Ericka Andersen

The Coronavirus will live in our memories for a lifetime. I am pre-fascinated by the analytical reports and cultural commentaries that will emerge based on an unpredictable worldwide epidemic. What will it say about our communities, our humanity, our assumptions and biases? What will it say about our churches and our government, our healthcare and our human fragility?   Weeks ago, we’d never have believed the NBA would be cancelled, colleges would be shut down, public schools would be closed indefinitely. That the stock market would tank, families who rely on hourly work and have no childcare would be in dire straits and the sick and elderly would be terrified, relegated to their homes.   The nursing homes are quarantine … [Read more...]

The new song, "The Blessing" from Kari Jobe and Elevation Worship, is that for me right now. Released just 6 days ago, the video has over 1.5 million views and trust me, you want to watch the video. As a parent, the song resonated even more deeply, given it's intentional focus on blessing the next generation and beyond. Worship is best with others I've heard corporate worship -- especially in a massive stadium like this -- compared to a drug. Culture writer Jia Tolentino wrote that drugs and religion "both provide a path toward transcendence, a way of accessing an extra-human world of rapture and pardon." And, of course, Marx famous called religion "the opiate of the masses." Whatever higher minds think about it, a sober high is … [Read more...]

Gracy Olmstead is a beautiful writer, her pieces published regularly in the New York Times and many others. As someone who ingests thousands of words per week, I make a point never to miss hers. She's writes about culture, faith, politics, policy, farming, food and more -- and does so with a voice all her own. Her pieces are often focused on compromise, human dignity and life and she has a knack for luring in both sides of an issue and helping them hear one another. So important! Gracy is the mom of two little girls and grew up in rural Idaho. She's now in Virginia, where she gardens, bakes, writes and stays at home with her girls. In today's interview, we talk about the freelance writing lie and her process for coming up with ideas, … [Read more...]