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Writing

From scholarly papers to fiction, I use the technologies of writing to help myself and other people understand the complexities of human relationships, out in the world and within ourselves. Here’s some of the writing I’ve done lately.

One man visiting another in a hospital bed. He holds a book and touches the other gently on the knee.

“Systems fight death”: A conversation about culture, faith, and endings with deathcare worker Kelly Butler

A few weeks ago, I heard a Canadian stranger mention that she was in the business of “deathcare.” I’d never heard the word before, but I instantly knew what it meant, and it fascinated me. That’s why I tracked down Ottawa deathcare worker Kelly Butler for this conversation about careful ending.

A graphic that says INNER COMMUNITY WRITING WORKSHOP, decorated with whimsical drawings of speaking objects.

Join an Inner Community Writing Workshop

Inner Community Writing Workshops are for folks who want to explore our internal multiplicity in writing. In weekly online meetings, Workshop members support each other’s practice, develop our craft, and pursue healing and liberation in community. Learn more and sign up for the next Workshop here.

Kindness in Space

Kindness in Space

My husband recently told me about a memory-care facility in the Netherlands that’s made to look like a tiny town, so it feels more familiar to the people who live there. That got me thinking about my mother-in-law, dementia, and the ways our physical environments can make us seem foolish or wise.

Promotional image showing Nitsan Joy Gordon’s Together Beyond Words book on paper, on a tablet, and on a phone.

Book review: Healing, embodiment, and IFS in Palestine

In a touching new memoir, Nitsan Joy Gordon tells the story of how growing up amid violence gave birth to a new form of peacebuilding — one that incorporates dance and movement, healing touch, and IFS. Here’s my review of the book.

A graphic showing a stylized bunch of writing implements in a cup; in the middle is a vermillion highlighter.

An elegy for Highly

When I found out that my favorite web-annotation app was being shut down by its corporate acquirer, I found the news surprisingly heartbreaking. In between meetings, I wrote this little appreciation for it. It’s about attention, metaphors, and memory.

What justice for Daunte Wright requires

What justice for Daunte Wright requires

Minnesotans have kind hearts and good intentions. But if kind hearts and good intentions were enough, Daunte Wright would be alive today.

A still from the video, saying “Wherever there is trauma, healing is always possible.”

What is trauma?

To heal from trauma, you have to understand what it is. My colleagues and I created this simple one-minute video to explain the concept to Christian leaders all over the world — so they can offer hope.