Life Builders By Julie Hamilton: Recent Episodes
Julie Hamilton
Build your best life with inspiring interviews designed to build a strong and healthy life on. Focused on faith-filled encouragement, breaking limiting mindsets, and uncovering the diamonds in your life to move you toward your highest potential & purpose!
"Imagine yourself as a living house...." God is at work building foundations that are imperative to your future, even if you can't see the results yet!
Lean in and take some notes because today's episode with Pastor Tom Stonecipher is full of wisdom and healing for anyone who has been harmed by prophetic voices that got it wrong. What should we do with them? Are they still trustworthy? How does God speak to us? If you hear a prophetic word, what should you do with it?
Tom lays the groundwork of a beautiful message for all who have been hurt by the recent events and finding our true identity -- in who we are, not what we do.
Follow Tom on
IG: @ranchopreacher
FB: Tom Stonecipher or Rancho Christian Center
Second Cup of Coffee on YouTube
Two of my favorite people on the planet, Myles & Katharine Weiss, are in the hot seat this time as they answer questions about their own tips for marriage, heart for restoration, the One New Man, and ministry as they hold out hope for a brighter future. Don't miss this restorative and inspiring interview.
Follow them on Facebook at Myles & Katharine Weiss
Subscribe to their newsletter at mkhop.org
Subscribe to their podcast To Life! Hope Behind the Headlines
Purchase their book "When Heaven Hits Home"
"We are going about our everyday lives doing our everyday things and in the background, God is setting up everything we need."
Transitions in life are TOUGH! But God showed me something fascinating about the way He is working in the background even in hard transitions.
~ Income generated from the child sex trafficking industry is greater than that of the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB combined.
~ 750,000 pedophiles per second online.
~ 48,000% increase in child porn
~ the only number going down is the age of the children.
In Part 1, Amanda Florczykowski's told the story of her first encounter with a child sex trafficking ring as the stranger yanked Amanda's 3 yr old daughter away from her at the local grocery store.
In Part 2 we examine the aftermath, the unraveling, the consequences of her path into the world of anti-sex trafficking, learning to deal with the criticism and rejection that comes along with going viral and operating in leadership and what enables her to endure the suffering courageously to this day.
Hear the courageous story of one mom's fight to reconcile her multiple painful experiences with a good God, educate others about the horrors of human trafficking, face injustice from trusted authorities, survive going viral and walk closely with God & develop intimacy with Him through it all. Learn how to "mother fiercely in a world full of fears."
Visit Amandaflo.com to purchase her book "Unraveled" and find other resources to equip parents!
Super Agent Safety Squad by Denize Rodrigues
"Saw bye-bye to mommy," the stranger mocked as she yanked Amanda's 3 yr old daughter away from her at the local grocery store. This was Amanda Florczykowski's first encounter with a child sex trafficking ring and it happened in their small town.
Hear the courageous story of one mom's fight to reconcile her multiple painful experiences with a good God, educate others about the horrors of human trafficking, face injustice from trusted authorities, survive going viral and walk closely with God & develop intimacy with Him through it all. Learn how to "mother fiercely in a world full of fears."
Resources mentioned:
"Unraveled" by Amanda Florczykowski (+ other resources)
Note: On the recording, I stated that Tim Ballard was on the Ben Shapiro Show, but I was incorrect. It was the Candance Owens Show. See link below!
Tim Ballard on Candance Owens Show
Operation Underground Railroad (WE EXIST TO RESCUE CHILDREN FROM SEX TRAFFICKING.)
The tales of the last missing chocolate chip cookie caper and thoughts about misplaced privilege. This one word in the story of Luke 10 caught me off guard and reminded me of something super important that shifted my quiet meditation times this week! Also, I share how trying to stay undistracted in your quiet time just makes you more distracted! Here's a simple tip to deal with distractions.
"God's picture of your life is greater, bigger, and more impactful than you could ever think."
Today's chat with Will G of the "Free Will Talkin" podcast is all about exceeding expectations -whether it's looking back at our lives & what we expected to accomplish, how surrendering his family brought the desires of his heart back to him or even how we often underestimate the potential and value of others surrounding us. Will G shares how to stay on track to see the best days of our lives....better than we would ever expect!
Like the tree in my neighborhood, things around us can look so dead, and yet there remains a little bit of life that makes its way to the surface. Taking things from appearances and situations of death to life is just what Jesus does over and over. There is hope!
This chat with Amie Stockstill was a year in the making so we made sure to cover everything under the sun! We did talk about charcuterie boards, why 2019 was Amie's worst year, why women are afraid of their public callings, Let's Echo, true discipleship and how isolating is self-sabotage. We were never meant to walk this road alone.
Also, you get to hear Amie laugh while I choke on an almond and we learn all about Embrace Grace!
Wow, when I hit record two months ago while John Lynch and I were having a conversation about being blindsided, we hadn't heard a thing about COVID19 or the economy collapsing or American grinding to a halt. But, the words and the prayer spoken at that time have never been more timely for today. As you listen to this podcast, may you be reminded that God is ever-present in the midst of the beauty and the rubble.
"The best life, the greatest life, is not the pristine life, the fully satiated life, the fixed life, the neatly ordered life. The best life is the real one with God receiving glory as you trust him, enjoy him and others amidst the beauty and the rubble." - John Lynch
Romans 8:28 God refashions all of the evil on this planet that hits all of us and employs it to give us an even better life than if it had never happened.
In Mark 10, we see a crowd that has two distinct parts? Which part would you be in -- future-oriented or fear-oriented? We have a choice. Also, I share 3 ways that we can keep our hearts towards the hope of the future, based on "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl.
During this time of social distancing and shelter at home, many who already live alone are feeling the burden in an especially heavy way. You can be literally alone or be in a crowd of hundreds and feel alone. Here's the most important thing to remember.
"We ride the highs and lows," - Andy Grammar "Smoke Clears" These days are full of highs and lows seemingly out of nowhere! But if we look at scripture, we notice a pattern--Jesus also goes from highest highs to lowest lows one after the other! Here are a few examples and how we recognize that we are in a typical cycle of life. Hang in there...highs will return again.
What's been on my heart? Business owners like us who have lost all their income & jobs overnight due to COVID -19. Here are some simple ideas to reduce spending, but mostly just a prayer from my heart to yours. We are with you. God is with you.
In this crazy time I know one thing, God is still speaking. Sometimes we just feel compelled to do certain things that might not make sense and we may never understand why. Let's take a look at 2 situations in the Bible where incredible gifts were on the other side of people's obedience. When those feelings come, the gut feelings, the urges, the Holy Spirit whispers, here's why it might be important to follow those feelings.
Executive coaching expert Tracy Smith takes us behind the scenes into the deep dive that surrounds creating a great team with various personalities as well as personal emotional intelligence and strategic development. We talk about Meyers Briggs, DISC, the Enneagram AND the emotional intelligence quadrants! Let's go deep!
LIE #20: "Jesus died for our sins" is the whole message of the cross." What?? If you're ready to be challenged & fascinated today, check out this podcast with Dr. Andrew Farley and his gift of articulating how small nuances frame the big picture of our lives. He takes simple phrases that many have grown up believing like "Less of him and more of me" or "I die daily" and shows us how they are actually wrong. His book, Twisted Scripture, uses the Bible to untangle 45 unexpected lies that Christians have been told.
Hear how to get free from analysis paralysis and why the goal of pleasing God can leave us feeling empty. What did John the Baptist actually mean when he said "Less of him and more of me"? You'll find out in the next 23 minutes.
Other resources mentioned:
www.andrewfarley.org
Naked Gospel: The Truth You May Never Hear in Church
God Without Religion: Can It Really Be This Simple?
The Hurt and the Healer with Mercy Me
LIE #20: "Jesus died for our sins" is the whole message of the cross." What?? If you're ready to be challenged & fascinated today, check out this podcast with Dr. Andrew Farley and his gift of articulating how small nuances frame the big picture of our lives. He takes simple phrases that many have grown up believing like "Less of him and more of me" or "I die daily" and shows us how they are actually wrong. His book, Twisted Scripture, uses the Bible to untangle 45 unexpected lies that Christians have been told.
Hear how to get free from analysis paralysis and why the goal of pleasing God can leave us feeling empty. What did John the Baptist actually mean when he said "Less of him and more of me"? You'll find out in the next 23 minutes.
Other resources mentioned:
www.andrewfarley.org
Naked Gospel: The Truth You May Never Hear in Church
God Without Religion: Can It Really Be This Simple?
The Hurt and the Healer with Mercy Me
"God doesn’t write sad, boring stories. Oftentimes when we’re living out a sad, boring story it’s something that people have written for us. Our own decisions have written for us."
In this episode, Jackie Dorman teaches us how to do the "heart work", not the hard work! She gives us shortcuts to healing from trauma and becoming who we really are underneath it all -- healed and whole and free.
Please buy her book "The Heart Work: The Secret to Becoming the Real You" and consider attending her online heart-healing workshop starting in Feb! Find out more at JackieDorman.com
I've missed you all!!!! So glad to be back with you! Today is just straight preaching from me! Here is Part 2 of four beautiful gifts that we can find in the darkest seasons of our lives.
Today is just straight preaching from me! Here are four beautiful gifts that we can find in the darkest seasons of our lives.
Kelly King knows a thing or two about waiting well! She's been in women's ministry for decades, and that's brought her to her current position as the Women's Resource Specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources. Hear her encouragement for wading through unmet expectations, being faithful to take the next steps when the promise seems far away, how women's ministry has changed over the decades, and finally finding yourself in just the right place and the right season!
Follow Kelly's Journey on IG and Twitter at @kellydking
Resources mentioned:
Open Windows devotional magazine for a more mature audience
Stand Firm devotional magazine for men
Journey devotional magazine for women
You Lead 1 Day Leadership Training for Women
Lifeway Women's Leadership Forum
Women's Leadership Forum in Irvine, Feb 20 - 21
Dutch Bros Coffee isn't just loud music, chatty teenagers and crazy drinks. It's a grace incubator and leadership laboratory under the care of David & Kenzie Rowe. These passionate young leaders are impacting our community and work force one cup at a time by teaching their employees how to thrive in face to face relationships, grow healthy minds and hearts, and develop into their best self. Today let's talk about maintaining vision throughout the mundane tasks, growing an env't of grace in the workplace, what they love about the public and nerd out on what leadership development books are in their own mini-library!
