How to be remarkable, stop feeling stuck, and start enjoying life. Listen to this when you need a reminder that fun is an option.
In today's Episode:
The Christmas Story
Welcome to the final day of the Have More Fun Advent series. I hope the past few weeks have been as meaningful for you as it has for me, as we’ve explored how Jesus shows up in all sorts of unexpected ways. For our last day together, I thought we’d read the most important words I can think to share, from Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:8-21, the story of Jesus coming to earth straight from the source...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's Episode:
A Bush in the Desert
There's a plant mentioned in the Bible that is worth looking a little closer at. Here is what it says in Jeremiah 17:
This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the desert; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives - Jeremiah 17:5-6
Today, we are going to talk about a plant in the desert that most modern English translations simply call a bush, but in Hebrew, it is understood to be a specific plant called an arara bush and is found in the Negev Desert of Israel. The area is barren, dry, and lifeless, but occasionally, travelers will come upon what looks to be a lush green plant that grows fruit the size of a softball. It's an arara bush. And if you happen to see it in the wilderness, you'll see that its fruit looks ripe and full of juice and like a welcome refreshment, but when you open it, it lets out a puff of hot air and dust because it's hollow and dry inside. The inside is only filled with stringy inedible webs. Opening the arara fruit would be a huge disappointment and frustration for thirsty travelers or desert dwellers. Something that looks so promising turns out to be a huge disappointment...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's Episode:
Three Gifts
Do you ever struggle with the idea of giving gifts at Christmas? Maybe it feels too consumeristic, or like you are missing the real reason for the season? If so, then let’s look at two instances of gift-giving in the Bible.
The most famous account we all know about is the presents the Magi brought to Jesus. They brought frankincense, myrrh, and gold (Matthew 2:11), which each held symbolic meaning. Frankincense was used as incense for worship in the Temple; it symbolized that Jesus is the new High Priest. Myrrh, was a fragrant oil, used to anoint dead bodies and symbolized what Jesus came here to do. And gold represents his kingship and was an extremely valuable asset. The Magi were acknowledging that God had arrived and was present with us.
Not only that, but an interesting side note is that soon after the magi visit Mary and Joseph, Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt because Herod is going to try to kill Jesus. How fortunate they have the money to relocate in the dead of night and build a home in Egypt for at least two years. Convenient? Yes. Coincidence? Likely not.
Now, while the gifts of the Magi are incredibly relevant to Christmas, they aren’t the only time three significant gifts were given in the Bible...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's Episode:
Say Yes to Great Joy
Today, we are going to talk about two central themes of the Christmas story that we don't talk about very often and then explore a challenge that might impact how we enjoy the next few days of celebration.
One undeniable thing is that even before His birth, Jesus brought earth-shaking changes to everyone included in His story.
Ten months before his birth, an angel appears to his mom, Mary, and says, "Greetings, highly favored one! The Lord is with you." The angel proposes a holy scheme to her, and she agrees to a plan that will cost her everything. With her yes, Mary loses her reputation, and her pregnancy wounds the people she loves most. Her whole life goes up in smoke, and she is the one who lit the match. It often takes courage to say yes to God.
But it isn't just Mary. There are a lot of people in the Christmas story that were asked to say yes to something that took courage...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's Episode:
You are Chosen
In 1st century Israel there was a lengthy and very specific process kids would go through to determine their eligibility to study Scripture and be a disciple. It started with Torah school, known as Bet Sefer where boys between 6 and 10 years old started their education. On the first day of class, a rabbi would take honey and put it on the student's fingers where they were encouraged to lick it off as their teacher reminded them to 'taste and see that the Lord is good' and that the words of God are sweet like honey and the most pleasurable thing they could comprehend (Psalm 119:103).
Then, for the next few years, the students, under the guidance of a Rabbi, learned to read, write, and memorize the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Remarkably, by age 10, they would have memorized 187 chapters and over 5800 scripture verses. At the end of Bet Shefer, if the kids weren't among the "best of the best” students, they would be sent home to learn the family trade.
However, the most promising students, usually ages 10 to 14, had an opportunity to advance to Bet Midrash, where they would memorize the rest of the Old Testament. Now, the Rabbis in Bet Midrash used a unique teaching method where they helped students learn to think well by asking them questions and having them students respond with questions, similar to the Socratic method.
This is why we see Jesus at age 12 in the Temple in Mark 2:46,
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode...
The Great Reversal
What was it like for God to have His relationship with us cut off?
We focus a lot on what sin meant for us, but what about God? He created us and wanted – probably even more than we do – to be in a relationship. But things got messed up in the Garden, and while God tried to maintain connection after Eden, it was never quite the same.
Years later, in the wilderness of Sinai, God decided to take a new approach. He commanded Moses to construct a place where God would dwell on Earth. It was to be patterned exactly after Heaven (Hebrews 8:5), and God promised that He would be tangibly present there– it was called the Ark of the Covenant and was God’s attempt at bringing a bit of intimacy back to the relationship. However, it still wasn’t the same as Eden. God was present in the Arc, but humanity was only allowed to enter the Tabernacle once per year and come before God’s presence. It was better than nothing, but not even close to the original access we had with God.
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode...
The Scapegoat
There is one reference that I know of in the Bible to underwear, and today we are going to talk about it. It's in the book of Leviticus chapter 16 and it’s in reference to what the High Priest should wear into the Holy of Holies.
It says, "This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place: He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body, tie the linen sash around him, and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments, so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on."
What happens in the Most Holy Place is so important that God outlines exactly what should be worn, right down to the underwear...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode...
What do you want?
Today we’ll talk about one simple concept and then wrap up with an opportunity to contemplate and pray about an important question from Jesus that might make us a little uncomfortable. The question is, ‘What do you want?’
Wanting is a tricky thing isn’t it? Sometimes we’re afraid of wanting the wrong thing. Or we’ve become convinced that wanting is bad or selfish. But what if instead of ignoring our needs or desires, Jesus offers us a better way- inviting us to know and understand them? Because seven times in the Bible Jesus asks, “What do you want?”...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode...
Nothing New Under the Sun
There is a verse in Ecclesiastes 1:9 that says: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."
In some ways, there is comfort in knowing that when the world feels crazy, we can be assured that what we are navigating has been experienced before.
A great example of this is to look at first-century Israel. It was extremely volatile politically, culturally, and religiously. Even if we just look at the Jewish sects, the only thing the various religious groups like the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots had in common was their love for the Torah and their hatred of the Romans.
Let’s look at each of these groups because it might provide some perspective for how we navigate our own differences.
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode...
The Other Side
Jesus, in two accounts, miraculously feeds large crowds of people. The first time happens in the “land of the twelve.” It was where devout Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel lived and worshiped God. At the end of this account of feeding thousands, we read that there were twelve baskets full of leftovers, representing that there is enough food to feed all God’s people (Matthew 14:13-21).
The second time Jesus fed a large crowd occurred in the Decapolis area east of Galilee, called the “land of the seven.” It was called this because there were seven pagan nations driven from Israel by Joshua, who lived there. At the end of this miracle, we read there were seven baskets full of leftovers this time, representing that there is enough food to feed the pagans too (Matthew 15:29-39)
All of this matters because, In Matthew 14:22, Luke 8, and Mark 5, Jesus takes His disciples to the “other side.” This concept of the “other side” is important because it means the “land of the seven”. Not only did the pagans live in the land of the seven, but it was believed it was also where the devil lived, and the sea that they had to cross to get there was where evil spirits dwelled. No wonder the disciples were terrified and called Jesus a ghost when they saw Him walking on the sea toward them...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode...
Split in Two
As a kid did you ever talk about becoming blood brothers with a friend? Well, the concept comes from an ancient practice where people would "cut a covenant," meaning two people would cut their arms and suck a bit of one another's blood. The mingling of blood was considered a sacred bond and a solemn promise. This is where this whole concept becomes fascinating.
In the ancient Middle East and even in some modern societies, when a covenant, like a marriage, is made, the heads of the household make a solemn pact that the wife will be faithful to her husband and that the husband will not abuse his wife. The two men agreeing will take an animal, cut it in two, then each person walks between the two pieces as a sort of self-curse; by passing through the severed bodies of the animals, each person is in effect saying, "May the same thing happen to me if I do not keep my word." It's like a life-and-death version of Blood Brothers, and in the ancient Middle East, it was the most binding and sacred agreement a person could enter into.
The reason this is important is that 4000 years ago, there was a guy named Abrahm, who was an elderly man without an heir and believed that God had promised him a son and land, but with his age and the age of his wife, it seemed biologically impossible that it would ever happen.
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode...
What has Gotten Into You
Today we are going to start by reading a story found in Mark 14:
"While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Mark 14:1-9
There are four similar accounts to this story in the Bible, and it’s believed that the woman pouring oil on Jesus is Mary of Bethany. She’s the Mary from the story of Mary and Martha and the sister of Lazarus.
In the story we read that it’s a few days before Jesus is arrested, and He is sitting at a table in Simon’s house with his friends when Mary takes out a flask of nard, it’s basically a bottle of fragrant oil and she pours it on Jesus’ head...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In this episode...
Say to this Mountain
In the Christmas story, Herod the Great is best known for his attempt to assassinate the newborn Messiah. After a visit from the Magi, Herod orders all the infant boys under two to be massacred. It’s gruesome, and a result of his extreme paranoia. But one thing we don’t often discuss regarding Herod was that he was also an obsessive builder. During his reign, he was responsible for constructing an impressive artificial harbor at Caesarea Maritima and oversaw the building of Temple Mount as well as Masada. But the building feat I find most interesting is a fortress he constructed in the middle of the desert.
Around 37 BC, Herod started constructing a fortress-palace that could be seen from Jerusalem to remind everyone of his influence and power. The only problem was, in the spot where he wanted to build the fortress, there weren’t any mountains high enough. So, using forced labor, he essentially moved a mountain to the spot he wanted to build on...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode we talk about "Do You See Anything"
Today, we are discussing how Jesus uses spit to heal a man's eyes. Here is how it goes down in Mark 8:
When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man's eyes and placed His hands on him. Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
The man looked up and said, "I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around." Once again, Jesus placed His hands on the man's eyes, and when he opened them, his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him home and said, "Do not go back into the village." Mark 8:22-26
Now, this seems odd in our culture, but to better understand on a deeper level what's going on, we need to look at a writing by a Roman writer named Pliny the Elder who, around 77AD, wrote a book called 'The Natural History.'...
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's epidode, we're talk about "You Already Know"
Today is a little different. We’ll share one quick observation and then offer a practice to expand our Advent experience.
Did you know that the disciples only asked Jesus to teach them one thing?
They didn’t ask Him how to heal people. Or, to teach them to do something cool like turn water into wine or walk on water.
The one thing they asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. (Luke 11:1-4)
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In today's episode we talk about "Cover Your Head"
One of the goals of this Advent series is to understand the social and cultural issues happening at the time of Jesus, so today we are going to look at a spicy issue of women showing their hair in church, and it comes out of Paul's letter to the people in Corinth.
Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 11 Source: Greece, A Biblical Tour of Historical Sites by Costas Tsevas (HIGHLY RECOMMEND)
Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co
Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In this episode, we dive into the unexpected ways God has revealed Himself throughout history, focusing on the Oracle of Delphi and the sybils depicted by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
We explore the intriguing story of the Oracle of Delphi, a priestess who prophesied under the influence of mysterious vapors, and her surprising connection to the prophecy of Christ's coming.
Early Christian apologists, including St. Augustine, used these prophecies to demonstrate that even in pagan texts, there were echoes of the coming Messiah.
This episode challenges us to recognize that God can make Himself known in the most unexpected ways and places.
As we enter this holiday season, let’s be open to finding divine messages in the most unexpected sources, embracing the shockingly good news of Jesus.
Daily Reading: Luke 5:27-32; Luke 19:28-48.
Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In this episode, we dig into the intriguing connection between Jesus, Nazareth, and a prophecy from Isaiah, shedding light on a perplexing passage in Matthew's account of Jesus' life.
We explore the historical background of Nazareth, a seemingly insignificant village that emerged just a century before Jesus' birth, yet played a crucial role in fulfilling ancient prophecies.
Jesus, growing up in Nazareth, embodies this 'nezer', the new branch sprouting from the lineage of King David, bringing new life and hope.
As we explore this fascinating link, we are reminded of the astonishing depth and interconnectedness of the biblical narrative.
This Christmas, let this story inspire you to see beyond appearances, recognizing that even in situations that seem hopeless, there is potential for new life and fulfillment of God's promises.
Daily Reading: Isaiah 11.
Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In this inspiring episode, we delve into the powerful story of the bleeding woman from Mark 5 and its deep connections to ancient Jewish customs and prophecy.
The episode focuses on the daring act of the bleeding woman who, defying societal norms and legal restrictions, reaches out to touch the corner of Jesus' shawl. This moment of faith and desperation leads to her miraculous healing.
We reflect on how Jesus not only heals her physically but also affirms her faith and claims her as His own, calling her 'daughter' – the only person in the New Testament to receive this direct address from Him.
This story challenges us to consider the times when our faith might call us to act audaciously, breaking the mold of propriety in pursuit of something greater.
Jesus' final words to the woman, 'Go in peace,' offer a deeper understanding of Shalom, a concept of wholeness and completeness, encouraging us to be bearers of peace and healing in the world.
This episode invites us to embrace our vulnerabilities and find strength in our faith, as we seek the Messiah who brings healing in His wings.
Daily Scripture Reading: Psalm 57:1, Psalm 91:4, Deuteronomy 32:11-12, Psalm 63:7.
Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
Join us on a journey to ancient Athens, as we explore the intriguing story of the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill from Acts 17.
In this episode, we uncover how Paul masterfully engaged with the diverse beliefs of Athens' philosophers at a time when the city was a melting pot of ideas and religions.
This Christmas, let's take inspiration from Paul's approach. We'll discuss how to embrace meaningful conversations with friends, family, and acquaintances who hold different beliefs, and how to navigate these discussions with grace, intelligence, and respect.
This episode is a reminder that, as people of faith, we can engage with the world around us in ways that are both respectful and enlightening, while remaining true to our beliefs.
Let's be encouraged to enjoy the company of those who see the world differently and share our faith in a way that resonates with them.
Daily Reading: Acts 17.
Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs
In this festive episode, we unwrap the profound layers hidden within the classic Christmas hymn, 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.'
Originating from the monastic traditions of the 8th or 9th century, this hymn has echoed through time, carrying with it a secret message of hope.
We delve into the historical context of this hymn, understanding how it served as a meditation on the prophecies of the Messiah during a time of oppression and longing.
One of the most captivating parts of our journey is the discovery of a secret code within the hymn's Latin antiphons.
As we sing or listen to 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,' let’s reflect on this hidden message and embrace the timeless hope it offers.
Daily Reading: Luke 2.
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs, Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm
Ever wondered why Bethlehem, the 'House of Bread', is so crucial to the Christmas story?
Join us as we journey through the layers of Bethlehem's significance, starting from its literal Hebrew meaning to its deep-rooted biblical connections. We delve into the stories of Ruth and Boaz, King David, and the sacrificial lambs, all intertwined with Bethlehem's history and leading up to the birth of Jesus.
Discover how Jesus, the Bread of Life and the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer, fulfills these rich historical and prophetic narratives in the most fitting place: Bethlehem.
We also explore the poetic imagery of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb and the Good Shepherd, born in the city known for its shepherds and sacrificial lambs.
This episode is a reminder of how God intricately weaves simple, everyday elements into His grand narrative.
Daily Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-7.
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs, Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm
Dive into a compelling episode where we explore a fascinating detail from the Bible's book of Romans.
Paul, writing from Corinth, sends greetings from three men: Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus. But it's Erastus, the city treasurer, who steals the spotlight.
For years, skeptics doubted the truth of Paul's words, questioning how a high-ranking official like Erastus could be among his followers. That skepticism was shattered in 1929 when archaeologists in Corinth uncovered a key piece of evidence proving Erastus' existence and role.
This episode delves into the intriguing history of Corinth, including its temple to Aphrodite, where enslaved women served as prostitutes.
We explore the transformative impact of Christianity on these women, who sought freedom from their plight.
Drawing parallels to Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians, we uncover the profound meaning of being 'bought with a price' – not just spiritually, but in a very real, tangible way for these women.
Their story illuminates the power of Christ's sacrifice and the practical implications of redemption in the lives of early Christians.
Join us as we unravel this historical and spiritual journey, highlighting the enduring message of hope and liberation.
Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 6.
Recommended Source: 'Greece, A Biblical Tour of Historical Sites' by Costas Tsevas (HIGHLY RECOMMENED). Buy the book here
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs, Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm
Join us in this episode as we dive into the lesser-told story of Zechariah, the unsung hero at the dawn of the Christmas narrative.
We're talking about a priest, Zechariah, whose life takes an extraordinary turn inside the temple walls.
Imagine waiting your whole life for something miraculous and then, boom, it happens! We explore his and Elizabeth's heartache, their unyielding hope for a child, and how an unexpected bout of silence becomes Zechariah's greatest blessing.
It's a tale of enduring faith, the surprises life throws our way, and the incredible ways hope can be reborn in silence.
As we gear up for Christmas, let's see what Zechariah's journey teaches us about patience, trust, and the amazing ways God shows up in our lives.
Daily Reading: Luke 1
Make sure to visit: www.mandyarioto.com for more information.
Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs. Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm
Description:
Don't miss this one... Mandy reads the first chapter of her new book "Have More Fun". This episode is filled with stories that will move and inspire you to be remarkable, stop feeling stuck and start enjoying life!
Selected Links:
Pick up your copy of Have More Fun
Download the first chapter of the book on: Mandy's Website
Show Notes:
0:25 Introduction
0:57 Joe talking with Mandy
1:30 Backstory behind the scenes for the Theme reveal for MOPS
2:35 Why was Joe crying (aside from ninjas chopping onions)
3:52 What prompted Mandy to write this book
4:30 Challenging Mandy to "Have More Fun"
5:15 What kind of impact has the book had on Mandy in everyday life
4:59 PRACTICAL TIP about your wifi
6:40 Glow in the dark tennis
9:10 Chapter 1
Description:
In this episode, Mandy talks with Candace Cameron Bure about being a working mom, how the 7th book she wrote was the first book she dreamed of writing, the state of her dishwasher and her favorite moment ever on set.
Selected Links:
Candace’s Instagram
Candace Center Stage
MOMcon Registration
MOPS
Music by:
Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
0:54 Introduction- Announcing MOMcon Sept 2019
2:51 Candace and Mandy
3:19 Recognizing that you are in the perfect spot in life
4:53 Reframing your mindset
5:13 A different transition (determining priorities)
5:30 How to decide what to say ‘yes’ to and what to say ‘no’ to
6:45 New Book “Candace Center Stage” a lifelong dream
7:47 Just be yourself
8:10 Don’t be afraid to fail
8:33 How has asking for what you wanted played a role in your career
9:09 Dishwasher talk
9:55 Don’t have to accept ‘no’ the first time
10:07 How do you cultivate friendships
11:18 The Instagram version of me
11:58 Favorite song you sing in the car
12:13 Strangest thing a fan has done
12:20 Best thing that’s happened this week
12:32 Favorite show to binge watch on T.V.
12:38 Favorite go-to snack
12:48 Who has better hair DJ Fuller or Uncle Jesse
12:58 Most embarrassing moment
13:50 Most memorable moment filming
14:25 How do you cultivate hospitality in your everyday life
15:26 Do you have any morning or evening rituals to cultivate your Spiritual Life
16:47 A special offer from Mandy
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Rafa Robert about love, money and dragons.
Selected Links:
brightpeak financial
Love and Money Podcast
Text "moneybetter" to 31996 for free resources
Book: Happy Money
www.RaiseGenerousKids.com
The Paper Bag Princess Book
MOPS
Music by:
Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:00 Introduction- The Paper Bag Princess
4:50 Recognizing what matters in life
5:41 Introducing Rafa Robert
6:25 Amazon Prime and the 2 Day Cooling off period
6:52 What's the best tip for managing the small financial decisions
7:26 Fast brain vs. Slow brain
8:12 Living within your means matters most
8:25 How much should I spend on a house and car
9:30 Have a plan
10:50 What advice do you have for couple who have different spending styles
11:28 We are designed differently to help us out
12:06 We have different values and priorities
12:36 What to do to approach to topic of money in a relationship
13:25 The FUN fund
14:20 Joint account vs. separate accounts (what does the research say?)
15:44 50+ years of research says this...
16:17 Be one team (God's money and our money... not your money, my money)
17:20 What are you seeing with people with debt
18:35 What's one conversation about money that couples are not having
19:10 Understanding our spouse's "why" behind financial decisions
20:12 When the "How" feels different
21:07 How our beliefs about money as parents influence our kids
21:33 More is caught than taught
22:14 The relationship with money is much more practical
23:11 More may not make us happy
23:50 Training our kids on money
25:12 How to live off 20% of your income
25:30 Challenging the perspective of "The More I Give, The Less I Have"
25:47 How does generosity impact the financial health of families
26:30 Well Being
26:44 Can you say you feel like you have enough for your family and life
28:15 The correlation between generosity and health
28:45 Where do you start when a couple has different beliefs about money and giving
30:36 Take the small wins and focus on the positives
31:15 Same Page Small Steps vs. Doing it right With One Person On Board
32:01 What does living a remarkable life look like for you
34:35 What we remember from our childhood
35:10 What is the best advice you never got
37:13 What are you doing currently to have more fun
38:10 Being the embarrassing dad (a.k.a. being cringy)
38:55 When dads playing soccer pull hamstrings
39:50 The new scoreboard for dad soccer
40:20 Giving different advice on the sideline
41:02 What is next for you and "Love and Money"
43:15 Be and unbeatable team, and make space to live within our means so we can give and save and live.
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Beth Bruno about creating rites of passage, what girls need from their moms and how to raise strong confident kids.
Selected Links:
Beth’s Instagram
Beth’s new book
Beth’s Site
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:00 Introduction- Going Bald at 32
2:00 Widowed and then divorces with a young daughter
2:18 Dreams and tinctures
3:16 Creating 40,000 jobs
4:10 How can I muster inner fortitude and passion
5:00 Beth Bruno introduced
5:25 How to get a free copy of Beth’s book from Mandy
5:48 Mandy and Beth
6:02 Where did the idea of rite of passage come from for you
7:00 Feeling like we were floundering
7:59 A Voice Becoming
8:15 What did you do over the course of the year for your daughter
8:41 What do Rites of Passages look like
9:15 Bodies, boys and besties
9:25 Go big!
10:15 God’s questions to Hagar
10:59 Where are you going
11:22 Legacy Events
12:02 A test… were you listening
12:28 A blessing
12:38 An epic journey
14:00 Hunting for strong women (biking the Netherlands)
14:30 How did your daughter feel about the journey
15:40 Why Beth’s daughter is going to run for President
16:00 Eyes cast to a bigger vision
16:30 We are raising women, not American women
16:45 The global sisterhood
17:02 Introducing our girls to story (fiction and non)
17:53 Introducing our girls to real women
19:30 Big story living vs. small story lives
20:03 That is a 7th grader’s day
21:12 Perspective matters
22:25 What does it look like to live a remarkable life
22:47 Big transitions
23:30 I know there’s a purpose, even though it may be fuzzy
25:02 What is the best advice you never got
26:09 What are you doing right now to cultivate more fun
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Lisa Leonard about building a successful company, what to do when your marriage is falling apart, and how to bravely change up the rules you have for yourself.
Selected Links:
Lisa’s Instagram
Lisa’s new book
Lisa’s company
Lisa’s favorite piece right now
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:15 Introduction- Emotional Labor
2:47 Does this sound familiar
3:30 Freed up to Have More Fun
4:15 Introducing Lisa Leonard
4:59 Lisa Leonard
5:10 The Red Cereal Bowl
6:10 When growing up means you stop wanting things
6:30 About Lisa’s company
6:50 How it all started
8:21 Blowing up the business
8:55 When business takes a toll on your soul
9:15 We have a problem
9:35 When you don’t want to wear your own jewelry
10:00 I couldn’t continue
10:58 What did you learn from leaving
11:57 If I could have anything I wanted and needed what would that be
12:50 How do you simplify dinner
13:48 What would you tell the person who is trying to do it all and is about to lose it at any moment
14:18 Make space for quiet (even if just 10 minutes)
15:15 The scary stuff that emerges
15:45 What did you do to recalibrate in your marriage
16:15 Working through the hard stuff
17:10 Avoiding conflict for so long… I was terrified
18:28 Raising kids with special needs
19:30 Adoring our kids exactly as they are
20:40 What message would you give to other moms raising kids with special needs
21:21 I feel like I’m asking for the moon and people are rising to help
22:28 Don’t underestimate the power your kids have
22:41 The Brave Love Manifesto
23:38 Taking the bigger half of cake (I also deserve good things)
24:08 Say what I really think even if my knees shake and my voice cracks
25:00 What does living a remarkable life look like to you
25:45 What is the best advice you never got
27:44 What are you doing right now to cultivate more fun
28:17 Taking a nap is fun
29:25 What’s your favorite piece in the Lisa Leonard Designs store right now
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Amanda Cant about what to say to someone who is grieving, how to become an advocate for your children and why telling your story helps others to own theirs.
Selected Links:
Amanda’s Facebook Page
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:00 Introduction- Raking leaves and the “not yet” season
2:53 A blessing for you… the in-between time
4:17 Introduction of Amanda Cant
5:00 Two heartbeats on the ultrasound
7:30 Fighting even in the womb
8:25 I need to get the doctor
9:20 When a heartbeat stops
10:02 Should I terminate this pregnancy
11:23 We need to fight for our daughter
12:15 The swing of emotions
13:02 Tears of exhaustion, sadness and defeat
14:28 It was like my body didn’t know what to do
14:54 I feel like I forgot something
16:23 Why is there so much shame in loss
17:58 I feel like I’m the only one
19:35 Creating a child is a complete miracle
19:56 How can we come alongside anyone going through a season of hurting
21:48 Be present
22:15 When friends disconnect during tough times
23:37 I applaud the people who say weird things
24:30 How to use your voice and trust your gut to fight for your child
26:30 I’m not going to stop yelling until someone gets in here
28:50 One of the scariest moments of my life
29:20 Igniting positive change through tough circumstances
30:59 When your child’s hospital room looks like a Grey’s Anatomy episode
32:01 What to do when you disagree with the doctors
33:24 When your doctor tells you that you are a bad mom
37:56 Challenging doctors to question things
38:20 Can we find the source of SIDS
38:50 What would you say to other parents who feel like shrinking back from the medical community
40:05 You have all the tools you need
41:28 What’s the best advice you never got
43:40 What are you doing right now to cultivate more fun
46:20 Thank you for tuning in
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Hannah Brencher about writing letters to strangers building things out of love instead of fear and how to make friends in a new city.
Selected Links:
Hanna’s Website
Hannah’s Instagram
More Love Letters
Hannah’s latest book “Come Matter Here: Your Invitation to Be Here in a Getting There World”
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:00 Introduction- Making big decisions by coin flips
2:15 The “happiness” result of 20,000 coin flips
3:02 The coin toss gives us clarity
3:40 How to make a decision based on a coin flip
3:55 Just say “Yes!”
4:05 Introduction of Hannah Brencher
5:00 Moving to New York City and overcoming depression
5:25 Writing letters to strangers
6:19 If you need a love letter, just ask. How it all got started
7:22 You are not the only one facing this
7:55 Did you write all the letters?
8:04 How long did it take you to write all the letters
8:45 What story stands out to you of all the letters you’ve written
10:02 The Big move
10:28 How to make friends in a new city
12:05 Happy hour instead of a speaker fee
12:45 Ikea bringing people together
13:10 The chase for the next best thing
14:01 Don’t miss what’s happening in this moment
14:41 How to be present during a busy day
15:02 Building things out of fear instead of love
16:21 I didn’t have to let fear drive the car to Atlanta
16:56 Dismantling flakiness
17:50 Showing up when you’d rather not
19:05 The Fight Song Journal
20:47 Being Where Your Feet Are and Experiencing Belonging
21:50 Belonging comes with honesty
22:48 Initiating versus waiting for others to initiate
23:40 Sometimes we have to be the invitation
24:00 Come Matter Here
25:10 Waiting on a text saying, “Come matter here”
26:03 Letting people know that they matter
26:15 A simple prayer… “God show up”
27:08 God doesn’t leave me
27:20 What does “show up” mean
27:57 What are you doing to have more fun in your life right now
29:49 What is the best advice you never got
30:49 Just because you can multi-task, doesn’t mean you should
31:15 Get the 1st Chapter of Mandy’s new book for FREE
Quotes:
“The moment the penny is up in the air, you suddenly know what you’re hoping” Piet Hein
If you need a love letter… just ask
Be where your feet are
It doesn’t matter what you fill it with… it usually doesn’t fill
When we spread ourselves too thin we are doing a disservice to people
Belonging is like the manual at IKEA
You have to be willing to put yourself out there
The things that are hard transform us the most
Sometimes you have to BE the invitation
Most of the prayers that we need to say are simple and they don’t need to be muddied up with a ton of beautiful, eloquent words.
I’m slowly learning as I get older that multi tasking, while it’s possible, isn’t actually something that’s most effective.
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Jessica Honegger about how a pawn shop and adoption led her to start the most successful fair-trade jewelry company in the world. Also, why it’s important to value long-term efforts over short-term results.
Selected Links:
Jessica’s Website
Jessica’s Instagram
Noonday Collection
Jessica’s latest book
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:12 Introduction- Rest, Work and Play
2:01 Women prioritizing work over rest and play
2:30 Why are men and boys the way they are
3:53 Introducing Jessica Honegger
4:33 Starting the largest fair trade jewelry company in the world
4:57 How to keep moving forward in spite of your fears
5:08 The misconception of courage
5:38 Is courage accessible to all of us?
6:30 The only way around our fears is through them
7:35 The “What if“ fears that come up
8:25 Vulnerability is being able to take a risk without being tied to the outcome
8:55 I’d rather die trying than not try at all
9:20 Why is it so tempting to “bubble wrap” our lives
10:15 I can do the best job I can as a mom and my kids can still end up in jail someday
10:45 The freedom of realizing I’m not in control
11:30 My very first trunk show… how it all started
12:20 Sometimes our desperation leads to our most courageous acts
13:00 When we are convinced that no one will show up
13:40 We really do want to show up for each other
14:26 Walking compassionately
14:45 Ambassador community of Noonday Collection
15:04 Courage is contagious
15:30 Confirming the bias we want
16:37 It’s a journey
16:57 The LIE of insta-success
17:40 You can’t google your life’s purpose
18:30 How all the “random crazy things” connect
19:30 Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational forces
20:24 What you are doing matters and has purpose
20:36 What tips do you have for women entrepreneurs
21:00 Believe in what you are doing and it’s got to be connected to your purpose
21:39 You have to take the long view over the short term pain
22:44 There’s a waiting that is expectant… you’ve just to keep at it
23:48 Thoughts for someone who’s got big dreams but feels stuck
24:38 There’s just nothing that’s going to give you proof that there will be success… you just have to move
24:50 Test the market and have the conversations
25:25 What to do if you are interested in becoming a Noonday Ambassador
26:49 What’s the best advice you never got
27:12 What are you doing in your life right now to cultivate more fun
Quotes:
Fear can be in the car, but it can’t be in the driver’s seat
Sometimes our desperation leads to our most courageous acts
Courage is contagious
Insta-success is a LIE
There’s a waiting that is expectant
Popsicles are a viable meal for lunch
Description:
In this episode Mandy talk with Myquillyn Smith about creating a cozy home that works and partners with you and everyone in it, they also discuss naked feet and why Myquillyn hates seeing toes, and how to decorate a place you rent.
Selected Links:
Myquillyn’s Instagram
The Nester Website
Pre-order the Cozy Minimalist Home
Make sure to click “Watch Video” to see the amazing home and be sure to order the book soon to get some awesome pre-order bundles (only on Oct 23rd).
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:08 Introduction- How Green Eggs and Ham came about
2:22 We spend HOW??? much time looking for missing items
2:35 Myquellyn Smith intro
3:07 The new book
4:04 What does it look like to practice Cozy Minimalism
6:18 The shift of making a home look better to serving better
7:09 Why we don’t use our home the way we really want to
8:20 Buying more stuff isn’t the only solution
8:38 How to find the perfect sofa
10:36 Should I get a recliner sofa or a sofa with a name (like a Camelback, Birch Arm or Chesterfield)
12:30 If your rug is Oprah your drapes are Gail
14:23 Best tips on decorating a home you rent
15:29 What is the percentage of 2 out of 12 months?
16:27 Should I change the light fixtures on a rental home
17:53 We need to talk… why don’t you like feet?
18:40 No naked toes… they need to be censored
19:38 What is the best advice you never got
21:20 Myquillyn flips the script and asks Mandy what is her best advice she never got
22:01 What are you doing to cultivate more fun in life right now
24:18 A special guest closes the podcast today
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Ben Higgins from Season 20 of the Bachelor about his favorite moment from behind the scenes, they also discuss airplane etiquette, why he wears a retainer every night, along with Ben’s favorite practice for decompressing after a crazy day and his new adventure leading Generous Coffee.
Selected Links:
Ben’s Instagram
Ben’s Podcast Almost Famous
Ben’s other podcast Lady Bosses (and Ben)
Generous Coffee
MOPS http://www.mops.org/
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:04 Introduction- An irresistible application to NYU
3:40 What makes this essay so unexpected is that it disrupted the system
4:08 Sometimes life requires disrupting the system
4:22 Ben Higgins introduction
5:00 Don’t miss Mandy and Ben’s Carpool Karaoke at www.mandyarioto.com
5:31 What was the most memorable moment on the Bachelor
6:45 What does pig poop have to do with getting sick
7:30 Seeing the human side of your future spouse
7:57 Wearing retainers every night
9:01 Tips for dealing with negative feedback
11:14 I don’t know if I’m doing all of this correctly
12:30 Generous Coffee- How’d it get started and how did you get involved
14:59 Humanity Hope United
17:00 If you drink coffee, why not make it life changing
17:57 Following Jesus is holy and deep, but also fun and takes us places we would never expect
18:15 What is Jesus showing you now
19:18 When God won’t allow us to leave Him
20:00 What to do when people take their shoes off in an airplane
22:30 How to enter and exit a plane properly
24:30 What to do when you don’t want to talk on a plane
25:44 Rapid Fire
25:45 Favorite thing that happened to you this past week
27:16 Last time you cried
28:50 Favorite Room in your house
32:45 Jesus, my pipe and bourbon
34:08 Did you get an offer to be on the Bachelor this next season?
35:22 What is the last thing you cooked
35:49 What’s one thing career wise that you haven’t had a chance to do yet
36:55 What is the best advice you never got
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Justin Zoradi about doing work that matters, how to be a hero and what to do when you feel like a fraud.
Selected Links:
Justin’s website
Justin’s Instagram
Justin’s latest book
Giving Fuel
These Numbers Have Faces
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:00 Introduction
4:34 Mandy and Justin interview
5:04 What made being ordinary so powerful (the story of Le Chambon)
7:30 What do all the heroes have in common
8:40 You don’t need to “be someone” to be important
9:24 Lord, I’ll go wherever you need me
10:30 How to accomplish amazing things
11:20 The moment of obligation to do something remarkable
13:23 When our life looks different from others
14:04 A park bench conversation with God
14:50 These numbers have faces- favorite story
18:09 Tips for people experiencing their moment of obligation
20:55 When the comparison game kicks in
21:10 They have their story and I have mine
22:10 When well meaning people make it worse for us
23:12 What to do when I feel like a fraud
24:30 The story of Andrew Garfield
26:45 If you don’t do it… you will die
27:50 It’s okay to leave work unfinished
30:15 You don’t have to do everything… some things are meant to be incomplete
31:24 Parenting by letting go
32:40 What is the best advice you never got
34:45 No-one is really paying attention, so fail hard and big
35:06 What are you doing right now to cultivate more fun
In this episode Mandy talks with Hillary McBride about what it means to be a powerful woman, the complexities of shame, and how our body image can impact our kids.
Selected Links:
Hillary’s website
Hillary’s Instagram
Hillary’s latest book
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
0:55 Introduction
3:59 Hillary and Mandy
4:45 How do we learn to love our body in this present moment
7:00 How does body image impact our kids
9:43 Two strongest influences on kids for body image (besides parents)
10:24 Difference between mothers and daughters vs. mothers and sons
12:08 Dad’s influence on body image
12:55 What does it mean to be a powerful woman
14:15 What creates power
16:00 Different kinds of power
17:12 The dance between my identity as a woman and as a mom
20:00 Make room for all of your identities
21:15 Working with people who’ve had spiritual trauma
22:30 How to deal with trauma stemming from a faith system
24:58 How to help people who are going through abuse or trauma
25:30 Complex trauma
26:23 What is the best advice you never got
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Danielle Strickland about being curious, going faster when you have a dream and why surrender is essential to freedom.
Selected Links:
Danielle’s website
Danielle’s newest book “The Zombie Gospel: The Walking Dead and What It Means to be Human”
Danielle’s Instagram
Danielle’s other books
Infinitum
Brave Global
Amplify Peace
Women Speakers Collective
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
0:58 Introduction
1:35 Lipstick is Warpaint
4:28 The 1967 Boston Marathon
7:03 Something to prove to the world
8:10 Introduction of Danielle Strickland
8:40 Our brains aren’t full
9:56 I feel like a snake- I keep growing out of my skin
10:44 The invitation to Nicodemus is the same to us
12:23 How curiosity enlarged my journey
13:30 From fear to engagement
14:50 Fear based ignorance
15:45 The Forrest Gump anointing
17:15 The problem with planning too far ahead
18:18 Go Faster… less thinking, more doing
19:00 Knowing about God and Knowing God aren’t the same
21:27 Freedom and Surrender are Soul Sisters
22:04 Freedom begins here…
23:08 The desire of our heart
24:40 Going to the desert is a good thing
25:37 Being forced to surrender
26:30 I couldn’t have done it from a place of strength
27:27 The Brave Initiative (fighting human trafficking)
28:40 Where were you when I was 11?
30:14 We have another idea for your life
31:08 Where do people go to plug in to Brave?
31:17 What is the best advice you never got
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Kirk Cameron about kids and cell phones, how his family sets healthy boundaries with technology and Kirk tells a ridiculously cute story about how he met his wife.
Selected Links:
Kirk’s website
Connect Movie
Kirk’s Instagram
Mandy's New Book- Have More Fun!
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
0:58 Introduction
3:05 3 Quick Ways To Start Boosting Your Self Control
4:21 Why you should freeze your credit card in your freezer
5:36 Mandy introduces Kirk Cameron
6:45 Why Kirk’s wife buys their kids gift on mother’s day
8:03 That time we bought all our kids cell phones for mother’s day
9:05 When things started to turn with technology
9:40 How we struggle to manage our kids tech usage
10:38 What are the biggest concerns around tech and kids
12:01 The 5 Lies That Tech Culture is Teaching Our Kids
13:45 What do kids really need
14:44 Tips for parents who see kids becoming discontent
15:15 The Real World vs. The Virtual World
16:42 Our kids are getting bombarded
16:58 Creating a healthy world for our kids to live in
17:36 Put your own phone down and be with your kids
18:20 Model by regulating ourselves
18:42 How breaking my phone worked out for me
19:42 No Phone Zones
20:20 How to get rid of the “impulse use” of tech
21:21 Maximize and emphasis the relationship with your child
21:41 The Danger of Not having a relationship with your child
22:15 Why “Connect” is so good
23:08 When I as a mom am a little extreme in my response to tech
23:50 Practical tips to help us with tech
25:25 Helpful tools are not a replacement for good parenting, but it can help
25:47 Start with zero privileges and increase as it’s earned
28:48 When a freedom becomes bad for a kid it’s time to step in
29:09 Where can I go to watch Connect
30:08 Should I watch the movie with my kids
31:25 Let’s talk about Growing Pains
31:52 Favorite moments from Growing Pains
32:30 The first time I kissed my wife on the show
34:03 The beauty of Anbesol
35:35 As parents we need to stick together because we are pioneer parents
36:58 Mandy’s new book… an announcement
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Erin Loechner about why getting up early is awesome, tips for having a healthy relationship with social media and how to change the rules when they aren’t working for you.
Selected Links:
Erin’s Website
Erin’s Book - Chasing Slow
Erin’s Instagram
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
0:57 Introduction
4:58 Interview with Erin Loechner
6:14 How to rip up the rule book and do something different
7:30 Life is short, short, short…
8:15 Even the smallest change is going to do something
9:15 Thinking about living is not the same as actually living
11:05 Being one click away
12:05 The real Erin… come on over, you never know what you’ll get
13:08 We live very different lives, but the same life
14:04 The Good List on Instagram
15:29 Am I giving off a false sense of reality
17:30 Valuing the unimportant
18:24 I am passionate about tearing up the rules
19:20 Why I go to bed at 6:00pm and wake up at 2:00am
20:15 How to get out of making dinner and doing the dishes
20:44 How I can do it all by tearing up the rulebook
21:04 Self imposed rules that can be broken
21:19 Tricks to waking up early
22:13 Creative Geniuses
23:15 Surrendering in motherhood and working
25:04 How does being a mom look so easy from the outside
25:40 The time I left the room and my baby stopped crying immediately
27:16 Trying to control it made it worse
27:40 Honoring life’s weight but holding it loosely
28:21 I’m working to take myself out of the center of the story
29:01 Is this bringing vitality to my life?
31:13 What is the best advice you never got
33:46 How are you cultivating more fun in your life right now
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Shannon Miles about multi-tasking, the time she met Richard Branson, and how to be a working mom in a new way. Listen in if you want to get back into the workforce, want to work for yourself or long for more flexibility in your job.
Selected Links:
Shannon’s Instagram
Shannon’s website
Shannon’s book
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
0:53 Introduction
3:08 That time you met Richard Branson
5:33 If your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough
7:28 I feel exhausted and also feel like I’m not doing enough
8:19 Why is it so hard to ask for help as women
10:06 What is a Third Option
13:43 Tell us how you started your company and won the “The Best Company Culture” award from Entrepreneur Magazine
15:55 Pursuing full-time work from home
16:48 The challenges of being a working mom
17:36 Staying Present
18:44 Not overbooking (plan to be present)
19:22 Tell us about your book and how it looks different for different women
20:52 Just decide
21:10 Do something about it
22:07 What is success to you- You can have it all
23:46 Where can people get more info about Belay and 3rd Option
24:38 What is the best advice you never got
26:20 How do you cultivate more fun in your life
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with Rachel Hollis about her tips for having great sex, why we need to stop breaking promises to ourselves and how to live a life we actually enjoy. Listen to this if you need some motivation or just a little advice on being the best version of you.
Selected Links:
Rachel’s Instagram
Rachel’s website
Rachel’s book: Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be
MOPS
Music by:
Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
0:53 Introduction
3:30 Mandy and Rachel’s interview
3:49 When have you had to change things that weren’t working for you
4:35 Why do we forget that we can change things
5:58 What is your best advice for defeating the lies we tell ourselves
6:42 You are doing fine- there is no expiration date on who you are supposed to be
7:07 Why are we obsessed with TIME
7:50 I would have given up
8:15 Shaving your toes and the lie that I’m better than you
9:55 What happens when we judge others who do things differently
10:23 The lie that I’m bad at sex and how do we change that narrative
11:14 How does a preacher’s daughter learn about sex
12:25 Taking a hard look at what was going on in my sex life- why was I making it uncomfortable for both of us
13:15 What can I do to have fun in my sex life
13:40 The other side of discomfort
14:24 If sex was incredible, I’d want it as much as he does
15:12 If someone’s sex life sucks right now, what do they do
15:53 How to have an honest conversation about sex
16:51 Sex is mental for women
17:56 Keep adding to the arsenal of tools to have better sex
18:18 Sexy September- the more intimate we were, the more we wanted it
19:13 If you had an orgasm every time during sex, you’d want it all the time
20:15 Nothing would make your husband happier than this
21:10 Never breaking a promise to yourself
22:22 Why can I keep commitments to others but not to myself
23:30 We have to be careful about what we commit to do
24:41 Only say yes when you feel “Hell YES!”
25:18 There just aren’t enough resources to say yes to everything
25:50 Why I don’t volunteer at my kids school
27:27 Be clear on the things that matter to YOUR family
27:45 How to have dreams as a parent
28:50 You were a woman before you became a mom
29:43 Let go of the guilt. It’s not serving you or your babies
30:11 We teach our kids by our example
30:33 Figure out what makes you happy and do those things
31:44 How to avoid getting burned to the bottom of your barrel
32:10 Self care is what YOU believe to be of value
32:47 There is nothing in your calendar that you didn’t put there
33:08 What is the best advice you never go
34:08 Never judge your worth on someone else’s opinion
34:42 How to teach your kids that other’s opinion doesn’t matter
36:32 What are you doing right now in your life to cultivate more fun
Description:
In this episode Mandy talks with JJ and Dave Heller about how to balance work and being a mom, getting comfortable being different and how to work with a spouse. You will love JJ and Dave's lighthearted and fun nature as you listen in on a conversation about life on the road and what to do when things don't go as planned.
Selected Links:
Stories on JJ’s site
JJ's Instagram
JJ's YouTube Page
So You Think You Can Dance Video
What love really means
Upcoming Shows
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Special Note:
JJ will be releasing I Dream of You - Vol II later this year. Here is her kickstarter program that you won't want to miss. Click Here Album will release in November.
Show Notes:
0:53 Introduction
2:35 For Domestic Days (a liturgy for you)
4:13 JJ and Dave Heller introduction
4:53 Non-stick cookware
7:01 An unexpected response
7:53 How to give the best gift to your spouse
9:11 Making music together
9:40 How’d you guys meet
10:22 How do you pronounce djembe
11:20 So You Think You Can Dance
12:23 How a song literally saved a life
13:05 How does God want to use me
13:40 How Bob Goff redefined success for us
14:25 Who needs hope and peace
16:16 How have you found your place in music
16:48 Fitting in vs Belonging
17:55 Why our music isn’t on the radio
18:50 How to make sense of tragedy
19:50 I Dream of You- how it’s changed the world
21:48 What if we just take a break
22:40 When your music accidentally puts kids to sleep
24:08 When things don’t go as you planned
25:47 Boring music doesn’t play well in a concert
26:30 Why we donate music to foster families
26:55 When and how things shifted
27:40 I Dream of You- 2 (a new album)
29:45 How to deal with creative differences
31:00 JJ the Incredible Hulk song writer
32:00 How to deliver criticism
34:00 The funny thing about lullabies
35:57 Fact check for Mother Theresa
36:24 How sexy is it to be on the road
37:35 Dealing with loneliness on the road
39:15 3 Days of travel for less than 45 minutes on the stage
40:20 It’s a miracle that I get to do this
41:31 What’s the best advice you never got
42:50 A quote from Cool Runnings
In this episode Mandy talks with Jennifer Fulwiler about doing it all, defining success, and how to pursue your passion while raising a family. Listen in if you feel guilty about working, or needing help, or if you feel like you are overanalyzing all your decisions and want more freedom to really live.
Selected Links:
http://jenniferfulwiler.com/
Jennifer's new book
www.mops.org
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:05 Introduction (some notes on Theodore Roosevelt)
5:59 Mandy and Jennifer Fulwiler
6:15 How to navigate it all
8:22 When the life you need is not the one you’d choose
9:50 Overfed and Undernourished
10:53 How was life as parents different for our grandparents (decision fatigue)
13:02 The benefit of getting up before your kids
15:30 Asking for help when you need it (find what works for this season for YOU)
17:00 How do you ask for what you want
18:58 If it feels like life’s hard, the problem is not you
20:30 Where the title “One Beautiful Dream” comes from
22:04 What matters at the end of our lives
23:03 Being open to unexpected opportunities
27:50 What is the best advice you never got
32:15 How do you cultivate more fun in your life
In this episode Mandy talks with Harris iii about why being weird is great, how to regain wonder and why telling good stories to our kids is life-changing. Listen to this episode if you feel like you don’t fit in, are tired or worn down, or want to learn how to stop worrying and start living.
Selected Links:
https://harrisiii.com/
www.story2018.com
www.storygatherings.com
www.mops.org
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
:54 Introduction
3:29 Mandy and Harris
4:00 How to make peace with being weird
5:08 Have I gone mad?
6:13 In a sea of same, weird wins
7:12 How to deal with bullies
8:40 Why I call my kids names
10:21 Wonder is a light switch
12:22 How do we turn the wonder switch back on
14:03 How to keep wonder awake
15:20 Being Tricked
16:45 Who is writing the script for your life
17:30 How things are sold with deception
17:45 Which is it: deception, persuasion or leading
18:55 Finding congruency between the stage and real life
21:03 Being loved for who I am, not for what I do
22:30 At 15 I made more money in 1 year than both my parents made in 2 years.
23:15 Why do we care what bullies think
25:25 Meeting our creative work half way
26:43 A story without conflict is not an interesting story
27:30 The role story tellers play in the world- helping people re-imagine what could be
28:35 MLK was a master story teller
29:30 Story tellers have super powers
30:10 Everyone is a story teller
31:17 What is the best advice you never got
32:28 Being childish vs being child-like
33:12 We use our imagination as adults, often it shows up as worry
34:08 How do you cultivate more fun in your life
35:00 Food fight night
In this episode Mandy talks with Amanda Inchaustegui about dealing with criticism, how to be empowered in your everyday life, and the one thing healthy people do. Listen to this episode if you want tricks for living your best life, are desperate for more joy and are ready to get curious about what is holding you back.
Selected Links:
If you would like to experience the life improving affect of working with a coach Amanda is offering an introductory coaching vision session with one of the Novus Global coaches. Just send her an email at amanda@novus.global and she will connect you with one of their amazing coaches.
Amanda's site
MOPS
Show Notes:
:43 Introduction
1:42 Be occasionally remarkable
3:00 Do a few things well
3:28 Introducing Amanda
4:14 Where do we start to get what we want
4:44 Why complaints are important
7:40 What are you tolerating
11:15 Holding space for people to give an account
13:30 How to step into empowered space
14:30 Dealing with loss of pregnancy
18:31 Recognizing Rackets
18:40 Look good, feel good, be right and in control
20:50 How to deal with people who irritate you
22:25 How to self evaluate when you are running a racket
22:30 What are the behaviors and beliefs that reinforce our complaints
27:10 Taking on responsibility I shouldn’t
29:45 Committing to calm (how powerful are our brains)
32:21 What is the superhero trick we all have
33:01 How to deal with feedback
34:48 Perception is everything
35:40 Getting feedback from our kids
38:09 Coaching tips from a pro
39:30 Get curious about vision before “going there”
41:15 Being detached from the noticing
41:40 Dealing with hard feedback
45:06 What is the best advice you never got
On this episode Mandy talks with Candace Cameron Bure about her latest book, “Kind Is the New Classy”. Listen to this episode if you need some practical tips on handling your crazy life and dealing with close friends who differ from you.
Selected Links:
Candace's website
Kind Is the New Classy- The Power of Living Graciously
MOPS
Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
:56 Mandy’s Introduction
3:43 Mandy and Candace
3:55 How Whoopi Goldberg helped on a hard day
5:45 Mamma Bear hugs have power
6:45 Going back to work with purpose
7:50 How do you maintain your energy with a crazy schedule
8:42 Practical advice for doing it all
10:00 Learning to say “no”
11:11 How to deal with friends who are different from you
13:18 Getting closure and being at peace
14:50 You can still be kind even though you don’t agree with people
15:30 What parenting lesson from Full House or Fuller House do you use in real life
16:10 What’s it like to kiss other men who aren’t your husband
18:20 How do you create fun in your life
19:30 How do you stay present in the moment while doing so much
21:03 What is most critical to making it all work as a mother
Francie and her husband decided to try an experiment. How would their home life change if they got rid of their T.V.? Francie shares the details of what a life minus Game of Thrones looks like. Listen to this if your home feels chaotic, you are tired of yelling at your kids and want to have more fun with them, you feel distracted all the time, or you feel like you have no margin to do the things you love.
Selected Links:
Francie's website
MOPS
Show Notes:
1:03 Mandy’s Introduction
4:20 Are you breathing just a little
4:40 Introduction of Francie Winslow
5:20 Mandy and Francie start talking about getting rid of the TV
6:55 Earthquakes in D.C.
7:45 What to do about family members who "need" TV
8:58 What are the biggest differences you've seen from getting rid of the TV
10:35 Do your kids get along better without TV
11:30 Are movies bad for your kids
13:00 Was your husband on board for this?
13:55 What about phones and other tech in your house
15:45 What are the motives for my use of technology
16:45 Taking a week off from reading anything
17:20 How to respond to people who say kids need technology early to adapt to it
18:45 Why does Francie’s husband ask permission to use his phone
20:10 What’s the best advice you never got
21:25 Rhythms of rest
22:46 3 Practical tips for recalibrating tech in the house
Listen to this episode if you are in need of some creative ways to bring peace to the world around you. Mandy talks with Osheta Moore about having adventures, being a peace maker and raising world citizens. Osheta's infectious laugh and practical tips will inspire you to be a peacemaker in your everyday life.
Selected Links:
"Shalom Sistas: Living Wholeheartedly in a Brokenhearted World"
"The Very Good Gospel' by Lisa Sharon Harper
The Meeting House Kids Curriculum
"When God Made You" by Matthew Paul Turner
MOPS
Show Notes:
1:01 Introduction
4:03 Introducing Osheta Moore
7:53 Hold my purse, hold my earrings
9:35 Shalom sistas
12:45 Flourishing where I am
13:40 How to handle being called the “n” word at school
15:50 How to teach your kids to be compassionate in a world that is scary and aggressive
18:15 Amazing trick to tell better stories
19:38 How to call out the beauty in other people
21:15 Why does this only work in the car
21:55 Osheta has an a’ha moment
22:45 People are more important that theological and political positions
24:01 How to create shared experiences one-on-one
26:50 Encouraging others
27:50 Using peoples' names for good
28:20 How to raise world citizens
31:55 What is the best advise you never got
34:40 Resources for moms, ministry leaders, and kiddos
36:30 all about Shalom Sistas
37:25 Do you have any peacemaking failures
39:45 Crockpot and netflix
In this episode Mandy and her brother Charley talk with their mom Cindy, and Cindy’s best friend Jodi about how to find a best friend, be a good friend and develop framily. Listen to this if you are longing for deep friendship, want practical ideas on how to create meaningful moments, or want to hear personal and hilarious stories about life-long friendship. Just in case you were wondering, this is Mandy’s favorite episode ever.
Selected Links:
Charley's Instagram: A Dude's Life
Charley's CrossFit Gym: Fallbrook CrossFit
MOPS
Music by: Philip E Morris - "Sunshine Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com
Show Notes:
1:20 Introduction
5:30 True Friends
8:24 It takes a lot of work to be/have a friend
10:15 The constant in long-time friends
13:11 Framily- how do you have friendships that feel more like family than friends?
15:12 Social media and friendship
15:39 We get interrupted
18:45 Just make it so
20:30 Be sincere
21:40 The importance of respect in relationships
23:55 Staying connected to your siblings (Charley gives Mandy a hard time)
24:54 Assigned seating and roles
26:55 Who says lavatory anymore
28:20 Stories from when Cindy and Jodi first met (How it all started)
29:05 What do you do when your close friend is dying
32:30 Both are giving 80% and taking 20%
34:25 Best advice I never got- from Cindy
36:14 3 practical tips to have better/closer friends in your life
39:13 Give yourself permission to be a friend
42:08 Who is your best friend?
