What if hope only leads to disappointment? If this question has ever crossed your mind, today’s episode is for you, friend! My new friend, Nicole Zasowski, is on the show today and, let me tell you, she is a breath of fresh air. She shares her perspective with us on toxic positivity, celebration, and hope. And she’s a therapist, so her perspective is particularly welcome today! Nicole and I take a deep dive into why we are afraid to feel joy and what we can do about it.  For so many of us, we skip our celebrations as a way to avoid touching someone else's pain. We also talk about her latest book, What If It’s Wonderful?, and the importance of everyday celebrations.  I’m so inspired by Nicole’s insights and honesty about our hesitations and the way she illuminates a path to less fear and more happiness. Our conversation reminds us how God wants us to be joyful and happy.  Nicole is a mom, wife, licensed marriage therapist, and From Lost to Found author. She enjoys writing and speaking on topics that merge her professional knowledge, faith, and personal experience. Listen in to learn more about:   Toxic positivity and how it impacts us Foreboding joy and how joy can be vulnerable Practical ways we can celebrate in our everyday lives and why we should.     Favorite quotes: Joy is not off limits to us in pain and what it does is that it trusts what’s possible with God in the midst of pain. Joy and celebration have to be avenues of not only experiencing God’s presence, but learning and growing too, even in the midst of pain. Savoring celebrates the ordinary.  Thanksgiving is the expression of that gratitude and the way of sharing it and is a way of celebrating the gift with the Giver. A celebratory life is making a beautiful life with God right where you are not the perfect circumstances. We have somehow made happiness the hedonist version of joy.   Great things we discussed:   Fear - Ben Rector song Yellowstone TV show 1883 TV show The Way of the Heart - Book The Personal Librarian - Book Eucalyptus shower steamers Tezza app NYT cooking app Nicole Zasowski's website The Chosen - TV show Speak to the Mountains song - Chris McClarney Enjoy Life foods Confident Motherhood Facebook Group  Join the Confident Motherhood Community here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

How to live with hope and more happiness with Nicole Zasowski

Author, speaker, entrepreneur, and mom to five sons, Alli Worthington, hosts her show built on one simple premise- bring on people she loves, respects, and wants to learn from. You will love the fun interview-style conversations followed by coaching time, where Alli answers listener questions about faith, business, and life. Alli is also the author of Standing Strong, Breaking Busy, Fierce Faith, and The Year of Living Happy. She loves speaking at conferences about faith, business, and living life well.

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You are in the right place today if you are tired. I mean... Who isn’t tired, right? I'm so excited to talk about ways to beat exhaustion in today's hectic world. My guest, Jess Connolly, wrote the book Tired of Being Tired: Receive God's Realistic Rest for Your Soul-Deep Exhaustion, and she's here to help us tackle this common struggle. Jess challenges the idea that we need permission to rest and stresses the importance of protecting our peace for lasting well-being. Our conversation will dive into the myths that keep us from resting and provide practical steps for change.  I'm eager to learn how to manage exhaustion and create sustainable rest through small, daily shifts. Join Jess and I as we talk about:   What can we do about our exhaustion and tiredness   Lies we have been taught that keep us from resting   We don’t need permission to rest   Protecting our peace   Small daily shifts for sustainable rest   Favorite quotes:    (8:55 Audio)  - “I don’t know many women in varying life stages who aren’t tired. If they have small kids, they are tired; if they are empty nesters, they are tired; if they are in a season of building their career, they are tired. The college girls I know are tired. There is a collective issue.”   (10:48 Audio) - “We believe all kinds of broken things about our fatigue and so our beliefs really have to change first.   (14:29 Audio) - “Rest is also a commandment. In the actual commandments, He has given us this commandment to rest our bodies not because He wants it from us, not because He wants us to perform, but because He loves us and wants it for us.”   (20:40 Audio)—“We always gravitate towards the big sweeping changes, but I would massively encourage people to start with the small stuff; it gives you the bravery for the big stuff.”   Coaching this week:  What is Self-Awareness & Why You Should Care About It (34:57 audio) In coaching today, we talk about how goal setting often neglects the essential first step of self-awareness. By observing our bodies, thoughts, and emotions without judgment, we gain valuable insights into our triggers and patterns, allowing us to set goals that align with our true needs and create effective strategies to overcome challenges. Links to great things we discussed:    Jess Connolly Website   Jess Connolly Instagram    Tired of Being Tired: Receive God’s Realistic Rest for Your Soul-Deep Exhaustion   Shake it Out - Florence + The Machine   The West Wing    The Book of Waking Up: Experiencing the Divine Love That Reorders a Life    Moon Dew Firming Eye Cream    Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment    Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Gifts Set   Create a Course   Alli on YouTube   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

Tired of Being Tired: Finding Rest in a Busy World with Jess Connolly

Today's show welcomes the insightful J.D. Greear, a pastor, author, and podcast host. We'll explore challenging faith questions that many grapple with or may encounter when interacting with others.  This episode promises to be concise yet impactful for anyone seeking answers or desiring to support loved ones on their spiritual journey. J.D. Greear's book, 12 Truths & a Lie: Answers to Life's Biggest Questions, guides our discussion. We'll address prevalent lies we may believe, how God transforms doubt, the reasons behind suffering, unanswered prayers, and the persistent struggle with anxiety despite faith. Join J.D. and I as we talk about:    The big lie we believe   God can use our doubts   If God is in control, why is there suffering   Why isn’t God answering my prayers   If I am a believer, why do I still struggle with anxiety   Favorite quotes:     (4:08)- “The majority of our Bible is written by people who are in a season of doubt whether we are talking about the Old Testament or New Testament.”   (5:03)- “Doubt is often divinely used as a way of drawing you deeper into who God is and the majesty and mystery of who he is.”   (10:59) - “One of the things you find is when you are praying you are praying to a God who is not only infinite in power and infinite in love. He is also infinite in wisdom.”   (11:44)—“Sometimes, He says be persistent and keep asking and knocking, but sometimes, He says he heard you. He is always answering, but the answer right now is: I know more than you, and I am going to do something better than what you’re asking.”   Coaching this week: (21:14)  Simple Things That Give You the Most ROI Today in coaching, I share a list of easy-to-do things that can have a huge impact on your daily life. Small, consistent changes can bring amazing results over time, and I challenge you to choose a few simple habits from my list to improve your health, relationships, and future. Links to great things we discussed:    J.D. Greear Website   J.D. Greear Instagram    12 Truths & a Lie: Answers to Life’s Biggest Questions   Thank You Jesus for the Blood - Charity Gayle   Should've Been A Cowboy - Toby Keith   The Chosen   For All Mankind   Master of the Air    Massage Gun   Endel App   Ember Mug   Lapsang Souchong Black Tea   Athleta Brooklyn Skort    The Course Creator's Blueprint: 10 Lessons That Will Help You Get Started   Alli on YouTube   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

Hard Questions of Faith: Wrestling with Doubt and Belief with J.D. Greear

Today's show is part of the insightful "Society Check-In" mini-series.  This episode is all about understanding what's happening in our culture, how we should educate ourselves, and how that knowledge translates to effective leadership everywhere, from the workplace to our own families. This episode is a must-share!  I'm joined by expert Brad Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project, to talk about the research on families and marriage. His new book, Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization, explains how the current erosion of strong families is at the root of many of our society's problems, and it traces this decline back to anti-family influences in entertainment, politics, media, education, and big business. Join Brad and I as we talk about:    What types of people are the happiest   How marriage affects our happiness   Four groups that are forging strong marriages   Ways our community can support struggling marriages   The family first model   Teaching our kids the success sequence   Favorite quotes:    9:27 audio - “There are four groups today, Asian Americans, religious Americans, college-educated Americans, and conservative Americans who are more likely to be married today and either more likely to be happily married or stably married.”   10:18 audio - “For most couples, especially those with kids, having a reliable breadwinner in the picture is key.”   15:26 audio- “Serving others and being there for others actually makes us happier.”   16:57 audio - “In general, we see that both men and women who are married parents are the happiest Americans today and that is because our kids bring us not just stress and drama but also a lot of meaning and joy.”    18:25 audio - “For young adults who do those three things, get a high school degree, are working, and get married their odds of being poor as they head into their late 20s and 30s are just 3 and their odds of being in the middle class or higher are 86%.”   22:04 audio - “Couples that are embedded in a church community or some kind of synagogue or temple are more likely to avoid divorce because they are surrounded by people who tend to prioritize marriage and family.”   Coaching this week: How to Make Progress (Audio 23:47)  In today’s coaching session, I talked about how necessary it is to take a small step forward, even without perfect clarity. What will inaction cost you? I also discussed some quick ways to commit to taking action—God will guide you as you go. Links to great things we discussed:    Institute for Family Studies    Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization   Family / Best Is Yet to Come - Judah & the Lion    The Power of Commitment    Measuring Spoons   3-Day Course Idea Breakthrough   Alli on YouTube   Called Creatives   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)xo, Alli

Marriage and Happiness: What the Latest Research Shows with Brad Wilcox

Today's show is part of our two-episode "Society Check-In" mini-series.  We'll dive into current societal trends with the help of experts and researchers, exploring essential knowledge and necessary actions. I'm thrilled to welcome Rob Henderson to the show. His upcoming book and unique societal insights, including the groundbreaking concept of "luxury beliefs", make him a vital voice for parents seeking to understand current cultural messaging. Rob Henderson boasts an impressive background, including service in the US Air Force and degrees from Yale and Cambridge.  His writing has graced publications like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Henderson's debut book, Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class explores his experiences in foster care, military service, education at elite universities, and the development of the "luxury beliefs" concept. This concept examines how ideas held by the upper class may inadvertently harm those less privileged.   Join Rob and I as we talk about:    What are luxury beliefs   How luxury beliefs affect our society   Recommendation for working through luxury beliefs   Favorite quotes:  (Audio 9:13)- “Luxury beliefs are ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class while inflicting costs on the lower classes. A core feature of a luxury belief is that the believer is sheltered from the consequences of his or her beliefs.”  (Audio 13:39) “The vast majority of Americans in general regardless of income were very much opposed to defund policies but the elites in many cities were in favor of it and as a result, there were defund policies in many cities in the country. Homicide rates increased and violent crime rates increased, and the targets were primarily  (Audio 14:03)- “Compared to a middle-class American, Americans in the lowest income category are 7 times more likely to be victims of robbery and aggravated assault, 20 times more likely to be victims of sexual assault, and far more likely to be victims of homicide.” Coaching this week: Creating vs. Allowing (24:59 audio) This week's coaching helps you take charge! We'll explore how you can reframe situations to see if you're shaping your reality or passively accepting it. Plus, you'll get a simple trick for reframing your perspective, all while partnering with your faith. Links to great things we discussed:     Rob Henderson X   Rob Henderson Substack   Rob Henderson Instagram    Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class   Mad Men   The Sopranos    Love at Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the Science of Affection    Book Stand   ChatGPT     3-Day Course Idea Breakthrough   Alli on YouTube   Standing Strong   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

The Toxicity of Luxury Beliefs with Rob Henderson

Welcome to the show! Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Jennie Allen, founder of IF: Gathering, bestselling author, and host of the Made for This podcast. We're diving into the heart of emotional health as Jennie shares insights from her new book, "Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It." Both Jennie and I experienced strong emotional reactions to the pandemic, and we'll discuss how we've invested in our well-being since then. Together, we'll explore the purpose of our emotions and healthy ways to process them. We'll discuss how the pandemic impacted our emotional health, strategies for overcoming numbing behaviors, and the vital role of community in healing.  Jennie will emphasize that our emotions don't have to be frightening, and she'll help us identify safe individuals with whom to share our emotional journeys. Get ready for an empowering and insightful conversation! Join Jennie and I as we talk about:   The purpose of our emotions and how to deal with them in a healthy way   How the pandemic affected our emotional health   What to do when you catch yourself numbing out   The importance of not being alone and having a community for our healing   Our emotions don’t have to be scary   Identifying safe people to share our emotions with    Favorite quotes:  (8:17 Audio) - “Emotions are very valid. They are telling us something. They are signals and can be very trustworthy at times.” (8:41 Audio) - “Emotions are good. They are not bad, and they are not neutral. They are good gifts from God given to us to process a very messy world, to connect us to God in a deeper way, and to connect us to each other in a deeper way. “ (20:46 Audio)  - “As you begin to heal these parts of you that need healing, which God can do and you can do best in community with other people, it really does change everything.” (25:47 Audio)  - “We all know that emotions can drive us off a cliff so there have to be choices around them. You can’t just feel it. You have to decide what am I going to do about this feeling.” (28:55 Audio)  - “You just have to have a few people that commit to each other and decide to do this life together.”   Coaching this week:  The Real Truth About Confidence (32:57 Audio) In coaching this week, I shared that confidence isn't built through wishful thinking; it comes from taking consistent action and celebrating your successes. With each challenge you overcome, you become stronger, more adaptable, and capable of achieving even greater things.  Links to great things we discussed:    Jennie Allen Website   Jennie Allen  Instagram    Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It    Sufficient Grace - Tia Rachelle   Madam Secretary   Ogee Sculpted Face Stick   Silo   Masters of the Air   Alli on YouTube   Called Creatives   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

How to live with hope and more happiness with Nicole Zasowski

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