Podcasts about finding spiritual whitespace

We love talking with this guest. In fact, we aired her first interview as one of our favorites as she shared her own story of being a leader who has faced the trauma in her past. We are passionate about helping leaders, who often appear quite confident  and  polished on the outside, but who are doing the difficult and messy work of  healing from the inside out. In a western culture that values image, productivity, and impressive resumes, we enjoy talking to leaders who have come to terms with what it means to love God as He loves us - from the inside out. You'll want to listen in to this conversation.    Bonnie Gray is the author of Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine. An inspirational speaker and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. Bonnie's global following of readers come to her for inspiring Christian content in her authentic, unique voice. Her writing has been published and syndicated across a broad online audience. Bonnie lives in California with her husband and two sons.   If you are a woman in the greater Portland, Oregon, area and you want a day to set aside to just breathe, join us for a contemplative prayer day at the Living Wholehearted Lodge & Retreat on September 22.  Learn more and register at www.livingwholehearted.com/prayer-retreat. Limited spots available.   To connect with Bonnie Gray, visit:   ONLINE -  Soulcarequiz.com  thebonniegray.com   SOCIAL -  Facebook - @thebonniegray Instagram - @thebonniegray   NEW BOOS -  Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm thebreathebook.com     =======================   We LOVE that you've decided to join us this week for the Living Wholehearted Podcast. We hope you enjoyed the conversation, tips, and resources to help you transform every relationship that matters most to you. If you think this will help someone you know, make sure you send it their way or share on socials. Tag us @living_wholehearted and @terramattson! Don't forget to FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss an episode and help spread the word by leaving us some stars on a review. Thanks for partnering with us to help more leaders, just like you, who want to live and lead with integrity at home, work and in the community.  Go to livingwholehearted.com and sign up to receive our free leadership tips and updates delivered to you in our monthly newsletter. And, if you're a girl mom, check out mycourageousgirls.com.     Until next time, be the leader you would follow!   Grateful for you, Jeff & Terra   To connect with Jeff & Terra Mattson and Living Wholehearted, go to:   INSTAGRAM @TerraMattson @Living_Wholehearted @MyCourageousGirls   FACEBOOK @WeAreLivingWholehearted @MyCourageousGirls   WEBSITES LivingWholehearted.com TerraMattson.com  MyCourageousGirls.com   RESOURCES Shrinking the Integrity Gap        https://davidccook.org/shrinking-integrity-gap-book/       https://a.co/d/dRiP4Ii Shrinking the Integrity Gap e-Course        https://www.livingwholeheartedstore.com/e-courses Courageous: Being Daughters Rooted in Grace       https://mycourageousgirls.com/shop/p/book-courageous-being-daughters-rooted-in-grace Dear Mattsons        https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdPzQ_cUwCbRc-MQ40KL3a6ze06CiY38l Helping Moms Raise Confident Daughters        http://cpguides.org   =======================   The Living Wholehearted Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org  

God's timing is so good. If you follow me on IG, you've probably heard me talk about how I feel like my current life lessons all center around humility and God's timing over mine. Well, the timing of this episode's release is just perfect. I needed this episode when I recorded it and I needed it again this week with our family moving (again! We're still in Idaho, but moving is pretty all consuming no matter the distance!) I have been feeling overwhelmed in this unexpected season of chaos. Bonnie's books have truly been gifts to me at different moments in my life. Today we're talking about her newest book Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm (but I also recommend her other book Sweet Like Jasmine). You'll probably hear the surprise in my voice at how Bonnie and I just jumped right into the deep end with this conversation. Bonnie's willingness to be vulnerable and connect with people honestly and openly is part of what makes her such a special guest. If you are in a season of chaos (which I feel like is probably most moms with kids at home), this episode is for you. If you're a mother who is getting things done but you often feel like you're surviving alone, this episode is for you.   Bonnie's Bio: Bonnie Gray is the author of Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine. An inspirational speaker and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. Bonnie's global following of readers come to her for inspiring Christian content in her authentic, unique voice. Her writing has been published and syndicated across a broad online audience. Bonnie lives in California with her husband and two sons. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM

Award-winning author and PTSD survivor Bonnie Gray talks about steps we can take to turn chaos to calm. Philippians 4:6“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV) https://livesteadyon.com/Email Angie at: steadyonpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: @livesteadyonInstagram: @angiebaughman421 Looking for something not listed? It's probably here: https://linktr.ee/livesteadyon https://thebonniegray.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebonniegray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebonniegray/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBonnieGray Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebonniegray/ Podcast: Breathe Grab Bonnie's soul care quiz here: https://thebonniegray.com/soulcarequiz/ Listen to Bonnie's first visit to the Steady On podcast here: https://livesteadyon.com/2022/01/19/episode-87-sweet-like-jasmine-with-bonnie-gray/ Bonnie Gray is a Soul Care mentor and the author of Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine, an ECPA 2022 Christian Book Award Finalist. Heaving healed from PTSD, Bonnie is passionate about helping thousands of listeners detox stress and flourish in emotional wellness with God's love through soul care, Bible Study and prayer. Bonnie is a trusted voice writing for Proverbs 31, Christianity Today and Relevant Magazine. She is also the host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast. She loves hiking and eating waffles with her husband and two teenage boys in Silicon Valley. Theme music:Heartwarming by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3864-heartwarmingLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 128:Bonnie Gray is a Soul Care mentor and the author of Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine, an ECPA 2022 Christian Book Award Finalist. Heaving healed from PTSD, Bonnie is passionate about helping thousands of listeners detox stress and flourish in emotional wellness with God's love through soul care, Bible Study and prayer. On this episode Bonnie shares Left Brain and Right Brain Science: Why self-care and soul care are not selfish, but spiritual acts of faith ,  Breath Prayers: How to activate your body's Rest Response and restore peace to your emotions. She shares practical tips on how to manage stress and anxiety when it comes up and ways that biblical mindfulness and cultural mindfulness are different and how as a Christian we can meditate on Gods promises.Take the soul quiz:https://thebonniegray.com/soulcarequiz/https://www.instagram.com/thebonniegray/Partnering with Hi Hello Labs in Downtown Orlando https://www.hihellolabs.comSupport the showSubscribe to Beauty Marks podcast and leave a review. Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsabby/For questions, comments or collaborations please email: beautymarkspodcast@gmail.com Our website to support visit www.beautymarkspodcast.com

If you are feeling weary, burnt out or in need of renewal, Bonnie Gray has beautiful encouragement for you on today's episode. Bonnie Gray is a Soul Care mentor and the author of Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine. Having healed from PTSD, Bonnie is passionate about helping thousands of listeners detox stress and flourish in emotional wellness with God's love through soul care, Bible Study and prayer.  In this episode, we chat - - The value of understanding the 4 quadrants of wellness - Spiritual, Social, Emotional + Physical - Why self-care and soul care are not selfish, but spiritual acts of faith - Parenting + Mental Health - How to use these tools with your kids - How Soul Care prompts patient pursuit of your kids - The 4 Rs that will transform moments of chaos to calm: Refresh, Release, Restore & Reflect We get a little vulnerable in this conversation too! Click here to take Bonnie's Soul Care Quiz where you can learn more about where your wellness ranks and how to find renewal + more. Let us know what you think about this episode - we'd love your 5-star review! Listen in now and share with a Mama who could use some rest and Soul Care this week. Connect with Bonnie: Website // Instagram // Soul Care Quiz // Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm Connect with Susannah:Instagram // Website --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/susannah-mcmonagle/message

If you are feeling weary, burnt out or in need of renewal, Bonnie Gray has beautiful encouragement for you on today's episode. Bonnie Gray is a Soul Care mentor and the author of Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine. Having healed from PTSD, Bonnie is passionate about helping thousands of listeners detox stress and flourish in emotional wellness with God's love through soul care, Bible Study and prayer.  In this episode, we chat - - The value of understanding the 4 quadrants of wellness - Spiritual, Social, Emotional + Physical - Why self-care and soul care are not selfish, but spiritual acts of faith - Parenting + Mental Health - How to use these tools with your kids - How Soul Care prompts patient pursuit of your kids - The 4 Rs that will transform moments of chaos to calm: Refresh, Release, Restore & Reflect We get a little vulnerable in this conversation too! Click here to take Bonnie's Soul Care Quiz where you can learn more about where your wellness ranks and how to find renewal + more. Let us know what you think about this episode - we'd love your 5-star review! Listen in now and share with a Mama who could use some rest and Soul Care this week. Connect with Bonnie: Website // Instagram // Soul Care Quiz // Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm Connect with Susannah:Instagram // Website --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/susannah-mcmonagle/message

