Our Time to Rise in Midlife

Latest Episodes:

Ep.301: Good in the Public Square with D.J. Jordan Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

D.J. Jordan has worked for CNN, Fox News, U.S. representatives, and a U.S. Senator. Today he is Senior Vice President with Pinkston PR firm in Washington D.C. He is seasoned at looking for the good in places and people and he helps us remember as Christians we can look for the good in every sphere of public service. Despite what the media tells us, Christians are working together for good across typical divides. There is good to be found.

From the reputation of D.C. politics to the changing cultural tides, D.J. explains how faithful Christians can not only look for and find the good, we can help make good happen. In this episode, we talk civil discourse, bipartisanship, and being a trusted neighbor. We discuss ministries that are engaging culture with common values and action and how there are consequences for good that we may not know this side of heaven. We cover how the loud minority often gets the megaphone and the faithful servants are in the background doing their work. Yes, there is good to be found, we just need to do a little investigating to find it.

If you are looking for a rich conversation around how we as Christians can have both private and public engagement with our non-Christian neighbors in a way that is meaningful and hope-filled, this episode is for you. It will encourage you. There is good to be found and we can be world changers for good right where we are to do our part to change the cultural tide.

Ep.300: Finding Good In The Hard with Lisa Whittle Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

Seeking out goodness is a discipline on ordinary days, but it is even more important in hard seasons of life. Joining us in the Seeking Out Goodness series is Lisa Whittle, author of The Hard Good.

Lisa knows the pain of loss and can relate to resisting change. Yes she also talks about the sadness that accompanies our unwillingness to accept the present and adapt. She encourages looking for love rather than the let down, and seeking contentment in the small.

If you are in a season of hard, loss, or change, you will love the wisdom poured out in this episode.

Ep.299: Seeking Out Goodness with Alexandra Kuykendall Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

Our very own Alex has a new book releasing in a few weeks and we want to give you the FIRST sneak peek at some of what she covers in the pages. In this episode, Krista interviews Alex about why she wrote the book, why the process of looking for what is good is important to us, and how she structures practical next steps so listeners can begin seeking out what is good.

Whether you are overwhelmed with heartache or the state of the world, or just feel a little bored with the monotony of your daily life, this book is meant to give you tools to have new eyes to see what is already around you. God is still good. He is still here. And so we can trust that his goodness continues all around us, we just need to find it. This book is about the process of seeking out goodness.

Because Alex wanted this book to give the practical how, she uses Philippians 4:8 as her structure. "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV) How do we see what is noble? Or admirable? How do we look for the lovely? Or consider what is true? How do we do this all with humility and kindness? This episode is just a taste of what Alex covers in the book. We hope you listen and let us know how you are looking for the good right now.

Ep.298: Resetting Fall With A Sister Straight Talk Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

Fall is the perfect time of year to push the refresh button on our lives.

Hosts Krista Gilbert & Alexandra Kuykendall talk about their favorite home systems, chores, work / life balance, and tried and true recipes.

Ep.297: Fall Reset: Hospitality and Planning Ahead with Abby Turner Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

Abby Turner is ready to encourage the sisterhood to open our homes and invite people over before we overthink things. Why? Because hospitality isn't about the fancy menu or immaculate home; it's about people! It's about serving as Jesus served. When we discipline ourselves to make our homes and tables available to others, we are ensuring that we are serving those around us. We can't wait for the perfect time, because that will never happen. Abby says hospitality is a discipline, not a spiritual gift.

In true Open Door Sisterhood fashion, Abby is part practical and part inspirational. Not only does she provide a faith foundation for why we should practice hospitality, she also gives us lots of things to think about as we look ahead to fall and even the holidays. Planning goes a long way. Grocery stores can help with the prep. Simplicity can help make it happen. And again, it's all about the people! So what can we do ahead of time, to be able to enjoy people in the moment? This episode provides some clues to help eliminate avoidable holiday stress.

Abby gives us some great easy recipe ideas, she offers her best holiday timesaving tips, and she reminds us that we can bring the fun to others. Whether it's taking a friend dinner at HER house or simply bringing a friend a coffee on the soccer sidelines, hospitality is about having a heart of service and we can do that anywhere! Don't wait another second, go ahead and push play and get ready for a fall hospitality reset.

Ep.296: The Fall Reset Series - Setting Routines & Recipes for Fall with Sarah Molitor Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

A chill is in the air and the seasonal shift is beginning. As we wave goodbye to summer and welcome fall, we are also looking to refresh our routines, home systems, and menus. Today begins our new series: Fall Reset.

Sarah Molitor, from @modernfarmhousefamily on Instagram, joins us to share her practical ideas on time management and home systems. As a homeschooling mom of six boys, we have a great deal to learn from this capable mama. She also lets us in on her secret to dinner time (it has to do with a sheet pan), and the fall traditions she treasures the most (you won't expect this one).

You will be inspired to reboot your own life this fall as you listen to our inspiring conversation. Get a cozy pumpkin spice latte and settle in with us for this great episode!

Ep.295: Expectations and Transitions in Motherhood with Krista and Alex Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

No question, motherhood stretches us. In our Sister Straight Talk episode of this series, Krista and Alex talk about how expectations and transitions are big opportunities for mom-growth.

Expectations, or should we say unmet expectations, are a trademark of motherhood. Our hosts talk about the "macro" and "micro" of mothering expectations. From how our kids will complete a chore to how we'll feel as moms, we often don't know we have expectations until they aren't met. Transitions are also a constant. As soon as we feel we've mastered, or at least have a handle on, a certain phase of parenting, things change. How we respond to these changes can impact the tone of our families and who we are becoming as women.

No matter the stage of mothering you're in, from pregnancy through the empty nest, you have a chance to meet expectations and transitions with open hands and a readiness to stretch out of your comfort zone. God uses your role as a mom, to shape you in good ways. These stretch marks can sometimes feel like battle scars, but they tend to help us grow in traits like patience, resilience, and wisdom, all traits that are good to increase. Join this relatable, hope-filled conversation with your sisters who give it to you straight on motherhood.

Ep.294: Building Resilience in Motherhood with Rhonda Stoppe Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Building resilience in motherhood is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our families. We need it as moms, and our children need it as they make their way through life.

Joining us on the third episode of this Motherhood series, Rhonda Stoppe speaks honestly and candidly about the challenges she faced as a mom, and how she found the strength and faith to keep taking steps forward. Rhonda raised a son with special needs, adopted a child who needed a home, and struggled through two different moves.

You will be encouraged and inspired to love God deeper, trust Him more fully, and see trials as opportunities through this episode.

Ep.293: Motherhood & Creativity with Rachel Kang Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

We are in a series highlighting the various ways motherhood grows us. Often we do not think about how creativity can be an integral part of motherhood, but that is exactly what can emerge if we allow it.

Rachel Kang, founder of Indelible Ink Writers, talks about how she finds time to write in small pockets of time while parenting her two young boys, and how motherhood has increased her imagination.

Often, moms neglect their own creative pursuits to care for the needs right in front of them. In this episode we look at how creativity and the duties of motherhood can not only co-exist, but enhance and strengthen the other.

Ep.292: How Motherhood Grows Us with Sarah Bragg Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

Sarah Bragg, host of the Surviving Sarah podcast, says motherhood has grown her up. She has changed through the challenges she's faced as a mom. And boy isn't that true of motherhood? We try new things, face new feelings, overcome new challenges and as a result we are stretched in ways that don't leave us. These stretch marks act as our reminders of growth and that our children are a gift God uses to grow us up as well.

In this episode Sarah brings her candid voice to the conversation as we consider what it means to live an authentic life in front of our children, how to accept our limitations while choosing growth in some areas, and how honesty helps with both of these efforts. We consider the women we ARE vs. the women we wish we were and how we have to get past some of the mothering expectations (read pressure) we put on ourselves.

Motherhood is a gift. In large part because our kids act as a mirror, or as Sarah puts it, a highlighter, to all of who we are. We discover parts of ourselves (from anger to unconditional love) and skillsets that help us understand ourselves better. You will walk away from this interview remembering that God already sees and knows every part of who you are as a woman and a mom. You can let go of some of those self-imposed expectations and celebrate the unique, creative person you ARE as a mom.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Our Time to Rise in Midlife

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected