Podcasts about exhausted

Everyone gets tired and worn out. Many guys dont give themselves permission to stop. There's always the next thing to stop us from taking a break. This week the guys talk about the value of stopping and taking a moment to see where you are on the journey with God. He has designed you on purpose to fulfill something only you are created to do. The guys give practical tips to help guys connect and encouragement to make an impact in the lives of other men. They recap the Mens retreat and what God did during the weekend.   If you want to be involved and be an agent of change email us! info@knownlegacy.org   www.knownlegacy.org Chapters (00:00:01) - Known Legacy Podcast(00:01:42) - Question of the Day(00:04:11) - What Do You Do To Rest Your Soul?(00:06:31) - A Moment of Rest for the Soul(00:08:03) - Banning All Men's Retreats(00:08:17) - Bill at the Legacy Camp Retreat(00:12:42) - One Father's Trip to the Wilderness(00:15:44) - Wedding Band(00:17:14) - Rejuvenating the Body of God: A Week in the Life(00:21:11) - Mark Your Calendar(00:23:38) - Known Legacy Men's Conference(00:26:22) - Legacy Call to Action 2017

Geoff, Gavin and Andrew talk about one count, Portal 2, Riot Fest, deoderant problems, surrender position, VATS sports, grocery mistakes, bad search history, mouth tape, Burndog's art, grave, Nick's plane drink, Svengoolie, unguzzable, gross Starbucks, cake pops, Nick's concerns, It's Them or Us, mosquitos, Shadow of a Doubt, killer snail, Borderlands 4, 60 frames, menus, Pigeon patches, pigeon shirt, Larry King, and drawer ranking. PIGEON DROP livestream this Friday at 4pm CT https://twitch.tv/theregulationpod and https://regulationstore.co Sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/face Support us directly at https://www.patreon.com/TheRegulationPod Stay up to date, get exclusive supplemental content, and connect with other Regulation Listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam challenges the idea that exhaustion is always solved with more rest. She explores the difference between being physically tired and being energetically drained, revealing how misaligned work, relationships, and habits can deplete your life force. Listeners are invited to consider where their energy is leaking, why naps and vacations don't fix soul-level depletion, and how to shift into alignment that actually fuels vitality. You'll hear about: the difference between true tiredness and energy leaks why naps and vacations don't fix soul-level depletion how misaligned work and relationships drain your life force what it looks like to reclaim energy through alignment, not more rest Let's connect on IG: @samanthajoharvey @fullout_podcast ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Grab Sam's free POWER PORTAL GUIDEBOOK with 7 days of actionable steps to come home to you and unlock your next level. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOIN THE FULL OUT MOVEMENT: for the mom juggling a million things. For the entrepreneur chasing her vision with coffee in one hand a self-doubt in the other. For the woman who's doing all the things right, checking all the boxes, but the magic is missing. We're a community of women who nourish and celebrate you in your FULLness because we've seen the massive impact one woman has. When she rises in her power, she creates a ripple that wakes up every single woman around her.  This movement was made for you. JOIN US HERE. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FULL OUT FOUNDATIONS: Sam's self-paced course designed to help women rewire limiting beliefs, activate their true potential, and build lasting confidence. Grab it HERE and get $50 off with code ‘PODCAST' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wanna stay up to date on all things Full Out + get motivational content sent right to your inbox? Join our mailing list here. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab Sam's favorite daily greens drinks for gut health, collagen-building and clean energy.  Shop Sam's favorite Melinda Maria Jewelry. Use code: SAMANTHAJO for 10% off.  Tune in to the next episode of Full Out for weekly motivation and practical tools and tips to let go of your blocks, step into your power, and own that you are worthy of having everything you want in your life, business, and relationships. We love ratings and reviews! xo.

Many women start hormone therapy expecting relief from hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings - only to be frustrated when the scale starts creeping up. While providers often dismiss it, weight gain on HRT is a real experience for many. In this episode, Claudia explains why it happens, which hormones play a role, and what you can do to support your metabolism in midlife. What you'll learn in this episode: How progesterone can sometimes trigger water retention (even though it's a diuretic) Why estrogen balance matters for fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and fluid shifts The risks of too much testosterone and how it impacts weight and symptoms The natural metabolic changes over 40 that make weight management harder Key nutrition strategies: prioritizing lean protein, fiber, and smart carbs while watching hidden calories from fats The importance of gut health, daily detox, and pooping regularly for hormone balance   Links Mentioned: Ep. 67: Understanding Cortisol After 40: Why You Need It, Why It Becomes Imbalanced & What To Do About It Ep. 78: Undereating After 40: The #1 Habit Wrecking Your Hormones & Metabolism Progesterone Therapy & Thyroid Function Walking 7000 Steps a Day Oura Ring Optim Ring Pedometer to Track Steps Optimizing Adult Protein Intake   LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share with other women, so they can get the support they need in perimenopause!    CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA:  Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Inquiries   FREE RESOURCES:  Mini Training: Why You're Exhausted, Moody & Inflamed - And Why It's Not Just Your Hormones Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes Perimenopause Daily Checklist HRT 3-Day Crash Course   GET SUPPORT:  Perimenopause Clarity Session The Perimenopause Method Program Perimenopause HRT Roadmap Course   PRODUCTS WE LOVE: Equip Prime Protein (Save 15% w/ code: healthcoachclaudia) Microbiome Labs Total Gut Restoration (Save 15% w/ code: claudia123) BodyHealth Reds Powder Symphony Natural Health Melatonin Glow Below Vaginal Estrogen or DHEA For more products we recommend, click HERE.

Are you running so hard that life feels like it's about to swallow you whole? In Part 2 of our “Life of Striving”, we dive deeper into how to recognize striving and instead walk in God's peace and purpose. This episode explores how to identify your true values, set healthy boundaries, and create life-giving rhythms that protect your relationship with God, your marriage, your family, and yourself. Striving is sneaky—it disguises itself as good intentions, productivity, or even ministry. But left unchecked, it leaves us fragmented, exhausted, and far from God's design. In this conversation, you'll learn how to shift from over-functioning to peace, discover what “winning” looks like in your current season, and put rhythms in place that help you flourish holistically—body, mind, and spirit. Whether you're in a season of expansion or just trying to keep your head above water, these principles will help you pause, realign, and live with clarity and purpose.   love, Brittany    Ready to become a peaceful wife and Mama? Sign Up for the Pain to Peace Academy HERE. Come say hi and join the Morning Mama Facebook Group! I would love to hear your story and know your name.    ALL THE LINKS FOR ALL THE THINGS! Morning Mama Website Pain to Peace Academy Morning Mama Facebook Group Follow Us on Instagram Find a Restoration Therapist Come say hi by emailing hello@morningmamapodcast.com

Hey friend,  Do you drag through the day no matter how much rest or coffee you get? Could your “normal” labs actually be too low for you to feel well? What if the missing piece of your energy puzzle is as simple as vitamin D? In this episode, I'm kicking off a 3-part series on the shifts that helped me finally feel calm, energized, and clear again. Today, we're focusing on vitamin D. I'll share why addressing chronic exhaustion and fatigue isn't just about feeling tired, and how small, daily micro habits can make a big difference. Even if you've been told your levels are “normal,” you might still feel anything but normal. If you've been struggling with brain fog, sleep hygiene, or inflammation, this episode will give you insights to start feeling better and boost energy naturally. Resources and Links Mentioned: Chronic Health Coaching: HERE Free Facebook Community: Chronic Health Moms 156. Stressed and Exhausted? This 5-Minute Body Check-In Can Help You Feel Better Fast 149. Why You're Feeling So Drained — And the Free Fix That Boosts Energy & Mood 139. Having Trouble Sticking To Your Healthy Habits? How To Create Habits That Last   Connect with Me Email: hello@ashleybraden.com Facebook: facebook.com/chronichealthmoms Instagram: @chronichealthmoms YouTube: YouTube

Ever find yourself wondering why you still feel like garbage—even though you're eating clean, sleeping well, and doing “everything right”? You're not alone, and in this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why that happens and what to do about it. We often think that if we're checking all the “healthy” boxes—organic foods, 8 hours of sleep, daily movement—then we should feel good. But if your body's been running in a state of dysfunction or chronic stress for years, just eating cleaner or sleeping more won't fix the root cause. Here's the truth: your system has a tipping point. I use the “bucket” analogy—your body is constantly trying to process and detox what's coming in. But when stress, illness, loss, or overwork pile up, that bucket fills faster than your system can drain it. Eventually, it overflows. That's when symptoms hit: fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, weight gain, anxiety, thyroid issues—you name it. And here's what I want you to remember: It's not your fault. You didn't “mess up” your health because you had a cookie at the office party. You've simply reached the limit of what your body can handle right now—and it needs support to rebalance. In this episode, I share: ✨ Why your energy can crash even with a healthy lifestyle ✨ How hidden inflammation and thyroid dysfunction sneak in ✨ What stress over the last 5–10 years has likely done to your system ✨ My own story of burnout, Hashimoto's, and getting my energy back ✨ The foundational steps you can take today to start shifting things You don't need to overhaul your entire life. You just need to rebuild from the foundations—and I've created a Free Getting Started Guide to help you do that. This guide walks you through the exact first steps I use with my clients (and myself!) to start restoring balance—how to eat for your cycle, how to support your thyroid and adrenals naturally, and how to stop feeling like you're starting over every Monday.

(00:00) Tony Massarotti joins the show to share his thoughts on last night's loss(19:18) IN or OUT!(33:49) Tyler Milliken is emotionally exhausted and is here to vent.(PLEASE be aware timecodes may shift up to a few minutes due to inserted ads)CONNECT WITH TOUCHER & HARDY: linktr.ee/ToucherandHardyFor the latest updates, visit the show page on 985thesportshub.com. Follow 98.5 The Sports Hub on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Watch the show every morning on YouTube, and subscribe to stay up-to-date with all the best moments from Boston's home for sports!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are you running on empty—physically tired, emotionally drained, and wondering how you're supposed to keep going? You're not alone. So many Christian working moms push through the demands of work, home, and family, only to end up completely exhausted. But what if instead of trying to do more, you allowed God to meet you in your weakness? In this episode of Faith Led Working Moms, I'm sharing one simple but powerful practice you can begin today to find strength when you feel weary and overwhelmed. No long lists of strategies or complicated routines—just one intentional pause with God that can help refill your soul and remind you that you don't have to carry everything alone. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Why exhaustion goes deeper than lack of sleep and productivity tips How to shift from striving in your own strength to relying on God's power What a simple daily pause with God can look like, even on your busiest days The freedom that comes from handing your burdens back to the Lord If you've been running on fumes and need encouragement to keep going, this episode will give you practical, faith-centered hope. You'll discover how a single, intentional pause can help you find peace, strength, and the reminder that God is right there with you in your weariness.

