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Today's poem is Poem to Remind Myself of the Natural Order of Things by Donika Kelly. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today's poem is such a beautiful meditation on knowing ourselves, and knowing what we need to be at home in our own lives.” Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp
The start line is where nerves, adrenaline, and self-doubt all show up at once. In this episode, I share five simple phrases every athlete can use to stay grounded, patient, and present when it matters most. We talk about trusting the work you've done, resisting the urge to race too early, narrowing your focus to what's right in front of you, and normalizing the fact that things will get hard. We also zoom out and remember what racing is really about — celebrating the work, the community, and the joy of showing up on race day. Whether you're racing a 5K, marathon, triathlon, or stepping into competition for the first time, these phrases are tools you can come back to again and again to execute better and enjoy the experience more. Save them. Repeat them. And take them with you to your next start line. Resources & Links:Work with Sara – Coaching and Programselevateyourrunning.comInstagram – Join the CommunityElevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappyWhere to ListenApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara's training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:Dynamic Runner: code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscriptionSenitas Athletics: save 15% off your total order using the link attachedCheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% offRNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your orderSkratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found hereCozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
Today, we are circling back to remind{h}er 112: Remember We Are Dust. This episode originally aired two years ago, on February 14, 2024, which happened to be Ash Wednesday that year. If you are listening in real time now in 2026, today is Ash Wednesday, too. Similar to our last Circle Back episode, two years later it seems this message still rings true. It's a reminder that continues to haunt me in the very best way. It's a reminder I know we continue to need. As we begin the season of Lent, I hope this Ash Wednesday episode {once again!} serves you well. And if you're just now finding it and Ash Wednesday and/or Lent is through, I hope it serves you well, too. Listen in. remind{h}er 112: Remember We Are Dust Barbie written and directed by Greta Gerwig In a Year of Death, Ash Wednesday Offers Unexpected Hope by Tish Harrison Warren {Correction: in this episode, I mistakenly share that this article was published in 2023. It was published in Christianity Today in 2021} If You Knew by Ellen Bass www.withjulianne.com
Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! We're heading overseas this week while Brittany tells us all about Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland. This 16th-century graveyard is infamous for violent disturbances and physical attacks on visitors, particularly around its Mausoleums. And these attacks aren't from the living… After literal centuries of horrendous occurrences (and we mean like straight out of a horror movie), this place has got GHOSTS. And these ghosts are pissed. And if you think you're safe, just ask some of the most recent tourists… these spirits are still active to this day.
Hello to you listening in Bellingham, Washington!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.There is nothing quite so still as an old growth forest to settle the anxiety I feel in these times of madness. Walking deep in the woods of the island's old growth forests a stillness beckons me to stop and listen deeply. The stillness asks if I can hear the immense power and depth of silence. I am reminded that all sounds arise from silence and fade back into silence.When we take the time to stop and experience silence we calm our mind, still the crazy chatter, breathe more deeply. Allow stillness. Stay with silence as long as you can. Tune in to your intuition, see clearly, hear your heartbeat, feel the blood coursing in your fingertips, and sense the steadiness of your breath coming and going easily. Remind yourself that we are alive and connected to all beings.Question: How does it feel to seek a bit of refuge in the stillness of the present moment? How does it feel to be alive, vibrant, and in tune with silence? You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.
Use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace. . . . — 1 Peter 4:10 It was Easter morning, and I was excited to be part of the church service that day. My ideas and sermon were ready to go. I was anticipating a great morning. When I arrived at the church building, there seemed to be more cars than usual, considering how early it was in the morning. I smiled and walked through the door. The smell of bacon and other breakfast favorites hit me, and I saw smiling faces who were ready to celebrate Easter too. What a surprise! I am sure I looked startled because it took me some time to adjust my face, and I think my heart skipped a few beats. Greeting me were new believers who were excited about sharing God's love with others, and they had decided to surprise everyone with a wonderful breakfast before the worship service. One of these new Christians owned a small restaurant downtown, and he had planned it all. I am sure that Jesus was happy with all this, and after a few moments I was able to adjust too. We shared a wonderful meal and then a wonderful time of worship and praise to God—all with the smell of bacon still hanging in the air. Recognizing the gifts of others is a lesson we all need to learn. And celebrating all this to the glory of God is essential. What's more, giving people room to use their gifts in ways that open doors lets them enjoy being people of peace. What is your gift? Lord, thank you for the joy of serving you and serving others. Remind us to be thankful for others' gifts and to celebrate together. Amen.
Text me!In this conversation, Melanie Borden and I discuss the evolution of personal branding, particularly through LinkedIn, and the importance of visibility in today's digital landscape. Melanie shares her journey of building her brand, overcoming fears, and the significance of influence and virality in content creation. They explore strategies for effective content, the balance between personal and private sharing, and the mindset needed to combat imposter syndrome. The discussion emphasizes the need for authenticity and connection in a world increasingly dominated by AI and algorithms.takeawaysYou have a personal brand whether you realize it or not.LinkedIn is the new water cooler for professionals.Fear often holds people back from visibility.3% of LinkedIn users post content, indicating vast opportunity.Virality does not always equate to revenue.Growth, impact, strategy, and trust are key components of personal branding.A successful content strategy includes educational, personal, promotional, and user-generated content.Personal stories resonate more than purely professional content.It's important to disconnect from digital platforms to foster creativity.Remind yourself of your accomplishments to combat imposter syndrome.Connect further with Melanie HERE or on LinkedIn HERE IG @humantobrandPurchase her book HERESupport the showLINKS TO FREEBIES BELOW: WEEKLY NEWSLETTER where I share all the tips and tricks on how to grow organically online HERE If you are interested in sponsoring the show, send me a DM ABOUT THE HOST: Former Executive Recruiter turned Digital Marketing Expert & Entrepreneur. I'm here to show you that you can do it too! I help women to start, grow and scale their personal brand and business online through social media. In 2021 I launched ChilledVino, my patented wine product and in 2023 I launched The Feminine Founder Podcast and in 2025 I launched my Digital Marketing Agency called Feminine Founder Marketing. I live in South Carolina with my husband Gary and 2 Weimrarners, Zena & Zara. This podcast is a supportive and inclusive community where I interview and bring women together that are fellow entrepreneurs and workplace experts. We believe in sharing our stories, unpacking exactly how we did it and talking through the mindset shifts needed to achieve great things.Let's connect further!! LinkedIn HERE IG @cpennington55 FB HERE ChilledVino HERE
Send us your feedback — we're listening“Psalm 91:5 — Jesus, Strengthen My Thoughts When the Day Begins to Press In” Thessalonians 3:16 — “May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times…” THEME (PT-BR): estresse do dia • pensamentos pesados • força espiritual • clareza divina - Live from London, England with Reverend Ben Cooper • Brasil • Moçambique • Índia • EUA • Cabo Verde Psalm 91:5 (NIV): “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV): “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” Jesus, as the day begins to gather speed and responsibilities start to rise, I bring my thoughts before You. Many people across Brazil and the Portuguese-speaking world wake into a rhythm that quickly becomes pressured — worries about work, family, decisions, finances, or expectations that feel heavy before the morning has even settled. But Your word reminds me that I do not need to fear what comes by day, because Your peace meets me in every hour. O Senhor me fortalece. You steady my thoughts, quiet the tension, and breathe calm into the places where stress tries to rule. Lord, strengthen my mind so it does not spiral into worry. Give me clarity, focus, and a steady spirit that does not collapse under the weight of the day. Let my decisions today rise from peace, not panic. Let my reactions be shaped by confidence, not fear. And let the presence of Jesus anchor my inner world so deeply that no external pressure steals the calm You give. Fill my morning, afternoon, and evening with clarity from Your Spirit. Remind me that You walk beside me, carrying what feels too heavy and giving strength where mine runs thin. Jesus, bring peace into my pace, courage into my steps, and light into my thinking so I face this day with hope. oração da manhã Brasil, força espiritual no dia, salmo 91 para ansiedade, clareza mental em Jesus, oração para começar o dia, paz para pensamentos pesados, esperança para o dia, proteção espiritual Psalm 91 daytime prayer, Brazil devotional, Portuguese Christian prayer, anxiety daytime help, Jesus peace, Reverend Ben CooperSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.
Send us your feedback — we're listening“Psalm 23:4 — Jesus, Walk Beside Me in the Shadows and Light My Tomorrow With Hope” Revelation 21:4 — “He will wipe every tear from their eyes…” THEME (PT-BR): escuridão emocional • direção divina • consolo de Jesus • esperança para o amanhã Live from London, England with Reverend Ben Cooper • Brasil • Angola • Índia • EUA • Portugal Psalm 23:4 (NIV): “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…” Revelation 21:4 (NIV): “He will wipe every tear from their eyes…” Jesus, as this final hour of the day settles over Brazil and every Portuguese-speaking nation listening tonight, many hearts feel the quiet ache that comes when the mind is tired and the evening has been long. Mesmo no vale, Tu estás perto. In the shadows where uncertainty tries to take hold, You remain a steady presence, bringing comfort, calm, and gentle reassurance that no valley is walked alone. Lord, breathe peace into the listener who has carried private worries through the day. Let the one experiencing emotional heaviness sense Your nearness now. Where tears have fallen, let Your voice lift the heart again. Where tomorrow feels unknown, let hope rise softly, like a light guiding each step forward. Que o consolo de Jesus envolva o coração. Remind every listener that You walk beside them, that darkness cannot silence Your guidance, and that Your love holds both the night and the future.Tonight, strengthen those who feel uncertain. Calm those whose thoughts have moved too quickly. Bring steady rest to those longing for direction. Let Your kindness restore confidence. Let every home experience a quiet peace that settles over the evening like a gentle covering. And as sleep approaches, let Your hope shape tomorrow with new clarity, new courage, and new light. oração da noite brasil, salmo 23 conforto, esperança para amanhã, consolo de Jesus, descanso emocional, paz para dormir, presença de Deus, oração noturna Psalm 23 Brazil prayer, Portuguese Christian night devotional, emotional comfort prayer, Jesus brings hope, Reverend Ben CooperSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.
May you have the courage to stand in your own knowing.May you find the grace to let go of striving for perfection, and instead embrace the sacredness of your imperfect, human journey.May luminous moments of optimism and possibility guide you,even as you move through gray times of despair and doubt.May you have the wisdom to choose differently, to prioritize what truly matters,creating a legacy that lingers. May you always find solace in the holy ground beneath your feet,the sacred presence that dwells within and all around you.Shine your light, dear one,your small, precious gifts are needed in this world.Happy Spring Equinox! I hope you are enjoying a gentle leap into a new season. Our own weather has been erratic and wild, including nearby tornadoes that wreaked havoc on our town. And, then, today, as I work on the newsletter, sporadic power outages at our house cutting off my internet. As such, this newsletter will be a little shorter than usual with only a brief audio edition. I've gotten very off schedule this week! Our shop update today is an eclectic one, featuring assorted divine imperfections, “Luna” one-of-a-kind goddesses, and some red winged Nemesis goddesses (by customer request).We also still have assorted goddesses in our very special spring pigment—a beautiful lilac with small flowers. We are using this pigment to honor Áine, the Irish Fairy Queen, who is this year's featured goddess at Gaea Goddess Gathering. We do know that she is a summertime goddess, but we felt like this pigment was an excellent match for the spring equinox/Ostara and our month of Persephone as well, so we went forward with it!This week's magic:* 8 minute video: beholding delight.Resource Reminders:* New free series: An Introduction to Goddess Studies* 1. getting started* 2. printable journal* 3. affirmation card set* 4. portable altar space* 5. introduction to thealogy* 6. influential authors in goddess studies* 7. audio retreat: spots of time (note: publishing Saturday)Blog Posts:* Ritual Reading for Spring Equinox (A Spring Ritual of Returning)* Clarity and the CrossroadsBeholding DelightReminder: Let us be open to delight. Let us be open to wonder. Let us allow joy. Let us be open to the possibility of bliss.Journal prompts for the week:* What is calling to you? What doorway are you sensing?* What are you saying yes to? What is your ritual of returning?Affirmations for this week:* Happiness and ecstasy flow through me wildly and freely.* I am open to joy.* I say yes to life.* I listen to the call.* I allow an expansive dream or creative quest to emerge.* I find the small sacred moments in my daily life and let them sustain me.* I walk my path with presence and intention.Goddess of quiet knowing,help me to make a space for stillness,to guard a place for peace.Remind me that stillness and motionare a constant interplay,the beat between notes,the space between raindrops,the pause between breaths,the silence between heartbeats.The nature of the body is to be in motion,the constant unfolding of a whole universewhirling within our cells,the still spaces in betweensomehow holding the whole together,as in stillnesswe move.Much love,Molly, Mark, + Family This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goddessmagic.substack.com/subscribe
Send us your feedback — we're listening“Joshua 1:5 — Jesus, Remind Me That I Am Never Alone Tonight” Live from London, England with Reverend Ben Cooper • Norway • Mexico • South Korea • Ghana • Portugal Joshua 1:5 (NIV): “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV): “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” As evening deepens across the world, Jesus, remind every listener that they are held, seen, and supported. Many in the United States finish long days carrying quiet concerns, wondering how tomorrow will unfold. Across India, families prepare to rest while thoughts linger on responsibilities still waiting for resolution. Among Portuguese-speaking believers ending their day, the gentle assurance o Senhor cuida de mim brings comfort, lifting the heart with fortaleza and coragem as night settles in. Let this prayer reach each one with peace that steadies the emotions and strengthens the soul. Joshua needed the reassurance of Your constant presence, and so do we tonight. When the day feels heavy or unfinished, speak calm into every unsettled place. When inner doubts whisper too loudly, bring clarity and stillness. When someone feels unnoticed or unsupported, let Your promise resonate deeply: You remain near. You hold their steps, their thoughts, and their unseen burdens with quiet faithfulness. Bring a sense of calm that helps the night feel safe, peaceful, and restful. For those lying awake with concerns, quiet their spirits. For those feeling stretched or uncertain, give gentle confidence. For those who walked through difficulty today, surround them with a steady awareness of Your companionship. Let every heart feel the assurance that You have walked with them through every hour and will continue to walk with them into tomorrow. Joshua 1:5 devotional, Hebrews 13:5 comfort, night reassurance prayer, Portuguese fortaleza coragem, USA evening prayer, India Christian night, global 10pm devotional, never alone scriptureJoshua 1, night prayer, reassurance, Jesus near, 10pm devotional, Portuguese prayer, India Christian, calm heartSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.
As we have journeyed through life, you and I have experienced the comfort God can give. We know what it is like to feel his presence. We know the comfort God can give to a weary soul. The Bible also teaches us that we should use the comfort God has given us, and comfort others. Main Points:1. As we study the scripture, we begin to realize God wants to use us as His agents of comfort to others. Since we have experience in facing life's challenges, but have also received God's comfort, we should be ready, willing, and available to express this comfort to others.2. One of my convictions is that in the body of Christ, no one should struggle alone. We are to be there for one another. Sometimes comfort is not found in the words we say. Have ever thought, “I don't even know what to say?” Comfort is often not received in our words, but more so by our presence. I call this the ministry of presence. It's a ministry to just sit and be with those who are suffering or grieving. The simple act of holding someone's hand, a hug, and a prayer for God's peace can comfort a heart that is hurting.3. We bring comfort by sharing how God has sustained us through our hard times. Remind them of God's presence. Encourage them to know God will never leave them or forsake them. Comfort them with the comfort you have received from God. Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 34:18 - “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”2 Corinthians 1:3-5 - “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."Romans 12:15 - “…mourn with those who mourn.” Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group
February 14, 2026 Daily Devotional: “A Heart Rooted in Love”1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us." Valentine's Day often focuses on the "butterflies"; the fleeting, fuzzy feelings of romance. But as we look at the source of love itself, we find something muchdeeper, sturdier, and more transformative. Whether you are celebrating with a partner, navigating a season of singleness, or healing from a broken heart, today is a reminder that you are extravagantly loved by the Creator. Most of our human love is reactive. We love someone because they are kind to us, because they make us laugh, or because we share a history. But God's love isproactive. He didn't wait for us to get our act together or "earn" His affection. He set His heart on us before the foundations of the world. Think of it this way; You cannot give what you do not have. To truly love others with patience, sacrifice, and endurance, we must first sit in the reality that weare cherished. When our "love tank" is filled by the Divine One, we stop looking at the people in our lives as sources of validation and start seeing them as people we can pour into. True love isn't just a feeling, it's a reflection of a light that was already turned on in our hearts by Grace. To practice love today for yourself, silence the inner critic. Remind yourself that your value is not defined by your relationship status, but by your identity as a child of God. To practice love today for your inner circle, reach out to someone who might feel overlooked today; a widow, a single friend, or a distant family member. A simple text can be a vessel of God's care. To practice love today for your love ones, look for a way to serve them that requires no recognition. Love is most like Christ when it is quiet and selfless.Valentine's Day or not, the concept of love can feel exhausting. We are constantly told to "be more loving," "give more," and "forgive more." It feels like a command to pump water from a well that has run dry. When you find it hard to love someone today whether it's a difficult coworker, a frustrating family member, or even yourself, remember that you aren't the source of the love. You are the conduit. You don't have to reach deep inside your own limited reserves; you only have to stay connected to the Source that loved you first.
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260213fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 5:13-20 [Jesus said] “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 Northern Lights In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever seen pictures of the northern lights? They are also called the aurora borealis. They look like colorful ribbons of light dancing across the night sky—green, pink, purple, and blue! The northern lights happen when tiny bits of energy from the sun hit the air around the earth. Something interesting about them is this: they are happening all the time, even during the day. We just can't see them unless the sky is dark. In the very beginning, when God first made the world, everything was perfect. God's world was full of light. Adam and Eve were perfect, and their friendship with God was perfect. But then sin came into the world. Sin brought darkness—sadness, anger, fighting, and hurt. We still see that darkness today: arguments at home, problems at school, and people being unkind to one another. But God didn't leave the world in darkness. He sent Jesus—the Light of the world. Jesus lived perfectly, died on the cross, and rose again. That means the darkness did not win. Jesus won the victory! Even though Jesus has already won, we still live in a world with darkness. That's why God tells us something very important: He says you are a light. You might think, “My light is small. Does it. really matter?” But think about the northern lights. When you show kindness, tell the truth or talk about Jesus, your light shines brightly—just like the northern lights in the night sky. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for a beautiful creation, with wonders like the northern lights. Remind me that I am part of your creation, with an important job to do—letting my light shine. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What did today's devotion say you are? (light) Jesus is called the Light of the world. What is one way you can shine God's light by being kind to others? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can we see the northern lights better when the sky is dark? What are ways someone your age can be a light for Jesus (at home or at school)? Questions for Middle School and Above The devotion explained the good of light and the scariness of darkness. Where do you see that struggle of light and dark in the world or in your own life? If God calls you a light, how does that make you feel about yourself? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Todayy we talk about the brain. We talk about why our relationship with our mind and brain can get rocky due to OCD or mental illness. I talk about specific OCD brain obsessions, and then things to remember about why the brain is a miracle and not all bad. Sometimes we just need a reminder of that when we are sick. I share a dub and L from my week, then we go in the details about vulnerability. We end the episode with a Dear Abbey submission about a significant other that is disappointing you. Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave a text with a question or asking for advice!! Love you guys!!
https://teachhoops.com/ Adversity is not an obstacle to your season; it is a required ingredient for building a championship culture. Whether it is a key injury, a heart-breaking loss on a buzzer-beater, or the "January Lull" where the grind starts to wear on your players, these moments are "Character Audits." As a coach, your reaction to adversity sets the ceiling for your team's resilience. If you remain poised and "solution-oriented," your players will mirror that stability. The goal is to shift the narrative from "Why is this happening to us?" to "What is this teaching us?" By reframing a mid-season slump as a necessary test, you prepare your team for the inevitable pressure of the postseason, where mental toughness is the ultimate tie-breaker. To navigate adversity effectively, you must lean into your "Core Values" and "Non-Negotiables." When things go wrong, the natural instinct of a team is to fragment and play "hero ball." This is when you must "double down" on your system. Use film sessions not to point fingers, but to show where the standards slipped. Remind your players that they are "Better Together" and that the "Power of the Unit" is what will carry them through the storm. In your mid-season mentoring calls, focus on "Emotional Consistency"—maintaining the same intensity and belief whether you are on a five-game winning streak or a three-game skid. This consistency builds "Trust Equity," ensuring that your athletes don't panic when they face a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. Finally, remember that the most enduring legacies are built in the "Valleys," not just the "Peaks." A team that learns how to fight back from a deficit or handle a difficult coaching decision develops a "competitive scar tissue" that makes them nearly impossible to break. Celebrate the small wins during these tough stretches—a player's bench energy, a teammate's defensive rotation, or a successful execution of a sideline out-of-bounds play. By focusing on "The Process" rather than the "Result," you keep the team's eyes on the horizon. When you eventually emerge from the adversity, you won't just have a better basketball team; you'll have a group of resilient young leaders who understand that true success is found in the persistence of the climb. Basketball adversity, mental toughness, team resilience, coaching leadership, basketball culture, coaching philosophy, high school basketball, youth basketball, basketball IQ, mid-season grind, team chemistry, sports psychology, coaching tips, basketball success, athletic leadership, character development, locker room dynamics, coach unplugged, teach hoops, basketball mentorship, overcoming failure, competitive edge, basketball strategy, leadership resilience, program building. SEO Keywords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How To Provide a Release Plan Without Losing Agility - Mike CohnStakeholders want to know what will be delivered, and when. Your team wants to stay agile. So how do you create a roadmap (aka release plan or milestone plan) without locking down every detail? I'm about to start on a road trip between Idaho and Colorado: a 16-hour drive. I know where I'm going, and my general route, but I don't know every turn I'll take — and that's fine.That's how agile teams should treat release plans and roadmaps.My route is a plan, not a promise. It's not set in stone. The turns I made and my ETA could change based on roadwork, traffic congestion, an opportunity for an exciting detour, or even a flat tire. The further the distance I have to travel, the more uncertainty I should expect.Agile plans are the same. We can't predict every eventuality, but we can provide a forecast. We can provide a general idea of where we are planning to go, a predicted range of when we will likely hit key milestones, and our confidence level in the plan. Most agile teams know there's too much uncertainty to make guarantees. At the same time, they feel like a guarantee is the only thing stakeholders will accept.Here's what agile teams might be missing: Stakeholders have their own plans to make. And they are just as worried about being held accountable to their predictions as teams are.Stakeholders need accurate delivery dates and milestones (note I didn't say precise). They crave predictability.Sometimes it might feel like they're asking for a guarantee. But in truth, the only way to give them absolute certainty is to Overpad your estimates (like me telling someone my 16-hour drive will take 24, just in case), orRefuse to adapt when conditions change. Neither is good for the product, or the team. So what can you do when a stakeholder seems to want a guarantee vs a forecast? Try this: Talk to stakeholders in terms they understand.Here's one technique I've found helpful:Compare their request to requests for similar forecasts in their own domain.For example: Ask a salesperson what their comfort level would be if they were asked to guarantee exactly how much they'll sell — and which customers they'll close — in each of the next six months, or in the first year of a product's release.Ask a marketing person what their concerns would be if asked to commit to specific campaign results with exact timelines.Don't be confrontational. The point isn't to trap them — it's to show that uncertainty exists everywhere, and that agility is a strength, not a weakness. Then, share my road trip analogy with your stakeholders. Tell them that you can't give them a guarantee, but you can present a roadmap that looks ahead 3-6 months. The roadmap will show the team's goal, how much progress you believe you can make by when (expressed as a range), and your team's confidence in the plan. Need help communicating your plans? Try our Plan Visualizer Tool, free for all MGS Essentials members. Remind stakeholders that, like suggested routes on a long trip, agile roadmaps provide visibility, align expectations, and help people plan — without pretending every turn is known in advance.Freeing your team from unrealistic expectations can accelerate their move from good to great.A roadmap is a plan, not a promise Why stakeholders push for guarantees The path to alignment starts with empathy Give stakeholders what they need to succeed How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Are you in the middle of a storm you didn't ask for? Divorce. Sickness. Emotional stress. There is hope for you. In this episode of Chosen By Jesus, Kelley and Taylor Tyan speak to the woman who is carrying more than she ever expected and quietly wondering how to stay grounded when life feels unsteady. Storms don't mean your faith is weak. They reveal how deep your roots are. This conversation explores the difference between emotional faith and anchored faith—and why anchored faith doesn't stop storms, but it does stop drifting. You'll be reminded that faith doesn't remove pressure, but it steadies us in the middle of it. ⸻ In this episode, we talk about: • Why dark seasons don't ask permission • How pressure exposes what's underneath • Why faith steadies us instead of removing storms • What you return to when overwhelmed—and why it matters • How small, daily spiritual rhythms build deep roots ⸻ Scripture referenced: Hebrews 6:19 Jeremiah 17:7–8 Isaiah 40:31 Romans 15:13 ⸻ Anchors don't stop waves. They stop drifting. Storms will come—but rooted women don't drift. They stand. ⸻ PRAYER FOR THOSE IN A STORM Divorce • Sickness • Stress Lord, For the one listening in the middle of a storm they didn't ask for—be their refuge. For the one navigating divorce, bring wisdom, peace, and protection. For the one facing sickness, bring strength, comfort, and hope. For the one under emotional stress, bring rest to their mind and calm to their body. Remind them they are not drifting. They are being held. Give them courage for today—not the whole journey, just today. Help them stay planted, even when the wind is strong. In Jesus' name, amen. ⸻ CALL TO ACTION Subscribe for weekly faith-filled conversations Like this video if it encouraged you Share with someone who's waiting but still believing Comment below—we pray over every request ⸻ ABOUT CHOSEN BY JESUS Chosen By Jesus is a Top 1.5% Christian podcast worldwide, streamed in 16+ countries, with 725+ hours of YouTube watch time and a growing global community seeking biblical wisdom, peace, and encouragement. ⸻ One Year. 12 In-Person Gatherings. Endless Encouragement. Step into a sisterhood of women who pray together, grow together, and rise together. What You'll Experience: • A safe place to grow in faith, be encouraged, and empowered • Accountability & support to stay strong all year long • Prayer, worship & fellowship that soothe your soul Monthly Meet-Ups: 3rd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM The Wellness Way – Shrewsbury, MA Come as you are — leave inspired and equipped to live boldly for Jesus. Only $200 for the entire year (that's just $16/month for faith, growth & sisterhood!) Join the Chosen By Jesus Community today: https://kelleytyan.com/cbjcommunity ⸻ Want to go deeper? We coach women who are ready to rise in faith, walk in identity, and stand strong no matter the season. DM us on Instagram or visit www.chosenbyjesus.com ⸻
“Curiosity is a foundation for connection.” –Nathalie PinchamDoing everything you're supposed to do and just running on fumes? Knowing you're good at what you do (but starting to wonder) because business is floundering? You're not alone! And there are things you can do. I'm diving into that with coach Nathalie Pincham.Nathalie works with people on both strategy and success mindset. That includes figuring out what's holding you back, and it could be what made you successful to this point.She's created a series of 10 archetypes that can help you understand yourself and your business and believes in the power of curiosity.We talk about: Reconnecting with your purpose — and getting help figuring out what's blocking youProfit vs. revenue — figuring out your numbersWhy you shouldn't be doing everything in your business just because you canBetter questions to ask than “what do you do?”What opens up when we stay curiousBringing more intentionality and connecting to purpose to all thingsABOUT NATHALIE Nathalie Pincham of Your Success Tonic offers strategic coaching for visionary leaders and founders and believes one curious question can change the whole trajectory of your week (or your business!).LINKShttps://www.yoursuccesstonic.com/https://www.yoursuccesstonic.com/quizhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaliepincham/DOABLE CHANGESAt the end of every episode, we share three doable changes, so you can take what you've heard and put it into action. Action is how change happens.Often we feel like our actions have to be huge to match the bigness of our desires, but we have seen over and over and over again that the little things add up. By stacking up a series of Doable Changes, you will create that big change that you crave. Choose the one that really resonates with you this week and really make it part of your life. Here are Three Doable Changes from this conversation:ANCHOR IN YOUR WHY. If you're feeling like things aren't working, take some time to remember your why. Why are you doing this? What really matters? Remind yourself that you are doing something valuable and have something important to share. This allows you to start building your business from a place of strength.ASK DIFFERENT QUESTIONS. Instead of asking “What do you do?”, ask people: What do you need? What drives you? What inspires you? Be curious about them. See what opens up when you ask questions that let people show you more of themselves.COACH FROM CURIOSITY. In conversations with...
We explore John 15 to show why abiding in Jesus is the only way to lasting fruit and joy. We talk about pruning as love, priorities that protect our yes, and how kingdom impact outgrows personal success, then close with a guided prayer.• Jesus as the true vine and the Father as vinedresser• Abiding as continual presence that resources life• The gap between cultural success and eternal longing• Pruning as love that safeguards long-term fruit• Priorities that defend your yes with many noes• Shifting from personal empire to kingdom movement• The Huffer cart analogy for spiritual power• Fruitfulness aimed at serving others, not self• A closing prayer of submission and trustPray this prayer. Heavenly Father, I come to you as the vine dresser of my life. I confess that I cannot bear fruit on my own. I need to abide in you to thrive. Lord, I submit to your pruning hand. I ask that you cut away every branch in me that hinders my walk with you, my pride, my selfish ambitions, and my unproductive habits. Though I know the pruning process may be painful, I trust that you are cutting away only that which is necessary for me to bear more fruit. Strengthen me in my weakness. Remind me of your love for me, and help me to trust you in your wisdom for the season, the season of growth. Cleanse my heart, Lord, and remove anything that draws me away from you. I desire to reflect your image and to walk in your ways, so that my life may bring glory to yours. In Jesus' name. Amen.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or YouTube.
This episode walks you through this week's astrology + practical and magical tactics to help you harness and navigate the energetics February 9th - 15th, 2026. This week is definitely more. Venus goes for a swim, Mercury gets shady, and Saturn, officially shifts into Aries. Saturn's move is the one to watch. In general grounding is still our focus. Confusion ramps up, but so does the desire to create self-discipline around progress. Mo(o)nday, February 9th: We have significant shifts this week. Continue to focus on care of you so you can care for you and yours. We continue the long game that is 2025 - 2026. More of the energetics that are so major from 2025 take hold in 2026, this week and next. General reminder: The Year of the Snake (2025 energy) is still in play until next week Lunar New Year, February 17th - on the first eclipse of the season. This is when the Fire Horse energy officially begins. Until then, we are shedding, listening, evaluation, releasing, squirming to transform and let go. Don't look away, do not disassociate, escape, or look away. These are defining moments personally, and collectively. We are called to get radically honest about what bad behavior we have let slide and what we really, really, really want..from the depth of our soul....and to then take action towards said thing(s). We still have no personal planets in Earth. My loves, the issue of general stability is real. We will not have support from the astrology on this until March 30th (when Venus moves into Taurus) and May 2nd (When Mercury moves into Taurus). Grounding is everything this year. Mat, meditation, prayer, time alone, root veggies, nourishing food, decrease in caffeine, lifting heavy things, weighted blankets, hugs, slathered in vetiver and honey, conversations with safe community. All of your tools need to be at the ready and you'll need to stick to basics. This is one of those times when motivation will not serve. It's going to be self-discipline and adulting and understanding the long game. We have equal placements in Fire, Air, and Water and this is a nice harmony....again...in theory...without Earth it still feels chaotic, mutable, and in general unstable....because it is...and if we focus on harnessing all the mutability...we can create incredible outcomes because of it, not in spite. We are in transition. As an individual and as a collective. Focus on what you want. Participate at a pace and in ways you can. All is helpful, just please do not tap out completely. Boundaries, limits, expectations, and hopes continue to sharpen. This week as Saturn moves into Aries for the first time since 1999 we gain focus on self-discipline, ambition, responsibility, and self assertion. And although Saturn doesn't do so well in Pisces (where it's been since 2023), it's considered to be in its fall in Aries. I don't prescribe to binaries and try to stay away from it. In astrology nothing is good or bad...but there can be ease or challenges and this is definitely a challenge. It sets a fire under our collective asses. It has us all focusing on what is best for us as an individual (more equity) but we can see how that can create conflict and challenge if everyone individually is focused on personal centering, yes? To harmonize this, we must embrace intersectionality. Freedom for one, is freedom for none. Justice for one is justice for none. We rise together. We thrive together. Our practices are genuinely meant for this. When we calm and center ourselves, we can earnestly do the same for the collective and the future. Tiny and mighty. It still matters. It always matters. This transit takes us to task in a really good way. We will start stepping up in ways we have not before. Go with it. Embrace it. It's a 3 year process. On top of all of this, we're in the eclipse portal. We just need to be aware of how big all the energetics are right now. On top of no Earth in the chart, a shift from one of our major planets (Saturn) the Universe says it's time for buckets full of energy/magic to be dumped on us as it hits the reset button of astrology (power off/power on) in eclipse season. This eclipse portal begins now, essentially, and closes March 13th. This is the period of time we will be uttering "Plot twist! " "That was not on my bingo card for 2026" or "I did not see that coming." PLEASE REMEMBER these things can be incredible gifts, happy surprises, opportunities, and blessings! It is truly wild times with incredible potential and wonderful Easter eggs tucked in them. Stay curious about what your soul really wants, and stay focused and committed to what you want. Where attention goes, energy flows. Tuesday, February 10th: Day 1 of Supportive Solutions - You'll need a wall space for this workout. I know it can be a tricky prop to require, but again I'm a super fan of this no cost support that can also create resistance. Simple is best and always works. Venus in Pisces. This is a regular transition. Venus continues to move her way through the chart house by house. She stays in a sign an average of 4 weeks at a time. Venus loves to be here! We are here for this romantic, poetic, creative, backstroke through our fantasies and realities. Embrace this. Fuel this. Spend extra time with Aphrodite in this period of time (till March 6th) to expand, grow, and protect all the good things in our lives (friendships, networks, communities, partners....overall connections). They both want our desires to become a reality. This is one of the major Easter eggs of 2026. Wednesday, February 11th: Listen to The Magic Spark. Thursday, February 12th: Connect in The Unicorn Wellness Studio private member group. Friday, February 13th: It's Goddess Day! Time to ask: What does my inner goddess need in order to remember she is sacred, divine, and designed to receive? Today is actual Goddess Day - a Friday on the 13th. This is not bad luck, this is a historical celebration of the female divine, in its origin terms, in honor of the 13 moon cycles, our personal 13 moon cycles. It's truly an anti-patriarchal day. Reclaim it. Celebrate. Embrace creative life force, it's unlimited hope and potential to forever recreate, birth, make new, and begin again. However it calls to you, spend time at your altar, spend time with your vessel/body. Remind yourself of the potential YOU are and can generate and participate in. -Mercury Retroshade begins. We know the drill: ▪️Mercury stations retrograde 3xs a year ▪️The slow down prior to stationing Rx is called the pre-shadow or as I call it Retroshade. ▪️The actual Rx is lighter than the pre or post shadow. ▪️This week and next (Retroshade) is the brochure of the lesson/blessing we are to work with in this cycle. ▪️We will revisit this opportunity again in the Rx (February 26th - March 19th) and post shadow (March 20th - April 3rd). This Retrograde isn't great. I cannot sugar coat it. Mercury is not the best swimmer. Things get mucky, confused, poetic, and sound really great but could just be pretty words and empty promises. It could, at its best, offer feeling to heal things, honest words, the get raw and hit soul truths but will take effort after retrograde to bring to actual fruition. Triple check communications, travel, and finances. As clarifying questions. If you think you should check on something, DO. We will thrive and survive, but know this one isn't set up for ease. Check what house Pisces is in in your natal chart. This is where your themes and focus will be. This is great energy for making and creating. Focus on that. Craft, write, sing, dance, garden, cook....this is the way through. Saturn moves into Aries. Please see Monday. But here's the repeat: Saturn moves into Aries for the first time since 1999. We gain focus on self-discipline, ambition, responsibility, and self assertion. And although Saturn doesn't do so well in Pisces (where it's been since 2023), it's considered to be in its fall in Aries. I don't prescribe to binaries and try to stay away from it in the astrology...nothing is good or bad...but there can be ease or challenges and this is definitely a challenge. It sets a fire under our collective asses. It has us all focusing on what is best for us as an individual (more equity) but we can see how that can create conflict and challenge if everyone individually is focused on personal centering, yes? To harmonize this, we must embrace intersectionality. Freedom for one, is freedom for none. Justice for one is justice for none. We rise together. We thrive together. Our practices are genuinely meant for this. When we calm and center ourselves, we can earnestly do the same for the collective and the future. Tiny and mighty. It still matters. It always matters. This transit takes us to task in a really good way. We will start stepping up in ways we have not before. Go with it. Embrace it. It's a 3 year process. This is one of the major shifts we experienced a toe dip into in 2025 but takes root now, in 2026. Neptune and Saturn are travel partners these days. Delusion, dreams, and what it takes to bring outcomes to fruition is the lesson they are trying to teach the collective. Day 1 of Core Solutions - You'll need a set of yoga blocks for this workout. It's extra core focused and you'll be better supported with a cork set of blocks for stability and resistance. Saturday, February 14th: First day of New Moon Energy. We begin the down turn of energy today. But this is no regular new moon we're headed towards on the 17th. We're in the eclipse portal and the energy may have gotten weirder already, as early as Monday or Tuesday. This is a new moon so it's all about clearing the schedule for restoration, rejuvenation, rest, and meditation. Things will shift. Let them. Whatever is leaving, going, releasing....let it. Welcome in the new, emotional intelligence upgrade. Use your monthly meditation (it's a 3rd eye cleanse), work with any of the Energy Healings; Frequency or Goddesses in your UWS member library. Now is the time for recalibration and healings. Sunday, February 15th: Your weekly mantra. I surrender to the pivot. I embrace the plot twist. I keep my heart and mind focused on what I want, wish, and desire. I allow the upgrades, the reveals, the resets, and the fresh timelines. Our wildest dreams are still possible. We hold the vision. Additional Resources: Explore Mentoring Lite for the Spring/Summer session. We begin March 20th. Schedule an Exploration Call for Mentoring Lite February 28th - March 6th. UnicornWellnessStudio.com Offering 30-min Pilates based workouts in alignment to the astrological season and lunar cycles. Activate 30-day guest access at UnicornWellnessStudio.com Subscribe to Tandy's weekly newsletter Follow and DM on Instagram @tandy_gutierrez Additional episodes you might enjoy: EP 103: 2025 Year of the Snake: A Journey into the Heart of Lilith EP 140: Lilithian Language: Creating Boundaries and Bridges in a Single Breath.
Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is 1 Corinthians 4:6-7. Pride rarely shows up overnight. It inflates slowly—one comparison at a time. The Corinthians were comparing leaders, comparing gifts, comparing wins, and comparing influence. Every comparison pumped a little more air into the ego. So Paul says: I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? — 1 Corinthians 4:6–7 There it is: "puffed up." Inflated. Air-filled. Hollow confidence built on comparing yourself to someone else. Comparison is spiritual bloat. It makes you look bigger, but it always makes you weaker. Paul doesn't just call it pride—he shows what fuels it: You compare your strengths to someone else's weakness. You compare your wins to someone else's struggles. You compare your gifting to someone else's calling. And suddenly, you're "puffed up in favor of one against another." Comparison always produces two outcomes: inflation or deflation. Neither leads to humility. So Paul places a pin in the ego with one question: "What do you have that you did not receive?" It's one of the most humbling sentences in the chapter. Your gifts? Received. Your opportunities? Received. Your abilities? Received. Your influence? Received. Your successes? Received. When you realize everything is a gift, boasting feels ridiculous. You didn't earn the breath you're breathing. You received it. When you remember everything comes from God, something beautiful happens: The bloating stops. The ego shrinks. The comparisons fade. Gratitude rises. Because you can't be "puffed up" when you know you're living on received grace. Therefore, puffed-up faith pops under pressure. So stay grounded. Stay grateful. Stay aware that everything you have comes from a generous God—not a comparison chart. DO THIS: Identify one area where comparison has inflated or deflated you. Then replace comparison with gratitude by thanking God for what you've received. ASK THIS: Where am I most tempted to compare myself with others? What gift from God have I been treating like something I earned? How would gratitude—not comparison—change my posture today? PRAY THIS: Father, expose the places where I've inflated myself through comparison. Remind me that everything I have is received from You. Make me humble, grounded, and grateful. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Give Me Jesus"
A Prayer to Receive God's Love with Nicolet Bell & Rachael AdamsJoin Nicolet & Rachael to talk about what it really means to love yourself from a biblical perspective. Together, they address the tension between today’s self-care culture and the call of Scripture to live sacrificially.The conversation explores how comparison, guilt, and self-loathing keep many women from experiencing God’s love, and how prayer and rest help restore a healthy, Christ-centered perspective. Ultimately, biblical self-love begins with receiving God’s love and allowing it to overflow into love for others. Reference: Ephesians 3:18 Prayer: Lord, help my children to know that they can't earn your love. Remind them that you love them just because they are Yours. LINKS: Connect with Rachael Adams Order Everyday Prayers for Love Follow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at LifeAudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at LifeAudio.com/contact-us Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Right Table #RTTBROS #Nightlight"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." — Matthew 23:27You know, I saw something on social media the other day that really stopped me in my tracks: "Don't beg for a seat at a table Jesus would flip over." Now that'll preach, won't it?It got me thinking about all the times we exhaust ourselves trying to earn approval from systems and people that Jesus Himself would challenge. We bend ourselves into pretzels, compromise our convictions, water down our witness, all to get a seat at some table that looks impressive from the outside but is spiritually bankrupt on the inside.Jesus had zero patience for religious performance. When He walked into the temple and saw the money changers turning His Father's house into a marketplace, He didn't politely ask for a seat at their table. He flipped the whole thing over. "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves" (Matthew 21:13).Here's what I've learned, and I'm too soon old and too late smart on this: the tables that demand the most from us often offer the least in return. They want our conformity, our silence, our willingness to play the game. But Jesus came to flip those tables, not franchise them.Think about the religious leaders of Jesus' day. They had the best seats, the longest robes, the public recognition. People were literally begging for their approval. But Jesus looked past all that religious window dressing and called it exactly what it was: dead men's bones dressed up to look alive.The truth is, we spend so much energy trying to impress people who are impressed by all the wrong things. We're hustling for validation from systems that value appearance over authenticity, position over character, performance over transformation.But here's the beautiful part of the story: while the religious elite were guarding their exclusive tables, Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners. He was pulling up chairs for the outcasts, the broken, the ones who knew they needed a Savior. "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (Matthew 9:12).Jesus isn't asking you to beg for a seat anywhere. He's already prepared a place for you at His table. And let me tell you, that table is set with grace, mercy, and unconditional love. No performance required. No games to play. Just come as you are.So maybe it's time to stop exhausting yourself trying to earn approval from tables Jesus would flip over. Maybe it's time to walk away from systems that demand you shrink yourself to fit in. Maybe it's time to remember that you already have a seat at the only table that truly matters.History is just His story, and in His story, there's always room at the table for broken people who know they need a Savior.Let's pray: Father, give us the courage to walk away from tables that require us to compromise our convictions. Help us find our worth not in the approval of man, but in Your unconditional love. Remind us that we already have a seat at Your table. In Jesus' name, Amen.#Faith #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #TrustGod #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Authenticity #GraceBe sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros
2 Peter 1:12-15 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss Peter's diligence to put the reminders on paper so we can remember the qualities of Jesus and grow to spiritual maturity through the knowledge of Jesus.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here. Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org. Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here. Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24348The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/
Today, we are kicking off our first ever Circle Back series. If you aren't sure what that is, I recommend listening to remind{h}er 152: Circle Back to hear a little more about the heart behind the series. We're starting with a remind{h}er from five years ago—remind{h}er 38: A Spirit of Hospitality. If you've listened to this episode before, it might be interesting to consider how your understanding or practice of hospitality has grown or shifted since the last time you listened. If this is your first time engaging this episode, it might be worth considering what your life and circumstances were like back in February 2021 when it first released. What has your experience of God been like since then? Who were you then and who are you now? Listen in {again!} remind{h}er 152: Circle Back The Great Dance by Baxter Kruger Sign up for The Re{collection} Learn more about spiritual direction Need a speaker for your next gathering? Let's work together! www.withjulianne.com
✨ Join me LIVE for a free money coaching experience on February 4th.If you want to heal your money mindset, raise your financial thermostat, and rewire your nervous system to safely hold more wealth, this call is for you.We'll be doing live coaching, clearing real money blocks, and creating massive breakthroughs together.
If your daughter has ever said "I suck" after a game and you had no idea how to respond, this one's for you.
437 | Interview with John Geyston — Relationships, Retention, and Staying Fulfilled as a School Owner Podcast Description Episode 437 is a wide-ranging conversation with Master John Geyston—a longtime friend of Allie's and a school owner who's built and operated multiple locations over decades. Duane and Allie dig into what keeps John motivated at 63, what's changed about leadership and mentorship in a distracted world, and the simple business fundamentals John believes every school owner has to nail. They also get real about how different markets require different models. John compares his long-established Illinois school to his newer Tampa location, explaining why retention, scheduling, traffic patterns, and even family behavior can look totally different depending on where you are. Finally, John shares how he's expanding his impact beyond the mat through his kids' book Embrace Your Awesome, an upcoming illustrated book, and a parent-focused online program—plus where school owners can find him and his resources. Key Takeaways The “Four R's” keep you grounded: Relationships, Recruitment, Retention, Revenue John's point is simple: you can't out-marketing a weak relationship, and you can't build a stable business without retention. Many school owners get distracted chasing tactics, coaches, and “the next system,” but the fundamentals don't change. If you want a quick self-audit: ask yourself which “R” is weakest right now—and fix that first. “Friendship over membership” is a retention cheat code John heard this from Rorion Gracie: it's easy to cancel a membership, but it's hard to walk away from a friendship. That doesn't mean you have to be best friends with every family; it means you're consistently friendly, present, and invested. In a world where people are connected digitally but disconnected relationally, genuine connection becomes a competitive advantage. Different markets require different delivery—even if your principles stay the same John sees a higher dropout rate in Tampa than in Illinois, and he's had to adjust the model while keeping the same core principles. Scheduling realities (older kids getting home later), high mobility (families traveling for long stretches), and traffic patterns all change what “works.” The lesson: don't copy/paste what worked in one town and assume it will work in another. Test, measure, and adapt. Parents say they want discipline… until it's uncomfortable John points out a common contradiction: parents ask you to “crack down,” then pull their child when correction creates resistance. Duane frames it as the long game: there's no quick fix—just thousands of conversations over time. School owners have to keep educating parents that the “fight worth having” is often the one they want to avoid. Fulfillment beats “success” if you want to stay in the game long-term John distinguishes happiness from fulfillment: you can have students, money, and locations and still feel empty. What keeps him going is being “most alive” on the mat teaching, mentoring, and serving. That's a reminder for school owners: if you're burned out, it's worth revisiting what part of the job actually fuels you. Action Steps for School Owners Run the Four R's audit (15 minutes) Relationships: Do families feel known? Do you know names, goals, and what's going on in their lives? Recruitment: Is your lead flow consistent, or are you riding “hope marketing?” Retention: Where are you losing people—first 30 days, 3–6 months, pre-black-belt? Revenue: Are your prices and expenses aligned with a healthy margin? Make one schedule change that removes friction Look at your most common late arrivals and dropouts by age group. Ask: is the problem motivation… or logistics? Test a 15-minute shift for one month and track attendance changes. Build “friendly professionalism” into your culture Decide what “friendly” looks like in your school (greeting by name, eye contact, quick check-ins, celebrating wins). Train your team: you don't need BBQ friendships with every family, but you do need consistent connection. Use the lens: make it harder to leave because it feels relational—not transactional. Create a parent education script for the “I want to quit” moment Keep it calm, direct, and values-based. Remind parents: you already guide your child in other areas of life—this is one of the important ones. Use Duane's framing: the obstacle is often the way. Expand your impact beyond the mat (one small step) If you've got a message you repeat inside your school, consider how to package it: a handout, a short email series, a mini-course, or a book recommendation. John's example: turning in-school coaching into books and a parent program. Start small—consistency beats perfection. Additional Resources Mentioned John Geyston's website: JohnGayston.com Podcast: Embrace Your Awesome Lifestyle (Apple, Spotify, YouTube) Book: Embrace Your Awesome (kids 6–12; used by leadership teams and as a parent resource) Upcoming illustrated book: The Power Inside You Want to keep the conversation going? If you're a martial arts school owner, come share what's working (and what's not) inside the School Owner Talk community—and let us know what market differences you've had to adapt to (schedule, traffic, mobility, parent culture, etc.).
