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How do we learn to stay present? It’s easy to be overwhelmed by work, news cycles, social media, and struggles. Saying 'hello to here' is a practice that can help you settle into the moment. Putting aside distractions, phones, and hustles to stay conscious and connect to the people right in front of you is life-giving. We know there are a million reasons to stay stuck rehearsing the past or worrying about the future. In this episode, we hope to encourage you to find ways to stay present and close to the here and now. Connect with us on Instagram Www.Instagram.com/TiffanyBluhm Www.instagram.com/ashabercrombie

In light of the draft of the opinion written about Roe vs. Wade we thought it was important to share a conversation we had during our Faith and Politics series. One of the most divisive issues in America's Christian communities is the issue of abortion. We felt it was extremely important to cover this difficult topic because this matters to women, to families, and to us. As Sister Joan Chittister said, "I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion, that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don't? Because you don't want any tax money to go there. That's not pro-life. That's pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is." Pro-birth is not enough. We need to care for people from the womb to the tomb, to value all life, every color, nationality and gender, as made in the image of God. Today's episode, while not exhaustive, will focus on women, on thoughtfully considering what it would take to make abortion unnecessary, and what we can do to serve as compassionate people of faith. Shame is never a tool in our tool belt, but love is. As promised during the episode, here are a few videos, podcasts, and articles that will help you better understand the issue, as well as the history of evangelicals and single issue voting based on abortion politics. https://www.npr.org/2019/06/11/731664197/apocalypse-now https://www.facebook.com/1048186335224436/videos/581219142587470 https://www.ashabercrombie.org/old-fashioned-truth-telling/2019/01/25/the-stigma-shame-of-abortion https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a34339956/senator-gary-peters-abortion/?fbclid=IwAR2AL5hEOttv1EYk_xoFAl-R4ePiVpNiRMH7uIcRvLWUcYv3Ivq2hgR2Vyg Read Ashley's full story of abortion by downloading the first chapter of her book for free: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5dd813901bf52c00294a6826 Ashley's essay, "I am a Christian. I have had an abortion. I am pro-life from birth to death." https://ashleyabercrombie.substack.com/p/i-am-a-christian-i-have-had-an-abortion?s=r

Shame hinders us from admitting we have needs and limitations. We are trained from birth to hide or resent our needs, often because the adults in our lives teach us to do that. What if there's a better way? Dr. Amy Kenny, a disabled scholar and Shakespeare lecturer, joins us to teach us that better way. This is a vulnerable, generous, and transformative conversation. It will sit with you and stay with you. Share with friends and get a copy of this book for you and everyone you know!! More about your new best friend, Dr. Amy Kenny: Amy Kenny (PhD, University of Sussex) is a disabled scholar and a Shakespeare lecturer whose research focuses on medical and bodily themes in literature. Her work has been featured in Teen Vogue, The Mighty, The Audacity, and Sojourners. Kenny is a scribe for Freedom Road Institute for Leadership and Justice; serves on the mayor's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce in California; coordinates support for people experiencing homelessness in her neighborhood; and is currently co-launching Jubilee Homes OC, a permanent supportive housing initiative in her local community. Order Amy's book, My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church https://amzn.to/3vqJwpm

Disability is part of life. We don't talk about it enough, so we invited our favorite teacher, Dr. Amy Kenny to join us for a two-part episode. We talk about our common worship of productivity and achievement and how that impacts people of varying abilities. Dr. Amy reminds us that disability is not a metaphor for weakness and introduces us to the idea that our needs are too often synonymous with shame. YOU WANT TO SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. TRUST US. More about your new best friend, Dr. Amy Kenny: Amy Kenny (PhD, University of Sussex) is a disabled scholar and a Shakespeare lecturer whose research focuses on medical and bodily themes in literature. Her work has been featured in Teen Vogue, The Mighty, The Audacity, and Sojourners. Kenny is a scribe for Freedom Road Institute for Leadership and Justice; serves on the mayor's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce in California; coordinates support for people experiencing homelessness in her neighborhood; and is currently co-launching Jubilee Homes OC, a permanent supportive housing initiative in her local community. Order Amy's book, My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church https://amzn.to/3vqJwpm

A Why Tho favorite episode about the small things that are keeping us going. Per usual, we are extra typical elder millennials. Prepare yourself for “clearly struggling with life” things like Facebook Marketplace and shoe inserts. Bless our little hearts. What’s keeping you alive and full of hope these days? Send us a message on Instagram so we can add them to our list! As promised here is Tiffany’s tahini dressing recipe: 2 tbsp of each of the following blended together: tahini, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos www.instagram.com/ashabercrombie www.instagram.com/Tiffanybluhm

America might be 50 states (plus Puerto Rico) but it might as well be several small countries. The regional wars are real. Coastal elites, the Midwest, Bible Belt, southern states and the North East unbelievably fit into one nation. Still, we find ourselves divided. Understanding is needed about the people we are, the values we hold, and how geography informs our reality. Here’s what’s cool: America is often portrayed as red and blue, but purple is actually closer to the truth. We’re more connected than we realize. Links from today: https://www.businessinsider.com/the-11-nations-of-the-united-states-2015-7 https://purplestatesofamerica.org Books: The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

It's been a long winter and we are ready for spring. Things are blooming, the weather is warming, and thank God, it feels like we're returning to normalcy. Okay, things are still not normal, but we're getting there. Today's episode is about hope, resilience, making a lot with a little, calming our American behinds down, and finding the light in the darkness of winter. We're with you listeners, and we're for you. You're not alone out there. Now, come and tell us if you prefer Beyonce or Destiny's Child: www.instagram.com/ashabercrombie www.instagram.com/tiffanybluhm

If you were looking for a laugh, you have come to the right place. Today’s episode is not only hilarious, but full of wisdom. Too often we suppress, ignore, or avoid our humanity instead of embracing it. The crazy things we go through, the hilarious antics of childhood (or adulthood), our stories, and insecurities are sometimes swallowed up by our desire to be perceived as holy or good or perfect. We’ve got good news, there’s no sacred and secular. We are each our own person, carrying our stories, and doing our best to live life with a measure of courage and hope. We don’t have to pretend or forsake ourselves to be loved by God or others. It feels that way sometimes, sure, but the truth is, humanity is something to be embraced, not rejected. It’s the thing that actually keeps us connected. We’re rooting for you friends and super thankful you’re here! www.tiffanybluhm.com www.ashabercrombie.org

In addition to Daylight Savings Time legislation passing (HOORAY!) we're delighted to introduce you to our guest on the podcast today, Mary Marantz. Get ready for a rich conversation about the expectations of others and our "who" being more important than our "do". Mary's new devotional, Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots is a huge help to every achiever facing the internal turmoil of feeling like nothing is ever enough. Mary grew up in a trailer in rural West Virginia. The first of her family to go to college, she went on to earn a master's degree in moral philosophy and a law degree from Yale. After turning down six-figure-salary law firm offers in London and New York and starting a business with her husband, Justin, together they have gone on to build a successful online education platform for thousands of creative entrepreneurs worldwide. The best selling author of Dirt (an ECPA finalist for Memoir of the Year), Mary is also the host of the highly ranked podcast The Mary Marantz Show, which debuted in the iTunes Top 200. She and Justin live in a 1880s fixer-upper by the sea in New Haven, Connecticut, with their two very fluffy golden retrievers, Good Speed and Atticus. Take Mary's quiz: What's your achiever type? www.achieverquiz.com You can also learn more about her devotional - get a copy for you and a friend! You won't regret it!

It’s International Women’s History Month and we pulled an oldie but goodie out of the archives. Maybe you need a reminder that difficult days don’t last forever. We’re playing the long game of life. Tiffany was having a particularly difficult day of parenting when she felt a little whisper: this is a long game. A very helpful whisper indeed, because life is a marathon, not a sprint, and even though we have moments to run hard, we must constantly pull ourselves up from the fray, from the discouraging bad days to acknowledge that the overall arc of our life is likely quite positive. Ashley averages one movie every two years, and recently saw the Toni Morrison documentary, The Pieces I Am, where she too, was reminded of the long game of life: to do what it takes daily and to not only endure, but to build a legacy that inspires others. In our rejection and failure, mountaintops and valleys, dreams fulfilled and dreams delayed, we need to press on in our calling, relationships, and purpose. This is a long game of life and we've got to live it with integrity, grace, and conviction. You're building something beautiful and we're here to cheer you on with this week's episode of Why Tho. Subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend, it helps others find the show. To find out more about Tiffany's writing, speaking, or books visit her site at http://www.tiffanybluhm.com/ Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanybluhm/ To find out more about Ashley's writing, speaking, or books visit her site at https://ashabercrombie.org/ Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashabercrombie/

Since we've learned that failure is a part of life, we wanted to offer some practicals for dealing with failure, the big fails and the small ones. Facing shame is a critical way to lessen the grip that failure has on us. We're told that we're not enough. That if we mess up, it's over. That if we don't do things perfectly, there will be no path forward. It's bull crap and we're here to say that if you're human, you'll fail. And sometimes failure leads to freedom. We love you listeners and this month, we're inviting you to join us for the Ezer Collective in Southern California April 21-23! Our friend Jo Saxton is hosting round tables for women in all sectors of society. If you're leading, this is your jam: a time for connection and refreshment, with practical tools and good humans to help you on your path. For more information: https://www.josaxton.com/ezer-collective To sign up now: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/josaxton You can use the special Why Tho promo code PODCAST for $50 off registration. We can't wait to see you there!

First of all, gospel is the music of heaven. We will not hear another side. Second, it is a joy to celebrate black history. Our black brothers and sisters have given us a rich legacy of connectedness and joy, endurance and laughter. In today's episode, Ashley and Tiffany share what they have learned from the black community. What mindsets are important for the future as we advocate and walk together towards justice? How can we see ourselves as creators of a new world in our parenting, working, and worshipping? Black is beautiful and we'll be the first to say so. Resources to go deeper: Toni Morrison - The Pieces I Am Documentary The Very Good Gospel and Fortune - both by Lisa Sharon Harper Reading While Black - Esau McCaulley Let Justice Roll Down - Dr. John Perkins The Black Church - PBS documentary The 1619 Project by the NY Times

Why are we so afraid to fail? SOME REALLY GOOD REASONS. Maybe you were raised in a home where mistakes were not allowed, or you had a boss who threatened to fire you for the smallest things. Maybe you've experienced loss of relationship or reputation because of a personal failure. We know what we stand to lose. That's why we're afraid to fail. But here's what we've learned: Failure is part of being human. There's no way around it. Failure can be a gift and failure can lead to growth. We need to normalize mistakes, setbacks, and failures. Because nobody's perfect. Love Why Tho? Take a minute to rate the show! Wanna support the hosts? (WHY WOULDN'T YOU?) Buy their new books: Prey Tell: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CJ6WDP1 Love Is the Resistance: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Resistance-Disagree-Conflicts-Avoiding-ebook/dp/B08MXZW8BG

Pretend it's the year 2002, "Hot in Herre" by Nelly is topping the charts, belly button rings are in, and the Star Wars prequels are proving underwhelming. What a time to be alive! Now, if you could go back in time, what would you champion in your life 20 years ago? Mentorship, investment into friendships, or maybe walking away from toxic spaces? It's never too late to examine where in our lives we can grow! We are wild about you, Why Tho fam! Want to support Why Tho? Rate and review the show! Want to support Ashley and Tiffany? Buy their books, share this episode, or send a note to say hello! www.ashabercrombie.org www.tiffanybluhm.com

People say “change is the name of the game.” Maybe that’s a phrase that should die right alongside “unprecedented times”. Because how about NO CHANGE and PRECEDENTED TIMES? Today, we talk about the pivots we’ve made collectively since Covid changed our lives in March of 2020. We also share how we’ve navigated pivots personally. Career changes, family dynamics, loss of friendship and community, and more. Pivot is our middle name. Probably yours, too. If you need practical help and creative ways of thinking about change, this episode is for you. Want to support Why Tho? Rate and review the show! Want to support Ashley and Tiffany? Buy their books, share this episode, or send a note to say hello! www.ashabercrombie.org www.tiffanybluhm.com

We’re laughing to keep from crying this week 'cause what is the world we are living in? It’s good to remember that low expectations of the times we are living in doesn’t mean no expectations. How do we dig deep for joy? What does it look like to listen to our bodies? Is there anything we need to pay attention to that we might be (unintentionally) ignoring? Keep fighting the good fight Why Tho fam. You are not alone! As mentioned in this episode, the very out there Pinterest predictions: https://business.pinterest.com/pinterest-predicts/ Come say hi to Tiffany and Ashley: www.Instagram.com/Tiffanybluhm www.Instagram.com/ashabercrombie

Social media is a source of connection in our lives. Love it or hate it (maybe both) it’s here to stay. In today’s episode, we’re processing what it looks like to participate in online communities without them running our lives. - How can we be mindful media consumers? - What does it mean to be a good internet neighbor? - What should we tolerate and what should we say no to? - Are we engaged in cultivating friendship in-person as a primary way of being known? We don’t have it all figured out (who does?) but we want to live healthy lives rooted in relationships. We bet you do too. Want to support the Why Tho show? Rate and review the podcast! Did you know Tiffany and Ashley write books? Pick up your copies today: www.tiffanybluhm.com www.ashabercrombie.org/book

The people around you matter. Who’s on your team? Who’s in your corner? What do you need from them? What do they need from you? This got us thinking about draft picks. Not because we understand sports, but because if it was possible to hand pick people from any sector of society (OR TV BECAUSE TED LASSO IS WELL REPRESENTED HERE), we’d do it. Maybe the people you’d pick reveal something about the type of person you need in your real life. Here’s our six draft picks for our home teams. Schools and businesses are closing again and today marks one year since the insurrection on the Capitol. There’s a familiar feeling in the air. While we’re not in the same place, it’s important to push past the sadness and fear to be in relationship with others. To cultivate more of what you need and love. We’re here for you! Thanks for joining us in 2022. Stop playing and tell your friends. Then, rate or review the Why Tho podcast. It helps others find the show!

Why make impossible resolutions? If you haven’t worked out for more than an hour in 2021, why do you think you can handle an hour a day in 2022? This is our annual anti-resolution resolution episode. Ten things to stop doing in the new year, such as, but not limited to: - Pleasing people who cannot be pleased - Saying yes when you want to say no - Living in perpetual disappointment because you can’t communicate your expectations - Buying things on Instagram We’re sure we could have given you a list of things to START doing but you probably have enough of those. Starting some of the best habits in life begin with quitting some of the worst ones. Good luck and Godspeed. May 2022 not be quite the Jack leg that her two predecessors have been. For more humor and shenanigans, follow Ashley and Tiffany on Instagram: www.Instagram.com/ashabercrombie www.Instagram.com/tiffanybluhm

Let’s talk about why Rose from Titanic just trusts that her chat buddy is not a serial killer and swaps houses with Cameron Diaz. Let’s also discuss the unnecessary naked plot line in Love Actually and let’s decide which team you are on. Love Actually or The Holiday? Christmas is in TWO DAYS and we’re here to bring you all the laughter, parenting advice you don’t need yet, and solid coaching on not consuming stuff that makes you cry in your cornflakes. Enjoy! We welcome your comments on Instagram: www.Instagram.com/TiffanyBluhm www.Instagram.com/ashabercrombie Happy Christmas Why Tho fam. You’re our favorite!