Serving in women's ministry is a calling filled with joy, but it can also leave us exhausted and stretched thin. In this episode, Brenda, Christy, and Grace talk honestly about the weight of expectations, the creep of fatigue, and the struggle to balance service with rest. Together we'll explore how to find refreshment in God's presence and practical rhythms that help us continue serving with both passion and peace.----When She Leads is a podcast for women in ministry hosted by Brenda Leavenworth, Krista Fox, Rosemary Cady, and Kelly Bell.Email us at info@whensheleads.orgFollow us on Instagram at @whensheleads

Healthy disentanglement, lay down “weapons of war,” and personal iron rod—Host Maurice Harker shows how to stop over-relying on a partner for needs, end weaponized words, and anchor yourself in Christ-centered self-mastery. Learn practical tools: replacement thoughts for intrusive thinking, values-aligned boundaries without ultimatums, and a simple reflect-plan-act rhythm you can repeat daily. Subscribe for weekly tools, share with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find the show.lifechangingservices.org

Why do so many women feel guilty when they rest? I sit down with Elise Loehnen—New York Times bestselling author—to unpack the deep cultural and personal reasons women over-function, over-deliver, and burn themselves out. If you've ever felt like you have to earn rest or prove your worth through constant doing, this conversation is for you. We dive into the emotional and societal roots of rest guilt—why it feels “wrong” to slow down, even when you're exhausted. Elise shares how breaking her neck forced her to confront her own beliefs about being a “good woman” and why she realized that no one was actually demanding perfection from her… except herself. We also explore the difference between stories and facts, and how many of us live in exhausting stories about motherhood, ambition, money, and self-worth without even realizing it. Elise teaches us how to identify those narratives, trace where they came from, and consciously choose new ones that serve you. If you've struggled with performative motherhood, scarcity around money, resentment in your relationships, or comparing yourself to women online, Elise offers a compassionate, story-rich guide to healing. Her tools for turning envy into insight, fear into clarity, and busyness into boundaries are some of the most practical and powerful I've heard. You'll also hear: What performative labor looks like in motherhood and work—and how to stop How envy can reveal what you truly want Why women cancel themselves while men just keep going How to stop outsourcing your self-worth to productivity Why comparison, guilt, and burnout are often symptoms of deeper emotional patterns—and what to do instead Whether you're navigating motherhood, building a career, or simply trying to feel like you're “enough,” this episode is a warm and honest invitation to put down the pressure and pick up rest—not as a reward, but as your right. For more from Elise Loehnen, check out her podcast Pulling The Thread, her workbook Choosing Wholeness Over Goodness, or find her on Instagram @eliseloehnen.  Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz's book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now!  Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/. Use our discount codes from our  highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes.  To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: Seed (DS-01): head to Seed.com/LizMoody and use code LIZMOODY for 25% off your first month.  Pique: go to PiqueLife.com/LizMoody for up to 20% off plus a special gift. Shopify: visit Shopify.com/LizM to sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. LMNT: go to DrinkLMNT.com/LizMoody to get a free LMNT sample pack with any order. IQ Bar: Text LIZ to 64000 for 20% off all IQBAR products plus FREE shipping. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.  This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 369. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but still feel exhausted, anxious, bloated, moody or worse – you're not alone. In this episode, I'm breaking down why hormone therapy alone isn't enough for many women over 40, why it really requires a whole body, holistic approach, and what your provider may be missing. In this episode, you'll learn: Why HRT is a process - not a quick fix Common mistakes providers make with perimenopausal women How mineral imbalances and nervous system dysregulation affect HRT Why you may feel worse after starting hormones What we assess in every client before addressing hormones   LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share with other women, so they can get the support they need in perimenopause!    CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA:  Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Inquiries   FREE RESOURCES:  Mini Training: Why You're Exhausted, Moody & Inflamed - And Why It's Not Just Your Hormones Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes Perimenopause Daily Checklist HRT 3-Day Crash Course   GET SUPPORT:  Perimenopause Clarity Session The Perimenopause Method Program Perimenopause HRT Roadmap Course   PRODUCTS WE LOVE: Equip Prime Protein (Save 15% w/ code: healthcoachclaudia) Microbiome Labs Total Gut Restoration (Save 15% w/ code: claudia123) BodyHealth Reds & Greens Powders Symphony Natural Health Melatonin Glow Below Vaginal Estrogen or DHEA For more products we recommend, click HERE.  

If you've been doomscrolling and need a break, skip to the next episode. A lot is going on in the world and on US soil. It's crazy times we're living in, and while we try to keep things lighthearted, we're tired.  Rest in Peace, Assata Shakur, a Black Liberation Activist and revolutionary. Assata Shakur Passes Away via PBS: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/assata-shakur-fugitive-black-activist-who-escaped-life-sentence-for-killing-police-officer-dies-in-cuba   The Free Black Women's Bookstore PDF of Assata's Biography - https://linktr.ee/thefreeblackwomenslibrary?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwNGJ-NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp1bSxJNCcPtRZeEkb0pxmL5bhvR8WjMtkSUx-MH4XeLcBFUcIb0w7D-dgvj3_aem_mOIfRUHFWI0gYk2ipflzvQ   Workers Penalized for CK comments - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/19/workers-disciplined-charlie-kirk-shooting  

Do you have boundaries, or are you being walked all over? Heather Chauvin helps ambitious women courageously live, work, and parent on their terms. Whether through her coaching, speaking, or living it firsthand, she encourages women to challenge cultural expectations and rewrite the script. If you want to protect your time and energy, you have to draw boundaries in what you're willing to accept from other people. Boundaries, although sometimes uncomfortable to implement, are crucial for finding your aliveness. By taking ownership and taking action, you can build the life you actually want, which you'll hear proof of in this conversation. In this episode, you will learn about: Why it's okay to show up more messy than polished. What aliveness really is and how that exploration has informed Heather's journey. How women tend to struggle with their needs feeling like a burden. Why women become ragingly codependent (and how to solve for it in your life). The types of boundaries you need to have and how it supports your aliveness. How to relieve the pressure of rumination by leaning on people in your circle. Tips for building a life that's actually in alignment with what you want. Why choosing yourself feels scary, especially when you're a mom. What it means to be a wild woman: Refusing to self-abandon and choosing yourself, even quietly. Mentions: The Soul-First Time Strategy   Get 10% off your Sage Haus House Manager today! Use code: SAGEHAUSWILD   Check out The Pink Skirt Project, happening June 11-12, 2026 in Kelowna, BC, Canada.   Want to get unstuck, feel more confident and surround yourself with women ready to help you climb? Join The Pink Skirt Society.   Got a minute? I would love a review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap, and give me five stars. Then select "Write a Review." Make sure to highlight your favorite bits. Subscribe here.   Connect with Heather: @healtherchauvin_ www.heatherchauvin.com  Connect with Renée: @renee_warren www.reneewarren.com

George Bellshaw (from London) and Calvin Betton (from Shanghai) call in to have their say on all things tennis from the last seven days, with James Gray trying to marshal the troops. They discussed... Carlos Alcaraz wins the title in Tokyo, himself taped up from an earlier injury, against Taylor Fritz who was also carrying a leg problem. They both join Daniil Medvedev, Lorenzo Musetti and Jakub Mensik in the physio room, as the last stretch of the season starts to bite. Novak Djokovic is fit though, and has signed up to play Emma Raducanu blows match points against Jessica Pegula in Beijing Roger Federer talks court speeds Boris Becker on winning Wimbledon at 17 PLUS your questions answered on the BATS, the Californian takeover, coaching individual sports and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George Bellshaw (from London) and Calvin Betton (from Shanghai) call in to have their say on all things tennis from the last seven days, with James Gray trying to marshal the troops. They discussed... Carlos Alcaraz wins the title in Tokyo, himself taped up from an earlier injury, against Taylor Fritz who was also carrying a leg problem. They both join Daniil Medvedev, Lorenzo Musetti and Jakub Mensik in the physio room, as the last stretch of the season starts to bite. Novak Djokovic is fit though, and has signed up to play Emma Raducanu blows match points against Jessica Pegula in Beijing Roger Federer talks court speeds Boris Becker on winning Wimbledon at 17 PLUS your questions answered on the BATS, the Californian takeover, coaching individual sports and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join the TSC Waitlist > www.thestrongerco.com Join the free community and get access to the Christian Women Wellness Vault > community.simplefitnesshabits.com Are you feeling disconnected from your body, your strength, or even your identity as a mom? You're not alone—and you're not gone. You're just buried under the weight of life, expectations, and exhaustion. And in today's episode, we're getting honest about that. Join Shaela Daugherty and guest Aubree Felderhoff (host of the Mom Intentional Podcast) as they unpack how Christian moms can feel like themselves again, even in the midst of overwhelm, physical fatigue, and spiritual depletion. Inside this episode, we'll talk about: The real reasons you feel like you've lost yourself in motherhood (and why that's not a failure—just a sign it's time to reset) Why movement (yes, even short workouts!) can help clear your mind and reconnect you to your purpose How rhythms—not routines—are the key to sustainable health and peace in your day Why Christian moms need permission to care for their health without guilt or shame The mindset shift that helps you stop chasing perfection and start building strength from where you are Whether you're feeling out of shape, spiritually strong but physically worn down, or just miss the version of yourself who felt confident and energized—this episode will meet you right where you are and help you take one small, grace-filled step forward.

