What if vulnerability isn’t a weakness to overcome, but a creative power to embrace? January Jaxon and Andrew McRae turn to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the counterpoint to Eve — a living model of what it means to trust God despite confusion, risk, and pain. From the Annunciation to the wedding at Cana to the grief of the Crucifixion, they explore how Mary’s trust gave birth to divine Love in the world.

You’ll hear:

• How Mary’s response to lack at Cana rewrites Eve’s story in the Garden
• Why faith is actually the prerequisite for curiosity, not its antithesis
• Why the question of inerrancy is a category error when it comes to Christian scripture
• What becomes possible when we stay present to pain instead of escaping or controlling it

PLUS an everyday practice of curiosity and witness that transforms aggravation into trust.

Ideal for listeners interested in Girardian theology, Internal Family Systems as a spiritual practice, and the power of faith to create peace even in a world warped by war.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:06) - Presentation: Mary's Radical Trust in Divine Love
• (24:57) - "Two women exhorting each other to trust their experience"
• (29:28) - Mary inverts Eve's mistrust at Cana
• (31:20) - Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials, and faith as the prerequisite for curiosity
• (38:21) - Jurors and Detectives
• (41:42) - "Inerrant" is the wrong word for Christian scripture
• (48:00) - "Certainty is a gift of the Holy Spirit"
• (49:15) - Curiosity as the engine that generates Being — and by extension, Love
• (55:28) - Does the IFS Self ever feel surprised?
• (57:49) - Is lack a prerequisite for curiosity?
• (01:02:02) - How a moment of joy sparked curiosity that undermined disgust
• (01:08:53) - Genesis 19 is not about gay men, it's about who's allowed to decide who belongs
• (01:14:00) - "Every straight person in Bible times lived in the closet"
• (01:19:21) - When is it okay to stop being curious?
• (01:23:16) - How did Mary live Jesus' way despite her lack of social privilege?
• (01:27:57) - Practice: Meet your Creature, Controller, and Compassionate Witness
• (01:46:56) - End credits

Note: This podcast is a personal exploration of theology, creativity, and human experience. January Jaxon and Andrew McRae are not medical or mental health professionals, and nothing in this podcast should be understood as medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Our discussions are general and are not a substitute for personalized care. If you need medical or mental health support, we encourage you to seek care from a qualified professional.