Podcasts about website holly

In this episode, Susan Wise Bauer and Susanna Jarrett finish their discussion about college admissions for homeschoolers with two homeschool college admissions experts, Holly Ramsey and Michele Evard. Holly Ramsey's WebsiteMichele Evard's Website Holly and Michele's Book (Use promo code: HOMESCHOOL10 for 10% off the book and everything else College UnMazed sells)Show Notes: 2:06 Holly recommends Georgia Tech's college admissions blog for ALL families in the college admissions process, regardless of whether or not you plan to apply to Georgia Tech. Here is the referenced article about the “highschool hallway test.”7:58 Holly and Susan recommend creating a practice common app account. 11:40 Susan mentions her son's homeschool transcript, which is available here for your reference. 21:16 Susan mentions that the CollegeBoard has an article about creating a school profile. You can find it here. 45:05 Holly recommends the College Unmazed College Data Organizer, a free tool for comparing colleges. 54:50 Holly recommends using the Student Aid Index Calculator to figure out which colleges you can afford. 55:11 Holly also recommends Big J Educational Consulting's chart of schools that lists average merit award and what percentage of students get award. 56:45 Holly lists two reputable scholarship finders that aren't selling your data: (1) CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder sponsored by the U.S Department of Labor and (2) JLV College Counseling. 58:50 Susan mentions Harvard as an example of a school that may be prohibitively expensive. However, while the sticker price is $60,000+/ year, the university has a large endowment and can cover most of that through merit and need-based scholarships. Here is a link explaining. (00:00) - Intro with Holly Ramsey and Michele Evard (again!) (00:13) - Make sure you listen to part 1! (00:58) - Things you *can* do for college admissions (01:28) - Do document your home school journey (09:38) - Core 4 documents (09:48) - 1 - An official transcript (14:52) - 2 - Course descriptions (19:55) - 3 - Home school profile (23:16) - 4 - The counselor letter of recommendation (32:39) - Break (32:40) - The personal essay (38:20) - Do make a list of "good fit" schools (51:48) - Do consider price tags (01:00:46) - Do consider alternatives (01:11:03) - Wrapping up

In this episode, Susan Wise Bauer and Susanna Jarrett discuss what NOT to do when navigating the college admissions process as a homeschool family. They are joined by two educational consultants and college admissions experts, Holly Ramsey and Michele Evard.Show Notes: Holly Ramsey's WebsiteMichele Evard's Website Holly and Michele's Book (Use promo code: HOMESCHOOL10 for 10% off the book and everything else College UnMazed sells)Links mentioned: 3:42: Independent Educational Consultants Association (Holly and Michele are part of this organization, the other association they mentioned is HECA)19:49 Methodology on How US News and World Report Rank Colleges 28:48 Holly mentions Colleges That Change Lives as an example of the many smaller schools that may be a great fit for your student. 29:42 Holly's recommendations for finding right fit colleges: New York Times Build Your Own College Rankings and Georgetown Return on Investment Chart. 32:29 Holly recommends MEFA Student Aid Index calculator to determine what kind of aid you can get. 37:52 Holly recommends Loper App (the dating app for colleges) (00:00) - Intro with Holly Ramsey and Michele Evard (06:42) - What not to do while thinking about the college application process (07:07) - Don't worry about what your third grader is doing (17:44) - Break (18:38) - Keeping on topic (19:02) - Don't worry about "Ivy Leagues" (34:33) - Don't get emotionally invested (40:39) - Don't shape your curriculum to have a good looking transcript (48:48) - Come back next week for the "Do-s"!

Holly Hull is a dedicated and accomplished entrepreneur in the field of destination events, with a strong focus on the M.I.C.E industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events). As the Founder and CEO of Corporate Peaks Group, Holly passionately delivers exceptional events worldwide, providing motivation and incentives for businesses across the globe. With a commitment to breaking the mould, Corporate Peaks, Corporate Peaks DMC & CP Conferencing offers specialist fully hosted events that turn ideas into reality, aligned with the specific business objectives of their clients.Holly's journey in the industry began with a decision to forgo traditional university education and instead immerse herself in the business world, gaining first-hand experience and developing her skills. Drawing from her background in marketing, tourism, and travel, she worked her way up and identified a gap in the market, which led her to venture into entrepreneurship alongside her business partner Benjamin Newman.Holly has been shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year - Scale Up Award, showcasing her dedication and contributions to the industry and credits her success to her passion for life, drive, and perseverance.Timestamps:[1:00] Tell everybody what you do Holly?[5:30] What kind of clients do you work with?[9:40] Where did the mountain thing come from?[14:45] Award nominations and exciting other news.[18:00] How does fun and family as values factor into your client experience?[21:00] Are you seeing an increased demand with remote working?[22:30] What did you do during COVID?[25:50] Where are you taking the business?[30:30] If your business had a character or personality what would it be?Holly's Website Holly's Facebook page @corporatepeaks on Instagram @skicorppeaks on Twitter Want to join us for our next Escape 9 to 5 Live Event? Find out more and sign up for our free event here: https://tricres.ac-page.com/9-to-5

On this solo show I am sharing my reflections on my conversation in episode 143 with Holly Marie Haynes. I am also sharing my learnings from Holly's Free 5-Day CEO Week and her free podcast series on how to ditch the social media drama and build a business without the algorithm. This episode is part of a month-long series focused on Productivity, Ambition, and Mental Health. Tune into the episode for more details! “I need to identify the emotional, tangible, life-priorities focused WHYs behind what I'm doing here because chasing money, chasing a number, clearly isn't enough.” - Christie Rocha Links: Christie's Website Christie's Instagram: @sasssays Sign Up to Join us for the LIVE Zoom Panel - May 31st 1-2pm ET Holly's Website Holly's Podcast Holly's Instagram: @thehollymariehaynes Holly's FREE 5-Day CEO Week Challenge Holly's FREE Private Podcast Series: Ditch the Social Drama Holly's Planner Productivity, Ambition, & Mental Health Series: Ep 139 Sarah Wallace, Enneagram Expert Ep 140 Christie Rocha, Type 3 Reflections Ep 141 Sade Kelly, Time Management Coach Ep 142 Christie Rocha, Time Management Mastery Ep 143 Holly Marie Haynes, Business Strategist   

Holly Haynes helps female entrepreneurs create simple scaleable offers and systems to grow to multiple 6-figures without relying on the social algorithm. An industry expert and featured Thrive and Entrepreneur.com author with a 20-year business consulting background with Fortune 500 companies, Holly runs her strategic coaching business, the Crush the Rush Planner company, and hosts the top 100 Crush the Rush podcast while raising her twin daughters with her husband in Columbus, Ohio. We discuss how to create a life priorities based business, scaling in just 8-10 hours a week, theme days, her anti-social strategy, mindset, and SO much more. Links: Christie's Website Christie's Instagram: @sasssays Sign Up to Join us for the LIVE Zoom Panel - May 31st 1-2pm ET Holly's Website Holly's Podcast Holly's Instagram: @thehollymariehaynes Holly's FREE 5-Day CEO Week Challenge Holly's FREE Private Podcast Series: Ditch the Social Drama Holly's Planner Productivity, Ambition, & Mental Health Series: Ep 139 Sarah Wallace, Enneagram Expert Ep 140 Christie Rocha, Type 3 Reflections Ep 141 Sade Kelly, Time Management Coach Ep 142 Christie Rocha, Time Management Mastery  

Have you ever attended a live event and not known the best ways to prepare for the event, how best to engage while you were there, or debrief afterward? There's so much time and planning that goes into getting to a live event that sometimes we don't take the time to think through what we need to do before, during, and after the actual event takes place. If you're a listener of this podcast, you're likely a leader of some sort in some capacity. You likely like to attend events, learn new things, and grow and build new relationships. But sometimes we get back from those events and we just feel overwhelmed. We feel like there's so much that we took away from it, but we have no idea what to do with that information.  So, in episode 213 of the podcast, we break that tension down and talk about how to get the most out of these kinds of events.  These tips and tricks cover all sorts of live events, from attending a women's conference at your church, a bigger event or conference, to a business event, or even a smaller one, like a networking event. Take what you need from this conversation and apply it to whatever type of event you're headed to next! For the full show notes for this episode, head to estherlittlefield.com/episode213 Stay Connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Click here to find all the options where you can find the podcast. Join our Purposeful Leadership Facebook group! In the Facebook group, we can chat about what you need as a leader, what your challenges are, as well as celebrate the wins. This is a great community to learn and grow together. We want to get to know YOU. Other Ways to Connect with Esther and the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast: Esther's Instagram Esther's Website Holly's Instagram Holly's Website Facebook Page

Do you ever feel pressure from yourself or others to get it all done? We all have a laundry list of tasks we're responsible for making sure happen, and it can all feel like way too much some days. In this episode, we will discuss a topic that we know you all can relate to. Based on feedback in our Christian Woman Leadership Facebook group as well as feedback from some of our past episodes that have hit on this, we know that this is something that you all feel…. Pressure. Specifically as a female leader.  There are sometimes pressures we experience that our male counterparts might not. This is by no means a male-bashing discussion but simply will share some insight, tips, and tools for how to navigate and deal with the pressures of leading as a female. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode208 Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page  

What do you do if your company asks you to participate in activities that conflict with your values? How can you live out your faith in a secular workplace even if others hold different views? In today's conversation, you'll hear as Holly and I chat with our guest, Dr. Debra Dean. Debra shares her experience of how God called her to leave corporate after 25 years to start a ministry geared towards helping Christians authentically live out their faith. We discuss respectful pluralism and why it's important in the workplace, what to do when you experience conflicting values in your employment, and why it can be challenging for Christians to live out and discuss their faith. In addition, we dive into the need for civil discourse, discussing ‘hot topics' with friends, and how to discern if you're being called out of your corporate role into something different. I know you're going to love this conversation and it is sure to bring insights even if you don't find yourself working in a secular organization at this time! For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode207   Connect with Dr. Debra Dean: Website Facebook LinkedIn Dr. Debra Dean has decades of experience in Corporate America, as well as years of teaching experience at the university level. She was listed among the 2020 Women of Influence by The Colorado Springs Business Journal, as well as the 2020 Winner of Most Influential Business Consultancy CEO (USA) by the Global CEO Excellence Awards. She has been included in Biltmore's Who's Who of Women Business Leaders, Continental Who's Who of National Business Leaders, and Who's Who Among University Students. She was nominated as one of three top operational excellence leaders with OPEX Week Business Transformation World Summit 2019, and received the 2018 Outstanding Reviewer award for the Management, Spirituality, and Religion (MSR) community. She was nominated as a top female leader with her previous global workplace, where her research efforts elevated employee engagement to some of the highest levels in the multinational organization. Dr. Dean was born and raised in Kentucky, spent nine years in Iowa, and currently resides in Colorado with her husband, Steve, and their youngest son, Gavin. In total, they have six amazing children and four wonderful grandchildren.   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

How often have you started out your year strong, with lots of excitement and a vision for the future, only to have completely forgotten about those ideas just a few months later? It doesn't matter whether you are a CEO of a large company, or you're a mom who homeschools and volunteers at your church, it can be tough to stay focused on what is truly important to you and to the things that God has called you to do. In episode 206, I walk through 6 strategies to stay focused on your visions as a Christian leader. No matter what time of year you're seeing this, think about how often you fizzle out of good habits you may have set when the New Year rolled around. There are so many distractions that life throws our way, in addition to the major crises that may come along throughout our year. So I'm sharing with you some of the strategies that I have used in my own life and leadership to stay focused, regardless of what my title, role, or responsibility may be. For the full show notes for this episode, please visit estherlittlefield.com/episode206 Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

Okay so we've covered how to market yourself and your business on social media. But what about offline?? I know it's hard to conceptualize life off of social media, but it does exist (crazy, I know)! In today's episode we are diving deep into how to market off of social media in order to cover all bases and not put all your eggs into 1-2 social platform baskets. In order to cover this topic, we brought in Holly Haynes, the owner and founder of Holly Marie Haynes and Co, as well as the Crush the Rush Planner Company. Holly discusses on her platform best practices for marketing in alternative ways. If you have been struggling with finding new ways to advertise your business, then this is the episode for you! Check Out Knack Gifts Holly's Website Holly on Instagram Crush the Rush Podcast Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn Alexis on Instagram Alexis on Tik Tok Alexis's Etsy Katie on Instagram Katie on Tik Tok Katie's website

What does it mean to wait on God when it feels like it might not be your turn to do the next big thing or lead the next charge? What do we do in the waiting? How do we live and lead well when we're asked to pause? What should we focus on in the meantime? In this conversation, you'll hear from teacher & leader, Heather Thompson Day. Heather recounts her leadership journey and how she uses that leadership in the college classroom these days. Heather is a faithful professor who is teaching the next generation to communicate more authentically, wait well, and more. She's passionate about investing in relationships, and how those relationships can lead to a richer and fuller life. Her insights and wisdom are full of depth as she unpacks her thoughts on leadership in higher education and prioritizing the relationships we find ourselves in. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode203.   Episode Sponsor: Confident Conversations Being able to navigate tough conversations is a big part of having healthy relationships. But what if you struggle with what to say in these conversations or whether they are even necessary? I created Confident Conversations as a practical resource that will help you as you navigate initiating and leading hard conversations.  http://confidentconversations.co/ Connect with Heather Thompson Day: Website Instagram - @heatherthompsonday Twitter- @HeatherTDay  Heather's book: I'll See You Tomorrow: Building Relational Resilience When You Want to Quit Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode203.

What does it take to build a team that can help you run a ministry or business? How can you host an event that is effective AND aligns with the vision of your church, ministry, or business? In this episode, you'll hear us chat with our friend, Angie Likens, founder of Proclaimed Truth. Angie shares about her leadership journey, how she started Proclaimed Truth, and how she makes decisions in her business. She also shares how she responds to all of the suggestions and big ideas that other people have for and about her event and business.  She also dives into how to remove pride as a leader in order to step fully into the calling that God has placed on your life to share the specific message He has given you. For the full show notes, visit https://estherlittlefield.com/episode201 Episode Sponsor: This episode's sponsor is my upLIFT Mentormind. upLIFT is designed specifically for Christian women who are building a business online and who are ready to thrive, who want to streamline their marketing, and hit their financial goals without losing their soul. If you're ready for a community of other Christian businesswomen cheering you on, and the support of a coach and mentor to support you along the way, head over to upliftmentormind.com to check out the info session to see if it's a good fit. Connect with Angie: Facebook Instagram Proclaim Truth Conference Abide Box subscription box Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode201.

What if there was one thing you could do that would help you increase focus and decrease avoidable stress as a leader? And what if this process could impact not just your organization, ministry, or business but also your personal life? In this episode, you'll hear from my guest Sonita Reese about the importance of creating a mission, vision, and values and how doing this can actually decrease stress in your life and leadership. This episode originally aired on my Christian Woman Business Podcast, but we are sharing it here on the leadership podcast because all of the principles and tips Sonita shares are valuable and useful in any leadership role. Sonita specializes in working with leaders, so it fits to share this conversation with you, and I know you will get so much out of what she shares. In this conversation, you'll hear why mission, vision, and values are important for your organization and your personal life. In addition, you'll discover how to create a winning vision, and how faith plays a role in this process. You'll also understand how it's possible to turn mission, vision, and values into behavior instead of simply words that hang on a wall. For the full show notes, go to estherlittlefield.com/episode199 Your Next Steps: If you enjoy this episode of the podcast, then hop on over to the Christian Woman Business Podcast and make sure you're following that podcast as well. That is more specific for those of you who may be building some kind of online business, and you will get to hear more conversations like the one that you're hearing today. Additionally, I am hosting a retreat in September in Maine that is specifically a mastermind retreat for Christian women business owners. Learn more here: https://estherlittlefield.com/retreat Connect with Sonita: LinkedIn Facebook Website  Free Download: 3 Questions to Spark Vision Thinking   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode199

Is money connected to fulfilling your God-given purpose? How do you pursue your purpose without making money an idol? And is there such a thing as a non-woo version of manifestation that is okay for Christians to use? In this episode, you'll hear an engaging conversation between Holly and our guest, Portia Jackson. Portia is a Certified Financial Planner and owns her own business called Wealthy and Fulfilled.  Portia shares her journey to the finance world from being a literal rocket scientist. She talks about the struggles of mothering a child with special needs and she also shares how her leadership journey opened up when she finally found her gifting and pressed into God's will for her life.    Portia and Holly hit some pretty hard topics head-on in the episode. They talk about everything from race and African American female role models, to how the Enneagram can help us identify how we relate to money, and lastly they discuss the concept of Christ-centered manifestation.   I know this episode will challenge you but also encourage you to think objectively about how you relate to money and how your mindset has served you or hurt you. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode196 Episode Sponsor: The sponsor for this episode is my upLIFT Mentormind. upLIFT is a mastermind program for Christian women building an online business who want to move from surviving to thriving. If you're already earning consistent income in your business but you want to be surrounded by supportive Christian women and receive business mentoring and marketing coaching from me… then this is the place for you!  Learn more about upLIFT here. Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page  This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode196.

