Podcasts about Finding Joy

In this profoundly moving episode of Every Day Peace, Dr. Dravon James sits down with Karen Simmons Bethea—a woman of extraordinary strength, insight, and spiritual resilience. With unflinching honesty and heartfelt grace, Karen shares her deeply personal journey through divorce, profound grief, illness, and unexpected material loss—and how, through it all, she uncovered a deeper connection to her authentic self. This conversation is not about avoiding pain; it's about honoring it, learning from it, and ultimately using it as a pathway to joy and inner peace. Karen's story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest seasons, we are being invited to return to ourselves—and to something greater than ourselves. In this episode, you'll discover: How sorrow can become a sacred teacher The power of vulnerability and spiritual grounding Daily practices to reclaim joy, even in the midst of life's storms Karen's journey will inspire you to believe in your own ability to rise, rebuild, and rediscover yourself—no matter what life has taken away. Because sometimes, the path to peace begins where everything else falls apart. Work with Dr. Dravon James Get your free gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what happens when dads get together and speak their unfiltered truth about parenthood? This episode captures the raw, hilarious reality of fatherhood that rarely makes it into parenting books.The conversation kicks off with candid Father's Day reflections, where Mark shares a touching moment of coming home to find his children had created a surprise celebration with homemade signs and streamers. Another dad reads his son's brutally honest school questionnaire: "My dad's favorite color is, I don't know" and the priceless "My dad makes the best... he only cooks sometimes." These moments of unintentional comedy from children become treasured memories, despite the occasional roasting of dad's abilities.Dive into the fascinating world of "dad math" as one father explains driving an hour to save $70 on a deck box at Costco. The hosts share survival strategies for weekend warehouse shopping with kids, including the mortifying moment when a child starts chanting "dead fish!" at the seafood counter. You'll laugh as they debate the merits of different Costco locations and admit to driving astronomical distances just to avoid crowds.The podcast takes an unexpectedly insightful turn when discussing strategies for handling children's meltdowns. Who knew that singing during tantrums engages both emotional and rational parts of a child's brain? Or that deliberately naming colors incorrectly will distract even the most upset toddler? These field-tested techniques come from the trenches of parenthood, not theoretical parenting manuals.Marriage communication gets a hilarious examination when the dads share the memes they exchange with their wives—ranging from flirtatious jokes to pointed "hard pill to swallow" parenting reminders. Their honest assessment of unrealistic parenting advice (like dimming all house lights 90 minutes before bedtime) will have you nodding in agreement.Join this authentic conversation about the beautiful mess of fatherhood. Whether you're a parent looking for solidarity or someone curious about the unvarnished truth of raising kids, this episode delivers laughs, insights, and the comforting reminder that perfect parenting doesn't exist—but real, loving fatherhood absolutely does.

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson reconnects with an old friend HL after 25 years. They reminisce about their time working together and discuss HL's journey from central Pennsylvania to Texas. HL shares his passion for baking, particularly German pastries, inspired by his daughter's time in Germany. They also discuss the influence of music, particularly Bruce Springsteen, on their lives. HL talks about how he started his Texan-German bakery, Tex Brochen, and the joy he finds in mastering new recipes. The episode concludes with the 'Mary Question,' exploring whether Mary gets in the car in Springsteen's iconic song Thunder Road. 00:00 Introduction and Patreon Shoutouts 01:44 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce 02:06 Reconnecting with HL 02:40 HL's Background and Move to Texas 04:53 Musical Influences and Memories 07:53 College and Early Career 09:53 Working at Bank Tech and Meeting His Wife 18:38 Transition to Furniture Making and Baking 22:48 From Hobby to Business: The Journey Begins 24:31 Tex and German Bakery: A Unique Blend 26:17 Challenges and Rewards of Baking 29:58 The Art and Science of Baking 31:27 Musical Inspirations and Personal Stories 38:39 The Mary Question: A Thought-Provoking Tradition 41:06 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed, irritated, or like you're just going through the motions of family life?Do you wish you could feel more joy, peace, and connection—but don't know how to actually get there in the midst of chores, tantrums, and to-do lists?In this episode, we share how to actually enjoy family life—even when it's hard, boring, or chaotic. We explore how being present—truly present—can radically transform your parenting and your emotional state. You'll learn how to stop “trying” to be calm or patient... and instead become calm and patient from the inside out—so you can raise happier, more resilient kids who feel safe, seen, and emotionally supported every day.We unpack how your emotional baseline affects your family culture, why pretending to be peaceful isn't enough, and how small daily habits like mindfulness, gratitude, and intentional action can raise your emotional thermostat.You'll also discover how to remove hidden emotional blocks and process negative feelings—so you can genuinely enjoy family life, even in the messy, mundane, or tough moments.This conversation is packed with practical strategies to help you shift from reactive and exhausted... to grounded, connected, and joyful.If you've been craving more daily joy and emotional peace, this episode is your roadmap.Key Takeaways:✅ Trying to be calm isn't the same as being calm—true peace comes from internal emotional regulation.✅ You can't fake joy, patience, or love—emotional authenticity is essential in parenting.✅ Your emotional baseline determines the overall tone of your family culture.✅ Unprocessed emotions run in the background and drain your energy—clearing them frees you to parent with joy.✅ Small habits like mindfulness, breathwork, and gratitude rewire your brain and raise your emotional thermostat.Chapters:00:00 The Essence of Happiness in Family Life02:24 The Struggle Between Doing and Being05:22 Modeling Joy for Children08:29 The Role of Triggers in Parenting11:13 Choosing Emotions in Daily Life13:59 Finding Joy in Everyday Chores17:09 The Impact of Environment on Happiness20:00 Teaching Children Through Example22:48 The Importance of Self-Control in Parenting26:03 Creating a Positive Family Dynamic30:31 Choosing Happiness: The Process of Emotional Management32:47 Understanding Neuroticism and Its Impact on Emotions35:27 The Power of Focus: Shifting Perspectives39:26 Transforming Daily Chores into Joyful Experiences43:11 Morning Routines: Setting the Tone for Positivity47:15 Processing Emotions: The Key to Emotional Freedom51:25 Authenticity in Parenting: The Importance of Genuine EmotionsMemorable Quotes:

Welcome to this mini episode of The Fertility Podcast, where Natalie is joined by author, adventurer, and fertility campaigner Jessica Hepburn to explore the powerful role of nature in healing during fertility struggles. Natalie and Jessica recently spent the weekend together at the Love Her Wild North event embracing the power of community in the natural world. What we discuss: -The outdoors and your mental health when you are in a fertility hole-Love her Wild and the benefits of it for the fertility community. Love her Wild is about women who love the outdoors or want to get to love them - there were people talking about massive adventures and those sharing their little adventures. -Jessica touches on her fertility journey involving multiple losses, 11 rounds of IVF-How nature saved her life after Project Baby and at age 43 she made the decision to pursue adventure and nature. -How the outdoors merges with the fertility world with Natalie and Jessica -Nature is a healer, from looking at the birds in your garden or learning about trees to going on journeys. -The importance of living in the wait rather than waiting to live and how nature can be enjoyed for FREE-Getting into green will shift things - it won't change what you are going through right now and the hardness or the outcome but it will help you find those pockets of joy.-How starting a blessing book really helped her during the hardest times of her treatment-Going for a walk, listening to a podcast, or walking in silence with a friend you can connect with or talk about anything. -Jessica talks bout her 2nd book 21 days and how she found acceptance and found other ways to be happy yet she will always carry a sadness from not being a mother. -‘Melonjoy' - that feeling when someone tells you that they're pregnant and you are not and it's what you want more than anything. You feel happy for them but sad for you at the same time.. a fusion of melancholy and joy and it's a real thing you can feel both at the same time… Links & Resources:Let's Stay Connected DM Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy Follow Fertility Action: @fertility.actionEmail thoughts or guest ideas: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.com Subscribe on your podcast app to stay updated Follow Jessica: Jessica discusses her newest book 'Save me from the Waves'Jessica's first ever chat on The Fertility Podcastin 2014Follow Love Her WildFind out more about Jessica's work, her books and her adventures here Connect with Jessica on Instagram

Fr. Nathan speaks with David Lorimer, MA, PGCE, FRSA, a visionary polymath, spiritual activist, and poet. David who is Founder of Character Education Scotland, Global Ambassador of the Scientific and Medical Network (www.scientificandmedical.net) and former President of Wrekin Trust and the Swedenborg Society. He has also been editor of Paradigm Explorer since 1986. He was the instigator of the Beyond the Brain conference series in 1995 (www.beyondthebrain.org) and has co-ordinated the Mystics and Scientists conferences (www.mysticsandscientists.org) every year since the late 1980s.David is also Chair of the Galileo Commission (www.galileocommission.org)which seeks the widen science beyond a materialistic world view. He hosts apodcast, Imaginal Inspirations, with key thinkers in consciousness studies. Heis a Creative Member of the Club of Budapest, a Member of the EvolutionaryLeaders Circle.David, originally a merchant banker, then a teacher of philosophy and modern languages at Winchester College, is the author and editor of over a dozen books, including Radical Prince on the ideas and work of the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III). His most recent publications are his essays, A Quest for Wisdom (2021), his collection of poems Better Light a Candle (2022),Spiritual Awakenings (2022, edited with Marjorie Woollacott)David is the originator of the Inspiring Purpose Values Poster Programmes,which has reached over 350,000 young people all over the world, and hasedited fifteen magazines and five books in this connection. He was a SeniorResearch Fellow at the Jubilee Centre in the University of Birmingham from2015-2018 and in 2022 he was appointed an Ambassador of CharacterEducation. See www.inspiringpurpose.org.ukClick this link and let us know what you love about The Joyful Friar Podcast! Support the show​Connect with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.: http://www.nathan-castle.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/fathernathancastleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/father_nathan_castle/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FatherNathanGCastleOPListen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3ssA9b5Purchase books on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/34bhp2t4 Donate: https://nathan-castle.com/donate My Dominican brothers and I live a vow of poverty. That means we hold our goods in common. If you enjoy this podcast, please donate. 501©3 of the Western Dominican Province.#fathernathancastle, #nathancastle, #thejoyfulfriar, #afterlifeinterrupted, #Interrupteddeathexperience #consciousness #lifeafterdeath, #lifeafterloss #spirituality #awakenings. #nde, #ste, #ide

Today's guest is Dr. Cindy Howard, board certified chiropractic internist and nutritionist, incredible public speaker, award-winning author, and Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor. Dr. Cindy loves to inspire with humor, wisdom, and finding joy in adversity.We talk so much about joy, especially in the little things, reframing negativity while acknowledging the reality of our situations, bad moments vs. a bad life, finding the quiet, and so much more. Resources:Order Cindy's Book on Amazon: Positively Altered: Finding Happiness at the Bottom of a Chemo BagCindy's Website: https://drcindyspeaks.com/All things Dr. Cindy: https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaksFollow:Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/My website: https://melissagrosboll.comEmail me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

Welcome back to 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs!'    In this lively and heartfelt episode, Danielle Ireland chats with Ashlyn Thompson from the Parent Empowerment Network. Ashlyn shares her journey from growing her nonprofit organization to the emotional rollercoaster of her daughter's complex medical journey.    Get ready to explore how pain can be an unexpected teacher, the magic of community support, and why tapping into creativity can be your secret weapon against anxiety. Filled with laughs, valuable insights, and touching moments, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and joy. Tune in and enjoy the ride!   00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 00:20 Ashlyn Thompson's Journey and Nonprofit Growth 01:10 The Importance of Community and Support 01:37 Embracing Big Feelings and Finding Joy 02:52 Welcoming Ashlyn Back and Discussing Growth 05:44 Navigating Pain and Empowerment 09:51 The Power of Perspective and Decision Making 14:27 Balancing Life and Nonprofit Work 21:21 The Role of Pain as a Teacher 30:48 Finding Comfort in Movement and Nature 33:09 Returning to Basics 33:35 Reflecting on Past Decisions 35:20 The Role of Pain and Fear 38:20 Parent Empowerment Network 44:25 Creativity as a Lifeline 49:21 Embracing Emotions 53:07 Don't Cut Your Own Bangs Moment 01:01:20 Conclusion and Resources   Ashlyn Thompson interview links Ashlyn Thompson, a passionate advocate and storyteller, is co-founder of the Parent Empowerment Network, a nonprofit providing emotional and mental health support to parents navigating pediatric medical complexities. She also co-hosts theEmpowered by Hope podcast, which equips parents with practical tools, resources, and a strong sense of community—delivered with a heavy dose of humor and hope to empower them as their child's best advocate. Ashlyn's fire for advocacy was ignited by her daughter Emery, who was born with bladder exstrophy. After Emery nearly died following a major surgery at just seven weeks old, Ashlyn became a fierce voice for patient safety. Unwilling to accept the limitations of domestic medical care, she discovered a surgical option in the U.K. that wasn't available in the U.S. at the time. In early 2023, Emery became the first American to undergo this procedure—and thanks to Ashlyn's relentless advocacy, that surgery is now available in America. When she's not advocating or recording podcasts, Ashlyn moonlights as a budding driveway chalk artist, chaos coordinator for her spirited family, and an avid nature lover. Chocolate is her daily vitamin, ADHD is her superpower, spiders and small talk are her sworn enemies, and she firmly believes laughter and boldness are two of a parent's greatest tools.   Parent Empowerment Network:  The Parent Empowerment Network exists to support, encourage, and educate parents of children with medical complexities—empowering them with community, knowledge, and confidence to be their child's fiercest advocate. www.ParentEmpowermentNetwork.org Empowered by Hope podcast on all major podcast streaming platforms: https://parentempowermentnetwork.org/podcast/   Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Parent-Empowerment-Network/100083218456295/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentempowermentnetwork/   She is Charlotte book by co-founder, Emily Whiting:https://parentempowermentnetwork.org/she-is-charlotte-book/ DANIELLE IRELAND, LCSW I greatly appreciate your support and engagement as part of the Don't Cut Your Own Bangs community. Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or anything you'd like to share. You can connect with me at any of the links below.   Website: https://danielleireland.com/   The Treasured Journal: https://danielleireland.com/journal   Substack: https://danielleireland.substack.com/   Blog: https://danielleireland.com/blog/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielleireland_lcsw   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielleireland.LCSW   Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@danielleireland8218/featured “Don't Cut Your Own Bangs” is about creating a community around, and familiarity with, the messy middle—that uncertain and often chaotic and uncomfortable time in the middle of a process or journey. The messy middle is replete with ambiguity and challenges, but it's also where the hard and rewarding work happens.   Transcript [00:00:00] Danielle: Hello. Hello, this is Danielle Ireland and you are watching or listening to Don't Cut Your Own Bangs. I am so excited to be back in the interview seat. We've done some solo cast. It's been a blast. But Ashlyn Thompson is here with me today, and we just wrapped an incredible conversation. Ashlyn came on as a guest to talk about her work with Charlotte's Hope Foundation a couple of years ago. [00:00:26] She was about ready to embark right in the interview we were, she was. Days away from embarking on a trip to the UK for her daughter having a surgery with the only surgeon in the world who performed the specific type of surgery that her daughter needed. Her daughter's made a full recovery. It's a beautiful story we're gonna get into in this episode, but what I'm truly, if you could imagine even beyond that beautiful story, what I'm so excited to introduce to you and to that I was so grateful to witness and learn from. [00:00:53] Is that Ashlyn has grown her nonprofit organization, not no money in organization, but yes, a nonprofit organization that at the time, two years ago when we last checked in with her, was called Charlotte's Hope Foundation. It has grown. It's expanded, and it's evolved, and it's now the Parent Empowerment Network. [00:01:10] She and her co-founder also have a podcast for that same work, and what I love about the work that they do. They create community connection space and resources for parents and families raising children or any provider helping a child navigate medical complexities. And that sounds like such a hard and heavy and challenging topic. [00:01:33] And it is. But what Ashlyn embodies is. The work that I really wanted to bring to this season and this new phase of don't cut your own bangs, which I want big feelings to feel less scary. I want approaching them to feel possible. And then with that in mind, wherever possible, as much as possible, finding lightness, levity, and joy. [00:01:54] However we can do it. And I'm telling you, in this episode we did that. We accomplished that. We talk about important things, we talk about heavy things, and Ashland is vulnerable in a way that is inviting. But also something we can all learn from. And through the specificity of her life experience and what she's learned, there are universal nuggets that we can all find value in. [00:02:17] I know I did, and this was such a beautiful place to share, and we laughed. We had joy, we smiled . I hope that this topic invites you and encourages you to lean in and tune in because there are so many great nuggets of this. Thank you for being here, and I can't wait for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy. [00:02:38] Ashlyn Thompson [00:02:39] Hi. Yes, I know. Big jumps for both of us. I know. I feel like we're, it does feel like a lifetime ago. It I mean, in many ways it is. It's like we're, I mean, I'm still, me and all the key players are still playing. Right. But it does feel like a different life in a way. And I, with that in mind, I just wanna officially welcome you back. [00:02:55] Yes. Welcome. Ashlyn Thompson. Oh, thank. Don't cut your own bangs. I am so excited that you're here for many reasons, but the thing I'm most excited about is I think that. Building something or starting something creates a certain amount of effort and energy. Sustaining something, growing with it, breathing new life into it, that's a different part of a different element of a creative process. [00:03:17] And that's something I think specifically I'm really excited to talk to you about because you're parent Empowerment Network, which has it, it exists to support, encourage and educate parents and caregivers of children with medical complexities. And that was, it already was in existence when we, right, when we recorded the first time. [00:03:34] But it has grown. Grown. I went to a gala, people, she's throwing a gala fundraiser for her for her network. And so, I mean, I wanna hear about all the twists and all the developments of that, but more specifically the context I wanna provide for us and for this conversation. The thing that I'm really excited about, , and why I feel really passionate about bringing this to video. [00:03:57] Is that I want to help make big feelings feel less scary. Yeah. And I want to make, approaching them feel possible. And then with that in mind as much and as often as possible, laugh as much as possible. Amen. And so, right? So like, you are swimming in the trenches with people and even in your own life with people who are holding and making space for heavy things. [00:04:23] Yes. And yet there is a bright smile on your face. There's a twinkle in your eye. You laugh and you smile. And I wanna, and I don't know how to articulate what that is, but I want to, I wanna, that's something I wanna make space for in this conversation too. So it's important and it's big and it's emotional for sure, but also like, let's allow levity too. [00:04:42] Absolutely. I am so excited to be continuing our conversation, and I'm also really happy to know that. The person who's sitting here with you today is very much a different person from two years ago. And I feel like I have gone through multiple versions of myself just in the past two years. And that's one of the things that I truly celebrate about, not just the journey of parent empowerment network, but I think just growing and evolving as a human spirit, experiencing this life is recognizing that I say this phrase to only certain people, but I act, I feel compelled to share it now. [00:05:26] I feel like I have died a thousand times. And greeted so many versions of myself. But every time I rise into that extroversion and realize who I am, I like that person more and more. And. I feel like one of my greatest accomplishments just this past year has been truly settling into a, knowing a deep belief that life is meant to grow through, not go through. [00:05:58] And that change, that pivot of how I see the next big thing that comes up has been such a grounding force for me and has really helped me feel like I'm actually sitting in the driver's seat of my car. I don't know what I'm going to pass as I'm on this highway. In life. And sometimes life yanks me off on an exit I didn't plan. [00:06:23] And those exit ramps are typically the next lesson. But I'm grateful to be at a point where I can now see the next really hard thing emerging and not wanna hit reverse. Wow. Wow. Not that I like it all the time. No, God. But I can appreciate that this isn't out to crush me. This isn't here to take me down like I used to feel. [00:06:53] , Wow. There's a lot to unpack there for. Thank you so much for sharing that, but also not going in reverse. I wanna make a mental note, not going in reverse. The next version of me, I like better, and this is not here to crush me. Right. The, there's something, I got chills. I got full body chills when you, the la with the last thing that you said, because when I'm working with clients, there is this element and this is something. [00:07:18] I promise I'll come back to that original point there. There's an element of the work that I do where, and I'm sure you get this in your own way too, with like hearing stories from families who are holding really hard and heavy things. I think when I meet people for the first time, a common response is, wow, I don't know how you do what you do, or I don't know how you listen to that all day. [00:07:36] Or Oh man, and I think, yes, sure. There, there are certainly days and clients or moments where those stories are making space for people's big, heavy, painful experiences. Right. Is can be a lot at times. Far less anymore. But I think more than anything the va like, I feel so lucky to have the experience a hundred maybe even thousands of times over hurt people's pain. [00:08:03] And I know what pain sounds like. Yes. And there are different types and one thing that I absolutely believe to be true is that our pain is not personal. Our story is personal, right? But pain is not personal. And the events of our life, even things that happen to us, it's, there's it's almost shifting out of a, and I hope I can say this within the context that, that is heard with love. [00:08:27] But shifting out of a victim mentality right into it. Because being victimized or being stricken with grief or holding something hard like that is absolutely real. And also knowing that this is happening to me, but this is not gosh, what are the words I'm trying to find. It, what I'm hearing is you recognize how hard this is. [00:08:51] Whatever that insert blank. I recognize how hard this is, and I'm not going to make this pain so precious that I don't also see it as temporary. Yes, exactly. But there's something, so I think there's something really powerful and there's so much nuance to that because I certainly don't want to, people can be victimized, but the victim mentality is one of, in my professional experience it's one of the more challenging headspace to, for someone to walk out of. [00:09:21] Agree. It's really hard. Exactly. It shrinks your world. So, so much. That's well said. And we experience that very often. We really fo I mean we say all the time, you know, we are non diagnosis specific, non prognosis specific with the families that we work with, and we focus on the parents or the parent role, which could be performed by a sibling, a grandparent, a friend, an adopt, a lot of different people, but. [00:09:51] What we really found early in our journey and what helped us evolve into parent empowerment network was that recognition that, like you pointed out, pain is not it's not customized to your experience. The feeling, the emotional and physical experience relationship with pain is common through all of us, and it actually is a way that we can connect with each other when we recognize that. [00:10:18] When we stop comparing one another's pains. Now, don't get me wrong, if your kid got a bump on the head versus your kid needs a, you know, brain surgery. Right. Those are different. Yes. Very different. Yes. But most of the time we're not dealing with that. And what we have found is that when somebody is in that victim mentality, which is understandable, I think that's a, very important aspect to acknowledge when you're feeling like a victim, why is this happening to me? Or why is this happening to my child? Because I'll be the first to say, it's never okay when your child is hurting or sick or in harm's way or worse. I will never be okay with it. But when we say stuck in a victim mentality, our ability to problem solve goes from about here to here. [00:11:08] Yeah. And then your child is really the one who suffers. And I hate, it's a hard truth. But we have to face that truth because when we can help a parent start to find glimmers of hope, start to see that there's a way to build on quality of life rather than cure. Then you start to see this new version emerge where they are truly, you know, empowered advocates for their child. [00:11:45] There's something that I heard in what you said too, that a lot of times when I'm working with clients who are maybe knee deep in anxiety or depression, for example. I think why can be a powerful question, but I think a misplaced why is a really exactly damaging question. Like, why me? Why them? [00:12:02] Why this, why now? Because those are questions you can't answer that only lead to a defeating answer. Exactly. And usually another question or shame, but what I'm hearing a lot in when you. When you can kind of broaden your focus and sort of release that constriction from why you then can open yourself up to a different type of question. [00:12:23] How can I, exactly. How can I get through today? How can I get through this moment? What is needed most of me now? What do I need now? Right. And those types of the what and the how. Who do I need to show up for? Is it me? Right. Is it them? Who do I need to ask for help? Who has information that I need? [00:12:43] Those types of questions don't eliminate the pain, but it broadens the scope Yes. Of, of your field of vision. And I know that though, like, 'cause you are here in many ways. Oh, I hope it's okay to use this term. But I hope that you're here as an expert and you're also the executive Hope director of of the power impairment network. [00:13:05] And I think a lot of times. What we would imagine as the worst possible case scenario. Like the worst thing we could imagine would be something happening to our kids. This has been your lived experience. This has been your business partner's lived experience. And for, even though you have a podcast as well, where you really create a space and content and a community that helps people with that very specific set of circumstances, that Right. [00:13:33] I would imagine it's like. The best and worst club to be a part of. So we always say, we're so sorry you're in this club. Yes. But we're so glad you found us. Yes. Like it's the yes, we're really sorry, but at the same time, like, welcome home, welcome. And so I think a lot of the, a lot of the people who tune in to don't cut your own bang, I don't know how many would have this specific life experience. [00:13:57] Right. And if you do, oh my gosh, what a gorgeous resource you have in Ashlyn. Oh, thank you. And the Parent empowerment network and their podcast. But I do think that even in something like this, in within the specificity of everything you're saying, there is such a broad truth that I think we can all access and find value in. [00:14:16] And, yeah. So just thank you for all of that. And I want to, okay. I wanna shift a little bit to the growth of the parent Empowerment network. Right. Because, so when I originally started this podcast, what I was, what I really motivated me, one was I was terrified of becoming a therapist and having worked as a creative, and I just wanted to surround myself with other people who, who were building things, right? So that I could sort of sneak in my own needy questions. Like, how did you do it? How did you figure it out? What happened when you were scared? Like, what happened when your computer crashed? Oh my gosh. And you went from newly building something to, you have really grown. [00:14:53] Yes. You have really grown. And I wanna know having experienced the, you know, the gala that Right. That you that you threw that was so lovely. I wanna know . What led to the growth over the last two years? Because you're still momming, you're still life. Yeah. Your daughter is still being you. [00:15:08] I mean, like your life is still life and Yes. Life is still lifeing. How, in the midst of your lifeing, how have you also continued to grow this? And I really wanna know like what fueled your fire. And just tell me more about that story please. Yes, absolutely. So at the beginning of this, you know, when we started talking, you were very talking about how I'm sitting here smiling and I mean, I am fully, I am genuinely full of joy in this moment. [00:15:35] And I think I know actually that comes from being in something like we have with Parent Empowerment Network, which has been truly its own huge like business, right? We are called a nonprofit, but let me tell you, I mean, it is straight up business. [00:15:57] Is what it is in a lot of ways, and. That's the worst possible name for a tax category. It totally is. Because it's so confusing. Nonprofit doesn't mean no money. Right. Exactly. It's so confusing. We do not exist for free. Is great an idea as that sounds. I want that to be the slogan for every nonprofit. [00:16:16] I just, 'cause we don't exist for free. Right. You know the whole, you get what you pay for. It's, yeah. That's a whole other conversation. We're not gonna spend too much time there today. We should have a part two then. There we go. I'm okay with that. All right. So for that, what I think the biggest lesson that has. [00:16:33] Emerged from this journey just since we were, you know, you and I were talking a couple years ago when we were actually still called Charlotte's Hope Foundation. Yes. Which was our initial name. Yes. Because we had an idea for something that was this big at the beginning. And the name Charlotte's Hope Foundation fit that in theory. [00:16:52] But the thing I'm most proud of my, of Emily Whiting, who's my co-founder, fellow mom, fellow sister, fellow savior, at times the best thing we have done is allowed ourselves permission to grow and shrink as needed. And that's what we've done throughout this journey. It has not been a step process. [00:17:15] There have been countless times where we have grown two or three steps, been bigger, you know, working with international teams of surgeons, pulling together collaborations that have never been done, and then. There have been times where we have pulled back and we haven't released an episode for six weeks. [00:17:33] We have had maybe two or three social posts because our lives were on fire or just demanded all our attention, but it didn't mean we had to stop. I need to, oh my gosh. I don't know how many of you listening or watching can relate to that. I, there is a relationship I have with the expansion and contraction of output where if I'm not putting something out, producing something, making something that it really does a number on my sense of self worth. Right. And self esteem. And that is something that I'm still actively healing and repairing, because I definitely know the facts. I know. The really bumper stickery, self helpy sounding talk. [00:18:26] And I believe it. It's not that I, I don't hear it and think like, yeah. Right. It's just that there's a more practiced version of me, right. That has just had more at bats operating in a certain way. And then life in many ways rewards you for that. In theory. In theory. And I don't mean the like the laurels, like you get the the kudos pat on the back accolades but there is a cost, right? [00:18:47] There is a cost. And I think, in the I this past year I wrote a children's book called Wrestling a Walrus. And this the act of writing this book was something that I didn't realize that in the contraction, or even like in the I love the visual of the caterpillar becoming the butterfly. [00:19:09] 'Cause there's a two week process where the caterpillar is literally, we talk about the messy middle in this podcast and think, thank you Brene Brown, wherever you are for creating language and context for us for this very conversation. 'cause so much of this is inspired by that, but that gooey, mushy middle where it's not a butterfly, it's literally goo and it's Exactly, and it, and, but in that place, there is magic happening there. [00:19:33] Even if it, even though it looks like a pile of shit, right. Like, it's, there's magic happening there. I'll say the impetus or the inspiration, the. It was tough moments with my daughter, moments where I didn't feel like I was doing anything. Right. It like hitting the wrecking ball of, you know, being a parent of a toddler and a parent of an infant like that was, there's not enough grace in any space to help you go through that without serious, you know, support. [00:20:02] There were, I had some victim mentality at that point in time, even, and all things can be true at once. But all of that was what I experienced before I had the idea to write the book. And had I not had that experience, I wouldn't have been able to do that. Exactly. I don't think it would've been the same. [00:20:16] And [00:20:16] , and I promise this whole podcast isn't an ad for the book, but like, I really believe in this damn book and I love it so much. And I love that you talk about that expansion and contraction for yourself. And that you doesn't, it doesn't mean you have to stop. 'cause I think a big reason why I maybe avoided picking up the torch again and doing this podcast like I left it for so long, or I abandoned it for so long, or can I still do it right? [00:20:41] Like all of that stuff. And then yeah it. Yeah. Doubt doesn't mean you're done. No. And taking a pause doesn't mean you're stopping forever. But yeah. I mean, you can't just exhale forever. You can't just output like you eventually have to breathe in. Exactly. And that relationship is very necessary. [00:21:00] And so, I mean, everything you're saying is exactly what I need. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. You're welcome. And it, that lesson doesn't come easily. Nope. But I think another element of that, you know, building off of what you were just talking about, pain and discomfort and naturally shying away from it. [00:21:21] I challenge anybody in life to just take a moment to consider pain as a potential teacher, as a professor, rather than pain as an enemy, or pain as a destroyer. Right. If you ask yourself. Why does this feel painful? Because how many times do we all experience in our life something that really gets under our skin, but whether it's a spouse or it's a friend or a coworker and they seem totally unfazed by it, [00:21:56] and that used to be something that bothered me. I was kinda like what's, am I ever sensitive? Or like, what is my thing? And I grew up always hearing, not necessarily even from my parents, but I feel like. Teacher schools and saved by the bell commercials about find what you love in life and you'll never work a day in your life. [00:22:16] And that was great in theory, but I'm a very eclectic person. Yep. I love a lot. And all I was getting was a lot of burnout. That's also like saying like, love your kids and you'll never have a hard day with them in your life. You're like, no bs. No. I love my kids. But like, you know, oh my gosh, kids are the greatest, hardest thing of life. [00:22:33] Right. Right. But I think the same is true. Like , I never stopped loving this. Right. But I don't always have control over the life around. Right. But it's a, I think allowing things to be a part of you, not all of you, is really important. Yeah. And I think it's so easy to define ourselves by that output. [00:22:53] For me and Emily, the word is often it's impact. Are we actually making an impact? And the thing that helped us. Become okay with hitting the pause button when we needed to, and not officially throwing in the towel. Don't get me wrong, there were conversations about it, but we were always very honest with each other and we held each other accountable that if you are feeling like this is not jiving with your life, if it's not jiving with you personally, or it's not good for your family at this moment, let's hit the pause button and talk about it. [00:23:26] But realizing that if we only help each other while working on this, Emily and I, that's helping our kids, that's helping our families. And there's a domino effect from that goes from that. And if that's all we ever do, what's bad about that? You said something that I, it still stuck with me and it will probably be the title of this episode. [00:23:49] Pain is a Professor. Yes, it is. And I wanna go back to that because something that I talk about in my sessions a lot is that your emotions never lie to you. Now your thoughts are very different. Yes. Your thoughts can go a, now granted, we need to think critical thinking is important. [00:24:04] We probably need more critical thinking, but thoughts happen to us all day, every day, constantly. Right. I don't remember what the statistic is. I think we have roughly like eight thoughts a minute, something like that. I'm surprised it's not . Maybe that's just a DH adhd. And that could be too, like, yeah, there, maybe there's a spectrum. [00:24:18] Maybe it's eight to 80 thoughts a minute. Give or take. Give or take a hundred. But so thoughts happen to us now. We can certainly consciously choose what to focus on and what we think. But thinking happens, the emotions are in response to what we're thinking and believing. Exactly. And they never lie. [00:24:35] Right. And I But something you said like pain as a professor. And I like the thought that emotions are energy in motion. Yes. And they always have something for you to learn. There's something for every emotion. There is something it wants you to know. Right. And when you're not feeling good are we have more pain receptors in our body, unfortunately. [00:24:55] We have more pain receptors in our body than we do pleasure receptors. Like, and so when pain is activated, it just has a firmer grip. There's something that Martha Beck talks about that I love. It's called the, I think she calls it the Viper in the box of puppies. So if you were to imagine like, and enough said, right. [00:25:10] Done. You get it. But you hand, if I handed you a box full of like 15 adorable, gorgeous little puppies, I mean, it's, they're the most abundant, silly, loving, fuzzy source of love, safety, pleasure. I could really go for that right now. I mean, would it, that should be a, I'm hoping there's one hiding around somewhere. [00:25:28] We have a surprise for you, but if I were to then put a Viper in or a cobra in your box of puppies. All you're gonna see is the threat. Exactly. All you're gonna see is the threat. And I think in life, it's like we pop mo most of us more often than not, are probably living in lives with a lot of puppies. [00:25:48] But the viper, the threat is what consumes Oh yeah. So much energy and attention and shifting your focus from one to the other is easier said than done. And I wanna talk to you specifically about how you have found meaning or, and I, when I say success, I don't mean it in like a bullet point sense, but right. [00:26:12] Where you have found access to, you know, the viper, you know, or the cobra, you know, the box of puppies. Right. How you access that. I can certainly share how I have, but my emotions, I. I've learned in time. I don't always know exactly what they're telling me in the beginning, but I trust them enough to know that it's something. [00:26:36] And so the first place I try to access, if I'm not dissociating or avoiding, is to sit with it. Yeah. So usually it's like, I'm I'll just dissociate in my fantasy book or rewatching parks and recreation for the MPH teeth bajillion time. You know, it's just always a Sure bet. Yeah. It's just, it's hard for, life can only be so hard with Leslie Nope and little Sebastian, you know? [00:26:57] So anyway. But I wanna know where you find yourself in that shift. Yeah. Yeah. So you've got my head's like turning, I'm also still picturing puppies to be honest. That's okay. So I actually, I feel like I wanna give an example of something that I experienced last year, so two years ago. [00:27:11] It's crazy to think two years ago I went on this crazy journey to England. I went to London to take my daughter, who was not quite two years old yet to have a surgery over there for her ultra rare condition that was not available in the States. And I had talked to everybody in the States, of course, that had any knowledge about it and all they could tell me was, we don't really know anything about it. [00:27:35] We don't do it here. Kind of you're on your own, go for it. Or don't, we can't say that we would support you. All that matters is I went for it. And fortunately it did end up being the right decision, but I also knew that it could not be the right decision. And what I found on that experience was that I was originally desperate for picking the right way in life to move forward, that I could not make a decision. [00:28:06] I could not possibly move forward unless I was a hundred percent sure. But guess what? Life isn't real big on giving you a guarantee. Yeah. Guarantees with anything. And I think where I, that's where I started to learn that I don't have to have the answers to move forward. I can be looking at that box and I can see, oh my gosh, this could go terribly wrong. [00:28:34] But I think living with a hopeful mindset is something that allows me to keep my eye on that viper and then still interact with the puppies over here. My eye is still trained on it, but what I found is a peace in making my decision. And it was a, that feeling, that gut feeling. You know, it, I, it doesn't matter what you've gone through in life. [00:28:58] I can't believe that there's anybody out there who hasn't just had that. I call it just that knowing in your gut, it's a physical experience and that is something. That has helped me move forward in life. Because here's the thing, guys, nobody can ever stay truly still. And that's where a lot of our pain and discomfort comes from, is fighting moving forward without certainty. [00:29:23] Oh, let's pause right there. Oh my gosh. So there's something that Dr. Becky Kennedy who she has the good, she wrote the book Good Inside, and she's got her own beautiful podcast and work and content. She does. She really she focuses on kids, but she's really working on parents relationship with their inner child and by extension their parenting. [00:29:43] But she talks about something called, I've called it the Gap, but she calls it the learning space. So with kids, most of their frustration, tension and meltdowns happen between meeting a moment or. A moment arising and knowing how to meet the moment. And that learning space is usually the gap in knowing or understanding of this is what's arisen and I don't know how to meet this moment. [00:30:04] Right? And then if their context or their ability to meet it, if the moment exceeds their ability that's usually when there's a lot of pain or big feelings. Right. And I think with adults, that's usually where I see self-doubt, rumination anxiety, self-destructive tendencies. [00:30:23] Come in and you're right. You're, I love that you said we're never really still, I mean, one that's just true based on science and physics. We're never still that's actually one of the, like, there's like two necessary components, maybe three to being a living, being or a living entity. [00:30:36] I think, what is it? Movement, cell division, reproduction, and, I don't know, something else. Hey, anyone here pop off in the comments if you're a science boss, please gold star for you. Please. But but yeah, we're never truly still. And so even when you feel stagnant and stuck and even hearing you say that I'm actually processing in real time, one of the things that I have done that I, I discovered by accident, but probably because my body knew better than my mind did. [00:31:04] I would, it often does. I would take my feelings on walks. I would, I talked about that movement is essential if you are literally feeling stuck. I tell, that's what I tell everybody. Anytime they're spiraling. Which it's understandable. Go for a walk. Even if it is five minutes, walk up and down your stairs. [00:31:22] Or at the least one of my favorite things thank you Instagram reels for sucking up so much of my life at times in the hospital, but sometimes, but it's, sometimes it's, it is the perfect escape. It's okay to let the pressure off of ourselves. But there was this one that I saw it was this therapist who was like in her seventies and she was in Ireland and she's walking around in like this, you know, the quintessential Ireland landscape. [00:31:47] And she said, I tell all of my clients when you have a problem or a worry or something that's making you feel like you need to hurry, walk outside where you can see the sky and look up. Because the moment you remove a ceiling from your view, from your your line of sight, your mind opens with it. [00:32:08] And possibilities grow. And I have experienced that so often. And you think about it where you, when you're in a confined space. It only adds to those feelings of I'm stuck or I'm out of options, or I can't deal with this. But when you go outside and the world is just showing you how big it is and how small you are, there's actually a ton of comfort in that. [00:32:35] There's, I've also read and heard that there's something about the way that our eyes sort of gently move and follow and track side to side. Yeah. The movement around us that activates a similar calming sensation that our body experiences in REM sleep. Because if you're tracking a bird or tracking a squirrel, or just simply seeing like the trees and movement, track your kids. [00:32:55] Right. That'll keep you, your eyes all over the place. Girl. But like, 'cause right now we're facing a computer screen and we're in, we're under lights. Like, it's a very I mean, it's a lovely container, but it's a sterile container by comparison of being outside. And I Right. I do think that sometimes, like, like Lifeing. [00:33:11] It can be hard, and I never wanna oversimplify holding the challenges and moving through the challenges. Right. And yet I think sometimes when something feels overly, when something feels complex and impossible, it's almo. I, my instinct is to abandon the basics. And that is always the place to start. [00:33:32] That's always the place to start, is to go back to the basics. [00:33:35] Knowing what you know now what. Do you think the version of you, I wrote down three years ago, but I wanna go back to two years ago bef, like as you were navigating all the travel plans and the decision to go to the UK for your daughter's surgery, what do you think that version of Ashlyn needed to hear or needed to know? [00:33:55] And then the follow up question to that, after you answers, do you think she would've believed you? [00:33:59] It's really funny that you're asking this question because I actually had a conversation yesterday with a neighbor's daughter who is a film student, and this question has actually been going through my mind a lot lately about, I wonder where my life would be if I'd known this in my early thirties, if I'd known, or if I had known this in my twenties. [00:34:23] And I kept kind of going backwards like, I didn't know this then. Oh maybe if I'd known this. And I kept just, like I said, looking back and then what I realized is. It's so important that I didn't know those things because I had to experience them with the challenges. I had to climb the mountains for the first time to really understand the importance of gaining those skills for myself. So I actually think that Ashlyn, a couple years ago, I may have wanted to hear, I, what I wanted to hear was, you're making the right decision. I wanted to be validated by doctors, by people who I typically refer to as the ones who have the alphabet after their name. [00:35:06] Can somebody please just tell me, check, you know, you're making the right choice. Or this is what I would do if it were my child. And I wanted it so desperately that I, it did almost prevent me from going. But I am blessed that because of other experiences before that, right where pain had started to evolve into a guide for my life, a way of understanding what is most important to me. [00:35:37] It clarifies a lot. Exactly. Because often, you know, pain and fear are often about things we can't control, right? And what it showed me was that I don't need guaranteed outcomes to be able to sleep at night. I know that if I don't give it everything, including the kitchen sink, I won't be able to sleep at night. [00:36:03] I won't be able to look at Emery when she's an adult and tell her. We tried absolutely everything we could to give you the best quality of life, and that's what I needed to be able to give her. In order for me to feel good about the mom I am. And that's what was most important to me at that time. [00:36:23] So it sounds like maybe you trust in your ability to meet the moment enough that you don't think you would've gone back and told yourself anything? No, I think, and that's something that, like I said, I'd been thinking about a lot, like how many times if I'd only known this, if I if I'd only held my boundaries or if, or you know, these standards or, you know, all the things I could have done differently. [00:36:48] But as I said at the beginning of this, I feel like I have lived a thousand lives and become. A thousand new versions of myself, but you don't become your next self without going through something that carves away at you to reveal it. We don't grow through the easy no we stay stagnant. And besides small talk, my biggest fear in life is staying stagnant. [00:37:20] God, can we just let go of small talk? Oh my gosh. We all have a weather app and we all know the traffic patterns at this point. Like, do you know what's so funny about the weather app? I'm gonna use it every day. I treat my husband like the weather app, and we have an Alexa, like in, literally, like, I'll ask him what the temperature is and he'll be like. [00:37:41] Alexa. I just, oh my goodness. It's like those basic the basic like things of moving through life. I don't know why. It's like I've, I have this like faux that's of publicist. I'm like, I don't know what I'm, so what's the weather? I can't look out the window. I can't ask my own Alexa. [00:37:56] I always think, I think it's, I think it's more like, I think it's fair to acknowledge those as high. There's higher priorities that take up front of mind space. That's right. That's right. Things' so focused on the big things. Right? Yes. It's okay. We're not meant to like, you know, and I think that's another, that's one point I feel really compelled to bring up in this conversation based on all these things we've talked about, you know? [00:38:20] Yes. thank you for the chance to share what Parent Empowerment Network does, and the Empowered By Hope podcast is about addressing the real hard, the messy like, because as far as we're concerned, like once you get the news, your child is not okay. You're living in the messy middle from there on out. [00:38:36] And it can make you, or it can break you. And we're there to tell everybody, we promise this will make you. Even with worst case scenario, and that's a bold statement, but, you know, but it's one you've lived and I exactly. And I've seen countless others live, right? But I think it's so important that everybody, you know, I guess my dream would be if everybody could just realize we are not meant to carry pain and hardship and struggle by ourselves. [00:39:07] That's really what Parent Empowerment Network does. That's really what our podcast does, is it directly says to everybody who gets a chance to interact with us or who we have the honor to meet with. It just says, Hey, you are not expected to hold this alone. You know, put some of that on our plate. [00:39:24] Let's hold it together because it'll be better for everybody. It's not just you is like, again, that's what frees you from a victim mentality. You are not the only one who's ever experienced this. Right. You are not the only one who has suffered this way. And in by no means it's not to minimize. [00:39:40] Right. Exactly. It's not belittling it, it's not, it's definitely not dismissing it. But it's meant to serve as a lighthouse. Right. Our stories are unique. Yes, of course. And so that's, and I think that's what is endlessly, I will never be bored having an in-depth. Not small talk with the love of God, but like, I will never I will be endlessly fascinated by other people. [00:40:01] Because the stories are unique. Yeah. But there is a common thread that we can all see ourselves in or relate to. That, it's so enriching. Yeah. It's almost like, maybe because it's spring and, but I'm thinking it's like the pain is like the compost. Yeah. Something has to die in rotten decay in order to nurture something new. To grow. Yep. Exactly. And I, and that pain serves as fur. It's fertilizing the new, the next round of growth. Right. Yeah. It's not making anything vanish or destroying it, it's just, but it has to break down to build back up. I think that's why mosaics are my favorite type of art. [00:40:39] Yeah. I have such a strong connection to any piece that I see that's made up of a mosaic. And I remember that coming true for me when my dad had his massive stroke and. You know, he was completely debilitated, couldn't speak for himself, couldn't move his own body. He lived like that almost two years. But I remember getting really close to a couple key therapists in his life. [00:41:04] And I remember just after he passed, I got them both a small gift. It was these little mosaic art pieces for them. And I said, when I saw those, I knew that this was the right thing because you didn't see my dad as a destroyed person. You saw him as for the broken pieces. He was that to be put back, to be put together into something that was new and beautiful on its own. [00:41:33] And that's what I feel like pain has the ability to do for all of us. It's okay. And I to acknowledge that you are broken. But it's also just as important to acknowledge that you can be remade into something. You, the old you is gone. You know, when we go through something awful hard, unimaginable it's really easy to think that I will feel this way forever. There is a finality that we attach to painful experiences and it takes often somebody from the outside to gently help us realize that's not reality. I often, when I'm in that transition and I'm not aware or I'm just not ready to admit there are either, there's usually it's I there's usually things I wanna carry along with me. [00:42:28] Yep. It's like. Like an old dingy snugly blanket or like a stuffed animal that like has like holes worn in and like an eyes popped off. It's just but I when I've gone through those transitions, it's saying goodbye to maybe friendships that aren't serving me. [00:42:42] Yep. Or titles, roles levels of output expectations, stories, ways of being and the way, and to go back to pain as a professor, which is going to be the title. That it's only when I try to take the old way of being or the old relationship that is no longer serving into my new now reality. [00:43:04] When it feels anything other than good. Yeah. That's information exactly that it's showing me something and. That curiosity over constriction can also for me look like curiosity over criticism. And because that criticism is usually either dialed inward, what's wrong with me? Right. Or what's wrong with them? [00:43:25] Versus , what is happening Exactly. What's going on? What is this showing me? And I would say probably saying goodbye to relationships or friendships has probably been the hardest. Yeah. The hard, because there is this idea that I'm like if I like it, and it's like in a possessive way. [00:43:42] It's, if I like you forever. And I, and of course that is true. I mean, it, there's nobody who's been in my life that's added value that I don't appreciate. Right. But but I think that the shedding. Yeah. It's like I, I want the next thing, but I also don't wanna let the old thing go. [00:43:56] Right. And so it's, I think I've spent a lot of time and energy trying to like, pull that thing with me. Whatever it is and whatever that stage. But I think that there's when you can fully embrace, 'cause what I'm hearing from you is when you can fully embrace I am different now. [00:44:11] Yep. This is different. This mosaic. I'm not, I may not be able to carry water like I was as a vase. Right. But I'm gonna look really great as this. Yeah. And the other thing I wanna shift to before, before I get to your, don't cut your own bangs question. What I wanna ask you, you've mentioned art a couple of different times. [00:44:28] And this is to, to reference Dr. Martha Beck again. She has done a lot of incredible work in the last couple years where a way to. Step out of anxiety is not to try to access calm. 'cause we talked about going for a walk, right? So, because as much as I love these big conversations, it can be sometimes like, what is something tangible I can actually hold onto? [00:44:53] So walking with something we talked about community and connection with something else we talked about, but Art, I wanna talk about that for a moment because that is what my book was for me. Yeah. It was I created something that only that felt like it was to serve me. The process of interacting with that idea was so delightful and so delicious and so fun that I was like, I feel like I'm just the luckiest person that like this is, oh wow, I get to play with this thing. [00:45:21] Yeah. And it wants to play with me. And I don't feel that all the time. Like sometimes it's origami or doodling or coloring with my daughter. But to go back to Dr. Martha Beck's work that the opposite of anxiety is not calm, it's creativity. Oh, I love that. And you have by default really spoken through, like just healing through creating. [00:45:43] Oh, absolutely. And also there's something about, 'cause calm, there's something about calm that like, we must be still, and granted I love meditation, but like, I must be still, I must be calm. But when you are holding something that is buzzing and shaking or heavy or hot, like just some emotions are hot, like you, it's like you wanna move it through your hands or your words or your body and make something, right. [00:46:06] And you made me, she made me this bracelet before we started this episode. So like, it feels like you have a relationship with creativity too. A hundred percent. Creativity is a lifeline. And I feel like, and the most chaotic moments of my life have been the least I'm my least creative and I think it's a really. [00:46:29] Valuable, tangible thing for anybody to take from this conversation is if you are feeling out of control, lean into something as simple as I'm obsessed with those adult, you know, like the coloring books. Yes. You know, for adults to have like tons of different like lines all over the place that you have to be like really specific to keep the marker in there. [00:46:51] It can't, I do get a little bugged when it like bleeds over to the next section, but, , it's okay. I know I'm working through my, , my stressors at that moment. But yes, giving yourself a creative outlet, it's like taking a big drink of water after you've been exercising and you are so parched. [00:47:07] And I also agree that , calm sounds great in theory, but for me I feel like the more important, like the word that's become more important or I'm better able to. Absorb is the idea of am I grounded? Are my feet touching the ground? I can still have a lot going on, but when I'm like rising higher, you know, off the ground, 'cause like, I'm like a bird at this point, just flapping my arms so fast, right. [00:47:35] That I'm actually taking flight. I'm not in my best head space, but when I can just take a moment to literally just ground myself, make sure that my feet are, whether it's in the grass or sit down like this. And a conversation with a friend, somebody who really knows you is a great moment for that. [00:47:53] It's a great way to remind you who you are is somebody else. Sometimes I talk all the time about the value of when you can connect with somebody who feels with you, not just for you. Oh my gosh. It makes the world so much lighter and goodness. I mean, huh. That's probably if I could have answered the question I asked you a little bit ago, what's something that you could have if I could have told my former therapist self, like when I very when I first started, you're there to hold space for people to feel and feel with them. [00:48:23] Right. Exactly. You're not there. It's sacred. Yeah. It's there's nothing, one, it's like, there's nothing I can tell someone who's deeply in pain that they're actually gonna No. , That's, the words are just like, right. It's just noise. Yeah. And not to take anything. I'm sure I have clients who have been impacted by words. [00:48:40] But having a safe space to feel your feelings free of judgment. Is one of the reasons why I love journaling so much, but also doing that in communion Yeah. With another human right who expects nothing of you. I love Elizabeth Gilbert has language I love, like there's no precious outcome. [00:48:57] Like I can, that I can sit and have space with you or I can make plans with you or be, and there's no precious outcome. You don't have to perform for me. Right. You don't have to be anything for me. Like we can just be that is what a gift. Yes, that is. I just want to, this conversation has inspired way too many thoughts, but in the best way. [00:49:15] But something that hit me and then I think we could absolutely move on to Yeah. This the cut your bangs question. But what I've realized even in our conversation is that logic is not loud . our emotions are loud and they get louder and louder. The more we. Push them back the more we ignore them. [00:49:36] Think of your kids until they, when they need your attention. Because they deserve your attention. They do. The best thing we can do is acknowledge those emotions and just, even if it's as simple as, it's totally understandable. I feel this way right now. That is such a freeing sentence. Of course, I feel this way right now. [00:49:58] That was some serious shit that I just went through. Yeah . of course, I feel, and it doesn't have to make sense when those feelings hit the timing a lot of times feelings for me, I've found won't hit until I'm in a safe space much further down the road. Yes. And it's like being T-boned, like yes, totally out of the blue. [00:50:19] But that's also what happens to kids when they have tantrums. Ah, yeah. They'll hold. And then when they're finally either home at the end of the day or something, when the container is so full and they're finally in a place where they feel safe, they'll erupt over an orange peel not being peeled correctly. [00:50:32] Or , or a banana not being peeled correctly. Oh gosh. And it's not that, don't even start me on string cheese. God. Oh God. Parenting is fun. The best, but No, but you're right. Sometimes, I think that's probably why I cry almost with like every movie and TV show I watch. [00:50:47] Yeah. Because the emotions are just always right there and I just need a place to let it trickle out. Right. And that's okay. And I think, but just not judging ourselves for feelings. And then I think once we give that space or the feelings, the sooner we can do that, the sooner that logic, you know, like you, you mentioned multiple times, I know this, then you give logic. [00:51:13] The space that it needs to speak to you in a calm and quiet manner that you can actually trust. And that's where I think that those gut feelings truly come from. Those inner knowings are, when you've allowed space for the emotions first, given them their due. So then the logic can start to talk to you because it's never going to yell for your attention. [00:51:35] No. And I think we want it to, but that's not the way it works. And that's okay. A lot of times things make sense in hindsight, oh gosh, hindsight's 2020. Always. South Park has a great episode. If people if you have just like a dark sense of humor and you wanna laugh at, there's a character called Captain Hindsight and it's really funny. [00:51:54] . So yeah, a lot of times things don't make sense until we're. A little bit more removed from them. Yep. And some what I have found to be helpful, I've noticed you using your hands. Yeah. And I find when I am, when my mind is really active and I need it to stop or slow down or I just i'll sometimes even throw my hands up. Yeah. And I'll say, and even saying. I'm feeling something and just to myself in my kitchen. 'cause I'm almost always , because I work from home, I'm either like in my office or in my kitchen, like I'm feeling something. As soon as you did that, it's gonna show on video. [00:52:25] I like saw from the corner of my eye myself, naturally going, whew. Yeah. Just sound like inhale. Exhale. Yes. It's like something is being felt. Something's happening. I don't know what it is, but something's happening. And I think, in a lot of ways too, like that's how we have these internal smoke signals. [00:52:42] Yeah. And it's the same way, like your smoke detector in your house doesn't know the difference between burnt toast and something on fire, right? But it will beep when it senses. Yeah. When it senses something. And so my body is like sensing something. Is this a threat? [00:52:56] Are we safe? Yes, we're safe. Oh, we're likely. We just needed water. We're just dehydrated. Uhhuh. Or we just, yeah. So any number of things. But that was so good. Thank you. And yes, I would love, love, love to know your don't cut your own bang moment. And for anybody who is new to the podcast, 'cause I think there are some new people here. [00:53:15] Thank you for being here. Don't cut Your own bang moment is a moment where you went all in on something like cutting your own bangs, you grabbed some scissors, you watched a YouTube video, you're like, I got this. And you go, and then, oh no, this wasn't what I thought it would be. But the value in a don't Cut Your own Bang moment is not only that we can share in the silliness of humanity and mistakes, but also like maybe we learn something from it. [00:53:42] So, Ashlyn? Yes. I would love to hear your Don't cut your own bang moment. Oh my goodness. I think that there's probably a plethora of them. Oh, of course. And, let's see here. I'm even, I tried to have one prepared, and then I got excited about the rest of our conversation. Oh my gosh. Don't worry. So, okay I'll share one. [00:53:58] So what's a good, don't a good, oh. I invited my husband to record a podcast with me because I thought it would just be, , fun to bring him back on. And what I realized was I didn't prepare him for it at all. I just set up lights and set up a camera and asked him to sit. And he was so, visibly like he was trying, he was sitting, he was trying. [00:54:23] But I could just tell, again, something's happening. And I could tell he was a little uncomfortable and a little stiff. And I kept, because our eyes look out. My first assumption is, what's wrong out there? And I was like, what are you okay? What's wrong? And he he was , I don't really know what I'm supposed to be doing. [00:54:41] And then I was like. Oh, no, it was snip the bangs. I didn't provide any context. I didn't give him any preparation for what we'd be talking about, why we'd be talking like he had no context. And the whole setup is different, uhhuh. And it was such a humbling, settling moment of context. [00:55:04] It's I'm writing something right now about this idea of play. I'm a freedom loving, freedom seeking play hungry, greedy person right now. I want more play. I could never get enough. But what makes play feel fun and safe is to understand the context. Yeah. , There's rules in a game. [00:55:20] Otherwise, what is it? And I, my first instinct is to buck. Rules. I don't like ingredient lists. I don't like recipes. I just wanna feel my way through it. But, if you wanna make a beautiful croissant, you can't just feel your way through that. There's a very exacting way to do it. And so, it, it was such a one, I'm endlessly grateful for him and his patients with me. [00:55:40] I'm grateful that , our dynamics not new, so he probably knew what was going on, but just did yeah he's pretty sweet that way. But I, it was such a refresher that , if I wanna create a space and container to play safely with people Yeah. I need to give them the context. Absolutely. And it doesn't matter how long I've known someone, how well I know someone. [00:55:59] I laughed at myself because I, the part of the reason why it feels funny to me, but in like a humbling way. I thought the problem was him for like the first 15 minutes. I was like, what dude? Relax. I was like, what? Is he doing it right? [00:56:12] Yeah. like come on. And I was like. Oh no. Context. Zero. Oh my goodness. So that was a great one. Thank you. Okay, I'm gonna do mine in like short seconds because this one just hap this that inspired me perfectly. So my 8-year-old son and I are both going to the same therapist right now. [00:56:30] I'm a believer everybody should have at least an annual checkup with a therapist, but that's a great endorsement. Everyone should have an you annual checkup. You welcome, reach out to Danielle, she's fantastic. If you live in Indiana, by all means. If not, we'll help you find someone. Yes. And also order the book. [00:56:44] Yes, order the book. Get resting the wall risk. Get treasured. Yes. But go on please. So anyway one, one of the things that my I, the reason I love the person we're working with is because she's the first therapist I've worked with when it comes to, with my kids, she actually tells me what I can work on rather than just , you're doing the best you can and like you just love 'em. [00:57:03] And like, yes, I know, but that is not helping me. And so one of the things that got pointed out to me. Was so Cole , has very low frustration tolerance, like more so than is necessarily healthy for an 8-year-old. And of course with all the trauma with our his sister, our journey, it's understandable. [00:57:22] So we're working on that. What she kindly pointed out to me was, okay, we could work on his, but do you also realize that your tolerance for acceptable emotions is about this big? Oh, she's , therapist, be therapist Uhhuh. She's , but there's like a whole lot more emo like, she's , it's like a whole rainbow. [00:57:42] We need a whole arc for acceptable emotions. She's so you need to stop making it your responsibility to control which emotions he experiences. And it's up to you to provide the solid ground for him no matter which emotion comes up for him. And I will say that has changed my parenting in the last week. [00:58:04] More than maybe anything has like faster than anything. Because all of a sudden I'm like, of course it's acceptable that his sister just made him extremely mad. Of course it's understandable that he's jealous or sad or excited or whatever the feeling is, but it also doesn't define him as right or wrong, what emotions he's experiencing in that moment. [00:58:28] And the big thing was the realization that every emotion he experiences is not a direct reflection of who I am as a parent. No. Because that was what I needed to let go of that any emotion that is considered negative that my child has doesn't mean. That I'm doing a bad job as a parent. Oh my God. [00:58:49] That is one. What a beautiful. Don't cut. Thank you. With Dr. Sarah. Yes. Thank you, Dr. Sarah. You'd be therapizing all up in that session. That was so good. And it's the, that to me is a great example that hard truths can always be delivered with kindness. Yeah. But I think the big important thing there is you had the right context. [00:59:12] Exactly. You went to her for that information. Right. It wasn't like someone on the street. But the thing that we can't give someone what we don't have. Exactly. And I actually think that what you just said, if there was ever an endorsement for what. Self-care actually is not the commoditized, right. [00:59:29] Faux sense of, I'm gonna create a problem and I'm going to prescribe collagen. Did you know that the reason why, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah is these things that you need to buy and, oh, my program for blah, blah, blah, blah. And I'm gonna, I have all that stuff. I'm not I'm wanna, I wanna keep it in perspective. [00:59:45] I am drinking the same Kool-Aid 'cause I'm getting sent the same algorithm ads that we're all getting sent. Like I'm doing colostrum now. I don't even know. Like, I just, because I was like, my gut might grow up I own, but anyway but I think self-care and the best possible context is when you nurture. [01:00:03] And heal yourself. It becomes the medicine. Yes. Yes. And the offering for the other people in your life that you love most. It's like as you increase your own palette of what you're able to allow yourself to experience, you're then also able to see it in your son and give it to him. That is so beautiful and it's hard. [01:00:26] Sometimes, but it's some God that a well timed, articulated loving truth like that can change your life. Yeah. That is amazing. Thank you. I don't know, we can't top that. That was good. We're good. That was real good. Ashlyn Thompson, thank you so much for coming back and we're going to have you back. [01:00:43] You have to come back. Yes. And you're coming over to Empowered by Hope very soon. I would love that so much. And Yes. And so all of the ways, if you or anyone you know in your life has been impacted by a little one with complex me complex medical issues and you want some support, you want some information, you want some resources. [01:01:01] The link in the show notes will have every way that you can connect with Ashlyn, her business partner, and what was formally Charlotte's Hope Foundation, what is now the Parent Empowerment Network. Pick up all the books, all the resources, everything I talked about too for my stuff is also in there. [01:01:16] But , it's all linked for you there. So I hope that you get what you need and. Thanks so much, . Oh my gosh. [01:01:21] If you've ever wanted to pick up journaling,

Thanks for joining Jill Baughan today on Finding Joy ...No Matter What.   Make a Joy Box for Someone You Care About: https://jillbaughan.com/joy-box/   Baughan, Jill. No Matter What: 90 Devotions for Experiencing Unexpected Joy in Tough Times. Our Daily Bread Publishers, 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Matter-What-Devotions-Experiencing-Unexpected/dp/1640703969/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?crid=2P84MZ9ZHR8GP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tntQJ9EM7blGaZoioVbqX6I_0yYOKo8tdykCW8iK-uAvkXQk9Ry0lpqv5B5AbILG2ukb9dFrb2IXoEgQqylefy1nbqk0864loTgd-KtpMP4.n3_3ScZp85susbWQjitYEXe9t2G22Lh_kSGcJ0-dWF8&dib_tag=se&keywords=jill+baughan+book&qid=1740769177&sprefix=jill+baughan%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-2-fkmr0   Peterson, Eugene. The Message. Introduction to the Book of Job   Connect with Jill: Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~  Website

Motherhood is beautiful—but it can also break you open. What do you do when the path God has called you to feels lonelier, harder, and messier than you ever expected?In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Kacy Ladd, a special needs mom and missionary, who shares what it looks like to worship God in the middle of weakness, unanswered prayers, and daily chaos. Through her story of personal surrender, parenting in the trenches, and leaning hard on God's promises, Kacy reminds us that joy is still possible—even in the valley.

SummaryIn this episode of the Gird Up podcast, host Charlie Ungemach speaks with Quinten Petersen, a dedicated music educator at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. They discuss the importance of early music education, the value of persistence in practice, and the joy that music can bring to students. Quinten shares insights about his innovative Viking Steel program, which has significantly increased student engagement in music. The conversation also touches on the balance between talent and hard work in music education, and how building a culture of music can positively impact students' lives. In this engaging conversation, Quinten and Charlie explore the themes of personal branding, authenticity, and the balance between professional and personal life. They discuss the importance of curating one's brand while staying true to oneself, the joy found in the process of work, and the challenges of balancing fatherhood with a demanding career. The conversation also touches on the value of old friendships and the art of sharing experiences over whiskey, emphasizing the beauty in well-crafted moments and connections.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Support for Girt Up Podcast07:55 The Importance of Music Education for Kids11:50 Active, Intelligent Young People and Music17:14 The Value of Hard Work in Music23:03 Finding Joy in Music Education25:57 The Birth of Viking Steel: A Unique Music Program28:39 Building a Music Community29:59 The Growth Mindset in Music Education31:16 The Longevity of Steel Pan in Students' Lives32:23 Music as a Community and Worship Tool33:46 The On-Ramp to Ensemble Music Making35:17 The Joy of Music Education36:25 Defining Success as a Music Educator38:30 The Role of Culture in Music Programs39:39 Consistency and Building Trust in Music Education42:34 Authenticity in Teaching and Personal Branding46:12 Finding Your Truth and Brand51:41 The Balance of Work and Family Life56:31 The Power of Confidence in Communication56:47 Lessons from Band Directing to Fatherhood57:35 Navigating Challenges as a Parent58:41 The Impact of Fatherhood on Teaching01:00:20 Work-Life Integration: Finding Balance01:04:13 The Importance of Self-Care for Educators01:06:10 Understanding Time Management as a Parent01:08:08 Efficiency and Adaptability in Parenting01:09:57 The Value of Enjoying Your Work01:12:27 Music Recommendations and Creative Passions01:16:53 Exploring the World of WhiskeyQuinten's Links:https://www.wlhs.org/https://www.wlhs.org/academics/fine-arts/viking-steel-community-bandGird Up Links:https://youtube.com/@girdupministries4911?si=tbCa0SOiluVl8UFxhttps://www.instagram.com/girdup_be_a_man/https://www.girdupministries.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've reached the halfway mark in our study of the book of Philippians. Today, we'll focus on the Joy of Knowing Christ.

Things have finally relaxed for Rachel after launching her family's farm store and cafe. In today's episode, she steps into summer and shares her life over the past week, from work she's done, to celebrating her son's second birthday, and now preparing for a beautiful midsommar celebration. But with the balance of happiness there is also some sadness to be found. Rachel opens up about recent heartbreaks she has experienced on the farm and everything that comes along with having a homestead. As usual, this episode is a balance of joy and sadness, life and death, and where to find yourself in the middle of it all.  At the end of the episode, Rachel shares her favorite elder flower dessert recipe - it's a must try! Happy Midsommar and don't forget to put joy at the top of your to-do list - don't leave it for if there is time to spare. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for an engaging episode as we explore the vibrant essence of Italian American culture and the powerful world of adaptive sports. We begin our journey where Dolores and John reflect on Italian American heritage and the camaraderie that defines our community. With humor and warmth, we recount Dolores's wedding anniversary, where the fusion of Italian and Irish traditions came alive on the dance floor, painting a vivid picture of cultural celebration. Our exploration continues with the inspiring story of Action Boxability, a program co-founded by Dino Spencer and Brian Broman during the pandemic. Brian shares how this initiative brings boxing to individuals with physical and cognitive challenges, offering them a unique opportunity to gain confidence and control. We share touching anecdotes about the impact on families, highlighting the transformative power of physical activity and the bonds it can create. From personal connections to philanthropic efforts, we celebrate the inclusivity and empowerment that adaptive boxing offers to people worldwide, despite the logistical hurdles it presents. In a nostalgic look at the world of boxing, we reflect on the legacies of iconic athletes like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, exploring the thrill and raw satisfaction that sports bring. We discuss the courage it takes to step into the ring, whether in professional boxing or high school wrestling, and how it tests one's character and vulnerability. The episode concludes with a celebration of Italian American culinary traditions, sharing stories of travels, memorable meals, and the bittersweet closure of beloved local eateries. Through these rich narratives, we embrace the passion, community, and transformative power of sport and culture.   THEIR WEBSITE: boxabilityinternational.org THEIR YOUTUBE:  @boxabilityinternationalinc3563    BOXABILITY SOCIALS: Instagram: @boxabilityinternational  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Boxability/100090294784796/#   THEIR SOCIALS: Dino Spencer's Insta: @dino5thstgym  Youtube:  @dino5thstgym    Brian Roman Insta: @brian_b_roman

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Finding Joy and Inspiration in Kalemegdan's Summer Days Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2025-06-20-22-34-02-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Летње сунце обасјавало је Калемегдански парк.En: The summer sun was shining on Kalemegdan park.Sr: Листови дрвећа нежно су шумели на ветру, док су звуци града одјекивали иза старих зидина тврђаве.En: The leaves of the trees gently rustled in the wind, while the sounds of the city echoed behind the old fortress walls.Sr: Пријатељи, Јован, Катарина и Младен, окупили су се ту како би припремили пикник за крај школске године.En: Friends, Jovan, Katarina, and Mladen, gathered there to prepare a picnic for the end of the school year.Sr: Јован је седео на трави, посматрајући реке Саву и Дунав које су тихо текле.En: Jovan was sitting on the grass, watching the rivers Sava and Danube quietly flow.Sr: Иако је био вредан ученик, мисли о новој школској години нису му дале мира.En: Although he was a diligent student, thoughts of the new school year wouldn't leave him in peace.Sr: Катарина, пуна енергије, већ је развила корпу с храном и ширила је покривач на трави, покушавајући да окупи све.En: Katarina, full of energy, had already unpacked a basket of food and was spreading out a blanket on the grass, trying to gather everyone.Sr: „Дојите, момци!En: "Come on, guys!Sr: Време је за игру!En: It's time for some fun!"Sr: “ узвикнула је Катарина, махнувши им да приђу.En: Katarina shouted, waving them to come over.Sr: Желећи да ојача пријатељства пре почетка распуста, хтела је да се сви забаве.En: Wanting to strengthen friendships before the holiday break, she aimed for everyone to have a good time.Sr: Младен, тих и замишљен, са скиц па још у руци, посматрао је околину.En: Mladen, quiet and pensive, with a sketchpad still in his hand, was observing the surroundings.Sr: Још није успео да пронађе савршен мотив за своју нову слику.En: He hadn't yet managed to find the perfect motif for his new painting.Sr: Природа је била прелепа, али нешто му је недостајало.En: Nature was beautiful, but something was missing.Sr: Док су они уживали, Јован је осећао како га узнемирују мисли о следећој години.En: As they were enjoying themselves, Jovan felt troubled by thoughts of the next year.Sr: Није могао да се опусти.En: He couldn't relax.Sr: Коначно, одлучио је да подели своје бриге са пријатељима.En: Finally, he decided to share his worries with his friends.Sr: „Бринем око наредне године,“ признао је Јован тихим гласом.En: "I'm worried about the coming year," Jovan admitted quietly.Sr: Катарина га је охрабрујуће тапшала по леђима.En: Katarina patted him encouragingly on the back.Sr: „Хајде да уживамо у данашњем дану,“ рекла је.En: "Let's enjoy today," she said.Sr: "Фризби ће те разонодити!En: "The frisbee will entertain you!"Sr: " Узела је фризби и бацила га Младену.En: She took the frisbee and threw it to Mladen.Sr: Младен је ухватио фризби, осмехнувши се.En: Mladen caught the frisbee, smiling.Sr: Његова претходна брига о сцени коју није пронашао нестала је у тренутку.En: His previous concern about the scene he hadn't identified vanished in an instant.Sr: Посматрао је осмех својих пријатеља и одлучио да уместо пејзажа наслика тај савршен тренутак.En: He observed his friends' smiles and decided to paint that perfect moment instead of a landscape.Sr: Током игре, Јован је осетио осећај слободе.En: During the game, Jovan felt a sense of freedom.Sr: Док је трчао за фризбијем и смејао се са пријатељима, његове бриге су нестале.En: As he ran after the frisbee and laughed with his friends, his worries disappeared.Sr: Он, Катарина и Младен сели су на покривач, задовољни даном који су провели.En: He, Katarina, and Mladen sat on the blanket, satisfied with the day they spent.Sr: Катарина је гледала около и увидела да су њени пријатељи срећни.En: Katarina looked around and realized her friends were happy.Sr: Младен је са оловком и хартијом хватао савршени тренутак — радост пријатељства.En: Mladen was capturing the perfect moment with pencil and paper — the joy of friendship.Sr: Јован је коначно заборавио на бриге школе и уживао у простим стварима.En: Jovan finally forgot about school worries and enjoyed the simple things.Sr: На крају, пријатељи су отишли са пикника осмехнути.En: In the end, the friends left the picnic smiling.Sr: Јован је научио да је важно уживати у тренуцима, Катарина да једноставност може донијети радост, а Младен да је инспирација у људима око њега.En: Jovan learned the importance of enjoying moments, Katarina realized simplicity can bring joy, and Mladen saw inspiration in the people around him.Sr: Калемегдански парк остао је исти, али је за њих био посебан и драгоцен.En: Kalemegdan park remained the same, but for them, it was special and valuable. Vocabulary Words:rustled: шумелиfortress: тврђавеgathered: окупилиdiligent: вреданencouragingly: охрабрујућеpensive: замишљенsketchpad: скиц паmotif: мотивlandscape: пејзажpatted: тапшалаentertain: разонодитиfrisbee: фризбиcapturing: хватаоinspiration: инспирацијаtroubled: узнемирујуblanket: покривачrealized: увиделаfreedom: слободеprevious: претходнаvanished: несталаsurroundings: околинуmoment: тренутакquietly: тихоflow: теклеworry: бригеentertaining: разонодитиsimplicity: једноставностvaluable: драгоценenjoy: уживатиjoy: радост

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson reconnects with an old friend HL after 25 years. They reminisce about their time working together and discuss HL's journey from central Pennsylvania to Texas. HL shares his passion for baking, particularly German pastries, inspired by his daughter's time in Germany. They also discuss the influence of music, particularly Bruce Springsteen, on their lives. HL talks about how he started his Texan-German bakery, Tex Brochen, and the joy he finds in mastering new recipes. The episode concludes with the 'Mary Question,' exploring whether Mary gets in the car in Springsteen's iconic song Thunder Road. https://texbrotchen.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Patreon Shoutouts 01:44 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce 02:06 Reconnecting with HL 02:40 HL's Background and Move to Texas 04:53 Musical Influences and Memories 07:53 College and Early Career 09:53 Working at Bank Tech and Meeting His Wife 18:38 Transition to Furniture Making and Baking 22:48 From Hobby to Business: The Journey Begins 24:31 Tex and German Bakery: A Unique Blend 26:17 Challenges and Rewards of Baking 29:58 The Art and Science of Baking 31:27 Musical Inspirations and Personal Stories 38:39 The Mary Question: A Thought-Provoking Tradition 41:06 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Juneteenth edition of Politically Georgia, hosts Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy explore the legacy of the holiday through conversations about resilience, advocacy and joy. Tia sits down with Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, to talk about her organization's policy priorities and how faith and justice intersect in her work. Then, Ernie Suggs joins to reflect on his AJC feature about Black joy as resistance, and the ways Black Georgians are choosing joy even amid political struggle and personal hardship.   Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, John speaks with Heather McGinley about the complexities of her relationship with her father, the weight of growing up in a large, tightly controlled family, and the delayed realizations of trauma that surfaced later in life. Heather shares how becoming a mother reshaped her understanding of consent, boundaries, and forgiveness — and how the isolation of the pandemic forced her to confront rock bottom. Listen to The Happily Never After podcast on Apple or Spotify Follow Heather on Instagram at @thatheathermcg More about Heather HERE Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose, HERE Jump into John's new Single. On Purpose app HERE Follow John on Instagram HEREFind out more about John HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the course of his remarkable career, Harry Smith interviewed six US presidents and numerous celebrities including Julia Roberts, Cher, and Madonna.  But on this Blue Sky episode Harry shares that his favorite people to cover were the ones we've likely never heard of, the everyday heroes that he describes as the glue of our society.  Harry shares some of the wisdom he's earned and now share bestows on students in the college class he's teaching at his alma mater.  Chapters: 02:16 Meet Harry Smith: A Journalism Legend  Bill welcomes Harry Smith, a respected journalist with a rich career spanning over three decades, and reflects on Harry's journey from humble beginnings to a prominent news anchor.  03:34 From Truck Driver Dreams to Journalism  Harry shares his early aspirations of becoming a truck driver and how his upbringing in a blue-collar family shaped his work ethic and eventual path into journalism.  07:01 The Spark of Curiosity  Harry discusses how influential teachers ignited his passion for writing and journalism, emphasizing the importance of curiosity in his career development.  11:44 The Importance of Authentic Stories  Harry reflects on his preference for interviewing everyday people with extraordinary stories, highlighting the authenticity and richness of their experiences compared to rehearsed celebrity narratives.  15:00 Media and Public Perception  The conversation shifts to the current state of media, with Harry discussing the longstanding criticism of news outlets and how public trust has fluctuated over the years.  17:57 Building Trust Through Hard Work  Harry shares insights on how building trust in journalism allows for more freedom in storytelling, emphasizing the importance of thoroughness and dedication in his career.  20:04 Curiosity as a Lifelong Skill  Harry discusses his teaching on curiosity at Central College, explaining how intrinsic curiosity can lead to greater fulfillment in both professional and personal life.  25:44 Finding Joy in the Everyday  Harry emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and being present, sharing how simple observations of nature can enhance one's appreciation for life.  29:25 The Power of Discipline and Nature  Harry discusses the importance of discipline in his writing process and how engaging with nature can uplift one's spirit. He emphasizes the joy of experiencing the outdoors over succumbing to negativity.  32:10 Teaching the Next Generation  Harry reflects on his experience teaching college students and challenges the stereotypes of Generation Z. He shares how his students surprised him with their willingness to engage in hands-on learning and take risks.  36:21 Optimism in Marriage  Harry opens up about his marriage with Andrea, contrasting their differing perspectives on optimism. He shares a light-hearted moment that highlights their dynamic and Andrea's determination in her career.  39:16 Navigating Information Overload  As the conversation wraps up, Harry offers advice on managing media consumption and staying informed without becoming overwhelmed. He stresses the importance of balance and turning off the constant stream of news.  42:44 A Class Like No Other  The episode concludes with a reflection on Harry's unique teaching style that incorporates fun and engagement, making learning enjoyable for his students. The host expresses admiration for Harry's approach and the impact he has on young minds. 

Back on April 1st, Episode 213, I shared a personal chitchat about why I was working with urgency – because life felt short, and I didn't want to waste time. I wanted to crush my personal and business goals as soon as possible because we're not guaranteed time.And while most of that was true, here I am 10 episodes later taking a lot of that back, not because life isn't short, but because I've come to realize that Jesus never hurries, and maybe I wasn't supposed to either.In this episode, I open up about one of the most refining seasons I've ever walked through: burnout, back-to-back ER visits, fertility struggles, financial debt, and business plans falling apart. But it's also the season where God met me most tenderly, showing that even in weakness, He always provides. That even in chaos, He always brings peace. And yes, that includes an unexpected $18,000 check that covered every single debt I was carrying.This is my raw, unfiltered testimony of God's faithfulness in the slow and uncertain. If you're in a  season that feels the same, where everything seems completely off-track, please hold on to your faith. God sees you. God hears you. And He will make everything perfect in His time.Soli Deo Gloria.

In this episode of "Shark Theory," host Baylor Barbee explores the concept of moving at your own pace through a reflective narrative inspired by a walk with his dog. As Baylor shares his experience of learning patience and presence from his Australian Shepherd, the episode delves into the pressures and constructs of societal timelines and the importance of defining personal success. Through compelling storytelling, Baylor encourages listeners to reconsider the habitual race to the next milestone and focus instead on savoring the present moment. Baylor argues that modern society often pressures individuals to meet arbitrary success benchmarks, leading to feelings of inadequacy when these aren't achieved. With keywords like "personal fulfillment," "social pressure," and "defining success," he emphasizes the need to ignore societal pressures and embrace one's own definition of success. By citing personal anecdotes and expert opinions, Baylor inspires listeners to break away from toxic influences and enjoy the journey of life at their own speed. This episode not only challenges conventional success paradigms but also provides actionable insights for finding happiness and contentment in everyday life. Key Takeaways: Embrace the present moment and resist societal pressure to chase future milestones. Define your own success by determining what truly brings you peace and happiness. Avoid comparisons with others as they can lead to feelings of inadequacy and failure. Break away from toxic influences that lead you off your desired life path. Understand the importance of pacing yourself based on your own goals and values. Notable Quotes: "We have these fictitious timelines of all the things that we need to happen in our life by a certain date." "What if instead of just hurrying on to the next thing, we just worked on being where we're at?" "The happiest people I've met are those that determine what success means to them." "You have to start breaking the chains of people trying to pull you where they want you to go." "Once you realize how many people don't care about how fast you're moving, life gets easier."

TakeawaysCam started boxing to gain confidence and avoid bullying.He learned the importance of hard work over natural talent.Self-belief and positive self-talk were crucial to his success.Cam faced significant setbacks, including being kicked off the Olympic team.He reinvented himself as an entertainer after his boxing career.Finding joy in life is essential, even beyond sports.Cam emphasizes the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges.He encourages young athletes to surround themselves with positive influences.The concept of athlete privilege can be leveraged for long-term success.Cam's journey highlights the importance of personal growth and self-acceptance.Chapters00:00 From Bullying to Boxing: The Early Years04:50 Building Confidence Through Hard Work07:48 The Shift: From Self-Doubt to Self-Belief10:51 The Journey to the Olympics: Trials and Triumphs13:44 Facing Setbacks: The Olympic Team Incident16:43 Reinventing Identity: Beyond the Athlete19:31 Leveraging Athlete Privilege for Longevity22:39 Navigating Criticism and Staying True to Self24:06 The Importance of Rest and Recovery24:54 Trusting Your Instincts Over External Pressure26:17 The Challenge of Making Your Own Decisions27:41 The Connection Between Boxing and Entrepreneurship28:48 Learning from Failure and Resilience31:22 Living Life on Your Own Terms33:15 The Struggles of Van Life and Pursuing Dreams35:29 Overcoming the Fear of Judgment37:08 Reinventing Yourself: The Birth of Cam F. Awesome39:35 Transitioning from Schools to Corporate Speaking41:33 Finding Joy in Your Work44:44 The Top Five Influences for Athletes

In today's episode of Roadmap to Heaven, Adam Wright and regular guest Cory Grizzle explore why we should avoid comparison in parenting, emphasizing how social media exacerbates feelings of inadequacy among parents. Today's reflections on the Gospel, encourage listeners to pray for those they find difficult and to seek God's guidance in their family lives. Download the Covenant Network app today! Pray the Visual Rosary at VisualRosary.org For more information on Covenant Network, visit OurCatholicRadio.org

In this episode of Bacon Bits with Master Happiness, host Marty Jalove speaks with Nancy from Keeping Families Covered, a nonprofit organization that provides essential products like diapers to families in need. They discuss the mission of the organization, the importance of community partnerships, and how small acts of kindness can significantly impact lives. Nancy shares personal stories of families they've helped and emphasizes the joy that comes from serving others. The conversation highlights the importance of dignity, collaboration, and the power of community in making a difference.with special Guest:Nancy ShanahanKeeping Families CoveredB - Build Bridges, Not BarriersA - Action Sparks JoyC - Community Elevates Us AllO - One Small Act Can Change a LifeN - Necessities with Love00:00 The Importance of Mental Toughness in Youth Sports02:04 Keeping Families Covered: A Diaper Bank's Mission05:19 Building Bridges: Community Partnerships and Accessibility08:27 The Impact of Small Acts: Stories of Dignity and Support11:06 The Power of Action: Sparking Joy Through Giving14:19 Creating a Community of Support and Collaboration17:22 Personal Stories: The Heart of the Mission20:06 The Joy of Helping: Transforming Lives Through Diapers23:21 The Role of Volunteers in Making a Difference26:13 The Importance of Community Support31:25 Building Bridges Through Collaboration36:00 Ways to Get Involved41:23 Finding Joy in Giving45:15 Mastering Happiness Through Actionwww.MasterHappiness.comwww.WhatsYourBacon.comwww.BaconBitsRadio.com

Join us in this thought-provoking episode of our "Road Trip" series as we explore the journey of life and the unexpected detours we often face. Bradley Hamilton, our Family Engagement Pastor, shares personal anecdotes about family road trips, highlighting the importance of planning while acknowledging that things rarely go as expected. We dive deep into the struggles faced by the early Christians in Philippi, who found themselves in a challenging environment after the resurrection of Jesus. Despite their hardships, the Apostle Paul encourages them—and us—to find joy in the midst of adversity. Discover how joy is rooted not in our circumstances but in our relationship with Christ. In this episode, we discuss: • The difference between joy and happiness • The power of humility in finding true joy • How to stand out in a world filled with complaining and arguing • Practical steps to become a light in a dark world We also reflect on two important questions: 1. Where am I complaining that I need to change? 2. What argument or divisive issue do I need to stay out of? Tune in for an inspiring message that challenges us to hold firm to the hope we have in Jesus and to shine brightly in our communities. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are an alternative to church as usual. Our Sunday worship service is approximately a 75-minute experience designed to introduce people to the message of Jesus and equip believers to live their lives in response to the Gospel while their kids enjoy one of our safe children's environments. Centerpoint is designed to meet you wherever you are on the journey whether you are just checking out the "church thing" or you are a committed Christ follower. Centerpoint is a casual environment that combines today's music with creative media and relevant teaching. We hope you will visit us at Centerpoint Church regardless of what your past church experience has looked like.

Proverbs chapters 5 and 7 explore the destructive consequences of following cultural views of sexuality that ignore God's design. Proverbs 8 shifts our focus to a better way - God's wisdom. Wisdom is personified as a dignified woman who calls out to all. Unlike the seductive voice of folly, wisdom offers life, joy, and clarity. She's not hidden or exclusive; she stands at the crossroads and city gates, calling everyone to listen and follow God's design for life. Wisdom, like Jesus, speaks truth with love, offering guidance to those who seek it diligently. Proverbs 8 reminds us that wisdom isn't just practical but eternal—it existed before creation and aligns perfectly with God's order. Living apart from God's wisdom leads to chaos and brokenness, but embracing it brings understanding, justice, and joy. It teaches us to hate evil, shun pride, and make prudent, God-honoring decisions. At the world's birth, wisdom shaped chaos into creation, so she also redeems our personal messes when we turn to her. Like Jesus, wisdom doesn't deceive or mislead; it offers lasting fulfillment and directs us toward the life God designed us to live. To fully embrace wisdom, we must hear, take, and listen. Hearing wisdom calls for tuning out the noise of a culture saturated with distractions. Taking wisdom means choosing it over fleeting treasures like money or possessions, recognizing its incomparable value. Listening to wisdom involves a heart of humility and a willingness to apply God's truth. As we diligently seek wisdom, God transforms our lives, bringing joy, purpose, and a glimpse of His eternal plan. May we respond to wisdom's call and live lives that reflect the wisdom found in Jesus!

In this episode of the Family Disappeared podcast, the panel discusses the complexities of gratitude in the context of parental alienation and emotional pain. They share personal stories of healing, the challenges of navigating family dynamics, and the importance of finding joy in small moments. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-care and the journey of letting go of emotional attachments while fostering resilience and community support.Key TakeawaysGratitude can coexist with pain and emotional hurt.Personal stories of alienation highlight the journey of healing.Finding joy in small moments is essential for emotional well-being.It's important to acknowledge the complexity of gratitude.Self-care is crucial when navigating difficult family dynamics.Letting go of emotional attachments can lead to personal growth.Community support plays a vital role in healing.Emotional responses to family dynamics can vary greatly.Practicing gratitude can shift one's perspective on life.The journey of healing is ongoing and requires patience.Chapters00:00 - Navigating Gratitude Amidst Pain04:10 - Personal Stories of Alienation and Healing10:51 - The Complexity of Gratitude17:06 - Emotional Responses to Family Dynamics24:20 - Finding Joy in Others' Happiness30:48 - Letting Go of Emotional Attachments33:14 - Reflections on Gratitude and Life ChangesIf you wish to connect with Lawrence Joss or any of the PA-A community members who have appeared as guests on the podcast:Email-      familydisappeared@gmail.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/lawrencejoss(All links mentioned in the podcast are available in Linktree)Please donate to support PAA programs:https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=SDLTX8TBSZNXSThis podcast is made possible by the Family Disappeared Team:Anna Johnson- Editor/Contributor/Activist/Co-hostGlaze Gonzales- Podcast ManagerConnect with Lawrence Joss:Website: https://parentalalienationanonymous.com/Email- familydisappeared@gmail.com

Amy Huberman is an acclaimed actress, bestselling author, and entrepreneur. She created and starred in the hit comedy series ‘Finding Joy', and is the author of the beloved novel ‘Hello Heartbreak' and the children's bestseller ‘The Day I Got Trapped in My Brain'.Brought to you by Eason – Ireland's favourite bookseller.Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookshelfpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookshelfpodcast Follow Ryan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instatubridy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Christian Business Advantage podcast, host Alyssa Avant continues the Mid-Year Momentum series with an encouraging message for anyone feeling drained or discouraged in their business. If you've been running on empty, this one's for you. Alyssa shares personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical steps to help you overcome burnout, reconnect with your calling, and reignite your passion for the work God has given you. It's time to rest, realign, and remember your “why.”

Today is part four in our series, Finding Joy Wherever You Are. Philippians is often referred to as the “Book of Joy,” and this week, Paul emphasizes the joy that's found in friendship. 

Boldness looks different when you're a gay dad, a former Broadway dancer, and raising a toddler named Maverick in Florida.   To kick off Pride Month, John Corella is joined by Bret and Stephen, Broadway performers, husbands, and proud dads, who offer an honest look at parenting, partnership, and identity. They talk about raising their son Maverick with intention, finding joy in everyday moments, and the kind of quiet courage it takes to show up as a two-dad family in spaces built for straight families.   Where does boldness come from when the world keeps trying to put you in a box? What does it mean to raise a child who sees authenticity modeled at home? Through stories about sobriety, social media, and their dance competition backgrounds, Bret and Stephen reflect on what has shaped them and what they hope to pass on.   This episode questions the norms that still dominate parenting culture and the dance world, and it offers a reminder that being seen can be a radical act of love.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction and Pride Month Kickoff 08:57 Becoming Bold as Gay Parents 15:03 How Dance Competitions Shaped Identity 17:55 Coming Out and Family Reactions 21:03 Advice for LGBTQ+ Youth 23:50 Finding Joy in Parenting and Creativity 26:55 Coping with Online Negativity 36:57 Personal Stories of Addiction and Recovery 42:20 Relationship Advice for Gay Men 44:10 Authenticity vs. Conformity in Gay Culture 47:51 Navigating Monogamy and Open Relationships 53:47 Parenting Challenges and Emotional Growth 56:34 What Fatherhood Has Taught Us 01:00:07 Public Reactions to Gay Dads 01:04:46 Challenging Gender Norms in Parenting 01:16:30 Understanding Straight Privilege in Family Life 01:21:15 How Representation Shapes Queer Families 01:23:11 Celebrating Pride and Building Community   Links Connect with Bret and Stephen: www.instagram.com/broadwayhusbands https://substack.com/@broadwayhusbands   Connect with John Corella: Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/ John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella Website: johncorella.net Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Planning for a birth that makes breastfeeding easier? Check out my FREE guide on setting yourself up for breastfeeding success:https://bit.ly/los-birthpractice-workbook---------------------------------In this empowering and compassionate episode of Lo's Lactation Lab, host Lo Nigrosh continues her conversation with registered dietitian Dominique Deslauriers, this time shifting from feeding to fashion and body image in the postpartum period. Together, they tackle the emotional weight of body changes after birth, explore how to redefine personal style at any size, and provide practical, judgment-free advice on dressing to feel good right now. If you've ever struggled to feel confident in your postpartum body, this episode offers insight, empathy, and actionable tools to help.Dominique Deslauriers is a registered dietitian with over eight years of experience, specializing in anti-diet, intuitive eating, and body neutrality. Through her private practice, Happy Valley Nutrition, she works with clients to navigate health and well-being without focusing on weight loss. Dominique blends her clinical training with lived experience as a mother, offering realistic support for those navigating nutrition, body image, and self-acceptance during and after pregnancy.Expect to LearnWhy postpartum body changes can be emotionally challenging, and how to process body grief.How to dress your body now in a way that reflects your personal style and boosts confidence.The difference between intuitive eating, body neutrality, and conventional diet culture.How to shop smartly postpartum on a budget, and why your current body deserves good clothes.Tips for dressing for dopamine, rediscovering your personal fashion, and practical styling strategies. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps[00:00] - Introduction and Postpartum Body Changes[04:06] - Defining Dietitians and Body-Neutral Care[07:06] - Postpartum Body Image Struggles After Birth[10:52] - The Universal Wish to Fit Pre-Pregnancy Clothes[14:04] - Body Grief and Finding Joy in New Style[18:28] - Dressing Tips: Fashion, Function, and Affordability[23:33] - Measuring for Fit and Dopamine Dressing[28:12] - Services and Support Available from Dominique.Follow Dominique Deslauriers:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-deslauriers-rd-ldn-8237a81a7/Company: https://www.happyvalleynutrition.com/Follow Lo Nigrosh:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lo-nigrosh-16371495/Website: https://www.quabbinbirthservices.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quabbinbirthservices/Lo Nigrosh's Story of Postpartum Grief: https://youtu.be/_VI1M777yO8 Listening Links:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/los-lactation-lab/id1614255223Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F54fe1szmemB9n7YUJgWv?si=2eea7f1cfba64867YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@loslactationlab3967Don't forget to subscribe for more episodes on maternal health, breastfeeding challenges, and expert lactation advice. Share your own experiences and tips in the comments below!#postpartumhealing #bodyafterbaby #realmotherhood #postpartumtruth #bodygrief #momidentity #snapbackculture #bodyneutrality #healingtakesgrace #motherhoodunfilteredBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lo-s-lactation-lab--5834691/support.

Dr. Joy is back on Truth Talk Live encouraging you to discover joy through obedience to God's Word — even in the toughest relationships. Call in to share how you find joy and receive a free gift from Joy Time Ministries. Let's talk about loving God, obeying His commands, and shining His light through how we treat others.

Welcome to *Ketobiography* — formerly *Less of Me Success Stories*. In this episode, we sit down with **Christine Trimpe**, a former corporate accountant turned ketogenic lifestyle advocate, who broke free from sugar addiction and transformed her health—body, mind, and soul.Christine shares how a simple hike became her wake-up call, prompting her to confront decades of yo-yo dieting, chronic illness, and emotional fatigue. Through keto, faith, and purpose, she lost over 100 pounds and found a life filled with energy, freedom, and joy.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Keto Biography01:05 – Christine's Life Before Keto: Fatigue, Pain, and Inflammation04:20 – The Mountain Moment: A Simple Prayer That Changed Everything07:35 – How the Ketogenic Diet Changed Her Health Markers11:10 – Breaking Free from Sugar Addiction15:45 – Navigating the Emotional & Spiritual Side of Weight Loss20:30 – Coaching Women Through the Sugar Freed Method25:10 – From Accountant to Author: Following the Calling29:00 – Final Reflections and Message of Hope

Success in sales isn't just about strategy — it's about mindset, discipline, and staying grounded in what actually matters.In this episode, James sits down with Brian Reimer, Regional Sales Director in the cybersecurity space (Cato Networks) and long-time enterprise closer, to break down what it really takes to win million-dollar deals without losing yourself in the process.Brian opens up about:His approach to enterprise sales cyclesHow his faith and family keep him anchoredWhy he chose people and purpose over prestigeWhat most reps get wrong about long-term follow-upAnd the real reason your energy matters more than your pitchIf you're trying to close bigger commercial cleaning contracts, stay patient through long sales cycles, or balance personal growth with business pressure — this episode will hit home.Whether you run a $500K company or manage a team of 200, this one's for the leaders playing the long game.

Fluent Fiction - Danish: Finding Joy in Imperfection: A Summer Family Gathering Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2025-06-11-22-34-02-da Story Transcript:Da: Sommerens varme omfavnede den store familiebolig, mens solen kastede gyldne stråler på blomstrende haver.En: The warmth of summer embraced the large family home, as the sun cast golden rays on blooming gardens.Da: Fuglesangen fyldte luften, og man kunne næsten smage forventningen i brisen.En: The air was filled with birdsong, and one could almost taste the anticipation in the breeze.Da: Indenfor var der travlhed, da familien gjorde sig klar til den årlige sommerfamiliesammenkomst.En: Inside, there was hustle and bustle as the family prepared for the annual summer family gathering.Da: Mikkel, den ældste af søskendeflokken, gik rundt med en notesblok i hånden.En: Mikkel, the eldest of the siblings, walked around with a notepad in hand.Da: Hans bryn var let rynket af koncentration.En: His brow was slightly furrowed with concentration.Da: Han sørgede for, at alt gik efter planen.En: He ensured that everything went according to plan.Da: Bordene skulle dækkes, maden skulle være klar, og alle skulle have det godt.En: The tables had to be set, the food had to be ready, and everyone needed to feel good.Da: Men dybt inde følte han sig presset.En: But deep down, he felt pressured.Da: Hvordan kunne han sikre, at alt blev perfekt?En: How could he ensure that everything was perfect?Da: Freja var allerede i haven, ivrigt i gang med at hænge kulørte lyskæder op mellem æbletræerne.En: Freja was already in the garden, eagerly hanging colorful light chains between the apple trees.Da: Hun lo og snakkede med naboernes børn, der kom forbi for at hjælpe til.En: She laughed and chatted with the neighbors' children who stopped by to help out.Da: For Freja var en fest først rigtig god, når der var grin og glæde.En: For Freja, a party was only truly great when there was laughter and joy.Da: Hun mærkede ikke presset som Mikkel, men ønskede kun, at alle havde det sjovt.En: She didn't feel the pressure like Mikkel, but only wished for everyone to have fun.Da: Inde i huset sad Thyra ved køkkenbordet med en bog foran sig.En: Inside the house, Thyra sat at the kitchen table with a book in front of her.Da: Hun trak vejret dybt og ønskede alt dette kaos var overstået.En: She took a deep breath and wished all this chaos was over.Da: Hun trivedes bedst i stilhed og fandt det svært at være midt i den larmende forberedelse.En: She thrived best in silence and found it difficult to be in the midst of the noisy preparation.Da: Alligevel ville hun gerne hjælpe sine søskende, så da Mikkel bad om hjælp, lagde hun bogen til side.En: Nevertheless, she wanted to help her siblings, so when Mikkel asked for help, she put the book aside.Da: "Mikkel," sagde Freja, da hun kom indenfor med et glimt i øjet, "skal vi ikke bare nyde dagen og lave lidt om på planen?En: "Mikkel," said Freja, as she came inside with a glint in her eye, "can't we just enjoy the day and change the plan a little?"Da: "Mikkel tøvede.En: Mikkel hesitated.Da: Kunne han virkelig slippe kontrollen?En: Could he really let go of control?Da: Men han så Frejas begejstring og Thyra, der ventede på hans beslutning.En: But he saw Freja's enthusiasm and Thyra, waiting for his decision.Da: Måske var det netop det, han havde brug for.En: Maybe that was exactly what he needed.Da: To hold, der kunne finde balancen mellem struktur og leg.En: Two teams that could find the balance between structure and play.Da: "Okay," sagde Mikkel til sidst.En: "Okay," said Mikkel finally.Da: "Freja, du sørger for underholdningen.En: "Freja, you take care of the entertainment.Da: Thyra, du hjælper med bordene.En: Thyra, you help with the tables.Da: Jeg.En: I...Da: jeg slapper lidt af.En: I'll relax a bit."Da: "Da gæsterne begyndte at ankomme, strømmede latter og samtale gennem den store have.En: As the guests began to arrive, laughter and conversation flowed through the large garden.Da: Mikkel lænede sig op ad en stolpe og betragtede scenen.En: Mikkel leaned against a post and watched the scene.Da: Børn løb omkring, farverige lanterner svajede i aftenbrisen, og familier samledes om de store træborde.En: Children ran about, colorful lanterns swayed in the evening breeze, and families gathered around the large wooden tables.Da: Kaotisk, ja.En: Chaotic, yes.Da: Perfekt?En: Perfect?Da: Ikke helt.En: Not quite.Da: Men i dette øjeblik betød det intet for Mikkel.En: But in this moment, it meant nothing to Mikkel.Da: Han så Frejas glade smil og Thyra, der nød en stille samtale med en kusine.En: He saw Freja's happy smile and Thyra, enjoying a quiet conversation with a cousin.Da: For første gang følte han sig rolig.En: For the first time, he felt calm.Da: Lykken var ikke i detaljerne, men i de øjeblikke, man skabte sammen.En: Happiness wasn't in the details but in the moments you create together.Da: Da månen dukkede op på himlen, samlede familien sig om bålet.En: As the moon appeared in the sky, the family gathered around the bonfire.Da: De sang gamle sange og delte historier fra fortiden.En: They sang old songs and shared stories from the past.Da: Mikkel knugede sine søskende ind til sig og vidste nu, hvad der virkelig betød noget.En: Mikkel hugged his siblings close and now knew what truly mattered.Da: Ikke perfektion, men de minder, de skabte sammen.En: Not perfection, but the memories they created together.Da: Familiefesten blev som sommerens blomster - uperfekt og fuld af liv.En: The family party was like the summer flowers - imperfect and full of life.Da: Mikkel lærte at værdsætte disse øjeblikke mere end nogen stive planer, han nogensinde kunne lægge.En: Mikkel learned to appreciate these moments more than any rigid plans he could ever make. Vocabulary Words:embraced: omfavnedeblooming: blomstrendeanticipation: forventningenhustle: travlhedbustle: larmendeeldest: ældstefurrowed: rynketconcentration: koncentrationchains: lyskædereagerly: ivrigchatted: snakkedepressure: pressetchaos: kaosthrive: trivedesamidst: midt icontrol: kontrolenthusiasm: begejstringstructure: strukturentertainment: underholdningrelax: slapper aflanterns: lanternerbreeze: brisechaotic: kaotiskcousin: kusinecalm: roliggathered: samledebonfire: bålhugged: knugedeperfection: perfektionmemories: minder

My guest is Occupational Therapist Zara Dureno as we discuss how and why to find joy while suffering from a chronic illness. Website: www.upliftvirtualtherapy.com   Book and course: https://www.upliftvirtualtherapy.com/bookonline-course   Group Hypnosis sessions: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/zara-dureno-41177981173.Free youtube meditations: https://www.youtube.com/@upliftvirtualtherapyThanks for listening. Don't forget to follow the podcast and leave a review!

Pat Ridge: Seeking Validation Through Mischief | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this extended, unfiltered conversation, Patrick opens up about his multifaceted life—from his early days filming with a Hi8 camera and capturing memories with friends like Chet's wife Donna and her sister Vicki, to his wild first high on Vicodin during a high school snowboarding trip, and his rise in the music scene with Hyper Crush, touring with Lady Gaga, only to face ego-driven setbacks. He shares the founding of Graceland, his highly structured sober living facility, and the chaotic yet transparent journey of helping others like Nick Harris via live streaming, despite toxic online backlash. Patrick gets real about losing 20 years of sobriety, his relapse with CBD and Delta-9, and the strain it put on his marriage and role as a father to his one-and-a-half-year-old son, Wolf, while reflecting on the power of behavior over sobriety milestones, the influence of structured programs like Liberty House, and his current mission to create engaging, funny recovery videos. From mischievous beginnings and seeking validation to finding peace at the lake and admiring artists like Scribbler in Kensington, this episode is a rollercoaster of lessons, hope, and resilience—perfect for anyone navigating addiction, sobriety, or the messy beauty of life. #thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover  #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record', exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholicsBuy Merch: https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.comVisit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.comIf you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:https://www.infinitigroupllc.com Timestamps:00:03:19 - Early Filming Passion00:04:40 - First High Experience00:07:00 - Mischief and Validation00:09:10 - Streaming and Sober Living00:12:39 - Graceland Structure00:16:13 - Music Career with Hyper Crush00:19:23 - Art as a Lifeline00:21:21 - Seizure and Turning Point00:23:26 - Inspiration from Liberty House00:25:29 - Marriage and Fatherhood00:28:38 - Social Media Addiction00:35:43 - Sobriety Across Programs00:36:37 - Critique of Time in Sobriety01:21:14 - Fascination with Scribbler01:23:28 - Daily Routine Post-Relapse01:26:03 - Finding Joy at the Lake

Thanks for joining Jill Baughan today on Finding Joy ...No Matter What.   Make a Joy Box for Someone You Care About: https://jillbaughan.com/joy-box/   Baughan, Jill. No Matter What: 90 Devotions for Experiencing Unexpected Joy in Tough Times. Our Daily Bread Publishers, 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Matter-What-Devotions-Experiencing-Unexpected/dp/1640703969/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?crid=2P84MZ9ZHR8GP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tntQJ9EM7blGaZoioVbqX6I_0yYOKo8tdykCW8iK-uAvkXQk9Ry0lpqv5B5AbILG2ukb9dFrb2IXoEgQqylefy1nbqk0864loTgd-KtpMP4.n3_3ScZp85susbWQjitYEXe9t2G22Lh_kSGcJ0-dWF8&dib_tag=se&keywords=jill+baughan+book&qid=1740769177&sprefix=jill+baughan%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-2-fkmr0   Peterson, Eugene. The Message. Introduction to the Book of Job   Connect with Jill: Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~  Website

Join us for this insightful episode of the Centerpoint Church podcast, where Adult Engagement Pastor Justin Elam dives into the theme of "Joy in the Journey." Justin shares personal anecdotes about family road trips and the challenges of navigating relationships, emphasizing that joy is often sacrificed when we focus on getting our way. Drawing from the teachings of Paul in his letter to the Philippians, they discuss how true joy is found in serving others and embracing a mindset like that of Jesus. Key takeaways include: • The significance of planning for joy in our relationships. • How humility and love can lead to healthier connections. • Practical steps to cultivate joy by giving our lives away rather than seeking control. Whether you're a long-time follower of Jesus or just exploring faith, this message offers valuable insights for everyone. Don't miss out on this opportunity to reflect on how you can foster joy in your life and relationships! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends and family, and consider supporting our mission at Centerpoint Church. Visit us at centerpointfl.org for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are an alternative to church as usual. Our Sunday worship service is approximately a 75-minute experience designed to introduce people to the message of Jesus and equip believers to live their lives in response to the Gospel while their kids enjoy one of our safe children's environments. Centerpoint is designed to meet you wherever you are on the journey whether you are just checking out the "church thing" or you are a committed Christ follower. Centerpoint is a casual environment that combines today's music with creative media and relevant teaching. We hope you will visit us at Centerpoint Church regardless of what your past church experience has looked like.

We're all in some kind of “middle.” Not where we started, not yet where we want to be. And while the space between can feel awkward, slow, or downright uncomfortable… what if it's actually where the magic happens? In this uplifting and honest episode, I'm inviting you into a real conversation about the in-between — the waiting, the stretching, the becoming — and how we can learn to find joy right in the middle of it all. Inside, we talk about:✨ The myth of arrival and why joy doesn't live at the finish line✨ How to embrace the messy middle without wishing it away✨ 5 practical ways to experience joy right now, even if life feels uncertain✨ A powerful mindset reframe to carry into your week Whether you're in transition, growth, healing, or rebuilding — this episode is here to remind you:You don't have to wait for joy. It's available here, in the space between.In a world where being perfect seems to be the goal- - it's important that we know who's we are & who we are. We aren't called to be perfect - we are called to be better today than yesterday! - that's it. It doesn't have to be quantum leaps, in fact I believe that in the day to day -our little steps in the right directions! I am on a mission to help women become more of who they were created to be and less of who they were told to be. And, that takes intention, that takes action : My goal is to drop some wisdom, bring you resources and that takes community. The real unlock is the Inner Work, and that's what we do here! If you enjoyed today's episode, please: • Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @thejenkeller or @projectyou so we can repost you. • Leave a positive review or rating For more ways to do the inner work you can find me on @thejenkeller on instagram and Jennifer Keller on Facebook and to join our exclusive Facebook community Project YOU To do the inner work visit jenkeller.net

Let's be honest—life can feel heavy sometimes. With everything going on in the world, and in our own lives—stress, strained relationships, tough circumstances—it's easy to lose sight of joy. It can feel like joy is something that comes and goes, depending on how things are going. But what if joy didn't have to depend on your circumstances? What if there was a kind of joy that held steady, no matter what life throws your way? God says “yes!” and tells us how through the Apostle Paul's letter of joy called Philippians. We'll study this New Testament letter verse by verse to help you learn how to find joy in life.

Discount Code for 20% off: ONCEUPONAGENE Chelsea and Amber of Lemon Cake—two fellow rare moms on a mission—pop in to remind you that even when seizures, meltdowns, and endless therapies feel like they're winning, there's still room for belly laughs, tiny victories, and yes, a slice of cake. I had so much fun chatting with these bright lights as they shared how a spontaneous Instagram Live turned into a lifeline for parents of medically complex kids. They unpacked those “garage-floor” prayers, served up bite-sized self-care hacks and showed us how to keep carving out joy in the thick of it. Their brand-new 57-page e-book, "Finding Joy in the Journey", is bursting with real-life stories, practical worksheets (including a simple medical binder template), and reminders that you're never alone. Grab your copy at makinglemoncake.com and use code ONCEUPONAGENE for 20 % off—because we all deserve a little extra sweetness in our day. You can also find them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/makinglemoncake/ to join the Cake Pop community, soak up their bright energy, and maybe one day snag that killer lemon cake recipe. These women are lifting others in the thick of it, and I'm here for every ounce of their glow.

Scott Christian Sava didn't plan to write a book or become a YouTube mentor to millions. He just wanted to draw Spider-Man. But as his creative journey unfolded—from comic books and video games to filmmaking and community-building—Scott discovered something bigger than himself: the call to teach, to connect, and to remind others that art is a deeply human experience. In this heartfelt episode of A Fresh Story, Scott shares the long road to becoming the artist—and person—he was always meant to be.At the center of our conversation is Scott's new book, Becoming an Artist: How to Make Art Like a Human by Embracing Failure, Discovering Your Creative Voice, & Finding Joy in the Process. It's part memoir, part creative manifesto, and part love letter to anyone who's ever made something just because it felt good. We talk about the myth of “cheating” in art, the loneliness of creative life, and how perfectionism can block joy. Scott reminds us that making art is not about being the best—it's about being real.Whether you're a lifelong artist or someone who's been too scared to pick up a pencil, this episode is for you. Scott's honesty, humility, and humor breathe life into every lesson, and his story is a reminder that creativity isn't just a skill—it's a legacy. If you've ever felt like giving up, Becoming an Artist just might be your permission slip to begin again.Grab the book here: https://amzn.to/3Hq3oTf

Scaling a Brand, Navigating Burnout, and Finding Your Why with Joanie Simon of The Bite Shot. ----- Welcome to episode 521 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Joanie Simon from The Bite Shot.  Joanie Simon of The Bite Shot on Scaling, Burnout, and Finding Joy Again In this week's episode, Joanie gets real about the not-so-glamorous side of turning a creative passion into a full-on business. She shares how her love for food photography grew into something much bigger (and messier!) than she expected, from hiring a team to navigating the financial and emotional rollercoaster that comes with scaling. Spoiler: it wasn't always smooth sailing, but it was 100% worth the ride! We also explore the tricky balance between staying creative and keeping up with the structure a business demands. Joanie opens up about burnout, the pressure to please everyone, and how she lost touch with her audience along the way. Through mentoring, self-care, and redefining what success actually looks like, she's found her way back to her “why” — and she's sharing what that process really looked like. Three episode takeaways: Growth can be messy, but so worth the effort!: Joanie shares how her food photography side hustle grew into a full-blown business, including the ups and downs of hiring a team, dealing with new responsibilities, and learning from the messy parts of scaling. The tug of war between creativity and structure: From chasing inspiration to juggling deadlines, Joanie talks about how building a business can sometimes smother the creative spark and how she's working to find a balance that actually fuels both. How Joanie reconnected with her why: Joanie opens up about people-pleasing, burnout, and losing touch with her audience — and how mentoring, self-care, and redefining success helped her get back to what really matters. Resources: The Bite Shot Joanie's food blog, The Dinner Bell Company of One by Paul Jarvis The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander “The Story of the Chinese Farmer” by Alan Watts Follow The Bite Shot on Instagram and YouTube Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Robert and special guest Dr. Dayna Harris discuss how to practice thankfulness even when we don't feel it. There are times when it's easy to see the good, and there are times when thinking positively seems like blind optimism. God is the same through all of it, and His love gives us a reason for gratitude every minute of every day. Placing our trust in Jesus leads to joy that surpasses any trial that may come our way.Subscribe to receive our latest videos!Website: https://www.sunvalleycc.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunvalleycc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunvalleycc/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunvalleyccTo support Sun Valley and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://www.sunvalleycc.com/givingGod loves you no matter who you are, what you've done, or what's been done to you. This is the vision of Sun Valley Community Church, led by Pastor Chad Moore and based in Gilbert, AZ with multiple locations throughout the Phoenix valley.Chapters:00:03:05 Embracing Gratitude Over Pain  00:06:26 Entering God's Presence with Thanksgiving00:10:00 Theological Perspective on Life's Challenges00:12:54 The Faithfulness of Joseph in Adversity  00:15:42 Finding Joy and Gratitude in Difficult Times00:19:00 Shaping Your Day with Positivity  00:21:43 Finding Community and Overcoming Isolation00:25:21 Building Trust in Community Groups

Dr. Diana Hill, a clinical psychologist and expert in acceptance and commitment therapy, and Katy Bowman, a biomechanist and founder of Nutritious Movement, discuss the psychology of movement and common objections to physical activity. They explore the definition of movement, its joy, and healing body image. They also address the 44 common objections, including overcoming time constraints, finding joy in movement, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion in making healthier choices in their new book.Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):(0:00) Intro/Teaser(14:00) Finding Joy in Movement(23:00) Living Out Values Through Movement(33:00) Shaping Movement and Building Connections(36:00) Understanding and Challenging Body Image Ideals(42:00) Reclaiming Body Confidence Through Self-Compassion(55:00) Overcoming Resistance Through Movement Mastery(1:09:00) The “After Party” with Dr. StephanieResources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep419A huge thank you to our sponsors:BON CHARGE - Achieve glowing skin and more energy with BON CHARGE's amazing products. Get 15% off at https://boncharge.com/better with code BETTER.QUALIA SENOLYTIC - Support healthy aging with Qualia Senolytic. Save 15% at https://qualialife.com/better with code BETTER.BIOPTIMIZERS MASSZYME - Life is too short to suffer from digestion problems. So go to https://bioptimizers.com/better and use code BETTER to get 10% off your order.WALKING PAD - Low intensity exercise like walking is one of the best ways to burn fat. Go to https://www.walkingpad.com/DRSTEPHANIE and use the code DRSTEPHANIE for 30% off selected collections.

How can we find time to be creative as busy moms of young kids? Loryn Brantz, author of the new poetry collection POEMS OF PARENTING, discusses how her creative practice informs her parenting and vice versa. Loryn is the creator of the bestselling Feminist Baby board book series and has worked as a director and illustrator for Sesame Street and Ms. Rachel. Margaret and Loryn discuss: Loryn's creative journey from Sesame Street to Buzzfeed to publishing twelve books How motherhood and exhaustion birthed her viral poetry collection on Instagram The power of mindfulness and meditation for overwhelmed moms Why Loryn believes kids' media should stay focused on kids Insights on the balance between nurturing children and preserving creativity Here's where you can find Loryn: Instagram: @lorynbrantz https://www.lorynbrantz.com/ Buy POEMS OF PARENTING: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780063426436 We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/⁠⁠⁠ mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid's behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we are talking with our friend, Dr. Cory Fawcett. Dr. Fawcett is an author many times over and has another great book newly published called A Doctor's Guide to Finding Joy in Your Work. We know how prevalent burnout can be and Dr. Fawcett has some great advice for how to not only avoid burnout but to find real joy in what you do. He practices what he preaches and we hope this conversation inspires you and gives you some practical advice you can bring into your life and your practice. Today's episode is brought to us by SoFi, the folks who help you get your money right. Paying off student debt quickly and getting your finances back on track isn't easy, but that's where SoFi can help — they have exclusive, low rates designed to help medical residents refinance student loans—and that could end up saving you thousands of dollars, helping you get out of student debt sooner. SoFi also offers the ability to lower your payments to just $100 a month* while you're still in residency. And if you're already out of residency, SoFi's got you covered there too. For more information, go to https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/Sofi SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Additional terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891. The White Coat Investor has been helping doctors with their money since 2011. Our free financial planning resource covers a variety of topics from doctor mortgage loans and refinancing medical school loans to physician disability insurance and malpractice insurance. Learn about loan refinancing or consolidation, explore new investment strategies, and discover loan programs specifically aimed at helping doctors. If you're a high-income professional and ready to get a "fair shake" on Wall Street, The White Coat Investor is for you! Main Website: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com  YouTube: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube  Student Loan Advice: https://studentloanadvice.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor  Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com  Newsletter: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter