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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

⸻

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.

I’ve spent years studying the kind of women who light up a room - who hold boundaries with grace, lead with strength, and walk into chaos without losing their peace. You know the type: wise, steady, and completely unbothered.

Here’s the truth - none of them were born that way. They built it. So can you.

In this solo episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy shares five habits that changed her life. The kind that will stretch you, wake you up, and invite you to level up. From ditching the martyr mindset to rewriting your mental loops, from finally learning to say no without guilt to using ChatGPT as your personal strategy coach - she gives you real, raw tools that work.

This isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming more you.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure of your next move - this episode is your permission slip. It’s time we stop playing small.

download the ChatGpt worksheet here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rbpJE_Pl816cm9p-8RpPN7BlY7FJblux/view?pli=1

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.

What if your greatest trials were actually the starting point of your most sacred transformation?

In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Sunny Mahe - former collegiate athlete, NFL wife, and mother of ten - for a raw and moving conversation about redefining identity, finding purpose after loss, and trusting God when everything feels uncertain. Sunny opens up about stepping away from Olympic dreams to embrace motherhood, losing her financial footing after the NFL, and ultimately, walking through the heartbreaking loss of her three-year-old daughter, Elsie.

She shares the small miracles that carried her through - from half a cow showing up on her doorstep to life-changing spiritual impressions - and why her definition of success now has nothing to do with applause or accolades. If you’ve ever questioned your worth during quiet seasons, or wondered if God sees you in your lowest moment, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Connect with Sunny Mahe:

Instagram: @sunnymahe

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.

We often overthink service—imagining it must be big, elaborate, or time-consuming. But what if the most impactful acts are the simplest ones done with love?

In this heartfelt episode, Lizzy Jensen sits down with Brittney Hanks, creator of Home & Kind, to explore why service doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be meaningful. Brittney shares powerful personal stories—from ignoring a prompting and regretting it, to delivering soup at just the right moment—and offers practical ways to bring kindness into everyday life. Whether you’re navigating motherhood, trying to serve more intentionally, or want to teach your kids about giving, this episode will uplift and inspire.

Chapters:

00:00 – 01:09 | Meet Brittney Hanks

•Brittney shares her background, including her cross-country childhood and entrepreneurial roots

•How moving frequently built her resilience and openness to change

01:09 – 04:20 | From Sewing Swimsuits to Family-Focused Business

•Brittney’s journey from product-based business to digital creator

•Why family and service became central to her brand

04:20 – 07:44 | Becoming the Face of a Brand

•Overcoming hesitation to show up online

•The advice that helped her show up more confidently on camera

07:44 – 10:37 | Simplicity is the Superpower

•Why “too simple to share” is actually what moms need

•The beauty of easy, approachable tips that reduce mental load

10:37 – 16:14 | The Power of Prompted Service

•Brittney’s story of failing to act on a prompting—and what she learned

•How to recognize and follow spiritual nudges in daily life

16:14 – 22:17 | Even the Helpers Need Help

•Serving those who usually serve others

•Why simple acts like a meal or fresh fruit can be surprisingly powerful

22:17 – 26:43 | What to Bring (Besides Dinner)

•Creative, non-intimidating gift ideas beyond dinner

•The magic of snack trays, muffins, and chopped fruit

26:43 – 29:31 | Involving Kids in Service

•Teaching kids empathy by including them in acts of giving

•Using service to counteract entitlement

29:31 – 32:09 | Thoughtful Gifts Beyond Food

•Outside-the-box service ideas like coloring books or airplane kits for kids

•Why small gestures can leave lasting impressions

32:09 – 36:44 | Creating a Home Filled with Light

•How moms set the emotional tone of the home

•Letting kids see your personal spiritual practices in action

36:44 – 41:57 | The Power of Confidence and Purpose

•Why building inner confidence is key to showing up for others

•Encouraging kids to lean into their unique strengths

41:57 – 43:00 | Final Reflections

•Brittney’s legacy: helping people feel capable, seen, and loved

•Mutual admiration and encouragement between Lizzy and Brittney

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

Most women wait too long to step into their potential - held back by fear, self-doubt, or the belief that success and motherhood can’t coexist.

In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Michelle Gifford - marketing strategist, founder of a creative agency, and mom of five - who proves that you don’t have to choose between family and ambition. She shares her no-nonsense approach to building a business that actually makes money, how to silence imposter syndrome, and why “microfails” (yes, failing on purpose!) are the key to long-term success.

From starting her first business while six months pregnant to helping women scale their brands using social media, Michelle breaks down the mindset shifts and strategies that turn ideas into income. If you’ve been waiting for permission to go all in, this is it.

Connect with Michelle Gifford:

Instagram: @iammichellegifford

Connect with Lizzy Jensen:

Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy & @Lizzy.jensen

Chapters:

00:00 – 00:48 | Introduction

•Lizzy welcomes Michelle and shares their history in podcasting

•How Michelle’s first podcast inspired Lizzy’s journey

00:48 – 02:46 | Michelle’s Entrepreneurial Journey

•How she started her first business while pregnant

•Her transition from small-town life to building a marketing agency

02:46 – 04:51 | The Power of Social Media for Women

•How social media empowers women to build businesses

•Why embracing digital tools is crucial for success

04:51 – 06:38 | Balancing Business & Motherhood

•The challenges of entrepreneurship as a mom

•How to redefine success & build confidence

06:38 – 09:55 | How Women Approach Business Differently

•The differences between male and female entrepreneurship

•Why community and connection matter more than ever

09:55 – 13:07 | First Steps for Starting a Business

•The importance of following the money

•Why women must overcome the fear of selling

13:07 – 19:02 | The Reality of Work-Life Balance

•Practical strategies for managing family and business

•How to design a life that works for you

19:02 – 23:29 | Redefining Motherhood & Success

•Separating motherhood from caretaking roles

•Making intentional choices about what work to do

23:29 – 30:12 | Confidence, Community & Finding Your People

•Why confidence attracts the right people

•The power of showing up authentically

30:12 – 39:49 | Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

•How practice eliminates self-doubt

•Why doing the work qualifies you for success

39:49 – 45:23 | Taking Ownership of Your Achievements

•Why women downplay their success

•How owning your wins helps you grow and serve others

45:23 – 47:21 | Michelle’s Legacy & Final Advice

•Encouraging women to step up and use their voices

•Why now is the time for women to share their light

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