Go & Be

Are you looking for ways to add more laughter to your life? How do you find humor in your life when, say, there’s a worldwide pandemic happening? Natalie Madsen, writer and actor from Studio C and JK Studios, is here with Michelle and Christie to shed light on what drew her to comedy and how she finds laughter in day-to-day life. So if you’re in need of some cheering up, or at least learning how to find more cheer, tune in to this episode!

Today’s episode of Real Talk and Friends is a fun, get-to-know-you one featuring Michelle McCullough and Christie Gardiner—hosts of their own show called Go and Be! We chat with Ganel-Lyn and Scott about what our show is about and who we are as women with God guiding our lives.  We are so excited to share our close friends and colleagues with you.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Do you ever wonder how to make service a bigger part of your life? Does fear or inconvenience sometimes get in the way?

Holly Richardson, former state legislator and editor of Utah Policy for Deseret News, talks about her own answers to these questions in today’s episode with Michelle McCullough and Christie Gardiner.

Making service an important part of her life all started with her desire to teach her kids how to look out for other people. And with 25 kids of her own, she knows how much of a difference service can make in someone’s life. Tune in to today’s episode if you want to learn how Holly has made service a priority in her life!

How do you use the Atonement in an everyday way? Is the Atonement something you’re still trying to understand?

If so, you’re in good company. Michelle and Christie are here today to talk about different aspects of the Atonement and that it’s okay to still be unpacking pieces of it. They also discuss how the Atonement can be such a source of comfort and joy—that it can feel like taking a much-needed deep breath. 

So if you’re need of a healing, soothing deep breath, join us today.

Today's episode of Go and Be is titled, "Women Who Wonder," and it explores what it's like to be a woman who asks questions while still building and protecting her faith.  Christie and Michelle delve into what it means to be a seeker, like Joseph Smith was, and how seeking can lead to further light and knowledge.  Even if you've never felt the need to ask questions or wonder, this episode is for you too! There is room for everyone here at Go and Be.

What is it like to be married to someone of a different faith? Is it possible to make it work in a way for both people to be happy?

Charity Lighten, an author, speaker, and philanthropist, is here today with our hosts to tell you that, yes, it is indeed possible. 

After losing her first husband to cancer, Charity met and married someone who was not of her faith. While it was something new and challenging to navigate, it became possible to find harmony and happiness together because they were both committed to each other and knew love was the most important.

Are you married to someone of a different faith? If so, we would love to know how your journey has been.

How do you create sacred spaces in your life? Where are those sacred spaces for you?

In today’s episode, our hosts talk about how we can find sacred spaces in our homes and in everyday places. And it starts by making an intentional effort to set apart a space that you feel comfortable opening your heart to God. It could be your closet, your bathroom, your car, or your backyard—it doesn’t matter where. As long as you feel stillness and peace there, you can start making room for revelation that you’ve possibly never had before.

We want to know where your sacred spaces are and how you created them. Please share your thoughts with us! 

Have you ever experienced excruciating grief from the loss of a loved one? How did you (or continue to) get through it?

On today’s episode, Lisa Valentine Clark, actor and radio host, talks to Christie and Michelle about her life before, during, and after her husband was diagnosed with ALS. She let herself feel all the emotions—pain, joy, and everything in between—and when her husband passed away, she gave herself grace and kindness and time and patience. 

How do you find joy even in times of great pain? 

Do you love reading wholesome romance novels? Have you ever thought about being a wholesome romance writer? If so, you don’t want to miss today’s episode!

Esther Hatch, author of A Proper Scandal, A Proper Charade, and several other wholesome romances, is here with Christie and Michelle to talk about how she became a writer and what her experience has been ever since she started this journey. She also gives advice to women who want to become writers, so if you’re one of those women, tune in right now!

What should I do next in my life? What are my unique gifts? How do I chase my dreams as a woman?

These are very real and important questions we’ve all had as women, and they’re not always easy to answer. Thankfully, Jeanette Bennett, magazine publisher and mom, is here today with Christie Gardiner and Michelle McCullough to help us find the answers.

As an entrepreneur who founded Utah Valley Magazine, Jeanette knows what it’s like to go after her dreams and to both fail and succeed in her quest. She also knows what it’s like to have dreams as a mom and that the chase for those dreams ebbs and flows, and that’s okay.

No matter what your age or stage in life is right now, you don’t want to miss today’s episode! Tell us how you’ve managed to chase your dreams in the comments below.