Kim Ketola is the host and executive producer of Cradle My Heart Radio, a companion to her book of the same title. After studying Theater and Communications at Northwestern University, Kim earned a B.S. in Ministry from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Her work as an on-air personality (Kim Jeffries) at KS95, KTIS and WCCO in the Twin Cities, led to her Induction in the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame two years ago.
Kim and her husband, Bruce, are the parents of four adult children and make their home in suburban Atlanta.
What started you on a writing journey?
I began writing speeches as a response to invitations received while pursuing my primary career as a radio program host. That led to being invited to tour with Ruth Graham in a conference ministry. My conference workshop on healing after abortion became my book, and—full circle—is now also the subject of a national weekly radio program.
Sometimes God sends us down an unexpected path, one that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?
When my book was released in August of 2012 I thought I would be spending the fall and winter promoting it. But in December, my younger brother Grady was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, cancer affecting the blood and bones. I was needed to help with his care. I travelled to Dallas from my home in Atlanta for many long weeks to get him stable. I’m sure the book sales may have suffered as a result. Yet as we shared that time together he encouraged me to follow some long-dormant dreams. I began to take voice lessons, conquered my audition anxiety at a cattle-call for The Voice, and finally buckled down to write and release an EP of original songs in October 2014. I sincerely doubt I would have seen the music project through had it not been for the need to go and care for my brother.
Sunday, January 18, was National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Let’s talk about your book Cradle My Heart (Kregel Publications, July 2012). Please tell us about it.
Abortion is an experience which impacts us on so many levels. I found I struggled the most in my spiritual life, my relationship with God. Once I fully received God’s love for me by accepting the gift of redemption, I found peace in the other challenges I faced to my emotional health and my relationships. I want others to find this peace flowing from the love of Jesus Christ. I also want others to see the Scriptures with fresh eyes—so I treat the healing miracles as portraits in a family album. Those miracles are our legacy as His sons and daughters, and I believe we can appropriate the wisdom and healing for our needs today.
What lead you to write this particular book?
I am called to share the love of Jesus Christ.
A few fun questions…
When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?
My tastes are changing in the last few years and I have come to appreciate simple wholesome foods best. I love a good salad, fresh fish, berries and cream. And I can’t go through day without my grapefruit juice coolers.
This website features musicians as well as writers. I’d love to hear more about your new EP.
Let Love Love You is a collaboration with producer Rick Barron whom I met in a Bible study group many years ago. I had the genesis of a few songs and he agreed to help complete the writing.
We share a vision of God using the wounded to help and lead those who are struggling–even when those wounds are self-inflicted. We wanted to present songs aimed at healing past hurts, and inspiring hope for impacting the world by serving others out of the overflow of God’s love in our hearts.
The title track Let Love Love You reflects our universal need to accept and lean on God’s love. The Chance brings a unique and healing perspective to the humanity of the unborn child victimized by choice. In Our Song Lives On faith, forgiveness and leaning on God’s love lead to a new perspective in this song for those who never held the baby they thought they didn’t want, but now wish they could have somehow known and loved. Miracle depicts the familiar gospel story of Jesus and the bleeding woman, made fresh when applied to the shame our choices bring women and men today. Finally, Forgive inspires making that courageous choice which sparks healing in every heart.
Above all, this EP is a tribute to my brother Grady. He lost his battle with cancer on January 6, 2015, a loss so fresh the tears come as I write this. His memory stays alive, though, if I inpire one person to love others as a response to the great love shown to us in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:19). That’s the theme of the music video for the title track. The Let Love Love You video presents a sweet story of the surprising ways our small acts of service resonate in the world.
In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?
At times I have felt like all of the above—and I once had a counselor tell me I have a better coping repertoire than anyone she’d ever met! I’ve had to play the strong female lead to thrive in a male-dominated workplace beginning at age twenty-two as I worked my way up to morning-drive radio host. As the girl next door I’ve been able to experience the love of friends who’ve opened their homes and hearts to me—how do people without that support manage to meet the suffering life brings? The mysterious woman behind dark glasses knows how to survive by her wits and to trust God in a world full of people to whom nothing is sacred. God ordained a circumstance for me to save a life when I became a living organ donor in 2009; my sister received my kidney and she is now thriving as a health care executive bringing value to the lives of millions of people in Arizona every year. And while I’m no longer a little girl, I always hope my wardrobe aspirations will exceed my grasp!
I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.
Buddy is shelter dog we brought home five years ago. He’d like to be a lap dog, but at 70 pounds, that is not happening at our house. He’s a border collie, Labrador mix. Loves to go on a run and play with the neighbor dogs, hates the answering machine, the doorbell, and playing catch.
Kim and “co-pilot” Buddy
Thanks, Kim! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour. For more information about Kim or to contact her, visit her website.
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