Business with Purpose

Well friends, today's episode is going to be a bit different! After nine years of weekly episodes, I've made the decision to take a break from the show for a little bit. This isn't something I've taken lightly- it's something I've been praying about, wrestling with, and reflecting on for months. And while it's hard to hit pause on something I love so much, I know it's the right time. With my daughter heading into middle school, my son starting fourth grade, my first year of seminary coming to a close, and my 40th birthday around the corner (!), life has been beautifully full. In the midst of it all, I've sensed God gently inviting me to slow down, create margin, and make space to truly listen to His leading. I'm so grateful for each of you who've tuned in, reached out, laughed, cried, and grown with me over the years. Thank you for letting me show up as I am. This certainly isn't goodbye, just ta-ta for now. I'll see you again this fall- refreshed, renewed, and ready for what's next! FEATURED QUOTES “I just am so grateful that God has given me this space to be able to have conversations with incredible people that I would never have had the opportunity to talk to otherwise.” “I'm just really hoping that God gives me clarity and vision for what to do and where to take this show next.” 

I'm thrilled to welcome back my friend, Whitney English, to the show today! She is an author, artist, and self-proclaimed reluctant expert in surviving family drama with grace... and a glue gun. Whitney is known for telling the truth with humor, finding beauty in the mess, and believing that good stories and good design can heal just about anything- whether she's organizing a junk drawer or untangling generational dysfunction. Her new book, Organize First, Decorate Second, is out now, and today, we're diving into everything from the psychology of organization and decoration to practical tips you can use in your own home. So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready for an episode packed with inspiration and fun. I'm so excited for you to hear it! 3:19 – Whitney 201 •    Navigating a busy season  •    Releasing a new book •    Seeing evidence of God in difficult times 5:21 – Organize First, Decorate Second •    The deeper philosophy behind Whitney's book •    Balancing sentimentality and organization  •    The importance of functional items 16:38 – Making Home •    Whitney's journey of house hopping •    How Whitney stays organized with ADHD •    Practical tips for organization 36:52 – Takeaways •    Rapid fire questions with Whitney •    Connecting with Whitney  •    Get your copy of Organize First, Decorate Second FEATURED QUOTES “Just because we've been through some hard stuff doesn't mean that God isn't good.” "I think that if you have a big dream… it is okay to make a slow decision about it." “Function is beautiful.”   Learn more about Whitney: https://whitneyenglish.com/ Get your copy of Organize First, Decorate Second: https://www.amazon.com/Organize-First-Decorate-Second-Creativity/dp/0785251960 Whitney on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyEnglish/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyenglish/?hl=en

I'm thrilled to welcome Niki Hardy to the show this week! Niki is the author of the Audie Award-nominated Breathe Again and One Minute Prayers for Women With Cancer. Her newest book, God, Can We Chat? A Daringly Honest Guide to Growing Closer to God, One Doubt at a Time, hit shelves in March, which I'm so excited to chat about today.  Niki has left corporate life, moved continents, gone to seminary, planted churches, launched businesses and nonprofits, and navigated seasons of deep loss, cancer, church hurt, and painful uncertainty. Through it all, she firmly believes that God loves a cheerful doubter. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to bring your real questions and struggles to God, and how to navigate those seasons when it feels like He's silent. It's a rich and hope-filled reminder that joy can exist even in the hardest seasons. 4:30 – Niki 101 •    Moving from the UK to North Carolina •    What led Niki to becoming an author •    Niki's family and love for nature  6:11 – The Cheerful Doubter •    Niki's struggle to reconcile her doubts •    Turning towards God in times of doubt •    How doubt and faith can coexist  12:51 – Walking in Doubt •    For the person that feels let down by God •    Practical steps for doubt walking  •    The acronym “CHAT” 23:35 – The Legacy of Doubting Saints •    Peter walking on water •    Devotional elements and exercises Niki's book •    Holding doubts and joys together  29:08 – God, Can We Speed Chat? •    Rapid fire questions with Niki  •    Where you can connect with Niki  •    Getting your copy of God, Can We Chat? FEATURED QUOTES “I think God actually loves a cheerful doubter. I think he'd rather we came to him than we just slid out the side door.” “Feel free to question His presence and His provision and His providence and His goodness and His mercy, and cry out to Him, but turn towards him, not away from him.” “I think holding the doubt and the questions and the confusion in tension with the joy and the love and the faith that we do have is just such a healthy way of walking our faith journey out.”   Learn more about Niki: https://www.nikihardy.com/ Get your copy of God, Can We Chat? https://www.nikihardy.com/godcanwechat Niki on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikiHardyauthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niki.hardy/?hl=en

You are in for an absolute treat this week! My guest is the one and only Melissa Radke- bestselling author, speaker, TV personality, comedian, and the self-proclaimed HGIC (Head Girlfriend in Charge). With over 1.1 million followers, Melissa has been lifting women up since 2016, dishing out everything from hair tips to life advice with her signature humor and heart. Her brand-new book, Chicken Fried Women, just hit the shelves, which is a love letter to the strong, faith-filled, flawed, and unforgettable women who shaped her life. She reflects on generational legacies, healing family dynamics, motherhood, and the complex beauty of womanhood. Trust me, even if you're a man, you're going to take away SO much from this episode. This conversation is honest, funny, and full of heart- everything Can I Laugh on Your Shoulder is all about. I'm really excited to share it with you! 8:12 – Melissa 101 •    Melissa and Molly's mutual connection •    Melissa's viral Facebook post  •    Becoming a comedian, author and public speaker 10:53 – Chicken Fried Women •    Rapid fire southern culture questions  •    The genesis of this book •    The women that inspired this story  27:54 – The Women That Made Us This Way •    The lessons Melissa's learned from the women in her life •    Creating a supportive network  •    Someone is waiting for you as much as you are waiting for someone 41:28 – How Strong Women Do It •    Mom vigilantes •    Melissa's relationship with her daughter  •    Passing on stories to future generations  •    Getting your copy of Chicken Fried Women FEATURED QUOTES “These chicken fried women of mine were always topics of conversation that everybody wanted to know and that I love to tell.” “This book was so easy to write because it was just me telling one story after the other. And when a book can come to you that beautifully and that naturally, that was the one you were supposed to write.” “Who could grieve with me like the woman who'd walked in that fire before me?” “Someone is waiting for you as much as you are waiting for someone. Someone needs you. They need your friendship, they need your humor, they need your style. They need the way you're such a great listener. Someone is waiting to forge a relationship with you as much as you are waiting for them.” Learn more about Melissa: https://www.melissaradke.com/ Get your copy of Chicken Fried Women  https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Fried-Women-Friendship-Kinship-Made/dp/1546008241 Check out the Chicken Fried Women Podcast https://www.melissaradke.com/podcast Melissa on Social Media YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MelissaRadke Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaRadkeStretchMarks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msmelissaradke/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaradke

This week on the podcast, I'm joined once again by the brilliant Dr. Morgan Cutlip- author, psychologist, and relationship expert. She is known for equipping individuals and couples with practical, down-to-earth tools to navigate the most challenging parts of relationships. She has a true gift for turning psychological research into relatable, real-life strategies, and she shares her wisdom through her books, courses, blog, podcast, and social media platforms. Morgan first joined us to talk about her book Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, and now she's back with her brand-new release, A Better Share, which just dropped last week.  In this episode, we talk about the “invisible load” so many of us carry in marriage and relationships. From emotional labor and intimacy to resentment and repair, Morgan helps us understand what's really going on beneath the surface- and how to stop feeling like you're carrying it all alone. Heads up: we touch on some adult topics, so this one might be best saved for when little ears aren't around.  I know you're going to love Morgan's wisdom, insights and message of hope today! 4:01 – Morgan 201 •    Life in a book-writing hole •    Kids getting older •    The bob is bobbing! 6:56 – Morgan's Expertise And Book Launch •    Morgan's background in psychology •    Helping women stay connected to themselves •    How Morgan's experience and others' experiences influenced this book 11:28 – The Mental Load •    Defining “the mental load” •    The weight on women  •    The emotional work of home and family  15:00 – Challenges In Modern Relationships  •    Why couples end up in imbalanced relationship dynamics  •    How women are socialized to self-sacrifice •    Breaking under the weight of assumed responsibility 20:43 – Repairing Resentment and Rebuilding Intimacy •    Talking about these issues without defensiveness •    Externalizing the problem and setting up conversations well •    5 key conversations couples should be having  •    Practical tools for improving relationships •    Getting your copy of Morgan's book   FEATURED QUOTES “If we just point the finger at our partners, it's not going to get us to a better place.” “Everybody has a mental load…However, in home and family life, research shows us time and time again, even when women work full time, part time or stay at home parents, it doesn't matter, we tend to carry the bulk of it.” “When couples stop talking about the little things, they stop reaching for the big things, like intimacy.” Learn more about Morgan: https://drmorgancutlip.com/ My Love Thinks: https://www.mylovethinks.com/ My Love Thinks Podcast: https://www.mylovethinks.com/relationship-podcast/ Get Your Copy of A Better Share: https://drmorgancutlip.com/bs-preorder/ Get your Copy of Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself https://drmorgancutlip.com/book/ Morgan on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutlip/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mylovethinks/  

This week, I am so excited to be joined by the incredible Lauren Sisler. She is an Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, ESPN sideline reporter, author, keynote speaker, and the queen of the sideline shimmy. After landing her dream career with ESPN and reporting on college football and gymnastics, she began to open up about a story she once kept hidden: losing both of her parents to opioid addiction.  Through sharing her journey, Lauren has not only shed light on the stigma surrounding addiction, but she's also found a powerful way to help others navigate their own struggles. Whether on the sidelines or speaking on stages, her mission is to help people find the courage to tell their own stories and live more resilient lives.  I can't wait for you to hear this conversation, and to learn more about Lauren's powerful new book, Shatterproof. 3:11 – Lauren 101 •    Residing in Brimingham, Alabama •    Lauren's career in sports broadcasting •    Wife and mom 5:53 – Shatterproof  •    The “why” behind Shatterproof  •    The process of writing this book •    Lauren's journey to acceptance  12:04 – Healing In Layers •    The challenges of writing this book •    Greif and healing are not linear  •    How Lauren's perspective shifted over time 18:02 – Understanding Addiction and Stigma  •    The stigma surrounding addiction  •    Finding compassion for those battling addiction  •    Having open, honest conversations  27:22 – Holding The Whole Story •    Honoring legacy through honesty  •    The lessons Lauren learned from her parents' lives •    We shouldn't be defined by our hardest chapters  •    The difference between helping and enabling  34:08 – The Power Of Sports And Storytelling •    The resilience that sports builds •    How Lauren's career has shaped her own storytelling   •    The power of storytelling •    Getting Lauren's book Shatterproof  FEATURED QUOTES “Growing up, society tells us what addiction looks like, who it affects, who it impacts. And I felt like my parents were none of those things.” “The good Lord will free you when you stare something in the face and say, you know what? This is what it is. And now we gotta work through it and move through it.” “I hope anybody that's listening that has walked through addiction or is actively walking through it knows there's absolutely hope and recovery. There are… so many amazing stories out there and testimonies- but it's a journey.” Learn more about Lauren: https://www.laurensisler.com/about Get your copy of Shatterproof: https://www.laurensisler.com/my-book-shatterproof-lauren-sisler Lauren on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurensisler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenSisler/ X: https://x.com/LaurenSisler/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensisler/

I'm thrilled to welcome back my dear friend Mary Marantz for her third appearance on the show! If you've been here a while, you already know how incredible Mary is- she's a powerhouse in every sense of the word. As a podcaster, author, speaker, photographer, and coach, she truly does it all. Today, we're diving into her latest book, Underestimated, which releases later this month. We're talking about what it means to be underestimated, why fear is a boring liar, and how playing small was never part of your purpose. This conversation was so good and I'm so excited to share it with you! 4:23 – Mary 301 •    Catching up since Mary's second book •    The experience writing Underestimated •    The journey leading up to this book 6:25 – The Starting Line •    Starting over in your 40s •    It's never too late to achieve your goals •    Untangling limiting beliefs  13:32 – Fear Is A Boring Liar  •    Fear often repeats the same lies •    Fear's jealousy of creativity •    How the enemy uses deception  •    Flipping the fear narrative  27:31 – The Power of Naming Fear •    How unaddressed fears can lead to burnout •    Having an accountability partner •    Mirrors and microscopes •    Learning and growing from your mistakes 50:09 – Closing Thoughts  •    Who this book is for •    Mary's prayer for her readers  •    Pre-ordering your copy of Underestimated  FEATURED QUOTES “What does it look like for us to quit playing small on the good work that's been prepared for us in advance?” “This book is for the one who feels like they're being called up to greatness. They're being called up to more, but at the very same time, you simultaneously doubt that someone like you could ever get there.” “God did not call you to play small. He did not call you to shrink back. He made you for more than you realize.” Learn more about Mary: https://marymarantz.com/ Grab a FREE chapter of Mary's book, Underestimated: https://marymarantz.myflodesk.com/underestimatedch1 The Mary Marantz Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mary-marantz-show/id1478272407 Achiever Type Quiz:  https://www.marymarantz.com/quiz Mary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marymarantz/?hl=en Mary on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marymarantz/ Mary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarantz/

It's been one whole year since If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry made its way into the world, and today, we're celebrating! In this special anniversary episode, I'm reflecting on the journey of writing and releasing this book- what it was like to put my story on paper, the emotional highs and lows, and the incredible messages from readers that have reminded me why I wrote it in the first place. Whether you've read the book or are just hearing about it for the first time, I hope this episode makes you laugh, reflect, and feel a little less alone in your own beautiful mess. Thank you for being part of this journey with me! 0:47 – Intro •    My 1-year bookaversery! •    A big thank you to my readers  3:06 – Behind The Pages •    What was it really like to write a book? •    The cathartic and terrifying writing process  •    Reader messages that moved me 5:33 – Embracing The Messy & Real •    Offering presence, perspective and hope •    The anticipation leading up to release day •    Honoring my mom's storytelling 11:08 – Future Plans & Final Thoughts •    Is another book on the horizon? •    Staying true to my voice FEATURED QUOTES “One of the goals that I had in this book is to just make someone feel seen, make you feel seen, to know that your mess is not too much for God- that you're not too far gone.” “This year taught me that this story, my story, this book, didn't end with the last chapter. It has kept going in the conversations, in the tears that were shed at book signings, in the emails from strangers, in the quiet mornings on the farm, when I remember why I wrote it.” “There's something really beautiful that happens when you let people see the cracks. Because what happens is light gets in, and you'll be able to watch other people shine too.”

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome the most special guest ever on my show- my dad. With the release of my book just around the corner (coming out next week- can you believe it?!) I couldn't think of a better time to have him on the podcast. Together, we dig into some of the stories that are (and aren't) talked about in my book.   Join us as we laugh, reminisce, and share stories of the joys, the challenges, and everything in between. My dad has such powerful things to say about gratitude, slowing down, choosing love, and finding joy in the darkest of moments. This conversation is so special to me, and I am so excited to share it with you today.   Without further ado, let's jump into this conversation with Tom Buckley.   3:34 – Tom 101   Tom's upbringing + challenging relationship with religion Going to college, joining a fraternity, and career as a teacher Difficulties in marriage, battles with alcoholism and homelessness Tom's journey to sobriety + spiritual growth   26:49 – Parenting Perspectives   Reading the memoir Watching children make mistakes and learn from them   36:28 – Choosing Love   Tom and Lynda's marriage that defied the odds Prioritizing sobriety, God, and the good of the family The importance of love, respect, and kindness   48:28 – Rule 62   Looking for the good throughout Lynda's sickness Not taking yourself too seriously Appreciating what life has taught you Tom's favorite chapter in the book   48:28 – Life lessons at 80   Tom's life today with Cindy Slowing down and appreciating the present Trusting that things will work out when you get out of your own way   FEATURED QUOTES   “That's what life is about. It isn't about failure, it's about getting back up.”   “If you take yourself too seriously, you just lose sight of all the things that really are important.”   “In the ‘getting through it' stage, you gain experience and knowledge that you can use to get out of it. You can find places for help and guidance that will work.”   “You want to see who the winners are? Follow the laughter.”   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com   http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly   http://instagram.com/canilaughpod   http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly   http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly   http://facebook.com/canilaughpod   http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   Preorder my book:   PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY:   Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn   Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG   ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb   Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2   Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ   Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib   About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?

I'm under the weather this week, so I'm sharing one of my favorite episodes!   This week, I'm excited to welcome Ginny Yurich, a homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside- a global movement reclaiming childhood and fostering family connections through nature-based play. Alongside her husband, Josh, Ginny is the brilliant mind behind the 1000 Hours Outside lifestyle brand, featuring an online store, app, podcast, a brand new book, and much more. Whether you have kids or not, this episode is an absolute must-listen. We dig deep into issues that resonate, especially for those of us stuck behind desks and indoors all day. This conversation was deep, thought-provoking, and left me feeling challenged and convicted in the best way. It's easily one of my top 10 favorite episodes of all time, and I'm so excited to share it with you! 3:36 – Ginny 101 Struggles of early motherhood A playdate that changed everything  Transformation through outdoor time Writing about this experience 15:07 – The Power of Outdoor Play The challenges of modern parenting Making small, intentional changes in daily routines Building outdoor habits as a family The power of friends and community with outdoor activities 34:11 – Embracing All Seasons The magic of winter Leaning into the unique experiences each season brings Cultivating grit and resilience  41:55 – Parenting in a Changing World Balancing structured and unstructured activities  Encouraging self-discovery and independence Rethinking the college-centric path  1:01:21 – Takeaways + Words of Encouragement The power of pre-ordering books The long-term impact of parenting choices  Celebrating real-life, hands-on experiences FEATURED QUOTES “If all that time, all those memories, all that relationship building, all of that connection, all of those moments of exhale- if those had gone to screens, our life would be so much less full….This is about bringing balance back to childhood.” “What I've learned over the past decade is that this is a step that you take as a family. And the step is awareness. It's about knowing that, when we play outside, it benefits every single member of your family, from your newborn to your grandmother to your great grandmother.” “There are long-term effects to the choices that we make. And this is their life, this is their childhood. And it's important to understand, at least to a small degree, what self-directed childhood play does for kids. And it does an immense amount.” Learn more about Ginny: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/ https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/about-us

Oh MAN, you are in for a treat this week! I have not one, but two incredible guests joining me: Randy Frazee and Gisela Kreglinger. Randy is the lead teaching pastor at Westside Family Church in Kansas City and a visionary in Bible engagement, spiritual formation, and building biblical community. He's the architect behind The Story and Believe church engagement campaigns and the author of books like The Joy Challenge and Think, Act, Be Like Jesus. Gisela grew up on a winery in Franconia, Germany, where her family has been crafting wine for generations. She holds multiple degrees in Biblical Studies and a PhD in Historical Theology from the University of St Andrews. Her passion lies at the intersection of food, faith, and joy, which she explores through her writing, teaching, and wine pilgrimages. Together, they are the brilliant minds behind Wine in the Word, a Bible study that explores the theology of wine, its biblical significance, and how it connects with the Christian life.  This conversation was unlike anything I've ever had on the show. It was thought-provoking, eye-opening, and honestly, I could've talked to these two for hours! Get ready for a super fascinating discussion! 4:27 – Randy 101 • Lead pastor for 36 years • Writer and author  • Husband, father and grandfather • Working on this project with Gisela 6:03 – Gisela 101 • Growing up on a winery • Theologian, teacher, and writer  • Wine tastings and pilgrimages  7:24 – The Story Behind “Wine In The Word”  • Randy and Gisela's backgrounds • How this collaboration came to be • Wine as a bridge builder  13:55 – The Role Of Wine In The Bible • The historical context of wine in America • Wine consumption in Christian context • Reclaiming wine as a gift from God • Teaching your children to have a healthy relationship with wine 26:54 – “Holy Tipsiness” • Wine as a social lubricant • An invitation to community + sharing God's gifts • Addressing opposition to wine consumption  45:25 – Takeaways  • Teaching about wine in a healthy, biblical context  • Learn more about Wine In The Word • Randy and Gisela's prayer for this study FEATURED QUOTES “I just feel like it's time that we stop looking at wine through the lens of our culture.” - Randy Frazee “Wine is really an invitation to community, to sharing the gifts of God. You know, wine and bread and all food that the earth brings forth are gifts from God. They are not just things out there that we need to eat. They're actually God's love language.” – Gisela Kreglinger “You don't even have to drink or like wine, but you should know about what wine is teaching us in God.” - Randy Frazee “We as the church have always been called to show how to live and how to live well as God has intended it, and I think we need to do that.” – Gisela Kreglinger +++ Wine in the Word: https://www.randyfrazee.com/wine-in-the-word Learn more about Randy: https://www.randyfrazee.com/ Randy's Books: https://www.randyfrazee.com/books Westside Family Church: https://www.westsidefamily.church/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandyeFrazee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randyfrazee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-frazee-43bb1545/ Learn more about Gisela: https://www.thespiritualityofwine.com/ Gisela's Books and Articles: https://www.thespiritualityofwine.com/publications Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gisela.kreglinger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giselakreglinger/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisela-h-kreglinger-615a2910/ Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly    GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

Hey, friend! Today, we're talking about something that has been on my heart a lot lately- the power of small wins and why they actually matter more than we realize. We live in a world that constantly celebrates the big, flashy milestones- the promotions, the six-figure businesses, the book deals, the dream homes. And those things are great! But what about the small victories? The little moments of progress that quietly shape our lives? In today's episode, I'm sharing why shifting our mindset to celebrate small wins- whether it's folding laundry the same day it's washed (yes, that counts!), drinking more water, or just showing up when it feels hard- can truly transform how we approach life, business, faith, and our relationships. Plus, I'll share some practical ways to start recognizing and celebrating these moments in everyday life. So, if you've ever felt like you're falling behind because your wins don't seem big enough- this episode is for you. Let's reframe our thinking, embrace progress over perfection, and start finding joy in the little things! 1:52 – Reframing “Success”  •    Moving away from hustle culture  •    Celebrating incremental progress •    The power of small wins  •    How hustle culture can overshadow small victories   9:23 – Practical Tips For Celebrating Small Wins •    Keeping a gratitude or prayer journal  •    Writing down one accomplishment a day •    Texting a friend 11:27 – Takeaways  •    Life is made up of tiny moments  •    Examples of incremental progress  •    Taking a moment to share a tiny win  FEATURED QUOTES “Things like social media and that hustle culture I was talking about, all of that has fed into why we don't tend to celebrate the tiny victories, the tiny steps, because we are constantly bombarded with everyone else's big wins.” “Sometimes we have to remember that when we get to the end of the day and we have done the best that we can with what we've been given… that is a win.” “Incremental progress, day-by-day matters, because here is the deal- our lives are made up of the tiny moments. Yes, the big milestones are great- the marriages and the having kids, the big career wins- they are wonderful, but they don't happen overnight.”   Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly    GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.   

This week, I'm joined by Amy Senter, a former teacher and artist with a passion for making the Bible accessible to everyone. After struggling to understand Scripture herself, Amy used her background in education and art to create tools that simplify Bible study for all ages and learning styles. Her popular Books of the Bible cheat sheets, designed with visual learners and those with ADHD or dyslexia in mind, are now sold in over 50 countries. Amy's journey has not been without challenges. After receiving a late-stage Lyme Disease diagnosis, she found herself questioning her faith and purpose. But through this challenging season, Amy's relationship with God deepened, and she rediscovered her passion for Bible study. Her story is a powerful reminder of how God can bring purpose and growth even through our most difficult circumstances. I really enjoyed this conversation and know it will inspire you, so let's dive in! 1:43 – Amy 101 •    Growing up in Northen Virginia •    A wife and mom living in Texas •    Transitioning from teaching to being a stay-at-home mom •    Getting sick and rediscovering a love for art 12:26 – Finding Purpose In The Unexpected •    Navigating the identity shifts of adulthood •    Letting go of external expectations •    Amy's journey to teaching and sharing through art •    Taking the next step 20:20 – The Importance of Bible Literacy •    The decline of Biblical literacy •    The role teaching and curriculum play in comprehension  •    The danger of only relying on secondary sources •    Reading and discerning the Bible yourself 35:12 – You Are Not Alone •    Being diagnosed with Lyme disease •    The physical, emotional and spiritual toll of this sickness •    How Amy is doing now •    A deeper understanding of God's presence in suffering •    Connecting with Amy FEATURED QUOTES “So many people are constantly like, what's my purpose, what's my calling, what's my next step? And I've tried to constantly encourage people [that] you may not know until you've already gotten there.” “I thought all this stuff I worked so hard for was a waste, and then it came back and served such a different and wonderful purpose. And I didn't see it coming at all.” “It's so important to know biblical literacy, because that's how you discern things.” ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST Learn more about Amy: https://amysenter.com/about/?srsltid=AfmBOooEHBBJ3KnlYETp6Ab09rdTjiKbFzB8CK1A6X7cXZhqG4h-_9-T Amy on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senteramy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.senter.intentional.living Pinterest: https://www.facebook.com/amy.senter.intentional.living YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amysenter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@senteramy Amy's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shopamysenter   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.   

Today, we're doing something a little different! For the first time ever on the show, I'm sharing a sermon I preached at my church over a year ago. Now, before you think, Oh no, a sermon?- stick with me. Over the last couple of years, I've received countless messages from listeners who are feeling isolated, lonely, and disconnected. And I think this message is incredibly timely. The loneliness epidemic is real, and it's affecting so many of us, especially in the wake of declining church attendance and increasing feelings of disconnection. In this sermon, I dive deep into what the Bible says about loneliness and how the church can be a source of support and community for those feeling alone. So, whether you're currently struggling with isolation, have stepped away from the church, or are curious about what the Bible says on the topic, I hope this message resonates with you! 4:22 – Introduction  •    1 Corinthians 12 •    Issues the Corinthian church faced •    Paul's message to the church 13:15 – Every Gift Matters: Serving In The Body Of Christ •    The church is the body of Christ •    1 Peter 4:10 •    Being good stewards of our gifts •    There is no hierarchy of gifts  24:26 – The Pandemic Of Loneliness  •    50% of American adults feel lonely •    The role of community in overcoming loneliness •    We can be lonely with God 35:14 – Love in Action: Building a Stronger Community Through God's Love •    Community is a byproduct of love •    Being intentional alongside others •    Ministering to someone else FEATURED QUOTES “The church cannot and should not be established on the charisma or the personality or the giftings of any one person. The church is to be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.” “Some gifts may bear more responsibility and consequences than others, but you have gifts, and those gifts matter.” “We create these dividing lines between us based on our gifts or our roles or status or economics or whatever. And those lines are unbiblical, they're unnecessary, and they lead to chaos.” “Our primary goal must be the love of and pursuit of Jesus, who is the lifeblood of the body.”

