For many people, trans rights seem to be the line in the sand—the place where they feel things have gone “too far.” I’ve seen it in my own life, even in my own family. People who once viewed me as moderate now see me as “far left” because I’m speaking up for trans people.But why?

I have been asking myself this question for longer than I’ve even realized. Where do I fit in the fight for justice? How do I step into action instead of watching from the sidelines? This question first paralyzed me in seminary as I sat through classes on prophetic leadership and liberation theology. I was riveted

This past weekend, I had the chance to read the chapter Dude Wipes at Stay Gold Bookstore in Pittsburgh. We talked about anger and rage—how it builds, how it manifests, and how, sometimes, it’s not about what we think it’s about.For a long time, I thought my anger was caused by my then-husband. Now ex-husband.

Thank you for reading Magic in the Mess — your support allows me to keep doing this work.If you enjoy Magic in the Mess, it would mean the world to me if you invited friends to subscribe and read with us. If you refer friends, you will receive benefits that give you special access to

This morning, I woke up early, as usual, with a voice in my head already rattling off tasks: The dogs need feeding—they’re starving. The dishwasher needs unloading. Coffee. Juice. Trash. Yard cleanup. Before 5 a.m., I was already deep in the cycle of planning, doing, and picking up. By the time I sat down, I

When I think of horror, I typically picture something like Chucky, Freddy Krueger, or Jason—stories with characters who kill without rhyme or reason. I’ve always gravitated toward psychological thrillers and true crime for their ability to delve into the “why” behind human behavior. But Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix opened my eyes to

This morning, fear, tears, and anger once again filled our household. We are reeling from the executive order about birthright citizenship. This one is terrifying—it hits so close to home. It impacts so many families I love in Colorado and across the country. For so long, I’ve sat with news of atrocities and felt the

Today was a hard one. I’m still in it a bit, which is unusual for me. I typically write from a place of having healed, of having processed the messy parts and uncovered the magic. But today, I’m reporting live from the mess. Let’s see where this goes.Yesterday, we had a meltdown with our kid—the

Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do, and Not Do What I Want?This question resonates deeply. It’s an age-old struggle, even immortalized in scripture. Romans 7:15 puts it simply: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I

The new Bob Dylan movie, "A Complete Unknown," struck a deep chord with me. As someone currently embarking on a journey as an author, speaker, and songwriter, I can relate profoundly to Dylan’s story of being a complete unknown. At this moment, that’s exactly what I am—an unknown.The film captures Dylan’s arrival in New York