Advertise on podcast: The Thing with Feathers: birds and hope with Courtney Ellis

Amanda Sparkman is a professor of biology at Westmont College, an author of books for children and young adults (and adults like me who love young adult literature!), and a passionate student of the natural world. Her delight in the creatures she studies is beautifully evident in our conversation. Join us for this lovely podcast as we cover the adaptability of Acorn Woodpeckers, the beauty of marrying science and literature, and the hope we find when we look to God’s good creation. Plus: why California Towhees are just so darned special. You can find Amanda’s beautiful books on her website, Amazon, or wherever books are sold. (The Wild Neighbors series is also available in Spanish, and the young adult novels are free to listen to on Spotify.) Her scientific research is available here, and really delightful, too. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

I first got to know Paul Willis as a kind grandfather who occasionally attended my church. He and his wife Sharon lived up in central California, but when they were down here visiting their children and grandchildren, they’d sit right in the front pew, always with a warm, kind word for me after the service. Then I discovered over time that Paul had a list of credentials longer than my arm. As so many wise, brilliant, truly kind people do, he never led with this. He wanted to hear about me. About our church. About what I’d been reading. The loveliest people tend to make you feel like you are the most interesting thing in the room. But little by little, I learned that Paul was a professor emeritus in English at Westmont College. That he’d been a poet-in-residence through the national park system. That he’d served as the Poet Laureate for the city of Santa Barbara. And I started to pick up his books and poetry. Oh, what poetry. Paul has been formed by his time in the Cascades and the Sierras, national parks and national forests, and by a deep love and knowledge of literature. And an even deeper love for the Lord. Our conversation is a gift, and it’s one I’m so excited to share with you today. Check out more of Paul’s work at his website, and his most recent anthology of collected writings around Advent and Christmas here. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

I first met Seth Wieck in person at the 2024 Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin University. We had a thirty second encounter where he held a door for me in his red raincoat (Michigan in April can be a little fickle when it comes to the weather) and we exchanged a greeting. That was it. The Festival is one of those places where the sheer volume of interesting people can be overwhelming. The halls are filled with New York Times bestselling authors, literary agents who can change your life, poets and illustrators and journalists. It can be rich and rewarding but it can also be grasping and schmoozy. I’d followed Seth on social media for a bit and loved both his read alouds—poetry delivered by memory in a Texas panhandle accent, usually while driving—and his recommendations. He’s the one who first put Chera Hammons, the fabulous poet we had on the show a few weeks back, on my radar. In those few seconds I realized, oh, Seth is exactly who he is online in person, too. One of the good ones. A person who loves language because language is fascinating and transcendent and gritty and strange. Someone who has been married for twenty years and working on his poetry for even longer. A well-read writer eager to encourage other writers, happy to share the literary joy. When I heard he had a new book (his first, I believe) coming out, I could not wait to get my hands on it. These are poems he’s been working on for over two decades. I tore through it on its release day, leaving the dishes to soak in the kitchen and I don’t regret a moment of it. My friends, Call Out Coyote is a gift. It’s a treasure. It will take you through the arid landscapes of Texas, down to each parent’s greatest fear, and up to the heights of what it means to buy into a community for decades. There are coyotes and hawks, rattlesnakes and sparrows. There is death and light and love and longing. I’m so excited to share today’s conversation with you. Check out Call Out wherever books are sold. (I’m a fan of ordering directly from Wiseblood Books, as they do fabulous work and you might stumble upon another new favorite while you’re there.) Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Stéphanie Rousselle, founder of Gospel Spice Ministries, came on the show today to talk about her brand new book, Awaken Delight: Satisfying Your Soul’s Longing for God, out just a few weeks ago with InterVarsity Press. Our wide-ranging conversation covered her childhood, growing up as an atheist in France, to her conversion to Christianity as a young adult, to discovering the deep delights offered to us in Christ. Plus: a deep dive into the two French words for hope and why understanding a bit about them can help us engage with the hope God offers us. Rousselle is a passionate believer in chocolate, sleep, and the goodness of God. She’s also a little bit in love with Northern Cardinals. Listen along to find out why. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Becky McCoy knows a thing or two about being weary. Her story winds through years of striving, widowhood, long Covid, depression, and single parenting. In the midst of seasons of real suffering, she longed to connect more deeply with God. Yet so many books on spiritual practices told her to do more or try harder or just make time. What if there was a better way? McCoy turned to the ancient rhythms of the church to find grace and connection in seasons of her own upheaval. If you, like me, resonate with longing for a faith that is about being with rather than doing for, you will love her new book, In the Company of the Weary. Becky and I talked about everything from the hope we’ve encountered in understanding the gentleness of Jesus, birdwatching during the pandemic, puffins (PUFFINS!), and the grace of paying attention. Plus, some rad spiritual practices I’d never really explored before. (Visio divina? Rule of life? Tell me more!) McCoy is a kind, wise guide and I can’t wait to share this conversation with you today. What about you—do you have a favorite spiritual practice? I’d love to hear about it! Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Chera Hammons has quite the story. From the ashes of an abusive marriage and subsequent divorce, she has found solace, hope, and perspective from the natural world. Her newest collection of poetry, Birds of America: poems, is gritty, gripping, and filled with grace. I couldn’t put it down. Join me for this special conversation with Hammons as she reads her poems, tells her stories, and delves into the glimmers of hope that shine through even the darkest nights of the soul. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever wondered how birding in America truly began? You may have a few names in mind—people like Audubon or Wilson or Lewis and Clark. But have you ever heard of Mark Catesby? Patrick Dean joins us on the show today to chat about his new book Nature’s Messenger: Mark Catesby and His Adventures in a New World. This book was such a delightful discovery of the life of a naturalist pioneer in America in the early 1700s. From Catesby’s beginnings as English gentility to his landing in North Carolina in 1722 to his exploration of the natural world in what would come to be known as the American South, Dean’s book is a thorough, fascinating, and engaging read. It even has pirates! PLUS: we chat about why Dean believes the Ivory-billed Woodpecker might still be out there. I loved the book and this conversation, and I know you will, too! Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Amar D. Peterman is a theology student, a fellow Wisconsinite (go Badgers!), and a big believer in the power of loving our neighbors as ourselves. His wonderful new book, Becoming Neighbors: The Common Good Made Local, is new with Eerdmans. Within it he describes what it means to come to the table, build community, and live as neighbors. I so appreciated Amar’s wisdom in this conversation. As a pastor and a parent, I think a lot about finding ways to build community within my own neighborhood and helping my congregation and my kids learn to do the same. From potlucks to block parties, pausing for conversation to accepting hospitality, Amar’s book is both theological and practical. Find more of Amar’s writing on his website or SubStack. And if you’re interested in a free copy of his book, check out my giveaway over on my Instagram. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Elizabeth Berget is the author of the beautiful new book Love Like a Mother: How the Sacred Work of Motherhood Reveals the Maternal Heart of God. If you are a mom, work with moms, are married to a mom, or have a mom (is that everyone? I think it’s everyone), this book will be a wonderful encouragement to you. From pregnancy to birth to adoption, from trauma to delight, from compassion to strength, Berget walks us through the ways mothers show, work out, and experience God’s deep love through the work of carrying, caring for, and raising children. Friends, there are so many books written about Christian motherhood that are reductionistic, anemic, or even just silly. This one is deep. It’s rich. It’s theologically meaty. Elizabeth Berget is a student of Scripture and a fantastic writer. I truly can’t recommend it enough. Plus—this cover! Be still, my heart! Check out Elizabeth’s other work at her SubStack or Instagram. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Caleb Cray Haynes and I first connected when we realized Ben Lowe, Executive Director at the Christian conservation ministry La Rocha blurbed both of our books, which came out around the same time. I read Caleb’s new book, Earthbound Christian, and loved it. He read my newest, Weathering Change, and said the same. Then I invited him on my podcast and he invited me on his and then we realized—this is an amazing opportunity for a crossover event! So today I am delighted to bring you a joint episode of “The Thing With Feathers” and Caleb’s show, “The eco-Christian Podcast.” Join us as we figure out how to be both interviewer and interviewee, discussing the overlap between our books and what it means to live faithfully within our limits. And do checkout The eco-Christian podcast. It’s a delight! Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Ryan Hamm is the Global Head of Content for Open Doors International, an organization that cares for persecuted Christians around the world. He joined me live at Lakeside Chautauqua to chat about his fear of birds (yes, really), where he’s finding hope in the midst of a world that’s burning, and why ducks are the friendliest of all avian sorts. Plus: how we might support Christians around the world who fear for their livelihoods or even their lives. Many thanks to Ryan for joining me for this special episode, and to Lakeside for the invitation to speak during Birding’s Biggest Week. My heart is full, and this episode is both wrenching and joyful. I can’t wait to share it with you. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Kim Knowle-Zeller is a Lutheran minister as well as the author, most recently, of Small Steps: Blessings to Lift Your Soul on the Pilgrimage of Life. Small Steps comes out May 5 with Morehouse Publishing, and it is such a beautiful and important book. Kim stopped by the show to talk about what a blessing is, how might we bless one another, and the power of a simple blessing to encourage and hearten us all. As a pastor, I enjoyed reflecting on the influence our words and prayers can have when they are used to lift others up. As a parent, she inspired me to find gentle ways to bless my children. As a birder, I give a wholehearted amen to Kim’s reminder that framing the little joys and graces in our lives as God’s blessings can help remind us of the source of our delight. Plus: we chat about Red-winged Blackbirds, the joy of a Midwestern spring, the Peace Corps, and why in God’s economy nothing is wasted. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Liv Ross is a monastic poet based in Missouri. Her most recent epic poem, The Blackbird Ballad, is a festival of mystery and intrigue interspersed, as is true of most good poems, with the ordinary things of life. It comes out this Eastertide with Solum Literary Press. Today on the show, Liv joins us to talk about faithfulness, backyard birds, writing poetry, the goodness of God, and so much more. I enjoyed everything about this conversation, and I just know that you will, too. Find out more about Liv at The Abbey of Curiosity, read more of her work with Solum Literary Press here and check out The Blackbird Ballad! Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

Professor, ornithologist, and wildlife ecologist Tim O’Connell joins us on the show today to chat about birds, spring migration, the Wilson Ornithological Society, and what he’s seeing in Oklahoma this time of year. Tim is a great storyteller, from a random birder he picked up one day on the side of the road (and lived to tell the tale!) to interactions with his students, his professional societies, and the little delights birding brings him. Check out his YouTube where he puts together educational birdy videos or follow him over on Twitter where he is just as delightful. PLUS: one more hilarious story about why the Louisiana Waterthrush is the pinnacle of avian evolution. (Or is it?) Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe

I could have talked to Ragan Sutterfield all day long. An Episcopal priest by trade, he is also a reviewer for e-Bird in Arkansas. Ragan is a wealth of wisdom, kindness, and birdy-knowledge. He wrote the fabulous new book, Watch and Wonder: Birding as a Spiritual Practice, with Broadleaf Press. Ragan’s perspective on birds, birding, and God is deep and wide and welcoming and filled with delight. The way he weaves together faith, nature, neighborliness, and the liturgical year is profoundly beautiful. I’m excited to share this conversation with you, and I hope you’ll give Ragan’s fantastic new book a look. It’s a gem. Watch and Wonder comes out next week, but you can preorder it today anywhere books are sold. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe