Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa

Join Amber and Lisa as they sit down with Dr. Kennita Williams. From the US Air Force to Alaskan advisor, Dr. Williams has seen it all but keeps things simple. Today, we're talking about how slowing down during the pandemic helped us see the little things that really matter, and how saying 'no' can sometimes be the best choice for our mental health.

Dr. Williams also shares tips on how to make smart, purposeful decisions every day, whether you're juggling kids or dealing with big life changes. Grab your coffee and get ready for some real talk on making choices that line up with what's most important to you.

Tune into the chat with Dr. Kennita Williams on living intentionally and making choices that count.

Discussion Questions:

1. How has slowing down changed your view on what’s important in life?
2. Ever thought about writing a personal mission statement? What would yours say?
3. Can you think of a time when saying 'no' actually made things better for you?
4. Look at the different hats you wear in life—how can you make sure they fit with what you really value?
5. What’s a simple daily thing that means a lot to you? Why is it meaningful?
6. What’s something you're good at that you could teach others?

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

In this episode of Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa, Lisa flies solo and welcomes guest co-host the remarkable Laura Simon, author of "Did She Say That Out Loud?" Laura candidly shares her journey as a pastor's wife of 31 years, navigating the ups and downs of ministry life with refreshing transparency.

From dealing with her children's struggles to weathering a marital crisis, Laura opens up about the real-life challenges faced by those in the public eye. She emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships and not shying away from the "gritty" parts of life.

As Laura transitions into new seasons, she reminds us that we're never too old for God's purpose. Her powerful story will inspire you to embrace your calling with boldness and find the courage to be your true self.

Reflection Questions:

• What lessons can you learn from Laura's approach to transparency in ministry?
• How can you cultivate meaningful, authentic relationships in your own life?
• In what ways is God calling you to step into a new season, even if it feels uncomfortable?

Chapter Markers:

1. Introducing Laura Simon: A Pastor's Wife Unafraid to Tell Her Story
2. Navigating the Fishbowl: Challenges of Life in the Spotlight
3. Building a Circle of Trust: Laura's Posse and the Importance of Authenticity
4. Embracing Transition: Never Too Old for God's Purpose

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

In this episode of Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa, we sit down with the remarkable Leading Lady Cherie Denna to explore her journey. Join us as Cherie shares her powerful testimony of redemption and restoration, highlighting the transformative power of God's love in the midst of adversity which is illustrated in her powerful new memoir Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging available now (cheriedenna.com). From navigating trauma to healing and the journey through nos and not yets of telling her story, Cherie's story offers hope and inspiration to all who dare to believe in the possibility of a fresh start. Tune in to  discover the beauty of embracing true belonging in the arms of a loving God.

Reflection Questions:

• How has Cherie's story impacted your understanding of redemption and restoration?
• In what ways do you relate to Cherie's journey of resilience and faith?
• What steps can you take towards embracing forgiveness and true belonging in your own life?

Chapter Markers with Timestamps:

• Introduction: The Power of Redemption (00:00)
• Embracing True Belonging: Cherie's Early Years (06:23)
• Journey to Redemption: Navigating Through Darkness (18:45)
• Overcoming Roadblocks: Cherie's Writing Process (35:12)
• The Transformative Power of Forgiveness: Healing and Reconciliation (52:30)
• Divine Encounters: A Prayer for Healing and Restoration (1:10:15)
• Conclusion: Embracing Your Own Story (1:28:40)

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

We are celebrating Women Making History Month with the final episode of our Real Mom Series with special guest Stacy Sanchez. (stacysanchez.com)

Have you ever felt the weight of shame, anger, or shattered dreams crush your spirit as a mom? Then you won't want to miss this powerful episode with Stacy .

From pregnant teen mom to single parent, adoptive mom dealing with her daughter's trauma, and now grandparent raising a grandson with special needs, Stacy walks listeners through her remarkable path. With raw honesty, she shares how she hit rock bottom and had to relearn how to simply "breathe to the rhythm of God's love."

Stacy doesn't hold back as she unpacks:

• The church's grace when she got pregnant as a "good Christian girl"
• Having to "tear down" lies of worthlessness and shame
• Sinking into depression when unexpectedly made to parent again
• Struggling with anger towards her grandson's birth mom
• Why "if busyness is our drug, then rest will feel like stress"
• Releasing her grandson to a treatment facility and finding a new hope

Get ready to laugh, cry, and be reminded that you are just as beloved as Stacy learned she is. Her redemptive story is a powerful reminder that God has purpose in every situation as we live fully as His children.

Whether you're a single mom, adoptive mom, or grandparent, you'll find yourself walking alongside Stacy and seeing with fresh eyes that you are God's beloved one too. What an inspiration!

Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Introduction
4:20 - Stacy's story as a teen mom
14:00 - Adopting her daughter and dealing with trauma
21:30 - Receiving her grandson and entering depression
29:00 - Dealing with anger at her grandson's birth mom
33:20 - Finding rest and living as the beloved
40:00 - Prayer for listeners

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

Over coffee, Amber and Lisa chat with guest Dr. Enjoli Avila, the Assistant Superintendent of Organizational Development in the North Kansas City School District and working mom of two.

Learn Enjoli's secrets to navigating work-life balance as she shares wisdom on choosing supportive circles, seeking God's presence through prayer, and embracing shifting priorities.  Her story spotlights the importance of "someone in your corner" to help unfold the callings God places within each of us.  

Reflection Questions 

• How can you choose a supportive circle? 
• What shifting priorities might you need to embrace? 
• Who can help unfold God's callings in your life?

Chapter Markers

• Dr. Enjoli Avila's  role in crisis response for Kansas City School District [02:00 - 05:00]
• The Journey To Walking in Passion [05:00 - 08:00]
• The Crucial Support of Family & Friends
• Decisions to continue education and career [10:00 - 15:00]
• Challenges faced as African American woman leader [15:00 - 18:00]
• Walking in God's calling [18:00 - 25:00]
• Embracing shifting priorities [25:00 - 30:00]
• Support for juggling work, family, and education [30:00 - 35:00]

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

 In this soul-stirring conversation, Amber and Lisa chat with Heather Atkinson, a mother of 5 biological and adopted children, about the joys and challenges of motherhood. Heather shares openly about feeling lost in motherhood and struggling to find herself, dealing with anxiety, and relying on her husband, friends, counseling, and medication to stay grounded. She offers encouragement for mothers walking through transitions and starting over. Tune in to be inspired and uplifted!

Reflection Questions:

1. Can you relate to feeling lost in motherhood? What was that experience like for you?
2. How have you coped with anxiety or other mental health challenges while mothering? What has helped?
3. Who are the people who have supported you through the ups and downs of motherhood? How can you cultivate that type of community?
4. How have you rediscovered yourself and your passions amidst the busyness of motherhood?
5. What encouragement do you need today on your motherhood journey?

Chapter Markers:
[00:00] Introduction
[02:55] Heather's motherhood journey
[08:20] The fostering and adoption process
[14:49] Staying home vs. working
[23:23] Struggling to find yourself
[31:14] Encouragement for the journey

The honest stories and practical wisdom shared in this episode will resonate with mothers in all seasons of motherhood. Tune in to be refreshed and inspired!

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

Imagine walking the tightrope of office deadlines and your child's laughter, where society's unforgiving gaze scrutinizes each step. On this episode of Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa, we talk about the sting of judgment when choices are made—whether to lean into our careers or to nourish our families at home. Join us as we peel back the emotional intricacies and practical hurdles of being a working mother and share heartfelt stories that champion the diversity of women's experiences in this dance of life.

Our conversation today isn't just about the struggles; it's a celebration of the resilience and influence that each woman carries within her, regardless of her path. We challenge the outdated notions that confine women's purpose to their immediate actions, encouraging a view of worth transcending current roles and radiating through all seasons of life. From navigating identity crises to fostering dreams and aspirations amidst the chaos, our candid talk invites listeners into a community where empathy and support reign supreme. So, wrap yourself in your favorite blanket, pour a warm drink, and tune in to a dialogue meant to inspire and embolden every woman who's ever dared to dream while embracing the transformative journey of motherhood.

Reflection Questions: 

• What expectations do you place on yourself as a working or stay at home mom?
• How do you deal with the tension between pursuing your passion, career, parenting, and self-care?
• What helps you tune out the judgment of others?
• How can you be kinder to yourself as a mom?
• How can you nurture others as a non-traditional mother?

Chapter Markers:

[00:01:53] The pressure to choose between career or motherhood

[00:02:37] Discussion about women fostering/adopting without needing a husband 

[00:03:26] Expectations for moms—work like they don't have kids and raise kids like they don't work

[00:04:03] Getting "lost" in the busyness of parenting 

[00:05:20] Pressure to conform based on societal expectations

[00:06:40] Lisa chose to sacrifice income to be with her kids rather than pay for childcare

[00:08:20] The ongoing decisions around work-life balance, even as a grandparent 

[00:09:46] You can still nurture, even without having biological kids

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

Join Amber, Lisa, and special guest Leading Lady Linda Goldfarb  (lindagoldfarb.com) in the first episode of Coffee Chat's second season! In this faith-filled conversation, we discuss how to dream with Holy Spirit and trust God's purpose and timing in the new year.

Linda shares wisdom from Proverbs 3 on finding true success when we acknowledge God in all our ways. We talk about surrendering limiting beliefs, leaning into God's possibilities for us, and walking through the doors He opens even when life doesn't go as expected.

You'll be encouraged and equipped to start 2024 off right as we dream bigger with God together.

Reflection Questions:

• What limiting beliefs do you need to surrender to God this year?
• What dreams is God placing on your heart right now?
• How can you trust God's timing when life doesn't go as planned

We hope this episode inspires you to dream with Holy Spirit in the new year! Share your thoughts and takeaways with us. 

Chapter Time Stamps:

[00:00] Welcome Back for Season 2!
[10:00] How Do We Dream With God?
[15:00] Trusting God's Timing and Plans
[20:00] What Doors is God Opening for You?
[25:00] Reflection Questions

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

What does a stay-at-home mom with no major business experience do when she needs to earn holiday cash? She gets creative in the kitchen.

Nancy Bogart, founder of Jordan Essentials Healthy Skincare,  cooked up a multi-million dollar idea that became a company and now employs people with disabilities and shares its healthy products nationwide. But it took faith, failure, and surrounding herself with the right people to overcome struggles from the 2008 financial crisis to troubleshooting her daily challenges as a CEO with adult ADHD.

Now, with a perspective shaped through raising four kids, Nancy’s essential tips will help you find focus, give back, and infuse your holidays with purpose—whether you have a minute or an hour.

Listen to this unconventional entrepreneur’s journey to a company that landed her among the top 5 fastest growing businesses in Missouri. Nancy will have you moving gratitude from the sidelines to the daily game plan.

Chapter Markers:

2:17 - Humble beginnings: Making lotion bars in the kitchen
4:16 - The Journey from $7k in sales to  a Multi-Million Dollar Company
6:30 - Journey to faith that took a stay-at-home mom to CEO
8:24 - Surviving the 2008 financial crisis by adapting
12:48 - A Heart to integrate employees with different abilities
16:51 - Relationship with God giving strength amidst change
22:20 - Managing adult ADHD by surrounding herself with the right people
27:00 - Focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses
34:16 - Shifting from overwhelmed to gratitude and giving
36:00 - What giving can look like: How An "Others" Investment Can Be Self-Care

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .

Step into the shoes of successful women managing the holiday season bustle, with our special guest, Leading Lady “The Heart Whisperer,"Janell Rardon. Janell is a trauma-informed therapist, award-winning author of Stronger Every Day and Overcoming Hurtful Word, and host of Today's Heartlift with Janell. We tackle the art of navigating difficult conversations and maintaining authenticity among family gatherings, offering valuable tips on active listening and protecting your emotional boundaries. Our deep dive explores the power of non-reactive communication and the significance of taking a mindful pause before responding.

We delve deeper into the subject of compassionate listening, unpacking its role in challenging dialogues. Learn how the practice of breath prayers and nonviolent communication techniques can pave the way for effective communication. As we bring consciousness and communion with God into the limelight, we delve into how they profoundly impact our emotional and mental well-being.

Finally, we address confrontation and conflict, guiding you through healthier, assertive communication. Our conversation revolves around the importance of timing, patience, prayer, and the wisdom of God in navigating these situations. Janell opens up about her experiences with trauma, shedding light on the healing process and what it means to find the confidence in yourself that only comes from security in Christ.

Go to JanellRardon.com for her latest freebie just in time for the Advent season.

Follow this link to the Episode blog--Coffee Chat: Pause & Reflect, for more insight and introspection.

Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .