
Finding Hope (When the World Feels Dark) | Shannan Martin
From Unconventional Leaders by Heather Parady
March 24, 2026 · 1h 6m · Season 1 · Episode 160
About this episode
Shannan Martin discusses finding hope and beauty in everyday life amidst the heaviness of the world.
Shannan Martin is the bestselling author of Counterweights, Start with Hello, and The Ministry of Ordinary Places, as well as the voice behind the popular Substack…The Soup. A self-described wannabe gardener, news geek, justice-seeker, and thrift store enthusiast, Shannan writes about the intersection of faith, everyday life, and community. In this conversation, Shannan explores the concept of “counterweights”, the practice of holding the heaviness of life while intentionally noticing small, life-giving moments that keep us grounded. From faith shifts and justice work to navigating apathy, anger, and hope in a complicated world, she shares a deeply honest look at what it means to stay human, present, and connected when everything feels overwhelming. WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Carrying life’s pain while intentionally noticing beauty and hope How community reshaped her views on justice and belonging Why joy, rest, and small everyday moments are not escapism, but survival CONNECT WITH SHANNAN MARTIN: Website: https://www.shannanmartin.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/shannanwrites/ CONNECT WITH HEATHER: Follow…
People in this episode
Host: Heather Parady
Guest: Shannan Martin
Topics covered
- hope
- community
- justice
- faith
- everyday moments
- navigating emotions
Keywords
- hope
- community
- justice
- faith
- everyday moments
- emotions
- apathy
- anger
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Soup
Books & works: Counterweights, Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places
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