Living a Life Unleashed Podcast

On today’s episode, I have invited my friend and mentor Jean-Marie Jobs to talk about battling perfectionism.   Jean-Marie is a Master Trainer in Transformation and the founder of GAP Community and Yellow Marker. She is also the author of the book, The Art of Feeding Heros: Leading From The Inside Out.   We talk about the illusion of control and what happens when we try to “control” the future. We also look at the way perfectionism manifests itself and how it is the greatest enemy to transformation.    We discuss the distinction between excellence and perfectionism, the power of thought distancing, and how perfectionism is a mechanism to protect ourselves from disappointment.   If you struggle with perfectionism or know someone who does you will not want to miss this conversation.   A little bit more about Jean-Marie: Jean-Marie is a master trainer in transformational work. She founded GAP Community (a nonprofit corporation) whose vision is to equip individuals and groups to further engage the call on their lives with excitement, purpose, and responsibility through training that empowers and inspires individuals to come alive and create a lasting impact in their community. You can sign-up for a free online course on Identity, here.   She founded Yellow Marker, a corporate training company that trains teams and organizations with the vision of bringing character and values to the foreground, personally and professionally.    Take a listen!

On today’s episode, Dr. Deb Gorton and I talk about her new book, Embracing Uncomfortable: Facing Our Fears While Pursuing our Purpose. We talk about what it means to Embrace Uncomfortable, the importance of getting clear on our core values, and how the Comfort Myth can keep us from pursuing our purpose. Dr. Deb helps us identify three things that keep us stuck and prevent us from changing, and the importance of embracing failure as an experience and not as our identity. Take a listen and purchase Deb's book, Embracing Uncomfortable.Learn more about Deb and her work at debgorton.com.

On today’s show I have invited Amy Julia Becker to talk about her new book, White Picket Fences: Turning toward Love in a World Divided by Privilege. We talk about privilege, what it means, and how it is a word that can provoke very strong reactions. We also talk about ways of identifying privilege, something some of us may often not be aware of. Amy Julia also shares her thoughts on the role people of faith have in addressing social divisions. In addition to White Picket Fences, Amy Julia is also the author of Small Talk: Learning From My Children About What Matters Most, A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations and a Little Girl Named Penny, named one of the Top Books of 2011 by Publisher’s Weekly, and Penelope Ayers: A Memoir. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, her essays about faith, family, and disability have appeared in the Washington Post, USA Today, Christianity Today, the Christian Century, and online for The New York Times, ABCNews, the Atlantic, Vox, and The Huffington Post. Amy Julia lives with her husband Peter and three children, Penny, William, and Marilee in western CT. White Picket Fences can be purchased wherever books are sold. Find more information on Amy Julia at amyjuliabecker.com        

On this episode, I talk to Ryan O’Neal, the artist behind the Enneagram song series (tune in to the end to hear about the enneagram project). Ryan is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter, producer, and composer and makes music under the name Sleeping At Last. Listen in as we talk about how his music career started, how he defines success, things he has learned along the way in pursuing his dreams and passions and how he handles setbacks.  Sleeping At Last can be heard frequently on popular TV Shows and Films such as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, The Fault In Our Stars – Trailer, Grey’s Anatomy, So You Think You Can Dance, Criminal Minds, Bones, The Vampire Diaries. His latest project is a series of songs written for each Enneagram type. Tune into Ryan’s Podcast and hear his Enneagram songs on SoundCloud.Ryan’s Enneagram songs are also available on Spotify and other music outlets and you can keep up with his latest projects at sleepingatlast.com

Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves. On today’s show I have invited Trillia Newbell to talk about her book, Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves. I am thrilled that you have tuned in. Trillia was an absolute delight to talk with on this episode. We talk about Joy and why it can evade us, and fear and how it can invade us. Trillia shares honestly and transparently as we converse about the many fears we face. Fear of failure, loneliness, loss, rejection, unfulfilled dreams, not measuring up…there’s no shortage of things to fear in life and fear can feel like an unwelcome, constant companion, paralyzing our actions, stealing our joy and hindering our faith. Tune in and learn how to find the peace your heart craves.

