Episode 03

Michelle DeRusha

Writing Your Own Story

Michelle Derusha joins me to talk about memoir and the challenge of telling your own story. Michell is the author of Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith.
Michelle Derusha joins me to talk about memoir and the challenge of telling your own story. Michell is the author of Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith.
00:00 45:13

Show Notes:03. Michelle DeRusha—Writing Your Own Story: Using Writing As A Tool To Find God

Michelle Derusha joins me to talk about memoir and the challenge of telling your own story. We discuss how an author decides what to include and what gets cut, we talk about writing as a form of prayer, and we discuss the challenges of focusing your attention on the discipline of writing. You’ll appreciate Michelle’s honesty and vulnerability—hallmarks of a good memoir.

“Falsehood is so easy, truth so difficult.” —George Eliot

“If we’re honest with ourselves, I suspect a lot of us are looking for the big, flashy miracle— the billboard moment when everything is crystal clear and all doubts are washed away for good, the media-worthy miracle that makes the evening news. I know that’s what I want. I find myself thinking, If only God could give me one clear sign, if only he would come down and do a miracle, then I would believe 100 percent for sure. If I got a clear sign, I wouldn’t have any more doubts. But I’m not so sure that’s the only way God operates. I’m beginning to think he gives us these ordinary miracles, these small blessings, these “Why not?” moments in the midst of the everyday instead, so we will learn to open our eyes and see him not just in the wild, over-the-top, media-worthy miracles, but in the hundreds of everyday miracles as well.”

DeRusha, Michelle. Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith

  • We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
  • Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
  • Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
  • Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
  • Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
  • Cold nights mean blankets.
  • Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings.

Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
  • Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
  • This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Cold nights mean blankets.
Cold nights mean blankets.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings.

Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings. Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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