Today’s guest is Mihee Kim-Kort, a Presbyterian minister, speaker, writer, and as she calls herself “slinger of hopeful stories about faith and church.”
Mihee has been a public figure for some time now - her writing and commentary can be found in the New York Times, TIME Magazine, BBC World Service, USA Today, Huffington Post, Christian Century, On Being, and more (see her bio for the full list). In 2021 she was named one of the “21 Faith Leaders to watch.” By the Center for American Progress. She is co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, Maryland and a doctoral candidate in Religious Studies at Indiana University.
In addition to all that impressiveness, Mihee is also a friend of mine, a colleague in ministry, someone who’s been a part of my life for a few decades. And although we don’t talk enough, when we do talk, it’s rich, it’s fun, and while we don’t shy away from going deep, we can’t resist bursting into giggles along the way.
Mihee and I had this conversation… I won’t say how long ago. We had both just gotten over Covid. I had to exit the conversation for 5 minutes with a coughing attack. Kids and dogs continually interrupted us. (Thank goodness for editing!) Yet somehow, in the course of this conversation, we recognize the importance of the Psalms as a companion in times of sorrow and joy, a container for what we find difficult to hold, and a template for the fullest possible expression of what it means to be human – as we process our grief and as we move into resilience.
In particular, I wanted to ask Mihee about a New York Times article she wrote in the aftermath of the Atlanta spa shootings in March 2021, in which 8 people were killed, 6 of whom were Asian women. In response to that terrible event, Mihee wrote an article that asks hard questions, that’s courageous and prophetic. I always wondered how she did that. It turns out that reading the Psalms was part of her story.
Find out more about Mihee Kim-Kort
It’s been a while since I posted a longform podcast! If you haven’t heard the catalog of longer podcasts on Psalms and resilience, they are worth a listen.
I’ve been lucky enough to have incredible conversations with a number of insightful friends and wise teachers, including Barbara Brown Taylor, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Munther Isaac, and Avivah Zornberg. These conversations have enriched my understanding of the Psalms, and how they lift our spirits especially in difficult times, and how they offer healing and hope.
Scroll back on the Podcast Archive to hear other long-form episodes.
If you appreciated this podcast, if it made you think, if it allowed you to go deep, if it made you smile at times, if it offered you something of value, if it brought you some inspiration and consolation… consider becoming a paid subscriber. You will receive a complimentary Psalms for the Spirit Journal ebook (180 pgs) with reflection questions to accompany our 44 Psalms set to Celtic melodies. There will be further bonuses coming up in the near future.
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