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome my friend, Cassandra “Cass” Speer, to the show! Cass is a bestselling author, Bible teacher, and the host of the Hard and Holy podcast. She also serves as the Vice President of Her True Worth, a global ministry dedicated to helping women find their identity and validation in Christ alone, which touches millions worldwide. Cass has a passion for offering hope and biblical encouragement to the weary and wounded, helping them navigate faith in the midst of life's challenges. She's currently pursuing a master's in Biblical and Theological Studies at Denver Seminary, which is where we connected and became fast friends. I truly adore her, and I know you will too! In this episode, we're diving into her brand-new book- Ready As You Are- which comes out next week, and it's powerful message on faith, identity and worth.  2:08 – Cass 101 •    Veteran wife and mom of 3 •    Author, podcaster, and seminarian •    The founding of Her True Worth 7:44 – Worth, Identity & Authenticity    •    The biggest misconceptions women face regarding their worth and identity •    Living from worth, not for worth  •    Maintaining authenticity in an online ministry space  •    The individual impact of Her True Worth 14:07 – Ready As You Are •    Readiness is faithfulness •    Surrendering to God's sufficiency •    Living on mission in everyday moments  •    Differentiating between selfish desires and genuine God-given callings 32:24 – Final Thoughts •    Surprising lessons from writing this book •    God's power has given us everything we need  •    Connecting with Cass •    Pre-ordering your copy of Ready As You Are FEATURED QUOTES “Readiness is not about feeling qualified. It's about faithfulness and knowing that He who equips you, qualifies you and He who has commissioned you, qualifies you.” “I have so many statistics stacked against me to tell me, very validly, you should not be here. You are not ready for this- and yet God opens doors that I would never knock on.” “There really are no small things in God's kingdom.” “God makes so much of our little, if we're willing. Every moment that you're living is a miracle. Every opportunity you have is an opportunity to bring God glory.” Learn more about Cass: https://cassandraspeer.com/ Pre-order your copy of Ready As You Are: https://readyasyouare.com/ Get your copy of Her True Worth: https://www.amazon.com/Her-True-Worth-Breaking-Pleasing/dp/1400231124/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1699992124&sr=8-1 There's Beauty In Your Brokenness Devotional  https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/theres-beauty-in-your-brokenness-book/?fbclid=PAAab5MjPqTPxwgXgQVx0AMCsg3YHYp3WDPYqCQ20sgsq0eEP_VUWQ2TzW0lA Her True Worth https://hertrueworth.com/home/   Check out Cass' podcast Hard & Holy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-holy-with-cassandra-speer/id1767270286 Cass on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/cassandralspeer/?hl=en Cass on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/speerandarrows/ Brittany Maher on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/brittmaher/?hl=en   Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.   

This week, I'm joined by the lovely Tabitha Panariso. She is a licensed professional counselor, writer, speaker, and theologian, who brings counseling into the everyday fabric of life. She's also the author of Loyal in His Love: An Invitation to Be Held by Jesus When Others Let You Go. At the heart of Tabitha's work is a commitment to creating space for life's toughest moments and guiding others toward healing with clarity and compassion. We dive into everything today from the plots of Seinfeld to the ways we experience and process rejection- both as adults and as parents helping our kids cope with it. This is exactly the type of conversation I love having on this show, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it just as much! 2:08 – Tabitha 101 •    Wife and mom •    Christ-centered and trauma-informed therapist •    A new author •    Bonding over Seinfeld  14:13 – Redefining Acceptance •    The emotional and spiritual toll of rejection •    How social media can amplify feelings of rejection •    A defining moment of acceptance for Tabitha •    God's unwavering love and faithfulness 23:09 – Healing Through Christ's Compassion  •    Receiving the compassion that Christ has given us •    Naming the pain and emotions you experience •    Allowing ourselves to be dependent on God 37:24 – Modeling Faith For Your Children •    How practicing self-awareness extends to parenting •    Offering children a safe place •    Pointing your kids to Christ over and over again  •    Getting your copy of Tabitha's book FEATURED QUOTES “It's important for us to name our pain, name our feelings, because it's just like when we break a bone or when we are physically hurt- if we aren't able to acknowledge that pain, then it's only going to exasperate, it's only going to fester.” “When we can lament, when we can grieve, when we can name what's happening in us, that's us re-posturing our hearts and allowing us to be dependent on God.” “Reminding our kids where their true value lies and where their true worth lies- that is the greatest gift that we can give them.”   Learn more about Tabitha: Get your copy of Loyal in His Love https://www.amazon.com/Loyal-His-Love-Invitation-Others-ebook/dp/B0CTHR9FCD Tabitha on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tabithapanariso/ Tabitha on Substack  https://substack.com/@tabithapanariso Tabitha on Threads https://www.threads.net/@tabithapanariso     Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.   

You are in for a treat this week! We are back with my good friend Tyler Merritt today, who has been on the show before. Tyler is a Nashville-based actor, author, musician, activist, cancer survivor, and founder of The Tyler Merritt Project. He's appeared in shows like Netflix's Outer Banks, Marvel's Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and NBC's Young Rock. Tyler is also the author of the bestselling memoir I Take My Coffee Black and the children's book A Door Made for Me. I'm thrilled to have him back on the show today to talk about his new book, This Changes Everything: A Surprisingly Funny Story About Race, Cancer, Faith, and Other Things We Don't Talk About.  Tyler is a true light in this world, and this conversation is packed with depth, vulnerability, and lots of laughs. I'm honored to have him back to share more of his story, and I know you'll walk away with so much from this conversation! 2:26 – Tyler 201 •    Tyler's second book birthday! •    The positive response to his first book •    Acting projects and walking through cancer •    Tyler's stance on Coca-Cola 11:31 – Finding Peace In The Present •    Tyler's advice for someone struggling to live in the present •    Living in your life right now •    Navigating fear and anxiety about the future 22:07 – Facing Fear And Living Well •    Why humor has been such a powerful tool for Tyler •    Confronting your fears head on •    Living well and loving fully 32:33 – Learning To Lament  •    The importance of true grief  •    The legacy Tyler hopes This Changes Everything leaves •    Getting your copy of Tyler's book FEATURED QUOTES “There's a thing I think sometimes that we associate with, oh my gosh, how much time do we have left? What's going to happen after I'm gone? and not really taking the moment to go, I'm still here right now, and I'm so, so radically thankful that that's a thing.” “If tomorrow, God forbid, I was no longer here, did I love well while I was here? Did I serve well up until the very last moment?” “There are some things I can't change, right? But while I'm here and I have the tangible moments to do these things now, I can bring as much goodness as I can into the moments that I currently exist in, and that can be my stronghold on the fear that I might see coming against me.” Learn more about Tyler: The Tyler Merritt Project https://thetylermerrittproject.com/ Get your copy of This Changes Everything https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Everything-Surprisingly-Cancer/dp/1546006966 Tyler's other books https://thetylermerrittproject.com/book/ Tyler on Social Media: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPB48_JfK-VMnYQPTYyMX5Q Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thetylermerrittproject Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetylermerrittproject/ X https://x.com/ttmproject

Happy New Year! I'm SO excited to be back with you all and to kick off the year by welcoming back an incredible returning guest, Ian Morgan Cron. If you haven't had a chance to catch his previous episode, you might recognize him as the author of The Road Back to You, or as the host of the popular Typology podcast.     Ian is a psychotherapist, an Enneagram teacher, an Episcopal priest and the author of several other books. His new book releases at the end of this month, called, The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone in Between.   I'm thrilled to have him back on the show to share his heart behind this book and how everyone, no matter where they are in life, can benefit from the twelve steps. This conversation is rich, deep, and packed with insights you won't want to miss!  2:38 – Ian 201  ·      Continuing Enneagram, coaching and podcast work ·      Songwriting for Netflix ·      Ian's new book, The Fix  7:54 – The Genesis of The FIx  ·      Why Ian wanted to write this book ·      Understanding the twelve steps ·      Finding the balance between powerlessness and healing  14:28 – Looking at Modern Addictions  ·      Craving control ·      The need to play God ·      Denial as an addiction 23:07 – Hugging The Cactus  ·      Why everyone needs to “hug the cactus” ·      Accepting “unacceptable” parts of yourself ·      The connection between self-awareness and spiritual growth ·      The power of the twelve steps for all walks of life 39:56 – Seeking Progress, Not Perfection ·      The difference between reformation and transformation ·      How this process has impacted Ian's life ·      The role of community in the transformation process ·      Closing thoughts + pre-ordering your copy of The Fix   FEATURED QUOTES “The 12 steps are not just for alcoholics, drug addicts, over-eaters, gamblers, spenders, shoppers or whatever…Everybody's on the addiction continuum somewhere, and everybody can experience the same liberation, joy, freedom and happiness that people that self-identify as addicts or alcoholics do.”   “The one thing that stands between you and you becoming the person you want to become is the truth.” “The parts of you that you have rejected all your life- all the quote-on-quote ‘crappy, sinny stuff ‘going on in there- is actually still at work. And until you welcome it home and accept the unacceptable about yourself, you will never accept that you've been accepted by God. And that's really important work.” “There's a lot of people of faith out there who have just tried to hate themselves into becoming better people. You can't do that. You can't shame yourself, beat yourself up. You have to welcome these parts of yourself home and tell them that all of you is welcome.”   Learn more about Ian:   https://ianmorgancron.com/   The Typology Podcast   https://www.typologypodcast.com/   Pre-order Your Copy of The Fix   https://ianmorgancron.com/thefix   Ian's Other Books   https://ianmorgancron.com/books   Ian on Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/IanMorganCron/   Ian on Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/ianmorgancron   Ian on LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmorgancron/

I'm so excited to welcome back Anthony O'Neal to the show! He is the national bestselling author of Debt-Free Degree, a personal finance expert, and host of the wildly popular podcast and YouTube show, The Table with Anthony O'Neal, which has garnered millions of downloads.  For over a decade, Anthony has been challenging cultural norms, empowering individuals to live debt-free lives, break generational wealth gaps, and build true financial independence. He's been featured on major platforms like Good Morning America, Live with Kelly and Mark, Fox and Friends, CNN, Success Magazine, and more- he's truly everywhere! Join us today as we dive into the exciting details of his upcoming book, Take Your Seat at the Table: Live an Authentic Life of Abundance, Wellness, and Freedom, which is set to release in January. We talk about building a strong foundation for your life, taking control of your future, and surrounding yourself with the right people who can encourage and challenge you. This conversation is the perfect wrap-up to 2024, and I know you'll walk away feeling inspired and ready to take on the new year- so let's dive in! 4:31 – Anthony 201 •    Stepping out on his own + giving back •    Launching a third book  •    Living in DC 6:31 – Take Your Seat At The Table •    Why Anthony chose this metaphor for his book and podcast •    The importance of building a solid foundation  •    Taking control of your life and not allowing others to dictate your decisions 12:22 – The Power Of Vision •    What do you want to do and where do want to go? •    The importance of a clear vision •    Writing down your long-term goals and working backwards 19:21 – Embracing The Messy Table •    Learning from failure •    Messiness can be beautiful and meaningful •    Embracing learning opportunities  26:25 – Don't Do It Alone •    Inviting therapists, coaches and spiritual advisors to your table •    The value of support systems •    Connecting with Anthony   FEATURED QUOTES “So many times, we allow other people to sit at the head of our tables and tell us what to do with our life and how to do things with our life, and we never take that opportunity.” “You have to have a vision… When you have a vision, it's even easier to invite people to your table.” “Failure, messiness- it's not a negative. Embrace it. Learn from it, enjoy it, laugh- just make sure that you keep moving forward.”   Learn more about Anthony: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/ Pre-order your copy of Take Your Seat At The Table https://www.anthonyoneal.com/takeyourseatatthetable Get your copy of Debt-Free Degree https://www.amazon.com/Debt-Free-Degree-Step-Step-Getting/dp/1942121113 The Table with Anthony O'Neal on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaW51g-nmLfq703TPZC7Gsg The Table with Anthony O'Neal Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-with-anthony-oneal/id1543458790 Anthony on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anthonyoneal/?hl=en Anthony on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aoneal/ Anthony on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-oneal-378704207/  

This week, I'm joined by the incredible Tori Hope Petersen. She is an author, speaker, Bible teacher and fierce advocate for foster care, adoption, and vulnerable children. Raised in and out of the foster care system herself, she has dedicated her life to sharing her testimony and offering hope to others. Tori is also a wife, mom, and lover of people, with a deep appreciation for cooking, family, community, and hospitality. Tori has so many incredible insights to share about healing from the past, breaking destructive patterns, and finding lasting hope. Plus, we talk about her upcoming book, Breaking the Patterns That Break You, which is set to release on February 4th, 2025.   I was so moved and inspired by this conversation and I'm so excited to share it with you!   5:36 – Tori 101   ·      Growing up in and out of the foster care system ·      Working in foster care advocacy ·      Releasing her first book, Fostered ·      Second book release in February     8:57 – Resilience and Hope   ·      The healing Tori experienced through her track career ·      The power of having supportive figures in your life ·      The lasting impact of words and emotional abuse     15:05 – Finding Lasting Healing   ·      Having deep self-compassion ·      Recognizing and addressing harmful patterns ·      Having trusting people around you to provide feedback     26:24 – Inviting Jesus Into The Healing Process   ·      The misconception that Jesus is a band-aid solution ·      Jesus is a true healer who repairs and rebuilds ·      Putting in the foundational work and continuing ongoing maintenance   40:39 – Encouragement For The Healers And Hurting   ·      Avoiding quick fixes ·      Being a good listener and question asker ·      Your life has purpose ·      Continuing to fight to find people who truly love you     FEATURED QUOTES   " That's healing- to accept sometimes the sad version of ourselves and not to try and change her.”   “We think that Jesus is coming in and just slapping a band aid on it, but really that that's sometimes what his people do. That's not who Jesus is…I think we just need to change our perspective and understand that like God is coming in and he wants to truly repair the home.”   “More than people need advice. People need someone to sit with them, walk with them. Listen to them.”   "Your life has purpose… There's a beautiful plan for your life. God loves you and for you to stay here very well may be the thing that someone else needs.”     Learn more about Tori:   https://www.torihopepetersen.com/   Pre-order your copy of Breaking The Patterns   https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Patterns-That-Break-You/dp/1400250048     Get your copy of Tori's book, Fostered   https://www.amazon.com/Fostered-Womans-Powerful-Finding-through/dp/1087750970   I Love You Already Podcast   https://open.spotify.com/show/67tPTqQ6uMS1WRuy4tvQyP?si=1poWQ1nMS_KbP9-GqgwrjQ&nd=1&dlsi=72a9e71cf68b4ce7   Tori on Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen/?hl=en   Tori on YouTube   https://www.youtube.com/@iloveyoualready   Connect with me:    http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.   

My guest this week is the amazing Ashley Jameson. She is the Associate Director of Pure Desire Ministries- a ministry dedicated to equipping individuals and churches with the tools to heal from the impacts of sexual brokenness, addiction, and betrayal. She and her husband, John, discovered Pure Desire during one of the most challenging seasons of their marriage, battling the devastation caused by a pornography addiction. It's tools and resources provided them with the support necessary to heal their marriage and family. Four years later, Ashley now leads leadership training for Pure Desire's regional group advisors nationwide, helping spread the message of recovery and healing in communities and churches across the country. I truly believe this conversation is one that can bring hope, healing, and freedom to so many. Let's dive in! 3:23 – Ashley 101 •    Discovering her husband's addiction •    How Purse Desire's resources helped her family •    Joining the Pure Desire team 6:22 – The Realities Of Addiction •    The latest stats on Christian pornography use •    The lack of churches addressing this issue •    The unique challenges women face with pornography addiction 12:42 – Breaking The Silence •    The importance of normalizing these conversations  •    Impactful resources you can offer your congregation •    How compulsive sexual behavior rewires the brain •    The need for churches to become educated and equipped to handle these challenges 21:41 – The Neurological Impact Of Pornography  •    Having open conversations as a family •    Early exposure to harmful content  •    How repeated exposure rewires the brain 32:23 – Taking Steps Toward Healing •    The steps churches can take to become supportive environments •    Resources available through Pure Desire •    Getting help for betrayal trauma •    Practical first steps for women struggling with pornography FEATURED QUOTES “The newest numbers are showing that 75% of Christian men are looking at pornography, 40% of Christian women, and it's also saying that 82% of Christians are saying that nobody is helping them avoid pornography.” “We don't have to be afraid to talk about these things in a church or as leaders or as parents, because this stuff is already happening. What we're doing is just bringing it to light so we can start sifting through it and figuring out how to be part of the solution.” “My number one recommendation would be, do not go another day without having a plan of at least sharing it with one safe person who you can say, ‘will you walk with me as I try to figure out what my next step is?'”   Learn more about Ashley: Pure Desire Ministries  https://puredesire.org/ Pure Desire's Resources https://puredesire.org/resources/ Unfiltered: Real Talk About Sex and Love Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unfiltered-real-talk-about-sex-love/id1749351656 Get in touch with Pure Desire (503) 489-0230 groups@puredesire.org  

Today, I wanted to talk about something that's been on my heart lately: gratitude. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, my family and I started a new tradition this year-a gratitude wall in our living room. Every day, we write down things we're thankful for, and it's sparked some really meaningful conversations with our kids about seeing God's blessings in our lives. Gratitude has the power to change us. So, this week, I wanted to chat about what a biblical approach to Thanksgiving truly looks like. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and I'll see you back here in December! 2:14– The Theology Of Gratitude •    Gratitude is a response to who God is •    God is the giver of every blessing in our lives •    Gratitude is an act of worship  7:00 – Practical Expressions Of Gratitude •    Having a heart that acknowledges God •    Gratitude through worship •    Gratitude through action 10:38 – Gratitude During Difficult Seasons •    Psalm 34:1 •    Trusting God's presence and promises •    How are you practicing gratitude this season? FEATURED QUOTES “Even when life- especially right now, heading into the holiday season- feels chaotic, God's goodness and His love is constant, and so it gives us this reason to be thankful.” “Gratitude is…an act of worship. It's a way that we acknowledge God's rightful place in our lives as Lord and King.” “Gratitude isn't just what we say. Gratitude is how we live… It's our it's our words and our actions- word and deed- coming together.”   Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.   

I am thrilled to be joined by the amazing and talented Shana Wilson Williams and Melinda Watts in today's episode. Shana is a pastor's daughter, worship leader and songwriter from Detroit. Melinda is a family lifestyle travel creator, speaker, and worship leader from Atlanta.   These two incredible women have come alongside other talented artists to create the album, Return To Love, which calls the church back to its true purpose by embracing authentic worship and community. It showcases a rich blend of musical styles and diverse voices, all centered on the powerful theme of rediscovering true worship and love in a divided world. As we come off of this election season, Shana and Melinda are here to remind us how important it is to examine our hearts, prioritize our relationship with God, and better love ourselves, our families and our neighbors.   I hope you'll join us for this rich conversation and will give this powerful album a listen!   4:14 – Shana 101   From Detroit Mom and wife Pastor's daughter and worship leader     7:00 – Melinda 101   From New Jersey, now in Atlanta Mom and wife Worship leader with a love for ministry     8:21 – Return To Love   How this collaborative project came together The meaning behind this album Returning to the feet of Jesus     11:57 – Rediscovering True Worship   Lessons from Revelation Rediscovering a deep connection with God Putting aside our differences Loving yourself to love others well     20:19 – Overflowing Love: A Call To Kingdom   Being mindful of what you consume Worship that brings your attention back to the presence of God Leading by example and focusing on kingdom values Breaking bread with those who are different than you   36:00 – Takeaways   Shana and Melinda's hope for this project Connecting with Shana and Melinda     FEATURED QUOTES   “We need to not just be waiting for Him to return but be ready for Him to return. And the only way we can be ready is if we return back to what it was supposed to be- that's genuine love, genuine community, genuine fellowship with one another, putting aside our own motives or agendas or views…and returning to the sacredness of who Jesus is.”   “We are supposed to be known in the world by our love and so to see this project focus on love is really helping us get back to what we should be known by.”   “I hope that after listening to this project, that people reevaluate their relationships- their relationships with one another, with fellow Christians, non-Christians, and that we would keep love at the center.”   ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST   Listen to the Return To Love Album:   https://www.returntolovealbum.com/   Learn more about Shana   https://www.shanawilsonwilliams.com/sww   Shana on Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/shanawilsonwilliams/?hl=en   Shana on Tik Tok   https://www.tiktok.com/@shanawilsonwilliams   Shana on YouTube   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC98C1ok21B5YlR4xF22vTlw   Learn more about Melinda   https://www.melindawatts.com/   Melinda on Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/melindawattsglobal/   Medina on Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/melindawattsmusic/   Melinda on Tik Tok   https://www.tiktok.com/@melindawatts_   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.   

Welcome to episode 420! Today, it's just me, and I'm tackling one of the most frequently asked questions I've received since the release of my first book, If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry. And that is… “How do I get a book published?” A recent study showed that more than 80% of Americans dream of writing and publishing a book. So, in today's conversation, I'm going to walk you through the basics of book publishing and share the tips and tricks I learned along the way. If you've ever imagined holding your own book in your hands or are just curious about the publishing world, stick around. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer idea of where to start and how the process works! 2:37 – Understanding Your Options  ·      The different approaches to publishing ·      Getting an agent ·      Creating a book proposal  6:50 – Finding Your Team ·      Researching agents who specialize in your genre ·      Putting together your query letter ·      Showing agents your personality 12:03 – The Book Proposal Process ·      What is a book proposal? ·      Showing your knowledge and commitment ·      Sample chapters  15:49 – Self-Publishing and Hybrid Publishing ·      Hiring your team ·      Don't forget about marketing! ·      Considerations for hybrid publishing 19:25 – Okay… So Where Do I Start?!  ·      Polishing your manuscript ·      Having a book proposal ·      Defining your goals + researching options ·      Establishing relationships + thinking about marketing ·      Don't give up!  FEATURED QUOTES  “If you don't hear back or you get a rejection, you can't let it discourage you. Tons of successful, famous authors have received multiple rejections before finding the right fit. So, you are not alone. It is part of the process.”  “The writing community in general is incredibly supportive and has been vital in my own process.”  “Publishing a book, writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint…Rejections are going to happen. Timelines are going to change. Things are not going to go the way that you want them to go, but you have to keep going. You have to have that end goal in mind and focus on the end result that you're really, really looking for, because that part is incredibly rewarding.” Punchline Agency https://punchlineagency.com/ Hope Writers https://www.hopewriters.com/     Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

I'm thrilled to welcome my dear friend, Mattie Jackson, back to the show! You may remember her from earlier this year, and I was so inspired by our chat that I had to invite her back- especially with the release of her new book, Through the Valley of Grief.  Mattie is an author, podcaster, and speaker whose life changed dramatically when she tragically lost her 28-year-old husband to a traumatic brain injury just weeks before their first anniversary. Despite her grief, she has used her story to give glory to God and to bring others hope and healing. Her new book is a 365-day devotional, carefully crafted to guide readers through spiritual practices that offer hope and peace during times of grief. If you or someone you know is walking through loss right now, I hope that this episode- and Mattie's devotional- will be a source of comfort and inspiration.  6:02 – Mattie 201 •    Having a baby •    Releasing her second book •    The difference between Lemons and this new devotional 13:52 – Walking Through Grief •    The four practices to navigate grief •    Feeling grief without getting stuck in it •    Actions and tools to move toward hope and healing 27:02 – Finding Freedom In Hope •    The courage required to hope •    Don't let Satan steal present joy •    God's message of hope 41:23 – Closing Remarks •    Helping others through the grieving process •    Getting your copy of Mattie's book FEATURED QUOTES “This was really hard fought, hard written, five years in the making- and it was a lot of work, and so I'm really proud of it in that way as a writer.” “We need to be affirmed in our pain, and that's important, but we also need to be called to act in it.” “There is such freedom in the action of hoping, even though you don't know what the final outcome is going to be.” “The courage to hope in a very broken situation, in a very rightly anxiety-producing world, is going to only come from God's Word.”   Learn more about Mattie: Get your copy of Through The Valley of Grief https://www.amazon.com/Through-Valley-Grief-Devotional-Spiritual/dp/0593601238 Get your copy of Lemons On Friday https://www.amazon.com/Lemons-Friday-Trusting-Greatest-Heartbreak/dp/0785241272/ref=asc_df_0785241272?nodl=1&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=675601147131&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16219095298050732835&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYtFXuwWotiZA-6LEU-IvYhl8AlHMjw6dcuilzZnQUl6pI2as2x1W99FzU_aem_PH7jpc88JU1KxPkE8PIAgA Mattie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mattiejackson/?hl=en Mattie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mattiejacksonofficial/ In Joy Life Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-joy-life-with-mattie-jackson/id1667357187   Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv   About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

My guest this week is the incredible and hilarious Joby Martin, the lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. Since launching the church in 2012, Joby has been at the forefront of a movement that helps people from all walks of life discover and deepen their relationship with Jesus.  Beyond his leadership at The Church of Eleven22, Joby is also an author, speaker, husband, and father of two beautiful children. His newest book Run Over By the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything just hit shelves this September.  I hope you'll join us today as we talk about this concept of grace and explore how we can better understand and apply it in our daily lives. I had an absolute blast learning from Joby's wisdom and getting into the nitty gritty on this subject!  2:09 – Joby 101 Getting saved in high school Feeling called to ministry Planting a church in Jacksonville Connecting to people through comedy 12:30 – The Importance Of Grace In Today's Culture How grace is often misunderstood and misapplied Grace transforms everything We need grace daily 16:37 – Defining Grace How grace is defined by scripture  Grace brings the dead to life God's relentless pursuit of us 26:50 – Encouragement For Those Struggling With Grace Investigating the Bible and seeking a relationship with Jesus The Gospel of John Being open to the transformative power of grace 35:18 – Final Thoughts Who is Jesus to you? Everything Jesus has for us is good Grace has a face Connecting with Joby FEATURED QUOTES “I've also realized in preaching, if I just preach from my own failures and weaknesses, I never run out of material.” “If you got hit by a train, your whole life would be different. You can't say that you've been hit by the grace of Jesus, and things don't change in your life.” “I promise you, there's more grace in Jesus than sin in you, and He wants you, and He's not disappointed to choose you.” -- Learn more about Joby: https://www.jobymartin.com/ Get your copy of Run Over By The Grace Train https://www.jobymartin.com/books/grace-train Church of Eleven22 https://coe22.com/ Joby on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jobypmartin/ Joby on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jobypmartin Joby on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PastorJobyMartin   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

