Pivotal People

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

We sit with author and coach Megan Nilsen to explore honest, two-way journaling, Scripture-led discernment, and how kingdom-first living reshapes identity, parenting, and purpose. A raw adoption story becomes a framework for hearing God and turning insights into action.

• adoption, trauma, and a faith crisis that asks if we heard God correctly
• redefining calling from role-based identity to kingdom-first living
• two-way journaling steps: honesty, listening, confirming, acting
• testing guidance by Scripture, wise counsel, and fruit
• releasing control in adult relationships and finding peace
• curating influences and seeking mentors with proven fruit
• guided journaling resource and coaching pathways

Visit Megan at meganbnilsen.com for a free discovery call
Listen to Kingdom Life Coaching Podcast, especially episode 50 for a guided session
Find Untangled Faith and Untangled Advent on Amazon
“Pick up Untangled Advent the day after Thanksgiving—start Advent with intention before you start scouring the deals.”

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

Amy Duggar King shares her journey from growing up next door to the famous Duggar family to finding peace after the shocking scandals that rocked her world. Through her powerful memoir "Holy Disruptor," she reveals how she maintained authentic faith while setting boundaries with family still entrenched in fundamentalist beliefs.

• Contrasting her normal Christian upbringing with her cousins' ultra-conservative IBLP lifestyle
• Being labeled the "crazy cousin" on TLC's reality show simply for wearing jeans and climbing trees
• Learning about her cousin Josh's abuse scandal through tabloid headlines in 2015
• Discovering how the IBLP system fails to educate children about abuse and prohibits professional counseling
• Setting necessary boundaries with family members while maintaining her own faith
• Finding peace amid chaos and creating a different homeschooling experience for her son
• Turning down fame opportunities that would have compromised her authenticity
• Embracing the truth that "God is not the author of confusion"

Get Amy's book "Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder with the Truth" and follow her on Instagram @AmyRachelleKing where she personally responds to messages and offers prayer and encouragement.

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

We sit down with author, podcaster, and executive coach Erin Cuccio to talk about purpose, legacy, and the surprising power of small, faithful steps. From a uniquely designed devotional journal to confidence-building coaching, we lean into the peace that comes from living on purpose.

• the craft of clear, wise writing and why it matters
• how Live Lovely pairs scripture, reflection, prompts, and prayer
• purpose reframed in ordinary tasks and seasons
• legacy as daily choices and embodied example
• the role of journaling in clarity, gratitude, and calm
• coaching as confidence plus actionable steps
• accountability that turns vision into motion
• how to connect with Erin and get started

Get a copy of Live Lovely and let’s start the day with something good. Follow Erin on Instagram and reach out about coaching at erincuccio.com
https://erincuccio.com/

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

Amanda Hope Haley makes biblical archaeology accessible and faith-affirming, showing how archaeological discoveries deepen our understanding of Scripture rather than disproving it.

• Harvard-educated biblical archaeologist specializing in Iron Age history
• Biblical archaeology contextualizes Scripture by helping modern readers understand ancient cultural settings
• Archaeological discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls provide crucial third perspectives on biblical text discrepancies
• David wasn't a weak child but a skilled warrior proficient with tactical sling weapons
• Goliath was likely about six-and-a-half feet tall according to the oldest reliable texts
• Understanding your Bible's translation sources provides important interpretive context
• Archaeological evidence consistently confirms biblical descriptions of places, cultures and artifacts
• Faith requires trusting God with what we cannot see or comprehend

Amanda's book "Stones Still Speak" releases September 23rd. You can find her podcast "The Red-Haired Archaeologist" wherever you listen to podcasts, and connect with her on social media at Amanda Hope Haley.

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

Caroline Beidler shares her deeply personal journey through trauma recovery and explains how unhealed wounds can travel through generations. She offers practical tools for becoming a "cycle breaker" and healing family patterns before they affect our children.

• One in five women have experienced sexual assault in childhood, and 60% of people have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience
• Trauma can be passed down through generations both behaviorally and potentially at a genetic level
• Our individual trauma responses differ based on our unique backgrounds and prior experiences
• Small, consistent actions like 15-minute morning devotionals can make significant differences in our healing
• Movement, connecting with others, and establishing healthy boundaries are essential aspects of trauma recovery
• Self-worth is foundational to healing—recognizing we are worthy of kindness, respect, and healthy relationships
• Bringing struggles "into the light" through trusted relationships helps break cycles of isolation and shame

Find Caroline at carolinebeidler.com, follow her on Instagram, and subscribe to her newsletter "Circle of Chairs" on Substack. Her book "You Are Not Your Trauma: Uproot Unhealthy Patterns, Heal the Family Tree" is available now.

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

What if the greatest gift you could give your children isn't perfection, but authenticity? Mandy Arioto, CEO of MomCo (formerly MOPS), reveals a startling statistic: 93% of mothers feel pressured to be the perfect mom—yet none of us actually enjoy being around "perfect" people. This paradox sits at the heart of modern motherhood's greatest struggle.

From its humble beginnings with seven women in Denver in 1973 to now reaching over a million mothers in more than 100 countries, MomCo has become a global movement transforming motherhood through genuine connection. Arioto's journey with the organization began like many mothers—reluctantly attending a meeting at a friend's invitation, convinced "mom groups" weren't her scene. That single decision changed her life, eventually leading her to over a decade of leadership with the organization.

This year's powerful theme, "Make it Awkward," encourages mothers to embrace vulnerability rather than avoid it. Through her personal story about her father never expressing love verbally—a pattern he inherited from his own father—Arioto illustrates how avoiding awkwardness only makes things more awkward over time. When we choose to step into discomfort, we often discover transformation waiting on the other side.

Perhaps most refreshing is MomCo's counter-cultural message about what children truly need. "My kids don't need a perfect mom," Arioto explains. "They need a mom who loves them tremendously, who can apologize when she messes up, who models what it's like to be a real person in the real world." In our social media-saturated culture, she offers this wisdom: "You can consume, but don't let it be all-consuming."

Whether you're a new mom feeling overwhelmed by Instagram-perfect parenting standards or an experienced mother looking for authentic community, MomCo's approach offers a refreshing alternative to perfectionism. Their upcoming MomCon in Orlando (September 25-27) and new podcasts "Bloodline and Backbone" and "The Mandy Show" provide various ways to connect with this life-changing community.

Ready to find freedom from the perfect mom myth? Visit momco.org to find a group near you or follow Mandy on Instagram to learn more about embracing authentic motherhood.

Find Mandy for speaking events and more: https://www.mandyarioto.co/

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

Brandon Robbins joins us to explore how understanding the historical context of Jesus' world transforms our reading of the Bible and enhances our experience of "The Chosen" series. As a pastor and YouTube creator with over 30 million views, Brandon brings fresh insights that make Scripture come alive in new ways.

• Biblical context changes everything—words like "hate" and "believe" meant something different in Jesus' time
• Understanding the difference between merely believing in Jesus versus following Him as a disciple
• The calling of Matthew in its historical context reveals the extraordinary sacrifice of discipleship
• Brandon's journey from making videos with 100 views to reaching millions happened after he nearly quit
• The disciples' willingness to be martyred provides compelling evidence for the resurrection
• Words like "pisteuo" (believe) meant complete life commitment, not just mental agreement
• Jesus consistently asked people to follow Him, requiring total surrender, not just acknowledging facts
• Discipleship means becoming the "reflection" of your rabbi by adopting his ways

Visit brandonrobbinsministry.com to download "10 Words That Will Change the Way You Read the Bible" and subscribe to Brandon's YouTube channel for weekly insights. His book "The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus" is available anywhere books are sold.

https://www.youtube.com/@BrandonRobbinsMinistry/videos

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

David Dingess shares his deeply personal journey of caring for his mother through her Alzheimer's diagnosis and the complex realities of elder care. This conversation explores how faith, compassion, and surrender became essential tools when confronted with circumstances beyond his control.

• Recognizing early signs of Alzheimer's can be difficult, especially when eccentric personality traits mask cognitive decline
• Elder financial abuse devastated David's mother's savings when a "friend" gained control of her accounts and turned her against her son
• Legal preparation through power of attorney documents and consultation with elder care attorneys is crucial before cognitive decline progresses
• The principle "you can't argue with irrational" helped preserve their relationship during difficult interactions
• Transitioning a parent to assisted living requires balancing their desire for independence with safety concerns
• Professional caregivers demonstrate extraordinary compassion and become emotional anchors for both patients and families
• Prayer became David's essential coping mechanism, deepening his relationship with God through this challenging season
• The wisdom "don't try to whip your daddy" taught David to stop fighting God's plan and surrender to the journey

If you're caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, David's book "I've Got My Gun" shares his complete story and the lessons he learned along the way. To summarize David's top 10 lessons:

Follow your calling
When you feel compelled to do something deep inside, listen—it’s a sign of purpose.

Share your story
Facts may be debated, but your personal experience carries an unshakable truth.

Look for grace in hardship
Even in struggle, notice the repeated moments where help, love, or faith show up.

Face reality with courage
Naming the truth, even when it hurts, is the first step to wise action.

Balance honor with safety
Sometimes caring well means making hard choices that protect someone despite their protests.

Ask for expert help early
Complex challenges require guidance—don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed.

Trust unexpected openings
When doors open in unlikely ways, see them as more than coincidence.

Let hardship transform you
Trials can deepen compassion, strengthen faith, and grow resilience.

Don’t argue with irrational
Preserve relationships by stepping away when emotions or confusion take over.

Surrender control
Stop wrestling with the way things “should” be—trust that God’s way may be better.

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

Charles Achampong shares his family's transformative experience taking a seven-month global sabbatical and the valuable life lessons they gained by stepping away from their structured lives. His book "Around the World in Family Days" captures not just their adventures across eight countries, but the profound insights about presence, connection, and finding joy in simplicity that can be applied to everyday life without leaving home.

• Following a dream sparked during their honeymoon in Brazil 13 years earlier
• Planning and saving for 10 years through intentional choices like cooking at home and limiting extras
• Covering 75% of flight costs through loyalty points and offsetting expenses by renting their home
• Transforming travel into education by creating country-specific learning binders
• Using real-world experiences like market haggling as practical learning opportunities
• Discovering that happiness doesn't depend on material wealth in places like the Philippines
• Learning that "you don't need a passport to pause" - finding presence in everyday moments
• Building "failure immunity" - not immunity to failure but to its emotional impact
• Creating connection through simple actions like neighborhood traditions
• Approaching travel not to "see everything" but to deeply experience each place

Find Charles Achampong's book "Around the World in Family Days" on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and connect with him on Instagram @aroundtheworldinfamilydays or on his website charlesachampong.com.

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

Clarissa Moll shares how her husband's tragic death in a hiking accident transformed her into a widow with four children and ultimately led to her calling helping others navigate grief and loss.

• Author of books on grief including her newest children's book "Hope Comes to Stay"
• One in five million children will experience the loss of a parent or sibling before age 18
• Importance of using real words like "died" and "dead" with children rather than euphemisms
• Grief is not something we "get over" but becomes a lifelong companion
• Learning to hold joy and sorrow in the same hand
• Grief has its own language that includes more than just sadness
• Most helpful support comes from people who simply sit with us without trying to fix our pain
• Remove the word "still" from conversations about grief as it implies a timeline
• Grief is both universal (everyone experiences it) and unique (no two experiences are identical)
• Clarissa produces Christianity Today's news podcast "The Bulletin"

Visit clarissamoll.com to learn more about Clarissa's work, and find her on Instagram and Substack.

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential