Living Fearlessly Podcast

🎙️ Hiding in the Sanity Closet: Practicing Delight, Hot Flashes, & Holy Joy

A heartfelt conversation with The Sanity Closet sisters.

What if joy isn’t something we stumble upon… but something we practice?

Warning: This episode contains sister chaos, ADHD tangents, accidental theology, hot flash commentary, and a whole lot of laughter.

In this laughter-filled and deeply honest episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle and her sisters gather for one of their signature “Sanity Closet” conversations — full of hilarious rabbit trails, heartfelt vulnerability, unexpected wisdom, and the kind of joy that shows up in ordinary moments.

From roadside sunflowers and sourdough bread to ducks at stoplights, baby snuggles, laundry monster stories, and conversations about anxiety, hormones, and hard seasons of life, the sisters explore what it means to practice delight — especially when life feels overwhelming.

Inspired by previous podcast guests discussing “practicing delight” and “playful curiosity,” this conversation dives into how intentionally noticing beauty, wonder, humor, and gratitude can slowly bring healing to weary hearts.

The Sanity Closet Roll Call:

• Marianne
• Eileen
• Theresa
• Michelle
• Jenny
• Debbie

💬 Key Takeaways:

• Practicing Delight Is a Skill You Can Build Delight isn't something that just happens — it's something you actively practice. Like any habit, the more you look for small moments of joy (flowers on the roadside, a baby's tiny feet, a good meal), the more naturally it comes.
• Intentionality Matters Delight doesn't find you; you have to choose it. Being mindful and deliberate about noticing good things — especially when life is hard — is what keeps joy alive.
• You Are Not Alone in the Hard Stuff Whether it's job loss, perimenopause, anxiety, depression, or just the weight of everyday life — many women are going through it. Don't isolate. Find your people.
• Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help Whether that's hormone therapy, therapy, supplements, or medication — getting the right support isn't weakness. It's like calling a plumber when you don't know how to fix the water heater.
• Laughter Itself Is Delight The episode modeled its own message: an infectious laugh, a silly joke about apoplexy, talking to ducks — these are all delight in action. Don't underestimate the healing power of a good laugh with people you love.

Resources Podcasts & Conversations

• Katherine Sigmon Wadsworth on practicing delight
• Dr. Larissa Fedoryka-Kuplak on playful curiosity
• The newly launched The Sanity Closet Podcast

Books Mentioned

• The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown
• The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver
• The New Perimenopause by Mary Claire Haver

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🎙️ Awakened By Beauty - Music, Nature, & Wonder

A candid conversation with Dr. Larissa Fedoryka-Kuplak

What if beauty isn’t just something we see—but something that changes us?

In this deeply reflective and soul-stirring episode, Michelle sits down with concert cellist Dr. Larissa Kuplak to explore how beauty—especially through music and nature—has the power to awaken our hearts, heal what’s broken, and draw us closer to God.

From the difference between analog and digital sound to the lost art of truly seeing, this conversation invites you to slow down, become childlike again, and rediscover the wonder that makes you feel fully alive.

🎻 A Powerful Invitation

When was the last time you:

• Sat outside and truly noticed a tree?
• Listened to music without multitasking?
• Allowed yourself to be moved… without rushing on to the next thing?

Beauty requires attention. And attention opens the door to transformation.

🌿 Practical Ways to Begin Again:

• Step outside and linger - notice details you’d normally miss
• Listen to a piece of music (start with “The Swan”) without distractions
• Ask your kids (or yourself): “What do you see?”
• Create small moments of beauty in your home
• Let go of perfection - and embrace playful curiosity

💬 Key Takeaways:

We don’t need more noise—we need more wonder.

As Larissa shares, when we open ourselves to beauty, we allow it to:

• soften our hearts
• restore what’s been dulled
• and draw us back to the One who created it all

💛 About Larissa:

Dr. Larissa Fedoryka-Kuplak is a concert cellist who began performing with her family ensemble at venues like the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap. She holds a Doctorate in Cello Performance from UC Santa Barbara and has performed with orchestras, recorded as a session musician, and toured with artists including Marco Antonio Solis, Gloria Trevi, and Scythian. She now shares her passion for beauty and music through performances and her concert series Painting with Music.

• Email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned

• Sadie Hoyt's classical music listening guides for families: sadiehoyt.com
• Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites (as interpreted by Pablo Casals)
• Saint-Saëns: The Swan (performed live by Larissa during the episode)

🎙️ Fully Alive: Discovering Your God-Given Strengths

A heartfelt conversation with Katherine Sikma Wadsworth.

In this powerful and life-giving episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle sits down with leadership coach Katherine Sigma Wadsworth to unpack the truth about identity, strengths, and what it really means to be fully alive.

Rooted in the truth that you are God’s masterpiece, this conversation explores how understanding your natural strengths can free you from comparison, silence the lies of “not enough,” and help you step boldly into who you were created to be.

Because here’s the truth:

You were never meant to be everything to everyone.

You were created on purpose—with purpose.

Together, Michelle and Katherine dive into the transformative tool of CliftonStrengths and how it reveals not just what you’re good at—but how you’re wired to thrive.

They also explore how fear and anxiety show up in our lives—and how learning to understand ourselves (instead of fighting ourselves) can lead to deeper peace, healing, and freedom.

💬 Key Takeaways:

• Learn what the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) assessment is and how it works
• The difference between signature themes, supporting strengths, and non-patterns (hint: there are no weaknesses!)
• The four domains of CliftonStrengths: Executing, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking, and Influencing — and why we need all of them
• Why you are not meant to be well-rounded — you're meant to be part of a well-rounded team
• How knowing your strengths can free you from shame and comparison
• Why self-knowledge is the foundation for living the life you were created for

💛 About Katherine:

Katherine Sikma Wadsworth is an ICF-certified leadership coach, teacher, group facilitator, and the host of the You Gotta Try This! podcast. She loves to help women reignite the fire within them, helping them reclaim their power, purpose, and passion.

• Facebook: Katherine Sikma
• Instagram: @ksikma, @ksikmaphotography, @yougottatrythispodcast
• LinkedIn: Katherine Sikma Wadsworth
• Website: reanimationconsulting.com

Resources Mentioned

• StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
• The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary McBride
• Inside Out (Pixar) — a great illustration of Internal Family Systems

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🎙️ Embracing Your Beautiful & Seeing It In Others

Michelle Hillaert dives into a deeply personal and transformative conversation about what it truly means to embrace your beautiful. In a world constantly telling us who we should be, Michelle reminds us that God already created us with intention, purpose, and beauty - exactly as we are.

Through powerful storytelling, Scripture, and a moving personal encounter with God’s mercy, this episode explores how shame, comparison, and fear of rejection keep us from stepping fully into who we were created to be - and how we can begin to break free.

Whether you’ve lived a relatively unscarred life, carry deep wounds, or are still building your foundation, this episode meets you where you are and invites you into greater freedom, healing, and identity in Christ.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• You were intentionally created - your “different” is not a flaw, it’s your calling
• True beauty begins in the heart
• You cannot fully love others if you do not learn to receive and extend love to yourself
• Boundaries are not selfish - they are a recognition of your God-given worth
• Shame keeps you stuck; mercy sets you free
• The way you see yourself impacts how you see and treat others

📖 Scripture References:

• Psalm 139
• Matthew 22:37
• Philippians 4:8

✅ Resources Mentioned:

• 🎵 "Don't Let Them Hide Your Beautiful" by Jody Messina
• 📘 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership — John C. Maxwell
• 📘 Brené Brown (shame research)
• 📘 Stephen Covey
• 📘 Patrick Lencioni
• 🧠 16 Personalities test
• 💪 Gallup StrengthsFinder (Katherine Sigma Wadsworth, coming in a future episode)

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🎙️ Is Anything Too Marvelous for the Lord? Unicorns, Poppers, & Providence

The Sanity Closet is back! 7 out of 10 biological sisters share from the heart.

In this laughter-filled and deeply heartfelt episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle and her sisters gather for a real, unfiltered conversation that somehow includes unicorns, jalapeño poppers, and powerful encounters with God’s providence.

Rooted in Genesis 18:14 — “Is anything too marvelous for the Lord?”, this episode weaves together personal stories that reveal a God who is not distant—but intimately involved in every detail of our lives. It reminds us that no matter what we face, we can always find hope, especially when we look back and see the many ways that God has shown up in our lives to provide and care for us.

