messy but graceful: a parenting podcast

About messy but graceful: a parenting podcast

holistic parenting rooted in gentleness, mutuality, compassion, and god

Publisher

Brittany Sky

Category

kids & family · kids & family · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2024

Latest episode

18 May 2025

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 May 2025

   Brittany and Kim Jones talk about parenting and spiritual formation

   Kim Jones - CoFounder, Executive Director (she/her) Kim spent 20 years as a pediatrician in Silicon Valley before being called out of that work into changemaking. She was a Changemaker Fellow in 2018 and is passionate about enabling people to find their abundant, purpose-filled life. https://thechangemakerinitiative.org/ (https://thechangemakerinitiative.org/)

2. 

   6 Apr 2025

   Brittany and Katie Cassady talk parenting in community

   Katie Cassady is a wife and mom to three girls in Denver, CO. A beekeeper and avid gardener, she believes stewardship, Catholic Social Teaching, and the practice of Sabbath, hold untold potential for the Church and the world. She holds a Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry and published Sunday Fun (https://bayardfaithresources.com/products/sunday-fun-for-faith-filled-families-ideas-prayers-and-activities-to-celebrate-the-lord-s-day-individual-use) as a tool to help families intentionally integrate the practice of Sabbath. She blogs at Blessed Is She (https://blessedisshe.net/) and unexpectedhoney. (http://unexpectedhoney.com/)

3. 

   23 Mar 2025

   Brittany speaks with children's book author, Glenys Nellist

   Glenys Nellist was born and raised in a little village in northern England. The author of multiple award-winning children’s books, including the bestselling ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas, The Wonder That is You, and five popular series: Love Letters from God, Snuggle Time, ‘Twas, Good News and Little Mole, her writing reflects a deep passion for helping children discover joy and hope in the world. Glenys lives in Michigan with her husband, David. https://www.glenysnellist.com/ (https://www.glenysnellist.com/)

4. 

   9 Mar 2025

   Brittany and Debbie Steicher talk about relationships

   From Debbie: As Co-Director at Milestones Ministry: I help write, edit, facilitate training, and network and connect with congregations who desire to grow a family ministry model with an emphasis on faith in the home. I have a passion for helping others define the best resources and plans for ministries in their particular setting. I take into account size, space, history, existing resources, and leadership team support as primary sources to encourage active engagement in lifelong faith formation for all ages. Coupled with an understanding of spiritual gifts and uplifting them and adding prayer contribute to a solid base for successful and vibrant ministry in the congregation. Being intentional, setting expectations, and establishing tools for accountability are key. As a Coach: I have lived in different states, overseas in Japan and Spain, fluent in Spanish, and comfortable in both urban and rural cultures. I describe myself as a life, grief, end of life, and congregational leadership coach. I have served on staff in a congregation and been a consultant for both clergy and lay leaders in congregations across the country, in Canada, and in Australia. I have a passion for empowering all ages in using their God-given gifts to embrace and be engaged in ministry in their daily lives. Feeling alone, over scheduled, and burned out is something I , myself, have experienced. As a result, I have learned that coaching done well can be an effective tool for help and support. I have a great desire to listen, encourage, and support those in leadership roles in congregations.

5. 

   21 Feb 2025

   Brittany talks with Karen DeBoer, creator of the GenOn Parenting and Spiritual Formation Video Series

   Karen DeBoer loves children (and their grown-ups too!). As a writer, workshop leader, podcaster and parent of four, much of Karen’s work has been focussed on providing people with practical ideas for forming faith both in community and at home. She is the author of Home Grown Handbook for Christian Parenting; a contributing editor of God’s Big Story Cards, Jesse Tree: God’s Big Advent Story and You’re Invited: A Week of Devotions for Families on the Lord’s Supper; a content curator and creator of online toolkits on topics including The Intergenerational Church, Family Faith Formation and more; she also co-hosted the Open to Wonder podcast. One of Karen’s favorite things to do is to share ideas and you’ll find those in the Dwell at Home ‘5 Ways’ series of resources, in her blogs for The Network and in the chapter on “Faith Practices in Community and at Home” (Chapter 8) which she wrote for the book All Ages Becoming, Intergenerational Practice in the Formation of God’s People. Speaking of home, Karen makes hers in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

6. 

   6 Feb 2025

   Brittany and Kayla Craig talk about parenting and spiritual formation

   Kayla Craig is a former journalist who brings deep curiosity and care to her writing. With a poetic, prophetic voice, she created the popular Liturgies for Parents (https://www.instagram.com/liturgiesforparents) Instagram account, which Christianity Today named an “essential parenting resource.” She also hosts the Liturgies for Parents podcast (https://www.kaylacraig.com/podcast). Kayla’s nuanced and accessible reflections (http://www.kaylacraig.com/writing), essays, and prayers are featured in various books, devotionals, and Bible studies. Kayla lives in a 115-year-old former convent in her Iowa hometown, where she hopes to create spaces of welcome alongside her four children, two dogs, and husband, Jonny. https://kaylacraig.com/

7. 

   20 Oct 2024

   Brittany talks with Childist Advocate, Liz Emis

   Liz Emis is the incoming Minister of Education for First UMC in Omaha. She creates spaces for wonder, plurality, and expansive, practical theology with and for children, youth, and families. She is a practical, liberative, childist theologian. She attends Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and will graduate in May '25 with a Master of Divinity degree, concentrating in Childist Studies, Ethics & Education. Liz is a content creator for the project.

8. 

   11 Oct 2024

   Brittany talks with writer/editor Jennifer Grant

   Jennifer Grant is an author and editor based in Chicago. Her picture book Maybe God Is Like That Too won a gold medal from the Moonbeam Spirit Awards for excellence in children's literature and was named a book of the year finalist in the Foreword Indies awards. To date, it has sold more than 30,000 copies. Her second picture book, Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too, was named a Junior Library Guild official gold standard selection. She has written several other books for children, including Finding Calm in Nature and What If I Can’t Explain God?, both released in 2023.

9. 

   6 Oct 2024

   Brittany talks with Rev. Katye Chambers

   Katye is a native Southerner who loves Jesus, musical theater, sports, coffee, and good hugs. An ordained Deacon in The United Methodist Church, she serves on staff at Garrett Seminary. She studied Dance Performance and Religious Studies at SMU, has a MDiv. from Garrett, and studied at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland. She is stepmom to a fantastic 14-year old stepdaughter and momma to twin almost-3 year-old boys.

10. 

    22 Sept 2024

    Brittany talks with Rev. Sara Miller

    Sara Miller (She/Her) is a pastor and mental health educator. She's been in ministry for 11+ years in a variety of settings. Sara has an undergraduate degree in Youth Ministry and, in May 2022, received both a Master of Divinity (MDiv) and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling (MAPCC) from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She's married to her partner Caleb, and they have 1 dog “child”, Mory. When not working, she loves to drink decaf coffee, eat donuts, and read children’s books (the only fiction in her life). Sara lives for time with those she loves, planning trips to far-off places, baking yummy things, exploring nature, and sifting through antique/thrift stores for treasure. She has been known to rant about vegan pizza, tattoos, theology, and the Enneagram.

11. 

    8 Sept 2024

    Brittany talks with Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford

    Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford is the Intergenerational Discipleship Coordinator of the United Methodist Great Plains Conference, in which she helps congregations establish healthy kids and youth ministries. She grew up in East Texas and graduated from Perkins School of Theology, and as an ordained deacon, she connects church people to the world. Melissa is a writer, speaker, and most recently, the creator of Dandelion Marketplace (https://dandelion-marketplace.com/). She enjoys drinking good coffee, working out, and testing her semi-green thumb. Melissa and her husband Bill enjoy dancing when they can and love playing with their son, Finnegan.

12. 

    25 Aug 2024

    Brittany talks with GenOn colleague, Betsy Dishman

    GenOn’s Training Director, Betsy Dishman, also serves on staff at her local church in Virginia. Helping churches evaluate where they are with intergenerational ministry and guiding them to develop their own pathways to realize their specific vision and goals is her passion. Her favorite quote to explain her work is: “It’s a process, not a program!”

13. 

    11 Aug 2024

    Brittany talks with Lindsey Krinks

    Brittany has the opportunity to catch up with Lindsey Krinks (https://www.lindseykrinks.com/)—a street chaplain, activist, and nonprofit leader who has worked for over a decade on the front lines of social justice movements. She is the co-founder of Open Table Nashville (https://www.opentablenashville.org/), a nationally acclaimed interfaith homeless outreach nonprofit. Check out her book Praying With Our Feet: Pursuing Justice and Healing on the Streets (https://bookshop.org/p/books/praying-with-our-feet-pursuing-justice-and-healing-on-the-streets-lindsey-krinks/15154993?ean=9781587434587).

14. 

    1 Apr 2024

    Brittany talks with Rev. Fernie Rivera

    A native of Texas, pastor Fernie moved to Louisiana in 2015 after getting his MDiv at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. While living in Chicago, Fernie served at First UMC of Palatine as the Director of Contemporary Worship. His main responsibility was to recruit, hire, and train a team of people to launch a new worshipping community within the walls of a long-standing church. By the end of his time there, a new contemporary worship service had been launched, a partnership was built with Garrett-Evangelical to make the church a training ground for future pastors, a new breath of life was injected into that church, and the first mission trip the church had done in about 15 years was planned and executed to Detroit, MI.

15. 

    1 Apr 2024

    Brittany talks with Rev. Dr. Jennifer Strickland

    Rev. Dr. Jennifer Strickland is a Senior-Co Pastor of Claremont United Church of Christ, along with her husband. They are the proud parents of their (almost) 2-year-old daughter, 3 dogs, and 2 potbelly pigs. Jen is also the creator of This Little Light Ministries, through which she offers progressive Vacation Bible School curricula and worship liturgy. www.thislittlelightministries.com (http://www.thislittlelightministries.com)

16. 

    1 Apr 2024

    Brittany talks with Katie Lemaire

    Katie Lemaire is a Catholic writer, homeschooling mom of two, and military spouse currently stationed in California. Originally from South Louisiana, she takes great pride in her Cajun heritage and finds solace in a big bowl of seafood gumbo. Follow her writing on katiewonders.substack.com (http://katiewonders.substack.com/) and on Instagram @katiewonders (https://www.instagram.com/katiewonders/).

17. 

    1 Apr 2024

    Brittany talks with THE Brian McLaren

    Welcome to Messy but Graceful, a podcast where we explore God, spirituality, caregiving and parenting, and how those things change us, help us grow, and bring us closer to ourselves, our kids, and our God. In this second episode, Brittany Sky interviews Brian McLaren. Listen to hear his answers to the five questions Brittany asks all of her guests. Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a core faculty member and Dean of Faculty for the Center for Action and Contemplation. (https://cac.org/) and a podcaster with Learning How to See (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-how-to-see-brian-mclaren-jacqui-lewis-richard/id1532685433). He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow (http://auburnseminary.org/senior-fellows/) and is a co-host of Southern Lights (https://southernlightsconference.com/). His newest books are Faith After Doubt (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250262776) (January 2021), and Do I Stay Christian? (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250853035/doistaychristian)(May 2022). His next release, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250893277/life-after-doom), is available for pre-order now and will release in May 2024.

18. 

    1 Apr 2024

    Brittany Sky is interviewed by Christy Lynch

    Welcome to Messy but Graceful, a podcast where we explore God, spirituality, caregiving and parenting, and how those things change us, help us grow, and bring us closer to ourselves, our kids, and our God. In this first episode, you'll meet your host, Brittany Sky, and hear her answers to the five questions she asks all of her guests: Tell me a little about yourself. When you think about your personal spiritual journey, what comes to mind? What comes to mind when you think about caring for children? How has caring for children affected your spiritual journey? What advice did you wish you had when you were first raising kids that you know now? Join her and her BFF, Christy, to hear how she answers these questions, today at least. Brittany Sky (https://www.brittanyskymcray.com/) is a mama, writer, kids pastor, and researcher who loves kids and the adults who care for them. She holds a BA and MA in Christian Education and an MBA for good measure. Brittany is the author of Raising Good People (https://www.cokesburykids.com/free-resources/raising-good-people), the Celebrate Wonder Bible Storybook (https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9781501897252/), and the Bible Basics Storybook (https://www.cokesbury.com/9781501881497-Bible-Basics-Storybook), and a contributing author to Safer Sanctuaries (https://upperroombooks.com/book/safer-sanctuaries/) and the Deep Blue Bible Storybook (https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Blue-Bible-Storybook-Story/dp/1501848615), and countless curricula. She is the Project Director of the GenOn grant-funded Christian Parenting Project (https://genonfamilies.genonministries.org/) and serves at St. Ann's Episcopal Church. She lives in the land of the Cherokee (Nashville, TN) with her child, Rowan, her dog, Lily, and her two bunnies, Carl and Ellie.

Reach and audience

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

YouTube views

2,375

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

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

Quality

49

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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