Is your kid afraid to go an aisle away at the grocery store? Perform on stage in front of peers? Get their driver's license? When do we push them to do things that are good for them? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about encouraging growth in kids by pushing them out of their comfort zones.Why This MattersWhen kids stay in their comfort zones, they delay growth.Key Takeaways· Kids crave comfort: For a lot of kids, it's easier to stick with what is familiar than embrace what is new and unknown.· Watch your approach: Pushing kids must be done in love. Encourage more than you challenge.Practical Tips for Dads1. Push kids only in manageable areas.2. Remind them that failure is acceptable. 3. Always encourage before, during, and after a push. 4. Push then debrief. Important Episode Timestamps00:02:42 – 04:10 | When Parents Are Too Involved in Their Kids' Lives04:10 – 05:55 | Why Employers Don't Want Parents Involved05:55 – 06:35 | Feeling Incompetent Is Part of Growing Up06:35 – 07:28 | Freedom Requires Responsibility and Risk07:28 – 08:26 | Helping Kids Face Fear After Failure10:33 – 11:55 | How Parents Gradually Get Out of the Way15:35 – 16:44 | Asking Kids What They Want Out of Life16:44 – 18:35 | Teaching Teens How to Be Uncomfortable Without Phones18:59 – 19:18 | Rewarding Kids for Facing Discomfort21:02 – End | When Pushing Too Hard Can BackfireAPD Pro Move:Ask your kid, “What is your biggest challenge right now?” Then help them make a plan to overcome that challenge.All Pro Dad ResourcesEpisode 59 – How Do We Inspire Motivation in Our Kids?Episode 86 – Kathleen Edelman: Learn and Leverage Your Kids' Natural WiringMark Merrill: How To Be Your Child's Biggest FanDan Orlovsky: 3 Inspiring Ways to Motivate Your KidsWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
Gregory welcomes back comic collaborators Steven Kaul andLyndon Radchenka to talk about their new Kickstarter campaign for Laundrymen 2: Blood of the Saucermen.Back the campaign now and reserve your copy of Laundrymen 2 - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/radchenka/the-laundrymen-books-1-2Transition clips are from We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993) - https://youtu.be/s2n9rW6huEw?si=8q9FWLddhYFOZ-ZfFollow Super Pulp Science on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@superpulpscienceFollow the gang online:https://www.instagram.com/gmbchomichuk/https://www.instagram.com/chasingartwork/https://www.instagram.com/stevekaulart/https://www.instagram.com/lradchenka/https://www.tiktok.com/@danwatchesmoviesGMB Chomichuk's online store: https://www.gmbchomichuk.caChasing Artwork's online store: https://www.chasingartwork.com/Production: Dan VadeboncoeurTitles: Jesse Hamel & Nick Smalley
Tara interviews Dr. Crystal Hall from Crystal Hall Coaching about supporting and affirming women in ministry. Dr. Hall shares her journey, the challenges women face in ministry, and the importance of cultivating sustainable and life-giving ministries. The conversation explores themes of patriarchal structures and the significance of women's voices in proclaiming the gospel. Listen in on an inspiring discussion of the intersections of St. Brigid's Day, earth traditions, and the contributions of women saints like Brigid and Hildegard of Bingen.Hearth Keeper Prayer of St. Brigid - from St. Brigids.orgBrigid of the Mantle, encompass us,Lady of the Lambs, protect us,Keeper of the Hearth, kindle us.Beneath your mantle, gather us,And restore us to memory.Mothers of our mother,Foremothers strong.Guide our hands in yours,Remind us how to kindle the hearth.To keep it bright, to preserve the flame.Your hands upon ours,Our hands within yours,To kindle the light,Both day and night.The Mantle of Brigid about us,The Memory of Brigid within us,The Protection of Brigid keeping usFrom harm, from ignorance, from heartlessness.This day and night,From dawn till dark,From dark till dawn.Send Tara a Text MessageSupport the showRev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary's Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America). She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.
To Know the Surpassing Greatness of his Power Ephesians 1:15-23 by William Klock Do you ever wonder how I pray for you as your pastor? You know I pray about the needs and concerns each of you shares with me, but I'm talking more generally about how I pray for you all as Living Word Church. It occurred to me this week that in all my years in ministry no one has ever asked me that. But I do pray for you and our text today from Ephesians—it's 1:15-23 if you want to follow along—this text is one of my favourite prayers. For you. In fact, I have this printed sheet taped inside my prayer book. And what's on it is five prayers, all taken from Paul's letters; prayers he prayed for the churches he cared for. Prayers inspired by the Holy Spirit. About fifteen years ago it struck me that I should pray these Spirit-inspired pastoral prayers for you. And so I typed them up, tweaked the wording a bit to fit the form of a collect, printed them out, and stuck them inside the back cover of my prayer book. And each day at Morning Prayer, I pray one of these prayers for you. And this one is, I think, maybe the most important. This prayer is still part of Paul's introduction to his letter to the Ephesians. Last week we read that long run-on sentence that's all about the Father fulfilling his promises to Israel in Jesus; how we as Jesus' people share in the inheritance that was promised to Abraham, to Jacob, and to David; and how God's indwelling Spirit is the downpayment and guarantee of that inheritance. And we heard that this inheritance is God's new creation. That long run-on sentence was sort of Paul's opening shout of praise to God for what he's done. Starting with Chapter 2, Paul's going to use the rest of the letter to unpack this great shout of praise, to preach it, and to explain how it applies to us—how it shapes the church. But first, there's this prayer. Paul prays that his brothers and sisters in Ephesus will really and truly hear this message, that they'll take it to heart, and that they will be transformed by it. In short: Paul's told them about the promised inheritance they have as the Messiah's people, now he prays that the knowledge of that inheritance will transform them. Before we get into Paul's prayer, there are three Old Testament passages we need to be familiar with, because they're what give shape to Paul's vision of the Messiah and the church. The first is Psalm 110. Psalm 110 is one of those Old Testament passages it's worth getting into your memory, because it echoes so powerfully throughout the whole New Testament. It is, far and away, the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New. This is the psalm, written by King David, that begins with the words, “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” When the first Christians wanted to stress that Jesus isn't just Saviour, but that he's even more importantly Lord of all, the King of kings, this was their favourite Old Testament passage. And then there's Psalm 8. It's a close second behind Psalm 110. It's the psalm that begins, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” For Paul writing to the Ephesians, the really important part begins in verse 4, where David praises God for what he has made us as human beings. David sings, “What is man that you are mindful of him?…You have made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet…O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” The psalm echoes Genesis and God's creation of human beings as his image bearers. That means to be the priests and stewards of his garden-temple. That's what we were created to be and it's the vocation we rejected when we, instead, chose sin—to try to be gods ourselves. In Paul's day many of the Jews saw not only the human vocation in Psalm 8, but they saw it as a prophecy of the Messiah who would be the truly human one—a new Adam who will get it right this time; a Messiah whom, according to Psalm 110, God would raise to his right hand to reign until he's put all his enemies under his feet. And then, what does the Messiah's victory look like? Isaiah, especially chapter 11, was a favourite of the early Christians. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” So Isaiah is talking about the king who will arise from the line of David. “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” That's the Messiah. And his kingdom? It should sound familiar: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat…the lion shall eat straw like an ox…and a little child shall lead them.” This was the new world that Israel expected the Messiah, the great King from the line of David, this is what they expected him to usher in. God's Spirit would rest on him—That sounds like what happened at Jesus' baptism, doesn't it?—and through his wisdom and understanding, his counsel and power, his knowledge and the fear of the Lord, he will set this broken world to rights. He will bring God's justice to warring nations and hurting people. Peace will reign and the knowledge of God's glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. This was an incredibly important passage for Paul, because when Paul looked at the little churches that were popping up all over the Greco-Roman world, in pagan cities, right under Caesar's nose, challenging the old gods, and most importantly bringing Jews and gentiles together in one family in the Messiah, Paul saw with absolute clarity the beginnings of the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy. Through the Messiah, in these churches where Jews and gentiles were becoming one, where they were worshipping together the God of Israel across their social, cultural, and ethnic boundaries, the wolf and the lamb were lying down together at peace. In them, Paul saw a foretaste of what's to come. Putting all these layers together, we can sum up what the Messiah was to be and do in four points. Israel expected the Messiah (1) to be the King who would defeat the powers of evil; (2) the King who would rescue God's people from their bondage to those evil powers; (3) the King who would build a temple for God to dwell in; and (4) the King who would bring God's justice or righteousness and his peace to the whole world. That's the Messiah. And in doing those things, Jesus inaugurates the new creation. But Paul also recognised that the Church, that we who are united with the Messiah by faith share in that messianic ministry begun by Jesus. Filled with God's Spirit, we are the temple Jesus built. And we confront the powers with his victory and proclaim the liberating gospel to those in bondage. We live out God's justice and peace. And most importantly in this passage here: As a people full of the knowledge of God and his purposes for creation, we anticipate that day when the whole earth will be full of “knowing-God” as the waters cover the sea. The church is the beginning of God's new creation in the midst of the old. So now we're ready to understand Paul's prayer. It begins at verse 15: “Because of all this and because having heard of your faithfulness to the Lord Jesus, and that you show love to all God's saints, I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Now, they weren't perfect Christians. No one ever is. They weren't a perfect church. No such thing exists this side of eternity. But Paul had lived with these people. He'd got to know them. When he was away from them, he heard what other visitors had to say about them. And he knew that, however imperfectly, they were faithful to the Lord Jesus. Faithful. What does that mean? It means not just believing the right things about Jesus, but more importantly, committing yourself to him. That's probably why Paul calls him “Lord Jesus” here. You can believe all the true things about Jesus you want, but what makes a Christian is when you give your loyalty, your allegiance to Jesus as creation's true Lord. When we repent and turn away from our sins and from our selfishness, when we stop trying to play at being gods and to write our stories for ourselves, and instead choose to live for him and to live in hope of his kingdom, his new creation, and not just as some thing in the distant future, but something we are beginning to live out here and now, Brothers and Sisters, that's what a Christian is. Paul saw these men and women doing that. He saw how much it cost them. They were shunned by their families because they'd stopped worshipping the old gods; losing their jobs, because their guilds kicked them out for the same reason; their fellow citizens considered them disloyal for not taking part in the civil religion of Ephesus and of Caesar; just waiting to take the blame for bringing down the wrath of the gods on the city should some natural disaster strike. Faith in Jesus cost them something. It cost a lot. And Paul saw that they were willing to count that cost. And, too, he saw their love for each other and for their brothers and sisters struggling in other places. Poor as they were, they sent money to the even poorer Christians in Jerusalem. They supported and cared for each other like family. However imperfect their faith may have been, in them Paul saw clear evidence of the gospel's power at work. And he prayed for that power to continue to work in them So he goes on in verse 16. Here are the specifics of that prayer: “I pray that the God of Messiah Jesus our Lord, the Father of glory, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened. Then you will know what the hope is that goes with God's call; you will know the wealth of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; and you will know the surpassing greatness of his power toward us who are faithful, according to the working of his strength and power.” Paul longs for them to be enlightened by the Spirit. Wisdom and revelation. Here's what Paul means. Wisdom and revelation are two facets of the same thing. When you hear “wisdom” think of the book of Proverbs. Wisdom is what you need if you want to truly live as a human being according to God's design. But thanks to King Solomon as the paragon of wisdom in Israel, wisdom is also a royal thing associated with kings. Now remember Isaiah 11. This is why Isaiah described the coming messianic king, the one who is truly human, the new Adam, Isaiah describes him as perfectly wise. And Paul knows that the people who are in the Messiah, share in that wisdom, that “revelation”. Think of “revelation” as “insight” into God's design for living. This broken world sorely lacks that wisdom and that insight, but it is ours in Jesus the Messiah. In him we have the knowledge of God that the world lacks, the knowledge that will one day fill the earth. The knowledge that, as the church lives it out in daily life, acts as the salt of the earth, as light in the darkness, that gives everyone around a anticipatory glimpse of creation set to rights. Paul prays that their hearts will be opened to this knowledge. He saw it happening already in their faith and in their love for each other, but he prayed that the Spirit would open their hearts more and more to the knowledge of God. That the Spirit would clear away the fog that surrounds us. Our world has its own ideas about wisdom—and they're often wrong. Think of how the world tells us to think about ourselves, our relationships, about work and vocation, about sex and money and power, about God. All very different from what God, in his wisdom, says about all those things. As Jesus' people we need to take our cues and to glean our wisdom from God and from the scriptures, not the world, not worldly philosophies, not TV or movies, not social media, not motivational speakers, but from God. As C. S. Lewis astutely pointed out in The Screwtape Letters, the devil doesn't need to put wrong ideas into people's heads; he just needs to keep the true ones out. Brothers and Sisters, we need the eyes of our hearts opened to know God. And Paul says here that this knowledge primarily consists of three things. These all come from that picture of the Messiah in Isaiah 11. Paul wants us to know the hope, the inheritance, and the power. The hope is for Jesus' victory at the cross and the empty tomb to change the whole world, bit by bit, here and there, wherever it's needed, to bring creation under the rule of the Messiah. The inheritance is the promise that the Messiah will inherit and will rule the nations—every square inch of creation. And I think we often forget, but this shapes the mission of the church. This is our vocation. This is our way today of being fruitful and multiplying and filling the earth and wherever we go we bring the power of the gospel, the reign of the Messiah, and the reconciling peace of his kingdom. And the power. Brothers and Sisters, we forget the power of the gospel. Verses 19 and 20 are a little difficult to translate into English because of the way Paul heaps up the words for power. He literally says something like, “that you may know what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe according to the energy of the might of his strength, which he worked out in the Messiah.” Greatness, power, energy, might, strength. Rooted in the resurrection of Jesus. The living God raised Jesus from the dead. The greatest display of his power in history. It went out like a shockwave, pushing away the great stone from the tomb, and reverberating through creation. New creation bursting into the old. And, Brothers and Sisters, the church—we—are the working model of that new creation, of that power that is transforming the world as the good news of Jesus goes out and continues to reverberate through creation. But there's more to it than just Jesus' resurrection. Remember that “Messiah” means the “anointed King”. Jesus is Lord. That's a big part of this picture too. So Paul goes on in verse 20: “This is the power at work in the Messiah when God raised him from the dead and sat him at his right hand in the heavenlies, above all rule and authority and power and lordship, and above every name that is invoked, both in the present age and also in the age to come. Yes, God has ‘put all things under his feet,' and has given him to the church as the head over all. The church is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all in all.” Don't forget Psalm 110. There's an echo here of Daniel 7, too. The Messiah has been raised to sit at God's right hand—to his throne as creation's true Lord. And the practical thing that means for the church is that no matter how things may look from our perspective here, Jesus sits above every authority, every CEO, every billionaire, every ruler, every king. There is no name on earth that anyone can invoke that will trump the name of Jesus. This was a jab at Caesar, whose cult was especially prominent in Ephesus, but it applies just as much to the kings and power-brokers of our own day. Think of the names in the news. Think of all the rivalries in business or in politics or in culture. Brothers and Sisters, Jesus outranks them all. And in this lies our vocation as the people of the Messiah. A people, Paul says here, who is Jesus' own body. This sovereign power—a power rooted on the one hand in God's power and glory and in the other in the love, mercy, and humility Jesus puts on display at the cross—this sovereign power is our vocation. God created Adam and Eve to bear his image—to be good and wise stewards of his creation. Remember we saw that in Psalm 8. Paul's prayer here is that we would recognise that Jesus is that truly good and wise human, now enthroned at God's right hand and that through the gospel he is creating a people—you and me—to learn that godly wisdom, to learn that godly knowledge, and to share in his godly rule. God has made Jesus the head of the church so that the church can now act, now live out that delegated authority as his body. We're called to be a community that embodies Psalm 110 and Psalm 8 and Isaiah 11. Brothers and Sisters, the church is the fullness of the one who fills all in all. We are God's new creation, however small, however imperfect, however incomplete at the present, but still God's new creation in the midst of the old, full of light and life and gospel power and authority, proclaiming the Lord Jesus and his kingdom and causing that Easter shockwave to continue to reverberate through creation until the knowledge of God's glory fills the earth as the waters cover the sea. And if that seems impossible, if it seems ridiculous, if it seems overwhelming, if makes you afraid, think how it must have seemed to the people in those little churches around Ephesus in a.d. 50. A handful of churches, each with ten or fifteen or maybe thirty people. Mostly poor, more women than men, more slaves than freemen. They lived for Jesus in the midst of a hostile world permeated through and through with paganism. Everyone thought they were weird and crazy, impious and disloyal. In not too many years some of them would be rounded up, arrested, tortured, sent to the arena to be eaten by lions because of their faith in Jesus. The emperor would burn others alive as human torches to light his garden parties. These little churches had no programmes. No Sunday school or youth group. No bands or fog machines. No ad campaigns. They didn't even have their own buildings. They just studied and preached God's word, they loved and cared for each other, and they taught the world what grace and mercy and true holiness looks like. They had the good news about Jesus, crucified and risen, and in that was a power that outshone everything. Imagine how ridiculous and impossible it might have seemed to them: this idea that Jesus is Lord and that the knowledge of God will one day fill the earth. And then drop them into a modern-day city. I found myself thinking of the view we had from the US Consulate in Montreal, up on the twentieth floor of a skyscraper, looking out over the city and the steeples every few blocks—more than I could count, as far as the eye could see. Even in little woefully unchurched Courtenay, you don't have to walk very far in any direction to find a church. Brothers and Sisters, the power of the gospel is real. Even though there's so much more work to do, just look at how the gospel has transformed the world since the days Paul wrote to those little churches in Ephesus. Jesus really is Lord and the fact that you and I are here today to worship the God of Israel instead of worshipping whatever pagan God's our ancestors worshipped is proof of that power. When someone tells me, “I'm leaving, this church is too small,” I pray Paul's prayer here all the more for them and I pray it for all of you and for myself: that we would be full of the knowledge of God and the power of the gospel and that we would trust it and have faith in what God has promised it will accomplish through us. The proof of Jesus' reign and the power of the gospel is all around us. May he open the eyes of our hearts to see it. Let's pray: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, open the eyes of our hearts to the power of the knowledge of you. Remind us of our calling in Jesus and the hope and inheritance we have in him. Give us the faith and courage to be the people you have made us, to be the vanguard of your new creation as we live and proclaim your good news. Give us a passion to see the knowledge of your glory covering the earth as the waters cover the sea. Make us faithful stewards, we ask through Jesus our Lord we pray. Amen.
For many women, the hardest part of working in male-dominated industries isn't the work itself—it's the constant pressure to prove, tolerate, and stay quiet just to belong. In this powerful conversation, Samantha shares her lived experience as one of the few women in aviation and maintenance, revealing the mental toll of being the "only one in the room" and how that pressure quietly erodes confidence, self-worth, and wellbeing. This episode is about protecting your mental health without shrinking, and learning how to stay, lead, and earn what you're worth—without burning out. ABOUT THE GUEST: Samantha Kaye Harris is a workforce retention and confidence strategist for women in the trades and other male-dominated fields. With more than 25 years of experience in industries like aviation and structural maintenance, she helps women speak up, lead strong, and stay in careers they worked hard to get into— instead of feeling pushed out. ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS: 1. START YOUR BRAG BAG TODAY Document your achievements, wins, and accolades—no matter how small. Review it when self-doubt creeps in. 2. DOCUMENT YOUR EXPERIENCES Write down when you're interrupted, overlooked, or disrespected. Don't dismiss it as "just the guys." 3. PRACTICE SELF-VALIDATION Stop waiting for external validation. Trust that you are qualified, capable, and belong. 4. SET BOUNDARIES WITHOUT APOLOGIZING Practice saying: "Let me finish," or "Give me a moment, and then you speak." 5. REFRAME CHALLENGES AS GROWTH Ask yourself: "What am I learning from this that will help elevate me?" 6. BREATHE AND RECONNECT When overwhelmed, stop and take a deep breath. Remind yourself of who you are. 7. SEEK SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED Consider working with a coach or counselor who understands your unique challenges. CONNECT WITH SAMANTHA KAYE HARRIS: Website: https://www.theskhsolutions.com/ LinkedIn: Samantha K. Harris Instagram: @coachsamanthak Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatchDM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6000+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.
LESSON 31I Am Not The Victim Of The World I See.Today's idea is the introduction to your declaration of release. Again, the idea should be applied to both the world you see without and the world you see within. In applying the idea, we will use a form of practice which will be used more and more, with changes as indicated. Generally speaking, the form includes two aspects, one in which you apply the idea on a more sustained basis, and the other consisting of frequent applications of the idea throughout the day.Two longer periods of practice with the idea for today are needed, one in the morning and one at night. Three to five minutes for each of these are recommended. During that time, look about you slowly while repeating the idea two or three times. Then close your eyes, and apply the same idea to your inner world. You will escape from both together, for the inner is the cause of the outer.As you survey your inner world, merely let whatever thoughts cross your mind come into your awareness, each to be considered for a moment, and then replaced by the next. Try not to establish any kind of hierarchy among them. Watch them come and go as dispassionately as possible. Do not dwell on any one in particular, but try to let the stream move on evenly and calmly, without any special investment on your part. As you sit and quietly watch your thoughts, repeat today's idea to yourself as often as you care to, but with no sense of hurry.In addition, repeat the idea for today as often as possible during the day. Remind yourself that you are making a declaration of independence in the name of your own freedom. And in your freedom lies the freedom of the world.The idea for today is also a particularly useful one to use as a response to any form of temptation that may arise. It is a declaration that you will not yield to it, and put yourself in bondage.- Jesus Christ in ACIM
May you have the courage to stand in your own knowing.May you find the grace to let go of striving for perfection, and instead embrace the sacredness of your imperfect, human journey.May luminous moments of optimism and possibility guide you,even as you move through gray times of despair and doubt.May you have the wisdom to choose differently, to prioritize what truly matters,creating a legacy that lingers. May you always find solace in the holy ground beneath your feet,the sacred presence that dwells within and all around you.Shine your light, dear one,your small, precious gifts are needed in this world.Happy Spring Equinox! I hope you are enjoying a gentle leap into a new season. Our own weather has been erratic and wild, including nearby tornadoes that wreaked havoc on our town. And, then, today, as I work on the newsletter, sporadic power outages at our house cutting off my internet. As such, this newsletter will be a little shorter than usual with only a brief audio edition. I've gotten very off schedule this week! Our shop update today is an eclectic one, featuring assorted divine imperfections, “Luna” one-of-a-kind goddesses, and some red winged Nemesis goddesses (by customer request).We also still have assorted goddesses in our very special spring pigment—a beautiful lilac with small flowers. We are using this pigment to honor Áine, the Irish Fairy Queen, who is this year's featured goddess at Gaea Goddess Gathering. We do know that she is a summertime goddess, but we felt like this pigment was an excellent match for the spring equinox/Ostara and our month of Persephone as well, so we went forward with it!This week's magic:* 8 minute video: beholding delight.Resource Reminders:* New free series: An Introduction to Goddess Studies* 1. getting started* 2. printable journal* 3. affirmation card set* 4. portable altar space* 5. introduction to thealogy* 6. influential authors in goddess studies* 7. audio retreat: spots of time (note: publishing Saturday)Blog Posts:* Ritual Reading for Spring Equinox (A Spring Ritual of Returning)* Clarity and the CrossroadsBeholding DelightReminder: Let us be open to delight. Let us be open to wonder. Let us allow joy. Let us be open to the possibility of bliss.Journal prompts for the week:* What is calling to you? What doorway are you sensing?* What are you saying yes to? What is your ritual of returning?Affirmations for this week:* Happiness and ecstasy flow through me wildly and freely.* I am open to joy.* I say yes to life.* I listen to the call.* I allow an expansive dream or creative quest to emerge.* I find the small sacred moments in my daily life and let them sustain me.* I walk my path with presence and intention.Goddess of quiet knowing,help me to make a space for stillness,to guard a place for peace.Remind me that stillness and motionare a constant interplay,the beat between notes,the space between raindrops,the pause between breaths,the silence between heartbeats.The nature of the body is to be in motion,the constant unfolding of a whole universewhirling within our cells,the still spaces in betweensomehow holding the whole together,as in stillnesswe move.Much love,Molly, Mark, + Family This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goddessmagic.substack.com/subscribe
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addresses the media on Friday, January 30, 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Praise Series #29 The Song of MosesExodus 15:1 “Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”I thought this was a good verse to remind us that praise and worship is not just good when we are in need of God's help. It is also really important to praise and worship the Lord when He comes through and answers our prayers. Exodus 15:1-21 is all about Moses and the Israelites singing to the Lord for saving them from the Egyptians.In case you are unfamiliar with the story, God asked Moses to lead the Israelites out of captivity from Egypt, as they were slaves there. The pharaoh finally said they could go, and then, when they left, he changed his mind and set out after them. The Israelites got to the Red Sea and had nowhere to go as they could not cross it. God parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could cross it on dry ground. As soon as they were through it, the Egyptian army started to cross it, and God released the water, and they all drowned.This is where Exodus 15 picks up. The beginning part is called “The Song of Moses.” Let's look at the words of the song.Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.Let's pause and look at these few verses. They acknowledge what the Lord has done; He has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider, He has thrown into the sea. However, it then goes on to talk about God and how great He is. It says that the Lord is my strength and my might. He has become my salvation. These are all things that you can say when you are looking to praise the Lord. They are also great things to remember when you are struggling to think of reasons to be grateful. You can be grateful that God is your strength and your might. He is your salvation. You can trust Him to come through and help you every time. It goes on to say,4 “Pharaoh's chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his picked officers were sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power— your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. 7 In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury, it consumed them like stubble.Again, these few verses are a mix of stating what the Lord did and praising Him for how amazing He is. It says the Lord's right hand is glorious in power and that it shattered the enemy. Do you have enemies that need to be overthrown? The Israelites couldn't have seen this coming. I am sure that when they reached the Red Sea and saw how high and fast-moving the water was, they thought they would be captured. I am sure that not a single one of them could have predicted what God would do next. The same is true for your situation. Just because you can't see a way out doesn't mean there isn't one. Just because you feel as though your time has come doesn't mean it will. I have seen God deliver people I know and love from very difficult situations. Ones that seemed like there was no way out. Your situation is not hopeless. God is in it, and if He is not saving you from it, then He will help you through it.8 At the blast of your nostrils, the waters piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.' 10 You blew with your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.These verses are good because they show us that it does not matter what our enemies say. It doesn't matter how badly they threaten us. All we need to remember is how great our God is. These verses talk about how the enemy was saying things that were probably scary to hear. No one wants to hear that they will be overtaken and that the enemy will have their fill of our goods. However, the Israelites didn't have to worry because God took care of the enemy. He drowned every single one of them. It does not matter how great your enemy is; God is greater. It doesn't matter what your enemy is, either. It could be a physical illness, a mental illness, a financial problem, or a legal problem. Your enemy might be someone or something you can see, and it might be something you can't see, like an illness. Whatever your enemy is, trust me when I say that God can either save you from it or help you through it.11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand, and the earth swallowed them.13 “In your steadfast love, you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.These verses are great because they show the Lord that they know how amazing He is. They are showing the Lord that they know that there is none greater than the Lord. In the time they lived, there were other gods that people prayed to and worshiped, and so the Israelites were letting God know that they know He is the one true God. That no one and nothing compares to Him. I also love that the last verse in this section reminds us that God's love is a steadfast love. Steadfast means firmly loyal or constant; unswerving. That is God's love for you. His love is firmly loyal, constant, and unswerving. We might think when we do something wrong, God stops loving us, or that he loves us less than he did. This is not true. He may not like what you did, but His love for you is steadfast. It does not change. It is constant, even if you don't return His love. Even if you turn away from Him or reject Him. His love is still always right there. It doesn't go anywhere, and this verse is a good reminder of that. 14 The peoples heard, they trembled; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. 16 Terror and dread fell upon them; by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone until your people, O Lord, passed by, until the people whom you acquired passed by.These verses show us that when we allow God to save us. When we call out to the Lord, He saves us, and we tell people about it, they learn about the power of God as well. The Israelites had many enemies all throughout the ages. Had they been traveling from Egypt on their own, they may have been attacked by many other nations. However, all the land heard about their God and how he had parted the Red Sea so that they could pass by, and then had released the waters when their enemy tried to cross the waters on dry ground.Sometimes you will have enemies that know God is on your side, and they won't engage. They might try to hurt you in a roundabout way, but they won't come straight at you because they know how powerful God is. It says in these verses that their enemies trembled. They were dismayed, and terror and dread fell upon them. Isn't it amazing what God can do when we let Him? 17 You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. 18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.”19 When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.It ends by restating what God did for them and to their enemies. It is proclaiming for all to hear that God is the reason they are alive. God is the one who brought them safely through the Red Sea. He allowed them to walk through on dry ground and yet brought back the waters of the sea upon the enemy.God can do this for you, too. Whatever your struggle is, turn it over to the Lord, and he will help you through it. While you are in it, praise the Lord. The more we praise the Lord, the more our lives will change. I know that may seem like a crazy statement. You may wonder how praise and worship can change your life. However, since we are almost to the end of our praise series, I pray that you don't wonder how your life will be changed. I pray that you have seen over the course of this series that praise and worship are capable of changing your life in the best kind of ways. I love you, and I am rooting for you!Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, I want to thank you for helping us through this praise series. I want to thank you for all the scriptures you have given me and for all the help you have given me in writing each devotional. Lord, we want to turn to you. Why is it so hard? We want to praise you in the good times and the bad. We just get distracted with all that is going on. We get overwhelmed, especially if we have been in this situation for a long time. Please help us avoid feeling overwhelmed. Help us to not feel hopeless in our situation. Remind us of your goodness and your steadfast love, Lord! We ask all of this in accordance of your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to meeting you here again on Monday. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I!. God is on your side, and we are both rooting for you, always! Have a blessed day.Today's Word from the Lord was received in September 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “I know each struggle that you have, but remember, your struggles are the refiner's fire. Don't let those struggles drown you. They are a passageway to a better future. They are the path that I have laid before you. The path will always have obstacles, but don't let them take you down. Remember, I'm there. I lift you up. ” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
Discover what happens to our well-being when we respond to suffering with compassion, collective action, and why choosing to care can help us hold on to our shared humanity.Summary: In the face of widespread suffering, many of us struggle with how to respond without becoming overwhelmed or numb. Drawing on research and real-world experience, this episode of The Science of Happiness examines the psychological impact of bearing witness, acting in alignment with our values, and showing up for others—even when it's hard. We look at how compassion, agency, and a sense of common humanity can both strengthen resilience and carry real emotional costs, and why people continue to act anyway.Take our 5-minute survey https://tinyurl.com/happyhappysurvey. Thank you for helping us make the podcast even better!How To Do This Practice: Pause and name what's happening: Take a moment to notice what you're feeling as you witness suffering or injustice—anger, grief, numbness, confusion. Naming the emotion helps calm the stress response and keeps you from shutting down or looking away. Reconnect with common humanity: Remind yourself: there are no “good people” and “bad people”—there are people. Clarify your values on paper: Write down one to three values that matter most to you right now (for example: compassion, integrity, dignity, justice). Studies show that writing values down lowers stress and makes it more likely you'll act in alignment with them. Gently ask yourself: “What does a person like me—with these values—do in a situation like this?” Consider what access, safety, or influence you may have, and what constraints you face. Acting with integrity looks different for everyone, and this step helps you choose a response that is both values-aligned and realistic. Choose a safe, doable action: Action doesn't have to be loud or risky. It might be writing, speaking up in a meeting, supporting someone directly, or adding your voice to a collective effort. Even small actions strengthen agency and social connection. Reflect and reconnect: After you act, check in with yourself. Notice any sense of alignment, relief, meaning, grief, or fear. Acting with integrity won't erase pain, but it helps protect mental health and shapes who we become over time. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today's Guests:DR. FEROZE SIDHWA is a trauma, and critical care surgeon in California. He has also worked as a physician in Haiti, Ukraine and Palestine. Learn more about Dr. Feroze Sidhwa here: https://www.ferozesidhwa.org/DR. AKIVA LEBOWITZ is a physician and critical care specialist.Learn more about Dr. Akiva Lebowitz here: https://akivaforbrookline.com/DR. SUNITA SAH is a social scientist, author, and psychologist.Learn more about Dr. Sunita Sah here: https://www.sunitasah.com/Tell us about your experience with this practice. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/48wz2vru
Jareth skulks through the castle and out the front gates while listening to their favorite podcast, hair somehow bopping to and fro while also locked into its gravity-defying shape. As he makes his way towards the lillies, a new song idea slams its way into his frontal lobe. It's a riff on another song he sang long ago. He croaks it into existence. Discussed: strange recording arrangements, Persona 4 Golden, the final bosses of Persona, Tokyo Xanadu Ex+, the potential of a sequel, DnD with Brendon, 428: Shibuya Scramble, Code Vein II Demo, dreams of Tomodachi Life, and a handful of Switch gamesVideo essay mentioned about ToseWe encourage those who are able to donate to:Immigrant Law Center of MinnesotaMinnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee"How To Help If You Are Outside Minnesota" from Naomi Kritzer's BlogFind us everywhere: https://intothecast.onlineBuy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.onlineJoin the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast---Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.socialFollow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.onlineProduced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social---Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/---Timecodes:(00:00) - Intro (00:19) - Into the recording setups (04:53) - Persona 4 Golden | A well-balanced meal (12:45) - Tokyo Xanadu ex+ | The third pillar of Falcom (40:15) - Break (40:17) - 428: Shibuya Scramble | Video games, but real???? (49:03) - PARANORMASIGHT SPOILERS (49:11) - 428: Shibuya Scramble | Video games, but real???? (54:57) - Code Vein II | Secretly made by our favorite developers (maybe???) (01:02:52) - Many games and the Switch 2 | A salve from the universe (01:15:02) - Wrapping up (01:16:59) - Fuck ICE, stand with your neighbors ---Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:SuperThisWayNick GStarfallrondoSusan H0nlygh0stsVincent JPatrick KEd AJ-RockSamantha DNorth HeroSam HSnzznJ-RockGregory Mark SCmndr BiscuiticemanChristian HRydan BCaleb HArden FEye of the DuckKaleNathan EJ. H. AjoelchronoMellowMatthew BRobin LPSeekingSeakingJimmerszoey!Vinny MMattKerry KBrian MNoah DZach DChristopher TDHugo WToddChris BLukerfuffleStephen YDaniel GEric FTaran WBrendan OChris ZClayton MZach RDylan NFederico VTigerz RevengeLogan HAlan RJohn AMike LmattjanzzDavid MHeavyPixelsKaleb HTyler JCorey ZSusan HBarry TRobert RChris JBrett Allen HDan SJack SGarrett CjimiiboJohn HDirch FJim EJim WTristan LEvan BAwfulHanzomin2Aaron GJean HTodd Nred_wagonNeilPeter BJohn VvErik MRedmage77Joshua JTony LDanny KGibson GKate Duncan BRichard MDaniel NSeth MJamesAndy HDemoEmmaLyn ECorey TCaleb WJake LJesse WMike TCodesMatt BWesleymebezacAlex LSergio LninjadeathdogRory BA42PoundMooseRobert MMichael WAndrewthis_JUSTINRyan O14.3 billion yearsBrendan KMegan BSecretAgentKoalaNoah OArcturusAndrew WhepaheChase ALoveDiesNick QChris MRBKaren HAdam FScott HAlexander SMatt HMurrayDavid PJason KMicah OKamrin HAndrew DKyle SPhilip N ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
If confidence has felt inconsistent lately, this episode is here to remind you: nothing has gone wrong.We've been taught to believe confidence is just a feeling — calm, certain, ready — and that once we feel it, then we can move. But real confidence doesn't work that way. Confidence is conditioned. It's built through action, repetition, and staying connected to yourself when things feel unfamiliar.This episode starts the Unavailable for Self-Abandonment series — conversations for the woman who is done negotiating with herself and is confident enough to disappoint because self-trust is now the standard.We're reframing confidence as something you practice, not something you wait for — and reconnecting you with the version of yourself who already knows how to move without guarantees.If you've ever thought, “Why do I feel less confident now than I used to?” — this episode will land deeply.WHAT WE GET INTO✨ Confidence is conditioningConfidence isn't motivation or mindset — it's built through action, practice, and repetition, especially when things feel uncomfortable.✨ Why confidence gets mistaken for a feelingWe confuse calm with capability. Calm comes after repetition — not before.✨ Discomfort isn't dangerYour nervous system feels alert when something is new — that doesn't mean you're incapable. It means you're in unfamiliar territory.✨ Why confidence feels inconsistent during growthNew environments require new reps — and new reps create new confidence.✨ Reconnecting with the version of you who already trusts herselfYou don't need to become someone new. You need to remember who you've been before.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined yet again by our pal and Hall of Fame trail name holder Marla Davidson, better known as "Fancy Feast". Fancy Feast is a wealth of knowledge and unfortunate and embarrassing stories. She shares a nasty medical mishap involving poodle dog bush on the PCT, we look back at her time with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, where she and other "malnourished minors" subsisted on moldy bread and Sriracha, which was presented as a vegetable. Fancy Feast gives us an overview of her 2024 calendar hikes of the PCT and CDT, her experience navigating the Hayduke Trail with Horsepower (former guest) after he convinced her with a PowerPoint presentation, and the hilarious mismatch in hiking styles from this somewhat random pairing. She details what it's like being a PNTA crew lead, and the challenges associated in light of funding cuts and crews being reduced to a skeleton staff. Feast also shares standout stories from her international travels, including a "pig water" disaster in the Andes, her time at the Green Mountain Club with a persistent bear that turned her food box into a rolling pinata, and her hot takes on thru-hiker "main character energy" and entitlement. We wrap the show with whether we'd rather have three butt cheeks or just one, the triple crown of mild yet particular icks or phobias, and the news of how one Hayduke hiker got caught in quicksand. Yes, really. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Marla Davidson aka Fancy Feast Fancy Feast's Instagram Backpacker Radio 122 | Hot Ones & Fancy Feast Time stamps & Questions 00:05:05 - Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, apply to be a Trail Correspondent, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and subscribe to The Trek's Youtube! 00:10:00 - Introducing Fancy Feast 00:14:00 - Remind us of your trail name origin story 00:19:25 - What was the first trail you hiked after you were on the podcast? 00:22:50 - Tell us about your encounter with poodle-dog bush 00:31:55 - What was worse, poodle-dog bush or poison ivy? 00:33:17 - How was your experience in the conservation corps? 00:37:40 - Tell us your bear story 00:42:20 - How did you handle the CDT when you don't like black bears? 00:45:50 - What is the ManHump/HumpMan challenge? 00:50:00 - Discussion about Fancy Feast's Allegheny Trail FKT attempt 00:52:30 - Why do you think you should have dropped out of school to do seasonal work? 01:00:50 - Why did you go to Peru? 01:11:50 - Tell us about dumpster diving 01:19:12 - How did you like the Oregon Coast Trail? 01:30:11 - At what point did you get a job with the PNTA? 01:36:25 - What's the deal with mayonnaise? 01:41:38 - What's your best chafe prevention strategy? 01:42:53 - Tell us more about your trail maintenance work and the current state of the PNT 01:46:08 - What volunteer opportunities are there with the PNTA? 01:48:11 - Tell us about working smarter and harder 01:53:55 - How would a former thru-hiker get involved with volunteering? 02:03:30 - How did you end up on the Hayduke? 02:13:50 - What was it like hiking with Horsepower? 02:16:15 - Did the Hayduke make you want to do more off trail routes? 02:20:10 - What questions should you ask someone you might hike with? 02:27:25 - Tell us about the Ice Age Trail 02:42:10 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking? Segments Trek Propaganda: Hiker Trapped in Quicksand on Hayduke Trail: "Nothing About It Seemed Unusual or Dangerous" by Kelly Floro QOTD: Would you rather have one butt cheek or three butt cheeks? Triple Crown of mild yet particular icks or phobias Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Luke Netjes, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
Ever feel like you should be further along by now — in your playing, your work, or your life? I feel that way too. In this audio-only episode, I share one simple reminder I come back to whenever progress feels slower than I expected. It's something I see constantly with jazz piano students — and something I have to practice myself just as much. I also share a few important updates about the current structure of Jazz Piano School and why I've simplified everything around one clear path forward. In this episode, I talk about: • Why we consistently underestimate how long meaningful progress takes • How rushing the process often creates more frustration, not better results • What real, sustainable growth actually looks like over time • The mindset shift that helps you stay patient and consistent • Why Proficient Jazz Pianist (PJP) is now the single starting point inside Jazz Piano School This is a reflective episode — less about tactics, more about perspective. If you've been feeling behind, stuck, or discouraged, this one's meant to steady you and help you keep going. Proficient Jazz Pianist (PJP) The complete step-by-step system for building real jazz piano skills — comping, solo piano, and improvisation — without bouncing between random lessons or shortcuts. This is now the only program I sell, and it's the foundation for everything inside Jazz Piano School: http://jazzpianoschool.com/pjp More ways to stay connected: Website: https://jazzpianoschool.com #JazzPiano #MusicPractice #CreativeProcess #FeelingBehind #LongTermGrowth #JazzPianoSchool #ProficientJazzPianist
Still A Part of Us: A podcast about stillbirth and infant loss
Winter has a conversation with Ellie about what has help her in the grieving process after her son Levon was stillborn at 32 weeks. DONATE $5 (aka "buy us a coffee/hot cocoa") to support the continued production of these stories. We appreciate all the help toward production and hosting costs. Or if you want to purchase an "Always a Part of Us" Legacy Gift for $20, you'll be providing to one of these families that shares their story, full transcriptions, mp3s, and mp4s of the recordings of their baby's birth story and advice episodes for their family history records. You will also get a shout-out on an upcoming episode. Thank you! Donate: https://ko-fi.com/stillapartofus SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more birth stories from families who have experienced a stillbirth or infant loss. We're grateful that you're part of our community! https://www.youtube.com/stillapartofus SUBSCRIBE to our podcast Still A Part of Us, wherever you find podcasts. Links (some of these links are affiliate links, which means we may get a small commission off your purchase, at no extra cost to you): Website: http://stillapartofus.com/ Grief Support Groups: https://nationalshare.org/ #stillbirthstory #stillborn #stillbornstory #birthstory #infantloss #infantdeath #babydeath #stillmychild #podcast #birthstories #babyloss #mybabydied #bereavedmother #bereavedfather #infantlossawareness #dadsgrievetoo #mamasgrief #pals #childloss #lifeafterloss #saytheirnames #babylossawareness #breakingthesilence #grievingmom #grievingdad #bereavedparents #pregnancyandinfantlossawarenessmonth
Today is a very special episode. For the first time ever, I'm bringing on a guest. And not just any guest—my husband, Kevin. If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know I talk a lot about my recovery journey, the tools, the strategies, the mindset shifts. But what I don't talk about as much is the man behind the scenes. The man who supports me. The man who holds down the fort so I can record this podcast, run my business, and continue to show up for you every single week. Kevin is that man. He's the anchor. And it's time for you to meet him. Here's the truth: Recovery doesn't just affect the person struggling. It affects the whole family. And the support of a partner can make or break the journey. Kevin met me shortly after my recovery, but he's watched me navigate ups and downs with body image and restrictive behaviors throughout our marriage. He's a law enforcement officer, lifts heavy weights, is in tip-top shape, and constantly pushes himself to the limit. He's an alpha personality—strong, driven, disciplined. And he's also a man of God, a father to our two boys, and the most supportive partner I could ever ask for. But supporting someone in eating disorder recovery didn't come naturally to him. He had to learn. And today, he's sharing what he learned—for the men listening, and for the women who want their husbands or partners to understand what real support looks like. In this episode, you'll hear: How Kevin met me shortly after recovery and realized it's an ongoing journey, not a one-and-done Why his instinct to "fix" me actually created distance instead of intimacy The words he thought were supportive that actually made me feel dismissed What he did that made me feel the MOST safe and supported How he learned not to react in passion or frustration, but to actively listen instead Why asking "What do you need right now to feel safe?" changed everything How Kevin had to recognize that what HE needs for his body is very different from what I need The learning curve of being an alpha male married to someone in ED recovery What it really looks like to be "the man behind the biz" (spoiler: it's cooking, cleaning, and holding down the fort) Kevin's 5 practical takeaways for men supporting their wives through ED recovery or body image struggles A sneak peek at future episodes where Kevin will come back to share more of his perspective If you're a woman in recovery, send this episode to your husband or partner. If you're a man listening, thank you for being here. Thank you for wanting to support your wife. This episode is for you. KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
If we don't call to mind what God has said about himself and about us, we will languish. Never forget that our God is the God of the impossible.
Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three young men from Judah who found themselves in a heated situation.They were brought into the court of King Nebuchadnezzar II, and ordered to bow before the king's golden image. The alternative was a one-way ticket to the fiery furnace.The king's command would have been easy for these guys to follow, but their own King of Kings had already commanded them to place no other gods before Him, and to stay away from the evil of graven images. They may have been wary of the king's wrath, but their faith in God was stronger.They replied in Daniel 3:16–18, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter...Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”Rather than violate their commitment to obey God, these men put their lives in His hands. They didn't know whether God would intervene to save them. They knew God could, but they didn't know that He would. Regardless of the outcome, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to live for the Lord, and if necessary, they were willing to die in obedience to the Lord.Romans 14:8 says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”As an example of His power, God intervened to spare their lives. Even though He allowed them to be tied up and thrown into the furnace, the blazing heat didn't affect them at all. They walked out unharmed.In the midst of our own challenges, we know God can and does show up for us. He asks us to trust Him with the obstacles we face every day, and even with our very lives.Let's pray.Jesus, it's unlikely anyone will threaten to throw us into a fiery furnace, but sometimes it sure feels like our feet are put to the fire. Remind us to trust you...with every dilemma, every shortcoming, and every situation. We give you our challenges and our lives. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3874: Randi Kay offers a refreshing reminder that the answers we seek for personal growth and healing often already exist within us. By revisiting what we've learned, the tools we've collected, and the wisdom we've gained, we can reclaim our inner guidance and break free from the constant search for the next best thing. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.naturallyrandikay.com/blog/beyourownguru Quotes to ponder: "You know more than you think. And maybe, just maybe, that guru you seek could already be within, just waiting to guide you along." "Stop fooling yourself that all you need is something bigger and better." "Go back to your resources. Refresh. Remind. Repeat." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices