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Feeling overwhelmed by life's big questions and tired of systems that assume you're a robot?
You're not alone.
How do we become who we're designed to be in a world that treats humans like problems to solve?
As people of faith navigating this bewildering landscape, we're especially worn out. We're not sure what stories to believe about ourselves or about the world. We don't know who to trust, or even why we should trust anyone. We're frustrated, disillusioned, and burned out. Everything we knew or trusted is devolving and breaking down more every day.
Maybe you can't put words to it yet—you just know you're tired of everything and need something different.
Silicon Valley tells us to assimilate to our algorithmic overlords and feed all our work to (insatiable) LLMs. Wall Street tells us that money only flows upstream. Washington tells us that a nation exists for certain kinds of people (and if that's not you, tough luck). Education functions to produce new workers on the assembly line, and work functions to produce more consumers.
At every point, contemporary life wants to make "human beings" a problem to solve, a pathology to treat. Humanity, we're told, is a lost cause.
I disagree.
We all want to live with meaning, purpose, and significance, but how do we do that? How do we find a clear direction, make good choices, and build sane, resilient systems that help us live the life we want?
How do we become the persons we are designed to be?
We invest in personal formation.
Personal formation is deliberate, embodied action practiced in conversation with trusted guides, which builds a specific kind of character on the foundation of a given identity. This is what the Christian tradition calls discipleship—apprenticing yourself to a way of life that forms you into the person God designed you to be. Through practice, connection, and experimentation, we learn to desire better, decide wisely, and act differently.
I founded R21.5 x MjR because I believe that we all long to experience the beauty of a life lived with purpose, and that we do this by connecting with each other to create and share what we find meaningful.
If this resonates, you've found your people. Welcome.
Every month, you'll get content that explores a central idea or topic through three different lenses:
Human Be(com)ing helps you find the words and ideas to understand and navigate the sometimes (okay, often) overwhelming twenty-first century. I explore how topics such as communication, systems design, and theology (really!) help us understand and challenge the bewildering forces that shape our desires, decisions, and behaviors, so that we can desire better, decide wisely, and act differently.
Sustainable Systems challenges the machine-driven, productivity-bro culture that frequently diverts purpose-focused women (and men!) from living out their deeply-held beliefs and values. I share how processes, tools, and practices help all of us find clear direction, make good choices, and build sustainable systems that restore sanity and clarity to our daily lives. I do the research so you don't have to. (See: Taco Tutor)
People Watching explores what it looks like to be a flourishing human through the relationships that shape us. I share "character references" from historical, fictional, and contemporary folks who shed light on what it looks like to build a life lived with purpose in any age. You'll also hear from real folks about the role models they've found in their everyday lives.
You'll also find The Monthly Muster—a once-monthly digest with all the links, synthesis of the month's learning, plus some special thoughts you won't find elsewhere.
This newsletter runs on six-week sprints: four weeks of original content exploring our monthly theme, one week of integration and review, and one week for all of us to rest and take a breather. (Because sustainable rhythms matter.)
Where to Start
If you're new to formation work: Start with People Watching to see what integrated living looks like, then dive into Monthly Muster for gentle integration practices.
If you're burned out and questioning everything: Begin with Human Be(com)ing essays that address spiritual displacement and cultural overwhelm with hope (but not naivety).
If you're tired of research fatigue: Jump straight to Sustainable Systems for pre-tested frameworks that honor how you're actually wired—as a human, not a machine.
If you're culturally curious: Explore Human Be(com)ing for theological and cultural reflection, plus People Watching for wisdom across generations.
Why Subscribe?
This isn't about following another expert—it's about walking this path together, learning what it means to be fully human in community with others asking the same questions. Traveling together always makes the experience richer. Join me in discovering what it means to experience and share the beauty of a life lived with purpose.
I write as a pilgrim on the way, deeply interested in understanding and responding to the systems and circumstances in which I find myself. I'm your research and conversation partner who's done the heavy lifting so you can focus on the living.
This isn't just information consumption—it's formation. The kind of deep, slow work that helps you integrate your past story, present choices, and future vision into purpose-focused living.
Ready to slow down, pay attention, and invest in becoming who you're designed to be?
Subscribe to join other purpose-focused folks who are done with research fatigue and ready for pre-tested solutions that work for complex lives. A new edition will go directly to your inbox, so you'll never miss a thing.
Just want The Monthly Muster? You can manage your subscription settings on your account page by turning on/off any sections you aren't interested in.
Ready to go deeper?
Beyond the newsletter, I offer Sustainable Systems Consulting for high-performing women who want to create systems that honor how they're actually wired—not how machines work.
If you're inspired by anything I share, drop me a line and let me know. No matter what, I hope we can slow down, pay attention, and become who we're designed to be—together.
Shalom,