You are in for a treat this week! My guest is the hilarious and amazing Sophie Hudson. Sophie is a best-selling author and a beloved podcaster who started blogging at BooMama.net in 2005 and has co-hosted The Big Boo Cast since 2007- roles that make her feel like the internet's mee-maw. She's known for her infectious laugh, love of live sports, and cooking her mama's recipes for friends. Her latest book, A Fine Sight to See: Leading Because You Were Made for It, explores leadership principles from the book of Exodus, touching on the important role women played in Moses's life and the Israelites' journey to freedom. Sophie's approachable style and love for laughter make her work- and this episode- so insightful and incredibly fun. We had an absolute blast as Sophie shared her heart and her wisdom. You don't want to miss this one! 2:23 – Sophie 101 Southern accents, morning weddings & the power of a good nap Living in Birmingham, Alabama  Starting a blog in 2005 and co-hosting a podcast An unexpected journey to full-time writing 20:42 – Women In Leadership How Sophie landed on Exodus 1-20 for her book The challenges women face in leadership roles in the church Using the language of leadership for women 33:40 – Developing Humble Leadership The balance between confidence and humility in leadership Leadership that reminds people of who God is Leading with a quiet life Practicing your gifts in private 45:58 – Closing Thoughts Bonding over musical theater Getting your copy of A Fine Sight To See FEATURED QUOTES “I think Moses is a leadership manual for all of us, women or men.” “We need men to lead, but we also need women to lead, and women are underrepresented in leadership in our churches.” “If you have influence over one other person, you're a leader in that person's life.” Learn more about Sophie: BooMama https://www.boomama.net/ https://www.boomama.net/about-me/ Get your copy of A Fine Sight To See  https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Sight-See-Leading-Because/dp/0764243349 Sophie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/boomama205/?hl=en Sophie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SophieHudsonBooMama/ The Big Boo Cast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-boo-cast/id262921699 Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly    GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

I'm so excited to welcome the hilarious and amazing Ellen Skrmetti to the show today! Ellen first rose to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing hearts with her Instagram sketches where she "calls" Jesus for advice. Her account went viral in the spring of 2022, racking up millions of views and a devoted following. Now, Ellen has just released her first book, Hey Jesus, It's Me: I Have Questions, Comments, and Concerns, where she brings her signature Southern charm and wit to tackle topics like motherhood, menopause, and menus- subjects her fans have come to love. Trust me, you won't want to miss this episode- Ellen and I had a blast (and even did a bit or two). I can't wait for you to hear it! 7:35 – Ellen 101 Studying at Second City Growing an Instagram following Starting comedy after a career in advertising sales Waiting on God's timing 12:52 – God Math The importance of timing and faith  Doing your reasonable best 16:33 – Faith, Comedy, and Southern Charm How Ellen's faith and Southern upbringing influence her comedy The mix of truth and absurdity in comedy  Starting rumors about Nate Bargatze!! 22:41 – Hey Jesus! The evolution of Ellen's sketches How the “Hey Jesus” sketches resonated with people Wholesome and positive comedy in a world filled with negativity Menopause, y'all! 31:34 – Final thoughts Connecting with Ellen Getting your copy of Hey Jesus FEATURED QUOTES “Even though my path is so unconventional... it's God's path.” “My goal with the book is for people to remember that He does want our sad, He does want our fears, He wants everything… He wants to laugh with you. I mean, He created laughter.” "People want something wholesome and people want something to cling to that's positive because there's so much negative."   Learn more about Ellen: https://ellenskrmetti.com/ Ellen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justskrmetti/?hl=en Get your copy of Hey Jesus https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1546007040?tag=hacboogrosit-20 Ellen's upcoming shows and signings https://ellenskrmetti.com/about-appearances/ Ellen on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYobCHqa6CKHHjutgw80rw Ellen on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ellen.skrmetti/ Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv   About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

My guest this week is Jonny Ardavanis, Lead Pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and founder of Dial In Ministries, an organization dedicated to providing biblical resources for the next generation. Previously serving as a camp director at Hume Lake Christian Camps and dean at The Master's University, Jonny's passion is helping people know and love Jesus through a deeper understanding of His Word.  In this episode, we dive into his new book, Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God. With statistics showing that one-third of teenagers have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and one in four young adults have experienced suicidal thoughts in recent years, Jonny offers a compassionate, biblically-centered approach to addressing anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. This is such a powerful and timely conversation, whether you're personally navigating these challenges or supporting someone who is. You don't want to miss this! 2:26 – Jonny 101 Husband and girl dad Pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Tennessee President of Dial In Ministries 4:35 – Consider The Lilies Jonny's experience at Hume Lake Providing a resource that addresses anxiety from a biblical perspective Understanding God's character in addressing anxiety 12:12 – Living In An Anxious World The root causes of anxiety and worry The stories of Job, David and Elijah Jesus addressing anxiety in scripture 31:28 – Finding Hope and Healing Experiencing holy hindsight Practical steps for those dealing with anxiety Christian counseling and community support The hope and joy found in Christ FEATURED QUOTES “To be human in the world in which we live is to be prone to anxiety.” “What is anxiety? Well, I use the definition that it's anytime we take our eyes off of God and fix our gaze instead on the problems, pressures, and uncertainties of life.” “If God loves, cares, provides for the lilies and the birds…how much more does God love, provide, care and nurture those who are made in His image and who have been blood bought by his one and only Son, Jesus Christ?” Learn more about Jonny: https://www.forthegospel.org/jonny-ardavanis Jonny on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jonnyardavanis/?hl=en Pre-order your copy of Consider The Lilies https://www.amazon.com/Consider-Lilies-Finding-Perfect-Character/dp/0310368243 Stonebridge Bible Church https://stonebridgebible.org/ Dial In Ministries  https://dialinministries.org/ Dial In Ministries on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGB5fYWHTNemqp9aZC232eg Dial In Ministries on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dialinministries/?hl=en Dial In Ministries on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Dial-In-Ministries-100063760952717/ Dial In Podcast https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3166a6da-ec56-457f-a56b-f513711d2dfe/dial-in-with-jonny-ardavanis Bio Jonny Ardavanis is the lead pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and the founder and president of Dial In Ministries, a ministry that provides biblical resourcing for the next generation. Jonny formerly served as both a camp director at Hume Lake Christian Camps and as a dean at The Master's University. Jonny is passionate that people come to know and love Jesus Christ as they pursue a deeper understanding of His Word. Jonny lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Caity Jean, and their two daughters.        DialinMinistries.org instagram.com/JonnyArdavanis ; instagram.com/DialinMinistries youtube.com/@DialinMinistries x.com/DialinMin Podcast: Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.                

My guest today is my dear friend, Dr. Steve Bezner. Steve is the senior pastor of Houston Northwest Church, in Houston Texas. His passion is to see Houston and the world become more like heaven as people become more like Jesus. He's a preacher, teacher, writer, and speaker and has such a gift for making the Bible easy to understand. Steve's new book is releasing this October, called Your Jesus is Too American: Calling the Church to Reclaim Kingdom Values over the American Dream, which I'm so excited to talk about today. In this book, Steve challenges the overpowering influences of money, politics, and status that often overshadow Jesus' teachings. With over a decade of pastoral experience, Steve encourages readers to rediscover important kingdom values like humble service, reconciliation, generosity, and a grounded political witness in our communities. This is such an incredible book, and I strongly believe it's a must-read as we head into this election season.  So, without further ado, let's get into it! 5:44 – Steve 101 Pastor of Houston Northwest Church Growing up in north Texas Being called to ministry Two adult sons 7:36 – The Genesis Of The Book The inspiration behind Your Jesus Is Too American The book's foundation in the Sermon on the Mount Embodying the kingdom of God in the middle of community 15:29 – Living Out Kingdom Values  Being disciples of Jesus first Focusing on issues rather than candidates Turning to scripture and working towards the vision of Jesus locally Jesus' command to love your enemy 34:33 – Faith In Action Embodying Jesus in our daily lives Recognizing ingrained beliefs that conflict with Jesus' words Stepping into the lived experience of the kingdom Pre-ordering your copy of Your Jesus Is Too American FEATURED QUOTES “The purpose of a church is to provide faithful witness for Jesus in the midst of a community that often wants to ignore Jesus and ignore His way.” “The first and most important identity needs to be your identity in Christ and joining into His story.” “When you die to the American dream and you embrace the way of Jesus, you actually end up having a far better experience of being human than you could ever imagine.”   Learn more about Steve: https://www.stevebezner.com/ Get your copy of Your Jesus Is Too American https://www.amazon.com/Your-Jesus-Too-American-Calling/dp/1587436310 Houston NW Church https://www.hnw.org/ Steve on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sbezner/ Steve on X https://x.com/bezner Steve on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sbezner/?hl=en   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

I'm thrilled to welcome the incredible, hilarious, and brilliant Chase Rashad to the show. Chase is the lead pastor at Unison Christian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also a musician and a racial equity coach for many schools, churches, and businesses.  Chase recently released a new book, Seamless: What Your Spiritual Gifts Are Really For, exploring how spiritual gifts, intended by God to transform the world, are often underutilized. He reminds us that, like a human body has many different parts and functions, every believer has a unique role to play in the Body of Christ. This conversation was truly special. We laughed, we got deep, and this quickly became one of my favorite episodes in a long time. Chase's insights on community, the role of spiritual gifts, and the importance of working together within the church were so inspiring and thought-provoking. Trust me, you're in for a treat this week! 3:56 – Chase 101 Married for 19 years Parent to 4 humans and a great dane Pastor, singer, writer, musician and author The perfect shade of green and sanctified imagination 12:49 – What Your Spiritual Gifts Are Really For Where Chase's passion for this book came from The importance of unity among believers 1 Corinthians 12 Spiritual gifts as a way to serve others 24:44 – The Power of Every Gift Recognizing and honoring all gifts The danger of only valuing visible or “up front” gifts The detrimental effects of isolation  How spiritual gifts are often best discovered and used in community 39:30 – Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Identifying your gifts in community Spiritual gifts as a conversation starter Praying over your skills and talents Connecting with Chase FEATURED QUOTES “It's not hung on, how big our churches are, how dope our podcasts are, how good our books are, and how great we sing… Our witness for Christ is hung on our love for each other and our unity. And that was really the burden by which I wrote Seamless.” “If you're working against your ability to be united, you're also working against your ability to show the world Jesus.” “Our purpose isn't to memorize Scripture with each other. Our purpose isn't to sing songs to one another. Our purpose isn't even to just make sure that we're good. Our purpose is to make disciples.” Learn more about Chase: Get your copy of Seamless https://www.amazon.com/Seamless-What-Spiritual-Gifts-Really/dp/1632575841 Unison Christian Church https://unisongr.churchcenter.com/home Unison Christian Church Podcast  https://unisoncc.podbean.com/ Chase's Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chase-rashad/1481147224 Chase on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-r-stancle-sr-b577b068/ Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

This week, I'm so excited to welcome Sandra Stanley and her daughter, Allie Stanley Cooney, as our guests. Sandra, a familiar face on the show, is a dedicated foster parent, foster advocate, and co-author of the book Parenting: Getting It Right. This time, Sandra is joined by her daughter, Allie, who has a Master's in Christian Education and background in student ministry, to discuss their book Meet Me in the Middle: 8 Mother-Daughter Conversations about Life and Faith.  This book is such an incredible resource for those looking to strengthen their relationship with young girls in their lives. As a mom of a tween girl myself, this conversation was so insightful and encouraging. Moms, grandmas, sisters, dads, uncles, and mentors- there is something in this episode for you!  4:52 – Allie 101 Georgia native, pastor family, youngest of 3 Background in student ministry and Christian education Wife and mom 7:27 – Sandra 201 Life as a grandmother Writing a book with Allie 36 years of marriage 8:26 – Writing a Book Together What led Sandra and Allie to write this book  Having hard conversations ahead of time Setting your child up for success 15:24 – The Imperfect Path of Parenting Appreciating a parent's love when you become a parent Making mistakes as a parent Allowing children to make mistakes in a safe environment The unique dynamic of a mother/daughter relationship  Philippians 4:4-9 as a foundation for this book 28:16 – Meet Me In The Middle How this book is structured  Identity and self-worth in middle and high school What we model matters Parenting in the age of social media Helping your children own their faith 48:17 – Final Thoughts Navigating big feelings with your children Getting your copy of Meet Me In The Middle Encouragement for moms and mentors FEATURED QUOTES “If we can bridge the gap between moms and daughters so that they can have some of the hard conversations ahead of time, before…. there's conflict and tension…it is such a win when those hard times come.” “We really wanted to structure it in a way that a grandmother or an aunt or a mentor could also pick it up and do this with the young lady in their life that they love and who is important to them.” “You don't have to change, you don't have to pretend, you don't have to give up hope, because Jesus did all of that on your behalf… You are enough and you are loved, and you are a child of God.” “What we model matters, and it matters in the development of our children's faith and how they view their Heavenly Father.” Learn more about Sandra and Allie: https://www.sandrastanley.com/meetmeinthemiddle Get your copy of Meet Me in the Middle  https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Me-Middle-Mother-Daughter-Conversations/dp/0310368677 Get your copy of Parenting: Getting It Right https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Getting-Right-Andy-Stanley/dp/0310366275/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zWEmq7GGvxYEchs0KShkw_xA3D4LBVR9tIJAm0eZLRgsDPFM_0sVtgStL4OceEucDiZxuWVTa7BVc4qDvnVWp7BeV1To3BFO9wjky07Q-79EBPiNXZ7kgu1gkj4eK0vUojrsnXGW9LG5NIcO6A9y3vGgpzBMRJ6okTT9KESOzRcswK2SRxd7AYBXH5v9trlMJNfAeRisd-GLAzzEHg0BnNrdhj8Ng9QM9egb7OTAdCo.K97LQwbs-mFGFmMBDRy1cpDI5RVsSO8JoZbkRnss_qA&dib_tag=se&hvadid=634502039983&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9010494&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5591213651008220050&hvtargid=kwd-1913356014711&hydadcr=27890_14488800&keywords=parenting+getting+it+right&qid=1725999611&sr=8-1 Allie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliekaycooney/?hl=en Sandra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandrawstanley/?hl=en Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