Do you tend to struggle with the ever present ‘hustle' culture seen in the world? Do you wrestle with striving and driving and achievement chasing in your personal and/or professional life? It can be so hard to rest in our identity as a beloved of Christ's and not strive for more success, more stuff, more approval.  In this episode, Holly and I are talking with a guest who has also become a friend! Erin Harrigan is sharing her leadership journey with us, and I know you are going to be impacted by this conversation.  Erin shares how she met Jesus in a time when she had been striving and trying to find fulfillment in all of her business accomplishments and material possessions, but she was left feeling unhappy, in debt, and completely empty.   Erin gives us insights into how her relationship with Jesus transformed everything, including her understanding of leadership and her definition of success.    In addition, Erin shares with us 4 keys we can use to redefine hustle and transform the way you are pursuing success or achievement.   For full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode192 Connect with Erin: Website 4 Keys Guide The Hustle with H.E.A.R.T. Podcast Instagram   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

Have you ever wondered how to lead a small group well? Or maybe you've been asked to be a small group leader, but you didn't feel equipped to do so. So many of our listeners wonder how to lead small groups well, so we have dedicated an entire episode on tips and tricks for leading a small group with intention and purpose. Many churches have what they call small groups. They could also be called Bible studies, or sometimes just “groups” or life groups.  These are usually a group of people who are gathering together around a particular topic or study. Often this is where deeper relationships can be formed than what happens in the normal weekly services at a church. Many churches consider small groups to be a part of their overall discipleship process because people are doing life together in the context of small groups. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode191 Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

Are there times you want to speak up in a meeting, but you don't know how to share your ideas with confidence? Do you ever wonder why your voice isn't being heard? Or have you felt ignored or dismissed by your peers or other leaders in your organization in the past? In today's conversation, you'll hear from our guest, Karen Laos, who equips women to stand out with confidence. She champions female business owners to  own their value and find their voice so they can be seen and heard.  She also works with teams to create cultures of trust and function at their best.    Karen helps us understand the value of speaking up, and why just feeling confident or faking it isn't enough. She also shares why you shouldn't wait for a public speaking event on stage to start honing your skills.   This episode is brought to you by my upLIFT Mentormind. This is a program designed exclusively for Christian women who are building a business online and who are ready to thrive, streamline their marketing, and hit their financial goals. The program is now open to join at any point, so to learn more, you can visit upliftmentormind.com and click “apply” – after that, I'll be in touch! You can also send me a DM on Instagram and let me know you're interested. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode190.   Connect with Karen Website  Instagram Podcast: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos Facebook Group Free Gift: 9 Words to Avoid and What to Say Instead Connect with Esther and Holly: Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

How do you lead an event that people will love? What do you need to consider in order to have a successful event or retreat for your church, organization, or business?  One of the most powerful ways to help accomplish the mission or vision of your church, organization, or business is to hold in person events. Over the past couple years, many of tehse events have been put on hold. But as we are starting to see the opportunities to gather increase, we decided to share some thoughts on how to have a successful event. Both Holly and I have been involved with, coordinated, and led various events and retreats. So we are bringing you 6 questions to consider when planning your event. With each question, we'll share some helpful tips and ways to approach each of these issues. In case you missed it, in our last episode, we discussed leading meetings people won't hate. So make sure to go take a listen to that one if you want more practical tips.   For the full show notes visit estherlittlefield.com/episode189. Connect with Esther and Holly: Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

Have you ever wondered if your story matters? Do you feel like you know you have something to say, but you don't feel comfortable showing up and speaking publicly? Maybe you don't feel like you are a dynamic speaker and therefore you hold back in meetings or in public settings.   In today's conversation, you'll hear from our guest Roshanda Pratt about why it's so important to show up, to tell your story, and to use your voice as a Christian woman leader. You'll hear about Roshanda's leadership journey, how she became a pastor's wife (even though she never wanted that), and why she is passionate about helping women use their voices.   Roshanda's insights into showing up and telling your story are not just practical; they are also spiritual. You'll discover how your relationship with God is vital to being able to show up. In addition, Roshanda gives us some easy to follow tips to help us grow in our ability to speak in public (whether in person or online).    For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode187   Connect with Roshanda Website Instagram TikTok Free guide: 40 ways to be seen, heard and paid right now!   Connect with Esther and Holly: Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

What has 2021 taught you? And how do those lessons apply to leadership? As leaders we are continually learning, so today I'm sharing what I've learned this year and some books I'd recommend you check out.   We always ask our guests on this show what they are learning, but I realized recently that I haven't shared what I'm learning. So today, I want to share with you a few reflections about what I've learned in 2021. Plus, I want to share with you a few resources you might want to check out to help you in your leadership journey. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode183.   This episode is brought to you by my upLIFT Mentormind. This is a program designed exclusively for Christian women who are building a business online and who are ready to thrive, streamline their marketing, and hit their financial goals.    The program is now open to join at any point, so to learn more, you can visit upliftmentormind.com and click “apply” - after that, I'll be in touch! You can also send me a DM on Instagram and let me know you're interested.   Connect with Esther and Holly: Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

Have you ever thought about starting a business? Or have you ever had a dream in your heart that you wanted to follow but weren't sure how to get started? Maybe you've already taken action and seen some success, but you haven't figured out how to make the jump from your full time job to your dream.   Today we are talking to Polly Payne about how she left a successful career in advertising to pursue her dream and start a planner company. It didn't happen overnight, and Polly shares some practical wisdom about how to know when to take the leap, one of her biggest blunders when starting her company, and some leadership insights she has learned along the way.    Polly talks about paying attention to pivot points in your life, as well as being willing to follow the leading of God. We also dive into what it looks like to dream after a season of discouragement.  For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode182. Don't forget to check out the Dream Planner that Polly created. Use the code ESTHER10 to get a 10% discount.   Connect with Polly: Horacio Printing Company Website Horacio Printing Academy Instagram   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

When a leader doesn't deal with emotions properly, it can have negative impacts on those they lead. Are you in touch with your emotions as a leader? Do you find healthy ways to manage and process your emotions? One of the things that often comes up as we enter the holiday season are feelings and emotions. We can have unwanted emotions, family challenges, or too high of  expectations. Perhaps there is  more pressure at work and you're finding it hard to enjoy the season. The truth is that  when we don't deal with or manage our emotions,  it has a negative impact on us (both in the moment and the long term),  and it actually impacts the people we lead as well.  In today's conversation, I'm chatting with Jessica Hottle about her leadership journey and why we as leaders need to manage our emotions. Jessica shares a 5 step process we can use to manage our emotions as leaders. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode180. Key Points Discussed: About Jessica and her leadership [4:35] Jessica's leadership journey [6:35] How she came to Christ [8:30] Leadership lessons from Jessica's life [9:40] How she became interested in the issue of emotions [11:50] Why it's important for leaders to manage and process their emotions [13:50] Help on identifying emotions [17:50] Jessica's 5 step process of dealing with emotions [21:40] Step 1: Acknowledge your emotion Step 2: Identify your emotion Step 3: Accept the emotion Step 4: What is the emotion telling you? Step 5: Have the conversation with God Advice for less emotional women [28:20] Practical ways to identify why something is upsetting you [34:05] Balancing emotions based on scripture [37:50] Helping someone deal with emotions in a healthy way [43:00] Resources that help her lead [45:30] Healthy habits [47:00] Leadership advice [48:20]   Episode Sponsor:  Confident Conversations is a mini-course designed to help you initiate and lead hard conversations as a Christian woman… even if you struggle with confrontation, aren't sure what to say, and want to avoid hurting people in the process. Find out more and grab this mini-course here: http://confidentconversations.co/ Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode180.

Have you ever felt like no one else could possibly relate to your situation or circumstance? Have you ever been afraid to share some of your deepest pain or struggles as a leader for fear of what others might think or worse, losing your leadership role? Many leaders feel alone, struggle with being vulnerable, and find it hard to make time for soul care even when they know how important it is for their well being.  In this episode, Holly and I chat with Bonnie Gray as she shares why it's vital to share the truth about your story, how panic attacks impacted her leadership, dealing with rejection, finding rest in chaos, and how she found belonging in a culture of loneliness. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode177.   Connect with Bonnie Gray: Website Sweet Like Jasmine    Bonnie Gray has been a leader in ministry & business since college (UCLA) and has been a published author since 2014. She has written about her unique Chinese American journey from loneliness to belonging. She invites women to drop striving and people-pleasing so they can discover their deep value and beloved-ness. Bonnie helps women find God in the grind of daily life.   After graduating UCLA with a computer science and engineering degree, Bonnie worked as a high-tech professional in Silicon Valley for 15 years – as well as a missionary to Asia and a ministry entrepreneur in the U.S.  Today she is a Christian author, writer and speaker - calling women into connection, rest and wholeness. Her new book, Sweet Like Jasmine, recounts stories of her childhood in Chinatown (San Francisco), her ministry, her family secrets, and her journey to belonging.   Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

Have you seen friends and family experiencing division and even ‘unfriending' one another over differences? Why is this happening, and what is the impact on our faith and leadership when we view disagreement as the enemy? Disagreement does not have to be the enemy. Yet, for many in our culture and even in our Christian communities, disagreement is viewed as something to be avoided. And when we view disagreement this way, we react to it in unhealthy ways.  In this episode (part 1 of the conversation), I'm going to share 6 of the unhealthy responses to disagreement that I have seen take place in my own life as well as in the church and culture. I'm also discussing what happens as a result of these responses. In part 2 of this conversation, I'll be sharing about how we can gain a different perspective about disagreement--one that reflects the love and light of Christ more effectively.   For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode176.   Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 145: Learning to See Other Perspectives & Why It Matters as Leaders Episode 59: The Importance of Apologetics in Leadership & Dealing with Doubt with Hillary Morgan Ferrer Episode 164: How to Bring a Concern to Your Leader - A 4-Step Process Episode 168: How to Receive Feedback as a Leader (and Why it Matters) Episode 173: Two Challenges that Can Destroy Our Leadership and How We Can Respond to Them with Shannon Popkin Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page Podcast Sponsor: Confident Conversations is a mini-course designed to help you initiate and lead hard conversations as a Christian woman… even if you struggle with confrontation, aren't sure what to say, and want to avoid hurting people in the process.   Find out more and grab this mini-course here: http://confidentconversations.co/

Have you ever found yourself in a job, business, or ministry situation where you were not sure if you should stay or walk away? How do you discern what path you should take when God hasn't clearly spoken to you? When you're a multi-passionate leader, there's almost inevitably going to be a time when you are going to start feeling restless in your life. It might be that you're not satisfied with your job situation. Or you started a business and now you feel like you want to burn it all down. You might be serving in a ministry at church but you aren't sure if you should continue in that role. In this conversation, Holly and I are discussing this challenge and sharing some thoughts on how to work through this decision. This is not an episode where we are promising any clear cut answers, but we hope you'll find the questions and ideas we share helpful as you decide whether to stay or walk away from a particular leadership role. Note: this conversation is not referring to situations that are unhealthy, toxic, or that God has clearly spoken to you and let you know you should leave. We are referring to the times when we are simply restless and unsure if we should move on or remain. For the full show notes for this episode, go to estherlittlefield.com/episode174. Connect with Esther and Holly: Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

How Christ-like is your communication? Are you able to patiently lead others to answers? Do you feel the need to speak up, or are you able to stay silent sometimes? In this episode, I'm discussing communicating as Christian leaders. Through the year, we've had a few episodes related to communication but today I want to look at our best example of communication: Jesus. When I look around at the way we as Christians are communicating lately, both within our own faith community and to those in the world around us, honestly, it breaks my heart. It seems we have really lost sight of what it means to follow Jesus in the way we use our words. There are hundreds if not thousands of books about communication, conflict, and conversations. A quick google search can yield hundreds of articles full of advice and guidance for how to approach hard conversations and how to communicate effectively. But for us as Christians, there's one primary source we should look to as our guide. And more specifically, one person whose life and conversation style we seek to emulate: Jesus Christ. Just like Jesus sets the example for us for leadership, specifically servant leadership as we discussed in episode 122, he also is the best example for us in the way we communicate. So today we're going to look at 5 ways Jesus approached communication and conversations with others. For the full show notes, go to estherlittlefield.com/episode172.   Episode Sponsor: Confident Conversations Confident Conversations is a mini-course designed to help you initiate and lead hard conversations as a Christian woman ..even if you struggle with confrontation, aren't sure what to say, and want to avoid hurting people in the process.   Find out more and grab this mini-course here: http://confidentconversations.co/   Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode172.

What do you get when you take a chameleon and add a Swiss Army Knife to the mix? You get Holly Murray of course!! Intrigued? You'll totally get the analogy when you tune in to today's episode!   It's such a delight to have Holly on the show! She's not only a dear friend who's been in my life in various roles since 2017 but she's also an up-and-coming Certified Conversion Copywriter from my Clickworthy Copywriting Certification™ program.    I believe in Holly—so much so that I just hired to be on my own team to support us. And yep, you guessed it, she's helping us with copywriting!    Holly's willingness to joyfully jump in while still holding healthy boundaries is a true gift and shows what hiring a trained Conversion Copywriter is all about.    Her path to success in business has been far from linear and paved with perseverance, and we GO THERE in  this episode. Tune in to hear how Holly has prayed through her journey and how God has divinely lined up each step of her path.    Holly's well on her way to six figures since completing the Clickworthy Copywriting Certification™ program, and has shared wins like writing for two established COPYWRITING business owners {including me} as well as booking $4,100 in copywriting jobs in one week!   If you're interested in learning about how to master the skill of copywriting so that you can grow a business that will give you a sense of security and stability that you're probably longing for right now, click here to find out all the details about the Clickworthy Copywriting Certification™ program.    Resources mentioned on the show: The Vintage Sparrow Jewelry by Annie Moss   Connect with Holly: Holly's Website Holly's Instagram   Connect with Anna:  Anna's Website Anna's Instagram Anna's Facebook The Clickworthy Copywriting Certification™ 

What happens when you are the leader, and someone brings a concern to you? How do you handle it? And how do you respond? This is a key skill that we need to develop, because we all will get feedback from others in our leadership.   As leaders, it's inevitable that we will receive feedback and criticism. And since we cannot control what other people say about us or how they go about bringing us their concerns, we can control how we respond.   In this episode, I'm following up on my earlier episode about how to bring a concern to a leader with thoughts on how we should deal with being on the receiving end of feedback. I'll share with  you 3 steps to take and we will also discuss the bigger picture about why it matters so much how we respond to feedback.   For the full show notes for this episode, go to: estherlittlefield.com/episode168.   Episode Sponsor: Confident Conversations Confident Conversations is a mini-course designed to help you initiate and lead hard conversations as a Christian woman ..even if you struggle with confrontation, aren't sure what to say, and want to avoid hurting people in the process.   Find out more and grab this mini-course here: http://confidentconversations.co/   Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode168.

Have you found yourself frustrated, discouraged, or even disillusioned by the state of the western church today? Are you longing for a church that reflects God's intentions for Christians rather than the flawed leadership of humans and harmful effects of sin?   In this conversation, Holly and I are digging into the idea of searching for the perfect church. We're sharing why so many people are seeking a perfect church, why this search is futile, and what we should be looking for instead.   Disclaimer: We are not coming at this as experts in church culture or structure, but rather based on being a pastor's wife and church participants and leaders over the years. We're sharing our thoughts based on what we are seeing happen in the current landscape, but we are not claiming to have all the answers. For the full show notes, go to estherlittlefield.com/episode166.   Podcast Sponsor: Confident Conversations is a mini-course designed to help you initiate and lead hard conversations as a Christian woman ..even if you struggle with confrontation, aren't sure what to say, and want to avoid hurting people in the process.   Find out more and grab this mini-course here: http://confidentconversations.co/   Other Episodes & Links Mentioned: Episode 59: The Importance of Apologetics in Leadership & Dealing with Doubt with Hillary Morgan Ferrer [Faith Series] Episode 96: Deconstruction, Apologetics, and Discipleship with Alisa Childers [Discipleship Series] Episode 74: What to Do When You Face Hard Situations in Leadership [Communication Series] Episode 60: Glass Ceilings, Sticky Floors, and How to Be Effective as Women in Leadership with Kadi Cole [Faith Series] Episode 112: 5 Principles for Sharing Your Personal Convictions as a Christian Leader (without promoting legalism)   Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page  

What is the key to successfully leading an organization or team? And how should you respond to opposition or doubt from others about the dream God has given you? In this episode, I'm talking with Sonya Battle, founder of the Teacher's Resource. Sonya shares about her own leadership journey as well as some of the hurdles she's had to overcome in founding a nonprofit organization. In addition, she shares what she believes to be the key to successful leadership and why being a safe place for others is so important to her. Sonya's story is both inspirational and insightful and is sure to give you some practical takeaways for your own leadership journey. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode165 Podcast Sponsor: Confident Conversations is a mini-course designed to help you initiate and lead hard conversations as a Christian woman ..even if you struggle with confrontation, aren't sure what to say, and want to avoid hurting people in the process. Find out more and grab this mini-course here: http://confidentconversations.co/   Connect with Sonya Battle & The Teacher's Resource: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn   Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

What do you do if a leader you follow or serve under says or does something that you don't agree with? How can you bring a concern to a leader without damaging the relationship or causing unnecessary conflict?   Lately I've seen and heard a lot of talk about problems that are happening in the church, and there may be issues in your specific setting, whether it's false teaching or abuse or just questions about a particular approach to ministry.   But sometimes when I hear these conversations about bringing these issues to the leadership of a church, the recommended approach is quite problematic.    And then, on the other hand, I know of situations and stories where a member of a church or an organization DOES attempt to bring a concern to a leader, and they are met with less than helpful responses. The leader might become angry, defensive or perhaps they hear the concerns but then behave passive aggressively towards that person.   Because I'm passionate about how we communicate with one another, and because I can relate to both situations: having a concern to bring to a leader AND being on the receiving end of concerns, I want to share some thoughts on how we can get to a place of having a healthier and more productive process for this.   In this solo episode, I'm going to share with you a 4-step process you can use to bring a concern to a leader. And in my next solo episode, I'll talk about receiving feedback and concerns from others.   For the show notes for this episode, go to: estherlittlefield.com/episode164   Episode Sponsor: Confident Conversations Confident Conversations is a mini-course designed to help you initiate and lead hard conversations as a Christian woman ..even if you struggle with confrontation, aren't sure what to say, and want to avoid hurting people in the process.   Find out more and grab this mini-course here: http://confidentconversations.co/ Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode164.

Have you ever wondered what it's like behind the scenes of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast? Today you'll get a glimpse of our thoughts about the podcast, our lives, and some deep thoughts we're wrestling with right now. We're wrapping up our celebration of 3 years of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast today by sharing a fun conversation Holly and I had about the podcast and more. We also streamed this conversation live into the Purposeful Leadership Facebook group, if you prefer to watch it.   Please note that our audio setup did not work as we had hoped, so the quality of this episode is not the best.   However we still wanted to share this chat with you as we discuss some of the highlights of the past year of podcasting as well as our vision for the future.   Questions we answer in this episode: If you could go back in time 3 years, what would you tell yourselves not to worry about? What is your favorite part of podcasting? What were your favorite conversations in our past year? What was your favorite interview as a host? How do you stay on a consistent schedule?  What podcasts have you been listening to lately? What is the most exciting thing that has happened for you in the past year?  What deep thoughts do you have right now? What's the vision for the podcast moving forward?   Podcast Sponsor: Podcast in a Weekend Mini-Course   Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode162.

Have you ever considered whether your thoughts and feelings about money are lined up with God's word? How can you shift any inaccurate thoughts or unhealthy money habits to ones that reflect the heart of God? In this conversation, Holly and I talk with faith-based money coach Katie Jones. We discover how Katie's leadership journey and her passion for a Biblical perspective of money came about, and we dig deep into why this matters for Christians.  Katie shares about some of the false beliefs about money we often hold as Christians as well as how we can change our views. We also discuss how the way we handle our finances is directly connected to our relationship with God. Katie also shares her thoughts on whether or not there's a point where someone might have “too much” money as well as how we can start to develop Biblical money management. No matter your leadership role, you are affected in some way by money. This episode will push you to consider how your views about money are affecting not only your own life but also the church as a whole. For the full show notes for this episode, go to estherlittlefield.com/episode158.   Connect with Katie Jones: Website Instagram Facebook Redeeming Your Finances Group   Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was first published on June 29, 2021 at estherlittlefield.com/episode158.

Have you ever considered how much power your thoughts have over your emotions and your actions? It may be more than you think, but the good news is that we have the ability to change our thoughts and thus change how we experience our lives. In this conversation, Holly and I speak with Emily Vermillion about the power of our thoughts. Emily shares her personal experience of going from struggling with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), anxiety and depression to living a life of freedom and joy. How did she do this? With God's help and by changing her thought patterns to ones that line up with truth.   Whether you've experienced the overwhelming feeling of obsessive thoughts or you've just allowed your thoughts to roll through your mind without much examination, you're sure to be both encouraged and challenged in this episode. You'll also learn some practical ways you can begin transforming your thought life and living with more freedom and joy. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode156. Key Points About Finding Freedom and Joy and Managing OCD, Anxiety and Depression Emily's life and leadership journey [4:41] The power of our thoughts [10:20] How our thoughts are connected to our emotions and feelings [13:15] Determining the difference between changing our thoughts Biblically vs. the concept of manifesting [17:30] Emily's personal journey of dealing with OCD, anxiety, and depression [21:50] How Emily realized something had to change The role of medication in changing these issues The tools Emily used to combat OCD, anxiety, and depression [32:31] Lay it at the feet of Jesus Meditative prayer Discerning the difference between Biblical concept of meditation vs. new age ideas [41:40] How we can determine if we need to change our thoughts [45:31] Leaders are learners [58:35] Connect with Emily: Website Podcast Instagram Facebook Facebook Group   Emily is a wife, mother, podcast host, and Christian Certified Life Coach. After receiving her MBA and landing a corporate job, Emily realized God needed her to completely switch gears, and rediscover the purpose He created her for. Having walked through this season, Emily's passion is for equipping others to discover their purpose and find joy in the present. Emily hopes to offer encouragement, thought provoking tools, and actionable steps to help others get unstuck and living life intentionally!    Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode156.

What does it mean to have a ‘Biblical mindset’ and why is this vital for Christian leaders and business owners? And how can we discern between true Biblical mindset approaches vs. those that sound spiritual but may not align with God’s word?  In this conversation, I’m talking with messaging strategist & Biblical mindset coach Veronica Hoddenbagh. You’ll hear what this term ‘biblical mindset’ means and why it’s so important for Christian leaders. In addition, Veronica shares about a dark time in her life and how that led her to being passionate about this topic. We also dive into whether or not we should use affirmations as Christians, and what a Biblical view of mindset blocks or limiting beliefs looks like. We also discuss practical ways to develop a Biblical mindset and how this helps you deal with challenging situations in  your life. This conversation will benefit you no matter what context you’re leading in, so be sure to listen in and hear what God may have for you. For the full show notes for this episode, go to estherlittlefield.com/episode154. For the Faith & Business Series, head over to the Christian Woman Business Podcast and take a listen! You can also access the interviews here on my site. For those of you who are ready to thrive in your business, up-level your marketing, and build faith-based connections, go to upliftmentormind.com or text UPLIFT to (207) 544-4103.   How to Develop a Biblical Mindset as a Leader or Business Owner Veronica’s Life & Leadership [3:17] Veronica’s leadership journey [4:23] Leadership lessons [6:31] What is Biblical mindset? [8:30] Veronica’s season of darkness and how this led her to be passionate about this [11:16] Discerning between what sounds spiritual and what is truly Biblical mindset [16:22] 2 questions to ask when evaluating affirmations: “God is this your way?” and “Is it the best way?” How to develop a Biblical mindset [22:30] Dealing with limiting beliefs [31:58] Mindset vs. challenging circumstances [43:54] Leaders are learners [48:03] Master of One by Jordan Raynor Podcasts: Intentional Parents & Risen Motherhood Connect with Veronica [50:35] Esther’s invite for Christian business women [52:09]   Quotes:   “The best leader is first a follower.” “To have a biblical mindset is to think first on God and His purposes, rather than us and our purposes.” “We're commanded throughout Scripture to pay attention to what's going on in our minds.” “Make sure that the things that you're speaking are aligned with what God actually promises as opposed to just what you made up and hoped that he would bless.” “In my anxiety battle, I didn't even know how to pray.” “When God decides to roll something out, the impact is above all we could have ever imagined.” “A limiting belief in ourselves is somewhat right… we actually cannot do anything that we are called to do in our own strength.”   Connect with Veronica: Website Facebook Group   Veronica Hoddenbagh is a Messaging Strategist who is passionate about helping women to share their message clearly so that they can attract their ideal clients with their content. She is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, mom of 3 toddlers (and expecting her fourth child this summer!), and lives in Ottawa, Canada.   Ready to Thrive in Business? I am getting ready to open the doors to my upLIFT Mentormind for Christian women, and coming up on June 7th, I’m hosting a free info session about it. As part of the program, you get access to some exclusive training with Veronica Hoddenbagh later this year. To join us for the info session and make sure you’re the first to know when this program opens, go to upliftmentormind.com or text UPLIFT to (207) 544-4103! Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was first published on June 1, 2021 at https://estherlittlefield.com/episode154

Have you ever considered working from home with your own business? Or perhaps you’ve considered hiring someone to work virtually for your own ministry or business, but you’re not sure what that would actually look like. In this episode, Holly and I talk with Alyssa Avant, virtual assistant and coach, about her leadership journey. We dive into what it looks like to be a virtual assistant as well as what it means for those who hire one. In addition, we explore the leadership lessons she has learned in her business journey and why values and self-awareness are so important. For the full show notes for this episode, go to estherlittlefield.com/episode151.   Key Points Discussed: Alyssa’s life and leadership journey What is a virtual assistant & who would need to hire one?  Leadership traits that are needed to work virtually Transitioning to teaching others about how to be a VA Leadership challenges Alyssa has faced in her business Values that Alyssa includes in her business How Alyssa decided to focus on serving Christian clients and students Why it’s important to say no to clients who are not a good fit  The value of self-awareness How Alyssa has become more confident in her journey How she manages her different roles as business owner, wife, and mom Leaders are Learners   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode151.

What does it look like to thrive instead of just survive as a mom of multiples, wife, and leader? And how can we discern the difference between shame and guilt? In this episode, our guest Andra Erickson shares her insights into how she has learned to thrive rather than just survive as a mom of multiples. She shares practical tips on how we can take control of our thoughts and the way we respond to our kids or situations.    In addition, Andra shares the difference between shame and guilt and how she sees self-care differently than many others. Even if you are not a mother, you will find incredible wisdom in this episode that you can apply to all areas of your life and leadership.   For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode148   Connect with Esther and Holly: Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page

Come behind the scenes with Holly and I as we go off-script and share a bit about how we met, what our lives look like, and answer some fun and random questions. On today’s episode, Holly and I are not covering any serious leadership content. Instead, we’re having fun and sharing some parts of our lives that we don’t usually chat about on the podcast. We hope you enjoy this fun, laid-back episode and hearing a bit more of an unfiltered conversation. Key Points Discussed: How Holly & I met  Leading together What does a typical week look like for each of you? What exactly do we each do in our businesses? What is one fun and exciting thing happening in our lives right now? Trends poll  Fun questions   Connect with Esther and Holly: Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode147.

Have you ever felt like it’s impossible to slow down as a leader? Do you feel constantly pulled in a thousand directions because of everyone who needs you?   In this episode, Holly and I talk with our guest Jenn Clauser as she shares her journey of learning the importance of slowing down and finding true rest.    As the director of communications for her church, she experienced a big shift when COVID hit in March 2020. This shift forced her to come face to face with the pace of her life and the need for intentionally setting boundaries and establishing healthy rhythms of rest.    Whether you are a leader in ministry or in the marketplace, or you just want to figure out how to stay connected to Jesus when it seems people need you all the time, you’re sure to find practical wisdom and insights in this conversation.   For full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode146.   Key Points Discussed: Jenn’s life & leadership How COVID-19 disrupted life, leadership & ministry Recognizing the need for change Why leaders have trouble eliminating hurry & busyness Learning to develop healthy boundaries and patterns of rest Leaders are learners   Connect with Esther and Holly: Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode146.

Do you ever struggle to get into God’s word? Do you find that your full schedule, your work and family commitments, and the distractions of life sometimes make it difficult to spend time reading the Bible? If we’re honest most of us would say yes,  that at least at some point in our lives, we have struggled with being consistent about getting into God’s word.   Whether or not this is a current challenge for you, I believe you will get great value out of our conversation with Brittany Ann.   Brittany Ann provides us with insights on why it can be a challenge to get into God’s word, why we don’t have to follow a particular formula or someone else’s method, as well as some of the mistakes we sometimes make when approaching Scripture.   What I love about the entire conversation is that it’s really filled with grace. This is not about meeting a particular standard in order to please God. It’s about falling in love with God’s word so that we can experience a deeper relationship with Him and have our lives transformed by Him.   And as leaders, if we are not experiencing this real relationship with Jesus, we are going to struggle to lead others well. Find our more about how to truly fall in love with God’s word in this conversation.   For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode141   Key Points Discussed: Brittany’s life and leadership journey [4:00] Leadership lessons as Brittany has grown a large community [8:32] Why getting into God’s word is difficult for women in leadership [10:15] Busyness Tired Lack of motivation Distracted Forgetfulness Lack of biblical knowledge Lack of intimacy with God Do we have to follow a particular formula to get into God’s word? [20:45] What role does accountability play in getting into God’s word? [32:00] How do we approach God’s word in the right way? [38:59] Mistakes to watch out for [45:00] Encouragement for a woman who feels discouraged or ashamed about not getting into God’s word [51:00] Leaders are Learners [57:20]   Key Quotes from the Episode: “I did not ever set out to become a leader; it was a matter of me wanting this Christian life.” “We’re all on a journey; we all have room for improvement.” “See individuals as people, as humans.”  “You will make time for the things that are important to you.” “We have to take the Bible beyond something that we’re ‘supposed’ to do.” “Getting in the Word of God is one of the main ways that God speaks to us and connects with us.” “Jesus did not go to Thursday night Bible study.” Resources and Links Mentioned: Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge Fall in Love with God's Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women by Brittany Ann   Connect with Brittany Ann: Equipping Godly Women website Fall in Love with God’s Word website Brittany Ann is an author, speaker, and founder of EquippingGodlyWomen.com, a popular Christian-living website dedicated to helping women be “all in” in faith and family. Brittany is the author of "Fall in Love with God's Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women" and the creator of the 21-Day Bible Reading Challenge, a free challenge to help Christian women make regular Bible reading a priority.   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Facebook Group Facebook Page Instagram  

The church is not immune to the problem of domestic abuse. But what can we do as women and as leaders to recognize and overcome it? All of us have people in our lives who are experiencing abuse of some kind, whether we recognize it or not. In this episode, I’m talking with Charlene Quint about domestic abuse and how it is happening within the Christian church. Charlene shares her own personal experience of living in an abusive marriage and finally escaping after 20 years.  Charlene provides incredibly valuable insights into what the church can do to more effectively address domestic abuse, including warning signs and practical action steps leaders should take in these situations. One of the most important steps we can take is to educate ourselves on domestic abuse, and this conversation is an excellent way to deepen your understanding of this important issue. For the full show notes, go to https://estherlittlefield.com/episode138.   Resources and Links Mentioned: Overcoming the Narcissist, Sociopath, Psychopath, and Other Domestic Abusers: The Comprehensive Handbook to Recognize, Remove, and Recover from Abuse by Charlene Quint National Domestic Violence Hotline    Connect with Charlene Quint, J.D.: Website Email: abusecarenow@gmail.com   Charlene Quint is a family law attorney in Lake County, Illinois, who focuses her practice on helping women overcome domestic abuse. She wrote Overcoming the Narcissist, Sociopath, Psychopath, and Other Domestic Abusers to help victims of domestic abuse become the fearless victors that God designed them to be.    She is the founder of AbuseCare.org, a nondenominational faith-based organization designed to educate and equip churches in caring for victims of domestic abuse and to provide hope and healing to women on their journey from victim to victorious. Quint is co-chair of the Partnership for a Safer Lake County—a network of organizations combating all forms of abuse. She is a Certified Domestic Violence Professional, an advocate for victims of abuse, a facilitator of multiple support groups, and a domestic abuse survivor. She speaks publicly to raise awareness of domestic abuse. Her professional and personal interests are devoted to helping women overcome domestic abuse.   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Facebook Group Facebook Page Instagram   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode138.

Encouragement is a powerful thing, and it’s not really an optional part of life and leadership as a Christian. Scripture shows us that we should be encouraging one another, but what does this look like practically and how can we find our unique ways of offering encouragement?   In this episode, Holly and I speak with Kari Bartkus of Love Does That. Kari shares her leadership journey and how this has shifted from being in ministry to now running her own business.    Kari is passionate about being present and showing up for others who are hurting around her, and this is how her business began. In our conversation, Kari is sharing all about why encouragement is so important, how to go about encouraging others, and even how we as leaders sometimes need to become better at asking for or receiving encouragement.  For full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode137.   Connect with Kari Bartkus: Website Facebook Instagram   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode137.

What does it really mean to embrace your gifts? Are we making it harder than it has to be?   The mission of this podcast is to help you embrace your gifts and lead with confidence. But do you know what it looks like to do this?    In this episode, I’m sharing a personal update along with some thoughts on how you can start to truly embrace your own gifts. Often, we overcomplicate this because we think that maybe using our gifts has to be difficult. But many times, embracing our gifts means doing what comes easiest to us. Key Points on Embracing Your Gifts: Where the phrase “embrace your gifts and lead with confidence” came from [1:00] How my journey and study of God’s word lead to podcast episodes and the Confident Leader Catalyst [3:25] My current journey of learning about using my gifts [4:46] The key question that my friend asked me [9:15] What it meant for me to truly lean into my gifts [11:00] My personal business update [16:55] How to consider whether you are fully using your gifts - ask yourself these questions [22:00] Do I know what my gifts are? Do I have clarity around my purpose? Do I know who God has called me to serve with my gifts? Am I walking in confidence and taking courageous action towards these things? Am I being pulled in too many different directions? Am I trying to do too much and therefore not having the impact I could have if I focused more? Am I ignoring the signs from God because I am concerned about what others might think if I stop, shift, or change something?   Other Episodes & Resources Mentioned: Episode 10: Finding Your Purpose Confident Leader Catalyst (self-study) Christian Woman Business Podcast Podcast in a Weekend Mini-course Reflection Series Episode 19: The Value of Mentoring with Elisa Pulliam Christian Woman Business Community (Facebook Group) Business Coaching & Mentoring - email esther if you are interested: business (at) estherlittlefield.com. Listen to episode 27 to hear more about this. Confident Conversations Mini-course Episode 82: Three Shifts You Need to Make as a Christian Leader Quotes:   “If I did all the things I had outlined, I was never going to be able to sleep.” “My friend challenged me to think about where I was most gifted and where I could have the most impact.” “I needed to lean into these gifts. I needed to truly embrace them and focus on serving my people.” “Often using your gifts is going to be the thing that comes the easiest to you.” “When you are fully using the gifts that God has given you and the natural wiring that He has created you with, you are going to be most fully alive and most fully able to make an impact.” “I cannot continue to do all of these things and do them well.” “When you operate in your gifts, when your heart is to bring glory to God, and when you focus on serving those God has called you to… you will start to become an incredible leader.” “There’s nothing more painful than being stuck in a season or in a place that you no longer belong.” - Jennifer Allwood Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode136.

The statistics show that a lot of kids leave the Christian faith when they become teens and young adults. Is there anything that adults can do to help change this pattern? In this episode, our guest Lee Ann Mancini shares with us about her passion for helping parents develop a solid faith foundation in our children. She believes that, when parents begin instilling faith at a young age, that this will help reverse the trend of kids walking away at older ages.   Lee Ann shares tips and ideas for parents who want to do this, as well as ways for churches to be more proactive in this area as well. We also discuss the power that mothers have in this process and  how they can still be a strong role model for their kids even if they do not have a believing spouse. Developing a Solid Faith Foundation in our Children: LeeAnn’s life and leadership [3:00] Helping kids have a solid faith foundation [6:40] The church’s responsibility in developing a faith foundation for kids [16:00] How parents can approach their church if they feel more should be done [20:00] What moms can do if their spouse isn’t a believer or isn’t leading the family in faith [24:00] Leaders are Learners [26:30]   Key Quotes from the episode:   “Children are getting set to the side with little Biblical doctrine being taught to them.” “Moms are powerful. I don’t think we get enough credit for what we do as moms.” “Don’t wait; start now.” “If you force a child to do something, then that’s not building a heart foundation in Christ.”   Resources & Links:   Episode 119: How to Thrive While Leading and Parenting Teens with Connie Albers Episode 96: Deconstruction, Apologetics, and Discipleship with Alisa Childers Episode 59: The Importance of Apologetics in Leadership & Dealing with Doubt with Hillary Morgan Ferrer Renew a Nation Teach Sunday School Legacy Coalition The Forgotten Way Novel Effect App   Connect with LeeAnn Mancini: Website SeaKids TV   Lee Ann is the host of Raising Christian Kids podcast, which can be found on all major platforms including CounterCultureMom.com, Pray.com, and Edifi.app. Raising Christian Kids is a five to ten-minute podcast that equips and empowers mothers, grandparents, teachers, and all who are raising the next generation, to have a strong foundation in Jesus.    Lee Ann is an award-winning Christian children’s author and Executive Producer of the new animation series Sea Kids, which can be seen on Trinity Broadcasting Network, Pure Flix, Right Now Media, and SeaKidsTv.com.   Her God-given mission and desire are to serve all who are raising the next generation of Christians by preparing the soil to be rich from the womb to age three in which to plant the seeds that grow deep roots from ages four to ten.   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode135.

Good leaders are good communicators. But how can you become a better communicator, and is there one aspect of communication that is vitally important? As leaders, we can always be learning and growing, and while there may be some innate leadership qualities in some of us, much of leadership is about developing skills. So in this episode of our leadership traits series, we’re going to focus on one skill that is essential for leaders: communication.   Specifically, we’re diving into how to have more clarity in your communication as a leader. Clarity is important for leadership as it helps people to understand you, your message, and your vision. It helps to attract or repel people, earn trust, avoid confusion, convey love, and more.   4 keys to more clarity in your communication: 1. Get clarity about your message It’s first essential for you to have clarity around your message--what you want to say to your audience, whether it’s one person or 10,000 people.    Ask yourself these 3 questions:   What do I want to say?  Why do I want to say it?  How do I want to say it?    Many times we need an outside perspective… we need to ask someone else to review what we are planning to share and be open to their honest feedback.   2. Self-Awareness It’s vital for you to have self-awareness in order to convey your message with clarity. What do you need self-awareness about?    your strengths and weaknesses as well as sensitive subject or hot topics that cause you to lose your filter or cool your motivations and intentions your personality  your world view   3. Discernment of situation, circumstances, audience It’s important to know who you are speaking to, and adapt your message based on this. Make sure that it’s clear to this group of people that you are talking to.   3 things you should understand about your audience: Culture Demographics History 4. Prioritization Finally, you need to determine the importance of the message and use the appropriate language and mode to convey your message. In other words, prioritize how you communicate.   It’s also helpful to identify what you want for a response from your audience. Does your email need a reply? If so, be sure to say that. Do you need participation at an event or help gathering information? Be clear and prioritize what’s most important, and then be clear about the response you’d like to see.   Action Step:   Whether you are simply communicating with your family or whether you are communicating to a large team or a huge audience, if you put into practice these 4 things, you will find that you will be more effective.   To review, in order to gain more clarity in your communication, you want to have: Clarity about the message itself Self-awareness Discernment Prioritization   Choose which of these 4 keys you need to develop and share with us in the Purposeful Leadership FB group!   Resources & Links: Leadership Traits Series  Episode 8: The Key to Becoming a Better Leader Communication Series Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode134.

Have you ever struggled to navigate the workplace or even the church as a female in a male-dominated environment? In this episode, Holly and I chat with Tammy Birklid about her leadership journey and how she transitioned into her role as owner of a construction company. She shares about her experience as a female in the construction industry and how she views equality in the workplace. Tammy provides many insights into mentoring, leadership transitions, and holding true to your faith and your values in spite of what others may think. Even if you’re not working in a primarily male environment, this episode is sure to bring you practical ways you can grow as a leader in your current situation.   Key Points Discussed: Tammy’s background & leadership journey [3:19] Working in a male-dominated industry [9:20] Leadership transitions [16:35] Characteristics of a good leader [21:15] Equality in the workplace [29:20] How faith impacts the way you do business [32:00] Business lessons translating into serving in the church [41:15] Encouragement to women who haven’t had open doors [47:00] Leaders are learners [50:10]   Key Quotes from the Episode: “Innovation is the key to life right now.” “A legacy is not just about what you’ve done during your life; it's more about what is carried on in your absence.” “My empathy is something that is actually an asset, it is not a weakness.” “You can’t control other people’s perception but you can control your reaction to it.” “Be who you say you are.” “Leadership is something you carry everywhere in your world.” “I think to be authentic you have to be the same person through and through whether you’re at church on Sunday or you’re at work on Monday.” “You always want to stay true to your values.” “I think it’s important in times like this to lead with faith and not fear.” Connect with Tammy: www.merritnw.com Instagram Facebook Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on January 5, 2021 on estherlittlefield.com/episode133.

What do we do with the goals and plans that did not come to fruition as we had hoped? And how can we learn from this year as we prepare for the coming year?   In a year when it feels like we had more unfulfilled plans than ever, it can be easy to skip over celebrating the wins and finding the good. But it’s vital that we do this, just as we also spend time reflecting on the losses or failures and what God might want us to learn from these.   In this episode, Holly and I wrap up our Reflection Series by diving into reflecting on our goals, dreams, and plans. We will share about what we had hoped would happen in 2020, some of the surprises we experienced and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.   We invite you to slow down and take time to reflect right alongside us. To make this easy for you, we’ve created a Processing & Reflection Guide which will provide you with all the questions we are using during this series! So you don’t have to try and write anything down while listening - you can grab the guide and just follow along with us.    Click here for the guide   Questions to help us process our goals, dreams, and plans: What goals, dreams, or plans did you have that you did accomplish?  What goals, dreams, or plans did you have that did not come to fruition? What wins did you experience that were unexpected? What lessons did you learn in the failures or the things you did not accomplish? What lessons did you learn from the wins (whether planned or unexpected)? How can you give yourself grace for goals that did not transpire? Where might you need added accountability or support to reach your goals in the coming year?   Resources & Links: Processing & Reflection Guide Episode 128: Processing 2020 - Radical Acceptance, Dealing with Grief & Criticism, and Finding the Joy with Sandy Flewelling Episode 130: What To Do When Things Don’t Go as Planned: Processing Your Circumstances [Reflection Series] Episode 131: Dealing with Loss, Division, and Criticism as Leaders: Processing Your Relationships [Reflection Series]   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode132.

This year has brought a great deal of grief and loss, both individually and collectively as a nation and world. In addition, leaders have seen more division and criticism in their organizations and churches than they may have in decades or even their lifetime. And this impacts one of the most important aspects of our lives as leaders: our relationships. In this episode, Holly and I continue our Reflection Series to wrap up the year by dividing into the important topic of relationships. Specifically, we reflect on how this year has impacted the relationships in our own lives, how we’ve dealt with the losses and criticism, and how important we have found our support systems to be. We invite you to slow down and take time to reflect right alongside us. To make this easy for you, we’ve created a Processing & Reflection Guide which will provide you with all the questions we are using during this series! So you don’t have to try and write anything down while listening - you can grab the guide and just follow along with us.  Click here for the guide Questions we consider as we process loss, division, criticism as leaders: Name the losses you’ve experienced this year How have you grieved? What do you need to allow yourself to do to grieve these losses? What are some practical ways you can show grace to others who are grieving? How can we work toward healing in such a hostile time?   Who has been part of your support system this year?  Who do you want/need to reach out to to offer support or to reconnect with? Have you experienced criticism of your leadership this year?  If so, how have you handled it?  What do you want to change about how you respond to criticism? For these questions plus the ones we cover in the other episodes in this series, grab the free Processing & Reflection Guide we made for you: Click here for the guide Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode131.

How do you handle it when things don’t go as planned? What about when a whole year doesn’t go as planned? As we wrap up 2020 here on the podcast, Holly and I decided to do a 3-part Reflection Series with you. During this series, we’ll walk through some of the questions that Sandy shared with us on Episode 128, plus throw in some of our own questions.   In this conversation, we’re focusing on processing our circumstances. Holly and I are sharing openly about how the circumstances of 2020 impacted us personally. We’re also discussing what you can do when circumstances don’t go as planned, or when things feel hopeless or devastating.   We hope that this series will help you slow down and take time to reflect right alongside us. To make this easy for you, we’ve created a Processing & Reflection Guide which will provide you with all the questions we are using during this series! So you don’t have to try and write anything down while listening - you can grab the guide and just follow along with us.  Click here for the guide   Questions we consider as we process the challenging year we’ve had and begin to look towards the future: How are your circumstances different at the end of 2020 than you anticipated they would be back when you set goals and planned for the year? Ask God the following: Who would you like to be for me in my circumstances? What would you like to do in me through it? How would you like me to respond? What truths can you cling to when your circumstances feel hopeless or devastating? (scriptures, truths, practices) What’s something good that has come as a result of the different circumstances this year?   For these questions plus the ones we’ll cover in the remaining episodes in this series, grab the free Processing & Reflection Guide we made for you: Click here for the guide Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode130.

It’s the Christmas season, which means you should be celebrating and experiencing love, joy, and peace, right? But what if you don’t feel peaceful? How can you experience the peace of God during this time (and always)?   In this special episode for the Christmas season, you will hear from Holly Cain. She is sharing a message to encourage you and remind you of how you can experience God’s peace during this season (and all year round).    Scriptures Referenced in this Episode: Luke 2:11-14 Matthew 10:34-36 John 18:37 Luke 10:5-6 Isaiah 9:7 Ephesians 2:14 Philippians 4:4-7 Get the free phone wallpaper on the show notes on Esther's website. Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode129.