Do you feel wiped out at the end of every day, feeling like you're a day late and a dollar short? Like there's some invisible list of expectations that the world has hung over your head and is double checking to make sure you're measuring up? Like you're supposed to master the art of balancing it all? Like maybe everyone you know is in on the secret of how to do EVERYTHING while simultaneously laying everything down right at the feet of Jesus?

Insert a sea of raised hands right here.

In today's special LIVE episode, Kayla, Kristi, Shannon, and Lindsy  chat about what it looks like to live like Jesus, who modeled grace, rest, and intentional sacrificial living.

There's freedom in Jesus, y'all, and that freedom makes space for abundant life, not busy life.

Come join us around the podcast table and then join us over on Facebook and Instagram for the rest of the conversation!

With love {and boiled peanuts} from Rocky Mount,
Lori

Hey do you guys remember how in the first 3-5 episodes of UpsideDown Podcast I talked about my love for Justin Timberlake? Every time? Sometimes I sang, sometime I just worked it in super naturally to bug Shannon, sometimes it was simply because I have this weird feeling JT and I'd be friends? (And Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fey, and all of these other totally over my head, talented famous people?)

​I have another JT love to share with you, and it happens to be our March sponsor.

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This is all perfectly timed because for many of us, spring break is just around the corner and I know in my family, that means our rest times get a little thrown off. Whether we're traveling or stay-cationing, all the rhythms get a little wonky.

My girls are 7, 5, and 3, and they all need rest in different ways, and often at different times. So anytime we're all home and I find a one-shot wonder that will get all their attention, I consider it a win. JellyTelly has become a major win for us!
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JellyTelly is the only streaming video app designed JUST FOR KIDS where the message is that God is real, and his Word is true. Those of you familiar with VeggieTales® will recognize some of the voices and a lot of the wit and humor; it was co-developed by Veggietales® creator Phil Vischer. 

We're very carefully about the autonomy we give our kids when it comes to screen time in our house. There are a few okay-ish options out there. Netflix has a great kids option, but once I opened it up to find Orange is the New Black listed on my daughter's channel. MAJOR whoops on their part, and it reminded me that I can't trust filters to do what's ultimately my job. We've taken Amazon and Safari off our iPad, and have several other security settings. But part of our job as parents is also to help our kids understand how to use media responsibly. That means it's okay to pick a show and see if you like it. It's fun to have favorites, and when it comes to my kids, it's a double bonus if those programs are supporting Truth we're already teaching them in our home. 

So we've put the JellyTelly app on the iPad, and quite often I hear theme songs from What's In the Bible and a show called Come On Over playing from around the corner. (You can also watch it through the Apple Store, Google Play, via Roku, and supported Kindle devices.) Plus, these shows don't stay on the screen, they foster more conversation after they're over. And honestly, when it comes to What's In the Bible, I usually learn something too! The "Why Do We Call it Christmas" episode was super helpful in December!

JellyTelly is super reasonably priced at only $4.99 a month, or $49.99 for the whole year. Every new subscriber gets a free first week.

We've loved having JellyTelly as our sponsor this month. If you'd like to learn more, head here to browse the catalog, and here to sign up for a FREE weeklong trial (SPRING BREAKERS, REJOICE!). While you're there, use the code UPSIDEDOWN to receive a free download for a 10 page coloring book (SPRING BREAKERS, WE ARE ON FIRE, PACK/PRINT THESE TOO). Be sure to check out their great library of devotionals, faith-based parenting blog posts, and growing marketplace of thoughtfully curated products for Christian families, including videos, books, games, toys and more while you're there. 

Thanks so much for continuing to support our sponsors! 

with love from Asheville,

Kristi

In episode 16, Shannon and I (Lindsy) interview Amber Newberry. Amber is a wife, mom and pro-love advocate. At the age of nineteen, Amber had an abortion. She graciously shares her story of heartache and redemption with us and it's one you won't want to miss.

You can find Amber on her website Beautiful and Beloved and learn more about her and her work with Save the Storks there.

Articles and podcasts mentioned in this episode:
On Being: How Trauma Lodges in the Body with Bessel van der Kolk
​Christian Post Survey

If you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to rate and review us on iTunes. Ratings are how other people find us when looking for new podcasts, so you're not just stroking our egos, you're helping others join our upside down conversations. Also, join our private Facebook group, Upside Down Tribe. Send a request and we'll let you in. There's always room at the foot of the cross. And on Facebook.

Blessings from Miami friends!
Lindsy

​We’ve been mulling over this topic for a while, and it seems especially timely right now.

We’re talking about a comprehensive ethic of life.

We’re asking how to be comprehensively, collectively, and compassionately Kingdom-minded from womb to tomb, because all humans were made in the Image of God, and ALL people are loved deeply and pursued by the creator of all things.

So: How do we care for the unborn and the refugee? The hungry child and the criminal? The uninsured and the homeless? The one who doesn’t look like me and the one who doesn’t believe like me?

How do we live an upside-down kingdom life that supports life in all facets of our very messy world?
We know this can be a loaded topic with a lot of loaded keywords that bring a lot of feelings, and as we discuss what can be very sensitive topics, we just want to be an example of friends gathering around the table to talk about life through a Kingdom lens.

This isn’t a conversation about politics, or about us vs. them, but about God’s kingdom.

As always, these honest conversations are unscripted and we come to the table with a lot of prayer that through our own brokenness, we will somehow help you start the conversation in your own contexts. We ask for your grace and for ears to hear our heart, and what we believe to be God’s heart, as we dive into this topic in this episode.

In this episode, we ask:

• How have your views about what it means to be “pro-life” or “pro-choice” evolved and changed?
• How have Christians gotten it right?
• How have Christians done more harm than good?
• How do we stop vilifying those who see things differently and find common ground?
• How has your view of life impacted you?

We’re humbled to wade through these murky waters with you, and we hope and pray that our conversation will be life-giving as you continue to work through these thoughts.

If you want a space to process in, we’re loving our new private Facebook group. If you want to join us, just search Upside Down Tribe, and one of us will let you in!

Grace and peace from the muddy Midwest,
Kayla

Hey guys, Shannon here! If you follow my personal blog at all you already know how strongly I feel about ethical companies and using my purchasing power to support businesses who are keeping human dignity in the forefront of their work. One thing (of many) that I love about my four co-hosts is that they share the same passion for justice and are every bit as eager as I to hear about new companies who are doing this well. So when I got to introduce them to Love Justly a few months ago it felt like giving them a big, sparkly Christmas present- and now I feel the same about telling you!

What's so exciting about another social mission company? Glad you asked.

Love Justly doesn't just offer ethically-sourced clothing and accessories, they do it at discounted prices. You know that gorgeous handmade linen dress that fits your personality perfectly but you'd never be able to afford? Now you can. Those amazing bangles you see on fair trade websites that you've always wished you could buy for your bestie? Now you can. And so, most likely, can your neighbor.

Love Justly takes the privilege and elitism right out of the fair trade equation, and levels the playing field for people from all walks of life to be able to invest in the livelihood of (predominately female) artisans all over the world. And if that's not the Upside Down kingdom, I just don't know what is!

Love Justly's inventory is collected from companies who are doing powerful things in the world, from helping rehabilitate women out of sex trafficking to providing safe, dignified work in at-risk communities. As if that wasn't enough, they donate 5% of each sale to Legacy Collective, an organization that works towards long-term, sustainable solutions to economic challenges.

I personally own (and adore) a tunic and a dress from Love Justly, Kristi owns some of their jewelry, and we are all five planning to be customers for life. (I had to link to the stuff we own, because it's always fun to see what other people love! Or is it just me?) We hope you'll join us in supporting the important work of making ethical shopping accessible to more than just the wealthy!

Lots of love from Iowa,
​Shannon
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Hey friends, Lori here!

I was not originally scheduled to write the blog post for today's episode, but here I sit, feeling utterly naked and super vulnerable and trying to find the words to share here while simultaneously wishing I had zipped my lips during this episode.

We went into this episode planning to sorta skim the surface of homeschooling, private schooling, and public schooling. But in the weeks prior to recording, public school was granted a huge spotlight in the media by the impending confirmation of Betsy DeVos and by the time the tape started rolling, I think the main thing on our hearts was how her appointment was going to change the way the Church would need to respond to those on the margins in our public schools.

As you guys know, I'm crazy passionate about public schools. And if I'm honest with you, I think I railroaded the conversation in this episode. Actually, I know I did. I couldn't stop my big mouth from saying everything my big, public school loving head was thinking. I sorely regret some of the strong statements I committed to saying on air, no matter how much I sincerely believe them to be true.

My biggest regret was that there was so much public school talk that my co-hosts weren't given ample time to voice their thoughts and opinions about anything other than public school.

I feel terrible about that and yet, we all agree that in light of our nation's current events, our conversation about public school is needed because our public schools educate our nation's 16 million children living in poverty.  And friends, wherever the poor are, Jesus is standing there with them.

Our hope is that no matter how you school your children, you will take a listen and join the conversation over onFacebook and Instagram.

And be looking for Part 2 of this conversation in the near future. We'll be having  the other side of this conversation, which is as equally important as this one.

xoxo-
Lori

We're wrapping up our co-host interviews this week with Shannon Evans and I have to confess that I freaking love Shannon.
Seriously.
She's the best kind of person because she understands what's it's like to be wholly human and wholly loved by Jesus. She reminds me to be kind to myself and to be compassionate with my neighbors. She speaks truth with boldness of tongue and meekness of spirit and I feel so grateful to be running alongside her in this pursuit of Jesus.

In this episode, you'll hear more about how she and Eric met, how they arrived at three kiddos in a few short years, and what drew them to Catholicism. You'll also hear her heart for humanity and how she walks with Jesus in the lowly places.  Her pursuit of loving her neighbors as herself is a beautiful thing to behold.

So take a listen and then join Shannon over on herblog, Facebook, or Instagram.

You'll thank me later.

Lori

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Continuing our "get to know your hosts" series this week, we have Lori Harris in the spotlight. (A position that is decidedly NOT her favorite to be in.) Lori is a study in contrasts: feisty yet introverted, incredibly brave yet a self-proclaimed scaredy cat, a prophetic challenger yet girl next door.

In this episode Lori shares about the hardest season of her life, how she said "yes" to the thing she swore to never do, what it's like to be a church planting family, and how no one is more surprised than she about the fact that she has 6 kids.

Lori has a deep conviction of obedience that colors everything she does, from big life changes to mundane daily life, and you'll hear that crystal clear in this episode. Lori is a public school advocate and all-around servant of the marginalized in her community of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Buckle up your seatbelt for this sweet and sour Southern thang, and be ready to embrace the highs and lows of your own life just a little bit more.

You can follow Lori at her blog, on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. And you should ;)

​This week in our meet-the-host series Kayla and I (Lindsy) chat with our resident theologian, Kristi. She's full of wit, wisdom, and wonder and we loved hearing about her attempt to bring a hip-hop dance class to the mini-golf course, the time she almost missed the DTR conversation with her husband Duff, and how she landed her dream job after a season of miserableness. 

Kristi has a deep desire to help people read their Bibles well. A quick glance at today's headlines is all we need to see how relevant this desire is to our cultural context and political climate. She believes much of the fear we see in the church is because people don't really know how to apply what they read in their Bibles to real life. Hashtag she's onto something.

We jokingly refer to her as the whitest of our bunch and I personally have found joy in witnessing her journey to get woke and become a bridge person in her dreamy mountain town, Asheville, North Carolina. 

She's a pastor's wife, mama bear x3, writer, Acquisitions Editor, and all around encourager and we're thankful the weird wide interweb brought us together. 

Check out Kristi's new swoony website, follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or her personal fav, Instagram.