Our Time to Rise

We all hit life seasons or situations that strip us of an identity or reality we once had, and we find ourselves asking, “Who am I if ________________?” Fill in the blank.

Who am I if I don’t look the way I used to? Who am I if my kids are leaving home? Who am I if I have limitations? Who am I if my relationship failed?

In this episode we talk about these questions and much more. Leading with scripture, we turn to God to discover what He has to say about each of the “What if” statements.  We also get real about change, transition, and struggle.  

If you’ve ever said, “It’s not supposed to be this way,” this episode is for you!

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-5
• 2 Corinthians 4:16
• Isaiah 46:4
• 1 Peter 3:4
• Romans 12:1
• Philippians 1:20
• Psalms 32:8
• Isaiah 30:21
• Isaiah 43:19
• Psalms 28:2
• Philippians 4:6-7
• Isaiah 40:29-31
• Psalms 23:4
• Isaiah 46:4
• Isaiah 54:5-6
• Psalms 34:18
• Jeremiah 29:11
• John 14:17

-The AndyStanley Leadership Podcast

-Hidden Potential Book

1. Which Who am I question resonated with you, have you been wrestling with it lately?
2. Do you feel untethered or disoriented in any part of you life, how is God meeting you there?
3. What can you reframe today?
4. Is there an arrow God is offering that is pointing you in a given direction?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

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Sometimes a story comes to us that we know will offer our podcast listeners an important perspective on the world - that will help us all rise - to meet life's challenges. Ben's story of mental health struggles and sexual abuse is one of those. We invited him on to share so we as parents of young adults can gain insights, empathy, and better understand what it is to live through these specific challenges as a young person today.

Ben Locke graduated early from high school to start his college soccer career, but was quickly injured and unable to play. He found himself at the mercy of a school trainer who sexually abused him while he was in a vulnerable position desperate to get back on the field. Ben's story highlights how power differentials can fog decision making and influence behaviors in ways we wouldn't choose. Ben's opportunity to transfer schools was his eventual ticket out.

But from there the disbelief, anger, and eventually grief were challenging. Ben's ability to articulate his experience, including his feelings at every step of the process, is helpful for those of us who want to care for victims, prevent abuse, and understand depression. This is an episode worth listening to as you care for young people around you.

Ben Locke's -Website and Instagram

Ben Locke's Book- In Our Suffering, Lord Be Near: Prayers of Hope for the Hurting

-On Fire- Book

-Helplessness produces rage

-Anger is Sad's bodyguard

1. Think about a part of Ben's story that moved you, consider why that Part of his story resonated so deeply.
2. How can you respond differently to other peoples behavior or anger knowing there may be some deeper issues underneath?
3. How can you invite God to be with you or your child in the suffering in this moment?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

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Do you have a college student who could use a care package from home right about now? In this Back to School series we are talking about practical ways to support our teens and young adults, and care packages are a fantastic way to do that.

Krisi Monsiviaz is joining us to talk about why college care packages matter, what to put in them, and what the favorite item is every time (according to her kids). Krista Gilbert shares her approach to putting together these boxes of love from home and some of her favorite go-to items.

Staying connected to our college students while they are away from home matters. This episode will inspire you to get something in the mail!

 Krisi Monsiviaz- Website and Instagram

-Krista's College Care Package Group Blog Post with pictures and ideas

–Silly String

–Hand Slap Game

-INFO for Families

1. In thinking about college care packages, what scaffolding can you implement for yourself to make sure they happen this year?
2. Who can you involve in this process with you?
3. Who else can you encourage through a care package this year? Is there another college student who could use some care package love from you?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

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We are in a back to school series for moms in midlife. Gone are the days of crayons and kid-sized scissors, and on are the days of cheering for our high schoolers and their friends with creativity and intentionality. There is no better mom to lead us in this conversation than Krisi Monsiviaz. Her creative flare combined with her organized execution gives her ideas that can be scaled up to serve an entire team, plus families, and friends.

