Diary of a Small Town Girl with Jenn VanHekken

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to join over 150 guests from Amway Corp's Inclusion Networks and talk all things Enneagram in the Workplace. Because our time was limited, there were a variety of questions that I didn't get the chance to answer, so today, I sit down with business coach, podcast host, and dear, dear friend Laine Schmidt to answer all of those questions right here on the podcast. We answer questions about whether or not our Enneagram number changes, if there are numbers that make better leaders than others, and so many questions about Enneagram 1s. There's a lot of great information today, so sit back and grab a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine, and join me and Laine as we talk all things Enneagram in the Workplace!

I sit down with professor and theologian Kristen Deede Johnson and talk all about the topics we're supposed to avoid - politics, religion, and navigating a new year and a new administration.  We talk about why political strife has been going on since the beginning of time, and how we can stay focused on Christ despite the murky waters of politics, unrest, and injustice around us. Plus...we talk about what it truly takes to love our neighbors, the beauty of having walked through a trying year like 2020, and how to face 2021 with grace.  I was so honored to have Kristen join me on the podcast, and I can't wait for you to listen in.  You can find it at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcast episodes.  Listen in today!  

I sit down with author, counselor, and professor, Chuck DeGroat, and chat about how it feels to finally turn the page on 2020 and embrace the beauty that is to come in the new year. We share the challenges that 2020 has brought to the surface as we talk to the next generation about faith and justice, and we talk about his book: "When Narcissism Comes to Church" and how understanding the 9 Faces of Narcissism, can help us use the Enneagram as a tool for building relationships,  We also talk about the rise of the Enneagram's popularity within the Evangelical Church, why it's important to look at the big picture, and why sometimes just resting is the best bucket list item that we can have. Start your New Year off right by listening in today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your favorite podcast episodes!  

I sit down with Hadlee Garrison, found of Happy, Healthy with Hadlee, and talk all about developing easy and manageable health habits just in time for the new year. We talk about the way that the need for perfection often gets in our way as we set goals for ourselves, why investing in our our health is more than just "going on a diet," and why taking the easy road isn't a bad thing. Plus...we talk about life as an Enneagram 3, whether or not we're making resolutions this year, and why grabbing a straw just might change your life.  Listen in on our conversation today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your favorite episodes.  Check it out today.

Listen in as I sit down with Jenna Braddock, founder of Healthy Made Easy, as we talk about how each Enneagram number approaches their unique health and wellness journey. Jenna walks through the strengths and the challenges that each number might face as they engage in health and wellness, and the ways that they can strengthen their health habits based on their unique motivations. Plus...we talk about using our bodies for serving others, why it's important to allow ourselves to rest, and why we both love being compared to Tammy Taylor. You can find today's episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you find your favorite episodes.  Listen in today!

Kelsey Prince, founder of Wellness, Co. in Zeeland, Michigan, shares her story of following God's leading, even when it seemed like the path was unclear, and the way that it led her to start a new business even in the midst of a pandemic. We talk about the importance of doing healthcare in a whole new way, why listening to God's voice isn't always easy, and the beauty of letting go and taking a leap of faith. Listen in to Kelsey's inspiring story and the way that she reminds us that even the moments that feel like failure, are moments that God has meant for good.  You can find it today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com, or anywhere that you find your favorite episodes.

Ben Aguilera, pastor of BLVD Church and Executive Director of LAUP in Holland, Michigan, sits down and talks about what it means to build community and serve others.  He shares his experience growing up in the Chicano culture in Southern California and the differences that he noticed (and began to embrace) as he moved to the Midwest. We talk about raising up leaders that reflect the diversity of the community that they serve, empowering the Latinex community where he lives, and why it's so important to build church community one relationship at a time. Plus...we talk about the Enneagram, and how understanding his unique design as an Enneagram 8 has empowered him and encouraged him to be exactly who God created him to be.  Listen in today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you find your favorite episodes!  

Guys...it's Episode 100! I cannot believe that I've hit this milestone, and I'm so excited that you've been along for the journey.  Today I re-connect with the guests from my very first episode: My mom Tina, sister Monica, daughter Kaitlyn, and friend Kelsey - and we talk all about faith, family, friendship, and everything in between. Listen in as we share what we have learned through this pandemic, how we look at faith as our foundation, even when things get tough, why friends should be there to make us laugh, and most importantly, the importance of family in each of our lives. We laugh, we cry, and we gush all over each other during this hour-long tribute...and in the words of Kaitlyn, "well, even if no one else likes this podcast, we had an amazing time talking to each other." It's a great episode that will warm your heart and remind you about what is most important in life. So listen in today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you get your favorite episodes.

Kayla Sluka joins me for a conversation about race, allyship, and finding herself without any boxes to check.  She shares her journey from growing up in a very diverse area of New Mexico, where having brown skin was just a part of everyday life, to her move to West Michigan where she began to see and feel the differences around her. She shares the wrestling that she has had to do around finding her identity as a bi-racial women, the way that she has begun to navigate conversations about race and social justice, and the importance of taking sustainable steps toward reconciliation. You don't want to miss this conversation, so make sure to listen in at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast or anywhere you get your favorite podcast episodes!

22-year old Anika Pitcher sits down and shares her story of addiction and mental illness, and the way that her family, and the God that chases after us, helped her turn her life around.   She shares the way that "typical college drinking" became an opening for alcohol abuse, the role of anxiety and depression in her life both as an alcoholic and in recovery, and the absolute power of getting to lead worship and truly understanding the words that she gets to sing. Plus, we talk about the new dreams that God is laying on her heart, why sharing our story with others is so important, and the importance of never giving up on those we love...even when they seem like they are too far gone. Listen in to this incredibly powerful story on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere that you get your favorite podcast episodes. You don't want to miss it! Find Anika's YouTube channel here to hear more of her story.

We're finishing up our Enneagram series with our Enneagram 9s, Steve Deur and Alina VanHekken.  Steve and Alina sit down and share their experiences as Peacemakers and Mediators, and the steps they are taking to learn to step gracefully into conflict. Plus...we talk about what it's like to see all sides of a situation, why its important to learn about others' perspectives and life experiences, and how Steve and Alina are both learning to raise their voice and recognize that their presence matters.  

Sarah LeFebre and Chris VanHekken sit down and talk all things Enneagram 8.  We chat about the difference between being domineering and being assertive, the ways that leadership comes naturally to them, and why they are so passionate about lifting others up. Plus...Sarah's husband Matt and I join in to talk about what it's like to love an Enneagram 8, what we've learned along the way, and how we've learned to create space for vulnerability.  You absolutely don't want to miss this episode. Check it out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you get your favorite episodes.  Listen in today!

Monica Steimle-App and Kevin Stinehart sit down and share their experiences as adventurers, enthusiasts, and all-around optimists. We talk about the ways they are learning to embrace negative emotions as they arise, how they focus on the now, and the joys of road-tripping without an itinerary. Plus...they share why it's so important to surround themselves with great teammates and partners, how they stay focused and organized, and why life is much better when it's filled with rainbows and unicorns. Listen in at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you get your favorite episodes. 

Marc Driesenga and my favorite girl, Kaitlyn Van Hekken, sit down and talk all things Enneagram 6.  We talk about loyalty, fear, and why T-Charts and Venn Diagrams are their favorite tools for decision-making. Plus...we talk honestly about anxiety and mental illness, the way that they each deal with those in authority, and why Allyship is so important to both of them.   Listen in as Marc and Kaitlyn share what it's like to face their fears and step forward courageously into the future...even when they're scared of the consequences.  Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you find your favorite podcast episodes.

Jodi Schaap and Ashley Tuitel sit down and talk about their experience as Enneagram 5s. They share the difficulty of opening up and being vulnerable, their personal need for space, and why invitations are so important to them. Plus we talk about why Enneagram 5s push so hard to take care of themselves, the difference between knowledge and understanding, and what they are learning about themselves and others along the way. Listen in to this (and other) great Enneagram episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, and anywhere you get your favorite episodes.

I sit down with Jodi Dykstra and Brendon Enders, both Enneagram 4s, who share all of their experiences as Individualists and Romantics.  They talk about being in touch with their own emotions and wishing others were too, the push-pull of being accepted vs. being unique, and the way that creativity and artistry has played a role in their lives. We also talk about the movie phenomenon...the idea that Enneagram 4s see the world around them like a movie and their lives as a role within it...plus they share their best advice for other Enneagram 4s out there and their best advice for loving an Enneagram 4 well. Listen in today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you get your favorite podcast episodes!

Rob and Jill Garrison sit down and share their experience as Enneagram 3s.  We talk parenting, team-building, and why it's so hard to turn everything off and just relax. They share the way that self-reflection and investing in personal growth has helped them grow into better versions of themselves, and how understanding that each person sees the world differently has been a game changer for building their business. Plus...we talk friendships, marriage, and the importance of acknowledging our failures in order to grow from them.  It's a great episode with two of my all-time favorite Enneagram 3s.  Find it today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you find your favorite podcast episodes.

Ali McGee and Jeff Schipper, both Enneagram 2s, sit down and talk all about their experiences as Helpers, Givers, and all-around genuinely nice people. They share why it's so hard to say no to others, the way they both have a hard time separating their needs and their feelings, and how investing in their own well-being has been a game changer. Listen in as Ali and Jeff share their lives as Enneagram 2s and help us all understand how to love others (and ourselves) better!

Dina Horne and RandiLynn Talsma, sit down and share their experiences and their perspectives as self-identified Enneagram 1s.  They share the reality of having an inner-critic, what it's like to be a reformer, and how they have come to accept the role of anger in their lives. We talk all things perfectionism, and how to embrace the brokenness of the world around us.  Plus...we chat about gardening, breathing, and why 30 minutes of silence might just push both of them over the edge. Listen in today for some amazing insights on what it's like to see the world through the lens of a Reformer, and make sure to share it with the E1 friends around you.   Resources: The Road Back to You - Ian Morgan Cron The Path Between Us - Suzanne Stabile The Complete Enneagram - Beatrice Chestnut Follow the Enneagram Journey at: jennvanhekken.com @the_jenneagram  

Rachel Adenaas, Mrs. Michigan 2019, shares the journey that took her out of yoga pants and into a ball gown.  She shares the way that being a pageant queen helped her understand the world around her and see life in a new way. We talk about the importance of continuing to dream and set goals no matter our age, why serving others is the most life-changing thing that we can do, and why representation matters...even in the pageant world. Listen in on Rachel's inspiring story on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast or anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!  

Stevie Estler of Built by Stevie, shares how the simple act of installing a ceiling fan in her college apartment led her on a journey to become one of the only female woodworking operations in the country.  She shares how engaging in counseling and mental health therapy has changed her life, the importance of sharing her story, and why embracing      Plus...she talks about how she handles being a female in a male-dominated field, and why getting up after we've been knocked down is the important work of everyday life.   What She Recommends: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah Jamie Ivey Annie F. Downs Taylor Nickels The Popcast with Knox and Jamie The Bible Binge with Knox and Jamie What She Says: "All of a sudden I said...'This is my dream job.'" "A lot of guys assume that girls only do "diy," but as I began getting better and better at what I was doing...I now have guys that ask me for advice." "I had to prove myself, where I feel like most guys don't have to prove themselves in this space." "There is a lot of high school that I don't remember...and it comes from the trauma that comes from my story." "All of our faith journeys are going to look totally different, and there is not one frame that all of us have to fit into."    

Author, Speaker, and Coach, Joy McMillan, sits down and shares her journey from brokenness to purpose, and her passion for helping other women step into their calling. We talk about the broken relationship between Christianity and sexuality, and about her own story, which started her on a journey of healing that she extends to others as they try to navigate this difficult conversation. She also shares her heart for helping women find their purpose and live a wholehearted life that leads them to their unique, God-given calling.  Be encouraged today as you listen in to Joy's powerful story.  You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere you find your favorite podcasts. Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault What She Recommends: Boundaries by Townsend and Cloud Boundaries for the Soul by Cook and Miller What She Said: "I think we can curate our authenticity in a way that is not truly authentic." "It's only once you are truly known that you can be truly loved." "An excess of sex is exactly the opposite of what is happening in Christian marriages today." "The world is giving us so many broken messages about sexuality...and the church is just sweeping it under the rug."

Kate Bolt of Living Lark talks all things hospitality and entertaining, and shares her passion for bringing people together.  She shares her favorite risotto recipe, why her color-coded cookbook shelf brings her joy, and the best (and quite surprising) party theme that she's ever planned. Listen in as Kate shares her passion for food and drink and gives us fun ways to bring our friends and family together, especially as we move out from our quarantine and forward into real life.  Plus...we talk about the best cocktails for summer, for creating in a batch, and for my Enneagram 3 self (hint, hint...it includes a bleu cheese stuffed olive garnish!) Where to Find Kate: Facebook Instagram Livinglark.com Order her Cocktail Book here What She Says: "I came from a place where I felt like doing things for myself was selfish...I had to get to a place where I could overcome a lot of negative self-talk." "It took me awhile to stop apologizing for putting myself out there." "I'm bringing joy to the world.  I'm bringing who I am and inviting others to come along." "It's important to have those friends that you can say 'come on over' to and not have to worry about cleaning your house." "Friendships are formed in the kitchen...because food is our common language." "We are made to be in community...and the real conversations happen when we're sitting around a table."    

Nate Kingsbury, lead pastor of Stoney Church, and Founder of More Than a Bus, sits down and shares the story of the way that a mission trip to Toronto changed his heart and how his life in ministry has come full circle. Plus, he shares what it's like to buy a school bus, how meeting the needs of the least of these has changed his life, and how he's embracing stillness in a new way during this season of Quarantine. Don't miss out on this episode all about the importance of serving others.  Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you find your favorite podcast episodes. Where to Find Nate: Facebook More Than a Bus Facebook Page More Than a Bus Website What He Recommends:  God Guides by Mary Geegh What He Says: "We get so busy that we don't even notice when the sun sets or when the sun rises anymore." "Sometimes I'm doing more than I'm listening...and that's why God is teaching me to be still during this time." "I'm a people-pleaser, and I want to keep the peace at all costs...but we're not meant to please others, we're meant to live a life that pleases God." "We are each one or two decisions away from being homeless ourselves." "My prayer is that even those who haven't experienced their own challenging times will still have a desire to care for the poor...my prayer is that we will want to take care of the poor and reach out to them." "When God has given you a dream, don't give up on it. Don't give up on what God has called you to do.  Just listen to the Holy Spirit and do what he tells you to do."    

How To Be Anti-Racist Julian Newman, founder of Culture Creative, and Crystal Wright, Area Director for Young Life, sit down and share their own journeys and the ways that racism has affected them. They share the importance of having hard conversations, being OK with stumbling as we grow, and taking a back seat as we learn from others. Plus we talk about what it means to "do the work," next steps that we can take to move forward, and why it starts with nice, well-intentioned, Christian folks like you and me taking a stand and owning our words.  You do not want to miss this episode.  YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT. Find it today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast or anywhere you get your favorite podcasts.   Where to find Julian: Facebook Culture Creative Where to find Crystal: Facebook Resources: "White Fragility" Robin DiAngelo and Michael Eric Dyson "How to Be Anti-Racist" by Ibram X. Kendi "I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness" Austin Channing Brown "To Heavy a Yoke: Black Women and the Burden of Strength" by Chanequa Walker-Barnes Movie: Little Fires Everywhere Documentary: Many Rivers to Cross What they Said: "If you are unwilling to risk being misunderstood or even being criticized, then this conversation is not for you." - JN "For us to actually move forward, I need my white friends to start doing [the work] without a video.  They need to start doing this without someone calling them out to do it." - CW "If I say, 'I never owned a slave,' but profit and benefit from a system that advantages some and disadvantages others, then you have a responsibility to change that. And that's everybody." - JN "This is a contact sport." - JN "You don't get to be MY voice, but you can be A voice. You can be a voice that speaks for those who are not at the table who should be." - CW "You don't get credit for thinking about doing an assignment but not actually doing it. You don't get to believe Dr. King's dream and sit back and watch the plight of people of color and the marginalized without doing anything about it and still get an A on the test." - JN        

Lisa Anderson, founder of Grace's Table, shares her own story and the way that it led her to come alongside others in the midst of theirs. She shares her heart for teen moms and the importance of reminding them that they are seen, known, and loved. She also shares the importance of cultivating the desires that God has put within us, and how giving our dreams to God allows him to do more than we can ever ask or imagine. Plus...we talk about breaking down the walls of shame, opening our doors to those around us, and the beauty of doing life around a kitchen table. Grab your tissue and listen in today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or wherever you get your favorite episodes! Where to Find Lisa: Facebook Instagram gracestable.com What She Recommends:  The Body Keeps A Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk Mercy Talk (podcast) Unlocking Us with Brene Brown (podcast) What She Said: "I wanted to give teen moms a place where they could belong before they believe." "He doesn't give the same gifts to every person, but he does give each person the gifts that they need to accomplish his will." "Our mission is to move moms from isolation to community as they move toward self-sufficiency." "Sometimes the best thing that we can do for someone when they are struggling is just to sit in silence with them." "One of the most powerful conversations we can have with our kids is letting them know when we've missed the mark." "When we are not doing what God has called us to do, we begin to live in a place of turmoil or unrest." "The Father calls us by name, and so often we run the other way when what we should be doing is running toward him."              

Podcaster, author, and co-founder of The Popcast Media Group, Knox McCoy, sits down and shares his story.  He shares the way that pop culture shaped his understanding of faith, and the way that doubting, questioning, and reconsidering what he thought he knew, brought it all into perspective. Plus, we talk about which pandemic movies are the best to watch during this time, the phenomenon of WWJD, and why college cheer really is the best sport out there. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or anywhere you get your favorite podcast episodes. What He Recommends: The History and Legacy of Judas An Oral History of Obama's Election Campaign The Glass Hotel by Emily St. James Mandela Contagion Wicked Game (podcast) Better Call Saul The Good Place Devs Where to find Knox: Knox McCoy The Popcast with Knox and Jamie The Bible Binge The Wondering Years All Things Reconsidered What He Said:  

Bestselling author, Wade Rouse, better known as Viola Shipman to his fans, sits down and shares the journey that led him to writing about family, friendship, and the legacies we leave behind. He shares how writing his memoirs started him on his journey, and how the beauty of Michigan inspired him to harness the spirit of his grandmother, Viola Shipman, and led him to become Michigan's Number 1 bestselling author. Plus...we talk about his new book The Heirloom Garden, the allure of Bonne Belle Lipsmackers, and why getting a haircut is number one on our post-quarantine lists.  You will be inspired and encouraged by today's episode.  Listen in on Apple, Spotify, jennvanhekken.com/podcast, or wherever you find your favorite episodes. Where to Find Him: violashipman.com waderouse.com Facebook Fan Page What He Recommends: Nancy Thayer: The Queen of the Summer Read Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid Anne Lamott Ozark Tiger King What He Said: "I wanted to write about my family who didn't know what to do with me, but who loved me greatly." "We don't know where we're going if we don't know where we've come from." "Fear is normal, but we cannot be a prisoner to it...the worst thing that you can do is listen to your fear." "Our inclination in this world is to think that we are not worthy and that we should be like everyone else...and we demean ourselves and the unique gift that God has given us because of fear." "Don't waste the blink that you have been given." "I want to remind my readers of what matters most in life...that we're with family, that we're connecting with friends...I want my readers to escape from their lives for just a moment and give them some hope."        

Andre Berry, School Manager for World Vision's Ignite Program, sits down and shares his journey from Political Science to Education, and the way that the two are so tightly combined. He shares his passion for being a role model to students who may not have a mentor in their lives that looks like them, and his desire to illuminate the reality of the school to prison pipeline and make a change. Plus...he shares the importance of fist bumps, why the church should be leading the conversation about Restorative Practices, and how opening students' eyes to social transformation is changing our world. Where You Can Find Him: Facebook What He Recommends: Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential by Barbara Oakley, PhD Dave Matthews Band What He Said:  "I felt that there was a real need for students, especially in low socio-economic communities, to have educators who were passionate about advocating for them." "In the past we've used the term 'achievement gap,' but really it's an opportunity gap.  It's a lack of resources that many students face when they lack quality education." "As early as Kindergarten, we're not applying Restorative Discipline...it's punitive discipline...and it's a disservice to these students.  When we punitize discipline instead of restoring it, students are more likely to return to their negative behavior and it leads directly to the Criminal Justice system." "Just because we have a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Education doesn't mean that we understand Cultural Sensitivity." "What we do for our communities we do for us all." "We as parents need to put our phones down and turn off Netflix and spend time with our kids to show them that they are important to us." "If there is one thing constant in this life, it is His love, and His grace, and His mercy."        

Hayden Hubers, better known as Hayd, sits down and shares his journey from high school student to recording artist, and the email that changed his life.   He shares how he's kept his cool despite having his music downloaded over a million times, and why his relationship with God is more important than anything else that he could ever want or need. Plus...we talk about his friendship with Quinn XCII, the soccer game that was meant to shake him, and why watching Season 2-5 of The Office will change your life. What He Recommends: Harry Potter Francis Chan Jesus Worldwide Ecclesia Quinn XCII Jeremy Zucker What He Said: "20 years ago you couldn't make music this way...if you were a normal kid from West Michigan you couldn't become an artist...but now you can be anyone from anywhere and make music." "I was wrestling with the question of whether or not I could make secular music." "I heard God ask me, 'Would you give this all up if I asked you to?'" "There are a lot of questions, but I also have a lot of peace about where I'm going." "There is so much pressure to go to a good college, but there is so much more freedom than we think...and every single option isn't necessarily a yes or a no."      

Dave and Dina Horne, ministry partners for the Wesleyan Church in Vienna, Austria, share how they are experiencing and journeying through the global pandemic.  They reflect on how the world is processing emotions as a whole, how they are continuing to support pastors across the globe, and why we can still hold on to hope.   Plus...we talk about Sabbath, Dina's youtube channel, and the blessing and the curse of having home-cooked meals every single day.  Tune in anywhere that you get your favorite podcasts, or at jennvanhekken.com/podcast Find Dave and Dina Here: Global Partners Dina and Friends What They Said: "One of the things that is so important is the task of working through and naming our losses." "I can't just say 'everything is going to work out' without identifying the losses that have come with it." "I think God uniquely meets us in our suffering, in our weakness, and in our pain...and we don't run after him when things are going well."    

Three of my favorite Gen Zers, Carson, Jackson, and Joey, sit down and share their stories of being a teenage boy in 2020.  They talk about the comparison game, life on social media, why it's so hard to talk to their parents about everything, and what they really want their parents to know. Plus...we talk about drinking and vaping, the pressure of living up to others expectations, and the one way that parents can really show them love...hint, hint...it involves chicken. What they Said: "You should be proud of who you are, but sometimes you want to be like someone else...but we don't really talk about that." - Joey "There is always going to be that one person that is better than you...and I kind of take that as 'what can I work harder at?' It's more of a growth mindset."  - Jackson "I actually became friends with most of my classmates by being connected through X-box." - Carson "You definitely have a lot of power through your phone...you have to be careful with that power." - Carson "You can't always control what pops up on your phone...but that is where having trust with your parents comes in...so that your kids know what to do with that content." - Jackson "Listen to them." - Joey, on how to build trust with your kids      

TJ Williams, a student at Calvin University and Shantele Wilkinson, a student at Michigan State University sit down and share their transitions from high school to college and the ways that they have navigated that journey. They share the impact of faith and race on who they have become as college students, and the way they have had to define both of those for themselves.  Plus...we talk about what they miss most about living at home, how social media has defined their lives, and their best advice for parents who are getting ready to send their students off to college. Where to find them: TJ Williams Shantele Wilkinson Michigan State University Calvin University Western Michigan Christian High School Michigan State CREW Calvin University Gospel Choir Their Recommendations: Childish Gambino Chance the Rapper The Soundtrack from Hairspray Grey's Anatomy The I-land on Netflix The Real Housewives of New Jersey What they Said: "The club was interesting because people were over on one side playing pool, and here we were on the other side talking about Jesus." "Being rooted is the first step in maturity...and maturity brings obedience." "It's really important that once you find your own sense of community, that you help someone else find theirs." "This year I've been really working on being comfortable with being uncomfortable and growing from that." "They will be okay, and they will miss you." PrivaMD Wellness is focused on analyzing, targeting, and resolving root causes using both Eastern and Western medicine. We offer a holistic line of alternative care methods designed to get to the root cause of your concerns and help you bring about optimal health and wellness.  They offer: IV Nutrition Therapy Ionic Foot Detox Infrared Sauna Acupuncture Diagnostic Testing Health Coaching & Education And much more And this month, they have a special just for my listeners.  This month only, you can use the Promo Code BeWell to receive $15.00 off a Wellness Service or 10% off a facial laser treatment.  That is $15.00 off of any of their wellness services. You don’t want to miss out on that, so give them a call today and use the code BE WELL. From the moment you walk in the door of Lakeshore Orthodontics, you will notice that they are dedicated to providing your family with the very best orthodontic care in a supportive and caring manner. Dr. Charnley and his team have created an office environment that not only excels at orthodontic care, but is truly a friendly, welcoming environment that patients enjoy visiting.  Lakeshore Orthodontics has three locations - Grand Haven, Ludington and Whitehall, MI, where they are proud to offer orthodontic services to patients of all ages, as well as offering flexible payment plans to help you attain your smile, which, let me tell you, I am so grateful for.  And this month, Lakeshore Orthodontics has a special offer for my listeners. For the month of March, they are offering $250 off of Invisalign. $250!! All you have to do is call Lakeshore Orthodontics at 616-842-8820 and use the promo code SMILE.   Give Lakeshore Orthodontics a try today, and get started on your own personalized journey toward a beautiful smile. 

Brendon Enders, host of The Bitter Enders podcast, sits down with me and as we chat all things Enneagram.  We talk about how each number is likely to respond during this time of crisis, how the emotional centers play a part in our responses during stress, and how each number can incorporate healthy practices that can help them weather this storm. Plus...we talk about the essential "must haves" during lock-down, and the importance of supporting our favorite small businesses. Don't forget to subscribe! Where to find Brendon: Facebook Instagram Podcast Recommendations: Nintendo Switch Mark Ruffalo Love is Blind 100 Humans Enneagram Recommendations: The Road Back to You The Path Between Us The Enneagram Journey with Suzanne Stabile Typology with Ian Morgan Cron What we said:    

Rebecca Deng, author of What They Meant for Evil, sits down and shares her story of growing up in a small village in South Sudan, fleeing to a refugee camp in Kenya, and eventually qualifying to come to the United States as only one of 79 Lost Girls given refugee status. She shares how she found a community of support in the church at the refugee camp where she could sing and dance and mourn with those around her, and the way that life in the United States changed her forever. Plus...we talk about her first experience with snow (she thought the world was ending), how she navigated the American education system and eventually earned her Master's Degree, and the way that God was with her through it all. Where to Find Rebecca:  Facebook  Instagram "What They Meant for Evil" What she recommends:   What She Says: "The focus on lamentation, and the singing of lamentation was so good. We would sing, "Oh, God, why is this suffering happening to me?" And church was the only place you could talk about that." "The good thing was that the community was there.  If you would lose someone, people would come to your house for seven days and just love you." "My prayer always was: If I make it out, that will be really good...but if I don't make it to the United States, please guard my heart so I can be happy for others." "He is a God of abundance, and wants us to have joy...and that's where I see him showing up over and over again in my life." "We don't have to have the same background or speak the same language...people are people." "This world is God's mission.  He has been at work on it from the beginning of time, and he will be at work on it until the end of time...whether or not I am in it." Just breaking in here to let you know about one of my amazing sponsors, Priva MD Wellness.  PrivaMD Wellness is focused on analyzing, targeting, and resolving root causes using both Eastern and Western medicine. We offer a holistic line of alternative care methods designed to get to the root cause of your concerns and help you bring about optimal health and wellness.  They offer: Ionic Foot Detox Infrared Sauna Acupuncture Diagnostic Testing Health Coaching & Education And much more And this month, they have a special just for my listeners.  This month only, you can use the Promo Code BeWell to receive $15.00 off a Wellness Service or 10% off a facial laser treatment.  That is $15.00 off of any of their wellness services. You don’t want to miss out on that, so give them a call today and use the code BE WELL. From the moment you walk in the door of Lakeshore Orthodontics, you will notice that they are dedicated to providing your family with the very best orthodontic care in a supportive and caring manner. Dr. Charnley and his team have created an office environment that not only excels at orthodontic care, but is truly a friendly, welcoming environment that patients enjoy visiting.  Lakeshore Orthodontics has three locations - Grand Haven, Ludington and Whitehall, MI, where they are proud to offer orthodontic services to patients of all ages, as well as offering flexible payment plans to help you attain your smile, which, let me tell you, I am so grateful for.  And this month, Lakeshore Orthodontics has a special offer for my listeners. For the month of March, they are offering $250 off of Invisalign. $250!! All you have to do is call Lakeshore Orthodontics at 616-842-8820 and use the promo code SMILE.   Give Lakeshore Orthodontics a try today, and get started on your own personalized journey toward a beautiful smile. 

Julian Newman, pastor at Tribes Church, and founder of Culture Creative, sits down and talks about his journey from vocational ministry to creative ministry and the ways that he is intertwining the two.  We talk about his upcoming movie, the role that the arts play in our understanding of faith, and the importance of embracing the complexity of all parts of life. Plus...we talk about diversity and inclusion, what it means to empower each other to step into difficult conversations about race, immigration, and the marginalized, and the one conversation that we should be engaging in that we continue to shy away from. Find Julian Here: Facebook Culture Creative Tribes Church Grand Rapids Civic Theater What he Recommends: That'll Never Work by Mark Randolf Rings of Fire by Leonard Sweet Biased by Jennifer Eberhardt The Future is Faster than You Think by Peter Diamandis Imagineers What he Says: "We all have a heroic reality or calling or purpose, but not enough of us unleash our inner hero in order to be able to transform the world." "I think that every writer writes a version of themselves in their stories." "In the Bible, we have poetry, we have a romance story and an adventure story, we've got a dude that grew up poor and kills a giant and becomes king, we've got a Robin Hood story in there...I think if we take off our lens and begin to look at the Bible as a storybook instead of a textbook, it stirs up our imagination." "We need to stop removing the complexity of our human condition from our faith, and from our art." "We have to stop demonizing each other and find a measure of commonality so that we can build a better world for ourselves and for the generation coming up behind us." "We have divorced ourselves from intellectualism and having meaningful conversations about how we express the idea of being a good neighbor in the world that we're in right now." "Just because something is our version of idolotry, doesn't mean it's right." "We have to understand that the Kingdom of God transcends the polarization of our political views.  And the Jesus that I read about cares for the unborn just as much as he cares what happens after they're born." "It [his upcoming book] is a conversation about how we as believers can be vessels of hope: poets, dreamers, inventors, and people that bring beauty to the world, because that's what we are all longing for." Episode Sponsors: Lakeshore Orthodontics From the moment you walk in the door of Lakeshore Orthodontics, you will notice that they are dedicated to providing your family with the very best orthodontic care in a supportive and caring manner. Dr. Charnley and his team have created an office environment that not only excels at orthodontic care, but is truly a friendly, welcoming environment that patients enjoy visiting.  Lakeshore Orthodontics has three locations - Grand Haven, Ludington and Whitehall, MI, where they are proud to offer orthodontic services to patients of all ages, as well as offering flexible payment plans to help you attain your smile, which, let me tell you, I am so grateful for.  And this month, Lakeshore Orthodontics has a special offer for my listeners. For the month of March, they are offering $250 off of Invisalign. $250!! All you have to do is call Lakeshore Orthodontics at 616-842-8820 and use the promo code SMILE.   Give Lakeshore Orthodontics a try today, and get started on your own personalized journey toward a beautiful smile.  Priva MD Wellness Just breaking in here to let you know about one of my amazing sponsors, Priva MD Wellness.  PrivaMD Wellness is focused on analyzing, targeting, and resolving root causes using both Eastern and Western medicine. We offer a holistic line of alternative care methods designed to get to the root cause of your concerns and help you bring about optimal health and wellness.  They offer IV Nutrition Therapy, Health Coaching and Education, and so much more.   They offer  Ionic Foot Detox IV Nutrition Therapy Infrared Sauna Acupuncture Diagnostic Testing Health Coaching & Education And much more And this month, they have a special just for my listeners.  This month only, you can use the Promo Code BEWELL to receive $15.00 off a Wellness Service or 10% off a facial laser treatment.  That is $15.00 off of any of their wellness services. You don’t want to miss out on that, so give them a call today and use the code BE WELL.

Sharon Garlough Brown sits down and shares her journey from vocational ministry to creative ministry and the path that led her toward Sensible Shoes and beyond. She shares the way that her characters write their own stories, why and how we should practice the spiritual disciplines, and how preparing our hearts for Lent can change the way that we understand God's grace. Plus...we talk candidly about mental health, the importance of lament, and why purple leaves are so meaningful to her. Find Sharon Here: Sharon's website Sharon's books: Sensible Shoes Shades of Light Remember Me Facebook What She Says:  "I think we often can narrowly define what our time with God is "meant" to look like. We might have a vision of a quiet time where I'm by myself with my Bible open having a time of prayer...but there are so many other ways that we can connect with God." "We start with understanding who God has created us to be, but then we open ourselves up to the ways that God wants to stretch us and enlarge us." "We often frame spiritual disciplines as things we should do or have to do...but instead, what we should do is re-cast the entire idea of spiritual practices as ways to practice being awake to the presence of God." "Ficton can open up the windows so we can see God more clearly and see ourselves reflected in the lives of the characters." "We live in a day and age of anxiety and depression...and I wanted to write a book to encourage those who are afflicted as well as to exhort the church to be more compassionate and discerning in the way that we care for those who suffer from mental illness." "Lament is what bridges the gap, the chasm, between what we know of God to be true, and the truth of our circumstances."     Episode Sponsors: Lakeshore Orthodontics I’m so excited to introduce you to this week’s sponsor, Lakeshore Orthodontics.  If you know my kids, or if you have seen the many pictures of them that I post on social media, you have already seen the amazing work of Dr. Charnley and his awesome team at Lakeshore Orthodontics.   From the moment you walk in the door of Lakeshore Orthodontics, you will notice that they are dedicated to providing your family with the very best orthodontic care in a supportive and caring manner. Dr. Charnley and his team have created an office environment that not only excels at orthodontic care, but is truly a friendly, welcoming environment that patients enjoy visiting.  Lakeshore Orthodontics has three locations - Grand Haven, Ludington and Whitehall, MI, where they are proud to offer orthodontic services to patients of all ages, as well as offering flexible payment plans to help you attain your smile, which, let me tell you, I am so grateful for.  And this month, Lakeshore Orthodontics has a special offer for my listeners. For the month of March, they are offering $250 off of Invisalign. $250!! All you have to do is call Lakeshore Orthodontics at 616-842-8820 and use the promo code SMILE.   Give Lakeshore Orthodontics a try today, and get started on your own personalized journey toward a beautiful smile.    Priva MD Wellness Just breaking in here to let you know about one of my amazing sponsors, Priva MD Wellness.  PrivaMD Wellness is focused on analyzing, targeting, and resolving root causes using both Eastern and Western medicine. They offer a holistic line of alternative care methods designed to get to the root cause of your concerns and help you bring about optimal health and wellness.  They offer: IV Nutrition Therapy Ionic Foot Detox Infrared Sauna Acupuncture Diagnostic Testing Health Coaching & Education And much more And this month, they have a special just for my listeners.  This month only, you can use the Promo Code BeWell to receive $15.00 off a Wellness Service or 10% off a facial laser treatment.  That is $15.00 off of any of their wellness services. You don’t want to miss out on that, so give them a call today and use the code BE WELL.      

Rich and Deb Stinehart share their story of standing firm in marriage through the storms in life.  From mental and physical health issues to life overseas, they share the ways that God has been faithful through it all and the ways that they have said yes to his plans even when it seemed easier to say no. Plus, we talk about how they met, what they've learned about listening for God's voice, and how they are moving faithfully into their next chapter of life. Where to find Rich and Deb: Facebook Global Partners All Shores Wesleyan Church Episode Sponsor: Priva MD Physicians The Priva MD Physicians believe that everyone benefits from personalized, holistic care, which is why they offer both Eastern and Western medicine services tailored specifically to your needs, including Primary Care, Functional Medicine for Women, Pain Management, Acupuncture, IV Nutrition Therapy, Health Coaching and Education, and so much more. You can start your path to a better you today by heading to their website at privamd.org and contacting an advisor or requesting an appointment right online.  And...as a special benefit for our listeners, they have an awesome deal this month. They are offering 10% off a Diva service with the code PrivaDiva. Just give them a call and give them the code, and you’ll be on your way to your own personalized health care  journey. 

Jason and Holly Grate sit down to share Part 2 of their story.  From an idyllic start in Marion, Indiana, to a slide into addiction and infidelity, Jason and Holly share the journey that took them from white picket fences through darkness and brokenness directly to the foot of the cross.   Listen in as they share the way that God redeemed even the most broken of situations, turned it completely around for His glory, and are now bringing redemption to others. Where to Find Them:   Facebook Instagram Recommendations: The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society by Henry Nouwen Redemption House: What they Said: "You are sowing in your marriage every single day.  You are sowing good seed or bad seed, and eventually what you are sowing will grow." "I don't know how to explain it. It's just miraculous. There is no other way to explain it." "So often, when couples are suffering, couples become so focused on themselves, but it's amazing what happens when you take your eyes off of yourself and focus on others." "Up until everything happened, I could be really prideful. It's really easy to elevate yourself when your sin is thinking too highly of yourself." "When I was able, by the grace of God, to show my husband grace when he didn't deserve it...it was the first time that I was actually able to see grace for what it truly is." "Our prayer is 'lead us into the grossest places so that we can minister to those that need it...' and he does." "God can resurrect anything." "The way your kids see Jesus is the way that your husband loves his wife."    

Jason and Holly Grate sit down and share their marriage story in Part 1 of this 2 Part story.  They share their rise through ministry, the slippery slope that led to the darkest pit they could ever imagine, and the surprising man who helped Jason out when he needed it the most. Whether you have a marriage that is standing firm on a solid foundation, or you have found yourself in a pit that you can't get out of, you will want to listen to this story and be reminded of the amazing grace of a God who saves and redeems even that which we would call unredeemable. Where You Can Find Them: Facebook What They Recommend: Redemption House What They Said: "I think that a lot of guys who plant churches look at their gifts of communication or of music and think that is what planting a church is about...and I'm here to tell you that doesn't mean beans. If your heart isn't broken for the people you are serving, none of the rest matters." "It was a time in which the church said...'it's okay now to have a drink,' and I wasn't in a place emotionally to be able to handle that freedom." "Everything starts really small and insignificant, and you don't recognize what is happening because they are such small baby steps that you can justify...and you find yourself compromising more and more on things you used to stand firm in." "You can bury those things in the ground, and you can put stuff over top of it, and you can mask it and do all of that stuff, but sooner or later it will poke it's head up.  You can't not deal with it." Episode Sponsor: PrivaMD Physicians The Priva MD Physicians believe that everyone benefits from personalized, holistic care, which is why they offer both Eastern and Western medicine services tailored specifically to your needs, including Primary Care, Functional Medicine for Women, Pain Management, Acupuncture, IV Nutrition Therapy, Health Coaching and Education, and so much more. You can start your path to a better you today by heading to their website at privamd.org and contacting an advisor or requesting an appointment right online.  And...as a special benefit for our listeners, they have an awesome deal this month. They are offering 10% off a Diva service with the code PrivaDiva. Just give them a call and give them the code, and you’ll be on your way to your own personalized health care  journey. 

Jeff and Beth McCord, of yourenneagramcoach.com and becomingus.com, sit down and talk about how the Enneagram transformed their own marriage, and how it can transform yours.  They talk about the importance of understanding each others' core motivations and core longings, and how providing the messages that each partner needs to hear can change marriages from the inside out. Where to find Jeff & Beth: yourenneagramcoach.com becomingus.com Facebook Instagram Free Enneagram Assessment Favorite Enneagram Resources: The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr Typology  What they said: "The Enneagram shows 9 different perspectives of how different people see the world, interpret it, and then respond to it." "The core motivations are why you think, feel, and behave in certain ways." "The beauty of the Enneagram is that it doesn't just name what's wrong, but it can actually give you a vision of what you can become." "Fundamentally, whenever marriages change, families change." This Week's Show Sponsor: PrivaMD Physicians Group

Brad and I sit down and talk about all things work, career, and calling.  We talk about the way that our calling is designed not only to help ourselves, but ultimately to help others flourish, and the way that faith was never meant to be a Sunday morning activity, but should be brought into the everyday activities of weekday life. Plus we talk about the relationship between worship, work, service, and creation, the intersection between sacred and secular, tithing, shalom, and skiing.  Basically, we talk about it all! Find Brad Here: Facebook WheelHaus Made to Flourish Brad's Recommendations: Crushing It: How Great Entrepreneurs Grow their Business and Influence, and How You Can Too by Gary Vanyerchuk An Oral History of Curb Your Enthusiasm What he Said: "I feel like I've been put on earth to help people expand their faith, but also to connect their faith to their everyday life." "Our work has dignity and our work has value.  God created work before the fall and declared that it was good." "Your calling is that thing you do no matter what your job title is."    

Craig Denison, the Founder of First15, shares how God led him into ministry and called him to create space and tools for himself and others to spend time in His presence. He shares why silence and contemplation are core practices for growing in our relationship with Christ, why book-ending our days with prayer and scripture are integral to our faith, and how making space for God to fill is changing hearts and lives across the country and across the world. Plus we talk about Stephen King, the intersection of culture and Christianity, and...of course...the Enneagram. Where to Find Craig: First 15 The Denison Forum Facebook What he recommends:  On Writing by Stephen King The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer The Cloud of Unknowing Stefany Gretzinger Johnny Stimson JOAN How I Built This Podcast Building a Storybrand with Donald Miller What he said:  "He [God] was inviting me into an opportunity to step away from seeking affirmation, and affection, and identity from the world, and instead, find those things in him." "I'm finding a lot of fruit within the practice of Christian contemplation...not trying to get revelation from Him [God], but simply being with Him." "If everything else goes away, I'm content to just be in His [God's] presence." "There's actual scientific studies surrounding the power of silence and meditation.  It helps us to control the brain mass around our amygdala and empowers us to control our emotions and anxiety more, empowers you to be present in the day so that you can think more, have better clarity, help you enjoy your life more.  There's incredible study around silence." "Church is meant to simply be a gathering where we celebrate what God has already done throughout the week, not a time that is our connection point with Him...I think we have that completely twisted and backward." "What is most important is leading with a personal, authentic faith ourselves and letting our Christianity be thriving and vibrant on Monday just as much as it is on Sunday." "What if we began to lead with asking good questions and listening and sharing our own stories, instead of giving answers? I think it would cultivate relationships and produce far better fruit than what we are currently doing." "God is not a God that needs us, but He wants us.  He doesn't need us to advance His kingdom, but he wants to co-labor with us in the process."          

Chuck DeGroat Chuck is Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland MI, and Co-Founder and a Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco. He is a licensed therapist, author, retreat leader, and spiritual director.  Chuck’s first book is Leaving Egypt: Finding God in the Wilderness Places (Square Inch), a look at how the Exodus story meets us in our stories of fear to freedom. His second book, The Toughest People to Love (Eerdmans) focuses on caring for the most difficult people we encounter. His third book Wholeheartedness (Eerdmans) brings a vision of wholeness amidst our perfectionism and shame-based culture. His self-published Lenten devotional is Falling Into Goodness. An anticipated next book due in early 2020 is called When Narcissism Comes to Church (IVP). Where to find him: Website: Chuck DeGroat Facebook Twitter: @chuckdegroat What He Recommends: Books: The Heart of Trauma by Bonnie Badenoch The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut Leadership and the Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut The Science Behind Tapping Shows to Watch: Limetown on Facebook Watch Castle Rock on Hulu The Man in the Highcastle on Amazon Prime The Crown on Netflix Podcasts: The Leader's Journey What He Said: "I started to realize that I was the one teaching this stuff, but really I was the one that needed it." "At the heart of counseling, we just want to be known...I'm about cultivating a life of being known, and it happens inside of therapy and it happens outside of therapy." "The antidote to exhaustion is not necessarily rest, the antidote to exhaustion is Wholeheartedness." (quoted) "The divided heart is a deeply biblical concept, it shows up in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve hide, and we've been hiding ever since." "We take off and put on masks depending on the conversation, depending on the day...and if you live life like that long enough, it's completely exhausting." "Wholeheartedness is the experience of oneness and worthiness in Christ." "Thomas Merton once said that we climb the ladder only to find that we propped it against the wrong wall." "We realize that we've been taking our buckets and filling them up there...and there...and there...and there...when in reality, the Living Water is within us, and we just need to wait and receive from that place." (St. Teresa of Avila) "There's a real benefit in life to having relationships with others who have walked a little bit ahead of you in the journey." "Any practice that disposes you to presence is a really good practice."       "

Christy Pacanowski, Sara Anthony, Carrie Sullivan, Angie Burch, and Jacqueline Burch help us kick off the new year by sharing the ways that they set goals, create long-lasting habits, and help each other stay accountable.  They share the way that they have cheered each other on toward marathons, learned to floss daily, and created an unbreakable bond along the way.  Listen in as they share their strategies for making changes and growing together in the journey. Find the girls here: Christy Pacanowski: Embolden Studio Cultivate Purpose Sara Anthony Carrie Sullivan Angie Burch Jacqueline Burch What they said: "We've asked each other...after 5 years, do we still need accountability?  And the answer is yes.  I know that I wouldn't be as consistent in so many different areas of my life if I wasn't checking in every week." - Christy Pacanowski "For all of us, setting that morning routine has been a complete game-changer.  It sets the tone not only for your days, but your weeks, your months, and your years." - Sara Anthony "I was one of those people that would always make New Year's Resolutions...and it would be a week or two into it and I would fall short of it." - Carrie Sullivan "Goals can become shame-based when you feel like you are failing, so it's important to have a wide variety of goals so that you can feel successful." - Angie Burch "I'm in a season of loss right now...and it would be very tempting to mid-round re-evaluate my goals and really pare them down.  But that's not how we roll here.  We keep going and we fight through to make the progress on what matters to us." - Jacqueline Burch "When we modify our routines and our environment, we may not necessarily see the change within ourselves, but how could we not be changing? Even if it's just that we appear more confident, or our smiles are bigger, or we're more patient with our families because we're getting our self-care in.  I know that my life is so much fuller and richer because of this group." - Angela Burch "I love to see the ripple affect that this is having on my family." - Jacqueline Burch      

Rabbi Michael Schadick, of Temple Emanuel, sits down and talks about his faith, his community, and the importance of seeing others as being created in God's image.  He shares the story of Hanukkah and explains its role in Jewish culture.  He also shares about his favorite holiday, Sukkot, and gives us a picture of what it truly means to celebrate the gifts we have been given. Plus...he reminds us that we are all more alike than we are different, and encourages us to embrace each other as tzelem Elohim. Where you can find him: Temple Emanuel Facebook What he recommends: The Meaning of God in Modern Jewish Religion by Mordecai Kaplan Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin Hotel California by The Eagles News of the World by Queen Chopped on the Food Network What he says: "When I hold up a Jewish Bible and when I hold up a Christian Bible, I have to remind people that the text itself...2/3 of the words...are exactly the same." "We're not all the same, but people should look at the differences and say: If I learn about someone else's faith, it might enhance my own faith."  "We believe unequivocally that we are all created in God's image." "Even if the story [of Chanukah] isn't exactly true, it's a story of fighting for the right to worship in the way we want to, and that is why it is so important." "Both Christmas and Chanukah remind us to bring light to the world that is filled with darkness, hate, and animosity...it's up to us to spread that light." "When I talk about faith, I talk about strengthening your relationship with God...I like to remind people that the best time to establish that relationship is when things are good, and not only when times are tough."

Dr. Tabatha Barber of PrivaMD sits down and shares her personal journey of health, and the way that functional medicine changed her life.  She shares the way that our daily habits and our mental health are affecting our physical health and the simple changes we can make to begin to heal. She shares the way that her life story influenced her journey into medicine, why chronic illness is on the rise, and why we should allow our kids to play in the dirt.  Plus, she reminds us of the importance of slowing down, and why we need to embrace our worth as children of God. Where to Find Her: PrivaMD Facebook Instagram What She's Reading: Beyond Fasting by Dr. Daniel Pompa The Wizard of Us by Jean Huston Brene Brown What She's Listening To: Luke Bryan What She's Watching: Big Little Lies What She Said: 18:36 "Once patients understand it [functional medicine], it's so rewarding. This is real healing." 22:40 "I think so many women need to hear that change is OK.  You gave everything you had, and it was good, but change is OK." 23:22 "Your emotional and spiritual health are just as important as your physical health." 31:10 "We have all of these bacteria in our body that keep us healthy and protect us, but we have wiped them out.  We have sanitized our lives to the point that we have killed all of the good bacteria that were protecting us. We've over-sterilized our lives." 35:08 "Just because we are always busy from dusk 'til dawn, doesn't mean it's normal or OK.  We've created this crazy society where we need to be go-go-go, but that is not how our bodies were created to function." 36:26 "Quit drinking so much alcohol. We drink alcohol like it's just a regular drink, and it's affecting our health." 38:48 "We slip into these bad habits, but because everybody is doing it, we don't realize the damage that it's causing." 47:52 "What do you have to lose? You're already in pain, you're already miserable, you're already overweight, you're already not sleeping...so that's either going to continue or you're actually going to feel differently."    

Dennis VanKampen, CEO of Mel Trotter ministries, sits down and shares his unexpected journey from law enforcement to CEO, and how God is using Mel Trotter to share compassion with everyone. Period.  He shares why judgement has no place within their walls, and how the understanding that every person who walks in their doors is made in God's image, is at the core of what they do.  Plus...we talk about why the holidays are such an important time to support their ministry, and how giving really is the ultimate way to receive. Where to find Dennis: meltrotter.org meltrotter.org/give Facebook Instagram Dennis's Recommendations: Cinder Girl: My Journey out of the Ashes Into a Life of Hope by Christina Meredith U2 David Crowder   What he said: 14:00 "I firmly believe that you cannot walk with anyone else unless you've been broken yourself." 14:04 "You sort of walk in here and think about all of the ways that you're going to give...and actually sometimes they are more healthy than we are, and out of their brokenness, they are the ones that actually help us." 21:30 "We ask God: Why are doing this to me? instead of: God, what are you doing in the middle of this?" 24:15 "Here's the truth...the guy that's panhandling on the street? The woman that's panhandling on the street? Somebody loves her.  She's somebody's daughter, somebody's aunt, somebody's mom." 24:45 "We fundamentally believe that everybody that walks on this earth is made in the image of God.  A God that loves them. A God that knit them together in their mother's womb. And a God who, had that person been in prostitution their whole life and been the only person on earth, God would have STILL sent his only son to die for that person. That is what we believe." 29: 45 "Our mission is to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ to anyone experiencing hunger or homelessness in West Michigan...men, women, children, the severely addicted, the mentally ill, the LGBTQ community.  Everyone. Period." 32:31 "We have learned to leave judgment outside of our doors and kick it to the curb." 36:00 "There is no path out of homelessness because there is no one path into homelessness." 47:46 "Volunteering is not about you being an expert...the most important volunteering is about sharing your story and listening to someone else share theirs." 49: 48 "We were created for community. God did not create us to do life alone." 53:16 "God's promise to us is to use us in our brokenness to be a part of his story if we'll let him...and in that process, you might be surprised that you thought you were helping someone, and actually they were helping."    

Josh & Jenn's Enneagram Gift-Giving Guide 2019: Listen in as Josh and Jenn share their gift selections for each number of the Enneagram.  From espresso makers to chenille blankets and dance lessons to cash, you'll find something for everyone...and by using the Enneagram, you'll be sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Enneagram 1: The Perfectionist / The Reformer: IRobot Roomba 675 - Target $249.99 Nespresso by D'Longhi Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee & Espresso Maker with Frother - Macy's $124.99 Gift card to the Container Store Away Luggage - awayluggage.com - From $325.00 Enneagram 2: The Helper Donation to a favorite charity in their name: Mel Trotter Ministries World Vision Every Woman's Place Personalized work bag / Stationery - Vistaprint Art 101 Wooden 142 piece art set - amazon.com $24.99 Enneagram 3: The Achiever / The Performer Apple Watch Series 5 - Best Buy $349.99 Personalized Erin Condren Day Planner - erincondren.com from $35.00 Cosori coffee mug and warmer set - amazon.com $39.99 Hello Fresh / Amazon Prime / Housekeeping services Enneagram 4: The Individualist / The Creative Tibetan lucky knot bracelet: kundalini.com: $29.99 Custom Star Map: thenightsky.com: $34.99 Stories from friends and family sharing their unique qualities Any "limited edition" item Enneagram 5: The Investigator Bits and Pieces 1000 piece murder mystery puzzle - amazon.com $15.98 Theodore Wooden Puzzle Block Game - Pottery Barn $28.99 Book Set: Sapiens & Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari Amazon Kindle Enneagram 6: The Loyalist Weighted Blanket by Luxome - luxome.com from $29.99 WordEFFECT personalized jewelry - wordeffect.com $28.00 Preppi Go Box Emergency Kit - preppi.co from $95.00 Ring Video Doorbell - ring.com from $99.99 Enneagram 7: The Enthusiast Mixology Cocktail Shaker Bartender 5 piece Set - amazon.com $23.87 Mini Moscow Mule Copper Mugs - greetabl.com $15.00 Amazon Echo Show 5 - amazon.com $79.99 Dance Lessons / Cooking Lessons Gratitude Glass Jar - Gratitude Glass Jars $50.00 Enneagram 8: The Challenger / The Defender Cash Tickets to a concert or sporting event - ticketmaster.com Escape Room outing Enneagram 9: The Peacemaker Harney and Sons hot cinnamon spice tea - amazon.com $9.99 Chunky knit chenille throw - amazon.com  Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set - amazon.com $349.00 Vitruvi essential oil diffuser set - vitruvi.com from $18.00  

Angie Leigh Monroe sits down and shares her story of overcoming the message that she wasn't good enough in order to have a voice to reach the nations.  She shares how she started DIVAS Impact and the work that they are doing to empower and equip women to share their stories and recognize that they are enough. Plus...we talk about why our words toward other women matter and how we can each be a voice that others long to hear. Find Angie Here: Facebook Instagram Warrior DIVAS podcast Women Equipping Women Angie's Recommendations: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez Sergeant York What she said: 20:40 "You can't teach the Bible unless you're committed to learning it for yourself first." 22:54 "A lot of times we're struggling with everyone else's success, and we've got to get over that mentality." 24:35 "We just want to be real with women and talk with them about the things that they need to talk about." 29:48 "The weight of being able to walk more freely, more boldly, and more confidently without having to stuff and suppress your emotions is huge." 41:40 "I refuse to address how men speak about us until we do better speaking about ourselves and others...we have to start shifting the current with our own tongues." 52:10 "Embrace the moments you're in because you have a significant impact right where you're at."      

Jenny Randle sits down and chats about what it means to be a Courageous Creative, and how creativity brings us closer to the creator.  She shares the journey that brought her from New York to Hollywood and now down to Florida as she follows God's leading on her life, and why it's so important to find our identity in Christ as we pursue his purpose for us.  Plus...we talk about our parallel journeys that have led us to this point in life, AND...we talk about her EMMY (and how much she had to pay for it!)    Find Jenny Here: Facebook Instagram Website Courageous Creative Book Recommendations: Refine and Restore by Rachel Swanson Logos Software What she said:  "Understanding your identity in Christ is foundational stuff.  If you don't have that foundation, when you step into your calling, it's going to be really wobbly." "The idea of my purpose being to glorify and enjoy God took the pressure off of every area of performance that I felt called to." "You're discrediting God when you're not giving him honor for the things he's doing in your life." "We are meant to be leaders and influencers in the sphere that we are placed in...Understanding creativity and how it applies to us, directly impacts the influence and the levels of influence that we have in those spaces." "If we're creating from a healthy space, it's actually an act of worship." "I want a full picture of the gospel and how I relate to it. Not in a self-centered way, but in a Christ-centered way." "My circumstances don't define who He is, but it's the other way around."