Our Time to Rise in Midlife

Latest Episodes:

Ep.151: Crafting a 2-Word Purpose Statement with Mary Tomlinson Oct 02, 2018

Show notes

Do you struggle with knowing what is your best yes? Do you have a vision for where you want your life to go? Successful businesses know what they value, know where they are headed, and can articulate it clearly. We can do the same as individuals.

On the podcast Mary Tomlinson, former Disney Executive and President of On-Purpose Partners, coaches us on how to create our own two-word purpose statement that will give us direction and clarity for our lives. The first part of the interview features Mary's coaching. The second part is a "workshop" where Alex and Krista talk about how they landed on their personal purpose statements.

You may be surprised by how much this simple phrase will help you as you navigate life!

Ep.150: Sarah Thebarge Sep 25, 2018

Show notes

"They loved me back to life."

Sarah Thebarge knew what it was to feel alone. So when she met a Somali woman and her five daughters on a commuter train in Portland, OR she found an unexpected kindred sister. The story of their emerging friendship and Sarah's battle with breast cancer draws parallels between different circumstances with a common thread. In our interview with Sarah we hear how this everyday encounter changed everything about Sarah's story.

Now a physician's assistant in San Francisco, Sarah's story takes her through graduate school, across the country, and then across the world to practice medicine in what was deemed "the unhappiest country in the world". The limitations practicing medicine in the developing world made Sarah more comfortable with the dying. Her own journey with breast cancer has helped her understand suffering.

From ordinary connections with our neighbors to how to impact a child's life in the developing world, we are inspired to look beyond our comfort and convenience to live the God-intended life. You will be changed by hearing Sarah's story and we are grateful to have her with the sisterhood. A beautiful conversation about what entering others' grief looks like and how it makes us truly alive.

Ep.149: Reframing Hospitality with Jen Schmidt Sep 18, 2018

Show notes

Many of us confuse hospitality and entertaining. We think that practicing hospitality equals a picture perfect table and gourmet food, and we end up feeling insecure and inadequate when our reality doesn't match the magazine spreads. But what if true welcome was more about servanthood than performance?

In today's interview, Jen Schmidt joins The Sisterhood to point us to the truth that authentic hospitality is about loving others well and simply opening up our doors for the purpose of making others feel special. In an often cold and detached culture, we can be a part of helping others feel that they belong somewhere. This can even happen on the go.

If you want to live a life of welcome, this interview will help inspire you to do so!

Ep.148: Patrice Gopo Sep 11, 2018

Show notes

Patrice Gopo's story takes her around the world and back. From Jamaica to the U.S. to South Africa with some Zimbabwe, Spain, and more thrown in, her ciruitous route is not just evidenced in her passport, but in her career path as well. We don't want to give it away, but there is some romance, some friendship, some career changes, and some self discovery. We talk through what it means to accept the nuance of someone's story and Patrice offers her own as an example.

A mom of two girls now, she fits her writing into the pockets of her everyday life. An engineer by training and then a businesswoman with a heart for justice, all of the colors in Patrice's life make up who she is. From writing in real life time chunks to growing up in Alaska, Patrice is an instant, trusted friend. You won't want to miss out on this rich conversation about race, friendship, and acceptance.

Patrice's experiences shaped her new book of essays, All The Colors We Will See. Head to bookstores to find her debut book (Barnes and Noble has selected her as a new writer to read!), but first head to the podcast to get a taste of what you'll find. You will be encouraged to make a way through nuance in relationships and life.

Ep.147: How Reading Changes Your Life with Sarah Clarkson Sep 04, 2018

Show notes

Books, especially those that are well written and crafted, have power. If we allow, they can shape our thinking, mold how we see the world, and impact how we interact with others. When we read about true heroes, we learn how to become one. When we watch a character weather challenges, we find out what qualities are needed for to overcome. When we step into another's shoes, we gain compassion we did not have previously. In short, reading has the potential to literally change our lives.

Sarah Clarkson, author of Book Girl, joins us to share how books have influenced the trajectory of her life, and how they invite beauty, strength, and belonging. The intelligence, insight, and depth Sarah brings to the discussion is, in itself, beautiful.

If you have been one of those who has never been a reader, or who simply isn't taking the time in life to read, this will inspire you to dive in to good literature to equip you for life, and feed your heart and soul.

Ep.146: Jessica Honneger Aug 28, 2018

Show notes

"On the other side of our fear is our purpose."

Founder of the socially conscious fashion brand Noonday Collection, Jessica Honegger is a world changer by anyone's standards. Though she has a built a business from scratch, she doesn't always feel brave. Quite the opposite, she feels scared. But she does whatever is set in front of her anyway. This is where Imperfect Courage comes in. Jessica is on a charge to remind women that courage involves doing it scared.

In this unforgettable interview we hear how Jessica's parents shaped her, why she walked away from debutante life, her motivation for starting Noonday Collection, and how she recently got featured in Forbes. Jessica's energy inescapable. Her honesty is refreshing. And her challenge to all of us to do the thing in front of us scared is inspiring. Jessica has the stories in her own journey to back the charge to cheer each other on while not allowing fear to have the last word.

If you want more of the values of the sisterhood - rooting for other women, taking that next step, doing that hard thing, being world changers for good right where we are, you will not be disappointed with this interview. It could not epitomize The Open Door Sisterhood more! .

Ep.145: The Success Guide for Back to School Aug 21, 2018

Show notes

It's time to hit the books. If you are sending kids back to school, (or are the student in your house), the change from summer-mode to school-mode can be drastic. Podcast hosts Alex and Krista help us think through routines that will help families make that adjustment. Both moms of four kids, they cover everything from school lunches to their own grief at another summer done.

In true Open Door Sisterhood fashion this conversation is part practical, part inspirational as Krista and Alex speak to the why and how of getting families ready for the school year. You'll hear Krista's five things she does every morning and why Alex has a hair appointment this week (hint: it has to do with having something to look forward to after first day drop off). How do we manage the new level of crazy that comes with fall? This episode will give you some insight into how our hosts tackle the new year.

Sister, don't be afraid to make this school year about you too. This is a fresh start to focus on some areas of life that you want to tackle with fresh oomph. Take that next step, do that hard thing, so you can be a world changer for good right where you are. Whether that is in the carpool rotation or the office cubicle, this can be a great "year" to do something new or re-focus on an old passion. Made with you in mind, you won't want to miss this one-of-a-kind Back to School episode.

Ep.144: A Rescue Plan for the Overwhelmed with Kay Wyma Aug 14, 2018

Show notes

Most of us are all too familiar with the feeling of being overwhelmed. Whether it is due to our own decision making, challenging news, unexpected events, financial strain or emotional weight, this is a topic we intimately understand. The problem with this state of mind is it takes us out of the game. We succumb to the stress and stop living a life of joy, abundance, and fruitfulness.

We are not the only ones who feel this way. My guest, Kay Wyma, talks about how overwhelm also negatively impacts and damages our youth. There is a solution. All of us, adults and children alike, can stand up under the pressure, and lean into truth, hope, and light.

If you or your children are overwhelmed by any part of life right now, this is your interview!

Ep.143: Letting Go in the College Years Aug 07, 2018

Show notes

Are you about to send your child off to college? Or are you anticipating that time in the near future? Author Carol Kuykendall is back for the second episode of this special two-part series where we discuss the joyful and complicated nature of letting go of our children as they move through the teen years and into college.

Starting with high school graduation, we talk about lowering expectations, and how to make your child feel celebrated and loved. We then move to the much-anticipated college drop off: how we can set it up for success, how and how not to say goodbye, and what each college student needs from their parent during this time. Having spoken and written about this topic for decades, Carol offers timeless wisdom and sound perspective.

We know that this can be a vulnerable and difficult season for parents. The sisterhood is with you!

Ep.142: Letting Go In The Teen Years Jul 31, 2018

Show notes

There is something about letting our children step into the world that feels counter to our parenting instincts. Author Carol Kuykendall has been speaking and writing on the topic of parenting and letting go for decades. The re-release of her popular book Give Them Wings: Preparing For the Time When Your Teens Leave Home offers great opportunity for the sisterhood to talk about this topic. In fact, our very own Krista Gilbert contributed to the updates in the book and Alex wrote the foreword. In other words, we believe in Carol's message.

This is the first of a two part series on this topic. This episode covers the high school years: what we're feeling, how our kids are separating, and how we move into the "consultant" role. We cover fear, how to address it as it comes up, tailoring fun to our family and individual kids, and looking past the immediate to the long-term goal of adult relationships with our kids. We understand how we've likely been letting go in small ways for years and how fighting our urdges to rescue our kids from hard things hurts rather than helps them. A must listen for parents approaching and in the middle of parenting teenagers.

Within minutes we are crying as this topic goes straight to the tender place for a mother. No matter your phase of parenting, you will benefit from the principles Carol shares about letting our kids grow into the people God has called them to be. That is what we want after all. Sometimes it takes the sisterhood to remind us.

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