Perhaps you are planning to be Team Mom and carry an official role in organized support. Or maybe you have a few free hours in your schedule and want to use them with purpose to support your high school student and his teammates or cast mates. Maybe your daughter wants to host a dinner at your house or make gift bags for her squad. The principles laid out in this conversation can be applied and tweaked to meet the needs of the kids right around you.

We know the high school years are busy. Let's not let the busy of practices, homework, and jobs get in the way of intentional gathering, gifts, and grub. Teenagers like all three of those.

 Krisi Monsiviaz- Website and Instagram

-Team spirit bags

-Team Breakfast

-Post game pizza with the team

-Create Lyniads

-Bring speakers to talk to the teams

-Parents pray for the team young adults

1. What team or community group can you bless this year?
2. What was your favorite idea from the episode?
3. What do you need to make your idea for your group or team a reality?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

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High school senior year is a special time for teens and for their parents. For many moms, the beginning of senior year means the beginning of the lasts. There is some grief there. How do we balance the end of one phase of a young person's life with the celebration of this transition? Both Krista and Alex just finished a senior year and they invited their friend Courtney DeFeo to talk about her experience facing her first senior year as a mom.

This episode touches on topics like college deadlines, getting a job, and navigating parties and substances. From prom to graduation, there are so many special markers of transitioning out of the childhood school years and into adulthood. We cover how each one of us tries to be open with ongoing communication with our children, setting boundaries, and being realistic about the challenges they may face. They also highlight the need to tailor experiences and celebrations to each child's preferences and personality.

Courtney DeFeo is the host of the Pardon the Mess podcast and lives in the Dallas area with her husband Ron and their two high school-aged daughters. We know you'll appreciate her honesty and sense of humor as she approaches what can be a scary time for a mom.

Courtney Defeo's - Website and Instagram

Podcast: Pardon the Mess

• Pay attention to where the child gravitates
• Tailor the party to the child

1. What is a conversations or what are some multiple conversations you need to have with your senior?
2. In what way can you offer more independence to your child this year?
3. What needs to go on your calendar now to make sure you make the most of your child's senior year?
4. How can you encourage your senior and call out all of the good things you see in him or her?
5. What skills or experience can you help your child with in order to set him or her up for the next season of their life?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

Do you have a milestone birthday coming up? Or does your child? Milestone birthdays are an opportunity to celebrate and mark significant moments and we want to make the most of them.

Sometimes these special occasions spark joy and excitement, other times they signal grief or loss. In this episode we talk about learning to embrace both ends of the spectrum. We also discuss why it's important to pause and make space for celebrating well in the midst of busy and full lives.

But you know us, we also go practical. Grab a pen because we offer many ideas you can implement with yourself, your family, or your friends for their special day. From text bombs to concerts to lottery tickets to cooking classes, we will get your creative juices flowing as you come up with your best idea for the celebration.

This is part of what a full life is made of... join us!

Leavenworth, Washington

The Post Hotel

Turning 13: A meaningful way to celebrate your child

16 surprises for a sweet sixteen

Psalms 139

1. What milestone birthday is coming up that you can celebrate well?

2. Are there any grief points that you anticipate as a part of this milestone birthday?  

3. What is the opportunity in this milestone birthday?

4. How would you or the birthday person most like to be celebrated? 

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

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Do you find yourself wishing you had deeper friendships? Or maybe you long for those deeper ties with your own children.

In this episode we're talking specifically about relationships in this middle season of life. Our guest, Billie Jauss, podcast host, writer, and wife of a Major League Baseball coach, guides us through four different kinds of relationships. She uses this framework to help us adjust our expectations of those in our circles.

We talk about painful experiences, human connection, Uber drivers, teens and young adult children, and how to use positive virtues for growth.

If you want to relationship better, this will help.

Website: Billie Jauss

Instagram: billie_jauss

Podcast: Family Room

Billie's Book: Baseball Family

John 13:34-35- Love command

Four Levels of Relationship

1. Accidental acquaintances
2. Social circle
3. Kindred spirit
4. Forever family

The 9 core qualities

1. selflessness
2. compassionate
3. respectful
4. trustworthy
5. generous
6. inclusion
7. support
8. peacemaking
9. encouraging

-Mindful Christianity- Instagram account

-Read the Bible

-Marriage course- Alpha course based of UK

1. What relationship needs to be put in another category than it's currently in?
2. In what places can you be more aware of meeting those accidental acquaintances?
3. What would it look like to be more selfless in your current relationships?
4. How can you show gratitude today for those people in your forever family?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

Alex and Krista bring the Fun & Fire format back for a little summer inspiration. Though summer feels like it is starting to wind down. What?! Already?! They are not ignoring those things they still want to happen. From the whimsical to the practical, hear what summer items are still on their to-do lists!

And what's getting them fired up? Prices these days! Are you feeling the pinch of the pocketbook? We feel your pain and we give you some of the ways we're making our dollars stretch right now. From travel savings to back to school shopping, we put some of our tried and true savings ideas to work.

What is left on your summer list? And how are YOU making your dollar stretch these days?

Matthew 6:28-29

Code for ThredUp thrifting: 45% off plus free shipping on your first order: Referral link

1. What is one thing you can put on the summer calendar that you have not yet done this summer?
2. Where has God provided in the past for you?
3. Where do you need for Him to provide right now?
4. How can you walk and trust that He will meet your needs in the future?
5. What are some practical steps you can take right now that will help stretch you dollar?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

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If you've ever wondered, 'Help! What is my young adult going to do with the rest of their life?' then you're in the right place. Or maybe you ARE the young adult asking, "How do I figure out what to choose for a career when I can't even decide what to have for breakfast!?"

Rest easy, today we are diving into the exciting and sometimes overwhelming journey of helping you or your young adult discover their future path.

Our guest is Tyler Lafferty, author and co-founder of Seven2, 14Four and Strategy Labs, as well as an educational non-profit called Slingshot. For more than twenty five years he has been following his passion of helping students dream big and discover new opportunities.

The episode explores the journey of career discovery and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of dreaming big, introspection, and taking risks. It addresses the challenges faced by young adults and parents in navigating career paths and provides practical guidance for self-discovery and pursuing passion and purpose.

If you are wondering where to go on this career path journey, either as a young adult or the parent of a young adult...this will help you take the first step. You will want to share this episode with the young people in your life!

Tyler's website: Slingshot Tyler's book: Be More Like You Book

-Build a network of people to help you in your career path.

-IDEAS Framework is an acronym;

I- Introspection- Better understanding who you are as a human.

D- Design- Design a plan of the job type, the people, and company that you need to learn more about.

E- Exploration- Go & Do( Having the information interviews, Job shadows, & internships)

A- Adaptability- Understanding if you are on the right path, can be done through journaling your experience.

S- Service- Value of finding your connection to the community Be in the Service of Others(BISTO)

1. How could you open up conversation around your child's interest and talents?
2. How can you help your child better understand their personality, and what strengths come with that type?
3. How can you indicate to your child or the young person in your life that it's okay to not have answers, how can we take some pressure off as we have this conversations?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

If you've ever wondered, 'Help! What is my young adult going to do with the rest of their life?' then you're in the right place. Or maybe you ARE the young adult asking, "How do I figure out what to choose for a career when I can't even decide what to have for breakfast!?"

Rest easy, today we are diving into the exciting and sometimes overwhelming journey of helping you or your young adult discover their future path.

Our guest is Tyler Lafferty, author and co-founder of Seven2, 14Four and Strategy Labs, as well as an educational non-profit called Slingshot. For more than twenty five years he has been following his passion of helping students dream big and discover new opportunities.

The episode explores the journey of career discovery and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of dreaming big, introspection, and taking risks. It addresses the challenges faced by young adults and parents in navigating career paths and provides practical guidance for self-discovery and pursuing passion and purpose.

If you are wondering where to go on this career path journey, either as a young adult or the parent of a young adult...this will help you take the first step. You will want to share this episode with the young people in your life!

Tyler's website: Slingshot Tyler's book: Be More Like You Book

Build a network of people to help you in your career path.

1. How can you open up your thinking about your child's career path?
2. Who are some other people in your child's life, who they can have a meaningful conversation with?
3. What assumptions do you hold about your child's career path journey?

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier