Episode vibe: peace walks, monks, “loving kindness,” Dolly’s gospel side, and the return of our favorite radical nun.

What we get into

• Dorothy’s new obsession: monks (and specifically the Walk for Peace) — two dozen monks and a dog walking from Texas to the White House, stopping to pray with people and bring “loving kindness” to communities along the way.
• Kindness over niceness: why “loving kindness” hits different, and what it looks like when it’s lived in public.
• A mission story from Cambodia: Dorothy shares a moment from a Mending Kids trip that changed how she thinks about reverence, culture, and what comfort can look like when touch isn’t allowed.
• Birthdays + meaning: Dorothy honors her mom’s heavenly birthday, and Jason celebrates Dolly Parton (plus MLK Day) — which turns into a deep dive on Dolly’s spiritual music.
• Dolly’s “Light of the Clear Blue Morning,” reimagined: a new version sparks Jason’s full-on rabbit hole and leads to a curated Chasing Faith Dolly playlist for the community.
• Back with Sister Chris: the episode continue our conversation with the bold, brilliant Sister Chris Shenk — and the conversation goes straight to the heart of women’s leadership in early Christianity, Mary Magdalene’s real story, and the future of the Catholic Church.
• Doing good, loudly and quietly: Dorothy and Jason invite listeners to share stories of people making the world better (big gestures or small ones), and Dorothy gives a quick plug for Mending Kids and their upcoming fundraiser.

Featured guest / segment highlight: Sister Chris (Radical Nun Return)

Sister Chris covers:

• Mary Magdalene: not a prostitute; a commissioned apostle and first witness of the Resurrection.
• Women leaders in the early Church: research and archaeology suggesting women’s influence was far larger than most people were taught.
• FutureChurch: founded in 1990, focused on the future of Catholic life (including access to Eucharist, leadership, and reform).
• Parish closures + canon law: advocacy, appeals, and organizing to protect vibrant faith communities.
• “God is bigger than the Catholic Church”: a faith view roomy enough for mystery, humility, and other traditions.

Dorothy’s “doing good” spotlight

Mending Kids (Dorothy’s long-time charity)

• Volunteer-driven surgical missions serving kids around the world (and in the U.S.).
• Fundraiser gala: March 21.

Call to action (aka: don’t just listen, join us)

• Tell us who you know doing good — in your town, your church, your workplace, your family, anywhere.
• Follow on Instagram and share the story (or DM it).
• If you like the show: rate, review, and share with a friend.

Mentioned in the episode

• Walk for Peace (monks walking from Texas toward the White House)
• “Loving kindness” (a Buddhist concept that becomes a theme)
• Dolly Parton spiritual songs + Jason’s curated playlist
• FutureChurch
• Mary Magdalene as apostle/leader
• Crispina and Her Sisters: Women in Authority in Early Christianity (Sister Chris’s book)
• Bending Toward Justice (Sister Chris’s book on parish closures/canon law advocacy)
• Mending Kids + gala on March 21

Episode closer

“Come chase faith with us.”