Rhythms That Restore

"Episode 74: Autumn's Invitation to Release: Learning to Let Go and Trust God's Rhythms"

Welcome to October! 🍂

This month, we're embracing the "Rhythm of Release" - learning from the falling leaves that it's not only okay to let go, but necessary for new growth.

In this episode, Cherisse shares her personal journey with the practice of subtraction and why the podcast is shifting to a gentler rhythm of just 2-3 episodes this month. She's learning (alongside you) that saying NO to good things isn't about lacking faith - it's about trusting the Creator who designed the seasons themselves.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The practice of Three-Centered Prayer (thinking, feeling, sensing) from Mark 12:30
• How autumn teaches us the sacred art of release
• Why our bodies communicate through feelings and what to do about it
• Practical ways to notice what you're carrying that isn't yours to bear
• The beautiful truth in Matthew 11:28-30 about Christ's easy yoke

Featured Scripture: Mark 12:30, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 91:1

Featured Poem: "The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Berry

Mentioned Books & Mentioned Spiritual Directors:

• The Listening Life by Adam McHugh
• Holy Listening by Margaret Guenther
• Spiritual Director Allison Bradsher email: [email protected]
• Spiritual Director Carroll Lane Parsons email: [email protected]

This October, may we learn to open our hands, trust His rhythms, and discover that His arms were there to catch us all along.

Next Episode: October 16th - "Finding Confidence in This Season" with returning guest and personal stylist "Shelby Jewel" Tucker

Connect with Cherisse Hixson online, email and on social media this way:

Online: www.cherissehixson.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @RhythmsThatRestorePodcast

Episode 73: "BECOMING Refreshed: Your Invitation to Deeper Waters with Amy Allgood" Episode Description

Are you feeling weary from the constant pace and pull of life? In this powerful episode, host Cherisse Hixson sits down with mentor, coach, and entrepreneur Amy Allgood to explore what it means to move from spiritual "shallow waters" into the deeper, more abundant life God has for us. Amy shares her journey from being a "selfish Christian" focused on what God could do for her, to discovering the transformative power of asking "What can I do for You, God?"

This conversation is a gentle invitation for women who are ready to step beyond surface-level faith into authentic spiritual refreshment, rest, and renewal in Jesus.

Meet Amy Allgood

Amy is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and entrepreneur who has addressed audiences of over 12,000 women. As a National Sales Director with Mary Kay and leader of women's biblical small groups for nine years, Amy is passionate about helping women discover their unique gifts and calling. She's a wife to Will, mom to three children (ages 12, 10, and 9), and lives in sunny Shalimar, Florida. When she's not mentoring women, you'll find her enjoying good food with friends, "SPA-ING" (her favorite hobby), or traveling to one of the 15+ countries she's visited.

Key Takeaways & Timestamps

Moving from Head to Heart (17:29)

• The transformative power of fasting as a spiritual discipline
• Amy shares miraculous stories from her community's fasting experiences
• How to fast as a beginner: giving up something you love to gain closeness with God

From Shallow to Deep Waters (09:07)

• Signs you might be living in the "shallow end" spiritually
• The difference between checking spiritual boxes vs. truly knowing God
• Moving from "What can You do for me?" to "What can I do for You?"

The Martha vs. Mary Balance (12:46)

• Why women leaders often struggle with the "doing" vs. "being" tension
• Understanding that if it's not God's calling, there will be no eternal fruit
• Breaking free from society's "busy badge of honor" mentality

Bold Obedience and Sabbath Rest (28:30)

• Amy's conversation with her Olympic-hopeful daughter about resting on the seventh day
• Why God's commands aren't suggestions but pathways to blessing
• The courage required to please God rather than people

Standing in the Gap (30:45)

• God's call for bold believers in this season
• Personal stories of stepping into God's assignments
• The blessing of being someone God can count on

Scripture Themes Explored

• Mary and Martha - The balance between doing and being with Jesus
• Sabbath Rest - God's design for restoration and renewal
• Standing in the Gap - Being available for God's assignments
• The Potter and Clay - Surrendering to God's shaping in our lives

Practical Application

Three Ways to Move Deeper This Week:

1. Try Fasting - Give up something you love (like sugar or social media) to focus on drawing closer to God
2. Practice Listening Prayer - Instead of bringing God your list, sit quietly and ask "What do You want to show me today?"
3. Embrace Sabbath - Take one day to truly rest and reflect, trusting God with your productivity

Upcoming Opportunities

Refresh Retreat - October 4th (Virtual/Hybrid) Join Amy for her annual "Refresh" retreat, now available virtually for the first time! This year's theme is "Moldable" - being in the Potter's hands. For just $29, you can participate from anywhere or gather friends to host a hub in your home. Register online at www.amyallgood.com

Fall Book Club Amy's community will be reading "Blessed Are the Spiraling" by Levi Lesko this October - perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life's unexpected turns. More info on Amy's website www.amyallgood.com

Connect with Amy

• Website: www.amyallgood.com
• Register for Refresh Retreat 2026 HYBRID on Saturday Oct 4th at www.amyallgood.com
• Follow for updates on masterminds, mentorship programs, and community events

Reflection Questions

1. Are you living in the "shallow end" of your faith, or are you ready to go deeper?
2. What would change if you shifted from asking "God, what can You do for me?" to "God, what can I do for You?"
3. Where is God calling you to bold obedience in this season?
4. How can you create more space for listening prayer in your daily rhythm?

Quote to Ponder

"Be around people who are going to celebrate you and not tolerate you. Early in life we try to please people, we try to impress people, and it's exhausting and it's a waste of time and energy." - Amy Allgood

Prayer

Father, thank You for pursuing us even when we're content to stay in shallow waters. Give us courage to go deeper with You, to listen more than we speak, and to step boldly into the assignments You have for us. Help us find true refreshment in Your presence and rest in Your perfect love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Subscribe & Share: If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe and share with a friend who needs to hear about God's refreshing love. Your support helps us continue creating content that points women back to Jesus and His Word.

Episode 72: Becoming: Letting Go to BE Brave

Sometimes the most sacred work isn't adding more to our lives—it's releasing what no longer serves us so we can step into who God is calling us to become.

In this deeply personal episode, Cherisse shares the story behind her "September 15th Ebenezer stone"—a hospital room moment 14 years ago that changed everything and launched an annual tradition of brave becoming. From nearly losing her son Drew at 21 weeks to saying yes to solo retreats, international trips with strangers, and spiritual direction training, she vulnerably shares what God has been teaching her about shedding the patterns that once protected us but now limit our growth.

Through gentle teaching woven with personal stories, you'll discover:

• The difference between spiritual molting and self-improvement
• How to identify what God is asking you to release (approval-seeking, perfectionism, control, performance-based identity)
• Why community is essential for the becoming process
• How to transition from survival mode to calling mode
• Practical ways to build your "brave muscles" even when you're shaking

Featuring a beautiful lectio divina pause with Psalm 62:5-8, this episode is an invitation to curious souls ready to release what's complete and embrace what's coming.

Perfect for women who are weary from the constant pace of life and looking for ways to restore, rest, and renew their souls in Jesus.

Connect with Cherisse:

Instagram: @RhythmsThatRestorePodcast

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cherissehixson.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Episode 32: La Dolce Vida (Italy trip story)

WellSprings in the Wilderness (Spiritual Direction Program)

Allison Bradsher - [email protected] (Spiritual Director)

Welcome Wanderers Travel with EMYO - Follow on Instagram @welcomewanderers

This podcast is for women who are weary from the constant pace and pull of life and are looking for ways to restore, rest, and renew their souls in Jesus and His word and presence.

#RestoreRenewPodcast #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualGrowth #Becoming #Brave #Faith #Jesus #WomenOfFaith #SpiritualDirection #LettingGo #Rest #Renewal #ChristianWomen #FaithJourney #Courage #Trust #God'sFaithfulness

Episode 71: Becoming: Still Enough to Listen with Cherisse Hixson Episode Description

Welcome back, sweet friends! After a three-month summer sabbatical, I'm so excited to be back with you as we launch our new fall series on BECOMING. In this heartfelt episode, I'm sharing about a transformative weekend Solo Retreat that shifted everything for me - from learning to rest "between His shoulders" to discovering that it's actually NOT all up to me.

If you've been feeling weary from the constant pace and pull of life, if you're longing to know Jesus more deeply, or if you're curious about what it means to slow down enough to actually hear His voice - this episode is for you.

What We'll Explore Together:

✨ The beautiful gift of being completely unknown and accepted just as you are ✨ Why "silence" with Jesus is actually full of rich conversation ✨ How to create sacred containers for encountering God in the everyday ✨ Breaking free from the "if it is to be, it is up to me" mentality ✨ Learning to measure our days by the fruit of the Spirit instead of accomplishments ✨ What it means to rest securely in God's sufficiency

Soul-Stirring Quotes Featured:

• Henri Nouwen on solitude as the place of conversion
• Dallas Willard on solitude as primary spiritual formation
• Eugene Peterson on finding our quiet center
• Ruth Haley Barton on silence making solitude possible
• Jim Branch on discovering we're not alone

Scripture Anchors:

• Psalm 139:1-6 (You have searched me, Lord, and you know me)
• Deuteronomy 33:12 (Rest between His shoulders)
• Psalm 91:1 (Living under His shelter)

Beautiful Bonus:

I close our time together by reading Emily Dickinson's powerful poem "Hope" - the same words that anchored my soul during that sacred Friday morning.

Connect & Continue the Journey

Your soul needs this, friend. If this episode stirred something in your heart, I'd love for you to:

⭐ Leave a 5-star review - Your words help other weary souls find hope and rest in Jesus

💕 Share this episode with a friend who needs to be reminded that she's completely known and deeply loved by Jesus

🌱 Visit www.cherissehixson.com to connect with me and discover more resources for your soul

📧 Sign up for weekly encouragement and receive practical support tools from every episode delivered straight to your inbox

Reflection Question for This Week:

What is Jesus inviting you to release so that you can receive more of who He's calling you to become?

Coming Up Next Week: We'll continue our Becoming series as we explore what it means to shed the old and embrace the new that God has for us.

Until then, sweet friend, may you rest secure in His love and find your hope anchored in Him alone. You are so deeply loved. 💛

This podcast is for women who are weary from the constant pace and pull of life and are looking for ways to restore, rest, and renew their souls in Jesus and His Word and presence.

Becoming - A Journey from Clenched Fists to Open Palms

After three months away, I'm back with a story of transformation that might just change how you think about rest, performance, and what it means to truly be present.

What happens when you step away from the constant pull of social media, the pressure to perform, and the "shoulds" that have driven you for 25 years? In this vulnerable episode, I share what I discovered during my summer sabbatical - and it wasn't what I expected.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• The profound difference between helping from overflow vs. helping from depletion
• Why I broke a 25-year pattern of pushing myself to "finish strong" every June
• What it really looks like to move from clenched fists to open palms
• The questions that changed everything: "Why am I saying yes to this?"
• How to create containers for presence (not just productivity)
• The gift of simplicity and what happens when you truly unplug

This episode is for you if:

• You're feeling pulled in a million directions and can't remember the last time you felt truly present
• You're tired of performing but scared of what might happen if you stop
• You're curious about sabbath but don't think you could ever step away
• You're ready to examine what's really motivating your "yes" responses
• Your heart is longing for more time with Jesus but life feels too full

I'll be honest - this return to podcasting feels vulnerable. But if you're feeling fragmented, weary, or stuck in patterns that are draining your soul, I want you to know you're not alone. Sometimes the most radical thing we can do is open our hands and see what God wants to fill them with.

Come grab a cup of coffee and join me as we explore what it looks like to become the women God is calling us to be - not through more doing, but through deeper being.

"You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom." - Psalm 1:3 MSG

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to connect with Cherisse? Join our Email List at www.cherissehixson.com and get our dose of weekly Rhythms of encouragement delivered to your inbox.

Connect on Instagram@RhythmsThatRestorePodcast

Episode 69: Self Care vs Soul Care Summer Soul Care Series FINALE - Rhythms That Restore Podcast

Host: Cherisse Hixson

🌟 What to Expect in This Final Summer Episode

Join Cherisse for the last episode of our transformative Summer Soul Care series as we tackle one of the most important distinctions every weary woman needs to understand: the difference between self-care and soul care.

In this powerful finale, you'll discover:

• Why our culture's obsession with "self" is actually harming our souls
• The real reason women are experiencing more anxiety and depression than ever before
• What we've lost in our post-COVID world that's leaving us feeling isolated and overwhelmed
• The beautiful story behind "It Is Well With My Soul" and what makes it truly well with yours
• Practical insights from John Ortberg's "Soul Keeping" that will anchor you in truth

Opening Scripture: Psalm 143:7-11 - A psalm of surrender and crying out for God's help

💝 A Personal Note from Cherisse

This episode marks not only the end of our Summer Soul Care series but also my last episode until Fall as I take a Summer Sabbatical to practice what I preach - prioritizing soul care and restoration. Thank you for journeying with me through this series that has been such a gift to my own soul.

🔗 Stay Connected During Summer Sabbatical

Don't miss out while I'm on sabbatical!

📧 Weekly Emails: Sign up at www.cherissehixson.com for continued encouragement and updates

📱 Instagram: Follow @rhythmsthatrestorepodcast for daily inspiration

✉️ Email: [email protected] - I'd love to hear how this series has impacted you!

🎙️ Voice Messages: Send me voice memos on Instagram - my favorite way to connect with you!

🎧 Keep the Journey Going

While I'm on sabbatical, dive into our treasure trove of past content:

• Explore our 75 episodes from last year
• Revisit favorite moments from this Summer Soul Care series
• Share episodes with friends who need these rhythms of restoration

💬 Leave a Review & Share

If this series has blessed you, please:

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share your favorite episodes with friends
• Tag us on social media with your takeaways

Remember: You can show up every day simply as you are - and that is enough.

See you in the Fall for more rhythms that restore! Until then, may you find deep soul care in Jesus.

Episode 68: The Architecture of Your Soul

Join Cherisse on this soul-nourishing episode of "Rhythms That Restore" as we continue our Summer Soul Care Series exploring John Ortberg's profound insights on soul keeping.

This is a beloved episode from last summer that we're re-airing this year due to popular request!

What exactly is your soul? Far more than an abstract concept, your soul is the intricate masterpiece designed by God to integrate your will, mind, and body into a harmonious whole. In this episode, Cherisse breaks down the beautiful architecture of the soul and why understanding its design is essential for women seeking restoration in today's chaotic world.

Through the wisdom of Psalm 91 and powerful analogies—from streams flowing free of debris to ropes guiding us through blizzards—discover how a well-ordered soul becomes your sanctuary regardless of external circumstances. Learn to recognize the warning signs of soul disintegration and the practices that lead to soul health.

This summer, give yourself the gift of soul care as we journey together through the refreshing truth that you are "a soul made by God, made for God, and made to need God." If your soul is healthy, no external circumstance can destroy your life—what a promise for weary hearts!

Connect with our community of women seeking soul restoration:

• Follow us on Instagram: @rhythmsthatrestorepodcast
• Join our Facebook community: Rhythms That Restore Podcast Community
• Sign up for our weekly rhythms email at www.cherissehixson.com

New episodes every week this summer as we continue exploring the architecture of soul care. Pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and join us on this journey of restoration and renewal.

#SoulCare #ChristianWomen #RestoreYourRhythm #SummerSeries #FaithPodcast

_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> Episode 67:How to Truly Care for our Souls with Cherisse Hixson

We're bringing back our popular Summer Soul Care series and episodes from last summer while Cherisse is on Summer Sabbatical this year. In this episode, Cherisse kicks off a refreshing summer series based on John Ortberg's book "Soul Keeping." After a busy spring season, Cherisse invites listeners to embrace summer as a time of rest and renewal for our souls.

Episode Highlights:

• Cherisse introduces a new summer series focused on soul care and creating space for rest
• An opening reflection on Psalm 23 and its powerful reminders about God's provision, rest, and renewal
• Introduction to John Ortberg's book "Soul Keeping" as the foundation for this series
• A beautiful metaphor about "the keeper of the springs" and how it relates to tending our souls
• Discussion on the difference between our inner and outer lives, and why our interior life matters most
• Explanation of what it means to be a "soul curator" and how to find someone to journey with you
• Invitation to engage with the series by reading along and gathering friends for deeper discussion

Quotable Moments:

"Summer is such a welcome time of rest for all of us. Whether rest looks like having a lot of fun with your friends and your family, or whether rest really means laying in a hammock and just resting your mind, your body, and your spirit for a little bit."

"You are the keeper of your stream, and your stream is your soul." - John Ortberg

"Our outer world is what is visible. It's our reputation, our appearance, what we have, what others think... The inner world is everything that is unseen." - John Ortberg

Connect With Rhythms That Restore:

• Visit our website for weekly rhythms, encouragement and support: www.cherissehixson.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @rhythmsthatrestorepodcast
• Join our Facebook community: Rhythms That Restore Podcast Community
• Consider gathering friends to read "Soul Keeping" together during this summer series book club around your table. Gather the friends, share your what you loved and learned and nourish your soul one chapter at at time. Gathering with others nourishes your soul my friends. Be the one who GATHERS. Start by asking ONE friend, then have her bring a friend too.
• Email Me and let me know how this is nourishing your soul for the summer - [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

• "Soul Keeping" by John Ortberg
• Psalm 23

A New Way to Summer: 10 Ways to Slow Down This Year Episode Description

What if this summer doesn't have to be another season of cramming in as much activity and productivity as possible? In this vulnerable and transformative episode, host Cherisse shares her heart about choosing a different way to summer - one that prioritizes rest, restoration, and the health of our souls.

With shaky hands and an open heart, Cherisse announces she's taking her first sabbatical in 26 years of business, and invites you to join her in discovering what it looks like to summer slowly, restfully, and with intention. Drawing wisdom from Abraham Joshua Heschel's "The Sabbath" and insights from recent guest conversations, this episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance for creating sacred rhythms this summer.

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

10 Practical Ways to Slow Down This Summer:

1. Release the Summer Performance Pressure - Stop trying to make your life Instagram-worthy and start living fully in each moment
2. Embrace Morning Sacred Solitude - Create a daily rhythm of meeting with the Lord before the chaos begins
3. Practice Holy Leisure in Nature - Discover "thin places" where heaven feels close to earth
4. Create Rhythms of Preparation and Rest - Learn how preparation makes true rest possible
5. Redefine Summer Success - Measure success by the state of your soul, not activities completed
6. Practice the Discipline of Saying No - Guard your "palace in time" from invasions of busyness
7. Embrace Contemplative Practices in Ordinary Moments - Transform daily tasks into opportunities for prayer
8. Create Space for Holy Boredom - Let creativity and wonder emerge naturally
9. Honor Your Body's Summer Rhythm - Treat your body as a temple to be honored, not a machine to be optimized
10. Practice Sabbatical Thinking - Ask "What do you have for me today, Lord?" instead of demanding your agenda be blessed

Key Scripture & Quotes Featured:

Isaiah 30:15: "In quietness and trust shall be your strength. In returning and rest you shall be saved."

Ruth Haley Barton: "We cannot give what we do not have."

Abraham Joshua Heschel: "Sabbath is not for the sake of weekdays, but weekdays are for the sake of the Sabbath."

John Ortberg: "Hurry is not of the devil. Hurry IS the devil."

Special Announcement: Summer Soul Care Series

While Cherisse steps into her sabbatical this summer, she's prepared a special gift for listeners - a Summer Soul Care series based on John Ortberg's book "Soul Keeping" that will release every Thursday in June. This series requires no prep work - simply press play and receive the soul care you need.

How to Go Deeper:

• Order "Soul Keeping" by John Ortberg on Amazon or grab it on Audible/Spotify
• Invite friends to join you for intentional summer soul care
• Gather virtually or in person to discuss what God is stirring in your hearts
• Create your own summer soul care community right where you are

A Personal Prayer for Your Summer

The episode closes with a beautiful prayer for opening clenched fists, embracing rest as a gift rather than a challenge to conquer, and finding courage to keep our souls intact even if it means disappointing others. This prayer reminds us that our worth isn't measured by productivity, but by whose we are.

Connect with Cherisse & Join the Journey

🌿 Stay Connected:

• Visit www.cherissehixson.com for resources and inspiration
• Sign up for our Weekly Rhythms Email to receive encouragement and support throughout your rest and renewal journey
• Get exclusive content and behind-the-scenes updates

📧 Join Our Summer Soul Care Community: Sign up at www.cherissehixson.com to receive:

• Weekly encouragement emails to accompany the Summer Soul Care series
• Discussion guides and reflection questions
• Community support as we journey together through soul care practices
• Updates from Cherisse during her sabbatical season

📱 Follow on Social Media: While Cherisse will be stepping away from social media during her sabbatical, you can still connect through email and share how the Summer Soul Care series is ministering to your soul.

Resources Mentioned:

• "The Sabbath" by Abraham Joshua Heschel - Available on Amazon
• "Soul Keeping" by John Ortberg - Available on Amazon, Audible, and Spotify
• Previous episodes featuring Allison Bradsher, Pam Shaw, Betsy Pendergrass, Linda Toupin, K.T Martin, Nancy Holcomb, Mollie Walker, Danielle Bowlen, and Camille Brantley

Perfect for Listeners Who:

• Feel weary from the constant pace and pull of life
• Want to break free from the pressure to optimize every moment
• Are seeking practical ways to rest and restore their souls
• Desire to model healthy rhythms for their families
• Want to discover what sacred summer rhythms can look like
• Are ready to prioritize being over achieving
• Need permission to slow down and embrace rest

Episode Reflection Questions:

1. What would it look like for you to "summer slowly" this year?
2. Which of the 10 ways to slow down resonates most with your current season?
3. How can you release the pressure to make your summer "Instagram-worthy"?
4. What is your soul asking for that you've been pushing down?
5. How might God be inviting you to open your clenched fists this summer?

Remember, friends: You are not a human doing, but a human being. Beloved, known, and held by the God who rested on the seventh day not because He was tired, but because rest is sacred.

Subscribe to Rhythms That Restore wherever you listen to podcasts, and don't forget to leave a 5 STAR review to help other weary souls find these rhythms of restoration!

_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> Episode 65: How Summer Invites Us to Sabbath: Finding Rest in a Non-Stop World Episode Description

In this soul-nourishing episode of Rhythms That Restore, host Cherisse Hixson welcomes Allison Bradsher, a Spiritual Director at The Retreat House in Memphis, to explore how summer uniquely invites us into Sabbath rest. As routines shift and new demands arise during these warmer months, this conversation couldn't be more timely for women feeling caught in the relentless rhythm of doing.

Key Topics

• Understanding Sabbath as the "kingpin" of spiritual disciplines
• Why God Himself modeled Sabbath from creation
• The biblical foundation of Sabbath and what it reveals about God's character
• Practical ways to incorporate sacred rest into our busy lives
• Finding moments of stillness even in the midst of parenting and work demands
• Sabbath as freedom from false identities (what we do, what we have, what others think)
• Simple technology boundaries to create space for rest

Featured Guest

Allison Bradsher, spiritual director at The Retreat House in Memphis, has just returned from a five-day silent retreat and shares her perspective on creating space for sacred rest even with four children at home during the busy month of May and in summer for busy women.

Memorable Moments

"Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be." - A powerful prayer practice from Psalm 46:10 shared by Allison.

"You cannot overdo trust in God." - Thomas Keating

Questions to Reflect On

What are you afraid of when it comes to embracing rest?

Where is God inviting you to courage in prioritizing Sabbath?

Connect with Rhythms That Restore

• Follow Cherisse on Instagram: @rhythmsthatrestorepodcast
• Join our email community for weekly encouragement, support rhythms and more: www.cherissehixson.com
• Connect with our Facebook community: "Rhythms That Restore Podcast Community"
• Follow Allison Bradsher on Instagram: @theretreathousememphis
• Contact Allison via email: [email protected]

Subscribe to never miss an episode that will help you restore, rest, and renew your soul in Jesus and His Word.

Rhythms That Restore - where you can show up every day simply as you are, and that is enough.