Follow David and Kenzie's journey by stopping by the Dutch Bros stand in Napa or Sonoma! They're not really on social media :)
Resources mentioned in today's episode:
"The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom" by Don Miguel Ruiz
"Be Here Now" by Ram Dass
"Entreleadership:20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom From the Trenches" by Dave Ramsey
"QBQ: The Question Behind the Question" by John G. Miller
Joe Rogan Podcast
Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Robin Sharma Mastery Sessions Podcast
Wow wow wow. This podcast ranks high among my favorites ever. Therapist and author Jay Stringer explores the world of unwanted sexual behavior (pornography, infidelity, and buying sex) with such grace and gentleness, showing us that these behaviors are actually invitations to finding healing and wholeness. We talk about how these unwanted behaviors are not random, they have specific root causes, about how the church and secular "treatments" haven't been effective and why, about how we don't have a "lust management" problem but a heart problem usually related to anger or power, what to do when you find out a spouse is using pornography, how we can grow up in abuse without ever being touched, and how our culture, even our language perpetuates violence against and degradation of women. This chat will enlighten, challenge, and hopefully encourage you to find the way to healing and encourage those around you to do the same!
Follow Jay's journey at www.jay-stringer.com
Resources:
"Unwanted: How Sexual Brokeness Reveals Our Way to Healing" by Jay Stringer
How does a girl from South Carolina who doesn't like people grow up to work in the White House & Congress and then find her heart's passion serving Syrian refugees & working in the world of fashion in the Middle East? In this interview with Ally Portee we'll find out! Learn how her childhood influenced her heart for the nations and love for politics, what she treasures about the Middle East, the realities of Syrian refugee camps and how YOU can help most, what it takes to become a writer at Harper's Bazaar Arabia, why you should "let it go," and tips to navigate the twists and turns of your own path!
Follow Ally's world wide journey at @allylolitaportee
"Two key factors I saw contributed to raising daughters well. 1) If they had a safe relationship with their parents, they could get through anything and 2) If they had an ONGOING dialogue, a slow drip of truth and real relationships."
Terra Mattson, a Marriage & Family Therapist, combined all her clinical knowledge, ministry knowledge, and life experience to create dialogue and support for raising AND being daughters rooted in grace! Her free curriculum has been used to create mom/daughter groups all around the world (Courageous Girls), she founded Living Wholehearted and is now expanding into a conference called InCourage 2020 where she's bringing women together to create honest and beautiful conversations and bring healing. Today we talked about sin vs. survival behaviors, her biggest awakening, raising daughters in grace, and the biggest obstacles facing women today...you'll be surprised about her insight on that one!
Follow Terra's journey at www.TerraMattson.com or on IG at @TerraMattson, @Living_Wholehearted, or @MyCourageousGirls
Here are the resources we discussed today:
Incourage 2020 Gathering "Let's Talk About It"
Courageous Girls small group resources
"You’re not going to see what's next fully until you let go of everything else."
Former "churchy girl" Marni Ausenbaugh shares vulnerably about her journey of self discovery and walking by faith through a season where nothing seems stable.
"Be authentic and live a life of purpose on purpose."
Follow Marni's journey at www.marniausenbaugh.com and her name on Youtube, IG and FB! (and look out for her new podcasting "Reformed Churchy Girl" coming soon.)
It's a big topic from a big man with a big heart! Stan Johnson leads us on a gracious journey to explore the topic of racism in light of the Bible and what it says about how we should treat our fellow man.
Brian Dixon has helped literally thousands of messengers & authors grow in their craft through Hopewriters and his clarity coaching. Today he joined us to share practical ways we can be cultural architects, build the life we want by focusing on the people closest to us first and also a few fantastic tips for want-to-be authors! I just ordered his brand new book "Start With Your People" today and I hope you will too! You also do not want to miss his "kitchen fail" story -- I am still laughing about it!
"What’s obvious to you is magic to other people."
Follow Brian's journey on IG at @brianjdixon where he loves to answer his DM's!
Resources mentioned in today's show include:
-Order Start With Your People at www.startwithyourpeople.com to get the bonus features!
-30 second quiz for writers: hopewriters.com/quiz
"Poverty, Riches and Wealth: Moving from a Life of Lack into True Kingdom Abundance" by Kris Vallotton
Kris Vallotton Podcast "Becoming a Cultural Architect"
Brian Dixon has helped literally thousands of messengers & authors grow in their craft through Hopewriters and his clarity coaching. Today he joined us to share practical ways we can be cultural architects, build the life we want by focusing on the people closest to us first and also a few fantastic tips for want-to-be authors! I just ordered his brand new book "Start With Your People" today and I hope you will too! You also do not want to miss his "kitchen fail" story -- I am still laughing about it!
"What’s obvious to you is magic to other people."
Follow Brian's journey on IG at @brianjdixon where he loves to answer his DM's!
Resources mentioned in today's show include:
-Order Start With Your People at www.startwithyourpeople.com to get the bonus features!
-30 second quiz for writers: hopewriters.com/quiz
"Poverty, Riches and Wealth: Moving from a Life of Lack into True Kingdom Abundance" by Kris Vallotton
Kris Vallotton Podcast "Becoming a Cultural Architect"
We're back and starting off Season 2! So happy to be back here with you again! Today's episode is just about catching up. Just little old me talking all about immense grace (and the float spa). What is grace? What does is really mean? Is it just a life preserver when we're drowning or something more? Let's chat.
"Please know that you can trust Him to be faithful and He will bring about and accomplish all that He has promised you."
In today's chat we tackle one of the biggest and most controversial issues in the church -- women in leadership-- and so much more! Dear friend & Pastor Tom Stonecipher dares to jump in to bring some biblical clarity to how and why we should support leaders & their authority regardless of their gender. He shares about Jesus's view of women, why women sometimes make better pastors, practical advice for husbands to support their wives, why timing matters and why we can trust God! The whole thing is great, but if you only have a few minutes, skip to minute 32:00 where the absolute gold unfolds! If you're a woman who feels called, but stuck, listening to this last part is an absolute MUST!!
Other topics mentioned in this chat include:
-What conservative religious traditions typically believe about women
-The surprising division surrounding this topic
-How Jesus viewed women
-Why football & jeans almost cost a bible school admission
-Why women are uniquely qualified as pastors
-Needing ALL parts of the body
-Deborah in Judges 4, her husband & her servant leadership
-Submitting to authority, no matter the gender
-Evidence that Jesus intentionally supported women in leadership
-Would Tom vote for a woman president? Why or why not?
-Practical advice for husbands & wives supporting each other's leading
-Humility
-The importance of "workable fire"
-The three C's of support
-Why a season isn't permanent
-Being stretched in waiting
-God's time table vs. our time table
-A word for women who feel called, but feel stuck where they are
-Staying the course
Follow Tom's journey on IG at @ranchopreacher or listen to his sermons at Rancho Christian Center
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Rancho Christian Center
Cherish Ministry for Pregnant Teens & Young Moms with Rachel Tucker
"Why Not Women: A Biblical Study of Women in Missions, Ministry & Leadership" by Loren Cunningham
The bottom line is I almost missed my purpose because I bowed down to fear. The enemy will thwart most of our destinies because of fear more than anything else.
Global evangelist and anti human trafficking advocate Christine Caine stops by to stir our faith and share her thoughts on why we need to live an "Undaunted" life, how to find the appointment on the other side of disappointment, what our generations are in desperate need of right now, why "overnight success" takes 20 - 30 years, the state of the global church and how fear wants to derail us from our destiny and in her case, almost succeeded.
Some of other topics we touched on were:
-her favorite season of parenting
-teamwork makes the dreamwork
-enjoying the journey
-why she updated & rewrote the book "Undaunted"
-daring to do what God calls you to do
-what she's had to overcome
-keys to entering your God given destiny
-how God's work on the inside of us correlates to our outside work
-what happens when we don't quit
-Bible heroes and instagram
-learning to bear the weight
- the myth of "overnight success"
-what Christine is learning right now
-why it's hard to remain faithful
-how fear almost derailed her destiny
-whom we should interview next
A lot of us never find the God appointment on the other side of disappointment because we quit along the way.
If we could understand how exceptional the God who lives within us is, we would have a lot more faith to do what God’s called us to do!
Follow Christine Caine's journey on any social media channel at Christine Caine!
Here are resources we mentioned in this episode:
"Undaunted: Daring to Do What God calls you to Do" by Christine Caine
Propel Women
A21 Campaign
Walk for Freedom
“When we aim at the target of performance, maturity always suffers. But when we aim at the target of maturity, the performance goes off the charts.”
This is one of the best parenting episodes we've ever had! Janet Newberry shows us how growing up in a performance based culture & education system harms our children, ourselves and our relationships. Thankfully, we have a choice to live free by design and not stay stuck in the default. In this episode, we chat about the differences between design vs default, how to know whether we're performing for others or being our true selves, and why parenting should not be transactional (striving to earn our next privilege), but transformational (built on a trust relationship & help) and so much more!! Janet is the host of the Brave Love Podcast, one of my go-to podcasts that is making me a much more effective parent and I count it as a privilege to have her on the show!
In this chat, we also talked about:
-Their grand adventure- traveling the US and living in an Airstream named Freedom
-wearing the "good enough" mask
-perils of a performance based culture
-breaking the perform & pain relief cycle most of us live in
-how work is different than performing
-the default mindset in the education system
-breaking codependency
-What is my God given instinct?
-finding courage to move from codependent to confident
-crisis in the dishes section
-the cost of finding your voice
-redeeming childhood
-creating transformational, maturing relationship with our children
-helping our children mature
-learning to "be me"
Follow Janet's journey & John 15 Academy at www.janetnewberry.com , on FB at Janet Newberry, and IG
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Brave Love Podcast by Janet & Doug Newberry
"Education by Design, Not Default: How brave love creates fearless learning" by Janet Newberry
John 15 Academy with Janet Newberry
Trueface
"The Cure: What if God Isn't Who You Think He Is and Neither are You?" by Trueface
"The Cure & Parents" by Bill Thrall & Trueface
Trueface Podcast
"Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals the Way to Our Healing" by Jay Stringer
"Beloved Chaos: Moving from Religion to Love in a Red Light District" by Jamie West Zumwalt
Out of all the episodes I've recorded, Misty Phillip's story is one that I've probably reflected on about most since recording it. Misty has faced her share of life challenges; losing a child to Trisomy 18, a broken childhood, caring for a special needs child, and one of her most formidable foes, breaking both arms at the same time and spending a year in recovery. In spite of all of this, her life's message is about overcoming! She shares tips for those of us who feel stuck, what matters most in overcoming, explains how her creative mastermind went from 2 people to 70 and lets us in on the secrets of successful creatives. Find out what "crack time" is and why collaborating with creatives who are in different fields than you matters.
In this episode, we also chat about:
-
transitioning from learner to teacher
-
adult children
-why God's timing matters
-why she wrote "The Struggle is Real, But So Is God"
-living a defeated Christian life
-the hardest thing to overcome in her life
-what she learned when she literally couldn't do anything for herself
-definition of grace
-being loved for who we are, not what we do
-finding a support system
-building a creative mastermind from 2 - 70 people
-why in person connection matters
-why we need variety
-an author who can't type
-tips for producing work in the creative field
-batch processing
-crack time
-what she would say to someone who feels that they will never overcome
-tips for weathering hard times
Follow Misty's journey at www.mistyphillip.com or all social media channels at her name
Resources mentioned in this episode:
"The Struggle is Real, But So Is God" by Misty Phillip
"Listener's Audio Bible" by Max McLean
"His Girls Gather" FB Community by Susan B. Mead
She Speaks Conference by Proverbs 31 Ministries
Compel Training for writing
Declare Conference & Podcast
Hope Writers with Brian Dixon
More than ever, women feel alone and are longing for deep and supportive friendships. But how do we get there? How do we find that "girl gang" to cheer us on in life? Caitlin Zick, co-director of Moral Revolution, stops by today to chat about the "honesty room", all access pass and how we can be intentional about building the communities that we desperately need. We'll talk about her new book "Look at You, Girl", the vocabulary we need to have in-depth conversations, the cost of the "busy" badge, tips to go from strangers to sisters and why owning your story matters.
Some of the other topics we chatted about include:
-What is Moral Revolution?
-Why they are labeled as "the sex pastors"
-The dream in teenager Caitlin's heart
-Why "Look at you, Girl" was written
-Why are the eyes closed on the front cover if we're supposed to be looking?
-Friendships that push you out of the boat
-How do we begin transforming inside instead of outside?
-Identifying labels and lies you've lived under
-Sourcing the lies
-Being comfortable in our own skin
-What it takes to go from strangers to sisters
-DTR - Defining moments
-Honesty Room
-The cost of being "too busy"
-Being Intentional
-How to ask real questions
-Breakfast Club
-Giving the all access pass
-Using our story intentionally to help others
Resource discussed in this episode:
"Look at You, Girl: Kickstart to seeing yourself the way God does" by Caitlin Zick
Moral Revolution
"Leap Into Love" 20 day study with Havilah Cunnington
The Connected Life Podcast by Justin & Abi Stumvall
Hitler's invention, flouride, is "more toxic than lead but slightly less toxic than arsenic."
On today's podcast, we explore this and other subtle forces affecting our health daily, even if we're not aware of them. In this totally off-the-cuff chat, we talked about EMF's (electromagnetic fields), causes of the current fertility crisis, water, quantum physics, the power of thoughts and words and why wellness is a 4 dimensional process. Strap on your seatbelt, because you're about to go for a ride that's going to challenge and maybe even change you! For more info on pursuing healthy living, check out Chrissy's new book "Healing Through Wisdom."
Some other topics we discussed were:
-The event that caused Chrissy to pursue health and wellness not just for herself, but for others
-What she went through that she never wants anyone else to do
-How long it actually takes to detox from gluten, grain, and sugar
-The scary reason you should care about your liver
-Being intentional about sharing wellness without demeaning others
-Why health is 4 dimensional
-What people at peak performance do differently
-Why the journey to physical or spiritual health often parallel
-How toxic is flouride? How beneficial is it?
-How we can care for our teeth without flouride
-EMF's & radiation
-Current highest childhood cancer
-What is equivalent to 16 xrays at one time
-How to increase your risk of cancer by 40%
-The link between phones and anxiety
-Causes for fertility crisis
-Your inside world
-Quantum physics -- why your words and thoughts matter
-Why diseases begin in our thoughts
-The story of Dr. Joe Dispenza
-Aligning our inner world through deeper healing
Follow Chrissy's journey at IG @chrissyhelmer , at Next Level Living Podcast on iTunes or Spotify
Free download of the first chapter of "Healing Through Wisdom" at htwbook.com
Resources mentioned in today's show:
"Radiation Nation: Fallout of Modern Technology - Your Complete Guide to EMF Protection & Safety: The Proven Health Risks of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMF) & What to Do Protect Yourself & Family" by Daniel T. Debaun
Defender Shield Products at ecochic.net Use code "ECOCHIC20" for 20% off products
Bill Johnson
Kris Vallotton
Gayle Belanger
"5am Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life" by Robin Sharma
Dr. Caroline Leaf Podcast "Let's Talk about Quantum Physics"
Lewis Howes Podcast with Dr. Joe Dispenza "Heal Your Body with Your Mind"
At the age of 9, little Anna Lebaron had 49 siblings. But even after growing up in a violent polygamist cult constantly on the run from the law, her life today is a true testament to the possibility of finding hope, healing and true identity after childhood trauma and neglect. In today's podcast (and her book "The Polygamist's Daughter"), Anna holds out hope for every person who feels too broken to ever be whole again.
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-Life in a polygamist cult
-How poverty and polygamy affected her walk with God
-Effect of fatherlessness
-Pursuing healing and freedom
-Finding true comfort
-Turning to food for comfort/losing weight
-Self care to combat PTSD
-Why this memoir matters
-Every person's potential for healing
-The length of the healing process
-What does freedom actually mean?
-Being who we are destined to become
-When God's spirit is near
-"You're right here."
-Experiencing the fathering heart after fatherlessness
-How to hear God speak
-Message on Anna's heart
-You can hear God
-You can heal
-Doing our part
-Who we should interview next
-The power of telling your own story and transitioning it from the inside to the outside
-Taking the next right step
Follow along with Anna's journey at her website or social media sites at @annaklebaron
Resources mentioned in today's episode:
"The Polygamist's Daughter: A Memoir" by Anna LeBaron
Bob Hamp
Foundations of Freedom by Bob Hamp
"Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovered our Hidden Life in God" by Dallas Willard
The only constant in life is change. But why is it so hard? I am honored to have CSULA professor & social innovation expert, Dr. Marla Parker, here to show us how to navigate challenging shifts well and why it's necessary to respond to God's call for change in our lives. Dr. Parker shares some excellent examples of responses to change, healthy steps to navigate the disequilibrium we feel, why we MUST have a new view of ourselves to step into the next level of our life and what concerns and encourages her most about millennials!
Other topics we touched on were:
-Can introverts be leaders?
-One teacher's impact
-Why is it important to respond to calls for change?
-An elegant, biblical model for response to change
-Navigating disequilibrium
-Why change requires rest
-Embracing a new view of ourselves
-The fears she's had to shed to grow
-What concerns her most about what she's seeing in college age students today.
-The most encouraging characteristic of the upcoming generation
-Message on her heart/call on her life
-Whom we should interview next (see below for list of amazing people and resources she mentioned in the show).
Link for $5 off Flourish Health Summit
Resources/People mentioned in the show:
Jobelle Gacuya with HMNTY
Ann Marie Williams with Public Words Project (on IG)
Lisa Baxter with After School All Stars
Conaxion or @Conaxion on Twitter
Dr. Dmetri Seals
Chrystal Parker with Craft Spirits Week June 16 - 22
Dr. Chris Hayter
Dr. April Jackson
Monique Melton - author, speaker, relationship & diversity coach, Anti racism Mastermind
Ramona Wright
"Growing up in 80’s in Germany, all my dolls except for one were white by default. Even the image of what was "beautiful," if you looked at Disney movies back then, the princesses were all blonde and blue eyed. So that was what we were striving for as a young girl."
"What our kids read, what they are becoming, believing, and seeing is what our world is going to become one day. Spread a feast in from of them, not just potatoes or plantains."
As a homeschool mom and a lover of literature (and people), I am so proud of this chat with Nancy Hartman. She is an incredible woman, half German-half Ghanian, and a homeschooling mom with a heart to highlight the beauty of diversity in Children's Literature. Listen in on this very honest chat about living your own truth, seeing beauty in differences, why it's important that children see characters in books that look like themselves, being intentional about selecting books written by people of color that tell an authentic story, and how we can be specific about seeking diversity in our faith. If nothing else and you want a laugh, listen to minute 28 where I try (unsuccessfully) to say the word "Championing" about a billion times.
"Our kids can know there’s beauty in differences and there’s nothing to be afraid of if someone is different, but more than that, they can glean so much richness out of other people."
Some topics that we touched on were:
-living your authentic truth
-teaching our children cultural traditions from their past
-living internationally minded
-recognizing the inherent beauty of our differences
-intentionality in choosing books by authors who are people of color with authentic experiences
-only 22% of children's literature is written by POC
-learning history from a variety of perspectives
-no one can tell your story like you
-the necessity of valuing someone else's story
-how the church could do a better job of intentional diversity
-challenges of a multi-ethnic community
-#readingblackout
-healing one another
-John M Perkins
-feeding our children a feast!
Follow Nancy's journey on IG at @therealbeautyindiversity or her website BeautyInDiversity.org
For recommended children's literature, check out "Grandfather's Journey" by Allen Say or Nancy's IG page for many more solid recommendations!
Resources mentioned in today's episode:
Charlotte Mason homeschooling method
Beautiful Feet homeschooling through literature
#Readingblackout
"Let Justice Roll Down" by John M. Perkins (biographical memoir)
"The doctors came in and said “He’s sicker today than he was yesterday. At some point today we need to turn off life support." I needed to call my friends and family and let them know that this was the last day he would live."
Throughout 394 days of hospitalization, fighting impossible odds and spending many days at death's door, Beth Armstrong tells the story of how her faith and trust in God grew through the storm of her husband's health tragedy turned testimony. In today's chat, we talk about Beth's journey, trusting God through the unknown, the little things, what to do if you need a miracle and not just walking through a storm but bearing fruit from it.
"God can use all of it, whether it’s a small inconvenience or a huge hurricane sized storm that you didn’t see coming. He can use it, even though it doesn’t feel good, for your good."