43:50 Don’t take it too seriously
45:30 Legacy of Love
45:40 What have we learned
48:40 Take people on a tour of your messy house
Listen to this if you want an excuse to practice hygge, are interested in how to have a home people want to be at, or want practical tips for communicating with your kids. In this episode Krista Gilbert shares her ideas on reclaiming home, traditions and childhood along with offering ideas on the neuroscience of soul care and the importance of knowing the two things that help kids thrive.
Selected Links:
Krista’s New Book- Reclaiming Home: The Family's Guide for Life, Love and Legacy
Krista’s website
Meaning in a Minute Facebook Page
World Happiness Report
JH Ranch
Camp Spalding
MOPS
Show Notes:
1:20 Introduction
1:45 Annual World Happiness Report
3:46 The Practice of Hygge and Danish Culture
5:40 Introducing Krista Gilbert
6:45 Where did the book come from
9:25 Show me how to do this thing called family
11:39 Home is the safest place in the world
12:05 How to create the sense of home when you don’t know where to start
12:50 How to make people feel accepted
14:38 The art of being fully engaged
14:53 Communication- bridging the gap
16:06 It’s not the words, it’s how you say them
16:33 Why is knowing our family history so important?
18:55 The stability of belonging
19:30 The two most important things that help kids thrive
20:30 Homemade gifts
22:45 Letting go of perfection
23:20 Meaning in a minute- something is better than nothing
26:10 How do you create a sense of contentment?
28:00 Neuroscience and soul care
31:00 Finding my spaces to get out
33:24 What is the best advice you never got?
34:40 Is that your tattoo
35:00 3 practical tips for reclaiming home
42:15 The importance of self-evaluation
43:15 I forgot I’m the parent
*Special note ***
The newest World Happiness Report was published on March 14, 2018. Here is the link- By the way, Denmark is still in the top three, beat out by Finland and Norway. The US dropped 4 spots to number 18. World Happiness Day is March 20th.
Listen to this if you want to feel more powerful, are dealing with trauma from your past, or want to raise confident girls. In this episode Lori Lara shares about the #metoo movement, sexual assault and how women can take back their power. Through her first hand experiences of healing from sexual assault and preventing trafficking in her hometown, along with her work teaching young girls to use their intuition to avoid dangerous situations, Lori provides practical ideas and helpful tools for every women and every person who is raising girls.
Selected Links:
Lori's webpage: www.lorilara.com
Get in touch with Lori - lori@lorilara.com
Music- “You’re the Best” by Johan Lilja (https://theartistunion.com/tracks/7742aa)
MOPS
Recommended Books:
Gift of Fear- by Gavin De Becker
Protect the Gift- Gavin De Becker
Abba’s Child- Brennan Manning
The Road Less Traveled- Scott Peck
Show Notes:
1:00 Disclaimer
1:15 Introduction
3:00 Lori Lara introduction
4:05 State of our culture, Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo movement
7:20 Getting triggered- Why is this bothering me 15 years later
11:15 Practical tips to not transfer past experience to our kids
13:15 Do you have an inner child
15:31 Firsthand experience with attempted sex trafficking abduction
21:25 Firsthand experience with sexual assault
25:40 You are worth protecting
33:15 What are predators looking for in young girls and how to teach your daughter what to say
35:05 When is it okay to be rude (grown men don’t need girls to watch their bikes)
37:05 Paying attention to the feeling inside you
38:33 Permission to be rude
39:05 Intuition, our God-given super power
42:15 The barking watchdog
42:40 Common denominator of families dealing well with this
44:28 What do you do when you make an unsafe choice
45:30 Sharing stories when we messed up
49:00 How do predators approach young girls
51:19 Where do girls get strength to be independent
52:00 What’s the best advice you never got
54:00 What are we teaching our daughters about listening to our intuition
54:55 It’s never too late to heal
55:46 Learning to ask for help
57:30 Make room for good- What could go right
59:40 From trauma to chicken nuggets, the messiness of having a breakdown with small kids
Listen to this if you want to understand the men in your life better, if you are a parent and need some tips on how to encourage your sons, or want to understand the cultural climate and how it is impacting manhood on a systemic level. In this episode, Mandy and her husband Joe, talk with David Thomas about what men wish they could tell women and he shares his best ideas on how to parent boys, deal with pornography and technology, and harness the power of masculinity in all the best ways.
**Links and Show Notes:** David’s books:
Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys
Are My Kids on Track?: The 12 Emotional, Social and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach
Intentional Parenting: Autopilot Is for Planes
Disney’s Circle Software
Raising Boys and Girls Blog
Technology Tuesday and other tech related blog posts
Sample Contracts for phone and devises:
From Josh Shipp
Device Contract from Common Sense Media
Media Contract from Common Sense Media
MOPS
Listen to this if you want to quiet the toxic voice in your head, feel like you need a fresh start, are desperate for rest , or are intrigued by the idea of making love to yourself (you read that right). In this episode, Mandy talks with Leeana about ideas for treating yourself like a beloved friend, the holiness of repetition, how to be a beginner, and Leeana shares practical ideas for how she practices self-care.
Links and Show Notes:
Leeana's Site
Begin Again Book
5 minute journal
Soul Care House- https://soulcarehouse.com
MOPS
Listen to this if you recognize that you have negative messages on repeat in your mind that are taking the fun and energy out of life, if you want to laugh about marriage and love languages, or if you ever feel like you are not enough. In this episode Mandy talks with Amena about the myth of cool, and they both share thoughts about how to stop playing it safe and have more fun.
Show Notes and Links:
Amena's site (www.amenabrown.com)
Amena's books:
How to Fix a Broken Record: Thoughts on Vinyl Records, Awkward Relationships, and Learning to Be Myself
Breaking Old Rhythms: Answering the Call of a Creative God
Music by Phillip E. Morris- Blue Skies and Sunshine (soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com)
MOPS
Listen to this if you want the easiest/ funniest dessert recipe that people will go crazy over, are lonely and longing for deep friendship, if you don’t invite people over because your house has Formica countertops, or want to get to know your neighbors but don’t want to be weird. In this episode Mandy talks to Sarah Harmeyer, founder of Neighbor’s Table about how she has hosted dinner parties in her backyard for over 3000 people and how she is sparking a movement of love simply by sharing meals around a table.
Show Notes and Links:
Music by: JJ Heller- At My Table
Neighbor's Table
Snack Pack Butterscotch Pudding
Table Tokens
MOPS
Listen to this if you sometimes think it would be better not to check your phone so much, are worried about how much time your kids are on screens, or want to be inspired to do deep and meaningful work. In this episode, Mandy talks with Andy Crouch about his unique view on being a tech-wise family. Andy’s refreshing and revolutionary views on how we can navigate technology, will inspire you and leave you feeling more empowered to fully experience life, glowing screens and all.
Show notes and links:
Music by: Jorm- Would You Forgive
Andy’s books: The Tech-wise Family- Everyday Steps For Putting Technology in Its Proper Place, Culture Making- Recovering Our Creative Calling, Strong and Weak- Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing, Playing God- Redeeming the Gift of Power
Remember these old cell phone ads?
Apps: Moment App, Checky App,
Book: Cal Newton- Deep Work- Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
LeCrae Song- Non-fiction
Sunrise Alarm Clock- pick any of them
MOPS
Listen to this if you want some ideas for how to live a life full of meaning, if you want to raise kids who look back on their childhood with wonder, or if you need some inspiration to make a change. In this episode, Bob and Maria Goff share stories about their family and marriage, along with ideas for living a life of whimsy. This is absolutely a conversation that will make you want to be a better human who has more fun, and invites the people around you to as well.
Show notes and links:
Music by Phillip E. Morris- Blue Skies and Sunshine (soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com)
Maria’s book- Love Lives Here- Finding What You Need in a World Telling You What You Want
Bob’s book- Love Does- Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in and Ordinary World
The Shared Experience of Absurdity- Ted Talk
Geodes for Teachers (best price I've found)
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
Onsite Workshops- counseling in Nashville
MOPS