Names of Sisters on This Call (Oldest to Youngest)DollyMarianneEileenMichelleJennyRachaelDebbie

Key Takeaways

1. God shows up in small things, not just big ones. From snow on Christmas morning to green lights when you really need a restroom — He cares about the tiny desires of your heart, not just your major needs.
2. Keep a record of God's faithfulness. When you're in a hard season, looking back at the ways God has shown up before gives you hope and reminds you He hasn't abandoned you.
3. Nothing is too marvelous — or too impossible — for God. Whether it's a medical scare, a financial crisis, or a struggling marriage, He can turn it around in ways you never expected.
4. Don't let perfectionism keep people out of your home — or your life. Your house doesn't need to be perfect. People need connection, welcome, and love far more than they need a clean countertop.
5. Learn to receive, not just give. If you're always the giver and never let others contribute, you're actually denying them the gift of serving. Let people bring the jalapeno poppers.
6. Your home can be a refuge and a center of life. When you open your doors with love, people feel the presence of Christ.
7. Suffering and hard seasons aren't the end of the story. God can take what the enemy meant for harm and resurrect it into something more beautiful than if the hardship had never happened.

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🎙️ Sister (From Another Mister) Talk From Behind The Chair

A heartfelt conversation with Kerri Marsh.

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Michelle is joined by her dear friend, Kerri Marsh—a woman who knows what it means to fight for her life, her worth, and her future.

Kerri came from a place where love, worth, and security weren’t always clearly shown. She had to fight—through broken relationships, self-doubt, and hard life lessons—to discover her value and reclaim her identity. She chose growth when it would’ve been easier to stay stuck. She chose healing when it meant doing the hard work.

This episode is a powerful reminder that your story isn’t over—and that even the most broken places can become something beautiful.

💬 Key Takeaways:

• God doesn’t waste your pain—He transforms it
• You don’t have to fix everything at once—just take the next step
• Healing often requires both surrender and action
• The lies you’ve believed about yourself are not the truth
• Your story can become someone else’s hope
• It’s never too late to grow, change, and become who you’re meant to be

💛 Connect with Kerri:

Kerri Marsh is a seasoned stylist, mentor, and encourager who has spent over 40 years walking alongside women through life’s highs and lows.

• Facebook: Kerri M. Gambill-Marsh
• Instagram: @KerriMarshLive
• Website: KerriMarsh.com

She offers both in-person and virtual consultations and would love to connect with you.

Resources Mentioned

• I Believe in Love (spiritual reading)
• The New Menopause

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🎙️ When Self-Care Looks Like Survival

A heartfelt conversation with Eileen King, BSN and certified Neural Integration System Therapy practitioner.

Michelle is joined by her big sister Eileen King — a mother of seven, former labor and delivery nurse (for over 20 years), and functional neurology practitioner — for a raw, heartfelt conversation about what self-care really looks like when you're in survival mode.

Whether you're a single parent working the night shift, walking through divorce, or just feeling overwhelmed by life, this episode offers practical wisdom rooted in faith, science, and lived experience.

Key Takeaways: What Self-Care Looks Like in Survival Mode

Michelle and Eileen share practical, real-life ways to care for yourself when life feels heavy:

1. Lower the Bar — Self-care in hard seasons isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what’s necessary
2. Move Your Body — Walking, dancing, and simple movement help regulate your nervous system and reduce stress
3. Create Small Wins — Focus on one task, one corner, or one step at a time to build momentum
4. Ask for Help — True strength is found in humility; you were never meant to do this alone
5. Receive Support — Let others show up for you—sometimes self-care is allowing yourself to be cared for
6. Let Go of Perfection — A lived-in home and simple meals are enough in hard seasons
7. Process, Don’t Suppress — Emotions need an outlet; healing happens when we allow them to move through us
8. Stay Connected — Isolation deepens overwhelm; community brings grounding and support
9. Care for Your Body First — Sleep, hydration, and nourishment are foundational—not optional
10. Lean Into Prayer — Even the simplest “God, help me” is powerful and enough

Episode Chapters0:55 — Welcome & Introduction4:21 — Eileen's Story7:45 — Self-Care in Survival Mode10:00 — Your Nervous System & the Vagus Nerve13:30 — Overcoming Fear & Asking for Help20:00 — Practical Tips for the Overwhelmed Mom24:56 — Letting Go of Perfectionism30:01 — Sleep, Nutrition & the Essentials32:33 — Shame, Healing & God's Love51:02 — Self-Care Essentials Checklist52:21 — Closing EncouragementResources Mentioned:

1. The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips
2. The Fly Lady (home organization method)
3. Rising Strong by Brené Brown

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🎙️ Beyond Bubble Baths: Self-Care for the Body, Mind, and Soul

Michelle Hillaert dives into a topic many women struggle with but rarely prioritize: true self-care. In a culture that often reduces self-care to bubble baths and lattes, Michelle explores the deeper habits that actually restore our strength, bring peace, and allow us to show up well for the people we love.

Drawing from her experience working with women in health, faith, and personal growth, Michelle offers practical encouragement for anyone who feels overwhelmed, tired, or stuck. She reminds listeners that transformation doesn’t happen through perfection—it happens through small, consistent choices.

From building a morning routine and nourishing your body to cultivating prayer and accountability, Michelle shares ten simple habits that can gradually shift your energy, mindset, and daily life.

Because the truth is: you are not stuck. You always have a choice.

In This Episode

• Why many common “self-care” practices are actually just temporary band-aids

• The importance of caring for yourself so you can care well for others

• How small daily habits can create long-term transformation

• Why guilt and perfectionism keep women stuck

• The power of making intentional choices about how you begin your day

Key Takeaways: Ten Simple Habits That Can Transform Your Life

Michelle walks through ten practical changes that can help bring more peace, energy, and clarity to your life:

1. Wake Up Before the World — Why early rising aligns with your body's natural cortisol rhythms for better energy and focus
2. No Screen Time for the First Hour — How reaching for your phone first thing triggers a fight-or-flight response and trains your brain for hypervigilance
3. Pray — Making intentional time with God a daily practice; more surrender equals less stress
4. Exercise — Women who exercise regularly are 52% happier, 48% more confident, and 67% less stressed (Asics report); tips for making it work with any lifestyle
5. Eat Clean — Shop the perimeter, limit processed foods, prioritize healthy fats, and cook at home (ChatGPT recipe experiments included)
6. Drink Water — 47% of Americans drink less than 16 oz a day; benefits include higher energy, better brain function, and healthier skin
7. Read — Nurture your mind with spiritual reading, personal development, and fiction; book recommendations included
8. Get Dressed — How getting up and getting ready shifts your mindset and how you show up for the day
9. Find an Accountability Partner — Using tools like the Habit Share app to stay honest and motivated
10. Build a Morning Routine — Tying it all together with early wins that set the tone for your whole day

Chapters0:43 - Intro: Why Self-Care Matters6:02 - 1. Wake Up Before the World8:15 - 2. No Screen Time for the First Hour10:21 - 3. Pray12:23 - 4. Exercise17:45 - 5. Eat Clean23:30 - 6. Drink Water27:14 - 7. Read31:31 - 8. Get Dressed34:03 - 9. Accountability37:17 - 10. Morning Routine39:38 -Conclusion: Your Marching OrdersResources Mentioned

1. Habit Share app (accountability tracking)
2. Brené Brown (shame research & personal development)
3. John C. Maxwell, Pat Lencioni (personal development)
4. Francine Rivers (Christian fiction)
5. I Believe in Love (spiritual reading)
6. Hinds' Feet on High Places (allegory)
7. Ergo Baby Carrier (great for carrying babies and toddlers on front or back)
8. BrainTrustGrowth.com article
9. Effects of Screen Time article

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🎙️ Wilderness, Surrender, & Persevering in Prayer

Another candid conversation with The Sanity Closet (8 out of 10 sisters - and yes, they're all biological).

Episode Description

The sisters of The Sanity Closet return for another heartfelt conversation about surrender, prayer, and learning to trust God in the wilderness seasons of life.

What begins with laughter and stories quickly turns into a powerful discussion about the moments when life feels overwhelming - when homes flood, health crises arise, loved ones struggle, and answers don’t come quickly.

Together, the sisters reflect on how God often meets us in those wilderness places - through silence, scripture, prayer, and sometimes through the simple presence of someone who sits beside us in the waiting.

Through personal stories, humor, and deep faith, they explore what it means to surrender control, persevere in prayer for the people we love, and trust that God is working even when we cannot see the results.

If you've ever felt discouraged in prayer or overwhelmed by circumstances, this conversation will remind you: you are not alone, and God is still at work.

Names of Sisters on This Call (Oldest to Youngest)DollyMarianneEileenTheresaMichelleJennyRachaelDebbieKey Takeaways:

✨ Surrender: Letting go of control and trusting God with the things we cannot fix.

🕊️ The Wilderness: How God uses difficult seasons to deepen faith and build endurance.

🙏 Persevering in Prayer: Continuing to pray for loved ones - even when we don’t see immediate results.

🔥 Building a Prayer Life: Starting small (even 5 minutes), creating space for silence, and learning to rest in God’s presence.

Chapters0:58 - Opening2:55 - Wilderness & The Sanity Closet3:20 - Activating The Sanity Closet6:06 - God Answers When We Cry Out9:08 - The Power of Scripture & Jesus' Authority14:30 - Practicing Quiet Time with God18:18 - Building a Prayer Routine24:24 - Surrender: The Constant Battle30:14 - Persevering in Prayer for Others39:41 - Closing & Call to Action
Resources:

1. Hallow App
2. First Five Daily Devotion
3. Purely Nature Skincare
4. Faith Buono Episode

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🎙️ The Courageous Calling of the Feminine Soul

A heartfelt conversation with Kimberly Cook.

Michelle Hillaert welcomes Kimberly Cook, author, speaker, and podcaster, for a heartfelt conversation on the tender and courageous call to spiritual motherhood. Together, they explore the beauty of the feminine soul, our unique calling as women, and what it means to embrace our gifts and stand confidently in God’s design.

Kimberly shares her journey from a broken teenager seeking power and belonging in radical feminism to discovering her calling in both physical and spiritual motherhood. In this honest, heartfelt conversation, she explores isolation, comparison, social media, postpartum struggles, and the walls we build to protect ourselves—offering hope and encouragement for the feminine soul.

Key Takeaways

1. All Women Are Called to Motherhood – Exploring the difference between spiritual and physical motherhood, and why every woman is maternal by design.
2. The Receptive Feminine Soul – Women are naturally made to give fully, nurturing life, hope, and love to others.
3. Healing Through Grace – Trauma, comparison, and societal pressures can block maternal and spiritual gifts, but God’s grace restores them.
4. Brave the Wilderness – Stand firm in who God calls you to be, even when it means walking alone.
5. Daily Acts of Love – Small gestures of generosity and care are the essence of spiritual motherhood.
6. The Ministry of Hospitality – Extend Christ’s love to everyone, from your dinner table to chance encounters in daily life.

Episode Chapters2:28 - Introduction & Building Authentic Friendships5:00 - Kimberly's Background & Journey from Feminism10:00 - Understanding Spiritual vs. Physical Motherhood20:00 - The Feminine Soul: Receptivity, Giving, and Maternal Love30:00 - Postpartum Struggles & Learning Motherhood Skills40:00 - Comparison, Social Media, and Female Friendship50:00 - Standing Alone, Braving the Wilderness, and Ministry of Hospitality
About Kimberly Cook

Kimberly Cook is the author of Motherhood Redeemed: How Radical Feminism Betrayed Maternal Love, as well as the host of the podcast, The Dignity of Women.

Kimberly holds an MA in Systematic Theology and writes regularly on her Substack site, which is an outlet for thought and discussion on reclaiming femininity and challenging modern feminism. She lives in Virginia with her husband and five children.

Connect with Kimberly:

1. Website - kimberlycook.me
2. instagram & Facebook: @kimberlycook.me
3. Podcast - The Dignity of Women Podcast

Additional Resources

1. Motherhood Redeemed: How Radical Feminism Betrayed Maternal Love by Kimberly Cook
2. Braving The Wilderness by Brené Brown
3. The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown

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