Some other topics we touched on were:
-total surrender leads to transformation
-perspective shifts
-Chris on life support
-facing 90% odds of mortality
-peace beyond understanding
-trusting God
-what to do if you need a miracle
-why God cares about big needs AND small needs
-learning something from your difficulty and bearing fruit in the storm
-why roots grow in the dark places
-message on Beth's heart
-whom we should interview next
Follow Beth's journey at RootedLeaders.org or on FB at Beth Armour Armstrong
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Link for $5 off Flourish Health Summit
"Rooted in the Storm: A 61-day Devotional of Faith" by Beth Armstrong
"Growing Roots for a Mission Driven Life: My Life as a Mustard Seed (Vol 1)" by Beth Armstrong
"Growing Roots for a Mission Driven Life: Planted in Good Soil (Vol 2)" by Beth Armstrong
“The day before I went to jail, I was laying on the floor of our empty apartment with no where to go and I was asking God to kill me. I didn’t want to live anymore. There was no hope in my life. I ended up in jail and it was the best thing that could have happened to me because it saved my life.”
Trigger Warning — sensitive content Abuse. Addiction. Jail. Recovery. Redemption. Today, you’ll hear Roxanne Wilson’s powerful testimony — how she walked through hell, came out on the other side, and how God is now using her story to help women uncover their true identities! Hear her survival story, how jail saved her life, the hardest part of forgiving yourself, how to see yourself differently & to begin shifting your identity. I also accidentally preached a message about finding your identity in this podcast! 😂
“I could grab ahold of all the things they told me when I got saved. I could believe that. But there was one problem and that was…..forgiving myself. I knew what I had done.”
"Don't trade your authenticity for approval."
We also touched on these topics:
-Living behind a mask
-Introduction to foster care system
-The day that changed her life forever
-Repeating patterns of blueprints established in her early life like drug use and loving men in prison
-Deep desperation that ultimately landed her in jail
-The moment of awakening in jail
-The hardest part of her new life
-Looking in the mirror
-Knowing who you are
-How to rewrite your story, your name
-Learning to love yourself
-Finding identity in the hidden places
-Surrendered
-Trading authenticity for approval
-What's on Roxanne's heart
-Next interview
You can follow Roxanne's journey on FB at Roxanne McKane Wilson
Link for $5 off Flourish Health Summit
"I opened up the file folder to see what was in it…..she was practicing my signature. Her forgery of my signature was so authentic, it was scary."
Embezzlement. Forgery. Fraud. Imagine these things were happening in your $13M program of federal money to help the poor. Imagine you went to your boss to turn in the "bad guys." Surely, he would be on your side. Wrong. In this case, Dr. Amy Block Joy had no idea how high up the deception was happening at UC Davis, but she knew one thing...she needed to sleep at night. Doing the right thing was the only solution that gave her peace. On today's podcast, she shares the turn of events that led her to find herself as a whistleblower, what it cost her, how she maintained courage through demoralizing retaliation and solid advice to those who might find themselves in the same situation.
He said, "You’ll need to find new friends and build a new life. Few people will understand what you feel, but remember it’s you who will sleep better at night knowing you did the right thing. Accept your new life now and try to embrace it as an opportunity”
Some other topics we touched on were
-Her ethical journey and moral dilemma
-How she knew something wasn't right
-The story of accusations against her and the 4 year investigation
-Why retaliation is dangerous
-The importance of going to the correct person
-How and why people want to discredit the whistleblower
-Forceful tactics
-Advise from Daniel Ellsberg (released the Pentagon Papers that ended the Vietnam War)
-Steps that every whistleblower or reporter should take
-The important of anonymity
-Why ethics matter
Resources mentioned in the show:
Amy's Website: www.amyblockjoy.com
Whistleblower by Amy Block Joy
Retaliation by Amy Block Joy
Blowback: The Unintended Consequences of Exposing a Fraud by Amy Block Joy
Ethics Point, a 3rd party agency collecting reports of fraud, unethical behavior by a company
After spending thousands of hours mastering video games, young Yu Kai Chou realized that he felt a deep sense of emptiness. That epiphany inspired his research that has now affected more than 1 BILLION people worldwide. In a quest to make real life more appealing than video games, he began studying the science of how developers create virtual worlds that satisfy our needs & make us want to spend time there. He has spent decades learning how to apply the core drives found in games to real life. In this episode we talk about why most gamers are actually women, core drives, how games can help solve real world problems & meet real world needs (like learning algebra) and how parents can apply these strategies to tap into core drives of our children to teach them effectively.
When I started this episode, I didn’t quite know what to expect, but by the end, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was one of my most informative & insightful podcast episodes ever. It opened up my world to an entirely new field of study & I hope it will do the same for you!
Some other topics we touched on are:
-Why governments & big organizations are calling on Yu kai
-Why women make up a huge percentage of gamers
-Origin of the “typical” gamer stereotype
-What is gamification?
-Why habits don’t need motivation
-Everyone plays a real life game
-Search for epic meaning & calling
-Lowest hanging fruit in making an experience enjoyable
-The human need for social interaction
-Best applications of gamification in real world
-Our search for something rare drives us
-2nd graders learning algebra
-Applying gamification to parenting
-Understanding core drives of our children
-What are you rewarding?
-The power of family identity - Lex Luther, Game of Thrones
-Teaching the important things
-How outspoken faith has impacted his journey
-Message on his heart
-Next Interview
Resources mentioned:
“Actionable Gamification: Beyond Points, Badges & Leaderboards” by Yu Kai Chou
Octalysis Prime education platform by Yu Kai Chou
“Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better & How they Can Change the World” by Jane McGonigal
“SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully” by Jane McGonigal
Follow Yu Kai’s journey on FB or IG @yudashkai
Pastors Myles & Katharine Weiss come from the most different backgrounds you could imagine: a New York Jew and a California christian girl. But somehow they overcame their differences, merged their lives beautifully and have been married for over 33 years. In their new book "When Heaven Hits Home: Ancient Wisdom for Today's Couples," they share wisdom for joining two lives into one with all the expertise you would expect from 27 years of being a Marriage & Family Therapist. We talked about what most marriages struggle with, tips for communication, men's vs. women's needs, how to merge two completely unique backgrounds & traditions, the process of writing about their own personal weaknesses, the hardest time in their marriage and how to regain a vision for a healthy and thriving marriage when it's not your current reality.
Some of the other topics we touched on are:
-finding God as the common denominator
-how does ancient wisdom apply?
-why marriage isn't old-fashioned, it's cream filled
-what it takes for two to become one
-what most couples fight about
-Lashon HaTov
-tips for communicating
-importance of forgiveness
-what women need
-what men need
-how a man can reach the heart of a woman
-fix it or listen?
-their favorite chapters to write
-assault on marriage
-embracing tradition without being in bondage to it
-house of peace
-why we need heaven in our homes now
-hardest topics to write about
-dyslexia
-continuing to see the treasure in your spouse
-hardest thing they have been through in their marriage
-navigating a church split and a prodigal son
-how to regain vision for your own marriage
-having a bigger purpose
-the message on their hearts
-whom we should interview next
Resources mentioned:
When Heaven Hits Home: Ancient Wisdom for Today's Couples (available for pre-order) by Myles and Katharine Weiss
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Stephen Pressfield
Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need to Know by Gordon Livingston
Follow along with Myles and Katherine's Journey at their website or the book site here.
"You were made to influence the world in a way that no one else can."
Leadership = influence. If you've got anyone in your life that you are influencing, whether you're a stay at home mom or a CEO (or both!), you are a leader. In this podcast, Jenni Catron delves deep into 4 dimensions of leadership to build a strong, healthy leader. You'll also hear why some people don't like the word "leader," about building and navigating good team partnerships, a leadership strength assessment and how to lead yourself well. This book was very instrumental in my leadership journey and I'm so honored to have Jenni on today! You can hear her smile and her passion throughout the entire podcast!
Some of the topics we touched on are:
-Where leadership begins
-Hairstyle regrets
-The fun of being an auntie
-Why the word "leader" is polarizing
-Defining characteristics of a leader
-Do you need a title to be effective?
-Sacred responsibility
-Discovering 4 dimensions that we can lead from
-Framework for effective leadership
-The importance of self-awareness
-Lopsided teams vs. balanced teams
-How important is self leadership
-How we can lead ourselves well
-Emotional intelligence
-What most often trips leaders up
-Why you can touch the world in a way that no one else can
-Message on Jenni's heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources mentioned in this episode:
4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength by Jenni Catron
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
Clout:Discover and Unleash your God Given Influence by Jenni Catron
Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Think and Eat Yourself Smart: A Neuroscientific Approach to a Sharper Mind and Healthier Life by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Think, Learn, Succeed: Understanding and Using Your Mind to Thrive at School, the Workplace, and Life by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Follow Jenni's journey at her website JenniCatron.com or on IG at @jennicatron
How can women overcome their fears of connecting with other women? How can we enable each other to walk in the unique callings on our lives with confidence and without comparison? Heather Estebez tackles these questions and more in this week’s podcast! Learn more about her testimony, why every person’s reaction is not about us, her first super scary speaking assignment, doing it afraid, how walking in our true calling frees others to do the same, how to find your tribe, and why personality is never an excuse for poor behavior! You will also get to hear about our most embarrassing mis-text mistakes! lol!
Some of the topics we touched on are:
-Heather's story
-Her dramatic turn away from drugs and gangs
-Heart for missions
-Connecting with other women
-First scary speaking assignment
-Why "their" actions are not all about you
-Loving wounded people
-American women's culture vs. global women's culture
-Just do you!
-Don't give up
-Finding the confidence to walk in our calling
-Finding inspiration
-Proximity is power
-Do it afraid
-Our freedom helps others to be free
-Maturing in having a big personality
-Learning to be okay with yourself when you're not like everybody else
-Resources for growth
-The message on Heather's heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources mentioned:
Ramos Ministries (You can also follow Joanne on IG at @joanneinthecity )
A21
The Millionaire Real Estate Agent: It's Not About the Money. It's About Being the Best You Can Be! by Gary Keller
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Dr. Caroline Leaf Podcast
Next Level Living Podcast by Chrissy Helmer
Follow Heather's Journey on IG at @mama_estebez or @realtorheatherkw or on FB at Heather Lindsey Estebez
“If God had opened the door when I thought He should have, it would have been a complete train wreck.”
This episode is for every person who is in a time of waiting, in the middle where it seems so dark & you can’t see the vision come to pass yet! Jessie Seneca, founder of More of Him Ministries & “She Leads” Conference was "in the wait" for twelve long years as she struggled with illness and God was building something in her. But now on the other side of that promise fulfilled, she’s encountered more than she could ever imagine! In today’s 🎉 new podcast, 🎉 she shares tips for waiting well, what God is developing in you in the “middle”, wisdom bombs 💣💥 for leaders and why we can look forward with expectant hope for all He has ahead for you!
