There are certain guests whose biographies are so full and so varied that they’re just fun to read! In this latest trek On the Road, we meet someone who fits that bill perfectly.
She’s been a meteorologist, a professor, in church leadership, a radio host, and she represented her state of Minnesota at the Miss America pageant in 1992.
Jo Bender hosts Connecting Faith Fridays for Faith Radio. She’s a former meteorologist on multiple Twin Cities television outlets, a professor at University of Northwestern & a wife and mom. Jo recounts her story – including some paths she could never have anticipated taking – and how God has guided her every step of the way. You can hear our full conversation right away when you head to the bottom of this post. Otherwise, here are some fascinating highlights first!
Growing up in a Christian family gave Jo the chance to learn about God and become familiar with the trappings and tradition of faith from an early age. Yet, after making the journey to college and going through a season where she walked away from her faith, she found herself taking a memorable late night walk that changed her life.
Jo never had a childhood dream to someday chase a Miss America crown, but she explains how God set an unlikely path to becoming Miss Minnesota before her, and how the journey shaped the person she is today.
Living a life on television fascinates so many of us. Jo takes us through how she was able to stay grounded amidst the praise and the criticism that came along with her job as a TV meteorologist.
And now here’s our full conversation with Jo Bender – featuring a great deal more insight and more stories. She shares advice that she gives young people who ask her about finding their purpose in life; why she decided to leave a lucrative and visible vocation in television; and offers hope that God is ultimately in control of each of our stories.
