Mint Arrow Messages: Recent Episodes
Corrine Stokoe
Mint Arrow Messages is a podcast from blogger and content creator Corrine Stokoe who's best known for her fashion and deal blog Mint Arrow. In Mint Arrow Messages we talk to influencers you know and love about the REAL grit that made them who they are, the hidden stories of struggle, challenge and triumph. We're sharing their stories in hopes to create more awareness, compassion, kindness and understanding in a world that's starving for more goodness.
The adage "I've got your back" is something we say and hear all the time, but what does it mean? What are the ingredients to a friendship or building character that equates to being this kind of person, this kind of friend? We're unpacking this in many different ways today and giving you a challenge to be the person who lives in a way that shows others, "I've got your back."
Time Stamps: [00:41] - What comes to mind when someone says “I’ve got your back” to you? [05:59] - Corrine and Neil talk about reflecting on your beliefs and your “why.” [12:00] - What are small ways to show up for people that make a big difference? [16:41] - Compassion can be the motivation behind showing up for others. [19:36] - When someone is feeling down, find space in your heart to give them more grace. [24:35] - Do you want to help, but don’t know how? [30:38] - Being part of something that helps someone else is fulfilling. [35:18] - Let’s be more welcoming and understanding towards each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you ever had a huge AHA moment in life where you realize, "Oh my gosh, that THING that I thought was real, it totally wasn't?" Or maybe you say to yourself, "Wow. That was totally not what I made it out to be in my mind?" Today we're going to talk about these situations, that we call, the many mirages of life.
Time Stamps: [00:40] - Do you think everyone else has it together? [06:46] - Are you carrying a secret that you think would lead to rejection? [12:21] - Have you ever felt like no one is suffering like you are? [18:02] - Do you feel like rules ruin your life and hold your back? [24:27] - Are you the type to worry and obsess over situations? PART 1 [35:59] - Do you have a scarcity mindset? [39:02] - Do you postpone your happiness? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Amberly Lago is a Peak Performance Coach, TED Speaker, Podcaster, and a leading expert in the field of resilience and transformation. She is the best-selling author of the book "True Grit and Grace," and the founder of the "UNSTOPPABLE Life Mastermind."
Through her book, coaching methods, and masterminds she has curated unique tools to teach others how to tap into their superpower of resilience and elevate their lives and businesses. Amberly has most recently been featured on NBC's The Today Show, The Doctors, Hallmark, and today I'm so excited to share her incredible story of surviving an accident where she was t-boned on a motorcycle and told she had a 1% chance of avoiding amputation, and after dozens of surgeries is now walking, speaking, coaching, and leading so many women into an empowerment movement. She also shares a little of her journey with recovery and why it was so important to her to get honest when she had a one-day slip that led to a reset in her sobriety date. We also talk about why Amberly's masterminds, and teaching others to speak and tell their stories, is her chosen passion in life, and why YOU have a story that needs to be told. If you need a boost of inspiration in your life, then today's episode is just for you.
Time Stamps: [01:24] - Amberly Lago talks about the accident that shifted her life forever, and what she learned about holding onto hope. [07:22] - “Maybe there’s something even bigger and better out there for me.” [12:27] - How can pain be one of the greatest teachers in our life? [18:03] - Amberly recalls a moment when she broke her sobriety: what influenced the moment, what she felt, and what she learned. [24:31] - Amberly explains why self-trust and honesty is crucial for changing your life. [29:37] - “You heal what you reveal.” [36:31] - Amberly says she did a lot of healing before sharing her journey. [43:40] - “You don’t have to do it alone. Ask for help.”
Supporting resources: Amberly's website Amberly's Instagram @amberlagomotivation Podcast "True Grit and Grace" Amberly's book "True Grit and Grace: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph " Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When was the last time you felt like you were totally misunderstood, or someone really mistook you for something you are not? Did you consider if there was anything you presented in the situation that may have contributed to that misrepresentation? The good news is, it's probably an easy fix. In today's episode, Neil and I are unpacking one of our all-time favorite sayings: everything communicates.
Time Stamps: [00:35] - What does “everything communicates” mean? [07:02] - Neil mentions a change he’s considered that was inspired by a recent impression he had. [10:59] - Neil talks about the process of getting a tattoo removed. [16:05] - What matters most is how you feel about yourself and what you’re comfortable with. [22:16] - Corrine and Neil discuss being intentional with what you communicate in relationships. [27:31] - Actions speak louder than words and help you build trust. [32:39] - Think about what you’re communicating in how you present yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Braden Brown is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the VP of Coaching & Counseling at Ampelis, a holistic human performance and mental wellness practice. Braden was a four-year letterman on BYU's football team from 2009-2012, where he played in all 52 games of his career and tallied 41 starts at offensive tackle. Following his BYU football career, Dr. Brown was invited to the 2013 NFL Combine and later signed a contract with the St. Louis Rams as an un-drafted free agent where he was credited with one NFL season before retiring due to a back injury. Today we get to talk about his transition from sports to psychology, and why he pursued a PhD in medical family therapy that led him to his current career. We break down some of the reasons there's a huge stigma with athletes seeking professional help with mental health, specifically male athletes, and why mental health IS health and so vital to their well-being and performance not just in sports but in life. Braden and I talk about some of the guiding principles and values that he teaches in his practice to his patients, including the power of mindset, regulating your emotions, and staying in the present.
Time Stamps: [01:22] - Dr. Braden Brown tells funny stories of people mistaking him for someone else. [08:10 - What path did Dr. Braden originally plan for his career path? [14:45] - Dr. Braden explains his mindset when stepping away from the NFL after a serious injury. [18:42] - Dr. Braden talks about expectations that negatively influence an athlete’s relationship with mental health. [25:11] - You are a person before you are an athlete or any role. [31:19] - Corrine and Dr. Braden talk about setting meaningful intentions to stay present. [35:18] - What are Dr. Braden’s thoughts about regulating emotions? [41:06] - “Mindset sets the tone of everything.”
Supporting Resources: Book an appointment with Braden Braden's email braden@ampelis.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This past 24 hours Neil and I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions as we decided to enroll our kids into a new school and then ended up taking them out and putting them back into their old school. We're sharing all the ups and downs of this decision, what made us question whether something was a sign, and how to tell when God is telling you "no." We also share a couple of resources of counsel and advice from talks that give very clear instruction on how the Lord works with us, guiding us from the yeses to the nos in our lives and how to have the courage to reverse a decision when it's not the right thing to do after all. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
Time Stamps: [00:56] - Corrine reflects on how we all can have different personal revelations. [07:00] - Corrine and Neil considered sending their kids to a new school. What started that decision? [12:53] - Corrine and Neil kept getting the feeling that something’s off. [18:05] - When do you know it’s time to reverse a decision? [24:08] - “We have to use our agency.” [33:07] - Here’s 3 STEPS you can use to check if you need to rethink a decision.
Supporting Resources: "By Divine Design" Talk by Ronald A. Rasband "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer" Talk by Richard G. Scott Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you've got a high school reunion coming up, then today's episode is specifically for you! And even if you don't have one coming up soon, we're going to talk all about what we learned from our recent 20 year high school reunions, our interactions with making and receiving amends, some mindset shifts that made all the difference, and some tips on social situations and how to make the most out of your high school reunion experience.
Time Stamps: [00:32] - Corrine talks about making amends during the reunion for a past mishap. [05:35] - Neil says it’s freeing to see how people form their own lives over the years. [09:43] - “Nobody cares.” [15:31] - What memories do Corrine and Neil have from high school? [23:00] - “You can never go wrong trying to be kind.” [28:14] - Corrine and Neil offer quick tips to make the most of a reunion if you have social anxiety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sarah Sun is Utah's brand new Miss Utah who will represent them in the Miss America competition this upcoming year. She's from Cedar City, Utah, and is a junior at Brigham Young University majoring in music and political science. Previously, she served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in Southern California, and studied applied economics and management at Cornell University. She's also an accomplished concert pianist and has soloed with professional symphonies including the Utah Symphony and performed across the US and China and as a piano soloist at Carnegie Hall. Sarah was crowned Miss Utah 2023 on June 10, 2023 in Salt Lake City. She received over ten thousand dollars in scholarships, and will spend the upcoming year serving the state and preparing for the Miss America competition. Sarah has a goal to introduce arts education into the Utah State Correctional Facility and assist formerly incarcerated individuals with their transition back to society, and we got to talk all about this initiative and some of the ways she suggests people get involved in breaking down the stigma of incarcerated individuals and helping them have a better future after prison. We also get to talk about her conversion story to the Church of Jesus Christ as the first member in her family with immigrant parents who came from China and their introduction there to Christianity. We talk about her experience in the Miss Utah pageant and why it was so important to her to choose a dress that fit her modesty standards and how she was the very first and only Miss Utah to ever win both the Spirit of Miss Utah (miss congeniality) AND the Miss Utah crown the same year. Sarah is one incredibly remarkable girl and I cannot wait for you to get to know her.
Time Stamps: [01:51] - Sarah Sun talks about growing up with music and coming from a musical family. [04:58] - What inspired Sarah to compete in the Miss Utah pageant? [11:40] - Sarah aims to change misconceptions around the criminal justice system. What can everyone do to help create change? [19:45] - Sarah shares her perspective on “modesty” and her approach in the Miss Utah competition. [23:22] - What impact did Sarah want to have in the Miss Utah competition? [27:51] - What are Sarah’s plans for Miss America? [33:27] - “I was constantly searching for truth and light anywhere that I could find it.” [43:47] - Sarah encourages you to know who you are and what you stand for.
Supporting Resources: Equal Justice Initiative Sarah's Instagram Miss America Utah Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Billie Roberts is a certified life coach who has a gift for helping others find peace and fulfillment in their lives. She has an incredibly calming presence and an ability to hold space for different people, different struggles, and different life circumstances. Before Billie became certified through Brooke Castillo's life coach school, she experienced many of her own ups and downs, including financial struggle, illness, raising four children 3-years-old and under, and battling both depression & anxiety, which she believes has helped her to really understand and relate to her coaching clients. Today Billie and I get to talk about and even give you a couple of live demos of what it's like to be coached by her, first in parenting and then with mental health. We also talk about the difference between hiring a life coach and going to therapy. Billie shares with me why she doesn't like to give people the answers but instead believes in leading them to the answers they know are right for them. And if you decide after listening to this that you'd like to work with Billie as a life coach, she actually is in an incredibly unique position as part of her family's philanthropy to be able to offer the life coaching for free, or in exchange for optional donations to her charity in Cambodia. Stick around to see if that feels like a good fit for you and to find out how to set up a coaching session with her.
Time Stamps: [01:29] - Billie Roberts wants to illuminate peace. How did she decide coaching was a way to do that? [05:20] - Billie says she learned how to hold space for others without taking on their pain. [10:30] - Corrine and Billie walk through a mini life coaching session around balancing home life when spouses were raised differently. [19:26] - Billie shares her perspective on helping people who feel stuck in betrayal-related traumas. [22:33] - What’s the difference between therapy and coaching? [27:28] - Billie encourages everyone to explore the beliefs they may be carrying around that could be helping or harming them. [34:25] - Billie is offering coaching for FREE. Is it a great fit for you?
Supporting Resources: Schedule a coaching session with Billie at bestilllifecoaching.com Billie's Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we're opening the doors to our first semester ever of Becoming Codafree Bootcamp! This bootcamp was birthed after more than 12 years of my own self-development work to overcome codependency, and in this episode I'm sharing where this whole idea came from and what codafree means, who this bootcamp is for, and who it's not for, and what you can expect if you enroll. Enrollment is only open for ONE WEEK and then we'll close the doors midnight on Friday, June 30. ALSO, we're offering founder pricing this semester, meaning we will never price the bootcamp this low ever again because it's the first time we're offering it! Bootcamp will begin the following week, with 10 private podcast episodes that will drop semi-weekly (or twice a week) the rest of the summer. Then on Thursday August 24, live school sessions will start where l'II be teaching these principles on a weekly zoom call at 10am Pacific Time. You can attend live, or watch the replay later. You'll also have weekly worksheets to go with every lesson to really put pen to paper, do the work, and apply these principles to your life. This program is not affiliated with the 12-steps, it's NOT the 12-steps, but it can absolutely be done alongside or before or after you work a 12-step program. Becoming codafree bootcamp is not for everyone, but if you think it might be for you, by the end of this episode you should know whether you want to and are ready to do the work with me to become codafree. Find the signup link at mintarrow.com/codafreecamp and if you want in, make sure you grab your spot before Friday June 30 at midnight.
Time Stamps: [04:24] - Corrine tells us the responses she gets when sharing content on codependency. [08:29] - What does codafree means? [13:35] - Who is the Becoming Codafree Bootcamp for, and who is it not for? [18:10] - Corrine shares what to expect from the bootcamp and the options to make the experience your own. [24:47] - You don’t have to stay stuck in chaos. You deserve peace, joy, and freedom.
Supporting Resources: Go to mintarrow.com/codafreecamp to sign up for the "Becoming Codafree Bootcamp" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When was the last time someone really hurt you, or really made you angry? When was the last time you were treated super unfairly, wrongly judged, harshly spoken to, or maybe even worse, talked about behind your back, or as a mama bear, one of your kids was treated this way? It happens all the time around all of us. It's been weighing VERY heavy on my mind and heart for a long time as I've heard lots of moms who I love talk about their kids being bullied. I've asked myself what I can do to help, especially in a leadership position in my church where I'm leading the teenage girls in our church congregation, and what I can do to influence that for good? I've been praying and praying and studying and pondering on this for literally months and probably even a couple of years now, and I feel like after a very deep study of this recent sermon given by Russell M. Nelson called "Peacemakers Needed," I finally have a clear-cut formula and a pact that I'm taking to go ALL IN on a couple of promises to myself to do the things that are taught by Jesus to really become peacemaker, and I'd love it if you'd join me too! Are you in? Let's do this.
Time Stamps: [01:14] - Corrine explains why she was inspired to talk about today’s topic about becoming peacemakers. [05:58] - Here’s what definitely does not work if you want to be a peacemaker. [09:42] - What does it mean to show compassion towards people who hurt you or who hurt someone you love? [15:06] - Corrine explores why it’s dangerous to indulge in contention. [21:33] - How can we overcome contention? [26:12] - Corrine talks about the characteristics of someone who has charity and someone who has pride. [32:25] - What can you do to be led by God to be a peacemaker? [38:11] - Uplift and inspire the people around you.
Supporting Resources: "Peacemakers Needed" Talk by Russell M. Nelson "Beware of Pride" Talk by Ezra Taft Benson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Father's Day is just around the corner and, in honor of that, I decided to interview our favorite dad in this house, Neil! Neil has gone from being "not a kid guy" to a 5-star dad in a world where fatherhood is oftentimes downplayed and demoralized. Today he shares with me some of the greatest lessons he's learned about fatherhood, starting with a few from his own dad and then moving into his evolution as a father, especially what he learned while he solo-parented for 6 months while I was on bed rest, and what his advice is to any dad who's just starting out or wanting to improve as a dad.
Time Stamps: [00:41] - Neil talks about a piece of fatherhood he learned from his own dad. [04:22] - Sometimes we don’t fully understand the depth of a parent’s love until we become one. [09:43] - Neil appreciates that his parents allowed him to fail and learn at his own pace. [13:46] - Did fatherhood match what Neil thought it’d be like? [18:18] - What advice would Neil give his past self right before becoming a father? [24:55] - Neil talks about being the family’s main caretaker for 6 months while Corrine was on bed rest. [28:56] - Neil shares his experiences to talk about stay-at-home fathers, working from home, and spouse business partnerships. [33:52] - Neil says he’s thankful to care for his family and be present. [37:21] - “Being a dad’s awesome.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're finally back! After taking a couple months off we are so happy to be returning with new weekly episodes, and this week we're sharing Bobby's birth story, how 5 total visits to Labor & Delivery ended in an unscheduled but successful c-section, the hardest hospital recovery I've ever had, why we had to stay an extra day in the hospital, but also some of the miracles and tender mercies we experienced including the update on how my postpartum depression has gone this time around.
Time Stamps:
[00:40] - Corrine and Neil are excited to be back!
[02:30] - Why was Christmas so important in Corrine’s pregnancy?
[04:42] - Contractions on a Wednesday night.
[06:37] - A nurse surprised Corrine and Neil. What happened?
[09:05] - Corrine talks about what it felt like to go back and forth to the hospital amid chaos.
[11:24] - Corrine experienced contractions on and off for an entire week. Did she have anything to help with the discomfort?
[14:04] - “I think I have to call.”
[16:24] - Corinne and Neil are Pros at this point.
[18:01] - There were many possible complications. How did Corrine handle the information?
[20:56] - “It’s time. Is everybody ready?”
[23:54] - What did Neil feel right after Bobby was born?
[26:15] - Corrine talks about the first 24 hrs after giving birth.
[29:07] - How did the kids react to Bobby?
[31:41] - Corrine shares how she felt when postpartum depression came back up, and what was different this time around. PART 1
[34:20] - Corrine shares how she felt when postpartum depression came back up, and what was different this time around. PART 2
[36:54] - “It’s okay to go ask for help.”
[38:42] - If you persist in your belief, you will accelerate your spiritual momentum.
[40:33] - “Things can get better, and do get better.”
Supporting Resources:
"The Power of Spiritual Momentum" Talk by Russell M. Nelson
How many kids is the perfect, ideal amount? What's the best family size? Is it wise to have a big family? These are some of the questions we'll explore today as well as tell our own story on how we decided to have 5 kids and what led up to that big decision! We're also sharing an announcement so stay tuned for that and we hope you know how grateful we are for your listenership and for being here as part of our Mint Arrow Messages family.
Time Stamps:
[00:33] - Corrine and Neil have an announcement to make. What’s the big news?
[02:05] - Have you ever watched It’s a Wonderful Life?
[04:15] - Corrine still has a picture of Neil changing his first diaper. Why does the photo make them laugh?
[06:43] - Corrine originally thought the family would cap at three children until she felt a prompting.
[08:59] - When did Corrine get a prompting to have another child? What did Neil think?
[10:58] - Corrine and Neil thought four kids was definitely the final number.
[13:03] - Corrine and Neil started feeling like someone was missing from the family. PART 1
[16:00] - Corrine and Neil started feeling like someone was missing from the family. PART 2
[18:52] - You think once you follow God’s plan he’ll make it easy. That’s not always true.
[21:50] - Why has this recent pregnancy felt like a little miracle after a little miracle?
[23:27] - God qualifies those he calls for his plans.
[25:02] - What is the general idea of a “perfect” family? Does it matter?
[27:28] - People can have different perceptions of what life looks like with their family.
[30:28] - Corrine feels blessings are on the other side of following God’s plan.
[32:14] - You will rise to the occasion when you need to.
[35:04] - Corrine says it’s so awesome to see kids grow and become more self-reliant.
[37:23] - When we put our trust in the Lord, he helps us be more than what we thought we could.
Supporting Resources:
“Americans, in Theory, Think Larger Families Are Ideal” Gallup article
“Be Not Afraid, Only Believe” Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland
Bruce Kayitare was born in Rwanda where he now lives with his wife and two children. He says, "I am a child of God born again after receiving Jesus Christ in my life, and I have seen the work of God through all my life." He is passionate about ministering and mentoring. Bruce has worked in leadership for about a decade working in factory operations, supply chain, production systems of luxury products, accessories and hand-crafted home décor. He's supervised large groups of various artisans and is compassionate in empowering women especially in rural areas. He also specializes in training companies on ethical compliance. He is currently working for All Across Africa/Kazi, a company based in California.
Bruce and I met while I was on a trip to Rwanda in 2015, visiting Kate Spade's Rwandan artisan factory. He was working as a leader for Kate Spade's On Purpose collection, handmade by artisans in Masoro, Rwanda and we immediately connected over our love for God and family. I've kept in touch all these years and I've been so impressed by the way he champions women and their vital role as leaders and creators. I also have admired for years his consistent commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ and wanted a chance to ask him more about the way his faith has impacted the rest of his life. Bruce and I have had conversations over the years about trust in God, forgiveness, and the role of our Savior in our lives and I am so grateful he would share that with us here today.
Time Stamps:
[01:34] - Bruce Kayitare is a champion for women.
[03:29] - What did Bruce notice about how the women around him handle money?
[05:17] - How do women influence the local economy in Rwanda?
[07:11] - Bruce describes the impact of supporting women to uplift society.
[09:56] - Bruce recalls his upbringing and how he got the name “Bruce.”
[11:49] - “I was born again.”
[14:38] - Bruce shares his story of forgiveness involving his mother.
[17:04] - “I can’t tell you something that I can’t practice myself.”
[18:55] - It’s all about love.
[21:14] - Bruce talks about how prayer impacted his life. Does he have any specific story to share? PART 1
[23:12] - Bruce talks about how prayer impacted his life. Does he have any specific story to share? PART 2
[25:47] - No one knows what everyone else is going through.
[28:41] - What is Bruce’s greatest hope for the future?
[30:53] - Corrine speaks about her experience of Rwanda and how full of love the people are in the community.
[32:54] - Bruce shares what he thinks can make the world better.
[34:35] - Thank you Bruce, and thank you for listening!
How do you start your day out? Do you roll out of bed and let life dictate your plans, or do you do things every day that set your intentions, your mind and your spirit up for whatever success means to you? Today Neil and I are sharing how we go about our daily routines, or dailies as we call them, why they're so important, how to get started with them, and what you'll get out of making dailies a priority.
Time Stamps:
[00:28] - Neil describes what his mornings looked like before he added structure to his days.
[03:21] - What was Neil’s first introduction to dallies?
[05:52] - Starting dailies reduces the feeling of being a frantic responder. You feel calmer facing the day.
[07:51] - Are you seeing things with an eternal viewpoint?
[10:43] - Be sincere and willing when a prompt comes to you.
[13:02] - Corrine talks about how prompting can be completely different from what you expect or are looking for?
[15:06] - Dailies provide a spiritual foundation for day to day life.
[17:58] - You can have an improvised version of dailies. They come in handy when life is unpredictable.
[20:28] - Corrine shares her hack for checking if she is spiritually plugged into her day.
[23:00] - Take inventory of each day.
[25:53] - You can use a habit, routine, or ritual to replace habits you want to step away from.
[28:28] - “It’s based off of actions.”
[30:25] - Corrine shares the three-step-loop that builds habits.
[32:20] - Neil talks about being honest with God during dailies to have a better start to the day.
[35:35] - What works for one person doesn’t work for another person. Find what works for you.
[37:48] - Spiritual actions become course correction for your day.
[40:02] - Feel empowered to change things in your life. You are in charge of your life and routine.
Supporting Resources:
“Daily Restoration” Talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
ARP Manual “Addiction Recovery Program: A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing”
“The Power of Habit: Why We do What We do in Life and Business” book by Charles Duhigg
Casey Baugh is a 40-year-old investor, operator, board member, advisor, husband, and father of 5. During his 13 year tenure at Vivint, Casey played a critical role in sales leadership helping grow revenue from $30M to $1B. Later he Co-Founded & is a Managing Partner of Sandlot Partners, a private investment firm that has deployed over 350 million dollars since inception. Casey has also been involved in providing affordable housing to over 100,000 people while deploying $2.2 billion + across 260 communities in 19 states.
Casey is also a Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Green Light Restaurant Group which invests in and helps build exceptional multi-unit franchise concepts like Cup Bop and select full service restaurants including Pizzeria 712, Station 22, Communal, Black Sheep Cafe, 5 Star BBQ, and Banderra BBQ. He has also advised and invested in the early stages of several successful operating companies like Pura Fragrances, Dental Intelligence, Divvy Pay, and Breeze Airways. Casey is regularly sought out by young professionals and students for his ability to mentor and help them navigate and optimize their own career path and enjoys teaching entrepreneurship as an adjunct professor at BYU to undergraduate students. I've personally known Casey since 2010 when I worked as an executive assistant at Vivint, and in the past couple of years, I noticed that each Sunday he would repost several people's Instagram stories, tagging him in their "Sunday planning sessions." I was super curious to know what this process was all about since so many people practice this and share it weekly. Casey graciously agreed to come on my podcast and share not only the process of his Sunday planning that he's taught over the years to so many people, but also the backstory of what led him in life to all of his success and some of the pitfalls that created pathways to what he wouldn't have chosen for himself, but led to greater things that God had in store for him.
Time Stamps:
[02:09] - Casey Baugh says he could have never guessed what his career has been.
[04:05] - Casey recalls a major life lesson that shows sometimes the “worst thing” that could’ve happened is actually exactly what you needed.
[06:58] - “I’m really grateful for it.”
[08:43] - Is there any solution when something unfavorable happens and there’s not much you can do at that moment?
[11:11] - Casey talks about the moment opportunities started coming to him more quickly.
[14:10] - Casey gets honest about unexpected struggles he and his wife faced while building a family.
[16:52] - “This is exactly how it’s supposed to be.”
[19:14] - Casey is really big on planning.
[21:08] - Casey mentions the Law of Two Creations.
[23:44] - How does Casey typically plan his day?
[25:54] - Rewire your brain to have a positive view of yourself.
[27:59] - Do you remember what lights you up?
[29:46] - Have you reconsidered the opportunities available to you?
[32:39] - Casey explains why he writes a 1-page summary of his week.
[35:18] - The most important things should never be at the mercy of the least important things.
[37:17] - You don’t need to be perfectly efficient to get tasks done.
[39:38] - “Getting things doesn’t make you happy.”
[41:53] - Casey talks about why it’s important to pour into others.
[44:11] - What you give comes back to you 10x.
[46:18] - Thank you Casey, thank you for listening, and happy holidays!
Supporting Resources:
Casey’s IG @casey_g_baugh
Casey’s LinkedIn
Sandlot Partners website
Have you ever been involved in some kind of charitable work or cause that afterward you realized maybe didn't do as much or the kind of good as you intended? I definitely have on a couple of occasions, and one super eye-opening moment for me happened on the beach in the North Shore of Oahu a couple of years ago where I met Lindsay Hadley and she broke down for me the basics of what she calls The Orphan Myth. In today's episode, Lindsay goes into depth about the many myths around orphans and how many of us have intended to help, but actually perpetuated a problem unknowingly around the world of separating children from their homes by way of funding many orphanages. Lindsay shares how this happens, why it happens, and what we can do instead to create better long-term solutions for children who need families and loving care to grow up around.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Abide. The #1 Christian Meditation App that’s proven to reduce stress, improve sleep, and deepen your experience with the peace of God! Text promo code MINTARROW to 22433 to get 25% off your first year when you sign up for a premium Abide subscription.
Time Stamps:
[01:06] - Lindsay Hadley dedicates her time to the social entrepreneurship space and the Orphan Myth.
[03:41] - Lindsay says she always felt her vocation would lead her to be an inspiration around the world.
[06:00] - Lindsay recalls why meeting Deborra-Lee Furness impacted the way she helps vulnerable children.
[08:37] - How can charities collectively boost a campaign?
[11:05] - Lindsay shares that 80% of all children in orphanages are not orphans and have at least one living parent.
[13:43] - Where is the real root of the concern? What’s a better solution?
[16:38] - Vulnerable children need dependable consistent care.
[18:27] - What if solutions are geared more towards empowering the entire family? PART 1
[21:23] - What if solutions are geared more towards empowering the entire family? PART 2
[24:57] - Most solutions are well-intended, but nothing replaces having a supportive environment, like a family or community.
[27:46] - Lindsay urges everyone to ask thoughtful questions about the impact of the solutions they support.
[29:35] - There are vulnerable children in your community you can help.
[31:22] - The biggest change we can start with is becoming aware of the impact of our intentions.
[33:29] - Corrine mentions the ripple effect of intentional empowerment when business models focus on building lasting systems.
[35:09] - Lindsay talks about society sometimes nitpicking charity and humanitarian work on social media.
[37:43] - No one has all the answers, but we can get to a solution together.
[39:07] - “One of the greatest indications of self love is how you treat others.”
[42:08] - Let’s be willing to ask ourselves “How can we do this better?”
[45:05] - Lindsay talks about loving yourself to help spread more love.
[26:47] - Thank you Lindsay, and thank you for listening!
Supporting Resources:
Lindsay’s IG @lindsayshadley
The Orphan Myth website
Lindsay’s Ted Talk “Shocking Truths about Orphans”
This episode is one we've talked about literally for years, but it hasn't felt right until now. Over the past nearly 4 years, Neil has walked a difficult path through grief and trauma of losing his only full-living-brother to a homicide in January of 2019. The past couple of years have been especially difficult as he's tried to work through and cope with the anger part of grief, but has recently really found more closure and truly readiness to forgive. So that's what we're talking about today, the journey of finding and offering forgiveness to those who have wronged us, and how Neil was able to get there. We're also talking about how this can apply to anyone's life circumstances, even if there's not a situation in your life that demands the same level of forgiveness, and how offering forgiveness is ultimately a gift to yourself.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Troomi Wireless, the safe phone that grows with your kids. Use code MINTARROW for $50 off the purchase of any Troomi device! Visit shop.troomi.com to order your phone.
This week’s episode is also brought to you by Abide. The #1 Christian Meditation App that’s proven to reduce stress, improve sleep, and deepen your experience with the peace of God! Text promo code MINTARROW to 22433 to get 25% off your first year when you sign up for a premium Abide subscription.
Time Stamps:
[01:00] - “Finding healing and forgiveness.”
[2:55] - Neil mentions the delayed reaction of grief.
[04:31] - It can feel frustrating to not understand why traumatic experiences happened. Is there any peace to be found?
[07:07] - What happens when sadness is followed by anger?
[09:51] - There’s usually a deeper emotion beneath anger.
[12:50] - Corrine commends the internal work Neil did over the years with his grief.
[15:17] - Forgiveness is a gift to those around you, and most importantly, to yourself.
[17:02] - Sometimes forgiveness is not instant despite knowing and believing in the power of forgiveness.
[19:13] - Keep your heart open to the idea of forgiveness.
[21:27] - “It’s time to forgive and move past it.”
[23:50] - If you had to present forgiveness years after a traumatic event, could you do it? PART 1
[26:09] - If you had to present forgiveness years after a traumatic event, could you do it? PART 2
[28:41] - How did Neil start to work on his grief?
[31:24] - Seeing others in the way that God sees them can open a path of compassion.
[34:11] - “I forgive you.”
[36:52] - Neil reflects on the difference between the start of his grief and the closure of this point in his journey.
[38:21] - The same forgiveness that was extended to you should be extended to others.
[41:01] - We all experience moments that test our forgiveness.
[43:52] - Corrine discusses the realistic inner work around letting go of the need to judge or keep score of wrongdoings.
[46:43] - “Let the atonement of Jesus Christ take over.“
[49:03] - Neil talks about entering new levels of forgiveness throughout his journey.
[50:56] - There’s no set formula or timeframe that tells you how to forgive. Everyone’s progression is different.
[53:17] - The story of “Forgiveness Flour” for your bread.
[55:28] - When Christ is the negotiator and mediator, it’s all perfect.
[57:37] - Why is it so important for us to embrace forgiveness?
[59:24] - You come out better on the other side. You become free.
Supporting Resources:
“On Measuring Flour and Forgiveness” Talk by Madison U. Sowell
“The Power of Spiritual Momentum” Talk by Russell M. Nelson
The Christmas season is officially here! My very FAVORITE time of year. I love the twinkling lights, I love all the peppermint flavored things, I love the spirit of giving, I love that people are a little more cheery (most of the time!) and I love the reason for the season, to focus a little more on our Savior Jesus Christ. Today I'm sharing 7 simple ways that I've found to be very effective to really put Christ in the center of your Christmas.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Troomi Wireless, the safe phone that grows with your kids. Use code MINTARROW for $50 off the purchase of any Troomi device! Visit shop.troomi.com to order your phone.
Go to lighttheworld.org for more ways to have a Christ centered Christmas.
Time Stamps:
[00:32] - It’s our 200th episode!
[03:08] - Corrine explains how the #LightTheWorld campaign gives you a super simple way to have a Christ-centered Christmas.
[05:45] - Watch your acts of kindness stack up with a Giving Manger.
[07:54] - Corrine talks about giving a gift to Jesus to make a Christ-centered Christmas last all year long.
[10:38] - Seek and expect miracles.
[12:24] - Ask Heavenly Father what he wants you to do, and commit to doing that.
[14:14] - Write it down and act on it.
[16:47] - Become an Anti-Scrooge for your Christ-centered Christmas. PART 1
[18:28] - Become an Anti-Scrooge for your Christ-centered Christmas. PART 2
[20:04] - Share your light with the world.
[22:26] - Spread awareness of the good deeds of others, like sharing stories on social media.
[25:08] - Give with your abundance.
[27:07] - The gift of abundance can exist in many forms. PART 1
[29:35] - The gift of abundance can exist in many forms. PART 2
[31:22] - Thank you for being one of our listeners. We love and appreciate you so much.
Supporting Resources:
Go to lighttheworld.org for more ways to have a Christ centered Christmas.
Amy Antonelli is the Chief Executive Officer of Humanitarian Experience (HXP, previously known as HEFY). This summer, HXP sent over 5,000 teenagers out on sustainable service expeditions to 47 global locations. Collectively they are driven by one clear purpose: to love God and love people.
Prior to her work with HXP, Amy acted as a spokesperson for Apple's executive officers, including CEO Steve Jobs, and was instrumental in building PowerSchool, Inc., leading up to its acquisition by Apple. She subsequently led an initiative with the leadership team at Facebook to develop a more mission-driven internal community, and another with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to develop a global self-reliance mentoring strategy.
Amy holds a Master’s degree from Harvard and a Bachelor of Arts from BYU. She served a mission in Italy and Malta, and as the first Executive Director of Rising Star Outreach, she spent seven of the best years of her life living and working among the people of the leprosy colonies in rural India.
She considers her life tangible proof of the promise she lives by: there will be miracles," and today I got to have an incredibly inspiring conversation with Amy all about how essential it is to really SEE people, both the teenagers she works with at HXP, and the people they serve in their various mission trips. Amy and I talk all about her experiences seeing these teenagers discover what it feels like to truly give your best self to the world and feel the ultimate fulfillment of the joy of living in the moment and being the Savior's hands. If you've ever considered sending your kids on a service trip, this episode is a MUST listen for you.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Troomi Wireless, the safe phone that grows with your kids. Use code MINTARROW for $50 off the purchase of any Troomi device! Visit shop.troomi.com to order your phone.
This week’s episode is also brought to you by Abide. The #1 Christian Meditation App that’s proven to reduce stress, improve sleep, and deepen your experience with the peace of God! Text promo code MINTARROW to 22433 to get 25% off your first year when you sign up for a premium Abide subscription.
Time Stamps:
[01:56] - Amy Antonelli feels she is living the life she was meant to live. Did she know that at first?
[04:47] - Amy describes a crossroad she went through where she rethought her purpose and took an overseas trip to help with disaster relief.
[07:01] - “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
[09:25] - What did Amy do once she returned from her trip?
[11:56] - Amy explains what solidified her resolve to pursue a humanitarian path.
[14:22] - The HXP experience is a humanitarian effort similar to mission trips, which are common in other denominations.
[15:57] - “We are always, and foremost, followers of Christ.”
[19:36] - One of the highlights of HXP is that participants get to have a digital detox.
[21:57] - What are “positive peer groups”?
[24:20] - Amy shares how beautiful it is to see people come together in service.
[27:13] - Amy compliments the HPX trip leaders and how they pour into the youth.
[29:36] - HPX wants to change the lives of the people being served and the lives of the teens who help the projects.
[31:35] - People can make a difference in a person’s life simply by acknowledging them.
[33:04] - HPX changes lives in a way that goes beyond metrics or accomplishments.
[36:02] - “You’re worth everything.”
[38:56] - Amy talks about witnessing youth find purpose and meaning while doing the HPX trips.
[41:46] - Amy reads a letter of a parent grateful for the influence HPX had on their child: “Thank you and God bless you for your work.”
[44:33] - If you’re considering an HPX experience, ask your youth what feels right for them.
[47:12] - Can you join an HPX trip if you are not of the same faith? (Hint: Yes. Amy explains why and the ways to participate.)
[49:32] - Give youth a chance to rediscover their purpose.
Supporting Resources:
Sign up for a Humanitarian Experience Trip at https://www.humanitarianxp.org/
HXP instagram
Amy’s Instagram
Have you ever thought to yourself, "Am I really doing what I should be doing with my life right now? Am I making my greatest impact?" A listener recently asked me something similar to this and we felt like it was a great topic, especially after our recent episode about how Satan wants you to waste your time. So today we're sharing some ways to really discover and spend your time wisely and how to discover your purpose and greatest contribution to the world in all seasons of life.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Troomi Wireless, the safe phone that grows with your kids. Use code MINTARROW for $50 off the purchase of any Troomi device! Visit shop.troomi.com to order your phone.
Time Stamps:
[00:33] - Are you struggling to find your purpose?
[02:49] - The Lord puts opportunities in your path. Have you noticed them?
[05:15] - You can take action that involves your purpose every day.
[06:52] - “There’s so much to do within what has been allotted to us.”
[09:34] - There is a cycle of giving and receiving. What season of the cycle are you in?
[11:14] - Have you ever thought that there’s a reason you are in a set of circumstances?
[12:35] - It’s easy to overlook the significant impact you can make in the community around you.
[14:33] - Corrine gives you examples of inspiring people who serve their purpose with what they have in the moment. PART 1
[16:59] - Corrine gives you examples of inspiring people who serve their purpose with what they have in the moment. PART 2
[18:45] - While you’re living your purpose, are you also taking care of yourself?
[20:52] - “Heavenly Father, show me what you want me to do today.”
[23:42] - Incredible things happen when you use your time the way God would want you to.
[26:34] - When you are in service, it completely changes your experience of life.
[29:20] - Are you taking care of your purpose in the walls of your own home?
[31:58] - “What should I be doing with my time?”
[34:07] - Everything’s a phase, whether good or bad.
[35:43] - Freely giveaway what was given to you.
[37:40] - It’s a humbling experience to pour into people who are at where you once were.
[40:21] - Share your light and your testimony.
[43:08] - What actions would make you proud when you look back over your life?
[45:46] - “Trust God.” PART 1
[48:35] - “Trust God.” PART 2
Supporting Resources:
“Turning Enemies into Friends” Talk by Sharon Eubank
“Content with the Things Allotted unto Us” Talk by Neal A. Maxwell
“The Needs before Us” Talk by Bonnie L. Oscarson
“Addiction Recovery Program: A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing”
Dave Hollis is a New York Times best-selling author, host of the popular Rise Together podcast, keynote speaker, and life and business coach. Dave’s history includes CEO of a media start-up, former President of Sales for the film studio at The Walt Disney Company, a talent manager across film, tv, and music and work in publicity, research, and technology in the entertainment sector. Dave is the father to four kids, a four-time foster parent, an avid runner, sports memorabilia enthusiast, and the proud owner of a 1969 Ford Bronco. Dave is releasing a brand NEW book tomorrow called Here's to Your Dreams! A Tea Time with Noah. He wrote this book with his 5 year old daughter Noah to encourage her, and anyone else who reads this book, to believe in themselves, have courage, and chase after their dreams. Dave opens up to me in this interview about some of the recent challenges, failures, learning experiences and paradigm shifts he's experienced in his life. We talk about entrepreneurship, parenting, relationships, finding your path in life, and really facing your fears in order to be the person that God intended you to become.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Abide. The #1 Christian Meditation App that’s proven to reduce stress, improve sleep, and deepen your experience with the peace of God! Text promo code MINTARROW to 22433 to get 25% off your first year when you sign up for a premium Abide subscription.
Time Stamps:
[01:15] - Dave Hollis says he had this very human reaction to people reading his books.
[03:30] - Why did Dave decide to write a book with his daughter?
[05:43] - “The Pursuit of Dreams.”
[08:33] - You can pursue your dreams while being the good friend, parent, and all the other roles you have in life.
[10:07] - Are your beliefs your own or beliefs you adopted from what you were surrounded by? PART 1
[12:42] - Are your beliefs your own or beliefs you adopted from what you were surrounded by? PART 2
[14:56] - How much does culture and generation play into our worldview?
[17:34] - Progress is progress.
[20:29] - What’s the difference between pursuing a goal for performative reasons versus personal growth reasons?
[23:09] - Dave says he felt proud of himself when taking on a new challenge. What was it?
[24:55] - “Failure is nothing more than information.”
[26:50] - How can you use failure to get better?
[29:56] - Focus on celebrating the effort.
[32:49] - Is there a way to offer support to your children in their “failures”? PART 1
[35:34] - Is there a way to offer support to your children in their “failures”? PART 2
[37:40] - What does it mean to be present while someone works through their own problems?
[39:22] - Dave discusses the beauty of sharing this book experience with his loved ones.
[42:11] - “The Permission to Dream.”
[44:34] - There is “purpose” inside you that you can unlock and gift to others.
[47:10] - Dave talks about what he is looking forward to next, and how he’s building his life to suit him and his purpose.
[49:56] - Where is Dave focused on most?
[51:47] - Love yourself as you are.
[53:56] - Be confident in who you are.
[55:42] - Thank you Dave, and thank you for listening!
Supporting Resources:
“Here’s to Your Dreams!: A Teatime with Noah Book” Book by Dave Hollis
herestoyourdreams.com
Podcast: Rise Together
Instagram: @mrdavehollis
Emily Snyder loves collecting experiences and loves inviting people to take their thinking one step deeper than usual.
With a teacher’s heart, she graduated from BYU with a degree in Elementary Education. From there Emily has had a variety of professional “chapters” in her life: she has taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade; worked for the Church of Jesus Christ’s, general Relief Society presidency; helped run Professor Clayton Christensen’s world at the Harvard Business School; was the Chief of Staff at Magnolia (Chip and Joanna Gaines’ company in Waco, TX); and was president at Establish Design, a gorgeous interior design company.
Currently, Emily is consulting with various organizations and is a Senior Product Manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Today Emily and I get to really dive deep into what the Story Brand is all about. It’s a philosophy that has helped countless businesses get really clear on who they are and exactly what they offer to others, including our own Mint Arrow brand. Today as you listen, try to really incorporate what Emily is teaching into whatever organization you’re involved in, whether that’s your business or your family or your church community or even yourself as an individual and what you uniquely bring to this world.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Abide. The #1 Christian Meditation App that’s proven to reduce stress, improve sleep, and deepen your experience with the peace of God! Text promo code MINTARROW to 22433 to get 25% off your first year when you sign up for a premium Abide subscription.
Time Stamps:
[01:21] - Emily Snyder talks about the experiences that have a huge influence on her career path.
[03:46] - Emily recalls moving to Boston with no job and ending up at a top university. What happened?
[06:24] - “I didn’t know that I had big dreams until then.”
[08:57] - Where did Emily find an interest in Story Brand?
[11:03] - Emily gives the core aspects of Story Brand using “Little Women” as an example: Character.
[13:58] - Story Brand “Little Women” example: Problem.
[15:13] - Story Brand “Little Women” example: Guide(s).
[17:44] - Why do you need to clarify these core aspects of a story?
[19:14] - Emily explains the underlying message of brand messages using famous candy examples.
[22:13] - It takes a deep dive to articulate an internal struggle in a message.
[26:57] - How do you define your edge or unique perspective?
[29:02] - Epic stories have power since they have something that resonates with all of us.
[31:33] - Emily touches on Apple’s ability to tell a story with their products without the focus being on the products.
[33:18] - “The power of the hero.”
[35:21] - Be clear on the product offering and know what’s the purpose.
[37:00] - Who is the “hero” in society?
[38:51] - Why is being a Story Brand guide fulfilling to Emily?
[40:46] - Everyone has something powerful to offer the world.
[43:39] - What are you helping people accomplish in life?
[46:12] - Life’s greatest opportunity is to discover and offer your uniqueness.
Supporting Resources:
Emily’s Instagram
This hustle and bustle world that we live in can sometimes seem like it's also an impossible place to find rest. So today we're talking about why rest is SO essential, who came up with the idea that we need to be resting, and how to find better quality and more rest in your life.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Abide. The #1 Christian Meditation App that’s proven to reduce stress, improve sleep, and deepen your experience with the peace of God! Text promo code MINTARROW to 22433 to get 25% off your first year when you sign up for a premium Abide subscription.
Time Stamps:
[00:24] - This week’s topic is a request from a good friend.
[02:24] - Corrine points out examples of rest in the scriptures.
[05:05] - “Misery Avoidance Commandments.”
[06:48] - Corrine recalls hiring a virtual assistant and this particular request a candidate made that got them the job.
[09:28] - Most times you need to slow down to lessen life’s turbulence.
[12:00] - How has society changed conversations around rest?
[14:49] - Sometimes you have to trade off something good for something better.
[17:45] - You should be able to enjoy your efforts and recharge.
[20:53] - Even the highest achievers take time to rest.
[23:03] - Corrine and Neil talk about listening to your body.
[25:14] - You could make things worse if you don’t take time to rest.
[28:12] - Corrine and Neil talk about balancing rest and newborns.
[30:39] - If you need to take a step back for rest, you can, and you don’t have to justify it.
[32:44] - Know when to create boundaries around technology and 24/7 connection.
[35:05] - Turn to the right resources for true rest.
[37:40] - “There are times and seasons for everything.”
[39:33] - “Find true peace and rest in Jesus Christ.”
Supporting Resources:
“Of Things That Matter Most” Talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Overcome the World and Find Rest” Talk by Russell M. Nelson
Today Neil and I are sharing a book review of Navigate the Strait, a dying father's testimony to his children about faith, covenants, and eternal life. Navigate the Strait is an insightful look at one man’s journey through an active life of teaching, learning, and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is ending in the slow, downward spiral of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. We briefly discuss some of our favorite parts of the book, and then share interviews from 3 people who know Brad and his family intimately. Each of these interviewees share what they admire about Brad, what they loved about his book, and their favorite takeaways that they learned from reading it. I haven't stopped handing copies of this book out like candy, and not because I just want to support a nice guy, but because it's such a refreshing and honest look at our faith from a guy with a unique perspective of knowing he's in his last days on this earth.
Time Stamps:
[00:07] - Who is Brad Smith to Corrine and Neil?
[01:51] - What’s different about Brad’s book Navigate the Strait?
[04:49] - Corrine and Neil share their favorite themes from Brad’s book.
[06:53] - “I’m all in.”
[08:43] - People will struggle with tradition and culture changing.
[11:27] - Sometimes traditions need an update. How can communities do this?
[14:26] - “Do hard things cheerfully.”
[16:46] - Repentance is more about a change of direction than feeling guilt.
[18:41] - Daily efforts build up to something really beautiful.
[20:16] - Face life with wisdom, grace, and an eternal perspective.
[22:31] - Life always needs a little humor.
[24:49] - Elders can help teach and spread the nature of God.
[27:29] - Testimony is simply your personal experiences of applying the scripture to your life.
[30:13] - “If they can do it, I can do it.”
[32:51] - Let God prevail. God’s plan is often better than what we imagine.
[35:43] - “Never say ‘No’ to the Lord.”
[38:18] - You can mix Godly principles in all parts of your life.
[40:20] - Don’t let anything stop you from doing God’s will.
Supporting Resources:
“Navigate the Strait: One Guy’s Thoughts on the Narrow Passage to Eternal Life” by Brad Smith
The theme of distraction keeps popping up for me, and specifically how distraction can keep us from doing the most important things. So today we’re talking about some of the ways to combat this, how to identify it in your life, and where you’ll find the best solution that’s exactly meant for you.
Time Stamps:
[00:24] - Corrine explains why “distraction” is this episode’s theme. It started with reading a book.
[03:23] - Satan wants you to waste your time.
[05:54] - Corrine keeps feeling nudges about writing a book. How does she plan to pursue it?
[08:20] - Neil says this lesson did not leave his mind when thinking of how people spend time.
[11:20] - “Favorable conditions never come.”
[13:29] - There’s a difference between “people who surf” and surfers.
[15:41] - God will bring the miracles you need.
[18:20] - Sometimes there does need to be a sacrifice or a trade off. The situation depends on how you prioritize your efforts.
[19:50] - Neil thinks about how faith and personal agency relates to opportunities.
[21:58] - When the distractions are drowning out the true purpose, it’s time to simplify your plan.
[24:28] - Corrine reminds everyone to not get distracted by an obsession with accomplishment. You still need to live a full life.
[27:23] - Why is it so easy to waste time?
[29:27] - How can your identity be a distraction?
[32:16] - Corrine explores legacy and how people live out their purpose on Earth.
[34:49] - You don’t need to use your time perfectly, but small adjustments can help you use it more effectively.
[37:14] - Corrine and Neil refocus on the core reason Satan wants you.
[39:27] - If you’re not sure what to do with your time, ask Heavenly Father.
Supporting Resources:
“The Infinite Atonement” Book by Tad R. Callister
“Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints” Talk by Russell M. Nelson
“Of Things That Matter Most” Talk by Dieter F Uchtdorf
We’re back with a BONUS episode from our friend Henry Ammar. His original episode was so good and I didn’t feel like we could cut anything out of it, so we made a part 2 where he was able to answer some of the questions that came in on Instagram stories after people watched his TEDx talk. This episode is packed with even deeper dives into what healthy boundaries look like and how to apply them in your life.
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mintarrow.com/merch
Time Stamps:
[01:43] - Henry Ammar returns for a BONUS Q&A! First Question: How do you create a boundary without feeling guilt?
[04:00] - Henry goes through an exercise to discover your perspective of boundaries and start to heal it.
[06:58] - What’s the best way to establish new boundaries after many years in a relationship?
[09:42] - How do you avoid hurting feelings when you want more space from people you love?
[11:47] - How can you set boundaries when you must balance a caretaker role with your own life? PART 1
[14:19] - How can you set boundaries when you must balance a caretaker role with your own life? PART 2
[15:51] - How do you set boundaries when married or in a serious relationship to an addict? PART 1
[17:26] - How do you set boundaries when married or in a serious relationship to an addict? PART 2
[20:18] - Henry encourages people to get familiar with understanding how to heal trauma and how people cope on different levels.
[22:08] - How can you get involved in Henry’s mastermind? It’ll give you tools you will use for the rest of your life.
[23:43] - Thank you Henry, and thank you for listening!
Supporting Resources:
Henry’s Ted Talk on boundaries
Henry’s IG @henryammar
Website
Henry’s podcast “Making it Happen with Henry Ammar”
Previous Episode
Episode 191: How to Create Love-Based Boundaries with Henry Ammar
Henry Ammar is a Human Behavior and Subconscious Reprogramming Expert who hosts the Podcast, “Making It Happen with Henry Ammar.” The podcast has ranked #1 in the Training Category and #6 in the Education Category on the iTunes Charts.
As a keynote speaker and empowerment and transformation expert, he has positively impacted people across the globe, speaking to audiences as big as 35,000+ people at a time. Henry is also published in Forbes.
In his professional career, Henry began in music and has performed on a Grammy Award-winning album and traveled the world sharing the stage with legends. He has also overseen the investment and management of over $2 billion dollars in real estate. Recently Henry gave a TEDx talk entitled What Porcupines Teach Us About Boundaries, and as a follow-up I asked him if he would be willing to come on my podcast and further expound on his thoughts on this topic and he graciously agreed. It was honestly so good that we ended up splitting the episode into 2 parts - the second part is a Q&A so watch for that coming soon! And I hope you enjoy this episode as thoroughly as I did.
Time Stamps:
[01:24] - How did Henry find his approach to boundaries?
[03:56] - Henry explains the sweet spot of boundaries using the porcupine example.
[05:27] - What is the difference between Love-based boundaries vs Fear-based boundaries? Why is it important to discern the two?
[08:19] - Henry explains the loving version of self-awareness.
[10:53] - Why is it important to understand and communicate your values? PART 1
[13:24] - Why is it important to understand and communicate your values? PART 2
[15:07] - Be intentional about who has access to your inner circle. You don’t have to let everyone in.
[17:44] - “You can’t fully give or receive love if you don’t feel safe.”
[20:42] - Henry talks about triggers, dysregulation, and confrontation when setting boundaries.
[23:47] - Stay present enough to communicate your boundaries so you can protect your best self.
[25:34] - Listen to your feelings to ask yourself better questions about your boundaries.
[28:15] - Does visualizing and rehearsing your boundaries help? PART 1
[30:05] - Does visualizing and rehearsing your boundaries help? PART 2
[31:46] - Henry shares the usual reactions people have to new boundaries and how to work through the resistance when it’s worth it.
[34:26] - Sometimes people test your boundaries to see if you’re serious.
[36:55] - Here are 3 FUNDAMENTALS to help your personal growth and boundaries.
[39:35] - Henry describes the loop that people find themselves in and tips to break onto a new path.
[42:17] - “Whatever you choose, I will be okay because now I’m doing the work for me.”
[44:12] - Compassion and boundaries go together.
[46:38] - What boundaries need to be set?
[49:26] - Sometimes you need to excuse yourself.
[51:08] - When do you know it’s time to put people in an outer circle?
[53:49] - How can we deal with loved ones who do not manage their past traumas well?
[55:24] - Boundaries are flexible.
[57:43] - “There is absolute hope.”
[59:31] - Henry closes the show by appreciating and recognizing Corinne and Neil.
Supporting Resources:
Henry’s Ted Talk on boundaries
Henry’s IG @henryammar
Website
Henry’s podcast “Making it Happen with Henry Ammar”
Kelsie Hancock is a photographer, travel blogger and resident of San Diego, CA and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 2015. She was sent to a few different states, but ultimately found herself on Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. Kelsie was a communications officer and served on active duty for 4 years. While stationed on Pendelton, she reconnected with a guy she knew from college (Norwich University in Vermont) Nicholas Losapio, also a Captain in the Marine Corps, and an MV-22 Osprey pilot. Nick was the love of Kelsie's life. They dated for several months and then moved into their first apartment together in September 2020, and got engaged on January 16, 2021, in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Their wedding date was set for August 4, 2022 in San Diego.
On June 8, 2022, Nick was flying a routine training flight near El Centro, CA with his co-pilot and 3 other crew members. It was a typical day at the office for him. A Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI), which can easily be described as the equivalent of Top Gun, and one of the most experienced and well-versed Osprey pilots on the West Coast, if not the entire Marine Corps, Nick’s plane went down due to reasons still under investigation. He and the 4 other Marines on the plane perished in the mishap.
Kelsie's whole world was turned upside down as she lost her best friend and love of her life. Today Kelsie and I talk all about her story of meeting and falling in love with Nick, what happened on June 8 when Nick passed away, and what life has been like for her since. We also talk about the personal mission she feels called to be on to help other people who are in similar circumstances as she was when Nick passed, as a loved one but not yet a spouse of someone who passed away in active duty. Kelsie is working hard to keep her home and keep her life together, and her story really touched my heart. The gofundme that her friends created has been "the biggest blessing of all" since Nick's passing, and if you'd like to donate you can do that through the link in today's show notes.
Time Stamps:
[02:18] - Kelsie Hancock talks about growing up in Southern Maryland.
[04:18] - How did Kelsie end up in San Diego?
[06:54] - Kelsie recalls the camping trip where she bonded with Nick.
[09:05] - Why does Kelsie say her date with Nick was the best date ever?
[11:20] - Kelsie talks about starting a blog and other life milestones after fulfilling her service.
[13:42] - What is it like to be in a relationship with someone who is deployed?
[16:18] - What does Kelsie remember about her engagement to Nick?
[18:48] - Did the engagement go as planned? Kelsie tells the story of tacos, guacamole, and a missing ring.
[21:44] - Kelsie shares her memory of June 8, 2022.
[24:43] - A partner who motivates you to be a better version of yourself.
[26:47] - Does Kelsie blame God?
[29:45] - God sees the big picture. Kelsie explains her thoughts on trusting the larger plan God has.
[31:19] - Kelsie shares what sign she repeatedly sees that reminds her everything will be okay.
[34:14] - Kelsie plans to start a foundation to support spouses of service members.
[37:14] - Which resources would Kelsie like to offer at her future foundation?
[39:15] - What are the immediate needs of grieving spouses?
[42:14] - Don’t forget to spend quality time with the people you love.
Supporting Resources:
Instagram @its.kelsiemarie
Kelsie’s photography page
Donate to the Gofundme account setup for Kelsie
Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Florida specializing in anxiety, burnout, perfectionism and trauma. She particularly enjoys helping anxious overachievers experience greater ease by finding worth in being, not just doing.
Dr. Rubenstein is the Chief Wellness Adviser for Misfits Gaming Group, a global esports and entertainment leader, building thoughtfully tailored programs from the ground up for its competitive teams, its content creators, and all staff to boost productivity and strengthen the culture of the organization. She lives in South Florida with her husband and two young kids. I found Carolyn on Instagram earlier this year and have LOVED following along with all of her incredibly helpful content that not only really resonates with me and my very apt-to-burnout lifestyle, but I love that all of her posts give actionable takeaways that have honestly made my life better! She and I get to talk all about anxiety, burnout, perfectionism and building self-esteem today and I think you're going to absolutely LOVE this episode.
Time Stamps:
[00:59] - Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein’s passion to help people starts from her childhood. What happened?
[03:12] - Dr. Rubenstein shares the two lessons she learned in college that transformed how she viewed the medical world.
[05:41] - How can people recognize that they have anxiety?
[07:15] - Dr. Rubenstein shares the first steps to address anxiety and create a little separation from the feeling.
[10:10] - How can parents notice and speak about anxiety with their children?
[13:04] - Dr. Rubenstein shares how kids can have conversations around intense or ambiguous feelings like anxiety.
[15:13] - Return your focus to you and check in with yourself.
[17:50] - These are signs that you may have burnout or be on the path to burnout.
[20:15] - To move away from burnout, first identify what in your life is draining you.
[22:58] - You can have routines and mini routines for when you need to regroup yourself.
[25:01] - What does Dr. Rubenstein think about self-care?
[27:11] - Create a self-care menu of activities that bring you peace.
[29:53] - Corrine and Dr. Rubenstein share what’s part of their self-care menu.
[31:52] - What are signs of perfectionism?
[34:50] - Dr. Rubenstein talks about whether perfectionism comes from internal pressure or external pressure.
[36:28] - How can someone build healthy confidence? How can this be done with children?
[39:28] - Help children see themselves as the multifaceted person they are.
[41:19] - Dr. Rubenstein encourages you to trust yourself and your ability to handle hard moments.
Supporting Resources:
Carolyn’s website
Carolyn’s Instagram @carolynrubensteinphd
One of the most frequently asked questions in my DMs these days goes something like this: “So many of my friends or family are leaving the church. What do I do or how do I respond?” This really is a hard thing if you love your church as much as we do, but the way you respond is extremely important in doing exactly what we feel called to do as members of any church that worships God, which is to show love and kindness. Today we're going through a few key things that will help you navigate situations when people you love leave church, or leave their faith.
Time Stamps:
[00:40] - Corrine says she keeps seeing this question lately about friends and family leaving the church.
[03:23] - We cannot force matters of the heart.
[06:13] - Let people have their own agency.
[08:49] - Do people who leave the church expect you to reach out? (Hint: Sometimes.)
[11:29] - Neil brings up how we can show unconditional love towards our family and friends who leave the church.
[14:05] - “Just listen.”
[16:46] - Corrine talks about how we’re all in need of God equally.
[18:21] - What do you do when your spouse is leaning away from the church?
[19:51] - Neil says you don’t carry the burden of convincing people to come back.
[21:48] - Always make people feel welcomed for whenever they decide to return.
[24:48] - When it’s time, people will make a change on their own. Don’t be afraid to offer a simple invitation.
[27:38] - “Is this the right time?”
[30:28] - Our ability to extend a hand to others is powerful.
[32:07] - “All of us are free to choose.”
Supporting Resources:
“Preparing the Heart” talk by H. Burke Peterson
Dr. Richard K. Hada graduated from the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health where he excelled in general and special needs dentistry. His love of general dentistry has afforded him to further his career by studying the latest in Cosmetic Dentistry, Implantology (dental implants), and Endodontics (root canals). He not only happens to be our dentist but he also did an incredible job with veneers on my teeth a few years ago, and then on Neil's teeth just this past year.
Dr. Hada and his wife have two girls and two boys. He is an active member of his church and community. In his free time, he loves to play sports, surf, and do woodworking projects. But what really impresses both Neil and me is the incredible company culture he's built in his dentistry practice at Hada Family Dental. His google and yelp reviews accurately reflect just how many raving fans he has here in south Orange County, but you can also really feel that whenever you walk into his practice. Everything is beautifully decorated, his office staff is extremely efficient and friendly, and he's somehow made even people who hate going to the dentist love visiting his office. Today Rich teaches us about how he created such a tight knit culture in his office and what he's done to create a radically unified team at Hada Family Dental and the exact practices you can apply to whatever work or leadership opportunities that you personally have too.
Veneer Giveaway! Go to @doctor.hada or @corrinestokoe on Instagram for details on entering the giveaway.
Time Stamps:
[01:37] - Dr. Hada first chipped his tooth in third grade.
[03:33] - Who convinced Dr. Hada to be a dentist?
[05:06] - How is Dr. Hada so happy as a dentist? He talks about why his passion for dentistry feels fulfilling.
[07:20] - Dr. Hada explains the philosophy of his work culture at the practice.
[09:10] - Always deliver an exceptional experience and invest in your team.
[11:44] - Dr. Hada’s warmth is the same no matter where he’s at.
[14:08] - Dr. Hada creates an environment where people are happy to come to work. How does he build a work culture?
[16:01] - Dr. Hada shares a team building exercise that he admires.
[18:58] - This work culture habit is inspired by Dr. Hada’s wife.
[21:47] - Here’s how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Hada.
[24:00] - Dr. Hada treats his team to tacos for lunch. What’s the significance?
[26:18] - Be a team player and have each other’s backs.
[28:47] - Optimize and be scrappy.
[31:22] - Dr. Hada talks about creating raving fans for the dentist practice. What’s the story behind it?
[33:52] - Dr. Hada is grateful for all the people who rock the Hada Family Dental merch.
[35:04] - Corrine mentions how Dr. Hada helped the dental journey of her and Neil.
[36:41] - Why are veneers useful in dental health?
[38:50] - There’s something that holds people back when they are not comfortable with their smile.
[41:37] - “The more you give. The more you live.”
[43:19] - Thank you Dr. Hada, and thank you for listening!
Supporting Resources:
Hada Family Dental website
Dr. Hada’s Instagram @doctor.hada
Veneer Giveaway! Go to @doctor.hada or @corrinestokoe on Instagram for details on entering the giveaway.
I get some variation of the question, “How do I know if it's right to marry someone who's an addict?” frequently in either my emails or DMs. And it's a great question! Today Neil and I are going to share our experience of knowing it was right to get married and how we landed on that decision, and how YOU can determine this for yourself as well. If this message resonates with you (or any other episode we've shared) we would love it if you'd leave us a review! And if you know someone who could benefit from this podcast episode or another, please share it with them. Thanks so much for being here. We love and appreciate you.
Time Stamps:
[00:44] - Here’s the definition of “addict” used in this episode.
[03:35] - How did Corrine and Neil’s relationship start?
[05:47] - Corrine recalls the Christmas season their relationship broke off.
[07:38] - Corrine shares what she thought after Neil told her about his addiction.
[09:36] - Neil shares what he thought after telling Corrine about his addiction.
[11:04] - What foundational traits matter in a long-term relationship?
[13:04] - Corrine had to let go of the “Rescuer” mentality.
[16:04] - Don’t chase people off the cliff.
[17:49] - Corrine and Neil talk about the “Rescuer” dynamic compared to classic fairy tales.
[19:36] - How did Corrine and Neil figure out if they should get married?
[22:12] - Everyone is imperfect.
[24:29] - Corrine recalls a slip Neil had during their engagement.
[26:54] - Corrine warns people to pay attention to spiritual promptings on relationships.
[28:33] - Neil talks about the difference between challenges and signs to let go.
[31:11] - What did Corrine’s parents think of her relationship with Neil? Has anything changed?
[33:55] - Not a perfect marriage, but an incredible marriage.
[35:54] - Strengthen your spiritual Wi-Fi.
[38:32] - Have the courage to do what God tells you to do.
[40:43] - The person experiencing the addiction must be willing to pursue recovery. PART 1
[42:16] - The person experiencing the addiction must be willing to pursue recovery. PART 2
[44:31] - Recovery is a step by step journey.
[46:57] - This is a lesson that applies with any marriage.
[48:30] - Choosing to walk through life together.
Supporting Resources:
“I Decided to Marry a Recovering Pornography Addict” Corrine’s article for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence” Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland
Have you ever caught yourself either invalidating your own suffering, saying something like “I shouldn't be complaining because so-and-so has it so much worse,” or thinking or even saying, “Oh yeah well, did you go through this? I didn't think so! I had it so much worse than you,” kind of like the classic fable of parents who walked home from school a mile in the snow with no shoes, and uphill both ways?! Well today we're going to talk about this idea of comparative suffering, that either you're bad because you're complaining when you haven't suffered enough to qualify to complain or feel sad, OR, you think someone else shouldn't complain because you've had it worse. Both lead to unhappiness, and both are destructive. So we’ll unpack this idea of comparative suffering and also provide 3 antidotes that will help you to overcome this kind of thinking and instead live in peace and joy and abundance, even through challenging times.
Time Stamps:
[01:02] - Corrine gives an update on her bed rest. She talks about a community she found.
[03:43] - What happened after a community member compared her suffering to her friends?
[05:27] - What is comparative suffering?
[08:17] - Allow suffering to pass through.
[10:05] - People aren’t thinking about you as much as you think.
[12:54] - What other people think of you is none of your business.
[14:23] - Even the smallest things need care and attention.
[17:06] - Corrine explores how pride can show up in comparative suffering.
[19:57] - Be careful not to fall into the trap of pride, ego, and entitlement.
[21:50] - Neil talks about how suffering is relative to the person.
[24:20] - It’s nice to have someone empathize with your suffering.
[27:07] - Corrine shares how freeing it felt to move on from things that hurt her in the past.
[28:56] - Suffering is part of divine design. Heavenly Father knows the nuance of what we go through.
[31:03] - Neil talks about how prayer can bring relief in the midst of suffering.
[33:20] - How can you use gratitude to give yourself a wider perspective?
[36:15] - Each day is miraculous.
Supporting Resources:
“But for a Small Moment” Talk by Neal A. Maxwell
“Beware of Pride” Talk by Ezra Taft Benson
Gratitude quote by Melody Beattie
John 14:24-27 Scripture about the comforter
Alma 7:11-12 Christ knows how to succor us in our infirmities
Heather Avis is the founder of The Lucky Few, a New York Times best-selling author, podcaster and a Down syndrome advocate, working to create a more inclusive world where everyone belongs. For more than a decade, she has led this effort by shouting worth, shifting narratives, and reimagining what it looks like when we embrace our differences. Heather just released her 3rd book called Everyone Belongs, a children’s book that teaches kids about being loving and inclusive especially to those who have disabilities. Heather patiently and graciously talked through all my questions about what it's like to be a mom of kids who have Down syndrome and gave beautiful advice on how we can teach our kids to be more inclusive and why she believes it starts with our kids. I learned so much from this interview and was left feeling so uplifted and I know you will too.
Time Stamps:
[00:59] - Heather Avis talks about The Lucky Few and where the phrase comes from.
[02:22] - How can we tell a “truer story” about Down syndrome?
[05:19] - Who is Heather’s “Scariest and Best Yes”?
[07:04] - “You can’t know what you don’t know.”
[09:27] - When speaking about people outside of our own community, we should get our cues from that community.
[12:17] - Heather shares the spark she felt the moment she read this email from a social worker.
[14:54] - What was it like to finally complete the adoption?
[16:39] - How did Heather’s family react to the decision?
[19:22] - Heather talks about dealing with society systems that try to put a limit on who her children are as people.
[21:04] - Every person is already valuable, even when in pursuit of better.
[24:02] - What made Heather decide to say “yes” to another baby diagnosed with Down syndrome?
[26:50] - Parenting is one step at a time for every parent.
[28:11] - Everyone belongs.
[30:56] - Heather shares examples of how parents can have open conversations with their kids around disability and differences.
[33:47] - You are equipped to handle your journey, and there is a community here to help you.
[36:14] - “Exactly who you are is exactly who we pick.”
Supporting Resources:
Heather’s Website: Heatheravis.com
“Everyone Belongs” Book by Heather Avis
A self-proclaimed lifelong cheerleader, Darcey Wilde cherishes relationships and works each day to help the world feel beautiful, one woman at a time. Darcey is co-owner and CEO of Shine Cosmetics, the positive voice in beauty. Committed to being the leader in removing the sexualization of women in the beauty industry, Shine Cosmetics is determined to help women recognize their true beauty, by creating high quality, easy to use products that highlight the very best features of the unique and bright women who wear them. Darcey believes that words matter and the Shine product line focuses on the positive qualities every woman possesses and serves to reaffirm them as she prepares for her day.
Use code MAM15 for 15% off anything at shinecosmetics.com
Time Stamps:
[01:14] - Darcey Wilde says the idea for Shine Cosmetics came during a dance competition.
[04:02] - Corrine and Darcey share their views on makeup and confidence. Makeup enhances what’s already beautiful about each of us.
[05:59] - Darcey is very intentional about the names of the makeup products, so that they are empowering affirmations.
[08:39] - Darcey is a serial entrepreneur who’s not afraid to tackle a problem when she sees one.
[10:21] - Here are Darcey’s tips for dealing with imposter syndrome and forging your own path.
[12:01] - The people who resonate with your brand are your people.
[13:55] - Darcey encourages you to trust what you are being called to do.
[15:28] - Darcey speaks on what she learned about self-talk and redefining her identity.
[17:47] - “The loudest voice you hear every day is your own.”
[19:54] - Darcey explains why it’s so important to talk to yourself with love and understanding.
[22:26] - Corrine shares that thoughts aren’t always right, true, or real.
[24:59] - It’s not silly to say good things about yourself. Words matter.
[27:56] - Corrine explores the idea that imperfect parenting is by design.
[29:35] - “What would you tell your 13-year-old self?”
[32:00] - Darcey talks about when she gave herself a makeover in her 30s. What happened?
[34:44] - Darcey says that you need to be the one to like what you see in the mirror.
[36:22] - There are no rules to makeup since we are all unique.
[38:47] - We all can have our own favorite when it comes to makeup.
[40:21] - In every stage in your life, you are beautiful.
Supporting Resources:
shinecosmetics.com
Shine Cosmetics Instagram @shinecosmetics
Darcy’s Instagram @darceywilde
Are you facing a really big challenge in life right now? If you are (and the chances are pretty high that you are, because most people are!) then today’s episode might be just for you. We're talking about choosing joy and having a positive perspective no matter your circumstances, a few of the ways to do that, and how it will impact your life.
Time Stamps:
[00:28] - Flip the script from sadness to joy.
[02:43] - Corrine shares her pregnancy journey over the past months. What has she felt lately?
[05:04] - Corrine talks about going to Disneyland during her pregnancy.
[06:58] - Bonus: A reservation tip for your next Disneyland trip.
[08:56] - What made Corrine nervous that she was experiencing a miscarriage?
[11:25] - Corrine talks about an ultrasound that took an unusually long time. What was going on?
[13:37] - Placenta previa is why Corrine was directed to be on bed rest.
[16:36] - Joy is less about circumstances and more about what you focus on in life.
[18:47] - Neil shares how he feels about this recent pregnancy journey and how he takes one day at a time.
[20:30] - Corrine says that thinking of her “why” empowers her to see a bright future.
[23:02] - Trust that what’s happening now is adding up to something greater.
[26:00] - Challenging times can turn into blessings.
[27:38] - How often do you remind yourself of the eternal perspective? It can make everything clear and remove the distractions.
[29:49] - Corrine encourages you to see the micro and macro purpose of your current journey.
[31:28] - Neil discusses decision-making based on an eternal perspective. What actually matters?
[34:23] - Allow yourself to be happier. Your purpose is to have joy.
[36:26] - Here are five things that keep life in the eternal perspective.
Supporting Resources:
“The Adventure of Mortality” Talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The Home Edit post on breast cancer
Allison Hottinger & Lisa Kalberer are the sisters behind The Giving Manger, who believe kindness is an everyday practice and giving can change everything. With 6 kids between them (Lisa has one son, Allison has five kids), their focus is RAISING KIND KIDS. Kids who Give. Kids who CARE. They are constantly looking for ways to make giving and kindness simple and a daily practice. Today I get to ask Allison and Lisa all about their journey with starting the Giving Manger and how they've helped bring that tradition to thousands of families and created millions of acts of service around the world. We also get to talk about their inspiration behind their newest project, the kindness chain, and how this kid-friendly, family centered activity can help unify kids and parents with their communities and bring more love and kindness to the world.
Time Stamps:
[00:58] - Allison explains where the idea for The Giving Manger came from.
[03:57] - “If we can’t get it out of our mind, it might be something that we need to do.”
[05:41] - Lisa talks about the drive they had once they were set on bringing The Giving Manger to life.
[07:35] - Real joy comes from being in service and helping each other.
[09:53] - When you follow your purpose, resources will show up for you.
[12:51] - Did Allison and Lisa feel any opposition as they created The Giving Manger?
[14:57] - Reach out to the community around you.
[17:38] - Shifting the focus to giving.
[19:26] - Take time to appreciate others and be intentional.
[21:13] - Human connection is part of giving. Lisa shares what happened when she took a chance on having a kind chat with a stranger.
[23:18] - Our small contributions add up. Allison shares a story of a stranger making a friendly request to make another person’s Christmas joyful.
[25:26] - Be kind.
[27:24] - A smile goes a long way.
[30:12] - We can all be more understanding of each other.
[31:51] - Corrine recalls a moment where simple words from a nice stranger made a situation more comfortable.
[33:40] - Where did the creative prompts come from?
[36:11] - Kindness creates a chain reaction.
[38:57] - Try to be part of the solution. Allison and Lisa talk about how their families are being more and more involved in creating change.
[41:38] - Remember to be kind to people, even when it feels inconvenient. You never know what impact your kindness could have.
[43:32] - Kindness is a daily practice. It starts from one thing at a time.
Supporting Resources:
Instagram @thegivingmanger
The Giving Manger website
“The Giving Manger” Book by Allison Hottinger
Bre Welch is an actress and photographer who has studied and performed in London, New York City, and Walt Disneyworld. She has performed in venues across Utah including Hale Centre Theatre, The Grand, The Ellen Eccles, Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, and the Salt Palace. Bre studied vocal performance for over fifteen years and is the owner and photographer of Pepperfox Photo where she takes rad headshots and modern branding photos. She is mommy to 3 incredible humans. Late last night I was on instagram when I saw a post from Bre about putting goodness into the performing community rather than the toxicity she was seeing, and it really struck a chord with me. The stars all aligned so that 13 hours later, we were able to sit down and talk all about this! I was so uplifted by the things Bre shared with me and I hope you leave this interview feeling the same way too.
Time Stamps:
[00:56] - Bre Welch gives the backstory of The Pepperfox Podcast and its connection to the artist community.
[03:21] - How did Bre start doing photography?
[06:21] - Bre says she was really active in photography, but she noticed this scarcity mindset she had.
[08:52] - When you clearly communicate what you offer, you become the “go-to” person.
[11:50] - Bre shares her experience of being a Disney princess. How did she hear about the opportunity?
[13:31] - What do you do to audition as a Disney princess? PART 1
[16:31] - What do you do to audition as a Disney princess? PART 2
[18:29] - Your worth does not fluctuate. You are always worthy.
[20:34] - What is Bre’s advice to people in scrutinizing careers?
[22:41] - We are here to fully live our lives.
[24:40] - Who is the most magical person Bre remembers from her time at Disney?
[27:26] - Bre wants to see more good infused into the theatre community.
[29:52] - What is the hardest part of theatre in Bre’s opinion?
[31:23] - Opportunities are abundant, and they’ll keep coming.
[33:14] - We want to see people being people.
[35:48] - Bre talks about which personality traits she sees emerging in her children. PART 1
[38:14] - Bre talks about which personality traits she sees emerging in her children. PART 2
[40:00] - It’s not so much about what you do, but who you’re becoming.
[41:57] - Thank you Bre, and thank you for listening!
Supporting Resources:
Bre’s photography pepperfoxphoto.com
Instagram @pepperfoxphoto
Bre’s podcast The Pepperfox Podcast
We are halfway through 2022, so right now is a great time to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come. Have you given yourself space to see how close you are to your goals, if you’re at least headed in the right direction, or if you need to redirect a little? Today Neil and I are talking all about evaluation, progression, and how to achieve and celebrate small wins that will get you to the bigger wins in the future, and how to make sure you're enjoying the journey along the way.
Get 10% off Mint Arrow jewelry by going to mintarrow.com/merch and use the code podcast10 at checkout.
Time Stamps:
[00:35] - Corrine reflects on her vision board and talks about celebrating new milestones.
[03:08] - Evaluate your goals, so you know where you’re at in your journey.
[05:51] - Do you know if you’re spending time on the best tasks for your goals?
[08:30] - Know where and when to place your focus on certain tasks.
[11:22] - Ask a trusted person in your life for feedback about your goal setting habits.
[13:22] - “Goal setting should cause us to stretch as we make our way.”
[16:22] - Corrine describes the meanings of the new Mint Arrow jewelry pieces.
[19:40] - Actively search for good and practice gratitude.
[22:03] - Keep your heart open to conviction and guidance.
[24:48] - Not all problems can be solved at once, but we can work it out step by step.
[27:14] - “Daily decisions determine destiny.”
[29:00] - Neil talks about praying for help to accomplish an effective and balanced approach to life.
[31:22] - Listen to how Pixar writes out their ideas. It’s a great example of not chasing perfection.
[33:18] - Let’s pause for a moment and appreciate how far we’ve come.
[35:53] - You might spend a season working on one goal over others.
[37:35] - Give yourself grace for whatever time and season you are in.
Supporting Resources:
“The Word Is Commitment” Talk by Marvin J. Ashton
“Choose Wisely” Talk by Quinton L. Cook
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” Book By Greg McKeown
“The Power of Clarity: Find You Focal Point, Maximize Your Income, Minimize Your Effort” Audio Book by Brian Tracy
“Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time” Book by Brian Tracy
Story of Joseph Smith appearing to Brigham Young in a dream and counseling the saints to keep the spirit.
If you've been on social media at all in the past couple of weeks, and really in the past couple of years, you know that when issues hit the internet they tend to blow up like an explosive. So when some really heated and emotionally charged current events started to blow up on social media in the past week, I turned to the scriptures and to talks and sources of truth to try to find not only answers to my questions, but how to appropriately share whatever god might want me to share. The answers that I found were different than I expected, mostly centered around being a peacemaker, so that's what we're going to talk all about today. The need for a peacemaker in this world and how to become one.
Time Stamps:
[00:46] - Corrine talks about society’s reaction to the series of legislation changes in the US.
[02:38] - Is there a time where Neil felt he had to be more of a peacemaker?
[05:29] - Staying stuck on ill-feelings ruins your experience of life.
[07:23] - We must individually seek peace and harmony within ourselves to do the same with others.
[09:37] - Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive.
[11:39] - Take a moment before you respond to something that makes you upset.
[13:17] - Withdraw from anger and contention.
[14:54] - Peacemakers break the cycle.
[17:18] - Beware of pride.
[20:08] - Do people really need to comment on everything?
[22:57] - Go to sources of truth.
[25:38] - How can we bring peace into a heated conversation?
[27:44] - “God does not send thunder when a still, small voice is enough.”
[29:20] - The common ground in the truth is greater than our differences.
[32:08] - Lean into being a peacemaker in our society.
Supporting Resources:
“The Power of Spiritual Momentum” Talk by Russell M. Nelson
“Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker” Talk by Neil A. Anderson
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” Book by Dale Carnegie
“Our Hearts Knit as One” Talk By Henry B. Eyring
Have you ever been in a situation where you don't realize it at the moment, but after the fact you look back and see that the adversary was totally working to get at you, to pull you down, to sneakily make you feel less-than worthy or like you're failing or you even lost out on joy from comparison or negativity? Today we're going to discuss how Satan is in your blind spots, how to spot him, and what to do about it.
Time Stamps:
[00:37] - The adversary is hanging out in our blind spots.
[03:09] - What’s the difference between a leopard and a cheetah?
[04:57] - Corrine describes how cheetahs stalking their prey mirrors how evil can be lurking in plain sight.
[07:38] - Satan is the enemy of righteousness.
[10:22] - Do you understand the underlying problem that is fueling the chaos?
[12:08] - Restlessness, irritation, and discontent can still exist when the true cause of the havoc is not addressed.
[14:24] - There are times we don’t recognize Satan and claim ourselves as the “problem.”
[16:06] - Don’t let the adversary score easy wins.
[17:48] - Corrine talks about the difference between being “fearful” and being “aware.”
[20:22] - Neil brings up the concept that not all thoughts in your mind are from you.
[23:20] - Neil gives a tip on separating the good and the subtle bad that appears in your thoughts from time to time.
[25:41] - Everybody can relate to being concerned about rejection or comparison at some level.
[28:29] - More people resonate with your experience than you think.
[30:56] - “You have accomplished something beyond price.”
[33:53] - Here’s why you shouldn’t nag yourself with a sense of failure.
[35:50] - Christ taught us how to deal with the devil.
[38:20] - Be careful of the subtle temptations that start to leak into your life.
[41:19] - Satan will take you down however he can get you.
[44:14] - Savior is much more powerful.
[46:33] - Give your attention to the positive.
Supporting Resources:
“Watchful unto Prayer Continually” Talk by David A. Bednar
“To the Women of the Church” Talk by Gordon B. Hinckley
Have you ever asked God for a miracle, or wondered how in the world you should go about that if you need one? I'm willing to bet that if you're listening to this, there's some kind of miracle you need in your life right this minute! I'm going to share with you the details of a few miracles that happened to me just last week, while Neil reminisces about some that happened on his mission, and then we'll share the formula that you can follow to seek and expect miracles in your life too.
Time Stamps:
[00:34] - Corrine recaps the youth camp she just came from. How did the trip go?
[02:53] - Can we really seek and expect miracles? Neil gives an example of putting together faith and action.
[05:04] - Neil talks about using prayer and intention to move towards miracles.
[06:49] - Seeing miracles consistently builds the amount of faith you have for the next miracle.
[09:09] - The Lord is willing to intervene in the lives of those who believe in him.
[11:05] - Where did Corrine find the confidence to seek and expect miracles?
[13:49] - Corrine talks about the miracles that happened during the youth trip that kept everyone safe.
[15:42] - Even when the situation looks one way, watch how a miracle will appear at the right moment. PART 1
[18:11] - Even when the situation looks one way, watch how a miracle will appear at the right moment. PART 2
[20:34] - Neil and Corrine talk about miracles being evidence of faith and belief.
[23:11] - Listen to Corrine and Neil talk about food miracles where it looked like there wasn’t enough to go around.
[25:56] - With miracles, everything aligns in a way that can’t be made up.
[28:48] - Miracles happen every day.
[31:19] - Are you expecting miracles or are you in doubt of them?
[33:56] - Boldly seek and expect miracles.
[35:50] - This will accelerate your spiritual momentum.
Supporting Resources:
“The Power of Spiritual Momentum” Talk by Russell M. Nelson.
New York Times article on Tyler Skaggs miracle tribute game.
On February 24, 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine in an attempt to take over the country, but for the past three and a half months, Ukrainians have fought back in a David and Goliath effort to stand their ground and preserve their beloved country. Right when the war started, I discovered on Instagram, and became friends with, a Ukrainian man named Andre Zinkovsky who was sharing about his testimony of food storage and how he was prepared to deal with the war because his church leaders had instructed him to have a supply on-hand of food and cash and to be self-reliant. Andre started just by serving his neighbors but quickly ended up turning his once profitable food delivery business into a full-blown charitable effort to feed those who were left behind in his hometown of Kharkov Ukraine with food, hygiene, and medical supplies for the past several months. We've been able to take a small part in this by gathering donations and sending them to Andre weekly, and in the process, he has become a dear friend to us. Andre does weekly live reporting sessions on Instagram where he reports on the hundreds if not thousands of people he's fed each week, and then takes questions, and each week he's inevitably asked to share his conversion story to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has also faced some really challenging conversations with the people he's been serving for the past few months about whether they truly NEED the food he's delivering or if they're able to be self-reliant at this point in the war. So today we got to talk all about both of these things. Andre's pure testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ is so touching and this was such a blessing to me to hear him tell the full story, and I know it will be to anyone else who listens to it too.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Aura Frames. From now until Father’s Day you can save on the perfect gift and visit auraframes.com. Last year Aura completely sold out for Father’s Day, so don’t wait! Listeners can use code mintarrow and get up to $20 off while supplies last. Terms and conditions apply.
Time Stamps:
[01:45] - Andre Polonski is back for another episode. What changed since the last time we talked?
[03:52] - Andre’s past experiences are all being used in his current mission. It’s as if God prepared him for this.
[06:16] - What inspired Andre to deliver food to others?
[08:58] - What is self-reliance, as taught by the church?
[11:42] - Andre’s understanding of what it’s like to be “in need” helps him encourage others to be more proactive. People are more capable than they think.
[14:39] - Self-reliance gives hope and assurance that you can persevere.
[16:15] - Corrine and Andre talk about the self-reliance courses. What are their thoughts?
[18:37] - Andre shares a story about missionaries helping his sick mom. PART 1
[21:33] - Andre shares a story about missionaries helping his sick mom. PART 2
[23:34] - Andre talks about how his life changed after joining the church.
[27:02] - What would Andre do instead if he was not in his current profession?
[28:41] - Andre gives a sweet update about his mom and gives his tips for staying grounded during hard times.
[31:01] - Andre shares tips for staying positive and opens up about his relationship with his father.
[33:57] - Andre explores how he feels towards marriage.
[36:56] - What does Andre imagine doing after the war?
[39:24] - We live in an uncertain world, so be kind to each other.
[41:44] - Use everyday to share appreciation with your loved ones.
Supporting Resources:
Andre’s Instagram @andrepolonski
Charlie Bird, a Missouri native, was Cosmo the Cougar at Brigham Young University from 2016-2018. He received national acclaim for his multiple dance performances with the BYU Cougarettes after ESPN and many other news and social media channels picked up his video that went viral of Charlie dancing (and keeping up!) with the Cougarettes. Charlie served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Redlands, California. He is the author of Deseret Book bestselling memoir, Without the Mask, and hosts a top-ranked religious podcast called Questions from the Closet. Charlie recently received a Masters in Social work from BYU. Today you'll hear my interview with Charlie where he opens up about his identity first and foremost as a son of God, and a gay Christian and member of the church of Jesus Christ, and the journey he's been on toward accepting himself fully and completely. Charlie’s story is heartwarming and inspiring and was so helpful for me to have more awareness, compassion and understanding toward other LGBTQ+ people. I'm honored to call Charlie a friend and am constantly entertained AND inspired by his social media content so it really was a treat for me to just sit and talk with him today and I hope you feel the same way as you listen too.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Aura Frames. From now until Father’s Day you can save on the perfect gift and visit auraframes.com. Last year Aura completely sold out for Father’s Day, so don’t wait! Listeners can use code mintarrow and get up to $20 off while supplies last. Terms and conditions apply.
Time Stamps:
[01:22] - Charlie Bird and Corrine met in Hawaii in the midst of food and dancing.
[03:28] - It can seem that identities matter most when they influence how you can be viewed and treated.
[06:27] - Charlie explores how his connections to the church and the LGBT+ community originally felt polarizing.
[09:17] - Charlie recalls a moment of shouldering shame at 14 years old when he first started considering his sexuality.
[11:39] - What does Charlie hope his story will help others with?
[13:04] - Charlie gets honest about the time he almost became homophobic to try to get away from his internal battle.
[15:43] - What is the story of becoming Cosmo the Cougar? PART 1
[18:11] - What is the story of becoming Cosmo the Cougar? PART 2
[20:08] - Charlie talks about his first time really being exposed to the LGBT+ community. Where was he?
[22:56] - What happened when Charlie started to more openly accept his sexuality?
[25:14] - Trying to be something you’re not inhibits every other part of life.
[27:45] - The feeling of freedom is contagious.
[30:46] - Charlie speaks about the realization he needed to share his story of embracing his entire identity.
[33:19] - What is a good example of being supportive when someone comes out to you?
[35:40] - Charlie suggests ways to approach these vulnerable conversations.
[37:25] - Why did Charlie decide to come out more publicly?
[40:11] - Corrine appreciates Charlie being a positive and relatable advocate for the intersection of the church and the LGBT+ community.
[41:58] - How can we help church communities feel more safe and welcoming for the LGBT+ community?
[44:46] - Life’s too short to not do what is calling your heart.
[46:29] - What is Charlie looking forward to these days?
[48:25] - The best you is “the real you.”
[50:22] - Thank you Charlie! Thank you for listening!
Supporting Resources:
Instagram @mrcharliebird
Tiktok @mrcharliebird
“Without the Mask: Coming Out and Coming into God’s Light” book by Charlie Bird
Podcast “Questions from the Closet” with Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty
Video of Charlie as Cosmo the Cougar performing with the Cougarettes
When horrible, unexplainable evil and tragedy happens in the world, what do you turn to? I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but I used to seriously question whether a little prayer from me could actually make a difference in something that happens halfway across the country, or the world. That all changed 3 years ago when our family was lifted by the prayers of so many people who don't know us personally but wanted us to feel comfort and peace during an unimaginably painful time. I would invite you today to listen to this episode with an open heart and mind and that you'll hear the message that is meant for you.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Calm. Reduce stress and anxiety through guided meditations, improve focus with curated music tracks, and rest and recharge with Calm’s imaginative sleep stories for children and adults. There’s even new daily movement sessions, designed to relax your body & uplift your mind. Go to calm.com/mintarrow and get 40% off a Calm premium subscription.
Time Stamps:
[00:42] - Corrine opens a conversation about using her voice to speak on tragic events.
[03:17] - Corrine once felt that collective prayers for tragic events seemed hollow and cliche.
[05:05] - When did Corrine change her mind about collective prayer?
[07:23] - Neil talks about the power of collective prayer during a hard time for the family.
[10:15] - Corrine mentions what comment on social media made her think about those who don’t feel as connected to collective prayer in tragic times.
[12:41] - Corrine shares a miracle that was only possible by prayer.
[15:17] - Corrine talks about following a nudge she had to ask for prayers, despite not knowing if it’ll make a difference.
[17:57] - Sometimes we need collective experiences with faith and prayer to strengthen our trust in miracles.
[20:38] - Corrine talks about the power of praying for the leaders guiding the country.
[23:22] - If we believe in an omnipotent and omnipresent God, why would we not seek God’s guidance?
[25:42] - Neil explores the definition of prayer and discusses the relationship cultivated through prayer.
[27:58] - Faith is active by the channel of prayer. Prayer is a two-way communication.
[30:46] - Why don’t all miracles happen? Does it have to do with an individual’s faith?
[32:39] - Hard times help us gain character, compassion, faith, and much more.
[34:53] - Neil brings attention to understanding the nature of God. How do we step outside of ourselves?
[36:56] - Exercise a practice of being rooted in prayer.
[39:47] - Each prayer you say contributes to a greater faith. No prayer is wasted.
[41:56] - Expect miracles.
[43:39] - When you look back, you’ll see countless miracles throughout your life.
Supporting Resources:
Governor of Tennessee, Bill Lee, puts out a proclamation and declares a day of prayer, humility, and fasting.
President Russell M. Nelson’s message on US National Day of Prayer.
“Prayer, the Passport to Spiritual Power” from the life of Spencer W. Kimball
“Tragedy or Destiny?” from the life of Spencer W. Kimball
Definition of prayer from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Bible Dictionary
Spencer Taggart, a LONG time friend of ours, has a strong background in social media and marketing. Prior to accepting a full-time teaching position at BYU Hawaii, he was the director of Strategy and New Business for Boncom and a Social Media professor at LDS Business College. Before diving into academia, Spencer was the Global Marketing Manager for Blendtec, one of the most successful companies to use social media as a marketing tool today. Spencer received his BA in Communication from the University of Utah and his MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Spencer and his wife, Katie, have 4 amazing children and they live on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Spencer and Katie bought an investment property in 2020 after God told them that it would be a place of healing and gathering. They hold womens retreats where Spence and his team help people discover their infinite worth and truest purpose in life, which is what we're going to talk all about today. Spence is going to teach us about getting out of the box, leaving behind the pressures and expectations of the world and embracing an intentional life of focusing on the potential God sees in you.
