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Awhile back I heard about an upcoming installment to the “Repossessing Virtue” radio project on public radio. Krista Tippett, the host of “Speaking of Faith,” asked listeners to visit the “Repossessing Virtue” web site and write their story about how they were dealing with the current economic recession. The future radio program would include audio interviews with people from all over the country. Listeners were asked to consider the following questions as they composed their essays:

• Are you experiencing this economic moment as a moral or spiritual crisis as well?
• Do concepts of trust, of living in community, of what sustains you have relevance in new tangible ways as you face changed economic realities?
• What qualities of human nature do you want to cultivate in yourself or your children?
• Who will we be for each other?

In October 2008, my husband and I made some changes when we saw the havoc that tore through what was once our comfortable retirement nest egg. So when I heard Krista’s request, I sat down at my computer and wrote our story.

On April 1, I received an e-mail from Nancy Rosenbaum – Associate Producer of “Speaking of Faith.” She liked my essay and asked if I would like my interview recorded over the phone for possible use on the upcoming program. I was thrilled that my essay had been chosen. A few days later, I read my essay over the phone to Trent Gilliss [Online Editor/Producer] and replied to a few questions – in addition to the ones listed above. At the end of the recording session, I was asked to submit photos of myself and I was told that the program was due to be aired in mid-May. When I asked if my interview would be part of the program, I was told that the editorial staff would listen to all the interviews and make a decision on which ones they would use. As a result, more than half of the recorded interviews would not be used on the program; however, the essays, photos and edited versions of the interviews would be posted at the web site.

This past Friday, Nancy Rosenbaum sent me a link to my essay at the “Speaking of Faith” web site. She told me that my audio interview wouldn’t be used on the radio program, but over the next few weeks, an edited version of my audio interview will be added to the web site. Please visit the web site to read my original essay and check back later to hear the audio interview. I’ll post an update at this blog. A synopsis of the program which airs online on Thursday, May 14 and on public radio stations between May 14 through May 20 is posted below.

“Living Differently, Beyond Economic Crisis.”

A new installment in our ongoing series, Repossessing Virtue, bringing the voices of our listeners into the conversation we’ve been building online and on-air since the economic downturn began last year. Many are grappling with the shame that comes in American culture with the loss of a job, and many are seeking community in old places and new. For some, economic instability — a kind of life on the edge — is not new. They’ve been cultivating virtues of patience, self-examination, service and good humor that might help us all.

I’m blessed and honored to have been selected to participate in this program. My story is just one of many, but apparently it mattered to someone.