Stay ConnectedMany women feel overwhelmed with the chaos of life, struggle with the fact that life, relationships and marriage are hard, and lack what they need to truly thrive.
The Thriving Beyond Belief podcast, with host, Cheryl Scruggs, and online community provide women with encouragement & support, to better manage their stress, create healthy relationships, and build a life that thrives beyond belief.
Copyright: © 2018 Thriving Beyond Belief / Hope Matters Marriage Ministries, Inc., a 501c3
Dana and I have been friends for many years and I am so excited to have her on the podcast today.
She has spent over half of her life as a wife to her husband Chris, a dermatologist, and a mother to her two children, Chase and Candice!
She is a former teacher, but now loves to cook and entertain in her spare time when she's not pouring into her three grandsons, age 5 to a newborn!
Her son-in-law is the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, and her son Chase is best known for his role on Gossip Girl.
We had a great conversation about being humble, vulnerable, and what it means to thrive as a woman, wife, and mom!
We talk about being a "good wife" and how to grow and balance your life. She feels "you can't ever pull these things off by yourself and each day must be completely covered by God's grace."
Keeping your house in order and spending a little extra to have some help with this can make a huge difference in being a parent and wife; it creates a balance for everyone.
We talk about vulnerability and insecurity; "life is hard and getting older isn't for sissies. As we become more vulnerable, we realize this isn't a personality issue, it's a trust issue."
Dana and I had such a meaningful conversation and I am so excited to share that with you.
Here's my interview with Dana Crawford.
As we continue into the new year, I am so excited about the inspiring story my guest shared with me today. My guest today, Katie Bryant, is married, has three kids, and lives in Rochester, New York. She is a Fitness and Lifestyle Coach, but honestly, listening to her story and how she got to where she is today is so riveting, it brought me to tears.
Katie shares that she had a vision of what her marriage would look like, but didn't realize God had a very different plan. After her third child was born, she began to fight depression, anxiety and struggled to understand her purpose. To most people, her life looked perfect, but inside Katie was spiraling down and lived in such a low place, she decided she was going to end her life.
Miraculously, her beautiful children would be part of God's healing journey. Katie ended up in the hospital, heavily medicated, and began a six-year journey to discover a new life God had planned. The road was difficult and not very clear after coming home from the hospital. Katie shared how she started overeating, drinking alcohol, and gained 50 pounds. She tried every gimmick and diet, but two words kept coming in front of her, CLEAN EATING. She began reaching out to this community and over the next months found support from others who wanted to cheer each other on.
Katie admits her walk has been a difficult road, but today as a Fitness and Lifestyle Coach one of the questions she asks women is, "Why do we work so hard to cover our shame and vulnerability?" Katie's definition of thrive is "living my best life, not what society thinks, and helping others do the same." She used to end her day with the thought, "I'm still not good enough," but today, she ends her day knowing she has tried in every area to the best of her ability.
Katie made a decision to change her mindset and today her mantra is "I NEVER QUIT." She focuses on her journey, and to be the best person she can be. I hope Katie's story will be a blessing to you today.
Here's my interview with Katie Bryant.
I am so excited to talk with Angela Lanter on TBB today. Angela was born in Akron, Ohio, is married to Matt Lanter, an actor, and a BIG congratulation on the arrival of their baby girl just a few weeks ago!
Angela and I talked about her love of fashion from a very young age, and shortly after moving to Los Angeles, CA she and Matt started a wildly popular fashion blog Hello Gorgeous. Creating this blog has truly fulfilled one of her lifelong dreams, being able to pour into other women. Hello Gorgeous is a place she can be "real" with the stuff nobody is talking about or topics women feel too embarrassed to share.
Admittedly, being an actors wife has its challenges, one of the biggest was moving from Los Angeles, CA to Vancouver, British Columbia where Matt worked on filming Timeless. The tough part for Angela was the long hours of being alone in a city where she didn't know anyone and finding projects to fill her time. Angela learned to take advantage of the long days by diving into Proverbs 31, spending her time meditating, and reciting these verses. The encouragement from Proverbs 31 inspired her to create a refuge in their home for her husband, giving him a place to breathe and retreat after working ridiculously long days. Realistically, this was a tough time, but learning to surrender to self, and creating a comfortable safe place for your spouse, was worth all the lessons learned during this season. God really does know what He is doing.
In the interview we chat about relationships, building a community, reading books about marriage, dads, dating, hurt feelings, and learning to respect one another. I enjoyed our conversation so much.
Here's my interview with Angela Lanter.
As we close out the year and begin a new year, I am so excited to have as my guest Corie Clark, the founder of Corie Clark - Your Life. On Purpose. Corie has been married to her husband Ryan for 21 years, they have three kids (one starts college this year) and is a homeschool mom.
Corie gave me a beautiful definition of what it means to her, to thrive. She believes someone is living out and walking in their purpose, not just a job or what they do, but who God has called them to be and to ultimately point people to Jesus.
As Corie and her family navigated some pretty difficult years together, she realized that she was addicted to chaos. Through many tears, fears and a lot of unknown, they began to simplify and create margin in their lives. As a result, The Simplicity Project was born, a book to help you win your battle with chaos and clutter so you can live a life of peace and purpose. Would you be ready to take the 6-week Declutter Challenge, to take your LIFE back, sweat a little, and maybe even cry a few times? Corie promises, if you make a step forward and take this challenge, you will feel so good at the end, it all starts with a small step.
The more we talked, Corrie shared how she used to be afraid and worried as she was raising her kids that she would end up not knowing who she was when the kids left home? But, God answered her worries with a simple "you need to create margin, and give Me some room." She began to realize that as she carved out space in several areas of her life, God could work miracles in these margins. We talked about simplifying your health, your home, your finances, and your time, and asks each person to apply 15 minutes to these areas and watch your life begin to feel free.
I truly enjoyed my time with Corie, hope each of you has a great start to the New Year and will make a step toward decluttering your life.
Here's my interview with Corie Clark.
My guest on the TBB Podcast today is my very good friend Chrissie Dunham.
Chrissie was born in Oklahoma but has made her home in Plano, Texas with Charlie, her husband, and high school sweetheart. They have two grown daughters, Katie and Abbie, who are both married and have given Chrissie and Charlie five grandchildren.
She is the Global Director of Women's Ministry at Prestonwood Baptist Church, cherishes time with her family, is a terrific communicator, does speaking engagements, and has led countless women's bible studies. Chrissie is passionate about her walk with the Lord and lives by her favorite slogan, "The Party Don't Stop!" She hopes every believer knows that eternal life begins when you meet Jesus and there is a party in heaven in your honor, forever!
To define thrive Chrissie refers to 2Peter:1-2 "His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him." Bottomline, God wants us to prosper and succeed. But, the reality of life creates a struggle in our relationships, marriages, and parenting. In Chrissie's daily walk she has found that women struggle in four common areas; Am I loved, will I be respected, what is my significance, and do I feel secure in who I am? To answer any of these questions Chrissie believes that every woman should start by asking herself the question, "How is my walk with the Lord today?"
Daily, Chrissie listens to women and understands that life is challenging but wants those struggling to know you must run your own race and fix your eyes on Jesus, regardless of the circumstances you face in life. Through the years, Chrissie's parents have given her practical advice and one of the things her mom told her about relationships is that you need to surround yourself with people who believe like you, pray, and be in God's word daily. Chrissie strives to live this advice out in her daily walk.
In our interview, we talk about fear, marriage, and Christmas traditions! As expected, I got exactly what I love so much about Chrissie, if you ask a question, she answers from her heart. We had a great conversation and I can't wait for you to listen in!
Here's my interview with Chrissie Dunham.
I am so honored to have Shelley Giglio on the podcast today.
Shelley Giglio is the chief strategist, director of label operations and artist management for Sixstepsrecords, an Atlanta-based record label. She and her husband Louie, pastor of Passion City Church, lead the Passion movement committed to spreading the fame of Jesus Christ to college students around the globe. In addition, the Giglio's planted Passion City Church in 2009 and reside in Atlanta, Georgia along with their beloved Goldendoodle London.
Shelley has traveled the world and has witnessed God at work everywhere, but always comes back to where she is rooted, her everyday life, and serves there. Thriving to Shelley is being rooted in a place, in a person named Jesus, and in His Word. As we stay planted, our branches will grow and expand which will allow us to provide shade, a refuge, for others who come across our path.
Shelley very eloquently paints a picture of how reading God's word, the Bible, provides "the roadmap" for each of us. She tells us, "God has carved a path for you, and if you align your life with His plan, you will flourish." We talk about marriage, trust, dark times, renewing your mind with God's truth, and that you shouldn't ever waste time comparing yourself to others, it will steal your joy.
