Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?

My guest this week is the incredible Sandra Byrd, an experienced devotionalist who has authored more than 50 books. Sandra's newest devotional, Dwell, was just released and focuses on the heartwarming topic of home. She created this devotional to draw inspiration from window views and cozy armchairs to spend time with God. It's the perfect book to keep on your nightstand or coffee table and help you feel closer to God when you read it.

Her previous devotionals for women include The One Year Home and Garden Devotions (from which Dwell was drawn) and The One Year Experiencing God's Love Devotional. In addition, her tween devotional, One Year Between You and God, is a bestseller. Sandra is also an editor and writing coach who is passionate about helping writers develop their talents.

• Sandra is a Christian woman, mother, grandmother, author, book and writing coach and editor.
• She is also a foodie and loves long walks by the water.

• Foodie is more than just liking to eat. It's about enjoying recipes and learning about food.
• Sandra enjoys all the senses when she's around food, and it's like an art form to her.

• Taste can bring us closer to Jesus. Cuisines can help us learn about cultures.
• God made us to be sensory beings. When we navigate the world using our senses, we enjoy it more fully.
• God uses sensory illustrations in the Bible to help us understand His word.
• Sandra only drinks Jasmine tea when she's spending time with God. She associates the smell with God.

• We often look for mountaintop experiences with God, but most life events are pretty mundane.
• We need to feel God in the place where we spend most of our time, at home.

• God never lets Sandra write about anything that she hasn't experienced.
• She and her husband had to leave their dream home after he got cancer, so home became part of her story.
• Sandra thought that was her forever home, but she was wrong. Our forever home is in Heaven, not here on earth.

• Set yourself up for success to spend time with the Lord. Set out your Bible, set reminders on your phone and tell family that you'll be doing your devotionals.
• A good devotional is like a prayer partner, in a sense.

• The most fun book she wrote? Her Tudor books.

FEATURED QUOTES

God made us to be sensory beings. When we navigate the world using our senses, we enjoy it more fully.

That's where peace comes from – if we have our home as a refuge. God is our home. And our physical surrounding is our home.

God never lets me write about anything that I don't experience.

A good devotional is like a prayer partner, in a sense.

https://www.sandrabyrd.com/

About Sandra Byrd:

The author of more than fifty books, Sandra's work has received many awards, nominations, and accolades, including a starred review from Publisher's Weekly and multiple starred reviews and Best Book selections from Library Journal. Other awards include the Historical Novel Society's Editor's Choice award, two Christy Awards nominations, a Bookpage Top Pick for Romance, and inclusion on Booklist's Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.

Sandra is an experienced devotionalist. Her newest devotional, Dwell, will be published in Spring 2023. Previous devotionals for women include The One Year Home and Garden Devotions (from which Dwell was drawn) and The One Year Experiencing God's Love Devotional, which was named by Called Magazine, the #1 magazine for Christian Women, as among their favorite, must-read books. In addition, her tween devo, One Year Between You and God, is a bestseller.

As an editor and an in-demand writing coach, Sandra is passionate about helping writers develop their talents and has mentored hundreds of writers at all stages of their writing careers. For testimonials about her editing and book coaching, please visit sandrabyrdbookcoach.com.

A dedicated foodie, Sandra cooks through the topic and location of every book she writes. In addition, she collects vintage glass and serve ware in her free time, loves long walks with her husband, and Sunday Suppers with her growing family.

About Dwell:

Because God dwells in us and we dwell in Him, evidence of Him surrounds us, right where we live. And He wants us to lean in to Him, enjoying security in His love and comfort from His companionship. Join Sandra Byrd for 90 days of devotional readings that will lead you to a place where you feel at home with God. She draws inspiration from do-it-yourself projects, gardening, home decor, and more, and then pairs each story with biblical insights that nurture gratitude and deepen faith. You'll love the earthy look of this devotional with a scattering of full-page photos and full color throughout, this warm, inviting devotional will feature beautifully on a nightstand or coffee table and provide fresh encouragement for the soul. With stories from real life and gentle words from Scripture, Sandra invites you into her own home and garden. Whether you're delighting in a window view of a chubby squirrel, savoring the first bite of a hot buttery roll, stressed over a broken-down furnace, or distracted by badly hung wallpaper, you'll discover that every experience can bring you closer to Jesus.

My guest this week is Jenell Jones, an education entrepreneur who is currently operating two childcare and early learning centers. Her centers specialize in providing high quality learning experiences to children who experience trauma in low-income areas.

In her spare time, Jenell prides herself by staying active in her church community in Arizona. She enjoys sharing her time, talent, and treasure with all those in need, and thoroughly enjoys sharing her experiences as a natural, foster, and adoptive mother through the lens of Christianity. Jenell has seven children and is grateful that God allowed her to be the mother of each of them.

• Jenell says she is a normal person and loves her seven children.
• She often feels mom guilt and wanting to do more for her children.

• In her just released book, Shattered, Jenelle shares her honest take on the adoption and foster care system.
• Jenell's family is one of those families where, if somebody needs something, they end up at Jenell's house – whether it's two days or two years.

• One of Jenell's foster children was hospitalized and told the nurse she was hearing voices. Not much can shock Jenell, but that did.
• Doctors aren't always able to help kids with trauma and brokenness feel whole again.

• Jenell is sharing her story about the foster and adoption system to bring the issues to light.
• There is no voice for children in the system.
• People aren't showing God's children when they're leaving children to fend for themselves without a voice.

• Jenell tries to protect her children's identities while sharing their stories.
• Doctors need more data from real situations to help children.

• Jenell's daughter has 10 siblings, and she couldn't take all of them, unfortunately. It's hard on kids when they are separated from family.

• Jenell is trying to get the word out about her book.
• To help her, visit JenellJones.com.

I am just like a normal person. I like to pride myself on being a mom of seven.

We are one of those families where, if somebody needs something, they end up at our house – whether it's two days or two years.

I've started with telling my story to rally other people around us.

We're not showing God's love when we're leaving those children out there.

https://www.jenelljones.com/

https://www.jenelljones.com/books

About Jenell Jones:

Jenell M. Jones is an early education entrepreneur, currently operating multiple early learning centers, which specialize in providing high quality learning experiences to children who experience trauma in low-income areas. Her education background includes earning a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorders from Arizona State University. A native of Phoenix, Jones has provided her expertise to families for the last decade and currently hosts private discussions with other foster and adoptive parents on current issues affecting the nontraditional home. Through her life experiences, passion is the source by which she governs herself to make a difference. The goal is not to be perfect but to assist others in rising through difficulties. Jones' blueprint of success can be summed up in a few statements: Be tenacious, be kind, be loving, but most of all…be forgiving. Find out more about her at JenellJones.com.

Adoptive mother shares first-hand experiences of under-supported foster and adoptive parents

PHOENIX, Arizona – Adoptive and foster parents assume there will be adequate resources to support their growing families – but too often, the system doesn't follow through. In "Shattered" (AuthorHouse, May 16, 2023), Jenell M. Jones tells the raw truth behind America's foster and adoption system, sharing the day-to-day realities and challenges of raising children with mental and physical limitations, and tells parents (and would-be parents) what they most need to hear: It won't be what you expect, and you are not alone.

With the trajectory of today's society, we can all agree that parenting is difficult. Choosing to foster and adopt proves to not be an easy feat. Parents are in constant competition with societal influences and sometimes feel it's an uphill battle. These same parents are often told they will be supported in the rearing of their children and that adequate resources would be made available. But what happens when you discover the system that promised to help you, would betray you? What happens when you decide to enter into another realm of difficulty – fostering and adopting children who come with mental and physical baggage?

