Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Anchored with Purpose | Faith, Family, Purpose, Dreaming, Planning, Overcoming Anxiety, Overcoming Overwhelm
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Anchored with Purpose | Faith, Family, Purpose, Dreaming, Planning, Overcoming Anxiety, Overcoming Overwhelm
Anchored with Purpose | Faith, Family, Purpose, Dreaming, Planning, Overcoming Anxiety, Overcoming Overwhelm episodes
- 53| Raising Kids in the Faith (Without the Pressure): Kristin DeVan on Real-Life Habits
Melissa sits down with Kristin DeVan—mom of four, campus minister, and longtime Nativity/Rebuilt ministry leader—to talk about raising kids in the Catholic faith, simple family faith habits, and building a home culture rooted in Jesus (without perfection or pressure). Kristin shares how serving as a kid ignited her calling, how liturgical seasons help families, practical ways to pray with little ones, and why small groups matter for moms. You’ll hear honest encouragement on burnout, boundaries, and keeping your cup filled while you pour into your family and church.
Get your FREE copy of the Anchored with Purpose planner here: https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/befd76a8d2
What you’ll learn
- How early serving in church shaped Kristin’s calling and faith
- Simple, realistic family faith rhythms (prayer before meals, bedtime intentions, worship music)
- Using liturgical seasons (Advent, Lent) to engage kids who think in “seasons”
- Why modeling matters more than perfection (parents as visible disciples)
- Small groups for moms: going deeper, being known, and staying filled
- Guarding against comparison and online perfection; choosing voices that encourage
- Practical resources: saints books for kids, worship music (Forrest Frank), Hallow app
Chapters
- 0:00 – God-orchestrated friendship & fun-size besties
- 1:25 – Kristin’s story: serving at 8 years old → theology → campus ministry
- 8:55 – Nativity/Rebuilt snapshot: one church, one message, excellence
- 11:30 – Keeping faith central with four kids: simple, consistent habits
- 15:25 – Practical traditions: mealtime prayer, bedtime intentions, music, saints books
- 18:30 – Worship music & Scripture: memorizing through lyrics
- 20:30 – Real-talk: avoiding pressure and perfection; doing what fits your family
- 22:45 – Hallow app, rosary readiness, and meeting kids where they are
- 24:20 – Small groups for moms: virtual after-bedtime & going deep
- 26:10 – Encouragement for moms in every season: grace > perfection
Keywords: Catholic moms, Catholic family life, family faith practices, liturgical living for families, Catholic parenting, motherhood and faith, small groups for moms, Rebuilt Parish, Nativity Church, worship music for kids, saints for kids, prayer with children, Catholic women encouragement, balance for busy moms
45 min - 52| Stop Waiting for January: Tips to Finish the Year Strong
Can you believe there are less than 90 days left in the year? Most people will hit pause and coast through the rest of the season — but not you, friend. In this episode, Melissa Wilkinson shares faith-filled encouragement and practical strategies to help you finish the year strong. You’ll learn how to reflect on your goals, re-align your priorities, and take intentional steps toward the dreams God has placed on your heart.
Through Scripture, research, and personal stories, Melissa walks you through how to create small, consistent habits that build momentum before January even arrives — because better is the end of a thing than its beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:8).
Whether you’re feeling behind, overwhelmed, or just ready for a reset, this episode will help you find clarity, peace, and purpose as you close out the year with intention and grace.
