The Thing with Feathers: birds and hope with Courtney Ellis

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!


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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.


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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.



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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!



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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.


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