Bonnie Gray is a Soul Care mentor and the author of Breathe: 21 Days toStress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm,Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine, an ECPA 2022 Christian Book Award Finalist. Heaving healed from PTSD, Bonnie is passionate about helping thousands of listeners detox stress and flourish in emotional wellness with God's love through soul care, Bible Study and prayer. Bonnie is a trusted voice writing for Proverbs 31, Christianity Today and Relevant Magazine. She is also the host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast. Take Bonnie's Soul Care Quiz to learn which area of wellness you're missing at SoulCareQuiz.com. She loves hiking and eating waffles with her husband and two teenage boys in Silicon Valley. To learn more about Bonnie, take her Soul Care Quiz at SoulCareQuiz.com, find her book at thebreathebook.com, or follow her at thebonniegray on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to my new series, LIES GOOD MOMS BELIEVE!  During this summer season, I am going to be joined by some amazing guests, and together we are going to dedicate each episode to calling out a common lie the enemy speaks to the hearts of Moms. We're going to measure that lie against the truth of scripture, offer you some practical advice and Biblical encouragement through discussion and then end our time with a simple but powerful prayer to equip you to take these lies head on whenever they try and sneak their way into your mind. In today's episode, we are going to tackle the lie: you are alone. And here to help me in this discussion is Bonnie Gray. Bonnie Gray is an author and podcaster. She writes regularly for DaySpring's (in)courage and is the author of Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine - a memoir sharing her story as the daughter of a mail order bride, abandoned by her father at the age of 7 to be raised by her toxic and abusive mother. She is also the host of the Breathe: The Less Stress Podcast.  You can learn more about Bonnie through her website!   You can connect with her through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  For the downloadable prayers, click here!    Bonnie will share lies such as: You cannot be sad.  No one is going to help you.  You have to do everything on your own. Nobody wants to hear your story. Nobody can relate to it. Don't talk about how lonely you feel. There are parts of me I need to cut off, shut down and not talk about. We are going to cover topics like: Loneliness Anxiety Panic attacks Depression Social anxiety Identity crisis Chasing the cookie cutter image - this is what I have to do to prove I am a good mom   Scripture Highlight from the Episode - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV) 14 But jthanks be to God, who in Christ always kleads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads lthe fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among mthose who are being saved and among nthose who are perishing,    This week's episode was a heavy one for sure, but my heart is not to shy away from broken places, but to walk through them with grace and in full reliance on the Lord to teach us as we go along the way clinging fast to Him. Can you relate to this week's guest? Share your favorite takeaway in the Ahavah Community Facebook group here! Remember, your brokenness does not disqualify you from being a good Mom - it only stands to strengthen the beautiful testimony God is building in and through you! Blessings sweet friend! Somer

Welcome to my new series, LIES GOOD MOMS BELIEVE!  During this summer season, I am going to be joined by some amazing guests, and together we are going to dedicate each episode to calling out a common lie the enemy speaks to the hearts of Moms. We're going to measure that lie against the truth of scripture, offer you some practical advice and Biblical encouragement through discussion and then end our time with a simple but powerful prayer to equip you to take these lies head on whenever they try and sneak their way into your mind. In today's episode, we are going to tackle the lie: you are alone. And here to help me in this discussion is Bonnie Gray. Bonnie Gray is an author and podcaster. She writes regularly for DaySpring's (in)courage and is the author of Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine - a memoir sharing her story as the daughter of a mail order bride, abandoned by her father at the age of 7 to be raised by her toxic and abusive mother. She is also the host of the Breathe: The Less Stress Podcast.  You can learn more about Bonnie through her website!   You can connect with her through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  For the downloadable prayers, click here!    Bonnie will share lies such as: You cannot be sad.  No one is going to help you.  You have to do everything on your own. Nobody wants to hear your story. Nobody can relate to it. Don't talk about how lonely you feel. There are parts of me I need to cut off, shut down and not talk about. We are going to cover topics like: Loneliness Anxiety Panic attacks Depression Social anxiety Identity crisis Chasing the cookie cutter image - this is what I have to do to prove I am a good mom   Scripture Highlight from the Episode - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV) 14 But jthanks be to God, who in Christ always kleads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads lthe fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among mthose who are being saved and among nthose who are perishing,    This week's episode was a heavy one for sure, but my heart is not to shy away from broken places, but to walk through them with grace and in full reliance on the Lord to teach us as we go along the way clinging fast to Him. Can you relate to this week's guest? Share your favorite takeaway in the Ahavah Community Facebook group here! Remember, your brokenness does not disqualify you from being a good Mom - it only stands to strengthen the beautiful testimony God is building in and through you! Blessings sweet friend! Somer

Mentioned in this episode: Bonnie's new book, Sweet Like Jasmine: Finding Identity in a Culture of Loneliness Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast Whispers of Rest book Finding Spiritual Whitespace book Matthew 6:25-34 Matthew 11:28 Isaiah 46:3-4 Putting Feelings Into Words, UCLA study on the brain   Connect with Bonnie Gray: Website~Facebook~Twitter~Instagram   Connect with Holly: Website~Facebook~Instagram   This podcast was produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media Music by Robert Elkins

BONUS BLACK FRIDAY EPISODE!! Bonnie Gray is the author of Whispers of Rest and Finding Spiritual Whitespace. Bonnie loves encouraging women to experience deeper intimacy with God and refresh the soul with His love and rest. She guides women to live inspired, detox from stress, and celebrate their calling as the beloved. An inspirational retreat speaker, Bonnie touches thousands of lives helping women through topics of soul care, stress recovery, and emotional healing through storytelling, visual arts, nature, prayer, and meditation. Bonnie's powerful writing is featured on Relevant Magazine, KLOVE, {in}courage, MOPS, and Christianity Today. She lives in California with her husband and their two sons. Support the podcast through Patreon Join our mailing list Check out our website Resources: Sweet Like Jasmine by Bonnie Gray Noteworthy quotes: “You're worthy of being loved. You're worthy of being valued.” - 41:58 Questions for consideration: What lies has the Holy Spirit revealed to you through Bonnie Gray's time on the podcast?

