In this episode, I share a church lesson I gave based on Emily Belle Freeman’s talk “Best Days and Worst Days,” which teaches that mortality includes both best and worst days as a place for growth as we walk with Christ.

I relate this to my son Devon’s traumatic birth with rapid swings between fear and relief, and to a difficult year marked by postpartum depression.

I share two tools for handling life’s extremes: the “75% Okay or Better” perspective (most of life is neutral/okay, with small portions that are awful or amazing), and a “stay anchored” tool—stay calm, stay present (“eyes on Jesus”), and stay flexible—using Peter’s experiences as examples.

I also describe practicing this when Bryson’s mission return date changed, choosing calm, presence, and flexibility to support him.

Link to President Freeman's talk - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/42freeman?lang=eng

I’ve been practicing praying in advance with gratitude

—thanking God for outcomes before they happen—

and it’s felt powerful and better in my body than praying from worry.

I share how I did this for my parents during a busy, challenging fall when my dad had three surgeries while they were selling their house and moving, and how things ultimately worked out, including a buyer who wanted their unique home.

I also share how I’ve been doing this for one of my kids by setting a daily phone alarm to prompt me to feel grateful in advance for a specific blessing, like Bryson finding a new apartment during his mission.

I’m not trying to control the future or the details; I just prefer praying from the energy of gratitude, joy, and trust over fear and worry

and I invite you to try it with something you’re longing for.

Episode #15 is about Prayer Cheat Sheets!

I tried to record a podcast about getting triggered at church, realized I didn’t record it, and started over feeling frustrated.

A speaker from outside our congregation shared a message on a common topic, but his angle and the “sticky,” old-fashioned, heavy emotional language didn’t resonate with me, so I stepped out for a bit, prayed to run into someone, chatted in the hallway, and then returned and enjoyed the end.

Afterward I processed what happened with my coach, named my emotions, and even rewatched the talk to pinpoint what bothered me.

I realized I agreed with parts of his message, but I was judging myself for not feeling “heartbroken,” then projected that into judging him even though he wasn’t judging me.

I’m grateful for the growth, and for having support like my coach, my emotions workbook, and Rob as a safe place to process.

Today I reflect on letting go of old identities, behaviors, and thought patterns, comparing change to shedding a snakeskin and a crab molting, which can feel unsafe until a new “shell” hardens.

I saw an image of wearing hundreds of layered “Hi, my name is” stickers—some worth keeping (mom, friend, daughter) and others that no longer serve me.

Instead of covering old labels with new ones, I’m learning to uncover and remove them through support like coaching, learning about emotions (including reading Language of Emotions and using the workbook), and other practices.

In this episode of Finding Joy in the Journey, I share the four levels of fun my husband and I developed from the outdoor “types of fun” concept, and I explain how they affect relationships and decision-making. I break down level one (easy and pleasurable), level two (challenging but still enjoyable), level three (hard and painful in the moment but fun in hindsight), and level four (a bad decision that isn’t fun during or after).

Using examples like the steep “Switchbacks” hike, the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim, and even a work project where my husband enjoyed “fighting with AI,” I show how recognizing that different people experience fun differently can help you set boundaries, find compromises, and stop trying to force someone else to do what you would choose.

In this follow-up to my Clean Start episode, I talk about “clean stops”

—the practice of consciously deciding what “done for now” looks like so I can stop without feeling behind.

I explain how unfinished tasks keep mental and energetic loops open, and how setting clear finish lines ahead of time helps my brain and body relax, builds self-trust, and creates calm momentum.

I share how “clean starts” help me begin overwhelming tasks with intention, gentleness, and a small spark of motivation. Instead of focusing on a big goal, I explain how choosing a ritualized, simplified first step creates a tiny win, a dopamine boost, and momentum—like opening my laptop and pulling up my list of podcast ideas, or deciding to floss just one tooth. I guide you through a short visualization to identify your own tiny first step, encourage you to try it as soon as you can, and invite you to tell me how using a clean start turns resistance into forward movement.

In this episode, I share a simple way to get clarity on my to-do list by separating items into routines (ongoing) versus projects (finishable).

I walk through asking, “Do I actually want to do this?” and what to do if the answer is yes, no, or not right now.

I also share how I identify obstacles, make a plan, delegate, or move ideas into a “parking lot” list for later.

A Guide to Spiritual Routines and To-Do Lists

Explore how to incorporate the secret ingredient of love into your daily routines and tasks. Learn about two unique 'love matrixes' that enhance your spiritual and practical life through the lens of Christ's teachings.

Transform your approach to time management and love by applying simple, yet profound, spiritual equations.

In this episode, I explore a powerful Buddhist parable that has transformed how I respond to life's challenges. I'll share the story of the empty boat and offer practical tips to help you shift your perspective from emotional reactivity to wisdom and peace. This episode is perfect for parents and anyone seeking more tranquility in their daily interactions.