Sex and the Single Girl...and Marrieds too! Hey! I am so glad you are here. On today's episode, I talk with Juli Slattery, my friend, and Founder of Authentic Intimacy, a ministry for sexual discipleship. We talk about Juli's book and bible study guide, "Sex and The Single Girl," and how our sexuality is a sexual battlefield! We actually talk about a WHOLE lot more than that! Whether married, single, dating, engaged.......This episode is for you! Tune in as we talk about what our sexuality teaches us about God, why the Christian purity narrative is limited, why what we do with our bodies matters, and the spiritual implications. In our conversation, we also ask the questions, "Where do we get our opinions about sexuality,?" "Who owns our sexuality," "What do we do with our sexual drives and longings as a sexual woman?"     I am thrilled you are here and hope this podcast helps you gain a deeper understanding of your sexuality and how to think through sexual issues from a biblical perspective.   A bit more about Juli: Juli earned her college degree at Wheaton College, an MA in psychology from Biola University, an MS and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. From 2008-2012, Dr. Slattery served at Focus on the Family, writing, teaching, and co-hosting the Daily Focus on the Family broadcast. In 2012, she left Focus on the Family to start Authentic Intimacy.  She is the author of ten books, the host of the weekly radio program/podcast “Java with Juli” and a member of the board of trustees for Moody Bible Institute. Juli and her husband Mike are the parents of 3 sons, and have recently moved back home to Ohio. Check out the Authentic Intimacy website and purchase Juli's books and resources online.     Standing for you to play full out and live fully into who you were created to be....... Lisa B.  

On today's show we talk about contemplative prayer....solitude, silence and stillness, as a practice to deepen our experience with God. We will learn how contemplative practice deepens our relationship with and experience of God and is an essential practice for people who want to grow in their faith. This conversation may be new for a lot of us!  I encourage you to listen in as we talk about this practice as an invitation to awaken to God and our lives, and to see with new eyes. We will also talk about how we often numb ourselves and how our lives are filled with distractions and addictions that prevent us from what Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." Being with God and not the constant going that can run our lives. On this episode, I have invited Phileena Heuertz to share insight from her book, Pilgrimage of a Soul, Contemplative Spirituality for the Active Life. In addition to being an author, Phileena’s work includes public speaking, teaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, facilitation of contemplative retreats, and spiritual direction. She holds a Masters of Christian Spirituality from Creighton University’s department of theology and is a certified spiritual director in the Ignatian contemplative evocative method.She and her husband Chris founded Gravity in 2012 to make contemplative practice accessible to individuals, communities and organizations. You can purchase Phileena's book on Amazon.

Part 2 Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free

Part 1: Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free

The Sacred Enneagram. On Today's show, I have a conversation with Chris Heuertz, author of the book, The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth. If you are new to the Enneagram, Chris explains the 9 Enneagram "Types," how our type is formed and how understanding our type can lead to spiritual growth and maturity.  The 9 Enneagram types: Type 1: The need to be perfectType 2: The need to be neededType 3: The need to succeedType 4: The need to be uniqueType 5: The need to understandType 6: The need to be secureType 7: The need to avoid painType 8: The need to be against (contrarians)Type 9: The need to avoid To find out more about the Sacred Enneagram and upcoming workshops, check out his website https://gravitycenter.com/sacredenneagram/ Here are two resources to take Enneagram test online: (Be aware that the test is not the end all be all! Read about each type and see which most resonates.) https://wepss.com/index.asphttps://tests.enneagraminstitute.com      

How Do We Cling to Hope in the Midst of Tragedy? What is God doing in our lives when we experience suffering? How do we enter into one another's suffering well? When we face tragedy how do we keep our hearts open to hope? On today’s show, I have invited Kate Elizabeth Clark, author of the book, Where I End: A Story of Tragedy, Truth and Rebellious Hope.  In 2009, Kate Clark was a wife and active mother of two living in Michigan when a tragic playground accident left her paralyzed from the neck down. After surgery for her injured spine, she was told that she would likely never walk again. Facing the possibility of a life without being able to hug her children, walk independently, or hold her husband’s hand, Kate prayed a prayer of rebellious hope and asked God for a miracle. Today Kate will share her story hope, grief, suffering and miraculous recovery. Her story is a testimony that God is with us and faithful even in difficult circumstances. A little bit about Kate: Kate studied at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Dallas Theological Seminary. With a background in psychology. She has spent much of the last twenty years working and writing for a nationwide Christian radio and counseling ministry. When she’s not writing, Kate enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking new recipes with her kids, and immersing herself in books. Kate, her husband John and their 2 kids. live in Wheaton, IL. Find out more about Kate and her book at https://www.whereiendbook.com

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality    

Survival Skills For Spiritual Wilderness   We will all enter spiritual wilderness seasons in our life. My guest today, Marian Jordan Ellis, author of the book, "Wilderness Skills For Women:  How to Survive Heartbreak and Other Full-Blown Meltdowns," and I will talk about wilderness seasons and survival skills. The wilderness is when what you believe about God and your love for God is put to the test. Seasons where your faith in God is tested when things do not go as planned and you are faced with unmet desires. When we are in the wilderness we often ask, "Is God good?"  "Does He love me?" "Does God have a good plan for my life?" "Can I trust God with my desires?"  How do we trust God when we cannot see what the future holds? What we often do not see is that on the other side of the wilderness is the promised land.  God is faithful and sovereign in our lives!! Tune in and learn how to walk by faith, trust God when we cannot see, and battle voices telling us to bail on Jesus and turn back.   A little bit about Marian: Marian Jordan Ellis is the founder of Redeemed Girl Ministries. In addition authoring wilderness skills for women, Marian has also authored "Sex and the city uncovered," and her latest book, "Stand." Marian is also a conference speaker and Bible teacher. She is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Marian lives in San Antonio with her husband Justin and their 3 kiddos, Andrew and Brenden, Sydney. Visit Marian at Purchase "Wilderness Skills for Women," on Amazon.

Do you ever find yourself repeating a behavior or continuing to make choices that are unhealthy, perhaps unproductive and that keep you stuck? Tune in as Joy and I discuss why hindsight is not always 20/20, why we may not be learning from our "mistakes," and how to gain insight that helps us grow. Joy Eshleman is a licensed clinical professional counselor and has been in private practice for 23 years.  She is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management and her practice focus includes grief, trauma, loss and life adjustments.  Joy loves speaking encouragement to those who desire meaningful lives and healthy relationships.    

    What makes a woman attractive? What happened to the lost art of dignity and living as a dignified woman? I just love this conversation with Dr. de Rosset!  She is a woman of great wisdom, wit, authenticity, intellect..... and dignity. Culture portrays a very different version of what makes a woman attractive. We talk about what it means to stand out and live as a woman of dignity, not seeking pleasure at the expense of our minds and our character, and how it informs all of the choices we make.  Dr. Rosalie de Rosset is a professor of literature, English and homiletics at Moody Bible Institute. She earned her M.A. in English from Northeastern Illinois University, M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Rhetoric from The University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition to teaching, she regularly appears on Moody Radio Network programs as a guest and co-host, and speaks at conferences and seminars. She lives on the northside of Chicago.

  Being Single, Freedom Coaching, and Forgiveness. Tune in as my friend Jill Monaco and I talk about being single and ponder the question, Can contentment and longing for a mate coexist? Can we have purpose in our singleness? And if you are married and tuning in, you probably have single friends in your life. Jill and I talk a bit about how to a respond when a friend shares their longing for a mate. Then our conversation takes a turn and Jill shares about Freedom Coaching, specifically as it relates to forgiveness and how it produces freedom in our lives.     Thanks for tuning in!  I am so glad you are a part of the Living a Life Unleashed Listening audience. Please share this podcast with your friends and share your comments and reviews on Podbean and iTunes! A bit about my guest, Jill: Jill the founder and CEO of Jill Monaco Ministries, a nonprofit that publishes the online magazine, SingleMatters.com. She is also the creator of the interactive program for singles, From Looking To Loving: Find the Breakthrough You Need So You Can Have The Relationship You Want. Jill just released her new book, The Freedom Coach Model: Encounter the presence of God and find freedom in Christ through powerful questions and listening prayers. She is a certified Freedom Coach and loves helping people find freedom and purpose so they can live a life they love. Find out more about Jill at jillmonaco.com.  

  Finding Purpose in Your Pain and the Power of Confession.   You are in for a great conversation as I talk to Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels. On this episode Anne shares her journey of growth and transformation and how she lives a life unleashed. She talks about becoming a successful business woman (something she never set out to do) and how she found her purpose in her pain.Anne shares the power of endurance in achieving your vision in life. We talk about how keeping secrets can kill us and how confession can lead to freedom. We also talk about a new organization Anne is launching, Broken Silence, whose mission is to help women find their voice and break free from the secrets that keep them stuck in pain, blame and shame.You will be encouraged by tuning in!   A little bit about Anne: Anne Beiler began twisting pretzels in 1987 and grew a single farmer’s market stand into Auntie Anne’s Inc., the world’s largest hand rolled soft pretzel franchise. Her professional success, however, was forged after years of darkness, depression, and despair brought on by the death of her nineteen-month-old daughter. Anne’s personal story and entrepreneurial insights have been featured on many television shows including Secret Millionaire, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Good Morning America. She has been highlighted in numerous publications such as Fortune Magazine, and Inc Magazine..  In 2005, Anne sold Auntie Anne’s and authored the business memoir, Twist of Faith. Today, she shares her inspirational message with audiences around the world. Anne and her husband Jonas live in Texas and are parents to two daughters, both married, and proud grandparents to four grandchildren. You can learn more about Anne on her website. Thanks for tuning in!  Please rate us on iTunes and leave comments when you listen.

              Set Yourself up For Success in the New Year! As we embark on and embrace the new year ahead of us, I want you to be equipped to play full out and live fully into who you were created to be.  This is the year!  No holding back!  I am cheering you on in every way because you were created to THRIVE and make a lasting positive impact on those around you. This podcast episode just might be one of my favorites. I have invited my good friend, James Perkins, to share about a tool he uses to position himself and his clients for growth and success in the new year called the "Year End Review Process." THIS PROCESS IS AMAZING! I promise you will gain insight and traction to play full out on 2018. He will walk you through the four-part Year End Review Process: Part 1: Review and complete the pastPart 2: Embrace the pastPart 3: Looking to the futurePart 4: Maintain the momentum Seriously, you are not going to want to miss this. The process will take an adequate amount of thought and time. After all, you are planning to have the best 2018 relationally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, vocationally...... So carve out time to thoughtfully and prayerfully work through this Year End Process. You will need to press pause several times throughout this podcast as you process, pray about and respond to the questions James guides you through. For a link to the Year End Review questions, click here. Let's make 2018 the best year ever!!!!!   A little bit about James Perkins: James is a business mindset coach and counselor who is  passionate about helping people master their mindset. His specialty is working with aspiring entrepreneurs in helping them master their mindset so that they can make more income and more impact in their businesses by fulfilling their God given purpose. James spends his time coaching, developing online programs, and hosting transformational events and seminars that help people and entrepreneurs maximize their potential. He is married to his gorgeous wife Kamilah and they have a two year old named Avery affectionately known as baby hulk. You can learn more about James, his brilliant one on one coaching, training seminars and more at jamesperkins.help  

  On today's episode I invited Jen Pollack Michel to talk about something I have often struggled with. Desire. Is it OK to desire? What do we do with unmet desires? How do we know we have the "right" desires? What about the message that Christianity can often unintentionally or intentionally send… that wanting is sinful and selfish? How do we know and follow God’s will rather than insisting on our own? Jen and I also talk about how unexpressed desires can turn into bitterness and how when we protect ourselves from desires we do not experience the joys in life.   Listen in and be encouraged!       About Jen Pollock Michel Jen Pollock Michel is a speaker, writer and author of the book, Teach Us to Want: Longing, Ambition, the Life of Faith, and her second book, Keeping Place, Reflections on the Meaning of Home. She is also a contributor to articles for The gospel Coalition and Christianity Today. Jen and her husband and five children live in Toronto. You can purchase Jen's books on Amazon.

  Life Mapping   On today's episode I talk with Sharon Swing about an incredibly valuable tool that helps you: CLARIFY your desires
 DISCERN how your life story impacts the way you live today and your choices for tomorrow UNDERSTAND yourself and your part in God’s larger story
 DECIDE what you might do to live a life that is a more full expression of who God created you to be Listen in and learn more about how Life Mapping helps you see God's story in your story, providing fresh insight into your life to help you get unstuck, make new discoveries about yourself, and propel you into action.    Sharon Swing is founder of Swing Consulting, Inc. and co-author of “Listen To My Life.” She is also co-founder of oneLifeMaps.com, an organization dedicated to helping people review their life stories as a means of growing spiritually and as a way to gain insights that are a catalyst to taking meaningful action in life, relationships, career, work and calling.   Check out the One Life Maps Website for more information on life mapping!Use the code "unleashed" to get a 20% discount on the Listen to My Life Portfolio. Grab a friend or small group and go through the life mapping process together!  

  How to find lasting satisfaction. On today's episode, Steve Hoppe, author of "Sipping Saltwater: How to Find Lasting Satisfaction in a World of Thirst," talks about idols we "sip" that leave us feeling even more thirsty and dissatisfied. This is an important conversation because if we want to live a life unleashed, it is critical that we gain insight into the areas in our lives that may be keeping us stuck, trapped or in bondage. We have to take an honest look at the things in our life that we are looking to for satisfaction that ultimately end up ruling us, sucking the life out of us and putting us on an endless cycle of chasing the illusion of satisfaction and leave us coming up empty and not truly satisfied. We will explore forms of saltwater such as sex, money, control, comfort, people and work and will also discuss the concept of God, Garbage, Gift. Tune in!  Share this podcast with your friends and please leave a review.    Book Excerpt“We consume things that look and feel and sound like they can quench our thirst. They promise unmatched pleasure. They promote limitless comfort,  joy, strength, peace, excitement. They vow to remove our fears, tears, worries, guilt and shame. They pledge to fill the voids in our hearts and soothe our aching souls. They promise paradise but they can’t deliver.” About the authorSteve Hoppe was born in Chicago and educated at the University of Illinois, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He has served in urban ministry for over a decade and is currently a pastor, counselor, author, and speaker with Park Community Church in Chicago. Steve is married to his best friend Abby. Purchase Sipping Saltwater Book Trailer                                         

      How to Fight Fear. On our show today we want to help you Fight Fear! I have invited my good friend Kelly Balarie and author of the book, Fear Fighting, Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears…. to talk about how we can can be Fear Fighters! Listen in as we talk about the different aspects of fear that grip us….Worry, anxiety, people pleasing. Any time you feel like you are holding back, not being all you were created to be or you have to be somebody else to please somebody else, that is an indication that there is an origin of fear. Sometimes we experience opposition in the exact area we are meant to play full out! We also tackle fear questions such as: What is a Fear snowball Can fear ever be a good things? How can we recognize the fear that grips us? How do we pay attention to the fear enough to realize it so that we can be free from it. Tune in for some fear fighting Truth!

    Have you ever been around someone that is a burst of energy and inspiration? Tune in and listen to my fun and full of wisdom chat with Michelle McKinney Hammond, bestselling author, speaker, singer and television presenter. We talk about everything from identity crisis, to creating margin in our lives. We also discuss answers to "what is my purpose?," what to do in the waiting, how comparison and envy distract us from the path that we are meant to be on and how we miss grace when we expect our lives to look a certain way.  Tune in to have your soul be refreshed and your mind stirred (in a good way)! Michelle has authored over 40 books (selling over two million copies worldwide), including best-selling titles The Diva Principle, Sassy, Single and Satisfied, 101 Ways to Get and Keep His Attention, andSecrets of an Irresistible Woman. A gifted vocalist, Michelle has recorded four CD’s, and has co-hosted the Emmy Award-winning television talk show Aspiring Women on TLN for ten years as well as TCT’s 3D Woman. She has appeared on countless television shows including Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect, E Channel’s “Soap Talk,” NBC’s The Other Half, The 700 Club, and BET’s Oh Drama! as well as a regular relationship segment on WGN Morning News. Recently she appeared on Roma Downey and Mark Burnett’s “Women of the Bible” on Lifetime and “Beyond AD”. She has graced the cover of magazines such as Today’s Christian Woman, Precious Times, The Plain Truth and Gospel Today. She has been a contributing writer for Spirit Led Woman, Discipleship Journal and has been featured in articles in Shine, Essence, Ebony, Jet, Black Enterprise Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and The New York Times. Michelle is known for “keeping it real.” She addresses real-life issues with candor and wit, and the hard questions with sensitivity and empathy.  Michelle’s underlying message is “get yourself in spiritual order and your natural life will come together.”  She resides in Ghana, West Africa where she is the visionary for a new ministry called Relevance. She also travels extensively, speaking to men and women from all walks of life extending the message of the Good News and the power of having an authentic relationship with God.    

  On today’s show my friend and author Lynne Moyer is here to talk about her new book, City of Lights, Letting Go of What We Think Life Should Look Like So That We Can Discover Even More.  We talk about how we can often pursue perfection when God really wants us to pursue people. And, how to live a lifetsyle of letting go. Listen in as we talk about letting go of our plans and being aware and present enough to say Yes to what God is showing us, and where He is leading us. Lynne is also the Founder & CEO of Luminate Marketing. She is an international speaker and an award-winning strategist for churches, small businesses and nonprofits and is passionate about speaking on behalf of those who don't have a voice, leveraging influence with purpose, and living a lifestyle of hospitality. She and her husband Matt and their pup bear live in Atlanta, GA. You can find more about Lynne at lynnemoyer.com          

    How can we experience more freedom and be more of who we were created to be? Listen in and be inspired as Rebekah shares her ongoing journey to freedom and how she is living fully into who she was created to be. Some things we touch on:You can't know freedom if you don't know bondage.Areas of bondage that keep us from being free.Identifying the lies that keep us in bondage.How do we find meaning in surrender?How do we pursue a life of meaning and passion?Why where we get our identity from matters.   Rebekah Lyons is the author of Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning and You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are. She is a mother of three, wife of one, and dog-walker of two living in Franklin, TN. She's an old soul with a contemporary, honest voice who puts a new face on the struggles women face as they seek to live a life of meaning. Through emotive writing and speaking, Rebekah reveals her own battles to overcome anxiety, depression, and consumer impulses - challenging women to discover and boldly pursue the calling God has for them. As a self-confessed mess, Rebekah wears her heart on her sleeve, a benefit to friends and readers alike. Alongside her husband, Gabe, Rebekah serves as co-founder of Q Ideas, a nonprofit organization that helps Christian leaders winsomely engage in culture. Her favorite pastime is spent with her nose in a book and a discriminating cup of coffee in hand. You can find Rebekah on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and rebekahlyons.com.

      There is brokenness all around us. If we are honest, we all have our own brokenness. How do we pursue restoring what is broken in ourselves, how are we called to be involved in the restoration of all things? And, how does the wilderness play a part in experiencing restoration? Listen in as Steve and I talk about what it looks like to pursue our own wholeness by owning our own stories and naming the places that we are hiding and that need healing. Steve Wiens is a pastor, writer and runner, and lives in Minnesota with his wife Mary, and three young sons. He is the author of Beginnings, and his second book, Whole: Restoring What is Broken in Me, You and the Rest of the World. Steve also has a weekly podcast called This Good Word. You can find and follow Steve on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and stevewiens.com.    

  On our show today, I have invited my friend, Dr. Deb Gorton, to talk about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. What does that mean? Well you will have to tune in to find out! But, if fear or discomfort have ever kept you from leaning in and playing full-out in life and relationships, you will want to listen in as we talk about how forgoing comfort is essential to growth and transformation. We also talk about the cost we are paying to stay comfortable, how our most defining growth moments don't happen in the realm of comfortability and how radical acceptance is a key to moving out of unwanted circumstances. And, that failure is a part of learning and growth. Dr. Deb Gorton grew up in Scottsdale, AZ and graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism.  She earned both her MA in Psychology and her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, CA. Additionally, she holds an MA in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Gorton presently serves as the Director of Moody Theological Seminary’s Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program as well as Moody's Counseling Center. She is also the founder of Siv Consultation, providing counseling and leadership coaching for individuals. Dr. Gorton is a problem-solver and collaborator who believes transformation happens within community.    

  Studies have found that when it comes to our physical and mental health, friendships may truly be the best medicine! On today's show my good friend of almost 20 years, Audra, joins me. I love this photo of us. We took it several years ago and it sums up the joy deep friendships bring. On this episode we share our honest journey of friendship, and how deep, meaningful relationships take vulnerability, courage, and are not for the faint of heart. Listen in as we touch on some keys to healthy friendships: Don't run from conflictBe each other's championsBe quick to forgiveAsk for forgivenessCreate fun memoriesAppreciate each other's differences I am so grateful that you are tuning in to these podcasts. I pray that they are making a difference for you as you Live a Life Unleashed. Here's to transformative friendships. With love, Lisa B.              

    Kelli talks vulnerably about how her life was not turning out the way she envisioned, and when disappointments came her way, she didn't handle them very well. There were things she wished she had known in her 20's that would have helped her navigate life better in her 30's and 40's, and as a result her book, Twenty Things We'd Tell Our Twentysomething Selves was born! No matter your age, these 20 things will resonate! 20 Things is more than good advice; it’s a book that can change your life. Some of the 20 Things we talk about: 1. Examine your foundation carefully2. Feed yourself (mind, body, soul and spirit)3. Take risks4. Seek healing5. Live loved Kelli Worrall is an author, speaker and a Professor of Communications at Moody Bible Institute. Along with 20 Things We’d Tell Our Twentysomething Selves, co-authored with her husband Peter, she also is the author of her newly released second book, Pierced and Embraced. Kelli studied Communications at Cedarville University, and received her Masters from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (MRE), and a degree in Creative Writing at Roosevelt University (MFA). She and her husband Peter have two children through adoption: Daryl and Amelia.

      On this episode, Lina AbuJamra shares her story of how she lives her life unleashed. We talk about what limitations or perceived limitations she had to overcome to pursue and experience playing full out and living fully into who she was created to be. We answer the questions, How can we pursue our dreams and calling? What is the process and what are the disciplines that lead to living your life unleashed? How do we avoid comparing ourselves to others? Tune in and be encouraged to discover what you were created to do and move towards taking a next step! Lina AbuJamra is a Pediatric ER doctor and founder of Living with Power Ministries. Her vision is to bring hope to the world by connecting Biblical answers to everyday life. Lina has authored several books including: Thrive, Stripped, and Resolved. You can watch her inspiring thousands via her Faith Booster series and other Bible teachings on YouTube and her Living With Power app. Lina is the host of Today's Single Christian on Moody Radio and the host of Morning Minutes, a daily audio devotional available on her website, livingwithpower.org.

        Are you a good listener? What would your friends, co-workers and family say? On this episode, I talk with author and Life Coach Becky Harling about her new book, How to Listen So People Will Talk. We talk about practical tips for strengthening relationships and building stronger communication and deeper connections with others, through listening. We learn that when you grow in your listening skills, your marriage will grow stronger, your parenting will flourish, your friendships will thrive, and your influence at work will increase. You will also get the inside scoop on Becky's "listening quiz," to rate your listening skills. And..... you will hear about a blind date gone wrong that I had a few years ago. Enjoy! About Becky Harling: Becky Harling is a certified speaker, leadership coach, and trainer with The John Maxwell Team. She speaks nationally and internationally at conferences, retreats, and training events. The founder of Moms Unleashed and author of several books including Rewriting Your Emotional Script, The 30-Day Praise Challenge, The 30-Day Praise Challenge for Parents and How To Listen So People Will Talk. Becky and her husband, Steve, live in beautiful Colorado Springs.

Hey guys!  I am SO thrilled to have Lisa Haase, a dear friend of mine for 20 years and a sister who has been super instrumental in my growth and transformation over the years, on the show. She has helped me get unstuck in areas that carried shame for me and also helped me to live life more unhindered and unleashed. I get to share her with you today. On this episode, Lisa and I talk about the importance of identifying the Core Root Issues in our lives that keep us stuck. Rejection, shame, abandonment to name a few. We talk about how anger, resentment, depression and anxiety, are emotions we experience that are indicators that there may be a core root issue that needs to be uncovered, addressed and healed so that we can live life more free and unleashed.   Lisa Haase is Founder and Chief Strategist of Rise Consulting International.  She is an industrious, creative, high-impact leader developing strategies to best steward existing and emerging resources.  She has 25 years of experience as a multi-site executive leader impacting the marketplace, ministry, non-profit sectors and academic institutions.  Lisa has consulted both domestically and internationally the past 15 years and has created, chaired and developed senior leadership teams for organizations still achieving their missions today.  Lisa is passionate about caring for people in the process.  She is noted, by her clients and colleagues, for intentionally equipping, empowering and unleashing diverse groups of executive leaders, while identifying and investing in their next generation of emerging leaders.  Her techniques are designed to maximize their individual and team potential and the organization’s reach impacting their city, country, and the world.

  On this episode, Nancy Beach and I talk about how to battle the voices in our head and the lies that keep us from reaching our full potential. We discuss how as women we are prone to compare ourselves to others and how to turn from competing against each other to becoming each other’s biggest fans. We talk about how to overcome our addiction to approval. We also touch on the reminder that there is only one of you in the whole universe and to lean in and be the be the best version of yourself. For over 20 years Nancy served as the Programming Director for Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, building a community of artists who sought to create transformational moments in Sunday morning church services. Nancy also served as a Teaching Pastor, periodically bringing the weekend message. Currently, Nancy serves as a leadership coach with the SlingShot Group, helping church leaders and teams to flourish in life and ministry. Nancy also uses her teaching gifts to cast vision at conferences and workshops, for both artists and women in leadership. Nancy is the author of two books. In her book, An Hour on Sunday, Nancy expresses the core vision and values which she believes are foundational to any effective arts ministry. Nancy’s second book is titled, Gifted to Lead: the Art of Leading as a Woman in the Church. She and her husband Warren live in the village of Barrington, Illinois with their dog, Beanie. They both serve at Soul City Church in downtown Chicago where Nancy is on the Teaching Team. Their daughters, Samantha and Johanna, are both theatrical artists.

Welcome to the Living a Life Unleashed Podcast. A place for you to be equipped and encouraged as we learn and grow and gain new insights that compel us to play full out. A place for us to journey together, live a life unleashed, and continue to evolve into the women we were created to be.  With you on the journey, Lisa B.