Time Stamps:
[01:13] - Spencer Taggart is a LONG time friend. How do Corrine and Neil know Spencer?
[02:55] - Spencer shares how he came up with the idea for strategic framework sessions.
[05:19] - What is a vision video?
[07:38] - If you design your dream life, what would it look like? What would it feel like?
[10:29] - Spencer says that all of us are born with confidence.
[12:34] - Spencer talks everyone through a powerful box analogy for fear, limits, and progress.
[15:04] - Here is a secret about how the “box” was created.
[17:19] - Real failure is part of life and helps us learn.
[20:09] - Living authentically can inspire others to do the same.
[22:32] - Don’t get stuck in the box.
[25:20] - How many times have you allowed fear to win?
[27:49] - Everyone wins when you do this. What is it?
[29:44] - When you move with love, you are courageous.
[31:53] - Spencer encourages being more present with yourself.
[34:44] - Follow along with this meditation guided by Spencer: PART 1.
[36:26] - Follow along with this meditation guided by Spencer: PART 2.
[39:00] - Live everyday on purpose.
[41:55] - Truth leads to freedom and love.
[44:08] - Spencer encourages you to get out of the box.
[45:55] - Change your life and start truly living.
[48:14] - What is Spencer’s gift?
[51:10] - Tune into Spencer’s morning walk show!
Supporting Resources:
Learn more about the September 2022 Her Infinite Worth Retreat with Spencer and Corrine at herinfiniteworth.org
Sign up and join us for the retreat at* mintarrow.com/retreat**
Spencer’s Instagram/morning walk show @sptaggart
Follow along with the women’s retreats on Instagram @herinfiniteworth
Rio Grange lives in the small town of Hailey, ID with her husband and three children, where they appreciate the slower pace and beautiful mountain community.
In the spring of 2018, she founded Work + Wonder, where her devotion to God meets her passion for design.
Weaving together her roles as a mother, artist, and business owner has been a beautifully chaotic journey—full of countless lessons learned and tender mercies along the way.
Today Rio and I get to have a chat all about her “why” behind Work and Wonder, how she feels God nudged her to really start this work, how the gospel has helped her deal with real life challenges, including losing her dad to suicide, and how she's now honoring his memory with a beautiful table book just in time for Father's Day. This interview left me feeling spiritually full to the brim and I hope it does for you, too.
Time Stamps:
[00:57] - Rio Grange’s two greatest passions are graphic design and the gospel.
[03:15] - Rio talks about being nervous to go into business. How did she make her final decision?
[06:10] - When you feel compelled to do something, negative narratives may come to disrupt you.
[07:52] - How did Rio stick to her idea of starting a magazine?
[10:08] - Rio hopes to make the magazine more “community created”.
[11:40] - Things aren’t always easy, but it’s worth it.
[13:46] - Rio says she is grateful for the bond she continues to develop with her community through positivity and vulnerability.
[16:02] - What helps Rio be compassionate to other people’s stories?
[17:36] - Rio recalls a part of her life that is an exercise of vulnerability.
[20:00] - You never know who will resonate with the story you share.
[22:25] - You don’t need to be perfect. Imperfections help connect us.
[24:18] - If you’re going to chase something, chase the right priorities.
[26:25] - The more we trust the Lord, the more the Lord can work in our favor.
[28:24] - The power of simple faith.
[30:54] - What inspired Rio’s table book?
[33:38] - Rio talks about remembering the root of God’s creation. How did this influence her content?
[36:33] - Rio gives a shout out to her sister for helping with the book.
[38:14] - What are Rio’s thoughts on the connection between God and nature?
[40:57] - Corrine expresses her feelings on combining content and spirituality.
[42:53] - Never underestimate small efforts.
[44:40] - Rio talks about staying connected to the community.
Supporting Resources:
IG @work.and.wonder
Work and Wonder site
Marilee Killpack is a Utah native. First up in her life are God and family. Her husband and four kids are the center of her orbit. She considers herself a has-been dancer, dancing at the Juilliard school in New York City and at BYU where she graduated. Seven years ago, she co-founded an eight-figure business called Gathre that sells leather goods, yet she’d consider her biggest professional accomplishment convincing her husband to join the team
(they love working together approximately 98% of the time). Her greatest goal in life is to become half the woman her mother is.
And today I have the privilege of talking to Marilee, or Mare as I think of her, about her family’s unique journey of saving her child Abrahm’s life through his brother’s bone marrow. Mare shares all the miracles and tender mercies that she and her family experienced as they navigated this huge trial and the many lessons they learned along the way.
Today’s episode is sponsored in part by Calm. Reduce stress and anxiety through guided meditations, improve focus with curated music tracks, and rest and recharge with Calm’s imaginative sleep stories for children and adults. There’s even new daily movement sessions, designed to relax your body & uplift your mind. Go to calm.com/mintarrow and get 40% off a Calm premium subscription.
Today’s episode is also sponsored by Charity Water. Clean water changes everything. It means time, health, education, and opportunities — especially for women and kids. You can help transform the future for a family today. 100% of your donation will fund clean water projects. Go to charitywater.org/mint to learn more.
Time Stamps:
[01:02] - Marilee Killpack talks about the surprising pregnancy journey she experienced and how that ties into her son Abrahm’s diagnosis.
[03:51] - Is there something Marilee was worried about the most?
[05:42] - Marilee describes the conversation of searching for a match for Abrahm’s diagnosis.
[08:01] - What is treatment like?
[10:05] - Marilee talks about being inspired watching Abrahm’s positive and “meek” attitude during treatment.
[13:01] - What does Marilee remember from the day of the transplant?
[15:36] - This sentence left a deep impression on Marilee. Her son resembled a characteristic of Heavenly Father in this moment.
[18:12] - Marilee wants to maintain her gratitude for life.
[20:16] - Listen to Marilee recall a journal entry that snapshots her family’s miraculous experience in the middle of a hard time.
[22:02] - Marilee says that writing a journal was her way of sharing her testimony and was also therapeutic.
[24:59] - People showered Marilee with appreciation and kindness, which makes her want to give back more.
[27:26] - Listen to Marilee’s story of kindness from strangers on a flight home.
[29:32] - Marilee talks about a sudden change in health that caused an emergency decision.
[31:34] - How did the pandemic impact the health journey of Marilee’s family? She explains why her family was on lockdown before the pandemic officially started.
[34:19] - So many people felt similar struggles during the pandemic.
[36:25] - How did Marilee’s family stay grounded in Christ during these times?
[38:37] - We learn resilience through trials.
[40:59] - What does Marilee feel she learned from her kids during the family’s health journey?
[43:41] - Marilee says that doing this helps her feel joy and peace.
[45:03] - Little things, over the course of life, are what change us.
Supporting Resources:
Marilee’s Instagram @marileekillpack
Gathre on Instagram @gathre
https://gathre.com/
Your motherhood probably looks completely different than mine. But I bet we have one thing in common if you're a mother too. I bet you have days where you feel really down in the dumps about how good of a mother you are, or you FEEL you are, that day. It happens to me, and I bet it happens to you. So today I'm sharing my go-to talk when the cloud of comparison starts to creep into my calling as a mother. Whenever I feel like I'm not measuring up to whatever standard I think others may have for me as a mother, whenever I catch myself thinking I'm not doing a good job because someone's doing it better, these are the things I do to help get my mindset back on track and my vision clear and really see motherhood the way I believe God would have me see.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Aura Frames. An Aura frame brings all your photos and videos together in one gorgeous high resolution display. Preload any frame with meaningful memories and a special message that will appear as soon as it’s set-up. Invite the whole family to add to the frame and feel close from anywhere. Go to auraframes.com and use code MINTARROW to get up to $40 off of purchase while supplies last.
Time Stamps:
[01:00] - Today’s episode is about appreciating motherhood.
[04:45] - Corrine shares this analogy that shows why motherhood comes in different forms.
[07:42] - Corrine and Neil discuss how the motherhood of their upbringing may be different.
[09:23] - You don’t need to compare your motherhood to other mothers. Do this instead.
[11:54] - Corrine reveals how she realized that her pride held her back from following her version of motherhood.
[14:21] - You deliver motherhood in a way that preserves the fruits of your efforts best.
[16:56] - Everyone’s family life is going to be different, but Heavenly Father knows exactly what the needs of the family are.
[19:22] - Bring the fruits of the spirit into your home.
[21:43] - Corrine reminisces on the tougher parts of motherhood. For her, it was the toddler phase.
[23:54] - Learn throughout every phase of motherhood.
[25:59] - Corrine and Neil assure everyone that parenthood isn’t always great, but you can usually laugh at it later.
[28:27] - Corrine talks about learning to be more attentive to the path of her own motherhood.
[31:01] - Don’t get obsessive about motherhood. You’re doing better than you think.
[33:58] - Give yourself grace as a mother.
[35:46] - Uplift fellow mothers.
Supporting Resources:
“Baskets and Bottles” Talk by Chieko N. Okazaki
“Beware of Pride” Talk by Ezra Taft Benson
“Behold Thy Mother” Jeffrey R. Holland
Anna Macfarlane is a marketing expert who coaches companies and brands on how to connect with their audience and maximize their social spaces. She is the founder of MARJ MEDIA, as well as popular Instagram accounts @kidsaretheworst, @thingsaretheworst, and @annaistheworst, among other social media accounts and has a fan base of more than 500,000+ internationally & growing.
Anna was one of People.com’s 10 Favorite Moms on the Internet and has been featured in The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Real Simple, and The Daily Mail, among others. She has written multiple guides, including Get SMART and Let’s TALK which give families tools to have great conversations about tech and social media, as well as create successful plans and contracts to use at home. Anna has been a personal mentor and friend to me and I've learned SO MUCH from her in the past couple of years. Today Anna and I are talking all about how YOU (yes you!) have something specific and unique to offer the world, how it's never too late and the market is NOT too saturated to start something new, how to parent teens with technology in a safe and smart way, and how to be the light that you want to see on social media
Today’s episode is sponsored by Charity Water. Clean water changes everything. It means time, health, education, and opportunities — especially for women and kids. You can help transform the future for a family today. 100% of your donation will fund clean water projects. Go to charitywater.org/mint to learn more.
Today’s episode is also sponsored by Aura Frames. An Aura frame brings all your photos and videos together in one gorgeous high resolution display. Preload any frame with meaningful memories and a special message that will appear as soon as it’s set-up. Invite the whole family to add to the frame and feel close from anywhere. Go to auraframes.com and use code MINTARROW to get up to $40 off of purchase while supplies last.
Time Stamps:
[01:27] - Anna Macfarlane talks about a recent and exciting launch!
[03:04] - Anna recalls her start in marketing and how her skills evolved over the years.
[06:00] - When should you trust your gut? All of Anna’s skills came together when she recognized the potential of Instagram.
[08:09] - Don’t tell Anna she can’t do something. She talks about the story behind @kidsaretheworst.
[11:01] - Is social media too crowded? Anna compares the gift of sharing your story with spreading light.
[13:55] - Sharing on social media helps connect people who resonate with each other.
[16:27] - Anna explains how “Pain + Resolution” gives your skills and knowledge leverage.
[19:09] - Figure out what your business provides, then brainstorm on how to share those points.
[21:25] - Here are 3 questions to help you figure out what you will share on social media.
[23:12] - It’s not too late to share on social media.
[25:35] - Social media experienced massive growth and an evolution that helped accounts come across the ideal audience who needed them.
[27:46] - You have to start telling people who you are so that you can transition what you’re sharing into a business.
[30:53] - Anna explains how to make social media “work” when you want to grow an audience and talks about being willing to learn what works.
[33:20] - What are Anna’s thoughts on parents learning social media?
[36:15] - Teach kids social media use step by step. What is Anna’s approach?
[38:44] - When is a good age for teens to have more freedom with social media?
[41:42] - Anna talks about getting your kids accustomed to social media before they go out into the real world.
[44:37] - Everything that is worth doing takes work.
[47:12] - Thank you Anna, and thank you for listening!
Supporting Resources:
IG @annaistheworst
Anna’s website
IG @kidsaretheworst
No Doi beads
IG @shopnodoi
If you've ever felt like you're failing at being a disciple of Jesus, or even if you've just felt discouraged after making mistakes, today’s episode is just for you.
Today’s episode is sponsored in part by Calm. Reduce stress and anxiety through guided meditations, improve focus with curated music tracks, and rest and recharge with Calm’s imaginative sleep stories, for children and adults. There’s even new daily movement sessions, designed to relax your body & uplift your mind. Go to calm.com/mintarrow and get 40% off a Calm premium subscription.
Today’s episode is also sponsored by Charity Water. Clean water changes everything. It means time, health, education, and opportunities — especially for women and kids. You can help transform the future for a family today. 100% of your donation will fund clean water projects. Go to charitywater.org/mint to learn more.
Time Stamps:
[00:24] - Corrine explores Peter’s role as a disciple.
[03:19] - How are we sometimes like Peter?
[05:58] - Neil discusses the cognitive dissonance in how people fall short of their good intentions.
[08:03] - Corrine explores Pilate’s struggle of choosing an intention to follow: PART 1.
[09:49] - Corrine explores Pilate’s struggle of choosing an intention to follow: PART 2.
[11:27] - Neil points out the love, compassion, and understanding exhibited by Christ despite people being fickle.
[13:32] - What would you do if you were in the place of these disciples?
[16:09] - Give yourself grace just as Heavenly Father gives us grace.
[19:51] - Everyone is trying to do what’s right.
[22:21] - “We’re not hypocrites, we’re human.”
[23:51] - Neil talks about the path you are on being more important than how skillfully you follow the path.
[26:35] - Corrine and Neil discuss having mishaps, getting back on track, and being inspired by others who always try.
[29:25] - “You just can’t beat the person who won’t give up.”
[31:36] - Always caring, never shaming.
[33:46] - Remind yourself of how you evolved as you continue to strive forward.
[36:13] - Corrine mentions what came to mind while watching the Oscars incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. How does this relate to the way we view each other’s imperfections?
[38:57] - Corrine reflects on a time where she fumbled in her own path. What happened when her assistant quit at a bad time for Corrine?
[41:45] - We can all learn from our mistakes to do better as we progress.
[43:29] - “Try a little harder to be a little better.”
Supporting Resources:
“Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Eventually” Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland
“Am I Good Enough, Will I Make it?” Talk by Devn Cornish
In 2010 Mandi Gubler started her DIY blog, Vintage Revivals, with a can of yellow spray paint and blind enthusiasm. Since then her projects have grown from thrifting and painting furniture to renovating the Santa Clara Mercantile building and turning it into her family’s dream home. The renovation was thrilling enough that it caught the attention of and was documented by Magnolia. 2 years ago she started a second company, Happy Happy Houseplant, and shares her love of houseplants with the world, teaching fun and approachable houseplant care. She lives in Southern Utah with her husband Court, 3 kids, and hundreds of plants. On a personal note, Mandi was a mentor to me in my early blogging days and was even my sponsor when I worked the 12 steps, and I consider her one of my dearest friends. Mandi and I are chatting today all about what it was like totally transforming the home they live in and how her passion has shifted a little from these huge DIY projects to now teaching people to bring new life into their homes by way of plants, and how to actually keep them alive. If you know Mandi, you know you're really in for a treat with this episode.
Time Stamps:
[01:18] - Mandi Gubler is motivated by connection and experience.
[04:17] - Mandi believes she can make anything work, which drives her to be resourceful.
[06:31] - When did Mandi release the need to force things into working? She explains her trust that what needs to be done will be taken care of.
[08:55] - Mandi talks about how invested she gets into her extreme DIY projects.
[11:44] - Intentional and intense DIY can be tricky when trying to fit a timeline.
[13:51] - Mandi recalls a moment of being consumed in intense work. What did she feel?
[16:07] - Mandi explains how she came up with an idea for another stream of revenue in her business.
[18:29] - A moment came where Mandi needed to choose which project to give most of her energy towards. How did she choose?
[21:16] - When you feel drawn to something, lean towards it.
[24:03] - Mandi is proud every time she sees someone share their story of their plant projects.
[26:36] - Mandi explores the impact the business and projects had on her marriage and her identity.
[29:26] - Mandi shares her journey of creating more space between her identity and her work.
[31:00] - Why did overworking make Mandi feel “okay”? Mandi shares a revelation she had about her work style.
[32:50] - Projects should focus on the process, joy, and excitement.
[35:13] - Mandi talks about feeling safe in pursuing her expression and work in life.
[36:57] - Each person is much more than identities and roles; they are a whole person.
[38:51] - Corrine talks about allowing yourself to evolve, and embracing the path falling into place as you work towards your goals.
[40:07] - In the middle of difficult change, it feels bad, but that’s how we get to be better.
[42:31] - We all have a beautiful light inside us that connects to the light in other things. Mandi explains what this means.
[44:42] - Be open to connecting with what you are drawn towards.
Supporting Resources:
Happy Happy Houseplant
Happy Happy Houseplant IG
Vintage Revivals Blog
Vintage Revivals IG
Have you ever had an experience where you stop and think, there’s no chance that that was a coincidence? Today we’re going to talk about orbits, and how the Lord puts us in certain orbits so that we can influence each other for good and make his purposes happen. We’re sharing some personal stories, in the past and recently too, about how certain people were placed in our path, or orbit, to work out the details of our lives and show us that God really is in charge.
Time Stamps:
[00:34] - Your precise human orbit illuminates the landscape of your individual life.
[02:54] - Corrine tells a story of “chaos”.
[05:07] - How did chaos turn into alignment?
[07:36] - The opportunities that overlap are meant to be.
[10:33] - If everything was predetermined, there’d be no need for agency. What’s the difference between predetermined and foreordination?
[12:39] - Neil shares a story of “coincidence”.
[15:25] - How did coincidence turn into a purposeful message?
[17:32] - Things don’t happen by chance.
[19:03] - Corrine talks about her persistence when sending support to Ukraine.
[21:48] - Corrine kept trying to figure out how to get the monetary support to its destination.
[24:29] - What was the orbit overlap that allowed the monetary support to finally be sent?
[27:29] - Corrine recaps all the orbit overlaps that helped in her story. What are her thoughts?
[30:10] - There’s nothing impossible for miracles that are coming your way.
[32:56] - Miracles are reassurances.
[34:49] - Receive personal revelation so you can live to your maximum potential.
[36:43] - Each of us still has many chapters to write in our life.
Supporting Resources:
“The Tender Mercies of the Lord” Talk by David A. Bednar
Alexis and Chanté of @letstalk_sis have created an Instagram platform where they seek to bring awareness to difficult topics – specifically race, diversity, and inclusion – to promote dialogue and initiate positive change. They are committed to making change through connection and humanity one conversation at a time. Both Alexis, whose background is in sociology, and Chanté, whose background is in psychology, have spent the past 20 years advocating for youth and have been keynote speakers/presenters/panelists at national and international conferences. They've also both served on the board of international organizations. They have consulted and trained businesses and worldwide organizations and have even created their own Let’s Talk Sis workshop!
Today, I am honored to talk to this dynamic sister duo about how we can BE BETTER in our homes, communities, with our kids, families and friend groups when it comes to racial inclusion.
Time Stamps:
[01:10] - Where did Alexis and Chanté get the courage to speak up?
[03:29] - How did the sisters come up with the name Let’s Talk Sis?
[05:24] - Alexis and Chanté explain the biracial background of their family and how that impacts how they connect with diversity topics.
[07:10] - Alexis and Chanté talk about why they needed to rethink their boundaries around having hard conversations.
[09:28] - Having hard conversations brings up trauma. How do Alexis and Chanté manage the emotional tax of guiding these conversations?
[11:58] - Corrine commends Alexis and Chanté for speaking out even with the possibility of backlash.
[14:38] - Recognize that there is so much nuance in the lives-experiences involved in hard conversations.
[17:19] - Be invested in learning and expanding your perspective.
[19:53] - Alexis and Chanté mention that everyone handles trauma differently, but there is always a principle of human connection to rely on.
[22:05] - How can people have conversations with love and empathy? How can people move past shame when they misstep in a conversation?
[24:47] - Shift any mindset of guilt or shame into a mindset of action to make change.
[26:16] - Can people participate in heavy historical topics? Alexis and Chanté talk about Martin Luther King Jr. day as an example.
[29:13] - How can people speak up and engage in conversations when they don’t know what to say?
[31:52] - Alexis and Chanté discuss why it’s important to clarify heavy topics and address bias.
[34:08] - Cultural difference is an opportunity to learn the different ways that people navigate life.
[36:41] - Diversify the world around you and bring your kids along with you to help them have a wider perspective.
[39:27] - Conversations on diversity need to be an ongoing discussion.
[41:45] - When having hard conversations with little ones, don’t panic when kids have more questions.
[43:31] - Attach diversity to real people in life to make the topics more tangible for children.
[45:59] - How can people make their network more diverse and inclusive?
[48:26] - Diversity is more than just race.
[51:13] - Build a connection through seeking to understand one another.
[53:07] - See people as people, not as problems.
Supporting Resources:
Let’s Talk Sis Instagram @letstalk_sis
Let’s Talk Sis on Facebook
Let’s Talk Sis Website
If you’ve ever wondered whether there really is such a thing as truth, today that’s what we’re going to talk all about. We’re taking a deep dive into the difference between perception and reality and talking about how truth is different from opinion. We talk about WHY truth even matters and how it will ultimately bring you the most joy and happiness in this life. And we give you the formula for how to always find it.
Time Stamps:
[01:00] - Corrine and Neil talk about a funny story that started from seeing the movie The Italian Job.
[04:00] - Corrine thought a Mini Cooper was her dream, but reality said otherwise.
[05:32] - How are statistics related to this?
[08:11] - Neil talks about the evolution of information on the internet.
[09:51] - We have rules and laws so we know how to find happiness.
[13:14] - What are eternal truths?
[15:19] - Corrine and Neil talk about the feeling of truth and how to seek the truth.
[18:12] - Ask believing that you’ll get an answer.
[20:48] - Corrine and Neil reminisce about the viral dress that doesn’t look the same for everyone. What happened?
[23:24] - Truth is different from having varied perspectives.
[25:36] - Corrine shares an inspiring story of a Russian journalist during the situation in the Ukraine.
[27:03] - Once you feel the truth of something, you can no longer deny it.
[29:58] - Neil shares that understanding the truth helps people accept reality.
[32:06] - Sometimes we need to experience hard truths to accept reality and learn for ourselves.
[35:06] - It’s not possible to find joy if you go against the truths that bring you happiness.
[37:51] - Truth will be revealed.
[40:36] - Corrine and Neil encourage everyone to put their trust in their gut feeling.
[43:25] - Life is just a fraction of what’s to come.
Supporting Resources:
“Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation” Talk by Russell M. Nelson.
“What Color is this Dress?” CNN
Jess Toolson launched Mixhers at the end of 2019 because of a personal need to find the solution for her period pains. She teamed up with her now business partner, Cody Sanders, creating an all-natural solution to so many women's hormonal problems with drink mixes that taste delicious and transform women's health. What started as a search for personal solutions to her health problems has resulted in a multi-million dollar business, with thousands of monthly subscribers and growing from two to 20 people on her team in under one year. Today Jess and I get to talk about all the ways women suffer in silence with everything from monthly menstrual struggles to menopausal symptoms to sleep problems and libido issues, and why it's SO helpful to not only have these all-natural solutions that Mixers has created, but to have safe spaces for us to TALK about these things and realize, "Hey! I'm not the only one feeling miserable because of this female issue or that female problem." This is a positive, uplifting girl-talk chat that will help you realize you're not alone in whatever female health issues you're facing and will give you some ideas for how to conquer them proactively.
Go to mixhers.com and enter code arrow15 to get 15% off all mixhers products.
Time Stamps:
[01:43] - Jess Toolson wants to provide hope to women.
[04:00] - Corrine and Jess talk about changes in menstruation in early motherhood.
[06:17] - Jess says she tried using medications to deal with her menstruation concerns until looking for alternative solutions.
[09:11] - Which solution finally helped Jess?
[11:52] - Mixhers gives women a drink option that is tasty and healthy.
[14:02] - Period talks are not something we should feel weird about.
[16:13] - Jess gives credit to the women who were publicly having discussions about periods early on.
[18:10] - Women don’t need to accept terrible periods.
[20:21] - Corrine and Jess share thoughts on breaking the shame around sex.
[22:19] - Jess explains why libido decreases starting around the mid 20s for most women. Is there a solution?
[24:22] - Feel empowered in your sex life.
[26:18] - Corrine shares her experience with Herlove and feeling empowered in her own desires.
[28:57] - How many other women experienced the positive impacts of Herlove?
[30:32] - Can teens use products by Mixhers?
[32:27] - Jess says that teens should be more supported in their need for rest.
[35:07] - Mixhers is a really fun way for moms to bond with their teens. Teens think Mixhers is cool.
[36:45] - Jess shares a story of learning and evolving in business as Mixhers continues to serve their consumers. What happened?
[39:45] - Touching women’s lives helps Jess find the drive to keep going.
[42:35] - Mixhers’ products are a journey of consistency.
[44:45] - Jess wants women to not feel so lonely in their lives.
[46:22] - Every woman has influence.
Supporting Resources:
Get Mixhers products
Mixhers on IG @mixhers
Jess Toolson on IG @jesstoolson
The world was rocked on Thursday, February 24 when Russia invaded Ukraine, and so many of us watched in horror and felt helpless, wondering what we could do. A couple of days after the invasion began, I stumbled upon a video that was shared virally from a man in Ukraine named Andre. Andre was sharing stories on his Instagram about food storage and how he believed that listening to his church leaders and being prepared with food storage was a blessing not only to him, but an elderly neighbor lady who was in need of food and life-saving medication. Andre's connections to local farmers and food suppliers allowed him to gather food for many of his neighbors and after his videos started going viral, with the help of donations around the world, he was able to provide food to those in need during the invasion in Ukraine. Unfortunately, when some of his friends in Russia tried to contribute and send him donations as well, the bank put a stop to all of the donations coming to him and started reversing all the transactions. Today we are helping Andre collect donations so that we can send him one large wire transfer instead of many small transactions coming into his bank account that could be reversed. If you'd like to donate you can Venmo corrinekama, or visit the link in our show notes, or text DONATE to 949-506-2558 and I'll text you a link back to the Venmo you can donate to, and we will get every penny over to Andre.
Andre's story touched me so deeply that I reached out and asked if he'd be willing to share his story and voice, and that's what you'll hear today. He is sharing what's REALLY going on in Ukraine right now, what it feels like for him and his friends and family and neighbors, and where he's been able to find peace. His dedication to his faith, and to being an instrument in the Lord's hands, is such an inspiration to me and I believe it will be to you as well.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Luminuex. Find Lumineux on amazon.com and get seven dollars off today! Lumineux, dedicated to illuminating better ideas in oral care.
Time Stamps:
[01:58] - Andre Polonski says he feels the support from people who are showing they care.
[04:13] - Andre talks about how he first started a food delivery service, and how his service transformed during the invasion.
[06:27] - What food supplies are available or not available in Ukraine right now?
[08:31] - Andre explains the reason behind sharing his personal supplies of food storage with a neighbor.
[10:36] - Take care of yourself, then if you have the opportunity, take care of others.
[12:21] - Did the people of the Ukraine know the invasion would happen?
[14:58] - Everyone is navigating the invasion in their own way. What does Andre feel called to do during the invasion?
[17:04] - Tons of kind people from around the world donated to Andre’s efforts. Why are donations from Russia being held back?
[19:12] - Corrine emphasizes the resolve to garner contributions to help Andre.
[22:00] - Corrine and Andre explore the possible stories and beliefs around the invasion by Russia.
[24:19] - How much misinformation is mutating what people know about the situation? Andre provides cultural context to help with understanding the current events.
[27:14] - How does Andre maintain his faith in these times?
[29:57] - Are there things people can specifically pray for to help Andre and the people of Ukraine? Other than prayers, how can we help?
[32:52] - Listen to Andre’s message to everyone outside of Ukraine.
[35:32] - Collective prayer works.
[38:25] - If you prepare, you shall not fear.
[40:45] - Follow along with Andre’s efforts, and contribute if you can.
Supporting Resources:
Follow Andre on IG @andrepolonski
Donate funds to help Andre distribute food to the people in Ukraine via Venmo.
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=1770327864508416107
Or text “donate” to 949-506-2558
Have you ever had a prompting to do something, but you’re not sure if it’s your own thoughts or God speaking to you? Today we are going to talk all about how to identify when the spirit is speaking to you, what to look for, how it should feel, what kind of things the spirit will be telling you to do, and how to have the courage to act on it.
Time Stamps:
[00:35] - Here’s a common question we don’t always talk about.
[03:23] - Look for a message that connects to both your mind and your heart.
[05:40] - Spiritual aspects are a matter of the heart.
[07:21] - Corrine and Neil talk about the time a feeling led their decision on where to send their children for school.
[09:27] - Notice the staying power of the feeling. Does it dwell in your heart or is it fleeting?
[11:42] - What’s so important about experiencing a message in sets of three?
[13:23] - Corrine touches on how a message came to her in sets of three during the miscarriage she experienced. PART 1
[15:26] - Corrine touches on how a message came to her in sets of three during the miscarriage she experienced. PART 2
[17:20] - Follow the nudge you feel. You may be helping the spark of a life-changing moment.
[19:34] - Things make sense in hindsight.
[22:23] - What should you do when you get even a small feeling that you’re being prompted?
[25:08] - Neil recalls ARP moments where he felt an inspiration leading him on what to do.
[27:49] - What is one of the most specific promptings Neil ever received? PART 1
[30:10] - What is one of the most specific promptings Neil ever received? PART 2
[32:17] - Corrine and Neil talk about the countless moments that fell in place when they moved to California.
[34:19] - How could life be different if Corrine and Neil didn’t move to California?
[36:50] - If you get everything you want, you might miss out on the greater things meant for you.
[39:49] - Live in a way that you can receive these promptings.
[42:32] - Understanding promptings and nudges is like exercising a muscle.
[45:25] - Corrine talks about being the instrument in a message and following promptings.
[47:20] - Watch what unfolds when accepting instruction from promptings and nudges.
Supporting Resources:
“Make Time for the Lord” Talk by President Russell M. Nelson
Brooke Romney is a writer, speaker, and connector. She has been published in The Washington Post, The Deseret News, and a host of other online publications where her pieces have been read millions of times. Brooke comes from girly roots but has morphed into an outdoor exploring, dirt loving mom of 4 boys (ages 9-18) and couldn't be happier about it. She is married to a man who keeps her on her toes but loves unconditionally, even when she leaves all the cupboards open and lights on. In October 2020, she published her first book, I Like Me Anyway: Embracing Imperfection, Connection, and Christ, and in October of 2021, she published her second book, 52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens, which is what we're going to talk all about today! This Modern Manners for Teens guide has helped teenagers adopt fresh perspectives and doable strategies for living a more successful and connected life in a really simple way.
Today we're covering tons of teen topics - everything from how to lovingly correct a teen, to how to teach social media etiquette, and some of the ways we can raise our kids to be kind, thoughtful, resilient, and confident.
Time Stamps:
[01:20] - Brooke Romney shares the evolution of her idea to write a book focused on teens.
[03:50] - How can parents lovingly correct teens?
[05:45] - You don’t need to build your kids. Focus on helping the kids build themselves.
[08:16] - Corrine and Brooke discuss how to encourage kids through school transitions, like starting middle school.
[09:37] - Brooke talks about her approach to teens and technology.
[12:37] - What tactics does Brooke suggest for rules with technology?
[15:15] - At some point, you do need to give freedom to your child inside your home to help their transition into the real world.
[17:32] - How do kids influence each other in terms of using technology?
[19:11] - What helps kids choose better friends?
[21:05] - Brooke shares her thoughts about not being too consumed in your kid’s friend relationships.
[22:36] - Teach your child how to be a friend.
[24:56] - What are Brooke’s tips on developing teen manners when at other people’s homes?
[26:33] - When kids have manners, they experience a positive feedback loop that boosts their confidence.
[28:44] - Corrine and Brooke talk about their thoughts on “doing your part” and showing up for others.
[30:54] - How can parents manage kids who don’t want to follow rules?
[32:05] - Successful parenting is not defined by your kid’s outcomes. Brooke explains what this means.
[34:56] - We don’t know the effects of our parenting until much later down the road.
[35:37] - Where are the moments you can teach your kids to self-advocate?
[38:23] - It’s never too late.
[41:09] - Thank you so much Brooke for your time!
Supporting Resources:
Brook’s website
Instagram @brookeromneywrites
“I Like Me Anyway” Book By Brooke Romney
Four years ago, on February 14 (yes, Valentine's Day) of 2018, Neil and I shared our story with the world about how our marriage had survived addiction, and specifically Neil’s lifelong battle with pornography addiction. This decision wasn't made lightly, and it was something he ultimately had to decide he was willing and ready to do. Today we're reflecting back on that decision and talking through how we decided it was the right thing to do, and how it ties into the 12th step of any 12-step program. If you've ever wondered why we chose to share such a personal thing, this should answer a lot of your questions. And if you've ever felt God nudging you to openly share a struggle or something deeply personal that may help another, but you're afraid and not sure if it's the right thing, hopefully this episode will help bring some clarity to what's right for you, and IF it's the right thing, understanding how it will help others.
This week’s episode is also brought to you by Hello Fresh. Go to hellofresh.com/mintarrow16 and use code mintarrow16 for up to 16 free meals and three free gifts!
Time Stamps:
[01:11] - What is anonymity? How does this create a safe space in a recovery meeting?
[04:09] - The 12th step in the 12-step program is to embody the principles and carry those lessons out into the world.
[05:41] - Neil says that he was initially very sensitive about others possibly knowing of the pornography addiction.
[08:20] - Did anyone in Neil’s family know about the addiction? Neil talks about who he gradually opened up to.
[10:52] - Hearing how people are impacted by other stories inspired Corrine and Neil to share their own story.
[13:47] - When Corrine and Neil first started talking about breaking anonymity, Neil was hesitant.
[15:48] - Neil shares his feelings and thought process of how to decide if he should tell his story or not.
[17:58] - There are different levels of the 12th step. Not everyone needs to break anonymity if they don’t feel called to do that.
[19:50] - Listen to Neil touch on the vulnerabilities of talking about addiction as a personal story.
[22:47] - Neil says that this moment gave him the push to finally want to share his addiction journey.
[25:34] - Corrine gives her perspective of the same moment. How did it impact Corrine?
[28:26] - When Corrine and Neil published a blog post to finally share their journey, what initial response did they receive?
[30:50] - Neil talks about transparency and social media. He says he chose to show their reality.
[33:15] - How do Corrine and Neil feel when people mention the addiction journey to them in-person?
[36:47] - Neil focuses on being a whole person and embracing his journey.
[39:46] - Does Neil ever feel pressured to avoid a relapse? Neil talks about living in the solution, not being naive towards his recovery, and putting himself first.
[41:51] - Corrine reiterated that breaking anonymity can happen on different levels. She gives examples of how people approach their own vulnerabilities.
[43:48] - Whatever someone else thinks of you is none of your business.
[45:45] - Nothing is beyond repair for God.
[47:11] - Corrine offers her realization of sharing the journey. Does sharing personal stories serve a larger purpose than we imagine?
[50:01] - Neil gives his final thoughts on what sharing his story meant to him.
Supporting Resources:
Blog post on Mint Arrow about our journey to find recovery from pornography addiction
Blog post on Mint Arrow about recovery resources and what to do when you or someone you love struggles with addiction
Find an ARP meeting near you
My friend Lacy Gadegaard West likes to say, 'I'm a stylist by trade and a CEO by accident'. She's the Founder and CEO of Laced Hair Extensions, a globally recognized, multi-million dollar company.
Born and raised in a small town in Southern Utah, Lacy began her professional career as a stylist in Las Vegas. She developed her love for hair extensions and perfected her methods while working at the Bellagio and Aria for almost a decade. Lacy traveled the country doing hair for A-List celebrities and high-end clients.
With her experience at high end salons and clients that included celebrities and musicians, Lacy founded Laced Hair Extensions in 2010.
In 2015, Lacy began to experience health challenges, including a series of events in which her face became paralyzed, her speech slurred, and she suffered from crippling headaches, all of which led her to lose an unhealthy amount of weight. After countless tests, MRIs, and medical opinions, Lacy was diagnosed with a brain tumor and Multiple Sclerosis. Inspired by her time in the hospital with women suffering from hair loss due to medical treatments, Lacy wanted to do more. Lacy soon founded The Laced Hair Foundation, a purpose-driven non-profit dedicated to donating hair extensions to suffering women and giving hope when it’s needed most.
Today I get to talk to Lacy about her story behind starting the Laced Hair Foundation, and what it's like to live with MS. She also shares with me some of the ways you can get involved and volunteer your time or resources to the Laced Hair Foundation, and details on a fundraising gala she's hosting this week in Utah! For all the people out there who are already raving fans of Lacy's beautiful hair extensions, I think you'll really enjoy this inspirational story that will make you love her hair even more.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Lumineux. Go to getlumineux.com/mintarrow and enter code mintarrow to get 15% off your first order of certified non-toxic, plant and mineral based, teeth whitening products.
This week’s episode is also brought to you by Hello Fresh. Go to hellofresh.com/mintarrow16 and use code mintarrow16 for up to 16 free meals and three free gifts!
Time Stamps:
[02:04] - Where did Lacy Gadegaard get the motivation to start her own brand?
[04:12] - Lacy explains why the story of her journey is more meaningful than her successful results.
[06:08] - Lacy recalls the symptoms she experienced before a brain tumor diagnosis.
[08:13] - Why did hair clip-ins help Lacy during her treatments?
[10:50] - Lacy says she found her calling while speaking with fellow treatment patients.
[12:58] - Lacy talks about connecting with Bob Harmon over support for MS and getting her initiative together to officially help women.
[15:30] - You can turn any lemon into lemonade, no matter how sour they start off.
[17:32] - The quality of life for MS is better than years ago thanks to organizations and individuals working towards a better future.
[19:05] - What is “a day in the life” of someone managing MS? What are the sensations?
[21:55] - Lacy talks about pregnancy during MS. Why is it important for her to listen to her body?
[24:01] - Stress is a common thread to hair loss in women’s lives.
[26:28] - Lacy talks about the gala she is hosting soon that focuses on restoring confidence in women dealing with hair loss.
[29:02] - What will be going on at the event?
[30:32] - People can look fine, but have to manage “invisible” diseases or health concerns they deal with every day.
[33:28] - If you are part of someone’s support system, here are a few ideas of how to show up for them.
[35:35] - What are Lacy’s goals for Laced Hair Extensions?
[37:52] - Hairstylists are collaborating with Lacy to help women feel beautiful.
[40:25] - Where can you go to engage with the Laced Hair Extensions initiative?
[42:29] - We all have our struggles, and it can get better.
Supporting Resources:
Laced Hair Foundation lacedhairfoundation.org
Laced Hair Extensions https://lacedhair.com/
Instagram @lacedhairfoundation
Personal Instagram @lacygadegaard
How many times have you been asked, “What do you do?” Or “What does your dad do?” or “What does your husband do?” Aside from the possible conversation about how we could be better at not just assuming automatically that the men make all the money (we'll save that one for another day), I always cringe a little at this question because it of course implies, “What do you do for work?” or “How do you make money?” What I'd love to change in our society is the idea that what we do (or how we make money) is the pinnacle of what defines us. What you do is so much more than how money comes into your bank account, right? Today Neil and I are talking about his journey with this - the idea that what you do for work defines you. We're sharing his story of losing his job in a career he loved, to moving into a job that humbled him to the core, and how that led to him truly defining what his purpose is in this life. This week’s episode is brought to you by Lumineux. Go to getlumineux.com/mintarrow and enter code mintarrow to get 15% off your first order of certified non-toxic, plant and mineral based, teeth whitening products.
Time Stamps:
[01:00] - Corrine explores the relationship between “what you do” and identity.
[02:41] - Neil is someone who once loved his work and talking about his work. Why did he love talking about it?
[05:25] - People usually pull a lot of assumptions when they hear what you do.
[06:50] - Neil shares how his view of his work shifted after the family moved to Southern California.
[08:30] - Corrine and Neil explain why moving to Southern California brought up more challenges than they imagined.
[10:29] - When you already feel that you’re sinking, it can be hard to get out of that mode.
[12:12] - What is Neil’s reflection on his work performance at that time?
[14:53] - Neil recalls when he faced an inevitable truth about his addiction.
[16:34] - What is Corrine’s understanding of that moment from the perspective of a spouse?
[18:48] - Neil explains when he was finally let go from his job.
[20:41] - What did Neil and Corrine think as it seemed many things were falling apart?
[23:05] - Neil and Corrine share how they got the idea to help promote essential oil to make some money.
[25:31] - What actually happened that made the entrepreneurial side of Neil and Corrine grow?
[27:42] - Neil discusses the drastic flip that came when talking about what he does during his new work.
[30:12] - Corrine and Neil joke about what Neil would rather do during that time in life.
[33:02] - In times of unexpected change, that period can be a moment of transformation to a higher level of ourselves.
[34:57] - Validation from God vs. False Identity
[37:12] - There are times where transformation will take us through pain that we don’t quite understand yet.
[39:25] - Neil says what he learned about work and identity helped him find a lesson in his recovery.
[42:17] - Transformation can take you to new opportunities to show gifts that you did not get to reveal before.
[44:46] - Figure out your life’s purpose; it’ll be one of the best moments in the marathon of your life.
[46:40] - Corrine and Neil reflect on the work-life balance and family time.
[49:18] - What is the measure of your life?
[52:07] - Corrine explores what she sees as things that are part of who she is and how she shows up in the world.
[54:56] - Being here is about love and service.
[57:09] - Love yourself and understand who you are.
Supporting Resources:
“Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul” Book by John Eldredge
“Mere Christianity” Book by C.S. Lewis
“How Will You Measure Your Life?” Book by Clayton M. Christensen
Carlos Whittaker’s wife Heather Whittaker is often asked, “So what does your husband do?” And this question plagued her for a long time until one day she finally identified it perfectly: “He's a hope dealer.” Carlos Whittaker identifies himself as an author, speaker, moment maker, spider killer and hope dealer. He's amassed a following of over 240,000 Instagram followers who he lovingly refers to as his Instafamilia, where they've raised almost a million dollars in under a year for good causes and for bringing humanity back together. Carlos and I talk today about kindness, understanding, walking with your neighbor instead of fighting with them on issues where you disagree, and some of the life lessons he has learned that he believes in and teaches wherever he goes. Buckle up because you're about to be dealt some hope.
Time Stamps:
[00:59] - Carlos Whittaker tells the story of doing a good deed to show someone they are appreciated.
[03:44] - What happens when you ask a bunch of people to help with a good deed? Carlos shares how strangers came together to give more than a $60k tip.
[06:21] - Carlos recalls how his blog slowly showed him an opportunity to a new life.
[08:29] - How did Carlos test out his speaking skills?
[11:00] - When something is placed on your heart, and you follow it, have patience and believe.
[12:33] - What are Carlos’ thoughts on strong convictions, empathy, and having hard conversations?
[14:26] - Don’t stand on issues. Walk together.
[15:58] - Carlos gives an example of him and a friend walking together to develop more empathy about seemingly opposing standpoints.
[17:48] - Listen to Carlos give advice on having hard discussions with loved ones.
[19:38] - How does Carlos deal with managing relationships when people have differing opinions?
[21:33] - Carlos gives his perspective of “comparative suffering”. Is it actually useful?
[23:20] - What’s the difference between sympathy and empathy?
[25:24] - This moment showed Carlos yet another time that people can come together for good. Only this time, he was the recipient.
[28:00] - How did Carlos pay-it-forward?
[30:42] - Hope is the currency of humanity.
[32:45] - Where does Carlos get his hope?
[34:17] - When one solution to your problem is not working, where do you find another solution?
[36:45] - Carlos explains the meaning behind the cobwebs and spider analogy.
Supporting Resources:
Carlos’ Instagram @loswhit
Carlos’ Website
Lindsay Bird Nielsen of the Lindsay Report is a longtime friend of mine who has battled with Lyme disease for most of her life, even before she knew what it was. She has also suffered the loss of both her parents and is married to France Nielsen who also lost both of his parents. Lindsay is someone I look to on how to deal with grief myself, and I learned so much about empathy and compassion for those who have Lyme disease by following her Instagram and listening to her stories of what that challenge is really like. So today, I’m walking with Lindsay through her story of Lyme and what has helped her over the years to understand this disease and take back control of her life despite this ongoing challenge. She also shares with me some of her insights on grief, loss, and how to help others struggling after any kind of loss, and what we can do to really understand and love others who are struggling with any of life’s challenges.
Time Stamps:
[01:00] - Lindsay Nielsen gives a snapshot of her life and how that led to her becoming known on social media.
[03:27] - Social media became Lindsay’s outlet of expression and also a way to advocate for Lyme disease.
[05:06] - Lindsay talks about the cycle she goes through with pregnancy and managing her health.
[07:23] - How does Lindsay feel about doing her best to manage her health?
[09:10] - What prayer did Lindsay say in a low health moment that shifted life for her?
[11:58] - This is the moment Lindsay actually found out she had Lyme disease and set her on a personal mission.
[13:53] - Why is Lyme disease difficult to diagnose?
[16:26] - Lindsay shares a story from the time she had a strong reaction to a treatment.
[18:02] - What is the pyramid-like ripple effect caused by the damage of Lyme disease? How can people try to check for Lyme disease?
[20:57] - Lindsay shares her perspective on what helps people who deal with Lyme disease. She emphasizes trusting your instincts about your care providers.
[22:27] - Lindsay gives her tips on managing inflammation, the power of sleep, and optimizing your living space for better health.
[24:47] - How can people assist or support anyone managing Lyme disease?
