Ericka Andersen

Purity culture. It's affected me in so many ways, so I was excited to chat with Rachel Welcher about this important topic covered in her new book, "Talking Back to Purity Culture." Rachel is also the editor of Fathom Magazine, a poet and has a Masters in Theology. This book spoke to me is SO many ways. I grew up in the thick of purity culture and have suffered a lot of damage thanks to the misguided lessons I internalized as a teenager. From sexual purity youth rock conferences to purity rings and awful lies, we talk about it all in this interview. Rachel has interviewed so many women, and had her own experience with the deception of purity culture. We talk about how you talk with your kids, how to deal with Church … [Read more...]

It's Election Day and humility is about a million miles away. But I kind of wish we'd all bold caps that word -- HUMILITY -- and look at it before we begin each day. I've seen comments from those who think civility is overrated, that looking towards unity is unhelpful, that one's character is in question if you vote for [Trump/Biden]. People are desperate and frustrated, angry and sad. It's easy to forget that in our emotion, we can lose our humility and rather than looking UP, we look inside and all around and we lose our focus.  Parties and Policies In the past few weeks, I've seen bold declarations from former conservative Republican Christians who now identify as Democrats, imploring friends to understand why they believe … [Read more...]

Join me for a conversation with my friend Angelise Schrader, a writer and mom of almost 3 -- her third is due in a few weeks -- and also mother to a little boy battling cancer. Today, I speak with Angelise about her son's diagnosis at the age of 18 months, and the journey they've been on as the cancer has left and returned three times. As I've watched Angelise through this from afar online, I've been fascinated and inspired by her great faith in God to uphold her family. In this conversation, she reveals what it felt like to get that first diagnosis, how she manages her emotions each day and how her son inspires her with his strength and faith in God, as well. We also talk about handling decisions in marriage when you … [Read more...]