The Asian-American story is not often talked about. There are many reasons why, but in this episode, Jeff and Terra talk with Bonnie Gray, who courageously writes and shares the hope and healing from her own childhood abuse and crisis of identity. This interview touched the lives of Bonnie, Jeff and Terra and we think it will be a gift to you too.   Bonnie is the author of Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine: Finding Identity in a Culture of Loneliness. An inspirational speaker and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. Bonnie's global following of readers come to her for inspiring Christian content in her authentic, unique voice. Her writing has been published and syndicated across a broad online audience. Bonnie lives in California with her husband and two sons.   Bonnie grew up as a Chinese-American daughter of a mail-order bride and a busboy working in San Francisco's Chinatown. In this episode she shares about her childhood, the effects of abuse, trauma, racism, and how she found grace-filled healing after trying to perform.   You can get Bonnie's book, Sweet Like Jasmine: Finding Identity in a Culture of Loneliness, anywhere books are sold.   Connect with Bonnie online at: www.thebonniegray.com     For more resources on abuse, trauma, and Christ-centered holistic counseling for leaders like you, go to www.livingwholehearted.com https://www.mycourageousbook.com Shrinking the Integrity Gap Shrinking the Integrity Gap e-Course  

Hello Friends! I'm so excited about today's episode and it is a special one! In this episode, I sit down with my new friend and kindred spirit, Bonnie Gray, author, speaker, and podcast host. We talk about Bonnie's journey, the wounds of her childhood, PTSD, and her latest book, Sweet Like Jasmine. Bonnie Gray is the author of Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace, and Sweet Like Jasmine. An inspirational speaker and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. Bonnie's global following of readers come to her for inspiring Christian content in her authentic, unique voice. Her writing has been published and syndicated across a broad online audience. Bonnie lives in California with her husband and two sons. In this episode we talk about: How Bonnie overcame depression, anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks Turning anxiety and depression as a healing superpower to build a new legacy of faith Healing the wounds of sexual assault and date rape How childhood trauma bred perfectionism Lonely no more: the importance of being vulnerable and finding belonging How to break free from the cycle of emotional exhaustion, toxic relationships and prioritize your emotional wellbeing Want to connect with Bonnie : Facebook: BonnieGray Instagram: TheBonnieGray Website bonniegray.com Podcast : BREATHE: The Stress Less Podcast Pick up a copy of her new book, Sweet Like Jasmine

Host Holly Newton chats with author Bonnie Gray about her new book, Sweet Like Jasmine, in today's episode.At thirty-nine, Bonnie  thought she had put her past behind her. An American-Chinese daughter of a mail-order bride from Hong Kong and a father who worked as a busboy in a noodle shop in San Francisco's Chinatown, Bonnie had worked hard to build a life that looked just like everyone else's. She had a wonderful husband, two amazing boys, a thriving career and was even pursuing her dream of becoming a writer.But a long-forgotten birth certificate in an old file cabinet sparked something in Bonnie that couldn't be ignored. Determined to uncover family secrets and find the home she was born into, Bonnie set out on a journey that would change the trajectory of her life forever. As she returned to the places, culture, and stories that shaped her life, Bonnie realized that it's only when we learn to embrace the truth of our past that we can finally make sense of our present and celebrate what truly matters.Bonnie Gray is the author of Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine. An inspirational speaker and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. Bonnie's global following of readers come to her for inspiring Christian content in her authentic, unique voice. Her writing has been published and syndicated across a broad online audience. Bonnie lives in California with her husband and two sons.Sweet Like Jasmine is a profoundly moving story of how God uses our unique and broken stories to create a beautiful mosaic of His love, one life at a time.What people are saying:“In a world crying out for kindness and belonging, this is a book needed for our times.  Sweet Like Jasmine is the gift, a beautiful remembrance that God treasures each of our broken hearts in His sweeping story of redemption.”-Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Way and One Thousand Gifts “In Sweet Like Jasmine, Bonnie Gray is an engaging storyteller reminding us of the grace woven through each chapter of our lives. This book is both poetic and insightful. Beautiful and honest. A worthy companion through the wilderness of learning to find our identity. Through stories, letters, cultural insights, and reflections, Sweet Like Jasmine generously provides much-needed language and permission to embrace the wholeness of who we are.”-Morgan Harper Nichols, Author of All Along You Were BloomingConnect with Bonnie:www.sweetlikejasmine.comConnect with Exhale Podcast Host Holly Newton:Holly's ADVENT DEVOTIONAL and JOURNAL - Savor the Wonder: Behold Jesus is available now on Amazon! Get yours here.https://www.hollyanewton.com

