The holiday season, while often filled with joy and celebration, can also amplify feelings of loneliness, grief, and overwhelm. In those moments, it’s easy to feel as though we’re navigating life’s challenges alone, carrying burdens too heavy to bear. But what if the very struggles we face are opportunities to connect with a deeper source of strength? In this episode, Rev. Lizzie reminds us that through spirituality, we can find a wellspring of resilience and hope. Whether we’re juggling endless to-do lists or grieving a profound loss, Lizzie shares how God’s presence and love offer us the courage to endure, grow, and heal—even in life’s most trying seasons.

Rev. Lizzie McManus Dail has lived all over the world with her boots now rooted in Austin, Texas, where she is living her dream as the founder of Jubilee Episcopal Church. Lizzie is passionate about the evangelism of a God who makes each of us for joy, which is why you might see her doing silly dances and talking about church history on Instagram and TikTok with her 80K followers. 

As a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, Lizzie brought a passion for intersectional feminism and queer theology to her studies at Duke Divinity School and Seminary of the Southwest. It was her time in both Massachusetts and North Carolina that brought her into the Episcopal church, where she was ordained in 2020. While grateful for her academic formation, she still swears most things she learned about being a priest she learned from 5 plus years of working in the service industry and access to the arts in her public high school.  

Tune in!

What You Will Learn:

• [00:01] Intro and a bit about our guest today, Rev. Lizzie
• [04:53] What spirituality is and how it differs from religion 
• [06:57] How spirituality helps build emotional resilience during challenging times
• [0942] How spiritual communities offer emotional strength and support 
• [16:14] Spiritual practices to build trust and manage difficult emotions
• [28:26] Two Advent practices to cultivate peace and trust this holiday season 
• [34:06] Rev. Lizzie’s upcoming book and its message on emotional resilience
• [43:22] How God calls us to walk and transform us through a refining fire  
• [47:18] What inspired Rev Lizzie to write her book, and how it will support readers 
• [53:48] One key takeaway from Rev Lizzie to apply to your life this holiday season
• [54:56] Wrap up and end of the show

Standout Quotes:

• “To know God is to go deep within ourselves; we have to learn to trust and listen deep within ourselves to hear how God is speaking to us and giving us everything we need to endure.” [07:57]
• “Taking some deliberate quiet time in the hustle and bustle of holiday season can be really significant.” [30:25]
• “You don’t have to do anything to deserve and receive the bigness of God’s love; it’s just given to you.” [54:29]

Resources Mentioned

The Mystics Would Like a Word by Shannon K. Evans: https://www.amazon.com/Mystics-Would-Like-Word-Spirituality/dp/0593727274.

Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila: https://www.amazon.com/Interior-Castle-St-Teresa-Avila/dp/1619491001

Let’s Connect

Chandler Stroud

Website: https://healingheroespodcast.com/

Mixing, editing and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast.