Bragg-About Life Podcast

Club vs Cult — 3 Signs You're in the Wrong Room

Stop Overthinking Success — How to Simplify to SucceedAre you gifted… but overthinking your way out of success?

When Self Denial turns into Soul Denial In today's Live we bust three toxic myths about “dying to self,” show you the biblical difference between anxious self-consciousness and mature self-awareness, and offer a practical shift that frees you to live soul-full rather than self-less.00:00 Introduction: Self-Denial vs. Soul Denial00:53 The Subtle Lie: It's Not All About You01:35 The Goal of This Video02:36 Three Myths and One Freeing Shift05:29 Myth 1: Self-Denial is the Goal of the Christian Life11:32 Myth 2: Self-Awareness is Prideful22:32 Myth 3: Holy People Forget Their Needs31:25 Conclusion: Embrace Soulfulness31:54 Final Thoughts and Resources

I Left Full-Time Ministry… and Found My Calling | How to Know the Difference Between Career and CallingIs your career the same as your calling? I used to think so—until I left full-time ministry and discovered what I was actually made for.In this video, I'll share: • The truth about why your job is NOT your identity • What calling really is (and how it never left you) • How to design your business to SERVE your calling, not steal from itWhether you're a burned-out entrepreneur, a ministry leader in transition, or simply someone who feels like “there has to be more”—this is for you.

Are you exhausted from trying to do all the right things—but still not seeing the growth you expected?You're not lazy.You're not broken.You're just chasing strategies that were never meant to sustain you.In this video, I'll show you: • Why trendy tactics are burning you out • The 3 timeless truths that actually lead to growth • How to build a business that aligns with your calling—not just the current algorithmThis is for the gifted but overextended entrepreneur—the one who wants to do meaningful work without sacrificing her soul.⸻Free Clarity Call:If you're tired of tweaking and ready to get clear on what really works—book your free Clarity Call here:https://aprilbragg.as.me/ClarityWe'll uncover the real bottleneck and simplify your next steps—so you can grow without exhaustion.

Helping Too Much Is Hurting Your BusinessAnd It's Costing You Your Focus, Your Energy, and Your IncomeYou're helpful. Compassionate. Always showing up for others.But what if all that “helping” is keeping your business small—and your soul exhausted?In this video, I'm sharing the 3 hidden ways overhelping is sabotaging your business… and the powerful shift that will set you free.We'll cover:✅ Why overgiving creates false urgency✅ How repeating yourself without systems keeps you stuck✅ And how constant interruptions are killing your creative powerMost importantly—you'll discover what to do instead.You don't need to hustle harder.You need to lead with sacred clarity.

Feeling called to lead—but afraid it's unbiblical?In this episode, I unpack the dangerous misunderstanding around the word submit—and how it's kept gifted Christian women stuck, silent, and second-guessing their calling. We'll explore what the Bible actually says about leadership, identity, and agency—and why it's time to reclaim your voice without compromising your faith.

Overthinking is exhausting. Ever find yourself stuck in endless loops of indecision, second-guessing every choice, and waiting for the "perfect moment"? The truth is, indecision steals your time, energy, and peace. But the good news? You don't have to stay stuck. In this LIVE, I'll walk you through my 5-step framework to make clear, confident decisions—even when fear tries to hold you back.

Summer has a way of slipping by.  And sometimes we're torn, trying to cram too much goodness into too few days.   Whether you want this to be the GREATEST summer of all, the LAZIEST summer of all, the most PRODUCTIVE summer of all, or maybe a combination of THEM ALL - I've got you. Here's a simple 3 step framework for making the most of our moments, for the days are long, but the years are short and fleeting! Oh, and also, in case you struggle with a bit of FUN-guilt (like I did, thinking "I should be doing more for GOD instead of having fun!") - definitely give this episode a listen.  I'd love for you to see that that guilt does NOT come from God, but is actually a tactic the Enemy uses to diminish our light! Oh, and here's the links mentioned in the episode -  https://www.youtube.com/@HeavenlyPlaced https://aprilbragg.com/book/  

When I was a child, I believed in Happy Ever Afters.   I believed God was going to bring me a perfect man, and I was going to fall perfectly in love, and we were going to have a perfect wedding, and live happily every after, with our couple of perfect kids. And then I went to college, a GREAT place for that perfect man to find me (especially in the olden days - before all the dating apps) and I learned this valuable lesson -  He couldn't find me if I was hiding all the time. Sometimes, we're taught that we as Christians should ALWAYS be waiting - that FAITH requires waiting for God to take action on our behalf. And SOMETIMES, that is true.  But JUST sometimes. Sometimes, FAITH looks like, well, looking!  And it's in the looking, that we learn more about ourselves.  And that is GROWTH, and that's a good thing! So, here's some unconventional advice from a Christian life coach who is very happily married (on most days, lol! - because NOBODY AND NO RELATIONSHIP IS ALWAYS PERFECTLY PERFECT!!!) 