In today's episode I am joined by my friend, Author and Host of the Breathe: The Stress Less podcast, Bonnie Gray. Bonnie writes regularly for DaySpring's (in)courage and is the author of Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and today, we are going to be talking about her latest release: Sweet Like Jasmine - A memoir sharing her story as the daughter of a mail order bride, abandoned by her father at the age of 7 to be raised by her toxic and abusive mother. Bonnie's real life story is beautifully told like a novel that will have you turning page after page and I can't wait for you to hear from her today as she speaks to the lies she battled as a result of her upbringing. Join me for this special episode as Bonnie shares her story, excerpts from her new book release and offers encouragement to the Mom who comes from broken places. In this episode, Bonnie discusses lies she believed such as: You cannot be sad.  No one is going to help you.  You have to do everything on your own. Nobody wants to hear your story. Nobody can relate to it. Don't talk about how lonely you feel. There are parts of me I need to cut off, shut down and not talk about. You can connect with Bonnie on Instagram @thebonniegray and at her website: thebonniegray.com Grab a copy of Sweet Like Jasmine and the FREE audio book by going to sweetlikejasmine.com You can connect with Somer on Instagram and Facebook @somercolbert and her website: somercolbert.com FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS from Today's Episode: We need a safe place to confide in God and in each other. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 How can we share the fragrance of God's love? It's when we share our weaknesses. The world's view of triumph: I'm looking beautiful, awesome and nothings wrong and I'm always positive and always strong. He completes you using things you already have. I was serving in the church so I didn't want anyone to think I was broken I realized it wasn't shameful that I was having anxiety and panic attacks, it was because I've been strong. It's not about just being from broken families - every woman has a different story. Even though you've experienced brokenness, it doesn't disqualify you from being a good mom.

In today's episode I am joined by my friend, Author and Host of the Breathe: The Stress Less podcast, Bonnie Gray. Bonnie writes regularly for DaySpring's (in)courage and is the author of Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and today, we are going to be talking about her latest release: Sweet Like Jasmine - A memoir sharing her story as the daughter of a mail order bride, abandoned by her father at the age of 7 to be raised by her toxic and abusive mother. Bonnie's real life story is beautifully told like a novel that will have you turning page after page and I can't wait for you to hear from her today as she speaks to the lies she battled as a result of her upbringing. Join me for this special episode as Bonnie shares her story, excerpts from her new book release and offers encouragement to the Mom who comes from broken places. In this episode, Bonnie discusses lies she believed such as: You cannot be sad.  No one is going to help you.  You have to do everything on your own. Nobody wants to hear your story. Nobody can relate to it. Don't talk about how lonely you feel. There are parts of me I need to cut off, shut down and not talk about. You can connect with Bonnie on Instagram @thebonniegray and at her website: thebonniegray.com Grab a copy of Sweet Like Jasmine and the FREE audio book by going to sweetlikejasmine.com You can connect with Somer on Instagram and Facebook @somercolbert and her website: somercolbert.com FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS from Today's Episode: We need a safe place to confide in God and in each other. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 How can we share the fragrance of God's love? It's when we share our weaknesses. The world's view of triumph: I'm looking beautiful, awesome and nothings wrong and I'm always positive and always strong. He completes you using things you already have. I was serving in the church so I didn't want anyone to think I was broken I realized it wasn't shameful that I was having anxiety and panic attacks, it was because I've been strong. It's not about just being from broken families - every woman has a different story. Even though you've experienced brokenness, it doesn't disqualify you from being a good mom.