Meet Jenell M. Jones, an adoptive mother who is still trying to find the answers to these questions. In these pages, you will see through a mother's eyes as she shares her deepest pain for her daughter, "Mercy." In the end, justice is necessary and peace is questionable.

My guest this week is the hilarious and amazing Elizabeth Passarella, the author of two books, "It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway" and "Good Apple." She is contributing editor for Southern Living and former editor at Real Simple and Vogue.

Elizabeth has spent more than 20 years writing about food, travel, home design, and parenting in outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Parents, Martha Stewart Weddings, Coastal Living, Airbnb Magazine, and Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn.

Elizabeth grew up in Memphis, Tenn., and graduated with a degree in journalism from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.

• Elizabeth is a writer and has lived in New York City since 1999, but she's a Southerner at heart.
• Her books are humorous essay collections about her life, including parenting, marriage, friendships, her faith and some politics.

• Elizabeth's dad encouraged her to attend college up north and move somewhere different from where she grew up.
• She finally realized how fun and high energy New York City was.
• Once she got to New York, she didn't plan to be there long-term, but she felt a spiritual calling that it was home.

• Elizabeth's mother is supportive but wants her to stop writing books, especially ones that talk about their family.
• Elizabeth enjoyed working part-time for magazines and also raising her kids.
• A former magazine editor turned literary agent asked Elizabeth to write a book.

• There were lots of green lights with writing a book. God made it very clear to Elizabeth that she should keep writing.
• God kept opening little doors, so she kept going.

• It can feel taboo to be a Christian in New York City, but the city has a lot of churches.
• It's a misconception that there aren't a lot of Christians in New York.

• Elizabeth didn't take her kids to touristy areas in New York City until friends came into town and wanted to see the sights.
• Living in New York City, space is the biggest thing you give up.
• Elizabeth has a minivan, but her family mostly walks everywhere.

Once I got to New York, I didn't think it was where I was going to live forever. But it was a cosmic, spiritual transformation in me. I just knew in my bones that this was home.

There were lots of green lights with writing a book. God made it very clear that, "You're doing what I want you to be doing. Keep doing it."

It's a misconception that there aren't a lot of Christians in New York. There are a lot of thriving churches here.

I'm not always fighting to hold onto God. He's fighting to hold onto me. He's fighting to hold onto all of us.

https://www.elizabethpassarella.com/

https://www.elizabethpassarella.com/books

My guest this week is Karrie Garcia. As a pastor, life coach, author and CEO, Karrie inspires change in others by boldly sharing her journey to freedom. With more than 10,000 hours of experience under her belt, Karrie has been speaking formally since the age of 19. Her audiences range from church small groups to crowds of thousands.

Karrie's authentic, raw, and fearless approach to addressing challenging, and sometimes uncomfortable, topics makes those who hear from her feel known, loved, and accepted. She started the nonprofit Freedom Movement in 2014 with the understanding that every single one of us is broken and has wounds, many of which are not often addressed within traditional church environments.

Karrie's new book, Free & Fully Alive: Reclaiming the Story of Who You Were Created to Be, is available now.

• Besides being a wife and a mom of three kids, Karrie trains people to heal through their trauma.
• Karrie wanted to know God deeply, but she didn't know how to deal with the harm and heartache she experienced at home.

• Karrie has been sober 21 years, but she still struggles with drug addiction. She got off drugs because she was going to die.
• No one is doing drugs just because they want to. Something deeper is going on.

• Her entire book is about healing and connection to self, God and others.
• Pause the things you're doing today and look at who you were when you were younger. What role did you have to play in your family?
• Write down one, two or three stories about how you played that role. How did you protect yourself?

• People often come to Christianity broken and in need, and they think they're supposed to have their life more together than they do. But that is a lie.
• Jesus asks us not to be scared. Trust in Him.

• People often put on masks and don't have real, honest conversations with people.
• Connect to yourself first. Be honest with yourself first and then be honest with God.

