iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

New post! I wrote a few more reflections on the 100 year anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial. This one is…personal. It was pretty tough to write. I love my hometown. I’m grateful for how I was raised. I’m learning to embrace the both/and. open.substack.com/pub/amandahe...

open.substack.com

"The Monkey Trial" 100 Years Later

Reflections on My Own Evolving Faith

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Hearing @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social and Ross Douthat seriously discuss the existence of “the good people” is exactly the diversion I needed from the disaster that is the daily news. 🧚 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...

podcasts.apple.com

Ross Douthat on Trump, Mysticism and Psychedelics

Podcast Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 04/25/2025 · 1h 35m

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

My top five favorite shows/miniseries from the last decade: 1. Station Eleven (I think about that show almost every day) 2. Severance 3. The Diplomat 4. Turn, Washington’s Spies 5. Chernobyl (Honorable mention goes to Slow Horses and Poldark) What about you?

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Been getting a little preachy here lately. Would be interested in getting some feedback on this one. Are you seeing signs of a return to religion? Are you sensing a vibe shift like others? If you are a Christian, does this bring excitement or concern?

open.substack.com

What Does the Lord Require of You?

Shifting Vibes, the Great Return, and Why the Gospel is More than a Trend

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

“We’ve heard the old adage that the church is more than the building. But sometimes the church must transcend our buildings, must resist the cues & connotations imposed upon us by the spaces in which we meet.” Thanks CT for publishing this! www.christianitytoday.com/2025/04/my-c...

christianitytoday.com

Cafeteria Church - Christianity Today

Under the fluorescent lights, we come to commune, not to be entertained.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, I like to play a little game called “Is it Ireland or Appalachia?”

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

New Post today! Ash Wednesday: Pride, Provision, and the Belly of a Big Fish open.substack.com/pub/amandahe...

open.substack.com

Ash Wednesday

Pride, Provisions, and the Belly of a Big Fish

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Diplomacy is not the art of the deal. Allies are not just potential business partners. War-zones aren’t real estate opportunities. Holding the line on geopolitical tyranny matters more than acquiring rare earth minerals.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Crowdsourcing! Looking for the best book you’ve read on the theology of health and healing. I’ve read Amy Kenny’s My Body is Not a Prayer Request. What else should I read?

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Are we at Threat Level Midnight yet??? 🤔🤔🤔

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

As long as we are changing maps, renaming bodies of water and landmasses, I’ll remind everyone that Edgar Allen Poe originally wanted to name our country Appalachia. Executive order anyone?? 😊

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Normalize changing your mind on political matters. It’s ok to think one way, get more information, then start thinking another way. American freedom means our loyalty lies only with the good of the country, not a politician…not to our previous opinions.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

I’m lovin’ all this “triumph of the human spirit” pre-game content.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Church, I think it’s more important than ever that we strive to be the faithful remnant. At the same time, you must guard against the assumption that YOU ARE the faithful remnant. The moment you think you’ve arrived, you are back at the beginning.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

It’s all fun and games to be anti-establishment until you realize the establishment is paying for your kid’s lunch.

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Reposted by Amanda Held Opelt

Karen Swallow Prior @karenswallowprior.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

The real “culture war” isn’t “out there.” It’s “in here.” And as long as they keep us thinking it’s “out there,” the more we lose “in here.”

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

New post! Fire and Flood: “Whatsboutisms,” Blame, and Disaster Rage

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

The only news on I’m interested in today are snow pictures from New Orleans, Mobile, and the Florida panhandle. Please leave them below!

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Every transfer of power is a test of the American character. The decorum matters. The civility matters. Joe Biden showing up for this moment MATTERS…and may be the single greatest contribution of his long life of service to this country.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

On days like today, I’m reminded that the observance of rituals and time-honored traditions plays a huge role in the preservation of democracy.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

“I would distinguish between the intention to offend and the willingness to risk offending.” -Wendell Berry

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

New episode of the Holy Unhappiness Podcast…whether you are in LA or watching the wildfires from afar, I hope this discussion is helpful. ❤️‍🩹 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

podcasts.apple.com

Episode 27 - When Disaster Strikes - with Josie Gwin

Podcast Episode · Holy Unhappiness with Amanda Held Opelt · 01/14/2025 · 55m

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

On this day 4 years ago, I named my 2nd daughter. I watched on TV as people committed acts of violence while holding “Jesus Saves” flags. I thought to myself, “there’s got to be a better Gospel than this, right?” Her name, Lois Evangeline, in Greek means “better Gospel.”

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

New Advent episode of the podcast is out! I talk with Kendall Vanderslice about love, food, the purpose of fasting and feasting, resisting the demands of diet culture come New Years, AND an obscure Appalachian tradition for your New Years ❤️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

podcasts.apple.com

Advent 2024 Week 4 - Love with Kendall Vanderslice

Podcast Episode · Holy Unhappiness with Amanda Held Opelt · 12/22/2024 · 41m

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

New Advent episode is out on the Holy Unhappiness Podcast! I talk with artist and poet Corey Frey about joy! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

podcasts.apple.com

Advent 2024 Week 3 - Joy with Corey Frey

Podcast Episode · Holy Unhappiness with Amanda Held Opelt · 12/15/2024 · 46m

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Can someone give me a non-apocalyptic take on the New Jersey drone situation?

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

For week 2 of Advent, I talk with @richvillodas.bsky.social about peace. “Peace in the words of Jesus is far more than an emotional state. It speaks about the wholeness of our lives when surrendered to the reign and the kingdom of God.”

podcasts.apple.com

Advent 2024 Week 2 - Peace with Rich Villodas

Podcast Episode · Holy Unhappiness with Amanda Held Opelt · 12/08/2024 · 35m

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

I’ll never forget, Notre Dame burned the day before Rachel got really, really sick. I’m reminded there are some things you can rebuild. And some things you can’t.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Did anyone watch “A 90s Christmas” on Hallmark? Any reason why she made absolutely no effort whatsoever to warn the world about 9/11? The 2004 tsunami? The global Covid-19 pandemic??

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

“It was like God - through Jesus - lived the whole story of human suffering. And that feels like a God worthy of trust, a God I can believe in.” amandaheldopelt.substack.com/p/for-unto-us

amandaheldopelt.substack.com

For Unto Us...

Christmas Reminds Me Why I'm Still a Christian

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

The Holy Unhappiness Podcast is back for Advent & I’m so thankful for this conversation about HOPE in the midst of doubt & deconstruction with @ianharber.bsky.social - listen now wherever you get your podcasts! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

podcasts.apple.com

Advent 2024 Week 1 - Hope with Ian Harber

Podcast Episode · Holy Unhappiness with Amanda Held Opelt · 12/01/2024 · 52m

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

As people of faith, we live in a liminal space, a kingdom that is often described as “already…but not yet.” During Advent, we celebrate the “already.” And we lament the “not yet.” The kingdom is here. Lord, let your kingdom come.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

A reminder on small business Saturday that you can help communities hard hit by Helene by shopping Appalachian owned businesses. ❤️ amandaheldopelt.substack.com/p/southern-a...

amandaheldopelt.substack.com

Southern Appalachia Gift Guide

Support Mountain Artisans and Businesses Impacted by Helene

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

It’s here! My annual Christmas Playlist is one of my proudest accomplishments. I pride myself on curating a list of songs that aren’t too cheesy for the solemn among us, appropriate for the somber reflection of Advent but also the hope of Christmas… open.spotify.com/playlist/2QI...

open.spotify.com

Amanda Opelt’s Christmas 2024 Playlist

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

I feel like I need to tell @taylorschumann.bsky.social that I accidentally started watching Lost again, and I think we need to start a support group.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

And paradoxically, humility is only possible when you are confident in your own belovedness. For only then you can say, “hey, I might be wrong about this or I may have messed up, and that’s ok. I’m still beloved in God’s eyes. He will help me move towards restoration.”

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

The older I get the more I’m convinced that humility is the highest virtue…the foundational character quality that makes all other virtues possible. Humility isn’t always natural or easy, but once taken up, it is a light load. Hubris, however, is heavy; maintaining your own rightness is exhausting.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

I know we’ve been greedy for prayers over here in Southern Appalachia, but high winds & snow are coming in tomorrow, & we’ve still got limbs & branches hanging all over the place. Folks are worried about losing power & ice cold temperatures. (Video taken last month on Fork Mountain Road).

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Me leaving it all out on the field on the other app. 🫠

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Feels like we are living in an SNL cold open.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Boil notice lifted in Asheville. 😭 Y’all. Less than two months to repair a totally obliterated water system for a massive city. To all the engineers, utility workers, EPA folks, & city officials who worked TIRELESSLY, not just in Asheville but all over this region…thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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Amanda Held Opelt @amandaheldopelt.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

🎁 Want to help mountain artisans and businesses impacted by Helene?? I’ve put together a gift guide for you! Shop Appalachian for Christmas this year! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 open.substack.com/pub/amandahe...

open.substack.com

Southern Appalachia Gift Guide

Support Mountain Artisans and Businesses Impacted by Helene

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