If you are in the Atlanta area I encourage you to attend The GROVE! The GROVE is a monthly gathering of the women of Atlanta and is hosted by Shelley Giglio and The GROVE Team. No matter your age, your status, your style, or whether you think you have it all together or not, you are welcome at The GROVE. You are invited to come, rest, worship, learn, and be, as we celebrate the power and greatness of Jesus. Check out The GROVE!
Today on the TBB podcast my guest is Amber Massey. I have known Amber for about seven years and met she and her husband before they had any of their darling kids! Amber has a strong walk with the Lord, is married to Jordan, and together they have 4 kids (all under the age of 4 years old). I am so inspired by her story.
Amber started a blog called PB&J Babes soon after she got married. Over the years her blog has grown and inspired so many. She shares personal stories about marriage, infertility, miscarriage, and thru her blog has become transparent and vulnerable to her readers about real life!
In our interview, Amber shares with me how she has learned to open up, be vulnerable, and stop being fearful that she isn't perfect. We talk about thriving and that when she feels overwhelmed with her everyday life, she is encouraged and uplifted by the comments readers leave on her blog. Some advice Amber gives her readers is that finding an outlet to talk to others is one of the best ways to stay encouraged, and also to become an encourager to those around you.
On The Massey Spot, you have to check out the amazing gift guides for Christmas she just posted on the blog! Her guides include women, one for your guy, and several for kids; I've included the links here The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide. Pop on over there to check them out!
Actually there are so many Christmas gifts guides out there. I've included a few from some of our previous guests: Lauren Scruggs Kennedy and Jamie Ivey. Go to laurenscruggskennedy.com to see hers and http://jamieivey.com/2017-holiday-gift-guide for hers!
Don't forget to listen to last week's episode with Mona Corwin for some guidance and wisdom for moms, and we also talk about marriage! Don't miss it!
Here's my interview with Amber Massey.
Today I am so excited to talk to my good friend Mona Corwin. She is married to her highschool sweetheart Warren, they have five children and 2 grandbabies.
Mona has an amazing ministry called Balanced MomLife where she invests in mentoring young moms and passionately teaches them that if you embrace the framework God uniquely created for you, you will thrive and be unrivaled! Most moms struggle with the "overwhelmed and never enough syndrome," wishing there were some clear cut answers. America's Mom Mentor Mona Corwin coaches moms with real life solutions. Because motherhood and marriage can be hard, she has developed a three part framework that works to help moms; Own their roles, Find their balance, and Live their dreams.
Mona and I talk about what it means to have a soft strength in your marriage. As we are called as women to be wives, parents, and moms, we must first nourish our soul so that we can richly fulfill these unique roles.
I hope you will be as blessed by this interview as I was.
Today on the TBB podcast my guest is Amy Simmons Crafton. Amy and I have become friends over the last several years and one of the things I love about her is that she "does life with intentionality." I feel so blessed to have a chance to sit down and talk with this amazing woman.
Amy literally travels the world placing God's Word directly in people's hands. I invite you to visit AmazingGrace.Life which is all about bringing you a step closer to God, no matter where you are in your religious journey. The hope at AmazingGrace.Life is to inspire you through stories of people whose lives have been touched by God, but most of all, offer you the next step in getting closer to Him.
In our interview, we talk about some incredible life experiences Amy has faced, delve into issues like vulnerability, personal insecurities, and how to nurture a healthy marriage.
Here's my interview with Amy Simmons Crafton.
My interview this week is with Jamie Ivey. Jamie hosts a podcast called The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, she lives in Austin, TX, is a wife to Aaron, and together they have four kids under the age of 13.
On the podcast this week I want to focus on an incredible book Jamie just finished writing entitled If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free. Her book is scheduled to be released January 2018.
In this book, she is honest, vulnerable, and raw with personal stories about her walk from failure to freedom. Jamie travels and speaks to so many women and has learned that our stories, when seen through the eyes of the gospel, are not the obstacles to our freedom, they are the key to unlocking our freedom!
We talk about the enormous fear she faced being afraid people would know the real "Jamie:" could she step into a marriage, be a pastor's wife, lead youth, but inside be completely unsure if God even loved her?
As her story unfolds, she shares how God kept pursuing her and only through the grace of God, she began to change and learn to truly have an intimate relationship with Him.
Jamie challenges women to ask themselves; are you fearful others will only see you for things you've done, not what Jesus has done in you?
Here's my interview with Jamie Ivey.
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