This week we are not together but at least we are on time this time. Gavin has been on a rare date and is suffering from it. He's been to watch a band he didn't know. We've been watching the Ryder Cup and are disappointed in Americans. Dan has been watching some films and brings us a coffee quiz and is upset that this weeks question got out of hand. Watch out for Gavin completely butchering the catchphrase at the end.   This weeks recommendations : Raised By Dope : Bruiser Wolf, Benny The Butcher Hardhead : LaReezy Torn : Sons Of The East Simply Obsessed : Field Music   Talk to us here : Email : betherewithbelson@gmail.com X : @therewithbelson Instagram : @betherewithbelson

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28. Our world is wired for stress, for activity, not for being sedentary.  When we live in a chronic state of stress, we feel exhausted and stuck.  What does it mean to simply rest and be beloved by God and know how to rest in Christ!? Jenny's guest shares how stress affects us and offers practical ways to decompress and focus on our inner self.  Anna Christine (A.C.) Seiple,  is a Licensed Counselor and Author of The Sacred Art of Slowing Down;  Find Relief from Rushed Living, Soothe Your Soul, and Restore Wholeness Within. She reminds us we are human beings, not “doing beings!” With all going on in our lives and the world, is it any wonder we are stressed?! Seiple encourages us to make deliberate decisions to tune in to what's happening in our bodies because this also impacts our spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing. We constantly move through a mixture of emotions in life—everything from fear, joy, pain, surprise, grief, rest, and panic” says Seiple. “These can overwhelm us. Freeze us. We can't stop the complexities of life from being messy.” But, we can make some changes! You can get connected with Anna at her website acseiple.com  and you can find more about her book. Her book is available at bookstores, Target and online.

In this episode of the podcast, I explore the power of simplicity in self-care and burnout prevention. I challenge the belief that only complex strategies are effective, emphasizing that simple habits - like phone-free sleep, walking meetings, and saying no to one thing weekly - are sustainable and transformative. You'll hear personal insights, practical tips, and be encouraged to adopt small, consistent changes for lasting well-being. I invite you to connect, share your experiences, and consider the “Exhausted to Empowered Formula” for deeper support.

What happens when you see behind the curtain of labor and delivery?In this episode, I speak with Rylee, a young mother who chose to freebirth her first child after working inside the hospital system. From the vantage point of the “business of birth,” Rylee began to question everything she thought she knew about pregnancy. That unraveling brought her face-to-face with the deep dissonance between what she was told was “right” and what her body knew was true.Carrying that knowing into her own pregnancy, she made the radical choice to step away from the system entirely. Rylee shares what it was like to work as a self-described “fearmongering phlebotomist,” to quit, and then to bring her baby earthside in her own power.Her story is one of unlearning, reclaiming, and discovering the strength that emerges when a woman finally trusts herself.What You'll Hear:Why Rylee walked away from working in a hospitalWhat it feels like to stand up to doctors and refuse routine proceduresThe hidden link between hospital “convenience” and high C-section ratesWhy even trusted OBs and familiar clinics can still feel wrongHow she found her rhythm and delivered her baby in a birth pool at homeThe joy of her birth: laughing while pushing, with her mother and husband as witnessesTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[09:03] Starting to question the hospital method and learning about freebirth[15:45] Climbing out of the system and trusting her instincts[19:57] Defying the doctors and reclaiming her sovereignty[28:15] Realizing that the hospital is a business[36:37] Choosing who she wanted at her freebirth[38:14] The psychedelic moment before labor began[45:40] Moving into the second day of labour, feeling tired, and calling her Mom[48:47] Exhausted, in a trance, and roaring through the portal of labor[51:32] Finding her rhythm and bringing her baby earth side in the pool[58:19] Getting out of the pool, the first cuddles, and delivering the placentaIf you want to connect more with Rylee, follow her on Instagram.Watch Rylee's birth video here.Find more from Emilee on Instagram, YouTube and the Free Birth Society website.Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact info@freebirthsociety.com. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms.

If you've been feeling anxious, burnt out, emotionally flat, or just off—this episode is for you. In the final installment of our Hormones, Happiness & the Holy Spirit series, I'm joined by certified Christian health practitioner Cristal DuBois to explore the fascinating connection between your nervous system, adrenal health, and spiritual well-being.Cristal brings wisdom and compassion as she explains why so many women feel stuck in survival mode, even when they're doing “all the right things.” We talk about polyvagal theory, the role of the vagus nerve, what adrenal fatigue really is, and why healing often starts with slowing down. You'll also hear how simple spiritual rhythms like Sabbath, prayer, and worship aren't just good for the soul—they're powerful tools for nervous system regulation.If you've ever wondered why you can't feel joy, connect deeply with God, or shake off the fog—this conversation will give you language, hope, and next steps.

Welcome to How Humans Heal! I'm Dr. Doni Wilson, and today I'm excited to introduce you to my friend, a pioneer in menopause fitness and the founder of Flipping Fifty, Debra Atkinson. She's been helping women exercise based on their age and menopause status for a long time, and now it's becoming way more popular. It's at the forefront right now, with everybody talking about menopause, their estrogen levels, and hormone replacement therapy. With Debra's expertise, we can talk about how we should be exercising when we're over fifty because exercise is different at that stage of life.  We're here to help you! LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:   Join Debra's “Hot Not Bothered” Challenge: https://gt281.isrefer.com/go/hnb10day/doniwilson/    Join Dr. Doni's Kickstart Program: https://hpv.doctordoni.com/hpv/hpv-kickstart-program   Sign up For Dr. Doni's Masterclasses: https://doctordoni.com/masterclasses/    Schedule A Chat With Dr. Doni: https://intakeq.com/new/hhsnib/vuaovx    Read the full episode notes and find more information: https://doctordoni.com/blog/podcasts/ MORE RESOURCES FROM DR. DONI:   Quick links to social media, free guides and programs, and more: https://doctordoni.com/links     Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are product links and affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no cost to you. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Feeling overloaded, discouraged, and overwhelmed? You're not alone. Today's episode will show you how to keep going and explore new possibilities for yourself, even during uncertain times. Mel's guest today, Kellie Gerardi, is here to give you the step-by-step process to building the life you want. Kellie is an astronaut and bioastronautics researcher who went from working coat check to leading research missions in space.  And Kellie doesn't just take you into space - she takes you into the real-life moments most people never talk about. She speaks about infertility, IVF, ambition, motherhood, and big dreams in a candid way you rarely hear discussed. Together, Mel and Kellie walk through 3 truths that will change how you show up to your life.  In this episode, you'll hear about: -How to keep going even during challenging times. -The question that changes everything: Why not me? -Why extraordinary things aren't reserved for extraordinary people. -You can become the person you want to be, but you have to act like it first. -Why hiding isn't strength, it's self-destruction. -Rules are made to be broken. -People will judge you no matter what you do. Let them.  Whether you're going after a goal, discouraged in the face of setbacks, or just trying to get through the day, this episode will give you the motivation, courage, and tools you need. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. Click here to get tickets to Mel's live tour, Let Them Tour 2026.If you liked the episode, check out this one next: A Process for Finding Purpose: Do THIS to Build the Life You WantConnect with Mel:  Get Mel's #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel's personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you feel tense all the time lately?Exhausted but wired? Snapping at the smallest things? Crying for no reason?You're not alone, and you're not broken. In this solo episode, Taylor dives into the real reason so many of us feel overstimulated and unsafe: we're living in a world of nonstop crisis. From tragic headlines and viral videos to doomscrolling at midnight, our nervous systems are being asked to process a level of global trauma they were never built for. Don't forget to rate and review The Chicks!

The final ballots were still being counted in the presidential election last fall when David French recorded a podcast with fellow opinion writer Patrick Healy. The theme? “It's time to admit America has changed.” Kerri Miller welcomed the chance to ask French to expound on what he meant then and what he's learned since when he came to Red Wing last Thursday night as part of the Philip S. Duff Jr. Civic Lecture Series. French is a conservative commentator, a constitutional lawyer, former senior editor at The Dispatch and an regular opinion columnist for the New York Times. His most recent book is “Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation.” He also is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

We live in a culture that applauds busyness and rewards hustle—but our daughters are quietly paying the price. Exhausted schedules, constant connectivity, and the unspoken demand to always “do more” are burning out today's girls long before adulthood.  In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden pull back the curtain on one of the greatest needs in our homes: true Sabbath rest. Far from being an outdated ritual or just “a Sunday nap,” Sabbath is God's gift to His people—a rhythm of renewal that restores body, mind, and soul.  You'll also hear American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus, Patti Garibay, share a powerful Raising Godly Girls Minute reminding us that if God Himself rested after creation, our daughters certainly need space to rest too.  Rachael and Melissa then unpack how families can reclaim this rhythm with practical, joy-filled ideas—from setting up a Sabbath Shelf to creating “Selah moments” at the dinner table. Together, they show how Sabbath is not something to squeeze in when everything else is done, but the very starting point for a life of peace, faith, and flourishing.  When moms model rest as worship, daughters learn that their worth is not tied to achievement, but to abiding in Christ. This episode will encourage you to build a home where rest isn't rare—it's the culture.  This Week's Reminders:  God made her for rest  Your rest sets the pace  Rest is worship  Scripture References:  Mark 2:27  John 15:4  Genesis 2:2–3  Exodus 20:8–11  Psalm 46:10  Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com. To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org. 

As busy moms we so often put ourselves at the bottom of the list.  We are so busy managing our home, shuttling kids, figuring out logistics, finishing projects, that we just don't have the time or bandwidth to manage our health and our needs.  There is a better way my friends, and that is exactly why I wanted to introduce you to our guest, Barbara Kris.  Barbara and I connected when we both spoke at the Busy Mom's Blueprint Summit in the spring.  Barbara Kris is a speaker, certified wellness coach, and founder of the Reset Method, a holistic approach designed to help busy moms over 40 lose weight, reclaim their energy, and feel confident in their skin again. With a passion for simplifying health in the midst of chaos, Barbara empowers women to break free from fad diets, hormone confusion, and all-or-nothing mindsets.  Drawing from her own journey and years of coaching experience, Barbara equips her clients with realistic, sustainable strategies that fit into full schedules and real life. Whether on stage or online, her message is clear: it's never too late to feel strong, energized, and in control of your health.  Pull up a chair and grab your coffee as Barbara and I talk about how moms can avoid burnout, signs of burnout, and practical steps you can take if you are feeling burned out, overwhelmed, and just don't know what to do Reminder: We have some fun things coming up this fall.  Our Group Coaching Program, Get Your Time Back 10 weeks to get your systems in place, and to create your dream schedule just kicked off. If you are sorry that you missed it and want to join the waitlist for the next round in the spring go to: (https://michellebyrd.myflodesk.com/waitlist)    If you are listening to this episode and need some help carving out time to work on your health goals, eating healthy or time to work out I would love to help you.  Here are some free options:  You can leave a message on the website www.byrdmichelle.com and I will answer your questions on the podcast (free coaching!) You can grab the free Productivity Planner that I use with all my clients  You can book a 20 min Discovery Call with me totally free and we can talk though what you need  As always if you have any questions or want to just say hi you can reach me at contact@byrdmichelle.com.   If you would like to connect with Barbara Kris, you can reach her at: FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008793461146 IG - @officialbarbarakris website - www.barbarakris.com Email - bk@barbarakris.com Ditch the Diet Guide - https://bkmethod.myflodesk.com/women40guide Burnout Self Audit - https://bkmethod.myflodesk.com/burnout I pray this episode blesses you! Michelle PS. If you need some extra accountability or help with productivity hacks, time management tools, mapping out a more efficient daily or weekly schedule, time blocking and so much more. We will break down what isn't working in your schedule, create new personalized goals for you, and determine the next new steps you need to take to have more freedom and live with more joy and laughter!  Grab a coaching call with me at: Email: contact@byrdmichelle.com website: www.byrdmichelle.com Free Productivity Planner - my gift to you! Just go to my website Come join our Facebook Group: The Busy Vibrant Mom

A lecture given at L'Abri Fellowship in Southborough, Massachusetts. For more information, visit https://southboroughlabri.org/ Charles Spurgeon commented that Psalm 131 is one of the shortest Psalms to read but one of the longest to learn. With the help of theorists Hartmut Rosa and Byung-Chul Han, this lecture will consider unique characteristics of our moment that might be playing a contributing role in our common experience of feeling anxious and exhausted. This lecture will also consider ways we might, in the words of the Psalm, learn to "calm and quiet ourselves." The Copyright for all material on the podcast is held by L'Abri Fellowship. We ask that you respect this by not publishing the material in full or in part in any format or post it on a website without seeking prior permission from L'Abri Fellowship. ©Southborough L'Abri 2025

If your planner is controlling you instead of helping you, it's not a failure on your part, it's a sign that faith isn't at the center of your planning.I've been there: every box filled, every hour accounted for, and instead of peace, I felt pressure. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Like I had to hold it all together.But here's the truth: planning WITH God changes everything. When we invite Him into our weekly rhythms, the planner becomes a tool for clarity, focus, and peace—not a reminder we're falling short.In this week's Finding Freedom Co Podcast episode, I share how faith-first planning transformed my life, especially during one of the hardest seasons I've experienced.Practical tips I cover:Start each week with a “God check-in” to see what's most important to Him.Build Sabbath rhythms into your schedule. Rest is commanded, not optional.Keep a prayer journal inside your planner to track answered prayers.Color-code your commitments around faith, family, and home to stay aligned.Your planner should be your servant, not your boss. Let faith guide your steps, and watch your week shift from chaos → calm, pressure → peace.Want help keeping faith at the center of your days? Join the 2026 Finding Freedom Planner waitlist → Those on the waitlist get first dibs on our limited inventory starting October 15th.PS: Loving the podcast? Take a few minutes and let us know by leaving a rating or review so we can keep providing free content to help you.Episode Resources: The Finding Freedom Co. Bible Study Guide DownloadsLearn More About The Finding Freedom Co. Bible Study Membership CommunityFree Resources ⁠Email Us⁠: thefindingfreedomco@gmail.com& Hey! Let's connect on social media. I love connecting all week long with listeners of the show!⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠Finding Freedom Instagram⁠

In this episode, Tina welcomes past clients Rita and Nicole to discuss their experiences with the Fit and Fueled program. They share their initial struggles, motivations for joining, and the significant changes they noticed in their health and fitness journeys. Both women mention how the HTMA test gave them super helpful data, from uncovering thyroid cancer to finally understanding the hidden stressors draining their energy. They talk about what it's really like to juggle demanding careers, family life, and still prioritize themselves, and how Fit + Fueled gave them a framework they could actually live with. Fit + Fueled is so much more than losing weight; it's about creating a lifestyle that feels doable and lasts forever. Fit + Fueled enrollment opens on Monday, September 29th. https://carrots-n-cake.mykajabi.com/fit+fueled Here's what you'll learn: - What life was like before Fit + Fueled, including low energy, stubborn weight, and frustration with past programs - The moment they decided it was time for a real, lasting change - Why Fit + Fueled stood out compared to other programs they tried - The “lightbulb moments” where everything clicked - How they successfully fit the program into busy, demanding lives - Advice for women hesitating to start: stop waiting for the “perfect time” Free Training: Hormone-Driven Fat Loss Method: https://carrotsncake.kit.com/5909f18b13 Connect with Tina Haupert: https://carrotsncake.com/ Facebook: Carrots 'N' Cake https://www.facebook.com/carrotsncake Instagram: carrotsncake https://www.instagram.com/carrotsncake YouTube: Tina Haupert https://www.youtube.com/user/carrotsncake About Tina Haupert: Tina Haupert is the owner of Carrots ‘N' Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). Tina and her team use functional testing and a personalized approach to nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jane Coaston, a journalist and former host of The Argument podcast at The New York Times who is now a host at Crooked Media. We talk about how she became a libertarian, the spread of far-right conspiracies, why black support for conservatives is growing, and what the mainstream media continues to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Friend, If you are a mom and you just haven't felt yourself since having kids. If you find yourself EXHAUSTED, irritable, and hanging by a thread. Or if it's been a bit since you raised young kids, but years later you feel like you never got back to a place of feeling well, today's guest has some amazing insight to share.   I do want to give a trigger warning for today's conversation regarding miscarriage. It is mentioned with minimal detail, focused primarily on the health surrounding the event.   Honestly, I believe the conversation offers hope and answers you may not know you needed to hear to finally feel well again.   I hope it blesses you! Robin *** More about Sara Moreira: Sara Moreira, RN & Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, helps women reclaim their energy and health after kids by addressing the root cause. With a background in nursing and advanced training in functional lab testing, she guides women to restore hormones, rebuild mineral balance, and align with God's design for the body. Through her coaching programs, Sara equips women with practical, faith-centered strategies to overcome fatigue, weight loss resistance, and gut symptoms so they can be feel better then they did before kids.   Listen to the "Hormone Health for Moms Podcast": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hormone-health-for-moms-hormone-imbalance-weight-loss/id1799480321   *** When you're ready, here are 4 ways I can support you in your health journey:    1. Grab my free 5 Day Sugar Fast Devotional In this 5 Day Devotional you have the opportunity to drop weight and sugar cravings while gaining a totally new approach to health that is grounded in Jesus. Download it here: https://madewellhealth.com/sugarfast   2. Join my free Facebook group  In this group you'll have access to years of resources I've shared along with the new content I put out weekly. Additionally, you'll be in good company with fellow Jesus loving ladies looking to live a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RobinRhineMcD/   3. Take the Healthy Cooking Made Easy Mini Course  This short course will show you how to enjoy healthy cooking with confidence by saving time, cooking less, and loving what you make! Sign up here: https://go.madewellhealth.com/cooking   4. Work with Me Directly Whether it's joining my 6 week course, the Healthy Weight Loss Academy or getting 1-1 coaching, I am all about SIMPLIFYING healthy weight loss and providing the tools and resources you need to create healthy habits you'll keep by partnering with God and following my proven Sustainable Health process. For more info and to apply, click here: https://www.visiondrivenhealth.com/get-coaching    

Comfort is making us miserable. ER physician and author Dr. Torkil Færø has worked in war zones, traveled to 80+ countries, and studied heart rate variability (HRV). What shocked him most? People with less often feel more alive.In this episode, we unpack the “happiness paradox,” why modern comfort breeds inflammation and burnout, and the simple prescriptions that can add quality years to your life.If you're a busy owner or high performer running on caffeine and chaos, this is your gentle (but firm) wake-up call.__________________________________________________________________________________________________Dr. Torkil Færø's resources:

Do you ever feel like you're doing all the right things—serving, producing, showing up, keeping it together—yet inside you feel drained, disconnected, or never enough? This episode unpacks the subtle ways striving hides under “good” activities like perfectionism, productivity, even spiritual disciplines. We'll talk about: The difference between obedience and striving Signs you're caught in performance mode How dysregulation fuels hidden striving Practical ways to check your motives and shift back to peace God designed you for freedom, not burnout. Let's uncover where striving has been in disguise and learn how to walk in truth, worth, and rest.   love, Brittany    Ready to become a peaceful wife and Mama? Sign Up for the Pain to Peace Academy HERE. Come say hi and join the Morning Mama Facebook Group! I would love to hear your story and know your name.    ALL THE LINKS FOR ALL THE THINGS! Morning Mama Website Pain to Peace Academy Morning Mama Facebook Group Follow Us on Instagram Find a Restoration Therapist Come say hi by emailing hello@morningmamapodcast.com

If you've done deep healing or gone through an awakening and felt totally drained instead of energized, you're not alone.In this episode, I share why your body feels exhausted after trauma work, what's happening in your nervous system and hormones, and why rest is a vital part of integration. You'll also get simple practices to support yourself.Tired doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. It means the healing is working.Check out my Signature Feminine Embodiment Program, the Shakti Method here.Join our free Online Shakti retreat here.Thank you.

Getting a good night's rest can be hard. A sleep expert helps you navigate advice from mouth taping to melatonin to cognitive shuffling and more. Aric Prather, author of The Sleep Prescription: 7 Days to Unlocking Your Best Rest, on what works, what doesn't, and why we might need to reconsider our attitudes to sleep.

Send us a textIn this episode, I'm sharing my personal journey through toxic mold exposure and the health challenges that nearly broke me as a mom and business owner. I'm joined by my nutritionist Dariella Gonitzke, who I met at BBD Live when I was at my lowest point. We dive deep into how stress, environmental factors, and hormonal changes can completely derail your health - and what you can actually do about it.In this episode you'll hear:How I went from a healthy mom to barely functioning due to toxic mold exposureWhy traditional medicine often misses the mark with exhausted womenThe connection between stress, mineral depletion, and why you might be craving salt all the timePractical strategies for supporting your body through midlife changesResources mentioned in this episode:Wellness audit - https://saravitanutrition.thrivecart.com/the-midlife-wellness-audit/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SaravitaNutritionWebsite: https://saravitanutrition.com/Meet DariellaDariella Gonitzke is a registered dietitian and functional medicine practitioner dedicated to helping women overcome persistent health issues—like hormonal imbalances, digestive troubles, and stubborn weight gain—through personalized, holistic care. Drawing on her own healing journey with hormonal imbalances and migraines, she offers science-backed nutrition plans, advanced lab testing, and lifestyle support to uncover the root causes of symptoms and restore vitality. With a compassionate, “test‑not‑guess” approach, Dariella guides clients toward sustainable transformation—so they can feel energized, balanced, and fully themselves againConnect with Dariella

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is Leslie Forde! ​​Leslie is the CEO and Founder of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs® and soon-to-be published Author of Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom's Hierarchy of Needs. Her business provides evidence-based tools to help moms reclaim their time and well-being from the never-done-list while also helping employers retain working parents and caregivers. Since March of 2020, over 3,700 parents have participated in her research study (the longest-running of its kind) on the pandemic's ongoing impact on work, care, and wellness. With more than twenty years in senior leadership and a decade focused on media and technology in childcare, eldercare, mental health, and education, Leslie is a sought-after speaker and consultant. She advises organizations such as HubSpot, Merck, Scholastic, and the Barr Foundation on how to retain and support parents, caregivers, and people of color. Our conversation explores the growing crisis of parental stress and maternal mental health, which has been made so much worse by a perfect storm of factors such as the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising costs, shortages in healthcare and childcare resources, and the unique challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent children. Leslie shares some insights from her extensive research on the topic, explaining how parents, especially mothers, are struggling to balance the demands of caregiving, household management, and careers, often at the expense of their own well-being. The guilt, shame, and lack of flexibility in the workplace make it especially difficult for many parents to ask for the support that they desperately need. Leslie highlights the critical importance of parents, especially mothers, prioritizing self-care even in small ways to build resilience and model healthy behaviors for their children. She provides practical tips such as identifying a daily "anchor" activity and being mindful of decision fatigue to help parents carve out time for their own mental, physical, and emotional needs. Our conversation also goes into the direct connection between parents' mental health and their children's wellbeing, and how, by supporting parents, we can have a profound impact on the whole family. This conversation offers a powerful and timely exploration of the parental mental health crisis, with practical insights and solutions that can make a real difference for families! Want a deeper dive into today's topic? Join Karen and Leslie for a ChildNEXUS & Mom's Hierarchy of Needs Joint Discussion; register here! Show Notes: [2:41] - Leslie argues that rising costs, long wait times, and poor support leave families emotionally and financially strained. [4:15] - Leslie points out how coordinating specialists, schools, and daily routines creates an overwhelming, often invisible burden. [6:13] - Mothers face worsening burnout as post-pandemic losses strip away time, resources, and support systems. [9:58] - Social conditioning and low workplace safety pressure women into overcommitment despite exhaustion and caregiving needs. [12:55] - Leslie asserts that many workplaces equate commitment with overwork, leaving parents afraid to ask for flexibility and support. [15:03] - Leslie points out how parents often feel isolated and ashamed when children struggle academically or socially. [17:39] - Many mothers feel trapped without partner support or financial means. [20:51] - Leslie asserts that ignoring self-care leads to burnout that harms health, family, and career stability. [23:46] - Exhausted parents struggle to engage with energetic children, straining relationships and shared activities. [25:47] - Leslie argues that parenting requires constant exhausting micro-adjustments, like juggling trains on endlessly shifting tracks. [28:36] - Dr. Wilson recommends Leslie's book for guidance. [29:11] - Leslie advises parents to establish a daily anchor habit and reduce fatigue around making decisions. [32:57] - Dr. Wilson points out that it's important to support parents of neurodivergent children while also encouraging their own self-care practices. [33:28] - Leslie agrees and reports that post-pandemic self-care has declined as responsibilities have increased and systems have become more strained. [36:48] - Leslie praises Karen's guidance for parents while emphasizing time management and self-care as very important. [38:10] - What is the best way to reach Leslie? Links and Related Resources: Episode 151: Parenting with ADHD: Insights and Inspiration with Holly Blanc Moses Episode 167: From Surviving to Thriving: A Mom's Hierarchy of Needs and Well-Being with Leslie Forde Episode 202: How Low Demand Parenting Can Reduce Stress and Support Neurodivergent Youth with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge Leslie Forde - Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom's Hierarchy of Needs®   Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Register for Our “When Struggles Overlap” Live Webinar Email Dr. Wilson: drkiwilson@childnexus.com    Connect with Leslie Forde: Email: leslie@momshierarchyofneeds.com  Mom's Hierarchy of Needs® Website Mom's Hierarchy of Needs® on Instagram Mom's Hierarchy of Needs® on Facebook Mom's Hierarchy of Needs® on Twitter Mom's Hierarchy of Needs® on Pinterest Mom's Hierarchy of Needs® on LinkedIn  

Ever called yourself lazy because you couldn't get back to the studio, the page, or the stage? The truth is—it's usually not laziness. It's creative exhaustion. And that difference matters.In this episode you'll discover:

If you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and your body feels “off” no matter what you do—this episode will connect the dots.We sat down with Dr. Lahana Vigliano to talk about the real reason so many high-achieving women are running on empty—and it's not just burnout. It's hormones, stress, and gut health… all working against you behind the scenes.********************************DISCLAIMER: This audio and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of our recommended products, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our show and allows us to continue to provide you with valuable content. Thank you for your support!********************************FULL SHOW NOTEShttps://thesmartinfluencer.com/e238-exhausted-and-pushing-through-this-is-the-wake-up-call-you-need/CONNECT WITH  LAHANA VIGLIANO Website Facebook Instagram YouTube TikTok Linked InCONNECT WITH CORINNE & CHRISTINAGet notified when new episodes drop Check out our YouTube channelJoin the convo on FacebookConnect on InstagramCOMMENTS, QUESTIONS, EPISODE IDEASEmail us at hello@thesmartinfluencer.comSupport the show

