Ericka Andersen

There are some interviews that make you step back and take a deep breath. That's how I felt before picking up the phone to speak with Kelly Trent, the mother of Tyler Trent -- a young man many became familiar with in 2018 when his battle with cancer went public. It wasn't his plan to make it so, but his invigorating spirit and zest for life couldn't be contained. Tyler became known as a Purdue superfan, as he decked out for Purdue football games even as he was extremely sick with Osteosarcoma. The team took notice of him -- but it wasn't just the fandom. Tyler's faith was a tangible part of his life, establishing his hope in something greater than this world. When he received a second diagnosis of cancer after being in remission for two … [Read more...]

Elaina Plott is the White House Correspondent for one of the best magazines in the country, The Atlantic. She's a fantastic writer with the right sense of curiosity and detail to capture the unique essence of a story or pen a brilliant profile. At only 26, she's got bylines in places you may only dream of (GQ, Harpers Bazaar, etc.) and now finds herself on staff at a magazine freelancers are dying to get a their names inside of. She joins brilliant journalists from the past 100+ years in putting together this monthly publication covering politics, culture and humanity from the most interesting, thoughtful angles you will find. I was fortunate enough to work with Elaina when we were both at National Review magazine and have followed … [Read more...]

Hospitality is making a comeback -- or perhaps really trending for the first time in America. I have caught the bug, being inspired to love my neighbors (both literal and stranger) as a way to show kindness and God's love. Leslie Verner has taken it up a notch -- living out a life of hospitality in beautiful ways -- taking from things she learned living 5 years overseas in China and traveling the world. She's not only tangibly living out love -- by inviting refugee friends into her home, welcoming lonely mom friends to a group outing, making food and offering a place of rest to new church members (to name a few things) -- she wrote about it all in her new book, "Invited: The Power of Hospitality an Age of Loneliness." The book is … [Read more...]

Lisa Graft's vision and enthusiasm for leading women is infectious. In the beginning of our conversation, I knew her only from her movement, I Am Mother of the Year. By the end, I realized her passion, drive and goals reach far beyond local moms -- she has a message for women across the country. Aside from being amazed at everything Lisa accomplishes (and doing it while also prioritizing 9 hours of sleep!), I was incredibly moved by how she's listened for and heard the voice of God guiding her in what she does. She's recognized her calling and gone for it. This isn't about building a following for her. It's about pursuing a dream God put in her heart to reach women -- often moms specifically -- about the lies they too often believe … [Read more...]