Girls Talking Life

As we move into this new season, we have the opportunity to reset our schedules, get organized and have time for what really matters. My guest, Ashley Brown, self-proclaimed routine queen, is here to help us with this!

Ashley shares her story of transitioning from a working mom to a stay-at-home mom, and how the shifting of her role led her into depression and the mismanagement of her life. She prayed for God's help and he answered her prayer with routines.

You'll hear us talk about…

• Why we all need routines
• Where to start with your fall routines
• How routines can help us establish spiritual disciplines
• Ashley's resources!

Ashley Brown is a mom of two, author of the Routine Building Handbook, and owner of Routine and Things, which serves to help women get organized and into routine so they enjoy the heck out of life. Ashley knows when women feel good, the world is better for it. She's on a mission to see as many women as possible organize their life one routine at a time!

Ashley's Routine Assessment

The Routine Building Handbook

Routine and Things Planner

Dresses

Iced Vanilla Lattes

Dropping Gems Podcast

Her Business

Time with Her Family!

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Later this month, I'll be giving away one of Ashley's planning pads to a GTL newsletter subscriber! The winner can choose between the Done in a Day Pad, the Own the Week Pad or the Nourish and Flourish Meal Planning Pad.

If you already get my newsletter, you're entered to win! If not, sign up now so you have a chance at winning too! Being a subscriber, you'll also get all the details from the latest show, plus free goodies, tips on friendship, community or gathering your girls together!

Enter the Giveaway!

Back to school is upon us and it can bring up a lot of emotions. Excitement for what's ahead, anxiety about the unknowns. Let's take it all to God.

Our kids will face an array of things, good and bad, as they go back to school this year. Will they make good friends who help point them to Jesus? Will their teachers support them with life-giving words? Will our kids walk in confidence and make good choices when we're not with them? Will they be safe?

We don't have all the answers, but my guest Tara L. Cole reminds us that we can seek the one who does have all answers. She encourages us to lay a strong foundation for the school year by praying God's word over our children.

You'll hear us talk about…

• Abiding in Christ
• Praying for our kids and their school year
• Trusting God with our kids
• Hosting a back to school prayer party

Tara L. Cole is a teacher, wife, and mother to three active boys. She is currently a Communication's Faculty member at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Along with teaching, Tara's passion is helping women and their families make an abiding relationship with Jesus the foundation of their lives. Her books Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily and Everyday Prayers for the School Year, and podcast Over A Cup help women connect with Jesus throughout their day.

Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily

Everyday Prayers for the School Year

Million Praying Moms

Over a Cup Podcast

Matthew 11:29-30

Psalm 91:4

Prayer Party Checklist

Marvel Shorts

The Ranger's Apprentice

The Clockmaker's Daughter

Sam's Club Sleeveless Dress

Hawaiian Kona Coffee

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We are wrapping it all up today! This is week ten, the final episode of the Summer of Friendship series.

If you haven't listened to all the episodes in this series or haven't been as intentional with your friendships as you'd planned, there's still time! There's no end date on this, in fact, this is just the beginning!

Let's keep the momentum going! Think about how you will take the encouragement, inspiration, and ideas you've gained here and keep it going into the fall.

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode 85 [Confront the Limits of Your Love] with Amy Wolff

The Gathering Project - Virtual Course

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The Gathering Project

If you are inspired to start a group or invite women to a get-together, but feel like you could use some more guidance. I have created a virtual mini-course to help you with this very thing. It's called The Gathering Project, and in five short coaching videos, I will give you the special ingredients you need to plan, prep and gather with your girlfriends, old or new.

Go to girlstalkinglife.com/thegatheringproject

to save your spot!

How do you react when your friend is shining in her gifting?

Last week we talked about making new friends, starting conversations and being the inviter. One thing that can hold us back from starting new friendships or flourishing in our current ones...is comparison.

We are in week nine of the Summer of Friendship series and special guest host, Sarah E. Westfall, joins us again to talk through CELEBRATION OVER COMPARISON.

Sarah is a writer, speaker, podcast host, and director of community for hope*writers. Her work explores the intersection of faith, community, and connection. At the end of the day, Sarah's favorite place is with her people. She lives for slow Saturday mornings at home, sipping pour-over coffee with her husband Ben as their four sons play (very loudly).

