In this solo episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy opens up her personal “Lizzy’s Library” to share the books that have shaped how she thinks, leads, and lives. As the second-to-last episode of season one, it’s a heartfelt conversation that blends inspiration with practical wisdom on how stories can guide a bold, meaningful life.

Lizzy highlights Ishmael, or In the Depths by E.D.E.N. Southworth — a forgotten classic about courage and perseverance — alongside The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, a powerful invitation to slow down and reclaim what matters most. She also dives into the Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower, celebrating humor, authenticity, and rich friendships, before rounding out the list with the 1828 edition of Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, exploring how words can anchor truth and faith in a noisy world.

Through personal stories of reading alone in a childhood treehouse to simplifying her modern life, Lizzy reflects on why these books still spark courage, curiosity, and purpose. She reminds listeners that growth is never a quick chapter — but a story built page by page.

Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just looking for more depth, this episode is for anyone seeking inspiration to live with greater intention and meaning.

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy and @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

Referenced Books & Links -

Lizzy’s goodreads profile: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/191614465-lizzy-jensen

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/leaninwithlizzy?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_4EBQ7CZDFPHAJYVCKHTN

Ishmael: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12640204-ishmael-or-in-the-depths

Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: https://amzn.to/44Cbl0J

John Mark Comer Website: https://johnmarkcomer.com/

John mark Comer Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/johnmarkcomer/?hl=en

Emma M. Lion Series -

Beth Brower Website: https://www.bethbrower.com/

Beth Brower Substack: https://bethbrower.substack.com/

Audiobook Link: https://www.echopointbooks.com/pages/the-unselected-journals-of-emma-m-lion-audiobook-coming-soon

Beth Brower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethbrower/?hl=en

Noah Webster Dictionary Link: https://amzn.to/4l3JRH3

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In this solo episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy kicks off her first ever “Ask Me Anything” segment by responding to a vulnerable question from a listener named Julie, who shares, “I’m 57. I feel called to photography. I bought an expensive camera, and I haven’t touched it. Why am I so scared?”

What follows is one of Lizzy’s most empowering episodes to date - a masterclass on how to work with fear rather than against it. She breaks down why fear always shows up when you’re stepping into growth, and why it isn’t a stop sign, but a signal that something important is stirring.

Lizzy shares a practical decision making checklist to help listeners clarify their next steps, along with personal stories of her own moments of uncertainty; from starting a faith-based blog after law school to re-entering the public space after years away. Through it all, she offers powerful reminders: fear means you care, perfection is not the goal, and momentum only comes after you act.

Whether you’re starting a business, a creative pursuit, or a new chapter in your life, this episode is for anyone standing at the edge of something meaningful and wondering if they’re ready.

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy and @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

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In this solo episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy opens up about a humbling experience at a women’s conference that left her feeling small, unseen, and on the outside looking in. What started as a moment of quiet insecurity turned into one of the most powerful personal lessons she’s learned this year: you are meant to be a vessel, not a VIP.

With her perfect blend of honesty and encouragement, Lizzy explores the difference between seeking validation and living with purpose. She offers practical steps for becoming a vessel; someone who carries light, serves with intention, and pours into others without needing applause. Drawing on stories of faith, motherhood, and everyday wisdom (including a one-liner from her daughter that might just change your mindset), Lizzy reminds listeners that true impact doesn’t come from being seen, but from being available.

This episode is for any woman who has ever felt left out, invisible, or overlooked — and needs a gentle reminder that heaven rewards availability, not visibility.

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy and @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

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What if the chaos in your life wasn’t a detour—but the very point?

In this soul-stirring episode, Anne Bednar—mother of seven, Division I athlete, and cancer warrior—invites us into her sacred story of resilience, faith, and the raw beauty of motherhood.

Anne shares how writing became her sanctuary, how detours revealed divine direction, and why the sacred is often disguised in the ordinary. Whether you’re navigating illness, raising kids, or searching for purpose in the mess, this conversation will remind you of the grace within the grind.

00:00 – 03:40 | Finding Purpose in the Detours

•Why motherhood and chaos are not distractions, but divine soil

•Anne’s life with seven kids, cancer, and radical faith

03:40 – 09:15 | COVID, Connection & The Gift of Friendship

•How a move during COVID sparked a life-changing friendship

•Secret neighborhood rituals and the sacredness of support

09:15 – 14:00 | Twins, Lung Disease & Trusting God Anyway

•Navigating pregnancy with health uncertainties

•Choosing faith when fear could take over

14:00 – 18:45 | Creativity from Chaos: God’s Blueprint

•Seeing divine design in messiness

•Why writing helped Anne create spiritual order

18:45 – 24:10 | Holy Women & Finding Magic in the Mundane

•Reflections from the Kirschiznik exhibit at BYU

•Redefining holiness through everyday motherhood

24:10 – 30:20 | Writing Through the Fire

•Journaling as survival and spiritual expression

•Embracing mistakes in writing and in life

30:20 – 35:40 | Creating Sacred Spaces in Unlikely Ways

•The messy family room that became Anne’s sanctuary

•Why intention matters more than Instagram-worthy design

35:40 – 41:25 | Music, Practice & Meaningful Mess

•Letting go of perfection to find purpose in art

•Teaching kids to serve through their talents

41:25 – 47:30 | One-on-One Moments That Matter

•The power of micro-connections in parenting

•How Anne turned cancer into clarity

47:30 – 53:10 | Embracing Presence Like a Child

•What it really means to “become as a little child”

•Love, presence, and glimpses of divinity in motherhood

53:10 – 58:25 | Service, Legacy & Creating With Christ

•Redefining legacy through everyday offerings

•Small acts of service that shape eternal impact

58:25 – 01:03:45 | Co-Creating a Life That Lasts

•Anne’s hopes for her children and her legacy

•The invitation to create beauty from the mess with God

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In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Danny and Emily Deaton, founders of Your Living Proof, to talk about faith, healing, and the hard but transformative path of addiction recovery. They share how emotional resilience, spiritual identity, and family support played a crucial role in their journey from crisis to restoration.

Danny opens up about his battle with opioid addiction, his time in jail, and what 18 years of sobriety have taught him about shame, forgiveness, and the healing power of connection. Emily shares her experience of facing an unexpected pregnancy as a college student, and how her parents’ grace-centered response shaped her view of God, identity, and redemption.

Together, they explore how to break generational cycles, create a “safe space” culture at home, and model emotional honesty in parenting. They also dive into practical tools for families navigating addiction—including how to recognize enabling patterns, have hard conversations, and support a loved one without losing yourself in the process.

Whether you’re a parent, spouse, or friend of someone battling addiction, or you’re working through your own shame and setbacks, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and actionable strategies for healing as a family. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to turn pain into purpose and become living proof that no story is beyond redemption.

Connect with Danny & Emily Deaton:

Instagram: @yourlivingproof

Podcast: Your Living Proof Podcast

Website: yourlivingproof.com

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy | @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with artist, author, and designer Sarah Jane Wright for a profound conversation on loneliness, identity, and how to find beauty in life’s wilderness seasons.

Sarah Jane opens up about what it means to follow spiritual promptings without a clear path ahead—sharing how her move across the country, financial uncertainty, and personal health struggles became sacred ground for transformation. Together, they explore the spiritual symbolism of the wilderness, the difference between holy solitude and hiding, and how women can distinguish God’s voice from shame.

This episode is for anyone who has asked, “Why now?” or “Why me?”—and is looking for hope, friendship, and evidence that God is still near. From creative burnout to parenting teenagers, from empty pockets to unexpected callings, Sarah Jane reminds us that we are never too broken or too late to be used by God.

Connect with Sarah Jane Wright:

Instagram: @sarahjanestudios

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy and @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

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In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with writer, speaker, and faith-based content creator Rachel Tucker for a heartfelt conversation about identity, purpose, and rediscovering what lights you up—even when life feels full.

Rachel opens up about her own journey from early morning seminary teacher to online teacher and course creator. She shares how a pandemic-era prompting led her to start offering spiritual study tools to thousands of women online. Together, they talk about the myth of perfect timing, how purpose evolves across seasons, and why paying attention to quiet, persistent nudges can unlock your most fulfilling callings.

Whether you’re deep in diapers, navigating an emptying nest, or just feeling the sense that there’s more for you to offer, this episode is a beautiful reminder that your mission doesn’t expire. It also doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Connect with Rachel Tucker:

Instagram: @simplyrachelclare

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy and @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy Jensen welcomes speaker, mother, and spiritual mentor Jenny Guthrie to explore what it means to trust God through every season of life-especially when your story doesn’t unfold the way you imagined.

From college failure to mission leadership, from MLB wife to spiritual guide, Jenny shares how divine timing, not worldly timelines, has defined her path. Together, they dive into themes of late blooming, trusting God’s voice, and discovering hidden talents in unexpected ways.

Whether you’re navigating early adulthood, midlife pivots, or supporting someone in their own growth, this episode will encourage you to let go of comparison, tune into God’s voice, and find purpose in your own unique unfolding.

Chapters:

00:00 – 00:45 | Introduction & Intentions

•Lizzy introduces Jenny’s unexpected life path

•Highlighting nonlinear stories of faithful women

00:45 – 02:30 | Growing Up & Self-Discovery Begins

•Jenny’s early family life and first glimpses of self-awareness

•Realizing her journey is just beginning

02:30 – 06:00 | Awakening Through Retreats & God’s Vision

•The retreat that shifted Jenny’s spiritual lens

•Catching vision by being around purpose-driven women

06:00 – 08:40 | Contentment vs. Potential

•Balancing peace in the present with God-given potential

•Encouragement for women in their 20s and beyond

08:40 – 11:31 | Blooming in Seasons

•The metaphor of the flower and divine nourishment

•Embracing slow growth as a sacred process

11:31 – 15:59 | College Years & Choosing Devotion

•Failing academically but thriving spiritually

•The transformational power of intentional scripture and prayer

15:59 – 20:12 | Scripture as a Tool for Change

•Why scripture works—and how it softens hearts

•Normalizing the power of faith in parenting conversations

20:12 – 22:14 | Releasing Pressure & Trusting God’s Plan

•Letting go of cultural pressure around performance

•Trusting God’s guidance in raising confident children

22:14 – 25:29 | Rethinking Talents

•Redefining what counts as a talent

•Habits, mindset, and lesser-known gifts that shape us

25:29 – 27:36 | Owning Your Unique Purpose

•The beauty of different strengths in God’s kingdom

•Why comparison blocks divine contribution

27:36 – 30:00 | Marriage, Mission, & Unexpected Leadership

•Marrying her college sweetheart and joining MLB life

•Being called to lead a mission—and transformed by hardship

30:00 – 33:04 | Softened by the Storms

•How pain can harden or soften us

•Letting suffering refine and root us in Christ

33:04 – 38:19 | Seeing God in the Story

•How scripture teaches God’s character through others

•Helping others see God in their own unfolding

38:19 – 42:25 | True Discipleship & Staying Grounded

•Staying humble in the spotlight

•Keeping faith at the center of identity

42:25 – 47:06 | Advice for Young Adults & Mentors

•How to lead with love, not solutions

•What young adults most need from trusted guides

47:06 – 51:15 | Legacy & Life as a Perennial Bloom

•Going back to school and embracing the unexpected

•Letting God unfold your legacy—slowly, beautifully, completely

Connect with Jenny Guthrie:

Instagram: @feedinghissheep_

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy and @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

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In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with educator, speaker, and belonging advocate Scharman Grimmer for a powerful conversation about parenting, mentorship, and healing the epidemic of loneliness in today’s rising generation.

Drawing from personal experiences and research-backed insights, Scharman shares why every child needs a “Trusted Five” network of adults and how these relationships shape resilience, confidence, and emotional health. Together, they explore how to recognize early signs of relational struggles, why cross-generational connection matters more than ever, and simple ways to create authentic belonging at home, at school, and in the community.

Whether you are raising kids, mentoring teens, or seeking deeper connection yourself, this episode offers actionable tools and timeless principles for building strong, faith-centered support systems.

Connect with Scharman Grimmer:

Instagram: @scharman.grimmer

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy and @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HDoJQDhlpiL1VVboTqkqWigofHIsEKoS/view

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What if the dreams you thought were behind you were actually waiting to be rediscovered on the other side of motherhood?

In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with professional violinist, mother of four, and school co-founder Maria Clayton for a heartfelt conversation on ambition, identity, and grace through unexpected turns. From the concert halls of Rice University to a life-changing diagnosis at a 20-week ultrasound, Maria shares how her story of rigor and discipline evolved into one of deep faith, flexibility, and healing.

Together, they talk about what it means to embrace “times and seasons,” how God guides even the smallest details—like a violin teacher in a grocery line—and why your calling might unfold differently than you imagined. If you’ve ever wondered whether your gifts still have room in your life, this episode is your gentle reminder: life is long, and there’s beauty in the pivot.

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Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy & @lizzy.jensen

Podcast Landing Page: Lean In With Lizzy

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