Stirred By Words: Meditations and Conversations about Writing and Wellness

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Chrissy opens today’s episode with a chakra meditation, then shares the definition of the word LEGACY, and invites us to consider the question: what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind and why?

Merle Saferstein also joins the conversation to discuss the importance of journaling as an educator, author, and pioneer in legacy journaling. Together, Chrissy and Merle discuss how living your life becomes your legacy, tips to start journaling and the benefits of writing even if it’s not shared.

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss by Sandra Marinella.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind and why?
• What role models or inspirations have influenced the legacy you want to create?
• What lessons have you learned that you want to pass on to future generations?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

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Chrissy opens today’s episode with a loving kindness meditation, then shares the definition of the word LIGHT, and invites us to consider the question: what does the concept of light mean to you?

Liz Kinchen, author of Light in Bandaged Places: Healing in the Wake of Young Betrayal, also joins the conversation. Together, Chrissy and Liz discuss meditation, Buddhism, and the healing power of their writing practices.

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, How the Light Gets In: Writing As A Spiritual Practice by Pat Schneider.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• What does the concept of light mean to you?
• Do you believe that light has healing properties? Why or why not?
• How does light impact your mood or emotions?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

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Chrissy opens today’s episode with a mantra meditation, then shares the definition of the word ACCEPTANCE, and invites us to consider the question: What are some common barriers to acceptance in ourselves and others?

Chrissy is also joined by her husband Scott for a special conversation about her new book, Finding Sunlight! Together, Chrissy and Scott discuss the meaning of acceptance, how Chrissy wrote her book, and the role of self-love in accepting yourself and others.

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, It Shouldn't Be This Way: Learning to Accept the Things You Just Can’t Change by Janina Scarlet.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• What are some common barriers to acceptance both in ourselves and others?
• How can you cultivate a greater sense of acceptance in your life?
• How has acceptance or lack thereof impacted your relationships with others? Have you ever struggled to accept someone else for who they are?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

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Chrissy opens today’s episode with a body-scan meditation for feeling supported, then shares the definition of the word FAITHFUL, and invites us to consider the question: how do you stay faithful to yourself and your values in a world that pressures us to conform?

Podcaster Amber White also joins the conversation to share her journey as a formerly faithful, which she talks about on her podcast Now I See. Together, Chrissy and Amber discuss the power of commitment and how her enactment of being faithful has changed throughout her life.

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, Belief Without Borders by Linda Mercadante.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• How do you stay faithful to yourself and your values in a world that pressures us to conform?
• How does being faithful to a particular religion or belief system impact your decisions and actions in life?
• How does faithfulness relate to your sense of purpose?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

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Chrissy opens today’s episode with a walking meditation on the power of telling your truth, then shares the definition of the word TELL, and invites us to consider the question: how does the way we tell a story impact its meaning?

Writer and journalist Fran Hawthorne also joins Chrissy to share her love of storytelling. Together, they discuss how stories can inspire change, the importance of sharing real-life experiences, and the impact of personal narratives.

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, I’m Telling the Truth But I’m Lying by Bassey Ikpi.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• How does the way we tell a story impact its meaning?
• How can we use storytelling to inspire change and make a positive impact in the world?
• How can telling our stories help us connect to others on a deeper level?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

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Chrissy opens today’s episode with a box breathing practice, then shares the definition of the word belonging, and invites us to consider the question: what role does acceptance play in creating a sense of belonging?

Stacey Chomiak also joins the conversation to discuss the challenges of feeling whole and accepted as a queer person of faith. Together, Chrissy and Stacey discuss finding a sense of belonging through art, Stacey’s queer-affirming children’s books, and creating space for understanding between religious and queer communities.

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• What role does acceptance play in creating a sense of belonging?
• How do your identities and background impact your sense of belonging in different environments?
• How can you be more welcoming and inclusive to others who feel like they don’t belong?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

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Chrissy opens today’s episode with a nature visualization meditation, then shares the definition of the word purity, and invites us to consider the question: how have societal expectations or the idea of purity impacted your mental health?

Erica Smith also joins the conversation to discuss her work as an award-winning sexuality educator and consultant with over 20 years of experience. Together, Chrissy and Erica discuss purity culture, Erica’s approach to working with people coming out of it, and how people can incorporate sex education more positively and inclusively.

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free by Linda Kay Klein.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• How have societal expectations or the idea of purity impacted your mental health?
• Can purity be achieved or is it an unattainable ideal?
• How do you handle situations that challenge your sense of purity?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

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Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on being present in nature, then shares the definition of the word weather, and invites us to consider the question: how does the weather influence our emotions and behaviors?

Therapists and writers Gretta Keene and Bill Murray of Mind Your Weather also join the conversation. Together, they explore how we can attune to the outer weather and our inner weather with the support of therapy, creativity, and spirituality. We also talk about their book Your Way There (to Being Fully Alive): Concepts and Tools for Mindful Transformation. A must read!

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• How does the weather influence your emotions and behaviors?
• If you can’t change the weather, how can you change your response?
• What are some tools you can use to navigate through life’s storms?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

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Season two of Stirred By Words has come to a close, and I'm very excited to share that while we're on break, I'm launching my first book on Kickstarter!

Finding Sunlight is a memoir about love within the wreckage of purity culture. It's about my journey to unpack my sexuality, faith, and mental health to help me uncover my own truth and navigate love with pride.

We have until July 1st to get the Kickstarter fully funded, so I can release my book in the fall. If you're able to support, please click here to pledge today.

Thank you, and see you for season three soon!

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.

Send us Fan Mail

Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on creating positive change, then shares the definition of the word IMPACT, and invites us to consider the question: how can we build effective collaborations to achieve impact?

Dara Beevas and Amy Quale of Wise Ink Creative Publishing also join the conversation to share the impact stories have had on their lives and communities. Together, they discuss where publishing meets activism, how books cultivate empathy, and what makes an effective collaboration.

Then Chrissy shares this week’s book recommendation, Impact: A Step-By-Step Plan to Create the World You Want to Live In by Christen Brandt and Tammy Tibbetts.

And in the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself:

• How can we build effective collaborations to achieve impact?
• How do your beliefs and values impact your life decisions?
• What impact do you want to make in this world?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Support the show

If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for the show, or want to be a future guest, contact her via her website at www.chrissyholm.com.

Until next time, stay curious, my friends. And if you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show.