Some topics we touched on include:
-Sign of a good leader
-Small beginnings
-Struggles with Cushing’s Disease
-How her testimony was built in the psychiatric hospital
-The 12 year wait from pit to promise
-Being willing to speak to one
-Our part in obedience
-How the past builds today
-God’s timing matters
-Preparation
-How to wait well
-What to do next
-What is built in you in the wait
-Humility
-Leadership stance
-Why teams are necessary
-Embracing the wait
-Message on Jessie’s heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources mentioned:
SHE Leads Leadership Conference
Abound:A Call to Purposeful Servant Leadership by Jessie Seneca
Joseph: A Life of Rejection, Resilience and Respect by Jessie Seneca
The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make by Hans Finzel
The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength by Jenni Catron
YOU Lead Conference: Growing Every Woman's Leadership Potential
Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore
Going Beyond Live with Priscilla Shirer
Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide for Leading in the Local Church by Kelly King
Follow Jessie’s journey at MoreofHimMinistries.org and Jessie Seneca on FB and IG!
"The more and more we’re in these times of waiting, we can root down more into our identity and remember that no matter how this situation turns out, we are still beloved, we are still planned for, we are still accepted, and that our worth is not in question."
This former zookeeper turned Project Manager for Trueface (and throw in a little book sculpture :), really pulls back to curtains to go where not many are willing to -- to the depths of talking about identity, the struggle of being in the middle and how to wait well in that darkness, dealing with anxiety, and why rest in hard. She shares about the main reason millennials are struggling with making real connections and being seen and known. So grateful for this very REAL chat with Brittany!
"If we practice transparency by saying lots of facts, but not really inviting anyone into the struggle, the joys, to walk with us in THAT, then we’re not going to really experience the kind of relationships we were literally made for."
"Have gentle curiosity about yourself."
Some of the other topics we touched on are:
-The growing challenges of podcasting
-The advantages of multiple perspectives
-What's AMAZING about the animal she chose to talk about
-How to wait well "in the middle"
-Grace for not being perfect in the middle
-How identity changes the way we wait
-Fear response
-The beauty of waiting in the dark
-The difficulty with resting
-Struggling sinner or saint who still sins?
-Living out of our true identity
-Anxiety
-An anxious person vs. feeling anxious
-Why logic doesn't change emotions
-Having gentle curiosity
-Transparency vs. Vulnerability
-Millennial struggles
-Saying facts vs. inviting someone into the struggle
-Living out true identity
-The life-changing message on Brittany's heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources:
IG: @storybooksculpture
Trust for Today by Trueface
The Cure: What if God isn't who you think He is and neither are you? by Trueface, Bruce McNicol, John Lynch and Bill Thrall
Incourage: Raising Daughters Rooted in Grace by Terra Mattson
Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals our Way to Healing by Jay Stringer
Follow along with Brittany's journey & find out more info at the Trueface Website, IG @truefacelife FB True Face Community
Acknowledging your own pain and showing yourself compassion is the first step to emotional healing. In this unique episode, Gayle Belanger, a addiction and PTSD counselor for almost 30 years, actually leads us through an exercise to show compassion to ourselves (at 39:00). Gayle is not just any counselor, she's MY counselor and I wanted to share with you the tools she's been teaching me that have been bringing healing to my life and I think could do the same for you! In this episode we talk about standing in our true identity, how self compassion brings healing, silencing that inner critic, being rooted & grounded in Jesus and His word, and redeeming all the gifts inside you -- even the ones you don't like! It is my prayer that this episode will open up worlds of healing for you that you didn't even know existed and that it will help you begin to walk in who you truly are, not limited by your past wounds and the world that daily tries to bring us down!
Note: When you hear us say "meditation", it's just a simple time of sitting with Jesus and receiving His love. Not sure if I said that!
"If the soul is leading and your wounded, human self is in charge, then all of those toxic emotions are going into the body."
"Don’t hate yourself, don’t hate any part of yourself, find ways to embrace all of the parts you don’t like."
Some of the other topics we touched on are:
-Stigma surrounding getting counseling
-True Identity
-Safe healing of younger self
-How this technique healed me (Julie) after a trauma
-What is self compassion?
-Silencing the inner critic
-Observing ourselves
-Learning to die daily
-True self vs. human self
-3 forms of sanctification
-How proper alignment rewires our brain
-What happens when our wounded soul leads
-Disease and the body
-Getting blindsided
-Growing in resiliency
-Acknowledge pain begins healing
-No regret
-Being centered and grounded in Jesus
-Fear vs. love base (get vs. give)
-Embracing hard, unexpected changes as an upgrade
-Redeeming our lost gifts
-Self hate
-Perfectionism vs. excellence
-Self Compassion Exercise (39:00)
-Empaths
-The message on Gayle's heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources:
"Live Free: The Inner Journey to Healing" by Gayle Belanger
Follow along with Gayle's journey & find out more info at Live Free, on Facebook or on IG at @livefreeministry
How a simple and good desire can become the one thing that rules our hearts! Here are 6 stages of war that keep us from moving forward freely.
Resources:
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp
"We have lost the art of finding common ground. We immediately come in and we look for clues to figure out whether someone is on our side or not."
After speaking to millions of teens and leaders around the world for the last few decades, Mark Matlock is still not afraid to "stir the pot." As the author of over 20 books, this established thought leader, advisor, and executive leader of WisdomWorks and Youth Specialities, is constantly pressing the boundaries of "safe" conversation and spurring us on to have THOUGHTFUL conversation instead. In this chat, Mark shares tips for examining the tension between faith and politics, brings wisdom for difficult conversations that occur within opposing viewpoints, and shows us how we can regain the art of finding common ground. This eye-opening discussion is overflowing with wisdom for traveling today's social media landscape. I hope you will be inspired to dig deeper and explore the tensions that arise with open hearts and open eyes.
"So I’ve assigned to them this idea that they are malicious and I treat them that way without realizing that maybe they’re like me--trying to figure this out. Maybe they’re trying to navigate a difficult thing. Maybe they’re trying to figure out how to respond for Christ. So I’ve tried to come along and explore those things as opposed to pre-judge people."
Some of the other topics we touched on are:
-A main source of generational tension within the church
-What is an "Unusual Truth Expositor?"
-Why the American Bible Society began
-How it feels to meet the Pope
-Navigating difficult topics in social media conversations
-Why written words matter even today
-The lost art
-Assumptions that most people make
-Exploring the tension between faith and political view
-What we SHOULD talk about first
-The message on Mark's heart
-Help people see Jesus more
-Our role in the "courtroom"
-Whom we should interview next
Resources:
"Raising Wise Children: Handing Down the Story of Wisdom" by Mark Matlock
"Real World Parents: Christian Parenting for Families Living in the Real World" by Mark Matlock
"Wisdom on....Friends, Dating and Relationships (Wisdom Series)" by Mark Matlock
"Faith for Exiles: 5 Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon" by David Kinnamon & Mark Matlock (available for pre-order!)
"Actionable Gamification: Beyond Points, Badges, and Leaderboards" by Yu-kai Chou
"Raising a Modern Day Knight: A Father's Role in Guiding His Son to Authentic Manhood" by Robert Lewis
Follow along with Mark's journey on FB here.
"We have lost the art of finding common ground. We immediately come in and we look for clues to figure out whether someone is on our side or not."
After speaking to millions of teens and leaders around the world for the last few decades, Mark Matlock is still not afraid to "stir the pot." As the author of over 20 books, this established thought leader, advisor, and executive leader of WisdomWorks and Youth Specialities, is constantly pressing the boundaries of "safe" conversation and spurring us on to have THOUGHTFUL conversation instead. In this chat, Mark shares tips for examining the tension between faith and politics, brings wisdom for difficult conversations that occur within opposing viewpoints, and shows us how we can regain the art of finding common ground. This eye-opening discussion is overflowing with wisdom for traveling today's social media landscape. I hope you will be inspired to dig deeper and explore the tensions that arise with open hearts and open eyes.
"So I’ve assigned to them this idea that they are malicious and I treat them that way without realizing that maybe they’re like me--trying to figure this out. Maybe they’re trying to navigate a difficult thing. Maybe they’re trying to figure out how to respond for Christ. So I’ve tried to come along and explore those things as opposed to pre-judge people."
Some of the other topics we touched on are:
-A main source of generational tension within the church
-What is an "Unusual Truth Expositor?"
-Why the American Bible Society began
-How it feels to meet the Pope
-Navigating difficult topics in social media conversations
-Why written words matter even today
-The lost art
-Assumptions that most people make
-Exploring the tension between faith and political view
-What we SHOULD talk about first
-The message on Mark's heart
-Help people see Jesus more
-Our role in the "courtroom"
-Whom we should interview next
Resources:
"Raising Wise Children: Handing Down the Story of Wisdom" by Mark Matlock
"Real World Parents: Christian Parenting for Families Living in the Real World" by Mark Matlock
"Wisdom on....Friends, Dating and Relationships (Wisdom Series)" by Mark Matlock
"Faith for Exiles: 5 Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon" by David Kinnamon & Mark Matlock (available for pre-order!)
"Actionable Gamification: Beyond Points, Badges, and Leaderboards" by Yu-kai Chou
"Raising a Modern Day Knight: A Father's Role in Guiding His Son to Authentic Manhood" by Robert Lewis
Follow along with Mark's journey on FB here.
"Everybody talks about how strong we are all the time, but it’s really how much we’ve been lifted up by everyone around us from literally the first second."
Arik & Hannah Housley are learning to live in a new world after losing their beautiful 18 yr old daughter Alaina to gun violence at Borderline in 2018. We are so honored and humbled that they shared in such an honest way about their experience from what has carried them through every parent's nightmare to honoring many of those who have supported them (they honored at least 23 people in this podcast-- I counted!). We also discussed their feelings toward the shooter, how faith has impacted their journey and "Alaina's Voice" -- a movement to change the world through kindness.
"From a couple of friends that have lost loved ones, I remember thinking to myself “I would be so mad at God if this happened to me.” and it was also again like a message of the exact opposite. Like you expect one thing and it’s the complete opposite."
Some of the other topics we touched on are:
-Learning about Alaina
-The story of the Borderline shooting & finding out the terrible news
-Being a creator instead of a victim
-How "Alaina's Voice" was created & what she would say
-Finding balance & truly living in the aftermath
-Why "strong" looks different now
-Why we need to focus on impacting our youth specifically
-Acts of kindness that have stood out to them
-"We don't need somebody to hate"
-Dealing with feelings about the shooter
-Why we need somebody to blame
-A chance for change before this happens again
-Faith's impact on their journey
-The sources of their strength
-Does time heal?
-What they've gained through this process
-Why Alaina wants you the eat dark chocolate ;)
-The message on their hearts
-Whom we should interview next
Resources Mentioned:
Engaged Encounter
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Tranforms the Way We Live, Love parent, and Lead by Brene Brown
Daily Dose by Brene Brown
AlainasVoice.org
Alaina's Voice Foundation on Facebook
Alaina's Voice Foundation on Twitter
#alainasvoice on IG
Jeff Hutsell is in the process of turning "business as usual" on it's head. Taking the merit and cut throat competition out of the workplace, this Owner/CEO is intentional about creating an environment built on trust, honesty, freedom to fail, the freedom to create (and of course rising productivity!) and it all comes down to one word: grace. In today's chat with Jeff, he talks to us about how a grace-infused business is different than the world we are used to, adjusting our mindsets what grace really means, how the ability to fail without fear is changing their company and creativity, and what every great leader needs to know.
Some of the other topics we touched on are:
-Experiencing Christmas in Bethlehem
-How a Holy Land Tour opened his eyes
-Finding yourself pampered in your own beliefs
-Jeff's struggle with "grace"
-Receiving unmerited favor
-What distinguishes a grace culture from business as usual
-The key to building an env't of grace
-What can go wrong
-How office conversations have shifted
-The effects of collaboration and rallying around each other
-Freeing employees to be creative
-What every great leader understands
-Is my leadership agenda me focused or others focused?
-The message on Jeff's heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources Mentioned:
Two Roads, Two Rooms message (long 45 min) by John Lynch
Two Roads, Two Rooms message (short 6 min) by John Lynch
Trueface.org
"Good to Great: Why some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't" by Jim Collins
"Learning to Lead Like Jesus: 11 Principles to Help You Serve, Inspire, and Equip Others" by Boyd Bailey
Follow along with Jeff's journey at IG @jeffhutsell
"When you stall healing, you stall growth and even worse stall purpose."
"Do the heart work." That is the hard work that healing specialist Monique Melton had devoted her life to. Today she shares about how we can know if we need healing, what keeps most people from getting healed, her own dark, personal struggle that turned her pain into purpose and we how we can be honor all of humanity.
"People say time heals. No. Intentional work over time heals."
Some of the topics we touched on are:
-Warning signs that healing is needed
-How to handle hard discoveries about ourselves
-How busy-ness can indicate more below the surface
-Serving to your detriment
-What keeps us from getting healed
-Purpose comes through pain
-We can't rush the process
-The "Baking Season"
-Her struggle with Postpartum Mood Disorder
-An invitation to explore deeper
-Dealing with heart pain
-What does unity look like?
-Keeping love, respect, and dignity even when we disagree
-Losing our humanity
-Why the heart work matters
Follow along with Monique's journey at IG @moemotivate or get on her awesome mailing list at MoniqueMelton.com
Her daring cross country move to Hollywood at only 23 years of age brought Freelance Creative Director Tiffani Tyler amazing opportunities to work with companies like WNBA and Lewis Howes: School of Greatness. Every week, Tiffani gets to film and hear the top 1% of achievers in their fields and the knowledge that she has gleaned from this combination of experiences is so vast! In this episode aimed at young creatives, entrepreneurs and business owners, Tiffani gets real about the skills you need to know they aren't taught, the most life-impacting interview she's filmed, and what every creative needs after they start to make a living with their art.
Some of the topics we touched on are:
-Why an unconventional education matters
-Taking a leap of faith
-Timing is crucial
-The wrong way to network
-Lone wolf mentality
-Redefining failure
-Everybody's "couch" days
-Most important thing young entrepreneurs need to know
-Grow by saying no
-Value of $50 days
-Most life-changing interview
-The days when no one calls
-Message on her heart
-Next interview
-What every creative needs when they start to make money off their art
Follow along with Tiffani's journey at IG @tifftylerflim
Resources:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Hollywood Game Plan: How to Land a Job in Film, TV, and Digital Entertainment: Carole M. Kirschner
E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast: Six Steps to Your Best Year of Leadership Part 1
School of Greatness: Leslie Odom Jr. "The Art of Booking Gigs" Podcast
"Trust God all the way. Even when there’s potholes and divots and accidents, you still have to trust God all the way."
What a powerful episode! I was blown away and full on ugly-crying throughout this chat (read: straight up preach) with powerhouse speaker, stylist and transformation specialist Chastity Stemmons! She went so deep into how to discover and develop your true identity, stripping back our masks and self-imposed expectations, and finding strength in the time where you feel all is lost. Not only that, but at the end she shares a blessing for every listener for 2019! I cannot get enough of this episode and I think you'll feel the same. Hang on time because this episode is a crazy ride!
"Don’t ignore the little nudges that seem like they don’t add up to anything. It’s the simple obedience in God’s plan that is going to lead to greater results in every area of your life."
"I had to get rid of my blog because it was hindering me from hearing God. Even though I was talking about God, I was no longer making a place for God in trying to get a post out."
"Here’s how you know it’s an idol — when God asks you to come from it."
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-Jesus Cappucino
-How to find out who you really are
-Why you're not a carbon copy
-Steps to living out your destiny
-How to get beyond the mask
-What happens when we keep surface relationships
-Why we need to seek
-Why "I want to be my best self" is inaccurate
-How Peter moved from betrayer into his prophetic destiny
-When internal wars clash with culture
-Why hardest things can sometimes be greatest
-Being in the "Brook of Cherith" place
-How to know the next right move
-Cutting away of what hinders us
-Reward for planting seeds of obedience
-Trusting God
-A 2019 blessing for all listeners and especially entrepreneurs, the ill, & those struggling with infertility
Follow along with Chastity's journey at www.chastitystemmons.com
The first year her ex-husband left, Tonya West made $19,000. Her childcare expenses that year cost $12,000. With little knowledge of finance, Tonya struggled for years as a single mom, but now she has brought it full circle. She became a financial planner with a heart to love her neighbors by helping them take control of their finances, imparting hope and freeing them from shame and embarrassment over financial troubles. In this chat, we talk about common money misconceptions and mistakes, practical advice on how to find ourselves in a better financial position one year from now and she shares valuable financial insight just for single moms along the way.
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-What is exciting about the new year
-The most common misconception about finance
-Why you are empowered in your own money situation
-What to do if you didn't learn about good money habits from your family
-The heart behind financial advising
-Why money habits don't stop with you - they are generational
-The first step to getting finances on track
-Looking at your debt total for the first time
-Being free from shame and embarrassment and using emotions to your benefit
-Biggest money mistake most people are making right now
-Financial tips for single moms
-What to do if there's too much month left at the end of your money and you still need food
-What keeps us from making good decisions
-One thing we can do to find ourselves in a better financial position one year from now
-The message on her heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources:
Financial Peace University
Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
Whistleblower by Amy Block Joy
Retaliation by Amy Block Joy
"God is always present and at work in all aspects of our lives to prepare us for what he has for us at this time in our lives."
Anita had found her forever job in ministry. That is, until earlier this year when she was scooped up in a dramatic transition to a huge international organization in a business role. She is as surprised as anyone to now be operating as Regional Director of the Florida/Puerto Rico Region for Operation Christmas Child. Looking back, Anita can see how God has been preparing her for this unexpected role since she was in high school! I loved this opportunity to draw on Anita's 30+ years of business and ministry experience to chat about what she's learned in walking through this tough transition and her tips for high capacity leaders on how to remain healthy even through life's most unexpected storms.
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-Building a legacy
-Hope for a kinder & gentler nation
-The power of influence
-Transition from small ministry to huge int'l organization
-Operation Christmas Child in process/behind the scenes
-3 Lessons she's learned from this challenging transition
-God prepares us and we don't even know it
-What surprised her most in the new job
-The main thing that helped her through the transition.
-Why it's critical to build relationships right now
-Why every person needs counseling
-Tips for healthy high Capacity Leaders
-Why you need people who will call you out
-God sees you.
-Songs for hope
-The message on her heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources mentioned:
Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges
Be Worth Following: How to Be Different and Influence People in a Crowded Social World by Dr. Jennifer Bennett
Song: "Reckless Love" by Cory Asbury
Song: "Rescue" by Lauren Daigle
Undaunted:Daring to do what God cals you to do by Christine Caine
Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure by Christine Caine
Unashamed: Drop the Baggage, Pick up Your Freedom, Fulfill Your Destiny by Christine Caine
"There’s no other way to experience love except through allowing another to meet a need, so I have to become vulnerable. Learning to trust people is scary, but it’s more scary to not get loved."
When John talks he makes you feel like you're the only person on the earth. In this chat, international speaker, pastor, and author John Lynch sits down & rips his heart out to show us the most important things in life -- being vulnerable, grace, humility, trusting others and even reveals the lessons that he's learned about God, faith, and others through chronic illness. This is a chat you will want to digest again and again and share with others!
"I love you more than 10 million yet unnamed galaxies on your worst day." -God
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-John's beautiful roller coaster ride of faith
-How to "remove the mask"
-The only way to experience love
-Winning at parenting
-Most important quality in a leader
-What humility looks like
-Creating an environment of grace for our homes & businesses
-Increasing productivity with grace
-Truth for Today devotional
-Lesson learned from chronic illness
-Finding the sacred space of revealing ourselves
-Getting to love
-Nuanced faith
-Strength isn't lack of weakness
-The message on John's heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources mentioned:
Trust for Today devotional
Two Roads, Two Rooms (short campfire version)
Two Roads, Two Rooms (long version)
Truefaced
Bo's Cafe: A Novel
The Cure: What if God isn't who you think He is and neither are you?
The Cure & Parents
On My Worst Day
Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinary Relationship Develop Extraordinary Character & Influence
TED Talk: What Kids Wish Their Teachers Knew
Lysa Terkheurst (Olives) on Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast
Trueface Podcast
"Even If" by MercyMe
Recentered Group with Ed Underwood
Naked Gospel: The Truth You May Never Hear in Church by Andrew Farley
Follow John's journey at www.trueface.org
"You don’t have to do this the hard way like I did. I didn’t know. I didn’t have anyone. So these are all the lessons I had to go through the hard way." It's only fitting that preschool teacher turned author, Carol Woodiwiss, touches on topics from A - Z included how she continued to love a spouse with an addiction and why finding a good mentor is key to living the life you want!
Her book is perfect for individual study or small groups and is called "ABC's of Life for Women". Find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble & Copperfields.
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-The benefits of being in the second half of your life
-Why she walked away from church & what brought her back
-Loving a spouse or child through an addiction
-Praying the hardest prayers
-Being in the "waiting"
-Inspiration for ABC's of Life for Women
-The chapter she refused to write
-Even God made marriages have hard things
-How a good mentor changed her life
-Learning lessons the hard way
-What makes a great mentee
-How to be a great mentor
-Surrender
Resources mentioned:
ABC's of Life for Women
Kleenex Warning: Heather's life changed the moment her 9 year old daughter London was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pediatric cancer (Neuroblastoma). As a business strategist and community builder, Heather had spent years helping other people, but now she found herself on the receiving end of getting help. You will be touched, captivated and inspired by this true story of how Heather & the Crabtree family learned to find joy and gratitude even on the very hardest days imaginable.
"What it boils down to is that every moment in your life matters and you don’t know when that final moment is going to come. So live every moment to it’s fullest."
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-Early lessons on why every moment counts
-Overcoming hardship to realize purpose
-The different between purpose and assignment
-At what age Heather discovered her purpose more fully
-London's stage 4 cancer diagnosis & treatment
-A "beautiful awakening" born out of hard things
-The new Crabtree Family motto
-How seeing through a positive lens helped them do the impossible
-Handling emotions throughout the process of cancer treatment & facing current scans
-What you give comes back to you multiplied
-What friends did that meant the most
-The surprising strength of children
-How this trial is being used for good in their lives
-Pediatric Cancer Awareness
-How grief and hardship AND joy and positivity can occupy the same space
-Whom we should interview next
Resources mentioned:
Lighthouse for Hope -- Providing support for families fighting pediatric cancer
Follow Heather's journey at www.heathercrabtree.com or @heather_crabtree on IG
This conversation with inspirational podcaster Carrie Robaina took us to some really interesting topics...and ones that we should probably spend more time talking about! Carrie is the one that ultimately helped me launch my podcast, so I was so curious about what she's learned through years of podcasting.
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-Why she closed down her first successful podcast
-The hardest part of starting a podcast
-What she's learned from years of interviewing women
-One of her most unforgettable episodes (She Walks in Truth Podcast Episode 57)
-Racial issues within the church
-A personal encounter with racism
-Why we need to have the hard conversations
-Life changing revelations in grad school
-Overcoming denominational division
-Finding her place as a woman in ministry
-Questions that led her to conclusions about women in ministry
-What she's seeing in women today
-The message on Carrie's heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources mentioned:
She Walks In Truth Episode with Chastity Stemmons (57)
Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religions and the Problem of Race in America by Michael Emerson & Christian Smith
Women of Destiny by Cindy Jacobs
How I Changed my Mind about Women in Leadership: Compelling Stories from Prominent Evangelicals by Zondervan, Alan F. Johnson, Dallas Willard
Propel Wheaton Cohort (Grad School)
Follow Carrie's journey at www.carrierobaina.com & find her podcast She Walks in Truth Podcast
Anybody else need a little more happiness in your life? You'll be all on your way after listening to this chat with author, speaker, and business coach Alli Worthington as she shares the fascinating results of studying happiness for an entire year! She busts through the myths of joy vs. happiness, teaches us why some beliefs we have about happiness are unbiblical, and reveals practical tips that we can take to be more happy.
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-Does current scientific match what the Bible says about happiness?
-Is happiness ok?
-Joy vs. Happiness
-Our Pinterest-worthy, but unbiblical beliefs about happiness.
-Ultimate recipe for happiness
-Permission to "be me"
-Happiness set point
-Our enneagram profiles
-Harm caused by not being self aware
-How to trick your kids into practicing gratitude
-Two most powerful things we can do for our happiness on a macro scale
-The message on Alli's heart
-Whom we should interview next
Resources:
"The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World" by Alli Worthington
"Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life" by Shawn Achor
"The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self Discovery" by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile
"The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength" by Jenni Catron
Follow Alli's journey at www.alliworthington.com & find her podcast The Alli Worthington Show
Some of you are in a moment that feels like time has stopped. Your heart is so crushed that you don’t know what the next moment, the next day even holds. And you’re STILL standing. It is so hard to see now, but all of these moments are created something far bigger & much more beautiful than you can ever imagine. Inspired by a recent experience at Sainte-Chapelle de Paris and the story of it's restoration!
Here's an article about this incredible restoration.
From pastoring young business women in the heart of San Francisco to being a strategist for Grit & Virtue, influence and mentoring are two major parts of Kimberly Saquing's life. I'm so glad we had a chance to sit down with her and dig deeper into what women are needing in our current culture.
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-The true root of influence (this changed my social media strategy)
-What we need to teach the younger generation
-The most surprising discovery in her research for Grit & Virtue (and it's probably not what you would expect!)
-Why women feel disconnected from each other in today's world
-What our soul really needs
-How to look for a mentor
-The importance of making the next generation stronger
-The power of telling stories
-Why some leaders don't really have influence
-Leading through vulnerability
-Tips for being a good mentee
Resources:
"A Creative Minority: Influencing Culture Through Redemptive Participation" by Jon Tyson & Heather Grizzle
"Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek
Follow Kim's journey on IG at @kimberly.saquing!
Let's be honest. I am in the broken season and some of you are too! God is taking me back to the very basics of finding out what my motivations are in everything I do. It hurts. It's gut-wrenching. But it's not all bad. He is doing something really good, even in our hardest seasons that may be John 21 moments. What does God do when you're broken down into dust? Let's chat.
Resources:
TV Show: "The Selection"
Podcast: Journeywoman Podcast, "The Art of Asking Intentional Questions" with Lauren Weir
From working in the White House to moving into women's ministry and being a newlywed, Denise Gitsham Jones is full of rich wisdom to share about tackling transitions well, feeling unqualified, and why we must fight for abundance in our lives, not just settle.
Some of the topics we touched on were:
-How past doesn't indicate your future
-Maintaining identity while shifted assignments (Also a bit about personality tests!)
-What surprises her most about being involved in women's ministry
-Why every story matters, even those who seem "boring"
-Why we must FIGHT for abundance
-How to work through feeling unqualified & imposter syndrome
-What truly disqualifies a leader
-Struggles as a 1st generation American
-Navigating politics in a divided world
-The third option
-Who Denise believes we should really be hearing from
Resources:
"Unqualified: How God Uses Broken People to Do Big Things" by Steven Furtick
"The Third Option: Hope for a Racially Divided Nation" by Miles McPherson
Follow Denise's journey on IG at @dggitsham and look for her speaking in your area!
What’s your IPA? No, we're not talking about beer today ;) but this simple object lesson on understanding your IPA clearly will help you navigate the changing seasons of your life with grace! (Identity, Purpose and Assignment)
Here is the link to the Kobe Bryant & Lewis Howes episode that was referenced: https://lewishowes.com/podcast/kobe-bryant-mamba-mentality-nba-championships-and-oscars/
From the inside view of women's ministry and walking through one of the toughest times of her life, Karen Harmon shares her heart in this powerful, raw interview! By the time she is done, you might want to conquer the world -- if that's your season. :) Some of the topics we touched on were:
-Sticking with the right assignment for your season
-What we can learn in difficult seasons of life
-Why freedom lies in authenticity
-Getting over fear of offending others
-Finding our true identity
-The thought that has rocked Karen's world lately
-What she would say to the women of the world
You can find Karen on IG at @karenharmon360, blog Karen Harmon 360 or FB at Karen Raju Harmon.
The podcast is on the road this week in NYC, but I had an inspiring experience and wanted to share it with you all! I was privileged to be a guest at a speech by Daymond John, most well known as creator of FUBU brand and an investor on Shark Tank. He shared his life story and trajectory of his success with us and it was so valuable to hear. Here are just a few of the inspiring lessons I learned from him AND his answer to the only question I got to ask him. Hope you are inspired and encouraged to dream big and think out of the box!
"Draw a circle around the world & say that everyone is in!” If you want to book that will challenge you, grow you, move you, make you cry, make your jaw drop AND kick your butt...read this book! Here are a few of my biggest takeaways from “Everybody Always” by Bob Goff. PS Also, you'll want to read it to find out the crazy way the cover was made!
Gardening with my daughter recently, she mentioned how I should leave the dead blooms on the plant because they "might come back to life." How many times do we do that with our life? It's time to deadhead our lives and stop feeding what is already dead or toxic, so that we can use our energy more effectively in bringing life!
Our series is over, but I just couldn't leave this out! You are so contagious! Learn why it's so easy to catch emotions and attitudes within 2 minutes of being around someone and how it's possible that we are affecting an estimated 1,000 people every day...and it all originates with our thought life. Your thoughts are affecting your world more than you know, even down to future generations. Your influence is powerful.
Today's topics include: mirror neurons, our brain's ability to recognize emotion/energy within the blink of an eye, how we can "catch" an attitude from another person within just 2 minutes, leadership's impact on contagious thoughts, how you are affecting 1,000 people ever day
Action step: "Infect" other people with a smile today--give away a smile and hope it reaches 1,000 people!
Resource:
Check out this brilliant comedian who doesn't even need to speak to make you laugh, Lee Ridley "The Lost Voice Guy." Hoping this infects you with joy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsqInns6LXQ
Our brains will look for the patterns that we teach it to seek, whether they are positive or negative. Today we explore the difference between those who see themselves as "lucky" or "unlucky" even if they have the same amount of opportunities available. Learn how your thought life affects your opportunities, your success, and possibly even your wallet.
Today's topics include: Tetris effect, Negative and Positive Tetris effect, experiment showing the difference between those who saw themselves as "lucky" or "unlucky," priming your brain for gratitude, impact of a gratitude journal
Action step: Before you go to bed tonight, write down 3 things you are grateful for from the last 24 hours OR write a thank you note to someone and share it with them.
Resource:
Cute 52 week bullet point gratitude journal: "Good Days Start with Gratitude"
Half page gratitude journal with space to draw: "The One Minute Gratitude Journal"
Gratitude journal with bible verses: "Gratitude Journal: A Journal Filled with Favorite Bible Verses KJV"
Men's bullet point gratitude journal: "Gratitude Journal for Men: A 52 Week Guide to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude"
Gratitude journal with pre-written prompts: "Start with Gratitude"
The habit of revisiting the same stories in our mind, whether they are real or imagined scenarios, leaves a big impact on the brain. Unlike a record that stays the same each time the needle passes, our brains change every time we rehearse the same story. Here are a few tips on how to change our memories so that they are not continuing to inflict damage every time we remember them. The most important takeaway ; whatever you think about the most grows!
Today's topics include: Why you argue with yourself in the shower (Maybe!), what happens when your brain can't tell the difference between real or imagined scenarios, the way in which your brain changes each time you revisit/rehearse a story, 2 techniques to bring healing to memories
Action step: Think of a great memory and practice changing it using the techniques mentioned in the podcast.
Resource: "Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health" by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Also mentioned:
"Live Free" The Inner Journey to Healing" by Gayle Belanger
"Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Financial Destiny!" by Tony Robbins
Just 3 minutes of negative news at the beginning of your day can affect you up to 6 - 8 hours later. Here are some tips to help analyze your news sources and change them so that they prime you for a better day!
Today's topics include: Lasting effects of negative news, what kind of news is better for you, and how to curate your morning and your social media feed to benefit your day.
Action step: Analyze the first few minutes of news that you see or hear everyday. If the sources are negative, take action to curate a better influence for yourself.
Resource: "Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life" by Shawn Achor
Doctors and scientists once thought that DNA was king, but now it's been proven that there's something even more powerful -- your thought life. Today we explore why 75-95% of diseases are caused by thoughts and chronic stress. You'll be introduced to "epigenetics" (the study of what is stronger than your genes) and simple quantum physics.
Today's topics include: How thoughts contribute to disease, effects of chronic stress on cells and body including DNA & proteins, epigenetics, quantum physics, why a glass can shatter when a singer hits the right frequency, speed of energy vs. speed of chemicals, how worries & fear trigger degenerative processes in the body.
Note: In my analogy of the glass breaking, I want to clarify that this is not the same degenerative process that our bodies go through from negative emotions. It was simply physical evidence of how all material is vibrating at a specific frequency of energy.
Action step: Examine your level of stress. Are you at a Level 1 that is helpful and acceptable or a higher chronic level of stress?
Resource: "Biology of Belief" by Bruce H. Lipton, PH.D.
You are a brain surgeon. When you wake up everyday, you literally get to sculpt the physical structure of your brain by choosing your thoughts. In this episode, we cover the body's physical responses to negative vs. positive thoughts down to a cellular and molecular level! It's fascinating to see how even water responds very differently to positive vs. negative influences which gives us a clue to the incredible power of thought on our bodies-- because we are mostly made out of water!
Today's topics include: brain's structural response to love vs. fear based thoughts, a tip to change a fear thought, cell growth state vs protective state, impact of negative and positive influence on the molecular structure of water, Emoto's water experiments
Action Step: Take every thought captive. If you identify a fear based thought, use gratitude to flip that thought to love based.
Resource:
1) "Yield" Stainless Steel Sculpture by Roxie Paine at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. (resembles brain structure of a fear based thought). Interestingly, the artist describes it as a "dendroid" and not a tree. Thought structures are called "dendrites."
2) Pictures of water molecule experiment with Dr. Masaru Emoto. How does negative vs. positive influence affect the structure of water molecules?
3 minute YouTube Video
Photos of Emoto's results
The amount of actions that your subconscious mind is responsible for is crazy. Your conscious mind only handles a small part of all the decision making and actions daily. Here's how & when the subconscious is formed, how & why you can change your beliefs and how you can purposefully capitalize on using brain waves, whether your goal is creativity or rest!
Today's topics include: Forming of subconscious, conscious decisions, changing limiting beliefs, free will, limiting beliefs in marriage, brain waves
Action: Write down 3 subconscious beliefs that were engrained before you were 6 years old.
Resource: Spotify playlists according to brain wave speed --
For creativity, work, study, choose
Beta Brain Waves
Beta Waves Brain Power Vital Energy
Brainwaves Beta
Study - Deep Concentration
For calm or rest choose
Alpha Brainwaves Music
Alpha Brainwaves Music
For sleep
Search playlists with Theta or Delta Brain Waves
Whether you're strutting or struggling right now, this brand new 7-day series "The Power of Thought" is for you! For those on a mission, the next 7 days is going to teach you how to maximize your brain and mind's potential to build a strong life and a great future. For those who are struggling with your thoughts right now, this series is going to give you some life preservers to hang on to! I'm geeking out because this is one of my favorite topics to learn and share about, so here are some of the things you can expect from this series: a daily action step and extra resource to support your learning, learning how your subconscious affects your daily life, why you are literally a brain surgeon every day, how to move out of old thinking patterns into new, the intricate and fascinating ways in which thought controls body (even DNA) and how & why thoughts are contagious.
Today's topics include: Brain power, Placebo Effect, the power of a thought
Action step: Just sit back and observe your conscious thoughts today. Look for 1) how you speak to your self 2) whether your thoughts are mostly in past, present, or future and 3) the source of/influence on your thoughts.
Resource: Heal Your Body with Your Mind: Dr. Joe Dispenza on Lewis Howes "School of Greatness" podcast
A practical tip to using the power of NO! This tip has been so insightful for my own life because I love to say YES! From Kyle Maynard in "Tribe of Mentors" by Tim Ferriss. Also find out about the exciting series I'm doing on my podcast next week! I'm geeking out about "The Power of Thought" 7-day series!
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new," according to Albert Einstein. Find out why failures aren’t fatal & are even an important part of progress and success, at least according to the most successful people on the planet! Don't feel defeated because of the learning process--you either win or you learn. You never lose. Your experiences are not wasted. I even share one of my most costly learning experiences, to the tune of $7K.
"Dream of future bigness, but be ready to begin at once, no matter how small or insignificant the beginning may appear to others." True stories about why there’s no shame in starting small! “You’ve got a lot of starting lines to conquer—stay prepared!” - Coach Chris Bennett- PS: and also—get a will 😂 Excerpts from "Acres of Diamonds" by Russell Conwell
Oh my goodness! I laughed until I cried on this one! Here are some of the weirdest & funniest questions parents ask AND one question people are asking you every day...even if they don’t say it! Don’t be the one that can’t answer!
Here are 5 ways you can interrupt the flow of anxiety and get free from it's grip, learned from my own struggle of overcoming panic disorder! Use promo code "INTERRUPT" to download this ebook for FREE at https://bit.ly/2M6FmPF through Friday 8/24/18. Please share with anyone that could use some freedom from anxiety!
The fascinating way our bodies react differently to real life friends than to online interaction, why social media addiction is by design, and the reasons you get the "warm fuzzies" and football players slap each other on the butt. + Top 10 ways to Boost Good Feelings! Inspired by “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek
One simple question about self compassion helped heal a traumatic time in my life & will continue to bring freedom to all of us if we ask it in the face of failure, disappointment, or loss. “Live Free: The Inner Journey to Healing” by Gayle Belanger. PS: I would like to note that Gayle is actually FIVE years younger than I stated! I thought she looked really young for her age (or what I thought I remembered it was!)
The more women I talk to, the more I hear about this topic that I've been through myself -- How can I follow my husband and keep moving forward if they're not leading?? Here are some practical tips about why people are like confetti, how to help create leaders & see them grow, and how to accept different forms of leadership (+ a note about the prison of expectations.) Real, honest chat about dealing with faith & leadership in the home.
Don't beat yourself up for feeling behind! You are running right on time for your own story! We are all getting to our destiny in a unique way!
Are you using what is in your hands right now? Don't let what you DON'T have hold you back---use what you DO have. Don't wait until the right time to start...it may expire. Start right here, right now with what you have. Inspired by "Acres of Diamonds" & "Everybody Always."
Some of you are in huge mental, physical, & spiritual battles for your life right now! Here are a few practical tips from inside the ring to get you through to the next round!! You're going to make it! Special mention to Roze Abernathy (@dear.younger.self) in this video and thanks to Matias Martial Arts for teaching me some hard lessons :))
Here are six simple words we’ve probably all said (at least Damion & I said them to each other last week) that show how absolutely twisted our perspective is when we say them! If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, it's time to water your own grass!
How do the tallest trees on the planet endure the harshest winds & still stand? They have a very shallow root system, but yet manage to remain standing through earthquakes, raging floods, and high winds. How can you withstand the storms of life and still stand tall? Here's an important lesson we can learn from the California Coastal Redwood! Inspired by Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast "How Effective Leaders Handle Criticism" and Next Level Living Podcast with Chrissy Helmer.
Fear will always be with us and is even good for us, but we don’t have to let it be the GPS! Time to stop letting fear drive the train and put it in the most healthy place. Inspired by “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert
When we're at the ground level, our thoughts are often limited and about ourselves. But if we can get a higher perspective, we can see our difficult situations in a much different light! A recent tough, uphill hike at Angel Island taught me this so clearly! Here are questions we can ask that will give us a bigger perspective.
Doris came up through the mud, but it has long since been washed away to reveal the diamonds. This hope inspiring interview will fill you with a new perspective on humanity, compassion, and what God can do in a life! Here are some of the things we chatted about: Fun things coming up in Napa, (4:56) Why there's no perfect home,(5:30) Why we measure our lives by comparison, (6:10) How Doris came up through the mud, (7:15) Figuring out childhood trauma as an adult, (8:55) Moving beyond yesterday and into the future "Yesterday is old news!" (9:24) Don't chase the mud of yesterday, (10:15) Finding acceptance & community that she'd never experienced before changed her life as a child, (12:10) trigger warning Just one example of how God MIRACULOUSLY saved her life after being drugged & kidnapped, (16:58) Being a foster mom to 100+ teen boys and creating the home she wanted as a child, (18:26) A foster story 10 years in the making that makes her cry, (24:10) Lack of education & why most people assume that she has much more education that she actually does, (25:28) The only difference between her and the person on the couch, (26:18) Life is never wasted. There are no throwaway kids, no throwaway people, and (27:36) Why Doris has so much hope for the future of America!
Ever feel like your life is small or insignificant? Don’t! You are a part of something so much bigger than yourself! You are part of God's story! Here's how you are already affecting up to 1K people a day and a story that proves that no matter how small our actions, they are still making a BIG impact! Book: “Restless” by Jennie Allen