[26:52] - Lindsay talks about the importance of the support system about her and gets candid about the dynamics in her network of relationships.
[29:27] - Lindsay and Corrine discuss loss in life and things unfolding the way they are meant to.
[32:27] - Listen to Lindsay recall the last moments of talking with her dad. She gives her view of grief.
[33:58] - What words from Lindsay’s dad deeply impacted her?
[35:52] - Lindsay says that it’s okay to allow yourself to feel loneliness in grief. How does she deal with these feelings?
[38:06] - This small habit of Lindsay’s mom still lingers with Lindsay.
[40:33] - What role does faith and acknowledgement play in the way Lindsay manages grief?
[42:14] - Lindsay encourages people to reflect on what they “want” when dealing with grief one day at a time.
[44:13] - Everything about grief can be fragile, so give yourself grace.
[46:05] - Advocate for yourself and be relentless in finding the answers to give you the life that you want to live.
[48:32] - Life is good.
Supporting Resources:
Lindsay’s Instagram @thelindsayreport
Do you know the actual definition of the word priority? I didn't, until I read a book a few years back that taught me! Today we're breaking down what it really means to set a priority and how we make clear priorities in our lives. We share how to make priorities in business, in family, in personal progress, and in every aspect of your life in order to accomplish the things that really matter most.
Time Stamps:
[00:30] - Do you know the true meaning of the word “priority”?
[02:57] - Corrine explores the possible misconception of what is considered a priority.
[04:34] - You can choose the number one priority that rises above all other things.
[07:19] - Knowing the priority helps guide decision-making and alignment.
[09:05] - Each area of life can have its own top priority.
[11:53] - Everyone has their own mapping that they use to guide their life and having a shared priority can create common ground.
[13:21] - Neil explores the importance behind the idea of priority in spirituality.
[15:22] - You can choose some aspects of your life to improve.
[17:29] - Corrine and Neil discuss moving family and work around the main priority in life.
[20:32] - How can you protect your plans and what you choose as your priority?
[22:48] - Corrine and Neil talk about priority balanced by relationships.
[24:50] - Are you intentional enough to notice when there’s a crossroad challenging your sense of priority?
[27:39] - Keep the “first things” first.
[29:32] - Here is Corrine’s method for figuring out the top priority. PART 1.
[31:12] - Here is Corrine’s method for figuring out the top priority. PART 2.
[33:44] - Listen to Neil’s method for figuring out the top priority.
[35:23] - Corrine shares her thoughts on how having a top priority makes everything else work.
[37:57] - Corrine and Neil express their takeaways of priority, faith, and spirituality.
Supporting Resources:
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” Book by Greg McKeown
“Make Time for the Lord” Talk by Russell M. Nelson
“Three Choices” Talk by Joseph B. Wirthlin
“For Him” Talk by Joy D. Jones
Sharon McMahon is a former high school government and law teacher who earned a reputation as ‘America’s Government Teacher’ amidst the historic 2020 election proceedings for her viral efforts on Instagram to educate the general public on political misinformation. Through a simple mission to share non-partisan information about democracy, Sharon has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers online, affectionately called the “Governerds", who look to her for truth and logic in a society plagued by bias and conspiracy. I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of hanging out with Sharon for an hour virtually, and today I'm sharing all the wisdom and insight that she shared with me, with you! I personally found Sharon during the height of political unrest in 2020, and she was more than a breath of fresh air for me. I've learned so much from her just by following her on Instagram, and whether you're already a governerd or just hearing about her for the first time today, I guarantee you're about to learn a ton from this episode, too.
Time Stamps:
[01:08] - Sharon McMahon helps the public understand government and politics.
[02:50] - Where did Sharon’s passion for politics and current events come from?
[05:26] - Sharon says she decided to make non-partisan videos for educating people instead of engaging with internet arguments.
[08:04] - Which news outlets does Sharon look to for information?
[11:03] - Corrine and Sharon talk about recognizing polarity and how to help youth develop discernment.
[13:22] - Sharon gives a dinner analogy of exercising critical thinking.
[15:59] - Which public figures would Sharon have lunch with?
[17:44] - Sharon shares her thoughts on flexible thinking, rigid thinking, and distress tolerance.
[19:26] - What is the answer to extreme polarization?
[21:46] - Most things in life are not zero-sum games, including what we agree and disagree on.
[24:31] - Sharon explains her projects of raising money for teacher grants.
[26:23] - Sharon discusses the teaching profession and the lack of support that can be experienced in some communities.
[28:02] - Teachers are going above and beyond to provide basic and core necessities for children.
[30:52] - How did Sharon raise over half a million dollars for Christmas?
[33:05] - The principle of giving is important. Intent outweighs the size of the gift.
[35:12] - Sharon points out this lesson in US History to keep in mind, since history repeats itself. Why do seemingly harmless moments become the greatest scars?
[36:37] - Sharon continues her thoughts on dehumanization. She explains the crossover of thoughts, actions, and mindsets used to justify how we think.
[38:44] - Corrine talks about the relation of repeated polarizing experiences globally as she recalls a museum visit during a trip to Rwanda.
[40:36] - Sharon says it’s important not to step toward dehumanization. She explains why situations that appear sudden are unconsciously developed.
[42:53] - Sharon urges people to not give up hope in doing their part to make the world a little better.
Supporting Resources:
Sharon Says So Instagram @sharonsaysso
Sharon’s blog
Sharon Says So Podcast
The word hope is sometimes misunderstood. In our everyday language, the word often has a hint of uncertainty. For example, we may say that we hope for a change in the weather or a visit from a friend. In the language of the gospel, however, the word hope is sure, unwavering, and active. Prophets speak of having a “firm hope” (Alma 34:41) and a “lively hope” (1 Peter 1:3).
“Happy is he,” said the Psalmist, “that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Psalm 146:5). With hope, we can find joy in life. We can “have patience, and bear with ... afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions” (Alma 34:41).
These are wise words from a study guide we use called The Bible Dictionary, and I love how it perfectly describes the word and meaning of hope. Today’s podcast is all about step 2 in the 12 steps: hope. We're sharing our personal experiences in finding hope in the midst of addiction in our marriage, and if you're trying to find hope for yourself or someone you love, this is how and where you can find it too.
Time Stamps:
[01:09] - Today, we’re talking about the second step in the 12 Steps, which is hope.
[02:50] - Neil gives his perspective on why he finds beauty in hope being the second of the 12 steps.
[04:39] - Why does it not help to tell someone to “try harder”?
[07:05] - Corrine and Neil discuss how some traits can influence a person’s response to possible addiction.
[09:04] - Corrine speaks from her perspective as a spouse who needed to change her view of drug addiction.
[10:51] - Neil explains the gradual process of carrying new principles, like hope, into life when on a recovery journey.
[13:07] - It’s remarkable to see someone’s transformation while on their journey to turn life around.
[16:00] - How hard is it to stick to addiction recovery when heavy life situations arise? Neil shares his insight.
[17:39] - Corrine recalls relatable stories of people staying strong despite the heavy distractions of life.
[20:11] - Sometimes people don’t realize that their story is inspiring to others.
[22:24] - Neil talks about humanizing the recovery journey and giving grace while in recovery.
[24:07] - Sharing your testimony can strengthen your testimony.
[25:39] - Sharing your testimony allows for others to learn from your experience.
[27:09] - What are actionable steps you can do to cultivate more hope?
[30:02] - Hope is about restoration.
[32:52] - What is it that you shall hope for?
[35:30] - Have strength, courage, and hope to take one step forward.
Supporting Resources:
Scripture on hope in the Book of Mormon-Moroni 7:41
ARP Manual “Addiction Recovery Program: A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing”
Mark 9:24 “...Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief”
David Butler is a religion teacher, speaker, writer, podcaster, YouTuber and someone who's constantly in my ear teaching me little golden nuggets about the gospel of Jesus Christ! Dave started hosting a YouTube and podcast episode each week with his friend Emily Belle Freeman, where they follow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ scripture study guide called Come Follow Me and tell you what you don't want to miss in the scriptures that week. I got to sit down today and talk all about some of my very favorite topics with David: the Bible, Jesus, the Christmas story, how to connect with the scriptures, and a whole lot more. I'm telling you that this interview just gets better and better so stick around till the end for sure. His insights on the nativity and setting the scene for when Jesus was born were the perfect gift to me this Christmas season and I know it will be for you too.
Time Stamps:
[00:56] - You may have heard of David Butler. David gives a short story about his evolution of creating content for connecting with the scripture.
[02:48] - What started Don’t Miss This for David and Emily?
[04:24] - How does David make scripture more interesting for people who feel disconnected?
[07:07] - David says people can train themselves to make scripture reading feel more interactive.
[08:44] - Listen to this example of interacting with the scripture as David explores why there are no “bad guys” or “good guys” in the scriptures.
[11:30] - Is prophecy a set-up? David talks through the different perspectives of the crucifixion.
[14:30] - David shares what the cross symbolizes in his life.
[16:26] - David discusses knowing sacrifice and love through scripture.
[18:56] - Across religion, people choose different contexts for symbols to help connect to the scripture.
[21:51] - David says he is a sentimental type that connects with symbolism.
[24:44] - How does David invite people to be more connected?
[27:10] - David encourages using examples and evidence instead of trying to use convincing and pressuring tactics.
[29:35] - Corrine and David reflect on being more relationship-centered when approaching scripture.
[32:27] - Here are David’s suggestions for feeling more connected with the scripture and the scene of nativity.
[35:13] - Corrine and David talk about Christmas episodes.
[37:11] - David gives context to the scene of nativity in a realistic perspective of the people in the story being human like the rest of us.
[39:55] - Corrine brings up memories of what David’s descriptions are making her recall. How does this connect to the “lowest of lows”?
[41:49] - You can find God in your story, even in a garbage dump. David explains why.
[44:21] - What should people do if they can’t get interested in the Old Testament? Here is David’s advice for reading the Old Testament.
[46:03] - David warns that when reading the Old Testament, everyone should assume the best in the context.
[49:03] - David gives a bonus tip for reading the Old Testament and encourages everyone to know that their personal story is not over.
[52:49] - We are here to be happy and to have joy.
Supporting Resources:
Don’t Miss This Study Podcast
Don’t Miss This website
Don’t Miss This YouTube channel
David Butler Instagram
Don’t Miss This Instagram
The Chosen “Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers” Video
Has the day of miracles ceased? This is a question posed in my favorite book, the Book of Mormon by the prophet Mormon himself. We've had a couple of miracles ourselves lately that we're going to share in today’s episode, along with the story behind where this mantra came from in my life. I actually finished recording this episode with Neil and was texting back and forth with my mom about the man I mention in this episode, Lamont Ericson. She sent me this text from his wife Debbie, with some of the even more beautiful details about the miracles and impact of Lamont’s life before he passed that I'd like to share with you.
“Lamont was told he’d have 3-6 months to live, and he ended up living 15 months. That was of course a tremendous blessing to us, because our kids were only 6 months and 2 years old at the time of diagnosis. Lamont researched his illness, tried several pharmaceutical studies, and remained hopeful and faithful - I think all those things extended his life. It gave us extra months to spend lots of time together and make many home videos, which are the main source of my children’s memories of him.
As a side note, he actually sold his medical practice right after his diagnosis so that he would be free to spend every remaining moment with his family and friends. I have vivid memories of going to the zoo together, and he’d get so tired that he’d lay on the benches to rest between exhibits because he didn’t want to stay home and miss even a minute.
As his last act as a physician, he sent a goodbye letter out to all his patients, expressing his love and appreciation for their trust. He told them about his illness and how he was praying for a miracle. He explained, though, that if the miracle didn’t go his way that he’d be forever grateful for what he believes about family and other treasured relationships. He encouraged his patients to set their personal finances in order in their lives and tell their families how loved they are, so that they can be at peace with any eventuality in their lives. Over 14 years later, I still receive correspondence from a few of those patients who tell me how much that letter meant to them.
Thanks for the chance you’ve provided me to re-walk through this journey today.”
This week’s episode is brought to you by VidAngel. Skip or mute what you don’t want to see or hear with VidAngel. Go to vidangel.com and enter code MINTARROW at checkout to get your first month for $1. Or text vidangel to (949) 506-2558 and we will text you back with a link that will get you your first month for $1.
Time Stamps:
[02:12] - Corrine and Neil share news of their pregnancy journey and talk about the rollercoaster ride of the journey so far.
[05:05] - Corrine kept experiencing a sensation of feeling like someone was missing.
[08:05] - Corrine and Neil describe what brought them to a conclusion of making room for another child.
[11:05] - Why did Corrine need to suddenly go see the doctors? Was there a miscarriage?
[13:55] - This call from the doctor confirmed whether or not Corrine was experiencing the miscarriage.
[16:40] - Corrine says she felt off about prematurely speeding up the miscarriage.
[18:23] - What did Corrine and Neil’s bishop advise?
[20:48] - What did a doctor say that could be seen as practical yet discouraging?
[23:30] - Corrine talks about starting a product line in alignment with Mint Arrow Messages.
[26:53] - Corrine reminisces about a cancer journey story she knew of during her teen years. This was the origin of “Miracles Happen” for her.
[28:54] - What did Corrine learn from the man, Lamont, who shined through his cancer journey? What is the definition of a miracle?
[31:11] - Neil recalls a story of a similar cancer story he heard in a talk. What miracle happened in that journey?
[33:08] - Neil explains the realization he learned in the talk of the cancer story he heard.
[36:03] - Sometimes obvious miracles don’t happen and sometimes they do. Corrine talks about a time the desired miracles did happen.
[38:48] - Corrine continues with the story of her pregnancy journey. Is there another miracle on the way?
[40:52] - Corrine says she spoke with a friend who also experienced a miscarriage. How did her friend’s words impact her view of what a miscarriage could mean?
[43:26] - Why are trials important? Earthly experiences help us develop.
[45:52] - Corrine recalls the miracles she saw over the summer in her own family. Who was sick?
[48:51] - Neil encourages everyone to hold on in their own journey, despite things not looking the way they expect.
Supporting Resources:
“Is There No Balm in Gilead?” Talk by Brent H. Nielsen
“Behold I Am a God of Miracles” Talk by Elder Ronald A. Rasband
The Midnight Mission is the oldest continuously operating human service organization in the Los Angeles region. Centered in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, The Midnight runs one of the most efficient direct service operations in the country. With only five executive managers throughout its 100-year history, The Midnight has been a consistent beacon of light for those with nowhere else to turn.
This past summer I went with my church youth group to the Midnight Mission where we provided sack lunches for the people in the Midnight Mission program, and that day I met Andrew Linares, who has worked as the volunteer manager at the Midnight Mission since April of 2018. Andrew went through the program from 2015-2017 after living on the streets of Skid Row himself, struggling with a drug and alcohol addiction. Today I get to interview Andrew about his journey to finding recovery and the start of a new life at The Midnight Mission and how that turned into his life's work. Andrew shares with me all of the inspiring programs and work going on at the Midnight Mission where they help thousands of people get off the streets of LA, find food and shelter and water, learn to work and save money and eventually move on to find work and homes for themselves. I couldn't help but think over and over of when Jesus taught us that when we feed the hungry and clothe the naked, it's just as if we were doing it for the Savior himself. I was so inspired by Andrew's story and his perspective and the work he's doing at the Midnight Mission and I can't wait to share the gift he gave to me by sharing this with you too.
Today’s episode is brought to you in part by Troomi Wireless. Get the safe phone that grows with your kids by going to troomi.com and entering in code MINTARROW at checkout for 50% off a Troomi phone.
Today’s episode is also brought to you by Away Travel. Explore Away’s full range of all things travel and start your 100 day trial today by going to awaytravel.com/mintarrow.
Time Stamps:
[01:35] - Andrew Linares says that joining the work at Midnight Mission was luck.
[04:14] - Andrew talks about the drug and alcohol relationship that landed him in the program at Midnight Mission before working there.
[05:52] - What simple call changed Andrew’s life? He talks about being shunned by family and friends.
[07:53] - What realization did Andrew have after a relapse?
[09:43] - Andrew discusses the work program, education program, and interpersonal communication at Midnight Mission.
[11:48] - How did Midnight Mission shift Andrew’s perspective of religion?
[14:37] - Programs here are meant to empower participants to design a life.
[16:56] - Andrew provides insight about what it’s like for people who are living on the streets. He speaks from his experience.
[18:54] - Not everyone that lives on the streets starts off as addicts, but they can pick up the tendencies to deal with hardships.
[20:58] - Andrew emphasizes the importance of addressing people as the individuals that they are.
[23:34] - What is Andrew’s suggestion on giving to the homeless? Should you give people money?
[26:20] - Andrew encourages people to donate time through volunteer work if they think they have nothing to give.
[29:05] - Andrew talks about three very specific programs that create a special atmosphere at Midnight Mission.
[30:53] - Why is 1-on-1 conversation impactful for those in need?
[34:11] - How did the Midnight Mission start? Andrew gives the background of the initiative.
[36:20] - When did the Midnight Mission incorporate the 12-step philosophy? Andrew gives the background of Midnight Mission.
[37:46] - Eventually, Midnight Mission grew a focus towards family and financial independence.
[40:25] - Midnight Mission wants their participants to focus on building themselves up.
[41:55] - Here is the lesson Andrew hopes people take away from this episode.
Supporting Resources:
Website: www.midnightmission.org
Opportunities to support and serve at the Midnight Mission
https://www.midnightmission.org/get-involved/
POC: Andrew Linares – Volunteer Manager
Email: alinares@midnightmission.org
Phone: 213.624.9258 ext. 1249
TikTok
YouTube
A few years ago I stumbled upon a talk called “Gifts of Love” that completely changed the way I think of gift giving during the Christmas season. Today we're sharing some highlights and cliff-notes from that talk and why we feel like it's so powerful and true. We're talking about the calendar system that our family uses to make sure we're keeping Christ in the center of our Christmas each day, by doing very small and simple acts of service. And I'm sharing live with Neil, for the first time this year, the gift that I've tried to give to Jesus, and to my family, by trying to overcome a character weakness of mine and improve personally in this one way to try to become more like Jesus.
Today’s episode is brought to you in part by Troomi Wireless. Get the safe phone that grows with your kids by going to troomi.com and entering in code MINTARROW at checkout for 50% off a Troomi phone.
Time Stamps:
[01:26] - Corrine and Neil are excited for the holiday season. What do these special end-of-year holidays mean to them?
[03:42] - Let’s talk about how to know if you’re giving a good gift. Corrine references a talk by Henry B. Eyring.
[06:08] - Expert givers let their receivers sense that their sacrifice brings them joy.
[08:30] - Neil recalls an amazing gift in a time when his family needed a kind gesture.
[10:58] - What does it mean to give your time?
[12:30] - Here is where you can find small ideas on giving gifts each day.
[14:06] - Corrine and Neil talk about sending cheer through giving machines.
[16:43] - Make giving easier by following gift ideas that are laid out.
[19:10] - How can you make gift giving special for kids without overdoing it?
[21:22] - Some parents create unrealistic expectations around gifts for their kids.
[24:04] - Corrine reminisces on the car she got as a gift and compares it to the gifts of her friends.
[26:54] - Here is how you can involve kids in gift-giving.
[29:01] - Corrine gives an example of her own mother using a strategy to get the family to participate in giving.
[31:39] - Corrine explains her feelings about giving a gift to Jesus.
[33:24] - Corrine shares what her gift to Jesus was this year. She starts with why she struggled to choose a gift.
[36:11] - Corrine shares what her gift to Jesus was this year. What clicked that inspired this year’s gift?
[38:34] - Neil gives his thoughts after finding out about Corrine’s gift.
[40:20] - Corrine talks about the idea that you can give gifts bit by bit as a reflection of the Savior.
[42:44] - Neil reminds everyone that the ability to choose is a gift. What does your gift-giving say about your agency?
[44:28] - Do one little thing each day when you can.
Supporting Resources:
Light the World: Find ways to give and serve on giving Tuesday and in the month of December.
Find a giving machine
“Gifts of Love: A Christmas Message” Talk by Henry B. Eyring
Angie Balfour is the Chief People Officer at Weave, a Utah company that just went public last week. She has worked in HR really since high school (more on that in a minute) and before becoming an executive at Weave, she worked as the head of Human Resources at Instagram, a Human Resources Business Partner at Facebook, and before that she worked all over the world for a company called Fairchild Semiconductor in all aspects of their HR, talent and leadership management. Today I'm asking Angie some of the questions that she's helped me with the most over the years when it comes to HR, everything from how to hire well to how to manage teams effectively, how to intentionally invite more diversity, and how to treat others well who go through a health crisis. Angie also shares with me what she's learned personally in her pursuit of success in her career, and what she learned from battling two types of cancer 5 years ago. Angie has been one of my dearest friends for years, the type of person who I call with advice and ALWAYS hang up feeling a thousand times better, more empowered and inspired, and I am certain she'll leave you feeling the same way today too.
Today's episode is brought to you by Troomi Wireless. Get the safe phone that grows with your kids. Go to troomi.com and enter code bf50 to get 50% off a Troomi phone.
This week’s episode is also sponsored by Better Help. Join over one million people who have taken charge of their mental health. Go to betterhelp.com/mintarrow and get 10% off your first month of counseling.
Time Stamps:
[01:13] - What led Angie Balfour to be interested in HR? Hint: This involves a high school crush, a competition, and an encouraging stranger.
[03:52] - Angie says she took on assignments no one wanted to do in the HR space and this helped move her towards an executive role.
[06:18] - Angie explains that she originally turned down the opportunity to Facebook. What changed her mind?
[09:09] - When she was young, Angie says her parents were very encouraging towards her taking ownership of her life.
[11:56] - Angie points out her HR tips for defining the role and reimagining how new hires fit in a business.
[14:45] - Why does Angie suggest paying attention to problem solving questions and on-boarding relationships in HR strategies?
[16:51] - What is the “new-employee-lense” that businesses can leverage for their operations?
[19:11] - Listen to Angie share a moment of learning how to better communicate with her team members.
[20:46] - Angie talks about taking feedback and hiring people who are “smarter” than yourself.
[22:27] - A good team focuses on identifying the needs together rather than clashing within the team.
[24:50] - Listen to Angie speak about how her job responded after she received her cancer diagnosis.
[27:14] - When someone is going through something hard, Angie suggests to support that person in the way that works for them.
[28:48] - What did Angie learn about vulnerability during her cancer journey?
[30:32] - Angie uses her cancer experience to give insight and offer a listening ear to others going through a similar journey.
[33:32] - Angie shares what she felt in the moment that Weave went public.
[36:30] - What is Angie’s goal for her life and career?
[39:01] - Angie talks about her journey to be more fit, and how she is staying excited for the future.
[40:48] - Listen to these tips for stepping up diversity strategies. Angie gets candid about the learning process of diversity in business.
[43:42] - Angie shares her thoughts on creating supportive atmospheres for diversity.
[45:14] - Reflecting on life experiences, Angie discusses the idea of having privilege and opening opportunities for others.
[47:14] - Angie says we can all make a difference wherever we are.
[49:23] - Angie congratulates Corrine on her work with Mint Arrow Messages so far.
Supporting Resources:
Angie Balfour
If you've ever driven down the 5 freeway in San Diego and seen the huge glowing temple from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and wondered what the heck goes on in there, or you've seen us talk about going to the temple weekly on our stories and wondered why we’re so obsessed with hanging out there, or even if you're a member but are struggling with getting to the temple, today we're talking about all these things. We're first breaking down some of the basics of the temple, and then sharing some personal experiences and blessings we've received in the temple, and why it's so vital for us to keep going.
Today's episode is brought to you by Troomi Wireless. Get the safe phone that grows with your kids. Go to troomi.com and enter code bf50 to get 50% off a Troomi phone.
Today’s episode is also brought to you by Away Travel. Explore Away’s full range of all things travel and start your 100 day trial today by going to awaytravel.com/mintarrow.
Time Stamps:
[00:40] - Corrine and Neil explain why they go to the temple and what they do during the visits.
[02:41] - Corrine and Neil explain the difference between temples and chapels. Is either open to the public?
[05:13] - Being part of the church includes following the Law of Tithing, the Law of Chastity, and the Word of Wisdom. Corrine reassures that no one expects you to follow these perfectly.
[08:05] - If you’re not prepared to make the covenants, you can move at your own pace. The important part is that you make an effort to follow the covenants.
[11:05] - Before being a member of the church or being of age to enter temples, people can attend a temple open house while the temple is not dedicated.
[13:24] - What happens inside the temples? Why do people need to be careful of where they get information about temples?
[15:13] - Corrine and Neil explain the origin of baptism and temple marriages.
[16:49] - Temple marriages for the eternal family unit can happen before or after a family comes together.
[19:22] - Endowment is where you learn about the creation of the world, blessings, and more.
[20:59] - Corrine retells the story of how the Disney World ride “It’s a Small World” reminds her of the promises of the temple.
[22:58] - Don’t feel pressured or overwhelmed by learning about the temple and covenants.
[25:25] - What is the Celestial room? Corrine expresses why going to the temple was beneficial for her relationship with Neil.
[28:41] - What can you do if there’s resistance, whether internal or external, when you try to go to the temple?
[31:19] - Corrine and Neil talk about when they first decided to do weekly temple visits.
[33:24] - How did Corrine and Neil keep up with temple visits when real life situations fought for their attention?
[34:35] - Being in the temple, so close to heaven, Corrine says she was able to get comfort in those moments.
[36:52] - The more you visit the temple, the deeper the connection settles. Neil shares how he was able to simplify his approach to strengthen his spirituality while facing life.
[38:31] - Neil says he notices when he does this particular thing life turns out better than he could ever imagine.
[41:17] - The promise of happiness is built on agency, but remember that you have a choice.
[43:50] - The temple is where you can get the strength to do what you need to do.
Supporting Resources:
Current LDS temple open houses
Video clips about LDS temples and what goes on inside
1 Corinthians 15:29 “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?”
Video about our friends Ryan and Natalie going through the temple for the first time
“Becoming Exemplary Latter-Day Saints” Talk by Russell M. Nelson on making an appointment (temple appointment) with the Lord and keeping it with exactness and joy.
“Make Time for the Lord” Talk by Russell M. Nelson
A couple months ago, I found myself in Mexico COVERED in bug bites! They were so bad I literally couldn't sleep. So I asked my Instagram besties for advice...like the kind you ask when you're desperate for any solution. And one girl told me to go to the Instagram account Phil's My Pharmacist to look up his bug bite hack. And the next thing I knew, I was mixing up some really random stuff in my hotel bathroom and putting this pink paste all over my body. But it worked!! So I posted a little thank you video to Phil on Instagram, and that was the start of an awesome friendship with Phil's My Pharmacist.
Today I sit down with Phil to ask him all about his journey to becoming a pharmacist, why he wanted to do this as a career, and what some of the most rewarding things are about being a pharmacist. He talks to me about mental health, not judging others, how a good pharmacist will present you with over-the-counter options and education and let you decide, and some really solid advice about self-love and acceptance. He also talked to me about the best plan for taking opiates (after a surgery or when absolutely necessary) if you know you're prone to addiction, and how to safe-guard yourself from going into a dangerous situation that could lead to addiction. If you're not already Insta-friends with Phil and he's not your pharmacist yet, he probably will be by the end of this interview.
Today's episode is brought to you by Troomi Wireless. Get the safe phone that grows with your kids. Go to troomi.com and enter code bf50 to get 50% off a Troomi phone.
Time Stamps:
[01:20] - Corrine talks about how she became friends with Phil's My Pharmacist.
[02:50] - Phil says he originally pursued being a doctor. He says this incident was a sign that he should seek another path.
[05:43] - Once Phil switched over to pharmacy school, did he love the programs?
[07:45] - Phil values an approach of telling people “what they can do” instead of “what to do”.
[10:26] - Being accessible to the community as a pharmacist helps everyone be informed. What are Phil’s thoughts on the generous interactions between pharmacists and community members?
[12:25] - Corrine shares a story about the time during her pregnancy where a pharmacist helped her address a bad cold.
[14:11] - What are Phil’s thoughts on the usage of essential oils?
[15:59] - Phil shares his encouraging thoughts on why people should let go of stigmas surrounding mental health.
[17:38] - Corrine opens up as she reflects on her journey of including medicine in her mental health care.
[20:04] - Corrine and Phil admire the strength and courage required to take ownership of mental health.
[21:48] - Different from a few decades ago, kids of today are exposed to a lot more, which impacts the mental health of youth.
[23:57] - How can we help kids deal with anxiety? Can kids move past anxiety by acknowledging the feeling is there?
[26:48] - Accept all feelings, and teach people to deal with the feelings.
[28:08] - Connecting a mental health approach to addressing drug addiction is the way that Phil imagines we can “rehumanize” how individuals are treated.
[30:56] - Addiction is more connected to escapism than euphoria.
[34:11] - Phil breaks down his suggestions for painkiller management for people concerned about possible addiction.
[36:34] - What is the backstory that influences painkiller usage and pain tolerance in the medical field?
[39:34] - As a community pharmacist, Phil knows a lot of personal information on his community members. Does it ever get awkward with his friends?
[42:34] - Did Phil figure out a new remedy for keratosis pilaris?
[45:22] - Phil gives his list of items every household should have in relation to health and medicine.
[48:22] - No one can like you more than you like yourself.
[49:46] - Keep a look out for Phil's My Pharmacist!
Supporting Resources:
Phil’s Pharmacy in Cache Valley Utah
Pharmacist IG
Phils My Pharmacist on YouTube
Have you heard Robert Downey Jr’s comeback story? If not, you're in for a treat because it's a good one. We're sharing that and some of our other favorite examples and thoughts on how to overcome your rock bottom places in life and that it's never too late to go where you need to go and become who you need to be.
This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Ana Luisa Jewelry. Treat yourself and your loved ones to beautiful sustainable jewelry. Go to shop.analuisa.com/mintarrow and use code MINTARROW for 10% off.
This week’s episode is also sponsored by Better Help. Join over one million people who have taken charge of their mental health. Go to betterhelp.com/mintarrow and get 10% off your first month of counseling.
Time Stamps:
[00:24] - What inspired today’s topic?
[02:09] - From an early age, Robert Downey Jr’s environment exposed him to drugs and fame.
[04:07] - In the early 2000s, Robert Downey Jr’s tumultuous relationship with substances and arrests drove him to his rock bottom.
[05:32] - How did Mel Gibson help Robert Downey Jr. secure a chance to show he changed for the better?
[07:38] - Neil talks about the realistic dynamics of a comeback story. It’s not always quick like the triumphant stories in movies.
[09:58] - Age can seem like a limiting factor, but it’s actually not much of a factor at all.
[11:37] - A comeback story can be gradual and occur day by day. Neil reads an excerpt that explains how subtle change is still a real experience.
[13:12] - Here is context on great figures used as examples of powerful stories.
[14:43] - How do Corrine and Neil resonate with the idea of a gradual comeback story?
[16:04] - Corrine mentions her grandfather who experienced a major positive change later in life.
[18:43] - What can you do if you find yourself running into the same mistakes?
[20:58] - Most people go through a lot of trial and error before “hitting it big”. Keep this in mind before giving up.
[23:38] - Corrine expresses her thoughts about refocusing our personal perspective of life. Neil reminds everyone to not get caught in the entitlement trap of thinking about what “should” happen.
[26:29] - What can keep someone motivated to take the most helpful and efficient actions?
[28:57] - Corrine shares how she gets through the day with intention and what helps her make decisions.
[30:28] - Corrine reflects on understanding her habit of being future-orientated.
[33:17] - Corrine talks about being a superwoman as she balances family and business.
[35:54] - When did Corrine stop trying to fight for control of things that were out of her hands?
[38:25] - What are the positives Corrine remembers that came around during and after her divorce process.
[41:22] - How did Corrine gather strength when trying to move forward in her life?
[42:51] - There will always be hard times. Here is the choice we all have to make them better.
[45:21] - Corrine and Neil discuss how you can make your journey easier or tougher depending on your choice.
[48:02] - Look at the future knowing it’s all going to be okay.
[50:33] - It’s okay if you’re taking the tiniest baby steps in your comeback story. You’re still progressing.
Supporting Resources:
Book “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
“Give Us This Day OUr Daily Bread” Talk by D. Todd Christofferson
Terah Belle is the mother of a very special little girl named Indy Llew, who stole the hearts of thousands of people across the globe. Indy was born with down syndrome in May of 2016, and although it was a scary and unexpected diagnosis at first for Terah, she says it turned out to be the best thing about Indy. Terah shares what it's like to have a daughter with down syndrome, and then what it was like watching Indy go through chemotherapy to stop early stages of Leukemia, only to have it return later and her to fight cancer for a second time. Indy's earthly life ended far too early, in June of 2021 just after her 5th birthday, but her story and her light and joy and courage continues to inspire and touch the lives of thousands of people. This interview felt like a sacred gift, a tender and raw and heart-felt journey between a mother and a daughter. Terah shared with me so many miracles and tender mercies and little ways that she sees Indy all the time in her life, and I felt the warmth and truthfulness of that as we talked about her sweet Indy. I wish we could've had Indy speak today too, but this next sound clip will give you a tiny piece of the magic of Indy Llew.
This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Ana Luisa Jewelry. Treat yourself and your loved ones to beautiful sustainable jewelry. Go to shop.analuisa.com/mintarrow and use code MINTARROW for 10% off.
This episode is also sponsored by Away. Start your 100-day trial and shop the entire Away lineup of travel essentials, including their best-selling suitcases, at awaytravel.com/mintarrow.
Time Stamps:
[01:10] - Listen to this next sound clip that gives you a tiny piece of the magic of Indy Llew.
[04:08] - Terah Belle shares the moments right after Indy Llew’s birth when she learnt of her daughter having Down syndrome.
[06:10] - How long did it take for Terah and her husband to accept the Down syndrome diagnosis?
[08:44] - Terah talks about the travel adventures of mommy, daddy, and joyful Indy Llew.
[10:57] - Why did Terah get the feeling she needed to share the story of Indy Llew as the family developed on this journey?
[13:12] - These were the first signs that there may be more going on with Indy Llew. Terah shares her thoughts about the red flags she noticed.
[15:12] - After moving to a new location for Indy Llew’s health, Terah says Indy Llew showed signs of Lukemia.
[18:08] - Terah describes the back and forth of trying to confirm Indy Llew’s cancerous diagnosis.
[20:33] - What did the family do to make the hospital like a home?
[22:20] - Terah talks about the blessings and pleasant surprises in the middle of Indy Llew’s journey.
[25:01] - What kind of big sister was Indy Llew after Terah gave birth to new baby girl Birdy?
[27:34] - Terah and her family are very intentional about protecting Indy Llew’s presence and memory.
[29:33] - Terah agrees that the ones who are no longer with us on Earth are able to be present with us in a whole new way.
[31:17] - Terah recaps the two years before Indy Llew’s passing and describes the sequences of events that no one could predict.
[34:04] - What happened when a seemingly successful transplant procedure took a turn?
[35:42] - Terah says this was the moment she realized Indy Llew had one foot on either side of life.
[37:58] - People pulled together to support Indy Llew and her family. Terah describes the miracle her daughter experienced as others kept Indy Llew in their thoughts.
[39:59] - Indy Llew became a light for others during the global pandemic.
[42:42] - Terah talks about the shock of a drastic turn in Indy Llew’s health.
[45:14] - Listen to Terah share the mindset behind a tough decision right before the final moments of spending time with joyful Indy Llew.
[48:13] - What moments made Terah feel less alone? How did Indy Llew’s story impact people who followed her journey?
[50:58] - Here is the ultimate reason Terah shares the legacy of Indy Llew.
[52:39] - Remember, the veil between either side of life does not separate us as much as we think. Terah says her journey with her family brought her closer to heaven.
[55:10] - The journey of Terah and her family continues.
Supporting Resources:
Instagram @terahbelle
Facebook @terahbelle
Terah Belle
Last week in our 12-step meeting, Neil picked up his 5 year chip for 5 years of abstinence (or sobriety) from his addiction to pornography. Our experience with addiction recovery is something we've shared openly for the past several years, and on this milestone birthday (that's what we call each year of sobriety in recovery) we felt like it would be a good time to revisit this topic and share some of the ways Neil got stopped, stayed stopped, and how he has found a new way of living instead of being weighed down by addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, we hope today's episode will provide some answers and resources and hope.
This week’s episode is sponsored by Ana Luisa Jewelry. Treat yourself and your loved ones to beautiful sustainable jewelry. Go to shop.analuisa.com/mintarrow and use code MINTARROW for 10% off.
Time Stamps:
[00:00:42] - Neil celebrates 5 years of abstinence (or sobriety) from his addiction to pornography, and explains why the 24hr milestone is most important.
[00:03:04] - Neil talks about the mindset behind maintaining a new lifestyle and spiritual fitness to not lose to the illusion of an endpoint.
[00:05:46] - Corinne explains that seeing others gain new chips gave her hope.
[00:07:04] - Neil gives his addiction background, starting with his exposure during adolescence.
[00:09:01] - Neil talks about how ARP became a turning point in his story.
[00:10:46] - Corinne and Neil candidly talk about the times where they were less hopeful of any change happening.
[00:13:21] - The pain of the problem vs. The pain of the solution.
[00:15:54] - What is a sponsor in a recovery program?
[00:18:33] - Addiction is like pain management to become numb from the world.
[00:20:36] - Listen to Neil explain how “contrary actions” help stop from being desensitized.
[00:22:39] - Neil explains why he calls another program member to reground himself.
[00:25:20] - Here are the most basic methods of addressing a crisis or addiction.
[00:27:51] - There are different meetings you can attend. Find one for you.
[00:29:51] - What surprised Corinne about going to meetings?
[00:32:18] - Corinne talks about how amazed she is during the 12-step meetings when people share their raw experiences.
[00:34:53] - Hearing people speak from different points of their journey is humbling, and gives insight to each other.
[00:36:53] - Neil talks about the mutual respect of understanding a shared experience, like an addiction.
[00:38:38] - Corinne and Neil share their sides and thoughts of the last relapse Neil experienced.
[00:40:43] - Neil talks through his thoughts on committing to abstinence, and how he helps himself maintain consistency.
[00:43:29] - Corinne talks about managing her experience of being the spouse of someone dealing with addiction.
[00:46:01] - How did Corinne let go of the pressure she was placing on herself during Neil’s journey?
[00:48:53] - By being accountable individually, Corinne and Neil were able to empower each other.
[00:50:43] - Neil says that things quiet down overtime, like neural pathways being stopped or redirected.
[00:52:06] - Listen to Neil’s share from a 12-step meeting.
[00:57:32] - What is the one message Neil gives to those dealing with addiction? What is the one message Corinne gives those with spouses managing drug addiction?
[00:59:02] - Hold On. Pain Ends.
Supporting Resources:
Find an Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) meeting in your area
The ARP manual
Justin Timberlake. Michael Phelps. Ty Pennington. Adam Levine. Richard Branson. Simone Biles. Channing Tatum. Jim Carrey. Do you know what all of these well known celebrities and Olympic athletes have in common? They all have ADHD.
But have you ever sat down and talked to someone who has ADHD about what life is like for them? Have you ever had the chance to understand what being in their head is like day to day? And maybe more importantly, if you do know someone who has ADHD or you suspect might have it, do you know what to do to support them?
Today I’m interviewing my friend Cameron Treu, the owner and pit master of Utah’s best barbecue Bam Bam’s, co-host of the Nitty Gritty Podcast, father, husband, and sports fanatic. I’ve never known anyone personally who would openly talk about their condition of ADHD and what it’s like for them, so I’m very grateful for Cam and his willingness to share his story, perspective, and advice to those struggling with ADHD.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Better Help counseling services. Join over one million people who have taken charge of their mental health. Go to betterhelp.com/mintarrow and get 10% off your first month of counseling.
Time Stamps:
[01:07] - Cameron Treu tells his story of starting a new life in BBQ, later becoming a Pit Master.
[03:30] - Once Cameron made up his mind to pursue BBQ, he set his focus on making the most of his interest. Here’s how that led to Bam Bam’s BBQ.
[05:32] - Cameron recalls the interaction that allowed him to be the mentee of a top chef.
[07:27] - Cameron’s story with John Louis proves a few lessons in making genuine connections in the industry.
[09:52] - Listen to Cameron express his thoughts on ADHD, childhood, and building self-awareness around how he operates as a person.
[12:33] - Cameron describes the first time taking Adderall and talks about the effects for individuals with ADHD.
[15:29] - Society’s relationship with modern technology increases ADHD symptoms shown in neuro-typical individuals.
[17:15] - Dealing with ADHD can expose individuals to these secondary physiological and psychological impacts.
[19:55] - Cameron explains the unseen perspective of combating external pressure and opinions towards ADHD.
[21:15] - How can someone be supportive of an individual dealing with ADHD? Cameron shares his insight.
[23:41] - Corinne and Cameron talk about being mindful of words related to nuanced experiences, especially when being used casually.
[25:45] - Having a different focus or attention is not the fault of an individual with ADHD.
[28:42] - Cameron talks about learning to love his brain. What is it like to balance the internal experience of ADHD?
[30:44] - Is there a positive impact that can come from involving spirituality in the journey of dealing with ADHD?
[33:29] - Cameron shares this analogy of what happens when people separate from spirituality. How can someone get back on track?
[36:24] - Cameron encourages addressing ADHD early, like in childhood, to reduce possible health threats.
[38:18] - What are some approaches Cameron uses to live his active life? He talks about the trials and errors of figuring things out.
[40:41] - Cameron discusses mind hacks related to hand-eye coordination and dopamine for ADHD.
[42:41] - If you deal with ADHD, here are the things that Cameron feels that are really important in the journey.
[45:18] - Dealing with ADHD is possible, and it can also still have its ups and down.
[47:45] - “Love one another.”
[50:18] - Corinne and Cameron talk about being BYU fans, Utah fans, and connecting with people.
Supporting Resources:
The Nitty Gritty Podcast
@bambamsbbq
@nittygrittyshow
Shannon Lyon is a food blogger, recipe creator, & mom of 4 living in Portland, Oregon, and a friend of mine since our London study abroad days in 2005. Her problem is there’s almost no food she doesn't like. She creates recipes that are easy but full of flavor. She teaches cooking and baking techniques at conferences and on her Instagram page @plumstreetcollective. Shannon grew up in Seattle then attended BYU, double-majoring in Advertising & English. After college she worked in advertising as a brand planner while also earning a Master’s Degree in Humanities. She loves sharing all her recipes and testing recipes until she gets them just right. Today Shannon and I talk about food and family, her tips for making the most of dinner time, her perspective as a mother of a child who has a severe food allergy, how to be thoughtful and inclusive to kids who live with this challenge, and some of her best life advice. I think by the end of this interview you'll know why Shannon is one of my favorite people, and she'll quickly become one of yours, too.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Better Help counseling services. Join over one million people who have taken charge of their mental health. Go to betterhelp.com/mintarrow and get 10% off your first month of counseling.
Time Stamps:
[01:08] - Let’s go through a few fun, random facts to get to know Shannon Lyon better.
[04:08] - What sparked Shannon’s love of food? Shannon reminisces about her childhood and how her passion evolved over time.
[07:08] - Don’t feel too pressured about cooking. Shannon talks about why quality time is more important than the quality of the cooking.
[08:43] - What can parents/guardians do to get kids to engage during the meal?
[11:00] - Find family time that works for your family’s schedule. Listen to Shannon share what she does to match her family’s schedule and taste preferences.
[13:32] - Involving kids in the meal process gives them more sense of responsibility and pride.
[15:46] - Shannon and Corinne talk about the changes of allergies among children over the years and the responses to taking care of food allergies.
[17:45] - Here’s what you can do to help create a better environment for kids with food allergies.
[20:24] - Shannon encourages parents/guardians who know of kids with food allergies to learn how to use an EpiPen in case a situation ever arises.
[22:55] - Shannon continues to describe the key points of using an EpiPen.
[25:47] - While explaining what to do about discovering allergies, Shannon recalls the time she realized her son’s allergy.
[28:40] - How does the rest of Shannon’s family deal with her son’s allergy?
[30:51] - Shannon talks about handling child food allergies in public spaces, such as airplanes, restaurants, and Disney World.
[33:41] - What is the one rule Shannon has for whenever she goes on a girl’s trip?
[35:52] - This is Shannon’s way of shifting gossip conversations and making decisions to protect her own space.
[38:01] - Shannon and Corinne discuss giving and receiving different love languages.
[40:55] - How important is it to know your kid’s love language?
[43:09] - Family dinner is about spending quality time together.
Supporting Resources:
Plum Tree Collective
The Car Mom was started by Kelly Stumpe in June of 2020. Kelly has been around the automotive industry her whole life. Her family owns a group of dealerships in the St. Louis area. She began her career in the industry in 2016 as a client advisor at BMW of West St. Louis. Kelly fell in love with sales and knew she found her calling. Kelly had her first child in 2019 and realized the only job harder than 65 hour work week in automotive sales is being a stay-at-home mom.
Fast-forward to 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic hit and Kelly was pregnant with baby #2. Kelly thought, “It’s hard enough to take my one child to the grocery store right now; I can’t imagine moms having to go to a car dealership during this.” She thought, “What if I used my resources and knowledge to review cars for moms so they don’t have to waste time going to every dealership?” and that’s when The Car Mom was born.
Today I get to sit down with Kelly to ask her all about her mission with the car mom. We talk about how to make a good purchase, the vitality of choosing a good salesperson, what to look for in your first family car, what her favorite cars are right now, and her advice to moms who want to be entrepreneurs too.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Better Help counseling services. Join over one million people who have taken charge of their mental health. Go to betterhelp.com/mintarrow and get 10% off your first month of counseling.
Time Stamps:
[01:14] - Kelly Stumpe, The Car Mom, opens up about how she got into the automotive space, including her family’s longtime connection to the field.
[03:44] - How did Kelly choose the platform to share and promote The Car Mom content?
[05:42] - Kelly says she became focused on empowering moms with information to choose the best car options.
[08:24] - What is Kelly’s reason for not narrowing a top ten list for cars? She explains that each mom and family have varying needs.
[10:44] - Here are the biggest common mistakes that new moms make when buying their first car for the family.
[13:35] - Kelly says people should explore their car options. Don’t be afraid to do a size check and be more prepared to buy a car.
[16:14] - Don’t test drive a car until you’re ready to buy a car. Instead, here is what people should start.
[18:30] - Kelly gives insight about negotiating at car dealerships and finding a good deal.
[20:49] - What does Kelly want to say to people who feel nervous about the sales process at dealerships?
[22:22] - Why is it important to know a vehicle’s pay off?
[25:12] - Should people always buy a new car?
[28:09] - Which cars does Kelly say are well-performing cars that get overlooked?
[30:39] - Corrine explains her own personal story about dealing with cars.
[33:00] - Kelly recalls examples of what she is able to help with by being a voice in the automotive field.
[34:50] - Most of the problems in buying a car could be gone if people were proactive about the experience.
[37:17] - Kelly’s shares her perspective on using her gifts for her community.
[39:29] - Listen to where you can connect with Kelly.
Supporting Resources:
The Car Mom website
YouTube Channel
Instagram @thecarmom
At the beginning of this year, the very first Sunday in January, I had an extra loaf of warm, freshly baked French bread, and my dear friend Amy’s face popped into my mind when I thought of who I could deliver it to. I ran it over to her house and gave her a quick hug as I handed it off, while she welcomed a couple of young missionaries into her home for dinner. The very next day, I received a text that absolutely gutted me - Amy had been in the ER later Sunday night with her 9 year old son Crew, and Monday she was in the hospital with him waiting to find out if he had cancer.
Crew was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, an extremely rare bone cancer in his femur. I’ve witnessed Amy and her family turn to faith, lean into the grace of the Savior and the healing in His atonement, and selflessly share their miracles with our community as they’ve seen Crew through this horrible trial.
Recently, Amy posted on Instagram that it was her goal to bring awareness to as many people as possible what the signs are of childhood bone cancer. Amy agreed to come on my podcast to talk about what she’s learned through all of this and teach us about what symptoms to pay attention to that could be bone cancer in a child. She also teaches us what this life-altering experience has been like for her family, what she wishes she would have known, what to do to best support a family going through chemo, what NOT to say, and some of the miracles that have strengthened their faith in Jesus Christ.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Better Help counseling services. Join over one million people who have taken charge of their mental health. Go to betterhelp.com/mintarrow and get 10% off your first month of counseling.
Time Stamps:
[01:32] - Amy Willets lovingly describes her family’s daily life before her son’s bone cancer diagnosis.
[03:18] - When was the first sign Amy noticed of her son developing cancer?
[05:14] - Amy recalls the timeline of her son’s painful leg officially becoming more than what she imagined.
[08:00] - When first arriving at the ER, hospital staff were confused about the reason. Amy explains why.
[10:59] - Amy talks about the moment of first having “cancer” be attached to her son’s leg pain.
[12:39] - After her experience, Amy shares what she wished she knew during the early part of her son’s leg pain.
[15:13] - Not all signs of illness are noticeable, and it can be hard to pinpoint signs of physical stress.
[16:44] - Amy talks about advocating for self and loved ones when in hospitals.
[18:28] - Here are examples of Amy advocating for her son in the hospital.
[21:10] - This is the medical schedule of Amy’s son going through treatment for cancer.
[23:27] - Adversity can teach you valuable lessons. Listen to Amy give her take on her lessons from this journey.
[25:46] - Amy recalls her son’s complicated surgery. She gives the details of what was needed.
[27:30] - The surgery was an absolute success. Amy explains the miracle that contributed to this success.
[29:00] - Relying on community added a boost to the medical journey of Amy’s son.
[31:57] - Amy says the cancer not spreading and her son’s body remaining in one piece are miracles.
[34:43] - Amy’s son is a very active kid. Amy talks about her son accommodating for the pain way before he mentioned the pain.
[37:12] - Amy shares how this journey impacted her son. She describes the changes of her son.
[39:56] - How can you comfort a child that is going through a tough chapter?
[42:34] - Amy describes how the medical journey with her son switched some aspects and emotions in her family.
[44:24] - It’s hard not to lose yourself in the midst of a tough journey. Amy says Corrine was a great strength for her during this journey.
[46:30] - When life altering events happen to loved ones, what can people do to encourage them?
[47:43] - Amy gives her thoughts on her feelings when people bring up her son’s medical journey in conversations.
[50:07] - Here is the one question that Amy feels people should not ask families that are going through a medical journey.
[52:42] - What are Amy’s biggest takeaways from her family’s medical journey?
[54:58] - Listening to your kids is important. Corrine and Amy talk about the trickiness of having intuition about your kids and listening to your kids.
[57:21] - Amy is grateful her family was able to find a specialist for her son. She talks about the difference it can make.
[59:32] - Some miracles are put in place before they are needed as all things are coming together for your good.
[01:01:34] - Amy shares a story about how coincidence and a friend of a friend helped get her son the care he needed.
[01:03:53] - Here is the major message Amy would like everyone to take from this episode.
Lately for some reason I feel like the concept of a “cafeteria plan” of the gospel of Jesus Christ keeps coming up in my life. So is that even a thing? What does that even mean? Is it something we subscribe to? Neil and I dive deep into this and use some scriptural references and quotations by people far wiser than we are to talk about where we stand with all of this. We also give some examples from our own lives of obedience and blessings and how the principle of being wholly converted has changed our lives.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Christian Mingle. Go to christianmingle.com/mintarrow to find a like minded partner that you can make a real connection with.
Time Stamps:
[00:37] - Today’s episode originally had a different topic planned, but something else came up: the Cafeteria plan. Corrine explains the meanings associated with the Cafeteria plan analogy.
[03:37] - Neil gives an overview of the Abraham and Isaac story, which gives an example of obedience.
[06:36] - Obedience brings blessings. Don’t cheat yourself out of blessings.
[08:19] - Corrine reads a scripture related to receiving blessings in surplus from being obedient.
[10:31] - Corrine expresses compassion for those struggling with being in the church. She vulnerably touches on her own experience of feeling constrained and distant.
[13:17] - Temptation can be present, but lean towards obedience.
[15:34] - Neil agrees that there is growth available in being obedient. He acknowledges that obedience is an exercise of faith.
[18:26] - What are the results of “picking and choosing commandments” versus “keeping all commandments”?
[21:03] - Commandments are given with the idea of protection and happiness.
[23:25] - Obedience is not strictly about doing everything perfectly. Corrine talks about what it means to give full effort in the moment.
[25:06] - Neil brings in the topic of atonement in relation to obedience. He emphasizes why grace supports the commitment of obedience.
[27:53] - Neil and Corrine share their thoughts on the determination to improve obedience. Both agree that wanting to improve is better than letting perfection stop progress.
[30:41] - Try and show up. Be present to at least show the interest and willingness to give an effort.
[32:48] - Neil talks about his insight from finding himself at either side of the obedience spectrum in different situations in his life.
[34:47] - Corrine describes times in her life she felt that keeping the commandments helped her prosper.
[36:34] - Corrine gives an example about doing the work and remaining faithful to the work. Neil explains that making the decision to try opens the way for support and help to show up.
[39:27] - Neil talks candidly about accountability in the walk of obedience.
[40:57] - Corrine speaks to the life changes that come from the commitment of internal growth.
[43:40] - There’s a lot of chatter and noise in the world. Let’s focus on the eternal principles we’re given.
Supporting Resources:
“Born of God” Talk by Ezra Taft Benson
“Addiction Recovery Program: A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing” ARP Manual from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
“Face the Future with Faith” Talk by Russell M. Nelson
Morgan Jones is the host of the All In podcast and the manager of audience engagement for Deseret Book. She previously wrote for the Deseret News where she published more than 480 stories. Her new book, All In: Exploring What It Means to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shares what she has learned from interviewing over 130 people about their faith in Jesus Christ. Morgan is happiest when wearing sweatpants and will never get enough dark chocolate. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, but will forever be a North Carolina Tarheel.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Christian Mingle. Go to christianmingle.com/mintarrow to find a like minded partner that you can make a real connection with.
Time Stamps:
[00:54] - Morgan Jones recalls the ultimate reason she originally started her podcasting journey.
[03:47] - The idea of the All In podcast shifted before its official launch. Morgan gives credit to the people who contributed to the overall concept along the way.
[06:10] - Morgan works in the journalism space now, but in college, she ended up choosing a Public Relations major over a Journalism major.
[09:06] - Morgan shares a theme she noticed after doing many interviews with influential people who trust Heavenly Father.
[11:59] - What are Morgan’s thoughts about connecting with others on a personal level, especially as a person devoted to faith?
[14:33] - Part of the purpose driving Morgan is the hope to help other faith-based people feel less alone.
[16:41] - Morgan talks about how she faces adversity in the midst of doing good work.
[19:25] - Morgan tells a story about a couple who prayed for a child.
[22:03] - Morgan explores the idea of whether people choose the difficulties before being born or if God decides the challenges to give to people.
[24:35] - Morgan says that we are specifically equipped to take on the challenges we face in life, even the ones that feel past our capacity.
[26:40] - What do challenges teach us? How are we able to help others through our challenges?
[28:16] - Why does Morgan feel including people of other faiths is important?
[31:01] - Morgan shares a moment of joy she experienced in an interview from a small act of kindness.
[33:19] - Corrine shares her own funny story of interviewing during her podcast. Then, she moves the conversation back towards broader conversations of faith.
[35:08] - Where did Morgan gain the inspiration for the main question in the All In podcast?
[38:09] - Listen to Morgan talk about reflecting on her interview experiences to help write the book.
[40:28] - There are different levels of being “all in”. Morgan dispels the misconception of “all in”, and describes the true meaning behind the name of the podcast.
[42:50] - Corrine and Morgan share thoughts on when people take ownership of their problems.
[45:00] - Who are the top names on Morgan’s Interview Wishlist? Of everything Morgan learned from interviews, what is her new understanding of “convenance”?
[47:29] - Morgan discusses the understanding of faith, promises, and appreciating covenants.
[49:43] - Instead of division or isolation, Morgan promotes understanding, community, and honesty.
[51:14] - Morgan reflects that regardless of how we witness God, we can feel the presence of God.
Supporting Resources:
“All In: An LDS Living Podcast” Hosted by Morgan Jones
Morgan’s Book “All in. Exploring What It Means to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ”
On Monday, August 23, Jeffrey R Holland, an apostle of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, spoke to the faculty at Brigham Young University in a speech entitled “The Second Half of the Second Century” where Elder Holland expressed love for the University and emphasized the importance of aligning the teachings at BYU and those of the church. He addressed the topic of marriage as a union of a man and a woman, sexual orientation, and avoiding divisiveness instead of being a “house divided.” His talk stirred up a lot of controversy on social media among many members of our church. I too felt many emotions as I first read the talk, and then listened to it twice, all while observing many heated discussions online.
And while I think much of the controversy online was stirred up by those who took certain lines out of Elder Holland’s talk out of context and cut-and-pasted certain phrases that without the supporting and surrounding context were very different than the intended message, I also wanted to understand better why so many were expressing feelings of hurt, anger and sadness over this speech.
I called my mom wanting her input, and she said she had just finished talking to her friend Melinda, whose experience as a life coach, desire to be “all in” the church, and a mother of two sons who are gay, was the kind of perspective we were both seeking.
Immediately after talking to my mom, I reached out to Melinda to see if she could squeeze in an interview for my podcast to talk about this sensitive topic and she graciously agreed. Melinda Welch is a certified life coach, an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a mother of five children. She also has two gay sons, a lesbian sister, many bi, gay and lesbian cousins and transgender friends. Melinda describes herself as “all-in with [her] family and the church.” She is married to her high school sweetheart Wayne (who currently serves as a singles ward bishop), and she says their “black-and-white thinking has been replaced with a sea of rainbows since two of their five kids have come out as gay.”
I’m extremely grateful for the chance I had to talk to Melinda about this topic and for her advice and perspective. Melinda said to me before we started talking, “I don’t know if I’m going to say what you want me to say.” And I told her that was exactly why I wanted her to come on the podcast, to offer exactly her thoughts and feelings whether they were similar or totally different than mine. So, although we had some differences in how we feel about or understand some of the complexities of this situation, I deeply respect, admire and appreciate Melinda and the advice she offered to me in this chat. I hope you feel uplifted and enlightened after listening to this episode and that it’s as helpful for you as it was for me.
Today's episode is sponsored by Christian Mingle. Go to christianmingle.com/mintarrow to find a like minded partner that you can make a real connection with.
Time Stamps:
[01:17] - Let me tell you about Melinda Welch and how she came to be our guest today.
[02:42] - Melinda recalls the first experience of dealing with her son coming out.
[05:29] - Thinking about her children, Melinda focuses on embracing the journey as it comes while giving room for each individual to make personal decisions.
[07:19] - I share with Melinda what I felt reading and listening to the talk. What is Melinda’s take?
[10:15] - Melinda points out the bigger question about this talk or any talk from a church that causes internal conflict at a crossroad.
[12:15] - Melinda and I talk about being a believer and finding the balance between traditional church values and inclusion.
[14:59] - What are the five reasons that keep Melinda grounded in her faith?
[17:41] - How can we show love to the LGBTQ+ community while still being strong in our faith?
[19:36] - Melinda talks about leaning towards compassion and curiosity to keep everyone in grace as we all navigate our personal perspectives.
[21:44] - Melinda describes what curiosity looks like and sounds like when approached in a genuine way.
[23:21] - Nobody has all the answers. What we do have is faith and agency.
[25:02] - I state my organic thoughts on how exploring the space between church and personal preference can feel unsafe.
[27:45] - Melinda emphasizes that everyone should be welcomed to church.
[30:27] - Melinda shares her view on the relation between faith and private institutions, namely BYU.
[32:05] - Melinda and I discuss releasing any judgement to focus more on our own accountability.
[35:08] - How do we defend our faith?
[37:16] - Questions and hard conversations are to develop ourselves, not opportunities to argue with one another.
[39:29] - Melinda and I talk about the discussion having two sides of people who want to feel supported.
[41:15] - Between the experiences of her children coming out, what advice does Melinda give to others in this situation?
[43:04] - Melinda feels that the power of love will be the greatest grace in dealing with life.
Supporting Resources:
“The Second Half of the Second Century of Brigham Young University” Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland
Melinda Welch
Instagram @melindawelchcoaching
If you have kids, and especially if you have kids who are nearing double digit age (like us!) then you’ve probably asked yourself, “When DO we want to give our kids a phone? When is the best time?” Well even though Neil and I would like to stick with “never,” we know it’s an inevitable crossroad, so today I’m sitting down with Bill Brady, CEO and founder Troomi Wireless, to talk alllll about the nitty gritty of giving kids phones and most importantly, how to do it safely. We check off all my questions, including when it’s necessary and how to make sure you’re doing it safely. I also grill Bill pretty hard on just how safe his phone is, whether it’s hackable, what the workarounds are that kids might discover, and I don’t hold back on some differing opinions about devices, social media, and impact on kids. I think you’re really going to enjoy this episode and if you do find yourself convinced you’ll want a Troomi phone for your kids (now or down the road), Bill was nice enough to give us the discount code mintarrow for $50 off any of their phones.
Time Stamps:
[01:40] - We’re talking about safely giving your kids a phone by speaking with the CEO of Troomi Wireless, Bill Brady.
[03:21] - Brady shares a friend’s story of how giving a young person a phone took a difficult turn.
[05:31] - There’s a lot of emotion, influence, and access that comes with cell phones that parents may not be fully aware of.
[07:30] - When is it appropriate to give a kid a phone?
[09:23] - Brady suggests that parents use a gradual approach to exposing pre-teens to personal devices.
[10:57] - For a starting point, Brady advises parents to put emphasis on responsibility within limited features.
[13:18] - What is the difference between a Troomi cell phone and a Gizmo watch?
[15:31] - Prepare your kids to have a healthy management style of technology before they enter the real world.
[17:38] - Troomi contains these helpful, real-time features to monitor kids.
[19:35] - Brady describes what makes Troomi different from similar options in the same field.
[22:38] - How does Brady feel about games on phones?
[25:10] - Brady explains how Troomi ended up accepting games on their cell phone. He then talks about the flexibility Troomi gives to varying parenting styles.
[27:54] - Phones can be a benefit for the safety of kids and can help keep communication open in times of need.
[29:55] - Brady speaks about how kids are figuring out how to hack average cell phones. How does Troomi solve this concern?
[32:33] - Troomi also combats the loopholes of the open web and domains.
[34:53] - Why does Troomi allow games and not social media?
[36:51] - For dealing with social media, the major point comes down to: “Where do you get your validation?”
[39:37] - As you make decisions about your kids and technology, stay intentional.
Supporting Resources:
Troomi website
Instagram @troomiwireless
Go to troomi.com and enter in promo code mintarrow to get $50 off a troomi phone.
I love to read, and one of the books I started reading this year (after hearing many business people rave about it) was Radical Candor. This book has some GREAT lessons and takeaways, and in trying to implement the number one takeaway in the book, I felt like I really failed. Today I’m sharing what I think I did right, but mostly where I went wrong, who helped me to see the situation more clearly and most importantly, how to do better next time.
Time Stamps:
[00:31] - Being honest can help keep others safe and can avoid worse situations in the future.
[03:18] - I talk about a time I challenged life with radical candor. Despite going through with it, I did feel a bit awkward.
[06:00] - My father has a great ability of giving honest feedback. When I told him about the situation, he gave this tip about feedback.
[07:40] - What is Neil’s view of the situation? He speaks on awkward moments in relationships and why not communicating doesn’t make things better.
[10:07] - Honest communication in hard situations is all about the delivery of that communication.
[12:51] - Sometimes it’s best to involve people in the process of the solution or criticism. I share what happened when I used this approach in parenting.
[15:34] - Neil describes the importance of counsel and fostering clear communication.
[17:43] - Retelling religious text, I give background to the story of the counsel and the decision before the creation of the Earth.
[20:37] - We’re allowed to choose. It’s up to us to decide what we’d like to follow.
[22:34] - Neil and I share the way we talked to our kids about healthy and constructive methods to handle feelings.
[25:19] - Neil mentions the change in how our children manage conflict and feelings now.
[26:46] - Neil and I discuss how amazing a great communicator navigates a tough position by referencing a biblical story.
[28:20] - Communication is absent of shaming and berating.
[31:10] - What are the attributes of properly using authority?
[33:07] - Frustration is natural, but sometimes it doesn’t do good to project that onto others.
[35:07] - Here’s the verdict on “radical candor vs. counsel together”.
[36:37] - Neil gives the practical side of communication to remember when things don’t go as expected. Corrine suggests the one plan that always works.
[39:31] - Take these tips for the next time you need to give feedback to someone.
Supporting Resources:
“Family Councils” Talk by M. Russell Ballard
“Christlike Communications” Talk by L. Lionel Kendrick
Kristin Andrus is a mom to 6, exercise maniac, lover and creator of healthy recipes, married to the owner of Traeger Grills, Jeremy Andrus, and a total inspiration to me of what it REALLY means to serve, mentor, and love people in your community. Kristin has a passion for philanthropy, but in today's podcast she shares her strong feelings about how money is the actual most insignificant part of philanthropic work and that it's your TIME and attention that will really create long-lasting relationships and opportunities to grow and help others thrive. She gives really helpful takeaways for those interested in mentoring, along with some great mom advice, marriage advice, and life advice in general.
Time Stamps:
[00:49] - Kristin Andrus introduces herself, her family, and her philanthropic work.
[02:27] - What sparked Kristin’s passion for philanthropy and advocating for others?
[05:15] - Kristin shares tips for choosing opportunities that are close to her heart.
[08:02] - Kristin tells a story of giving lasting holiday cheer to a group of refugee women she worked closely with.
[10:30] - What’s the different impact between going to fundraiser events and connecting with the community in person?
[11:53] - Kristin talks about giving her children exposure to philanthropy work and how to engage the kids in the impact.
[14:31] - Kristin describes the strength of the women and children she supports through philanthropy work.
[17:24] - What does Kristin suggest to build real connections with the community and individual people that could benefit from relationships?
[19:00] - Trust is a major step in creating connections in philanthropy with the community. Kristin gives personal examples of gradually building trust with refugees.
[21:32] - Kristin encourages everyone to check on the needs in their own neighborhoods.
[23:47] - Making the call to discover needs is an actionable step to figuring out the needed impact.
[25:00] - Why is it important to share philanthropy options and social impact?
[26:52] - Kristin says that people should focus on creating balance rather than “finding” balance. She uses the context of motherhood to explain her approach.
[29:46] - In marriage, Kristin advises to lean towards having realistic expectations of a spouse. What is the best compliment Kristin received from her spouse?
[31:38] - Here is Kristin's viewpoint on her marriage and the dynamics in their relationships. Kristin emphasizes the importance of clear communication.
[34:28] - Kristin speaks about showcasing your authentic skills.
[37:27] - Kristina uses conversation, curiosity, and consistency to bring more impact into her life.
[40:05] - Philanthropy honestly does require thoughtfulness to follow through with the actions supporting social impact and connections.
[42:02] - What is Kristin’s advice to make sure the people in need don’t feel like a project?
[43:34] - Here is the ONE message Kristin wants everyone to take away from the conversation.
Supporting Resources:
“Baskets and Bottles” Talk by Chieko Okazaki
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/04/baskets-and-bottles?lang=eng
Instagram @kristinandrus https://www.instagram.com/kristinandrus/?hl=en
Think back to the last time that you had something go TOTALLY differently than you had pictured it in your mind. What were your feelings when things went this way? Were you disappointed? Frustrated? Resentful? Today Neil and I are talking about expectations and why Neil says they’re “resentments in the making,” and what we try to do instead to offset these results and find more happiness in life.
Time Stamps:
[00:29] - Neil and I talk about expectations, resentments, and how our lives unfolded.
[03:05] - How can expectations turn into resentment?
[05:54] - I explain a saying that can help people to see when something is no longer for them.
[08:37] - Sometimes we hold ideas that never come into being. Other times, we need to discern if the idea is aligned with how we are being called.
[11:11] - Neil and I share our expectations of marriage versus what we know now.
[13:49] - Neil says he thought someone in a relationship would change his faults.
[15:34] - I share that I imagined being super unified as a couple, but I realized that we needed a bit of autonomy.
[17:04] - Neil and I share our different understandings of a famous image.
[19:29] - When we prioritize our individual spiritual health, we are able to show up for each other.
[21:24] - Life can be beautiful and blissful, but the reality is that those moments come and go.
[23:12] - Why is it so easy to have expectations of others?
[25:49] - I talk about removing selfishness to take away the expectations.
[27:22] - Neil shares a point about embracing acceptance in our life.
[28:51] - I reminisce on what I learned about having expectations of another person’s behavior, and being patient in understanding others.
[30:36] - Sometimes life is like a trust fall, like a test of our faith.
[32:31] - Here is the one expectation people CAN have.
Supporting Resources:
“Life is Like an Old Time Rail-Journey” Quote referenced in “A Conversation with Single Adults” Talk by Gordon B. Hinckley https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1997/03/a-conversation-with-single-adults?lang=eng
“Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book” https://amzn.to/3BOtMij
“But If Not” Talk by Dennis E. Simmons
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2004/04/but-if-not?lang=eng
My parents, Grant and Si Foster (who is also known for her blog, a bountiful kitchen) just returned from an 18-month mission to Spain, Barcelona where they taught, led and counseled with and mentored young adults in our church. I really wanted to ask them in detail about their mission and what they learned and experienced and how they got through the pandemic while truly locked down inside their little apartment (which they called their piso) for 70 days, and were under restrictions almost their entire mission. Today we talk about the Lord’s timing, listening to His voice, answering the call when you feel you need to serve, how to really make the most of your mission, adjusting to mission life and then back to civilian life after the mission, and their advice for those thinking of serving as senior missionaries.
Time Stamps:
[00:54] - I welcome my parents to the show, and ask them to explain how they came to accept their missionary work.
[03:44] - What were the lifestyle adjustments like for my parents as missionaries in a new environment?
[06:06] - Si talks about the couple dynamics that shifted during the missionary work.
[07:52] - What is Grant’s advice about doing missionary work with a spouse? How does the bond change during this time?
[10:20] - Grant and Si explain that they kept a flexible schedule to keep themselves on track and active.
[12:56] - Being proactive and defining the mission were huge factors in Grant and Si’s contribution to the missionary work.
[15:20] - Si shares what she feels about the timing of the missionary work while going through the pandemic.
[17:18] - From Si’s perspective, the junior missionaries were specially equipped to help the community through social media.
[19:20] - From Grant’s perspective, every role and contribution offered a special contribution, even their age.
[22:20] - Grant and Si talk about being amazed with the messages they recognize about how they were inspiring other people.
[25:10] - Grant describes the location the mission was held within.
[27:00] - What was the pandemic lockdown like during the missionary work in Spain?
[29:55] - Grant and Si share that they kept a unique journal to keep a log of the journey.
[31:51] - What did Grant and Si counsel the young missionaries about? What were the concerns of the young missionaries?
[34:49] - Grant and Si recall when several missionaries went home at the beginning of the pandemic related to physical and mental health.
[37:00] - In missionary work, service is the center of your perspective.
[39:59] - Si talks about the baptisms that happened during the missionary work.
[42:15] - Grant shares how aware and mindful they tried to be towards the young adults. He talks about the full circle moment between in person connection and the digital connections.
[45:15] - How does Grant and Si feel about readjusting to life after coming back?
[47:19] - Once coming back home, Si says she realized how easy it is to fill up life with being “busy”, and learning to apply lessons from missionary work to everyday life.
[49:55] - Grant and Si explain that they had plans to do missionary work, but the opportunity presented itself naturally.
[52:28] - Si emphasizes the benefits of missionary work for couples. Si talks about older couples giving grace to themselves to go on a mission.
[55:01] - I share about why I am grateful my parents were able to fulfill their missionary work.
Supporting Resources:
“Adjusting to Missionary Life” Church of Jesus Christ Resource
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/resource-booklet-adjusting-to-missionary-life?lang=eng
“A Bountiful Kitchen” Si Foster’s food blog
https://abountifulkitchen.com/
Si’s Instagram @abountifulkitchen https://www.instagram.com/abountifulkitchen/?hl=en
Last week we experienced what I believe to be miracles, as we watched our little two-year-old Millie go from being her happy self to being one very sick little kid who was in the hospital for 5 days. Many many people prayed for Millie and today we’re sharing the details of that story, where the little miracles happened, and why I’m calling them miracles. We also dive into how prayer played a part in all of this, whether we change the outcome ourselves by praying, or if it’s just up to God, and if it is - what the point is of praying, and whether it really works.
Time Stamps:
[00:42] - We planned a trip to Utah to meet with family, and our trip took a turn.
[03:33] - Originally, no one could tell what was wrong with Millie.
[06:22] - After the results came, I felt that there was something else wrong.
[09:06] - Here are a few of the symptoms we saw when Millie was first sick.
[11:28] - It threw us off to see our child be exhausted from a sickness, but we eventually developed the faith that things would work out.
[14:02] - Neil and I experienced watching our child be sick slightly differently. I think it’s healthy that we are able to speak together about what we felt individually.
[15:45] - Honestly, when we took Millie in for a second diagnosis, we were still trying to process what was going on.
[18:02] - I shared Millie’s story on social media, and she had a miraculous shift in mood. The good energy from others around the world seemed to help, but there was more to come.
[21:30] - I retell what it was like when Millie woke up out of her sleep screaming while we were at the hospital.
[23:00] - I’m blown away that people took the time to send positive energy to Millie.
[24:50] - What happens when the prayers seem to go unheard? How do we deal with the aftermath?
[27:40] - It's not a healthy expectation to think God will take away everything unfortunate or unfavorable.
[28:07] - How do we define a miracle?
[30:58] - I feel Millie’s recovery defied all logic. She suddenly started getting better.
[32:23] - Prayer is not to change God’s will. Prayer helps God’s will and our will to correspond and find a balance of dealing with the situations.
[33:02] - Blessing and prayer include being active. “Faith without works is dead.”
[35:26] - Have a willingness as acceptance of the outcome to really embrace faith and the miracles.
[37:53] - I share a story of a miracle with finding a cell phone. The timing of miracles is not up to us.
[39:48] - Neil realizes that his reaction to a prayer going “unanswered” is a reflection of the strength of his faith.
[41:25] - I think we are given tests of our faith to help build each other up.
[44:20] - We should share our moments of faith and make that connection between each other the focus.
[46:12] - If you said one of those prayers for Millie, thank you.
Supporting Resources:
Mint Arrow Messages
Mint Arrow Messages on Instagram
Mint Arrow Messages on Pinterest
Mint Arrow Messages on Facebook
Mint Arrow Messages on Twitter
“Has the Day of Miracles Ceased” Talk by Donald L. Hallstrom
The Church of Jesus Christ Bible Dictionary Prayer Definition
“Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball”
“Prayer” talk by Henry B. Eyring
“When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold S. Kushner
Okay be honest just for a second with yourself. Have you ever been in a situation when you’ve asked yourself, “Wait, what’s in it for me?” Or thought that to yourself? I think if we’re being honest we ALL have at one time or another. Today Neil and I are discussing selfishness and why it so easily plagues our lives, and the antithesis: selflessness. We share some of the examples we’ve had in our lives of selflessness along with some deeply inspiring stories of sacrifice that I’m almost certain will leave you wanting to be better.
Time Stamps:
[00:38] - The first spark of inspiration for our talk today is from a Neal A. Maxwell quote that made us understand selfishness differently.
[02:51] - Following the first spark, another spark of inspiration came that reminds me of the 1989 movie Field of Dreams.
[04:33] - We should all strive to be genuinely happy for others.
[06:26] - Neil expresses how cheering for others is so counterintuitive to the myth of success society sells.
[08:25] - Worldly possessions are simply objects; our view about the objects is what gives us peace or makes us feel miserable.
[10:15] - I share a personal story about my childhood, a grand piano, and the selflessness of my parents.
[13:12] - By choosing to be more selfless, we’re setting ourselves up to be more free.
[15:35] - Neil gives credit to his admirable father who worked on personal growth over the years then reminisces about childhood.
[17:28] - Neil tells the story of trying to hide a motorcycle ticket from his father. Was he able to keep the secret?
[19:09] - I have such a strong memory of my grandpa’s transition into a new life that positively impacted my life when I was younger.
[21:36] - We take a lesson of selflessness from history in a story of the pioneers who travelled to the West during the 1800s.
[24:30] - Being selfless is a heroic act.
[27:29] - In tough and uncomfortable moments, we have an opportunity to show up selflessly.
[29:47] - Are we willing to move closer toward a more selfless life?
Supporting Resources:
“Repent of [Our] Selfishness” Talk by Neal A. Maxwell
https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1999/04/repent-of-our-selfishness-d-c-56-8?lang=eng
Miss Nigeria’s Reaction to Miss Jamaica Winning Miss World Pageant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlDjqF8YYLQ
“What’s in it for Me?” Talk by James E. Faust
https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2002/10/whats-in-it-for-me?lang=eng
“Four B’s for Boys” Talk by Gordon B. Hinckley
https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1981/10/four-bs-for-boys?lang=eng
In 2020, Chris and Melissa Smith started the podcast and website Family Brand, to help families figure out what they want to stand for and be remembered by. Having a family brand is a way to strengthen your family.
Since then, they’ve taken dozens of families through their training that helps families identify core values they want to create a family brand around, and how to make their family brand not just inspirational but transformational.
Today, Chris and Melissa sit down with Neil and me to give us a crash course and a mini family brand session by asking questions you can use too to get your family brand started.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Twelve years ago, Chris and Melissa almost got divorced. Then she read a statistic saying that 87% of couples considering divorce who decide to work it out are happy five years later. Since then, they focused on building back their marriage.
- Oftentimes as entrepreneurs and business owners, we are so much more intentional about the brand and the culture of our businesses and our personal brands than we are about the brand and the culture of our home.
- Families are the backbone of everything. It's no coincidence that the breaking down of a family directly coincides with all kinds of issues in society. So the world needs strong families.
- In getting started with creating a family brand, here are three questions you can ask yourself and the rest of the family:
-
- What do you stand for more than anything? (For us, it’s faith and love.)
- What do you want to be remembered for someday?
- What makes your family unique?
- Clarity is usually at the bottom of confrontation. If you're willing to work through confrontation, everything becomes clear.
- Language is creation. The words you speak in your home create the culture in your home.
- One of the greatest indicators of a child's future well being and identity is how much they know about their family history and their ancestors.
- Having family values gives you opportunities to acknowledge whenever there are some things you haven't lived up to.
- You can live the life you want to live as a family and take a stand for your family.
Supporting Resources:
Family Brand Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-brand/id1536495798
Website: Familybrand.com https://familybrand.com/
Instagram @ourfamilybrand https://www.instagram.com/ourfamilybrand/?hl=en
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
This week, I was asked to teach a lesson to the young women in my church congregation (ages 11-18) about pornography – specifically, “how can I resist pornography.”
I knew that this topic could potentially impact so many of the teenage girls listening, and I felt a huge weight of responsibility to prepare well and most of all, plead with the Lord to have the spirit with me and that He would direct me in what to teach and how to teach this effectively.
Today, I’m sharing what I taught in my lesson to these teenage girls about truth versus lies when it comes to pornography. Whether it’s “normal” or “a good place to learn,” – Spoiler alert: these are all lies Satan wants us to believe, and how to resist these temptations.
We also talked about the best ways to arm ourselves against these temptations and if any of them find themselves struggling with an addiction to pornography, where to turn and how to find help. Neil joins me in this podcast episode as he adds his thoughts, advice and testimony of hope and healing from pornography addiction through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
If you have a teenager that you need to talk to about pornography, or if you have a teenager that you want to pass this along to, or if you ever have a situation where you need to teach a group of youth about this or even just for yourself, it's hopefully going to be helpful information.
In this episode, you will hear:
- There's a lot of truth out there and there are also a lot of lies. And Satan is the father of all lies. He's so tricky, sneaky and so good at what he does by confusing everything Heavenly Father wants for us.
- Your sexuality is a gift from Heavenly Father. The fact that you have attraction to other people, and you have curiosity and feelings within your body – these are all gifts from our Heavenly Father and it doesn't make you a bad person.
- Every single person exists because two people were attracted to each other and had sex. But with every gift that Heavenly Father gives us, Satan loves to come up with a counterfeit. He loves to confuse the plan and the gifts that heavenly Father gives to us.
-
The “For the Strength of Youth” pamphlet contains a list of rules and guidelines that teach young children about relationships, friendships, the music they listen to, and all kinds of things. Everyone within our faith should be taking these standards seriously, including the guidelines on pornography.
-
Pornography, in all forms, is especially dangerous and addictive. What may begin as an unexpected exposure or a curious exploration can become a destructive habit.
- Based on science, pornography changes your brain and affects your brain like a drug. It will negatively impact love and intimacy, normalizes objectification and fuels sex trafficking.
- If you're struggling with temptation, give yourself even further boundaries. Make sure you're not in places or putting yourself in positions where it's going to catch you and find you easier.
- The internal filter is the best filter. Having that internal filter driven by the Spirit, because you're inviting the spirit into your life is the one that's going to work the very best.
- If you keep the commandments, God will nourish you, strengthen you and provide the means that you need. So you have to do the work. Show up and read your scriptures, pray, and nourish your spirituality.
Supporting Resources:
“Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul” talk by Jeffrey R. Holland https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng
“Protection from Pornography-a Christ Focused Home” Talk by Linda S. Reeves https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/04/protection-from-pornography-a-christ-focused-home?lang=eng
www.fightthenewdrug.org
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Almost 10 years ago, Katie Parker founded Singers Company, a place where little girls can sing, dance, and act in a wholesome environment while building confidence and performance skills.
Katie recognized the staggering statistics of declining teen confidence and self-worth that were plaguing our nation, so she decided to start the I Believe in Me project, an online-based program for girls 11 years of age and older. The program offers weekly short videos that provide guidance and encouragement in many areas including friendship, school, goals/dreams, social media, beauty, hair, discovering/pursuing talents, creating healthy habits, fashion and so much more!
The adventures in I Believe In Me help each girl create and establish her own "garden" of life experiences and accomplishments – what "flowers" does she want to plant? – and what "weeds" does she need to keep out?
This week, I sit down with the 3 amazing women who host I Believe in Me – Katie Parker, Allie Callister and Becky Fife, to talk about some of the most important issues 11-year-old girls face through their teenage years, what their advice is in many different scenarios, and how to tackle some of the trickiest things about being a teen or tween with grace and confidence.
Especially if you have an 11-year-old girl, just remember that every single flower is beautiful in its own unique and special way. And if they can hold on to that and know that they don't need to change who they are for someone else, or to fit into a different group or to be accepted by somebody else – they are perfect just the way they are.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Allie’s biggest strength in life is I can laugh my way through most situations, and just be light and carefree.
- I Believe In Me is a positive happy girls club. So each week, she'll log into her private site. Their platform is private and each week, there's a new "planting the seeds" episode.
- Their whole program has a garden theme because they believe every girl is a unique individual with gifts to share in this world.
- One of their mantras is: you are a girl with gifts to grow and share. And in your garden of life and in the garden of the world, we need all different types of flowers, not just all the same.
- Planting the seeds: We need different sizes and shapes and different strengths and weaknesses in this garden of the world. That's the beauty of the world.
- There's a new episode each week. Once they've completed that entire episode, a couple of other sections will open up.
- I Believe In Me has three different levels of membership: Root, Grow, and Bloom.
- The 11 to 12-year-old group of girls and middle school are so hard because there are a lot of things going on. Your body is changing, your friends are starting to change, and sometimes it surprises you. And so you start to question “Who am I?”
- Sometimes friends need boundaries, and you need to set your boundaries so that you can also protect your heart if things are said.
- In middle school, these girls are learning who they are and how to navigate among each other. They have a lot of insecurities which can end up hurting other people if you don't know how to handle them.
- Middle school doesn’t have to be scary. That’s why this program is giving these girls the tools they need so their experience can be fun!
- One of their tools is to turn worry into work. Instead of worrying about something that you don't have control over, look at what you can do.
- You're not improving your social skills by talking to a screen. You will only improve those skills by talking face to face with someone.
- It's okay to be hurt. But know that you have the power to decide how you feel and how it's going to affect you. .
Supporting Resources:
Instagram @sc.ibelieveinme https://www.instagram.com/scibelieveinme/
Links to additional info and to sign up for I believe in me courses https://linktr.ee/SCIBelieveinMe
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Do you have any regrets in life? Have you ever asked yourself this, or the people you love? This is a great topic that a lot of people may or may not have even thought about. But it's something that probably most people will have to deal with at some point in their life.
Today, Neil and I share candidly our regrets in life, and what we’ve learned from them. Nonetheless, God has just poured out all these blessings on us because we've been willing to just let him take over. He has given us this life that’s a million times more beautiful than what we could have ever planned or hoped for.
We also share the top 3 most common things people regret before they die as well as 3 resolutions you can make today that will help you avoid some of the deepest regrets in life. We challenge you to make those three resolutions, and if we can just make that conscious choice to live life the way God exactly wants us to live, then we will be able to find more joy in life.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Neil’s regret is missing out on the opportunities that he could have had and mine was wasting Miss Utah and not serving a mission because I didn’t live up to my potential.
- When my ex-husband and I were dating and getting close to marriage, I felt a strong prompting not to marry him.
- Opposite of that voice of warning, I've also had so many times where the Spirit has told me exactly how God wants me to live my life.
- We don’t get to redo childhood. I regretted not connecting well with my sister as we were growing up. I thought I wasted years of what could have been great childhood memories. (Although I have a super great relationship with her now!)
- Neil's two full brothers, Steve and Dave, have passed away. Neil talks about the conversation he had with his brother Steve, six months before he died when he asked Neil to never do drugs, alcohol, and smoke.
- The 3 most common things people regret before they die: not spending time with people they love (or maybe they could have spent it differently), not living up to their potential, and spending so much of their life being miserable.
- "The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." - Russell M. Nelson
- God put us on this earth to have joy and to be happy. And we all have our peaks and valleys, but when we put our focus on the right things, those bring joy in our lives.
- The 3 resolutions to help avoid some of the deepest regrets of life: resolve to spend more time with those you love, strive more earnestly to become the person God wants you to be, and resolve to find happiness regardless of your circumstances.
Supporting Resources:
“Of Regrets and Resolutions” Talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2012/10/of-regrets-and-resolutions?lang=eng
“Joy and Spiritual Survival” Talk by Russell M. Nelson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/joy-and-spiritual-survival?lang=eng
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Scott O'Neil is the CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, a global sports, and entertainment company that includes some of the most iconic teams and brands in the world, including the NBA Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL New Jersey Devils. He’s also the former President of Madison Square Garden Sports.
Scott is known for his leadership and ability to establish culture that changes lives. He wrote a book that releases this week called Be Where Your Feet Are – a mantra he lives by and teaches everywhere he goes.
In today’s interview, Scott shares with me his theories on balance, being present, priorities, and making the most important connections in life. I could not put Scott’s book down as soon as I started reading it, and this interview was way too short to cover everything I was dying to ask him, so I hope you’ll not only enjoy this incredibly inspiring chat but also buy his book that releases on June 1: Be Where Your Feet Are.
In this episode, you will hear:
- The definition of success is different for everyone and you have to figure out what it means to you.
- Life is not about balance but trade-offs. You can accomplish anything you want as long as you're willing to understand what the trade offs are because we have a limited amount of time.
- You need to be where your feet are and be present where you are.
- The phone out of reach rule is something you can do at home or at work where everyone can't have it within arm's reach so you can focus more on human connection.
- Scott’s five-point plan for health and wellness that you need to do every day: Do something for your mind, something for your body, something for your soul, sleep, and gratitude.
- Take care of the person in the mirror first then you have an opportunity to care for your family. And if you take care of your family, you have an opportunity to be extraordinary at whatever your success goals are.
- The power of mantra: You can manipulate your conscious and subconscious by speaking. Speak it into existence. You can train yourself to do good things and be better and be good and set some aspirational levels for yourself.
- The Leadership Constitution forces you to answer two questions – “I declare that I am…” and “You can count on me to be…” – These are great guideposts to keep you centered.
- Scott shares his beautiful experience of conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Always assume positive intent (API) and your life will be better. Go through your life giving people the benefit of the doubt and clean the slate.
Supporting Resources:
Scott’s O’neil’s new book “Be Where Your Feet Are: Seven Principles to Keep You Present, Grounded, and Thriving” https://amzn.to/3wgk0SA
Follow along with Scott:
Twitter @scottoneil
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-o-neil
Book Mentions:
The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Lifetime-Lessons-Learned-Company/dp/0399592091
The Power of Everyday Missionaries by Clayton Christensen
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Everyday-Missionaries-Sharing-Gospel/dp/1609073150
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Today, Neil and I are sharing some thoughts and ideas on how to make your home a safe haven from the craziness of the world. We talk about this concept of our homes being a holy place as well as our responsibility to make our home special.
We’re sharing some of the things we loved from the homes we grew up in, and some of the traditions we’ve started in our own little family. It’s never too late to start incorporating these family traditions into your home as well – creating lasting memories, providing grounding experience, and bringing a good, happy spirit into your home.
We also reflect back on some of the things we learned through COVID and what we’re continually trying to do to make our home a safe and peaceful place. And when we strive to do that in our house amid the craziness and imperfection of it, God does something miraculous.
In this episode, you will hear:
- When the Lord warns us about the perils of the last days, he counsels us.
- As our ability to gather in churches has been restricted to varying degrees, one of the holiest places on earth is the home.
- Part of making our home as a holy place is by using our living room as our home church.
- Being able to have the Sacrament(of bread and water) in your home is specifically tied to Jesus Christ and it makes it more powerful and special.
- The present restrictions on gathering will eventually end. However, your commitment to make your home your primary sanctuary of faith should never end.
- Decorate your home in a way that feels peaceful, you’re drawing the Spirit in, and it really feels like home.
- Pictures also help make kids feel secure, solidifies memories for them, and makes them feel like they belong, and they are part of something.
- Having a picture of Christ in your home has a grounding effect, you're more spiritually connected, and it changes the feel in your house.
- Food such as Sunday dinners and other family traditions make lasting memories. They make people feel secure and like they're part of something.
- Praying as a family solidifies the unity, spiritually speaking, as well as family scripture study.
- Another way to turn your home into a safe sanctuary is by working on your personal growth and overcoming character weaknesses. Make people in your home feel loved.
Supporting Resources:
“What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget” Talk by Russell M. Nelson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/36nelson?lang=eng
“The Finest Homes” Talk By L. Whitney Clayton https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/55clayton?lang=eng
Episode 120: Mark Mabry: Being Led to Reflections of Christ
https://www.mintarrow.com/podcast/episode-120-mark-mabry-being-led-to-reflections-of-christ/
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Mark Mabry is the photographer and creator behind the beautiful photos portraying Jesus Christ in the art collection called Reflections of Christ, which has been so transformative and a huge piece of not just art in our home, but a piece of my testimony that’s so powerful to me and my family. Mark also has an Instagram account, @reflectionsofchrist, where he shares thoughts about the Savior, insights, and inspiration behind the shots he created.
I was so curious to know more of the back-story behind what made him want to pursue this work. Today, Mark shares with me some incredibly inspiring stories about change, being willing to listen to God's direction, and little miracles that have happened as he's created Reflections of Christ.
Mark wants to leave everyone today with this inspiring message that all of us have this glimmer of hope because hope is what keeps us alive. There's this little tiny light inside of us. Sometimes, it may feel like it's not even there. But when you dig down deeper, you can find hope that’s planted in us by God's loving son. Through the power of Christ, everything can be just, and bad things can turn good really fast once we acknowledge that the source of our hope is in Jesus.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Mark originally created the Reflections of Christ exhibit as a part of an Easter pageant in their town. It sort of opened the floodgates for him because it became a massive hit. But shortly after, his past popped up – a sexy ad with him as the photographer got released.
- A lot of times, we feel like everyone's eyes are on our mistakes or character defects when they're really not paying attention because they’re also worried about their own character defects and whatever's going on in their life.
- There are so many great resources out there for people who struggle with addiction, but if we didn't need a Savior, then we could just go pay for some other resource to fix our problems.
- Jesus is the only one who can wholly, perfectly, and completely heal people. He finds broken people who weren't even looking for him. He saves us, loves us, and makes us whole.
- Self-forgiveness is so hard. We think we can never rise above it. But you can rise above it, and you can be stronger than you were before you had the addiction.
- Mark gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Reflections of Christ. He wasn't worried about the technical aspect of it, but focused on the actor portraying Jesus Christ. He was intentional about having the presence of the Holy Spirit there.
- When he called the actor to ask him to do the part of the new Jesus, he listed all the stuff he had done in his life that would not qualify him to play Jesus. It was the same man who was moved by Mark’s exhibit 18 years ago and decided to change his life.
- Mark realized that everybody showed this other element of Jesus, not just the actors who portrayed Jesus.
- Mark did depictions of Christ that are black. But he chose the actor not because he's a person of color, but because he was the right person to tell the story of Jesus getting up out of the grave.
Supporting Resources:
Marks Website and art can be found at https://reflectionsofchrist.org/
Instagram: @reflectionsofchrist
https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsofchrist/?hl=en
Mark’s personal Instagram: @itsmabry
https://www.instagram.com/itsmabry/?hl=en
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
May is mental health awareness month and it’s also been exactly a year since we had our fourth baby, Harry. And we felt like this would be the perfect time to finally openly talk about everything I experienced last year during a very intense period of postpartum depression.
Having experienced postpartum depression with my first child and with Harry, I was able to compare both experiences – and this latest one being a lot more different. I had intense feelings of fear and anxiety. I had extremely low energy and I was feeling super sad and depressed for no reason.
One of the lessons that I learned from my therapist is that your mental health has to come first, and the baby second. Then everything else comes after that.
Through this experience, I have learned things about myself and about others that I would never unlearn. Any time we go through major life challenges, we learn about judgment versus acceptance, understanding, and compassion, especially to oneself.
I hope that by sharing these experiences, another mom will not feel so alone, that she’ll know what some of the signs might be and how things can and will get better. We also talk about having the courage to reach out for help and the things that were helpful to me. If you’re a friend or loved one of someone struggling with postpartum depression, find out what you can do to help too.
In this episode, you will hear:
- I experienced my first postpartum depression with our first child. I really didn’t understand it at that time and I was just crying every day. I took one of the most commonly prescribed medications for postpartum depression with my first child. My crying stopped, but I didn’t feel anything as well.
- Harry was born on May 8, in the middle of a pandemic. It wasn’t too long when I felt mentally healthy because I had extreme feelings and emotions of hopelessness and overwhelm.
- Part of my depression would be having these extreme fears – that feeling like your heart drops into your stomach the way a roller coaster would make you feel.
- I didn’t want to turn into medication with Harry so I started doing physical activities. But I still had zero energy. It was like an out-of-body experience watching myself laying in bed every day.
- When it got worse, I started feeling shameful about it. The longer it went, the more I was asking what's wrong with me. I felt like I was robbed of my experience to really enjoy Harry.
- Neil gave me a blessing to get help and have the courage to ask for help. And so I did. My doctor gave me medication and asked me to attend talk therapy.
- The therapist taught me that I have a very small gas tank. And if I use that up, doing things that other people could help me out doing, I will not have enough room to take care of myself.
- It was comforting to know that this doesn’t go on forever, it will end and I will be back to myself.
- "Faith means trusting in God in good times and bad even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf."
Supporting Resources:
“Like a Broken Vessel” Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng
“Lessons from Liberty Jail” Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/lessons-liberty-jail/
“Waiting on the Lord” Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/57holland?lang=eng
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
If you’ve ever wished you could sit down and have a quick chat with the genius man who wrote the New York Times best-selling book Essentialism and now Effortless too, then you’re in for a real treat. Today Greg McKeown humors me with a few extra minutes of his time to share answers to YOUR questions submitted on Instagram, and a few random questions of mine too.
If you’ve read the book Essentialism, there’s a good chance it changed your life as it did mine. You probably went through your life and started eliminating everything that was not essential, and found freedom and joy in living your new life as an essentialist!
But what happens when everything left is actually still really important? What now? This is the question Greg McKeown asked himself after writing, speaking on, and teaching Essentialism for several years which led him to write his newest book, Effortless.
If you’re wondering how to get yourself out of a rut, how to move onto the next most important thing when it feels like everything is the most important thing, or how to not drown in all of the responsibilities life demands of you, Effortless is going to provide breakthrough clarity for you.
I’ve read this book and devoured its contents, and I am so very excited to share with you today my interview with my friend and mentor Greg McKeown on Effortless, a new way to live once you start asking yourself, “what if this could be easy?”
In this episode, you will hear:
- Essentialism is related to the big rocks theory where you put in the big rocks in a container first before putting in the small rocks and the sand so that they would all fit. But if you put in the sand and the small rocks first, before the big rocks, then nothing fits.
- The big rocks theory is a metaphor of putting your most important relationships first and the projects you feel most pulled towards doing.
- But what if you have too many big rocks in your life? You can either give up on something essential, or look for an alternative, easier path. Not because you're lazy, but it's a matter of necessity to find a different way to do things.
- The book, Effortless, is for high performers who feel on the edge of exhaustion.
- The 3 principles in living an effortless life: being in effortless state, creating effortless action, and effortless results
- One way of being effortless is by taking something you already enjoy doing, and linking it with something essential to you (ex. dinner with family). Make things easier so you have much more energy to just be together and not have that extra exhaustion on you.
- When you deal with something important, the challenge is simply asking – what's the effortless way to do this?
- Everybody is suffering in some way almost all the time. That's why the principles, questions, and practices in Effortless are so essential. There's no situation so hard that a certain way of thinking and operating won't make them harder.
- Reading the book Effortless allows for emotional unlocking, mental unlocking, and mental paradigm shifts. It doesn’t mean you're not going to put in any effort anymore, but you're doing a whole different way of utilizing that precious effort.
- We often have a grudge to fulfill an emotional need that is not currently being met. But grudges don't deliver a satisfying return on our investment.
- What percentage of your emotional energy and mental energy do you feel has been absorbed by your grudges and your anger? Think of the productivity loss and the opportunity cost.
- Forgiveness is the ultimate productivity hack. Removing grudges will have a tremendous rebate.
- Keeping the commandments is a shortcut to happiness and so many things – results and fulfilling your mission in life. Life is full of struggles. But primary among the tests of life is whether we will trust Him.
- We need to unlearn all the ways we overthink, over exert, over complicate, overburden, over judge, over criticize – all of that too much.
Supporting Resources:
“Effortless: Make it Easier to Do What Matters Most” by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/32ILx2o
Greg McKeown’s website https://gregmckeown.com/
Greg McKeown’s Podcast “What’s Essential” https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/2QQMwL8
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
If you’ve read the book Essentialism, there’s a good chance it changed your life as it did mine. You probably went through your life and started eliminating everything that was not essential, and found freedom and joy in living your new life as an essentialist!
But what happens when everything left is actually still really important? What now? This is the question Greg McKeown asked himself after writing, speaking on, and teaching Essentialism for several years which led him to write his newest book, Effortless.
If you’re wondering how to get yourself out of a rut, how to move onto the next most important thing when it feels like everything is the most important thing, or how to not drown in all of the responsibilities life demands of you, Effortless is going to provide breakthrough clarity for you.
I’ve read this book and devoured its contents, and I am so very excited to share with you today my interview with my friend and mentor Greg McKeown on Effortless, a new way to live once you start asking yourself, “what if this could be easy?”
In this episode, you will hear:
- Essentialism is related to the big rocks theory where you put in the big rocks in a container first before putting in the small rocks and the sand so that they would all fit. But if you put in the sand and the small rocks first, before the big rocks, then nothing fits.
- The big rocks theory is a metaphor of putting your most important relationships first and the projects you feel most pulled towards doing.
- But what if you have too many big rocks in your life? You can either give up on something essential, or look for an alternative, easier path. Not because you're lazy, but it's a matter of necessity to find a different way to do things.
- The book, Effortless, is for high performers who feel on the edge of exhaustion.
- The 3 principles in living an effortless life: being in effortless state, creating effortless action, and effortless results
- One way of being effortless is by taking something you already enjoy doing, and linking it with something essential to you (ex. dinner with family). Make things easier so you have much more energy to just be together and not have that extra exhaustion on you.
- When you deal with something important, the challenge is simply asking – what's the effortless way to do this?
- Everybody is suffering in some way almost all the time. That's why the principles, questions, and practices in Effortless are so essential. There's no situation so hard that a certain way of thinking and operating won't make them harder.
- Reading the book Effortless allows for emotional unlocking, mental unlocking, and mental paradigm shifts. It doesn’t mean you're not going to put in any effort anymore, but you're doing a whole different way of utilizing that precious effort.
- We often have a grudge to fulfill an emotional need that is not currently being met. But grudges don't deliver a satisfying return on our investment.
- What percentage of your emotional energy and mental energy do you feel has been absorbed by your grudges and your anger? Think of the productivity loss and the opportunity cost.
- Forgiveness is the ultimate productivity hack. Removing grudges will have a tremendous rebate.
- Keeping the commandments is a shortcut to happiness and so many things – results and fulfilling your mission in life. Life is full of struggles. But primary among the tests of life is whether we will trust Him.
- We need to unlearn all the ways we overthink, over exert, over complicate, overburden, over judge, over criticize – all of that too much.
Supporting Resources:
“Effortless: Make it Easier to Do What Matters Most” by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/32ILx2o
Greg McKeown’s website https://gregmckeown.com/
Greg McKeown’s Podcast “What’s Essential” https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/2QQMwL8
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Kimberly Lapides of Eat Sleep Wear is a fashion blogger, graphic designer, wife, and mother who has bravely shared her journey with infertility and IVF on her blog and social platforms for the past several years.
A mother of one darling little boy, Otis, who was born in 2018, Kimberly is expecting a second baby boy this summer. But these pregnancies didn't come easily. In fact, she and her husband endured multiple failed rounds of IVF before both babies were conceived successfully.
Today, Kimberly shares with me some of her most raw and tender moments, the heartache and joy that have come from bringing rainbow babies into this world, and her passion for bringing awareness and hope to other parents going through infertility.
It's hard to keep your heart hopeful when you keep getting knocked down. And listening to Kimberly’s story gives us that glimmer of inspiration. Towards the end of our conversation, Kimberly also gives her heartwarming piece of advice to other women dealing with infertility to just hold on, never give up, know that you're not alone – and always choose love.
Also, learn how you can show compassion for people going through this very challenging process and how you can be there for them and acknowledge them without having to say a word.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Kimberly and her husband Blake decided to do insemination after a year of trying to get pregnant. It was an experience she described as a nightmare. They tried other less invasive ways to get pregnant but they still found themselves at square one.
- Kimberly describes exploring fertility as being hit by a bus, with so much uncertainty that it can be very overwhelming and scary.
- Everyone's fertility experience is different so it's not to be belittled, even if you just had to do one of the hormone pills or you just had to do an IUD. It's all a very big experience on each of its own.
- Kimberly gives us a picture of how it felt like going through the IVF process. The IVF process doesn’t always work. They only got one healthy embryo from their first egg retrieval. It was much better than none, but they were still devastated.
- Having support from your family, friends, and the community, no matter how small the gesture, is truly encouraging as you're going through this process.
- Getting the worst news that the one chance they had to get pregnant failed, she realized that you could do everything possible, but the outcome you want still could not happen.
- On their second attempt, they got one embryo and on their third attempt, they got three, which doubled their odds. So after the third retrieval, they had four healthy embryos. And they were ready. After the second embryo transfer, they got Otis.
- They did another embryo transfer to get pregnant again, using the same protocol of medications and medical strategy they used that worked with Otis. Then the pandemic happened, and everything she had prepared for got canceled.
- The process for the next transfer pushed through but it failed again. Now, all they have left is one last embryo.
- Don't push people out just because you don't know how to talk to them about it.
- Having her blog platform, she's able to share her story to also inspire other people going through infertility issues.
Supporting Resources:
Eat Sleep Wear Blog https://www.eatsleepwear.com/
Kimberly’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eatsleepwear/
Eat Sleep Wear Facebook https://www.facebook.com/eatsleepwear
Eat Sleep Wear Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/eatsleepwear/
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Today, we’re sharing our #1 tip for getting your kids to behave perfectly (just kidding - but seriously, to get them to be pretty darn good) on your next family trip, and it’s had an extremely high success rate for us.
We’re also talking about something way more important – crucial conversations.
It was the topic of one of my favorite speeches from a recent self-development conference our church held worldwide – the importance of having essential conversations with your kids to prepare them for real-life scenarios BEFORE they happen.
We’re sharing some of the topics we’ve talked about with our kids, and how we’ve already seen the blessings of some of those conversations.
In this episode, you will hear:
- The point system works great when you're traveling with your kids. They could only earn toward positive behavior – one point for each good thing they do. Then they could use up all their points at the end to purchase something they really wanted.
- The point system is positively motivating to your kids, rather than giving them consequences for bad behavior.
- Having crucial conversations with your kids before they have certain life challenges hit them is so important.
- The best time to teach is early – when children are still immune to the temptations of the mortal enemy and long before the words of truth may be harder for them to hear in the noise of their personal struggles.
- Once kids start to struggle internally, they might question truth, or what to do or how to face things. Having had those crucial conversations, they’re then able to remember and draw strength from them, allowing them to make better choices.
- Have intentional conversations rather than accidental conversations. Being intentional in teaching and testifying can help children, at a young age, begin to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost – essential to our children's testimony and conversion to Jesus Christ.
- You won't teach your kids when you think you're teaching them. It’s usually those things in between the lines and in random conversations where they will learn from you and that will stick with them their whole lives.
- Some topic ideas for those intentional conversations with your kids
- Have an open channel of communication where your kids feel they’re in a safe place, especially when it comes to vulnerable or sensitive situations.
- What truth do you want your kids to know eternally?
Supporting Resources:
“Essential Conversations” Talk by Joy D. Jones https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/13jones?lang=eng
“Good Pictures Bad Pictures with Kristen Jenson: How to Protect Kids from Pornography” Mint Arrow Messages Podcast Episode
https://www.mintarrow.com/podcast/good-pictures-bad-pictures-with-kristen-jenson-how-to-protect-your-kids-from-pornography/
Gospel Library App
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/pages/mobileapps/gospellibrary?lang=eng
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Ben Ward has been teaching people for over two decades how to become great leaders, and recently published a best-selling book called Sell-er-ship.
Sell-er-ship is a leadership parable that teaches some undying principles of leadership that apply to almost anyone who finds themselves in a position to lead people, whether that was sought after or just by circumstance.
Ben and I worked together 16 years ago at a company called Firstline Security. Even back then, I remember him being a hugely positive force for good. And he has since taken the last 20 years of experience – leading and training sales teams, doing motivational speaking, leading masterminds, and coaching – to give the most impactful advice and lessons he has learned in a book you can listen to in a few hours or read in a couple of days. It was a huge eye-opener for me and I'm excited to share all his wisdom and some of his personal stories and ideologies with you too.
In this episode, you will hear:
- It's an eternal progression to learn and grow and become the best version of ourselves.
- It's a challenge to make that switch from the spotlight that has been on you to the spotlight being on others. In order to be effective, it has to be about other people.
- When we honor somebody, we see them as they are – we see them as human beings.
- The starting point of effective influence is not the things you say or do as a leader – but the way you do them.
- The 3 things we do that turn people into objects: they become obstacles so we move them out of the way, they become vehicles, and they are irrelevant.
- If you're transitioning into leadership, the starting point is taking the people you're leading and just recognizing them as human beings.
- Correcting people is an act of love and service. If we don’t make corrections, we’re being selfish. We don’t want to be blamed and that’s usually because we don’t know how to give effective corrections that motivate and inspire. When you jump straight to correction, your ability to influence blows up.
- Having confidence in the people you lead is one of the best gifts you can give to inspire and unlock the best of people around you.
Supporting Resources:
“Sellership: How Top Salespeople Become Remarkable Sales Leaders” by Ben Ward https://amzn.to/39Cqz9e
Ben’s website: www.BenWard.com
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Is there anything, or anyONE, in your life that is making your life feel out of control? Are there worries keeping you up at night or stealing joy and happiness from the things you would like to be able to focus on or be more present with, but that worry in the back of your mind is just kind of always there, camped out, keeping you distracted or distraught? Today’s episode is just for you!
We are going to teach you some life-changing concepts and guiding principles that have helped both Neil in his addiction and me in my journey with codependency. We’re going to help you – or anyone else who has worries and stresses as we all do – to identify what’s ours to control and when to let go.
From that deep codependency that I lived in for so many years, I have hit rock bottom. And maybe that’s just what I needed so I could really feel that depth of despair and finally decide to not become a slave to my choices.
At the end of the day, the best way to live is to live in control of yourself, and not of other people. Do what you know is best and that will bring you happiness and joy.
In this episode, you will hear:
- The Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
- It all comes down to trusting God and accepting that there is a higher purpose, higher plan, and an eternal perspective with whatever it is that's happening around us.
- There are all these different lies in addiction so the wisdom to know the difference, or to see the self-deception, to see the truth from error, or to see when you're lying to yourself is totally key and it takes time.
- Having that connection with God through the Spirit can help you differentiate and have the wisdom to know the difference between truth and error – right and wrong.
- The concept of touching your nose is to remind yourself that you are only in charge of yourself, and not of other people.
- Worrying doesn’t help solve your problems. Whenever you attach to someone or something, you lose control. And you forfeit your ability to think, feel, act, and take care of yourself.
- How Neil became codependent his own way and how it built a lot of frustration and resentment which led to him acting out more on his addiction
- How my happiness was so tied up in Neil's happiness and how working my own 12-step program has helped me to surrender things out of my control
-
Surrender or detachment is not a one-time event. It's an everyday decision, an art, and a way of life.
-
"You need to detach most when it seems like the least likely or possible thing to do." – the COVID situation is the best example of this.
-
The 12-step is a step-by-step program. Whatever step you're on, don't look beyond that step. And you have to be willing to do each step.
- When we attempt to control people and things that we have no business controlling, we are controlled. Jesus is the perfect example of not trying to control others.
Supporting Resources:
“Codependent No More” book by Melody Beattie https://amzn.to/3tZGUg2
“Addiction Recovery Program: A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing” (ARP manual)
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/addiction-recovery-program-a-guide-to-addiction-recovery-and-healing?lang=eng
“Beware of Pride” Talk by Ezra Taft Benson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Ever since I was a girl and all growing up, my mom has always referred to my siblings or me as a "blue" or a "red" or a "white" depending on where we fall into The Color Code.
Created by Dr. Taylor Hartman, The Color Code is a personality profiling system that can help you to not only understand yourself and why you're driven to do the things you do, but it also helps tremendously with understanding how OTHERS around you act and think and respond to life.
Today, Neil and I get to talk to Taylor Hartman, the creator of The Color Code and author of "The People Code: It's All About Your Innate Motive."
Dr. Hartman breaks down my personality and Neil's, why Neil is a totally different color than I've always assumed he was (even after knowing him for 12 years!), and he gives us this totally unique advice for marriage to help us understand each other and work together, having totally opposite personalities. He also lays out these different colors from a parenting perspective.
This episode is truly insightful and I can’t wait for you to learn a lot of new ways to better understand yourself and everyone around you.
In this episode, you will hear:
- It's not true that people evolve into a personality. You're born with your personality but people can grow and evolve, and go backward as well.
- Apparently, my code (blue) says my personality is the most controlling and Neil (red) has one of the most natural lenses of personality.
- Do not apologize for your personality. It's beautiful that people have a personality and they value it. And as they develop their character, they call on other strengths instead of living in limitations.
- Trying to become more of the color that isn’t your core just goes against your better judgment. Instead, try to be more of that, but always be true to be who you are.
- Based on the color, there’s that one thing that you need to give them for them to feel you get them, understand them, and value them.
- Kids want their parents’ approval desperately. Give them the approval of things that are good and then add the things they can work on to make it more powerful. That’s how you tie in that limitation!
- Just do what you think is the right thing to do. And if you misread it, just change your
- If you and your spouse are total opposites, you must value them as they are, not as you want them to be. Don't wait for your partner because they may never change. Just work on yourself!
- What can you do if you crushed a certain part of your partner’s personality and you want to try to bring it to your focus
- Taylor shares this simple exercise to help you work on improving your current scenario and bring your best self to your relationships.
- You don't speak their language. Have them talk about it so you understand what they're really saying and get out of your own color's view.
Supporting Resources:
Book: “The People Code: It’s All About Your Innate Motive” by Talor Hartman https://amzn.to/3cNKEdw
Website: www.taylorhartman.com
Podcast: “Very Best of Living”
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/very-best-of-living/id1548078862
Instagram @hartmanpersonality
https://www.instagram.com/hartmanpersonality/?hl=en
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Recently, I opened up a question box on Instagram stories on what topics you’d like to hear Neil and me cover on this podcast. The most repeated request: talk about SELF-ESTEEM. I get it – it’s so hard to know how to find a source of true confidence in a constantly changing world that seems to want to beat us down day after day.
Today, we’re going to share our thoughts on this topic and many that are not our own but from those wiser than we are. I also share my perfect formula for having self-worth that has never ever let me down.
Just remember that in moments of self-doubt, you’ve got to put on your spiritual armor and allow yourself to be filled with Spirit.
Satan is always going to try these tricks on you so you have to empower yourself and just be ready for it. And if we can have that really strong connection with God – that's where the most solid self-esteem comes from.
In this episode, you will hear:
- When things don't seem to come together or a certain part of it doesn't exactly gel, it's probably because the Lord has a different purpose.
- The struggle comes when you compare yourself with others. If you're going to draw a comparison, compare yourself to how you once were to where you are now.
- You are going to be good enough if you . Just keep repenting and do not rationalize and or rebel. Trust in God and self-esteem go hand-in-hand.
- Why we need to differentiate worth and worthiness
- No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. This can be easilyeasier said than done. But we all take turns hurting and getting hurt. And your heavenly connection will be your spiritual armor and reading scriptures can help redirect you.
- Our Heavenly Father wants us to be the best version of ourselves. When you have those gentle prompts to be better, don't think you're not enough – in fact, think the opposite.
- Look to God for validation through a daily spiritual connection whether in the form of meditation, reading scriptures, listening to talks, or service.
- My secret formula for having self-worth: doing God's will and fearing his judgment more than other people's.
- Drawing inspiration from such powerful quotes from J. Devn Cornish, Joy. D. Jones, and Marianne Williamson
- What makes the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous so successful
Supporting Resources:
“Am I Good Enough? Will I Make it?” Talk by J. Devn Cornish https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/am-i-good-enough-will-i-make-it?lang=eng
“Value Beyond Measure” Talk by Joy. D. Jones
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/value-beyond-measure?lang=eng
“Beware of Pride” Talk by Ezra Taft Benson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
In the 1980s and 90s, my mom was a master scrapbooker, and that’s just what moms did to preserve family memories. But times have changed and thanks to Vanessa Quigley, the creator of Chatbooks, there’s hope for moms who are not scrapbookers, like me!
Today, Vanessa shares why she got into this business of memory-keeping and how she became an accidental entrepreneur as the co-founder of Chatbooks, a hassle-free photobook system. Vanessa breaks down some of her best tips for making photo book memory-keeping simple and doable. She also shares some of her best mom-hacks as a mother of 7 on a mission to strengthen families.
It’s our job as parents to become our children’s chief storytellers. As parents, we need to be documenting, cleaning out our photos, and backing them up – all the things that can really feel overwhelming. Vanessa realized she needed to build something that will help families hold on to their family memories and figure out how to do that in the easiest way. There's no such thing as a perfect mother. But you are the perfect parent for your children. And so, we all just have to start somewhere.
In this episode, you will hear:
- What lit the fire for Vanessa to start the Chatbooks business
- Top tips for memory-keeping: It starts with figuring out your “why”
- Don’t get overwhelmed by all the family history your parents and grandparents had – your family is making your history now!
- Applying the concept of less is more
- The outcomes of looking at printed family photos together: more self-esteem, less anxiety
- How to set up your backup storage for your photos
- Research shows that having photos in your home – whether on your wall, in frames on the desk, or in books on the coffee table – helps kids feel a stronger sense of self.
- Why it’s more than just the photos, but the beautiful conversations that come out of it
- As parents, we have a job to shape that narrative. Each kid has their own narrative as well as our family as a whole.
- We can help our kids to talk about their highs and lows, the roses in their thorns, and help them see how they can shape that story into a hero's journey.
- The importance of creating your family traditions and taking photographs of them
Supporting Resources:
Chatbooks website https://chatbooks.com/
Vanessa’s Instagram @vanessaquigley https://www.instagram.com/vanessaquigley/?hl=en
Chatbooks Instagram @chatbooks https://www.instagram.com/chatbooks/?hl=en
Facebook group “The Mom Force” https://www.facebook.com/groups/momforcebychatbooks/
“The Mom Force” podcast https://chatbooks.com/podcast
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
When was the last time you wasted a stupid amount of energy on a seriously non-important decision, like where to eat or what to wear? This morning? Yesterday? 10 minutes ago? I’m completely guilty of this!
Today, we’re going to talk about some ways to combat this, along with some things that will help you make little decisions that will change the course of your entire life.
The choices we make every day – big or small – make up the trajectory of our lives. And so, by learning to make quick decisions and sticking with those, you stop wasting your mental and emotional energy making decisions that seriously don't matter.
Finally, there’s grace in finding joy and gratitude in your decisions. Connect with him to make the right choices through inspiration, or intuition, or the Spirit so you can align yourself with His will. So in times when you feel like it’s not the right choice, trust that the Lord will redirect you and keep you on the right path.
In this episode, you will hear:
- A story of a friend whose who got locked out of the car and how he got out of that situation
- Jody Moore’s challenge to make choices quicker to stop wasting your time and energy
- Lessons from the story of The Shiny Bicycle describing the concept of the Atonement of Jesus Christ
- We can be wasting energy or time trying to be considerate of the other person when they maybe don't care that much – so it’s good to ask.
- Another way is to let an expert or someone who really knows help weigh in on a decision since they know best.
- In his book, Essentialism, Greg McKeown says that “Routine is one of the most powerful tools for removing obstacles.”
- How having a routine has changed my life in terms of helping me where I can spend the best amount of my energy every day
- Even in our small choices, we can rely on the spirit to help us with making those so we can be the best servants to our Heavenly Father.
- There's a responsibility to make the right choices and we need to be responsible for our actions and the consequences of the choices we make.
- When we listen and pay attention to spirit, we're able to make better choices. And sometimes, those are answered through other people.
- Avoiding decision fatigue: Our ability to execute the essential improves with practice so if we strive to become more decisive, there are things we can take out of our lives that don't need to be decisions we have to make over and over.
- If we use up our gas tank on things that maybe don't matter as much, then we're not going to have any gas left when it comes to the things that absolutely must be done.
- Once the decision has been made, you no longer have to spend mental and emotional energy on it.
- Choices have to be made. Not making a choice is a choice. So learn to choose now and stand for something or you will fall for anything.
Supporting Resources:
“The Three Rs of Choice” Talk by Thomas S. Monson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/the-three-rs-of-choice?lang=eng
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” Book by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/3uI4rTx
“Better Than Happy” podcast by Jody Moore episode 288 “The Speed of Your Decisiveness”
https://jodymoore.com/speed-of-your-decisiveness/
“We Will Prove Them Herewith” Talk by David A. Bednar https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2020/11/12bednar?lang=eng
“Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints” Talk by Russell M. Nelson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/becoming-exemplary-latter-day-saints?lang=eng
“The Shiny Bicycle” video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItEsXGhcOEs
The Female Foodie Blog: https://www.femalefoodie.com/
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Britain Covey is a wide receiver for the University of Utah football team, a freshman All-American who ranked fifth all-time at Utah in career punt returns, and led Utah in receiving yards in 2015, 2018, 2020.
Today, Britain shares some principles that have helped him to become successful, focused, and how he has developed daily habits toward winning. He shares what it was like giving up two years to serve a full-time mission for his church – and then red-shirting three times! He also gives us a peek into what it was like growing up as a grandson of New York Times best-selling author and thought-leader Stephen Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
Being on one of the most diverse football teams in the country, Britain believes there’s so much strength to be gained from the diversity in his teammates and friendships with them.
In a world with too many injustices, this conversation with Britain is a great reminder that we have to always find strength in Christ. At the end of the day, God’s plan is wonderful. Mankind is not going to fix all these injustices – but Christ certainly can. And if we live like Christ, we can do our part as well.
In this episode, you will hear:
- His underdog story of being a small, undersized quarterback in college
- To overcome the feeling of intimidation, Britain does two types of visualization: first, making the play and having a good game, and second, not making the play and how he was going to cope with it.
- How his family played a role in instilling confidence in him
- Leaving football for two years in the midst of a successful season to serve an LDS mission and why it was the best decision of his life
- He didn't view the mission as a sacrifice at all, but an opportunity to receive more blessings, to know God better, and to grow as a man
- If you put God first, He magnifies everything else in your life and things just fall into place.
- How he continues to serve the church after his two-year mission in Chile
- The concept of the "decade of decisions” where you don't want to let things pass you by that you decide who you want to become in your life
- His grandfather’s impact on him and the things he has adopted in his life
- How Britain recovered from his knee injury – When things are out of control, focus on things that make you happy.
- Part of Britain’s morning routine includes prayers and visualizations.
- How diversity has made their football team stronger
- The principle of an abundance mindset, specifically being abundant for other people’s success given the competitive society that we have
- Finding strength in Christ and also in each other’s differences
Supporting Resources:
Britain’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brit_covey2/?hl=en
Britain’s Twitter https://twitter.com/brit_covey2?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey https://amzn.to/37Dzru2
“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl https://amzn.to/2P3FjXn
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Tia Stokes is a 35-year-old mother of 5 kids who was diagnosed on April 24, 2020, with acute myeloid leukemia. And every day since, she has been documenting her journey of fighting cancer.
Tia is a dancer, choreographer, owner of two dance studios, and former backup dancer to celebrity singer Beyonce (no big deal!). Today, Tia shares the raw and real ups and downs of having cancer, getting COVID and pneumonia, needing a bone marrow transplant, and also losing her mother after her first round of chemo.
Tia has a fiercely loyal following of supporters, who dance and cheer her on, and are inspired daily by her positive attitude, her dedication to her family, her faith, and her choice to find the good in everything. She tries to choose happiness every day, no matter the circumstances she's going through. Happiness is a choice and a free agency that we've been given. And she hopes that her story and her experiences can shed light and love to all those around her.
This interview was one of the most inspiring stories I've ever heard and if you need some positive motivation to just keep going, no matter what trial you're facing in life, this episode is just for you!
In this episode, you will hear:
- What her life looked like before her diagnosis
- We never want to hear the word, cancer, and we never think it's going to happen to you – but a part of her had that feeling that she was more than just being sick.
- When she got the final diagnosis, she had to be admitted to the hospital to have her first chemo induction for 31 days – at a time of COVID.
- Social media became a great outlet for her so she wouldn’t feel alone and her family would have Zoom call with her every single day
- Hearing the news that her mother had passed away that morning after her first round of chemo
- What her life was like doing chemo treatments and getting COVID
- Learning she had acute kidney failure and pneumonia (She’s currently recovering from her transplant.)
- How her faith played a huge part in everything she’s going through
- Her decision to choose positivity every day and some things she does to really make that choice to be positive
- The power of gratitude that’s scientifically proven
- How the community she found on TikTok has lifted her spirit
Supporting Resources:
Tia’s Instagram @thetiabeestokes
https://www.instagram.com/thetiabeestokes
Tia’s Tik Tok @thetiabeestokes
https://www.tiktok.com/@thetiabeestokes?lang=en
Tia’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHy4zEbH__dzvZUszzV6a6w
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
In 2018, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, gave a talk entitled “the correct name of the church” in which he pleaded with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to call the church by the correct name, and not embrace the nickname that was given to our church long ago. This was a correction that spoke directly to my heart.
In today’s podcast, I’m going to share why both Neil and I feel so passionately about this correction and why we’ve worked really hard to make this change in our conversations both in public and in private settings. What once was a nickname embraced by our church even, “Mormons,” is something we now really try hard to not use anymore so that others will know what we are truly all about.
Whether you’re a member of our church or not, I hope you listen to this episode and find a greater understanding of why this is actually such a big deal to us. There's something about being willing to defend the Savior and being willing to make that subtle correction with gentleness, kindness, and grace. There's a reason everything is done in the name of Jesus Christ – and that's where the power comes from as well as the healing and hope.
We also talk about the promises, blessings, and good things that come from making the effort to restore the correct name of the Lord's church.
In this episode, you will hear:
- A call to openness and making sure things are done properly just like how people are now correcting the way they classify different races and different ethnic groups
- Why calling the church by the correct name is a big deal to the church and to us, personally
- The negative connotation of the label "Mormon" and how it stemmed from
- The church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and not just The Church of Jesus Christ to make that distinction between when Christ initially formed that church and to when it was restored to the earth in the latter days.
- Saying the name properly and slowly in a way that gives reverence because we are speaking Christ’s name, instead of just spitting it out
- Thoughts on the church’s nicknames: To remove the Lord's name from the Lord's church is a major victory for Satan. He gets people to do little things that seem like no big deal.
- Jesus Christ is the center of everything we do and believe. He is the central part of the Book of Mormon. His name is on our buildings and His name appears bigger on our logo.
- How making a conscious effort to recognize the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our meetings has created this ripple effect
- The 12-Step Program is a step-by-step way to utilize the Atonement of Jesus Christ and making Jesus Christ the focus of it and the core solution in recovery.
- Why we called it The Book of Mormon – We’re not the followers of Mormon. We’re followers of Jesus Christ.
- The blessings we’ve seen from saying Jesus Christ’s name with reverence and standing up for him even in the name by which his church is called
- Calling our church by the correct name in a way I want to be associated with being a Christian and with being a disciple of Jesus Christ changes everything for me.
Supporting Resources:
Talk by Russell M. Nelson “The Correct Name of the Church” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/the-correct-name-of-the-church?lang=eng
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
If you're in the mood for an incredibly uplifting and inspiring story on the power of prayer and miracles, you are going to love today's episode!
Betsy Mikesell, co-founder of Beddy’s, and her husband Gentry, share with me their crazy story of getting on a small airplane and crash-landing, and the miracles that followed as her husband Gentry faced life-or-death circumstances – and is still learning to walk again today. In fact, Gentry was able to take a video and capture the final moments before the crash which they’ve shared on their YouTube channel.
Today, they share some very tender experiences with prayer, how this trial has changed their family, and a lesson they learned to truly treat every single day they’re alive as a GIFT.
This is such a beautiful story of the power of prayer, of miracles and blessings, of peace, hope, and love – indeed, a true testament that we always have angels around us to give us the comfort and support we need. And as for the Mikesell family, the field where their plane landed that one fateful day was heaven right there.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Betsy and Gentry going on a plane ride despite a few people stopping them from doing it
- The plane had an engine failure once they came over the mountains so they had to do a crash landing.
- A number of people were running towards the plane to help them – one of them was an EMT!
- Despite the crashing and leaking in the heat of the day, the plane and the field miraculously didn't catch on fire.
- Their 18-year-old daughter Alyssa asking the chaplain to give her dad a blessing
- Gentry suffered so many major injuries from the crash that he even had to have 10 blood transfusions
- Betsy getting her strength from her kids and how the crash changed their relationship with each other
- How a priesthood blessing gives us comfort and hope, no matter what you believe in and what your religion is
- Gentry’s testimony of prayer, the power of collective prayer, and how prayer played a big role in what they went through
- People from all faiths coming together for the same purpose of praying for Gentry’s recovery
- The many miracles that happened on the day of the crash and the angels who helped them
- Another beautiful testament of the miracles from someone who witnessed the crash landing
Supporting Resources:
Instagram @betsymikesell https://www.instagram.com/betsymikesell/?hl=en
Video of the plane crash on The Mikesell Family YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZNqqNBVbLU1kT1T-YmSZw
Get 20% off Beddy’s by entering the code mintarrow at checkout.
http://www.beddys.com/discount/MINTARROW20?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3DMINTARROW20
Go to mintarrow.com/codes to get discounts from all of our favorite small businesses.
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
What do you do when you start to lose your faith? A lot of people we love are struggling with their faith right and grasping for truth right now. These are still really trying times as the world is still upside down. Today, we are sharing some simple steps you can take to strengthen your belief in God and build on a foundation of truth that will not let you down.
I’ve felt strongly compelled to share this message THREE times today and I hope it reaches whoever it needs to reach and that the stories we share today will strengthen your faith like they did mine. If you are feeling lost, alone, and far away from God, let this be a message to you that He is there and that He wants to bring you back in. God wants to envelop YOU in His LOVE.
Take whatever steps you need to let God into your life. Be humble and willing to let God direct you because he's just waiting to bless you and give you the direction, faith, joy, and peace you need.
In this episode, you will hear:
- A story about a man who was nervous to marry truth and his action
- If it’s true, then what else matters?
- How you approach questions in life will determine the course of your life and the course of your faith and belief in God
- Not all questions are equal – Answer the primary questions first and then the secondary questions. How we receive answers to those questions is where our faith can come from.
- Learning the truth by the process of elimination and attempting to eliminate every doubt will never work.
- We can't supplement spiritual connection with God with something else.
- The gospel is truly simple.
- The times we're supposed to grow the most through our faith is Satan’s opportunity to bring people away from God. But it’s also God's opportunity to help you grow into the next phase of whoever you need to be.
- Overcoming self-doubt: God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies those who are called.
- Finding my confidence in my faith and trust in God
- Jesus Christ’s promise that when we build upon His rock, we will not fail
Supporting Resources:
“Stand Forever” talk by Lawrence E. Corbridge https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/lawrence-e-corbridge/stand-for-ever/
Book “Navigate the Strait: One Guy’s Thoughts on the Narrow Passage to Eternal Life” by Brad Smith https://amzn.to/369acPs
“The Ongoing Restoration” Talk by Gary E. Stevenson https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/gary-e-stevenson/the-ongoing-restoration/
“It’s True Isn’t it?” Story by Gordon B. Hinckley https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1993/07/its-true-isnt-it?lang=eng
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Becky Burgess of Good for the Swole is a pre and post-natal fitness specialist who I found out about through my sister Brooke when I was asking her for recommendations on workouts during and after pregnancy.
Becky has helped thousands of women like myself with workouts specifically tailored for a woman’s body during and after pregnancy. She focuses on how to really strengthen the parts of your body that will help you during delivery and what will help your body to recover from giving birth.
In today’s podcast, we really get into things like what actually is your pelvic floor and why is it such a big deal to strengthen it? Is it too late if you’ve had kids a year ago or 4 years ago or 40 years ago? What are some of the most important things to do to prepare for birth? And finally, she talks about how to positively motivate yourself to want to be healthy and strong.
Finally, just remember that your BODY is amazing. It's absolutely incredible and what it's able to do is incredible. Everything your body has gone through – whether you're pregnant or have never had a baby or trying to get pregnant – is absolutely so much more important than how much you weigh or how good you look in a pair of jeans. So having a body that is helping you stand, move, and play with your kids is more than enough for you to be grateful for.
In this episode, you will hear:
- How she started in the health and fitness industry
- How to prepare for birth and keep your body healthy while you’re pregnant
- Types of exercises to avoid when you’re pregnant and some modifications
- It’s important to work on your pelvic floor however you’re delivering your baby
- Strengthening exercises after delivery
- How your pelvic floor can impact hip pain or neck and shoulder pain
- Strengthening your pelvic muscles whether you gave birth four or 40 years ago
- Your breathwork as the foundation of everything
- A simple pelvic floor exercise even when you’re just sitting down
- Remember, you and your body are on the same team.
- How the stress from exercise prepares you for the stress during delivery
- Dealing with postpartum stress and challenges physically and mentally
Supporting Resources:
Instagram @goodfortheswole
Website https://www.goodfortheswole.com/
Good for the Swole app https://goodfortheswole.vhx.tv/
Go to www.mintarrow.com/codes for a discount code to get $15 off Clean Simple Eats meal plans and many other codes to products we love
Clean Simple Eats blog post can be found at www.mintarrow.com/cse
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
In September of 2019, I invited a friend of mine, Jennifer Borget, to have a conversation with me about racial inclusivity and how to teach my kids to be more racially inclusive.
As we talked about what to air and who we might interview for this year’s upcoming Martin Luther King Day, the first since the death of George Flloyd, I felt really strongly that re-airing this episode would be the best thing to share today.
So many people weren’t listeners when this episode first aired. And even for those who were, this information is so needed, and especially relevant, as more people in 2021 are willing and wanting to be more inclusive and understanding of people whose backgrounds are different than theirs.
As you take the time to listen to Jennifer’s words, I hope you’ll find some actionable takeaways that will help you and your children create more awareness, love, understanding, and inclusion in the days, years, and decades to come. At the end of the day, let us all remember humanity, and remember what it's like to care about your neighbors and just open your heart to loving others.
In this episode, you will hear:
- How Jennifer's blog has evolved over the years
- Her stance on being called African-American vs. Black
- What having an interracial marriage is like
- How to teach kids about race and empowering them to embrace their history
- How to answer your kid’s question on skin color
- How to prepare kids for situations in school
- Honing in on the message of self-love
- Her reaction to Disney casting a Black actress in Little Mermaid
- Taking the time to reach out and talk to someone who doesn’t look like you
- Not being afraid of having these conversations
- Jennifer’s list of must-read children’s books on diversity
- What people should avoid saying or doing
- What she hopes the world will be like
- Hate isn’t the opposite of love, it’s fear.
Supporting Resources:
Jennifer’s blog: www.cherish365.com
Instagram: @jenniferborget
https://www.instagram.com/jenniferborget/?hl=en
Jennifer’s list of must-read children’s books on diversity https://cherish365.com/20-must-read-childrens-books-black-history-month/
Cinderella with Brandi Norwood and Whitney Houston https://amzn.to/2l4JXFG
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by looking at the future, or how to overcome a huge hurdle, or even how you’re going to make an inch of PROGRESS when you’ve got miles ahead of you? Today, we’re talking about the life-altering concept of “one day at a time” and why it’s absolutely vital in both addiction recovery and in spiritual progression.
One day at a time is a true principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ and in all aspects of life. When you choose to make good choices and choose to live one day at a time, focusing on one small thing at a time and giving it your full attention, it’s amazing how you’re able to ACHIEVE more – not to mention the happiness it brings when you learn to TRUST God in handling the rest.
If you’re looking to make changes in the NEW YEAR, this episode will walk you through some practical tips on sticking with it one day at a time.
In this episode, you will hear:
- What one day at a time means
- What life looked like for Neil before living one day at a time feeling he never measured up to anything and projecting what he felt in the moment
- Snippets of transformation when Neil started living one day at a time
- Fear is a common element for people struggling with addiction. It's what anchors people in destructive behaviors.
- Addiction is the symptom of an underlying problem, not the solution.
- FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real
- Neil’s daily practices living in recovery and living one day at a time
- How the one day at a time concept can be applied to other things in life
- Prioritizing things is important and spiritual connection is key.
- How the principle helped Neil when a major life event happened and he was powerless
-
What it was like for me experiencing postpartum depression and how this principle has helped me through it
-
Thoughtful planning and preparation are key to a rewarding future. But we do not live in the future. We live in the present. It is one day at a time that we achieve our goals.
- Letting go of fear, control, and expectations and surrendering everything to God
Supporting Resources:
“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread” D. Todd Christofferson
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/d-todd-christofferson/give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread/
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
It's FINALLY a new year! Some of us are diving in head-first to set goals and make changes. Some dread the new year as a cliche time to set goals. And some are just breathing a gigantic sigh of relief that 2020 is over.
Today, Neil and I talk about our personal experiences with goals and change, and how to make sure change is coming from a GOOD place – the kind that settles in and lasts and changes who you are – not just a few days or weeks of what you do. We discuss why it's vital to our happiness to progress in life and how to find the best source of inspiration for progression and growth.
Finally, remember that God takes our littlest efforts and he makes them so much more. If we can just trust Him to be the architect – and us, as the builders who are ready to show up every day – He will make us the mansions that he wants us to be and that he wants to live in.
In this episode, you will hear:
- What divine discontent means, doing a regular inventory of life, and taking those small actions every day that lead to big changes
- The power of not trying to fix other people's problems and just focusing on yourself
- “We should welcome feelings of divine discontent that call us to a higher way while recognizing and avoiding Satan's counterfeit – paralyzing discouragement.”
- It's so easy to fall into the trap of not being good enough.
- The role of health and wellness in our healing and recovery
- The power of reading the Book of Mormon every day
- How we’ve experienced divine discontent in a positive way
- Christ can change human nature: An example of what's possible when you just surrender and turn yourself over to the
- The magic of setting your intentions on paper (but not obsessing about it)
- Not seeing people as interruptions but as the purpose of your life
- Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all those things are added unto you.
- Align yourself with God's will and be willing to set aside what you think is best.
Supporting Resources:
“Divine Discontent” Talk by Michelle D. Craig
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/divine-discontent?lang=eng
“Born of God” Talk by Ezra Taft Benson
“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in…”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1989/07/born-of-god?lang=eng
A previous episode featuring JJ & Erika Peterson of Clean Simple Eats
https://www.mintarrow.com/podcast/physical-and-mental-heath-with-jj-erika-peterson-the-story-of-clean-simple-eats-and-inspiration-behind-their-transformations/
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Boss Babe Jamie O’Banion launched BeautyBio in 2011 with one mission, Truth in Beauty. After working alongside her father in their family-owned cosmetic lab and learning to speak beauty as a second language, Jamie witnessed prestige brands using minimal concentrations of active ingredients to save on costs but still make clinical claims.
Having created several best-selling formulas, Jamie and her father were ready to design a line that was not only efficacious but formula-honest and results-driven.
Inspired to pull back the industry’s curtain, the duo launched the first-ever at-home patented microneedling tool in 2016. It was designed for consumers to get the results of in-office treatments without the hefty price tag for each treatment.
Today, Jamie sits down with me to discuss STEM and her love for education from a young age. We talk about work ethics and balancing career and motherhood. She also shares her secret formula for success that she teaches her children as well as what she wants them to put first in order to succeed in life.
In this episode, you will hear:
- What drew her to STEM even as a young girl
- We often emulate what we grew up around.
- Reach for the moon and if you fall short, you might just land on a star. There's 0% opportunity for you to achieve a really ambitious goal if you don't try for it.
- Empowering your children to do their own research
- You can do anything you want in life if you work hard and stay close to the Lord.
- Things don't have to always make sense – you just have to give yourself permission to trust the process.
- Remembering there are seasons of life
- Taking a pause to make sure you have a shared vision with your spouse
- Balancing motherhood and doing what you feel called to do
- The importance of having a growth mindset
- Some great leadership insights
Supporting Resources:
https://beautybio.com/
Instagram: @jamieobanion
https://www.instagram.com/jamieobanion/?hl=en
Beauty Bio account: @beautybio
https://www.instagram.com/beautybio/?hl=en
“The Messy Middle” by Scott Belsky
https://www.amazon.com/Messy-Middle-Finding-Through-Hardest/dp/0735218072
“Mindset” by Dr. Carol Dweck
https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Do you love the story of the star that the shepherds saw on the night that Jesus was born? We are talking a little about why we love that story so much, and also a story of people who saw that same star that you may not have heard before. It’s one of my very favorite Christmas stories.
But did you know there’s a new star this year? Yes. A new Christmas star that will be visible tonight from anywhere in the world where skies are clear. I hope you enjoy these three short (but true!) stories and that you feel the Christmas spirit, the spirit of Christ, as you listen to them.
In this episode, you will hear:
- The story of the shepherds who saw a star and got frightened but the angel appeared to them and told them to not be afraid
- The story of another group of people in the American Continent who saw the star
- Samuel the Lamanite prophesied about the star but the people threatened to kill the believers if the star didn’t appear.
- Nephi prayed for an answer and God revealed to him the coming of Christ – the sun didn’t set and there was light all night.
- The same star had the same effect on two different groups of people.
- The movie, The Case for Christ, a movie based on a story about an atheist and journalist who wanted to prove that Christ never existed and then became a believer
- How much more faith would you have had to have in the time before Jesus was even born?
- A spectacularly rare Christmas star that’s happening today, December 21
- Signs preceding the 2nd coming of Christ mentioned in the early verses of Luke 21 that seems to be happening now in 2020
- Our brightest days are yet ahead, and the Lord will perform some of his greatest miracles.
Supporting Resources:
Christmas Star Article
http://www.thefamilyproclamation.org/how-a-new-christmas-star-coming-on-dec-21-relates-to-the-family-proclamation/
Story of people seeing the star at Christ’s birth in the Americas
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/1?lang=eng
Movie: “The Case for Christ”
https://amzn.to/380kWzR
Signs Preceding the 2nd Coming of Christ
Luke 21:7-13
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
In 2016, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a campaign called Light The World, to encourage people to give service and charity to one another during the Christmas season. Like so many others, I jumped all-in and had some life-changing experiences that would also change my Christmases forever. But I remember one person standing out to me that year, among so many who chose to share their service on social media.
Ethan Cisneros, the owner of the drink and treat shop in downtown Salt Lake City called Thirst, was sharing what his business as a brick and mortar store was doing to light the world for 25 days in 25 ways. I have continued to follow Ethan for the past several years (and consume his amazing drinks anytime we’re in Salt Lake!) and have been so inspired by his good-doing and desire to inspire others to do the same.
Today, Ethan shares with me the meaning behind all this service and the person who urged him to be part of light the world, what it’s done for his business, and what he would encourage other business owners to do who want to do this same thing too.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Starting his first business endeavor in high school
- How they rolled out the Light The World campaign as a brick and mortar
- How the campaign impacted Ethan personally as well as the homeless community in downtown Salt Lake
- The idea of just doing service regardless of your religion
- The importance of pumping positivity into the system (specifically, as a brand on social media)
- Action = opportunity
- Documenting the process and the journey of trying to do good without putting out perfectly edited photos or videos so it all comes out quick, raw, and authentic
- Doing the right thing and having the right intent leads to what you want in the end
Supporting Resources:
Thirst Drinks
38 East 1300 South
Salt Lake City Ut, 84115
Website: https://www.thirstdrinks.com/
Instagram:
@thirstdrinks https://www.instagram.com/thirstdrinks/?hl=en
@ethanfromthirst https://www.instagram.com/ethanfromthirst/?hl=en
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Have you had a circumstance (or many) in your life where you feel like maybe God wasn’t listening to your prayers, or that He didn’t give you the miracle you so needed? Maybe it was something big or something small, and maybe it was what we’d call a righteous desire, which is something that could only be a good thing if it were granted.
Today, Neil and I discuss why we believe sometimes God doesn’t give us what we ask for, and what to do about it. We share from our own experience and what has been comforting and helpful in these times of trial.
Whatever you are facing right now, whatever crosses you have to bear, whatever burden you're carrying, KNOW that our heavenly Father loves you. There is a plan for all of this and whatever we're going through is to help us become the people God needs us to be.
In this episode, you will hear:
- God is a God of miracles. And if he performed miracles back in biblical times, is God still a God of miracles today?
- The definition of a miracle
- Having the faith to accept God’s will
- Do we trust God enough to continue moving forward in faith despite the unfavorable circumstances?
- There are reasons we don’t understand, but God does. It stretches our faith to accept that.
- Seeking understanding as best we can in the Gospel principles
- The basic gospel law is free agency and eternal development. To force us to be careful or righteous would be to nullify that fundamental law and make growth impossible.
- Trusting God’s eternal plan and we may not see it the way he sees it
- Surrendering to God’s will and the problems coming when we don’t
- Being grateful so we can start to see those blessings and having the eyes to see the miracles happening
Supporting Resources:
“Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?” Donald L. Hallstrom
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/has-the-day-of-miracles-ceased?lang=eng
“Accepting the Lord’s Will and Timing” Elder David A. Bednar
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2016/08/accepting-the-lords-will-and-timing?lang=eng
“Tragedy or Destiny” From the Teaching of Spencer W. Kimball
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-spencer-w-kimball/chapter-2?lang=eng
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Lizzy Jensen is a mother of five, an attorney, entrepreneur, and the founder of a non-profit called The Small Seed, which is designed to bring women of faith together. In today's podcast, my dear friend Lizzy shares what inspired her to start The Small Seed from a hospital bed while carrying high-risk twins, and why she feels so passionately about having a place for women to share about and strengthen each other's faith.
Lizzy talks to me about why she believes it's SO important to have diversity in the religious backgrounds of those she brings onto her team at The Small Seed. We also talk about why religious freedom must be battled for right now in our schools and places of worship and even in the workplace.
She brings the fire today talking about why modern discipleship is something we have to embrace together rather than having differences tear us apart in our growingly divisive world. Finally, she shares some of the very doable takeaways you can start doing today to grow closer to God and share that joy with others.
In this episode, you will hear:
- What drew her to start a nonprofit and bring Christian women together
- Serving as a missionary for 18 months in Croatia
- Being assigned a religious asylum case in law school, she got to read through hundreds of cases of religious refugees and PERSECUTION happening in our world RIGHT NOW
- How Clayton Christensen’s book changed her life
- Dealing with a high-risk pregnancy
- How she started her blog and some interesting things they’re doing right now to make faith not just a church or religion thing but to touch a broader base of families
- The number one and growing religious affiliation
- The risks of losing our religious freedom
- Don't underestimate what one person can do in a community.
- Ways to stay firm with your message
- You just have to be that ONE light, not the whole city.
- Why you need to get to know your neighbors
- Lizzy’s passion to bring people to Christ and empower this generation to become modern disciples
- “Remember that discipleship is not about doing things perfectly. It's about doing things intentionally.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Supporting Resources:
The Small Seed Website https://www.thesmallseed.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesmallseed/
Book: “The Power of Everyday Missionaries” by Clayton Christensen https://amzn.to/39d3hHq
TV Series: “The Chosen” https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen
Dieter F. Uchtdorf Talk “Your Great Adventure” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/43uchtdorf?lang=eng
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
From a former bully and someone who’s been bullied, Neil and I both share our experiences with bullying in today’s podcast. We talk about why Neil was a bully as a kid, and what he’s done to try to make it right.
We also share tips from professionals on how to help your child to NOT be a bully, and what to do if they are being bullied. Finally, I share a personal story of when I was bullied in middle school, how that has affected me, and what I’ve tried to do to make that a learning experience.
As you’re listening to this episode, hopefully, you can think back on those times you were treated unkindly and maybe times you’ve treated others unkindly. Let this serve as a gentle knock on your door to remind you to do better where you can, to teach by example, and to make amends, whether directly or indirectly, so true healing can happen.
In this episode, you will hear:
- How the 12 steps apply to bullying
- Step 4 - doing an inventory of the wrongs you've committed against others and the exact nature of your wrongs
- How most of your core beliefs - why you believe what you believe about yourself and the world around you - are shaped by your childhood experiences
- Faulty core beliefs cause problems later in life including depression, addiction, or malady.
- What do you do about knowing that you may have caused some trauma to someone? How do you make that right?
- Step 9 - prepare yourself to make direct amends with someone, and if for some reason that's not possible, make indirect amends
- The powerful healing experience of making amends
- Why bullies bully - the link between “coolness” and aggression
- Ways to prevent bullying behavior in your kids (and it starts at home through teaching by example)
- How these issues stem from seeking validation
- Humility is one of the hardest things.
- Bullies have a lot going on at home (ex. anger, grief, etc.)
- What to do if your child is being bullied
- Learning from the bullying experience instead of choosing a victim mentality
Supporting Resources:
“The Worth of Souls and the Problem of Bullying” by Jonathan Cox
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/10/the-worth-of-souls-and-the-problem-of-bullying?lang=eng
“Knowing Why Bullies Bully is Key to Stopping the Trend” by Michael Friedman PhD
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201405/knowing-why-bullies-bully-is-key-stopping-the-trend
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Jane Clayson Johnson is an award-winning journalist widely known for her work at CBS News, ABC News, and on the nationally syndicated NPR program, On Point. For more than two decades, she traveled the world, covering domestic and international stories and interviewing the biggest newsmakers of the day. At CBS News, Jane was co-anchor of The Early Show, a regular correspondent for 48 Hours, and an investigative reporter for “Eye on America” segments for the CBS Evening News.
In 2018, Jane published her book Silent Souls Weeping, sharing an open and frank exploration of her own experience with clinical depression. She goes on to share stories gathered from interviews with more than 150 men, women, and teens who have suffered from depression.
Today, Jane and I have a very candid, open conversation about both of our experiences with depression, what she's learned from interviewing others, and her advice to those suffering from this same trial in life, or to those with loved ones who suffer from mental illness.
If you are struggling with mental health issues yourself. You're not alone. There are other people out there who have walked your path, and who have walked it successfully. It's not without pain, and it's not without heartache. But there is HOPE and there is HELP.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Jane's unforgettable assignments as a journalist
- Falling into clinical depression
- What drove Jane to write a book - to break the stigma of mental illness
- Why are we so ashamed to talk about depression?
- Everybody has a story. Someone is suffering in your world, the more compassion you have, the more you understand there are ways to help.
- Why we need to be mental health-friendly
- The two themes that always came up in her interviews: stigma and what depression does to the spiritual self
- They say, pray harder that depression and mental illness will go away. Would you sit in a corner and pray your heart disease will go away?
- Depression is a disease, it's not a spiritual deficit.
- Brain health as a critically important component of real, full, and complete health
- Stigma and how perfectionism affects that
- You can’t fix this with work and discipline, you need treatment.
- How to find a good therapist
- Dealing with a child who is suffering from depression and anxiety
- Our unique responsibility and opportunity to reach out and help others
Supporting Resources:
Silent Souls Weeping: Depression-Sharing Stories, Finding Hope by Jane Clayson Johnson
https://amzn.to/3mPMCNW
Jane’s website: https://www.janeclaysonjohnson.com/
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
Thanksgiving is NEXT THURSDAY!!! Are you ready? Are you hosting? Are you wondering how the heck to cook everything and have it ready AND HOT at the same time? Wondering how to cook a turkey without drying it out? What to do to prepare, or what to make ahead, or what you can buy this week, or how much turkey you should actually make to have leftovers, or if you can defrost a turkey in the microwave the day of?
If you've answered yes to ANY of these questions, then today's podcast is just for you. I'm getting ready to host my very first Thanksgiving dinner like a real grown-up and since my mom, Si Foster of A Bountiful Kitchen, is away living in Spain serving a full-time mission, I knew I needed to call her up and have a candid convo asking all my questions about what I needed to do to be prepared.
So I figured, why not have this conversation on the podcast and share all her many, MANY years of wisdom on how to put on a Thanksgiving feast (and have it hot all at the same time!) with all of you!
In this episode, you will hear:
- What to prepare weeks before Thanksgiving
- How to avoid Thanksgiving dinner mistakes
- The magic of cooking a turkey in a bag!
- Cooking tips and timeline
- Turkey shopping tips: organic turkey, turkey sizes, turkey leftovers
- How and when to thaw a frozen turkey (TIP: not on the day of – please!)
- Making your gravy and sauces – the easier and yummier way!
- Stuffing basics: How and when to prepare them
- The best way to cook mashed potatoes
- Can’t cook? – What are the things you can just buy instead?
- Why you need to make your own stuffing!
- Recommended roll and pie recipes (and some amazing prepping tips)
- Should you cut the pie right out of the oven?
- How to make sure ALL the food is HOT at the same time
- Get your kids involved – things they can do!
- What to do when you only have ONE oven
- Remembering what Thanksgiving is really all about
Supporting Resources:
Si’s Blog: https://abountifulkitchen.com/
Instagram: @abountifulkitchen
https://www.instagram.com/abountifulkitchen/?hl=en
Si’s “How to Host Thanksgiving Dinner” post https://abountifulkitchen.com/how-to-host-thanksgiving-dinner-101/
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
When Neil and I worked a 12-step program years ago, we both took on a serious commitment to “continue to take personal inventory, and when you’re wrong, promptly admit it.”
This COMMITMENT has completely changed our relationship for the better. But it’s not always easy! And it certainly doesn’t come naturally for me.
Today, we’re sharing a few stories from our own MARRIAGE of how we’ve applied this, exactly what it looks, feels, and sounds like, and how it can change all of your relationships for the better too.
The rent is so high when you hold on to pride or resentment. While the payout is so huge when you learn to apologize to the people you love as QUICKLY as possible, and just let love conquer pride, even (and especially) when you’re not at fault.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Saying “I was wrong” is often just as important as saying “I love you” in healing a relationship.
- A commitment to take responsibility for mistakes
- The great enemy of charity is pride.
- Pride is one of the biggest reasons marriages and families struggle.
- Especially when you are not at fault, let love conquer pride.
- Cleaning up your side of the street, figuring out where you did wrong in the situation
- Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride.
- Don’t try to be perfect, try to be better.
- There is so much peace and happiness waiting on the other side of an apology.
- The central feature of pride is enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellow men.
- Satan's trick is to make us feel like we're getting something out of being resentful or being right or holding on to pride or anger.
Supporting Resources:
Talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf “In Praise of Those Who Save”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/04/in-praise-of-those-who-save?lang=eng
The Church of Jesus Christ’s Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) Manual
https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/addiction-recovery-program-a-guide-to-addiction-recovery-and-healing?lang=eng
Talk by Ezra Taft Benson “Beware of Pride”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng
Subscribe and Review
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Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
If you've had babies or you're preparing to have one, you know that one of the VERY trickiest things to do is to figure out HOW to get your baby to sleep through the night!
Today, I'm sharing an interview with Jess Hudson of Sleep Shop Consulting, based here in Orange County. Jess shares all about her best tips and tricks for getting babies to sleep.
Jess reached out to me when I posted on Instagram about Harry going through a 4-month sleep regression in the form of a several-day-in-a-row nap strike. Jess’ tips magically helped Harry take naps again, transition out of his swaddle, and give everyone in our house back the sanity of a consistent schedule.
That’s why I invited Jess to come on the podcast and share some of her knowledge with all of you. We talk through a ton of YOUR questions that were submitted through my DMs and some of the basics that she teaches each of her clients she works with.
Jess and I both believe the most important fundamentals start with encouraging your baby to sleep all night long.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Advice to first-time moms
- 3 main things for an optimal sleep environment
- The importance of starting a feeding routine
- 3 key things to help develop your baby’s circadian rhythm
- The day dictates the night: How to set up your daytime schedule
- How much sleep does a newborn need?
- Paying attention to the wake windows and how to stretch them
- What are dream feeds?
- What happens during the four-month sleep regression and how to cope with it
- When to give up on their nap
- Why you shouldn’t be reading too much!
- When and how to transition from the swaddle to a sleep sack
- It’s never too late to improve your baby’s sleeping habits!
- How to naturally release melatonin in your kids to help them sleep better
- Morning nap vs. afternoon nap
- Safety tips to keep baby from climbing the crib
- Sleeping tips for twins and kids with special needs
- How to break up with nursing your baby to sleep
Supporting Resources:
https://www.sleepshopoc.com/
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
The word REMEMBER originated from the Latin meaning “called to mind” or “mindful” and today we are going to talk about why remember is such an important word to us, in our lives, and in our spiritual journey.
We share some personal and sacred spiritual and life experiences about remembering, and examples from the scriptures and from the Savior on why the word remember is, as Spencer W Kimball once said, “perhaps the most important word in the English language.”
Remembrance has been an impactful element in our spiritual journey.
And if it’s something that you feel has also strengthened you in the past, it’s very important that you write it down, talk about it, or share it with someone because building your testimony solely on a few miracles that happen in your life may not be as strong. They will start to fade and they may not come back to your remembrance as much. So doing those will help bring things to your remembrance and continue to strengthen you in the future.
In this episode, you will hear:
- The number of times the word remember is mentioned in the Books of Scripture
- Examples of prophets and people having experiences of remembering
- Lessons from Alma the Younger
- Elder Renlund’s speech about the concept of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying
- Neil’s powerful conversation with his brother and remembering the promise he made
- Approaching recovery from addition day by day
- Jesus as the perfect example of remembering the Scriptures in his teachings
- My personal experience when reading the words of Isaiah
- The power of remembering your purpose and your spiritual experiences
- The multiplication of my breast milk as a testimony builder
- Being careful about the other influences in your life that either dull or sharpen your spirit
- Supplementing your spiritual muscle-building with Scriptures
Supporting Resources:
Book of Mormon “Alma the Younger is Converted” video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsxb5QVcGmQ
Dale G. Renlund talk “Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/latter-day-saints-keep-on-trying?lang=eng
Book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer
https://amzn.to/2T3624O
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
If you’re a Christian (and even if you’re not!) there’s a good chance you’ve heard people talk about the new TV series about Jesus called The Chosen.
The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season series television show about Jesus Christ. It’s the #1 highest crowd-funded project of all-time at $10 million from over 19,000 people, and it has already been translated into 50 languages and counting.
Today, I get to sit down with the director and creator of The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins, and ask him all about the inspiration, the behind-the-scenes magic, and the miracles that have taken place while filming, producing, and directing this show that has swept the world with a new passion for learning about the character of Christ.
So many people like me have become super fans of this project because it’s giving us an entirely new perspective on what Jesus must really be like as a person, and this ignites our desire even more to know Jesus and understand His life as recorded in scripture.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Tapping into Jesus as a human being
- How Dallas built up the characters to explore the context and the human element so these biblical moments are made even more impactful
- Jesus’ unique relationship with women
- The profound, visceral, emotional experience that happens to the actors when they’re playing their roles
- The Chosen as a reminder to set aside the things that take us away from God (vices, addiction, pride, narcissism, and other things we’re not willing to give up yet)
- Total surrender comes after true brokenness
- How God is using the show to pierce through your heart
- The more you empty yourself, the more you can be filled by the replacement, which is Spirit
- How God’s impossible math works
- Why your job is not to feed the 5,000, but to be the best baker and the best fisherman
Supporting Resources:
The Chosen Series
https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen
The Chosen YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBXOFnNTULFaAnj24PAeblg
The Chosen Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheChosen/
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
Produced by Emerald City Productions
If you’re in the midst of a trial that feels like it’s lasting forever and you cannot understand why, or if you’ve ever asked yourself “when will this suffering end?” then today’s podcast is for you.
Neil and I are going to talk about long-suffering and trials that seem to last forever. We felt this would be a good topic because a lot of people are going through so many hard things right now. We’re talking about the reasons we go through trials that last a long time, what we’re supposed to do about them, and some comforting words of hope that we turn to, especially during challenging times.
Most hard things don't last forever. And someday, we're going to get to heaven where our Heavenly Father is going to make everything right, and perfect justice and mercy will take over. And so, we want to encourage everyone to hang in there, have faith, and just keep going.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Your trials and life struggles are going to CHANGE you.
- We need to go through certain things to become like Jesus Christ.
- Healing doesn't come as quickly as you would hope.
- Is the highest good to avoid all suffering?
- "Christianity is comforting, but often not comfortable."
- When you suffer, God wants to polish you a little more.
- It’s okay to mourn and be sad like when Jesus wept over Lazarus’ death
- Jesus experienced all things everyone went through and overcame them.
- Why can’t God just take my challenges away from me?
- Becoming Christlike is a lifelong pursuit and often involves slow, imperceptible change.
- God doesn’t work like a vending machine.
- The willingness to be submissive to what God knows is best for us
- The concept of having an eternal perspective: Seeing eternity and what’s to come vs. having a myopic view of your life
- The Lord is aware of your concerns and anguish. He loves you deeply and forever.
Scriptures about Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail (D&C 122-123)
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/121?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/122?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/123?lang=eng
Supporting Resources:
Talk by D. Todd Christofferson https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/d-todd-christofferson/give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread/
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.
He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.
Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com
Jennifer Anderson is a mom, wife, registered dietitian, and creator behind the brand Kids Eat in Color. When Jennifer was a new mom, she learned that feeding kids is sometimes tricky. When her first kid fell off the growth chart, she realized how much effort can go into feeding a child.
With a Master’s of Science in Public Health, in International Health and Human Nutrition from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Jennifer completed her dietetics coursework through the University of Northern Colorado. Through the same institution, she organized her own dietetic internship, focusing on policy and organizational management in the Washington DC metro area.
Jennifer is passionate about teaching parents that they’re doing a great job – regardless of whether their kids eat their veggies (or whatever food) today – and to enjoy their kids and their mealtimes instead of feeling angry, defeated, and frustrated.
Today, Jennifer shares some wonderful insights into how we, as parents, can improve our child’s feeding while holding a loving, firm boundary around meals, and how we can feel more connected to our kids – because our connection to our family and our children is so much more important than whether they eat a carrot or not!
In this episode, you will hear:
- First foods you can introduce to babies and how to prevent picky eating
- The importance of high-iron foods
- What happens when your child doesn’t eat what you put on the table?
- How to teach kids to eat more than just comfort food
- Snacking tips and giving bedtime snacks
- Not using food as a punishment or reward
- What degrades progress towards picky eating
- How to offer dessert and why you need to get them off the pedestal
- The chocolate chip or M&M experiment to diminish kids’ obsession with treats
- The importance of having a detailed meal plan and sticking with it
- Incorporating vegetables and introducing new things
- Other common issues parents are struggling with
- How to improve food security in your child’s feeding
- Where to find food resources when you don’t have enough food for your family
- The impact of family meals on your kids’ growth
Supporting Resources:
Jennifer can be found at:
Kids Eat in Color: https://kidseatincolor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kids.eat.in.color/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kids.eat.in.color/
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.
He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.
Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com
Is it just us, or has life thrown you a whole bunch of curveballs? Do you have a lot of crossroads coming up in your life? Does it sometimes feel like the whole world is falling apart and that darkness, destruction, and division are stronger than ever?
Today, we’re going to talk about the BIGGEST decisions we’ve made in our marriage. We’re sharing our exact process for making important decisions in our life, and how we make sure we’re making the RIGHT decisions every single time.
We also share one big fail that taught us an expensive but essential lesson that would guide us through every other major decision for the rest of our lives. And we leave you with a message of HOPE that will hopefully help you as you meet up with all the big crossroads in your life.
In this episode, you will hear:
- How we make big decisions in life: Trust in God as an important element
- Studying it in your mind and doing your research
- Taking your time, especially with big decisions
- Our marriage decision
- Lessons learned from a bad decision
Scriptures that have guided us through our process of making decisions:
- Doctrine & Covenants 9:8
“Behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.”
- Hebrews 10: 35-36
“Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
- 2 Kings 6: 15-17
“...Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
Supporting Resources:
Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland "Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence"
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/cast-not-away-therefore-your-confidence/
Varsity Tutors
https://www.varsitytutors.com/mintarrow to reserve your spot for a FREE class!
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.
He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.
Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com
One year ago, Abi Ayres went viral on insta stories with a haircut that she named Carol and attracted a large following of people drawn to her hilarious personality and refreshing real-take on everyday life. What you might not know is the spiritual back-story of what led up to that viral moment in her life. Today Abi shares that story with me and some really deep, insightful takeaways on how to get clear answers from God through meditation on what His path is for you. She also shares some of the best lessons she’s learned during covid-19 and how she’s coached women in the past to strip away the things that they might normally identify with to see their true inherent worth.
Show Notes:
Abi’s Instagram: @abiayres
Website: https://www.abiayres.com/
Abi’s “Carol Cut” video
https://www.facebook.com/abiayres801/videos/one-year-ago-today-i-got-a-haircut-that-completely-changed-my-life-forever-it-ha/308234976967463/
Produced by Dear Media
If you're a fan of the hit show So You Think You Can Dance, you probably feel like I do, like you have a true friend in the show's host Cat Deeley. Cat has been in the entertainment industry for many years, first with MTV and now with SYTYCD but she also has another very important side of her private life, and that's her role as a mother. Cat recently wrote a beautiful children's book inspired by her two little boys called The Joy in You, and today I had the pleasure of sitting down with her to talk all about her inspiration behind the book and her ups and downs as a mother. We talk about her advice to new mothers, where she finds balance in motherhood and career, how she builds confidence in her children and what she's doing to keep herself and her children happy and feeling loved during all the chaos in the world.
Show Notes:
Cat’s new book “The Joy in You” https://amzn.to/35lXRrS
Instagram @catdeeley
Twitter @catdeeley
Produced by Dear Media
In a nod to Labor Day, Neil and I decided to focus today’s discussion on the value of hard work. We share stories about learning to work hard, and lots of favorite quotations on the principle of work and the payoff you reap from your effort with anything in life. I dive a little deeper into what life looked like as I tried to become a piano prodigy from the age of 10-18 and Neil shares some of his most impactful takeaways from the years he worked serving as a missionary for our church.
Show Notes:
“Stick to your task” Quoted by Thomas S. Monson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1972/04/finishers-wanted?lang=eng
“If you want a thing bad enough…” Quoted in a talk by Vaughn J. Featherstone
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/vaughn-j-featherstone/acres-diamonds/
Gordon B. Hinckley “I believe in the gospel of work...)
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/gordon-b-hinckley/believe-2/
Book “Standing for Something” Gordon B. Hinckley
https://amzn.to/3gSCYqb
Produced by Dear Media
Have you ever felt like you’re the only one who struggles with finding good friends? That everyone else around you has built-in best friends and you’re the “odd man out?” Today in my interview with Fatima Dedrickson, also known by all her friends and family as “Fatty,” we talk about her experiences over the years with friendship and making the effort to be a good friend. Her stories start with being an international student at BYU who didn’t speak any English, having to take a dictionary to class and try to understand a brand new culture and language and having literally no family around and no built-in friends either. She shares her inspiring stories of bravery, putting herself out there for others to get to know and love, making the effort to be a friend, and the power ONE person can have to be someone’s ONE friend.
www.varsitytutors.com/mintarrow to reserve your FREE class!
Show Notes:
Instagram @stylefitfatty https://www.instagram.com/stylefitfatty/?hl=en
Fatima’s book “Ready, Set, Be Still: How God Used Faith and Personal Revelation to Change My Life” https://amzn.to/31wyLny
Produced by Dear Media
If you're a fan of the huge hit Netflix series CHEER then you're in for a real treat today. Summer Wilkinson, a member of the Navarro College Cheer team in 2018-2019 was on the team during the pilot season of the emmy-nominated docuseries that swept the nation and kept everyone entertained during the first couple months of COVID-19. Summer shares with me what it was like to be on Navarro Cheer, how much hard work went into preparing for and staying on the team, and also her unique experiences as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at a school where she was one of only a few members of her church. Summer's stories of dedication to her sport, her schooling and her faith are so inspiring and if you're looking for something uplifting today, I know you're going to love my episode with her.
www.GreenChef.com/mintarrow80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box!
Produced by Dear Media
Have you ever wondered how to pray? Or what to even say in a prayer? Or does prayer even work? Today, Neil and I talk all about why we pray, how we pray, why and how it works, and what we do to make ourselves more available for answers to prayers. We totally break down our step by step process of an individual prayer and why we believe in the collective power of prayer.
Show Notes:
Bible Dictionary Definition of Prayer
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/prayer?lang=eng
Ask of God: Our Solace, Guide, and Stay Bonnie H. Cordon
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bonnie-h-cordon/ask-god-solace-guide-stay/
Where is the Pavilion? Henry B. Eyring
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2012/10/where-is-the-pavilion?lang=eng
Produced by Dear Media
Kris Jenkins works for the Salt Lake Fire Department as a firefighter, paramedic and as a registered nurse for a Salt Lake hospital Emergency Room. Kris and I went to high school together and I found out on our 2003 facebook reunion page about his heroic effort to leave his family for a month and volunteer during the height of the pandemic in New York. Today Kris shares his inspiring story of why he felt compelled to go volunteer in New York as a nurse, what it was like to work every single day for a month straight with only ONE day off, how he was reassigned immediately upon arrival from the ER to the ICU where every single patient he cared for was fighting for their life with Covid-19. I came away from this interview with so much gratitude and a deeper appreciation for all the health heroes who have been on the front-lines of fighting coronavirus this year and I hope you will too.
www.naturalcycles.com/MINTARROW for 20% off an annual subscription plus a FREE thermometer!
Show Notes:
Chris’ blog about his experience as a Nurse in NYC
https://krisjenkins7.wixsite.com/website?fbclid=IwAR3lGRvIzcBrbj5vR77HZcZCmR3cbNjddN7azWTlh974qVR0AFcmlJHzKZg
Produced by Dear Media
Do you know what “cancel culture” actually means? It’s okay if you didn’t, we didn’t either until recently. Today we discuss cancel culture, some recent examples in the media and talk through the dynamic social media plays in our world on whether people should have second chances. This leads us to talk about forgiveness and Neil opens up about his feelings toward the people who shot and killed his brother Dave 18 months ago, and what he’s doing to process and work through that situation. We conclude with some thoughts about how cancel culture can be a good thing when done in the right way, and how to move toward forgiveness if you’re struggling with that too.
www.naturalcycles.com/MINTARROW for 20% off an annual subscription Plus a FREE thermometer!
Show Notes:
Morgan Scalley article
https://www.si.com/college/utah/football/what-were-the-details-of-the-morgan-scalley-investigation
James E. Faust talk on the atonement and forgiveness
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/10/the-atonement-our-greatest-hope?lang=engS
Produced by Dear Media
Tim Ballard serves as the co-chair of the White House Public-Private Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking, and is the CEO and founder of the nonprofit organization operation Underground Railroad which saves kids from human trafficking. Tim’s mission in life is to end human trafficking and allow victims to receive the treatment necessary for healing. Human trafficking or modern day slavery, is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world, it’s a 153-Billion-dollar industry.
Today Tim sits down with me to talk through this issue and share some of the ways you can be involved in saving kids from human trafficking. He shares stories of faith and miracles and what the ONE THING is he believes would completely change the world for better, and his answer might surprise you. He talks about how you can get loud to help save the kids on July 30 for world anti human trafficking day. You can learn more about what Tim and OUR rescue are doing by going to ourrescue.org or by texting HELPTHEM to 51555.
Show Notes:
Operation Underground Railroad website ourrescue.org
Instagram @ourrescue https://www.instagram.com/ourrescue/?hl=en
Tim’s personal Instagram @timballard89 https://www.instagram.com/timballard89/?hl=en
Text “help them” to 51555 for current updates from O.U.R.
Produced by Dear Media
Distance learning, homeschooling, online education oh my! All of the facebook mom groups I belong to are exploding right now with questions and discussion threads with hundreds of comments from other parents panicking about their options for this fall, what to do, what their options even are and how to decide what's best for their children and their schooling this fall. Today I'm interviewing a dear friend of mine, Laura Belnap, who is the MOST qualified person I know to speak on this subject who will be able to break all of this down for us parents.
Laura Collier Belnap has her bachelor's and master’s in education, is a pioneer in homeschooling and online education in the state of Utah, where she helped establish online education in 2002, working as the director of Utah Online Academies for three different school districts. She is currently the director of Utah Online Schools which serves over 10,000 students with 102 teachers and staff.
She has served on several different nonprofit boards and received the Soccer Mom of the Nation Award, the “Innovation in Education Award,” and most recently the Jon M. Hunstman award for Innovation.
She schooled her children at home for more than 14 years which changed her life and her relationship with her children.
Laura is active in legislative, community and religious causes. Laura is the proud mother of six children and 10 beautiful grandchildren and is married to her high school sweetheart Eric Belnap. On a personal note, she has been a lifelong mentor to me and each of my siblings and has had an enormous impact on each of our lives.
She was elected to the Utah state board of Education in 2014 where she serves as the finance chair.
www.naturalcycles.com/mintarrow for 20% off your annual subscription and a Free thermometer!
Produced by Dear Media
Have you noticed that during the most crazy year that any of us have ever seen in our lifetime, we’re also seeing common courtesy and civility fade, especially in online interactions? Today Neil and I discuss why civility, kindness and respect are SO KEY to making progress and surviving all the challenges we face in this world. We talk about why it’s vital that we pay attention to what we’re saying in front of our kids, and the tone we’re using to express our opinions, putting ourselves in the shoes of others before criticizing, and just offering more grace and kindness to others as we navigate our families through uncharted waters.
Show Notes:
“Standing for Something” Gordon B. Hinckley
https://amzn.to/2ZaVp3X
“Songs Sung and Unsung” Jeffrey R. Holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/songs-sung-and-unsung?lang=eng
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” Dale Carnegie
https://amzn.to/3fbA2VP
“The Virtue of Kindness” Joseph B. Wirthlin
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2005/04/the-virtue-of-kindness?lang=eng
Produced by Dear Media
Dr Aliza Pressman is a developmental psychologist, parent educator, asst. clinical professor, and co-founder of both Mount Sinai Parenting Center and SeedlingsGroup. As a mother of two, she also hosts the podcast Raising Good Humans where she shares her parenting advice from a clinical, academic and mom perspective. Today Aliza and I have a conversation all about my most recent parenting questions like how to teach kids good work ethic over the summer, applying choices and consequences appropriately in parenting, using time-out effectively, teaching kids to respect adults, and how to talk to your kids about all the complex issues going on in the world. This interview was incredible and I can’t wait for you guys to listen to and learn from Aliza today too.
Show Notes:
https://www.instagram.com/raisinggoodhumanspodcast/?hl=en
Raising Good Humans Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-good-humans/id1473072044
Aliza’s Private Practice Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/seedlingsgroup/?hl=en
Produced by Dear Media
“Does anyone stay together anymore?” And “is anyone actually happy in their marriage, or is it all smoke and mirrors?” These are some of the comments I saw on social media a couple weeks ago after the announcement of Dave and Rachel Hollis’s divorce. While we obviously have no idea what happened there, it sparked a lot of conversations in my life and even between Neil and me about what really keeps people together and what the makeup is of a happy marriage. Today we’re sharing some of the tips, advice and actionable takeaways that have greatly helped strengthen our marriage that we hope will help you too.
Show Notes:
Talk “In Praise of Those Who Serve” Dieter F. Uchtdorf https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/04/in-praise-of-those-who-save?lang=eng
Talk “Eternal Marraige” F. Burton Howard
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2003/04/eternal-marriage?lang=eng
Talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1997/03/a-conversation-with-single-adults?lang=eng
“There seems to be a superstition among many thousands of our young [men and women] who hold hands and smooch in the drive-ins that marriage is a cottage surrounded by perpetual hollyhocks to which a perpetually young and handsome husband comes home to a perpetually young and [beautiful] wife. When the hollyhocks wither and boredom and bills appear the divorce courts are jammed. …
“Anyone who imagines that bliss [in marriage] is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.
“[The fact is] most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …
“Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.
“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride” (“Big Rock Candy Mountains,” Deseret News, 12 June 1973, A4).
Produced by Dear Media
Elle Rowley is the founder of Solly Baby, a wildly popular baby wrap company that’s now expanded to swaddles and crib sheets and baby clothes and beyond. Elle is a mom of four, entrepreneur and a leader I look up to so much for advice on everything from motherhood to marketing, and she really has a gift for being calming and reassuring and connecting with women. Today I sit down with Elle (virtually) and have a conversation about her best advice for new moms and seasoned moms about the current times we’re living in and how to be intentionally positive during the pandemic and as things move forward.
www.kiwico.com/MINTARROW to get your first month FREE!
Guest: Elle Rowley
Show Notes:
Instagram @sollybaby
solly baby website https://sollybaby.com/
Elle’s personal Instagram @ellerowley
Produced by Dear Media
Baby Harry is here and we’re sharing his birth story today! If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have a c-section, today we talk about it from both the mom and dad’s perspective. We share what it feels like, looks like, what to expect and some of our tips for having the best experience on delivery day if you’re having a scheduled c-section.
www.sakara.com/MINTARROW for 20% off your order!
www.naturalcycles.com/MINTARROW for 20% off your annual subscription, plus a free thermometer!
Produced by Dear Media
After an emotional and historical day, watching the nation and even the world come together to amplify the message that Black Lives Matter in response to George Floyd’s death, I reached out to my friend Jennifer Borget on blackout Tuesday and she graciously agreed to come back on the podcast and discuss anti-racism with me. She also has an incredibly unique perspective as a black woman in an inter-racial marriage, married to a white police officer, so we talked about her experiences and suggestions on uniting instead of dividing people during this time. She explains why the phrase “all lives matter” isn’t helpful and what IS helpful and productive in supporting this message, how to stand up and say something tactfully when someone makes a racist comment, and what to do if you’ve messed up in the past and want to make it right. I’m so thankful to Jennifer for sharing her voice today and for the positive influence she is in my life and so many others.
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Show Notes:
Cherish 365 blog https://cherish365.com/
Diversity and inclusion posts/info https://cherish365.com/category/diversity-inclusion/
Jennifer’s blog posts explaining “black lives matter”
https://cherish365.com/your-fear-is-killing-my-family-why-are-you-supporting-my-white-cop-and-not-my-black-son
https://cherish365.com/listen-you-dont-know-everything-about-cops-and-black-lives-matter/
Jennifer’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jenniferborget/
Jennifer’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Cherish365Blog/
https://cherish365.com/no-youre-not-colorblind-thats-ok/
Produced by Dear Media
Michelle and Khyl Shumway are owners of the business Rad Swim, a super cute modest swimwear company based in Utah. But what you might not know about their story is that Khyl was one of two men out of 6 who survived a plane crash in Alaska the summer of 2003. Today Khyl shares with me the many miracles he believe saved his life, along with Michelle and the tender mercies she experienced as she waited to find out if he would survive the crash. Their story is riveting and inspirational and full of hope and I cannot wait to share it with you today.
www.drinkhydrant.com/mintarrow or enter promo code "mintarrow" at checkout for 25% off your first order!
Show Notes:
Instagram:
@rad_swim https://www.instagram.com/rad_swim/?hl=en
@michelle.shumway https://www.instagram.com/michelle.shumway/?hl=en
@khylshumway https://www.instagram.com/khylshumway/?hl=en
@theshumwayshow https://www.instagram.com/theshumwayshow/?hl=en
YouTube channel: The Shumway show https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKUUxzkJnhDATCleslcgjMA
Vlog: Shumway Vlogs https://shumwayshow.com/blogs/the-shumway-show-vlog
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Memorial Day is a very tender time for so many who are remembering loved ones, especially those who died in combat to secure the freedoms we all enjoy in the United States of America. Today we take a bit of time to honor and thank them, and share memories of the two men who we named our baby boy Harold David after, my grandpa Harold and Neil’s brother Dave. We also share our thoughts and feelings about life after death, what we believe happens to our loved ones after they pass on, and what they’re busy doing helping us from the other side.
Visit:
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and www.sakara.com/mintarrow for 20% off your order!
Produced by Dear Media
Susie Allison, a former kindergarten and 1st grade teacher, now stay at home mom, is also the genius creator of the account busy toddler that has amassed almost a million followers on Instagram at the time of this recording. Susie shares tips on keeping toddlers happily busy with independent play based on projects that will cost $5 or less, using many things you probably have in your home already. Today Susie shares with us so much of her wisdom about getting kids to play independently, schedules, TV time, childhood development through play and learning, and what her advice is for parents who are trying to keep their littles busy during a quarantine or anytime you’re spending many hours at home. Susie has been featured on the today show, people, time magazine, and I’m super grateful to have her as a guest on mint arrow messages today too.
BeachBody - get a special free trial membership when you text MINTARROW to 303030
Show Notes:
Busy Toddler website https://busytoddler.com/
Get 25% off all Busy Toddler Playing Pre-school Programs with coupon code home25
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/busytoddler/?hl=en
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thebusytoddler/
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/busytoddler123/busy-toddler/
Produced by Dear Media
A few nights ago, Neil and I got into a deep discussion about the need for integrity and how it seems to be less and less common in the world, and more and more accepted as just “the way things are” or have to be. We felt strongly that today’s episode needed to be on honesty and integrity, in business, in our personal lives, and in recovery. Neil shares his perspective as a recovering addict and I share some examples of business and personal times where I’ve faced the option to be honest or yield to temptation to cut corners, and we share why we believe honesty really does pay off in the end.
Show Notes:
Gordon B. Hinkley book “Standing for Something” https://amzn.to/2ShHp4G
Talk “Three Towels and a 25 Cent Newspaper” Richard C. Edgley https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2006/10/three-towels-and-a-25-cent-newspaper?lang=eng
Produced by Dear Media
New York Times best selling author and soon to be podcast host Greg McKeown shares with me today some of the philosophies that he teaches in his well-known book Essentialism, a book that quite honestly transformed my life! He talks about the art of saying no, of really getting back to what matters most in life, and how that can set you free to live the life you were intended to live. He shares some fun examples of how essentialism has guided him as a father and how he and his wife have seen their family and children take on this mindset of essentialism, and the great blessings and rewards that have come from doing so. This is one of my all time favorite episodes and if you enjoy it as much as I did, be sure to check out Greg’s brand new podcast that’s linked in today’s show notes too.
Show Notes:
Greg McKeown’s book “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” https://amzn.to/3aV9W6A
Website https://gregmckeown.com/
Greg McKeown Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gregorymckeown/
Greg McKeown YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/gregorymckeown
Produced by Dear Media
I love to share about the gospel of Jesus Christ with my online audience, but it wasn't always that way! Today Neil and I dig into the topic of sharing about your faith online or with others around you, fearlessly and without hesitation. We talk about why it was so scary at first, how I got over that fear and what led me to a passion for sharing the gospel online. We talk about what topics people are seeking answers for most and how to share in natural and effective ways, why it's a lie that you can't talk about faith at work or school, and how to get help with and get better at sharing your faith with others.
KiwiCo.com/MINTARROW for your first month FREE on select crates
Storyworth.com/MINTARROW for $10 off your first purchase
Show Notes:
Book “The Power of Everyday Missionaries” by Clayton M. Christensen
http://www.everydaymissionaries.org/
Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Produced by Dear Media
Infertility affects about 6.1 million women in the united states alone, according to the CDC. And since April is infertility and infant loss awareness month, I asked one of my very best friends Kendyl Madsen, who knows the struggle of infertility better than almost anyone else I know, to share her story of getting her two babies here after hundreds of shots, tests and three full rounds of IVF. Kendyl was gracious enough to share her entire journey of ups and downs with getting pregnant and losing pregnancies, what they tried, how it felt, and most importantly, what helped her most from friends and loved ones who supported her through these trials. I'm confident that Kendyl's story will provide a lot of hope for other couples hoping to get pregnant, and more understanding and compassion for those who have loved ones who struggle with infertility or infant loss and how we can best support them.
Beach Body: Text MINTARROW to 303030 for a special free trial membership!
Causebox.com/mintarrow and use code mintarrow to get your first box for 30% off!
Show Notes:
Kendyl’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kendylmadsen/?hl=en
Produced by Dear Media
Joy Cho of the blog Oh Joy has been working in the creative design space since 2005 and now runs a lifestyle brand and design studio, including licensed product lines with Target, Band-Aid, CalPak and more. Joy also has amassed a following of nearly 13 million Pinterest followers and has twice been named one of Time's most influential people on the internet under 30. Joy shares her wisdom with all of us that she's gained on leadership, the importance of pivoting in your business (which is top of mind for SO many entrepreneurs right now) and some very unique and admirable perspective on taking care of your parents in their older years once you've reached a successful point in your career.
Show Notes:
Joy’s blog https://www.ohjoy.com/
Joy’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ohjoy/?hl=en
Produced by Dear Media
Alcohol Awareness Month is a public health program organized by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence as a way of increasing outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and issues related to alcohol. The program was started in April 1987 with the intention of targeting college-aged students who might be drinking too much as part of their newfound freedom. It has since become a national movement to draw more attention to the causes and effects of alcoholism as well as how to help families and communities deal with drinking problems. Since Neil and I are well acquainted with the 12 steps of recovery, and especially since Neil began his recovery journey in a traditional 12 step non-denominational meeting founded on the principles of AA, we decided this month we would share some of the basic concepts behind Alcoholics Anonymous, especially since right now in isolation so many people are suffering with their addictions or realizing they might have a problem that they need help with. We really believe this topic will reach everyone at some point in some capacity, whether you yourself struggle with addiction or someone you love does. We hope that today’s episode sheds light on an issue that’s sometimes hard to find solid solutions with, and that if you know someone who might be struggling that you’ll share it with them.
LaurelSprings.com/MintArrow for your waived registration fee.
Causebox.com/MintArrow with code: MintArrow for 30% off your order.
Show Notes:
Neil’s favorite talk on taking it “one day at a time”.
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/d-todd-christofferson/give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread/
Find a local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/find-aa-resources
Find an ARP meeting (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Addiction Recovery Program)
https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org/find-a-meeting?lang=eng
Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) meetings https://www.sa.org/meetings/
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meetings https://oa.org/find-a-meeting/?type=0
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/
Fox news article on relapse due to coronavirus isolation. Some solutions on what to do.
https://www.foxnews.com/health/coronavirus-poses-risk-relapse-among-individuals-recovery-expert-says
This episode was recorded several weeks before COVID-19 became the hot-topic global issue that we're now living in, but in some ways it makes the content even more applicable to what we're facing currently. In today's episode, I interview twin sisters, moms, political junkies, former White House and Capitol Hill staffers Andrea Reeve and Brittany Richman who are both incredibly passionate about American politics. Andrea and Brittany answer some of my toughest questions about how to get the very most well-rounded and credible news sources to form your own opinions, how to talk to your kids about politics, how to be good citizens and neighbors, how to talk about things that matter with people you love without becoming contentious, and why it matters SO MUCH to be informed with our country. I really believe you'll find so many takeaways that will help all of us navigate these current uncharted waters with the rapid changes we're seeing in our country, now and leading up to an election year.
Visit Beautycounter.com with Promo Code: MINTARROW for 10% off your purchase of $100 or more
Get your first month FREE on select crates at KiwiCo.com/MintArrow
Show Notes:
American Moms Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theamericanmoms/
The American Moms website http://theamericanmoms.com/
Book recommendation “You Learn by Living” by Eleanore Roosevelt
Best books on politics for kids http://theamericanmoms.com/12-of-the-best-books-to-teach-patriotism-to-your-children/
American Moms recommendations for easy to follow news sources:
@minutewithmads on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minutewithmads/?hl=en
The Skim morning news email and afternoon podcast https://www.theskimm.com/
BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news
The Wallstreet Journal https://www.wsj.com/
Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/
C-span https://www.c-span.org/
Produced by Dear Media
This week we felt compelled to chat all about what we're doing to deal with Coronavirus, and how positivity can change your perspective. We talk about actions you can take to see this time as a gift, being spiritually prepared for whatever may come, and keeping an attitude of faith and optimism instead of fear.
Show Notes:
Talks referenced in this episode:
“Consistent and Resilient Trust” L. Todd Budge
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/27budge?lang=eng
“Preparation for the Second Coming” Dallin H. Oaks
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2004/04/preparation-for-the-second-coming?lang=eng
“Are Ye Stripped of Pride?” Kim B. Clark
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/kim-b-clark/ye-stripped-pride/
Book “The Divine Gift of Forgiveness” Neil L. Andersen
https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Gift-Forgiveness-Neil-Andersen/dp/1629727415/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=justaskcorinnepin-20&linkId=7d3e3deefb4d5cc07f9d3a06ee64c19a&language=en_US
This Episode is sponsored by Beautycounter. For a limited time, new customers can get 10% off your first purchase of $100 or more at beautycounter.com with code MINTARROW.
Produced by Dear Media
Emily Belle Freeman is a well-known author, teacher and now youtuber and podcaster whose YouTube channel "Don't Miss This" with Dave Butler has exploded over the past two years. But one of her greatest passions in life is working with and building communities of Christian women of different denominations who can learn from each other's differing perspectives and grow in their faith in Christ. Today Emily shares with me how her love for creating these bible study groups began, what her tips are for women who want to study with other women of different Christian faiths, and why it matters SO MUCH that we build on common ground.
Show Notes:
“Don’t Miss This” YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDM4cG9T5jvdV3SeHT6ILCw
“Don’t Miss This” podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-miss-this-study/id1486505917
Multiply Goodness Instagram https://www.instagram.com/multiplygoodness/?hl=en
Multiply Goodness website https://www.multiplygoodness.com/
Emily’s Website https://www.emilybellefreeman.com/dont-miss-this
Emily’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emilybellefreeman/
Emily’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/emilybellefreeman/
“Come Follow me” Study resources https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/come-follow-me
For a limited time go to beautycounter.com and use code MINTARROW to receive 10% off your first order of $100 or more.
Go to vistaprint.com and enter code MintArrow for free shipping on all business cards. Limited time offer.
Produced by Dear Media
On February 26, Neil and I both received an email from the President of our church inviting us to think deeply about how we hear the voice of the Lord, and to share our experiences and feelings about Jesus Christ. Today Neil and I dig into the topic of God speaking to us, and how we hear the voice of the Lord. We share some personal experiences and tips on what helps us hear His voice, describe exactly what that feels like, looks like and sounds like, and how and when we have experienced it most in our lives.
Show Notes:
“Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence” Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/cast-not-away-therefore-your-confidence/
Laurel Springs offer: Register your child at laurelsprings.com/mintarrow today and receive a waived registration fee.
Beauty Counter offer: Through March 15th 2020 get free shipping on your first order of $100 or more at beautycounter.com by using promo code MINTARROW.
Produced by Dear Media
Shan Tripp spent several years as a pediatric emergency room nurse, and has now moved her family across the big pacific ocean to live full time in Hawaii and homeschool her four kids. Today she shares with all of us her top tips for keeping your kiddos safe at home, after years of taking care of kids who wound up in the ER at Salt Lake's Primary Children's Hospital, along with some really beautiful advice about trusting a mother's intuition and truly enjoying the moments that pass so quickly between mother and child.
Beautycounter.com with Promo Code MINTARROW for Free Shipping on your order of $100 or more
Show Notes:
Shannon’s website https://www.shantripp.com/
Sign up for Shannon’s course on Mastering Medical Emergencies https://shantripp.mykajabi.com/offers/coriNT2a/checkout
Video: What to do if your baby is choking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj7o8GMv4os
Shannon’s Insta @shantripp https://www.instagram.com/shantripp/?hl=en
Produced by Dear Media
When Neil and I first got married, working together as business partners was far from our envisioned happily ever after, but yet here we are working together full time on our small business from home every day. Today we're sharing what led up to all of this, and what advice we would give anyone else trying to run a business or even just run a life together as a couple.
Show Notes:
Clifton Strengths Finder Test https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx
Register your child for Laurel Springs online private school at laurelsprings.com/mintarrow and have your registration fee waived
Produced by Dear Media
As a teenage kid fresh out of high school, Shawn Nelson came up with the idea of making his own bean bag with foam that caught on like wildfire across the US within a few years. As his business LoveSac took off, he also won a million dollar investment from Richard Branson on the hit TV show Rebel Billionare. Like many businesses that grow super quickly, LoveSac hit a rock bottom in those early years as they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Shawn explains to me what it was like to stick with his business and rebuild, the lessons he learned in leadership and overcoming adversity, and what they had to do to build all the way back up to the point of going public in June of 2018. He explains why LoveSac is now totally focused on sustainability and helping families grow with sactionals that will literally last them a lifetime. Shawn shares with me some of his personal values that he's established over the years too, why being a family man is the most important thing to him and how he manages to make the entire LoveSac organization feel like family too.
Show Notes:
Shawn’s blog DFL Group (Designed For Life) https://dflgroup.org/
Lovesac’s page https://www.lovesac.com/
Shawn’s Vlog https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFy8VVTRnCGrWtF3n_rvVqA
Instagram @shawnoflovesac https://www.instagram.com/shawnoflovesac/?hl=en
FB https://www.facebook.com/ShawnOfLovesac/
Twitter @shawnoflovesac https://twitter.com/shawnoflovesac?lang=en
Shawn’s book recommendations:
Good to Great by Jim Collins https://amzn.to/2uESEvf
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni https://amzn.to/2tRwoOh
Purple Cow by Seth Godin https://amzn.to/31Mblco
Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz https://amzn.to/37m6e47
The Accidental Superpower by Peter Zeihan https://amzn.to/37n3aoj
Produced by Dear Media
Today’s episode is very different from our normal lineup. We’re talking about intimacy in marriage and so if you have littles in the room, now would be a good time to push pause and either find some headphones or wait until later to listen. We go in depth on this topic as Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife answers all of my burning questions (and yours from a question box on Instagram stories) about sex and marriage and how you can improve your marital intimacy. This episode is intended for married couples and is definitely not intended for a young audience or single people trying to abstain from sex.
Jennifer Finlayson-Fife is a relationship and sexuality educator and coach, as well as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois with a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. She wrote her dissertation on LDS women and sexuality, has taught college-level courses on human sexuality, and currently teaches online relationship and sexuality courses and live workshops to LDS individuals and couples.
The opinions in this episode are those of Dr. Finlayson-Fife and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the church of Jesus Christ although she and I are both members. I hope you’ll take from this episode what’s helpful to you and feels right, and leave, if anything, whatever does not.
I’m so grateful for Dr. Finlayson-Fife taking the time to record this episode with me and especially on the week of Valentines Day, I hope it helps bring many married couples closer together.
Show Notes:
Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife’s website and online courses http://www.finlayson-fife.com/
Get 20% off her courses for Valentines Day!
Dr. Finlayson-Fife’s podcast archive http://www.finlayson-fife.com/podcast-archive
Book 101 Nights of Great Sex https://amzn.to/37ysB7b
Go to hellonoemie.com/mintarrow to get $50 off your 1st purchase with promo code mintarrow
Produced by Dear Media
This past year, Neil and I have learned a lot about grief as we've processed the death of his brother Dave Stokoe, whose story you can hear in episode 1 of Mint Arrow Messages. Today we share some of the feelings we experienced individually, as a couple and as a family, what's helped us most, and hopefully what can help anyone else who loses a loved one or knows someone going through grief.
Show Notes:
Corrine’s article on marrying a recovering addict https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2019/10/i-decided-to-marry-a-recovering-pornography-addict?lang=eng
Doors of Death- Talk given by Russell M. Nelson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1992/04/doors-of-death?lang=eng
Produced by Dear Media
You may remember Brooke White as the indie-pop singer and songwriter from season 7 of American Idol. But what you might not know is her crazy back-story of how she even ended up as a contestant on American idol, how she felt God led her to that decision and opened doors all along the way. Brooke shares how she learned to get out of her own way, and that God has a plan for you that He will make happen, if you’ll only allow Him to.
Show Notes:
Brooke’s Instagram @brookewhite https://www.instagram.com/realbrookewhite/?hl=en
Brook’s new record Calico https://ffm.to/calico
Produced by Dear Media
My parents have always talked about going on a service mission for our church together someday for as long as I can remember, but the plan was always for them to leave after retirement age. They shocked my siblings and me about a year ago at Christmas time when they announced to our family they'd be leaving on an 18 month mission to Barcelona Spain in 2020, NOT because my dad was retiring early, but because they felt extremely impressed that this was the will of the Lord. Today we walk through both of their a-typical journeys in faith and growing up in less-than-ideal circumstances as young church members, where my dad gained his burning love for missionary work and how my mom became truly converted to the gospel, and the crazy back-story of deciding to put my dad's career on hold for 18 months to serve as missionaries for a year and a half in Spain. You'll also hear more about what Senior Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints typically do, and what their advice is to anyone else considering serving a mission.
Show Notes:
Si Foster’s blog https://abountifulkitchen.com/
Si’s Instagram @abountifulkitchen https://www.instagram.com/abountifulkitchen/
Go to zola.com/mintarrow and use promo code SAVE50 to get 50% off your save the dates
Go to hellonoemie.com/mintarrow to see their collections and get $50 off your first purchase by using code MINT ARROW
Produced by Dear Media
Mindy McKnight is a wife, mom of 6 and CEO of the multi-million subscriber YouTube channel Cute Girls Hairstyles. Mindy pioneered YouTube and has raised teenagers and little kids through a digital age and picked up all kinds of knowledge and wisdom along the way. Today she shares with me her best tips on raising kids in a technology-driven world including things like cell phone contracts, what age she recommends to give a kid a phone, how to stay in the loop on what they're going through and understand the newest apps coming out, how she's adjusted for each kid in her family including one who has autism, and what to do when things don't go as planned with teens and tech.
Show Notes:
Mindy’s book- Viral Parenting https://amzn.to/2T4P7QR
Instagram- @mindymcknight https://www.instagram.com/mindymcknight/?hl=en
YouTube Channel- Cute Girls Hairstyles https://www.youtube.com/user/CuteGirlsHairstyles
Produced by Dear Media
Jordan Page is a blogger, youtuber and financing/budgeting guru who's been featured on the Today Show, Rachel Ray and Good Morning America as a frugality expert. Her budgeting bootcamps have helped countless people get out of debt and live the life of their dreams and today she shares some of her BEST advice on how to keep finances in your marriage healthy and how to work together toward your goals individually and as a couple. Jordan and I really get into some of her nitty gritty tips and if you're looking to jump start 2020 into better budgeting and finances, this is the episode for you.
Show Notes:
Get 10% off Jordan’s budget bootcamp with code mintarrow https://budgetbootcamp.com/
Instagram @funcheaporfree
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/funcheaporfree
Blog https://funcheaporfree.com/
Produced by Dear Media
My dear college friend and fellow broadcast journalism classmate from BYU, Kelsey Nixon is today's podcast guest. Kelsey is one of THE MOST successful students to come out of our graduating broadcast journalism class, as a contestant on Food Network Star season 4 to landing her own cooking shows with The Cooking Channel, regular appearances on The Today Show and Rachel Ray, publishing cookbooks and even creating an exclusive product line with the home shopping network, and now hosting her own show with BYUTV called Dinner Takes All. But today Kelsey and I talk about her journey with bringing babies into the world, her physical and emotional struggles that she went through with her first son's premature birth and second son who was also born prematurely and ended up passing away in the hospital. She opens up about her grief process and how she and her husband Robby decided to have their third child and now their fourth through gestational surrogacy. Today's episode is educational, inspirational and spiritual. I learned SO MUCH from Kelsey during this episode and I'm excited to share her story, wisdom and life experiences with you guys today too.
Show Notes:
Insta @kelseynixon
blog https://www.kelseynixon.com/
Dinner Takes All TV show https://www.byutv.org/dinnertakesall
Produced by Dear Media
This week we wrap up the #LightTheWorld campaign by reviewing a few of our favorite experiences so far serving others One by One to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We also invited several bloggers, youtubers and influencers to share their testimonies of the Savior Jesus Christ with you. It's my hope that as you hear these testimonies you'll feel the love that our Savior has for YOU and that you'll be inspired to share your light with others as well. Special thanks to @femalefoodie, @colettekati, @iheartnaptime, @lillieeatsandtells, @classyclutter, @melskitchencafe, @setemagali, and @abountifulkitchen for taking the time to record and share their testimonies of Jesus Christ with us this week.
Show Notes:
Light the World https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world
Testimonies from:
Brooke Eliason @femalefoodie
Colette Kati @colettekati
Jamielyn Nye @iheartnaptime
Lilly Biesinger @lillieeatsandtells
Mallory Nikolaus @classyclutter
Mel @melskitchencafe
Setema Gali @setemagali
Si Foster @abountifulkitchen
Book mentioned in this episode: one by one https://amzn.to/35qEjQo
Go to zola.com/mintarrow to get free personalized paper sample. Use code SAVE50 to get 50% off your save the dates.
Go to Vistaprint.com Promo Code MINTARROW for Free Shipping on any business cards (limited time offer).
Produced by Dear Media
If you consider yourself part of Bachelor Nation you're going to LOVE today's episode! And even if you aren't, but you're a person of faith or just love good-hearted people, I think you'll really enjoy today's discussion with Desiree Hartstock Siegfried. Like many of you, I watched Desiree on Season 17 of The Bachelor and my friends and I would say "she seems like she would be friends with us!" and we were all thrilled when she was chosen as The Bachelorette. Today we talk about way more than just her experiences on the Bachelor and Bachelorette though. We get into her back story of how this all unfolded in her life, how following God's plan for her led her to find her way on these shows and eventually find her husband Chris too. Desiree candidly shares with me what it was like to be on these shows, how her faith journey evolved over time, and now how she choses faith over everything, as a mom and entrepreneur.
Show Notes:
Desiree’s Instagram @desireesiegfried
Desiree’s Twitter @deshartsock
Wedding gowns by Desiree Siegfried http://www.desireehartsock.com/
-Go to foursigmatic.com/mintarrow or enter code MINTARROW at checkout for 15% off your order.
Produced by Dear Media
Today's story is an inspiring one! My friend Ruby Franke, mom of 6 and vlogger at the youtube channel 8passengers, shares her story with me of how she and her husband as newlyweds found themselves buried in debt and barely able to pay for milk at the grocery store without putting it on a credit card or line of credit. She tells me about how they sold their home and went back to apartment living and stayed committed to living within their means instead of keeping up with the Joneses, and how they still continue to live this lifestyle as they've paid off their home and resolved to stay debt-free. Ruby shares some wise counsel with me about not comparing or being compelled to do what everyone around you is doing, but to have the courage to get honest and be true to what you know in your heart is best for you.
Show Notes:
Ruby’s instagram: @8passengers
YouTube channel: 8 passengers
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ3FRaHOIwXLOQNeUwVpBUA
-Go to foursigmatic.com/mintarrow or enter code MINTARROW at checkout for 15% off your order.
-Go to vistaprint.com and enter code mintarrow50 to get 50% off your order.
Produced by Dear Media
Today Neil and I talk all about what the #LightTheWorld campaign has meant to our family over the past several Christmas seasons, some of the good we've been able to be part of and how easy it is to get involved, no matter WHAT faith you belong to. We share some personal experiences and my strong personal philosophy of WHY social media exists, and the power of doing a little good on the internet and how far that can go to change lives. We talk about some favorite memories of #LightTheWorld service days and some of the things we're excited to do this year. If you want to join us you can go to lightTheWorld.org to find a calendar of 25 very simple ways you can serve in the 25 days of the Christmas season, and even sign up to get simple text alerts each day reminding you what that day's theme is. We hope you will join us in making this year the best Christmas ever by bringing Christ back into the true reason for the season.
Show Notes:
Natalie and Ryan’s conversion story video
https://www.comeuntochrist.org/belong/welcome/carleys-book-of-mormon
Be a part of Light the world this Christmas
https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world/service-prompts-sms-signup
https://www.Awaytravel.com/mintarrow for $20 off any bag or suitcase
https://www.Nativedeodorant.com Promo Code: MINTARROW for 20% off your first purchase
https://www.Vistaprint.com Promo Code: Mintarrow50 for up to 50% off all holiday cards & photo calendars
Produced by Dear Media
Imagine what it would be like to go from everything being totally normal one day, to finding out through a voicemail the next day that your child has cancer and needs to seen by an oncologist immediately. That's just the beginning of my friend Amanda Smith's story and today she has graciously agreed to share her family's story of her 7 year old daughter Lynden's diagnosis and 6 rounds of chemo that started only a few months ago. The MOST remarkable part of this story is that Lynden and her family have raised over $40,000 for the pediatric cancer research foundation, all because Lynden asked her mom if she'd donate to the Ronald McDonald box every time she went through the drive-thru after Lynden was diagnosed. Lynden also has a remarkable story of chopping off and donating her hair to crowns for courage a YEAR before she ever knew she would need that same donation herself. Their story is incredibly inspiring, heartwarming and so perfect to lead us into the holiday season where everyone's hearts tend to be a little more open to giving. If this episode touches your heart like it did mine, I would love for you to share a screenshot of it to your IG stories and make sure you tag me @mintarrow so I can see it! You can also go to our shownotes and find links to donate to the pediatric cancer research foundation and buy one of Lynden's lotus bracelets to help her raise even more money for childhood cancer research.
Buy Lynden’s bracelets/donate
https://lyndenslotus.com/
Donate to pediatric cancer research
https://pcrf-kids.org/
Amanda’s Insta @amandalynnsmith_
https://www.zola.com/mintarrow for $50 off your registry!
Produced by Dear Media
The season of giving and doing a little more good around the world is upon us, and this week I'm bringing a guest on to tell you about one of my FAVORITE non-profit organizations, Days for Girls. Celeste Mergens, the founder and CEO of Days for Girls, shares with me her incredibly powerful story of being led by the Lord to start an organization to help women and young girls in developing countries with reusable supplies for menstruation. Days for girls also teaches and educates people globally about their bodies, how to stay safe and avoid human trafficking and become more empowered to stay in school, be leaders in their careers, and wait till their bodies are ready to bear children. The life-changing impact that Days for Girls is having around the world is absolutely astounding to me, with 1.5 million women now empowered to take their days back monthly when many of them used to have to stay home with no other solution during those 5 days of their cycle. They have a long way to go with 50 million women suffering from a lack of solution and education around this issue. We're going to talk about how you can get involved and help and even come to a service project with me next week if you're in the Salt Lake Area, and if not you can go to the show notes to find out how you can help from anywhere.
Show Notes:
Special Days for Girls event hosted by PMD in Draper Utah November 26th 2019
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pmd-beauty-x-days-for-girls-hosted-by-corrine-stokoe-of-mintarrow-tickets-79243115291
Days for Girls website
www.daysforgirls.org
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DaysforGirls/
Instagram @DaysForGirls
Twitter @DaysForGirls
Produced by Dear Media
As an 8-year helicopter pilot for the US Army and now wife to a man in active duty, toting two darling kids all over the United States and sharing her journey every step of the way, Amy Lou Hawthorne is an American sweetheart who has stolen the hearts of many of my current listeners and followers. I recently asked on my instagram stories for suggestions of people to interview for Veteran's Day who either were in the armed forces themselves or married to someone in active duty, and Amy Lou Hawthorne was the overwhelming favorite and most suggested out of anyone. I was delighted to find out that not only is she an army wife who understands the struggle of having a spouse away on active duty, but she herself also served in the military for 8 years as a helicopter pilot. Amy shares candidly her ups and downs of being in the military, the leadership lessons she learned, how its affected her marriage and her children as she's raised them through several deployments and most importantly, she educates me on how to better serve and understand and appreciate those who sacrifice so much to make our country safe. I'm so thankful so many of you pointed me to her and I really think you're going to love this interview.
Amy Lou Hawthorne Instagram
The Ever Co. Business Instagram
Military Support Organizations:
Legacies Alive http://legaciesalive.com/
Team Red White and Blue https://www.teamrwb.org/
Legacy Magazine https://www.legacymagazine.org/
Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ For volunteer opportunities on military bases contact:
ACS (Army Community Service)
MWR https://www.armymwr.com/
This episode is brought to you by Four Sigmatic:
Receive 15% off of your order. Go to foursigmatic.com/mintarrow or enter code MINT ARROW at check out.
Produced by Dear Media
Have you ever wondered why some women wear a head scarf, where that tradition comes from, and why it’s important to them? Today I have the honor of interviewing a fellow modest fashion blogger Leena from the blog With Love Leena all about her journey in wearing hijab, dressing modestly and finding the confidence to be herself in a world where modesty isn’t always easy. She shares with me why modest fashion is so important to her, how she found her confidence in wearing a head scarf even though she’s the only woman in her family who does this, and what she wishes other people would understand about women who choose to dress like she does. I was amazed by all the parallels between her belief and mine in the importance of modesty, and I hope you’ll listen and be inspired by her beautiful perspective too.
Show Notes:
https://www.withloveleena.com/
https://www.instagram.com/withloveleena/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFlVeT7oDLA2JhU57Ed3JKA/featured
Video explaining temple garments: https://youtu.be/5vvN4qJRBM0
nativedeodorant.com code MINTARROW for 20% off
Produced by Dear Media
This was a hot topic that I polled my audience about several months ago and I'm happy to bring on my best friend who's an expert at creating and maintaining deep friendships, my husband Neil. Together we talk about the importance of having good friends, where to find those friends, what to do (and NOT to do) to make sure your friendships are rooted in trust, and even some advice for parents whose kids are struggling with friendships. We hope that you'll find some ideas that are helpful and uplifting in this episode and if you do we'd love to hear about it at the end if you'll take just a second to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
Show Notes:
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
“Beware of Pride” Ezra Taft Benson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng
“Are Ye Stripped of Pride” Kim B. Clark https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/kim-b-clark/ye-stripped-pride/
Skillshare for 2 Free Months of learning!
Four Sigmatic for 15% off your order!
Produced by Dear Media
If you're into business podcasts or online business websites you've proooobably heard of Pat Flynn, the host of Smart Passive Income and blogger at smartpassiveincome.com. But have you heard his story of losing his job in 2008 like so many other Americans, and what he did to catapult his entrepreneurial career after that job loss? Today Pat shares his candid experience of job loss, how he picked himself up after that blow and decided to take action, and where that action has led him over the past 11 years. He shares some incredible wisdom and inspiring advice for anyone who feels a little timid about what they might have to offer the online world, how you DON'T have to be the most credentialed expert in your field, and even how that may be to your advantage to be just a step or two ahead of someone else wanting to do what you've done. I came away totally inspired from this interview and I know you guys are going to walk away uplifted and inspired by this interview too.
Show Notes:
Pat’s blog https://patflynn.com/
SuperFans- Pat’s new book https://patflynn.com/superfans/
Smart Passive Income https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/
Pat Flynn YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGk1LitxAZVnqQn0_nt5qxw
Social Channels: Instagram @patflynn, Twitter @patflynn, FB https://www.facebook.com/public/Pat-Flynn
Kevin Kelly 1,000 True Fans article https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/
Internet Business Mastery Podcast https://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/category/podcast/
Pencils of Promise https://pencilsofpromise.org/
Produced by Dear Media
Have you ever thought about just packing up a few bags and hitting the road for an entire year? Well that’s exactly what my sister Brooke from Female Foodie did this past year and today she’s sharing with us her ups and a few downs, why they did it, what she learned, some of her best tricks and tips for traveling and living out of a suitcase long term with a husband, a dog and a baby, and what her best advice is for someone wanting to do the same. Buckle up because this episode is going to be an adventure!
Show Notes:
femalefoodie.com
Instagram @femalefoodie
Helpful Apps to use while traveling
-Turo https://turo.com/en-us
-Strava https://www.strava.com/
-All Trails https://www.alltrails.com/
Brooke’s best Airbnb tips video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpepdjVMcaY
Google Flights-Find great deals on flights
Produced by Dear Media
This week we're taking one of my most frequently asked questions and answering it in an entire episode. Because I share my love for scripture study frequently on social media, I also get a lot of questions about HOW I study the scriptures. And when I asked recently what you guys wanted to see or hear from me, one of the top requests that came in over and over was for me to explain how I do my daily scripture study, what it looks like, where I fit it in, and how to get more out of a daily scripture study.
During this episode you'll hear Neil and me reference the Book of Mormon frequently, which is another Testament of Jesus Christ written by people in the American Continent during the same time as the bible, by people who were followers of Jesus Christ. Although we talk about the Book of Mormon frequently, we also strongly believe in the Bible to also be the word of God and have specifically studied the New Testament all year long.
I hope that no matter what faith you belong to, whether you're Jewish or Christian or Islamic or a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints like me or not, that you'll hear what Neil and I share in this episode and apply it to your own scripture study and your own version of strengthening your personal spirituality.
Show Notes:
Face to Face with President Eyring and Elder Holland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZXEtcdVcRA
Books:
Essentialism by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/2ozHvbQ
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen https://amzn.to/2ozHLaO
Get a free copy of the Book of Mormon https://www.comeuntochrist.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon-request
Get a free copy of the Bible: https://www.comeuntochrist.org/beliefs/holy-bible/bible-request
Produced by Dear Media
Let’s talk about racial inclusion and how we can be better at it! We’ve come a long way as a nation, but we have a long way to go and today my friend Jennifer Borget of Cherish 365 answers all my hard and awkward questions about race and inclusivity. We talk about the right way to say things, what not to say, what it’s like to be in an inter-racial marriage and how to raise kids who have open hearts toward all people
We even talk about a black Ariel and what that means to Jennifer and her daughter in the new Disney remake of little mermaid. Jennifer’s insight is beautiful, positive, refreshing and honest and I cannot wait for you guys to learn from her too.
Show Notes;
-Jennifer’s blog www.cherish365.com
-Instagram @jenniferborget
Jennifer’s list of must read children’s books on diversity https://cherish365.com/20-must-read-childrens-books-black-history-month/
Cinderella with Brandi Norwood and Whitney Houston https://amzn.to/2l4JXFG
Produced by Dear Media
If you follow me on Instagram you already know I’m obsessed with clean simple eats!! Today, Neil and I get to sit down with the Founders of CSE and ask them all about their incredible meal plans and challenges, what inspired them to get started, JJ’s story of gaining and then losing 40% of his original body weight for a TV show, erica overcoming postpartum depression, all with clean eating that somehow tastes amazing too
Show Notes:
cleansimpleeats.com Enter promo code mintarrow for $15 discount on the meal plan
Instagram @cleansimpleeats and @cleansimpleeatsfit (workouts)
Community Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cleansimpleeats/community/
https://www.mintarrow.com/clean-simple-eats/
Produced by Dear Media
Description:
Amanda Perna is a creator of beautiful things, fashion designer, two-time project runway contestant and mompreneur who shares with me her story of evolving into her brand that's all about making people feel happy. She talks to me about why she believes its so very vital to stay true to you no matter what the other voices or influences around you might tell you, or what you might be telling yourself that everyone else wants from you.
Show notes:
Instagram @theamandaperna
The House of Perna
https://thehouseofperna.com/
Neon Bohemians
https://neonbohemians.com/
Produced by Dear Media
Janssen Bradshaw, blogger of 13 years at everyday-reading.com and mom of 4 teaches me some of her best tips today on how to really engage kids in reading, how to teach them to LOVE to read, how to pick the best books, and she shares some of her top must-read recommendations
Show Notes
-Instagram @everdayreading #janssenspicturebooks
-blog https://everyday-reading.com/
-https://www.facebook.com/EverydayReadingBlog/
-book rating for younger readers https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Must Read Children’s/Teen Books:
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry https://amzn.to/34gNjHo
Heidi by Johanna Spyri https://amzn.to/2NQV5BW
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt https://amzn.to/2ZN0uwg
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth https://amzn.to/2LlAmVm
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne https://amzn.to/2Lw8tbU
Must Read Self Help Books:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin https://amzn.to/2MRYOQl
Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin https://amzn.to/2MRZ2qF
168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam https://amzn.to/2MWMDBO
All the Money in the World by Laura Vanderkam https://amzn.to/34kl9eB
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson https://amzn.to/2ZQzrEE
Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza https://amzn.to/2MVpks6
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson https://amzn.to/2zT7ehO
Dan Markham, the Youtuber who entertains more than 6 million subscribers each week, sits down with me to share his success story, how it all started with a lottery ticket and a science project, the advice he gives to people wanting to start a YouTube channel, and how they raise humble and kind kids in the making of it all.
Show Notes:
What’s Inside Official website
What’s Inside YouTube channel
What’s Inside Family YouTube channel
Wedding Present Video for Zack and Cambry
Back to school everybody! This week we’re starting out with a fun little Q&A with our two older girls Anabelle and Lyla, and then we dive into one of the most requested topics for our podcast: parenting. We’re sharing some of the most helpful books and resources and ideas we’ve picked up along the way from experts in the field of parenting, what REALLY works for us, and we end with our fail-proof source for parenting help and advice.
Show notes:
Book: “Parenting with Love and Logic” by Foster Cline and Jim Fay
Book: “Christlike Parenting” by Dr. Glenn I. Latham
Simply on Purpose, Ralphie Jacobs (@simplyonpurpose) Instagram
Eight years ago, Ani Taylor’s baby ruby was fighting for her life in UCLA hospital while she waited for a liver transplant. Today I sit down with Ani and talk all about the beautiful details of Ruby’s life and legacy, why organ donation is such a tricky subject with babies and small children, and what every parent should consider about organ donation before they’re ever in a position to have to decide. Ani also shares with me a little about her grief process, how and why she felt peace, and what friends and family did that helped her the most.
Organ Donation Awareness:
Ruby Jane Foundation
Ani Taylor's blog
Donate Life America
Donor Registration
THRIVE MARKET: Visit thrivemarket.com/mintarrow for 25% off your first order + a FREE 30-day trial!
Eight years ago, Ani Taylor’s baby ruby was fighting for her life in UCLA hospital while she waited for a liver transplant. Today I sit down with Ani and talk all about the beautiful details of Ruby’s life and legacy, why organ donation is such a tricky subject with babies and small children, and what every parent should consider about organ donation before they’re ever in a position to have to decide. Ani also shares with me a little about her grief process, how and why she felt peace, and what friends and family did that helped her the most.
Organ Donation Awareness:
Ruby Jane Foundation
Ani Taylor's blog
Donate Life America
Donor Registration
THRIVE MARKET: Visit thrivemarket.com/mintarrow for 25% off your first order + a FREE 30-day trial!
Serial entrepreneur, family man and follower of God are a few ways I’d describe our friend and guest on the podcast today, Spencer Taggart. Spence is currently teaching as a professor of entrepreneurship at BYU Hawaii, but also owns several companies and has been a motivational speaker, a business strategist and ultimately shares with us today how he counsels with the Lord in all he does. He teaches us today exactly HOW he does this, and why it’s so very pivotal in making the best choices in life, even when they appear to not make much sense. He also shares his version of success versus what the world dictates as success, and how to find the most important answers to life’s questions.
This week for Mint Arrow Messages we took the topics to YOU GUYS, and asked on our instagram @mintarrow about your burning questions and what you wanted us to discuss on the podcast. We cover everything from how we met, our proposal stories (yes there were more than one!), some business advice, marriage advice, how we like to vacation, and some other funny random questions and answers.
THRIVE MARKET: Get 25% off your first order at Thrive Market + a free 30 day trial at thrivemarket.com/mintarrow
NATIVE DEODORANT: 20% off your first order of Native Deodorant with promo code MINTARROW at nativedeodorant.com
Think and Grow Rich
How to Win Friends & Influence People
EntreLeadership
Beware of Pride
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
You might know her as the Alison show, because Alison has the ability to electrify a room in a matter of seconds, inspire change that shifts the whole course of someone’s life in just one workshop day, but today I sit down with my friend Alison Faulkner who I’ve known since college and we dive deep into her emotional and physical healing journey after being hit by a car a year and a half ago. Alison shares with me what she’s done to heal, how she copes with hard things in life, and what she’s learned about service and how to best help others in their greatest hour of need.
Go to frankandoak.com/MINTARROW for $25 off your first subscription box!
Show notes: https://thealisonshow.com/ Instagram: @thealisonshow Podcasts: -Awesome with Alison -Business Therapy
If you've ever wished you could fast forward your life and then be able to give your younger self advice, and especially if you're a mom, you're probably going to love today's episode. Today I sat down with MY mom, Si Foster, the blogger behind the best recipe blog in the world A Bountiful Kitchen. But we didn't talk much about recipes. Instead we talked through every phase of motherhood she's experienced and what advice she would have given herself or what she wishes she would have known. We cover everything from milk coming in to volunteering in the classroom to how to deal with teenagers and even adult children, and how to know when it's the right time or season to do different things in your motherhood journey.
Check out my mom's website www.abountifulkitchen.com
And find her on Instagram @abountifulkitchen
Setema Gali, former Super Bowl champion shares with us today how we went from achieving his dream of playing in the NFL to losing everything overnight and being evicted during the recession of 2008. Setema shares how he got out of that rut by working harder than he’d ever worked, doing door to door sales for three summers and what he now coaches people to do to achieve their dreams and greatest desires in life.
Check out Setema's podcast, Your Daily Revolution
This week we dive into a side of addiction recovery that I get asked a lot about, codependency, or in other words, what it’s like and how to deal with being the spouse or loved one of an addict. My guest, friend, mentor and sponsor in the 12-step program Mandi from vintage revivals is sharing her story or being married to a pain pill addict and how she set herself free from the shackles of addiction with the 12-steps.
Kristen Jenson is the author of the best-selling book series, Good Pictures Bad Pictures, books that help parents teach their children what to do when they see pornography.
Neil and I get asked a lot about how to protect children from developing pornography addiction and while we have a lot of experience helping adults find recovery and in our own recovery journey, we've really never felt like experts in the field of how to help children stay safe from pornography.
Luckily Kristen Jenson has years and years of research based experience in understanding how young minds work and teaching parents to talk to their kids about pornography and what to do if and when they see pornography. I learned SO MUCH from this interview with Kristen and I think you guys will too.
For international pride day, I’m honored to introduce you to my dear friend Nicolette mason, an advocate for inclusivity, designer and content creator at Nicolettemason.com Today Nicolette and I talk about how we can be more loving and inclusive to those specifically in the LGBTQ community, how to use inclusive language, how to make people in this community feel safe, and how it all really boils down to loving your neighbor. @nicolettemason Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest Blog nicolettemason.com The Trevor Project www.thetrevorproject.org GLAAD www.glaad.org AFFIRMATION-LGTBQ family and friends resource for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints https://affirmation.org
Jason from the modern dad - do you follow him? Because if you don’t yet, he’s about to become your new best friend. Jason’s insta stories make me laugh on the daily but what I REALLY love about Jason is how well he supports others. In my interview today with Jason, the modern dad, he teaches me about giving the gift of time to others and how supporting other people can lead us to a more abundant life.
Jay and Lexy are super good friends of ours who’ve had a major impact on not just us but hundreds of people and couples in the south Orange County area. they’ve openly shared their story of Jay’s thousand pain pills a month opiate addiction and how they almost got divorced, to finding true recovery in the 12 steps. Jay and Lexy are sharing their story today with us as well as dropping wisdom about using the 12 steps to save their marriage and how they continue to use the 12 steps to have an incredibly happy marriage and life together.
I’m so thrilled to share with you guys a concept that has literally changed my life as a mom: positive parenting. And I feel so grateful to have the woman who taught me the ways via Instagram stories, on the podcast today, to teach all of you too. Ralphie Jacobs from Simply on Purpose shares with us today her basic principles of positive parenting and how you can bring the JOY back into parenting your children as you implement these simple principles. I’ve been amazed time and time again how her teachings WORK and I cannot wait to share Ralphie’s positive parenting magic with all of you.
Today I interviewed my long time blogging friend Sadie from Simply Sadie Jane about her story of finding self love through mindfulness, meditation, hypnotherapy and how she’s helping so many other women and even children to find the same. Sadie shares some really personal stuff about her journey to find this self love and overcoming some pretty rough times with addiction to food, relationships and prescription pills and how she’s learned to be present and be still. Check out Lawrence Corbridge's "Stand Forever" speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSEsLtwKzvw
Body positivity is a HOT TOPIC these days and it seems like every time I turn around someone's talking about their version of body positivity and celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes, which is AWESOME. This week's interview though is one that might give you a serious paradigm shift with what body positivity is REALLY all about, we'll discuss how to talk to your kids about their bodies, and how to truly love yourself regardless of what your scale or pant size says. This week's interview with Ashley Reeves of Ashley's Fresh Fix is probably the most thought-provoking and eye-opening interview I've done so far and I cannot wait to share her wisdom and beautiful insight with all of you.
Check out @beauty_redefined on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beauty_redefined/
Welcome back to our 2 part real life love story! This week we get to the good stuff, the SOLUTION in looking for addiction recovery. We really dig into what worked for us, how it worked, why it worked, and how you (or someone you love) who struggles with addiction can find that too. Neil and I both really hope that if you're feeling hopeless either because you struggle with addiction, or you're in a relationship with someone who's an addict, that what we share in this interview will help you find HOPE.
Today we're sharing a story we've shared before, OUR real life love story, of finding hope and recovery from pornography addiction. Neil and I talk about our dating journey and how he shared with me three months into dating that he had an addiction to pornography, what that looked like through our courtship and early marriage, some of the struggles we went through trying to find solution and find recovery, and what finally worked for us. Today is part 1 of 2 and make sure you come back next week to hear the second half of our story of finding hope and healing through the twelve steps of recovery.
A few weeks ago I sat down with Lillie Biesinger, someone I had only met online previously, to talk all about macros! But we don’t just talk mechanics or specifics about weight loss or dieting, we talk about why this movement in the health and dieting industry was such a good fit for her (and for me!), how it taught her to give her body the best kind of fuel and why she’s so passionate about putting good things inside our bodies. Lillie really does feel like just the kind of friend every girl would want when you watch her online and I think you’ll feel the same way too as you listen to her in this interview.
This was one of the very first interviews I recorded for Mint Arrow Messages, almost a year ago when I was still pregnant with Millie, and I recorded it with one of my ALL TIME favorites, Nicole Walters. Nicole is an incredible entrepreneur who quit her full time 6 figure corporate job in front of 10,000 people on a live stream to pursue her dream of teaching others how to be profitable in their online businesses. Since then she’s built a million dollar business, fostered and then adopted three beautiful girls who she calls her tinies, and now has a podcast of her own called The Nicole Walters Podcast. You can find her at NicoleWalters.com or join her community of rich friends as she calls them at Facebook.com/monetizethyself. In this episode you’ll hear a heartfelt conversation between Nicole and me about how she became a mom almost overnight, when she least expected it, and how she gives glory to God in her work, openly and publicly and how she feels that’s been a blessing in her life.
Today’s interview is with a blog reader Cindy who was a student and survivor of the school shooting at Columbine High School in 1999. 20 years ago this week, in Littleton Colorado, the deadliest school shooting to date occurred at Columbine where two students opened fire and killed 12 students and 1 teacher and wounded more than 20, before the two shooters killed themselves. Cindy shared with me her story of what that day was like for her, how she was kept safe during the shooting, and the tender mercies she experienced on that day. She also talks about overcoming anger and resentment over the years, and how she learned to always look for the good in the world.
Today I interviewed my friend Hilary Sloan who’s an incredible advocate for animal rescuing and the human behind the ultra popular Instagram account @ellabeanthedog. Hilary has fostered countless dogs and rescued three darling dogs starting with Ella Bean, followed by Coconut Bean and most recently Fifi Von Bean.
Hilary and I talk through her story of finding and falling in love with Ella, Coconut and Fifi, the challenges they’ve overcome together, and what it’s like to adopt a dog.
But most importantly, Hilary educates me on why "adopt don't shop" is such an important movement and not just a cute hashtag, what we need to do better as a society to put an end to puppy mills and even what the best practices are if you’re buying from a respectable breeder.
I can’t wait for you guys to learn from and be inspired by my friend Hilary and her furry little family.
Today’s interview was with my dear friend Jen, blogger, model and mom of two beautiful little twin girls. Jen helps me understand what it’s like to be a NICU mom, after her twins were born at 30 weeks and spent three months in the NICU. She walks me through what those days were like, the many highs and lows, and teaches me some really helpful things like NICU etiquette, and what helped them the most during that challenging time. We relive all of it and I can’t wait to share her intense and beautiful journey of bringing her two babies home with you guys today.
Many of you have listened to the podcast episode where I interviewed Neil about his brother Dave’s death in January 2019, just a couple of months ago.
But eight days before Dave passed away, we recorded this interview where I asked Neil all about his brother Steve who died after taking his own life in 1995.
Neil and I discuss what it was like for him to lose a brother to suicide, how that affected his family, what he learned from this loss, and how to support and help others going through grief.
We wanted to note a couple of things, that first of all if anyone has said “I’m sorry for your loss” to Neil or me recently in reference to Dave’s death that we feel your love and that this interview was more of a reflection of what Neil’s grief was like as a 13 year old.
We also wanted to mention that if you found this podcast because you are seeking help because of suicidal thoughts or you are struggling at all with thoughts of taking your life, you can make an anonymous call to the national suicide prevention lifeline 24/7 at 1 (800) 273-8255
This week I sit down with my sister Brooke from the blog Female Foodie, but we don’t talk much about food, we actually talk about how she completed an iron man, which is a 2.4 mile swim, 114 miles on a bicycle, and then a 26.2 mile full marathon at the end.
She went from being that girl in grade school who was one of the last to finish and absolutely hated the mile run in PE, to hearing the words “Brooke Eliason, you are an Ironman!”
I can’t wait for you guys to be inspired by her story of overcoming obstacles and even people who doubted her, and re-live her experience training for and completing an Ironman.
This week I sat down with vlogger and youtuber Kenzie Elizabeth Piper and talked a little about what we had planned to discuss - her experience with depression and anxiety - but mostly about something we totally didn't plan. The conversation really turned into a deep discussion about why SO many millennials are leaving organized religion, and what to do about it. We talked about how to love people as they leave and what not to say or do, what that was like for her, and what eventually brought her back to church. I learned a ton from this conversation and I think you will too!
Find Kenzie at...
Kenzie's YouTube Channel
Kenzie's Instagram
Kenzie's Podcast
In today's episode we talk to my dear friend Cara Brook, from the booming beauty brand Maskcara Beauty, all about her experience and passion for foster parenting and her experience with fostering and adopting two of her own children. She gets real about the surprises that came with this process, how they decided that adding a third child (and pretty quickly after, a fourth) to their family was the right thing at a time when she was struggling to feel like she was enough as a mom and business owner. Come listen to her episode to be uplifted and edified and educated in the world of fostering, adoption and how this process has changed her life and her family. Loveisneverwasted.com
Adoptuskids.org
In this episode Neil interviews me about my journey with postpartum depression. We talk about what that was like for me, how I identified it, how I dealt with and eventually overcame it, some of the advice I have for other mothers struggling with it or who fear having it when they have babies, and how it eventually led me to starting my blog.
Today we discuss in detail the death of Neil's brother Dave, what that was like for us, and the impact Dave had and continues to have for good. The circumstances surrounding Dave's death were beyond tragic, but we have chosen to focus on all the immeasurable good that has come from something so difficult, and honor his legacy by telling his story and sharing his message to be your best self, love life, love each other and fight whatever personal battle you are facing.
Mint Arrow Messages is a podcast from blogger and content creator Corrine Stokoe who's best known for her fashion and deal blog Mint Arrow. In Mint Arrow Messages we talk to influencers you know and love about the REAL grit that made them who they are, the hidden stories of struggle, challenge and triumph. We're sharing their stories in hopes to create more awareness, compassion, kindness and understanding in a world that's starving for more goodness.