I wanted to know God deeply, and yet I didn't know how to encounter or faceoff or even really embrace the stories of harm and heartache that were in my home.

I've been sober 21 years. However, I still struggle with addiction. I got off drugs because I was going to die.

I take very complex things and simplify them.

We must see the story before we see the sin. You're on drugs? OK, what's the story?

https://www.wearefm.org/

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Fully-Alive-Reclaiming-Created/dp/0310366445

My guest this week is the incredible Jodie Berndt. She is a wife, mother, speaker and author of the best-selling Praying the Scriptures book series, which teaches to use God's word to enhance your prayer life. Her newest book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage, is available now.

She and her husband Robbie have four children, and they live in Virginia Beach. Jodie has such a deep well of wisdom, and I loved this conversation all around marriage.

• She has been married to her husband for nearly 38 years. They both went to University of Virginia.
• Things Jodie planned to do with her life didn't usually work out. She has enjoyed the unexpected nature of where life has taken her.
• Jodie met a woman whose husband was an author. Jodie began writing for him.

• Jodie's first book was about miracles.
• She loved using the Bible to help her pray for her family and herself. That led to her book series about Praying the Scriptures

• People often introduce Jodie as a prayer expert or warrior. But she doesn't feel comfortable with those titles. She is just someone who's aware of her own need for God's help.
• Jodie asks God to help her, even when it's hard to obey Him.

• Some people tell Jodie they feel bad about praying for simple things, like a child's field hockey team or wanting a new refrigerator. They see it as "clogging the prayer lines" when there are more important things happening in the world.
• When you pray about the little things, it lets you live with a greater sense of gratitude.

• Prayer isn't so much about getting things from God as it is about getting God and getting to know Him better.

• People kept asking Jodie for a book about prayer and marriage, but she didn't think the world needed any more. She already had a lot of books on her shelf about marriage.
• Her passion for the project developed as she worked on it.

• Praying with your spouse can be awkward, especially if you have different styles of prayer.
• You can download a 31-day prayer calendar that has suggestions for topics, like generosity.

• Jodie loves being grandparents together and going boating.

FEATURED QUOTES

I kind of fell backwards into writing, but it's been a fun journey.

People will often introduce me as a prayer expert or prayer warrior. I'm just like, "Whoa, whoa! I don't consider myself an expert or a warrior. I consider myself who's really aware of her own need for God for his help."

I think, "God, help me obey you, even when it's really hard."

The best stuff comes out of the wrestle.

When you pray about the little things, it lets you live with a greater sense of gratitude.

Prayer isn't so much about getting things from God as it is about getting God and getting to know Him better.

https://jodieberndt.com/

Welcome to Episode 350! I can't believe we're here. I'm coming up on 7 years in podcasting, which is incredible, and I've had the chance to talk with so many amazing people.

Every 10 episodes I do a solo show. And it's really just me! No team. No people sitting nearby. Just me sitting by myself at my desk in my office/recording studio. I wanted to do something fun for this episode, so we're doing a "Get to know me" show.

2:02 – Get to know me

• Back in high school, I created my own website on GeoCities. People used to share fun "get to know me" info.
• Let's jump into some questions you have about me!

5:11 – Am I named after anyone?

• No, I'm not named after anyone. My name is Irish. My parents always wanted to have a girl named Molly.

5:33 – Do I have kids?

• Yes, Lily and Amos. And two boys, Elijah and Malachi, who went to Heaven during pregnancy.
• I always wanted 5 kids, so I adopt my friends' kids.

6:03 – Last time I cried?

• I cry all the time. I'm a sympathy crier.

7:01 – Do I use sarcasm?

• Not as much as my husband.

7:34 – What I first notice about people?

• What they're wearing and if I think they're real or phony.

8:43 – Scary movie or happy endings?

• Hard pass on scary movies.

9:09 – Favorite smells?

• Flowers – roses and peonies. Also, the smell of my house, especially my bed and sheets. Is that strange?

11:14 – Hobbies

• Playing guitar and reading, if I have time. Also, anything farming.
• I have several "granny habits," like canning, cooking and food preservation.

12:54 – What did I want to be when I grew up?

• I wanted to be on Saturday Night Live. Seriously, that was my dream.

13:56 – How tall am I?

• I'm 5'3" on a good day!

14:48 – Favorite and worst subjects in high school?

• Loved writing, hated math.

16:07 – Favorite childhood memory

• When my mom took my friends and me to see NSYNC in concert.

18:24 – Extrovert or introvert?

• I'm an introvert … really! I just love my alone time. That's how I recharge.

20:02 – Am I a good cook?

• Yes! I love to cook.

21:02 – Where would I love to live?

• Right where I am.

22:43 – First movie I saw

• The Wizard of Oz. I was obsessed with it.

23:02 – One word that describes me

• Loyal.

23:56 – Something that amazes me

• Living on the farm and seeing life happen around me.

FEATURED QUOTES

I love doing this podcast. I get to sit down with so many cool people.

I cry all the time. I'm a sympathy crier.

Do I use sarcasm? Not as much as my husband.

I have developed what I call "granny habits" over the last couple of years. I really like to can and cook and do food preserving.

My guest this week is Jenny Nuccio, a mom, wife, coach, mentor, and founder and CEO of Imani Collective. What first started as a non-profit training program has developed into a social enterprise and holistic women's empowerment program in Mombasa, Kenya.

Jenny started going to Kenya when she was 18 and started Imani Collective at 21. She didn't have mentors along the way and humbly entered every door asking countless questions. Her journey felt extremely lonely and she realized so many others were in her shoes.

Jenny wants women to not only come alive in who they are but also realize that they are fully capable of chasing their dreams.

Jenny is a good friend of mine and was on the show in April 2021. Listen to her previous episode.

3:15 – Jenny 201

• Jenny lives in Kenya and was just in the states traveling for a week.
• She is now Dr. Jenny Nuccio and proudly uses that title, but she's not a medical doctor.
• Her new book, Let it Be Wild: Stepping into the Unknown and Finding a Home, comes out May 29.

9:12 – Creative process

• Jenny's creative process has changed over the years. She used to journal, and now she shares thoughts by voice notes.
• Her book takes people behind the scenes of her life and work.
• Her short stories take people through the highs, lows and lessons learned.

13:16 – Radical listening

• Ask yourself: What are you doing to radically listen and create change?
• Jenny is always fighting against the narrative of quick change in communities. She wants to empower people and aid communities for the long term.

21:10 – Let it Be Wild

• Jenny's family always called her the wild one, so that inspired the name of her book.
• Her family didn't travel much, but Jenny now travels all over the world.
• When she was young, she had audacious bravery.

30:40 – Challenges and the future

• After Covid started, her business grew 116%. They handed out thousands of masks to the community.
• She was blessed with more business, but it was a challenge.

41:30 – Quieting the inner voice

• Jenny allows herself to feel emotions and have some stagnant days.
• Hiding under the covers is OK for awhile, but don't stay there.

47:05 – Get to know you

• What brings her the most joy? Her daughter's laugh.

FEATURED QUOTES

My expertise is the social enterprise world.

I'm always fighting against that narrative of quick relief. How are we doing empowerment and development that is actually aiding communities for the long term?

What are you doing to radially listen and create change?

When you're young, you have audacious bravery.

https://www.amazon.com/Let-Be-Wild-Stepping-Finding/dp/B0C1TKJ2DW

HTTP://www.letibewildbook.com

My guests this week are Dr. Ed Gravely and Dr. Pete Link Jr. Ed serves as Professor of Christian Studies at Charleston Southern University and occupies the Ott Chair of Theology there.

