Cultivate the Ordinary

About Cultivate the Ordinary

The great writer Walker Percy gifted the world with an inspiring and thought provoking line with his words: "Consciously cultivate the ordinary." So many of us today find ourselves living in a foggy and disorienting world where we are held captive to hectic schedules, polarizing news narratives, and our addiction to technology. We find ourselves continuously battling things like isolation, anxiety, fear, boredom, and apathy. What if instead of being held captive we could find ourselves captivated? Like children again, living with wonder and awe at the world around us and seeing God's presence more clearly in it. In the ordinary. This podcast seeks to help us all cultivate our ordinary better through inspiring stories, thought provoking quotes, laughter, and lively talks with normal people transforming things in the world around them. We invite you to join us on a fun journey of discovery and curiosity into the ordinary as we look for God's goodness and love through the lenses of joy, wonder, beauty, and hope. About the hosts: Travis and Jessie are passionate advocates for supporting foster care and work for the national org, America's Kids Belong. Travis is also an author and Jessie is an artist. They're both Enneagram/marriage coaches, soul care facilitators, and retreat owners at a property called Shiny Eyes Retreats. Travis has another podcast called "That's So Rad!" and Jess has a podcast called "Transforming Us." Check em out!

Publisher

Travis and Jessie Vangsnes

Category

education · religion & spirituality · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Jan 2024

Latest episode

6 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

47 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Memories, Wisdom, and Marriage Advice From Nearly a Century of Living with Harold and Marlys Ostrem

   Travis interviews his 96-year-old grandfather Harold Ostrem and 97-year-old grandmother Marlys Ostrem, who share profound wisdom and practical marriage advice gleaned from nearly a century of life and 78 years of marriage.

2. 

   16 Jul 2026

   The Surprising Link Between Wonder, Enchantment, and God's Presence in Daily Life

   Host Travis shares how cultivating wonder and enchantment reveals God's presence in daily life, leading to a more vibrant existence.

3. 

   31 Dec 2025

   Year in Review: Random Gas Station Stories to Crazy Karaoke Experiences to Lessons in Faith and Life

   In this episode of Cultivate the Ordinary, hosts Travis and Jess reflect on the past year, sharing personal anecdotes, funny stories, and lessons learned. They each share a quote for the year that best represented what they were most inspired by or learned in 2025. They discuss the importance of finding beauty in everyday life, the power of quotes, and the significance of community and relationships. As they look ahead to the new year, they emphasize the need for personal growth, curiosity, and the cultivation of positive habits, while also acknowledging the challenges that come with it. Key Takeaways: Travis humorously describes their podcast roles as interchangeable sidekicks, adding a light-hearted touch to their dynamic. Jess shares a funny incident where she got sprayed with water at a gas station, and instead of getting upset, she laughed it off, showcasing her graciousness. Travis recounts a karaoke night where he was pressured into singing "Barbie Girl," a song he found hilariously awkward, especially when a stranger joined him on stage. Jess emphasizes the importance of embracing play and lightheartedness, reflecting on her word for the year, which was "play." Jess discusses the importance of forgiveness, inspired by a pastor who forgave the man responsible for a tragic event, encouraging her to let go of personal resentments. Both Jess and Travis talk about the significance of community and vulnerability, highlighting how opening up to others can lead to profound personal growth and connection. Jess emphasizes the value of finding beauty in stillness and nature, which has reignited her passion for art and creativity.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

22 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

47

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Cultivate the Ordinary

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.