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Green Lights from God with Elizabeth Passarella | Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast EP: 353

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  • Green Lights from God with Elizabeth Passarella | Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast EP: 353
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My guest this week is the hilarious and amazing Elizabeth Passarella, the author of two books, “It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway” and “Good Apple.” She is contributing editor for Southern Living and former editor at Real Simple and Vogue.

Elizabeth has spent more than 20 years writing about food, travel, home design, and parenting in outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Parents, Martha Stewart Weddings, Coastal Living, Airbnb Magazine, and Apartment Therapy’s The Kitchn.

Elizabeth grew up in Memphis, Tenn., and graduated with a degree in journalism from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.

4:18 – Elizabeth 101

  • Elizabeth is a writer and has lived in New York City since 1999, but she’s a Southerner at heart.
  • Her books are humorous essay collections about her life, including parenting, marriage, friendships, her faith and some politics.

7:22 – New York City

  • Elizabeth’s dad encouraged her to attend college up north and move somewhere different from where she grew up.
  • She finally realized how fun and high energy New York City was.
  • Once she got to New York, she didn’t plan to be there long-term, but she felt a spiritual calling that it was home.

19:56 – Books and family

  • Elizabeth’s mother is supportive but wants her to stop writing books, especially ones that talk about their family.
  • Elizabeth enjoyed working part-time for magazines and also raising her kids.
  • A former magazine editor turned literary agent asked Elizabeth to write a book.

25:28 – Green lights from God

  • There were lots of green lights with writing a book. God made it very clear to Elizabeth that she should keep writing.
  • God kept opening little doors, so she kept going.

35:11 – Taboo Christianity

  • It can feel taboo to be a Christian in New York City, but the city has a lot of churches.
  • It’s a misconception that there aren’t a lot of Christians in New York.

40:21 – Raising kids in the city

  • Elizabeth didn’t take her kids to touristy areas in New York City until friends came into town and wanted to see the sights.
  • Living in New York City, space is the biggest thing you give up.
  • Elizabeth has a minivan, but her family mostly walks everywhere.

FEATURED QUOTES

Once I got to New York, I didn’t think it was where I was going to live forever. But it was a cosmic, spiritual transformation in me. I just knew in my bones that this was home.

There were lots of green lights with writing a book. God made it very clear that, “You’re doing what I want you to be doing. Keep doing it.”

It’s a misconception that there aren’t a lot of Christians in New York. There are a lot of thriving churches here.

I’m not always fighting to hold onto God. He’s fighting to hold onto me. He’s fighting to hold onto all of us.

https://www.elizabethpassarella.com/

https://www.elizabethpassarella.com/books

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Six years ago I felt God calling me to go to Seminary. I ignored that call, coming up with excuse after excuse as to why I shouldn’t or why I *couldn’t* do it. Then in 2024, God swung the door to attend @denverseminary wide open to join the Women’s Leadership Cohort and practically shoved me through.

I’m finishing my first full year and just completed my first residency week on campus studying the Epistles and Revelation. I didn’t know what to expect walking into this week, but any expectation I COULD have had was completely blown away.

To study under the brilliant Dr. Joey Dodson (@jrrdodson) and guests like @preston.sprinkle, @madisonpiercephd, @studies_in_revelation, and more was incredible. To learn alongside some of the most brilliant women I’ve ever met was a gift.

I’m leaving with even more questions than I arrived with, but also more assurance that I am PRECISELY where I am supposed to be. I can’t help but smile thinking about the Apostle Paul learning that in 2025 a group of WOMEN are studying the Word of God and how much that would delight him. I pray I steward this responsibility well. #womeninseminary #densem #denverseminary #seminary #densemwlc #womensleadershipcohort

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Six years ago I felt God calling me to go to Seminary. I ignored that call, coming up with excuse after excuse as to why I shouldn’t or why I *couldn’t* do it. Then in 2024, God swung the door to attend @denverseminary wide open to join the Women’s Leadership Cohort and practically shoved me through. 

I’m finishing my first full year and just completed my first residency week on campus studying the Epistles and Revelation. I didn’t know what to expect walking into this week, but any expectation I COULD have had was completely blown away. 

To study under the brilliant Dr. Joey Dodson (@jrrdodson) and guests like @preston.sprinkle, @madisonpiercephd, @studies_in_revelation, and more was incredible. To learn alongside some of the most brilliant women I’ve ever met was a gift. 

I’m leaving with even more questions than I arrived with, but also more assurance that I am PRECISELY where I am supposed to be. I can’t help but smile thinking about the Apostle Paul learning that in 2025 a group of WOMEN are studying the Word of God and how much that would delight him. I pray I steward this responsibility well. #womeninseminary #densem #denverseminary #seminary #densemwlc #womensleadershipcohort

“Let the strength of your passion match the depth of your study.”
-Preston Sprinkle

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“Let the strength of your passion match the depth of your study.”
-Preston Sprinkle

Two days in to my seminary residency week at @denverseminary and I feel like I’ve aged 1,000 years in oddly the best way.

What a gift, what a joy, what a PRIVILEGE to study God’s word under some of the greatest scholars of our day alongside the most brilliant group of women.

We are being stretched, challenged, affirmed, convicted, and shaped. Nary a one of us will leave this place the same.

But isn’t that the goal? To encounter Christ and walk away different every single time.

To God be the glory. #denverseminary #womeninseminary #womensleadershipcohort #densemwlc

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Two days in to my seminary residency week at @denverseminary and I feel like I’ve aged 1,000 years in oddly the best way. 

What a gift, what a joy, what a PRIVILEGE to study God’s word under some of the greatest scholars of our day alongside the most brilliant group of women. 

We are being stretched, challenged, affirmed, convicted, and shaped. Nary a one of us will leave this place the same. 

But isn’t that the goal? To encounter Christ and walk away different every single time. 

To God be the glory. #denverseminary #womeninseminary #womensleadershipcohort #densemwlc

Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

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Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

🇺🇸 ❤️ remembering her and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

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🇺🇸 ❤️ remembering her and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

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Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

He is risen indeed! ✝️

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He is risen indeed! ✝️

It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

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It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried.

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me.

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

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🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉 

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried. 

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me. 

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉 

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!

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Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!
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