As we kick off the new school year, this conversation could not be timelier! My guest this week is the incredible Jennifer Pepito, who is on a mission to help moms create a home filled with peace, wonder, and purpose. Jennifer is host of the Restoration Home Podcast, founder of The Peaceful Press, and author of the book Habits for a Sacred Home: 9 Practices from History to Anchor and Restore Modern Families.  As a homeschooling mother of seven, Jennifer has a deep passion for equipping families to homeschool in a way that is developmentally appropriate, spiritually nourishing, and based on proven methods of education. I'm so excited to have her on the show today to talk about her new book. Whether you homeschool or not, this conversation offers so much wisdom about building good habits in your home. I know you're going to love it! 2:02 – Jennifer 101 Mom of 7 children Homeschooling for 26 years Empowering moms to take action 5:23 – Intentional Parenting in a Chaotic World How Jennifer's upbringing influenced her intentional parenting Having strong family practices to counterbalance culture's chaos The power of simple habits, like family dinners and reading together 14:48 – Building Good Habits: Foundations for a Purposeful Life Utilizing and caring for what God has entrusted us with Balancing work and presence with your loved ones Staying committed to good practices even when results aren't immediately visible Finding balance in consuming the news 27:54 – Final Thoughts Influential women of faith The Peaceful Press and resources for families Connecting with Jennifer FEATURED QUOTES “Just being humans in relationship with other humans, as opposed to living solely in a virtual reality world, is counter-cultural. And I wanted to highlight in this book how powerful it is just to be like a normal, sort of 1980s human.” “Be faithful and trust that you sowed. Somebody else is going to water and make sure the harvest grows, and you don't know when that's going to happen. We aren't the potters. We are just the clay…Stay on the potting wheel and let God do what he's going to do, and just be faithful.” “If we look at stories and we look at the Bible, we can be hopeful, but if we look at the news, we will be dysregulated, and our bodies will feel awful, and we'll have a really hard time being sweet with our kids.” Learn more about Jennifer: Get your copy of Habits For a Sacred Home https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Sacred-Home-Practices-Families/dp/0764239546 The Peaceful Press https://www.thepeacefulpreschool.com/ The Peaceful Press on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/peacefulpress/ The Peaceful Press on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepeacefulpress/ The Peaceful Press on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thepeacefulpress Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restoration-home-with-jennifer-pepito/id1650672690   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.  

This month marks a huge milestone for Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? - 8 amazing years of podcasting! It's incredible to think that for 8 years, I've had the privilege of sharing my thoughts, interviews, and stories with you every single week. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your endless support and encouragement along the way! Since I've been a little quieter on social media this summer, I wanted to record a special solo episode this week to catch up and share what's coming up. Tune in as I fill you in on the last few months and share some exciting updates! We have some incredible guests lined up for the fall that I can't wait to share with you. But I also want to hear from you! Who would you like to hear on the podcast? What topics are you passionate about? Send me your ideas at hello@stillbeingmolly.com – I'd love to hear from you! 1:26 – Podcast Feedback, Guests, and More! Share your thoughts with me at hello@stillbeingmolly.com 2:38 – A Quiet Summer An intentional break Catching up on social media The beach, lake, and a trip to Rome 4:22 – An Exciting Update… Going back to school Masters in Theological and Biblical Studies Words of encouragement (please!) 6:50 – 8 Amazing Years! Grabbing your copy of If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry Thank you for your endless support!! Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

This week on Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder, we're sitting down with the incredible Abbie Halberstadt. Abbie is a wife, homeschooling mama to 10 amazing kids, a best-selling author, blogger, and fitness instructor. But most importantly, she's a Bible-believing Christian with a deep desire to know God and make Him known.   Abbie lives by the motto "Hard is not the same thing as bad," and she passionately encourages women to dig deep in the everyday trials of motherhood to uncover the treasures of joy and growth that are abundant if we're willing to look.   In this episode, we dive straight into a rich conversation about her newest book, Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad, which echoes this philosophy. We explore what it looks like to navigate the trials of life, motherhood, and everything the world throws at us.   It was an absolute honor to have Abbie on the show, and I just know you'll be as inspired by her as I was!   2:30 – Abbie 101   Wife, mom, and Christian living in Texas Best-selling author Married to a supportive and wise partner Trust and teamwork within a family     16:55 – Hard Is Not The Same As Bad   Where the idea for this book came from The hard teaches us something Who Abbie had in mind when writing this book Motherhood is not a burden     31:01 – The Gift of Parenting   How motherhood is commonly portrayed today Ignoring voices that encourage complaining and victimhood Seeking strength and support from God Giving children purpose and responsibility at home     48:47 – Takeaways   Psalm 27:13 Connecting with Abbie     FEATURED QUOTES   “The hard teaches us something. Hard is not the same thing as bad.”   “Moms need to hear that the Lord is good regardless of your circumstances, that motherhood is not a burden, that it is, in fact, a blessing from the Lord.”   “Dig deep into Jesus and kick out those voices that are telling you can't and you're a victim. And then also take the practical steps to prepare yourself and your children to have peace in your home and good rhythms, because they will pay off over time.”     Learn more about Abbie:   https://misformama.net/   Abbie's book, Hard Is Not The Same Thing As Bad:   https://misformama.net/hard-is-not-the-same-thing-as-bad   Abbie's book, M Is For Mama:   https://misformama.net/book   Abbie on Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/M.is.for.Mama/   Abbie on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/MisforMama   Abbie on Pinterest:   https://www.facebook.com/MisforMama Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

You are in for a treat this week! My guest is the hilarious and inspiring Cynthia Yanof. Cynthia is a wife, mom of 3, podcaster, blogger, and everyday girl who believes in embracing life's messiness with a sense of humor and a whole lot of faith. She spends most of her days hoping her kids won't embarrass her in public while praying they chase after God-sized dreams. After meeting her husband, Mike, in law school, she swapped legal aspirations for a simpler life (though that only lasted about a day). Now, Cynthia is the host of the popular MESSmerized podcast, a speaker, writer, and a passionate advocate for foster care. We laughed, we got deep, and we covered it all in this episode. Cynthia's first book, Life Is Messy, God Is Good, is available now, and this conversation is a perfect reflection of that message. Tune in for a fun and relatable chat that reminds us all that while life may be messy, God is always good. 2:13 – Dance Parties in Nursing Homes Embracing 40 Having fun at every life stage Reminiscing about prom music 11:20 – Cynthia 101 Married for 22 years with 3 kids A foster parent Author of Life Is Messy, God Is Good Leaving law to become a podcaster 16:21 – Redefining Success + Aligning With Your Calling Being outside of your gifting What narratives are you listening to? Measuring success by God's truth God wastes nothing 24:46 – The Foundational Things The story of the thigh master Learning to hear the voice of God The ordinary stuff is important Deepening your relationship with God in hard seasons 36:42 – Embracing The Mess Questioning God's timing and methodology God is God Connecting with Cynthia FEATURED QUOTES "When you're doing something outside of your gifting, you know." “If you're sitting in a space where you're like, I feel like there might be something next the Lord's calling me into something next…. it takes the most reluctant ‘yes,' and the Lord will take that and run with it.” " You've got to be putting foundational things in place in your life in order to hear from God.” " Don't buy into the lie that the ordinary stuff isn't significant because it is.”   Learn more about Cynthia: https://cynthiayanof.com/ Get Your Copy of Life Is Messy God Is Good https://www.amazon.com/Life-Messy-God-Good-Everyday/dp/0830785337 MESSmerized Podcast https://cynthiayanof.com/episodes/ Cynthia on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof Cynthia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cynthiayanof/ Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.                                  

I am so excited to be joined by Kyle Winkler this week. He is a bible teacher and the creator of the highly acclaimed mobile app, Shut Up Devil!, which ranks among the top Christian apps. Kyle is also an accomplished author, speaker, and frequent guest on prominent Christian media platforms such as The 700 Club, Praise the Lord, and Sid Roth's It's Supernatural. Outside of this, Kyle is the host of an incredible podcast and author of the book Permission To Be Imperfect: How To Strive Less, Stress Less, Sin Less. I'm always thrilled to have other podcasters on the show, and this chat with Kyle absolutely did not disappoint. In a world that constantly pushes us to do more and achieve more, this discussion is a timely reminder that we are already enough in God's eyes. I'm telling you, this is an episode that you're going to be thinking about weeks after you hear it. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this powerful conversation with Kyle! 3:50 – Kyle 101 Living in central Florida Founder of Kyle Winkler Ministries Creator of the Shut Up, Devil! show and app Author of Permission To Be Imperfect 6:18 – Finding Peace in Imperfection Kyle's faith journey and struggle with perfectionism The pressures of modern hustle culture Common misconceptions about God's character The true nature of God 20:04 – Shut Up, Devil! Shifting your perspective when reading scripture God's intention for humanity Combatting lies with biblical truths Understanding the enemy's tactics Renewing our minds with the truth of God's word 30:29 – Encouragement for Perfectionists The trap of the “good Christian” syndrome Performance vs. grace You have permission to be imperfect Leaning into who you are FEATURED QUOTES “We get into this pattern of we've got to do, do, do, do, do, in order to exceed or succeed, and it ends up wearing us down and burning us out.” “Any other thing that isn't grace and isn't unfailing love- any other idea that you have about God is ultimately a lie.” “When you… take yourself out of the picture, and you let the Holy Spirit really take you through things and show you things, you'll see God in ways you never did before.” Learn more about Kyle: Kyle Winkler Ministries https://www.kylewinkler.org/ Get Your Copy of Permission To Be Imperfect Permission to Be Imperfect: How to Strive Less, Stress Less, Sin Less - Kyle Winkler Ministries Kyle's Other Books https://www.kylewinkler.org/store/books/ The Shut Up, Devil Show https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shut-up-devil-show-with-kyle-winkler/id1051150056 Download the Shut Up, Devil! App Shut Up, Devil! - Apps on Google Play Kyle on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kylewinklerministries Kyle on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kylejwinkler Kyle on X https://x.com/kylewinkler Kyle on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/kylewinklerministries?sub_confirmation=1 Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

My guest this week is the incredible Kim Jones, who you might also know as Real Talk Kim. She is a pastor, entrepreneur, mentor, motivational speaker, entertainer, best-selling author, and mother of two sons, Morgan and Lincoln. I'm thrilled to have her on the show today to talk about her new book, Unstuck. This is a powerful 90-day guide designed to help you break free from pain and regret through God's truths and prepare your soul for new beginnings.  In our conversation today, Kim talks about hitting rock bottom after a devastating divorce. It was during this time that she realized she needed to take charge of her life, forgive others and herself, and embrace joy. I hope you'll join us for this great reminder that, no matter where you are in life, it's never too late to get unstuck and start anew. This is probably one of my favorite episodes of the summer and I'm so excited to share it with you! 2:55 – Kim 101 Real Talk Kim on social media Mother, pastor, and coach Author of six books 6:58 – Turning Scars Into Stars Embracing joy Forgiving yourself and letting go God's perfect timing and plan 14:24 – Breaking Free: Getting Out Of Your Own Way Kim's catalyst for change How Kim used prayer and affirmations to change her mindset The role of forgiveness during the healing process The story of Jesus and Judas 24:52 – The Heart Behind Unstuck Forgiving others and yourself Taking one day at a time God isn't done! FEATURED QUOTES "I remember when I got my laugh. And it was when I stopped caring what people thought about me.” “Every season is strategic by God. Even if you did it, even if you messed up, he's gonna turn them scars into stars.” "As long as you ain't dead, God ain't done." "Forgiveness is about getting your heart right with God." Learn more about Kim: Real Talk Kim https://realtalkkim.com/ Get your copy of Unstuck https://www.amazon.com/Unstuck-Days-Inspiration-Encouragement-Promise-ebook/dp/B0CMQ74M7Y Real Talk Kim on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/realtalkkim Real Talk Kim on X https://x.com/realtalkkim?mx=2 Real Talk Kim on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/realtalkkim/ Real Talk Kim on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/realtalkkim Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.                              

I'm so excited to welcome Courtney Joseph Fallick onto the show today. She is a best-selling author and founder of Women Living Well Ministries and Good Morning Girls. Since 2014, Courtney has been blogging through the Bible, one chapter at a time, and her impactful work has been featured on platforms like the Rachael Ray Show and Proverbs 31 Ministries.   Courtney's latest book, Still Standing: How to Live in God's Light While Wrestling with the Dark, dives into her personal journey through a dark season marked by fear, shame, and grief. Listen in as she shares her story of overcoming the pain of her husband's infidelity and offers powerful insights on how to stand up after life's most crushing struggles.   Whether you're wrestling through a dark season or are supporting someone who is, I hope you'll join us for this incredible reminder of God's faithfulness!   3:09 – Courtney 101   Blogging since 2008 Navigating a dark season of life New book to help women face struggles with courage and faith     5:30 – Blogging Through The Bible   How Courtney started blogging though the Bible The blog's format and schedule The soak method     12:18 – Finding Peace After Infidelity   The early stages of shock and denial The struggle of public perception and advice Finding healing and a new normal Courtney's marriage before this event     22:52 – Faith In The Silence   Navigating unanswered prayers and pain How God provided strength and comfort in unexpected ways Standing on God's word   27:49 – Choosing Joy Over And Over   Struggling with resentment, bitterness and anger Surrendering to God The continual process of healing   34:54 – For Those Feeling Stuck…   Are you ready for change? The book of Psalms Making your home a haven   38:25 – Takeaways   What life looks like for Courtney today Getting your copy of Standing Still     FEATURED QUOTES   “What ​I ​needed ​was ​people ​to ​just ​show ​up ​and ​give ​me ​a ​hug. To ​show ​up ​and ​love ​me. ​To ​listen. To ​just ​be ​sympathetic ​and ​care ​and ​not ​judge.”   “Our ​feelings ​are ​liars ​and ​we ​cannot ​believe ​our ​feelings ​because ​God's ​word ​is ​true. ​And ​we ​stand ​on ​the ​promises ​of ​His ​word.”   “I've ​been ​through ​all ​those ​emotions that ​we ​all ​humanly go ​through. ​But ​God's ​word ​is ​really ​​what ​kept ​me ​standing ​and ​pulled ​me ​through.”   “Change only comes when we decide we're going to change.”   Learn more about Courtney:   Get your copy of Standing Still   https://www.amazon.com/Still-Standing-Light-While-Wrestling/dp/0764242393   Women Living Well Ministries   https://womenlivingwell.org/   Women Living Well YouTube   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbl7jYIPjneSbn_m5fszKQ   Women Living Well Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/womenlivingwell/   Women Living Well Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/womenlivingwell/   Good Morning Girls   https://womenlivingwell.org/good-morning-girls/           Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.                    

My guest this week is Clare McCallan. She founded and serves as the Creative Director at St. Joseph's Home for Artisans, is a touring spoken word poet, and host of the podcast Letters From the Least. She is also the creator and host of The Renaissance Room and co-host of This Is The Day on CatholicTV, where she works as a writer. I am so excited to have her on the show today to talk about her upcoming book Courage to Create: Unleasing your Artistic Gifts for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, which serves as both a roadmap and an inspiration for young creatives and those who may not yet see themselves as artists. This book dives into how we are all creatives who can unleash our gifts for truth, beauty and goodness for the glory of God. 4:04 – Clare 101 Author of a new book Host and co-host of shows on CatholicTV Creative Director at St. Joseph's Home for Artisans Film critic for the National Catholic Reporter and Christian channel 6:11 – Clare's Creative Journey Being heavily involved in politics in college Backpacking through Europe and losing a family member Leaving politics and volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata Discovering and pursuing spoken word poetry 13:58 – The Power of Community The importance of community in nurturing creativity The challenges and joys of living in a tight-knit community Fostering environments where young singles can thrive and feel included 20:51 – Reflections on Courage To Create The two groups of people Clare hopes her book speaks to Clare's friend Karina, who integrates creativity into mission work Writing a dystopian novel this summer FEATURED QUOTES “You look the most like your dad when you act like him. And we serve a creative God. The creator- it's kind of the thing He does.” “If you were made in the image of the creator, then you're a craftsman.” “We are all creative. And the moment that you accept that part of your identity, it adds so much richness to your life.” Learn more about Clare: http://www.claremccallan.com/#/ Get Your Copy of Courage To Create https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Create-Unleashing-Artistic-Goodness/dp/164680287X Clare's Other Books http://www.claremccallan.com/buy-my-books.html#/ Letters From the Least Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/letters-from-the-least/id1538807289 Summary In this conversation, Molly Stillman interviews Claire McCallan, an author and creative director, about her creative journey and the intersection of faith and creativity. They discuss the importance of community in nurturing creativity and serving the Lord as an artist. Claire shares stories of artists and creatives she has worked with, including a friend who operates shelters for pregnant women on both sides of the border. Claire also talks about her book, Courage to Create, which encourages young creatives to step into their creativity and shows that everyone is creative in their own way. Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.  Keywords faith, creativity, community, artists, shelters, book Takeaways Creativity is a part of everyone's identity as they are made in the image of the Creator. Community plays a vital role in nurturing creativity and serving the Lord as an artist. The intersection of faith and creativity can have a powerful impact on culture and the world. Even small acts of creativity in everyday life, like cooking a meal, can bring richness and beauty. There is a need for more community and support for adult singles, who often feel left out by the church. Writing a book or pursuing a creative project takes a lot of work and effort, but it can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Sharing stories and experiences of artists and creatives can inspire and encourage others to step into their own creativity.

My guest this week is the lovely Kirby Kelly. She is a Christ-centered content creator and influencer who runs the Bought + Beloved podcast. Whether it's on stage, through writing, or in one-on-one conversations, her passion is teaching God's truth everywhere she goes. Kirby desires to see this generation and culture flourish in freedom and confidence, rooted in their identity and walking in the victory won on the cross. I loved getting to hear her story and learn more about her new book, You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel, which just released. Kirby has such a powerful testimony and shares so many valuable and practical strategies for those struggling with addiction and habitual sin in this episode. I always find talking to younger generations so inspiring and hope this conversation brings you encouragement today! 2:26 – Kirby 101 Content creator, author, podcaster and wife Master's in theology Passionate about making Jesus' name known 4:19 – Digging Deeper Into Kirby's Story  Growing up in a Catholic household Losing her father to alcoholism Struggling with addiction, depression and anxiety Giving her life to Jesus Making social media content to spread the gospel 14:37 – The Journey To “You Can Be Free” Kirby's story of overcoming habitual sin Feeling a calling to write this book How Kirby's struggles have resonated with many Equipping those struggling with sin with tools and knowledge 21:24 – Conviction vs Condemnation Romans 7:15-20 Conviction leads us toward life Green and red light zones The importance of community and accountability 36:30 – Takeaways Connecting with Kirby Getting your copy of You Can Be Free Kirby's hope and prayer for this book FEATURED QUOTES “I ​just ​really ​wanted ​to ​provide ​a ​practical ​and ​biblical ​strategy ​for ​anybody, ​wherever ​they're ​at ​in ​life, ​in ​faith, ​in ​sin, ​to ​be ​able ​to ​look ​at ​it ​and ​understand ​that ​in ​partnership ​with ​Jesus, ​we ​can ​be ​free.” “There's ​no ​condemnation ​in ​Christ. ​There's ​no ​longer ​shame ​for ​the ​things ​that ​he ​has ​freed ​us ​from ​and ​delivered ​us ​from.” “Condemnation ​has ​a ​sitting ​in ​death. ​Conviction ​leads ​us ​towards ​life.”   Learn more about Kirby: https://kirby-kelly.com/about-me Get your copy of You Can Be Free https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Free-Overcoming-Temptation/dp/B0CNDDTJJF The Bought + Beloved Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@boughtandbelovedpodcast Kirby on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kirbyisaboss/ Kirby on X https://x.com/kirbyisaboss Kirby on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Kirbyisaboss/ Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

Join us this week for an incredible conversation with Hannah Keeley, the founder of Mom Mastery University, the #1 life coaching app for moms. Hannah is a parenting expert, master board-certified life coach, and mother of seven, who integrates faith and psychology to help moms achieve radical transformation in their lives. I'm thrilled to have her on the show today to talk about her book, Mom Fog: 8 Steps To Overcoming Mom Fatigue Syndrome, and dive into the fascinating science behind "mom fog" or "mom brain." After recording this episode, I couldn't wait to share what I'd learned with my husband- so many concepts just clicked into place for me. If you're a mom, dad, aspiring parent, caregiver, or teacher, I know you're going to find this discussion incredibly enlightening! 6:29 – Hannah 101 Mom and grandmother A behavior therapist Facing challenges in early motherhood Hearing God's voice + developing effective strategies to help moms 12:27 – Taking The First Step Getting up and doing the hard thing Getting curious about our thoughts Learning how to be 18:33 – Speaking Your Vision The profound impact of the words we speak about ourselves Speaking positively to transform our mindset and our reality How Hannah visualized living in her dream home before it was a reality 28:06 – The Concept of “Mom Brain” Why the brain changes post-children How mom brain leads to feelings of overwhelm and overstimulation The unique role moms play in holding a family together 43:40 – Takeaways Hannah's 5-day boot camp for moms Mom Mastery University Getting a free copy of Mom Fog Connecting with Hannah FEATURED QUOTES “The ​most ​strategic ​action ​to ​get ​you ​out ​of ​the ​negative ​place ​that ​you ​are [in] ​will ​always ​be ​the ​most ​counterintuitive. ​It ​will ​always ​be ​the ​thing ​that ​you ​least ​likely ​want ​to ​do.” “Whatever ​you're ​saying, ​you ​will ​become. ​So ​just ​understand ​that ​your ​life, ​your ​subconscious, ​your ​future ​is ​always ​eavesdropping ​on ​what's ​coming ​out ​of ​your ​mouth.” “Without ​a ​vision, ​we ​perish. ​So ​if ​you're ​perishing, ​change ​the ​vision. Create something new.” Learn more about Hannah: Mom Mastery University https://mommastery.com/ Get your copy of Mom Fog https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Fog-Overcoming-Fatigue-Syndrome/dp/1727284321 Hannah on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hannahkeeley/?hl=en   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

My guest this week is the amazing Becky Kiser. As a certified life coach, author, and host of the Hearers and Doers podcast, she has used her relatable approach and biblical insights to teach at women's events, churches, conferences, prisons, and more for the last two decades. In our conversation today, we dive into Becky's new book, But God Can. This sets the stage for such an important conversation about embracing our vulnerabilities, understanding true freedom in Christ, and navigating life's ups and downs in faith. I hope you'll join us for a powerful reminder that, even in your deepest moments of self-doubt, God remains constant.  3:39 – Becky 101 Mom of three girls in The Woodlands, Texas Author of two books Author, life coach, business consultant, and podcaster Raised in a home with diverse religious influences Helping women live full lives and find freedom through Jesus 9:10 – True Freedom In Christ Freedom in Christ vs the world's freedom How self-help mantras fall short on their own Relying on God's strength and guidance 17:22 – What Is Truth? Having people in our lives who can help decipher truth Being consistent in God's word The truth is in us Trusting God to redirect us and guide us back to His truth 26:51 – But God Can  Navigating emotions in faith Learning from Jesus' example Trusting in God through feelings of inadequacy and impostor syndrome Connecting with Becky FEATURED QUOTES "We are not enough, but God completely is enough. God can do absolutely anything in our lives." “A path to freedom is simply acknowledging that you can't and then opening your hands enough to see if God could and would and can.” "The truth is that even in our pursuit of truth, it's going to be messy, but we have to pursue. We have to keep going. We have to attempt in faith, to trust the Spirit in us." ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST Learn more about Becky: https://www.beckykiser.com/ Order your copy of But God Can https://www.amazon.com/But-God-Can-Purposefully-Abundantly/dp/1400335752 Molly's Episode on the Hearers & Doers Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h-d-20-molly-stillman-laughing-crying-and-farming/id1493950669?i=1000656245402 Becky on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/beckykiserllc Becky on Twitter https://x.com/beckykiser Becky on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beckykiser/   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

Wow! Can you believe it? Can I Laugh on Your Shoulder? has hit its 400th episode! If you had told me back in 2016 when this all started that we'd make it this far, I don't know if I would've believed you. But here we are, and it feels incredibly special. I'm beyond grateful for each and every one of you who's supported the podcast over the years.   In celebration of this huge milestone, I'm going to take some time today to share some of my favorite memories and answer some listener questions that I've received over the years! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a part of this journey. Here's to many more episodes filled with laughter, tears, and growth!     0:49 – Reflecting On 400 Episodes   8 years in podcasting THANK YOU! The highs and the lows of the last 8 years     4:46 – “Why Did You Start This Podcast?”   Working in radio, blogging, and starting “Business with Purpose” Rebranding the podcast Creating a space for diverse conversations     8:53 – “Most Memorable Moments + Favorite Guests?”   Turkeys interrupting a recording session Kevin Fredericks' episode     12:00 – “How Do You Prepare For Each Podcast?”   Booking and communicating with guests Reading books + light-to-moderate internet stalking Coming up with interview questions Recording sessions, graphics and more   14:50 – “How Do You Remain Inspired Amidst Setbacks?”   Thinking of ways to keep the show fun The challenges of podcasting Molly's “why”   16:31 – “What's One Piece Of Advice From A Guest You've Implemented?”   Ginny from 1,000 Hours Outside Being present in daily life Taking the summer off     FEATURED QUOTES   “When I started this podcast eight years ago, if you'd told me that I would still be here, eight years later, and I will have published 400 episodes…I don't know that I would have believed you.”   "Podcasting is hard. I've done this every single week for nearly eight years. This is not something that you go into lightly."   “My why and my motivation for doing this is because of the stories that I hear from listeners when they share how a particular episode has impacted or inspired them or changed their lives.”   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

My guest this week is the incredible Stephanie Quayle. She's a Nashville recording artist, founder of the record label Big Sky Music Group, and has been recognized by Rolling Stone Country and CMT for her talent. With two Billboard charted singles, she's an independent artist who frequently performs at CMA Fest and the Grand Ole Opry. I'm thrilled to have her on the show today to talk about her new book, Why Do We Stay? How My Toxic Relationship Can Help You Find Healing. It's not only an incredibly powerful story but an excellent resource for spotting red flags and starting your journey toward healing. She's here to share her story with us today, reflect on life post-toxic relationship, and share some of the steps she took to navigate the most difficult times of her life. If you've ever experienced an unhealthy relationship or are supporting someone who is going through one, this conversation is so important. Stephanie has such an incredible story and was such a joy to talk to! 2:45 – Stephanie 101 Growing up on a farm in Montana Starting a record label in 2015 Performing at the Grand Ole Opry Becoming an author 4:14 – Digging Deeper Into Stephanie's Story Facing bullying and discovering a love for music Experiencing the underbelly of the industry in LA Losing partner in a plane crash and discovering infidelity shortly after Moving to Nashville, starting a label, and falling into another toxic relationship Confronting the past and writing a book to help others 20:22 – Reflections On Toxic Relationships Staying in unhealthy relationships Forgiving toxic partners and yourself during the healing process Finding the unconditional love of Jesus 34:18 – Life After A Toxic Relationship Seeking out professional support in the healing process Leaning on faith and God's tools You are not the problem, but you are the solution You are enough on your own 42:03 – Stephanie's Advice For Those In Toxic Relationships Listening to your intuition Recognizing red flags Surrounding yourself with trusted people Considering the advice you would give to others FEATURED QUOTES "We are not meant to do this on our own. God gives us tools. God gives us people. And we need to utilize those." "You are not the problem, but you are your solution. And that only happens by us getting stronger." “Until we fix ourselves, there's, there's really no way around it, there's no way of getting over it… The only way to get over it is by getting through it to get to the other side." “No one is going to fix you. No one is going to complete you. You know, I think that sometimes when we think of equally yoked, we think of ourselves as only 50%. And that then our other 50% will be this person that comes in like saves our lives, right? Well, there's only one that does that. That's Jesus.”   Learn more about Stephanie: Stephanie's website https://www.stephaniequayle.com/home Get your copy of Why Do We Stay? https://www.amazon.com/Why-Do-We-Stay-Relationship/dp/140024451X Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniequayle Stephanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniequayle Stephanie on X: https://x.com/stephaniequayle Stephanie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/STEPHANIEQUAYLE

This week's guest is Ally Fallon, an award-winning author, ghostwriter, and expert book coach who has helped countless individuals find their voice and share their stories through her community Find Your Voice.   Her new book, Write Your Story: A Simple Framework to Understand Yourself, Your Story, and Your Purpose in the World is incredibly powerful, and a testament to her belief that everyone has a story worth telling.   I'm thrilled to have her on the show today to share insights on why writing can be such a powerful tool for personal growth and healing. If you've ever thought about writing a book, starting a blog, or even starting to journal, this conversation is sure to inspire you to pick up that pen and start writing! 2:32 – Ally 101 Passion for books and writing at a young age Becoming a teacher Finding a niche in coaching aspiring writers 6:33 – The Transformative Power Of Storytelling The desire to write should be pursued Seeing life through the lens of storytelling Gaining new perspectives and finding empowerment 11:09 – The Science Behind Writing The physical and emotional benefits of writing Developing your writing skills through consistent practice Anyone can write! 19:32 – The Keys Elements To A Good Story Recognizing oneself as the hero Embracing problems as a pathway to growth Transformation as the heart of the story Self-reflection and honesty in storytelling 37:01 – The Path To Healing Spiritual growth through storytelling Authentic change and growth cannot be rushed or forced Connecting with Ally FEATURED QUOTES “Writing your story will connect you to yourself and your own intuition. It connects you to the people around you, especially your family members and the people who are immediately related to you. And it also connects you to the broader world at large.” “Problems are the lighter fluid on the fire of stories. Without problems, there's no story.” “Consistently the people who come to the Write Your Story workshops, who pick up this book, who come to me asking for help with a book 100% of the time, these are people who are hungry for spiritual growth. And they're like, ‘I don't care what it takes. I don't care how uncomfortable it is. I want this for myself.' And I hope that the book can help them to achieve that.”   Learn more about Ally: https://writeyourstory.com/ Get your copy of Write Your Story https://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-Story-Framework-Understand/dp/1637632592 Ally on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allyfallon/?hl=en   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

My guest this week is Terry Crist. He is the co-lead pastor of City of Grace in Phoenix, alongside his wife, Judith. As a fifth-generation pastor, Terry is dedicated to community transformation and advocates for adoption and foster care through his involvement in state government.  Outside of his pastoral duties, he's a passionate outdoorsman, a skilled communicator, and has shared the gospel in 65 countries. Terry and Judith have three married sons and three grandkids, and their family is dedicated to spreading the good news of Jesus. Terry's new book, Loving Samaritans: Radical Kindness In An Us VS. Them World, explores the transformative power of radical kindness. I am so excited to dig into the meat of his book with him today and talk about how even the smallest acts of kindness can pave the way for deeper connections and understanding.  I know you're going to love this one! 2:43 – Terry 101 Raised as a church kid Falling in love with ministry Planting 3 churches 6:38 – Faith In The Everyday World  Why Terry felt called to write this book The significant polarization and division in today's world Feeling a call to live more intentionally on mission 13:02 – The Woman At The Well The significance of this story Jesus' radical inclusivity Jesus' reconciliation and healing What is truth? 26:30 – Living On Mission Anywhere Jesus became a neighborhood kid The distinction between hospitality and fellowship Being hospitable to people outside the church Jesus' model of loving people 38:15 – Walking In Love Looking for traces of grace every day Walking through the day with eyes open Identifying everyone we meet as a neighbor Understanding God's love in order to love others well FEATURED QUOTES “I think all people have some fundamental things in common. We all want the best for ourselves and our family, we all want to be seen, we want to be heard, we want to be loved, we want to be valued, we want to be known.” “All people are worthy of being heard. All people are worthy of hearing the truth without insult, and all people are worthy of unconditional love. Even if they don't accept our gospel, we can and should still give them our love, in the hopes that they do receive our gospel.” “We don't need to assume that we don't have strangers around us, because we do, even in the smallest of towns. Hospitality is really opening our doors to them, just as Jesus did to us.” “Loving people unconditionally, with strength, faithfully, enduringly, blessing our enemies, being compassionate to those who are in need, welcoming strangers- these are the practices of the gospel.” ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST Learn more about Terry: https://www.terrycrist.com/ Get your copy of Loving Samaritans https://www.zondervan.com/p/loving-samaritans/ Terry on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/terrycrist Terry on X https://x.com/terrycrist City of Grace Church https://www.cityofgrace.com/ The Chosen Woman At The Well Scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ordhsDeAt60   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

Julie and Chris Bennett have spent the majority of their 23 years of marriage working in vocational ministry. Through overwhelming challenges- a cancer diagnosis, a relapse, and a pandemic- they have learned how to fight for the things that matter and devote themselves to helping others do the same. Today, they are the founders of Welcome Home Lifestyle which exists to create and promote content that celebrates all things family. Their new book Fighting For Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging, was just released in March and is all about embracing togetherness in a time when so many suffer from loneliness. I'm so excited to dive into the heart of their new book with you and talk about how vulnerability, intentionality, and grace play pivotal roles in nurturing healthy relationships, whether with family, chosen family, or friends. 2:50 – Chris and Julie 101 Met at 19 and married at 21 Working in ministry in Oklahoma A calling to move their family to LA Julie's stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis Challenges after the move + writing a book 7:34 – Guided By Faith   Life is not linear Trusting God's plan and remembering His track record Inviting children into the journey and allowing space for emotions Relying on His guidance 16:57 – Cultivating a Healthy Family Culture Chasing after a healthy family instead of a perfect family The greenhouse effect at home Modeling vulnerability and self-awareness as parents Remembering God's faithfulness 28:37 – Building Belonging The 3 commitments for healthy relationships Creating space for understanding, vulnerability, and belonging Being intentional about building relationships Connecting with Chris and Julie FEATURED QUOTES   “We find out what we really believe about God, not when we get answers- it's when we're tested.”   “The idea of a greenhouse is that no matter what is happening externally- if it's scorching heat, if it's freezing cold, if it's raining- inside that greenhouse is a culture that things can grow year-round. And so we know that our kids are being exposed to all types of things. The world we're living in is very difficult for our kids… so we've tried to create this greenhouse effect at home.” “Remembering what God did yesterday is what gives us faith for tomorrow.” “Belonging is not something that you find, it's something that you bring… people are able to do that and bring belonging when we give space for not having it all together and being messy.” Learn more about Chris and Julie: Fighting for Family https://www.fightingforfamily.org/ Get your copy of Fighting For Family https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Family-Relentless-Building-Belonging/dp/0785293191?maas=maas_adg_980D35D24FEFF4EC892FEA9B34155B43_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Julie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/juliebennett_/ Chris on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chrisbennett143/ Chris and Julie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chrisandjuliebennett/ Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

My guest this week is Emily Morrow who founded the social media channel Really Very Crunchy with her husband, Jason, in 2022. Since then, her platform has rapidly grown, amassing over 3 million followers and more than a billion views across various video platforms. Emily is passionate about living a natural and sustainable lifestyle, and she uses her platform, along with her incredible sense of humor, to educate and inspire others on their journey to a healthier, toxin-free life. Her new book, Really Very Crunchy: A Beginner's Guide to Removing Toxins from Your Life Without Adding Them to Your Personality, is now available wherever books are sold, with her upcoming children's book, Little Helper, Big Imagination, set to release in July 2024. Stay tuned as we chat about her journey into crunchy living, navigating the comparison trap, the power of small changes, and so much more. I absolutely loved getting to know Emily and hope this conversation leaves you smiling and feeling inspired! 1:45 – Emily 101 Emily's new book release A mom of two boys Moving to South Korea Falling into content creation 15:52 – The Crunchy Journey How Emily started making healthy lifestyle changes Finding what works for your family Creating relatable, non-judgemental content online Navigating feedback and perception along the way 26:28 – Crunchy Living in Practice  How family members have supported this lifestyle What crunchiness looks like on a day-to-day for Emily's family Universal childhood experiences 37:51 – Takeaways Focusing on what's best for your family Making realistic lifestyle changes for you Connecting with Emily FEATURED QUOTES “If you can't make all the changes, choose one thing…It doesn't have to be this big, extreme, and scary thing. You can make little changes.” “I hope that people are able to resist falling into a comparison trap. Honestly, I hope that people realize the only person they have to convince that they're doing their best is themselves.”   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. Learn more about Emily: https://www.reallyverycrunchy.com/ Get your copy of Really Very Crunchy https://www.zondervan.com/p/really-very-crunchy/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reallyverycrunchy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLEvpTMBa0WuZuWAF2M9m0w Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reallyverycrunchy/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reallyverycrunchy/

In today's episode, I'm joined by the remarkable Ryan George. Ryan is the author of the book, Hurt and Healed by the Church: Redemption and Reconstruction After Spiritual Abuse.  He spent the first 20 years of his life in a cult, attending a series of independent fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches, including one where his dad was a pastor with ultimate authority. Later in life, Ryan was confronted with the devastating truth of his father's serial sexual abuse. Despite the trauma he experienced, Ryan didn't abandon his faith. After leaving the spiritually abusive IFB movement, he embarked on a 25-year journey of reevaluation and reconstruction. Today, through his blog, books, interviews, and spiritual adventure company, Dude Group, Ryan offers hope for those navigating their own paths of healing.  I do want to warn our listeners that this episode focuses on sensitive subjects like church hurt and sexual abuse. However, Ryan's story is so powerful, and filled with hope, compassion, and healing.  2:48 – Ryan 101 Oldest of six homeschooled children + a pastor's son Husband and adoptive father Adventurer and blogger Author of 3 books 6:51 – The Path To Healing  Discovering his father's abuse Navigating the aftermath Sharing his story to help others 18:16 – Jesus' Model Of Justice Jesus as a model for handling anger and betrayal Pursuing justice with compassion Seeking Heaven on Earth 33:31 – Finding The Real Jesus  What identifies a cult from a healthy church environment  Ryan's experience with IFB churches Seeking out the authentic Jesus  Recognizing that churches have both moments of beauty and moments of failure 54:54 – Takeaways Being the person that confesses first Podcast recording stories Connecting with Ryan FEATURED QUOTES "Wounds from relationships are only healed in relationships... And I think that wounds from the church can only be healed not necessarily in a church building, but by people who also love Jesus."   “Give people the gift of going second... You have to start with yourself, or it can spin in some very horrible places. You become a bomb thrower…. I want to be the person that confesses first, so that people go, ‘Oh, that's the real thing.'”   Learn more about Ryan: Instagram: https://www.booksbyryan.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.george Ryan's Website https://www.booksbyryan.com/ Check out Ryan's books: https://www.booksbyryan.com/books/ Explorience: https://explorience.org/about/   Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

Melissa Kruger serves as the Vice President of Discipleship Programming at The Gospel Coalition. As an author and Bible teacher, she regularly teaches women in her community and speaks at conferences around the country. I'm so excited to have her on the show today to talk about her latest book, Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens For Christ in a Secular Age, and dive into the ins and outs of raising teenagers. We talk about transitioning with your children as they grow, modeling a life of faith, creating a prayerful home, and so much more. In a culture that often implies that the teenage years are miserable and difficult, Melissa encourages parents to not overlook the beauty and joy in this chapter. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or simply someone who influences young lives, this conversation is SO important, and I can't wait for you to hear it! 2:00 – Melissa 101 Vice President of the Gospel Coalition Mother of 3 and wife Former math teacher An unexpected path to writing 16 books 6:42 – Changing The Parenting Narrative The negative narrative surrounding parenting teenagers and tweens Understanding the development stages of this time period Being gracious and patient with teenagers + adapting your parenting style 14:21 – The Gracious Home Vs. The Permissive Home Setting boundaries and allowing for mistakes A lack of structure leading to negative outcomes Setting boundaries as a parent Allowing children to face consequences in a safe and supportive environment 21:25 – Parenting Through Different Stages Transitioning parenting styles from one stage to the next Recognizing children as independent human beings Walking alongside your children as they make their own decisions Avoiding placing your identity in your children's actions or behaviors 33:03 – Modeling Faith Being gracious with failure as a parent Setting the example by walking with God Incorporating prayer into everyday life as a family Connecting with Melissa FEATURED QUOTES “I think growing up with our teen in some ways, is remaining curious about who they are and not making assumptions about why they're pushing back on something.” “I think it's really tempting as a parent sometimes to place a lot of our identity and in our teen…we start trying to control who they become, rather than walk alongside them as they're becoming who God made them to be.” “Learning how to make a mistake is actually a life lesson.” “I always say aim for patterns, not perfection.”   Learn more about Melissa: https://melissabkruger.com/ Get your copy of Parenting with Hope https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Hope-Raising-Christ-Secular-ebook/dp/B0CFTGDKJ1 The Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/   Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv   About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.