One of the most common questions I get from young women is "how do I find the right kinds of friends?" So to help answer this question, I Invited my friend Hannah Faith to share some of the biggest lessons she learned while navigating junior high and high school just a few years ago. She brings incredible insight to what it means to not only find the right kinds of people to become closest friends with, but how to be the kind of friend that others want in their lives too.

Connect with Hannah on Instagram @hannahfaithn and on her artist Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HannahFaithN. You can also listen to her single "I Don't Really Care" at https://open.spotify.com/album/1u9ZJJT8fhFJDmew0y1tu9?si=M7POXWV8RvWK8mHU-C_FnA or anywhere you listen to music!

Are you following @listensispodcast on Instagram? If not, go give us a follow and share this episode if you enjoy it!

In this episode, I share practical tips for setting appropriate boundaries with social media. Whether you're a teen, young adult, or parent - this episode is for you.

Suicide rates are higher than they've ever been. Screen time has doubled in the last four years. We're in a global pandemic where face-to-face time with people is challenging. I think it's safe to say that NOW is the time, if there ever was one, to detox from the unhealthy social media platforms, posts, and followers in our lives.

Share your biggest takeaway with me on Instagram and tag me at @listensispodcast so I can encourage you as you set those social boundaries! You got this, sis!

This week I'm joined by Micaela Deegan from the Coffee Jeans & Jesus Podcast as we have an open conversation about trauma and how to find freedom from past hurts and pain. Micaela and I address some of the triggers and traps that we're faced with when trauma happens, especially as we relive trauma from our past. We also talk openly about the ways in which we can become captive to our trauma when we're not focused on the redemptive power of God. It's a deep one this week, but there are so many encouraging reminders. If you are experiencing or know anyone who has experienced trauma of any kind, then this episode will encourage you.

To connect with Micaela, visit coffeejeansjesus.com and follow @coffeejeansandjesus on Instagram!

And If you're not already following @listensispodcast on Instagram, please do! You can also connect with me and read my blog at beth-keeton.com. 

Have we forgotten how to build resilience because of the culture we live in where everything is available at the click of a button? For me, I know I find myself getting frustrated if I have to wait in line at the store for more than a minute or so. We're living in a world where it's sometimes easier to give up when things get hard, or pay someone else to do the hard work that ultimately produces perseverance and resilience. But with that comes self doubt, fear, and uncertainty. Whereas, with perseverance, we get maturity, character, confidence and trust. Join me as I talk about ways that we can build our resilience in order to grow to our full potential!

Are you following @listensispodcast on Instagram? If not, please do! All episodes and behind-the-scene content can be found there! 

Have you ever felt like you're stuck moving forward in your calling, but you don't know why? Or maybe you keep feeling like you're not ready yet, or not educated enough yet, or not ______ yet. I've learned that there are three key areas where we tend to hold back in pursuing all that God has for us, so I'm calling them out and sharing some practical ways to move past the fears and lies that we believe. Let's get unstuck together!

Be sure to follow me @listensispodcast on Instagram and share this episode if you enjoy it!

Here are a few resources I highly recommend if you're trying to find your purpose or walk out in your calling:

• The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren - https://amzn.to/2ZBwTbQ 
• Dream Big: Know What You Want, Why You Want It, and What You’re Going to Do About It by Bob Goff - https://amzn.to/32rXOJe
• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown - https://amzn.to/2ZwYrPy 

Here are some key verses to reference from the episode:

• Psalm 139:14
• Romans 8:31
• Ephesians 2:10
• Ephesians 1:4
• Philippians 3:13-14
• Joshua 1:9
• Colossians 2:10

This summer, I decided I needed time on my own for a personal vacation to get away from the hustle and bustle of my busy life to write, focus on myself, and just RELAX. I drove six hours, two states away, to arrive at what was anything but a relaxing spot, just to turn around and come home the next day. What I learned was that this burnout I was feeling was because of boundaries I had neglected to set, time I wasn't stewarding well, and avoidance of self-care. Take a listen as I share how to take control of these areas as a way to avoid burnout and create moments for yourself right now, wherever you're at, with whatever you've got.

Be sure to follow me @listensispodcast on Instagram and share this episode if you enjoy it! 

Here are some additional resources from this episode:

• Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

This episode features Mercy Lokulutu - author, speaker, preacher, mom of 3, and mental health nurse practitioner. Mercy's passion is speaking about the intersection of brain science and the bible. In our conversation, we talk about everything from the differences in mental health diagnoses, to the biblical references where mental health is addressed, to how we can show up well for those with mental health challenges and take care of our own minds.

Be sure to follow Mercy on Instagram @mercylokulutu and visit her website for more information at mercylokulutu.com.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT:

• National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-8255
• SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Google to find your local Mental Health Resource Center by COUNTY
• Psych Central: Find a local therapist
• Good Therapy: Find a local therapist

BOOKS:

• As You Wish: Finding True Strength in Surrender to God by Mercy Lokulutu
• Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health by Dr. Caroline Leaf
• Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You by Dr. Henry Cloud

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Dr. Anita Phillips on Instagram
• Dr. Caroline Leaf on Instagram
• Dr. Henry Cloud on Instagram

This episode features one of my mentors and friends, Betty Gutierrez, as we talk about where fear comes from and how to deal with it. We often ask "what if ____ happens?" But, that thought process is paralyzing. Betty challenges us to think from an "even if" perspective - one that puts trust in God for the peace and freedom that comes on the other side of fear. I hope you're encouraged as much as I was by Betty's wisdom about how to persevere through trials and fears. 

Here are the books/podcasts that Betty mentioned as helpful resources:

• When People Are Big and God Is Small, Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man (Resources for Changing Lives) by Edward T. Welch
• Cleaning Up the Mental Mess podcast with Dr. Caroline Leaf
• SHE with Jordan Lee Dooley: “Fear is Not the Boss of You (Ft Jennifer Allwood)"

Today, I'm sitting down with my dear friend, Kendyl Shaw, to talk about all things single life! I heard Kendyl speak about this topic at a student retreat, and knew I had to have her on the show to go deeper. So many of us wrestle with unhealthy questions like "why am I still single?" or "what do I need to do to get out of this 'single season?'" But as Kendyl and I talk in this episode, your singleness does not mean that you're in some sort of "waiting room" until your life can finally begin. In fact, what if the opposite is true?

Did you know that Kendyl also has a podcast!? You can follow Magically Millennial, where Kendyl and Olivia talk all things Disney, on Instagram (@magicallymillennialpodcast). You can listen to Magically Millennial on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

Here are the books/podcasts that Kendyl mentioned as helpful resources:

• Boundaries in Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
• The Right One: How to Successfully Date and Marry the Right Person (A Marriage On The Rock Book) by Jimmy Evans and Frank Martin
• Life with Lisa Harper Podcast

Today we are talking about something very personal to me, and that is what I’ve learned from going through a divorce. I’m so glad that this was a suggestion from one of our listeners, Olivia, and know it will encourage you today, no matter where you’re at or what you’ve walked through. When I realized that my worth wasn’t defined by my circumstances or what other people called me, only then could I could fully walk in confidence as a daughter of God.

Be sure to follow this podcast for updates on new episodes, and follow me on Instagram @listensispodcast to connect! Love you, sis!