Hey, Sister!: Recent Episodes
Courtney Lewis and Carley Ferguson
Hey, Sister! is the motivational Southern sister hosted podcast promoting self-awareness and self-improvement in a conversational way. With values rooted in their Texan upbringing, Courtney and Carley aren’t afraid to offer straight talkin’ sisterly advice with a heap of love. Tune in for stories, research, guest experts, quirky southern adages and a call to action every week.
In this short concluding episode of Season 2, Courtney and Carley share information for a giveaway and explain their decision to temporarily step back from podcasting (without a planned date for returning). Thank you for listening this season! We love you sisters.
Visit www.heysisterpodcast.org/giveaway for giveaway information or check out our stores on Instagram this week.
Check out the guest we are sad we needed to cancel our interview with, Michael Anderson from the podcast, Everyday Impact.
Teaching children to accept “no” answers and follow instructions are critical skills. When family members learn these skills and incorporate them into their daily lives, behaviors can be corrected and the parent-child relationship is more connected. Janice Mireles and Rachael Moss, parenting experts and Teaching Self-Government mentors, join Courtney and Carley for the second part in a discussion about the 4 basic skills every child and parent needs. For the first two skills, check out Season 2 Episode 8. This episode is part of the Connections within Motherhood series, airing May 2023.
Call to Action:
“Using these fundamental skills can create so much success in so many areas, but even if you teach these skills daily, you won't be able to see the connection that you want, you won't live your family mission or reach your vision if your tone isn't right. So my call to action is to notice your tone!
Take a deep breath before you speak. Look into your children's eyes when you speak, and feel love and trust toward them. Believe the best of them. I know this can be hard when we have such deep neural pathways and lifelong habits of lecturing or snapping and griping, yelling, whatever it may be. So at first, just notice and practice and see what a difference that alone makes.” - Janice Mireles
Show Timeline:
0:00 Guests and topic introduction
2:30 Accepting no answers: includes criticism (positive and negative) and not getting what you prefer
5:30 Using disagree appropriately skill within the “accepting a no answer” skill
12:45 Pre-teaching plug, rewarding vs. bribing, communicating with pre-teens and teenagers
16:00 Dropping the subject with your mouth and your mind
18:15 Following instructions: be clear, break down tasks, make sure task is accomplishable for the child, children blooming under praise afterwards
21:00 Check back: the last step in following instructions
24:00 When instructions are consequences, they do NOT need to be negative. Making cookies with mama, serving siblings at lunch.
27:00 Using TSG instead of custom-crafting punishments based on children’s natures (Courtney’s a-ha moment transitioning from a different parenting model)
28:30 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Resources:
Connect with Janice and Rachael
- https://www.instagram.com/bossymossy/
- https://www.instagram.com/encouragedmama/
Connect with Hey, Sister!
- https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
Learn more about Teaching Self-Government
- https://teachingselfgovernment.com
Parenting: A house United (book referenced)
- https://teachingselfgovernment.com/store/parenting-a-house-united/
Check out past episodes of Hey, Sister! (including Part 1 of this 2-part segment)
- https://heysisterpodcast.org/home-2/episodes/
Best friend parenting experts Janice Mireles and Rachael Moss join Courtney and Carley to discuss 2 of the 4 basic skills within Teaching Self-Government: Accepting consequences and disagreeing appropriately. Janice and Rachael give an overview of all 4 basic skills, then share specific examples and benefits of accepting consequences and what it means and looks like to disagree appropriately. This episode is part of the Connections within Motherhood series, airing May 2023.
Call to Action:
“Take the opportunity each time you're interacting with your child and look them in the eyes.” -Rachael Moss
Show Timeline:
0:00 Guests and topic introduction
4:15 Overview of 4 basic skills, steps to achieving them and books about each skill. Explanation of cue cards for adult use. 4 basic skills: following instructions, accepting no answers and criticism, accepting consequences, and disagreeing appropriately
9:30 Accepting consequences/corrections: correcting behavior, connecting to heart. Examples: siblings bickering earn extra chore
19:45 Disagreeing appropriately: example unloading dishwasher, counter suggestions
24:00 Carley’s personal coaching through real-life scenario with rolling pin: no answers and disagreeing appropriately deep-dive
26:45 Pre-teaching and practicing; lowering anxiety through consistency on parent’s part
34:00 Connect with Rachael and Janice, call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Resources:
Learn more about Teaching Self-Government
Parenting: A House United (book)
Children’s books
Cue Cards
Hey, Sister! Past Episodes
Connect:
Rachael's Instagram
Janice's Instagram
Hey, Sister! Instagram
The importance and benefits of pre-teaching ourselves and our children is discussed with parenting expert Paije Baumert, a mentor from Teaching Self-Government. Paije gives a brief overview of 4 basic skills every child and adult need to understand and shares the skill she utilizes most in her daily life as a mother of an 18-month old (giving no-answers). This episode is part of the Connections within Motherhood series, airing May 2023.
Call to Action:
"Choose this week not to take your toddler's behaviors personally! And do a self pre-teach every day before you interact with any of your children. There, I guess I gave you two, but they go hand in hand." - Paije Baumert
Resources:
Learn more about Teaching Self Government: https://teachingselfgovernment.com/
Listen to Paije & Nicholeen on the TSG podcast: https://teachingselfgovernment.com/podcasts/
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast: https://heysisterpodcast.org/
Show Timeline:
0:00 Guest and topic introduction
3:15 How teaching self-government (TSG) has helped Paije in her relationships
6:00 The four basic skills: following instructions, accepting no for an answer (and criticism), accepting consequences and disagreeing appropriately
8:30 No-answers are a crucial skill for toddlers, teaching breathing to calm down before receiving a no-answer, getting out of emotional back brain into logical front brain
12:15 Using cue phrases to calm a child, “we don’t talk like that”, pre-teaching, emotional manipulation not a healthy response,
20:00 Pre-teaching explanation: telling someone what needs to happen before it happens, examples of skills to pre-teach
27:00 Skill permanence in toddlers, similar to object permanence in babies
31:30 Pre-teaching brings anxiety levels way down, role-playing is form of pre-teaching, TSG courses and mentoring calls
36:45 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Family vision, family mission, proactive parenting, the roles of mother and father—it’s all covered in this compelling conversation with Nicholeen Peck, parenting expert and founder of the proven parenting system Teaching Self-Government. Nicholeen is one of the world’s leading voices in protecting and supporting the family, and her love for motherhood shines through in all she says and does. This episode airs as part of the month theme of "Motherhood", dedicated to strengthening connections within motherhood.
Call to action:
Find calmness in your parenting! “Calmness is the basis for good communication and understanding in relationships. Without calmness, we fall into power struggles and traps that make us frustrated with ourselves and each other.” (Teaching Self-Government website) Find calmness with the free calm parent toolkit offered on Nicholeen’s website.
Download the Calm Parenting Toolkit
Resources:
https://teachingselfgovernment.com
Parenting: A House United Get Nicholeen's popular parenting book!
TSG Instagram
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Timeline:
0:00 Guest and topic introduction
6:15 Self-government definition and overview of Parenting: A House United. Shooting analogy—Aligning the aught (who you ought to be) and front-site (personal wants). Course correcting daily.
9:15 Overview of four basic skills within Teaching Self-Government
12:30 Family vision and mission explanation
14:00 Roles of mother and father. Discussion on vision. Vision is the WHY.
17:45 Discussion on family mission. Mission is the HOW. Missions can be for various areas of life: personal, parent, family, work. Missions provide the feeling of living your ultimate purpose.
23:15 Reactive and proactive parenting
25:15 The 8 personal missions
31:45 Creating a family mission statement. Peck family mission statement.
37:30 World’s view of motherhood
41:45 Calm Parenting toolkit: call to action, closing remarks, outtakes (Courtney’s star-struck comments)
Author, speaker and podcaster Rebecca George joins Courtney and Carley to discuss using talents to fulfill personal callings through connection to God, others and self. Call to Action: Practice obedience in our callings. “The outcome is His, the obedience is yours!” (Not sure what your calling is? Try creating a venn diagram to figure it out—discussed in this episode and in Rebecca’s book.)
Referenced Resources:
“Do the Thing” (Rebecca’s new book!) https://www.amazon.com/Do-Thing-Gospel-Centered-Gumption-Go-Getter/dp/0830784357
Connect with Rebecca:
https://www.radicalradiance.live
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccageorgeauthor/
Connect with Hey, Sister!
heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Referenced Prior Episodes:
Episode about the effect music has on us (Sound of Music // Maren Paris Cline)
https://heysisterpodcast.org/43-sound-of-music-maren-paris-cline/
Show Timeline:
0:00 Show topic and guest introduction
3:15 Finding important connections—community within your work. Connections aren’t something else to do on your journey, it’s part of the journey!
8:15 Overcoming feelings of comparison and envy
12:15 Finding callings this side of Heaven; “what matters” Venn diagram discussion (What matters to God, others and me?)
21:00 Rebecca’s book info and concluding thoughts
Certified trauma support specialist, resiliency professional and life coach Tamara Lichfield joins Courtney and Carley to talk about establishing connections from a place of confidence. Tamara discusses post-traumatic growth, stepping outside of comfort zones, exercising integrity, and avoiding making assumptions. This episode is the third episode in a 3-part series about preparing to make lasting connections. Be sure to listen to Part 1 (“Emotional Self Check”) and Part 2 (“Sympathy, Empathy and Boundaries”) for the full message from Tamara.
Resources:
Connect with Tamara
Email: Becomingshatterproof@gmail.com
http://www.becomingshatterproof.us
https://www.facebook.com/becomingshatterproof/
Connect with Courtney and Carley
heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodca
Book referenced
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (a Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz
Show Timeline:
0:00 Guest and topic introduction (recap of parts 1 and 2)
4:40 What is your story? Healing wounded parts of your story. Post-traumatic growth. “Four agreements” overview.
7:00 Agreement One: Be impeccable with your word. Agreement Two: Don’t take anything personally. Intent vs. impact. Positive self-talk vs. negative self-talk.
12:15 Agreement Three: Don’t make assumptions. Cognitive fusion. Asking curiosity questions. Relational trauma: assumptive reality is shattered.
19:00 Agreement Four: Always do your best whatever you’re pursuing. Stepping outside your comfort zone.
21:45 Concluding thoughts
Life Coach Tamara Lichfield joins Courtney and Carley to teach the difference between sympathy and empathy, the symptoms of codependency and the format for setting boundaries. This episode is Part 2 of 3 within thse Connection Prep mini-series, airing April 2023.
Referenced Quotes:
“I think so often, what people misunderstand about boundaries is that the point of setting them is not to change other peoples behavior or convince them to value different things – it’s to advocate for yourself, regardless of how they respond.”
- Daniell Koepke
"Agency is our superpower!"
- Tamara Lichfield
Referenced Resources:
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Connect with Tamara • http://www.becomingshatterproof.us • https://www.facebook.com/becomingshatterproof/ Connect with Courtney and Carley • https://heysisterpodcast.org • https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/ • https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast Show Timeline:
0:00 Guest and topic introduction; recap of Part 1
3:45 Sympathy vs. empathy
15:00 Codependency, areas and symptoms of codependency: 1) self-sacrifice, 2) tendency to focus on others’ needs, 3) a need for control, 4) difficulty recognizing and expressing emotion
22:00 Avoiding enmeshment and codependency by cultivating self-esteem and quality self-care
27:30 Boundaries: step 1—Define values (examples of values: family, success, faith and spirituality, honesty, affection, friendship, compassion, finances, appreciation, integrity)
33:00 Boundaries: step 2—Questions to consider when setting boundaries: 1) Do I have control to create the outcome I want? 2) Do I have control to create the outcome I want with some help? 3) Do I need to make a request to create the outcome I want? 4) Do I have zero control over the outcome?
38:15 Format for setting boundaries and examples: “If X occurs, then I will do Y”
43:00 Concluding thoughts and outtakes
Life coach Tamara Lichfield shares with sisters Courtney and Carley the basics of healthy connection—communication styles to avoid and listening strategies to incorporate. This episode is part 1 in a 3-part series with Tamara about preparing oneself to make healthy connections.
Resources
Connect with Tamara
- http://www.becomingshatterproof.us
- https://www.facebook.com/becomingshatterproof/
Connect with Courtney and Carley
- heysisterpodcast.org
- https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
- https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Timeline
0:00 Introduction of guest expert and topic
4:00 Emotional check-in: self-regulation, expressing emotions including anger
12:00 Creating healthy connections—communications to avoid: criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling (plus antedates for each)
23:00 Parts of the brain: 1) Amygdala = primitive brain = survival brain = reptilian brain. 2) Prefrontal cortex = executive brain = logical brain.
24:45 Healthy connection practices: listen more than you talk, make eye contact, watch for non-verbal cues, listen without judgment, be reflective, ask curiosity questions, keep body posture open, lean in, be comfortable with a little bit of silence, give undivided attention, be genuine with compliments and specific with praise
28:00 Tangent about Win a Date with Tad Hamilton and the seven smiles
30:45 Final healthy connection practice (vulnerability), concluding thoughts, outtakes
New season, new focus, same sisterly spirit and banter! Join sisters Carley and Courtney for the first episode of Season 2 as they describe the over-arching theme for this season (connection), their recent life happenings and a recap of their most impactful lessons during Season 1.
Resources
heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
https://www.basinclimbing.com — Carley’s new rock gym, coming soon to Waco, TX!
Referenced Episodes
Ep 14 Social Light with Hanalei Gene
Ep 30 Meme Girls with Rachel Homolak
Ep 42 Rub Some Dirt In It with Kathleen Mooney
Ep 43 Sound of Music Maren Paris Cline
Ep 47 History is Her Story, too with Alli Roper
Ep 54 Safety First with Robyn Warner
Show Timeline
0:00 Welcome! Emphasis on connection for Season 2. Discussion about in-person and virtual connections. Upcoming monthly themes. Grand Canyon hiking!
9:00 Courtney’s life recap: chickens and homeschool. Favorite benefits of podcasting: sisterly connections, creativity outlet, personal growth. Impactful episodes: Ep 14 Social Light with Hanalei Gene, Ep 43 Sound of Music Maren Paris Cline and Ep 54 Safety First with Robyn Warner
15:45 Carley’s life recap: rock gym, home renovations (“sausage making process”) and getting a dog. Reflections on Season 1: loved the variety of topics and guest experts! Impactful episodes: Ep 47 History is Her Story, too! with Alli Roper, Ep 42 Rub Some Dirt In It with Kathleen Mooney (“chickens” tangent), Ep 30 Meme Girls with Rachel Homolak.
24:00 Most meaningful feedback: pause the episode to talk to a friend/sister. Concluding thoughts. Next week’s episode: preparing to make connections in your life.
Join Courtney and Carley for the one year anniversary episode of Hey, Sister! A personal feel good life-sitcom moment from this year is shared and the new “salt of the earth” mini series is introduced. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond. This is also the concluding episode of Season 1 for Hey, Sister! Season 2 will launch Spring of 2023.
Join Courtney and Carley for their one year anniversary episode! A personal feel good life-sitcom moment from this year is shared and the new “salt of the earth” mini series is introduced. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond. This is also the concluding episode of Season 1 for Hey, Sister! Season 2 will launch in spring of 2023.
Call to Action
Please give Hey, Sister! Podcast a 1-year birthday present!
- Review us: 5 stars on Apple Podcasts (Please! Add a comment with what you like about our episodes. Feedback is so helpful and valued!)
- Share us: share your favorite episode with your friends and family (share a favorite episode directly from your streaming platform, or you can send them to Hey, Sister! Episodes Website for a list of all of our episodes with show descriptions)
- Follow us: connect with us on Instagram or Facebook! Be on the lookout for our upcoming Salt of the Earth series
Connect with Hey, Sister!
Website heysisterpodcast.org
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Timeline
0:00 Show introduction, taking a break before we begin Season 2 in the spring (find us on Instagram)
4:30 Mini-series introduction, salt of the earth description
7:00 Story about Tonya B.
14:00 Moral of the story: greet others with love, good shepherd analogy, coming back to the fold
18:00 Concluding thoughts: varieties of salt, varieties of women, behind the scenes story on Instagram
Overcoming perfectionism, tapping into creativity, and recognizing the beauties of failure are discussed in today’s episode about finding comfort in a chaotic world. Susan Chapman joins co-hosts Courtney and Carley to share her “joy in becoming” mindset and the various benefits of this mental shift as a recent widow and mother of six children. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond.
Call to Action
“Find beauty in something you ordinarily wouldn't find beauty in! It could be a child you're struggling with, a task that seems daunting, a relationship that isn't what you want it to be, something you're learning how to do. Take the moment to be like, “Okay, what is the beauty in this?” It can be 30 seconds, but every day this week—every single day—take 30 seconds to find joy in something you wouldn't typically find joy in.”
-Susan Chapman from Joy in Becoming
Referenced Prior Episode
Aubrey Grossen on Hey, Sister! Podcast "30 seconds of sunset" Episode 51 Mental Health Day
Connect with Susan
Joy in Becoming Instagram
Joy in Becoming Podcast COMING SOON!
Connect with Hey, Sister!
Hey, Sister! Podcast Website
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Show Timeline
0:00 Topic and guest introduction
7:15 Finding joy intentionally; life is hard, “you’re going to find what you’re looking for”
12:30 Everyone has hard and everyone has beautiful
14:00 Susan’s formula for joy: letting go of perfection, creating, turning to Savior
19:00 Finding joy in parenting toddlers and teens
24:15 Short and long term benefits of the “joy in becoming” mindset: laughter, ability to see failure as a beautiful thing and that life is hard for everyone
27:45 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Wardrobe stylist Delee Cox joins Courtney and Carley to discuss slow fashion and finding the perfect balance between intentional and functional clothing items. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond.
Call to Action
Recreate something from your wardrobe, especially using an item that you haven't worn in awhile
Resources
Listen to the prior episodes in the Feel Good Fall series
- Episode 50 Family Photos, Shoot! // Chelsea Barton
- Episode 51 Mental Health Day // Aubrey Grossen
- Episode 52 Cozy Homes // Carly Thornock
- 53 My Funny Friend and Me // Mallory Everton and Whitney Call
- 54 Safety First // Robyn Warner
- 55 Grounded Hostessing // Sarah Clark
Connect with Delee Cox
thestylistnextdoor.net
@thestylistnextdoor_ut
Connect with Hey, Sister!
Hey, Sister! Podcast Website
@TheHeySisterPodcast
Timeline
0:00 Introduction of guest and topic
6:15 Repeating outfits, sharing clothes as sisters
8:00 Slow fashion definition: a mindset shift
10:15 Fashion as wellness tool (about confidence, not vanity); balance between functional and intentional wardrobes
12:00 Managing our wardrobes; defining your personal style, clothes that work for you in your closet; chests of drawers
17:00 Starting point in evaluating closet: 1) What’s the vibe or energy of this outfit? 2) Would I want to hang out with this woman? 3) Does this outfit need altering to fit better?
19:00 Wearing items 30x per clothing item, second hand shopping
22:45 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
The joys of connection and the responsibilities of hostessing are discussed in today’s episode with guest expert Sarah Clark from The Dainty Pear. Sarah and co-hosts Carley and Courtney swap hostessing stories jam-packed with learning experiences as Sarah shares her advice for creating connection-rich dining experiences. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond.
Call to Action
Sit down as a family for one meal—ideally Sunday dinner—this week. If you regularly have a Sunday dinner, consider inviting another family to join you.
Resources
Grounded Feel Good, Real Food (Cook Book by Sarah Clark)
Present Over Perfect (book Sarah referenced)
Connect with Sarah
The Dainty Pear Website
The Dainty Pear Instagram
- @thedaintypear
- @thedaintypearco
Connect with Hey, Sister!
Hey, Sister! Podcast Website
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Timeline
0:00 Introduction of guest expert and topic
5:00 Connection: food brings people together, feeling “grounded” when hosting a postpartum/new baby welcoming event (Sarah’s chicken salad story)
13:00 Extending yourself grace and delegating (Courtney’s burned rolls story)
16:15 Moderation and balance, seasons of eating out, boxed Mac n Cheese
18:00 Host and guest relations (Carley’s “don’t help me right now” story), Sarah’s advice “Practice the thank you instead of the stop”
23:00 Division of kitchen responsibilities: what’s the goal? If desired outcome is relaxed state of guests with no work, then prepare beforehand. Consider: small tasks for guests, food/drink assignments
28:00 Be an honest host!
32:00 Call to action, concluding thoughts and outtakes
Safety guru and full-time mom boss Robyn Warner joins Courtney and Carley for an empowering discussion about personal safety. As a survivor of a brutal sexual assault herself and an active advocate for women, Robyn thoroughly understands the mental battle between intuition and logic and offers guidance and helpful tips for trusting and preparing oneself for potentially dangerous situations. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond.
Call to Action
Buy pepper spray! Keep it in an accessible place, like a wrist lanyard or key chain.
Referenced Resources
Miss Congeniality Self Defense Clip
Who is Chesley Sullenberger? Sully's Website
Robyn’s Safety Course (listen at minute marker 37:45 for unique Hey, Sister! discount code)
Connect with Robyn
Robyn’s Instagram @aflyonmywall
safebyrobyn.com/SAFECourse (discount code for course at 37:45)
Connect with Hey, Sister!
Hey, Sister! Instagram @theheysisterpodcast
heysisterpodcast.org
Timeline
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest expert
6:00 Confidence comes from empowerment and education; “pop quiz” about Chesley Sullenberger
9:45 Courtney’s motherhood experience about suppressing intuition and not being prepared
13:45 Robyn’s counsel: intuition vs. logic, decide to always trust intuition, have a plan in place (pepper spray? Emergency button? Yell for help)
17:30 Educating kids curbs anxiety
19:30 Carley’s personal story about not being prepared/knowledgable of safety precautions in a foreign country
21:00 Robyn’s counsel: you are not the exception to the rule, “upshifting” awareness
24:00 Self defense practices: stand tall, eye contact, vocalize “stop following me!”
27:00 Advice for moms to coach kids on personal safety: teach about Tricky People (not the term “stranger danger”), practice yelling “Help! This is not my Dad!” every 3 months
32:45 Dismissing stories; Ignorance is not bliss, preparedness translates into empowerment
34:00 Call to action
35:15 Concluding thoughts, outtakes
The importance of prioritizing time with friends is discussed with comedy professionals Whitney Call and Mallory Everton. As members of the comedy sketch group JK! Studios and best friends, these two ladies are experts on the topic of embracing humor within friendships. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond.
Call to Action
Whitney invites the Hey, Sister! Podcast community to engage in traditions, listen and validate the experiences of existing friends. Mallory encourages sisters looking for new friends to select 3 intriguing acquiantances and send each person a kind text message to spark a conversation and start a friendship.
Resources
Clip of International Relations (Studio C)
JK! Studios Youtube Channel
Connect with Whitney
@WhitneyCall on Instagram
Whitney_Call on https://twitter.com
Connect with Mallory
@reMallory on Instagram
@re_Mallory on TikTok
Carley's Book Recommendation
Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First. By Laura Tremaine
Connect with Hey, Sister!
@TheHeySisterPodcast on Instagram
heysisterpodcast.org
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guests
7:45 The importance of laughter in life and friendships
13:15 Prioritizing time with friends
24:00 Overcoming self-consciousness about acting silly around new friends; vulnerability
33:00 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
House love coach Carly Thornock joins cohost sisters Courtney and Carley for an episode about intentionally bringing joy and fun into your life and home this fall. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond.
Call to Action
In the next 24 hours, create 2 columns on a piece of paper. In the first column, write down words/adjectives that represent what feels fun to your soul this holiday season (is it beautiful bows, tasty treats, festive music?). In a second column, write a list of all the rules, traditions and expectations associated with this time of year (delivering neighbor presents, attending parties, etc.). Cross out the second column elements that don’t match up with the adjectives of the first column and soak in the joy and deliciousness of your personalized holiday plans.
“If you go through and in your body, it's like, ‘I hate that! I should do that.’ If your brain ever says, ‘I should do that’--cross it off. I want you to be liberal in your crossing off. And then the ones that are left, I want you to circle and put little hearts around them and I want you to just soak it in with the deliciousness that it is to you of, ‘I just love sitting under my Christmas tree and listening to instrumental music while I look at the snow. That is what I'm doing and I'm doing it three times and that’s the only thing. We're giving up all the parties. We're not doing any candy canes.’ Whatever it is to you. Cross off the things that feel at all not fun. And highlight the ones that do and commit to those.” -Carly Thornock
Resources
Quiet Your Mind (referenced body scan episode)
Intentional House by Month (Carly's book!)
Connect with Carly
Instagram @CarlyThornock
carlythornock.com
Connect with Hey, Sister!
Instagram @TheHeySisterPodcast
heysisterpodcast.org
Show Timeline
0:00 Guest and topic introduction
4:30 Home is the ultimate inside joke
6:15 Feel Good Fall meaning as a house love coach: the invitation to match nature. 3 steps to recognize what feel goods to you: 1) Breathe and sit still, 2) Use senses to connect, 3) Fun or it doesn’t happen
11:00 Intentionality of what makes a “good home”; hitting metaphorical nails on the head. Energy in homes
13:45 “Shoulds” and further elaboration on the nails on the board analogy
15:00 Breathing/syncing heart and mind; nutcrackers story
18:00 Assets of home
20:45 “Fun or it doesn’t happen” coaching: fun is what feels good to body, fun can look like structure, relationships, connection, beauty
23:45 Getting into your body. Anxious should-ing vs. truly happy with structure. Failed body scans and letting husbands bake the cookies. Gatekeeping
28:45 Call to action
31:30 Children’s experience at home is colored by what is delightful/delicious to mom
33:30 Contact information, final thoughts, outtakes
Mental health advocate and founder of the women’s movement ANYA (A New You Again) joins cohost sisters Courtney and Carley for a motivational episode all about the importance of mental wellness. Aubrey shares a memorable acronym (MOMMY) to aid in remembering simple steps women can take to incorporate mental health exercises in practical ways. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season and beyond.
Call to action: Apply Aubrey's MOMMY acronym tips (Meet with God, Opportunity for Growth, Movement, Moment of Stillness, Yourself) and establish bonds of friendship with women in your local area.
“Create that community within yourself and within the area where you live. Find people that will help you!” -Aubrey Grossen
Resources
Michael McIntyre Sketch (jump to 5:20 to hear the “good sleep” joke)
Try Light Keepers Membership (One Month Free to ANYA)
Connect with Aubrey
Instagram @AubreyGrossen
aubreygrossen.com
Connect with Hey, Sister!
Instagram @TheHeySisterPodcast
heysisterpodcast.org
Show Timeline
0:00 Show and guest expert introduction
4:45 Feel Good Fall’s meaning to Aubrey, MOMMY Acronym (Meet with God, Opportunity for Growth, Movement, Moment of Stillness, Yourself)
7:45 Further discussion about Y-Yourself and M-Moment of Stillness (showers, bathroom breaks, eating, sleeping—simple basics are often self-care), Needs vs. Wants, comedy sketch reference
13:45 The importance of time outside, pausing for sunsets and sunrises, 30 seconds or 7 breaths to reset body/mind
19:45 Posture, styles of M-Movement (dancing, walking, gym)
23:00 Early mornings paced at right time/season of life
25:45 Call to action, ANYA membership info, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Fall is here and for many moms that means it’s time to schedule the annual family photo shoot. (Oh, shoot!) Chelsea Barton, photographer, shares her go-to tips and tricks for making a family photo session as successful as possible. Join sisters Courtney and Carley and guest expert Chelsea for this relatable conversation about the highs and lows of family photos and a reminder to let kids be kids during your next family photo session. This episode is part of the feel good fall series, packed with interviews and sisterly advice to increase feelings of peace and confidence going into the holiday season.
Call to Action
Get in the picture with your kids this week, Mom!
Referenced Episodes
- https://heysisterpodcast.org/48-the-write-stuff-rachel-nielson/
Connect with Chelsea
https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.filmphoto/
Connect with Hey, Sister!
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://heysisterpodcast.org
Show Timeline
0:00 Show and guest expert introduction
5:15 Why to take family photos even though it’s a stressful experience
7:45 Perception of perfection (styled shoots)
10:15 Tips and Tricks for making photo shoots more comfortable: #1 Let the kid keep the toy, #2 Hype the kids up about it (search YouTube videos for “what is a family photo shoot”), #3 Let the kids pick their clothes, #4 Remember, kids will be kids
14:45 Great pictures don’t have to be posed (upside down with scars), finding a balance
18:00 Tips continued: #5 Play over discipline during a photo shoot (distraction technique), planned shots first, then play/candid
21:00 Tip #6 Bring marshmallows or Smarties, #7 Think about the timing (naps and food), #8 There is "beauty in chaos", #9 Bring a favorite activity (game, football, icecream)
23:00 Fail stories are memorable (Chili’s), Seasons of life
27:00 Success story of mom being prepared, Murphy’s Law
29:45 Seeing family photos throughout your home: documented “golden hours”
32:00 Get in the picture as moms “we’re never going to get yesterday back”
33:30 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
The science, art, and heart of sewing are discussed in today’s episode as quilting expert Melanie Collette joins “Hey, Sister!” hosts Courtney and Carley. Melanie shares simple beginner sewing project ideas and the essential tools every home should have. Don’t miss this encouraging Home Economics class; the conclusion of the “Hey, Sister!” Back to School series, airing August-September 2022.
Call to Action:
Buy the recommended basic tools: fabric scissors, thread (Gutermann brand, white, black and navy), measuring tape/seam gauge, pins with pearl heads, and embroidery scissors.
“My call to action is to encourage the sisterhood to get those supplies—those basic sewing supplies—and have them in their home. That way, when the urge hits; when that button needs sewed back on; you are ready! And it's the preparedness part of it where, ‘I can do it because I have the tools to do it already in this drawer waiting for me!’ So my call to action is prepare yourself! Get those tools that you need in your home.”
- Melanie Collette, Hello Melly Designs
Resources:
- Wider benefits of learning across the course of life
- College of London study
Check out these other episodes in the Back to School Series
- Episode 42 Rub Some Dirt in it! // Kathleen Mooney (Science)
- Episode 43 Sound of Music // Maren Paris Cline (Music)
- Episode 44 Mind over Money // Mikayla Ockey (Math)
- Episode 45 Let’s get Physical! // Mary Eagan (PE)
- Episode 46 She Knows the Drill // Adriana López (Shop)
- Episode 47 History is Her Story, Too! // Alli Roper (History)
- Episode 48 The Write Stuff // Rachel Nielson (Writing)
Connect with Melanie
https://www.instagram.com/hellomellydesigns/
https://www.hellomellydesigns.com (check out her FREEBIES!)
Connect with Hey, Sister!
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://heysisterpodcast.org
Show Timeline
0:00 Episode and guest introduction
4:15 Melanie’s home economics beginnings, Courtney’s “straight stitch” talk, Carley’s high school apron project
7:00 “You are totally capable of doing it!” attitude about sewing, comfortable starting point (napkins)
9:45 Fabric options; the right textile for the right project, “Hand” of fabric
13:30 Favorite projects (snowball quilts), must-have tools (see call to action)
16:45 Sewing machine chat
19:15 Home Economics skills: artistic with scientifcally proven benefits (see Resources above)
23:30 “If they don’t sell it, I can make it!”, confidence dressing daughters
24:30 Quilting tells a story, quilting is for everyone (ages, genders)
29:15 Call to action, contact information, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Rachel Nielson, host of 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms, shares writing strategies with sisters Courtney and Carley in this episode all about the importance using writing as a tool to process emotions, remember fleeting, happy moments and convey messages in an impactful way. Leading with a hook, including sensory details, the “show me don’t tell me” philosophy, journaling with pen and paper versus digitally and so much more are covered in today’s episode. Join the sisterhood for this motivational writing class; part of the Hey, Sister! Back to School series, airing August-September 2022.
Call to Action
“My call to action for you is to write down a fleck of gold from every day this week. If it's on a sheet of typing paper or a spiral notebook, it doesn't matter. Start looking for those flecks of gold and write one down each day and see how it changes the way that you think about your motherhood.”-Rachel Nielson
Resources:
- Visit 3in30podcast.com/flecksofgold to get your own Flecks of Gold journal. (Listen at 30:30 mark to hear the custom discount code for the Hey, Sister! Community)
For prior episodes in the Back to School Series, check out the following links to Hey, Sister! Episodes (and be sure to come back for Home Economics next week in Episode 49)
- Episode 42 Rub Some Dirt in it! // Kathleen Mooney (Science)
- Episode 43 Sound of Music // Maren Paris Cline (Music)
- Episode 44 Mind over Money // Mikayla Ockey (Math)
- Episode 45 Let’s get Physical! // Mary Eagan (PE)
- Episode 46 She Knows the Drill // Adriana López (Shop)
- Episode 47 History is Her Story, Too! // Alli Roper (History
For more journaling tips from Rachel Nielson listen to 3 in 30 Takeaways for Mom episode 002
- 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms Ep 002 Easy Ways to Capture Memories of Motherhood // Laura Webb
- https://3in30podcast.com/journaling/
Connect with Rachel
https://www.instagram.com/3in30podcast/
3in30podcast.com
Connect with Hey, Sister!
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://heysisterpodcast.org
Show Timeline
0:00 Introduction of guest and topic
4:15 Rachel’s experiences as an English student
7:15 Writing advice: show me don’t tell me, focus on stories, using creative hooks
9:45 Flecks of Gold journal inspiration: specific moments, time-hop element, including sensory details
12:45 Swapping journaling moments: Harry Potter, the tuba and adorable niece chatter “will you be my best friend forever?”
16:45 Journaling for self vs. posterity
18:45 Daily recording (journaling) vs. annual accounts (annual birthday letter to family members, Christmas cards)
21:15 Handwriting vs. typing (slowing down your brain vs. keeping up with your brain)
22:00 Courtney’s oversharing tendencies: journaling on Facebook pros (keeping extended family updated all at once) and cons (online safety)
25:45 Not one right way to journal! (Personal process and/or private sharing are both okay and serve different purposes) Burning journals? Benefits of keeping records of difficult seasons
28:15 “The happiest people are those who realize they are!”
29:45 Connecting with Rachel, Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Alli Roper, host of Wiser World Podcast, joins sisters Courtney and Carley for an uplifting conversation about the importance of learning world history. The freeing nature of curiosity and the benefits of thinking critically are discussed as Alli shares 3 engaging stories about “hidden” historical figures in past and modern times. Tune in for this enlightening world history class; part of the Hey, Sister! Back to School series, airing August-September 2022.
Call to Action
“Practice intellectual humility. Ask a lot of questions. I think it can be a benefit for our own personal lives, as well as influencing our community at large.” -Alli Roper
Start by asking questions about and researching one culture or location you’ve always been intrigued by. Not sure where to start? Visit Alli’s Wiser World podcast for recent episodes about the past 100 years in various countries.
Episodes available on all streaming networks or at https://wiserworldpodcast.com
Referenced Resources
Hey, Sister! Math Class
Thai Soccer Team Rescue story resources
- Book “All 13”
- Documentary National Geographic “The Rescue” (available on Disney+)
- Movie “Thirteen Lives” (available on Amazon Prime)
Connect with Alli
https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/
https://wiserworldpodcast.com
Connect with Hey, Sister!
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://heysisterpodcast.org
Show Timeline
0:00 Introduction of guest and topic
5:45 Childhood experience with learning history
7:30 The positives of learning history as an adult: no timelines, no test, freeing to be curious, gain perspective
12:45 Remembering “hidden” people in history
16:15 History lesson #1 Constantine’s mother Helena (300 AD)
19:45 History lesson #2 Thai soccer team rescue (2018-recent history), discussion on the influence and natural instinct of women
28:15 History lesson #3: Kasturba Gandhi (early 1900s), non-violence movement based on her nature
33:15 Don’t be afraid of complexity and nuance, think critically
37:00 Call to action, concluding thoughts, social media information, outtakes
DIY sensation Adriana López joins sisters Courtney and Carley to discuss woodworking, the value of using power tools and the joy in discovering the potential of a scrap piece of wood. Tune in for this motivational “atta-girl” Shop Class; part of the Hey, Sister! Back to School series, airing August-September 2022.
Call to Action:
“I challenge all our sisters for this week to go find your drill! Learn how to do one thing with it, whether it's screwing—putting a screw into something—or drilling a hole in the wall to hang something. Learn how to use that drill because it will change your life! You will not have to rely on anyone to hang a picture for you.”
-Adriana López
Resources:
Links to previously covered Back-to-School topics/episodes
- Science (gardening)
- Music
- Math (budgeting)
- PE (fitness)
Links to Adriana’s Videos and Recommended Products
- Drill resource video
- Using tape to hang objects video
- Adriana’s recommended starter drill (includes battery and bits)
Connect with Adriana
- https://www.instagram.com/texasdiymama/
- https://www.pinterest.com/texasdiymama/
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast
- https://heysisterpodcast.org
- https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
- https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Show Timeline:
0:00 introduction of guest expert and topic
6:15 Childhood exposure to woodworking and construction “if you have the right tool you can pretty much do anything!”
9:15 Crucial shop lessons for women today: “a drill is your best friend!”, attachments for everything
12:30 Adriana’s motto: “Beautiful takes time”, Jesus was a carpenter, Courtney’s struggle with other mottos “Any job worth doing is worth doing right” vs. “Done is better than perfect”, Carley’s thoughts that beautiful means adding value, God’s timing
17:00 Lessons from making a stool: 1) Don’t DIY when you’re exhausted 2) always make pocket holes first 3) Learn to laugh at your mistakes. There is nothing in DIY that can’t be fixed
19:30 Call to action
22:00 Favorite projects, final words of inspiration, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Ready, Set, Go! Personal and Group Fitness Trainer Mary Eagan of Akin Fitness in Western Oklahoma joins Courtney and Carley for this inspirational episode about the importance of movement in our daily lives. Mary reminds the sisterhood to try new exercises and be aware of food intake. Tune in for this fast and fun PE class; part of the Hey, Sister! Back to School series, airing August-September 2022.
Call to Action
Be honest with yourself regarding your health status. Journal your food intake for 2-4 weeks. Assess your steps and activity level. (This is a crucial first step to recognize trending food/energy habits in order to make realistic health goals and adjustments)
Show Timeline
0:00 Introduction of monthly theme, topic and guest expert
3:45 Similarities and differences between childhood PE vs health as an adult; movement is not optional
5:45 Oxygen mask analogy; fitness helps us think more clearly + have energy/strength
6:15 Exercise time amounts; fear of losing energy as an excuse to not exercise (not true!)
10:00 Mary’s health and fitness mottos: “it’s okay to be uncomfortable”, “live with passion”, “I’m so grateful I never quit”
11:45 Mary’s ongoing research about neurology + fitness; skipping and reading correlation
14:00 Mary’s most intense physical undertaking—“Dominate the 48” (David Goggins)
16:30 Call to action, trending habits discussion, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Referenced Episodes
Hey, Sister! Science Class: Ep 42 Rub Some Dirt In It // Kathleen Mooney
Hey, Sister! Music Class: Ep 43 Sound of Music // Maren Paris Cline
Hey, Sister! Math Class: 44 Mind over Money // Mikayla Ockey
Referenced Videos, Links and Resources
Mary Removing/Putting on Shoes Challenge
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins
Food Tracking Websites/Apps
- https://www.myfitnesspal.com
- https://cronometer.com
Connect with Mary Eagan of Akin Fitness
https://akinfitness.com
https://www.instagram.com/akin_fitness/
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast
https://heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Budgeting expert and Centsei Financial co-founder Mikayla Ockey joins Courtney and Carley to discuss the emotional tie between behaviors and budgeting. Budgeting trends and pitfalls are discussed and personal experiences swapped in this episode all about putting data over drama. Tune in for this emotion-based Math class; part of the Hey, Sister! Back to School series, airing August-September 2022.
Call to Action
Answer the following 3 questions to increase awareness of personal spending behaviors
- How did your parents or guardians use money and how did it affect you?
- When you left home and you were on your own for the first time, how did you use money?
- How does money affect you when you’re stressed?
Resources
Listen to the Hey, Sister! Back to School Music Class Episode
Listen to the Hey, Sister! Back to School Science Class Episode
Connect with Mikayla/Centsei Financial
https://www.centseifinance.com (free budgeting course + weekly emails with tips)
https://www.instagram.com/centseifinancial/
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast
https://heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Show Timeline
0:00 Introduction to Mikayla, founding Centsei Financial, money/marriage problems
7:00 Comparison is the thief of joy, get clear on priorities, getting out of debt, preliminary emergency fund, understand emotional aspects of spending
9:45 The most important lesson: breaking the misconception that only math-lovers can budget, 80/20 rule of budgeting (80% behavior, 20% number crunching)
11:45 3 questions that will bleed into all aspects of financial planning (see call to action); goals tied to emotions
15:00 Budgeting goals (feeling peace and confidence is the goal—not just “having $1000 in the bank”), first budgeting talks in marriage, timing is everything
18:15 Data over drama; avoid blame game
23:00 When one partner spends money outside of planned budget; re-evaluating goals, timeline, his/her fund
27:15 Budgeting roadmaps are personalized for your journey; destinations and timelines are different
28:45 Inflation and avoiding budgeting
31:45 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
The lovely and talented world-touring musician Maren Paris Cline joins Courtney and Carley to discuss the value of music in our daily lives. Maren recounts the benefits of having a music-infused childhood and shares her intentional efforts as an adult to utilize music as an inspirational power in her life. Tune in for this epic Music Class; part of the Hey, Sister! Back to School series, airing August-September 2022.
Call to Action:
- Allow yourself to intentionally bring in those things that bring you joy--you know what they are (it may not be music and that’s okay!)
- Observe how you use music in your life—past, present and future
Resources:
Harvard Health Blog “Why is Music Good for the Brain?”
Three Reds “Danny Boy and Molly” featuring Alex Sharpe
Hi Five Live Video featuring Three Reds
Hey, Sister! Episode 28 about child birth preferences:
Connect with Maren and Three Reds:
@emparis.media on Instagram
@three_reds on Instagram
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast:
heysisterpodcast.org
@theheysisterpodcast on Instagram
facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest expert/Music teacher, childhood exposure to music
7:45 Utilizing music as an adult (study-aid, neurologic research on music, recognizing the impacts of lyrics)
11:15 Prioritizing music, art for art’s sake, taking 5-10 minutes to enjoy music
13:30 Benefits of learning a new instrument/practicing music as opposed to listening
17:00 Courtney’s stories about practicing piano as an adult and attending a musical performance and the emotions it evoked
19:15 Intentionally making time for music, creating for ourself, not every hobby needs a financial benefit, bask in joy of music
21:30 Children want to play, play with adults, play with an instrument, play with anything out-of-reach/off-limits
23:00 Maren’s motto: music is the language that reaches everyone and touches everyone, Japanese mission experience, unite the world through music
24:15 Language/children tangent; “it’s easier after the 3rd” philosophy
26:15 Concluding thoughts, call to action, social connection links, outtakes
Behind the scenes outtakes from Episode 42 Rub Some Dirt in it! with Kathleen Mooney
We just can't get enough of our science teacher for the Hey, Sister! Back to School series. If you enjoyed the life sciences/gardening lesson from Ep 42, join us for a few more stories from the life of our new favorite science teacher.
YouTube farm and garden sensation Kathleen Mooney joins the Hey, Sisterhood to share gardening tips and tricks you’ve never heard before. Kathleen’s contagious can-do spirit combined with her southern charm will motivate you to learn more about the world around you and the food you consume. Tune in for this epic Science Class; part of the Hey, Sister! Back to School series, airing August-September 2022.
Call to Action:
Part 1: Watch 3 of Kathleen’s YouTube videos so you can feel more confident in beginning (or continuing) your gardening journey. Pick any 3 videos here.
Part 2: Visit your local farmer’s market
Part 3: Try to garden; start small and don’t be intimated by the failure stories from friends.
Resources:
Learn more about Kathleen’s eclectic hill country getaway, her family owned and operated farm, and farm-to-table organic condiments and spreads at:
- EIEIOTX.com
- EIEIO YouTube Channel
- Instagram @eieiowimberley
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast Online:
- heysisterpodcast.org
- Instagram @TheHeySisterPodcast
- facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
EIEIO Videos Recommended during episode 42:
- Hoe-No-Mo
- Plant by the Moon
- Old Fashioned Bug Control
- Composting 101
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction, Kathleen’s background
8:45 Kathleen’s science/gardening lesson begins (ground preparation—all about the soil)
12:00 Planting by the Moon (starters before a full moon, seeds after the full moon)
14:45 Learning old tricks (old fashioned bug control + bunnies in the greenhouse)
18:15 Composting (bucket outside back door) coffee grinds + eggshells = essentials. No dairy, no meat, no bread. Nothing that would attract ants.
22:45 Courtney’s garden fail and $70 cucumbers
24:00 No gloves while gardening
25:30 Eating fresh vegetables, farmer’s markets, CSA, God’s Pharmacy
32:45 Mayonnaise story
38:30 Health as an octogenarian, medicinal qualities of herbs and weeds, fresh meat
42:45 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Embarrassing stories from school days are swapped among sisters Courtney, Carley and Cassidy as the new Back to School series kicks off! Unintentional dirty jokes, failed fence-scaling attempts, snot rocket sneezes and more are shared in this conversational podcast. This is the first episode in the back to school series, airing Aug-Sep 2022.
Call to Action:
Come back and join us for our back to school curriculum with classes as they apply to the life of a busy, modern woman! Classes/episodes will include topics such as: life sciences/gardening, physical education, math/budgeting, music appreciation, history, writing, shop, and more!
Resources:
Episode 9: Hot Mess Express
https://heysisterpodcast.org/9-hot-mess-express/
Episode 36: Babysitters Club
https://heysisterpodcast.org/36-babysitters-club/
Episode 4: Quiet Your Mind
https://heysisterpodcast.org/4-quiet-your-mind-lyndi-laws-cristello/
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast Online:
https://heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 Courtney’s middle school drama story
5:45 Carley’s embarrassing band story
10:15 Cassidy’s embarrassing tennis story, snot rocket story
13:45 Cassidy’s flying paper story
14:45 Courtney’s snowy bus catching story
18:45 Carley’s reflections on series of awkward moments (boy’s pants, garage sales)
20:15 Courtney’s teacher evaluation gone wrong story
24:30 Carley’s dance off story
25:45 Cassidy’s encouragement to own embarrassing moments
27:30 Concluding thoughts, outtakes
All things hair are discussed in this open and slightly awkward sisterly chat about hair on the female body. This episode starts with a motivational story about donating hair to a worthy organization, then takes a surprising turn as the sisters swap opinions about the choice to groom or embrace hair growth on the eyebrows, legs, armpits and bikini area. This episode is part of the summer hot topics series, airing June and July 2022.
Call to Action:
- Share your approach to managing body hair with Hey, Sister! Send a DM on Instagram here
- Watch The Princess Diaries (available on Disney+)
Resources:
Where did Carley donate her hair?
- Children With Hair Loss website
- Children With Hair Loss instagram
Carley’s favorite Albion-dupe swim skirt on Amazon
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast Online:
Hey, Sister! Website
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Carley talks about the hair donation process
5:45 Courtney introduces the IPL as an effort to rid her body of unpleasing hair
8:45 Parable of Naaman and Elisha
11:15 Discussion about cultural hair-free expectations
14:15 Eyebrows, humility vs low self-esteem
16:45 The Princess Diaries and makeover scenes, embrace confidence
18:00 Call to action
18:30 Amazon swimsuit information
19:15 Concluding thoughts, teaser for next week’s episode, outtakes
Who’da thunk she’d love that?! Sisters and hosts Courtney and Carley each share 3 things they enjoy, but never imagined they would like. Lipstick, mini-vans and Chic-fil-a are just a few of the surprising discoveries shared in this episode. As part of the summer hot topics series, this episode will have you asking yourself what “who’d thunk?!” products or activities you never knew you’d love!
Call to Action:
In a conversation with someone else, ask what they thought they would not like, and then, as it turns out, “who’da thunk?!” they love it!
Resources:
Prior Episodes Referred to:
Episode 38: Textiquette
Episode 37: Freedom to Comment
Episode 35: Fast Friends
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast Online:
- www.HeySisterPodcast.org
- Hey, Sister! Instagram
- Hey, Sister! Facebook
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
3:45 Carley’s 3 “who’da thunk?!” loves: Asian/Dim sum/Thai cuisine, Lipstick (*LipSense by SeneGence), Mini-vans
14:30 Courtney’s 3 “who’da thunk?!” loves: Chic-fil-a, grocery pickup, living outside of Texas
22:30 Carley’s haircutting experience and motivation
26:00 Call to action, closing remarks, outtakes
Texting + Etiquette = Textiquette. Sisters Courtney and Carley swap opinions and share survey responses regarding text messaging dos and don’ts across multiple generations. Read reports and the use of emojis, GIFs and ellipses are discussed as well as timely responses and using phones during social gatherings. This episode is part of the summer hot topics series, airing June and July 2022.
Call to Action:
Be cognizant of your phone use in social situations. If you use your phone to text or accept a call, explain the reason why to the person/people you are with.
References:
“The story I’m telling myself”- Brené Brown
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast Online:
https://heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Timeline:
0:00 Episode introduction and announcements
3:30 Texting corrections in a thread, styles of text: paragraphs vs. stream of consciousness
5:45 Read reports, timely responses
7:15 Reactions to texts
9:00 iWatches, shorter replies for convenience
12:00 Bait and switch, demanding texts
13:15 Elipses…
19:15 Androids vs iPhones for group messages, reactions, group planning
23:15 Social settings and cell phones
29:00 Call to action, closing thoughts, outtakes
Courtney and Carley discuss the freedom of speech and the art of commenting in love and disagreement on Facebook. Four tendencies of common social media reactions are explained as well as the human need for expressing opinions.
Call to Action:
Comment on a post you disagree with on social media this week; show respect and love while articulating your differing opinion.
References:
The Happiness Lab: Social Media and our Brains with CNN's Chasing Life
The Pour Over News Instagram
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast Online:
www.HeySisterPodcast.org
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction, 1st Amendment rights (SPAPAR: Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition and Religion)
3:00 Four tendencies of commenting: (1) not commenting/staying silent (2) commenting with adoring affirmations (3) commenting with polarizing disgust (4) commenting with love and disagreement
10:00 Roe v. Wade: be socially aware on social media (let love guide your posts and comments)
11:00 Commenting is emotionally healthy, keeps you from feeling silenced, reference to The Happiness Lab Podcast
15:15 Avoiding echo chambers
17:15 Personal stories: Courtney’s example of having a cousin respectfully disagree, Carley’s example commenting in loving disagreement on a friend’s post
22:45 Taking time to craft the right comment/response
23:45 Call to action, closing thoughts, outtakes
Courtney and Carley swap opinions on the 5 Ws of babysitting: who makes a great sitter, what’s the going rate, where do you find the ideal babysitter, when to connect with a babysitter, and why utilizing a babysitter is essential. Recommendations for how to make a babysitter more comfortable as well as features of babysitters that “wow” parents are also discussed. This is the fourth episode in the summer hot topics series, airing June-July 2022.
Call to Action:
Book a babysitter this week! Share what you did with your kid-free time with us on social media. We’d love to hear.
Referenced Episodes:
32 It Takes a Village // Beth Ann Sands
35 Fast Friends
Connect with Hey, Sister!:
HeySisterPodcast.org
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Resources:
Average pay for babysitters by state (Parents.com)
Care.com
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic, announcements
4:30 Love of babysitting from youth, why babysitters are important
5:45 Who: the criteria for babysitters
8:15 Where: the search for babysitters, locations to use babysitters
13:15 What: the going rate for a sitter
18:00 When: other occasions to involve/support babysitters
19:45 How: driving a babysitter for pick-up/drop-off, equipping babysitters with essential information (home address, house rules, phone numbers, reminders)
23:45 Wow: impressive traits of babysitters, basic expectations of babysitters, above and beyond care
28:45 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Sisters Courtney and Carley explore the hot topic of expanding our social circles in this week’s episode all about fostering new friendships. Carley shares her strategies for striking up a conversation with a new acquaintance and Courtney advises on the art of introducing others. Both sisters share examples—good, bad and ugly—from their own personal experiences in this light-hearted episode. This is the 3rd episode in the summer hot topics series, airing summer 2022.
Call to Action:
Picture two friends from different social circles who don’t know each other. Think about how you would introduce them to each other using a compliment.
Referenced Episodes:
(in order of reference)
- Episode 33 Fun Mom Summer
- Episode 34 Man, I Feel Like a Woman
- Episode 14 Social Light with Hanalei Gene
Resources:
Carley’s Audible Recommendation:
- Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards
Courtney’s Summer Schedule Recommendation (free download):
- The Incremental Mama Best Summer Schedule for Kids Free Printable
Connect with Hey, Sister:
https://heysisterpodcast.org
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of episode and recap of previous hot topics
4:00 Craving friendships as moms, personal experiences (high school, college, introversion vs. extroversion tendencies)
6:30 Listen to “Captivate” on Audible, KIAPIA reference (know it all pain in the *behind)
8:00 “Captivate” take-aways mingled with Carley’s advice:
- Look for social sweet spots (standing at the bottom of the slide, pushing kids on swings)
- Be yourself
- Ask questions, like: “What are your passion projects?” or “How long have you lived in the area?”
- Listen to the other person (strive for 50/50 talking/listening)
- Bridge back: if you leave a conversation (i.e. to tend a child), make mental note of their answers to questions to bridge back into the conversation, referring to something previously said
- Introduce yourself and ask their name as soon as possible
- Use their name in the conversation to aid in remembering
- Have confidence in yourself (it’s okay if you feel awkward—we’re all relearning socializing post-pandemic)
14:00 Carley’s experiences (good and bad)
19:00 Courtney’s advice: the art of introducing friends to each other using compliments, 3 personal poor examples
22:00 Call to action
24:00 Concluding thoughts, outtakes
In honor of Father’s Day and as part of the summer hot topics series, sisters Courtney and Carley share their beliefs about the divine nature of men and women. Faith-based values are discussed as well as personal experiences navigating the roles of husband and wife within the family. This is the second episode in the summer hot topics series airing June and July 2022.
Call to action: If you are married, recognize and be grateful for your spouse’s unique traits. (If you are not married, reflect on your own unique God-given traits)
Referenced Resources/Quotes:
Episode 33: Fun Mom Summer
The Family A Proclamation to the World
Matt Walsh Documentary “What is a Woman?”
“There are two important days in a woman's life: the day she is born and the day she finds out why.” - Terry Tempest Williams
Connect with Hey, Sister:
https://heysisterpodcast.org
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Show timeline:
0:00 Show introduction
3:15 Men and women are different, knowing we are children of God is a blessing
5:00 Discussion about The Family Proclamation and that gender is eternal
7:30 Loving womanhood and maternal role even when some days are challenging
8:15 Asking “Who is a woman?”, two important days in a woman’s life quote
9:45 Teamwork within a husband/wife relationship, soccer analogy
13:45 Call to action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Courtney and Carley kick-off the summer hot topics series with an episode all about choosing to be a fun mom in the face of play place closures throughout the United States. Speculation about why play places continue to stay closed and simple summer activity ideas are swapped. This is the first episode in the eight-part summer hot topic series, which dives into a variety of subjects the sisters feel passionately about.
Call to Action:
Part 1: Give thanks to local businesses in your community who offer play places/children’s activities.
Part 2: Voice frustrations with businesses and organizations in your community that aren't meeting your family’s needs and expectations.
Part 3: Host a play date.
Connect with Hey, Sister:
Hey, Sister! Website
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Show Timeline:
0:00 Show introduction and confusion about play place closures
4:15 Speculation about play place closures: fear of liability, convenience and cost saving
14:00 Reacting to closures: giving thanks and voicing frustrations
16:30 Ideas for activities: LEGO playdates, story time and puzzles, Play-Doh, Diet Coke geyser, frozen tee-shirt race, toy in ice cubes, marbles in kiddie pool, red light green light, paper airplanes
24:30 Benefits of play dates, incorporating various ages, including moms
28:00 Call to action
28:15 Concluding thoughts: Harkins Movie Theatre, Oriental Trading Company, outtakes
Does it still take a village to raise a child in today’s world? Beth Ann Sands, Texas mom and DJ, joins the Hey, Sisterhood for an episode filled with mic drop moments about positively influencing and relating to teenagers in our communities. This is the fifth and final episode in the 5-part series on motherhood, airing May 2022.
Call to Action: Support a teenager by hyping them up and listening to them.
“Go hype up a teenager! Whether that be commenting on somebody's social media that you follow from your church congregation, your community— hype them up there, give them a compliment! When you see them, make them feel seen. If you have teenagers and you don't regularly do family dinner, make a goal to just do one family dinner. Make a goal to just be available to them.
And the biggest call to action is to just listen to your teenagers because there will be other people that will listen to them, but you want it to be you. You want to be that safe space.”
- Beth Ann Sands, Texas Mom and Community DJ
Referenced Links and Episodes:
- Beth Ann Instagram
- Beth Ann TikTok
- Learn more about the BeReal app
- Ep 28 Scrunchy Mamas
- Ep 29 Birth Mothers and Adoption // Steve Sunday
- Ep 30 Meme Girls // Rachel Homolak
- Ep 31 Mom of All Trades // Tyla Bearss
Connect with Hey, Sister:
Visit HeySisterPodcast.org
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest expert
4:45 Getting to know DJ Beth Ann
10:45 Finding our purpose, families are fundamental unit of society, Beth Ann’s village-approach: meet youth where they are
14:30 Be a consistent/stable adult in a youth’s life, youth are fighting wars today (within themselves, with the world)
18:30 Staying bubbly and optimistic when youth are challenging (Courtney’s husband’s memory)
20:45 Shout-out to Beth Ann’s *seminary class and their advice to adults within their community: “if we don’t respond, please don’t take it personal”
23:30 Teenagers and phones: utilizing phones in positive ways for teaching
25:45 Balancing: parenting and serving other youth simultaneously
29:15 Adults need a reserve of confidence, don’t expect youth to reciprocate
30:45 Authenticity, managing stress and anxiety
34:00 Listening to teenagers: advice from high school counselor, counting “wins”, no phone time in car, family dinners, competitive conversational games
37:00 Modeling being a good friend, recognizing and following maternal inspiration
39:30 BeReal App as a communication tool for families
40:45 Call to action, Beth Ann’s social media
44:00 Concluding thoughts, outtakes, shout-out rap to Beth Ann’s 7 a.m. seminary students
*The seminary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a four-year religious education program for youth. Learn more at churchofjesuschrist.org
Tyla Bearss of Cake-N-Tyla joins co-hosts Courtney and Carley and shares her experiences, tips and tricks for pursuing personal passions as a mom. Tyla, Courtney and Carley swap stories and personal philosophies about trying to manage motherhood responsibilities while carving out time to practice new skills. This is the fourth episode in the 5-part series on motherhood, airing May 2022.
Call to Action:
Put yourself out there and try something you’ve been interested in!
“We, as moms, get so wrapped up in our kids and what they need. We sometimes forget we have needs as well and we also have talents and hobbies and things that can enrich other people's lives and our kids' lives by them seeing us pursue those things, seeing what brings us joy. They say, “a happy wife, a happy life.” And I feel like when I'm doing things that bring me joy, I'm a better mom at home.
So I just say, put yourself out there. Try something new. Even if you're nervous to do it, it doesn't hurt to try! And if you don't succeed the first time, just keep trying. ‘Cause I promise, practice makes perfect—well, no— practice makes progress is what I'll say, because it's never, always going to be perfect, but practice definitely makes progress.”
- Tyla Bearss of Cake-n-Tyla
Referenced Links and Episodes:
- Cake-n-Tyla Facebook
- Cake-n-Tyla Instagram
- Episode 10 Wise Up // Mindy Schoen
- Episode 2 Hit It
Connect with Hey, Sister:
https://heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest host
5:15 Tyla’s cake decorating journey: husband’s M&M cake beginnings, encouragement from friends, Stranger Things cake story, husband support in the middle of the night, early successes and difficult lessons
14:30 Personal growth: overcoming feelings of inadequacy, prioritizing time for passion projects
16:30 Involving kids vs. excluding kids from involvement in passion projects
18:45 Lessons children learn watching moms practice new skills: things don’t come easy/free, you have to work hard in life
20:00 Balancing act: a continual work in progress, bike analogy
21:30 Balance v. Harmony in life: discussion on “mom guilt”
24:15 Personal lessons learned: You can do hard things, recognizing progress and celebrating the milestones, keeping motivation up by continually learning new techniques
26:15 Social media comparisons: recognizing room for growth and making changes, not getting impatient with yourself along your journey
29:45 Personal passions as a source of income: providing Christmas, finding harmony and recognizing “discord” and how to resolve it
34:00 Intentional with use of time: moms can still make life fun on the go/doing chores/working
36:00 Call to Action: examples of trying new things—musical numbers and running
38:30 Supporting women in your life in their passion projects
40:45 Closing remarks: Tyla’s contact information, 3 baking tips, outtakes
Rachel Homolak, founder and administrator of the popular Bluey Memes Facebook group, joins the Hey, Sisterhood for a witty conversation about the importance of embracing laughter during the “dramedy” of motherhood. The art of the meme, messy cars, and worldwide friendships based on a shared love for a kids’ TV show are all discussed in this third episode of the 5-part series on Motherhood, airing May 2022.
Call to Action:
Embrace laughter in your everyday life! Laugh out loud today.
“Make sure that you always include humor in all aspects of your daily life. It's so important! I'm a theater teacher, and in theater we learn there's the drama side and the comedy side with the two-faced masks. That's the symbol with theater and it's correct. You've got to make sure you maintain that balance. Life is always going to have ups and downs and have its challenges. There's always going to be something, but the one thing that you can make sure that you're consistent with is to make sure that you keep that humor in your daily life.
So my call to action is: if you're ever feeling down or inadequate or just not having a good day— Don't forget to laugh! And if something like going to a group with memes helps you and makes you smile and chuckle a little bit, please do that. We're all in this together and it's so important to make sure that you keep that laughter in your everyday life.
So please sisters make sure that you take time to laugh.”
- Rachel Homolak, Founder of Bluey Memes (a private Facebook group)
Referenced Links:
Join the Bluey Memes Facebook group
Watch the unique Bluey/Encanto Parody
- This musical parody was created using content contributed by various members of Bluey Memes Facebook group. Original “We don’t talk about Judo” meme creator: Katey Parson. Video creator: Eileen Nestman. Thank you to all who contributed to this creative song which brings a smile to the face of any Encanto + Bluey fan.
Connect with Hey, Sister!
Hey, Sister! Website
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Referenced Episodes:
Vacation Ready Series (previous month’s theme)
Ep 24: Wanderlust // Madeline Becker Hamilton
Ep 25: Hostess with the Mostess // Courtney Sandberg
Ep. 26 Vacation, All We Ever Wanted // Brit Snarr
Ep. 27 Bippity Boppity Book It! // Alexandria Palmer
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest expert, reminder of past month’s theme and Courtney’s voice disclaimer
3:50 Getting to know Rachel: wife, mother and theater and music teacher
5:10 Bluey Memes Facebook Group origin story
7:45 The importance of laughter in the world: phycological benefits and the need for laughter as a parent
10:00 Memes: a quick fix to accompany hard information to swallow, an inside joke between friends/strangers across the world
10:45 The art of the meme: crossovers, history of memes, Courtney’s home-builder marketing reference, an education in pop-culture
12:30 Laughter deepens relationships: credit to Bluey writers/creators, feeling seen as an individual, feeling unified with other parents all over the world
15:45 Rachel’s Bluey Memes group backpack story, Carley’s messy mini van story
18:10 Bluey (the show): inspiring kids and adults to be more imaginative, strengthening child-parent bonds
19:00 Bluey Memes domino effect: “We don’t talk about Judo” story
23:00 Bluey Memes Group: creative content, courage to post, safe place to “geek out”, rewarding experience to be a part of/founder of the group
26:15 Finding Bluey Memes Facebook group: privacy settings
27:30 Call to Action, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Adoption advocate and expert Steve Sunday joins Courtney and Carley and sheds light on the heroic yet heartbreaking decision a birth mother makes to lovingly place her child for adoption. Steve explains basic adoption terminology and statistics, the role between birth parents and adoptive parents and the tender yet painful process of relinquishing rights. Beautiful and personal experiences about adoption are shared in this episode all about finding peace and ethical practices within the adoption arena. This is the second episode in a 5-part series on Motherhood, airing May 2022.
Call to Action:
Learn about adoption and be a voice for adoption as an option within your sphere of influence. (Example: share this podcast episode by copying and pasting the following link with your thoughts about the episode. https://heysisterpodcast.org/29-birth-mothers-adoption-steve-sunday/)
“The biggest challenge that we have is really promoting adoption as an option. It doesn't mean it's the only option, actually, it's the one that's least considered! Learn as much as you can about adoption. There's so much negative about everything out there, including adoption.
…It's really important to counter those voices and say, not all experiences are bad. There are a lot of very wonderful experiences when it's done correctly. And so I would challenge your audience to learn as much as they can, and then be a resource to potential people who may be in that situation and need resources, because most do not hear about the option of adoption and we're hoping that they will! And they have the opportunity, the agency, to choose the course that they would choose in their life, but the best thing we can do is give them the option to hear about it.”
- Steve Sunday, CEO/President and Founder of Forever Bound Adoption
Referenced Information:
National Council for Adoption
(Organization that supports ethical practices for adoption)
Referenced Links:
Connect with Steve Sunday, Founder/CEO of Forever Bound Adoption
- Forever Bound Adoption Website
- Forever Bound Adoption Facebook
- Email Steve
Connect with Hey, Sister!
- Hey, Sister! website
- Hey, Sister! Instagram
- Hey, Sister! Facebook
Referenced Episodes:
Episode 28 Scrunchy Mamas (birth story swap)
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic, guest expert, and Forever Bound Adoption
6:00 Basics of adoption and terminology: international adoption, foster to adopt and private adoption, closed vs. open adoptions
10:30 Openness is a continuum: building relationships with birth moms, examples of open communication styles, adoptive relationships take work
16:00 Prom dress story: a modern-day open-adoption relationship example
17:45 Birth mothers finding adoption agencies: past vs. present
20:00 Current statistics about unplanned and crisis pregnancies (single parenting and abortion are the most common solutions)
21:15 The importance of word of mouth positivity: sharing messages of hope about adoption
23:00 Adoptions past versus adoption today: offering education for adoptive parents and support for birth parents before and after placement
25:00 Look for agencies that are part of the NCFA
25:30 Distrust: birth parents, agencies and adoptive parents
29:45 Living up to commitments: open adoptions take effort and are best when organic
30:30 Heroic decision of birth mothers and emotions felt during and after placement
34:50 Courtney’s adoption experience: “birthing” a baby arms to arms
38:30 Steve’s post-script birth parent panel experience
40:00 Call to action, contact information, concluding thoughts, outtakes
Courtney and Carley swap birth stories in an episode devoted to honoring motherhood and various delivery preferences. The term “scrunchy” is explained as it relates to motherhood (silky + crunchy = scrunchy). Perspectives on medicated vs. unmedicated births are shared. Carley offers a pep talk on letting curiosity fuel you and Courtney proposes one critical question to ask yourself before deciding on an unmedicated birth. This is the first episode in the 5-part motherhood series, airing May 2022. Call to action, referenced links/accounts, and show timeline are below. Episode Sponsor:
3 Stitches Clothing
https://www.facebook.com/3stitchesclothing
https://www.instagram.com/3stitchesclothing/
Call to Action:
Participate in the giveaway for scrunchies (hand-made by 3 Stitches Clothing) on Hey, Sister! Instagram. See the daily stories Monday-Friday for details.
Referenced Information:
“We have a secret in our culture and it's not that birth is painful; It's that women are strong.”
- Laura Stavoe Harm
“After birth, certain biochemical compounds are at work in both mother and child to sustain and accentuate the bond between the two. Hormones, such as oxytocin, surge in mothers after labor and during breast-feeding, promoting social and emotional bonding with the infant.”
- Birth of a Bond, Scientific American
Referenced Links:
www.heysisterpodcast.org
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Referenced Episodes:
29 Birth Mothers and Adoption // Steve Sunday (coming soon!)
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic: disclaimer—episode contains references to female body parts and bodily functions and fluids
2:00 Defining terms: scrunchy, silky and crunchy, all birth is “natural”
3:20 Courtney’s motherhood journey and delivery preference (medicated): infertility story, favorite elements of deliveries, lessons learned from an unmedicated birth
14:00 Carley’s motherhood journey and delivery preference (unmedicated): becoming a birth nerd, decisions rooted in confidence, preparations with husband, 3 labor experiences
20:00 Open discussion: who is in the delivery room, trying new things, spousal support, women are strong
23:00 Advocating for yourself: making a birth plan, studying, asking questions, surrounding yourself with a supportive birth team
24:45 Courtney’s crucial question to consider: “Would you feel comfortable pooping in front of your birth team?” as a litmus test for unmedicated labor and who to have in the labor and delivery room
26:00 No right or wrong way to deliver: trust in healthcare, personal preferences, “to each their own”, no badge of honor or reward for unmedicated birth
28:50 Concluding thoughts: supportive team, photography, packing, women are amazing, listening sincerely when others share their stories
37:00 Giveaway information, call to action, outtakes
Guest expert Alexandria Palmer discusses all things Disneyland with the Hey, Sisterhood in this magical episode filled with tips and trips for navigating the happiest place on earth. As two Disneyland novices, Courtney and Carley ask Alexandria questions about everything from the general atmosphere and the Genie+ Service to baby swap, sweet treats and special accommodations for those with disabilities. Tune in and discover the motivation you need to take that magic carpet ride to Disneyland in this fourth and final episode in the 4-part vacation-ready series, airing April 2022. Call to action, referenced links/accounts, and show timeline are below.
Call to Action:
“Book a trip! Start talking to friends, start talking to family members, listen to this podcast and just see what would feel right for your family. How would doing Disney be the right time and the right experience for your family and how can you go into it with enough information?
I always say preparation is key for Disney.” - Alexandria Palmer
Referenced Links:
Connect with Hey, Sister!:
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Referenced Episodes (in order of mention):
24 Wanderlust // Madeline Becker Hamilton
25 Hostess with the Mostess // Courtney Sandberg
26 Vacation, All We Ever Wanted // Brit Snarr
15 Double Double Date Date
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest
4:00 The hype around Disneyland: all-in-experience, flavor-scented air, trash can placement, cast members
6:15 Visiting Disneyland: age recommendation, free-under-three, best days of the week and times of year to visit
9:30 Duration of a vacation: benefits of a 3-day pass
13:00 Disney tips: post-pandemic “feels like coming home”, bringing food in the park, arriving early, fireworks, first timers—go with or get tips from an experienced friend, glow sticks on strollers, stroller parking
17:15 Park details: lockers, Disneyland and California Adventure, seating throughout park
19:00 Navigating the park: Genie+ Pass, baby swap, line speed/monitoring efficiency, park hopping
24:45 Special accommodations: Disneyland Disability Access Pass, Alexandria’s personal experience, top-notch customer experience
30:00 Disneyland fun: adult trips, sweet treats, picture taking
34:10 Concluding thoughts: slow down, safety protocols
36:00 Call to action, social media information, outtakes
Travel enthusiast Brit Snarr discusses tips and tricks for family vacations in this adventure-happy episode. Brit shares ideas for fun and memorable vacation practices and her favorite family-friendly destinations. Carley, Courtney and Brit discuss real-life aspects of vacationing as a mom: souvenirs for kids, being the “fun mom”, taking photos, and recognizing that traveling may mean sacrificing the new car or dream home for a time. Give a listen and find some inspiration to book your next family vacation in this third episode in the 4-part vacation-ready series, airing April 2022. Call to action, referenced links/accounts, and show timeline are below.
Call to Action:
“Book a family vacation! Maybe it's a staycation. Maybe it's a foreign trip. Maybe it's a family reunion. Maybe it's to visit friends. Plan things on that vacation that get you excited, give you an adrenaline rush, get you out of your comfort zone, maybe make you laugh or make you just feel alive!” - Brit Snarr
Referenced Episodes (in order of mention):
24 Wanderlust // Madeline Becker Hamilton
25 Hostess with the Mostess // Courtney Sandberg
15 Double Double Date Date
17 Family Ties // Courtney Kimball
Coming soon: Episode 27: Bippity Boppity Book It! (An episode all about Disneyland)
Referenced Links:
Connect with Hey, Sister! on Instagram or Facebook
Check out Brit's YouTube channel for vacation inspiration!
Show Timeline:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest
3:10 Brit’s background: where her love of travel originated
4:35 Vacations vs. trips: enjoying traveling with kids, family practice of handstands
8:00 Using a vacation as a reward
8:45 Souvenirs: family ornaments, allowances for souvenirs
9:30 Moments kids forget, Moms will remember: Carley’s story about On the Border, see world through kid’s eyes
10:50 Documentation: scrapbooking, videography, kids love looking through old memories
15:30 Family reunions are vacations, too!
16:00 Family vacation destinations: Disneyworld, cruise ship
16:50 Fun mom comes alive on vacations
18:30 Family vacation destinations: reiteration of reunions, Destin, FL, Branson, MO, AR diamond dig, Thailand, Ecuador, Peru
25:05 Traveling with kids: making accommodations for age
26:45 Upcoming Disneyland episode promotion
27:30 Traveling with kids (cont’d): accomodations for work schedules, finances
30:15 Phone usage on vacations
32:30 Individualized vacations: one-on-ones with kids
34:00 Making sacrifices to travel: not everyone has it all
36:50 Call to action, closing remarks, outtakes
Superhost Courtney Sandberg joins the “Hey, Sisterhood” for a fun conversation all about Airbnbs, covering the topics of: differences between hotels and Airbnbs, lessons learned when first becoming an Airbnb host, the importance of communication between host and guest, tips and tricks for booking a stay, and leaving and receiving reviews. Courtney and Carley and guest host Courtney Sandberg swap stories about their experiences staying in various locations including the Czech Republic, New Mexico and Florida. Give a listen and find some inspiration to book your next stay at an Airbnb in this second episode in the 4-part vacation-ready series, airing April 2022. Call to action, referenced links/accounts, and show timeline are below.
Call to Action:
“I’ve got a tier of calls to action today, based on your experience with Airbnb. So, if you have never tried an Airbnb, my call to action to you is to download the app and just browse…If you have an Airbnb booked for sometime this summer…my call to action is to leave a review….The last one: if you are interested in becoming an Airbnb host, then just figure out what your next step is to make it happen!” - Courtney Sandberg
Referenced Links:
Check out Courtney Sandberg’s Airbnb in Scottsdale, AZ
Check out Carley Ferguson’s Airbnb in Waco, TX
Connect with Hey, Sister!:
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Referenced Episodes:
Episode 24: Wanderlust with Madeline Becker Hamilton
Episode 19: Purge!
Show Timeline:
0:00 introduction of monthly theme and guest expert
4:15 Courtney Sandberg: difference between hotels and Airbnbs
8:30 Carley: Airbnbs provide immersive experience in new location (Czech Republic experience)
9:30 Courtney Lewis: overcoming hesitation about trying new things
10:15 Courtney Sandberg: lessons learned becoming an Airbnb host, not every Airbnb is for everyone
11:30 Courtney Lewis: NM Airbnb experience
13:10 Reaction to Courtney’s story and discussion on communication (how much contact, ideas of questions to ask)
17:00 Communication builds trust: asking questions of hosts, reviews are critical
18:25 Overcoming decision fatigue in hosting or booking an Airbnb: opportunity costs (how saving $50 might lose you $150)
21:15 Airbnb tips and tricks for guests: checking date availability with host even if it shows unavailable for part of guest’s trip, asking questions before booking, looking for “diamonds in the rough”, requesting early check-in or late check-out, adding people to reservation, pets/no pets
28:30 Social credibility: guests get reviewed, adding a profile picture
30:45 Extra charges: refundable deposits, cleaning fees
32:00 Voicing complaints and concerns cordially and early-on
34:10 Outback Steakhouse story, don’t be “that lady” who tries to get money back at the end of the meal (or the end of an Airbnb stay)
35:30 Create your own outcome philosophy: Courtney Sandberg’s FL Airbnb experience
38:40 Call to action
40:30 Concluding thoughts, outtakes
Unlock your creativity through travel! Madeline Becker Hamilton, Ivy City Co. Chief Marketing Officer, joins Courtney and Carley and inspires the Hey, Sisterhood community to take a trip, learn something new, strengthen relationships, be spontaneous, pack essentials and enjoy all the benefits of adventuring. Madeline is passionate about discovering the world as she is also a Service Expedition Coordinator for Somewhere Devine! Spark the fire within to see the world in this first episode in the 4-part vacation-ready series, airing April 2022. Call to action, referenced links/accounts, and show timeline are below.
Call to action:
“Once a year go somewhere new you've never been before. It doesn't have to be far. It doesn't have to be expensive. Just put yourself in a new environment and it will be amazing! My challenge for you is to make a plan for what that trip is going to be for you this year.” - Madeline Becker Hamilton
Referenced links:
Connect with Madeline!
- Madeline’s Instagram
- Ivy City Co. Instagram
- Ivy City Co. Website
Connect with Hey, Sister!
- Hey, Sister! Facebook
- Hey, Sister! Instagram
Madeline’s Favorite Travel Resources
- Book rental cars at Turo
- Book flights with Skyscanner
- Book flights with Somewhere Devine
Show timeline:
0:00 Introduction of episode and guest
2:45 Why traveling is important: “traveling is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer”
4:10 How traveling inspires us: it takes courage to travel, example of traveling to NY with Ivy City Co.
8:00 Strengthening relationships: breaking through barriers with family, example of mother/daughter trip to Japan
9:50 Including sparks of creativity in travel: don’t over-plan, leave room for spontaneity, example of the “deer town” in Japan
12:05 Courtney’s example of planning to be spontaneous with her husband
14:45 Packing essentials: fanny pack, lightweight dress, 2 pairs of shoes, wired headphones
18:00 Traveling tips and tricks: where to book flights and rental cars (links above), rolling clothes, flexibility mindset, favorite places to travel (Japan and Charleston, South Carolina)
21:00 Call to Action, contact information, conclusion, outtakes
Sisters Courtney, Carley and Cassidy revisit the topic of a previous episode (6, Happy Pants), and the idea that sometimes no matter how hard we try to put on happy pants and choose joy, life tries to metaphorically pants us! Each sister shares a recent story in which they made conscious efforts to choose joy repeatedly when challenges seemed to dogpile, one right after the other.
This is a seasonal bonus episode uniting the three original Schoen sisters in a conversational format.
Referenced Episodes
Episode 6 // Happy Pants with Cassidy Roberts
Episode 20 // Super-Organize me with Jen Whetten
Interior decorator and owner of Waco’s The Findery, Tiffany Fatheree, sheds light on freshening up spaces. Tiffany invites the Hey, Sisterhood to throw out the design rule book and shares her top pieces advice for keeping homes personalized yet transitional. Realistic budgets, timing, paint colors, peel and stick wallpaper, personal confidence and seeking outside help are all discussed in this motivational interview with one of Waco, Texas’ favorite home decorating experts. This is part 4 in a 4 part series on spring cleaning. Weekly call to action, referenced links and show timeline are below. CALL TO ACTION:
When you’re feeling brave enough, take a good look at your walls (put on glasses and turn on the lights if you need to!) and go buy some paint. Decorating and freshening up your house doesn't have to be expensive. Start somewhere small, believe in yourself, believe in what you like and make your house a home by making it what you love!
REFERENCED PRIOR EPISODES:
Ep. 18 Home Sweet Home // Nancy Schoen
Ep. 19 PURGE!
LINKS:
Connect with Tiffany Fatheree
Website: https://thefindery.net
The Findery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinderywaco/
The Findery Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefinderywaco
Boiler Room Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboilerroomwaco/
Visit the brick and mortar store: 501 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76706
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast
Website: https://heysisterpodcast.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
TIMELINE:
0:00 Review of Courtney’s feelings about purging (Ep. 19), and introduction of guest expert
4:50 Tiffany discusses doing what you love, putting on glasses and turning on the lights (or not!) to look at your home like a visitor would, picking wall colors for your home, staying cohesive throughout the home, Tiffany’s favorite shade of white: Sherwin Williams Alabaster White
7:20 Courtney’s experience with fingerprints on flat white paint, Mom’s advice to keep paint stored nearby for easy touch-ups (and to keep paint from drying out)
8:47 Tiffany advises keeping a binder with home colors recorded, including sheen (flat, eggshell, satin, semi gloss), bringing color into your home through accents, scents and peel and stick wallpaper
11:50 Carley’s love of painting
14:00 When to freshen up spaces (continually), budgeting for projects, breaking projects into chunks, not following trends
18:30 Tiffany talks about self-confidence, God-given talents, trusting yourself, giving yourself time to get curated pieces for your home
21:45 “Home should be a story, not a store” comment, adding texture into your home (shelves, baskets)
23:45 Getting outside help: decorators, interior designers, friends with “an eye”
25:30 Various styles among friends, you don’t have to pick just one style (masculine, modern, French, farmhouse), eclectic is more versatile
27:10 Utilizing store employees, feelings of lightness and peace when entering The Findery, focusing on “the feel” of your space and your home
31:15 Feelings of inspiration and confidence from the past, losing confidence, rediscovering self and talents
32:15 Call to action
33:00 Conclusion, contact information, outtakes
Nearly a dozen women within the Hey, Sisterhood community share their favorite cleaning products and practices in this episode all about making cleaning house more fun and functional. “Group Chat” style episodes of Hey, Sister! include information provided by listeners and supporters of the Hey, Sister! Podcast. This is part 3 in a 4-part series on spring cleaning. Weekly call to action, referenced links and show timeline are below.
Call to action: Share your favorite product and/or practice on our ROLL CALL post on social media this week (Look for the post on Tuesday or Wednesday at facebook.com/heysisterpodcast or on Instagram @theheysisterpodcast)
Referenced Episodes
Episode 18: Home Sweet Home // Nancy Schoen
Episode 20: Super-Organize Me! // Jen Whetten
Referenced Books
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Group Chat Participants
Products and practices recommended by individual sisters listed in order referenced below.
Jessica
The Colony, Texas
Products
De-Solv-It Stain Remover
Clorox ToiletWand Disposable Toilet Cleaning System
Practices
Make cleaning a part of your routine
(Example cleaning the toilet after you get out of the shower, wiping down sink/counter after you apply your makeup)
Natalie
Forney, Texas
Products
20 Mule Team BORAX
Practices
Clean as you go (example: dishes after each meal)
Declutter
Go to bed early
Get yourself ready every day
Tayler
Corinth, Texas
Products
20 Mule Team BORAX
Devin
Betonville, AR
Products
Folex Carpet Spot Remover
*Don’t use Bona Wood Floor products unless you have Bona sealed floors
Practices
Clean after every meal
Have kids put their toys away after playing with them
Have a set laundry day 2-3x per week
Taylor
Salt Lake City, Utah
Practices
Watch one episode of a show before cleaning
Listen to music while cleaning
Split up chores with husband
Cassidy
Springville, Utah
Products
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Lysol Disinfectant
Mom
Products
General’s Tri-Tip Eraser
Bar Keeper’s Friend
Practices
Clean from the top down
Alison
Tucson, AZ
Products
Bar Keeper’s Friend
Vinegar
Norwex Window Cloth
Practices
Use homemade mixture in amber bottle: lemon/orange essential oil, natural dish soap, water
Add vinegar to dishwasher if over-sudsy
Brook
Tucson, AZ
Products
Simple Green All-purpose Cleaner
Jen
Products
Pumice stone for hard water in toilets
Practices
Add spritz of perfume to alcohol for mask refresher and hand sanitizer
Have a retired husband
Hannah
Spanish Fork, Utah
Products
OxiClean Laundry Stain Remover Spray
Show Timeline
0:00 Introduction
3:15 Jessica’s advice
7:00 Natalie’s advice
9:30 Tayler’s advice
10:15 Devin’s advice
14:00 Taylor’s advice
15:45 Cassidy’s advice
16:30 Nancy’s (Mom’s) advice
17:50 Alison’s advice
19:15 Brook’s advice
21:00 Carley’s opinion: clean when you’re dirty to earn a shower
21:57 Jen’s advice
23:00 Hannah’s advice
24:00 Concluding thoughts, call to action, Instagram typos, outtakes
Professional organizer Jen Whetten shares the SPACE method with Courtney and Carley (Sort, Purge, Assign, Contain, Educate). Benefits of organizing as well as realistic expectations are discussed along with practical advice for where to begin on your organizing journey. This is part 2 in a 4-part series on spring cleaning. Weekly call to action, referenced media links and show timeline are below. CALL TO ACTION:
Choose a small space like a closet or a pantry and apply the SPACE method to it. Take a before and after photo so you can share your progress with your friends! Feel free to tag Jen and Hey, Sister! on social media so we can share in your success!
LINKS:
Connect with Jen Whetten
Website: https://organizingwithjen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenwhettenorganizing/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/organizingjen
Connect with Hey, Sister! Podcast
Website: https://heysisterpodcast.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
TIMELINE:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest, Jen Whetten
2:12 The best place to begin organizing: the place that will make the most difference to you (often the pantry or master closet)
4:08 Detail versus large scale projects
6:06 Benefits of organizing: calmness, security, replacing negativity from the world with peace in our homes, establishing patterns for children
8:00 Craft cabinet personal example (Courtney)
10:30 SPACE method overview
11:07 Sorting (Step 1)
12:15 Purging (Step 2)
12:47 Assign (Step 3)
13:55 Contain (Step 4): Pinterest “is it realistic?” perspective
17:30 Educate (Step 5): teaching our families how to maintain organization systems
19:25 Maintenance: adjusting as needed, continually organizing
22:50 Setting children up for success: “To be clear is kind, to be unclear is unkind”
23:25 Call to action
24:00 Conclusion: contact information for Jen, concluding thoughts, outtakes
To trash or to donate? To host a garage sale or to sell on Facebook Marketplace? Those are the questions! Courtney and Carley have a frank discussion about pros, cons, tips and tricks for navigating the world of purging. Various evaluation strategies are considered, including asking questions like: Is this junk? Is this dingy? Does this have character or potential? The status of the excess material can help you determine where it goes next. Courtney shares her recent experience with a garage sale and Carley shares her strategies and the common vocabulary for the world of Facebook Marketplace. This is part 1 in a 4 part series on spring cleaning.
Call to action: Sell something on Facebook Marketplace.
LINKS
Clutterbug // Cassandra Aarssen // https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/
Jen Whetten // (Coming soon in Episode 20) // https://www.instagram.com/jenwhettenorganizing/
Hey, Sister! Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
Hey, Sister! Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
TIMELINE
0:00 Introduction of topic: purging/editing your home
2:40 Editing process: junk, dingy, character and potential explanation, purging philosophies, overcoming sentimentality by recognizing clutter
8:00 Trash vs. donation items
11:00 Courtney’s garage sale experience: garage sale pricing, garage sale promotion, garage sale season, getting a permit
18:40 Carley’s lesson on Facebook Marketplace: 5 star rating, how to post, what to post, product description, photography, “is it still available?”, pre-payment using Venmo or Zelle, terminology (NIB New in Box, PPU Porch Pick Up)
27:30 Facebook Marketplace continued: personal experiences, clothing, furniture pieces, negotiations, terminology continued (OBO Or Best Offer, Priced to Sell)
35:00 Call to action: ideas of what to sell
37:10 Final thoughts: safety on Facebook Marketplace (opinion), conclusion
39:55 Outtakes
It’s time to meet the Hey, Sisterhood mama! Nancy Watson Schoen, Courtney and Carley’s mom, joins the podcast to talk about the important role of a home maker. Nancy shares the unique idea that every home could be assigned an expression or emoji. That emoji is shaped by the 5 senses experienced within the home: sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. If your home had an emoji posted on the front door, what would it be? This episode is part 4 in a 4-part series on practical loving/caretaking relationships and roles for busy women. Call to action: Discuss loved elements of your home with all family members and decide collectively what emoji you want assigned to your home.
LINKS
https://heysisterpodcast.org
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
https://www.instagram.com/theheysisterpodcast/
TIMELINE:
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest
3:15 Difference between a house and a home, emoji analogy
7:30 Appealing to the senses in the home
14:00 Managing caretaking and homemaking, having faith in yourself, fixing things, involving kids
18:45 Finding your own style vs. following trends, creative finishes, generational differences
23:35 Law of the Harvest, investing in your home, “if mama ain’t happy” quote
26:00 Valuing family members over home decor, value-shopping
28:30 Call to action
31:30 Conclusion
32:40 Outtakes
Guest host Courtney Collins Kimball shares inspiring stories and creative ideas for keeping extended family ties strong. Courtney joins the Hey, Sisterhood to discuss her experiences as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt and talks about the beauty of family relationships that extend beyond mortality.
CALL TO ACTION: - Option 1: Learn a story from your family's past, or share a story from the past that you already know with your kids. Discuss the moral of that story and how it applies today.
- Option 2: Strengthen family ties by reaching out to a family member this week (cousin, grandparent, sister or brother—you choose!)
Share your experience with this call to action on the Hey, Sister! Roll Call post this week. Link to social media accounts below.
LINKS:
Have More Fun: How to Be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Start Enjoying Life by Mandy Arioto
Follow Courtney Kimball and One Common Thread Quilts on Instagram
Follow Courtney Kimball and One Common Thread Quilts on Facebook
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
SHOW TIMELINE
0:00 Show and guest introduction
2:10 About the Kimball family
5:10 Extended family relationships: out of state relationships, in-law relationships, trials connect families
9:30 Sister visits: boating, benefits of young and energetic aunts, "shared absurdities" quote, mixed tapes
14:10 Benefits of extended family relationships: closeness to siblings, love for nieces and nephews, sharing children, aunts as second mothers
19:30 Extended family relations: hosting/raising a niece on a reality TV show, surprising/miraculous pregnancy, supportive husbands, taking part in raising a nephew, the circle of life
28:10 Family connections: family on earth, family in heaven, expanding our view of extended family to include the here after, expanding the walls of our homes to love more family members
32:30 Messages of importance: be happy and work hard, Kimball Honduras experience, One Common Thread, lessons from ancestors
38:30 Conclusion: call to action, testimonial from Courtney Kimball about family history, One Common Thread contact info, farewell, outtakes
Truth bombs explode with facts about what happens to a woman’s body after delivering a baby, the loss of female community and the transformative process of motherhood in this enlightening conversation with guest expert Erin Young. Erin discusses with Courtney and Carley the importance of supporting fellow mothers in an effort to lift each other in the individual and collective pursuit of expanding a mother’s identity. This is part 2 in a 4-part series on practical loving/caretaking relationships for busy women. Call to action: Support a new mom (or any mother) in your life
Email Erin Young: erin_young1@baylor.edu
Hey, Sister! Instagram
Hey, Sister! Facebook
Show Timeline
- 0:00 Show and guest introduction
- 3:15 Postpartum recovery: diastases recti, leaking urine and prioritizing postpartum mental and physical health needs
- 11:55 Female community: supportive conversations, offering validation vs. unsolicited advice
- 15:55 Diastases recti elaboration
- 18:15 Supporting fellow mothers: more open conversations about what happens to the female body during gestation and breastfeeding
- 23:45 Elaboration on female community: Rosie the Riveter didn’t go home
- 28:00 Healthcare deficiencies for postpartum care: what needs to change, Erin’s experiences and studies
- 36:15 Transformative process of motherhood: feeling seen, alleviating burdens of mothers
- 44:45 Call to action, conclusion, outtakes
Courtney and Carley discuss the importance of double and group dating as a way to strengthen the husband/wife relationship. Discovering your personality as a couple is one of the most fun parts of group dating: Are you a competitive couple? Conversational? Dependable? Ideas for activities of various budgets are discussed. Courtney shares her “3 strikes and we’re out” policy. Carley reminds the sisterhood that husbands are capable of taking the reins and making the plans, too. Call to action: Invite another couple on a double date!
Connect with Hey, Sister! on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
Connect with Hey, Sister! on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/heysisterpodast/
Cited sources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/couples-thrive/201905/why-friendships-are-vital-the-health-your-relationship?amp
Making friends is great for the soul, but it can be hard work! Guest expert Hanalei sheds light on the importance of socializing and building and strengthening friendships. Hanalei, Courtney and Carley swap stories about lessons learned through relationships in their lives, including: overcoming bullying, asking for help, finding common interests, starting from scratch in a new city and the importance of listening. This is the fourth and final episode in a four-part series on Christ-centered resolutions. Prior episodes covered pursuit of wisdom (episode 10), physical wellness (episode 12) and spirituality (episode 13).
Call to action: strike up a conversation with that woman you’ve been meaning to meet, or reconnect with that old friend who has been on your mind.
Connect with Hey, Sister!: https://www.instagram.com/heysisterpodast/
Connect with Hanalei: https://www.instagram.com/foggydress/
Referenced books: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards.
Does God play favorites? What does it mean to “increase in favor with God” as mentioned in Luke 2:52? Guest host Lindsey answers these questions and more in this episode all about strengthening our relationship with God. This is the third episode in a 4-part series on resolutions. nd making efforts to improve in four main areas of life. As a reminder, those four areas are education, physical fitness, spirituality, and relationships. We've decided to focus on these four areas because we read in Luke 2:52, that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Our hope with this series is that each of you, our sisters, will feel prompted to work on something in one or all of these areas that will help you grow to be a better woman. We've already talked about wisdom and stature with some wonderful guest hosts.
Courtney: Welcome to Hey, Sister! Episode 13. Today we're excited to dive into the topic of favor with God, with my dear friend, Lindsey Taylor. Lindsey is a wife and mother of five kind and strong kids ranging in age from four months to 10 years old.
She is one of the owners of Rock Solid, a rock climbing and fitness gym in Tucson, Arizona. Lindsey is a homeschool mom. And I would add that she's the OG [00:01:00] homeschool mom, because she was doing it long before it became popular during the pandemic. During the years, I have known Lindsey, I've been impressed and inspired by how she makes worship and her own spiritual progression a priority in her life. We're excited to have her on today so all of us can grow together as we discuss faith. Lindsey, welcome to Hey, Sister!
Lindsey: Thank you. Glad to be here.
Carley: First off, what does increasing in favor with God mean to you?
Lindsey: Well, we all know that God loves everyone.
And there's nothing you can do to make him love you more. But there are things that we can do that will allow us to be blessed more if that makes sense. And so to me in favor with God would mean that we do things that bless our lives because He blesses us for doing the things He asks of us
Carley: So like on our end, we're doing things to get closer to him, so those blessings are more obvious and apparent.
Lindsey: We can strengthen our relationship with God. [00:02:00]He can be our friend, or He can be someone we never think about. Our relationship with God is up to us, not up to Him because He’s always there.
He wants to be with us. I know that there's this picture of Christ at a door knocking and this picture has always kind of spoken to me because on the outside of the door, there is no handle. So you can only assume that the way to open the door is from the inside. To me, that's kind of symbolic of our relationship with God.
If we want to be close to him, we have to be the one to let him into our lives, but he's always there whether we want him to be or not, he's always there waiting and hoping that we'll let him in.
Courtney: I love that. I think as we were talking about the scripture, being in favor with God, I started thinking about that word.
And first of all, I read that scripture in the King James version, and so it's spelled favour with the U, which anytime I read a word like that favour, I'm like, Ooh, it's the fancy, it's the fancy favor. If you ever read words like flavour and it's got the U or glamour and it's got the U I'm like, Ooh, that's [00:03:00] extra glamorous.
So in favor with God, I chuckled because I think it's like different than just God playing favorites. It is this extra favor, which is up to us. We have to fill that gap because he doesn't play favorites and it's not like we're going to be his favorite child for making extra effort, but it will make us feel favored to him.
We will want to be in his presence more. I'm glad you're here, Lindsey. I've so respected how you make your spirituality such a natural part of your life. Every time I talk to you, it just emanates from you when you say any little thing about, well, in my scripture study this morning, or in the kid's scripture study, as you do your homeschool, like that is such a natural part of your day, that just seems effortless.
And for me, that's been something that I've personally struggled with because here my oldest is almost seven and I don't feel like I've been able to find consistency at any time during the past seven years to make my spiritual progression the most important thing to me, I feel like a whack-a-mole game constantly where I'm just putting out whatever fire is in front of [00:04:00] me.
Like take care of this kid, change this diaper, cook this meal, I constantly feel like a hot mess. Like we've already talked about hot mess express in a previous episode. That is how I feel most of the time. But this is the most important thing. I need you to tell us how to do this, so we're glad you're here.
Carley: How to grow in that spirituality.
Lindsey: Oh, thank you. I totally get what you're saying because motherhood takes up so much of your time, effort, your thoughts, your energy, and so saving some of that energy to draw closer to God can be definitely a challenge. And I think it's an individual thing.
Everyone has to find out what works for them to get that nearness, but I think as long as you make it a priority, it will happen at some point, even if it's just enough to get through the parenting. Eventually you will have more time and can strengthen that relationship.
But I think as a mother, you automatically have God's favor with you because he's very happy that you've chosen motherhood and he wants to help you through motherhood, which can be difficult, but also still [00:05:00] rewarding.
Carley: I think we need to, like, just sit on that first, second, yeah.
Just knowing that already that is bringing us closer, in favor with God. So thank you for saying that.
Courtney: That reminds me have, y'all seen that popular image that keeps going around on social media about that? It talks about how men in the scriptures always seem to go to the mountains to talk to God, but God comes to women.
Because women don't have the time to go to the mountain to talk to God. And it makes me laugh.
Carley: Women go to the well.
Courtney: Women go to the well that's right.
Women go to the well, we go to the store. No, just kidding, that's very stereotypical but I do all the shopping. It's fine.
I like what Lindsay said, because God does come to us. So thank you for saying that, sometimes in those moments, when you want to be hard on yourself, that you're not having daily scripture study for 10 minutes or 15 minutes or 30 minutes a day. I feel like I used to be so good about that when I was in high school, like I was a great script, I mean, not a scriptorium ever, but I would make that a regular practice. Whereas now I'm like, living on a prayer. I really am. I'm lucky to say a prayer at the end of the day. And sometimes I don't read a scripture a day and I don't read a scripture in a week [00:06:00] unless I'm preparing a lesson or something.
So anyway, I’m excited that we can talk about this. Lindsey, what are some ways that we can increase in favor with God? How can we grow our spirituality?
Lindsey: I have a few thoughts on that. I find the one thing that maybe we don't think about in getting closer to God is just being someone who is full of love and who is trying to serve other people, even if that's just your children, which sometimes that's all we have time in the day for is serving your own children.
But when you do things that God would do, you are getting closer to Him. Because you are getting to know what He is like. He spent his whole life sacrificing for other people. And so every time we make a small sacrifice for someone else, we are learning who he is. And that's a big part of any relationship is getting to know that person putting yourself in their shoes.
So I would say that our relationship with God takes effort. It takes work and just like a good relationship with your husband, it takes effort. It takes [00:07:00] work in your relationship. You have to be intentional about that relationship
Lindsey: So another way to get closer to God is by living righteously. If we choose to keep his commandments and do what He has asks us to do, we will get closer to him. We will be in more favor with him. And then learning about him through scripture or however you decide to actually learn about who he is.
You'll get closer to him. And then the last one I wanted to mention, which probably is the way that I get closest to God is through prayer. And there's a lot of different ways to pray. Everyone has their own way, but prayer to me is a conversation with a friend and it's also work. It is intentionally refocusing and visualizing. It takes imagination and it takes faith. All of those things are combined as you pray and strengthen your relationship with God in that way.
Carley: That's awesome. Thank you so much. We mentioned it before, as Courtney was saying,[00:08:00] , how in high school she had gone through this or different phases we might go through in life. When did you feel like this value for your relationship with God really began for you?
Lindsey: Well, I don't know if it’s because I had great parents or if I just have been blessed this way, but I feel like I've always had a relationship with God.
And I don't know how many people can say that. I'm sure there's a lot of people who can, but for me, I look back and I remember the time in elementary school when I lost a ring in the sandbox and looked all over for it and couldn't find it. And I said a prayer and then immediately found it.
I felt like that was one of the first times when I knew that God was there and of course someone had taught me how to pray, which I am forever grateful for that. I had someone who's taught me how to pray, but it's these small little things that started at the beginning of my life that have helped me have a relationship with God.
Courtney: Lindsey, one of the things I love that you just talked about was that prayer takes imagination. Could you elaborate on that a little?
Lindsey: I would love [00:09:00] to. So there is, a verse in scripture that' uses the phrase “eye of faith” and I have pondered on that over and over and what I've decided it means to me, I don't know what it means to other people, but to have an “eye of faith” means that you can see something, even though it hasn't happened yet.
Sometimes what that means is when you're praying you imagine what Heavenly Father looks like. So that you might feel like a more intimate relationship with him or you might feel it's easier to talk to him by imagining him there, but that takes effort, right? It's more than just saying a few words before bed and flopping into bed for the night.
It takes effort to get yourself to that place where you're really meditating. You're really thinking about what you're doing. And the other reason why I said imagination is because prayer is often a way that we ask God for things. We hopefully are being grateful in our prayers as well, but we also, most of the time, need things in our life.
And so we ask for them. And faith [00:10:00] is an action word. You can't just wish on a star. That's not prayer. Prayer. Asking for something and visualizing it as if it happened. That is faith. That's when you're putting the faith into action, because whatever that might be, that blessing that you are in need of or the help that you need for the next day, you can imagine how it will be if God was to help you with that.
Carley: So profound, but like intuitive as well, because, as you read a book or something, you're visualizing the story that's going on. And it takes that imagination. Not that this in in any way fiction, but you're just trying to utilize the hope and the faith that you have to be intentional and focused during that prayer, which has always been something that's been hard for me. I think my mind is more like a pinball machine sometimes. And so trying to bring it in and act as if I'm actually talking to someone, I would not talk to someone in person like I sometimes say my prayer where I'm just a little [00:11:00] wandering.
So intentionally visualizing. What you're asking for and how that could come to be, I think is just taking it the next step and feeling like work, like you said.
Lindsey: And sometimes when you go through that process of visualizing or imagining what it would be like the next day if you had God's help, through that process, he can speak with you.
He can reveal to you. Well, maybe this is how it should be done, or have you thought about this idea? You can receive inspiration that way as well. And the process is all about getting your will aligned with God's will. And that is a process, we think we know what we need all the time, but through real prayer, I think that you can converse with God and he might put into your thoughts, “Well, have you tried this or let's do it this way.” And through that process, you can maybe receive even something [00:12:00] better than what you'd imagined for yourself because that's the way God works.
He has a better plan. He sees the bigger picture. And so that's how I like to look at prayer is aligning your will with his, which, oftentimes it takes a little humility, right?
Courtney: It totally does. I think some of my most profound prayers have been in times when something's before me that I don't want to do. whether it be with moving or other life situations that I didn't feel like I was capable of handling and my will did get in alignment with his and I had to be prompted on how to do things.
So I think that that's really important. There are a lot of obstacles to overcome when you're trying to create a better relationship with God though, because it is a hard thing in this day and age. As you mentioned, Lindsey, one of the ways we can grow in favor with God is by living the commandments.
There are a lot of people who are like, no, God wouldn't have expectations of his children. If you believe in God, you wouldn't believe in a God that has expectations. So I feel like that in itself can be an obstacle. If you feel the commandments are a list [00:13:00] of expectations or rules you don't want to follow. How can you grow in favor with God or a parent that has requirements of you? Heaven forbid that somebody should ask you to do anything in this day and age and have a expectation. I guess my question to you in all of that, in this long explanation, would be what obstacles have you had to overcome to increase your relationship with god?
Lindsey: Great question. And first I want to touch on something you said. That some people's attitude about the commandments would be, “Well, why would he expect anything of us?” I can see how you would view things that way but my come back to that would be, well, what blessings are you in need of?
I see these commandments as an opportunity. When I keep a commandment, I know that the Lord blesses me in some way. Those blessings can come in different ways, but commandments are a way to show God that you love him. And then he in return blesses you. I see that as a joy. If I do something he wants me to do, he's going to [00:14:00] bring joy to my life in some way, because of it.
As you were talking, that’s just a thought that came to my mind. But as far as obstacles go, just the other night when I was nursing my baby to sleep, I was looking through my phone, just wasting time. And then I was thinking about doing this podcast and how do I draw closer to God and I thought well, why am I using this time to look at my phone?
There's something else I could be doing. And I actually took that time to just put my phone down and just start praying. You can pray anywhere. God will listen to you. That was an opportunity for me to use my time more wisely and to use that time to get closer to him.
So, today our obstacles are just everything that is trying to grab our attention. And a lot of it's always right there in our pocket.
Courtney: That goes back to what you're saying too, with a conversation with a friend, speaking of conversations late at night, I was talking to my husband. And he actually was finishing texting somebody that he works with.
And as I was talking to him, he was sending a [00:15:00] text message. And then he asked me a question and I started to answer him and being the brat that I am, I noticed that he was still looking at his phone while he'd asked me the question. And I said, are you done?
He looked at me and he was like, yes, I'm done. And put his phone down. Cause I guess I'm spoiled enough that I'm like, I want your full attention. If you're going to be asking me a question, I'll tell you the answer, but I don't want to say it twice. That's one of my biggest pet peeves. I don't like to repeat myself.
And so when he asked me that question, I was like, I appreciate that you're asking me. I’ll tell you, but I'm not going to tell you while you're still texting. And I think that's one of those things that I'm sure God gets really tired of, that we're all distracted as we're praying. And I had a woman once tell me in an awesome Southern accent, that that's why she said her prayers out loud because she said, if I try and say my prayers in my head, I start telling God the price of flour and sugar and telling him what's on my grocery list, because that's where your mind goes.
If you're just praying in your head, it's easy to divert, but then [00:16:00] at the same time, there are times where that's all you can do in that moment is just pray in your head and think what you're thinking in your head without speaking it out loud. But I've learned that if I don't at least mouth the words, even if silently, I will lose my train of thought and I'll derail really quick.
Lindsey: Yeah, I think that's really good advice. I agree that spoken prayers help me stay focused as well.
Carley: So Lindsey, how has this pursuit of your spirituality helped you personally develop into the woman you want to be?
Lindsey: I had a conversation with a dear friend a few years ago. I love her to death, but she's always been in and out of relationships and just really struggled with her self-esteem and she once said to me, you know, Lindsay, you have so much confidence. You have more confidence than most people I know. How do you have that kind of confidence? And I never really thought of myself in that way before, so it took me back, but as I thought about it, all of my confidence comes from knowing that I have a relationship with God and that he loves me. And just [00:17:00] knowing that simple thing that God loves me, just makes everything in my life a little bit better, a little bit smoother.
It doesn't mean there's never obstacles or hard things that happen, but I have always held on to that belief so strongly because it throughout my entire life has been my rock to know that. Even through those teenage years, when I felt alone or in college, when I didn't know what direction I was going, I still had that confidence that God loved me that made everything better.
If there was one wish I had for everyone in the world, it would be that you could feel that love even if it was just one time to feel that warmth and peace that he can fill you with as you turn to him.
Carley: I am sure that’s why God wanted us grow closer to him was to gain that perspective, that confidence like you spoke of in our life.
And so with this new year and the goals that we're trying to set, and looking back at this scripture in Luke and seeing how it's lined [00:18:00] out, what the savior did himself and how we in following our savior, Jesus Christ can also strive to grow in these different areas: in favor with God should be top of our list.
And sometimes that gets shuffled a little lower because there are so many things that are more outward or maybe a need in the small day-to-day moments. But what we all really crave is that confidence that you spoke of. The relationship with God.
We can continue growing. I think that growth is really what we're going for here. That's what we want for all of our sisters or everyone on the earth, is for there to be, this understanding. The support. I like how you said at the beginning that our God is always constant and we're getting to know him through these acts.
And we are living these things. We're learning of our savior. We're trying and doing our best to bridge that gap that we feel here on this earth and [00:19:00] more and more so today.This is so wonderful and I'm so inspired listening to you as you talk about prayer, because it's something that's been hard for me to vocalize.
It's hard for me to pray out loud and I was even telling my husband this the other day. Cause I said I don't know why it's hard for me do that, even with you and personally, you know, across from our bed. I always felt like it was so personal that you should do it away in your closet and never let anyone see you pray.
So just understanding that it is for the connection and just doing what is best for you in order to improve that connection and not be as concerned how it might be seen.
Courtney: It is a very personal experience. Your spiritual journey is personal. And I think we're seeing right now, this shift from formal worship and religion and going and attending church to making it almost a solely personal journey.
And that kind of makes me sad a little bit 'cause I liked how Carley used the word support as well as Lindsey. I feel so much [00:20:00] support from my own family but also one step further worshiping with other members of my church at a church service.
So Lindsey, what would you say to that balance of personal journey spirituality and formal worshiping in a religious institution?
Lindsey: I would say that your personal relationships is the first thing that you do need to work on, but as I talked about before, one way to get closer to God is to serve and to love.
And going to church has really made that a possibility for me. When you are with other people, and you gain those close bonds, you find ways to serve and to love, and it opens up your family. Your family becomes bigger than just you and your little family because you're worshiping with other people and they might need you.
And so I think sometimes when you think outwardly and not just think about what do I need, but think about what other people need, you may find that your relationship grows with God, more than you ever believed that it could.
Carley: If you think that of prayer as a stepping stone, even for God's purpose [00:21:00] for us, he wants us to learn how to manage ourselves and grow a relationship with him individually, and, as our family to teach our children who God is and how to feel spirit and all that they do.
Then we're learning about the other people that we meet day-to-day in a congregation setting. You know, you're sharing those spiritual moments. You're looking for those opportunities to serve. And then that really should propel us to get to know others and to open our arms to other people that are not like us.
I think he wants us to learn how to serve and how to do those things so that we can help other people feel loved by him through us. I think that is important to think of as we're doing things to grow personally, like Lindsay said, it's service oriented, because that's exactly what the savior showed us in his life.
Lindsey: We live in a selfish world in way. Whether that's advertising or whatever it is that turns us so [00:22:00] inward, in this day and age, but I think that's a lot of reason why also people aren't feeling maybe as much joy or happiness and are struggling with finding happiness is because when you're thinking about just yourself and what you need all the time, there's no joy in that.
It’s the looking out and looking for others to help that really brings joy. And I believe that to be true because I felt that throughout my life, the times that I've really reached out and served others have been the most joyous of my life.
Courtney: I think that goes back to even what you'd mentioned, finding favor with God, one of the ways is living commandments and I didn't think about it until literally what you just said, but when you're looking at advertisements, one of the main results of that is feelings of jealousy and there’s a commandment right there, one of the top 10. wW're not supposed to covet. And I think that's an important aspect to consider is that sometimes that's what advertising and media has us doing is just thinking about what you don't have and that you need it.
And there's a commandment right there that if you could figure out a way to not be jealous and to not be looking at what you [00:23:00] don't have, you could feel closer to God. I agree with you. I think that this world is becoming increasingly selfish it's sad. And I know that I’m guilty of it myself. Sometimes I need to have reality checks and that's in part why we're doing this podcast and why we're trying to focus on this, how to grow in favor with God. I think even that would be like my own takeaway from this is I need to do better at that, in this area.
There's gotta be a commandment I can focus on to try and feel closer to God. And I think that's a good one to start with. So we've talked about how you've become the woman you want to be through increasing in favor with God, how you've increased in your relationship with God, obviously through trying to increase your spirituality.
And then it sounds like you've increased in your relationships with your fellow men by worshiping through church. Is there any other ways that you've increased in your ability make friends or have relationships through trying to grow closer to God.
Lindsey: Yeah. I want to share, something that stuck with me I learned this a while back. When it comes to marriage, if you picture triangle with the point at the top. If your husband is on one side of the [00:24:00] triangle and you are on the other side of the triangle, and God is the point at the top of the triangle. If you and your husband are both getting closer to God, you’re also getting closer to each other.
I don't know if you've heard that before, but that really has stuck with me and I just believe it to be true. As you get closer to God and your husband gets closer to God, you're getting closer to each other.
And there's reasons for that because when you're becoming like God or trying to do the things he want you to do, you're becoming a better person and he's becoming a better person. And you're both learning to look past each other's weaknesses. So keeping God in your relationship as a couple, I think is really important and can really help your marriage be stronger.
Courtney: And that's an incredibly important relationship to try and better, that's one of the most important relationships that we have on this earth. That's a crucial one to talk about.
Lindsey, it's been a complete delight to have you. Is there anything else on this topic of increasing in favor with God that you could share with our sisters?
Lindsey: I want to share one [00:25:00] experience. It might be helpful to some of you sisters out there. When my husband was a resident, he's an oral surgeon now, but he spent four years as a resident. And that meant a lot of long hours of him not around. And there was a lot of kind of trials and ups and downs throughout that period of time as he was a resident.
But, I do remember one particular day that was for some reason out of the ordinary, harder than others. And I had made a commitment that I would always pray and read a scripture with my kids every night, even when my husband was not home, which was a lot of the time. He usually left before they woke up and the kids were asleep before he got home.
That was the usual. And he was, spending the night at the hospital one or two times a week, because he was on call. So it was a difficult time in our lives, but this one particular night, I remember thinking is this really doing anything for my . family? Like my kids were all under the age of six.
I think I had three kids under the age of six and I was pregnant and probably tired and [00:26:00] sick and just feeling like just brushing their teeth before bed was extremely hard. But this one particular time where I was feeling like, oh, is this even important? I remember kneeling down in my kids room.
I finally gathered them all in one room and we read a scripture and I said a prayer. And after the prayer, I just was filled with so much warmth and peace and the words that came to my mind, were I know you are trying and it matters to me. And I just knew that even though it was tough and maybe no one was even learning anything, but it meant something to God that I was doing it.
And he was grateful that I was doing it. I just always remember that experience because sometimes especially as a mother it's a lot of work and not a lot of credit. And I think any mom who's out there, who's trying, I say good job. The Lord is very pleased with you and just keep at it.
Keep the consistency. [00:27:00] It will make a difference and the Lord is grateful.
Courtney: I love that story so much. That touches my heart so much. Especially this week when I had a pediatrician appointment and my daughter outed me that I don't make my kids brush their teeth in the morning. I was like, it's too hard. I keep up with you at night. It's your job to brush your teeth in the morning.
That's a little TMI, but the pediatrician was like, And do you brush your teeth every morning? Here it was a break. And so all of my kids were in the pediatrician's office. Like all four of them are in this tiny little office. And the pediatrician saying, do you brush your teeth?
My one daughter said no. And then the rest of them just all started shaking their heads “No.” And she looks at me and I'm like 10 shades of red under my mask. Cause I'm like, please don't lecture me. It's so hard to get kids to brush their teeth. And yeah.
Trying to do that all by yourself is I'm sure super hard. I've not had a husband go through residency, so I'm glad you've shared that perspective. Cause that's always a good reminder to realize that I think it's easy for us to get into our own pity parties of how things get hard. But to hear that Lindsay makes me think, you know what? I can do better at scripture study and personal [00:28:00]prayers and making my kids brush their teeth in the morning. So thank you.
Carley: Mostly the spiritual things.
Courtney: I know, I know
Courtney: Lindsay. So as you know, our podcast ends with a call to action for our sisters, a tangible takeaway that they can apply this week so that they can increase in the area that we're talking about.
So for today, increasing in favor with God, do you have a call to action for our sisters to apply?
Lindsey: Yes. How about everyone this week try their hardest to see prayer as a real conversation with God and to work at it, work at it and make it meaningful. And hopefully by the end of the week of praying like that for a week, you'll be able to feel a difference in your life and feel a little more connection.
Okay?
Carley: I love that. Thank you so much, Lindsey. That was awesome. We're all looking for connection. And speaking of connection, we want to remind you sisters, if you want to connect with us on social media, [00:29:00] it's @HeySistePodcast. We'd love to hear from you there.
Courtney: We'll see you next week with our final episode in our four part series on increasing in wisdom, stature, favor with God and favor with man. So don't forget to join us next week for how to increase in favor with man and learn what that means.
Lindsey Thanks for joining us.
Courtney: Have a great week.
(Outtakes)
Carley: Because I don't have anything written down. Courtney writes my, my notes for me.
Courtney: Well, and I've got my Phoebe Buffet, sultry voice, going on over here. I do feel like I'm like about to start singing smelly cat with my voice.
Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach Sierra introduces the Southern Sisters to the 80/20 rule and discusses the importance of diet, exercise, water intake and sleep as aspects of physical wellness. This is the 2nd resolution-themed episode in a 4-part series on increasing “in wisdom, and in stature and in favor with God and man” as Jesus Christ did in Luke 2:52.
0:00 Introduction of topic and guest expert
2:58 Sierra explains where her passion for physical fitness began
6:00 Overcoming the fear of trying something new
9:20 Establishing consistency and practicing patience in the fitness journey
12:40 The four components of increasing in stature (diet, exercise, water intake and sleep)
14:01 The importance of sleeping 7 hours daily and drinking water
18:17 The body is a temple and introduction to the Food with Feeling assignment
22:48 Developing better relationships with yourself and others through physical fitness
25:40 Final motivational thoughts from Sierra and the 80/20 rule
27:43 Call to action, closing comments and outtakes
Call to Action (Food with Feeling assignment)
Evaluate how you feel after each meal for the next seven days. Ask 3 questions after eating: How did I feel physically? How were my energy levels? How was my mood?
Look out for the Roll Call post on social media to share your experiences in the comments or as a story (and tag Hey, Sister! Podcast)
Join the Sisterhood:
https://www.facebook.com/heysisterpodcast
https://www.instagram.com/heysisterpodast/
Connect with Sierra:
https://www.instagram.com/sierra_mignonne_/
The popular new Disney movie Encanto is stirring all kinds of emotions and conversations throughout the world, including within the Southern Sisters’ regular phone calls. In today’s BONUS episode, Courtney and Carley and guest expert Julie dive into the symbolism and key take-aways from this magical movie, currently available on Disney+. This episode contains spoilers, so if you haven’t seen Encanto yet, go watch it, then come back to this book club-style movie review where characters, breakthrough moments and themes are all discussed.
Listen in entirety for the full conversation. The final section on take-aways and key themes is a must-listen for those wondering what all the hype is about with this movie (again, spoiler alert!).
0:00 Introduction to topic and guest expert
7:07 Overview of characters in Encanto
15:00 In-depth discussion on characters/archetypes/symbolism
30:03 Biggest take-aways and key themes from Encanto
44:35 Call to Action
Time for some schoolin’! Join the Southern Sisters and Mindy Schoen in this episode all about the pursuit of education in its various forms, including formal degrees, certifications and hands-on DIY projects. Mindy shares her own example of how striving to increase in wisdom, and making big sacrifices along the way, blessed her as she fulfilled her roles as a wife, mother, friend, teacher and mentor. Mindy, Courtney and Carley discuss the importance of finding a supportive friend group, pursuing your dreams, and constantly learning and growing through various stages of life. Call to action: Apply wisdom in your life this week by sharing a talent or skill you have with another person.
A New Year is often seen as a new beginning, a fresh start as we personally strive to tidy up our lives, one goal at a time. Resolutions are fantastic, and during the month of January the Southern Sisters will dive into four important areas of life we should all seek improvement in. But first, let’s hop aboard the Hot Mess Express and recognize nobody is perfect. Laugh with Courtney and Carley in this episode all about finding joy in embracing and sharing life’s messy and embarrassing moments.
Call to Action: Share a hot mess express moment in your life with a friend or at https://www.instagram.com/heysisterpodast/
Hospital Administrator Cameron Lewis joins the Southern sisters and explains the current healthcare environment and the unique challenges providers are faced with daily. Cameron shares tips and tricks for advocating for loved ones in effective ways and the best places to look for reviews of hospitals. This is part 2 in a 2-part series on increasing confidence during hospital stays, which focuses on the role everyone has to play during a hospitalization and how to increase confidence in both parent and provider, the mama and the doctor. This week’s call to action: Check your local hospital’s letter grade rating at leapfroggroup.org
Whether making healthcare decisions for yourself or a loved one, finding personal confidence and establishing faith in the healthcare system can feel overwhelming. Join the Southern sisters and guest expert Chelsea Evans for part 1 in a 2-part series on increasing confidence during hospital stays. In this episode, Chelsea shares a raw and inspiring story about her baby girl’s hospitalizations and how she was able to follow her maternal instincts, form relationships of trust with providers, and grow as a person. This week’s episode primarily focuses on how to boost confidence in yourself as the mama. Next week, join us for “…And the Doctor Said” for a discussion on how to feel safe with your doctors and other healthcare providers. Connect with Chelsea: https://www.instagram.com/chelseawithpurpose/
Follow Reagan’s story: #ReaganAnneStrong
This week’s call to action: Decide on your emergency contact within a 15-minute radius and let them know who they are. Also, pray for Reagan’s eyes!
Did you put on your happy pants this morning? Give a listen as special guest (and the youngest Schoen sister) Cassidy Roberts, shares her fun experience as a contestant on “The Price is Right”. Join the Southern sisters for this dynamic and bubbly episode on the topic of making joy a habit in our daily lives.
Feelings of overwhelm and the desire to have a Pinterest-perfect Christmas can overshadow the joys this season should bring. Cynthia Anderson, mother of 7 and author of “One Mom to Another”, joins the Southern sisters for this insightful episode about using our limited time intentionally this holiday season. Christmas stalking is full of folly, apply this week’s call to action to feel more jolly! “One Mom to Another” (book and podcast info here)
https://www.onemomtoanother.com
Join Courtney, Carley and top-notch holistic and wellness expert Lyndi Laws Cristello for Episode 04, “Quiet Your Mind”. Lyndi debunks some common myths about meditation and introduces the Hey, Sisters to a few new personal practices to keep the mind from racing endlessly. Mindfulness app referenced: Insight Timer (#1 free meditation app for sleep, relaxation and more)
https://insighttimer.app.link/D5txmhtt9W?~channel=google&~feature=organic&tags=home_page&_p=c71729c09c1c65f7e3038ff4e1
Connect with Lyndi: https://www.instagram.com/lyndilaws/
In Episode 03, “It’s Not About You” Southern sisters Courtney and Carley discuss the possibility that throughout the pandemic self-care has taken the front seat to being selfless. Listen to this week’s episode for a transformative personal story, scientific research on how to find happiness and, of course, a quirky Southern adage or two. Book referenced: “The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want” by Sonja Lyubomirsky
https://www.amazon.com/How-Happiness-Approach-Getting-Life/dp/0143114956/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+how+of+happiness&qid=1637020224&sr=8-1
YouTube Video referenced: “The How of Happiness with Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, at Happiness and Its Causes 2016”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7JDbP_x8So
Although technically Episode 02, “Hit it!” is the first real content-rich episode for Hey, Sister! Courtney and Carley draw an analogy for life from a favorite family past-time, water-skiing. Learn what it means to “hit it” and apply the weekly call to action. Share your “hit it” experiences on this week’s “roll call” post on social media. Book referenced: “Winging It” by Emma Isaacs
https://www.amazon.com/Winging-Thinking-Start-Action-Planning/dp/1683646908
Meet Courtney Lewis and Carley Ferguson in this brief introductory episode. Learn the purpose behind this podcast and gain a little insight about these Southern sisters. Stay tuned through the bitter end for a little behind the scenes banter.