Episode 1: The Woman at the Well & Why It Matters Today

Welcome to the very first episode of Meet At The Well!  

Today, we journey back to Jacob’s well in John 4, where a simple request for water sparks the longest recorded conversation Jesus has with anyone in the New Testament—not with a religious leader, but with a Samaritan woman many would have overlooked.
In this episode, we’ll explore:

• The cultural and historical backdrop of John 4
• How Jesus models dignity, curiosity, and truth in hard conversations
• What "Woman at the Well Theology" invites us into today
• The principle of charity—and why connection, not combat, is the goal
• How storytelling bridges the sacred and the secular one word at a time

If you’ve ever felt caught between worlds—too sacred for the secular, too secular for the sacred—this conversation is for you.
Resources Mentioned:

• John 4:1-42 (Biblical text)
• Genesis 16 (Story of Hagar, referenced briefly)
• Principle of Charity (for more on this communication approach, check out The Principle of Charity by Michael Patrick Lynch and Scott Aikin or visit this overview
• Affective Science (exploring emotional regulation, connection, and communication)

Need Support?
If today’s episode stirred things in you and you’re looking for help, you're not alone. Here are some resources:

• BetterHelp Online Therapy (https://www.betterhelp.com/) – access licensed therapists from anywhere
• Psychology Today Therapist Directory(https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists) – find local support based on your needs
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness (https://nami.org/Home) – mental health resources, support groups, and education

Connect with Me:

• Substack: https://meetatthewell.substack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atthewellwithmariana

If you found today's conversation meaningful, it would mean so much if you subscribed, shared, or left a review. It helps others find this space too.

Until next time—
Come thirsty. You are welcome here.