We can tend to find our identity in accomplishments, or lack there of. And when we compare our accomplishments to others’, it can lead to dissatisfaction or discontent. Host Laura Kleinschmidt interviews Sandy Carter as they discuss the snare of comparing accomplishments.

Referenced verses: Psalm 139, John 10:10, Romans 12:15

Laura Kleinschmidt visits with Laura Michaels who feels anxious about returning to a newer job after a long absence. When we experience changing circumstances, we can think “Do I have what it takes to navigate this situation?” This can lead to anxious feelings, and we can find it difficult to take even the smallest steps. In this episode we’ll discuss Finding Provision in Seasons of Change.

Referenced verses: Exodus 16, Galatians 1:10, Psalm 46:1

Laura Kleinschmidt meets with Julie Marcotte who shares her desire to produce excellent work but is highly critical and even angry at herself when she doesn’t meet her own high standards. Join us as Julie shares her delight in a new perspective, some practical steps, and the goodness that follows.

2:15 Wanting to produce excellent work, with no allowance for error

3:53 Feeling ashamed and wanting to hide

8:05 Even on my worst day, God still values me....He's not going to be shaken because I forgot to log something on the spreadsheet.

9:30 He covers all the mistakes.  Nothing takes him by surprise.

14:10 Talking honestly with God

15:17 How to Flip the script when in a negative self-talk spiral

18:29 The goodness of the weight being lifted and resting

Referenced verses: Romans 5:8, Psalm 147, Matthew 11:28

Referenced book: The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller

Laura Kleinschmidt interviews Meredith Hodge about her fear of losing loved ones, even when they’re healthy. She shares her struggle with being present, as her mind races ahead to negative places. Join in to hear how Meredith is encouraged by Jesus’ control and also, his humanity and what practical steps she takes when she’s fearful.

01:49 Fearing what life will be when loved ones are gone

02:40 Struggling with being present, and the experience of anxiety

05:46 The role of control

10:10 Jesus understands my humanity; We can weep too

11:07 Talking honestly with God

12:56 Walking and gazing at creation

Referenced verses: Matthew 6:25-34, John 11:25-26,35-36

Laura Kleinschmidt talks with Ann Polcik about her experience with breast cancer as a single mom. Ann shares how she wanted to control the situation, as well as control the emotions and responses of those she loves. The impossibility of this led to much anxiety. Listen in to see how she was helped by recognizing that she doesn’t have to be strong enough.

01:46 Ann’s greatest fear

04:09 Wanting to control others’ emotions

06:52 The perfect antidote to Ann’s need for control

10:21 Talking honestly with God

13:10 Key to pulling Ann out of the pit

15:10 Making all things new

Referenced verses: Philippians 4:13, Revelation 21:15

Laura Kleinschmidt hosts a special guest, her husband Dave Kleinschmidt, and together they discuss their instance on being right. In this episode they share a protest of rightness with movie theater strangers and a spousal disagreement regarding the ultimate important decision: how to set the car mirrors. Will they choose the victory dance of rightness or something better? 

02:14 Dave’s movie theater seat dilemma

03:31 Someone else thinks they're right, hence digging in the heels. 

05:17 Laura’s side view mirror setting quandary

05:52 Are driver’s ed teachers always right?

08:22 The ultimate right, correct person.

10:09 The desire to cover and hide our wrongness.

13:54 Thankful for forgiveness when we blow it.

14:54 To Victory dance or not? 

15:45 Humility, harmony and reconciliation

18:22 Honesty and depth in relationships

Referenced verses: Luke 18:9-14, Proverbs 11:2

Laura Kleinschmidt visits with guest Jo Kok, and together they share about their intense desire to be productive. Whether it’s pursuing regular Saturday chores or larger endeavors such as doing taxes, task completion can take an unwelcome priority in our lives. Listen in as they discuss how we sometimes link productivity to our value and a love that can free us from this.

Quotes from this episode:

“I may be functionally believing that my value comes from being able to do something, to contribute something or be of use to someone and that I am defined by what I do instead of who I am.”

“He does not see me and love me for what I can do for him, but just because that's who he is.”

“To know and believe in my deep, deep heart that who I am to God is more important than what I do, is life changing.”

02:04 - Jo’s list of good questions about lists

04:46 - Productivity Idol at the root of being “short” with family

07:49 - A “want” turned into a monster “want”

10:20 - Choosing what is better. Love that doesn’t change with me being less productive.

14:21 – Being ok with not crossing off tasks

15:27 – One’s waste is not another’s waste

19:05 – The Good - Less frustrated and more freeing. The checklist is a tool rather than a slave master.

21:00 – The goodness of others centeredness

22:50 – Being content with what Christ’s performance completed. We still work, but work doesn’t define us and dictate who we are.

Referenced verses: Luke 10:38-24

Join Laura Kleinschmidt as she welcomes guest, Justin Searles, for a discussion about impressing others and concealing weakness. They describe situations that involve coworkers, a library garage, and even a tornado. Listen in as they discover strength in being weak, identity in “the impressive one,” profound relief and walking a little bit lighter.

“I'm trying to impress them with everything I've got: all of the skills that I've got. And I'm also trying to conceal all my inadequacies or flaws. And so that's hard to do.”

“Weakness doesn't mean I'm weaselly, or I have to go around saying poor me. I'm such a loser. But no, instead it means I get my strength from someone other than myself.”

“My performance is not a deal at all as to whether or not I'm loved or not. I'm loved. I'm his. So that's a relief. It's like you can just breathe and….it's not so much work!”

2:36 Trying to impress with everything I’ve got

5:04 When bright yellow paint betrays your driving skills

5:36 Attempts to conceal

7:31 Wanting others to think highly of me? Or avoid having them think too low of me?

8:22 The one who sees through our attempt at impressiveness

10:44 In weakness, I am strong

13:04 Admitting weakness and being ok with it

13:46 Sometimes our weakness helps us see God is providing

16:44 The relaxing of your soul

17:18 Weakness in a tornado?

18:30 Profound relief, walking a little lighter

Referenced verses:

2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Matthew 11:28-30

Laura Kleinschmidt and her guest, Katy Domsten, talk about situations where they are trying to help friends, family or clients and they find themselves at times "tipping" into fixing instead of helping. Listen in as they discuss their love for helping others, the difficulty in discerning their own motives, what what warning signs to look for on the "fixing radar" and the freedom that comes from knowing who's in control.

- "Burdens becomes inappropriately heavy because we've made it something that's not ours to carry or we put ourselves in a role that is not ours."

- "I have such freedom as I remember the truths and trust Jesus with my family and friends and clients and situations that come. Just a burden lifted."

- "It's beautiful and hope inspiring to work in community with others."

3:43 We can think we have the power or the control to make everything right.

4:17 Starting with good motives then "tipping" into something else.

5:29 Some roots of why we fix

6:39 Wanting to bring relief and escape in domestic abuse situations

10:21 The one that is in control of all things.

12:29 Wrestling with feeling the need to be perfect

14:09 The radar "blips" when we've tipped into an inappropriate role.

17:16 My responsibility or my concern? Which circle?

20:21 A weight that is lifted!

21:03 Where freedom is found

21:53 The beauty and goodness of seeing others help

Referenced Verses:

Proverbs 19:21, Isaiah 46:4, Hebrews 2:8

Join Laura Kleinschmidt and her guest, Laura Michaels, as they look at how they tend to want to please people in different situations. They also dig deep to see what the "root" of their people pleasing is. How can they get free from this? A few of our favorite quotes:

- "How you view yourself, is sometimes framed by how you think other people view you."

- "The people pleasing scenario that bugs me the most is....When I tried my hardest to do the right thing or please someone and then they thought my intention was something else."

- "So putting faith in what other people think of me or trying to control what other people think of me, that's just like building a house on the sand. I want to build my house on the rock."

00:57 Laura M's small slice of life 

03:27 Explaining over-explaining

04:28 Wanting others to be happy with what we are doing. 

05:15 Laura K's small slice of life 

08:17 Fearing how others think of us.

09:19 Remembering where I get our identity from, rather than focusing on how I perform or what others think....this is good.

13:33 People say "let go" but how do you do that?

14:10 Where to find safety when feeling ensnared by people please, like the jaws of an animal trap.

17:11 The freeing up of "wasted mental space."

19:33 Putting my hope in something firm, frees me up to not worry so much about what others are thinking

19:47 The rock is Christ, and that's what is so good. 

Referenced Verses:

1 John 3:1, Proverbs 29:25