ough Times Don’t Last: How God Uses Hard Seasons to Help Others

Tough seasons are an unavoidable part of life—but they can also change us in ways we never expected.

In this episode of Hey Hannah, Mya talks about how difficult seasons can deepen our faith, teach us to extend grace, and show us how to better support others when they’re struggling. Because the truth is, everyone is carrying something. Some struggles are public, while others are happening quietly behind the scenes.

We also explore the power of sharing our stories. Revelation 12:11 reminds us that we overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Our testimony isn't only the victory at the end—the fear, uncertainty, waiting, prayers, and difficult days are part of the story too. Sometimes sharing what we've been through is exactly what someone else needs to realize, I'm not the only one.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why tough seasons are chapters, not the whole story
• How hardship can teach us compassion and grace for others
• Giving people the benefit of the doubt when we don't know what they're carrying
• Simple but meaningful ways to support someone going through a difficult time
• Why the hard parts of our stories are an important part of our testimony
• How sharing your experience can help someone else feel less alone
• Why difficult seasons can make us appreciate everyday joy differently
• Learning to genuinely celebrate the happiness and victories of others
• Why being “tough” doesn't mean pretending everything is okay

If you're walking through a difficult season right now, remember: this season is part of your story, but it is not your entire story.

Keep going. Keep praying. Allow people to love you. And give yourself—and the people around you—a little extra grace.

You never know how God may use what you're walking through today to help someone else tomorrow.

🎙️ Hey Hannah
Faith, encouragement, parenting, life, and the conversations that remind us we're not walking through any of it alone.

Scripture referenced: Revelation 12:11

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Helping Kids Build Meaningful Friendships.

Parents often grapple with how to guide their children in forming healthy, lasting friendships. In this episode of the Hey Hannah podcast, we explore practical strategies rooted in kindness, wisdom, and biblical principles to help your child develop social skills and confidence, fostering better relationships in childhood and beyond.

Key topics:

• Why friendship is a skill that can be taught, not just an innate trait
• The importance of fostering quality over quantity in friendships
• Practical ways to teach social skills like sharing, taking turns, and communication
• Supporting shy or introverted children with compassion
• Recognizing healthy versus unhealthy friendships
• How to navigate social rejection and conflict without overstepping
• Biblical insights on friendship—love at all times and sharpening one another
• Simple questions to encourage empathy and social awareness in your child

Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Why helping children build friendships matters
00:11 - Friendship as a teachable skill, not just natural instinct
00:29 - The value of quality friendships over lots of acquaintances
00:53 - How to teach kids social skills through practice and role-playing
01:22 - Making social skills fun and applicable, like asking to play at recess
02:18 - Supporting shy or hesitant children with positive language
02:48 - Celebrate small wins in social interactions
03:14 - Recognizing and nurturing healthy friendships
03:38 - Helping children understand and manage feelings of exclusion or rejection
04:34 - The importance of listening versus solving problems for disappointed children
05:01 - Use of parental wisdom to guide children in friendship choices
05:48 - Signs of healthy vs. unhealthy friendships
06:18 - Navigating social challenges like exclusion without overreacting
06:46 - The importance of positive language and avoiding negative talk about others in front of children
07:15 - Helping children handle rejection without internalizing it
07:44 - The difference between listening and problem-solving during social conflicts
08:13 - Validating your child's feelings and building emotional resilience
08:42 - Being a model of friendship by embodying kindness and love
09:12 - Biblical perspectives on friendship: making friends and sharpening one another
09:41 - Practical ways to encourage children to notice and reach out to others
10:10 - The importance of allowing children to resolve conflicts on their own
10:38 - When to step back from over-involving in social disputes
11:07 - Avoiding negativity and favoritism in friendships
11:28 - Asking questions instead of coaching during social challenges
11:56 - Biblical values of friendship and how they shape character
12:24 - Encouraging children to practice empathy and confidence-building skills
12:41 - Reflecting on friendship's biblical foundation: love and mutual growth
13:09 - Teaching children to be the kind of friends they'd like to have
13:39 - Asking children meaningful questions about friendship and kindness
14:05 - Shift from asking about making friends to being a good friend
14:34 - Final encouragement: cultivating character and compassion over popularity
15:03 - Closing: Trusting God's guidance as you support your child's social journey.

This episode offers both biblical insights and practical advice to equip parents with tools for nurturing empathy, resilience, and genuine friendships in their children.

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Summary

In this episode, Dr. Mya shares heartfelt insights on preparing for the new school year, emphasizing the importance of spiritual grounding, intentional prayer, and cherishing family moments amidst the busy back-to-school season.

Keywords

parenting, back to school, faith, prayer, family, childhood, spiritual growth, parenting tips

Key Topics

Preparing for the new school year with intentionality

The importance of prayer for children, teachers, and friendships

Using scripture as an anchor for children and families

Cherishing family moments amidst busy schedules

Spiritual growth and confidence in children

Takeaways

Cherish the final weeks of summer with family moments.

Choose a family Bible verse to serve as an anchor.

Pray daily for your child's confidence, teachers, and friends.

Remind children of their worth through scripture.

Prepare your child's heart as intentionally as their backpack.

Chapters

00:00 Welcoming listeners and summer reflections

00:32 Preparing for the new school year emotionally and spiritually

01:26 Cherishing family moments before school starts

02:22 Understanding behavior and heart issues in children

03:15 Using scripture as an anchor for the school year

04:13 Praying for children’s confidence and relationships

05:37 The importance of daily prayer and spiritual preparation

06:00 Encouragement to share and cherish these moments

Are Disney's Water Parks Worth It? Our Honest Family Review & Tips

In this episode, Dr. Mya shares her honest review of Disney's water parks, highlighting why they are a must-visit part of your Disney vacation—especially during the summer. She discusses tips, personal favorites, and whether visiting water parks enhances the Disney experience.

Main Topics:

• Benefits of visiting Disney water parks and seasonal promotions
• Highlights of both water parks' features (slides, lazy river, wave pools)
• Practical tips: packing, food options, character interactions
• Unique merchandise and amenities
• Why water parks might be the underrated gems of Disney vacations

• The value of free water park tickets with Disney resort stays during summer promotions
• How combining both Disney water parks in one day can be a fun, full experience
• The relaxing aspects of water parks that contrast with traditional theme park days
• Little conveniences like provided knee towels and Disney-themed swimwear
• The quality and variety of food options and Disney character appearances in swimwear
• The decreased availability of PhotoPass photographers at water parks
• Tips for families, including locker use and exclusive merchandise
• Personal reflection on how water parks create memorable, slow-paced moments

• Disney Water Parks Official
• Disney Seasonal Promotions
• Disney Gift Shop Merchandise
• Disney Dining Plan Details

• Instagram
• Twitter

In this episode:

Timestamps:00:00 - Why Disney water parks are an underrated family experience
00:36 - Disney's seasonal promotions offering free water park admission
01:03 - Benefits of visiting both Disney water parks in one day
01:55 - Water parks' variety of attractions for all ages
02:24 - The joy of the wave pool and simple fun memories
02:52 - Practical tips: towels provided, less packing needed
03:21 - Surprising quality of water park food and snack ideas
03:48 - Character interactions in swimwear and relaxed atmosphere
04:14 - Limited PhotoPass photographers: tips for capturing memories
05:07 - Water park amenities: lockers, pen trading, merchandise
05:34 - The unique Disney swimwear options and family matching outfits
06:04 - Why the water parks provide a restful break during busy vacations
06:32 - Final thoughts: adding water parks to your Disney itinerary

Planning a Disney trip can be overwhelming, but in this episode, I share practical insights, hacks, and personal stories to help you make the most of your visit. From staying on property to creating unforgettable memories, this guide will inspire your next magical adventure.

Key Topics:

• Why staying on Disney property enhances the experience
• The importance of using a Disney travel planner for stress-free planning
• Splurging on unique experiences and character dining
• Practical tips like refillable popcorn buckets and building resort time
• Lessons learned: skipping the dining plan, how to be flexible with weather, and capturing more videos
• Disney hacks: character dining advantages, specific snack tips, and avoiding autographs from Darth Vader
• The Disney MVP awards for resorts, rides, character meals, snacks, and surprises
• Reflecting on Disney’s focus: making family memories beyond rides

• Jennifer with a Pair of Years Travel – Disney travel planner
• Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind – Ride info
• Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
• Garden Grill Restaurant
• Darth Vader Autograph Note – Learn about autographs in the parks

• Instagram
• Twitter

Timestamps:00:00 - Welcome and overview of Disney recap series
00:26 - Experiences shared in parts one and two, and episode preview
00:55 - The most helpful tips for future trips
01:24 - Staying on Disney property: why it adds magic
01:52 - Benefits of boardwalk in resort and moments you can't plan
02:44 - Using a Disney travel planner to ease planning stress
03:38 - The value of splurging on a memorable experience
05:29 - Upgrading to character dining and special events
07:08 - Practical tips: refillable popcorn, resort activities, and scheduling
09:35 - What we do differently next time: skip dining plan, shorter park days, more flexibility with weather
11:57 - Capturing more videos and handling weather changes
13:23 - Disney hacks for character dining, autographs, and snacks
15:39 - Tips for enjoying Epcot and shopping considerations
16:07 - Disney family MVP awards: resorts, rides, character meals, snacks, and surprises
19:33 - The true magic of Disney: making lasting family memories
20:21 - Final thoughts and encouragement to embrace the messiness of parenting and family adventuresResources & Links:Connect with Dr. Mya:Note: Remember, the magic is in the memories and moments shared with loved ones. Happy planning and making memories!

Show Notes – Hey Hannah Podcast
Episode Title: Disney World with Kids: Our Honest Review of Rides, Character Dining & Park Favorites (Part 2)

In Part 2 of our Disney vacation recap, I’m sharing our favorite park experiences from our recent Disney World trip with the boys! From thrill rides and character dining to fireworks and practical family tips, this episode is packed with honest thoughts to help parents planning their own Disney vacation.

We visited Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT, and I’m breaking down what we loved, what surprised us, and what we’d recommend for families traveling with kids.

✨ Our favorite rides at Hollywood Studios
✨ Why Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was a surprise family favorite
✨ Honest review of Tower of Terror with kids
✨ Why Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a must-do
✨ Ronto Wrap review — worth trying?
✨ Hollywood & Vine character dining experience
✨ Character meet-and-greets (including Darth Vader!)
✨ Why I don’t consider Hollywood Studios a full-day park

✨ Magic Kingdom highlights
✨ TRON Lightcycle / Run review
✨ Was the Magic Kingdom Dessert Party worth it?
✨ Tips for fireworks viewing with kids

✨ EPCOT favorites
✨ Why staying at BoardWalk makes EPCOT even better
✨ The famous Disney “Birkin” bag review
✨ Maple popcorn (yes, it deserves its own mention!)
✨ Garden Grill character dining review
✨ Why Garden Grill became one of our favorite meals

🍴 Ronto Wrap
🍴 Hollywood & Vine
🍴 Garden Grill
🍿 Maple Popcorn at EPCOT
🍿 Blue Popcorn at Hollywood Studios

• Plan ahead—but don’t overplan

• Prioritize your family’s must-do experiences

• Character dining can be worth the splurge

• Special add-ons can reduce stress with kids

• Leave room for spontaneous magic

Sometimes the best Disney memories aren’t the big-ticket rides—they’re the unexpected moments: late-night swimming, character interactions, and watching your kids experience pure joy.

• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

• Hollywood Studios

• Magic Kingdom

• EPCOT

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

• Tower of Terror

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

• TRON Lightcycle / Run

• Hollywood & Vine

• Garden Grill

• Magic Kingdom Dessert Party

🎧 Next Episode: Disney Tips, Hacks & What I’d Do Differently Next Time

Thanks for being part of Hannah’s Hive. If this episode encouraged you or helped with your Disney planning, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with another parent who loves making magical memories with their family.

In This Episode, We Cover:Our Favorite Disney Dining from This Episode:Biggest Takeaways for Disney Families:Mentioned in This Episode:

Disney World Family Trip Review: Staying on Property & Dining Experiences.In this episode of the Hey Hannah Podcast, Dr. Mya shares a detailed review of her family's recent Disney trip, focusing on the benefits of staying on Disney property and the pros and cons of the Disney dining plan. Whether you're planning your first trip or a return visit, her insights will help you make informed decisions to maximize your Disney experience.

Key Topics:

• Benefits of staying at Disney's Boardwalk Inn, including proximity to Epcot and transportation options.
• The vibrant nightlife and entertainment at Disney resorts, especially the Boardwalk area.
• Character interactions outside the parks, highlighting magical moments.
• An in-depth review of the Disney dining plan, including quick service and character dining experiences.
• Managing meal credits and deciding if the dining plan offers value for your family's travel style.
• Tips on using a Disney travel planner to simplify trip planning.
• Personal reflections on what worked well and what she might do differently on future visits.
• Upcoming episode tease: park experience, favorite rides, and restaurant reviews.

Timestamps:00:00 - Welcome and episode overview00:25 - Staying at Disney's Boardwalk Inn & first night at Waldorf Orlando00:52 - Benefits of staying on Disney property01:17 - Transportation options and resort amenities02:15 - Exploring the Boardwalk area’s entertainment and dining02:42 - Pool features and resort atmosphere03:12 - Magical character moments in the lobby03:37 - Disney dining plan overview and value considerations04:06 - Details of the Disney dining plan, including credits and benefits04:34 - Quick service vs. table service dining05:29 - Managing meal credits and character dining tips05:58 - Purchasing tickets for special events like dessert parties06:19 - Observations on unused meal credits and trip management06:46 - Reflection on value and family eating habits07:16 - Benefits of using a Disney travel planner08:15 - Tease for next episode & closing remarks