Today we are kicking off our series Love Everyone. We all say we want to love everyone, but do we actually do it. Today’s guest Adam Weber inspires us every day to ask how we can go out of our way to just love one person today. It’s that simple intention that has changed his life. 

 

Through a deep time of pain, when he didn’t want to love again, he started to think of people who loved him when he was unlovable. This simple habit helped him remember why it was so important to love others because it changed his life. He even wrote a book about it called Love Has a Name: Loving the Different, Difficult, and Everyone Else. 

 

Adam teaches us to look at life differently. He helps us understand that loving others should be the most important thing to do, even if it feels like an interruption in our very busy schedule. It should be the schedule. 

 

Adam is genuine, shares his own struggles with loving others, and helps us find the courage to love those different than us, and the strength to love those who may be difficult to love. This is a must listen episode. 

 

Get Adam’s new book here: Love Has a Name

 

Connect with Adam on instagram: adamaweber

Did you know we wrote a children’s book? Check it out here: The Lunchbox Note: a story about loving others.

Today I have the privilege of interviewing Rondell Trevino, founder of The Immigration Coalition. Their organization is providing clean drinking water to Immigrant and migrant families in Matamoros, Mexico along the Southern Border, and biblically balanced resources on immigration that show compassion to immigrants and respect for the rule of law.

 

The reason I have Rondell on today is two fold. 

1. He is closing out our PROTECT THE WEAK series and telling us how we can show compassion to the immigrant. He gives us an inside look into the lives of migrants, immigrants, refugees. Rondell’s wife is an immigrant from Guatemala and her story inspired him to help care for those just like her. 

 

1. I also have him on to talk about the upcoming election. Rondell personally is a Christian and he has been very thoughtful in his recent social media responses to this upcoming election in what we who identify as Christians can be sure of no matter what happens in this election. This is not a political podcast, but one that will give hope to those who may be struggling during this election cycle. We talk about how to love those who vote differently than us and how to act after the election. 

 

This is an important listen as we lead up to November 3rd. 

 

Check out more information here on the show notes:

 

Thank you to Crossfit Misfits for being our sponsor for this series. 

If you are ready to get in shape and have fun doing it, check out Crossfit Misfits in Waco

 

Today I am interviewing my new friend Emily Mills Co-founder of Jesus Said Love, a non-profit that helps to awaken hope and empower change in the lives of those impacted by the commercial sex industry—including human trafficking. They do this through outreach, job training and work therapy, social enterprise, and education and prevention. 

 

Emily and I talk about what it looks like to protect the woman in need, the woman who may be so similar to us, but has been dealt a different hand in life. We have more things in common than divide us. 

 

She gives us a different perspective of what a woman looks like who has been trafficked. She gives us a different inside look of a woman who may feel like this is the only path of survival. Emily and her husband Brett spend their life engaging, empowering and providing a safe place for women to come and feel worthy. 

 

Emily and Brett started as worship leaders but their heart broke wide open after hearing about the sex trafficking industry. They started to hang out with moms and women and got to know their stories. Then they started going to strip clubs to care for the women there. Not to save them or condemn them, but to show them love in ways they had never experienced before. 

 

Their story of strip clubs to a thriving non-profit and now social enterprise, called Lovely to help employ survivors, is incredible. The perspective she gives us, and how we can also learn to see others who we may have judged in the past is a must listen. 

 

Here are some ways you can support Jesus Said Love. 

 

Next time you want to buy gifts for friends or yourself, shop Lovely. Each purchase helps employ survivors. 

https://ourlovelystore.com/

 

Donate to Jesus Said Love and help them continue the incredible work they are doing.

https://jsl.churchcenter.com/giving 

 

Instagram: JesusSaidLove

Social Enterprise Instagram: Lovelyenterprises

Jesus Said Love: Jesussaidlove

Check out our giveaway on instagram this week with Jesus Said Love

Instagram: Bestrongstory

**WARNING SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER DISCUSSED**

Today I am interviewing Joe Smarro who helped lead the San Antonio Police Department’s mental health unit and crisis intervention training. Because of this team more than 100,000 people have been diverted away from jail or emergency rooms. Thanks to the work of the San Antonio Police Department’s mental health detail and its Crisis Intervention Training program the need to use force has been reduced  and instead has helped to connect people with the mental health services they need.

 

He and his partner Ernie were featured in a HBO documentary called: Crisis Cops which “is an intimate portrait of two Texas police officers who are helping change the way police respond to mental health calls. The film takes audiences on a personal journey, weaving together their experiences during their daily encounters with people in crisis. These two officers are not your everyday cops.”

 

We talk about our current police culture, how it can be improved, and why he is so passionate about helping other police departments adopt methods to deal with the mentally ill, so much so, that he went full time with his business Solution Point Plus to train others.

 

Joe talks about the weapons of empathy and listening, and how he  can truly relate to those he comes in contact with in the field because of his own story of trauma, mental illness, and healing. 

 

Joe’s story is impactful and he will challenge us to look at things a bit differently. He will inspire us to really “see” people and give us hope for the future. 

 

Connect with Joe:

Instagram: joesmarro

 

Website: www.solutionpointplus.com

 

Watch the HBO documentary: Crisis Cops 

 

Sponsor for this podcast episode: 

Crossfit Misfits http://www.cfmisfits.com/

Our coaches and participants are welcoming, supportive, and committed to creating an environment where everyone can succeed.

Today we are kicking off our PROTECT THE WEAK series with an organization who knows a thing or two about protecting others. International Justice Mission is a organization that was created to END modern day slavery. Their proven solution consists of rescuing and restoring victims, bringing criminals to justice, and strengthening justice systems. 

 

Today’s guest is Philip Langford the President of International Justice Mission (IJM). Philip has spent his life rescuing, restoring, and educating the world on modern day slavery. Since joining IJM in 2006, Philip has led IJM field programs in Southeast Asia, Africa and South Asia to strengthen justice systems to protect the poor from slavery and human trafficking, gender-based violence and police abuse of power. During his time as Vice President of Regional Operations for Southeast Asia, Philip led IJM’s programs in the region to combat cross-border labor trafficking in domestic and multi-national supply chains and the global proliferation of online sexual exploitation of children. Prior to working in Southeast Asia, as Vice President of Regional Operations for Africa, Philip led IJM’s field programs across Eastern, Western and Southern Africa targeting child labor trafficking, gender-based violence and police abuse.

 

Most of us don’t even realize this exists not just in foreign countries but in our own. 

 

Philip and I talk about what it looks like to live a life on behalf of others well-being, why we need getting out of our comfort zones is the biggest blessing, and how right now we can help those who are being treated unfairly. 

 

Philip has seen the atrocities of slavery, but he has also seen the beauty that can come from rescue and restoration. Philip gives us hope and the tools to be the change. 

 

Be a part of ending slavery

https://www.ijm.org/

 

Find more more info https://www.bestrongstory.com/be-love-podcast

https://www.bestrongstory.com/family-coaching

The Be Strong Series was a rich and amazing group of people who shared their struggles and hardships in hopes to inspire us to muster up our own dose of strength in hard times. ⁠

⁠

I learned so much from this month’s episodes, so I am giving you some of my favorite take-aways from this series. I am going back through each episode and pulling out some of the special things that I learned. 

 

One common theme I learned through all of these podcasts, is the power of accepting our story and all that comes with them, they have the power to heal us and others. Some of our guests shared some really hard things on our podcast, but they all agree that when we share our stories it frees us and frees others. 

Be Strong Series Guests: 

#75 Sam Collier Episode: Author, Podcast Host, Book: A Greater Story #75

 #76 Magdalena Newman: The Real Life Wonder Family, Memoir: Normal: A Mother and her Beautiful Son 

#77 Tyler Labine: Actor on NBC New Amsterdam #77

#78 Ashley Abercrombie: Author: Rise of The Truth Teller # 78

 

Did you know that we provide family coaching? This month we are talking about navigating tech with your family. Head here to sign up for this month.

https://www.bestrongstory.com/shop/family-coaching-subscription-monthly-999

We are in the 4th week of our BE STRONG SERIES, where we are sharing stories of those who have been strong through unimaginable difficulties. 

Ashley Abercrombie, author of, Rise of the Truth Teller, is sharing her  powerful story with us today. Ashley reminds us that it is ok to tell the truth about ourselves and our past. 

 

She shares with us about her own struggles to overcome rape, addiction, abortion, perfectionism, and hiding under a fake mask for years. 

We talk about how to step out of our pain and shame and find healing, acceptance, and truth in our own stories. 

 

 Listen in to learn how to get over the fear of hiding, and pretending everything is fine, to share our truth and accept our past. 

 

Get her book here: Rise of the Truth Teller

 

Our podcast today is sponsored by Southern poms.  These are my signature earrings and bracelets. Most every picture you see me in I will have these pom pom earrings on!

They are a woman owned company that provides handmade pom pom earrings, tassel earrings, & unique beaded bracelets and necklaces. 

Listeners will receive 20% off their order with code BESTRONG20 .

Episode notes https://www.bestrongstory.com/be-love-podcast

Today we have the privilege of interviewing Tyler Labine for the third episode of our Be Strong Series. Tyler plays Dr. Iggy Frome, head of psychiatry, in the NBC medical drama New Amsterdam. Yes, New Amsterdam is one of our favorite shows on TV so I couldn’t wait to talk to Tyler about his own story of strength. 

He gives us a look into his real life and his struggles with eating disorders and addiction. His journey with embracing all the good and all the bad in his life is the true definition of strength. This interview is so tender and raw and I am so grateful for Tyler’s vulnerability and his pursuit of authenticity to share his story and struggles in hopes to give freedom to others. 

 

You will be on the edge of your seat this entire interview as he inspires us to continue our own journey of accepting ourselves just as we are. 

 

Watch NBC New Amsterdam

 

Check out our new Children’s book: The Lunchbox Note: a story of loving others

 

Check out our show notes for more information.

Remember the book Wonder by RJ Palacio? The book is about the little boy Auggie who had Treacher Collins syndrome, a crania-facial disorder in which some bones and tissues in the face aren’t developed. This book helped change the world of my guest Magda Newman. 

Magda Newman’s family is called the “real life Wonder” family. 20/20 did a special on Magda’s family and her family's journey with Treacher Collins syndrome.  Magda and her son Nathaniel have written a beautiful memoir called Normal: A Mother and her Beautiful Son.

We talk through her journey of strength as Magda and her husband Russell were completely in shock when Nathaniel was born. They had no idea how their life would be turned upside down with 70+ surgeries, multiple life threatening situations with Nathaniel and the stress that would affect their own health as they cared for their son  24-7; constantly monitoring in the first months and years of his life, things that most parents of newborns never have to face. Things like  making sure he  wouldn’t drown from a tiny amount of water getting into his tracheostomy, or making sure he didn’t get multiple infections from his surgery, to helping him make friends and find their normal, when people didn’t understand or were scared of the way their son looked. 

 

Throughout this interview I am overwhelmed by Magda’s strength to not only fight for her son’s normal, but how she also  has the perseverance to fight her own health battles that almost took her life twice. We talk about her past disciplines as a concert pianist and her life in Poland and how that set her up to fight some of the hardest times of her life. 

 

After finishing up this interview you will be inspired to get through your own hard times. Magda gives us ways she got through the isolating, stressful, and fearful times in her life. You will take away such a beautiful perspective of a mother’s love for her child. 

 

We also talk about how we can teach our kids to be kind and compassionate to those kids who may look different than us. Things we can ask, ways we can approach them with love and respect. 

 

Buy Magda’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Normal-Mother-Her-Beautiful-Son/dp/1328593126

Watch her 20/20 special here: https://abcnews.go.com/US/real-life-family-nathaniel-magda-newman/story?id=67838415

https://abcnews.go.com/US/familys-story-hardships-triumphs-son-rare-craniofacial-disorder/story?id=51142563

 

Click here for more show notes

This week we are starting our NEW SEASON and NEW SERIES called Be Strong. 

We are bringing you all new guests, all new interviews, and each month we will be diving into a new topic this fall. 

 

This month we are focusing on the first phrase of our lunchbox note, which says, “BE STRONG.” We will be interviewing those who have been through hard circumstances and they will teach us their definition of what it means to be strong. 

 

Today we are interviewing Sam Collier, sought after speaker, pastor, author, podcaster, who shares his story of how he was abandoned as a baby and later meets his birth mother on the Steve Harvey show of all places. We talk about disappointment, what happens when things don’t work out the way we think they should, how to surrender, and what it means to accept our past, present, and future, no matter the trials we have been through. 

 

In Sam’s new book: A Greater Story, all of us are given permission to embrace our stories, and know that just because they may start out hard, it doesn’t mean we can’t embrace all the parts and find freedom in every area of our lives. 

 

You will be captivated by Sam’s story, but also his ability to get all of us to make amends with ourselves and realize every one of our stories has a purpose. He helps us find what that purpose may be. 

 

I was so inspired by this interview in our BE STRONG series, and I know you will be too. 

 

Grab Sam’s book here: A Greater Story 

Listen to Sam’s Popular Podcast: https://agreaterstory.org/radio/

 

You can check out the rest of our show notes here:https://www.bestrongstory.com/be-love-podcast

And tune in next week for another special guest in our BE STRONG series.