I want to talk to you about something that's been on my mind a lot, and I don't think it's something that we've talked about enough, and that is talking about the dreams that are tucked away in your heart. 

The ones that you're almost too afraid to say out loud. 

So I really want to bring awareness to this, because it's something that's happening every single day with women all over the world. 
Moms, I am here to tell you that those dreams that are tucked away in your heart are there for a reason. 

They are not because you're feeling selfish and it's not because you want all these accolades. It's because God is calling you to something more, and that dream is part of your purpose here on the earth, and when you wake up to it, the entire world shifts for the better. 

If you know what I'm talking about, you'll know exactly what this episode is for you. 

What you'll learn in this episode:  

• How to embrace and acknowledge hidden dreams as a mother
• Ways to overcome the guilt associated with pursuing your dreams
• The value of balancing personal aspirations with family responsibilities
• The process of dreaming and taking action
• Recognizing your dreams as significant and God-given rather than selfish desires

Featured on the Show: 

• FREE GUIDE: Step-by-Step Formula to Discover Your Purpose and Feel Alive Again

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

What if understanding trauma could transform your life and the lives of those around you? On the Mom on Purpose podcast, we embark on the first part a thought-provoking book "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk.

In this episode, we unravel the intricate ways trauma affects our ability to live purposefully. With Bessel's comforting approach, we discuss how trauma induces physiological changes, altering behavior and daily engagement.

Join us as we navigate the complexities of trauma in the brain, examining the pitfalls of relying solely on medication without addressing root causes. Drawing on historical research and case studies from the book, we highlight how trauma can create a disconnect, leaving individuals numb to pain. We delve into the neuroscience behind these experiences and discuss the impact of trauma on children's development.

This episode offers a deep dive into the connections between intense emotions and physical sensations, providing insights for healing those touched by trauma.

What you'll learn in this episode:  

• The impact of trauma on both the mind and body, as explored through Bessel Van Der Kolk's book "The Body Keeps the Score"
• Strategies for healing trauma that go beyond medication
• The role of the brain's structure in processing traumatic experiences
• How trauma can lead to emotional numbness, dissociation, and depersonalization
• The influence of trauma on children's development and future outcomes

Featured on the Show: 

• The Body Keeps The Score: BRAIN, MIND, AND BODY IN THE HEALING OF TRAUMA by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
• FREE GUIDE: Step-by-Step Formula to Discover Your Purpose and Feel Alive Again

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

Can you imagine what it means to fully embrace the messiness of life and still find joy in being present with your children? This episode promises to unlock the secrets of finding peace amidst chaos by choosing connection over perfection. 

We explore how to prioritize meaningful moments over endless to-do lists. It's not about doing more but about tuning into the spiritual and emotional needs of our children, creating a nurturing environment one small interaction at a time.

Join me as we discuss practical ways to step back and realign ourselves with what truly matters. Discover how recognizing cues from our kids can become opportunities for connection, and why sometimes simply changing our physical location can open up new perspectives and foster a deeper presence. 

Let's find our personal purpose and see how it enhances our relationships with our children.

What you'll learn in this episode:  

• How to embrace the imperfections in parenting and prioritize meaningful moments
• Strategies for letting go of the quest for perfection in parenting
• How to recognize and respond to the cues your children give for connection
• The importance of spiritual promptings in guiding you to be more present and intentional
• The significance of taking personal time to recalibrate and tune back into your children's needs

Featured on the Show: 

• FREE GUIDE: Step-by-Step Formula to Discover Your Purpose and Feel Alive Again

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

Watching my younger brother battle cancer has been one of the most heart-wrenching experiences of my life. As a protective older sister, witnessing his pain and fear while feeling powerless to help has been incredibly tough.

In this episode of the Mom on Purpose podcast, I delve into the immense strength and resilience my brother, his wife, and their three young children have shown throughout this ordeal.

The support from our extended family has been one of God's gifts, providing a beacon of hope during this grueling process.

So, whatever experience you're going through right now, I truly hope that you know that there is a very loving God that sees you and hears you and knows you by name and that he has placed extraordinary gifts along the way to help you.

Be on the lookout for those gifts and I promise you, you will see them.

What you'll learn in this episode:  

• Find inspiration in the story of overcoming adversity, highlighting the human capacity for resilience, love, and courage in the face of trials and tears
• Proof of God's love although out this journey from my brother's surgery to recovery
• The impact of kindness during my brother's treatment and recovery

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

As humans, we've got a lot of emotions and big feelings about things, and they aren't always good. It's painful to feel uncomfortable, angry, resentful, guilty. But there's something even worse: adding shame on top of it all.

In today's episode, Lara talks about clean pain vs. dirty pain, and how we can choose which one to deal with. It comes down to the negative thoughts and whether you're going to let yourself talk to you that way anymore.

If you think you're not enough, too slow, too much, need to get better, then Lara's three steps will help you clarify whether those thoughts are true or not.

This Episode is For You If:

• You ever have the thought you should be doing more or you should be doing something better, or you should be further along
• You think, "Why can't I just be better, do better, act better…"
•  You're holding back from your goals because you have a fear of failure, of rejection, of feeling bad

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

You feel guilty, you shame yourself for taking time out for self-care. The meaning has become so skewed over the years, but in reality when you take care of yourself, it's the BEST way to take care of everyone else in your life. 

In this episode, you'll learn 3 guidelines for your own self-care, self-preservation practice that feeds and nourishes your mind, body and soul. 

This Episode is For You If:

• You're good at keeping commitments to other people but not yourself
• Self-care becomes one more thing on your to do list that you can't get to
• You think self-care takes too much time, money and energy
•  You view self-care as indulgent manis and pedis

"Caring for myself is not self-indulgent, its self-preservation."
-Audre Lorde, Burst of Light

When you take time for you, time expands, it's like a "universal exchange of energy." You'll create more space, and come back rejuvenated and with a fresh new outlook to everything you do.

Self-care is a way of preserving yourself, and you may choose to take hours and hours where you may want to cook a "full meal" of self-care things. That is okay, but also recognize that the "protein bar option" of self-care is also available to you too.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Audre Lorde

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the never-ending cycle of managing your home? Join me as we uncover practical tips in managing your home that support your personal dreams and goals.

Discover how to shift your mindset from viewing household tasks as never-ending chores to understanding them as part of a continuous, cyclical process. I also invite you to seek God's help in finding the right management system that works for you and your family.

Tune in and discover this simple shift that can reduce feelings of overwhelm and enable you to pursue your dreams more effectively.

What you'll learn in this episode:  

• How to align home management with your goals and life purpose
• How to break down household tasks into different categories
• Techniques to reduce feelings of overwhelm
• The difference between "done" and "cyclical" tasks
• Seeking God's guidance to create systems that support your family's unique needs

Featured on the Show: 

• FREE GUIDE: Step-by-Step Formula to Discover Your Purpose and Feel Alive Again

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

In this episode of the Mom on Purpose book club, we're going to dive into the book "Codependent No More" by Melody Beattie.

I think so much of us as Christian women, as mothers, we can find and see ourselves a lot in this definition she lists as being a codependent or struggling with codependency.

So, listen in as we recognize and overcome the traits of codependency, focusing on how caretaking and low self-esteem play significant roles.

We also address the emotional journey of detaching from adult children, the importance of setting boundaries, and fostering independence. Through this book, I share strategies for mothers transitioning from being deeply involved in their children's lives to allowing them more independence.

Reclaim your self-worth and emotional healing, as we discuss the effects of self-criticism and the path to self-acceptance.

What you'll learn:

• How codependency can manifest even in the absence of substance abuse
• How to step out of the drama triangle and foster healthier interactions
• Strategies for mothers to transition from controlling to guiding as their children grow more independent
• Shifting focus from fixing others to managing one's own emotions
• Signs of being codependent based on the book "Codependent No More" by Melody Beattie

Featured on the Show: 

• Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
• Honoring the Self: Self-Esteem and Personal Transformation by Nathaniel Branden
• On Death and Dying: What the Dying Have to Teach Doctors, Nurses, Clergy and Their Own Families by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

Imagine discovering that your path to personal growth and mental well-being has more options than you thought. Today, we welcome Dr. Emma Mansour, a licensed psychologist and clinical director of Life Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, as she opens up about her journey from aspiring lawyer to dedicated psychologist.

Together, we explore the critical distinctions between therapy and coaching, helping you understand when it's important to seek each type of support.

We also navigate the often challenging journey of finding the right therapist and establishing a strong therapist-client relationship. This episode is a heartfelt and informative guide to understanding when to seek therapy versus coaching for personal growth and mental well-being.

What you'll learn in this episode:  

• The unique roles and boundaries of therapy and coaching
• Recognizing changes in behavior and emotional states that may signal the need for therapy
• Steps to find the right therapist and the importance of a strong therapist-client relationship
• The importance of self-advocacy in therapy
• Guidance on seeking the right support for mental well-being

Dr. Emma Mansour's Bio:

Dr. Emma Mansour is a licensed psychologist specializing in individual therapy and psychological testing. With over 14 years of therapy experience and as a graduate of the University of Utah's Counseling Psychology program, in addition to providing individual therapy, she also specializes in psychological testing and she is the founder of Life Matters: Counseling and Psychological Services.

Her mission is to help you lead a meaningful and fulfilling life by guiding you through life's challenges and towards your values and goals.

Using ACT principles, she combines mindfulness strategies and behavioral change techniques to help you accept difficult emotions and thoughts. This approach enables you to commit to actions that align with your values. By fostering psychological flexibility, she empowers you to navigate stress, anxiety, depression, and life transitions with resilience and purpose.

Featured on the Show: 

• FREE GUIDE: Step-by-Step Formula to Discover Your Purpose and Feel Alive Again
• Life Matters: Counseling and Psychological Services
• Life Matters: Counseling and Psychological Services on Instagram

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/

Being able to dream again is an integral part of to discovering our purpose. It's like using our soul to look beyond the limitations of our brain and seeing through God's eyes for what's possible for you and for me.

But that's hard to do sometimes when we get so stuck in the daily grind of things.
Today, I wanted to talk about how we can focus on the zoomed out version of our life and our future, the best way to think about dreaming.

I'll share with you some thought-provoking questions that are fun, playful, imaginative, and creative so you get to start hitting the ground running on those goals.

With the right tools, we can start be more strategic and be able to dream again.

What you'll learn in this episode:  

• Strategies for integrating dreaming and strategic planning into your daily life
• Questions to inspire big dreams and access your full potential
• How to let your imagination soar when turning dreams into reality
• Fostering deeply satisfying relationships that support your dream journey
• Tools and methods to incorporate reflective practices into your routine

Featured on the Show: 

• FREE GUIDE: Step-by-Step Formula to Discover Your Purpose and Feel Alive Again
• Lara Johnson Coaching website
• Your Dream Life Starts Here by Kristina Karlsson

Click HERE to watch this video to learn The 3 Things to Avoid When Reading Self-Help Books

How to Connect with Lara:

Web: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/j.lara.johnson/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larajohnsoncoaching

Work with Lara: www.larajohnsoncoaching.com/work-with-me/