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the battle of Nanjing. As the relentless tide of war approached Nanjing in December 1937, fear gripped its residents. As atrocities unfolded in the countryside, civilians flocked toward safety zones, desperate for refuge. Under the command of General Tang Shengzhi, the Chinese forces prepared for a fierce defense, determined to hold their ground against the technologically superior invaders. Despite heavy losses and internal strife, hopes flickered among the defenders, fueled by the valor of their troops. Key positions like Old Tiger's Cave became battlegrounds, exemplifying the fierce resistance against the Japanese advance. On December 9, as artillery fire enveloped the city, a battle for the Gate of Enlightenment commenced. Both sides suffered grievously, with the Chinese soldiers fighting to the last, unwilling to yield an inch of their soil. Each assault from Japan met with relentless counterattacks, turning Nanjing into a symbol of perseverance amidst impending doom, as the siege marked a critical chapter in the conflict, foreshadowing the brutal events that would follow.   #167 The Battle of Nanjing Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. By mid-December, the landscape surrounding Nanjing was eerily quiet. The Japanese Army marched through what seemed to be desolate fields and mountains, but they were not truly empty. Civilians were scarce, with most having fled, but a few remained in their homes, hiding in cellars and barns, clinging to the hope that the war would bypass them. Meanwhile, thousands of Chinese soldiers, left behind and unable to keep pace with their units, still posed a significant danger to the Japanese forces. The Japanese Army had not truly conquered the territory east and south of Nanjing; they had merely passed through. Mopping-up operations became a top priority. Soldiers from the 16th Infantry Division, stationed near Purple Mountain, spent early December conducting these missions far from the city's walls. “Chinese stragglers may be hiding in this area, and they must be flushed out. Any small structure of no strategic value to the Japanese Army must be burned!” This command rang out to the division's soldiers as they spread across the countryside around Unicorn Gate. Soon, isolated fires began to illuminate the horizon, one for each home. Soldiers from the 9th Infantry Division, who were not directly engaged in combat south of the Gate of Enlightenment, were also conducting similar mopping-up operations. On December 11 at noon, one squad received orders to investigate a suspicious farm building. Although it had been searched previously, movement inside prompted renewed caution. The Japanese entered carefully, moving from room to room. In the basement, they discovered eight Chinese soldiers who offered no resistance, immediately raising their hands in surrender. Bound together, they were brought outside. Using a few Chinese words supplemented by sign language, the Japanese gathered that the Chinese had been in the vicinity where one of their comrades had been killed days earlier. Unanimously, they decided the prisoners should be executed in front of their comrade's grave. Some of the older soldiers hesitated, reluctant to partake in the killings, leaving it to the younger ones to carry out the order. Soon, eight headless bodies lay sprawled before a solitary Japanese grave.  On the morning of December 11, the first soldiers of the 6th Japanese Infantry Division finally spotted the distant city wall of Nanjing. They had been engaged in fierce combat for nearly two days, attempting to dislodge the tenacious defenders of the Yuhuatai plateau, the elite soldiers of the 88th Division. In a desperate bid to maintain their foothold on Yuhuatai, the 88th Division deployed its reserved 528th Regiment along with a battalion of engineers. Despite their efforts, the regiment's ranks had been depleted, filled with inexperienced recruits, and their leadership nearly obliterated, limiting their effectiveness. Under the relentless assaults from the Japanese forces, their defenses began to falter almost immediately. Faced with the stiff resistance at the Gate of Enlightenment, the Japanese shifted their focus to the Chinese Gate on December 11. Japanese aircraft were summoned for tactical air support, forcing the 88th Division's defenders to retreat behind the wall. This withdrawal occurred swiftly and somewhat chaotically, allowing the Japanese to pursue closely. Before the Chinese could regroup, 300 Japanese soldiers had breached the wall. Only the mobilization of all available forces enabled the Chinese to push the attackers back outside. Meanwhile, the left flank of the 88th Division, stationed east of Chinese Gate, remained outside the wall. Here, they clashed with elements of the 9th Japanese Division but faced intense pressure and were compelled to fall back. By the end of the day, the Chinese division had shortened its defensive line, regrouping in front of the city wall. Plans for a nighttime counterattack were ultimately abandoned, as it became clear that the division's soldiers were too fatigued to mount an effective offensive. Overall, it proved to be a successful day for the Japanese 10th Army. Further south, the Kunisaki Detachment successfully crossed the Yangtze River at Cihu village, beginning their advance toward Pukou. Its special amphibious training made the detachment ideally suited for the operation, but its limited numbers, essentially a reinforced infantry regiment, raised concerns at field headquarters about whether it could accomplish the task alone. Prince Asaka proposed transporting part of the 13th Division across the Yangtze further north to sever the railway connecting Tianjin to Pukou, cutting off a potential retreat route for Chinese forces that had escaped Nanjing.  On December 11, Japanese artillery shells rained down relentlessly, targeting both the interior and exterior of Nanjing's city walls. Administrators of the Safety Zone were alarmed to witness several shells landing perilously close to its southern edge. In a bid to provide some semblance of security, American and foreign flags were raised around the zone's perimeter, though their protective influence against artillery fire from miles away was negligible. The leaders of the Safety Zone faced an unexpected dilemma: how to handle lawbreakers with the city courts now out of operation. That day, they encountered a thief caught in the act. As Rabe noted in his diary “We sentence the thief to death, then pardon him and reduce his punishment to 24 hours in jail, and ultimately, due to the absence of a jail, we simply let him go”. Refugees continued to pour in, with a total of 850 having found shelter at Ginling College. Vautrin and her colleagues began to feel that their initial estimate of 2,700 women and children seeking refuge on the campus was overly optimistic. They were soon proven wrong. On the banks of the Yangtze River, hundreds of injured soldiers and civilians were lining up to be ferried across to Pukou, where trains awaited to transport them further inland and away from danger. Many had been waiting for days without food. While ferries made continuous trips across the river to rescue as many as possible, the process was painfully slow. As of late December 10, approximately 1,500 wounded civilians remained stranded on the south bank of the Yangtze. The Japanese forces were confronted by a fiercely determined enemy composed largely of young soldiers from the Training Division. These soldiers had the advantage of having been stationed near Purple Mountain for several years, making them familiar with the terrain. Additionally, they were part of an elite unit, groomed not just in equipment and training but also instilled with a sense of nationalism rooted in Chiang Kai-shek's ideology. Li Xikai, the commander of the division's 3rd Regiment, had set up his command post directly in the path of the primary Japanese advance, yet his regiment continued to resist. Despite the fierce resistance, the Japanese gradually gained control over the Purple Mountain area. General Nakajima Kesago, commander of the 16th Division, visited an artillery observation post early in the day and was pleased to receive reports that his troops had captured two peaks of Purple Mountain and were poised to take the main peak.  Yet there loomed a problem on Nakajima's right flank. A widening gap was emerging between the 16th Division and the 13th Division, which had advanced along the southern bank of the Yangtze. There was a risk that Chinese forces could escape through this lightly guarded area. The 13th Division was stationed in the strategically important river port city of Zhenjiang, preparing to cross the Yangtze. The Central China Area Army ordered the 13th Division to mobilize three infantry battalions and one artillery battalion. This new formation, known as the Yamada Detachment after its commander, Yamada Senji, was tasked with remaining on the Yangtze's south bank and advancing westward to capture two Chinese fortresses on the river: Mt. Wulong and Mt. Mufu. This redeployment alleviated concerns about the gap, allowing the 16th Division to focus on the city wall. As the sun dipped towards the horizon, one Captain Akao Junzo prepared for what he believed would be his final assault. He had been ordered to seize a hill northeast of Sun Yat-sen Gate that overlooked the city entrance. His commander told him “The attack on Nanjing will likely be the last battle of this war, and I hope your company can be at the front when the enemy's lines are breached”. The hill was fortified with numerous machine gun positions, reinforced with mud, bricks, and tiles, and connected by an intricate network of trenches. Dense rows of barbed wire lay before the positions, designed to halt attackers and expose them to machine-gun fire. Additionally, the area was likely heavily mined, and Chinese soldiers maintained a high level of alertness. Akao knew this all too well; when he crawled forward and slightly lifted his head to survey the landscape, he triggered a hail of bullets, one of which grazed his helmet. Around late afternoon, four mountain guns from the regimental artillery began firing on the Chinese positions, sustaining the bombardment for over an hour. By 5:00 pm, as the winter sky darkened, Akao decided it was time to launch the attack. Expecting close-quarters combat, he instructed his men to carry only their rifles and small entrenchment tools. With the entire company poised to move, he dispatched a small group of soldiers ahead to cut openings in the barbed wire while receiving covering fire from the mountain guns and the rifles and machine guns of their comrades. The remainder of the company advanced with swords raised and bayonets fixed. As they approached within about 700 feet of the enemy positions, the artillery bombardment ceased as planned. The enemy, still reeling from the ferocity of the earlier assault, scrambled in a panic from their trenches, retreating in disarray. Akao and his fellow soldiers pressed forward, cutting down any opposition in their path. Seizing the momentum, Akao charged to occupy the hill that had been his target. He found it deserted upon his arrival and sent a triumphant message back to command, reporting that the objective had been achieved. However, the reply he received left him baffled: he was ordered to withdraw with his company and return to their lines. Apparently, the regimental command deemed the position too precarious. Sensing that a precious advantage was being squandered, Akao disregarded the order. Before his company could establish a defensive position on the hill, the Chinese launched a counterattack. Lying down, the Japanese soldiers returned fire while frantically digging into the earth to fortify their position. Gradually, they began to form a rudimentary perimeter at the summit. The fighting continued into the night. Exhausted from days without sleep, many soldiers rotated between guard duty and rest, dozing off intermittently in their shallow trenches, reassuring one another that everything would be alright before drifting back to sleep. They successfully repelled all attempts by the Chinese to reclaim the hill and were eventually relieved. On December 11, after leaving his capital, Chiang Kai-shek took time to reflect on everything that had happened in his diary. He reassured himself that his nationalist revolution would persist, regardless of whether he held Nanjing, “Temporary defeat can be turned into eventual victory.” Yet he did not fear so much the Japanese invasion itself, but rather how the weakening of his nationalist government might allow the Communists to rise. He wrote about how his nation was on the brink of becoming a second Spain. While foreign invasions were undoubtedly disastrous, they could eventually be overcome, if not immediately, then over years or decades. Sometimes, this could be achieved merely by absorbing the outmatched invader and assimilating them into Chinese society. In contrast, internal unrest posed a far more fundamental threat to the survival of any regime. As we have seen in this series, going back to the mid 19th century, was it the foreign empires of Britain, France and Russia that threatened to destroy the Qing dynasty, or was it the internal civil war brought on by the Taiping? As Chiang famously put it “the Japanese were a treatable disease of the skin. Communism however was a disease of the heart”. Chiang could accept a humiliating but rapid retreat from Nanjing. In his view, it would be far more difficult to recover from a bloody yet futile struggle for the city that might cost him what remained of his best troops. A prolonged defensive battle, he reasoned, would be a tragic waste and could shift the balance of power decisively in favor of the Communists. This new mindset was reflected in a telegram he sent late on December 11 to Tang Shengzhi: “If the situation becomes untenable, it is permissible to find the opportune moment to retreat to regroup in the rear in anticipation of future counterattacks.” On December 12, tankettes cautiously plunged into the Yuhuatai plateau. Unexpectedly the Chinese defenders abandoned their positions and rushed down the hillside toward Nanjing's walls. Upon discovering this, the Japanese tankettes opened fire on the retreating Chinese, cutting swathes through the masses and sending bodies tumbling down the slope. Some Japanese infantry caught up, joining in the slaughter and laughing boisterously as they reveled in the chaos. A tankette column escorted a group of engineers to the Nanjing wall and then drove east along the moat until they reached a large gate, flanked by two smaller openings, all securely shut. A chilling message, painted in blue, adorned the gate's surface. Written in Chinese characters, it conveyed a stark warning: “We Swear Revenge on the Enemy.” The wall itself loomed three stories high, but Japanese artillery was already targeting it, this was known as the Chinese Gate. Now that Yuhuatai was virtually in Japanese hands, capturing the gate had become the primary objective. At this location, the wall stood 70 feet tall, protected by a 100-foot moat to the outside. All bridges spanning the moat had been destroyed. The area around the gate was heavily defended, with approximately one machine gun positioned every 50 yards atop the wall. Inside, the gate was reinforced with a formidable barrier of sandbags. Chinese infantry armed with mortars and small arms could fire down on the Japanese attackers while others had established isolated positions in nearby buildings that had survived the “scorched earth” policy. Taking the gate and the heavily fortified southwestern corner of the wall was the responsibility of the 6th Division. The division was deploying its regiments: the 13th, the 47th, and the 23rd from east to west. The 45th Regiment, the final unit of the division, was tasked with skirting the western side of the wall and advancing northward, aiming for the Yangtze docks at Xiaguan. The soldiers of the division had already formed a rough understanding of the formidable defenses they were facing. During the night between December 11 and 12, they had advanced nearly to the wall, gathering intelligence to prepare for an assault at dawn. As planned, the assault commenced. Field artillery fired round after round at the gate, but the wall sustained minimal damage. A Japanese tank rolled up, firing point-blank at the gate but producing no visible effect. Next, it was the engineers' turn. A “dare-to-die” squad, equipped with long ladders, crept as close to the wall as possible without exposing themselves and then sprinted the final distance. The moment they broke into the open, a Chinese machine gun opened fire, cutting them down to the last man. At noon, three Japanese planes soared overhead, dropping bombs near a Chinese-held building outside the gate. The smoke from the resulting fire briefly obscured the area. Seizing the opportunity presented by the reduced visibility, a large group of Chinese soldiers holed up inside attempted to dash back to the wall. The Japanese spotted their movement instantly, and every soldier in the line opened fire. The fleeing Chinese were mowed down like ripe grass, collapsing in heaps.  Meanwhile the battle for the Gate of Enlightenment was drawing to a close. On the Chinese side of the wall, confusion reigned regarding the overall situation on December 12. Chen Yiding, brigade commander of the 87th Division, had been warned that heads would roll if the Gate of Enlightenment fell to the Japanese. Hearing the sounds of fierce fighting on the edges of Yuhuatai and seeing the smoke rise from numerous fires on Purple Mountain, he was left in the dark about their implications, surrounded by the fog of war. Chen's troops had finally managed to establish a telephone link to the rear, but by mid-afternoon, it was cut off, likely due to a stray artillery shell. After dark, Chen sent an officer to his left flank to make contact with the Chinese forces there. The report that followed was far from reassuring. A unit from Guangdong Province was abandoning its positions and retreating north, attempting to exit the capital through one of the gates in the city wall. The officer had attempted to inquire about their destination, but the retreating soldiers ignored him. With neighboring units evacuating autonomously, a significant gap was opening in the Chinese line atop the wall between the Gate of Enlightenment and Sun Yat-sen Gate. A frightening possibility emerged: the Japanese could walk right in across the undefended southeastern corner of the city wall and surround Chen Yiding's troops before they had a chance to withdraw. The situation was becoming untenable, a fact underscored by the artillery fire raining down on Chen's position. Despite this, retreat was not a simple decision for Chen and the other commanders of the 87th Division. They had been garrisoned in Nanjing before the war, and the city had become home to many of the soldiers. Shortly after midnight, Chen called a meeting with his senior officers. After considerable discussion, they concluded that they had no choice but to withdraw. Nonetheless, Chen insisted that everyone sign a document confirming their support for this decision, recognizing the potential danger of taking such a significant step without consensus. After all, his own life had been threatened if the situation deteriorated further. Soon after, the Chinese began to move out of their positions. The Japanese were initially unaware of the retreat; all they noticed during the night between December 12 and 13 was that the Chinese artillery fire began to grow increasingly distant. By 4:00 am it had stopped completely. The few remaining Chinese were quickly overwhelmed and killed. In the end, the gate, which had cost so many lives during the seemingly endless battle, was taken almost effortlessly by the Japanese. Soldiers of the 9th Division, stationed outside the wall, scrambled up the slope created by the previous days' shelling. Once at the top, they thrust their hands into the air, shouting “Banzai!” so loudly that they believed their families back home in Japan might hear them. Tears streamed down their faces as soldiers embraced and shook hands, reflecting on the friends they had lost throughout the months of fighting, from Shanghai to their current position. They reassured each other that their sacrifices had been worth it for this very moment. On December 12,  the slopes of Purple Mountain  were ablaze. Zhou Zhenqiang, commander of the Training Division's 1st Brigade, led his men in a desperate struggle to maintain control of the mountain's forested peaks. However, they were being overwhelmed by the better-equipped Japanese troops, and Zhou knew it was only a matter of time before he would have to relinquish his position. Zhou found himself unable to obtain any information from his superiors about the overall situation, despite repeated attempts to contact the Training Division's headquarters. He dispatched a runner, who returned a few hours later with disheartening news: the divisional commander had left late in the afternoon. Other reports indicated a general breakdown in command. The elite 88th Division was in disarray, and an entire division of Guangdong troops, that being the same force that had abandoned the wall near the Gate of Enlightenment, had been spotted marching out of the Gate of Great Peace, seemingly intent on returning home. With indications of collapse all around him, Zhou decided to execute an orderly withdrawal from Purple Mountain, leaving a small contingent behind to cover the retreat. His troops entered through the city wall at Sun Yat-sen Gate and marched in disciplined columns through the streets of Nanjing, where signs of imminent anarchy were evident. Chinese soldiers were scattered everywhere, speaking a cacophony of dialects, yet they appeared to lack any coherent command. Tang Shengzhi's grip on the situation was weakening. Meanwhile Japan's 13th Air Group had been busy with the final stages of the battle for Nanjing.  In the morning of December 12, after raiding Chinese positions at Sun Yat-sen Gate, they  received new orders. Intelligence indicated that Chinese ships, laden with troops, were moving up the Yangtze from Nanjing. Japanese infantry on the ground could only watch as this prize slipped through their fingers, and the army requested air support. All available planes at Changzhou, a mix of A4N fighters and Yokosuka B4Y bombers, totaling 24 aircraft, were assembled for the crucial mission. The day was clear, providing excellent visibility as the pilots headed toward the section of the Yangtze where they believed the vessels would be, based on reasonable assumptions about their speed. At 1:30 p.m., 28 nautical miles upriver from Nanjing, the pilots sighted four ships. Trusting their military intelligence, they saw no need for further identification. Initially, the B4Ys bombed the vessels from a considerable height. One bomb struck the lead ship, a military vessel, disabling its forward gun and snapping the foremast. Then, a first wave of six A4Ns dove down over the line of ships, attacking individually. In total, they dropped about 20 bombs. Several exploded close enough to the lead vessel to damage its hull and injure crew members on deck. A 30-caliber machine gun on board was manned, with gunners stripped to the waist firing at the Japanese planes but failing to score a hit. Several of the A4Ns strafed the ship with machine-gun fire. After 20 minutes of sustained bombing and strafing, the result was utter devastation. The lead vessel was stuck in mid-river, riddled with bullets, aflame, and listing to starboard. Two other ships were beached on the right bank, while another sat stranded on the left. Satisfied with their mission, the Japanese aviators broke off and returned to their temporary base. Upon their landing in Changzhou, instead of receiving accolades, the pilots were met with reprimands. Why hadn't they sunk all the vessels? They were ordered to return immediately to finish the job. Though they didn't find the original targets, they stumbled upon four other vessels closer to Nanjing. One aircraft dove toward the ships, releasing a 60-kilogram bomb that struck one vessel. As the pilot pulled up, he caught sight of the Union Jack on the hull and realized his mistake; he had inadvertently targeted neutral ships. The other pilots recognized the significance of the markings as well and withheld their bombs. The vessel was identified as the SS Wantung. Soon after, the Japanese pilots understood that the ships they had attacked earlier upriver from Nanjing were also Western; three of them were Standard Oil tankers. The last vessel, which had sustained the most damage, was the USS Panay, a lightly armed flat-bottomed gunboat,  tasked with protecting American lives and property along China's longest river. The Panay had been instrumental in evacuating American citizens from the war zone in November and December. On the day it was attacked, the Panay was carrying four American embassy personnel and ten American and foreign journalists to safety. The ship's doctor converted the engine room into a makeshift sick bay, treating a steady stream of injured personnel. By the end, he was tending to 45 patients. The soldiers and passengers were evacuated in two small boats to a nearby marshy island covered in reeds, where they hid, fearful of further strafing. From their hiding place, they watched as a Japanese powerboat filled with soldiers approached the Panay. After firing more volleys at the vessel, the soldiers boarded it, remaining for only five minutes before departing. The American flag still flew from the bow at that time. At 3:54 pm, the Panay rolled over to starboard and sank in seven to ten fathoms of water. Cold and frightened, the survivors waded through knee-deep mud to a nearby village, assisting those too severely wounded to walk.  Meanwhile back at Chinese Gate, the mutual slaughter continued into the afternoon of December 12. The Japanese made no significant progress, although their failure was not for lack of trying. The commanders of the 6th Division had strategically placed the boundary between the 13th and 47th Regiments exactly at the gate, encouraging both units to compete to be the first to seize the position. Yet, despite their efforts, it became clear that willpower alone was not enough to breach the Chinese defenses at Chinese Gate. In peacetime, Nanjing's city gates served as entry points into a bustling capital, but in wartime, they transformed into heavily fortified and nearly impregnable strongholds. Any Japanese officer hoping for a swift victory would soon be disappointed; by early afternoon, the situation at the gate had devolved into a stalemate. The section of the wall manned by the 47th Infantry Regiment, located east of the gate, also saw little meaningful movement as the day wore on. Japanese soldiers, pinned down by Chinese fire from atop the wall, could do little more than take pride in a symbolic triumph. A small group of soldiers had managed to reach the wall and place a ladder against it, but it fell nearly ten feet short of the top. One soldier skillfully scaled the last portion, gripping protruding bricks and crevices of the nearly vertical surface. The entire Japanese front watched him with bated breath. He reached the top and unfurled a Japanese flag, but it immediately drew intense Chinese fire, forcing him to duck for cover. Soon, he vanished from sight, raising concerns among his compatriots about his fate. Later, it was revealed that he had taken refuge in a depression in the wall, waiting out the battle. The real breakthrough of the day would occur west of the gate. The 23rd Regiment was deployed there with orders to capture sections of the wall near the southwestern corner. It became evident that the wall could not be scaled without first bringing up artillery to create gaps in its solid masonry. A significant portion of the divisional fire support, 36 small-caliber mountain guns, four 100mm howitzers, and four 150mm howitzers, was assigned to this section. Artillery observers were also sent to the 23rd Regiment's forward command post to coordinate with the infantry and assess the effects of the shelling. By mid-afternoon, the artillery bombardment had created a ravine-like hole in the wall large enough for an assault. The 23rd Regiment positioned its 2nd and 3rd Battalions at the front, with the 1st Battalion held in reserve. First, the engineers undertook the challenging task. As the assault commenced, the rest of the regiment provided covering fire to force the Chinese defenders to seek shelter while the engineers charged into the 70-foot-wide moat. Once a human chain formed, they held up ladders as a makeshift bridge, allowing a company from the 3rd Battalion to rush across and into the gap in the wall. As the batteries switched to close infantry support, they laid down a barrage around the breach to prevent Chinese interference as the attack entered its decisive phase. The Japanese soldiers scrambled up the rubble, created by the artillery fire, which rose several dozen feet high. Shortly before 5:00 p.m., the Japanese seized control of the southwestern segment of the wall. The Chinese launched several counterattacks to reclaim the position, but none were successful. This action ultimately sealed Nanjing's fate; beyond the wall, there was nothing left to save the ancient city and its inhabitants. As defeat appeared imminent, more and more civilians sought safety in foreign-controlled areas, though danger still loomed large. Bits of shrapnel narrowly missed Dr. Robert Wilson while he operated in the Safety Zone. Every square foot of John Rabe's property became filled with families, many camping in the open with their own blankets. Some sought refuge under his large swastika flag, believing that this would make the area especially “bomb-proof” given the growing friendship between Tokyo and Berlin; they assumed Japanese aviators would think twice before targeting a region seemingly under German protection. With just hours left before the Japanese Army was expected to gain control, the residents of Nanjing made their last preparations, prioritizing personal survival. The brutal behavior of Japanese troops in conquered territories fueled intense concern over the possible fate of injured soldiers who might fall into enemy hands. As Nanjing's last hours as a free city unfolded, it became imperative for local hospitals to evacuate as many wounded soldiers as possible across the Yangtze. On December 12, doctors found a motorboat stranded on the riverbank, having apparently broken down. They managed to repair it and ferried several hundred patients to safety throughout the day. Throughout December 12, the citizens of Nanjing were subjected to the unsettling cacophony of heavy shelling, mixed with the roar of bombers overhead. By evening, the entire horizon south of the city glowed with flames. The sound of fighting emanated from all directions, continuing long after sunset. However, in the middle of the night, activity began to wan. Every few minutes, the muffled thuds of shells could still be heard, though their origin was unclear. For the most part, an eerie silence prevailed, as if the city was holding its breath in anticipation of the final onslaught. Chiang Kai-shek had indicated he would understand if Tang chose to abandon the capital. However, on December 12, he reversed his stance, sending a telegram to Tang expressing optimism that the Nanjing garrison could hold out significantly longer. In his words “If you do not shy away from sacrifices, you will be able to hold high the banner of our nation and our army, and this could transform defeat into victory. If you can hold out one more day, you will add to the pride of the Chinese nation. If you can hold out for half a month or more, the domestic and international situation could see a substantial change.” Tang adopted a hardline approach toward any signs of defeatism among his troops. When he learned that General Sun Yuanliang, commander of the formerly elite 88th Division, was leading approximately 2,000 men from the Gate of Enlightenment to the dock area, Tang acted swiftly. He dispatched Song Xilian, the commanding general of the 36th Division, to halt the retreat. When the two units met, a fratricidal clash nearly occurred. Fortunately, the 88th Division agreed to return to the gate and continue fighting. Whatever Tang's plans, they were rendered irrelevant at 3:00 pm,  when he received another telegram from Chiang, this time ordering a full retreat. Rumors that the Chinese Army had started evacuating Nanjing triggerec panic among many units. Thousands abandoned their positions and joined the throngs of soldiers and civilians moving slowly down the city's main avenues. The crowd seemed to have collectively decided that getting a boat out of Nanjing was the best option, and by late afternoon, a solid mass of humanity stretched for miles through the city toward the dock areas at Xiaguan. To reach Xiaguan, everyone had to pass through Yijiang Gate. This relatively modern structure had served as the main entry point for visitors arriving in Nanjing by boat in recent decades and now only half of the main entrance was open. A crowd of that size trying to get through such a narrow bottleneck was a recipe for disaster. Those unfortunate enough to be right at the front felt the crushing pressure of tens of thousands of individuals pushing from behind. In that densely packed throng, stumbling and falling to the ground was akin to a death sentence; anyone who went down was inevitably crushed by the oncoming waves of terrified civilians and soldiers. As chaos erupted, discipline evaporated entirely. Officers lost control over their men, leading to infighting among the soldiers. Pushing and shoving escalated into fistfights, and trucks drove directly into the mass of people to force their way through. Tanks, emitting sounds akin to prehistoric beasts, rolled through the mob, crushing many under their weight. Amid the madness, some soldiers, driven by frustration over the lack of movement, began shooting into the crowd at random. To relieve the pressure at Yijiang Gate, some units were ordered to exit Nanjing via the Gate of Great Peace at the northeastern corner of the city wall. Upon arrival, they found the entrance nearly sealed shut. Thick walls of sandbags had been erected around it, leaving only a narrow opening through which one person could pass at a time. Massive crowds fought among themselves to get through; even under perfect order and discipline, it would have taken the entire night and most of the following day for everyone to pass. In the midst of the frantic chaos, it could take a week or more. During the night of the 12th, a select group of Japanese soldiers, chosen for the offensive, stripped their equipment down to the bare essentials: rifles, bayonets, and helmets. They avoided any gear that could produce a metallic noise, alerting the Chinese defenders to their approach. Stealthily, they moved up to the wall, carrying bamboo ladders tied together in threes for added height. Ascending the rungs, they ensured not to make a sound that could betray their position to an alert Chinese sentry. Everything hinged on remaining undetected; even a couple of hand grenades tossed down the wall could halt the attack in its tracks. Reaching the top without being noticed, the soldiers quickly fanned out. Chinese soldiers stationed on the wall saw the swift dark figures and opened fire, but it was too late to thwart the assault. A brief fight ensued; most Japanese soldiers were too close to use their rifles and immediately resorted to their bayonets. The stunned defenders were pushed back, and the successful assault team established a perimeter, awaiting reinforcements from outside the wall. They didn't have to wait long. A massive assault along the length of the 6th Division's front line commenced at dawn on December 13. Japanese artillery concentrated its fire on a narrow section of the city wall, progressively working its way from the bottom up. Gradually, the shells formed a slope of debris that soldiers could use to scale the wall. A short air raid was executed, and after the planes had weakened the remaining resistance, a group of soldiers rushed up the slope. While their comrades provided covering fire, they climbed the last stretch, rolling down a rope ladder. Within minutes, 40 other Japanese soldiers had joined them. By 10:30 am, the Rising Sun flag was flying over the wall. The Japanese invaders were met with a horrific sight at the top of the wall. Beyond lay the grim aftermath of days of shelling. Some houses were leveled, while others burned. The ground was littered with bodies, some decapitated or disemboweled, and pools of blood surrounded them. As Chiang Kai-shek's order to abandon the city gradually filtered down to the troops manning the wall around Nanjing, things began to move rapidly.  By late morning on December 13, all the major entry points into the city had fallen to the Japanese. These included Chinese Gate in the southwest, the Gate of Enlightenment in the south, and Sun Yat-sen Gate in the east. The first thing that struck the Japanese soldiers upon ascending the wall was how starkly different it was from their expectations. They had anticipated a bustling city teeming with people, but instead, the area adjacent to the wall was characterized by farm plots, resembling countryside more than an urban center. The second notable observation was the complete absence of inhabitants. Cautiously, the Japanese soldiers entered the city they had just conquered, their bayonets fixed and rifles at the ready. Yet, surprisingly, very few shots were fired. After weeks of fearing death and injury, once the immediate danger receded, a certain stupor settled in. For most civilians in Nanjing, their initial encounter with the city's new rulers was uneventful. It took several hours for the Japanese to move from the wall into the urban parts of the capital. It was not until around noon that residents noticed the first groups of Japanese soldiers marching down the streets in clusters of six to twelve men. Initially, many met the conquerors with relief, hoping they would be treated fairly. Their optimism was bolstered by Japanese planes dropping leaflets over the city, reassuring residents of humane treatment. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. On December 9, fierce battles erupted, especially at the Gate of Enlightenment. Despite heavy fighting, the Chinese showed remarkable resilience, turning Nanjing into a symbol of determination. However, the tide shifted as overwhelming Japanese artillery and tactics began to breach defenses. By December 13, as chaos engulfed the city, the invaders claimed victory, but not without significant loss. Civilians, caught amid the destruction, clung to hope amid despair.

It’s true…life can be exhausting. When your problems feel like dead ends, it's tempting to just walk away. But with a new perspective, they can become starting points—to see life, faith, and yourself in a whole new way.

It’s true…life can be exhausting. When your problems feel like dead ends, it's tempting to just walk away. But with a new perspective, they can become starting points—to see life, faith, and yourself in a whole new way.

Clutter isn't just about messy closets or overstuffed drawers—it impacts our time, energy, emotions, and even our spiritual well-being. In this episode, I'm joined by professional organizer and author Robyn Reynolds, who shares wisdom from her book What Is Your Clutter Costing You? and offers practical strategies for breaking free from the stress clutter creates. We dive into: How clutter fuels a stress cycle that steals our time and focus The connection between physical clutter, mental clutter, and productivity Why clutter leaves us feeling drained—and how to reclaim our energy The concept of “residential productivity” and how mental clutter disrupts home management Practical steps for starting and finishing a decluttering project without overwhelm The metaphysical and spiritual significance of clutter, and how decluttering can become a form of self-care Robyn Reynolds, CPO®, was destined to organize—long before she even knew it could be a career. What began as a passion for tidying up her own spaces "just for fun" eventually evolved into Organize2Harmonize, a thriving professional organizing business . Today, Robyn is a Certified Professional Organizer, published author, and sought-after expert in the organizing world. Whether she's working with celebrities or families, Robyn brings a mix of professionalism, heart, and harmony to every project. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Robyn on her website and Instagram Pre-order her book What is Your Clutter Costing You? here If you want to enjoy the free workbook, e-mail your proof of purchase to the publisher at marketing@mangopublishinggroup.com and they will send it to you!

  On this week's episode of The Heart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with the radiant Tara Sun. Tara is an incredible author, podcaster, wife, and mom of two, whose journey of faith and entrepreneurship is nothing short of inspiring. Tara shares her powerful story of surrender: from being diagnosed with a chronic illness as a teen, to discovering God's unexpected plan for her life, to writing her debut book Surrender Your Story: Ditch the Myth of Control and Discover Freedom in Trusting God. She opens up about the tension we feel between “girl boss” hustle culture and living surrendered to God, reminding us that true freedom is found when we loosen our grip and let Him lead. We also get a sneak peek into her upcoming book Overbooked and Overwhelmed: How to Keep Up with God When You're Just Trying to Keep Up with Life—a timely encouragement for entrepreneurs, moms, and women juggling it all. With practical tips, biblical wisdom, and plenty of laughs along the way, this conversation is both soul-refreshing and deeply relatable. --------------------------------- Productivity Freebie: https://theheartuniversity.com/productivity --------------------------------- Honeybook: share.honeybook.com/heart  In addition to a FREE 7 day trial, get 35% off your first two years of HoneyBook! --------------------------------- Heart Apparel Shop: https://theheartuniversity.com/apparel  --------------------------------- Stay Updated with Tara: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/misstarasun/ - Her Podcast - https://www.tarasunministries.com/podcast - Website - https://www.tarasunministries.com/ Book Links on Amazon: Surrender Your Story - https://a.co/d/iKgvyti Overbooked and Overwhelmed - https://a.co/d/fDh5qAO --------------------------------- Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theheartuniversitychannel?si=33lzxpBA9UxKlgTE --------------------------------- If you want to connect with us and other listeners in the Heart and Hustle community join our Facebook group here. --------------------------------- “PODCAST10” for 10% off anything from The Shop! www.theheartuniversity.com/shop --------------------------------- Follow along: www.instagram.com/mrslindseyroman www.instagram.com/evierupp www.instagram.com/theheartuniversity  

Economist and Wharton Associate Professor Corinne Low shares the shocking data behind women's declining happiness, the “squeeze” of modern life, and the invisible forces shaping our choices around work, marriage, and caregiving. In this episode, we unpack: Why women still do most of the housework—even when they earn more How outdated divorce laws shaped women's career decisions and financial risk The caregiving and career “squeeze” that hits hardest in your 30s How gender roles and attraction patterns keep us stuck in cycles of burnout Practical, data-backed strategies to reclaim your energy, time, and joy ✨ This episode changed how I think about happiness and ambition and I hope it gives you tools to redefine “having it all” on your own terms. ✨ Homework: As soon as you finish listening, block out time for the activity that brings you the most joy (your “utility function”)—and protect it like it's a meeting with your boss. For more from Dr. Corinne Low, find them on Instagram @corinnelowphd or online at https://www.corinnelow.com/  Grab your copy of Having It All here. Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz's book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now!  Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/. Use our discount codes from our  highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes.  To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: Puori: go to Puori.com/LizMoody and use promo code LIZMOODY for up to 20% sitewide. Seed (DS-01): head to Seed.com/LizMoody and use code LIZMOODY for 25% off your first month.  Pique: check out PiqueLife.com/LizMoody for up to 20% off plus a special gift. Shopify: sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/LizM.  LMNT: go to DrinkLMNT.com/LizMoody to get a free LMNT sample pack with any order. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.  This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 361. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices