The Thing with Feathers: birds and hope with Courtney Ellis

Courtney Ellis

Stories, experts, and special guests on how birds help us keep looking up. courtneyellis.substack.com

  1. 5d ago

    124: Loving like a Mother

    Elizabeth Berget is the author of the beautiful new book Love Like a Mother: How the Sacred Work of Motherhood Reveals the Maternal Heart of God. If you are a mom, work with moms, are married to a mom, or have a mom (is that everyone? I think it’s everyone), this book will be a wonderful encouragement to you. From pregnancy to birth to adoption, from trauma to delight, from compassion to strength, Berget walks us through the ways mothers show, work out, and experience God’s deep love through the work of carrying, caring for, and raising children. Friends, there are so many books written about Christian motherhood that are reductionistic, anemic, or even just silly. This one is deep. It’s rich. It’s theologically meaty. Elizabeth Berget is a student of Scripture and a fantastic writer. I truly can’t recommend it enough. Plus—this cover! Be still, my heart! Check out Elizabeth’s other work at her SubStack or Instagram. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

    41 min

  2. Jun 1

    123: The Joy of Living Within Limits

    Caleb Cray Haynes and I first connected when we realized Ben Lowe, Executive Director at the Christian conservation ministry La Rocha blurbed both of our books, which came out around the same time. I read Caleb’s new book, Earthbound Christian, and loved it. He read my newest, Weathering Change, and said the same. Then I invited him on my podcast and he invited me on his and then we realized—this is an amazing opportunity for a crossover event! So today I am delighted to bring you a joint episode of “The Thing With Feathers” and Caleb’s show, “The eco-Christian Podcast.” Join us as we figure out how to be both interviewer and interviewee, discussing the overlap between our books and what it means to live faithfully within our limits. And do checkout The eco-Christian podcast. It’s a delight! Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

    47 min

  3. May 18

    122: Ryan Hamm on Open Doors and Fearing Birds, Live from Lakeside Chautauqua

    Ryan Hamm is the Global Head of Content for Open Doors International, an organization that cares for persecuted Christians around the world. He joined me live at Lakeside Chautauqua to chat about his fear of birds (yes, really), where he’s finding hope in the midst of a world that’s burning, and why ducks are the friendliest of all avian sorts. Plus: how we might support Christians around the world who fear for their livelihoods or even their lives. Many thanks to Ryan for joining me for this special episode, and to Lakeside for the invitation to speak during Birding’s Biggest Week. My heart is full, and this episode is both wrenching and joyful. I can’t wait to share it with you. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

    45 min

  4. Apr 20

    120: Blessing One Another

    Kim Knowle-Zeller is a Lutheran minister as well as the author, most recently, of Small Steps: Blessings to Lift Your Soul on the Pilgrimage of Life. Small Steps comes out May 5 with Morehouse Publishing, and it is such a beautiful and important book. Kim stopped by the show to talk about what a blessing is, how might we bless one another, and the power of a simple blessing to encourage and hearten us all. As a pastor, I enjoyed reflecting on the influence our words and prayers can have when they are used to lift others up. As a parent, she inspired me to find gentle ways to bless my children. As a birder, I give a wholehearted amen to Kim’s reminder that framing the little joys and graces in our lives as God’s blessings can help remind us of the source of our delight. Plus: we chat about Red-winged Blackbirds, the joy of a Midwestern spring, the Peace Corps, and why in God’s economy nothing is wasted. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min

  5. Apr 6

    119: The Blackbird Ballad (poet Liv Ross)

    Liv Ross is a monastic poet based in Missouri. Her most recent epic poem, The Blackbird Ballad, is a festival of mystery and intrigue interspersed, as is true of most good poems, with the ordinary things of life. It comes out this Eastertide with Solum Literary Press. Today on the show, Liv joins us to talk about faithfulness, backyard birds, writing poetry, the goodness of God, and so much more. I enjoyed everything about this conversation, and I just know that you will, too. Find out more about Liv at The Abbey of Curiosity, read more of her work with Solum Literary Press here and check out The Blackbird Ballad! Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

    36 min

  6. Mar 23

    118: The State of Ecology

    Professor, ornithologist, and wildlife ecologist Tim O’Connell joins us on the show today to chat about birds, spring migration, the Wilson Ornithological Society, and what he’s seeing in Oklahoma this time of year. Tim is a great storyteller, from a random birder he picked up one day on the side of the road (and lived to tell the tale!) to interactions with his students, his professional societies, and the little delights birding brings him. Check out his YouTube where he puts together educational birdy videos or follow him over on Twitter where he is just as delightful. PLUS: one more hilarious story about why the Louisiana Waterthrush is the pinnacle of avian evolution. (Or is it?) Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

    50 min

  7. Mar 9

    117: Birding as a Spiritual Practice (Ragan Sutterfield)

    I could have talked to Ragan Sutterfield all day long. An Episcopal priest by trade, he is also a reviewer for e-Bird in Arkansas. Ragan is a wealth of wisdom, kindness, and birdy-knowledge. He wrote the fabulous new book, Watch and Wonder: Birding as a Spiritual Practice, with Broadleaf Press. Ragan’s perspective on birds, birding, and God is deep and wide and welcoming and filled with delight. The way he weaves together faith, nature, neighborliness, and the liturgical year is profoundly beautiful. I’m excited to share this conversation with you, and I hope you’ll give Ragan’s fantastic new book a look. It’s a gem. Watch and Wonder comes out next week, but you can preorder it today anywhere books are sold. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

    43 min

  8. Feb 23

    116: Feasting on Hope with Hannah Miller King

    Hannah Miller King is a brilliant writer and Anglican priest living in North Carolina. She’s the author of the brand-new book (just came out on February 17 with IVP!) Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness. I devoured it in one sitting and I was so excited to get the chance to ask Hannah all about it. From her ecumenical childhood in different denominations to the death of her father while she was still young, Hannah shares a story of discovering the richness, complexity, and grace of God through the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. (Or the Eucharist. Or communion, depending on your theological tradition.) This book resists the urge to move toward easy answers or simple platitudes. Within its pages, Hannah acknowledges doubt, fear, uncertainty, and deep loss. She is a good and faithful guide into these far countries, while never leaving us without hope. I loved this book and this conversation, and I know that you will, too. Plus, her favorite bird surprised me in the most delightful way. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min
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4.9
out of 5
55 Ratings

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Stories, experts, and special guests on how birds help us keep looking up. courtneyellis.substack.com

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