He has been teaching koine Greek and New Testament at the university and graduate level since 2002, and the focus of his research and writing is in the field of Textual Criticism. Ed serves as an elder at his church in the Charleston area. He is married and has two children.

Pete serves as an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Charleston Southern University. He teaches biblical Hebrew, Old Testament, and hermeneutics with a focus on the Torah. Dr. Link earned his PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2012, and he currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Southeast Region of the Evangelical Theological Society.

In addition to his academic work, Pete also serves as a Groups Pastor at Crossroads Community Church in Summerville, S.C. God has blessed him and his wife, Becky, with five wonderful children.

• His background is in radio, TV and film. He was a failed screenwriter.
• Pete gave his life to the Lord at age 31.

• He is married with a 16-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter.
• One of the best things about living in Charleston is putting Christmas lights in palm trees.

• Pete and Ed wrote the book, "Bible 101," to be a comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to the ins and outs of the Old and New Testaments.
• They spent about 6 to 8 weeks writing the first draft of the book.
• They think Biblical illiteracy is a problem.

• The amount of Old Testament that is assumed by the New Testament writers is substantial.
• Paul is sort of the spark notes for the Old Testament.

• They wondered what order would be best to teach the Old Testament.
• While reading the Bible, you can begin to see the patterns of God's mercy.

• Think about the things you need to hold onto and the things you need to let go of, because you are passing through this world.

• God is not afraid of our questions.

• Some people have very particular and meticulous questions, and you can work to answer those.
• Does the person you're talking to consider the Bible to be innocent until proven guilty or guilty until proven innocent?

FEATURED QUOTES

We sent the book to friends, asking, "Does this make sense to you?" – Pete

This book sort of fell out of the sky into our laps. – Pete

We certainly believe that Biblical illiteracy is especially bad right now. – Pete

I can remember how intimidating the concept of the scriptures were. – Pete

The amount of Old Testament that is assumed by the New Testament writers is substantial. – Ed

I often tell my students that in many ways Paul is sort of the spark notes for the Old Testament. – Ed

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bible-101/Edward-D-Gravely/Adams-101/9781507219805

My guest today is Dr. Heather Thompson Day, an interdenominational speaker, an ECPA bestseller and contributor for Christianity Today and Newsweek. She is also the host of Viral Jesus, a new podcast with Christianity Today, which charts in the top 200 of all Christian podcasts in the U.S.

Heather is an Associate Professor of Communication at Andrews University. She is passionate about supporting women, and runs an online community called I'm That Wife, which has more than 270,000 followers.

Heather's writing has been featured on outlets like the Today Show, and the National Communication Association. She has been interviewed by BBC Radio Live and The Wall Street Journal.

She believes her calling is to stand in the gaps of our churches for young people. She is the author of 8 books; including I'll See You Tomorrow, and It's Not Your Turn.

She resides in Michigan, with her husband, Seth Day, and their three children, London, Hudson, and Sawyer Day.

• Heather always says, when trying to describe herself, that she is forever a teacher and forever a student.
• She works in the communications space in pop culture and always wanted to be a writer.

• Heather credits the people she surrounds herself with for helping her succeed.
• She believes self-reliance is a myth. We are created to exist in relationship with other people.

• A friend hurt her, and she was forced to determine: Is this an incident or a pattern?
• Heather has been a bitter, jealous friend, and he tries to extend the same grace to her friends.

• The strength of weak ties theory says make an effort in relationships, even if it's not deep.
• Stop looking for the best friend or the soul mate and just start saying, "How do I prioritize the relationships that I do have, wherever those are and whatever those look like?"

• The definition of friendship is one that is mutually productive and characterized by mutual positive regard.
• Love is the blending of trust and joy.

• Last thing that made her laugh? Talking with her students.
• Last thing that made her cry? Taylor Swift's breakup.

I always say, when I'm trying to describe myself, that I am forever a teacher and forever a student.

Self-reliance is a myth. You were created to exist in relationship to other people.

In my world, words mean things.

Stop looking for the best friend or the soul mate and just start saying, "How do I prioritize the relationships that I do have, wherever those are and whatever those look like?"

https://www.heatherthompsonday.com/

About Heather Thompson Day:

Dr. Heather Thompson Day is an interdenominational speaker, an ECPA bestseller, and has been a contributor for Christianity Today and Newsweek. She is also the host of Viral Jesus, a new podcast with Christianity Today which charts in the top 200 of all Christian podcasts in the U.S.

Heather is an Associate Professor of Communication at Andrews University. She is passionate about supporting women, and runs an online community called I'm That Wife which has over 270k followers.

Heather's writing has been featured on outlets like the Today Show, and the National Communication Association. She has been interviewed by BBC Radio Live and The Wall Street Journal.

She believes her calling is to stand in the gaps of our churches for young people. She is the author of 8 books; including I'll See You Tomorrow, and It's Not Your Turn.

She resides in Michigan, with her husband, Seth Day, and their three children, London, Hudson, and Sawyer Day.

About "I'll See You Tomorrow"

In a culture where people easily and hastily cancel relationships rather than cultivate them, discover what the Bible has to say about how we need to keep showing up for one another—even when we feel like walking away.

We are surrounded by choices. If we want to watch a movie, we have multiple platforms we can choose from. If we grow tired of a friend or conversation, we leave them on read. It's never been easier to tune out and make a switch when something doesn't go perfectly or when we are offended. It's easy to cancel something from our lives when it comes to technology, television shows, or choices of food and drinks. But what about canceling friends or family members when we are disappointed or offended by them?

In I'll See You Tomorrow, communication professor Dr. Heather Thompson Day and Seth Day tackle difficulties that people face in relationships and help them navigate through relational disappointment, conflict, and fear. The dangers of a relational cancel culture are a timely one.

My guest today is the incredible Mignon François, a speaker, entrepreneur and community leader who has inspired thousands.

Mignon is the Founder and CEO of The Cupcake Collection. A multi-million dollar bakery brand she created from scratch. Since planting its roots in 2008, Mignon's business savvy has earned her the titles of "Woman of Legend and Merit" by Tennessee State University, "Emerging Business Leader of the Year" and Black Enterprise Magazine "Family Business of the Year Award."

In her new book, Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe, Mignon shares her story of climbing out of a life of continuous upsets, struggle, and lack to building a legacy that would bless her and future generations.

• Mignon is a mother of 6 plus 1 and a grandmother of 8.
• She followed Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps plan and put money in envelopes to budget.
• Her neighbor asked her to bake cupcakes, but all Mignon had was $5, so she had to make it work.
• Mignon turned $5 into $60 that night and $60 into $600 by the end of the week.

• Mignon turned her ancestors' enslavement into healing and hope for future generations.
• She is passing privilege onto her children and grandchildren.

• Mignon felt that God was telling her she'd be prosperous.
• At the time, she was living in a home without regular electricity and water.
• She had so many business ideas and realized she was never afraid to fail. She was afraid to be successful.

• Mignon sees her successes as God's idea.
• God blessed her and started putting things in her hands that she could give.

• Mignon realized that things weren't happening to her, they were happening for her.
• Highs and lows work together for your good. All things work together for your good.

• Last thing that made her laugh? She laughed at herself.
• Last time she cried? After the shooting in Nashville.

I turned $5 into $60 that night and $60 into $600 by the end of the week. I've been flipping that money for 17 years.

I have been sitting in a home that doesn't have regular electricity, and I have been sitting in a house where the water doesn't turn on.

I was never afraid to fail. I was afraid to be successful.

It took for us to be at rock bottom for us to realize that there was nowhere else to go but up.

https://www.amazon.com/Made-Scratch-Finding-Success-Without/dp/B0BV7G8F7C/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1682356529&refinements=p_27%3AFrancois+Mignon&s=books&sr=1-1