Podcasts about Expecting

Feeling drained, moody, or stuck on your postpartum weight loss journey despite your best efforts? In this episode, Brooke shares exactly which foods she avoids while breastfeeding and why. It's not about restriction, it's about nourishment that fuels your energy, mood, and milk supply. What to Listen For Why sugary drinks (even diet ones!) might be wrecking your energy and cravings The surprising reason your “healthy” fat-free foods might not be helping your weight loss What's really hiding in low-fat salad dressings (and the clean brands to try instead) The truth about energy drinks and breastfeeding safety Why margarine and certain oils could be messing with your metabolism Brooke's favorite 3-ingredient swaps for cooking oil that actually support your hormones How processed foods can drain more than just your energy What alcohol really does to your postpartum body Easy high-protein snacks Brooke always keeps on hand for busy, low-energy days Brooke's go-to frozen and sheet pan meals that make healthy eating effortless This episode is your permission slip to nourish your body better, not less. By being intentional about what you keep in your home (and how you build your meals), you'll start to notice more energy, fewer cravings, and real momentum toward your goals. You don't have to do this perfectly, just start with awareness. ✨

Nick and Jonathan debate if Mason Graham has been disappointing in his rookie season with the Browns.

Amy is solo for today's episode sharing what she wishes she would have known about labor and delivery. Amy has always been interested in birth and while her nursing career ended up taking a different route, her passion for birth did not end there. After having her 3 boys, Amy decided to further her knowledge and train as a doula. Every part of Amy's professional and personal life has led to her sharing all things pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum with the Expecting and Empowered audience!Amy thought she felt prepared going into her first delivery. However, looking back, she would have edited her preparation strategies a bit by studying up on the “normals” of L&D, especially the areas she feared. If you are in the same boat of having labor fears, please see the resources linked in the show notes below! Thinking back on her second birth, what Amy wishes she knew is that even if plans have to change, you will get through it! With the help of your care team, unexpected challenges or changes may happen but it doesn't mean you won't experience an amazing birth. Finally, reflecting on her third birth, a few things came to Amy's mind. Firstly, remember that each birth is unique! Every baby is different, every labor is different. And secondly, prepare yourself and your birth partner to feel confident in advocating for yourself and your baby. Things come up and knowing you feel confident asking questions or speaking up is key. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, we would love it if you could share it to your Instagram stories and tag us @expectingandempowered. As we like to say, knowledge is power, and we just really want to give more people the information that they may need on their childbirth journey!The Birth Partner 5th Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth For Dads, Partners, Doulas and Other Labor Companions by Penny SimkinExpecting and Empowered Prepping for Labor + Delivery Online CourseExpecting and Empowered Podcast Episodes 24, 38, 46, 67, 78, and 89 to empower you!Links & ResourcesExpecting and Empowered App - Enter code 'PODCAST25' at checkout Expecting and Empowered WebsiteExpecting and Empowered InstagramThis episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

Ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of starting over every Monday, promising yourself you'll "get it together" but never quite making it? In this conversation with mindset coach Brad Bizjack, we uncover the real reason so many postpartum moms feel stuck and why success isn't just about the perfect meal plan or routine. You'll learn how subconscious beliefs, emotional habits, and that sneaky inner critic might be sabotaging your goals, and what to do about it. What to Listen For: Why “I should…” thinking is actually sabotaging your progress postpartum The truth about toxic positivity and what mindset really means How perfectionism is the lowest standard you can set and what to do instead A powerful explanation of the “emotional thermostat” and how to raise yours The root cause behind comparison and how to stop it from derailing your joy Why celebration is crucial for postpartum moms (and how to start practicing it) The link between significance, self-worth, and your ability to stay consistent How to shift from “I'm lazy” to “I'm a mom who walks” and why that matters The subconscious beliefs that drive your behavior (and how to rewire them) Brad's simple formula for lasting success and how you can start using it today If you've ever felt like you're constantly falling short, this episode is your permission to stop “should-ing” yourself and start seeing your progress with compassion. Brad shares a powerful framework to help postpartum moms break through mindset blocks and finally feel worthy, energized, and empowered. Don't miss this chance to rewrite your story from the inside out.

(00:00-16:16) Jake Neighbours getting two goals after a good friend of his passing away. Audio of Neighbours talking about the win on Saturday and playing in his hometown. Jim Montgomery talking about on Neighbour's performance. Fielding angry calls at the 2Fox about not airing the Packers game. Looking back at the quarterback transfer portal situation from last offseason. Mizzou wanted Fernando Mendoza who opted for Indiana. Jackson can't watch the final play anymore.(16:24-28:35) Maybe some of Gabe's post game voicemails will cheer us up a little bit. Eating ribs in my underwear. Jackson doesn't see Drink going to Happy Valley. The absurdity of college coaches and hot seats in the current college football landscape. I'm not a jukebox, brother.(28:45-39:40) James Carlton is in studio and he's hanging in there. Expecting a lower scoring game against Auburn. Talking some of the questionable plays with James. James won't be making the trip down to Auburn.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

272. Pathway to Joy and Happiness in Parenting with Amy Rienow   Psalm 144:15b NKJV, "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!"   *Transcription Below*   Questions and Topics We Cover: Will you share your story of God revealing a spirit of perfectionism was sneaking into motherhood? How can we recognize our own spirit of perfectionism and what can we do about it? What is one thing you've found every mom needs more of and how can we get it?   Thank You to Our Sponsor: MidwestFoodBank.org   Amy Rienow's first ministry is loving her husband and nurturing faith in their seven children. She and Rob founded and lead Visionary Family Ministries, a ministry created to equip parents, encourage couples, and help families live for Christ. She attended the University of Illinois, followed by Wheaton College Graduate School, where she earned her MA in Clinical Psychology. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor. Amy has her hands full as a mom, partnering with Rob, and serving in the women's and worship ministries at church.   Savvy Sauce Episodes Mentioned in Episode: Special Patreon Re-Release: Discipline that Disciples with Dr. Rob Rienow Five Love Languages with Dr. Gary Chapman 87 Visionary Parenting and Grand-Parenting with Dr. Rob Rienow 182 Things I Wish I'd Have Known Before My Child Became a Teenager with Dr. Gary Chapman 220 Cultivating Healthy Family Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman 245 Stories Series: Miracles Big and Small with Dr. Rob Rienow 230 Intentional Parenting in All Stages with Dr. Rob Rienow   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook, Instagram or Our Website    Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:11 - 1:43) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Thank you to an anonymous donor to Midwest Food Bank, who paid the sponsorship fee in hopes of spreading awareness.  Learn more about this amazing nonprofit organization at MidwestFoodBank.org.   I'm thrilled to get to introduce you to my inspiring guest for today, Amy Rienow. Now, that last name may sound familiar because Amy's husband, Dr. Rob Rienow, has been a previous guest multiple times, actually. So, I'll make sure and link his previous episodes in the show notes, along with other episodes that we recommend in this conversation.   Amy and Rob are founders of Visionary Family Ministries, and they are parents to seven children. Amy is also an author, podcaster, and she's practiced as a licensed clinical professional counselor in the past, so she's going to combine all of this experience together, and her wisdom just pours out as now she's going to seek to encourage us to seek the Lord and follow His guidance, especially as parents in our parenting journey. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Amy.   Amy Rienow: (1:44 - 1:51) Hi Laura. I'm so glad to do this with you. It's been a while since we've talked about it, and I'm excited to be here today.   Laura Dugger: (1:51 - 2:00) Well, I'm thrilled to have you join, and I'd love to just dive in and hear how did Jesus Christ become your personal Lord and Savior?   Amy Rienow: (2:01 - 3:39)  I love that you start with that question. I grew up in a home with a Christian mom and a non-Christian dad, but they had made an arrangement before they were even married. She did have the wisdom to ask her husband to give her the domain of that, like picking a church, and he was willing to go with us as a family to church, even though he was not a believer, and that was very clear.   But she led me to the Lord when I was about four years old, and I grew up going to church, and that was my first. I feel like I never kind of have a lot of memory of not knowing Jesus, but I would say that my faith increased and became even more my own. I feel like it was always my own, but in high school, I went on a missions trip to Mexico, and I will never forget the experience of being in a very poor town in Mexico, and there was this horrible storm coming in, and all of us Americans were afraid of the storm, and we ran into the church while the service kept going on, and literally none of the Mexican people that were outside in the service, the storm didn't faze them at all.   They just kept going on, and honestly, that was such a pivotal point in my life where I was like, that is the type of faith that I wanted to have. I mean, it really cemented. I feel like that's when the Holy Spirit just helped me to know that that's who I want to be.   I want to be a person of that kind of faith in the Lord that is not budging when the storms come.   Laura Dugger: (3:40 - 4:04) Love that. Thank you for sharing, and since that time, you've added some people to your family, so I'd love to get a snapshot of your family right now and then share some more about motherhood, specifically in one of your books you wrote about recognizing that you had a spirit of perfectionism. So, I'd love to hear more about that because I think it's very relatable.   Amy Rienow: (4:05 - 6:43) Well, my family right now, I've been married to my husband Rob for 30 years. I have seven children, R.W., Lissy, J.D., Lainey, Millie, Ray, and Rush.  And R.W. is turning 28 this year. He has one little boy.   His name is Cliff, so that's my grandbaby number three. My daughter Lissy is married to Bond, and she's about to have baby number three, so that will be my fourth grandbaby. She has Avey, Bondy, and then this little new one on the way. And then my son J.D. just got married to Brooke last summer, so that is exciting. We're thrilled, thrilled, thrilled to have Brooke in our family. Lainey is graduating from Olivet. She graduated in three years, which we're really proud of. Millie is a junior.   Ray is a freshman, and Rush is in fifth grade, and I still homeschool those three. They kind of do part-time at a Christian school here, and then I homeschool the rest of the time. So, that is my current family.   It's expanding. As you will find out when you get to the stage, expansions come very quickly, and it's exciting, exciting times. But about that spirit of perfectionism, actually, even before I became a mom, I was convicted of a spirit of perfectionism because I had always been very critical of myself.   I had a very critical spirit. Just I don't know if it was, you know, the peer pressure, what those components are. I'm a middle child, but I just tended to critique myself very harshly.   And after I was married, even about a year, the Lord showed me how, because of my husband and I were becoming one flesh, I was really turning that critical spirit onto him. But then there was a book called The Fly Lady. She is a home organization.   I think I mention it in my book, but that is when I really began to understand that I struggled with perfectionism, and that's often what kept me paralyzed. It often keep me with that, you know, I would say engaging with that critical spirit, communicating a lot of criticisms, whether it be to my children or to my husband. So, that was, you know, so it started early in marriage, but by the time I was well into motherhood, I was really starting to understand what this was. What the critical spirit was, and it really was a spirit of perfectionism.   Laura Dugger: (6:44 - 6:52) Well, and the Lord met you there, and there is a story that you share related to picture frames. Would you be willing to tell that?   Amy Rienow: (6:52 - 9:07) Yeah. So, my daughter, Lissy, was graduating from high school, and it was classic me. I was trying to like get this massive graduation party together, and I'm sort of a procrastinator and life is busy.   So, it's like we are, okay, I got to get this done before this big party, this big event, and had a friend who was a decorator to kind of give me an idea of what to do. And so, my husband and really the whole family was kind of working overtime to get everything ready for this big event. And he had helped my, we had this huge wall that had to be that my decorator friend suggested a gallery wall.   So, we had all of these pictures up and I was looking at it late at night, kind of exhausted. We're talking about past midnight and I know it wasn't just my husband helping. I had JD helping.   I don't remember where I was, but we were just all working hard to get this ready for this party. And I was laying there as past midnight looking at that wall and so frustrated, like so frustrated because all those pictures I kept looking at like, Oh, this is going to be a mess. Like they're all, they're not like, you know, they're not command stripped.   Right. And so they're all going to be, I just felt like, what have I done? It's looking crooked already.   And it was so frustrating to me. And that is when the Holy spirit completely convicted me with just like, Amy, you should be looking what's in those pictures and not whether they're crooked or not crooked. Like, first of all, like all the family has been helping me with this vision.   Right. And it's not really their vision. It's my vision.   They've all been supportive of me in front of me. It was a wall of all the memories of all these beautiful pictures. And here I was so focused on my right angles and having it look perfect for the crowd coming in at the graduation party, as opposed to what everything on that wall represented.   And so, it was a very convicting moment to me of just like, I have a choice. Am I going to embrace everything in those pictures and everything my family's done to help us get to this special day? Or am I going to come in and be fixated on how crooked those picture frames look to me right now?   Laura Dugger: (9:07 - 9:19)  Appreciate you sharing that. And I'm wondering for any parent, especially listening, if they find themselves identifying with that spirit of perfectionism, what can we do with that?   Amy Rienow: (9:20 - 11:11)  It's a challenging one because I think our culture promotes it. And I also think I'm on the flip side of the positive side of it. Let me just say, I believe there's a vision of perfect in our hearts because we were created for perfect.   We're created for heaven. And the Bible says that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, or no mind has even conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. So, there's this drive for perfect that I think is very good and right.   And so, we don't want to give up like excellence, or we don't want to give up that we have that drive. The problem is that the enemy, in fact, I've actually done more research on this. There's really can be a demonic spirit of perfectionism where we're trying to create heaven here.   We're trying to think in our own flesh and our own strength that we can take care of all of our sin, take care of all of our flaws. We can take care of our children's flaws. We can take care of our husband's flaws.   That is actually from the enemy in the sense that we believe in our own strength. And you can look at that through history. It's basically a form of humanism that we can fix everything in ourselves.   God makes it very clear in scripture that that is not possible. So, I think understanding this tension, that it's okay to want things to be wonderful, that's not bad. But what's bad is when we leave God out of the picture and we put this pressure on ourselves and on the people around us to accomplish what only can God can do.   And we don't accept God's timing. We don't have patience with who we are, our sinful nature and really put our trust in Christ and not in ourselves.   Laura Dugger: (11:12 - 12:56) Let's take a quick break to hear a message from our sponsor.   Midwest Food Bank exists to provide industry leading food relief to those in need while feeding them spiritually. They are a food charity with a desire to demonstrate God's love by providing help to those in need.   Unlike other parts of the world where there's not enough food in America, the resources actually do exist. That's why food pantries and food banks like Midwest Food Bank are so important. The goods that they deliver to their agency partners help to supplement the food supply for families and individuals across our country, aiding those whose resources are beyond stretched.   Midwest Food Bank also supports people globally through their locations in Haiti and East Africa, which are some of the areas hardest hit by hunger arising from poverty. This ministry reaches millions of people every year. And thanks to the Lord's provision, 99% of every donation goes directly toward providing food to people in need.   The remaining 1% of income is used for fundraising, costs of leadership, oversight, and other administrative expenses. Donations, volunteers, and prayers are always appreciated for Midwest Food Bank. To learn more, visit midwestfoodbank.org, or listen to episode 83 of The Savvy Sauce, where the founder, David Kieser, shares miracles of God that he's witnessed through this nonprofit organization. I hope you check them out today.   You also write in one of your books that there's one thing that you found every mother needs. So, what is it and how can we get it?   Amy Rienow: (12:56 - 14:56) That one thing is joy, joy, joy. And, and I like to use the word happiness, honestly, because I feel like that happiness got a bad rap, I say, in Christian world for like a while, in my opinion. I don't know if it's still that way, but so often I heard sermon saying, you know, like we don't want happiness.   We want joy. Like there's these two different major things, like, you know, almost like a rejection of happiness for this deeper spiritual joy. Well, finally, the Lord really convicted me that deep, deep inner joy that doesn't show is an oxymoron.   Like, you really should see happiness. You should feel happiness. You should feel those things.   If you ever come across someone's like, oh no, I have a deep joy, but like, there's no evidence of it. Well, that's a red flag. That's a problem.   The Lord, you know, in the King James version, it actually says happier people whose God is the Lord. And I believe every mom desires that happiness. And sometimes they don't even really know that that's the most important element that they want in their home, you know, because it's so easy to get, I don't know, sidetracked on things that feel more important that you kind of forget how important happiness is.   And, you know, we can take it for granted. I feel like very easily because often when our kids are little and we don't have not entered that world of, whether it be academic or whatever into the greater world, let's just say in your home, you can kind of have like a natural happiness and joy that's just there, but it's so easily stifled. When we start putting our self into the world of either comparing ourselves to other moms, comparing our kids to other kids, stressing about the expectations or what we think our kids need.   We can often find that happiness slipping away. And I believe we do not want that to happen in our homes and in our hearts.   Laura Dugger: (14:57 - 15:08) And so how can we get more of that, both as parents and how can we train our kids to be happy and joyful as well?   Amy Rienow: (15:09 - 17:18) It's such a good question and a hard question. Cause I don't think it's just like we can snap our fingers and just do that. I think that it's really important that we are seeking the Lord and helping him order our priorities.   You know, God gave us 10 commandments for a reason. And if you look at the first one, it says, “You know, you'll have no other gods before me, you'll keep him first.” And part of the reason why I think that commandment is both like the first and also in many ways, very abstract, like, you know what I mean?   How do you even do that? You know, it's confusing, I think, but I think that's what the Lord wants is of a seeking of helping us keep him first. Because when we help to keep God first, number one, and number two, we don't have idols that we bow down to, that we place above him. Like, let's take an example of motherhood.   Let's say the idol might be, um, I have to have super smart children. Let's put it that way. You know, your joy is going to be robbed when you keep sacrificing to that idol, because that's a trap.   Like the enemy wants to trap you there to make the wrong sacrifices. And that is why I think God knows this. Like he's telling us right in those 10 commandments, you know, you need to keep me first.   You can have no, do not worship to idols. Because when you're making the sacrifices to eternal God, who is the author of joy, the author of love, the author of peace, those are the things he gives back to you. No other idol can give you peace.   No other idol can give you joy. So, I think when we look at the lack of joy that we see in a lot of our homes in our culture, it's because we've been ensnared into an idolatry where we're making the wrong sacrifices. We're sacrificing things that we don't realize the consequence of that until we're in it.   And we're like, wait, this didn't produce the happiness and joy that I expected it to produce. Cause we were tricked.   Laura Dugger: (17:19 - 17:27) Do you have any examples from your own life or friend's stories where that really comes to life?   Amy Rienow: (17:27 - 21:22) Oh boy. There's lots of examples and lots of friends stories, but I'm going to say one that's more of a story that I'm well aware of and not, you know, personally walk hand with. But I think it's always struck with me because it was so painful story. You know, I grew up, I've raised a lot of athletes in my home and my son, especially my first born very athletic boy.   And we were kind of at the beginning of the cusp of how important travel was, you know what I mean? Travel baseball and travel, you know, sports in general. And there's that pressure.   