What are your thoughts about money? And, do they cause you to be suspicious of it, or good stewards of it? Broadly speaking, I believe Christians have been led by the Enemy to be suspicious of money.  "The love of money is the root of all evil."   It's so clever of him to take the words of JESUS and twist them through the centuries to convince us to be afraid of money and wealth, instead of seeing it for the USEFUL tool that it is! When we as Christians, and especially as Christian women, become confident stewards of the resources God gives us, and use our God-given intelligence and our God-given gifts to INCREASE our wealth and abundance, just imagine how we can use that tool to expand our influence in the world! Let's not fear it - and of course, let's not see it as a replacement for God in our life. I wanted to interview Danesca because she has gone from huge debt as a single mom, to conquering that mountain by applying wise biblical principles of stewardship, to NOW educating others in financial matters and also as a day trader. I was dying to learn more - and I thought you'd like to join me! To get more info about Danesca, follow her on IG at https://www.instagram.com/danesca_7/  

Want a GREAT marriage? Here's tip #1 - Never take marriage advice from people who don't enjoy their marriage - in ALL aspects. I was raised to believe that a "godly" marriage should look a certain way -  Husband leads in all things, Wife submits in all things, Children obey in all things, And dogs are better than cats as pets. Dogs are loyal.  Cats are too independent. Okay - that last part was a stretch, but not by much. Here's the problem I see.  We are looking for the "perfect formula" to avoiding divorce, and having a great marriage,  Not realizing that the Bible is about FAITH, not formulas. And the "perfect formula" for marriage was - if the wife submits, the marriage will be great. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe the marriage will be about 2 people devoting all their time, energy and attention to the selfishness of one person. And that's not a great thing - not for either person. Listen, I both LOVE to help couples stay HAPPILY married forever AND ALSO believe that "avoiding divorce at all costs" is the WRONG goal.   Is marriage a picture of Christ and His Bride, the church?  Yes. But an abusive marriage?  That is an EVIL corruption of God's beautiful design. Let's not turn a blind eye to it. Let's not be guilty of telling a woman to "submit" to abuse. Let's not make "a forever marriage" an idol in our churches, and ignore the real needs of the people in the marriage. A STRONG marriage, a HEALTHY marriage, a MUTUALLY loving marriage - that's the best buffer against divorce.   Let's not rely upon a simple "submission" formula to replace the work of admonishing, exhorting, teaching, bearing one another's burdens, and mutual submission that we as Christians are called to do.    

Were you told, "Train up a child, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Were you promised, if you parent correctly, everything will be okay. Were you pressured to insist that your kids obey, promptly, completely, with a positive attitude, every time, every adult? Were you taught a PARENTING MYTH? I've never met a parent who didn't have the desire to be the best parent possible to their kids. And, parenting is a sensitive topic. And parents are getting so much conflicting advice. After 22 years, I'm sharing my secret but strong opinion. Just so you know, I don't think we're doing our kids any favors by not trusting that we know what's best for our kids.  That's why I say that parents need to be confident! Then, I debunk the fear myth I learned at church that would have made me into a hyper-controlling parent. And, finally, I share why I believe raising our kids to be strong, instead of training them to be submissive, is the far superior (and Biblical) approach.

Have you ever CRAVED wisdom? I remember when I was a little girl, and I wanted to know EVERYTHING. I'm sure my questions drove my family nuts.   (I KNOW they drove my teachers nuts - they told me so!) But it just seemed to me, if you knew more, you'd make better decisions. And better decisions would lead to a better life. Anyway, that's what I thought when I was about age 8. Now, at 47?  I am CONVINCED of it. So, I thought I would share with you the stages we pass through to go from IGNORANCE (everyone's starting spot) to WISDOM - and how that can help us become SELF AWARE of our own blind spots! I think that's pretty cool - but remember, I was the nerdy kid at school asking ALL the questions!   Here's the thing to remember, especially if you are like me, with an insatiable desire for growth -  NOT EVERONE is like you. And that's okay. That does not make them wrong, or you WEIRD. It makes you WISE.   There's a saying, Ignorance is bliss.   The more you learn, the more you desire to learn. If I had to choose between wisdom or bliss -  I'd choose wisdom.  I'd envy the blissful person next to me, lol! But I would STILL choose wisdom. What would you choose? So, that's my warning before you listen to this episode!  

Are you looking for a better time management system so you'll have more time to spend with the ones you love, and doing the things you love to do? Or, are you looking for a time management system that will help you get EVERYTHING done, regardless of its importance to you and your purpose and goals in life? This episode dives into how "time management" stops being a tool, and potentially becomes a TRAP - when it is used indiscriminately. Especially geared for Christians who feel guilty about resting when there's ALWAYS more that can be done for the Kingdom of God, I hope that this episode will give you: greater discernement, greater peace, and more confidence As well as gently nudge you to make MORE time for God's gift of REST in your life.   PS - ready to escape the time management trap and enjoy the benefits of having more time, getting more done, without hustle, without fear, but not sure where to start?  Start here by booking a Clarity call at https://aprilbragg.as.me/clarity  

Ever looked at a talented friend doing something that you secretly wish you could do, but you're plagued by the thought "I could never do that.  She is so confident!"   Well, I've learned a little secret.   There's not much that we cannot LEARN how to do.  Even things like speaking on stage or video - which is the thing that I wanted to learn how to do - even though the mere thought had me breaking out in HIVES!   So, in this 100th episode of Bragg...About Life, I thought I would share with you my story of going from "I'll NEVER be on video" to now starting a YOUTUBE video!  And going through this journey showed me there are 2 questions and 1 secret ingredient I use all the time to cultivate confidence.   And that's why I'm calling it the Confidence Formula. Now, I'd love to hear from you - what area of your life would you like to apply the confidence formula to?  Tell me and I'll cheer you on!  

Ever wished you had more time? Ever feel guilty for wanting more time for yourself? What if those 2 things are linked? There's a reason why most women's time management problem is not going to be solved by "becoming more efficient" or "going to a digital calendar". I know.  I tried.  I even bought a HUGE wall calendar and wrote EVERYTHING down - and still didn't have time. Because there were 3 people stealing my time. And that's why I now know this - if we don't stop the steal, it won't help to make more time - because that extra time will just get taken too. (kinda like government with our income taxes - but I'll keep this non-political, lol!) Listen, TIME is the currency of our life.  It's what we use to buy experience and memories and share our gifts and presence with others.   May this video inspire you to see your time as your most VALUABLE asset to steward.

I'm concerned that we as Christians have accepted BUSY-ness as NORMAL.   I'm not talking about being productive.  I'm talking about that rushed feeling we all have when we believe "there's not enough time for me to do what I need to do." Does your life feel BUSY - all the time? In this episode, I explain the difference between being "busy" for a season versus being busy as a lifestyle, and how I was taught that Godliness looks like "being busy all the time" and why I believe that is actually a lie from the Enemy rather than way God designed us to exist. I also share the BIG reason why I have chosen to reject "busyness" as a normal state, especially for Christians. Finally, I share a few reasons why we fall into the busy trap, and 3 steps for breaking free from it.

Don't you love a great shortcut - a life hack - something that makes life easier or better? That's what I think WISDOM does. Only problem was, I used to think, "It takes a LOT of time to become wiser. Or a LOT of experience." Well, recently, I realized that I have been using a shortcut to WISDOM for a long time. Today, I'm sharing that Wisdom shortcut with you. I like to think of it as "Put 100 years of wisdom in the same room and grow wiser in one day" And that's why I love the idea of "Cultivating Intergenerational Wisdom" In this episode, I share where I got the idea, how I implement it, and how you can start too.   I'd love to hear your perspective - do you have wise women in your life from different age groups that you love to spend time with?  

The Faith To Do Hard Things? I have a saying.  "Life's not meant to be HARD; it's meant to be LIVED."   I started telling myself that sometime in my late 30's.   See, up to that point, I was always trying to make life easier. And, in A LOT of areas, I succeeded.   I simplified my home, I automated my homeschooling, I mastered budgeting, I even got on board with exercising on a regular basis. It felt like I was a real ADULT, lol!   And then God prompted me to do something NEW, something DIFFERENT, something HARD.   Because life isn't supposed to get easier and easier - we're supposed to GROW AND GROW.   As we grow, what WAS HARD becomes easy, and we have more capacity and more capability. WHY is life like this?   BECAUSE it does US good, it does the WORLD good, when we exercise FAITH. So, in this episode, I share what "HARD" thing I'm up to these days, why I believe we are called to WALK by FAITH, and how I hope YOU too will commit to WALKING BY FAITH... Even if it feels hard. PS - That book I was talking about?  Here's the first chapter for FREE - https://aprilbragg.com/book/    

