creative superpower. They explore Lampstand’s approach to bespoke work—listening long enough to find the true thread—along with storytelling guardrails like honesty and respect for the audience. Along the way, you’ll hear stories from HR’s early days in video, the leadership feedback that changed his life, and why focusing on the good and beautiful can widen the circle in a divided world.

Key ideas you’ll hear:

• Bespoke storytelling starts with listening long enough to find the connecting thread.
• Honest storytelling often gets simpler with each revision (less “juice,” more truth).
• Respecting the audience means trusting them with complexity and hard realities.
• A compelling “ask” stays tethered to the why, not the swag-bag moment.
• Criticism isn’t the enemy—defensiveness is.

Mentioned in the episode:

Loud Cloud Animation Studio
Johnny Harris (channel)
BibleProject
The Moth
Huberman Lab gratitude episode

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Since launching her cottage bakery earlier this year, Tori Aaker has been delighting Northern Colorado with sourdough loaves, cinnamon rolls, baking mixes, and what many now call the best chocolate chip cookie they’ve ever had - aka "The Number One". Around here, most people don’t even say “Tori” anymore—they just say Baker Aaker.

In this cozy conversation, Heather and Tori talk about what a cottage bakery actually is, how Tori set up her porch hutch, and why her background in photography, design, and branding made it easier to launch quickly. They also get honest about pricing homemade goods, baking at altitude, the joy of feeding people, and the freedom to try things without having to stick with them forever.

Whether you’re a home baker, a small business dreamer, or just someone who loves a good cookie, this episode is a warm invitation to try, taste, and enjoy the season you’re in.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What a cottage bakery is and how the Colorado cottage food law works for home bakers
• How Tori’s upbringing—watching her mom cook for hundreds at church events—shaped her love of serving people through food
• The story behind the now-famous “number one cookie” and the neighbor who insisted she start selling it
• Why the biggest challenge isn’t always pricing, but deciding how much to bake and what sizes to sell
• Baking at altitude in Colorado (including Tori’s tip to slightly reduce butter in cookies so they don’t spread)
• The hidden time cost of cookies versus other baked goods
• Tori’s favorite kitchen tools, including those magnetic measuring spoons and restaurant-style sheet pans with lids
• How her background in photography, branding, and web design made Baker Aaker quicker and easier to launch
• The emotional side of pricing your work and facing imposter syndrome when you sell what you can “just make at home”
• Tori’s fast-start personality, why she’s had multiple businesses, and her permission slip to stop something when it’s no longer right for your season
• Encouragement for kid (and grown-up) bakers: reading the recipe, trying again when it doesn’t work, and learning from mistakes

Where to find Tori / Baker Aaker:

• Website: bakeraaker.com
• Instagram: @bakeraaker

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In this heartfelt episode of Thanks for Doing That, Heather chats with the inspiring husband-and-wife team, Marissa and Chris, the founders of the Nashville Blanket Project. From their cozy Airbnb hosting experience to the mission-driven journey of creating beautiful blankets that give back, their story is one of compassion and community. Learn how they turned a simple idea into a thriving social enterprise that donates a blanket for every one sold (12,000 to date!), providing warmth and comfort to those in need across Nashville.

Marissa and Chris share:

• The origins of the Nashville Blanket Project and its evolution into Faircloth
• How they balance family life and running a business together
• The impact of community partnerships and the power of giving back
• Insights into their creative process for designing unique, cozy blankets
• Exciting plans for expanding their offerings and mission in the future

Join us for a conversation that celebrates the spirit of giving, creativity, and the importance of community support. Don’t miss out on the chance to keep Nashville cozy!

Faircloth (formerly Nashville Blanket Project)

Website → getfaircloth.com

AirBNB → https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/47872359?source_impression_id=p3_1762455662_P3gbM0bzQ-HgK45G

Instagram → @getfaircloth

Wholesale → fair.com (search “Faircloth”)

Custom blankets → info available at getfaircloth.com

Nonprofit partner: People Loving Nashville → peoplelovingnashville.com

The Ethos Market — collective of local social enterprises → theethosmarket.com

Strings for Hope → stringsforhope.com

Cement Six → cementsix.com

Thistle Farms → thistlefarms.org

The Well Coffeehouse → wellcoffeehouse.com

Books Mentioned:

Snake Oil by Becca Stevens

Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

Places Mentioned:

Sky Blue Café (Nashville)

Get Along / Scout Baby Collective (Nashville)

Catch more of the story @thanks.for.doing.that.podcast!

Sewing as a superpower? Yes. Creative director Laura Moore (Sew Your Adventure) shows how simple, “quick-win” projects—beanbags, bookmarks, potholders—can spark curiosity, courage, and connection at home. We talk intergenerational skills, her 100-year-old sewing journal from Great-Grandma Minnie, and the story-led Stitch & Story Journal that helps families create, reflect, and celebrate—one stitch at a time.

You’ll hear:

• Why “right sides together” and repetition build real confidence
• How intergenerational skills (and a 100-year-old sewing notebook!) can shape a home
• A simple mentor→repeat→make-it-you→teach loop that turns learners into leaders
• Practical ideas for teacher gifts, screen-free family time, and creative “quick wins”

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In this craft-rich conversation, writer and lyricist Douglas McKelvey shares the winding path that led to Every Moment Holy, why Volume Two (grief, death, and hope) was formed in community, and how he thinks about vocation through a Kingdom economy—serving real people first. He previews his next book: a young-adult-focused collection (late HS through mid-20s) with longtime illustrator Ned Bustard. We also talk about the Art House in the ‘90s, Rabbit Room, and what it means to “mourn with those who mourn” while keeping hold of joy. Plus a fun closer: Doug invents a Chesterton-inspired coffee drink (“The Father Brown”).

You’ll hear about:

• The loaves-and-fishes posture in what you bring
• How community shapes our lives
• Why joy and sorrow don’t cancel each other out
• A forthcoming EMH book crafted for young adults entering adulthood
• Serving your community vs. chasing what sells

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In this episode of Thanks for Doing That, Heather sits down with master carpenter Jay Ballard, whose decades of experience in carpentry and remodeling are matched only by his kindness and optimism. Jay shares how growing up around woodworking shaped his love for the craft—from the smell of freshly cut lumber in his father’s shop to the satisfaction of finishing his first clock case. He also reflects on the values instilled by his parents—hard work, humility, and faith—that continue to guide him in both life and business.

Beyond his story, Jay offers practical wisdom for anyone eager to take on projects around the house. From knowing your limitations to planning realistically, Jay encourages homeowners to approach projects with forethought and courage. His advice balances inspiration with grounded practicality, reminding us that creating or repairing spaces can be deeply life-giving.

This conversation is both a window into the heart of a craftsman and a toolkit for anyone who wants to make their home a place of care, beauty, and belonging.

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“The art of living in season is about learning to see the extraordinary in our ordinary moments.”

“God has a great canvas, and each of us has a little dab of paint to put on it.”

What if the most ordinary parts of your life—gardening, teaching, caregiving, baking, writing—were actually sacred gifts?

In this episode of Thanks for Doing That, Heather sits down with Sylvie Vanhoozer, writer, botanical artist, and author of The Art of Living in Season and The Art of Living in Advent. With wisdom shaped by French culture, church tradition, and her own seasons of caregiving and creativity, Sylvie shares how she learned to see the extraordinary in everyday life.

Together, they talk about:

• The meaning of everyday saints and why small, humble offerings matter.
• How cultural roots and seasons of nature shape our life and attentiveness.
• The story behind Sylvie’s illustrated letters that grew into her first book.
• An overview of her second book - The Art of Living in Advent.

This is a conversation for anyone longing to be more present, to live with intention, and to discover how deeply meaningful each season of life can be.

Catch more of the story @thanks.for.doing.that.podcast!