Welcome to A Longer Table - a space away from the algorithm (dropping that word from my vocabulary!) and disruptive distraction that is social media.
Do you crave a moment to pause, exhale, and reflect each week? Do you long to be challenged, inspired and engage with a diverse group of people? If so, you’re in the right place.
A Longer Table is a way of living shared through this newsletter, podcast, and books.
Longer tables bring people together, welcome different perspectives, and exist in tension comfortably. They have the power to transform divisive, judgmental individuals into radically empathetic beings. Longer tables are the ‘secret sauce’ to an inclusive, harmonious community in our ever-polarizing world.
“When you have more than you need, build a longer table not a higher fence.”
My vision in creating this space is to bridge the gap between us and them — whoever they are.
Linking the arms of foster parents and parents whose children are in foster care. Bridging the gap between people with houses and people experiencing homelessness. Joining forces of the good people who vote Democrat and the good people who vote Republican. Even if someone has a messy past, beliefs we disagree on, or a grumpy attitude — there is good in every person.
I want us to listen to each other’s stories and learn something we wouldn’t have otherwise.
May longer table living soften our hearts, increase our generosity, and cultivate unlikely friendships.
I’m Manda Carpenter: a human in process. I am loved, and I am learning. I remind myself of those truths daily. Curiosity and proximity challenged everything I thought I knew. This journey of growing - taking curiosity, grace and compassion too far - never ends. And that is good, hope-filled news!
I spend much of my days writing, speaking, and advocating. I’m constantly dreaming of a better world. One where marriages are thriving, people are tending to their soul, and foster care isn’t needed. Also, cookies. They, too, make the world a brighter place.
Days without time constraints are my absolute favorite. Not only do they provide the space for a spontaneous park playdate or few pages in a good novel, but they also allow me to be interrupted in the best way.
A holy interruption is when the call comes in that someone is looking for a place to crash, or when someone could benefit from our washer and dryer, or when I drive past someone holding a cardboard sign and the “inconvenience” of being available to say yes is no longer an excuse I can use.
I believe that storytelling is what leads people out of apathy and breeds connection, so I liberally share mine. I’m the author of two books: Space and Soul Care to Save Your Life, and the host of A Longer Table Podcast.
I’ve grown to believe that there isn’t a single person we wouldn’t love if we knew their story.
Please don’t call me a saint or think that I’m above snapping at my husband, losing my patience with our toddler, or being selfish. I am human even if those moments and many f-bombs go undocumented.
On a much lighter note, here’s where I stand on the important stuff:
A few things you probably would never guess about me…
I’m an introvert and a total homebody. I talk a lot and am not afraid of public speaking, but don’t get it twisted. I’m thrilled whenever plans get cancelled and I can have a quiet night in instead. I recharge by being alone.
When I’m really angry, for whatever reason, I punch a pillow. Do I look ridiculous doing it? Probably. Most definitely.
I eat cookies every night for dessert. To know me is to know this is not an exaggeration. My preference used to be Oreos, then I was on a Chips Ahoy kick, and lately I’m into Milano (Double Dark Chocolate).
Sleeping through fire alarms is my (dangerous) superpower. I can sleep anywhere, on any surface. E has a collection of embarrassing photos to prove it.
I played the flute in middle school… and was last chair. I leave all things music up to my husband now.
I’m not detail-oriented or a perfectionist at all. I’m usually winging it and flying by the seat of my pants hoping everything will just magically come together. This has served me well in some areas, but cost me in others.
Do we have anything in common? How are we totally different?
If the lifestyle of A Longer Table resonates, inspires, or serves you in any way, I’d love your support in making this work possible for me to continue.
Paying subscribers — your monthly contribution supports me in creating consistently and contributes to reciprocity. It helps negate the idea that my emotional labor, time, and energy behind the work I do should be free. It allows you to invest in a mission you believe in as well as a human (me!) trying to put food on the table for more and more people. Additionally, subscribers support my ability to work on the next book and generate more content that drives thousands of people to be more considerate, curious, and inclusive. If that matters to you, please consider becoming a subscriber!
Finally, those who contribute monthly make it possible for me to offer no-cost subscriptions to those who need it. If that’s you — email me: sayhi@mandacarpenter.com to be gifted a subscription, no questions asked.
Monthly + Annual subscribers receive the following perks:
Access to exclusive podcast episodes of my husband and me every Friday
My ‘Spilling Secrets’ completely unfiltered letter at least once a month
Beautiful, wise words from a mentor (aka: anyone I learn from + admire) every month
Contribute to help meet the tangible needs of families in crisis (i.e.: new refrigerator for a single mom, toddler bed for a child reunifying, rent assistance for a short season, etc.) I receive requests for needs through relationship and our CarePortal profile.
If being a paid subscriber isn’t for you just yet, you will still get my emails every Tuesday.
Want to give someone the gift of a subscription? Click below!
My intention is to continuously point you toward a life of abundance and mercy. My hope is that you will find this corner of the internet encouraging and uniquely refreshing. I so look forward to sharing with you more intimately each week.
Love & Cookies… for everyone,
Manda
