Cultivate the Ordinary

Travis and Jessie Vangsnes

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!

  1. Jul 16

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

    Ever feel like life has lost its glow? This episode is all about reigniting that wonder—finding awe in the everyday and living alive with shiny eyes. Travis shares heartfelt stories, inspiring quotes, and powerful reflections on how wonder is essential to truly thriving as humans created in the image of a wondrous God. Travis includes a heartfelt reading from his book Shiny Eyes, focusing on the theme: “Sparkling with Awe and Wonder.” Pickup a copy of "Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope" https://a.co/d/0a3g6lrY That's So Rad! Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-rad/id1810887342 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thatissorad Transforming Us Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transforming-us/id1823554264 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@transformingus Stay at their Airbnb retreat: https://www.facebook.com/shinyeyesretreat In this episode: Travis shares his personal journey of re-engaging with wonder after a break from podcasting and life.The importance of cultivating awe in everyday moments to avoid living on autopilot and the dangers of disenchantment.How living with a sense of wonder can lead us to a more meaningful, full life—featuring stories of an 80-year-old woman and mountain biking in East Tennessee.The significance of being “enchanted” by the world around us, inspired by Gerard Manley Hopkins and Joseph Pieper.Richard Beck’s insights on the spiritual power of wonder and the impact of disenchantment in modern culture.The transformative power of awe in slowing down, noticing beauty, and living with a sense of sacredness.Practical tips for cultivating awe through attention, seasonal practices, and intentionally seeking the marvelous in the mundane.The call to embrace joy, curiosity, and wonder as acts of worship—living fully alive as a divine act.Final encouragement: see God in your daily life, and let wonder be your lens for a richer, more vibrant existence.

  2. 12/31/2025

    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.

  3. 02/19/2025

    The Power of Gratitude and How It Can Change Our Lives

    In this episode of Cultivate the Ordinary, host Travis discusses the transformative power of gratitude, especially in the face of personal struggles. He shares his family's recent challenges, including health scares involving his brother, and how these experiences have deepened his appreciation for life's gifts. Through a heartfelt story about his favorite band Carbon Leaf, Travis illustrates the importance of connection and gratitude in difficult times. Times that God is nearer to us than we often feel, and orchestrates gifts and unexpected moments to encourage us in our difficulties. He also shares about the discipline of trying to find more gratitude in the small everyday moments of life. He emphasizes that joy often stems from gratitude and encourages listeners to recognize and cherish the small moments that make life meaningful. Checkout some of Carbon Leaf's music: https://youtu.be/4BItUurqpsw?si=p_dDnDgmJQyAzRGn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlhlHsGE6as Travis's book: Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope Takeaways Gratitude can spark a sense of aliveness.Personal struggles can deepen our appreciation for life.Connection with others can provide comfort during tough times.Gratitude is a discipline that can be cultivated.Finding joy in small moments is essential.Living in radical amazement can transform our perspective.Gratitude can help us navigate through suffering.The little things in life often become the big things.Being grateful for one thing a day can change our outlook.Joy is rooted in gratitude, not the other way around.

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

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!