In this episode of The Anna Jinja Show, we welcome Rev. Teresa Kim Pecinovsky—adoptee, minister, author, and an inspiring voice for reimagining faith and identity.

Born in South Korea and raised in Iowa, Teresa’s journey is one of cultural richness and profound self-discovery. As an adoptee, she shares how her experiences shaped her identity and worldview, navigating the intersections of heritage, belonging, and faith. Now based in Minneapolis, Teresa balances life as a minister, parent of three, and author of the beautifully written and illustrated picture book, Mother God.

🎙 In this episode, we dive into:

✨ Teresa’s adoption story and its impact on her identity and faith.

✨ The intersection of her South Korean heritage, Midwestern upbringing, and spiritual journey.

✨ A live reading of her book Mother God, which reimagines God with feminine imagery to inspire readers of all ages.

✨ How she integrates creativity, ministry, and parenting into her life and a sneak preview of her next book.

Her words offer wisdom, and a fresh perspective on what it means to embrace identity, faith, and creativity. Tune in, listen to Teresa’s incredible journey, and maybe discover a piece of your own story along the way. Don't miss this chance to connect, reflect, and be inspired by the unique and powerful narratives shared during this episode.

Guest Links:
https://tkpcreates.com/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B098SKF9XV

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Heartwarming Adoption Journey: A Story of Love, Adoption, & New Beginnings

We are beyond thrilled to share the incredible story of Kasey and Justin Padgett, a couple whose selfless love transformed the lives of four siblings, all with the support of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Huge shoutout to Mary Ellen Smalley for introducing us to their story—one that inspires hope, resilience, and the power of family. ❤️

Justin, a fifth-grade teacher in Kentucky, noticed one of his students searching "how to get adopted" on his Chromebook. The heartbreaking realization that the child and his siblings couldn’t return to their biological family set Justin and his wife, Kasey, on an extraordinary journey to adopt all four children. Their decision turned their household into a bustling family of six overnight relocating, buying essentials, and leaning on community support to make it work. This love story of chosen family was even featured on Good Morning America, where the Padgetts were surprised with the ultimate gift: a dream trip to Hawaii! 🌴

To make the moment even more special, our music producer Nick Kizirnis selected a song inspired by their journey, reflecting the joy and determination this family embodies.

For anyone inspired by their story and thinking about adoption, the Kasey and Justin emphasize the importance of reaching out—whether to local social services, foster networks, or organizations like the Dave Thomas Foundation. As Kasey says, "There’s an amazing community ready to guide and support you."

Stay tuned as we dive into their story, hear a special song inspired by their journey, and celebrate the power of love and resilience.

💬 What do you think of the Padgetts’ journey? Let’s celebrate their story and share resources to inspire others to explore the beauty of adoption. Drop a 💕 in the comments if this touched your heart!
#AdoptionStory #FamilyLove #DaveThomasFoundation #Inspiration #ChosenFamily

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| What happens when the mic gets flipped and the host becomes the guest? 🎙️ In this week’s episode of The Anna Jinja Show, Anna shares her powerful adoption story—but with a twist! Her husband Pete takes over as host to dive deep into moments of identity, belonging, and personal growth. From middle school sunglasses and hiding her eyes to embracing her truth and purpose, Anna opens up in a raw and heartfelt conversation. 🌟

Together, they explore:
• The story behind Anna’s middle-school sunglasses stage
• Growing up as an Asian adoptee in Iowa.
• Life-changing moments of self-discovery inspired by Anna’s podcast
• The journey of finding love, acceptance, and stepping into her purpose with confidence.

Anna reveals how her podcast became a mirror, reflecting the very questions she was afraid to ask herself—and how Pete’s unwavering support helped her embrace every layer of her story. 💕

🎧 Don’t miss this heartfelt episode full of vulnerability, resilience, and the power of connection. It’s a must-listen for anyone exploring identity, purpose, and belonging. Grab your favorite headphones and tune in to a story that will move and inspire you! ❤️

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We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Susan Strong—a powerhouse writer and open adoption advocate whose journey will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about family. Her memoir, One Yes at a Time: How Open Adoption Transformed Our Family, reveals the raw, heartwarming, and eye-opening experiences that reshaped her family through love, trust, and openness.

But that’s not all! Susan’s career has taken her from the iconic MTV studios in New York to literary acclaim in Dayton, Ohio, with over 40 years of powerful storytelling under her belt. Now, she’s ready to share the secrets behind forming real connections with her kids and their birth families, the incredible lessons learned along the way, and how her media-savvy background shapes her unique perspective.

And there’s more—Colin, our talented audio engineer and musician, selected the perfect song, Dog, by his band, Goth Dad, which captures the loyalty and connection that define Susan’s adoption journey.

Don’t miss this episode packed with heart, art, and transformative stories that will leave you inspired!

Creative Content/Song
Dog by Goth Dad
i wanna walk with you
go wherever you tell me too
cause you know just what i need
we don't even have to speak

always come running when you call
you know i'll be there like your dog

i'll be your something new
you don't deserve what you've been put through
our feet pressing on the concrete
we don't even have to speak

always come running when you call
you know i'll be there like your dog

credits

released December 21, 2019
Recorded at Blue Sky Studios in Jackson, MS
Engineered/Produced by Will Foley
Mix/Mastered by Will Foley

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On this week’s episode of The Anna Jinja Show, we’re diving into the powerful themes of advocacy, resilience, and creativity. Host Anna Jinja welcomes the inspiring the Athens CASA / GAL Program team. These passionate advocates are voices of hope for children in foster care, providing support, stability, and a sense of belonging in some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

And we’re thrilled to share a very special musical feature by Adam Remnant, a multi-talented musician, songwriter, and Athens native. His song, “Curse of Canaanville,” touches on themes of family, resilience, and finding light amid hardship. This song is a tribute to the inner strength needed to overcome life’s adversities – something that resonates deeply with the work of the Athens CASA / GAL Program and the experiences of the children they support.

Join us as we hear inspiring stories and reflections from CASA/GAL’s Executive Director Tara Huffman and volunteer coordinators Carly Ferguson and Jess Chadwell, who share the impact of their work and the compassion that fuels it. Plus, we’re excited to introduce a special young guest, Jack, who joins the conversation and has agreed to write an original song for an upcoming episode!

Tune in to this heartfelt conversation filled with stories, music, and an important reminder: even in the toughest of times, there’s hope, community, love, and laughter!

Guest Links: https://www.adamremnant.com/ https://www.athenscasa.org/team

CURSE OF CANAANVILLE
by Adam Remnant

my mother’s old lantern tolls a light
through the darkness of the night
beyond the shadows amongst the weeds
where the light of town recedes
and since you’ve been gone
I have found you in the strangest of places
and you have been witness to my heart’s changes
so I am indebted to you and your many faces
lighting the way in a world that’s fading

men overtook these branches to feed our iron tongues
they carved their initials into the trunks
they carted them off leaving nothing but sawdust
now mother, father won’t stop drinking, he’s calling on his kin
he’s naming names spitting blood and cursing Canaan
yeah even the saved are forsaken
so I’m going back to the garden where the trees are in full bloom
I’m shaking off the ashes of brimstone and doom

I’m gonna pick a thousand apples in a single afternoon
so it seems the world can be a nightmare with heaven intertwined
men lower the canary down into the mine
but they’re raising up a raven seven times the size
and since you’ve been gone
I have found you in the strangest of places
and you have been witness to my heart’s changes
so I am indebted to you and your many faces
lighting the way in a world that’s fading

I’m holding a lantern that tolls a light
but you are nowhere within sight
so I’m returning on my own
to the place I once called home.

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Join us in a special episode of The Anna Jinja Show as we dive into the world of personal storytelling and poetry, where words become mirrors for identity, belonging, and resilience. This episode highlights a remarkable storytelling workshop where participants delved into their deepest narratives, led by expert storytellers who inspired them to explore their personal histories and share with confidence. The workshop culminated in unique partnerships with artists, sparking transformative exchanges that blossomed into original poems and songs, each a celebration of individual journeys.

In today’s featured collaboration, we hear from two talented participants:

Jean Voneman Mikhail, a poet from Athens, Ohio, whose work has appeared in The Northern Appalachian Review, Sheila Na Gig Online, and other literary journals. Jean draws on her rich experiences to bring heartfelt stories to the page, inspired by family and place.

Dr. Faustina (Faustie) Mensah, a Success Advisor at Ohio University and recent PhD graduate, is a passionate advocate for foster youth and non-traditional students. Through her research and mentorship, she champions inclusivity and the empowerment of vulnerable voices in education.

Together, Jean and Faustie share a powerful poem that speaks to the themes of home, heritage, and memory. Jean’s evocative lines recount Faustie’s memories of her late father, weaving a lyrical exploration of family love and the sense of home that transcends physical space.

Tune in for an intimate Q&A with Jean and Faustie as they discuss the surprising insights from the workshop, the role of storytelling in healing and connection, and the ways poetry can frame and honor our unique paths.

Don’t miss this poignant episode, available now!

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In the latest episode of The Anna Jinja Show, storytelling magic takes center stage as we delve into the journey of Sue Ellen Moran, a photographer from the Athens Photo Project. Sue Ellen joined a unique workshop to explore her life’s narrative, pairing her love for music and photography with masterful storytelling. Guided by skilled facilitators, she shared personal memories and dreams, hoping to gain new public speaking skills.

Sue Ellen Moran hails from the beautiful state of Ohio. She has been to many places in her life but always returns to Ohio. After her mother passed away in 2006 from pancreatic cancer, Sue Ellen had a breakdown and it was discovered she had Bipolar Disorder. This discovery was a breakthrough for her and led her to work on who she really is– a person living with mental illness. Sue Ellen found photography through the Athens Photo Project and her eyes have been opened to the beauty of the world through the lens of a camera. She enjoys spreading peace. Sue Ellen Moran has been quoted as saying, "Photography has given me an outlet to spread love, light and magic. It is crucial to my mental health to create art. The camera has become a tool to express the creativity that is within me."

In a heartwarming twist, Sue Ellen was paired with poet and musician Scott Minar, Professor Emeritus of English at Ohio University. Drawing from her treasured photo album, filled with images from her musical “adopted family” and wedding memories, Scott crafted a song that brings her story to life, inspired by folk and country legends like Jonathan Edwards.

Also joining the conversation is Colin Cameron, the show’s audio producer and a musician himself, who shares insights on music’s role in storytelling and creative expression. Tune in to discover the song that beautifully captures Sue Ellen’s journey and celebrates the connections between storytelling, music, and family.

Song written and performed by Dr. Scott Minar

She's been drifting on that Athens pipeline
She's been hammering nails in the Carolina sun
She’s been dreaming all of her lifetime
Of a house where all of us can live as one

We’re waiting for light. We’re waiting for justice,
Calling out like a songbird on a wire.
While we are here, let’s make some kindness.
All the world can look to find us when we’re gone.
She brings me a song…

Ch: She brings me a song, brings me a song,
And I’ll never know what I was waiting for.
She brings me a song, brings me a song…
That I never know till I walk through that door.

SueEllen has wings, she has a kind heart.
She remembers all the wild days of her life.
We never know which way our wind blows.
But we know a child’s laughter is always right.
Ch: She brings me a song…

Take it from me -- once you are given
All the wonders of a perfect harmony
There’s still one thing right there inside you.
It’s the one you hand the world in a loving key!
Ch: She brings me a song…

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Join us on The Anna Jinja Show for a powerful exploration of creativity and connection! This week, photographer Fischer Wallace and Athens' Poet Laureate Stephanie Kendrick share their collaboration journey, blending photography and poetry to tell deeply personal stories.

Discover how their artistic pairing inspired Stephanie’s moving poem, "A Prayer for Distortion," weaving themes of trust, vulnerability, and personal growth. Stephanie Kendrick is the 2023/24 Poet Laureate of Athens, Ohio. She is the author of In Any of These Towns (Sheila-Na-Gig Editions, 2022) and serves as the editor of the local poetry newsletter Periodical Poetry. With a Master’s in Social Sciences from Ohio University, Stephanie is deeply involved in her community, including through her work at the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Her poetry has been published in notable journals such as Gyroscope Review, Still: The Journal, and Poets Reading the News.

Fischer Wallace is a talented photographer and mental health advocate, employed with the Athens Photo Project, where she explores the intersection of art and recovery. Through her work with Recovery Reframed, Fischer harnesses the power of visual storytelling to reframe narratives around mental health, offering new perspectives on healing and resilience. Her photography is deeply personal and reflective, using creative expression as a means to foster connection, challenge stigma, and inspire others on their own recovery journeys.

Fischer's dedication to both her art and advocacy makes her a powerful voice sharing why art works and why it matters. Whether you're passionate about visual or literary arts, this episode will inspire you to see the world—and yourself—through a new lens. Don't miss it!

Creative Interchange:
Poem Dedication: This piece is dedicated to Fischer Wallace with Athens Photo Project.

Prayer for Distortion

I think of you and your lens— how you might capture a memory

How you mish catch all the shadows in this room, blend them to make space for the light.

There is magic here, in this space between you and me, what is created when we sit together-

the solace of shared stor, enutter steady

the air we breathe and the way we share that, too.

I think of you and your lens, consider my own fears of exposure-Have you heard you have a gift?

A composer of every noise that holds a

you are a visual weaver, storyteler, artist.

There is magic here

and by magic I mean trust, and by this I mean I trust you-

to see me, distort me into my own new woman.

Guest Links:
https://www.facebook.com/athenspoetlaureate/

https://athensphotoproject.org/people/bio/fischer-wallace/

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