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God's love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.  Host Bonnie Gray is the author of Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Whispers of Rest. An inspirational speaker and retreat leader, she has touched thousands of lives through storytelling, visual arts, nature, prayer and meditation. Bonnie's writing is featured at Relevant Magazine, (in)courage, and Christianity Today. She lives in California with her husband and their two sons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you struggle to find white space in your life? Do you feel like you're always running behind or just barely surviving? Do you wish you could find a way to slow down and savor life more? In today's episode, we're going to talk about how you can invest 10 minutes a day to give you less stress and better health. Sound too good to be true? Well then listen in! :) I also share about a book that made my Top 10 list for 2018, a recipe I have been eating every single day, and how I stopped trying to stuff my brilliantly creative, sometimes-messy daughter into a neat and orderly box and how it changed both of our lives for the better.   A Special Freebie For You Bonnie is offering two free resources to my followers that you can download: 10 Practical Ways to Create Spiritual Rest (a book excerpt) + 33 simple ideas to enjoy rest from Finding Spiritual Whitespace and 28 Rest Ideas -- a beautiful, hand-lettered calligraphy printable. Download them here for free. In This Episode: [00:26] - I talk about a movie that Jesse and I recently went and saw (one of the perks of being self-employed!). [04:27] - This week, what’s saving my life is actually a recipe for banana bread... you'll have to listen to the episode to find out just why that is! :) [05:44] - My book pick this week is one I read a number of months ago, but it is totally making it to my Top 10 Books Read list for 2018! [07:50] - This week's guest, Bonnie Gray, shares some practical ways women can carve out more rest and white space in their lives -- in just 10 minutes or less each day! [16:15] - Bonnie shares how she and her husband have started creating white space for each other, which has strengthened their relationship.  [17:51] - What is Bonnie reading right now? She talks about 4 different books -- and how reading has helped her have more white space in her life.  [19:24] - Have you ever tried setting your phone to “do not disturb” mode? Bonnie shares how she uses this feature on her phone. [21:12] - In today’s Q&A segment, I answer a question on the best way to raise and nurture a child who is very different from you. Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show: Unbroken: Path to Redemption Unbroken Louis Zamperini Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand Our Favorite Banana Bread Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero Finding Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray Whispers of Rest by Bonnie Gray Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans Gilead by Marilynne Robinson The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Reading People by Anne Bogel CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)   Sponsor Spotlight Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer. Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee. You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you. My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees. They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control. Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Erin Odom blogs at TheHumbledHomemaker.com. She’s wife to Will and Mommy to a lovely trio of redheaded girls and one sweet baby boy (yay! another boy mom!). Erin says she’s a recovering overwhelmed homemaker, and she writes about motherhood, homemaking, healthy living, and family finances. Her debut book, More than Just Making It: Hope for the Heart of the Financially Frustrated, is coming out on September 5th. I just have so much praise for her book! I’m so excited for Erin and delighted to have her as my guest today. Welcome to the show, Erin! Listen Now 2:10 - How a Low Point Turned into a Brilliant Book When Erin’s family was living the difficult story she recounts in her book, she would think to herself, “God is teaching me so much. What good will come from this? If I ever make it through this time, I want to do all I can to shatter the shame and stigma of the poor.”  But she never envisioned she would write a full book, and with a major publisher! Erin was raised in upper-class middle America, went to private school, and received a college education. Yet her book opens with Erin walking into the Department of Social Services to apply for food stamps. Like many of us would be, Erin was embarrassed and shocked to have found herself in that position. In fact, she says her pride was so strong that initially, she thought she would write an expose on government aid and how broken the system was! Erin’s story is one of being humbled over and over again. Her book formally began when an agent, actually through Facebook, reached out to her. Her agent told her three things were needed to publish a book: Be Able to Write Have A Platform Have a Story That Meets A Heartfelt Need Erin had several long phone conversations with her agent about her life, what she’d learned, and ideas she had, but things kept coming back to this low point in her life. While going through this time she would think, “We are just barely making it,” but at some point the tables began to turn and she started saying, “Okay, we can be more than just making it.” 6:45 - The Long Road to Publishing   Book writing can be more rigorous and drawn out than you might think! Erin signed with her agent in January 2014. She took two years to write book proposals due to other professional projects. Her book was finally written in 2016, and is now getting published in late 2017. Thanks to the time between the actual living through these events and the writing of her book, Erin had already processed much of the emotions bound up in her story. She had shared bits and pieces of the story to real life friends and blog readers, and already faced much of that shame and privilege in the eye. 8:15 - Expecting Critics Erin is also wisely looking ahead and anticipating critics. Especially due to the controversial nature of a few, main topics in her book - like government assistance - she knows there will be people who disagree. Erin says she’s at peace with that now, but also won’t be surprised if she sheds strong emotions when that first negative review comes! But even still, she says she couldn’t NOT have written her story. 11:30 - If You’re Thinking About Writing A Controversial Book (or Business) Especially for other Christians, Erin’s chief advice is to pray about the decision. Her book couldn’t have been written without lots of prayer! Also, she suggests doing a ton of research on your topic. Erin had her own story, but also she needed to research the facts to help her gain objectivity. 13:10 - Wisely Choosing What Influences Your Work Whatever book or business you want to produce, you’ll be influenced by what you read and listen to during the process. A couple of books in particular were foundational to Erin’s writing process during the proposal phase. She was very drawn to books which read like fiction, even if they weren’t! Bonnie Gray’s Finding Spiritual Whitespace was one such book on Erin’s list. Gray did offer practical tips on how to find whitespace, which was helpful to Erin in a time of entrepreneurial burnout, but her book was framed in memoir. Erin really loved that feeling! Emily T. Wierenga’s Atlas Girl, was another title that gripped Erin’s attention. Wierenga’s book didn’t have a practical element, but she does chronicle her time moving around the world, alongside the story of her mother having a terminal illness. Erin took this inspiration and thought, “if I want to write a book geared toward financial practicality, I don’t want it to be dry and boring.” She wanted her book to take her readers into the story. Erin wants people to feel that space with her, and evoke their empathy. “The way we evoke empathy for other people's stories is by sharing our stories.” 17:00 - The Hard Work of Book Writing Writing this book wasn’t easy, even having always loved writing and majoring in Journalism! Erin says she thought it would be much easier to write her book than it was. Around 2015 she was in entrepreneurial burnout mode, and simply longed to write. As her blog became a business, she got farther away from those writing roots and wanted to get back. Since this was her heart, she thought book writing would be easier....but it was MUCH harder! The memoir was emotionally difficult to write. There were many layers of her financial situation, and painful realities to walk through - some of those stories made it into the book and some didn’t. But writing the practical part? Well, Erin confesses that it was kind of boring to write! (We’re all business moms, aren’t we? We can admit there are boring parts to business, right!?) Primarily, Erin wondered if readers would even be helped by her tips! She didn’t want to write a book that only gave people the warm fuzzies, she wanted to write a book that gave steps to life change. (Phew! Erin placed a tall order on herself with this book… but I think she totally delivered!) 18:50 - What If This Is Super Obvious? It’s tempting to think that everyone already knows the things we do. When Erin was writing the book, she incorporated many tips her parents instilled in her. Both Erin’s parents grew up in large families with not a lot of extras; and though her own father had a great job, frugal living was the norm. She realized in the moment that God prepared her for her lean years since she was a girl. And Erin realized while writing the book that not everyone grew up in a family that was super frugal like hers was. (What’s common sense to us is often knowledge that others need to learn about!) 22:10 - Hope for the Frustrated If Erin could tell a mom feeling financially frustrated just one thing it would be, “There is always hope.” Of course, she can’t predict levels of financial success, but she can say, “Wherever you are doesn’t mean you’ll be there the rest of your life.” In any trial, it’s easy to think the trial will go on in the same way forever. Erin says, “Especially if you are listening to Brilliant Business Moms and you’re an entrepreneur, trying to make a business for your family, you’ve already taken a big step!” One major issue the Odoms discovered is that they had an income problem. A key component of her book is to identify that if you’re financially frustrated, you may have either an income problem or a spending problem. Once you know the root cause, you can find a solution. “If you have a small biz or are planning on starting one, you are steps beyond what many are,” Erin says. 25:05 - Making a Blog a Business The Humbled Homemaker (Erin’s successful blog) launched in 2011 and it was on a bit of a whim. She was freelancing for newspapers, and one of her editors told her, “Erin, there are moms making an income from home with their blogs.” The idea was certainly intriguing to her! At first, Erin had absolutely no money to invest into a business. There are lots of ways to start a blog or business by investing money up front, and you usually do get quicker returns. But Erin didn’t even have $10.00 for a website domain. Her first domain literally was thehumbledhomemaker.blogspot.com. Back then, as is true now, you couldn’t monetize a wordpress.com site but you could monetize blogspot.com domains. Erin’s blog was completely DIY’ed. Though one crucial step was Erin getting into a mastermind group from the beginning. The group provided her tons of resources, one of which included a friend who was eager to design her site! It was about 2 years before Erin was making more money online than her husband made as a teacher, and it was 3 before she was making a very good income from her blog. Erin and her husband Will thought a LOT about whether or not  he should quit his job. In 2014, he went down to teaching 4 days a week, and in December 2016, he totally quit his job as a teacher One reason her husband didn’t make the leap to quit his job was because they weren’t sure if their marriage would survive working together!! It’s a joke, but with a bit of truth to it! The first 6 weeks of working together in early 2017 went really well...and then their 4th baby was born! As with most newborns, a family adjustment was required. But 8 months in, Erin says it’s gotten better as time has gone on. Blogging as a business isn’t easy, and comes with lots of work. (Pssst. Another venture Erin had a big hand in was starting the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle with Stephanie Langford!) With all of these activities spinning at once, when Erin’s agent signed her, she was in a stage of burnout. But thankfully her agent did not pressure her to write a book proposal right away. (And it is highly unusual for an agent to not put pressure on writing a book proposal!) 29:50 - Book Marketing Some authors will receive a launch budget from their publisher, but not most! You have to do a LOT of marketing yourself, even with a traditional publisher. Erin did receive a marketing budget but is still pouring a lot of her own time and money into the book. One benefit of a traditional publisher Erin enjoyed is that she didn’t have to hire an editor or designer for her book. The quality of those services was very high caliber. Receiving a marketing budget depends largely on the publisher and the size of the author’s platform. But even with a marketing budget, Erin says that a publisher would not cover 100% of those expenses. The publisher may have a plan in mind, but the author will lead the way. In fact, some of Erin’s marketing ideas were covered by the publisher, while others were not. 32:44 - Why Traditionally Published? It’s possible to make more money by self-publishing if you know how to market well, so why traditionally publish? Erin says working with people has made it really worthwhile! She loves the accountability, and it fits her personality well to work with a publisher. That’s not to say she would never self-publish another book, but she’s really enjoyed this experience! 33:20 - Book Payments Let’s talk about the book money, honey! It is traditional to get paid part of the book’s advance before even writing the book! Erin’s publisher pays the advance in thirds. She got one third when she signed the book deal, the second 3rd upon getting the completed manuscript, and the final third when the book is published. Other publishers offer 50% upfront, and 50% when book gets published. Erin’s blog has taken somewhat of a backseat to the book, and so having that advance money is a really nice cushion as the blog is her family’s primary source of income! 35:40 Mark your Calendars for Erin’s Next Book! Erin already has her 2nd book on contract! It is a gift book that will come out in 2018. (And, yes, Erin wrote 2 books and had a baby in a twelve-month period, which she tells us isn’t necessarily recommended!) The upcoming book is a gift book, and it’s called ‘You Can Stay Home with Your Kids: 100 Tips, Tricks, and Ways to Make it Work on a Budget’. Actually a team at her publishing house came up with the concept and title, and asked her if she would write it! Erin was amazed that books go up on Amazon while they’re being written! (Like the book Erin is still writing which will come out in 2018.) Why the early-bird treatment? In the book world, preorders are everything. I just loved sitting down with Erin and chatting about her story, her incredible book, and her business wisdom. I hope you’ll go grab your copy of More than Just Making It, because I know you’ll find it incredibly encouraging and chock full of practical advice! 37:40 - Adorable Mom Moment You’ll have to tune in to the podcast to hear all about the sweet moments that are happening between Erin’s girls and their new little brother. So much cuteness! Stay in Touch With Erin! Erin’s New Book: More Than Just Making It Erin’s Blog: The Humbled Homemaker Facebook: The Humbled Homemaker Instagram: @thehumbledhomemaker

First things first: thanks to you all for making Part 1 of our interview with Bonnie Gray one of the most popular ever on Frequency. Of course, it’s no wonder. Bonnie’s compassion and authenticity are apparent, and her enthusiasm is engaging. For Part 2, we learn about her recent collaboration with visual artist Dee Kasberger of www.RedLetterWords.com, which quickly transitions into a discussion of current culture and its behavior towards artists.The latter half of this episode (after the music transition) turns personal and focuses on the topics of anxiety and PTSD. For folks acquainted with Bonnie’s book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace, this won’t be unfamiliar territory and is a key part of the journey. We hope you stick around to listen to this important piece of the conversation. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last year, Bonnie Gray came to our attention by way of her excellent memoir-driven book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace. Our contributor, Mark Newton, loved it and wrote a glowing review. We followed up shortly thereafter with a two-part written interview. When offered the chance to catch up with Bonnie, we jumped at it.What started as a quick check-in with the writer behind www.FaithBarista.com became a wide-ranging interview about art, anxiety, and God’s grace. After 90 minutes of engaging conversation, we find in Bonnie a kindred spirit and an individual with an immense heart for her fellow artists. We’ll be sharing this in two parts, so listen in next week when part 2 is published. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Have you ever had one of those… days.  What do you do when life feels out of control, when you can't find peace, when your soul is restless… and it's the holidays?  We talked to Bonnie Gray, author of Finding Spiritual Whitespace about: How to embrace the part of you that is real and let go of the business and fluff that tend to overwhelm at this time of the year. Creating space in your heart for God in a busy season. Practical tips on how you can find spiritual whitespace for your entire family this Christmas. How to enjoy the small things this holiday season for a truly joyful, hopeful season. Click here to read Bonnie's list of favorite reads (so you can settle your heart with story per her advice) and then listen in as Bonnie Gray brings a breath of fresh air to the frazzle of the season. Plus, start off 2015 with Bonnie's online spiritual whitespace book club and start your year with some peace for your soul. After you listen to the podcast, come back and answer the question below for a chance to win: 1) “The Lost Chapters” free mini-ebook with extra chapters from the book!   2)  “Ten Soul Espressos: Top 10 verses on Rest” (a printable)   3)  “You Are Loved” digital wallpaper Descriptions for each item can be found here! QUESTION – Is God calling you to create whitespace in your heart for Him in a busy season? What does it look like for you? We are giving away 10 copies of items 1-3 to ten winners, so don't forget to leave a comment!

You may know Bonnie Gray as the creator and writer behind FaithBarista.com, an interactive website designed to help women heal by telling their stories. Gray is a graduate of UCLA and is a passionate writer who has also been a missionary and high-tech professional in Silicon Valley. Above all, and relevant to her triumph in writing Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest, is Gray’s unique ability to connect women with their own stories in a powerful and healing way.Throughout the book, Gray’s own painful story unfolds. She writes unflinchingly about her childhood marred by parental emotional abuse and divorce, and how she recognized the need as an adult to seek help for Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The core of this powerful book is the manner in which she emerged from her PTSD to face her past and live in the present.The resulting story could stand alone as a parable of forgiveness. But Gray goes much further to give her readers the real and transformative gift of a structured and meditative approach to healing past emotional wounds. The process she has created has the power to help those being healed to emerge as what Henri Nouwen called a “wounded healer” – those who recognize and heal their own wounds so that they are able to help others heal.The image behind the book is that of “white space,” that area around a work of art that frames it so we can clearly see what the artist intended. White space helps the viewer focus on the art being presented without being distracted by surrounding clutter. By analogy, Gray uses the artistic device of white space to help her readers clear away the clutter of their own past to see the beauty intended by their creator. The point behind all of this is that the reader is herself a work of art, worthy of white space, worthy to be seen clearly in her full beauty. This is powerful stuff in a world where women are often implicitly if not directly told to suffer silently and to project a false and commercial beauty.One small criticism of the book is that, ironically, it seems at first a bit cluttered. There are several major sections in each chapter, including Gray’s unfolding childhood story, highlights from her therapy to heal her PTSD, and some exercises for the reader to work though her own healing; however, this structure is not at first completely clear. Stick with it, though, and the flow of the book will begin to make sense. Once it does, you will be rewarded.If you are willing to devote time and honest energy to your own “white space,” to let your God-given beauty emerge, you will grow from the stories and exercises in this book. Although this book is intended for women, there are many applications for men as well. Anyone with a painful past in search of healing will benefit from Finding Spiritual Whitespace. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.