Connect with Sarah

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More on Comparison

Episode 58 [The Burden of Better] with Heather Creekmore

Episode 32 [Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison] with Richella Parham

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Do you crave community? Are you in a new city or a new season of life where you are looking for friends?

We are in week eight of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about MAKING NEW FRIENDS. I walk through where to look and what to do. I share my personal experiences with community, and also talk about the fear of rejection and not disqualifying ourselves.

A few weeks ago we chatted about capacity, we took a look at who we have in our lives and our expectations for our friendships. In that episode, I asked you to do a friendship inventory, to list the women in your life. If you haven't heard episode 91 or haven't made your list yet, pause this one and go take your inventory.

Mentioned in this Episode

2 Timothy 1:7

Connect with Girls Talking Life

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The Gathering Project

If you just listened and are inspired to start a group or invite women to a get-together, but feel like you could use some more guidance. I have created a virtual mini-course to help you with this very thing. It's called The Gathering Project, and in five short coaching videos, I will give you the special ingredients you need to plan, prep and gather with your girlfriends, old or new.

Go to girlstalkinglife.com/thegatheringproject

to save your spot!

How do you love your friends well in the midst of their pain, loss and grief?

We are in week seven of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about SHOWING UP WHEN LIFE GETS HARD with my very special guest host, Sarah E. Westfall.

Sarah is a writer, speaker, podcast host, and director of community for hope*writers. Her work explores the intersection of faith, community, and connection. At the end of the day, Sarah's favorite place is with her people. She lives for slow Saturday mornings at home, sipping pour-over coffee with her husband Ben as their four sons play (very loudly).

Connect with Sarah

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Do you have women in your life who are acquaintances or casual friends that you'd like to be closer, deeper friends?

We are in week six of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about DEEPENING OUR FRIENDSHIPS. I will walk through four factors I believe can lead us into deeper relationship with our girlfriends.

If you listened last week, I encouraged you to start considering your current friendships, the expectations you might have for yourself or the women in your life, and to notice if there's anyone you want to go deeper with. If you identified a woman or two, this will give you ideas on how to make it happen!

Mentioned in this Episode

Robin Dunbar - The Atlantic

Authenticity v. Transparency by Sarah Westfall

GTL Conversation Cards

Proverbs 27:9

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Do you set unrealistic expectations for yourself or your friends? Have you given much thought to your capacity for friendships?

We are in week five of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about CAPACITY AND EXPECTATIONS. We're taking a look at who we have in our lives, thinking through the time and energy we have available for those relationships, and our expectations for ourselves and for those friends.

Mentioned in this Episode

Robin Dunbar / Dunbar's Number

The Limits of Friendship by Maria Konnikova

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Do you long for meaningful connection and resist it at the same time? Is something getting in the way of true connection for you?

We are in week four of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about BARRIERS TO BELONGING with my very special guest host, Sarah E. Westfall.

Sarah is a writer, speaker, podcast host, and director of community for hope*writers. Her work explores the intersection of faith, community, and connection. At the end of the day, Sarah's favorite place is with her people. She lives for slow Saturday mornings at home, sipping pour-over coffee with her husband Ben as their four sons play (very loudly).

Sarah was a guest on the podcast a long while back on episode #17 sharing her story of motherhood and heartbreak and seeking God's goodness. Give that a listen to hear a little more of her story.

Mentioned in this Episode

John 17:21-23

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We are in week three of our Summer of Friendship series we're talking about how YOU ARE NEEDED IN COMMUNITY. You are a beloved daughter of God. You are a blessing and a benefit just by being you. Someone needs what you have to offer.

To go along with this series, I'm hosting a Summer Friendship Challenge. If you're ready to dig in with intentionality this summer, I'd love for you to jump in. Each week of the challenge, you'll get an email with a small action step to help you cultivate community. If you're already subscribed to the GTL newsletter, you're in! If you're not a subscriber yet, join the challenge here: Summer Friendship Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

Ephesians 2:10

1 Peter 2:9

2 Timothy 1:7

Matthew 5:13-14

The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi

GTL episode 83 - Be a Lazy Genius in Your Kitchen

Sarah Westfall's Instagram Post

Exodus 3:10-15

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