Matters of Soul Importance with Roxane Salonen

In this episode of “Matters of Soul Importance,” we ask, “Who was Ann Dahl?” Ann was many things: a southerner by origin who married a northerner and lived much of her life in North Dakota; a woman who was well-traveled, dedicated to her family, and who thirsted to know God better. Ann Dahl’s death in January 2023 caused the earth to heave, yet the majority of those listening to this podcast likely have never heard of her. That is true of most people in this world, yet that doesn’t mean their impact has been less than the most famous among us. Ann Dahl touched hearts, and she can touch ours today, for memory can traverse time and the spirit lives on. And if we’re willing to listen, the lives and impact of those who have left behind love can reach beyond the veil. Here, Ann Dahl’s husband, Howard, graciously shares some highlights of his beloved wife from his perspective. Vimeo clip of Ann in her own words, as shared during her funeral service on Jan. 28, 2023: https://vimeo.com/925207693#t=4714s  Visit Roxane's website: https://roxanesalonen.com/   

Why would a good God allow suffering? This question has been asked through every age, by all of humanity, and yet suffering seems to be an integral part of our being human. Since no one will get through this world without having gone through suffering of some kind, perhaps there is a way to bring it into a positive light? In this episode of “Matters of Soul Importance,” author and speaker Elizabeth Kelly takes us through her own journey of suffering, drawing us into the heart of its possible good purpose, looking to Jesus as a primary model. As one who has suffered the effects of both an autoimmune disease and, more recently, cancer, Elizabeth is not just talking the talk but walking the walk of suffering. What has she learned along the way? You might be surprised. You could even find hope. Addtional resources mentioned in this episode: Jesus Approaches (Elizabeth Kelly) Love Like a Saint (Elizabeth Kelly) The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur (Elisabeth Leseur) On the Meaning of Christian Suffering (John Paul II) Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro Saint Mary Mackillop Liz’s website: www.lizk.org

God is eager to reveal himself to us, and throughout the ages, humans have discovered God in many ways—including in good literature. In the Christian religion, God is described as “The Word,” which seems to imply that, from the get-go, God wants us to discover him through language.  In this episode of “Matters of Soul Importance,” Nancy Gourde, a retired English teacher who has shared good literature with hundreds of students through the years, explores the question, “Is God hiding in good literature?” Can we find God, and learn more about the divine, through reading a good story? If you’ve ever been moved by a good story or have searched ardently for God, this is one “lecture” that won’t put you to sleep. Visit Roxane’s website: https://www.roxanesalonen.com

As one of the millions of women who has endured an abortion, Jody Clemens is equipped to speak passionately about whether abortion is really healthcare, as so many these days contend. In the second part of this two-part interview, she illuminates how she arrived at the decision to end the life of her child, along with her shattering regret. Jody also shares how she found freedom after years of hiding her deep, dark secret. No matter what side of this issue you fall on, you’ll find fresh insight through Jody’s haunting yet hope-filled journey. Rachel’s Vineyard: https://www.rachelsvineyard.org/ And Then There Were None: https://abortionworker.com/ Forgiven and Set Free North Dakota: https://forgivenandsetfreend.com/ Women’s Care Center (local pregnancy resource and free ultrasounds):  https://www.womenscarecenter.org/fargo-north-dakota Does God Forgive Abortion? podcast, hosted by Brittany Poppe, co-facilitator of the Forgiven and Set Free Healing retreats: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/does-god-forgive-abortion-abortion-forgiveness-redemption/id1668717310

As one of the millions of women who has endured an abortion, Jody Clemens is equipped to speak passionately about whether abortion is really healthcare, as so many these days contend. In this interview, she illuminates how she arrived at the decision to end the life of her child, along with her shattering regret. Jody also shares how she found freedom after years of hiding her deep, dark secret. No matter what side of this issue you fall on, you’ll find fresh insight through Jody’s haunting yet hope-filled journey. Rachel’s Vineyard: https://www.rachelsvineyard.org/ And Then There Were None: https://abortionworker.com/ Forgiven and Set Free North Dakota: https://forgivenandsetfreend.com/ Women’s Care Center (local pregnancy resource and free ultrasounds):  https://www.womenscarecenter.org/fargo-north-dakota Does God Forgive Abortion? podcast, hosted by Brittany Poppe, co-facilitator of the Forgiven and Set Free Healing retreats: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/does-god-forgive-abortion-abortion-forgiveness-redemption/id1668717310

“Beauty can save the world.” It’s a phrase that has been uttered in recent decades by various writers. But what exactly does this mean? Can beauty be quantified? Can we agree on what is beautiful? And if so, can it save the world? How? In this episode, we touch on the three transcendentals of truth, beauty, and goodness. Though all are important factors in drawing us to the Faith, some have predicted that beauty is the one most needed today—and will win over our hearts in the end. We explore all this with Fr. Luke Meyer, pastor of Sts. Anne & Joachim Church in Fargo, North Dakota, including how beauty led him into the priesthood. Show notes: We referenced this document on beauty; from Pope Benedict XVI’s meeting with artists in the Sistine Chapel in 2009: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2009/november/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20091121_artisti.html This book was also noted: “A Severe Mercy”: https://a.co/d/8oEVUIQ  

On July 14, 2023, the community of Fargo, North Dakota, experienced what some have called the city’s 911 equivalent— an ambush of police officers who stopped to assist at a midday fender-bender. The frightening incident left one young officer dead and three others critically injured, but the shooter's plan to drive onward to the well-populated Fargo Street Fair was diverted. Did evil have the last word on that tragic day, when a shooter who’d been observing the scene raised the scope on his gun to his eye? Or was another force, perhaps a divine one, also actively present? In this episode, mothers-in-law of two of the four officers involved—including one who was injured and another who took down the shooter—reflect on where they sensed God’s presence that day.  The column I wrote following the shooting: https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/letter-miracle-on-25th-street-reveals-the-divine-hand The body camera footage of Zach Robinson taking down the shooter: https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/watch-body-camera-video-from-fargo-officer-who-killed-police-shooter-averted-possible-mass-shooting A song Heidi mentioned that helped her:  https://youtu.be/WXvp9HrHhDI?si=liD8QZG2GIQV-hrM The surrender novena Heidi mentioned, which her and her husband prayed on the way to Fargo: https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-surrender-novena/ The Divine Mercy chaplet Heidi mentioned: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/pray-the-chaplet Roxane’s website: https://www.roxanesalonen.com

In this episode, Roxane chats with Lutheran Pastor Devlyn Brooks about his faith and career journeys, and how they eventually merged, with the goal of answering whether these two spheres can rest comfortably together. Plain Talk, Episode #273 (Dec. 2021): Is America’s Religious Decline Good or Bad? https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/plain-talk-why-is-religion-declining-in-america Roxane’s column that followed: https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/salonen-does-faith-mean-loss-of-freedom Roxane’s website: https://www.roxanesalonen.com

She’s been interviewing people for decades now, turning those discussions into newspaper articles. Now, Roxane Salonen, faith writer, brings her conversations with guests to the podcast realm, taking on topics we’re told to avoid—religion and (occasionally) politics. Stop by for fresh episodes the first and third Fridays of the month, or anytime in between, to hear from guests as they ponder our earthly journey in light of eternity.   You can read more of Roxane's work here: https://www.inforum.com/roxane-b-salonen