Girls Talking Life

When was the last time you experienced authentic connection?

It's becoming more and more rare as our country faces an epidemic of loneliness.

But it doesn't have to be that way. There is power in authentic connection and you have the ability to create it.

Nancy Lindgren in on the show today to tell us how. She has over 35 years of mentoring experience and she's sharing how simple it can be to come alongside someone, and also how powerful those connections can be with Jesus at the center.

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Girls Talking Life is all about cultivating community and creating meaningful connections. In pursuit of that mission, I'm launching Girls Talking Life Groups. It's like a book club but for the podcast.

You listen to an episode then get together with friends to discuss, reflect, and apply it to your life.

Grab the Girls Talking Life Group Quick Start Guide. I outline a couple of simple steps, answer a few questions you may have, and tell you exactly how I'd start, if I were starting a group.

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Welcome to another Girls Talking Life Extra. It's not a full show, just a short chat with a past guest to let you know what she's up to now. I'm talking with Sarah E. Westfall.

Sarah joined me way, way back on episode 17 where she shared her story of motherhood and heartbreak and seeking God's goodness. She was also my guest host for the Summer of Friendship in 2022 where she talked about barriers to belonging, showing up when life gets hard, and celebration over comparison.

Sarah is a writer, speaker, and host of the Human Together podcast. Her previous work includes serving as director of community for online writing groups and as a student development professional on college campuses. She has been published in RELEVANT, Fathom Mag, and (in)courage. Sarah lives in Indiana with her husband, Ben, and four sons.

Today we are talking about her new book, The Way of Belonging: Reimagining Who We Are and How We Relate, releasing on June 11th. This topic is so close to my heart and the mission of Girls Talking Life.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Preorder The Way of Belonging

Use code IVPPOD20 for 20% off plus free shipping

I'll be giving a copy of her book away to a GTL newsletter subscriber. Be sure you are on my mailing list for a chance to win!

Sarah on episode 17 [Sacrificial Motherhood]

Sarah as Guest Host for the Summer of Friendship

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We've all experienced a friendship breakup.

Maybe you were able to reconcile, maybe you're in the middle of friendship turmoil right now, or maybe your friendship has distinctly ended.

Relationships are hard and not all of them are for the long haul which is why I'm so grate to my guest, Elizabeth Laing Thompson, for walking us through what to do when a friendship falls apart.

You'll hear us talk about…

• Why friendships fall apart

• Navigating the pain of broken friendships

• Keeping your hurt from affecting other relationships

• Taking steps toward healing

• Why it's important to God

Elizabeth is the author of many books for women and teens, including All the Feels, All the Feels for Teens, and the When God Says series. She writes at ElizabethLaingThompson.com about clinging to Christ through the chaos of daily life. As a speaker and novelist, Elizabeth loves finding humor in holiness and hope in heartache. She lives in North Carolina with her preacher husband and four spunky kids.

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GET THE QUICKSTART GUIDE

Girls Talking Life is all about cultivating community and creating meaningful connections. In pursuit of that mission, I'm launching Girls Talking Life Groups. It's like a book club but for the podcast.

You listen to an episode then get together with friends to discuss, reflect, and apply it to your life.

Grab the Girls Talking Life Group Quick Start Guide. I outline a couple of simple steps, answer a few questions you may have, and tell you exactly how I'd start, if I were starting a group.

CONNECT WITH GIRLS TALKING LIFE

Get the GTL Newsletter | Instagram | Facebook

Welcome to a Girls Talking Life Extra. It's not a full show, just a short chat – usually with a past guest – but today I'm introducing you to a new friend. New to the show that is! You may be familiar with Myquillyn Smith, also known as "The Nester."

She is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Welcome Home and Cozy Minimalist Home. For the past 15 years, she has been encouraging women to embrace their space--imperfections and all--and make it their own.

Her home in North Carolina has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal, and Cottages & Bungalows. She's never met a home she didn't love.

Today Myquillyn and I are talking about her new book HOUSE RULES. You'll hear her talk about how perfection is not the goal. The goal is for you to love your home and invite people in. Rule #1: learn the rules and then break them beautifully.

RELATED EPISODES

If you'd like to hear more on hospitality and inviting people in, I encourage you to check out episodes #74 [A Warm and Welcoming Home for the Holidays] with Alieta Casey and #133 [Love Your Neighbors] with Twyla Franz.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

After listening, tell me what you thought! Did this episode resonate with you? I would love your feedback.

On Apple Podcasts, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, choose Go to Show, scroll down, and under Ratings and Reviews, tap Write a Review. It's quick and easy!

CONNECT WITH MYQUILLYN

Find her online at TheNester.com and on Instagram @TheNester.

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Do you feel intimidated when it comes to opening your Bible? Do you read your Bible but feel like you don't get much out of it? Do you need something to freshen up your current Bible-studying routine?

My guest today is the lovely Portia Collins, a Christian Bible teacher, writer, and podcaster with a passion for sharing God's Word. But it hasn't always been that way. Portia shares her story of struggle, of turning to the Bible in desperation, and how when she did, she was changed.

You'll hear us talk about…

• Why we need to study the Word for ourselves

• Reading vs. studying

• Getting started with Bible study

• Fresh ideas for experienced bible-studiers

Portia is the founder of She Shall Be Called, a nonprofit women's ministry focused on Bible literacy. You can also catch her hosting two weekly podcasts: Grounded—a podcast/videocast from Revive Our Hearts—and Sweet Tea with Jasmine & Portia.

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SUPPORT THE SHOW

After listening, tell me what you thought! Did this episode resonate with you? I would love your feedback.

On Apple Podcasts, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, choose Go to Show, scroll down, and under Ratings and Reviews, tap Write a Review. It's quick and easy!

CONNECT WITH GIRLS TALKING LIFE

Get the GTL Newsletter | Instagram | Facebook

Are you going through a big change right now? Or maybe lots of little ones?

Change is inevitable and even good change can be hard.

Author Andi Andrew joins me to chat about how we show amid of the changes we face, how it's okay to grieve the losses, show gratitude for what's next, and how through the transition we can grow to be more like Christ.

You'll hear us talk about…

• The grief of letting go
• Change that molds us
• Avoiding vs. welcoming
• Processing change with integrity
• Friendship through transition

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SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you're listening in real time, my birthday is in two weeks! As a gift to me would you be willing to support the show by leaving a rating or review?

If you are listening on Apple Podcasts just scroll to the bottom of the show and there it is. Quick and easy!

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Custom art by Connie Lawson

Weeds Seeds and Beautiful Things

How do you interact with people who are different than you?

If someone has different beliefs or political associations, do you automatically dismiss them?

What if your actions of friendship could save the world?

Author and speaker Carrie Stephens is on the show talking about the power of a diverse community, how we can move toward people who are different than us, and how we show up in the world as followers of Jesus first.

You'll hear us talk about…

• The Book of Ruth

• Why we need diverse friendships

• Forgiveness and redemption

• Law, love, and politics

Carrie Stephens is the author of Holy Guacamole: A Glorious Discovery of your Undeniable Worth (Shiloh, February 2020), Jesus, Love, & Tacos: A Spicy Take on Lordship, Community, and Mission (Leafwood, October 2022), and co-author of Friendship Can Save the World: The Book of Ruth and the Power of Diverse Community (Leafwood, September 2023).

Carrie and her husband, Morgan, live in Austin, Texas, and have four incredible kids. After serving as campus ministers for ten years at the University of Texas, Carrie and Morgan have led Mosaic Church, a richly diverse community of faith in Austin, since 2009. They are passionate about reaching lives and transforming cities through church planting, campus ministry, and missional work.

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EPISODE REFLECTION GUIDE

Grab your free Reflection Guide for this episode. It highlights key points and gives you the chance to take what you heard, reflect on it, and apply it to your life.

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Custom art by Connie Lawson - Weeds Seeds and Beautiful Things

How well do you know the people who live close to you? How well do you love them?

Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, but how do we actually do that?

Missional neighboring advocate Twyla Franz is on the show today helping us get closer to Jesus and grow deep, missional friendships with our neighbors.

You'll hear us talk about…

• What missional living is

• What it means to be visible and interruptible

• How humility and curiosity can deepen friendships

• Overcoming the obstacles to missional neighboring

Twyla Franz is a big believer in baby steps and ripple-effect living. An Enneagram 9 learning to live open. She loves front-yard conversations with neighbors, chalk-painted furniture, and Yogi's blueberry tea. As a missional neighboring guide, she helps others get close to Jesus and grow deep, missional friendships with neighbors.

Find her words (written and recorded) on twylafranz.com. Other places Twyla writes include (in)courage, Relevant, Her View From Home, and The Grit and Grace Project. She also hosts Begin Within: A Gratitude Series to encourage year-round gratitude (because gratitude, she says, has a ripple effect).

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Custom art by Connie Lawson - Weeds Seeds and Beautiful Things

As you begin to settle into 2024 are you wondering how to make the most of this year? How to make the most of your life?

As you look at your goals and intentions for the year are they pointing you toward your purpose or are they all about performance?

Shawna Sullivan joins me to chat about how we can view our lives through a new lens, not living for achievements and accolades but taking small, practical steps toward the purposes God has for us.

You'll hear us talk about…

• Shawna's story of performance to purpose

• 5 focus areas to help you live with purpose

• Pursuing authentic relationships

• 5 prayers to create space for God to move this year

Shawna Sullivan is a mother and home educator to four children. After 13 years, she traded the hustle and bustle of New York City for the suburbs of north Texas. She will never take a backyard, time with family, air conditioning, or her own laundry room for granted. Shawna writes regularly for Family Christian and Christian Parenting online. Her passion for living faithfully, not perfectly, informs her words and ministry.

A Practical Guide for a Purposeful Life

The Bible Recap

5 Prayers to Create Space for God to Move This Year

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Do you feel prompted to be in God's word more or in a different way this year?

I have two ideas for you.

The beginning of the year, for most of us, is a time to reflect on the past year and plan for the year to come. I have several categories I try to take inventory in. Areas like my marriage, parenting, health, friendships, money, and one is always spiritual growth. What am I going to do this year to grow in my relationship with Jesus?

One of my answers to that question is by being in God's Word. Opening my bible and reading it for myself has greatly deepened my faith.

So as you plan for the year ahead, I want to offer two ways for you to open your bible, be in God's word, and grow in your relationship with Jesus this year.

1. A Bible Reading Plan
2. A Word of the Year Word Study

I've also invited a special guest to join us. My friend Megan Ericson – also a guest on episode 16 - joined me in 2023 and read the bible using this plan. She is here to share her experience.

Megan is the CEO of The Yoga Abbey, an online Christian yoga community. She lives in the Columbus, Ohio, area with her husband and three teenage kids.

Megan on IG | The Yoga Abbey on IG

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