In this episode, we explore what birds can teach us about showing up, starting before we feel ready, and letting go of the pressure to have it all planned out.

Because the truth is, most meaningful things in life aren’t built all at once…

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start something, this episode is your gentle reminder:

You don’t need the whole plan.

They were just three tulips.

Nothing extravagant. Nothing planned. Just something small my kids picked for me.

But somehow… it felt like everything.

In a world where we often think love has to be big, grand, and over-the-top, this moment reminded me of something different.

That love is usually found in the quiet, everyday gestures.

This episode is about slowing down enough to notice those moments—

And maybe… those are the moments we carry with us the longest.

Today’s episode is extra special because I have a very important guest joining me — my nine-year-old son.

Together, we share the classic story of The Lion and the Mouse, a simple but powerful reminder that bravery doesn’t always look big or loud.

I am so excited to share this very special episode told by my seven-year-old daughter. The story of the "Lantern in the window" is such a beautiful reminder about how a simple act of love can change everything. It’s a story about love, hope, and that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference.

This episode is about what happens in the space between thinking about doing something kind… and actually doing it.

It’s about slowing down, looking around, and choosing “somebody else”—even when it’s inconvenient.

And it’s also something bigger.

Because this isn’t just a lesson for me… it’s something I hope my kids see, feel, and carry with them.

Over the next two episodes, you’ll hear from them—my daughter sharing a story about love, and my son sharing a story about bravery.

Because maybe the smallest choices we make… are the ones that shape everything.

What if the very thing someone criticized you for… was actually your greatest strength?

In this episode of the Pick-Me-Up Podcast, we explore the power of resiliency through the story of a woman who was told she was “too emotional” and “unfit for television.” Early in her career, she was fired from a reporting job and faced rejection that could have ended her dreams.

But instead of quitting, she leaned into who she truly was.

Her empathy, authenticity, and emotional connection with people became the very qualities that transformed her career — and eventually changed television. I reveal this incredible woman in this week's episode. 

In this second part of our series on devotion, I share a personal story of calling — a moment when my heroes, Dick Hoyt and Rick Hoyt, became part of my own life.

In 2014, as I began my sixth year of teaching, God brought the Hoyt family into my life, and I knew I was being asked to answer His call. With courage and faith, I followed a quiet nudge and asked a question that would forever change my life — and the lives of so many others.

This episode is about listening for the call, trusting the timing, and saying yes when God places something meaningful right in front of you.

In today’s episode, we reflect on the remarkable story of Dick and Rick Hoyt — a father and son whose lives became a living example of devotion.

Through countless races, quiet sacrifices, and unwavering love, Dick showed the world that devotion isn’t loud or celebrated — it’s steady, selfless, and enduring. This episode is a reminder that true love doesn’t let go, even when the road is long and heavy.

In today’s episode, we reflect on the life of Corrie Ten Boom — a woman whose courage and faith were tested in unimaginable ways. Through her story, we’re reminded that courage isn’t the absence of fear, and forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting.

This episode is an invitation to consider a kind of courage rooted in love — one that chooses forgiveness even when it feels impossible, and grace even when the wounds are deep.

Today’s episode features a woman whose quiet, unassuming faithfulness changed the world. The story of Saint Teresa of Calcutta is a powerful reminder that faithfulness in small, ordinary moments can change everything. If you have been wondering whether the little things you do truly matter- or feeling discouraged because your efforts feel unseen-this episode will encourage you to release the need for recognition, focus on the next right thing, and trust that small acts done with love are never wasted.