In this episode we welcome Shelli Spotts, a talented writer and teacher from Brigham Young University, to discuss an essay written for the Big Ocean Women newsletter entitled “I call it Community: Ponderings on the Sunday Pantry.” It is a connection in our nourishing our souls in body and heart, with food and belonging. Shelli shares her experiences of living in a close-knit neighborhood where people share ingredients and support each other, highlighting the importance of building community ties through food. We talk about the symbolic nature of food in connecting people, the significance of sharing traditions, and how food can be a powerful metaphor for life's experiences. The discussion also touches on how big businesses have commodified community interactions and the magic of fostering a gift economy. The episode concludes with a reflection on the role of food in bringing people together and the fulfillment that comes from nourishing others.

Connect with Shelli:

https://shelliraespotts.weebly.com/

Shelli’s Essay: “I Call it Community: Ponderings on the Sunday Pantry”

00:36 Shelli's Background and Writing Journey

01:14 The Symbolism of the Dutch Door

03:21 Community and Food: A Deep Connection

10:19 The Sunday Pantry Tradition

14:58 The Gift Economy and Community Support

19:31 The Power of Sharing Food

27:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Grow in the Light, Whitney Archibald shares her experience of being awakened by a new type of love following a severe accident. Whitney recounts the profound care she received from first responders, hospital staff, friends, and family, highlighting how their pure, Christ-like love impacted her. This experience enhanced her capacity to see and love others through the Savior's eyes. Whitney also discusses the importance of receiving love with humility and how such experiences can be a divine gift, enriching our ability to give and receive love. The episode emphasizes the interconnectedness of the soul, spirit, body, heart, and mind in understanding and experiencing love.

Visit us at GrowintheLight.com

Connect with Whitney:

https://www.familylabpodcast.com/home

https://magazine.byu.edu/podcast/

email: [email protected]

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:52 Paramedics and Family Support

04:14 Hospital Experience and Spiritual Insights

08:26 The Pure Love of Christ

12:01 Post-Recovery Reflections

17:02 Increased Capacity for Love

25:44 Acts of Love and Service

31:03 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

In this episode, Whitney Archibald, a mother of five and avid podcaster, opens up about a life-altering rock climbing accident. She details her incredible journey of physical recovery and spiritual growth, highlighting moments of profound divine connection during her darkest hours. We discuss the power of music as a form of communication with the soul and how important that has been for Whitney in both experiencing and processing through this transformation. Whitney shares insights on coping mechanisms, such as focusing on new abilities, the healing power of music, and the importance of maintaining a resilient mindset. Her story underscores the interconnectedness of body, spirit, heart, and mind in the growth and transformation of our souls.

Visit us at GrowintheLight.com

Connect with Whitney:

https://www.familylabpodcast.com/home

https://magazine.byu.edu/podcast/

email: [email protected]

00:55 Whitney's Background and Podcasting Passion

01:36 The Rock Climbing Accident

05:07 Processing the Accident and Divine Intervention

10:46 Music as a Healing Force

16:36 Physical and Emotional Recovery

19:18 Identity and Acceptance of New Limitations

25:54 Grieving the Loss of Expected Roles

27:51 Focusing on What I Can Do

32:31 Finding Respite and Coping Mechanisms

38:32 Rediscovering Fun and Creativity

44:11 Transformative Gifts and Spiritual Growth

48:37 The Power of Love and Relationships

In this episode, Kaylee interviews regular host Emily about the concept of soulful alignment. They discuss how integrating the body, spirit, heart, and mind can lead to a richer, more balanced life. Emily explains each aspect's role in soulful alignment and shares practical exercises, like Tai Chi movements, to help listeners engage with these different aspects of their soul. Emphasizing the importance of growth, joyful curiosity, and community, the conversation aims to help listeners connect with themselves, others, and the divine in a whole-souled way.

Register here for the free monthly Gathering of Light to connect and grow with other women!

00:45 The Concept of Soulful Alignment 01:37 A Lesson from a Fuchsia Plant 05:11 Elements of the Soul 07:27 Understanding the Body 09:08 Understanding the Spirit 10:58 Understanding the Heart 15:27 Understanding the Mind 20:14 Integrating the Soul's Aspects 23:48 Personal Experiences and Growth Points 29:12 Practical Exercises for Soulful Alignment 42:54 Community and Collective Growth 44:44 Conclusion and Invitation to Join the Community    

In this episode, Emily is joined by Karen Young, a mentor who discusses her journey of faith and saying yes to God's will. Raised in Utah, Karen shares experiences from her mission in Tampa, Florida, and her current service in Qatar with her husband Rob. She highlights the significant impact of her mission and church callings, which have brought growth, peace, and joy into her life. Karen also talks about the fear and inadequacy she felt when stepping out of her comfort zone, and how her faith and trust in the Holy Ghost have guided her. The episode emphasizes the importance of commitment to one's covenants and continuous spiritual growth. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:29 Karen's Background and Mission Work 01:49 Deciding to Serve a Mission 03:32 Experiences and Growth from the Mission 08:36 Saying Yes to God's Will 09:57 Challenges and Growth in Church Callings 12:38 The Role of the Holy Ghost and Personal Growth 22:46 The Importance of Covenants and Consecration 24:16 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of Grow in the Light, Emily speaks with Shirley Morgan about the collective aspect of our relational sphere. Shirley shares her personal journey of grief, healing, and finding strength through her relationships with family and her faith in Jesus Christ. Through emotional anecdotes, the conversation unfolds the importance of proxy work, gratitude, and the idea of turning life's hardships into holy experiences. This heartfelt dialogue invites listeners to embrace the sacredness in their relationships and the value of collective connections. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:42 Navigating Relationships and Boundaries 04:07 Challenges in Human Connections 08:27 The Concept of Proxy Experiences in Grief 19:37 Experiences of Proxy in Daily Life 30:15 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

In this episode Elyse Von Niederhausern shares her passion for generational connections, and unique family traditions such as celebrating the Day of the Dead. Elyse provides insights into how these traditions honor her Mexican heritage and foster family bonds. The conversation also delves into the powerful themes of the Disney-Pixar movie Coco, generational relay races, and the ongoing influence of ancestors. Both Emily and Elyse stress the importance of forgiveness, the atonement, and the broader gospel principles that unite past, present, and future generations. Listeners are encouraged to actively engage in their journey, draw strength from their ancestors, and contribute to the ongoing work of generational healing. 00:09 Elise's Background and Family 03:33 The Story and Significance of Coco 06:14 Generational Healing and Relay Race Analogy 14:47 Personal Stories of Generational Strength 19:05 The Power of Forgiveness and Perspective 27:56 Generational Connections and Spiritual Support 35:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this engaging discussion, Cay Cox shares her journey from routine and rote spiritual practices to a deeply meaningful and personalized dialogue with God through prayer journaling. Cay explains how prayer journaling evolved for her over the years, including the process she follows and the impact it has had on her spiritual life. The conversation delves into understanding the voices of Heavenly Parents, integrating scripture with personal revelation, recording prayer journaling in Gospel Library, and the benefits of developing a holy rhythm rather than adhering to a checklist. Highlights include references to teachings of President Nelson and Elder Eyer on personal revelation and the importance of individualized communion with the divine. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:15 Cay's Journey to Prayer Journaling 02:31 The Concept of Personal Restoration 03:08 Masculine and Feminine Approaches to Prayer 07:51 The Process of Prayer Journaling 11:39 Hearing God's Voice Through Journaling 18:12 Personalized Revelation and Scripture 23:25 The Importance of Personal Prayer 24:28 Understanding 'Pray Harder' 26:11 Prayer Journaling and Divine Response 27:24 Integrating Personal Revelation with Scripture 31:30 Developing a Holy Rhythm 35:49 Hearing the Maternal Voice of Elohim 40:09 The Importance of Repeated Exposure 42:25 President Nelson's Guidance 44:28 Final Thoughts and Testimonies

In this heartfelt discussion, Emily, Kaylee, and Beverly share their personal experiences and insights on trusting the Lord through life's adversities. From Beverly's journey through divorce and remarriage, Kaylee's family's struggle through job loss and relocation, to Emily's reflections on divine guidance, the conversation covers themes of spiritual nourishment, unwavering faith, and the significance of community support. Drawing inspiration from Proverbs and the story of the loaves and fishes, the discussion highlights the importance of trusting God's plan even when the future seems uncertain. The episode emphasizes the transformative power of faith, gratitude, and connection.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose

00:45 Beverly's Journey: Overcoming Challenges

04:23 Kaylee's Story: Trusting Through Uncertainty

06:30 Proverbs 3:5-8 - Trust in the Lord

07:15 Health to the Navel and Marrow to the Bones

10:10 Personal Reflections on Trust and Growth

21:52 Facing Divorce and Maintaining Hope

24:15 The Power of Relationships and Divine Connections

24:52 Finding God's Hand in Everyday Moments

26:01 The Importance of Gratitude and Stillness

28:50 Struggles of Feeling Alone and Self-Reliance

33:46 Lessons from the Miracle of Loaves and Fishes

40:03 Final Reflections and Takeaways

This episode introduces the next series of episodes that detail the three points of My Legacy Message and how it came to be central to my life.