Smarter Than You Think

As we cross the finish line of the second season I'd like to leave you with an invitation. I invite you to ask the Lord to tell you what He thinks about you. More than that, I invite you to believe Him. Where you've recognized lies you've believed about your intelligence, can you exchange that for the truth He's wanting you to know? You're not too much. You're exactly enough. You're meant to fulfill the destiny God has for you. You're not disqualified or incapable. You're qualified in Him and more than capable. He wants to simultaneously validate and empower you to rip up old contracts you've had with lies ... And while you do it, you can show up for others by agreeing with the intelligence God has placed in each of us. You can give space for a person's contribution and you can call their intelligence out even when they don't quite see it themselves. It's been my honor to share this time with you and I hope that you'll come back here for Season 3. Keep up-to-date with and find out when we're coming back by simply following me on Instagram @IriniFambro ... and real quick, before you go, would you possibly hit that 5-Star rating? 

We often find a tension between where we are and where we're meant to operate … and let's face it, it's a tension we have to navigate. Discovering a lie we've believed is no different and once we do, we've got to deal with it.I'm so grateful I have Deana Morgan back on to help us all deal with it today! She's written an incredibly powerful book called, “From the Symptom to the Secret” and she's dropping some serious wisdom and knowledge. We're talking through coping mechanisms, where our processing shows up in behaviors, and so much more.Purchase From the Symptom to the Secret here! You will be so glad you did. And that Emotional Dictionary/Chart Deana was kind enough to gift to us all? Just click here to snag it! 

If you're like me, you've most likely found yourself listening to and leaning into the truth in Tim Ross's podcast (The Basement) … and felt like you were eavesdropping on an honest and private convo while you did it. But what we glean from in the health of Tim's life didn't just appear; it's not some factory-made cake fresh off the line. We're not mass-produced. We're individually called and equipped to walk specifically where we've been asked to walk. So what permissions do we need to be able to walk we're called and what permissions have we denied ourselves? We're talking code-switching, being disintegrated as a person, generational differences- and that's just where we're starting!  Please check out Tim Ross's podcast if you haven't already here! And if you haven't already found me on Instagram, why not stop by and hit that “follow” button here? 

Friends, I have Tim Ross with me today and this conversation is one you don't want to miss. If you haven't heard him preach or listened to his podcast (The Basement with Tim Ross), then my goodness are you in for a treat. Today we're doing a deep dive on the lies surrounding validation . Why? Because validation matters and we need it in our lives, but we need it in health. Join us as we grab our a hold of vulnerability and allow it to lead us to the center point of this conversation. After all, vulnerability is never the destination, but a superpower to employ. Validation is a relational need that every human has and I believe this episode is exactly the one you're meant to hear today. I know the Lord is going to use it to draw you nearer and into more freedom. As always, find me on Instagram @IriniFambro! Drop by and say hi, I'd love to connect with you there! 

If you aren't familiar with Embrace Grace and the amazing work Amy Ford and Salina Duffy began in 2008, I'm so excited to introduce you to them now. Today we're not only talking about what God's called them to do, but the lie of inexperience that could have kept them from starting in the first place.But that's just where we're beginning. My hope is that this conversation will find you where you are and encourage you to believe all that God's called you to He's already equipped you for. Lies will always yell loudly, but today, we're leaning in to hear truth.To learn more about Embrace Grace and see how you can partner with what God's doing there, click here.Also, come say Hi and follow me on Insta if you haven't already here! 

We each have unique and beautifully specific callings the enemy never wants us to see fulfilled. That's why he tries to derail us by coming after our worth, our belief in our own abilities, and yes, even our definition of intelligence. But God's here to speak truth to us.  Today, I'm so excited to have Embrace Grace founders, Amy Ford and Salina Duffy, on to chat about worth and what God says about ours. Take a listen, laugh with us, but most importantly; be encouraged, friend. To find out more about Embrace Grace and to learn how you can support their work, being the hands and feet of Jesus to many, simply click here! As always, come say “hi” on Instagram!  @IriniFambro

Moments of diminishment like to try and stay with us … to tell us we're inadequate, not enough, or any number of other lies. Often, it can feel like what once defined a moment in our lives ends up defining our life altogether. So on today's episode, Hannah Morris sits down with me to talk about the conclusions we make versus the truth God wants us to know about ourselves.If you're a human, you've had to encounter a lie about yourself. You've probably believed one or two, even— I know I have. But what if we exchanged what trauma tries to define in us for what God has already defined and made good in us? Want to catch up with me over on Instagram? Find me here! 

Formal education is hardly the be-all end-all for intelligence. It's not even the starting place. Of course, there are various ways in which we learn and are educated to pursue what God has called us to pursue. But if we think all of those ways to learn are only housed in the package of a college program, we'd be sadly mistaken. That's because God has made each of us uniquely suited for the purposes He's called us to and that requires an education that matches; often one you can't get on paper.As we finish our conversation with Jenna this week, I'd like for us to reframe how we understand education. God has all wisdom and knowledge. He created design and arithmetic, geography and music, engineering and painting ... He is the foremost educator on everything and doesn't leave one intelligence to pick up another. So sure, we can place a value on learning an industry or craft and get to it, like Jenna did by writing 100 songs in a year. But regardless of where you are in life or business, there are some lies about education to address. So join us for the rest of our chat, will you? If you want to find Jenna, check her out on TikTok and Instagram . Come find me there too, just click here . As always, RATE OUR SHOW + SUBSCRIBE up top!

Each time we believe a lie about ourselves we're actually rejecting an invitation to know truth. The invitation to believe you're behind somehow is no different. You're brilliant in specific ways God has called you to be, smart in ways no one else can be, and exactly in time with His purposes in your life. And what if your intelligence looks different than the "smart" you see around you? That's why I wanted to bring a friend on today (and next week) who is intelligent and confident in ways only the Lord can give. If you don't already know Jenna Raine; you're about to and you're going to love her. She's a fantastic singer-songwriter, artist, and performer signed to Warner Records ... Did I mention she's 19? She's a strong and brilliant young woman who has stayed right in step with truth about herself God has invited her to know. Then she's taken that truth and walked with it. So today, you may feel like you're behind. That's a lie and you're right on time. Find Jenna on TikTok here and on Instagram here . As always you can find me on Instagram here.And if you haven't already, SUBSCRIBE + RATE the show up top! 

A rainbow isn't just your favorite color in it or the one that seems brightest. No different, you are not one thing, gifting, attribute, character trait, or ability. But the lies of who you are and aren't start harassing you early and they don't let up when you're an adult. That's why we have to have to sift and sort through what we've believed to be true about us and our intelligence. Today, I have one of my great and longtime friends, Deana Morgan on with me. We're going to unpack a few lies we've both encountered in our stories and are often invited to encounter again. The reason? We have to value our own story enough to dig through it and go after the lies keeping us from being all of who Christ made us to be.  We're coming after the lie of “I'm not Enough” and you should join us!Also, please RATE + REVIEW this show wherever you listen to this podcast. I want as many people as possible to know they're smarter than they think. Your REVIEW helps make that possible! 

It's no secret the enemy likes to peddle lies— especially when it comes to how we think about ourselves. Intelligence is not quantified by test scores or diplomas although most of us might have a hard time truly believing that.If that's hard for you to believe, I get it. I've believed plenty of lies myself in the area of intelligence. But today, we're taking the lid off of my story and those lies so we can see some truth together. God's got a lot to say about how He made us and can I tell you something? He's got wonderfully true things to tell us about our intelligence. RATE & REVIEW the show wherever you listen to help spread the word and follow me on Instagram here to stay connected! 

First things first. WELCOME TO SEASON 2! I've been so encouraged by all the questions, convos, and feedback since Season 1  … It's clear how important this conversation is to have and I'm so excited to continue it. Today, I think it's important for us to reset the table somewhat. Understanding how God has gifted us in intelligence is wonderfully important, but it's not the same as understanding our identity— we only find that when we know who God is and what He does for us.Who we are is all based on who He is. So as we notice and define the intelligent aspects of ourselves, we have to first define ourselves in context to the One who made us. We are God's masterpiece creation, after all. When we define ourselves by movable strengths and personalities, we miss the actual identity we have based in an immovable God. Let's dive back in, shall we?As always, your 5⭐️ Rating and Review are a great help to the show. Also, follow me on Instagram here if you want another place to connect!

As we end this first season, I feel like this is the perfect place to land our plane ... bringing the Holy Spirit into every bit of our daily lives. Also, may I just quickly say, thank you? I'm so grateful you've been on this journey with me and although we're taking a beat. This is far from the end. Today I wanted to leave you with a holy challenge. Beyond anything, I want you to invite God into the way you think about the world around you, and the way you think about yourself in general. The most intelligent thing we can do is to surrender what we think we know for God's reality. A couple reminders as you continue your journey of intelligence:-You're smarter than you think.-God has something to say about every conversation you're walking into.-Make room at your table. People have more contribution than we think. -Go back and check out all the episodes you missed.Let's be friends and stay connected on Instagram in the meantime and I'll see you soon (@IriniFambro). My prayer is that this has been an encouraging challenge and a fun conversation. I believe in you and don't you forget it. 

Full disclosure, this might be one of my favorite episodes. Why? Because culture may be prodding many into deconstructing their faith, but it's not leading people through it. So today we're talking about it. God's not intimated by the conversation so we won't be either. The fact is this: when you feel disconnected, ungrounded or like you're wandering, unstable, and searching ... God says, "There's a place for that. I've got you. Your questions are safe, I promise. I'm not afraid of you taking all these pieces down because I'll be right here telling you which ones matter to put back in."There is so much meat in this episode so grab a fork. The unseen is constantly meeting reality and today, we're inviting the Unseen to meet OUR reality, whatever it may be. As always, I'd be so grateful for your rating + review on our show. Hope it's encouraging you! 

If the phrase "Spiritual Intelligence" feels ambiguous and abstract to you, I totally get that. But I promise by the end of this episode you'll have a tangible grasp of how to pull this intelligence into every part of your life. But how do we steward what God is communicating through the intuition, instinct, and counsel He gives through the Holy Spirit? What if you had a relationship with that "gut-feeling" you lean on? You can and He's ready meet you in each room. Today's conversation is an illuminating one I hope you don't miss. Although each intelligence is important, this is one we truly cannot live well without. When we healthily operate in this intelligence good fruit abounds. That's also how we know the health of what we're bringing- what fruit does it produce? This and so much more ... Also, if you have a sec, I would be so grateful if you would rate + review this show. It helps spread the word!   

Hey leaders, the uncomfortable truth is this: We're held responsible for stewarding the culture around us ... and yes, we have a high impact on it.  Having that said, part of taking responsibility as leaders means owning what we've contributed to the cultures we lead in. Continuing in an established culture, however unhealthy, is a lot easier than shifting it and that's a reality we have to face. Don't worry, we'll face it together.Our challenge today is to be a disruptor of unhealthy and dysfunctional culture. So what does it look like to do something differently? The first step is believing you CAN do it differently. And friend, you can. You have the opportunity to shift what gets handed to you organizationally and to correct un-health that's been allowed to grow.  But you can't do it alone. Listen in and see what I mean!Also, if you haven't subscribed + rated the show yet, what are you waiting on?! Catch me on Instagram @IriniFambro and I'll see here again next week! 

Cultures truly exist everywhere. Whatever "norms" your friend group has, how your family functions and relates to each other, even the hierarchy of who in a meeting is allowed to speak and when- it's all culture. But what do we do when we discover unhealthy places of settled culture in our lives? Truthfully, you can't steward what you won't claim to own and you can't change environments you're not invested in. If you want to affect the cultures around you then you have to look at what you bring to them. In today's episode, we're taking some responsibility and seeing how to build new cultural norms through empathy, language, and healthy dialogue.As always, this is just our launching pad. We're covering some important ground so join us for the ride! And if you haven't subscribed to the show yet, just head up top and click that "Subscribe" button! 

God hasn't made us to be victims of culture. Isn't that a wonderful thing? Instead, we're called to sense, steward, and influence the cultures where we exist. We have authority and a real responsibility to engage, and not passively, wherever we are. We're made to build bridges, to understand instead of judge, and to thrive in beautifully diverse environments. Don't forget, you're the gift. You have the fragment, now bring it to the table! Today's convo is an illuminating deep dive you won't want to miss. And speaking of things not to miss, do you follow me on Instagram yet? I'm @IriniFambro and I'm posting fun stuff all the time. Come hang out! 

When you think about time do you think about generations or the watch on your hands? Don't worry, both are correct! Today, we're continuing our chat and looking at how to employ the variety time offers us in experience, perspective, and history. Our organizations, our lives in general, benefit from a variety of contributors differing in age and background. Think about members of your team, family, friend group, or serving community ... There is a buffet of brilliance you can pull from and steward if you're willing. This is just our starting place, so let's begin! As always, you can find me on Instagram at @IriniFambro and I'd love to connect with you there

Timing. As much as we try to get away from its importance we just can't. The unavoidable truth is: Your past affects your present and your present sets a course for your future. Now if that last sentence stressed you out, just simply take a breath. We're talking about some truly good news today. God is not bound to our finite understanding of linear timing. His timing supersedes what we understand and I'm so grateful for that. You know what's beautiful? God is willing to sit with each of us and bring understanding to our past while intersecting each painful part of it with the purposes of our future. This and a whole lot more on today's episode!Also, don't forget to come hang out on Instagram and drop me a line. If you listen to the show, I'd love to hear which episode has encouraged you the most so far!@IriniFambro 

Timing. Quite an important thing, right? You might disagree on first glance, and if so, I understand. But let me ask you a question, how many times a day do you tap your phone to see what time it is? Timing is an integral part of life and understanding the stewardship of it is equally important. When do you choose to have that hard convo? When do you decide to pull the trigger on an infrastructure change? Are you seeing a pattern in your organization you've seen play out in years past? In today's episode, we're talking temporal intelligence and I think you'll be surprised by how crucial its role is in our daily lives. As always, I'd love for you to find me on Instagram if that's where you spend time. @IriniFambroAlso, if you'd like to rate and review my show jump to the top of my show page and let me know what you think! 

Regardless of what hierarchies and organizations communicate to us, intelligence is not a limited commodity. In fact, when the concentration of problem solving, brainstorming, and innovation is left to a small group of people, the results will reflect that finite contribution. In today's episode, we're moving past being task-oriented and burden-focused in our leadership. Instead, we're looking at the relational through line that empowers great collaboration. Leadership shouldn't be a pyramid, but a funnel instead. You have influence and contribution all around you. The question is, are you willing to do the relational work necessary to garner and steward those contributors? Today's convo is an important one for any and every leader. And guess what, if you're breathing, you're leading SOMEWHERE. So hop on board!As always, rate the show above, subscribe so you don't miss an ep, and follow me on Instagram if you haven't. @IriniFambro

"It's not WHAT you said. It's HOW you said it." The reason phrases like this linger in our lexicon is because there's something quite true hidden in plain sight.  It matters how we present information, what we believe, and how we feel. How well we are heard and received is dependent on a variety of variables. Is our knowledge from a trustworthy source? Are we presenting our thoughts in a way where they can be heard or are we using them like a battering ram? In today's episode, we're looking beyond information itself and seeing how best to hold it in our hands and daily lives. This one's full of truth bombs that might burn a smidge ... So get your ice packs ready! As always, subscribe on our show page and follow on Instagram for more connecting! @IriniFambro

Information is a powerful tool. It can be wielded like a weapon, held carefully, used strategically to build or tear down, and much more, but the point is simple: Information is valuable and using it intelligently might look different than we thought. If we think any intelligence we possess is the head of our lives, beyond Jesus and being submitted to Him, then we have made a god out of that intelligence. If we stay in partnership with Christ and submitted to his Godship, our intelligence multiplies health and life wherever its employed. But that's just the beginning so hop onboard and join today's conversation. It's one full of insight, revelation, and as always, some good laughs!If you're not hangin out with me on Instagram you're missing out! Press that fun little "follow" button and see for yourself. @IriniFambro 

Vulnerability by itself isn't so much productive as it is emotional waste. Vulnerability is meant to lead us to greater discovery and breakthrough; not be our arrival point. However, understanding what it looks like to employ a healthy sensitivity, awareness, and stewardship of emotions is tantamount to leading well. In today's episode, we're covering some necessary emotional ground. We have an opportunity to fortify health in our places of influence by allowing a healthy dose of emotional intelligence to the table. The good news is, it really can be healthy. Subscribe to the show to make sure you don't miss an episode!And if you're not hanging out with me on Instagram yet, why not? Give that follow button a click and see what happens! @IriniFambro

When we invite God's perspective and design to our understanding of intelligence, we see a much fuller picture. Today we're seeing how emotions intersect with every part of our daily lives. But more than simply looking at emotions, we're looking at how God's called us to steward them. After all, vulnerability is not an arrival point. Listen in and you might also have a few  "light bulb" moments. We're all learning together and this conversation doesn't leave much hiding room for anyone ... especially when talk about manufacturing peace for ourselves. We have had purposes for our emotions that were not God-intended purposes and today we're getting into it! Please RATE & SUBSCRIBE if you haven't already. It genuinely helps our show and lets us know who we're hanging out with! 

There's a difference between being emotional and emotionally intelligent. Now whoever you are, you most likely had a strong reaction to that sentence above. Either you're shouting "Yes" and "Amen" or maybe that hit you like a small pebble tossed underhanded but unannounced. Wherever this truth hits you today, know that this episode is meant exactly for YOU. Join us for a wild and fun ride through the landscape of Emotional Intelligence. You won't be sorry you did!Rate and Subscribe to the show above if you haven't already so you don't miss a thing!

If our definition of what makes a great leader has become like that soup you leave and forget on the back burner, then it might be time to stir the pot. In today's show, we're looking at some different styles of leadership and examining some of their patterns, weaknesses, and strengths. We're going to see what's wonderful in variety without flinching from what's less than great in rigid patterns. Oh and we're going to laugh a lot too! Join this Gen Xer and a Millennial for a real conversation about bridging gaps of distrust. What we learn is that “There is a responsibility of each generation to grow and move.” We are not victims to pattern. We have the ability and responsibility to change them when needed.I'd love to connect with you on Instagram too if you hang out there! @IriniFambro

Have you ever stopped to look at the patterns in your life? Possibly seen a through-line of behavior with a corresponding result? Patterns tell us a lot. Some might've been created, others allowed, some merely supported. However, we're not just talking about the results of these behaviors, actions, or how they're made. We're talking about seeing these established patterns in ourselves and being able to acknowledge them as the ruts they are. “Without recognizing it, we really are victimized by patterns.” That's why God has placed within humanity an ability to recognize and call out healthy and unhealthy patterns. That's why he's made us to live in community. That's why we can't thrive alone! But once we see a pattern or allow it to be pointed out; what do we do with this helpful information? We don't stay where we were, that's for sure. We're seeing where Numbers Meet Reality today!Rate + Subscribe up top so you're the first to get new episodes. Don't forget, stars are great but 5 STARS are our favorite! Follow on Instagram @IriniFambro for more! 

We all have a relationship with numbers, that's just the truth. Some of us love them, but a lot of us are less than fond. You'll be glad to know that today's conversation is about far More Than Numbers. Are we talking about logic and patterns? Yes. But we're also talking about our burdens, pain, and how we allow them to influence each other. Later on, we dig into vulnerability as a tool and look at how to healthily employ it. Practically speaking, we're going to discuss how to locate and steward this logical/mathematical intelligence in ourselves and others. Because the truth is, we can see and call out what's wonderful in someone else and every time we do we expand our table. Inviting and giving contribution, all the while knowing we're so much better together … That's wisdom and where we're headed in today's episode! Don't forget to follow Dr. Fambro on Instagram @IriniFambro to make sure you don't miss a beat! 

As leaders, we have the opportunity to design and create wells of communication that inevitably support the atmospheres we lead in. The way we use our words matter because people matter. “In the beginning was the Word …” And God, the Word Himself, spoke life into the void and life began. If we're made in His image we're made to create, speak, and pour that life out similarly. “Words either build bridges or they burn them.” Today, we're building bridges between you as a leader and the lives you lead. We're talking hard moments, ways to bridge relational gaps, and practical ways to gain more contribution and buy-in from your team. You'll be surprised to learn how small adjustments in communication style and approach can yield large results! Join us as we dive into this and much more! And if you're not following Dr. Fambro on Instagram yet, what are you waiting on? @IriniFambro 

Have you ever thought about the words and ways we speak with others as a well? Our language, how we communicate, are places we draw from and inevitably pour out on others. But what if the well we've been drawing from hasn't been the purest water? Today, we're talking about that intersection where Words Meet Reality and the truth that "There are some wells not worth living by." Come along for the convo as Dr. Fambro gives us some valuable insight and practical ways to engage in new languages; to dig new wells. And you know what's awesome about that? We have each other to help us along the way, to learn from, and grow alongside. We're covering that ground and more, so hop onboard! Also, if you'd like to help support the show, why not just go ahead and hit that "Rating" button? Those 5 stars can really be helpful! Follow Dr. Fambro on Instagram @IriniFambro to keep up with the show and connect!

Have you ever noticed that what we say is really only a part of what we communicate? That's because body language, tone, inflection, and space, paired with language, say much More Than Words. In today's episode, Dr. Fambro is giving us a three-dimensional understanding of linguistic intelligence and its importance in our lives. We're trekking through personality differences, Enneagram types, awkward moments, and how they all intersect with our communication. You may love talking to people and you may have a tool belt full of ways you can express your feelings or hear someone else's. That's wonderful. It's not your identity, but it's a beautiful expression. You may not love talking as much as others, expressing your emotions, or dealing with conflict. That's equally wonderful. Regardless of who you are, this is a convo you don't want to miss.Want another way to connect? Follow on Instagram @IriniFambro!

In this episode, we're finding out what it looks like to incorporate and search out multiple intelligence in our own lives. It's one thing to talk theory. It's another to talk application. But don't worry, we have quite a fun time doing it. Join us as we get real about the facts, “Our world is facing consequences because people are not awake to the full picture of who they are.” But when Your Head Meets Reality, you begin to see that each one of us hold beautiful fragments of intelligence we're meant to contribute. If God has made us unique, then He has made us all uniquely intelligent. It's time we live like it! If you're looking for more ways to connect, follow me on Instagram! @IriniFambro 

What if recognizing multiple contributions in others strengthened the way you lead? I'm here to tell you, it does. In this episode we're talking Intelligent Leadership. You may lead a huge organization, a home, a classroom, a community of people, or lead by wielding influence in a room— The truth is, we're all leaders somewhere. As leaders, we have a responsibility to care about what God cares about, “and if we're not after people the way He is we're going to be held responsible for that.” And you know what's wonderful? As we lead others looking for and welcoming their contribution we see that “Buy-in comes through relationship and contribution.” No one is supposed to have every answer and we're addressing that head-on. Enough with the lie that says “There is something wrong and needy about a leader who has to get answers from others.”Join us here each week as we continue our exploration of multiple intelligence and follow on Instagram for more! @IriniFambro

In this episode, Dr. Fambro begins by widening the scope of how we see intelligence in ourselves and others. We quickly see there's room for every single person around the table to intellectually contribute. By the end of today's episode, you'll be certain of it. Our lives, schooling, and backgrounds are not train tracks for our lives and they don't identify us either. They're merely part of the whole.Later on we see how this principle is echo'd in the way God loves. “When we pray for God to show up in a certain way God says, ‘You're asking me to show up, but can I choose how I do it?'” When we try to understand God's intelligence-design we enter a similar invitation. You may think you have a solid understanding of how brilliance is recognized and validated. But what if God sees it differently and with more colors, variety, and span than you've ever imagined? Because He does.