💡 What You’ll Learn:- Why how you finish the year matters more than how you started it
- How to reflect on your 2025 goals — and release the ones that no longer fit
- Faith-based strategies to stay grounded when life feels busy
- How to build “atomic habits” that help you end the year strong
- The power of planning with purpose (and how to use your planner as a faith tool)
- How to set one “next right step” each week for meaningful progress
- Tips for prayer journaling, celebrating weekly wins, and planning with joy
- How gratitude, faith, and focus work together to create momentum
🕒 Chapters & Time Stamps:0:00 — Why finishing the year strong matters
2:00 — The truth about New Year’s resolutions and building momentum early4:00 — Revisiting your goals and reflecting on what still matters6:00 — Systems, not goals: Lessons from Atomic Habits8:00 — The Anchored with Purpose Planner: building structure and faith into your days10:00 — Melissa’s personal story: health goals, gym challenges, and finding motivation14:00 — The power of small habits and daily discipline17:00 — Using your planner to track prayers, gratitude, and wins22:00 — Giving yourself permission to adjust your goals25:00 — Dreaming with God: setting new intentions for the coming year28:00 — The final challenge: plant one small seed before December 31st🧩 Resources Mentioned:- Anchored with Purpose Planner: https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/befd76a8d2
- Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://a.co/d/5y2MODN
- The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly: https://a.co/d/aiBBU8K
Anchored with Purpose: anchoredwithpurpose.comfaith-based goal setting, finish the year strong, Christian motivation, end of year reflection, Catholic women podcast, faith and planning, building habits that last, Christian time management, journaling and prayer habits, momentum for the new year, intentional living, Anchored with Purpose podcast
16 min - 51| From Burnout to Alignment: Emotional Intelligence for Women in Leadership
In this faith-filled conversation, Melissa sits down with Dr. Tennille Woodward—educator-turned-speaker, leadership coach, and national conference presenter—to talk about women in leadership, emotional intelligence, and what it really takes to live and lead in alignment. Tenille shares how she moved from corporate finance to the classroom to the principal’s office, and now to the keynote stage, helping women own their influence (Maxwell: “leadership is influence”) at work, at home, and in their faith communities. They unpack burnout, how to notice the early rumble strips (shoutout to From Drift to Drive), why “taking up space” matters, and practical ways to give and receive feedback with grace. If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I really a leader?”—this episode says yes and shows you how to step forward with purpose.
Connect with Dr. Tennille Woodward:
Website: growleadempower.com (coaching, speaking, workshops)What you’ll learn:
- Why every woman is a leader (influence at home, work, church)
- The difference between performance and purpose—and a tiny shift you can make this week
- How to spot burnout before it breaks you (the “rumble strips” metaphor)
- Emotional intelligence as the key to stewarding influence (and how to grow it)
- A simple way to practice healthy feedback (beyond “good job”)
- What alignment looks like when your vision, values, and actions move in the same direction
- Why it’s okay to “take up space”—and how to build the courage to do it
Chapters
- 0:00 — God-orchestrated meeting: Maxwell Conference + a wild connection story
- 2:45 — Tenille’s path: corporate finance → education → principal → leadership speaker
- 5:30 — “Leadership is influence”: why women already lead (even if they don’t claim it)
- 8:15 — Movie-themed archetypes: Scene Stealer, Plot Twister, Silent Extra
- 11:30 — Avoiding pendulum swings & finding alignment
- 15:00 — Emotional intelligence at home, work, and church
- 17:30 — Feedback that forms people (not just “good job”)
- 20:10 — Moms, boundaries, and the courage to say “no, thank you”
- 23:10 — From performance to purpose: one small shift this week
- 24:20 — Where to find Tenille + connect for coaching
Resources & mentions:
- Chris Robinson, From Drift to Drive (burnout & “rumble strips”) - https://a.co/d/5pzcvnK
- Melissa’s Free Planner: Weekly “Prayer Requests” box (top right) + “Weekly Wins” box (bottom right) to build faith, focus, and momentum: https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/befd76a8d2
Keywords: women in leadership, Christian women leadership, faith-based leadership, emotional intelligence for women, burnout recovery, boundaries for moms, leadership alignment, John Maxwell leadership, purpose-driven living, feedback culture, motherhood and leadership, female keynote speaker
27 min - 50| Keeping the Faith When the World Feels Scary
In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa shares encouragement for holding onto faith when the world feels heavy. With recent tragedies close to home and across the country, it’s easy to feel shaken or overwhelmed. But even in heartbreaking times, we can anchor ourselves in prayer, community, and the goodness of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Why it’s okay to bring your honest questions and grief to God
- How prayer connects us to Him and to each other
- The simple but powerful impact of asking, “How can I pray for you?”
- Using the Anchored with Purpose Planner to track prayer requests and celebrate weekly wins
- Choosing to focus on the good as an act of faith and resilience
Get your FREE copy of the Anchored with Purpose planner here: https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/befd76a8d2
Chapters:
0:00 – When the world feels scary and life feels heavy2:00 – Wrestling with God in hard times4:40 – The power of prayer and community7:00 – Writing down prayer requests in the planner9:20 – Weekly wins: focusing on the good12:00 – A word of encouragement for Spring Grove and beyond14:30 – Closing prayer and blessing16 min - 49| Not Strictly Spiritual: Silence, Gratitude & Everyday Prayer| ft. Mary de Turris Poust
Writer, retreat leader, and spiritual director Mary de Turris Poust joins Melissa to unpack how ordinary moments—oatmeal breakfasts, folding laundry, school drop-offs—become encounters with God. From the domestic church and parenting to gratitude practices, silent retreats, and learning to “stop striving” (Psalm 46), Mary offers simple, doable rhythms for busy women who want a deeper spiritual life without guilt or overwhelm.
🗓️ Get your FREE Anchored with Purpose Planner for the last 4 months of the year! https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/befd76a8d2
Highlights
- The pivot from “business of the Church” to truths of the faith
- How the domestic church forms kids—then learning to let go as they launch
- Why gratitude shifts us from lack to abundance (Mary’s journal is 9,000+ entries!)
- Easy family practices: gratitude jar, numbered nightly “3 things”
- Praying in the everyday: mindful meals, pots & pans spirituality (St. Teresa of Ávila)
- A gentle path into silence: start with five minutes, silent breakfasts, car quiet
- What silent retreat is (and isn’t): removing crutches (no reading/writing/eye contact!)
- Retreats Mary leads: silence, scripture, art & music, collage prayer, “puzzle as meditation”
- When you “can’t hear God”: trust, begin again, and embrace the journey as the goal
Scripture & Wisdom Mentioned
- Psalm 46:10 — “Be still… / Cease fighting… / Stop striving and know that I am God.”
- St. Teresa of Ávila — “God walks among the pots and pans.”
- St. Catherine of Siena — “All the way to heaven is heaven.”
Try This Week
- Create a small sacred space (chair, candle, scripture/holy card).
- Practice five minutes of silence once a day (car, kitchen prep, early morning).
- Start a gratitude habit: write and number 3 daily thanks or use a family gratitude jar.
Resources & Links
- Mary DeTurris Poust — https://notstrictlyspiritual.com/
- Mary’s Advent book (Liturgical Press) - https://litpress.org/Products/6872/Waiting-in-Joyful-Hope
Calls to Action
- If this encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave a rating/review.
- Tag us with your gratitude jar or quiet-time space!
45 min - 48| How to Build Habits Without Burnout
Our lives are shaped by our habits — for better or for worse. The small choices we make every day either anchor us in peace and purpose or leave us drifting and overwhelmed.
In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa unpacks why habits matter, how they connect to our faith, and the simple, practical ways to start building habits that actually last. Drawing on insights from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and Atomic Habits by James Clear, Melissa shares how to:
- See habits as stewardship of the gifts God has entrusted to us
- Shift from goal-chasing to identity-based habits that stick
- Use habit stacking to add new rhythms without adding extra time
- Shape your environment so your habits become easy and natural
- Track and celebrate habits with a planner (and why that matters!)
- Embrace progress over perfection when habits slip
Friend, your habits are shaping your life right now — but with God’s help, you get to choose the kind of life you’re building, one small step at a time.
🗓️ Get your FREE Anchored with Purpose Planner for the last 4 months of the year! https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/befd76a8d2
25 min - 47| Perfect(ish) Time Management: Stewarding Your Time for Faith, Family, and Purpose
Time is one of the most valuable resources we have—but so often, it feels like it’s slipping through our fingers. In this inspiring conversation, Melissa sits down with Kali Brigham, host of the Perfectish Podcast and a seasoned time management coach, to explore how women of faith can reclaim their time, align their priorities, and live with greater peace and purpose.
Kali shares her unique journey from NBC news producer—where every second literally counted—to coaching women across all seasons of life in building rhythms that matter. Together, Melissa and Kali talk about practical strategies for stewarding your time, creating intentional mornings, managing family expectations, and even leaving margin so you can breathe, dream, and grow into your God-given purpose.
💭 Download Kali’s free Friday Planning and Brain Drain sheets at https://tinyurl.com/braindraintemplate
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why time management is really about time stewardship as women of faith
- How to build mornings that feel right—not just follow someone else’s schedule
- A powerful way to bring intentional faith practices into your day (without guilt or checklists)
- The “thermostat principle” for setting the spiritual and emotional tone in your home
- How to use habit stacking to grow your prayer life and faith
- Practical rhythms for managing family expectations so you’re not pouring energy into things that don’t matter
- Why doing a time audit is one of the most eye-opening ways to reclaim your time
- Kali’s Friday Planning Party strategy for setting up a week with intention and freeing up your weekends
- How surrendering your daily plan to God creates both peace and freedom
🗓️ Get your FREE Anchored with Purpose Planner for the last 4 months of the year! https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/befd76a8d2
Scriptures Referenced:
- Matthew 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God
- Psalm 22:3 – God inhabits the praise of His people
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing
- Proverbs 16:9 – A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- Kali’s Website: https://www.kalibrigham.com/
- The Perfectish Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/perfect-ish-time-management-for-your-beautifully-imperfect/id1713232629
- Follow Kali on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kali.brigham/
- James Clear’s Atomic Habits: https://a.co/d/djBuWrz
- YouVersion Bible App: https://www.bible.com/users/mjwilkinson41
- Kali’s Free Resource: Friday Planning Party Templates and Brain Drain sheets at https://tinyurl.com/braindraintemplate
- Anchored with Purpose Faith Journal: https://a.co/d/grAekgq
- Join the Anchored with Purpose Tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredwithpurpose
anchoredwithpurpose.com
44 min - 46| 10 Simple Strategies to Invest in Yourself (Without Guilt)
Hey friend, welcome back to the Anchored with Purpose Podcast! In this episode, we’re wrapping up the Anchored in Every Area series by diving into one of the most transformative life anchors: personal development.
Here’s the truth—if you’re not intentionally growing, you’re unintentionally drifting. And as women of faith, wives, moms, and dreamers, we were created for so much more than drifting. Personal growth isn’t just a nice idea; it’s stewardship of the mind, body, skills, and spirit God has entrusted to us.
In this episode, I’ll share 10 practical and realistic ways to invest in your personal growth—whether you have a budget for it or not. You’ll discover simple, doable steps to keep learning, stay motivated, and grow closer to who God is calling you to be.
We’ll cover strategies like:
- Daily reading and listening habits to feed your mind with wisdom instead of endless scrolling.
- Conferences, workshops, and online courses that inspire and sharpen your skills.
- Masterminds, mentors, and accountability partners to give you encouragement and challenge.
- Skill stacking, serving, and scheduling growth time to stretch yourself and multiply your impact.
- Reflection and application—because growth isn’t about information, but transformation.
You’ll also hear encouragement from Scripture, including Luke 2:52, Romans 12:2, Proverbs 15:22, and Philippians 1:6—reminders that God calls us to keep growing and promises to complete the good work He began in us.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like your big dreams are slipping away, this episode will give you the tools and motivation to move forward.