If we ENJOY reading the Bible, then we will naturally do more of it. And also, sometimes finding even 5 minutes a day to call our own is challenging! In this episode of Bragg-About Life, I share 3 main ways to read our Bible  - or as I like to call it, "Finding Your Bible Reading Style"! But, here's something that I didn't say in the episode - ANY time spent in the Word of God is potentially transformational.  One verse, quoted from memory, on repeat throughout a difficult day, is my FAVORITE way to spend time in God's Word - even if I don't actually OPEN the Bible (or OPEN the BIBLE APP on my phone - which is how I exclusively read these days!) A Bible verse posted on the wall, a daily verse notification, a coffee date and Bible study with God at Starbucks, a Youtube video of the Bible being read to you - let's use our God-given CREATIVITY to ENJOY learning more about God, His love for us, and His success principles for life - a little bit every day! Remember, it's a journey so, have fun with this - I'll allow it! (LOL)    

Do you feel guilty for not reading your Bible "enough"? Yeah, that's gotta stop!   What if a "have to" attitude is getting in the way of you genuinely enjoying spending time in the Word?   In this episode, I share the reason I stopped reading my Bible altogether for a season of my life, and the AMAZING discovery that came from that act.   Now, I don't want to spoil the ending - so listen to the episode to find out what I think about reading my Bible now!     And, here are all the goody links I promised in the episode: https://www.heavenlyplaced.com/ is my personal favorite Bible reading resource from someone who TRULY enjoys reading God's Word, and hopes to inspire others to enjoy it too! Wanna listen instead of reading it?  I've got you!  https://www.youtube.com/@HeavenlyPlaced   And if you want to go deeper, then join the "Be Transformed" Challenge here -  https://aprilbragg.com/challenge/  

I didn't know that God had given me SO.MUCH.POWER. That's just 1 lesson I learned from working with a coach. I also didn't realize that the reason I lacked joy in my life was NOT based on my current circumstances - but rather on the way I was thinking about them, and feeling like a victim to those circumstances. I didn't realize that ONE THOUGHT could change my life. Finally, I didn't realize that working with a life coach would make DREAMS come true. Yes.  It souonds like an EXAGGERATION.   But how else could I describe the transformation in my life, in my marriage, in my relationship with my kids, in my relationship with God??? See, I fell into a common error - I didn't know what I didn't know.  And what I didn't know was EXACTLY how I was keeping myself from experiencing and enjoying God's PROMISED ABUNDANCE for my life. That's why I recorded this specific episode. Not because I want to twist your arm and talk you into working with me (in case you did not know, I am a Certified Life & Relationship Coach).   No, I share this episode because you too might be where I was 5 years ago - wondering, "If I'm a Christian, why am I not happier?  What am I missing?"   Sometimes, God sends discontent in our hearts so that we'll NOT SETTLE for less than His VERY BEST. So, here's my quirky little story of how I, the world's biggest skeptic, found life coaching, used the tools (plus my knowledge of Biblical principles) to transform my life from the inside out, and WHY I then became a coach. Hope you enjoy this - and feel free to email me at april@aprilbragg.com if you have any questions!

I've heard it been said - God cares more about your holiness than your happiness. Which leads us to believe - God is not interested in our happiness at all. And I think that idea is completely contrary to Scripture.   I'm gonna be honest - it breaks my heart when I ask the question "Are Christians supposed to be happy" and people resound with a confident "NO!"   Did you know that "Blessed" in the Bible (in both Hebrew and Greek) means "happy"? So, are Christians supposed to be blessed?  YES! And that's what I think the problem is. We know with our head that we ARE blessed, even if we don't always feel happy. But when we FEEL happy, it's because we are REMEMBERING how very blessed we are! Want to be happier?  Why wouldn't we??? Well, in this week's podcast, I share the 3 times we are happy, what happiness really is (the 3 P's), and my answer to my mother's question, "April, are you happy?" EEK.  Moms have a way of cutting straight to the heart, right? I think God created us to crave happiness for 2 reasons -  When we're unhappy, it can be a powerful signal to seek God and ask why.  "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of your heart."   I think our happiness, our contentment regardless of the circumstance is such a profound witness to non-believers that God is GOOD, God is LOVE, and God's WAYS are health, and truth, and life - in a very real, very practical way. "Godliness with contentment is great gain."   So, maybe our holiness and our happiness really cannot be separated from each other? I mean, holiness WITHOUT happiness?  What does that even look like?  My guess is - the Pharisees of Jesus' day, who were always criticizing the Perfect Son of God for having too much fun on the Sabbath! Just some thoughts to think on this week! PS - Know you're missing out on some happiness but not quite sure why?  Book a free Clarity call here - https://aprilbragg.as.me/Clarity  

Ever felt held back in life by your inability to MAKE MORE MONEY? Ever felt uncomfortable asking for a raise or offering to sell your product or service to someone else? Wondering why people aren't EXCITED about your stuff - EVEN if it is free?  That's because we've bought into a lie - that sales is a creepy thing that people do in a creepy way to make money for selfish reasons. And we don't want ANY part of that - nor should we!!! In this interview, Kat Schubert, co-CEO of "THE Salesgirls", is going to dispel the myth that sales is creepy, and that women can't (or shouldn't) master this life skill. We'll also answer what "selling" really is - and how selling can help ANY WOMAN, whether you're a career woman, entrepreneur, single or married, or mom, MAKE THE MONEY YOU DESERVE by learning how to do ONE THING - Persuade for Good!   GRAB THEIR BOOK:   Persuade for Good: How to be a Person of Influence Who Changes the World One Conversation at a Time -  JOIN THEIR CHALLENGE:  Sell Your Offer Challenge: How any female entrepreneur can make more money consistently (even if you believe that selling is the worst part of doing business)    

Does living life on your own terms sound, well, selfish? Have you ever wished you had more time - but when you do get more time, others seem to ask more of you? Ever wished you had more energy, but also felt like you were lazy because you could see others that seem to do more - and they never get tired? If there's anything the Enemy is good at - it's at getting us to compare ourselves And comparing leads us to either feeling inadequate (because we see others as better than us) feeling prideful (because we see ourselves as better than others) UGGGHHHH!!!! In today's episode, I created an acronym out of the word TERMS to explain 5 areas that we can focus on to make our life better. Some may think it sounds selfish - I think it's just good stewardship. But I will let you decide! PS - I'd love to know: Which one could you use more of? Time, energy, money, better relationships, or the ability to relax and appreciate your success?   go to https://aprilbragg.com/ for more.  

Do you struggle with anxiety?  Ever wonder if it's a spiritual failing? "If my faith were stronger, I wouldn't be fearful!"  That's a myth that I inadvertently picked up by growing up in a church that NEVER discussed issues of mental health. Let's change that!  Today, I invited Christina Adrien, LMHC to come and talk to us about  How prevalent anxiety is What are the causes Is it a spiritual failure What we can do about it I'm going to be real with you here - I struggled with anxiety long before I even knew the meaning of the word!  And then I made it worse by having Anxiety ABOUT my anxiety.  But, through God's grace and my mother's wisdom, I have learned how to "have peace in the midst of the storm". And that's the Plan.   So, enjoy these words of wisdom from Christina if you, like me, struggle with anxiety and would benefit from Creating an Anxiety Plan! And for further help, you can find out more about Christina's work here: Website - https://www.adrientherapy.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adrientherapy/ FREE GIFT! Download Free thought journal - https://www.adrientherapy.com/thoughtjournal    

If you had to pick one word to describe your marriage, what would it be? If you chose one word to describe your ideal marriage, what woud it be? Mine would be the same - passionate.  Even before I met my husband, I wanted to have a passionate marriage. How does that saying go...Be careful what you wish for? LOL The reason I wanted to talk about my marriage - and the pros and cons of our passionate natures and our passionate relationship together - is because of this -  To dispel the myth that there is ONE PERFECT WAY for a marriage to look.   The Bible is full of pictures of marriages - and God doesn't bother to hide the fact that NONE of them are perfect. But, maybe we could just drop the goal of perfection, and instead aim for enjoying each other's company and supporting each other's dreams and helping each other in our unique creative way.  And maybe laugh at our little idiosyncracies and not make our mistakes mean that we're doing it wrong! So, I'd call mine and Hiram's marriage PASSIONATE - and I share the pros and cons of that.  And I'd love to know - what word would you use to describe your marriage (or desired relationship)? Remember, there's no perfect.  There's just better and better practice!

Are We Worshipping the HARD? There's our goal. Then there's stuff we go through to reach our goal. Some of that stuff is HARD.  HARD at first, until we get used to doing it, and then it gets easier. Like walking, public speaking, advocating for others - all things that start out hard and then grow easier with practice. HOWEVER, there seems to be a big, macho attitude towards "HARD" now.  "We Do HARD THINGS, BRUH!"  Just because they're hard and just to prove how tough they are. Okay.  That's fine if that's what you want. But beware of these 2 mistakes: Goal swapping - making "doing HARD things" the goal instead of dealing with "hard things" as they come up in our progress toward our goal Great Story Syndrome - comparing our life to someone else's great story of how they overcame a tragedy and making it mean we can't help people in a great way without a great story Remember this - Life is as hard as it needs to be to teach us the lessons we need to know to make life better.      

Anxiety, Mary & Martha Syndrome, the Enneagram, and Emotional Maturity - find out what all these things have in common in this conversation that I have with my classmate from college days, former client, and amazing friend Stephanie Goldsborough. In this episode, we discuss how we have both minimized our anxiety, our mutual appreciation for personality tests, and the benefits of being in our 40's.  

Have you ever had doubts about God? His Goodness, whether He really loves you, or even His existence? Well, you are NOT alone.  In this episode of Bragg...About Life, I reveal the 3 step framework I use to deal with my doubts about God when they crop up. As in, YES, I still have doubts.  And I don't think that makes me any less a child of God.  In fact, I use those doubts to DEEPEN my relationship with God. Most of all, I want you to know this - you are NOT alone; doubts are NOT necessarily bad things; and even though it may not feel great (okay, it feels TERRIBLE) to struggle with doubts - that is NOTHING to be ashamed of or hide. Don't hide your doubts - handle them with compassion and grace.   Because, truly, the point of the Christian faith walk is not to KNOW everything, but rather to GROW in everything - love, joy, faith. Be OKAY with not knowing, but rather GROWING! And, if you'd like to continue this conversation - email me at april@braggcoaching.com      

Blessed are the BUSY, because they shall get to finally rest in Heaven someday. That is NOT what the Good Book says, but for some reason, it has become quite acceptable in Christian circles to be rushing around from activity to activity, staying busy with lots of life events and ministry opportunities. And I was the worst about this.   In this episode, I share a snapshot of what I now refer to as "the BUSY years", how I got trapped in unnecessary busyness, and what I did to free myself from a crowded calendar and chaotic life. I realized that, in my mind, Busyness = Important, and Busyness was how I distracted myself from my real work - facing my doubts and insecurities, and growing in grace, and living out my true purpose. And, after you listen to the episode, I'd love to know - which reason resonated the most with you?  Let's talk about it!  You can email me at april@braggcoaching.com Enjoy!

Iron sharpens iron - that's what the Bible says. Being influential on those around you was a THING before Instagram, lol! In fact, we are called to be a light to the world.   So, the next question is, how to be influential?  Or, how to be MORE influential?   That's what I dive into in this episode. Don't worry.  This is not "how to be Instagram famous" - but rather, how to be influential in the ways that are important to you, and that can have a life-changing, positive influence on those you love. And, it all boils down to knowing a few things about ourselves, and then consistently living from those things. I hope this episode encourages you and reminds you that you were meant to have a positive and loving influence on YOUR PEOPLE!

Nobody likes a crybaby.  At least, that's what I thought. And as a sensitive child, I spent a LOT of time trying to prevent the tears, hide the tears, deny the tears. I thought my sensitive nature was a weakness. Until one day, when I realized, It IS NOT! We all have aspects of ourselves that we might not have chosen.  Physical, mental, emotional parts of us that feel like they're holding us back. Question is, what are we going to do about these "flaws"?  Are we going to go through life, apologizing for how we were created?  I hope not. I hope this episode encourages you to take a new perspective on YOU!   And our "weakness" is an opportunity to receive not one, but 2 amazing gifts! Listen to the episode to find out what those 2 amazing gifts are, and why I now see my super weakness as my super strength. And then, I'd love to hear - what is your superweakness turned superstrength?

We're more digitally connected than ever.  And we're struggling with loneliness more than ever. So bizarre, right?  But we've had enough time to prove one thing - likes and comments and followers are STILL not nearly as powerful as YOUR PRESENCE. That's why I wanted to talk about 3 Simple Tips to Improve Any Relationship this week.  Because the ironic thing is - with people STARVING for attention, it really only takes a BIT of intentionality to make a difference in a relationship. Think about it - you have the ability to POWERFULLY CONNECT with those nearest and dearest to you, simply by being present and intentional. It's such a gift to share with others.  It's such a gift to share with yourself. I hope this episode inspires you to BE the person who leads the way in your relationships!

Christmas - it's such a bittersweet holiday. We see plenty of reminders about the joys of the holiday season, but I know this -  Christmas is a time when we also remember, and grieve those we've lost. In this episode, I talk about how to hold holy space for both. I explain WHY painful memories come up during the Christmas time, and how to handle this mixed bag of emotions during Christmas.   Your grief is precious in the eyes of the Lord, and is a way to reconnect with the TRUE gift from this season - PEACE.   And in case you'd like to listen, here's where you can listen to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns.  

Confused?  Too many options? Facing an irreversible decision? Or, feel like EVERYONE has an opinion on what you should do - and they are NOT all on the same page? Feel like you've been trying for awhile to make a decision Wanting to make CERTAIN this choice is aligned with God's will for your life? If you are struggling for clarity regarding a decision in your life, this episode is for you! In it, I share 3 potential mistakes that make it HARDER to make a wise decision, and the solution for making wise decisions with confidence. And if you'd like FREE help to make a wise decision - go here to book a FREE Clarity call - in 45 minutes, I'll help you explore your options, as well as gain greater perspective on how to make future decisions more confidently. Go here: https://aprilbragg.as.me/Clarity  

Are you looking for a mentor?  Someone who will help you navigate a season of life with more confidence?  Someone who will teach you highly valuable skills without having to go back to college for a 4 year degree?  Someone who can help you get better results in your life in a shorter period of time with less effort and fewer mistakes?   Those are the benefits of a mentor. In this episode, I talk about the MANY ways you can find a mentor, what to look for in a mentor - and what to look out for!  We discuss free vs paid, and active vs passive mentoring.  And I share some of my mentoring investments - everything from free to 5 figures!     If you're wondering how to find a great mentor - this episode is for you!

Dear Working woman, is a mountain of laundry making you question whether you should give up a job or career that you love? This is a question that we wrestle with - especially when we see our job responsibilities colliding with our heart's priorities - our family. When your head is insisting it's EITHER this OR that, take a moment.  Pause. Listen to this podcast where I have the opportunity to interview Coach Britt Tollinchi, who as a coach, empowers women to take a "BOTH AND" approach when it comes to making room for Big Career goals and Big Home goals. Coach Britt shares her story, the pattern she picked up in the work force that made her take notice of the problem, and how she navigates confidently when LIFE and WORK collide (because that DOES happen!).  She goes on to share her top 3 tips for what it takes to "Unjuggle the Struggle" that we women face and how she helps women succeed at BOTH their big goals. Enjoy this lively conversation and you can find out more about Coach Britt, her work, and follow her on Social Media at the links below.   Free 30 min Coaching Consult Inquiry Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWMl6PiDLCZzZIltdMekRR8Fr5Hzy4unme-rH7titGIh19Sw/viewform?referrer=https://l.instagram.com/ https://www.onfirewellness.com/home IG: @brittney_tollinchi

Have you ever heard of the man who owns a plumbing business but has not the time to unclog his own sink?  The carpenter too busy building other people's houses that he never builds his own? Well, as Women, Mothers, Wives, Nurturers, Caregivers, Sensitive Souls, there are some things we do for other people that blesses them - and yet, we forget to do them for ourselves. And one of those things is to ask these 3 questions. In this episode of Bragg...About Life, I share 3 important questions that we NEED to ask ourselves. I think of these as the "Burnout Prevention" questions.   In fact, I LOVE to ask these questions of other women, because sometimes, oftentimes, I find that I may be the FIRST PERSON EVER to ask them. So, listen to the episode - and I'd love to know - do you ask yourself these 3 questions?   Enjoy!

We need more volunteers!  Are you doing your part? When the rallying cry goes out - is your first instinct to say YES, and then figure out later how you're going to do it all?    Do you feel bad about saying no?  Are you the person that EVERYONE turns to for help - and you're starting to wonder "Do I ever get a break?"   You are NOT ALONE.    There are many reasons why we all fall into a pattern of overserving during different seasons of life, but for some of us, it is a REAL problem.   I know.  I've been there.  Many, many times.  In this episode of Bragg...About Life, I want to share with you some of the reasons why over-serving is not helpful to you or others, the signs that we are over-serving, and also my best tips for creating space to reassess what you're saying yes to.   At the end, above all, I want to make sure you know this - your WORTH is NOT TIED to your WORK.  Otherwise, you won't stop working until you're exhausted and burnt out, and the world will miss out on experiencing the unique gifts that you were created with.     May your service be marked with genuine generosity, and never guilt!

The holidays are arriving quickly - and so is the chaos! But chaos can take many forms.  There's the physical clutter, the extra activities on the family calendar, and the holiday treats that play havoc with your healthy eating plan. Then some of us are dealing with more emotional chaos than usual.  Get togethers with family members that love us (and maybe drive us crazy too), or memories that bring tears to our eyes and make us feel a bit more fragile during this time of year.  How do we navigate all of this chaos - the good, the bad, the ugly - confidently? By creating a PLAN.  A plan for peace, for more laughter, and for a few authentic no's. If you struggle with neglecting yourself during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, this is for you. If you are more focused on taking care of everyone else, and find yourself getting burnt out by the busy-ness of the season, this is for you. If you'd like to maximize the joy of this season and minimize the sugar-fueled meltdowns, this episode is for you too. Because, at the end of the day, sometimes the very best thing we can do for ourselves AND for those we love is to set a loving limit - or, in plain English, say "NO" a little more often so we can say YES to a Holiday season filled with more peace, more joy, and more appreciation for those we love. Now is the time to create your Holiday PLAN to Handle the Holiday Chaos Confidently! 

Parenting is maybe the biggest job of our life, and we enter it with virtually NO TRAINING, and sometimes plenty of baggage from our own childhood. But where there's a will, there's a way.  Every parent wants to do the best job, and also, every parent goes through a time when they feel like a failure. In this episode, April Bragg interviews Parenting Coach Kristin Schmoke to find out her tips and strategies for navigating parenthood with grit and grace. From holes in the walls to parents' greatest fears and failures - this is a vulnerable conversation between two women who are coaches, Christians, and parents of teenagers. Kristin shares her tips for making the years less conflict-filled and more connection-focused. May the nuggets shared by Kristin encourage you on your parenting journey of a lifetime! To learn more about Kristin Schmoke, Parenting Coach:  https://www.kristinschmoke.com/  https://www.instagram.com/kristin.schmoke.parenting/

Ever WANTED to get rid of more, but felt like it was too hard?   It is hard! Too many decisions and our brain wears out. Our we start getting nervous and asking "What if I need this?" And as our fears and confusion arise, our dreams of a calm home with everything in its place fade away - and we're left wondering, "Is there something wrong with me?  Why can't I keep this place cleaned?" There's nothing wrong with you - maybe what's wrong is you are trying to declutter the HARD way. This episode of Bragg...About Life will share with you the 3 steps that I recommend you do to make sure you are working WITH your brain instead of against it. It's not about pushing through - it's about leaning in.  Leaning into the bright future you envision - the things you will be able to do on Saturday instead of playing catch-up, the way your home will welcome you when you walk in through the door, or even the way others will say "I wish my home always looked like this! You are so organized!" Remember, there is more to life than housework.  Don't let "stuff overwhelm" crowd out your dreams!  

It's not your imagination.  Stuff is practically walking itself into your home.   We are inundated with freebies.  Free coffee mug from a church, free t-shirt from a fundraiser, free toy in every happy meal. But this doesn't mean we have to spend all our weekends cleaning out our house. We CAN put a stop to the free stuff - when we know deep in our core that we already have ENOUGH.   That is the difference with the Declutter & DONE method.  We declutter ONE time, thoroughly, then we enjoy our newly transformed space, and then we naturally say "No thank you" to all the "free" gifts that we really don't want.   And it works.  Why?  Because this decluttering method works with our brain - and focuses on abundance and pleasure rather than scarcity and fear.  Try it.  It's a game changer!

How to Organize ANY area of life (or even your life) in 3 stages. If you think "I'm not good at organizing", it may simply be because you are skipping one of these 3 stages.   There are 3 stages to moving toward a goal - and if we miss any of these 3 stages, we tend to lose either our motivation or our momentum. When we know these stages, then we can use this framework over and over again, in ANY area.   In this episode, I will also share WHERE I started in my own life, and why.   Enjoy!

Organizing vs Decluttering "You're a professional organizer, right?"  NOPE!   Even though I help working women Create a Home That Takes Care of Itself, I find myself explaining time and again - it's very hard to create an organized home if we start with organizing. Decluttering and organizing are two terms that get used interchangeably, but they serve 2 different purposes.  When we understand what those purposes are, then we can use them accordingly.  In this episode, I explain why Decluttering, when done to completing, is SUPERIOR and EASIER than jumping straight into Organizing - even if you hired a Professional Organizer to do it all for you!. By the way - this is not a criticism of professional organizers either - they are gifted people who are amazing at what they do!   This is for the average woman who feels like she is "not naturally organized".  What if that's NOT TRUE?    

What's For Dinner? Why This is the Answer to a Chaotic Day Something unexpected came up in a day that was already full of, well, life!  And now you're wondering how to get everything done? Or, perhaps you are in a season that is overwhelming you from all sides - and you know something needs to change, but you're not sure where to start. I always start here - by answering this simple question.  In this episode, I share why I start here, how I go a step further by creating a super easy default meal plan, and the benefits of asking this question.  

Indecisive? How To Make Better, Faster Decisions with 3 Questions Maybe some people make decisions quickly.  I'm not one of them! However, I have learned that confident decision making is an actual SKILL that we can practice and get better at. In this episode, I'll explain why we hesitate to make decisions, and share 3 questions I have developed to help me make decisions faster and better, without getting stuck in the "what if it's the wrong decision" trap.   If you would like a FREE Clarity call, click here - https://aprilbragg.as.me/Clarity  

The "good parent" test... Is there a right way and a wrong way to parent? What makes a good parent or a bad parent? I've waited 20 years to talk about this loaded topic - PARENTING. Everyone and their brother has an opinion on how YOU should be raising YOUR kids. It's the biggest job in the world - the most important job - and that thought right there STRESSES us out as parents... And the ironic thing is, the more we worry about how we might possibly screw up our kids or let them down, the more anxious we feel, and the WORSE we respond in the moment. How do we break this cycle of worrying about "not messing up the biggest job in the world"? How do we bring the best of ourselves to this season of life, AND enjoy the journey too? By giving yourself the "Good Parent" Test. I think you will like this test.  My desire is to help you define for yourself how you want to show up as a parent in your child's life, so that you can RELAX and ENJOY the parenting years.