Hey there! As the season of swimsuits and shorts, summer can bring up all kinds of feelings about our bodies. Women can feel afraid (or even ashamed) to talk about it. Today, we’re going there, and I’ve brought in a good friend for this special Smart Girl Summer episode to help us!  Alisa Keeton is the founder of Revelation Wellness, and she is on a mission to help women love God, get healthy, be whole, and love others.  Alisa is also an author, and her new book, The Body Revelation: Physical and Spiritual Practices to Metabolize Pain, Banish Shame, and Connect to God with Your Whole Self, is a tool to help women do just that.  Listen in our conversation as Alisa and I discuss:    Why we are prone to extremes when it comes to our bodies   How getting healthy and being whole impacts how we love God and others   The point in a new venture when most women quit (and why they shouldn’t give up!)   How trauma affects our physical bodies, and why downplaying it is so detrimental   The prayer you should pray if you’re not sure if your idea is your own or from the Lord   Favorite quotes:  “Your body has been designed by God. There is nothing about you that genetically is flawed.  He is on purpose with a purpose. Every body is a good body.” “Love God. Get healthy, be whole. Love others.” “I don’t think you need to be polite with Jesus. You have to be real with him and never let go.” “Before you had words for life to explain and have a worldview, your body was trying to tell you things and it has always been trying to tell you stuff.” “Before you go ask your friends or all the people you think you need their approval, sit down with the Lord. Take a day, pull away, go away, turn your phone off, and get in the Word and hear from Him. Once you have heard from Him, there’s no turning back.” “You know it is the Lord if you don’t stop thinking about it. It keeps coming up.”  Links to great things we discussed:    Alisa Keeton Website   Alisa Keeton Instagram   Alisa Keeton Facebook   Alisa Keeton Twitter   Revelation Wellness    The Body Revelation: Physical and Spiritual Practices to Metabolize Pain, Banish Shame, and Connect to God with Your Whole Self    Fanny Pack    Hydrafacial   Air   Lost   What Would I Do Without You - Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors    Perky-Pet Hummingbird Feeders   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 Love our Bodies with Alisa Keeton

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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Join us today for an engaging talk with Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston, recognized experts on friendships. They share their wisdom on navigating the highs and lows of relationships, recognizing toxic behaviors, and fostering healthier connections. Known for their popular Sister, I Am with You page, and their bestseller, Amy and Jess provide practical advice to enrich your social life in our latest discussion. In their latest book, Here For It (the GOOD, the BAD, and the QUESO): The How-To Guide for Deepening Your Friendships and Doing Life Together, they offer strategies to strengthen bonds and highlight the importance of love and open communication in friendships. Our conversation covers essential tips on dealing with common friendship challenges and taking the initiative to form new relationships. Tune in for their expert advice on improving and deepening your friendships. Join Amy, Jess,  and I as we talk about:    5:58 video Red flags for toxic friendships   17:22 video Common friendship challenges   21:47 video The importance of going for it when making friends    23:18 video Amy’s & Jess’ best friendship advice   Favorite quotes:    9:22 video - “If there aren’t any friends in your life right now that are life-giving then take that energy for meeting and investing in new people.”   9:59 video - “To develop good and deep friendships with anyone is going to take time.”     19:45 video - “Go into difficult conversations like Ted Lasso. Be curious and don’t assume you know what their motive is.”   22:48 video  - “You have the magic and the power. You just have to believe it and go out there, live your life, and go after what you want. If a friendship is something that you want, go after it.  Don’t waste wishing someone else would do these things that you are capable of doing.”   24:14 video - “It is actually a gift when you reach out to someone and pursue them in friendship whether they receive the gift and whether they have time for the gift or not.”   Coaching this week:  Use Self-Awareness to Take Action (39:15 video)  In coaching this week, I share how self-awareness alone won't lead to progress; it must be combined with action to achieve goals and gain momentum. To move forward, you can identify one manageable step you can take toward your objectives, initiating a vital shift from insight to real change.   Recommendation: (43:00 video) This week, I share a must-read book about maximizing longevity for your overall health and wellness.   Links to great things we discussed:    Sister I Am With You  Website   Sister I Am With You Instagram   Amy Weatherly Instagram   Jess Johnston Instagram    Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso): The How-To Guide for Deepening Your Friendships and Doing Life Together   Plowshare Prayer - Spencer LaJoye    Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad    Hair Extensions   8 Sheep Organics ​​Organic Sleepy Body Lotion    Live Tinted    Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity   Create a Course   Alli on YouTube   Remaining You While Raising Them   Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe to YouTube and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

Navigating Friendships in the Digital Age with Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston

This episode shares a great conversation with one of my favorite writers in the whole world, Sarah Bessey. Today, we are diving into an important topic that I don't think gets covered enough: what do you do when you feel like you're in the wilderness of your faith. If you're struggling with doubts about your faith, or supporting someone who is, you're not alone. Sarah's wisdom, empathy, and thoughtfulness are going to be a blessing to you like it has been to me. Sarah Bessey has authored or edited five books, including the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer. She also leads Evolving Faith, a conference and online community for people who are reimagining their faith with hope. In her new book, Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith, Sarah becomes a shepherd for our curiosity, giving us a table for our questions, tools to cultivate what we crave, and a blessing for what was, even as we leave it behind. Join Sarah and I as we talk about:   Examining our faith   What it means to be in a season of reimagining our faith   When you are going through a season in the wilderness   Healing through hard hurtful situations   Learning what you are for and how to love the world   Favorite quotes:    “You can’t wander away from God’s love. You can get a few things wrong and still enjoy the goodness and friendship of God. This is not a thing that is jeopardy.” (18:15)    “In the midst of all of that, you can’t outwander God and you can’t run away from the run of God. That is still the thing that is holding everything including the wilderness inside you.” (20:56)   “It is not enough to just be against things. I need to begin to name what I am for.” (21:52)   “One of the other ones that was really important for me was learning how to love the world again.” (23:04)   “God is hiding in plain sight in our everyday walking around lives.” (24:00)   Coaching this week:   Cultivate Self-Awareness This week in coaching, I discussed how Self-awareness means paying attention to our feelings and reactions, especially in stressful situations. By noticing where we feel tension in our bodies and understanding our wants and needs, we can learn to respond to challenges with more wisdom and grace instead of numbing out and leading ourselves to burnout. Links to great things we discussed:    Sarah Bessey Website   Sarah Bessey Instagram    Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith   Plowshare Prayer - Spencer LaJoye   The Tree - Maren Morris   Sarah’s Playlist    Past Lives    Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens    Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human    Demon Copperhead    One Long River of Song    Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick   NIRA Pro Laser & Serum Collection     Red Light Panel    Aquaphor   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

Navigating Faith Through Uncertain Times with Sarah Bessey

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

How to Love our Bodies with Alisa Keeton

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