🎧 Tune in and choose just ONE strategy to commit to over the next 30 days. Let’s stop drifting and start growing—on purpose.
Keywords: Christian personal development, Catholic moms growth, faith and personal growth, spiritual growth habits, personal development strategies, accountability partners, skill stacking, Christian women goals, faith-based time management, Catholic podcast for moms.
- Free Life Evaluation Tool: https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/ec1b0df5ec :
- Anchored with Purpose Faith Journal: https://a.co/d/g8aVljY
- Join the Anchored with Purpose Tribe: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredwithpurpose
- Follow Melissa on Instagram: @anchoredwithpurpose
📅 Book your Anchored Insights Discussion session here
Or just shoot me an email — I’d truly love to connect! [email protected]#ChristianMoms #FaithAndPersonalGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #CatholicMomLife #AnchoredWithPurpose
24 min - 45| Money, Faith, and Financial Freedom: Biblical Wisdom for Getting Out of Debt and Building Wealth
Are you feeling the weight of debt, rising prices, and financial stress? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Anchored with Purpose Podcast, host Melissa Wilkinson shares her family’s personal journey of paying off cars and law school loans early, building a strong retirement foundation, and creating peace in their home through budgeting and financial stewardship.
This episode is part of our Anchored in Every Area series, focusing today on money and finance. We’ll connect real-world money challenges to biblical principles and offer practical tools to help you find financial freedom without guilt or shame.
Melissa also shares:
- 📈 Why the average household debt in America is now over $104,000 (excluding mortgages).
- 💳 How credit card debt has skyrocketed to $1.1 trillion and why paying it off early matters.
- 🏦 How she and her husband used the debt snowball method to pay off vehicles and law school loans faster than they imagined possible.
- 👨👩👧 How budgeting and regular financial conversations with your spouse can transform your family’s money goals.
- 📖 What the Bible says about money — “the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7) — and how to apply that truth with hope, not shame.
- 🙌 The power of tithing, giving first fruits to the Lord, and experiencing His blessing when we trust Him with our finances.
- 💡 The best financial advice Melissa’s dad ever gave her: start investing 15% into your 401(k) early.
Whether you’re drowning in debt, just getting started with budgeting, or ready to dream bigger about giving generously, this episode will inspire you to live within your means, make a plan, and experience the peace that comes with financial freedom.
🔑 Key Takeaways from This Episode- Inflation is real — groceries, gas, housing, and utilities cost more than ever, but there’s still hope for financial stability.
- The average U.S. household debt is over $104,000 (excluding mortgages), with credit cards averaging more than $6,000 in balances.
- The debt snowball method works: focus on the smallest debt first, then roll payments into the next one.
- Budgeting doesn’t have to be restrictive — it’s telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.
- Retirement planning is critical: Melissa shares how starting young with 15% into her 401(k) set her up for financial security.
- Honest conversations about money with your spouse (and even friends) help remove the taboo and build accountability.
- God calls us to steward His money wisely, tithe faithfully, and trust Him with our needs.
📚 Resources & Mentions- The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey: https://a.co/d/4vn2XXP
- Proverbs 22:7 — “The borrower is slave to the lender.”
- Malachi 3:10 — God promises blessing when we bring our tithe.
- Luke 16:11 — “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
✨ Who This Episode is For- Women and families feeling the pressure of rising costs and wanting peace with money.
- Christians looking to align their finances with biblical stewardship.
- Anyone ready to break free from debt, build savings, and give generously.
- Listeners who want tactical steps for budgeting, paying off debt, and investing in the future.
💬 Let’s Reflect Together- What do you want your financial situation to look like in 5, 10, or 20 years?
- If you could give generously to any cause or organization, who would you bless and why?
- Which financial step (budgeting, debt payoff, tithing, retirement saving) do you need to take next?
👉 Friend, this episode isn’t about guilt — it’s about hope. You don’t have to be a slave to debt forever. When you live within your means, stick to a budget, and trust God with your finances, you’ll find peace, freedom, and purpose. Let’s stay anchored in Him — even with our money.
- Free Life Evaluation Tool: https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/ec1b0df5ec :
- Anchored with Purpose Faith Journal: https://a.co/d/g8aVljY
- Join the Anchored with Purpose Tribe: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredwithpurpose
- Follow Melissa on Instagram: @anchoredwithpurpose
📅 Book your Anchored Insights Discussion session here
Or just shoot me an email — I’d truly love to connect! [email protected]33 min - 44| Anchored in Health: Caring for Your Body, Mind, and Spirit
Your health is more than a number on the scale — it’s stewardship of the body and mind God has entrusted to you. In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa dives deep into the Life Anchor of Health, exploring both physical and mental wellness through a faith-centered lens.
From finding workouts you actually look forward to, to leading your children by example, to fueling your body with nutrient-rich foods (without living in the kitchen), Melissa shares her personal wins, struggles, and the mindset shifts that make lasting health possible. You’ll hear about her journey from intimidation to strength at her local gym, the surprising family wins with dietitian Cassie Groeschel, and the importance of protecting your mental health through rest, boundaries, and connection.
Whether you’re ready to start a 10-minute walk, drink more water, or finally find joy in movement again, you’ll come away with practical tips and biblical encouragement to anchor your health in purpose — so you can live out your calling with energy, peace, and joy.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why health is stewardship, not just appearance (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
- How leading by example impacts your kids’ lifelong habits (CDC data)
- Ways to find the type of movement you love
- The power of community in sticking with fitness goals
- Cassie Groeschel’s simple, family-friendly approach to nutrition
- Practical ways to protect your mental and emotional well-being
- How small steps lead to life-changing health habits
Scripture Mentioned:
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- Proverbs 4:23
Resources & Links:
- Connect with Dietitian Cassie Groeschel: https://wellnessthatfits.com/
- Listen to Cassie’s previous episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/18-overcoming-exhaustion-finding-balance-a-wellness/id1775076672?i=1000691054931
- Anchored with Purpose Faith Journal: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/18-overcoming-exhaustion-finding-balance-a-wellness/id1775076672?i=1000691054931
29 min
About Anchored with Purpose | Faith, Family, Purpose, Dreaming, Planning, Overcoming Anxiety, Overcoming Overwhelm
From the publisher's feed
The Anchored with Purpose Podcast focuses on Faith, Family, Purpose, & Dreaming Big.
How do I fill the emptiness I feel in my life? What is missing from my life? The stresses of this world…
How do I fill the emptiness I feel in my life? What is missing from my life? The stresses of this world…
are causing me anxiety, how can I cope? I’m a mom, but I feel so drained and have lost a piece of me, how do I find me again? How do I dream again? How do I even achieve those dreams?
And the biggest question of all, is it worth pursuing my purpose and dreams? Whether you’re a dreamer, a mom, connected in your faith or feeling a little (or a lot) lost, this is the show for you.
The Anchored with Purpose Podcast is a live-workshop style podcast packed with actionable step-by-step tips to help you redefine what you want in your life in the areas of faith, family, purpose, & pursuing your dreams.
You can train with the experts on how to dig in, reconnect with your faith & purpose, and tackle your biggest goals along the way.
And the biggest question of all, is it worth pursuing my purpose and dreams? Whether you’re a dreamer, a mom, connected in your faith or feeling a little (or a lot) lost, this is the show for you.
The Anchored with Purpose Podcast is a live-workshop style podcast packed with actionable step-by-step tips to help you redefine what you want in your life in the areas of faith, family, purpose, & pursuing your dreams.
You can train with the experts on how to dig in, reconnect with your faith & purpose, and tackle your biggest goals along the way.