What does it take to invest in our own healing and growth so that our leadership reflects our most centered and secure selves? Authors Sheila Wise Rowe and Nicholas Rowe join us on the podcast to discuss their book Healing Leadership Trauma: Finding Emotional Health and Helping Others Flourish.  In our conversation, Sheila and Nicholas share stories from their 30 years of marriage, ministry, and service, pointing us toward a vision for leadership that is secure and healing-centered. Together, they explain why even our most personal and private wounds can profoundly impact our leadership skills, and they offer some practical thoughts particularly for women in academia. Their shared history gives them a unique perspective on the healing journey of leaders, and I think you’ll really appreciate the wisdom they have to share with us. And if you listen to the end of the credits, you’ll hear an excerpt where Sheila and Nicholas share some profoundly wise and spiritual advice for surviving this election season. Plus — click through for details on their book discount from InterVarsity Press!

“The core message for leaders is that before you do anything, that relationship with the Lord is the central piece.... The Lord loves you independently of anything you do.”

Living into our best, most authentic selves can be a real challenge — especially if you’re trying to change the narrative in your context. We’re reminded of this piece by Heather Walker Peterson where she recounts experiences of taking courageous risks at her institution and discovers that it was worthwhile. The world needs integrity and courage more than ever. How might God be inviting you into a new depth of authenticity in your own life?

“It’s when I’m not considered an authority that the risk seems greater — when I’m sitting in a meeting with those in authority over me and with colleagues from other departments. The thoughts I assert may look stupid.”

You’re Invited!

Pray with us. You’re invited to our online, 30-minute guided prayer meetings on Fridays at 8 am, 9 am, and 12 pm (Eastern). Can’t come? Send your prayer requests anyway by emailing us at wsap@intervarsity.org. Ready to pray? Join the Zoom meeting here for those Friday meetings.

Chat with the author of this season’s book club selection! Join Women Scholars and Professionals on Monday, November 11 at 9 pm (eastern) for an interview with Miranda Zapor Cruz, author of Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. We hope you register today!

Are you in the Dallas, Texas? Women Scholars and Professions is hosting a gathering in the Dallas area on November 14, 2024. Will you join us? Come enjoy some appetizers, meet other women faculty and staff from the Dallas area, and participate in conversation as we consider what it looks like to be God’s people in the places he has called us. Please RSVP — and we hope you invite your colleagues!

IVP Faculty exam copies. Professors can request a free exam or desk copy for InterVarsity Press titles adopted for classroom use up to three times a year. Your free exam or desk copy will be sent to you within four weeks. Register for a professional account to access this benefit!

Are you an InterVarsity alum? Use promo code IVCFALUMNI to get a 25% discount at ivpress.com.

Downloadable Pocket Prayer Card from Graduate Healthcare Ministries. Medical students at Brown asked for a small resource that would prompt them to pray throughout the day. Colleague Renee Nicholas created this card with psalms and short prayers to support them — and you’re invited to use it too! Thanks, Renee!

Calling All Scientists! The American Scientific Affiliation is hosting their Winter Symposium on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT. The topic is "AI & Christianity" and features speakers Joanna Ng and Rosalind Picard. Register for this online event here.

Save the Date: February 21-22, 2025 for Believers in Business. As the largest Christian MBA gathering in the country, the 2025 Believers in Business Conference is a key intersection of the Christian MBA and Christian professional communities. Mark your calendars to join them in New York this February!

Are you a new graduate student? We invite you to subscribe to a unique newsletter from InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries designed to support and encourage first-year grad students as they embark on the next step of their academic journey. If you’re a first-year graduate student, click here to subscribe.

Four More Things We Loved This Week

1. U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Límon on writing a poem for a spacecraft launch.

2. Emily P. Freeman shares a “liturgy for election day” on her podcast. (There’s a transcript for those who prefer to read.)

3. College professors tried to reduce gender bias in evaluations — but couldn’t.

4. Now that it’s November, we’re thinking about whetting our appetites for turkey with some Thanksgiving soup.