You need to choose this. You need to do this or else you are going to, you know, ruin the advantages for your child. If you don't do this, even if choosing that is going to mean you're going to sacrifice family time, you're going to sacrifice finances.   You are going to sacrifice your Sundays. I could go on and on. The world will tell you you have to do this in order to get to the prize that you're looking for, or your son is going to be disadvantaged.   If you don't choose that. And it took a lot to be like, no, we're not going to make, we're not going to make that trade. And there was a lot of pressure.   There's a lot of pressure with our son, you know what I mean? With him feeling sometimes neglected and having to deal in that relationship. So, it's not like that's immediate happiness or immediate joy, you know, but what did it did allow us to disciple him through all that.   It allowed us to see God, you know, use him, whatever team he was on, give him a lot of joy in sports. The blessing of it is that we saw him in high school, you know, excel in baseball, always rise to the top, win character awards. He eventually did go on to play college baseball and AIA, not like D1, but he got to play, got to use that gift to pay for his education.   But most importantly, he was a joyful, happy kid. Baseball didn't control his life. And I just praise God for that.   And in contrast, he, at the same, his age, same age level, there were these two boys who were twins were very well known for being top, top, top, top players. And they were just elevated in many circles we were in. And, you know, you, when you're in the baseball world, baseball moms will understand this, you know who the top players are.   You see the name, like, you know, when your son's in the paper for something, you know, he was listed in the number of top of DuPage kids. And obviously that's a feather in your cap and you're really proud of that. These boys were top of the top D1, but I'll never forget.   They went to different D1 schools and one of them ended up taking his own life his freshman year. I believe it just the most devastating thing. I could not, I cannot speak to any of those situations.   I don't know his family background. I do not know any history of at all. All I can say is it hit me really hard in the sense that these were the boys that so many parents were envying, envying of their success and of their status.   And that was so jolting to, to know that they'd received, you know, hit so many of these incredible hurdles that every parent thinks they want their kids to achieve. But obviously there was something amiss because there was a lack of joy, lack of happiness. I don't know the whole story.   But that just strikes me again of just how important it is to again, go back to keeping God first, make sure you're making the right sacrifices.   Laura Dugger: (21:23 - 22:43) That's a good word. It's such a sobering story, but making sure we're making the right sacrifices or really listening to God's counsel. That reminds me where I was this morning, Psalm 25.   I read it in the amplified version, but it was talking specifically that some of his guidance comes from his word. Like it's amazing. It's incredible.   It's important to pray and to be around others who are godly and do other spiritual rhythms, but there's nothing like reading his word to hear from him. And let me try and find the verses. Verse 14 in the amplified version says, “The secret of the wise counsel of the Lord is for those who fear him and he will let them know his covenant and reveal to them through his word, it's deep inner meaning.”   And the next verse, just the first part goes on to say, “My eyes are continually toward the Lord.” And that was such powerful takeaway this morning, but then I'm hearing it through the way that these lives played out. Because when you look, is it my understanding correct?   That you did travel sports, but they were not, your children chose not to do Sundays.   Amy Rienow: (22:44 - 25:52) Well, we did not even do travel sports for my oldest. It was back in the day when park district actually, you could, you know, like there were enough kids. So, we, my son did only park district all the way through eighth grade, but then he kind of, because he was like young for his age, he had one sort of gap year in between high school before he started like high school sports.   And that's when he did play a travel sport. We found one that honestly was not good at all. I don't think the level was any better than park district, but they accepted the no Sunday situation.   So, that's what we did. And you know, it was a losing team. Like he was on losing teams, like most of his baseball career until he got to high school.   So, it really was you know, the opposite of what the world said he needed. And yet he was able to, to rise and, and achieve. And honestly his high school experience was being able to always, he was a starter all the time and he his teams won.   So, it was like years of like, not, you know, kind of paying these prices I would say. And that's neither here or there. The winning or the losing is really not important.   The important was keeping baseball in its proper place, enjoying the gifts that God has given you, not letting, listening to the world. I'll just throw this in because we are what you said about sound. First of all, I love the amplified version.   So, that blessed me that you read the amplified, but you know, seeking the council, you, we must be as parents in his word, like regularly listening to how he's speaking to us because we also, it's so interesting. Rob and I live in a very interesting world. We had one foot, especially back then, one foot in the homeschool world, one foot in the public school area, public school community, lots of public school friends.   And then also the Christian school is where my son played. But you know, if we'd go to homeschool conference, there were tons of messages that you should not have your kids in sports at all. Sports are wrong.   Sports are a waste of time, you know? So, that was a strong message of sort of like condemnation almost for being in sports at all. So, my point is there was no one community that said, okay, this is the way, you know what I mean?   We had to seek the Lord, you know, for ourselves, for our family, for our son, knowing this was his love and his giftedness and continue to look for wisdom and how he should grow in those gifts. You know, and how he wanted to use it in his life, but not let it take over his life. And isn't that the lesson for all of us?   So, anyway, it depended on that seeking the counsel of him, both myself with my husband and then also with our W. It wasn't like we kept him out of the picture. We were praying the three of us for wisdom and all those things.   Laura Dugger: (25:53 - 26:42) I love hearing that because you're right. It's not about black and white decision of travel sports are always wrong or always right. But the main takeaway is seek the Lord because he has wisdom for our individual unique situation.   And I want to go back and close a few other loops. Sure. Please.   One of those being that even with perfectionism or with comparison or when we're choosing godly values that may contradict worldly values, I'm hearing a theme that there's a, it's a fight and that there's a spiritual battle. And you even said you had researched some of this, Amy, how do you personally learn about that and be aware of the spiritual realm?   Amy Rienow: (26:44 - 30:42) We, we really, I can't say it enough that we do need to be so aware of the spiritual realm. I didn't understand. I didn't understand in my early years of parenting at how important that was to pay attention to.   And here's the thing there's, I feel like there's the Lord brings us on a path along the way with the knowledge we need at the time. And then he wants us to stretch and grow and learn a little bit more. So, there was a season in my life.   When especially we began homeschooling, the Lord brought us into all these new teachings that we didn't really understand was so powerful. It was so wonderful. We were very blessed by all of those teaching and the conferences that we were attending.   But what began to happen for me is that the perfectionism that I knew was there kind of gotten folded into that teaching because all of a sudden I kind of wore as a spiritual, like pride that I, I called it my noble list. Now I, when I talk about my book, Not So Perfect Mom, I, this is not in the book, but this is part of my talks. Like I kind of replaced the world's list of great athlete, great, you know, so smart, all those things with my noble list.   My child will have wonderful character. My child will read God's word. My child will know what it means to serve, but you see what I mean?   We're still dealing with a list. God had to call me out of that way of thinking back to the importance of a relationship with him, meaning for myself and meaning for my kids. Because when my oldest was 12, I was starting to see that we could be raising a Pharisee. If we keep focusing on this noble list, like if he knows all of his Proverbs, if he obeys perfectly, if he, you know what I mean?   Like life is not supposed to be, God never called us to do that. He desires a daily relationship with us. And that's what he desires for our kids.   So, that was beginning to suffocate my oldest for sure. And my, I would say, and my daughter right underneath him because they felt the weight of this, you know, we need to arise to this, this standard. So, like that perfectionism can take on this, this type of robe that makes you feel very noble about it.   Especially if you're in certain circles, like spiritual circles, where if your kids look right, dress right. You know, say yes, ma'am and yes, sir. Then we're all assuming that they're wonderful and we're not really getting to the heart underneath, but that is, there's a tension and a spiritual battle.   That's far. That's super important to pay attention to. And the way the Lord showed that to me is that I would often say the phrase in conversation.   Oh, it's a battle. Oh, it's a battle. We're in a battle.   I'm the Lord. I don't know what they gave me a vision. That's too strong word, but I had this sort of, I, I guess it's a vision.   I imagine that I was on, I was sitting in a coffee, like at a table with a friend drinking coffee. And we were just, you know, chatting and yet that coffee table was in the middle of this bloody battlefield. And the Lord was just kind of showing me, this is how your attitude is about saying that it's in a battle.   Like you're sitting here, just talking with your friends, drinking coffee and chatting and laughing. And this is the battlefield. It's all around you.   What are you doing about the battle? You know, when you are following after the Lord, you need to expect opposition. You need to understand that your kids are under spiritual attack.   And if we're not praying and putting on that full armor of God and recognizing it, we're not engaged in it.   Laura Dugger: (30:42 - 31:41) When was the first time you listened to an episode of The Savvy Sauce? How did you hear about our podcast? Did a friend share it with you?   Will you be willing to be that friend now and text five other friends or post on your socials? Anything about The Savvy Sauce that you love. If you share your favorite episodes, that is how we continue to expand our reach and get the good news of Jesus Christ in more ears across the world.   So, we need your help. Another way to help us grow is to leave a five-star review on Apple podcasts. Each of these suggestions will cost you less than a minute, but it will be a great benefit to us.   Thank you so much for being willing to be generous with your time and share. We appreciate you.   When you go back to your family of origin, did your father ever find a saving faith in Jesus Christ as well?   Amy Rienow: (31:41 - 33:11) He did. He did actually. That's such a wonderful question. And he did when my husband and I were married for about a year. And he, at Christmas day in front of our whole family, after we were sitting at the table at dinner, he kind of waited for all the gifts to be open and be at a different spot.   And he said, “Well, I opened one more gift today and it was the gift of salvation.” Wow. I still tear up thinking about it and thinking about my older brother's response, who was not an emotional person.   And I saw tears in my older brother's eyes, but I just want to even in saying that, that taught me a lot because even at the time when he accepted salvation, he even said, I don't necessarily believe all the Bible's true. He really, you know, he accepted in faith and now he doesn't, you know, the Lord took him from evolutions. Now he's probably more conservative or believes the Bible in a way that I would say many other Christians maybe wouldn't believe, but I'm saying that it was a process watching him grow.   And my kids don't even understand that, that we call him Bop Bop. He used to be a man who, you know, let the communion plate pass every week. And he was not a believer because they see him so much as a spiritual leader now, but you see how faith moves and how faith changes us.   And we need to be patient with God in ourselves, with our kids, you know, and trust in that walk with Him. Love it.   Laura Dugger: (33:12 - 33:23) Well, I'm going to change gears here a little bit. Yeah. Will you explain attachment and share why you're so passionate about this topic?   Amy Rienow: (33:24 - 37:18) That is, I do feel like I love talking about attachment. I feel like it's an underrated thing to talk about. Some of you might be familiar.   I don't know if any of these names like Mary Ainsworth or the Harlow experience, you remember the monkey Harlow experience. It's most, most kids who've had like even a high school psychology class, know that the story of the monkey who has the wire surrogate mom with the bottle. And then has like the fuzzy mom that doesn't have the bottle and the monkey goes and gets its food from the bottle of the wire mom but continues to go over to the furry surrogate mom for comfort.   That's some of the original psychology on attachment but I was started my professional job in a school with children with behavior disorders and autism. That's one of my first jobs. And, and because of that, I went to different seminars for continuing education.   And one of them was a woman who specialized in attachment. And part of the reason she specialized in attachment because she'd adopted so many children and she was sort of a professional on adoption. And that's when I really did a deeper dive into attachment and specifically something called reactive attachment disorder.   I can't go into that. It would be a long tangent. But she was such an eye-opening time.   And this is even before I had children. But she said that, you know, she couldn't say everything she wanted to about attachment and the effects specifically of daycare on children, because it wasn't politically correct. That she would lose her funding basically, if she gave her true opinion on some of the things that our culture was doing to destroy attachment among families.   And it was just very eye opening to me that, you know, when we get our baby development books, the time that I was having kids, it was What to Expect When You're Expecting and What to Expect for Your One Year Old and all these milestones that moms are looking for. And obviously moms generally love their kids. I will stand by that over and over, you know what I mean?   That's the norm. And, you know, you're told to look for all of these milestones, but really attachment is not even mentioned in this book of how important it is. What are the signs of a securely attached child?   And yet this is so significant. And it's not just in the Christian world that we can recognize this. This is universally known in the psychology world, how important attachment is.   So, let's go back to that spiritual battle. Why is it that that is not discussed? Or why is that not focused in the development book?   Or why is it that if you're going to adopt a child, you're going to learn all about attachment, but that's not something that you may necessarily come into contact with if you're just having your own children. But attachment is essential for all healthy relationships. And specifically attachment with the mother.   I mean, we can use the term primary caregiver. Yes, to other people come in and be a primary care. I'm not saying that, you know. It's not just the mom, but this relationship with the mom, this, this attachment is so significant because God created it that way.   And it, how that relationship and how that attachment happens will have this impact on all the other relationships that your child is going to have in their life. So, it's something that we need to be talking about. And I pray that it becomes more and more common for people to talk about it.   Laura Dugger: (37:18 - 37:25) Well, and I'm even curious that speaker was that Karen Purvis?   Amy Rienow: (37:25 - 38:04) Oh, I don't even remember her name. I apologize. She was not a Christian. She was not a believer.   She, well, if she was, I don't know that. Cause I was, I was listening to her in a secular setting. You know, so she might've been, I don't, so I don't know, but I, the reason why it was so curious to me that the time most of the children on my case list that I had at this school were adopted.   So, I found that so interesting, like, and that was why I went to her seminar to try to understand more that connection of the adoption. And you know, how did that play into some of the problems that these children were, were having.   Laura Dugger: (38:05 - 38:20) Well, and just to go a little bit further with attachment, let's take it from the positive side. What are some proven examples or ways that we can form that healthy attachment with our children and that bonding?   Amy Rienow: (38:21 - 40:38) Yeah, well, a lot of it is just a spending time with your child, you know, and that's why I want to be very gentle here. Cause the world that we live in, I mean, I know for a fact that there are so many moms in situations where they have to go back to work right away. There are difficult circumstances.   And I'm, I am not here to say that then you don't have an attached relationship with child. Cause that is honestly not true. But I will say that if you have any opportunity to be home with your children, please, please, please take that opportunity because your children need that contact with you to form that attachment.   I mean, the number one thing for attachment is presence, time, touch, eye contact, and smiles. I mean, like it is what the baby that interplay that's happening with the baby and the mother and, and the why babies love faces. I mean, like they, we need to have that time with our children.   We need to be the ones to know our children the best that only comes with time. But even a mom who maybe for reasons have to be away from their baby, the important thing is that when you're with them, that you are engaged. You know, I even, I don't have my phone in front of me.   Even the phone takes away attachment. You know, when you're looking at another screen, as opposed to paying attention to that communication with the baby long before they're communicating long for the communicating with words, they are interacting and communicating with you. So, God knew what he's doing when he created mothers with the ability to feed their babies.   Nursing enables attachment, you know, because the baby is dependent on the mother. So, all of these things play into why God created our system the way it is because it was designed not to just physically feed our babies, but to emotionally create this attached, secured relationship where that enables a child to feel safe, feel security.   Laura Dugger: (40:39 - 40:54) Well, that makes me think of another a word that you wisely encourage us. And that is the word affection. So, can you share why this is also important to shower on our children?   Amy Rienow: (40:55 - 43:47) Yes. You know how it is when you become a mom, there's all these new parenting styles out there, things that you get bombarded with, or should I do this? Or, you know, and I think I was really impacted by a Bible, small group where a woman was talking about her six-month-old needing disciplining her six-month-old.   And it hit me really negatively because I just heard a woman who had had like, I think she has 17 children who talked about, you know, there's, you cannot spoil and she used, you cannot spoil anybody under the age of two. I would say it's as much as under three with as far as attention and love and affection, affection, your children need your affection. Again, let's go to how this, how Satan, let's go back to that spiritual battle.   We can keep going back. Cause I often find you can see God's truth with how it's perverted in the world. So, let's look at how we have a sex education system now in so many schools, including in Illinois that tries to teach younger children horrific adult sexual behaviors, correct?   And they are manipulating what needs to, what children do need, which is positive, a non-sexual physical connection with their parents, with their siblings, with aunts and uncles. So, so in some ways I can remember early in my career and either in my development in getting my classes, my masters, you know, in some ways they demonize, you know, like parents are afraid to sometimes have too much physical touch or too much of this because it's almost like, Oh, we can't, you know, we have to make sure our children are more independent, you know, like, like for example, co-sleeping, which builds a lot of affection between parents, which is normal in most cultures and normal throughout history can be viewed as really negative. Like, you know, you gotta get your kid in another room and another, like pushing them out early and yet look at what we see from the world, which is an encroachment of inappropriate touch, inappropriate sexuality at younger and younger ages.   And obviously kids who don't have positive, strong, physical affection are more inclined to fall for Satan's counterfeit. And desire and need touch, but they, they, it's been twisted from the world's perspective.   Laura Dugger: (43:47 - 44:17) Does that make sense? Are you tracking with that? I am.   And it's even making me think of a previous guest, Dr. Gary Chapman, talking about mostly the five love languages of in marriage and how those are displayed. But we also discussed with children and the parent child. And I'm just thinking as you're giving examples of affection, it, it even goes beyond the hugs and kisses and appropriate touch to acts of service and lighting up with them and spending that quality time and all those love languages.   Amy Rienow: (44:18 - 46:16) That's right. As the kids get older, I mean, my, my, we joke about, you know, I have certain sons that, did not want to be touched at all when they were 13, 14. We laughed at my son J.D. like he would want to come give me hugs and he would want to, but it had to always be on his terms.   Like I could never come up, you know what I mean? And how can you, my affection towards him was I'll get you a double cheeseburger. I will make you a milkshake.   That was the way I communicated my affection to him, but it was also my presence in listening to him when he needed to be listening to. There's so many ways as we get older. Right.   And I love Gary Chapman's work as far as like understanding our kids love, love languages, but I'll never forget, you know, I just had JD's wedding and he surprised me with the mother son dance and he had a song ready for me. I'm going to cry again, but it was this wonderful, he had told his siblings that he was probably going to cry on his wedding day when he saw Brooke and when he danced with his mom. And I had so many, and he was really hugging me and holding on and not afraid to be affectionate with me during that dance.   And that's because affection has always been a normal part of our home and a normal part of our relationship. And so, I just want to encourage parents out there not to be afraid of both physical affection when they're young and don't push your child. If your child is needing you or wants hugs, I would say, don't hesitate to give those to them because there is a culture again that pushes kids like, Oh, you shouldn't need that now.   You shouldn't, you're too old for that. Let them determine those boundaries. You give them the hugs and the affection as long as they still want it.   Cause I promise you they're all going to come to a day and they're not gonna want it. And you don't need to worry about if they're looking for that for you, it's a need that, that you can still meet.   Laura Dugger: (46:17 - 46:34) Well, and one other piece of parenting. I know we oftentimes hear mom guilt. I don't know if dads experienced the same thing, but how can we overcome that?   And what do you see as being at the root of struggling with sometimes that false guilt?   Amy Rienow: (46:35 - 49:52) Yes. Well, that I think comes so much again. Well, for me, it came internalized.   I had, I carried some internalized guilt with me, but that's compounded by a culture that puts so many expectations and demands on us as mothers. Where we are bombarded with another ideal, another sense of where we're falling short. And again, I know I keep coming back to the spiritual attack, but the point is I want to lay it out there that sometimes, sometimes moms can feel like, especially in an area, this sounds interesting, but because so many more children have been in daycare or exposed to a lot more developmental things at young ages. If you are like home with your kids, if you feel like, well, gosh, I'm not providing a craft every day.   I'm not, you know, I'm not reading. I went to the library and it literally had this whole campaign on a thousand books before kindergarten. Like, are you kidding me?   And that's the kind of thing. It's like, you're just having a normal mom day and all of a sudden you walk into the library and you get bombarded with what? I'm supposed to read my child a thousand books before, like a new standard that's just put in front of you.   And the enemy uses that to, to make women feel that they're not enough, you know? And first of all, we have to go back to God's word. That says, “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”   And to really understand that, yes, we need to be open to be convicted to sin. But when we are convicted of something that our heavenly father wants us to change, we will experience a freedom and a lightning when we repent. And it'll be like a burden lifted up.   And as soon as you have that revenge, you feel like you've been given a gift. It's not something that's a burden. So, that is always my guide for women.   Like if you are under something that you feel like is a burden that you're carrying around, um, this sense that you're not doing enough or that you're a bad mom, that is not coming from your Heavenly Father. You need to reject that in the name of Jesus Christ, because this sense is clearly from the accuser. The Bible says Satan is an accuser and he stands accusing us, but Jesus is there to, you know, to say, no, that's my child.   They're covered by my love covered by my grace. So, we don't want to live under that over that guilt, bad mom guilt shadow for whatever, you know, God knows our faults. He doesn't expect us not to have faults, and your children are going to have faults and your husband are going to have faults.   So, if we think that the Lord is, you know, carrying around our faults, hanging over this, we need to, we need to be reminded that that's not from him and we have to reject it. And again, we're talking about a spiritual battle. You might have to reject the same lie 20 times a day until you find real freedom from falling for that guilt trap.   Laura Dugger: (49:53 - 50:12) Well, and along those lines, as you talk about engaging in the battle, you encourage us as children to woo our children in this same way that the Lord draws us close to him. So, how can we go and do likewise as the Lord does?   Amy Rienow: (50:12 - 52:09) Woo our children's hearts. Like I think it's important to know that the relationship that we have, our kids will, the more we model our relationship, our parenting off of how our heavenly father parents us, the easier it will be for our kids to kind of what I, I have a visual in my mind that I'm walking with my child's hand and I'm holding Jesus hand and I'm gradually through this parenting, trying to connect my child's hand to Jesus hands.   Like that's the picture that I want to be guiding my parenting, not I'm trying to raise you to be X, Y, Z, da, da, da, da, da. I'm trying to lead you to your Heavenly Savior. So, you're going to walk with Him.   So, Jesus is, you know, there's many components of our relationship with Jesus and the Heavenly Father and Holy spirit. But one of them is that God woos the hearts of his people. When you read scripture, He desired, He's always telling them you walk with Me.   “My burden is easy. My yoke is light.” You know what I mean?   He's, He's showing us this freedom and this love and grace. He's not coming with a sense of, see, you're doing this and this and this and this and this. And that's why. You know what I mean?   Like you see God's everlasting love for his people. And we want to woo our children with that same kind of everlasting love. You know, I always say, say you can, you can demand your kids to obey you.   You can demand your kids to respect you, but no one can demand love. Even our Heavenly Father doesn't demand love. He gives us free will and choice to choose to love him.   And so, we want to remember that with our kids to woo them. We want them to choose to love us. So, we woo our hearts.   You already mentioned Gary Chapman by understanding our kids' love languages. You know, realizing that's part of our job as a parent is to woo their hearts.   Laura Dugger: (52:10 - 53:13) So, I love how you're drawing this out as the Lord being the best parent ever and that we can learn from Him. That was something that I felt like he was really teaching me in my quiet time this week. And I wanted to take it one step further.   So, for me applying that, I just made a note on my phone and now anytime I come across a parenting scripture, I want to put it in this same list and go back and review it and be prayerful that the Lord can change me to be more like Him as a parent. So, I'm just going to share the first verse that inspired me to do this this week is Luke 6:36 and the amplified version again, “Be merciful, responsive, compassionate, tender, just as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” And so, Amy, just as He's a great parent and we can learn from Him, I appreciate you just drawing us back, pointing us to the heart of the Father.   And if we want to continue learning from you after this chat, where would you like to direct us?   Amy Rienow: (53:13 - 55:30) Well, I'd love you to come to our website at visionaryfam.com and listen to us at our podcast, Family Vision. You know, we named it Family Vision kind of like television because television really changed the American family. It did when it first introduced on to the scene and our heart is that family vision.   Our podcasts would help give your family a new vision, a vision from God's word for all that he wants to do in your family. You can also find our books well on our website, but also on Amazon. We have, I brought a couple today, but Not So Perfect Mom: Learning to Embrace What Matters Most, which is what you're talking about today.   And this book is very close to my heart because it really was wonderful. It was the easiest book I've ever written because I just felt like it was being able to talk about how God has worked in my own life and my own journey. And it just was the like culmination of so many conversations I've had with moms like all over the country, but really overseas and over the world.   And we're all battling some of the same exact things. So, I just, I would encourage you to pick up Not So Perfect Mom: Learning to Embrace What Matters Most. And then the other book that is, it's not new, it's called Shine Embracing God's Heart for You.   I'm actually leading a group of women through it on a zoom study right now. Um, but I actually wrote this, originally back in 2005 when I was a youth pastor's wife. Um, but really it's all about kind of what I talked about earlier of just, recognizing how to, to trust and believe the Lord.   I said, you know, wholeheartedly with our head and our hearts and our hands and, and really going back to, you know, keeping God first, identifying idols in our life. So, we, you know, the more that we get our own relationship with the Lord centered and we kind of figured that part out. I feel like everything flows from that in our homes, in our marriage, in our other relationships. So, I highly recommend, um, picking up this shine and there's a prayer journal to go with it.   There's a leader's guide. If you'd like to lead a group and that's all on Amazon or at our website.   Laura Dugger: (55:31 - 55:48) Wonderful. As always we'll add the links to that in the show notes for today's episode and Amy, you already know that we're called The Savvy Sauce because Savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, what is your Savvy Sauce?   Amy Rienow: (55:48 - 57:06) I love that question. My Savvy Sauce is actually mentioned in Not So Perfect Mom, but it's when the Lord gave me that quote, “whatever is worth doing is worth doing poorly.” I feel that perfectionism kept me paralyzed so often.   If I couldn't do things exactly the way I thought that they should be in my head, then I was kind of pathetic and wasn't going to do it at all. And so, my encouragement in any area, if you know something is worth doing. Let me give you a practical example really quick on this, even when it comes to like, um, when you're struggling with your marriage. I know I had some issues in my marriage with my husband where I was getting to the point where I didn't even really want to go out on a date, you know, because it was just discouraging and whatever's worth doing is worth doing poorly. So, knowing that, you know, even when my relationships aren't living up to my expectations, or even when I'm feeling hurt, the Lord tells us to press on. Don't, don't stop doing what you know, God wants you to do, um, because you don't think it's living up to your expectations.   Do it. Just do it.   Laura Dugger: (57:07 - 57:38) That's a good word. And Amy, you have so much to share. Our family has benefited so much from the ministry and work that you and Rob do through Visionary Families.   And I am just so grateful for your time and you just to share all of this parenting wisdom. It felt like a mentoring conversation. I loved hearing all the ways that you've been intentional in what you've learned from the Lord. So, thank you for seeking Him.   Thank you for sharing with us and thank you for being my guest.   Amy Rienow: (57:39 - 57:58) Thank you, Laura, for having me. It's been a delight. I love connecting hearts with people who are like-minded.   I love what you're doing with The Savvy Sauce. In fact, my neighbor is one of your devoted followers, and she was so excited to hear about your podcast. So, thank you so much for having me and it's truly an honor and a pleasure to be here.   Laura Dugger: (57:59 - 1:01:13) One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

In this episode of the Smart Wealth & Retirement Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Jim Martin & Casey Bibb challenge the idea that Roth IRAs are always the best solution. While Roth accounts offer incredible benefits like tax-free growth and no required minimum distributions, they also come with risks and timing issues that can derail your retirement plan. Jim and Casey share real-life examples, including a client who paid unnecessary taxes after converting too much too fast. Together, they unpack situations where a Roth may not make sense — such as when future tax rates are lower, when you don't have cash to cover conversion taxes, or when healthcare and Medicare surcharges come into play. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how to evaluate Roth conversions and contributions strategically — as part of a broader financial plan, not just because “everyone's doing it.”

In 2025, the world celebrates “tolerance” — but what happens when tolerance replaces truth?In this powerful episode of Behind The Mike Podcast, host Mike Stone breaks down why real love doesn't stay silent and why silence doesn't bring peace — it just lets confusion grow louder. Using Scripture from John 8, John 4, and Ephesians 4:15, Mike explores how Jesus embodied both grace and truth — and how believers today can do the same.If the Church won't speak truth in love… who will?

$4,000 Gold -- Not The Golden Age MAGA Voters Were Expecting by Ron Paul Liberty Report

For the past few Sundays, we have heard the following:Sept 7 Sunday before Holy Cross: "For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son..."Sep 21 Sunday after Holy Cross: ""If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."Sept 28: Had to do with obedience Click here for that SermonToday we hear something else, how we are to live, love and treat others...

In this episode of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Innovative Church Leaders podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Eric Bryant⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠J.D. Pearring, the founder of the Excel Leadership Network. J.D. shares about the importance of raising up new leaders in the church, the challenges faced by church planters, and the significance of coaching and mentorship in leadership development.

In this episode, I sit down with Traci, a fellow twin mom whose story hits home for so many of us. From a complicated pregnancy and early delivery to the long, sleepless days of NICU life, Traci opens up about what it really felt like to raise twins when nothing went according to plan.We talk about those moments when people's “innocent” comments—about how hard it must be, or how they could never do it—end up feeding that quiet voice of self-doubt that so many twin parents carry. Traci shares how she learned to ask for help, even when it felt impossible, and why that simple act can be the difference between barely surviving and actually healing.This conversation reminded me how easy it is to feel alone as a twin parent, especially when everyone around you is parenting one baby at a time. But it also reminded me how powerful it is when we tell the truth—about the guilt, the exhaustion, and the fierce love that keeps us going.Whether you're still in the trenches of the early years or figuring out how to let your twins grow into their independence, this episode is your reminder that self-doubt doesn't mean you're failing—it means you care.EPISODE THEMES

Griffin Warner and Lonte Smith talk college football betting for Week 7. Best bets as always. (0:06 - 0:30, Speaker 3) The show opened with a fierce call to action: “Offense, play fast. Defense, swarm and tackle.” The repeated demand to “Leave no doubt tonight!” captured urgency and confidence, setting a competitive tone. (0:30 - 2:20, Griffin Warner and Lonte Smith) Griffin Warner introduced the Week 7 betting breakdown, starting with Texas' collapse. Lonte Smith said, “They got Sark and the offensive line coach arguing,” pointing to dysfunction and lack of rhythm despite defensive effort. He warned that in the SEC, “You can't bury yourself in tears—you've got to get back up.” (2:20 - 4:49) Reviewing bets, Smith admitted his UAB pick failed because “they were down six starters on defense.” Warner added that early bets can miss late-week injury news, stressing patience in timing wagers. (4:50 - 11:40, Oklahoma vs. Texas) Warner previewed the Red River rivalry, noting Texas dropped from -3.5 to -1. Smith said, “It's not all Arch, but he's the quarterback,” critiquing poor line play and imbalance. With OU's Mateer possibly returning, he said, “With a healthy Mateer, OU minus one and a half.” Expecting strong defenses, Smith favored the under 43: “Both teams can't run the football.” Warner, a Texas fan, recalled painful past matchups and admitted, “I've been afraid of this game all year.” (12:53 - 15:51, Oregon vs. Indiana) Smith said Indiana struggles on the road, contrasting with Oregon's “championship-caliber” balance. He called Oregon's Rose Bowl loss “an outlier” and predicted their athleticism and QB mobility would overwhelm Indiana. (17:47 - 23:11, Arizona State vs. Utah) Utah was a 5.5-point home favorite. Smith highlighted dominance up front: “Their trenches are some of the best in the country.” Arizona State ranked poorly in rushing defense and third-down success, while Utah was 4th in rush success rate. He predicted a 10-point Utah win. (23:51 - 26:40, South Florida vs. North Texas) Warner joked about North Texas canceling classes for tailgating. Smith called it an “elimination game” in the AAC, favoring North Texas due to “defensive improvement and home-field edge.” He noted South Florida's weak run game and sloppy turnovers. (28:51 - 31:09, Best Bets) Smith's pick was Arizona +2.5, citing top-five defensive metrics and calling BYU “a bit of a fraud.” Warner took Texas–Oklahoma under 43, quipping, “I'm rooting for punts.” Their closing exchange mixed data, humor, and insight—showcasing sharp analysis built on stats, context, and conviction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you doing “all the right things” and still not feeling like yourself postpartum? In this episode, Brooke pulls back the curtain on the most common postpartum weight loss mistakes that leave new moms depleted, discouraged, and doubting their bodies. Whether you're breastfeeding or not, this real-talk guide is packed with empowering insights to help you nourish, not punish, your body as you heal. What to Listen For Why cutting out carbs can wreck your milk supply and your energy The truth about keto and who it's actually for (hint: it's not breastfeeding moms) Intermittent fasting: when it's okay and when it can be dangerous The #1 reason you should never skip breakfast postpartum How juicing, detoxes, and “cleanses” are harming more than helping GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic) and why Brooke never recommends them while breastfeeding How scrolling at night disrupts your hunger hormones Why strength training is more effective than cardio for weight loss postpartum The dangers of all-or-nothing thinking with food and exercise What balanced meals (with protein, fiber, and fat) actually do for your Postpartum weight loss doesn't have to mean restriction, guilt, or sacrificing your milk supply. When you nourish your body, protect your hormones, and focus on sustainable habits, your weight will naturally shift to where it needs to go. Want to learn Brooke's proven system that's helped thousands of moms reach their healthiest weight without compromising their milk supply?

“Everyone's too greedy,” Chris Watling says, “the market is primed” for a pullback. “You never know what the spark is,” he adds. However, he would buy on a dip – but he warns traders to get an idea of the size of the dip before they get in. He expects a soft landing rather than a recession. Chris still likes U.S. large caps, but is also looking to emerging markets. On the other hand, he would sell gold in favor of industrial commodities.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

If you've ever felt pressure, heaviness, or worry about what's “normal” after giving birth, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Krystle Howald, Doctor of Physical Therapy and co-founder of Expecting and Empowered, to unpack the truth about pelvic organ prolapse — a common (but rarely talked about) condition many moms experience postpartum.We break down what prolapse actually is, what symptoms to look for, how to get support, and why a diagnosis doesn't mean your fitness journey is over. Krystle also shares hope and practical steps for safely returning to strength training, movement, and confidence in your body.You'll walk away feeling informed, supported, and empowered to take the next step in your healing journey.Connect with Krystle:Expecting and Empowered WebsiteInstagram @expectingandempoweredConnect with Nicole:Follow on Instagram: @strongmamawellnessExplore Self Paced Fitness Programs and take 10% off with Code 'POD10' for being a listener!Work with me 1-on-1: Learn more and apply

In this episode of Life Will Be, Lydia T. Blanco explores the theme of vulnerability and the importance of showing up for oneself. She discusses the shift in expectations from others, the significance of setting boundaries for self-care, and the need for self-awareness in relationships. Lydia emphasizes that one should not expect others to reciprocate the same energy and love they give, as this often leads to disappointment. The conversation encourages listeners to manage their relationships and energy wisely, fostering personal growth and emotional health.Key TakeawaysVulnerability is key to personal growth.Expecting yourself from others leads to disappointment.Setting boundaries is essential for self-care.Self-awareness helps in understanding relationships.Friendships are as important as romantic relationships.You cannot teach others how to treat you.Not everyone will reciprocate your energy.It's important to know who you are dealing with.You don't have to give everything your all.Every expectation can set you up for failure.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Vulnerability07:13 The Shift of Expectations10:20 Setting Boundaries for Self-Care13:08 Understanding Relationships and Expectations16:09 The Importance of Self-Awareness18:55 Managing Energy and Relationships21:51 The Reality of Giving and Receiving24:36 Navigating Changes in Relationships27:14 Final Thoughts on Expectations and Self-ReflectionStay ConnectedWebsite: LydiaTBlanco.comSocial: @LifeWillBePod - @LydiaTBlanco

Welcome to the podcast! Sara's wrapped up in jumpers, Anna's still basking in the Greek sun, and between autumn showers and Mediterranean peaches, we're diving into the realities of love, life, and expectations.   Love Desk: Three signs your relationship might have lost its spark (from Psychology Today). We discuss: When imagining life without your partner feels like relief rather than heartbreak Why exhaustion might not just be about busyness, it could be emotional burnout The quiet loop of “should I stay or should I go?” and what it's really telling you Sara and Anna reflect on how love can shift from lightness to heaviness, and how to tell the difference between needing rest and needing change.   Hot Topic: Are we expecting too much from our partners compared to past generations? We explore: How relationships have evolved from practical partnerships to emotional everything The impossible modern pressure to find “one person who meets every need” Why community and friendships used to carry some of the emotional load How to simplify what really matters, defining your top three non-negotiables instead of chasing a perfect checklist Listener Question: “I overheard my husband arguing with our child, and my child was actually in the right. What should I do?” We unpack how to approach disagreements between your partner and your children, including: Why timing matters, addressing it later, not in the moment How to lead with curiosity, not correction Seeing context before assuming who's right or wrong Remembering you're on the same team, even when emotions run high Takeaway: Every relationship goes through transitions. The spark doesn't have to fade if you stay curious, communicate openly, and remember you're on the same side.   FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today   Till Next Time Stay Connected Sara Liddle — info@inflori.co.uk | www.inflori.co.uk Anna Stratis — coachdocanna@gmail.com | www.coachdocanna.com

NEWSSuperman and Spider-Man reunite: DC & Marvel extend crossover through 2026The Invincible Woman debuts in Ryan North's ‘Fantastic Four' #6Knull breaks free: Marvel teases epic showdown with the Queen in BlackOni Press brings secrets, surprises, and a star-studded lineup to NYCC 2025Win free comics, meet stars, and score a Kindle: Inside Comixology's wild NYCC 2025 plansOur Top Books of the WeekDave:Starship Godzilla #1 (Chris Gooch, Oliver Ono)Department of Truth #0 (James Tynion, Scott Snyder, Joshua Hixson, Martin Simmonds)Alex:​​X-Men: Age of Revelation Overture #1 (Jed MacKay, Ryan Stegman)The Author Immortal #1 (Frank J. Barbiere, Morgan Beem)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex: Absolute Evil #1 (Al Ewing, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi)Dave: Absolute Green Lantern #7 (Al Ewing, Riley Rossmo, Jason Howard)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: Red Book #1 (Tynion IV, Michael Oeming) & The Power Fantasy #12 (Gillen, Caspar Wijngaard)Dave: DC K.O. #1 (Snyder, Javier Fernandez)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Amazing Spider-Man Torn #1 (Adam Hughes)Alex: World of Revelation #1 (Giada Belviso Variant)Interview - Ronda Rousey - EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED is in all bookstores on Tuesday, October 7Ronda is attending NYCC with AWA — she will be at our booth for signings and a panel on Friday, October 10What inspired you to write Expecting the Unexpected?How did your experiences in UFC, WWE, and Hollywood inform the story and its tone?What was the most surprising or challenging part of making a graphic novel?What kind of tone or energy did you want the art to capture? Gritty realism, over-the-top stylized action, comedy?Do you see “Mom” as a reflection of yourself, a heightened version of you, or something else entirely?Do you see yourself writing more comics or expanding this universe into other media—film, animation, etc.?

Send us a textHey Y'all Heeeeeeyyyyyy!!!! I hope all has been well, just like I hope you enjoy this episode. There are announcements, revelations, half-truths, and whole lies. If you're driving, click-it before you ticket. If you have them, make sure you're kids are out the car or their headphones are on full blast. It's about to be a joyous ride. XOXO Two Bas B*tches. 

While reviewing the current prop bets up for Dolphins AT Panthers, Hoch tries to convince Crowder and Solana that the Fins offense is going to erupt in Carolina.

DJ & PK previewed the BYU-West Virginia matchup and examined if the big spread is a mark of respect for Kalani Sitake and the BYU Cougars.

Nasdaq and S and P hit record highs over rate cut hopes, The latest in Quantum computing, More on the Thursday October 16th Retirement & Wealth Strategies for Your Future seminar at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge with EP Wealth Advisors CFP Chad Burton and CFP CFA Ryan Ignacio

Nick and Jake talk about the 'spark' that Dillon Gabriel could bring to the Browns offense.

“We don't want to put all of our safety eggs in one basket called work.”In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession traces how workplace expectations ballooned from pay and safety to culture fit, values alignment, and even mental health, blurring identity and fueling burnout. She recounts the historical moments that nudged business into roles it was never designed to carry and explains why offloading our identity to work creates dependency and fear. Rebecca offers a reset: reclaim intrinsic motivation, diversify your sources of safety and belonging, and lead in ways that are deeply human without trying to be everything.In this episode, you'll learn:How decades of “scope creep” (from the 1900s to the 2020s' COVID) turned work into an identity stand-in, and why that drives burnoutWays to rebuild from the inside out: intrinsic motivation, self-respect, and non-work sources of safety, belonging, and meaningPractical language and boundary shifts for leaders and teams (e.g. “great team” vs. “family”)Things to listen for:(00:00) Intro(00:43) How workplace expectations have changed(03:32) Work's influence on personal identity(05:55) Consequences of relying too much on work(08:21) Reclaiming our lives and identities(11:47) Questions to ask yourself when  expectations are too muchConnect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

In hour 1, the WIP Midday Show are going over the Phillies NLDS matchup vs the Los Angeles Dodgers. What to expect and if the Phillies should be expecting or hoping to take down the reigning World Series Champions. Plus, Rhea Hughes joins the WIP Midday Show to continue Phillies talk and break down A.J. Brown's comments to the media from yesterday.

Episode #406: “I didn't come to study this subject deliberately with a focus on Buddhism,” says Justine Chambers, author of Pursuing Morality, a book that explores Buddhist moral life among the Plong community in southeast Myanmar—known to outsiders as Pwo Karen—particularly in and around the town of Hpaan. Her work, the product of many years of immersive fieldwork, traces not only Buddhist ethical practices in everyday life but also the entanglements of those practices with political transitions, spiritual power, armed conflict, and minority identity in Karen State. Chambers' journey began with refugee advocacy in Australia and continued through work in Mae Sot in 2011, just as Myanmar was opening up. Expecting a conflict zone, she found instead a vibrant town full of youth and ambition, but also widespread moral anxiety. This tension became central to her research. She came to find that morality is not innate, and must be pursued daily. She describes how for the Karen, it is shaped by social factors like gender, age, and class. Chambers corrects the common misconception that Karen identity is primarily Christian. Most Karen in lowland Myanmar are Buddhist, and many trace their spiritual heritage to the Mon and even Burmese kings. Their ethical practice is linked not just to self-cultivation, but to community well-being and even environmental harmony. Yet morality is not always peaceful. Her discussion of the charismatic yet controversial figure, U Thuzana, and the DKBA's role in the destruction of Manerplaw reveals how ethical revival can also justify violence and division. Ultimately, Chambers presents morality as both personal and collective, grounded in Buddhist cosmology but lived through daily negotiations with power, suffering, and hope. “It's also about community, and how you are [a] moral being within that community.”

Nasdaq and S and P hit record highs over rate cut hopes, The latest in Quantum computing, More on the Thursday October 16th Retirement & Wealth Strategies for Your Future seminar at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge with EP Wealth Advisors CFP Chad Burton and CFP CFA Ryan IgnacioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our conversation today is with Dr. Whitney Casares, board-certified pediatrician, CEO and founder of Modern Mommy Doc, and author of the new book for children My One-of-a-Kind Body. Her book is a wonderful tool to encourage body confidence in kids and can be a valuable resource for parents! As new moms, we are shifting the narrative away from the diet culture from the past and learning to love our bodies. We want our kids to feel the same and to view all bodies as special. Dr. Casares will walk us through how to share that ideology with our children by identifying ways we can lead by example - through our actions and self-talk. If you're feeling overwhelmed with your own body-confidence journey while navigating motherhood, Dr. Casares offers encouraging and practical tips. We close today's episode by touching on body confidence in pop culture and highlighting tools you can add to your parenting toolbox and body-confidence journey.If you enjoyed listening to this episode, we would love it if you could share it to your Instagram stories and tag us, @modernmommydoc, @raising.body.confident.kids, and @expectingandempowered. As we like to say, knowledge is power, and we just really want to give more people the information that they may need on their parenting journey!Follow Dr. Whitney Casares and Raising Body Confident Kids on InstagramDr. Casares and the Raising Confident Kids WebsitesLinks & ResourcesExpecting and Empowered App - Enter code 'PODCAST25' at checkout Expecting and Empowered WebsiteExpecting and Empowered InstagramThis episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

What do you do when the first thing you see in the morning isn't sunlight—but a dark mist blocking your way out? At just five years old, while staying at his grandparents' house, Chase awoke to the sound of movement in the living room. Expecting only morning light, he instead saw a black and gray mist—a cocoon-like shape tall enough to tower over him, standing between him and the front door. Terrified, he ran back to bed and hid under the covers until daylight gave him the courage to move again. His grandmother later revealed her own experiences in that same house—visions of being spiritually attacked, countered by what she described as a circle of angels surrounding her bed in protection. And the family's encounters didn't stop there. In Marion, South Carolina, Chase's late uncle experienced strange phenomena in his children's playroom. Battery-powered toys activated on their own, only to fall silent when he entered the room. The silence was broken by something even more unnerving: the sound of childlike laughter when no one was there. From angelic visions to sinister mist, these are the kinds of paranormal stories that leave us questioning: what's really happening in the places we call home? #RealGhostStories #ParanormalMist #HauntedHouse #SouthCarolinaGhosts #ParanormalActivity #DarkEntity #AngelProtection #GhostStoriesOnline #TrueHauntings #Supernatural Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

If that's been something you've been wondering, you're not alone and you're not doing anything wrong. In this episode, Brooke debunks the myth that breastfeeding magically melts the weight away and unpacks the real reasons why your body might be holding on to weight (or even gaining). Let's get to the root of what's really going on and how to support your hormones, metabolism, and milk supply without restrictive diets or guilt. What to Listen For: Why breastfeeding alone won't guarantee weight loss (and what to focus on instead) The impact of hormone shifts and metabolism changes postpartum What nutrient deficiencies and blood sugar crashes have to do with your weight How sleep deprivation and stress can slow down or stall your results Why some moms even gain weight while breastfeeding and what to do about it Brooke's personal story of 3 very different postpartum weight journeys How to spot hidden root causes like thyroid issues, gut imbalances, and PCOS Why undereating might be making things worse for your energy, mood, and supply Simple things you can do today to support your health (without burnout!) A reminder that you're not broken and you can feel like yourself again

The Guardians are back in the postseason, and Jeff Phelps and Dan Menningen give their thoughts on Cleveland's Wild Card series with the Tigers.

Mary Clayton Crow's life has been marked by radical generosity from the very beginning. After coming to faith in the Jesus Movement of the 70s, Mary Clayton's parents freely shared all they had while living in community with other Believers, regularly opening their home to missionaries, and eventually becoming missionaries themselves behind the Iron Curtain. This model of radical generosity set a strong foundation for Mary Clayton's adult life as she lives to “give generously, expecting nothing in return.”   Mary Clayton has a rich passion for relational, spontaneous generosity, often giving away personal items admired by others as a way to express God's love while resisting the trap of materialism. She is also passionate about collaborative giving, and takes part in several giving communities that invest in local ministries, not only with their finances, but with their time and talents as well.   Major Topics Include: Making generosity your own Being stretched and challenged in generosity Wrestling the “elder brother” mentality What does it really mean to expect nothing in return? A Lenten generosity challenge Resisting materialism with generosity  Modeling generosity to your family The power of community giving to local ministries  Guarding against generosity burnout Hearing from the Holy Spirit through other people Creating a visual reminder to give generously QUOTES TO REMEMBER “You can never outgive God. It's going to come back to you 10-fold, 20-fold, 30-fold, 100-fold. And it may not be in dollars and cents, but it will be in joy.” “I love generosity because it makes sharing the gospel so easy.” “Expecting nothing in return means releasing the result and putting it in the Lord's hand.” “We need to detach ourselves from things owning us so we can be stewards of the things God has given us.” “Generous tipping is one of the easiest ways to be an evangelist.” “I'm excited to chase God.” “I'm looking forward to God disrupting my life for new adventures.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Young Life One Hundred Shares The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 21:3-4 | The Widow's Offering   And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”   John 3:16 | The Ultimate Giver   “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   Luke 15:11-32 | The Prodigal Son   Matthew 20:1-16 | The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Spencer German and Jake Vulinec discuss the Guardians historic turnaround, and what the Browns loss in Week 4 means for Joe Flacco.

Spencer German and Jake Vulinec discuss the Guardians historic turnaround, and what the Browns loss in Week 4 means for Joe Flacco.

The season is a week away and we give all our prognostications on what we expect to happen this year.  There were some bold predictions and some....not so much.    Listen Here:  Apple Podcasts   Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Shawn Horcoff Shirts off for Horcoff NEWS Stolarz signs - 4 x $3.75MM Atlantic Division   Team Strengths / What's Going Well Key Challenges / What Could Go Wrong Expectations or Projection for 2025-26 Florida Panthers They're coming off back-to-back Stanley Cups, meaning they have experience, confidence, and a championship mindset. They also have strong core players, and continuity tends to help. CBSSports.com+3DraftKings Network+3NHL+3 Big blow: their captain Aleksander Barkov suffered a serious knee injury (ACL/MCL) in training camp, and is likely out for much or all of the season. That hurts leadership, two-way play, and depth. The Sun+2Reuters+2 Also, Matthew Tkachuk is recovering from surgery and may miss time. DraftKings Network+1 They'll need next-man up to step out. Still expected to be a top-team in the Atlantic, maybe the favorite. But their margin for error is slimmer without Barkov. If they stay healthy otherwise, they should contend for division and maybe again deep in the playoffs. Toronto Maple Leafs Very strong offensive core (Matthews, Nylander, etc.), good goaltending (Stolarz / Woll) last season. They won the division in 2024-25, so momentum and confidence are there. Daily Faceoff+3Wikipedia+3The Hockey Writers+3 Major change: Mitch Marner is gone (trade / sign-and-trade), so they lose a big creator and offensive driver. The Hockey Writers+2hockeybuzz.com+2 Depth on the blue line is a concern; mobility and puck-moving among the defense isn't elite. Also any injuries to top forwards could hurt. The Hockey Writers+1 They will likely still compete for a top-3 spot in the Atlantic. Many projections put them 2nd or 3rd. But whether they can pull off another division title may depend heavily on how they adapt without Marner. Tampa Bay Lightning They have veteran depth, star players (Hedman, Kucherov, etc.), strong goaltending history. They tend to remain a steady playoff presence and know how to win big games. The Hockey News+2DraftKings Network+2 Age and wear could creep in; maintaining performance across a full season is always harder for older players. Depth beyond their top lines / defense is always in question. Also, small off-season improvements vs rivals who might have improved more. The Hockey News+2hockeybuzz.com+2 Expect them to be in the mix for a playoff spot, likely top-3 or wild-card if needed. They might not win the division, but they'll be dangerous — especially if other teams have more turmoil. Ottawa Senators Young core is maturing: players like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson are established difference-makers. They made the playoffs in 2024-25 for the first time in a while. hockeybuzz.com+3NHL+3Wikipedia+3 They should have more experience, better cohesion. Depth is still a concern — forward depth, goaltending (though they have some good prospects), and whether they can avoid inconsistency (long losing stretches) especially in a tough division. Also, small margins matter in late games; punishing turnover or defensive lapses will hurt more in 2025-26. Likely a wild card contender; maybe push into the top-4 or 5 in the Atlantic depending on health and whether they capitalize in close games. Not likely favorites, but in many projections they finish around 4th in the division. The Hockey News+2The Hockey Writers+2 Montreal Canadiens Youth is coming through; the “next wave” is expected to make strides. Many observers see them as a team that could improve more steeply than some of their rivals. Daily Faceoff+1 They have upside — speed, prospects, and potential depth upgrades. Still less consistency, still gaps — especially in center depth, defensive depth, and perhaps special teams. They might struggle in tight games, and maybe lack the experience to keep pace with more battle-tested teams. Probably still just outside the top group, fighting for a wild-card. If things go well, could squeak into a playoff spot; if not, might hover in the middle. Projections often place them ~5th in the division. Boston Bruins After a down year, they have some assets and draft picks; hiring a new coach and adding forward depth are seen as positives. NHL+2The Hockey Writers+2 They also have tradition and infrastructure; could bounce back. They were last in the division in 2024-25, so regression is required just to be relevant. They need players to step up, younger guys to develop. Also, they need to improve on defense, and be better in transition and in penalty kill / special teams. Without big upgrades, they risk being left behind. NHL+1 Probably still a rebuilding / retooling year. Likely finish in the lower third of the division. Modest improvements, but playoff contention seems out of reach unless some surprise performances or trades happen. Buffalo Sabres Some high-end offensive talent (e.g. players like Tage Thompson) that have shown they can produce. Potential for breakout seasons. Bleacher Report+1 They also have assets and could use them wisely. Defensive structure, consistency, special teams, and goaltending tend to be weak or uneven. They have to avoid letting games get away — handling adversity, depth through injuries will be big. Also, relative to other Atlantic teams, margin for error is small. Probably still outside the playoff picture; might aim for getting close (70-80 wins?), but more likely a lower-end Atlantic finish (6th or 7th). Potential to improve, but not yet in serious contention unless they make big moves. Detroit Red Wings They showed competitiveness last season; some young core pieces are developing; fanbase optimism is there. They're not total longshots — could surprise. hockeybuzz.com+1 Depth is lacking; need more consistency, better defense, better special teams. Also, injuries and inexperience could hurt them over the grind of a full season. Their margin for error is small. Likely still on the outside looking in. May notch more wins than last season, possibly finish mid-pack in the division, but a playoff berth is probably a stretch unless many things go right.     Metropolitan   Team Strengths / What Looks Good Challenges / Risks Expectations / Projection Carolina Hurricanes Added scoring depth (Nikolaj Ehlers) and boosted their defense backing (K'Andre Miller). They have a strong coaching staff, and their core players (Aho, Svechnikov, etc.) are established. (The Hockey News) Ehlers has been somewhat injury prone; Miller is still adjusting to larger responsibility. Also, they've had playoff disappointments lately — expectations are high, so even small slip-ups will be magnified. (The Hockey News) Many project them to win the Metro. Likely among the top point totals in the division (100+ points), serious contender to go deep in the playoffs. (Yardbarker) New York Rangers Key offseason additions: defense improvements, coaching change (Mike Sullivan) which might stabilize some weaknesses. They have top-end talent offensively, good leadership, and the potential to tighten up defensively. (Yardbarker) Their defensive and 5-on-5 metrics were weak last season; goaltending concerns persist. They need consistency, especially in close games and during stretches without full health. (Yardbarker) Expected to bounce back. Many see them finishing near the top of the Metro, possibly 2nd or 3rd. Not quite the favourite, but serious playoff hopes. (Yardbarker) New Jersey Devils Young core that is increasingly experienced: Hughes, Bratt, etc. Some savvy offseason moves adding depth forwards and defensive pieces. If they stay healthy, they could compete for a high seed. (Live Sports on TV) Injuries to their star players remain a concern; goaltending is also an open question (how well Markstrom and others hold up). Depth still isn't quite elite. Also, consistency in tight games will be tested. (Yardbarker) Many expect them to improve on last season, possibly pushing for top-3 in Metro. A playoff berth is expected; division win less certain. If things go well, might break into serious contention. (Yardbarker) Washington Capitals Strong recent performance; good special teams, solid top lines, veteran leadership. Their depth is better in many eyes, and key players are still in good form. (The Hockey News) Aging defense corps could be a liability. Also, regression is possible—last season's stretch may be hard to replicate at the same level. Injuries always loom. (Yardbarker) Probably a top-4 Metro finish. They might not be favoured to win the division, but if things align, they could threaten. Expect playoff qualification, likely in a decent seeding spot. (Yardbarker) Columbus Blue Jackets Young players are continuing to develop; they showed last season they can compete. If goaltending solidifies and they stay healthy, they could push for the lower playoff spots. (Yardbarker) Goaltending is a concern (depth, consistency). Also, finishing games, managing pressure, and handling divisional matchups could expose their inexperience. Depth beyond top lines may still be a weak link. (Yardbarker) Dark horse for a wild card. Probably not expected to win the Metro, but could finish 4th–5th, depending on injuries and consistency. Surprises possible. (Yardbarker) New York Islanders Veteran presence, some depth, experience in tight defensive systems. Could outperform low expectations if they get hot and especially in home games. (Yardbarker) The roster seems to lack top-end scoring punch compared to the top Metro teams. Also unclear whether they've made enough changes to keep up with more aggressive/younger teams. If injuries hit, they may have trouble keeping pace. (Yardbarker) Likely in the middle of the pack. Maybe fight for a wild card but probably not among the top 3 unless something clicks. (Yardbarker) Philadelphia Flyers Some high-upside youth, flashes of good play, potential to surprise. They've added pieces that could help in depth and forward scoring. (Live Sports on TV) Still a ways to go. Lack of consistency, defense and special teams likely won't be top tier. Pressure to improve is there but may not have enough veteran stability. (Yardbarker) Probably among the lower end of Metro. Expecting modest gains; playoff battle is probably out of reach unless overperformance across the board. (Yardbarker) Pittsburgh Penguins Name recognition, leadership with veterans; still capable of pulling out big performances (especially in front of home crowd). If some younger players step up, there's upside. (Bleav) Aging core, inconsistent goaltending, defensive talent concerns. Many see them projected to finish last or near the bottom in the Metro. Long stretches of tough games could expose their vulnerabilities. (Yardbarker) Probably a rebuilding / transition year. More about development and seeing what youth can do. Playoffs unlikely barring massive surprises. Might aim to exceed low expectations rather than compete for top spots. (Yardbarker)                                       Pacific  Team Strengths / What's Working in Their Favor Key Weaknesses / Risks Expectations / Projection Vegas Golden Knights They won the division last season (2024-25) and bring strong overall depth, offensive firepower, and experience. (Daily Faceoff) They've also made roster tweaks to stay competitive. (Daily Faceoff) Losing or aging pieces, defensive depth under pressure, possible regression if injuries hit. Also, they'll get more attention from other teams, meaning more challenging matchups. (Daily Faceoff) Likely to be one of the top 2 in the Pacific, maybe the division winner again. Considered among the favorites. Edmonton Oilers Big upside. With superstars like McDavid, strong offensive core, recent playoff success (they made the Stanley Cup Final last season) indicate they already have what it takes. (Daily Faceoff) Goaltending is a concern, but if the tandem holds up, they could be dangerous. (NHL) Consistency in goal is a known risk: both in terms of performance and availability. Statistics suggest some volatility. Also, pressure expectations are high. If things go off the rails early, it could affect momentum. (NHL) Expected to challenge Vegas closely for the division; likely secure a playoff spot. Possibly division runner-up or even top if they outperform in goal. Los Angeles Kings They had a solid 2024-25, finishing 2nd in the Pacific. Key players have experience, and if their depth continues to build, they could push upward. (Wikipedia) Scoring consistency and depth past the top lines will matter. Injuries or underperformance in secondary scoring could limit how high they go. Also, keeping pace with Vegas/Edmonton will be challenging. (Daily Faceoff) Likely to be in the playoff mix. Possibly a dark horse for second or third in the division, potentially a lower seed but competitive. Vancouver Canucks They have some strong forward pieces, and internal roster improvements (especially on defense) are viewed by analysts as meaningful. If their goaltending is healthy, they could push for a wild card. (The Hockey Writers) Lack of a strong second-line center is viewed as a weakness. Also, past off-ice issues (locker room dynamics) and performance under pressure might be concerns. Health of key players will be crucial. (The Hockey Writers) Probably fighting for one of the lower playoff or wild card spots. Could surprise and finish mid-pack in Pacific if things go well, but not expected to win the division. Calgary Flames Some analysts see potential for them to climb; they may be undervalued, depending on offseason additions, internal development, and being in a division that is top-heavy (so second tiers can get more margin). (Daily Faceoff) Depth issues, matching up against elite offensive teams, special teams and defensive consistency often are weak spots. If opponents exploit those, Flames might struggle in tight games. (Daily Faceoff) Likely just outside of the top 3 in the division; possible wild card contender if they stay consistent and avoid injury. Anaheim Ducks They are still rebuilding, but have young talent, and some key contracts or signings could help them improve. (Daily Faceoff) Probably still a year or two away from being a real threat. Their defense and goaltending need to improve more before they can reliably win close games. Depth beyond the top prospects might limit their ceiling this season. (The Hockey Writers) Probably toward the lower end of playoff contention. More likely playing spoiler or improving win totals rather than challenging for top of Pacific. Seattle Kraken They have new coaching (Lane Lambert) which could bring a change in culture or playing style. Some young players are expected to develop further. (Wikipedia) They were weak in 2024-25, and must overcome inconsistency, defensive holes, scoring shortages. Also, renovation of systems and integrating young players tends to produce growing pains. (OilersNation) Likely among the bottom few in Pacific, unless there is a breakout by young core. Probably fighting for modest gains in standings rather than playoff spots. San Jose Sharks Potential upside in young players / prospects; less external pressure; opportunity to surprise if things align. (Daily Faceoff) Very likely to struggle in many games. Depth, defense, offense vs stronger teams are weak points. Budget / roster limitations may make large leaps difficult. (Daily Faceoff) Likely near the bottom of the Pacific this season. Development year. Might win some rounds, maybe upset a few higher-ranked teams, but not expected to make the playoffs in baseline projections.                                       Central    Team What Looks Good / Strengths What Could Go Wrong / Key Risks Expectations / Projection Colorado Avalanche • Strong forward group with Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, Brock Nelson, Valeri Nichushkin. (The Hockey Writers) • Good defensive depth; additions like Brent Burns and Victor Olofsson project to bolster secondary scoring and depth. (The Hockey News) • More stable goaltending: Mackenzie Blackwood paired with Scott Wedgewood may reduce the inconsistency that has been a drag in past seasons. (The Hockey Writers) • Landeskog's ability to stay healthy and produce consistently is still a question. (The Hockey Writers) • Age of some defensive pieces (e.g. Burns) is a factor; performance may dip or break down in tough stretches. • If the backup goaltending or depth scoring fails, that could expose vulnerabilities. Among the favorites to win the division or finish top 2-3. Many projections put Colorado near or at the top. They are seen as a Stanley Cup contender from the Central. (The Hockey News) Dallas Stars • Strong forward group / top-6 depth. Even if they lost some pieces, their core remains dangerous. (The Hockey Writers) • Jake Oettinger remains a strong goaltender, giving them solid chances in tight games. (The Hockey News) • They may have gotten slightly “worse on paper” due to offseason departures; matching pace with Colorado, Winnipeg, etc., will be tough. (The Hockey Writers) • Defensive depth could be stressed; margin for error is smaller in a tight division. Very likely playoff team; realistic chance to compete for the division title. Projections often put them 1-3 in the Central. (The Hockey Writers) Winnipeg Jets • Strong regular season potential: solid core, strong goaltending, capable offense. (The Hockey News) • Adding leadership / veterans like Jonathan Toews may help in tight playoff push games. (The Hockey News) • They lost Nikolaj Ehlers, which is a nontrivial blow to their offense. Replacing that contribution is not simple. (The Hockey Writers) • Keeping consistency over a full season, especially in travel / divisional games, is always challenging. • Injuries or regression from key players could hamper momentum. Expected to finish among the top 3 in the Central; likely a playoff spot. Some projections have them trailing Colorado and Dallas. (The Hockey News) Utah Mammoth • Progressing core; young but gaining experience. Some observers view them as dark horse. (The Hockey Writers) • They have added pieces to try to round out depth; more cohesion could pay off. • Their overall expectation is rising; they may benefit if other teams slip. • Inexperience could hurt in high-stakes games. • Depth still may not be sufficient to sustain long slumps or injuries to key forwards / defense. • Goaltending and consistency remain open questions. Likely a wild card contender. Could finish 4th-5th in the division, possibly grab a playoff spot if things break well. Not yet expected to challenge at the very top, but capable of overachieving. (The Hockey Writers) Minnesota Wild • Some talented young players developing (e.g. Zeev Buium, Brock Faber, etc.). (The Hockey Writers) • Goaltending tandem (Gustavsson / Wallstedt) may give them more stability. (The Hockey Writers) • If Kaprizov stays engaged and the offense gets consistent support, they could push for wild card. • There has been uncertainty around certain players' commitments/futures (e.g. rumors with Kirill Kaprizov). • Depth beyond the top lines / top 6 remains a concern. • Defensive breakdowns in tight games and special teams performance could limit upside. Probably mid-pack in Central. Many projections expect them to fight for a playoff  

Two recent incidents served as "wake-up" calls to me. I was bracing myself to soon be the recipient of two instances es of negative customer service behavior. In both cases I was wrong ... very wrong. Known for an upbeat and proactive person, I was disappointed in myself for entertaining these two opportunities in such a poor fashion. I promised myself to do better moving forward. Take a listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doc give their reasons why they think Atlanta is legit USC has fallen off the map Nats baseball can only look ahead

9.26.25 Hour 1 1:00- Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels have been ruled OUT vs Atlanta. We react to this massive news here. 22:00- With McLaurin & Daniels both ruled out this weekend... Do you expect them to still win?

This week on the Talkin' Crazy Podcast, I'm coming in hot — we are talking about expectations, friendships, and why betrayal hurts so bad. Too many of us are expecting “us” from people who were never built like us. I break down:Why expecting loyalty from everyone is setting yourself up for disappointmentHow to stop giving “friend privileges” to classmates, coworkers, and followersWhy fake friends, silent supporters, and secret competitors are dangerous to keep aroundHow to reevaluate your circle and protect your peaceThis episode is about boundaries, accountability, and clarity. If you've ever been betrayed, let down, or left wondering why someone you trusted switched up — this one's for you.IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaksLet our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home. Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks and enjoy a special discount on your first month.

Big O talks Miami Heat 09252

Are you wondering how many calories you really need while breastfeeding especially if you're hoping to lose weight without hurting your milk supply? In this episode, Brooke Miller, registered dietitian and lactation counselor, breaks down the biggest myths about calories and weight loss during postpartum. You'll learn why “eat less, move more” doesn't work for breastfeeding moms and what to do instead. What to Listen For Why your calorie needs are higher postpartum than during pregnancy The real reason "eat less, move more" backfires for breastfeeding moms What happens to your milk supply when you eat too few calories Why most moms need over 2,000 calories/day while breastfeeding How protein and fiber impact your metabolism, mood, and cravings Why focusing on macro composition is more effective than calorie tracking The role of strength training in healing your metabolism postpartum Simple signs you're under-eating: mood swings, exhaustion, low milk supply How to calculate your personal macro needs using Brooke's program One small step you can take today to start nourishing your body better You don't need to wait until weaning to start feeling better. By focusing on quality nutrition and listening to your body's real needs, you can feel energized, confident, and supported in your postpartum journey.

Wolf and Luke discuss what they are expecting from Brandon Pfaadt in his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers and react to what Kyler Murray had to say in his press conference on Tuesday.

Today we start with an Ironman World Championship breakdown and bridge into how we can learn from how the pros race. We get into understanding what you have on certain days and adjusting on the fly. We talk about how trying to save 10 minutes on the bike can cost you an hour on the bike and why. We look at “expectations” and how they should/can be adjusted as the day goes on. Finding your Best Race with what you have that day. Learning your body's signals. What if you “kinda have it and you kinda don't?” Everyone has a plan until . . . Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store! Topics: Ironman World Championship They all train together Run surges Age Groupers vs. Pros Adjusting pace on the fly “Thinking” you have more than you do in the tank Underperforming with too much science Expecting your best race Kinda had it . . . kinda didn't have it Hope is not a plan Everyone has a plan until . . . Finding your 10 out of 10 on Race Day Understanding what you have today Learning your body's signals How to dig deeper holes 10 minutes on the bike can cost you an hour on the run Ironman analogies for life How this going to affect my sleep? Decisions create habits   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Bobby has something big to share. So big, he calls for a drum roll because it's something we were not at all expecting! Amy shares how she ended up bloody in public and it was so embarrassing. In Fun Fact Friday, we cover how Tom Brady almost went pro in a different sport, a restaurant that has its own record label, and the strange law about getting married in Ohio. The competition is heating up in Easy Trivia ...can anyone slow down Eddie in his winning streak? We talked about childbirth and how each baby on the show took to be born.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.