The Beauty in the Mess

Three unexpected phone calls. A verse in James that would not let go. A cargo van full of winter boots. That’s how April Jurgensen knew she had been called to act. As founder and executive director of The Boaz Project, April has spent more than 25 years serving orphans by strengthening caregivers and supporting whole homes instead of individual sponsorships. In this conversation, she shares the origin story, the power of trauma-informed care, the challenges of carrying heartbreaking stories, and why this work ministers to both children and the heart of God.

• ·        [00:03:05] Welcome and April’s origin story begins
• ·        [00:04:05] The 2020/60 Minutes calls and James 1:27
• ·        [00:08:05] First supply trip to Russia and the “cargo van” moment
• ·        [00:12:05] Building a trustworthy model and launching Boaz
• ·        [00:14:05] What makes Boaz different: caregivers and whole-home support
• ·        [00:17:05] Why no individual child sponsorships and the attachment cycle
• ·        [00:21:05] Guarding against unhealthy attachment while still loving kids
• ·        [00:23:05] Handling hard days, logic vs emotion, and therapy tools
• ·        [00:25:05] The hospital wing story and “feeling God’s heart”
• ·        [00:34:05] Suffering, justice, and ministering to God by loving orphans
• ·        [00:37:05] Nervous-system care: vagus, tapping, somatic work
• ·        [00:40:05] Common misconceptions and why Boaz works outside the US
• ·        [00:42:05] Culture-first partnerships and trauma training
• ·        [00:45:05] Legal realities and why most orphans are not adoptable
• ·        [00:48:05] How to help: prayer list, Orphan Advocate Training, trips, giving
• ·        [00:49:05] Boaz meaning and mission
• ·        [00:51:05] The future: growth across nations
• ·        [00:52:05] Finding your own calling
• ·        [00:53:05] Final word: God’s adopting love

🌿 Connect with April Jurgensen:

• Learn More: https://boazproject.org/
• Free Orphan Advocate Training (self-paced online)
• Books: The Orphan’s Abba and When God is Your Father

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

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#TheBeautyInTheMess #BoazProject #OrphanCare #TraumaInformedCare #FaithInAction #AprilJurgensen 

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Dr. Mary Alice Mina, Harvard-trained, double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, says skincare is whole-body care. What you eat, how you sleep, and how you manage stress show up on your skin as much as any cream. Hydration is important for overall health, but water alone won’t moisturize skin. “Clean beauty” is mostly marketing, and preservatives are necessary to prevent mold and bacteria. Stick with tested brands, be consistent, and avoid hopping from product to product.

Perimenopause brings dryness and collagen loss; sleep and lifestyle matter, and HRT or topical estrogen may help. Red light therapy and exosomes show promise but require consistency and caution. Beware of “instant firming” creams; true laxity often needs surgical solutions. Most importantly, match the tool to the job and choose providers with skill and integrity.

• 03:05 Food, drink, and whole-body care for skin
• 04:05 Hydration myths vs. moisturizers
• 05:05 “Clean beauty” marketing, what matters instead
• 08:05 Why preservatives exist and how to vet brands
• 09:05 Trusted everyday brands and what she uses
• 10:05 Biggest mistakes: inconsistency and product hopping
• 12:05 Product Loyalty; irritation = stop
• 13:05 Real timelines: acne, retinoids, collagen changes
• 14:05 Makeup questions and where derms fit
• 15:05 New preservatives, sensitivity, and reactions
• 17:05 Physical exfoliators and brushes: when to pass
• 18:05 Eczema 101: barrier repair and when to see a derm
• 20:05 Perimenopause skin changes; options to discuss with your doctor
• 23:05 Sleep, stress, habits, and skin repair
• 25:05 Red light therapy: what it can and can’t do at home
• 27:05 Stem cells vs. exosomes, hype vs. early promise
• 31:05 “Instant firming” claims and what’s real
• 32:05 Procedures: results depend on the operator
• 35:05 Strategy: improve complexion first; what peels do
• 36:05 Laxity and when surgery is the answer
• 37:05 How facelifts evolved; natural results
• 39:05 Why Dr. Mina started The Skin Real
• 45:05 Her path from dance to dermatology; acne empathy
• 48:05 Final message: cancel the noise, care from the inside out
• 49:05 Free habits guide and how to follow Dr. Mina

🌿 Connect with Dr. Mina:

• Podcast: https://theskinreal.com/

·        YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLggCqJEOBz0NUIcMeJDIaw

·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drminaskin

·        Free Habits Guide: https://hi.theskinreal.com/habits

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

💬 Rate & Review

·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

#Skincare #Dermatology #SkinHealth #Eczema #Perimenopause #RedLightTherapy #Exosomes #ChemicalPeel #Facelift #EvidenceBased #Dr.MaryAliceMina #TheBeautyInTheMess

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James and Claire Davis, The Midlife Mentors, reframe midlife as reinvention, not decline. They share how values shift in this season, why relationships become a catalyst for growth, and how coaching helps uncover the “script” that drives self-talk and habits. They break down behavior change into beliefs, identity, and environment, then layer in practical hormones, nutrition, movement, and mindset strategies. The message is simple and hopeful. Start with one high-leverage area, build accountability, and let small daily choices compound into energy, clarity, and purpose.

2:25 Intro & backstory – journalism to caregiver magazine.

4:25 “Caregiver trauma” – PTSD, missed signs, why acknowledgment matters.

6:25 Burnout, depression, decision fatigue.

8:25 Hidden epidemic – 40M caregivers, isolation, speaking up.

9:25 Senior care costs, fewer caregivers, corporatization.

11:25 Lack of quality activities in facilities.

13:25 Planning ahead & lobbying roadblocks.

15:25 Financial strain & overmedication.

16:25 Unpaid caregivers & aid limits.

18:25 Resources – state agencies, respite care.

20:25 Gap that inspired Reverse Magazine.

22:25 Elder law, Medicare, Medicaid help.

24:25 Caregivers’ 63% higher mortality risk.

25:25 Dementia care & communication.

27:25 Guilt over taking breaks.

29:25 Self-care as survival.

30:25 Opposite-sex caregiving & dignity.

31:25 Family planning talks.

33:25 Downsizing & emotional impact.

35:25 Taking away the keys as freedom.

38:25 Finding beauty in the mess.

40:25 Connect with Anna – Reverse Magazine, FB, LinkedIn.

🌿 Connect with James and Claire Davis:

• Website: https://themidlifementors.com/
• TikTok: @themidlifementors
• Instagram: @midlifementors

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

💬 Rate & Review

·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

#MidlifeMentors #MidlifeReinvention #MidlifeHealth #MenopauseSupport #AndropauseAwareness #MindsetMatters #StrongerTogether #SelfWorthHealing #ReinventYourLife #BeautyInTheMessPodcast #James&ClaireDavis

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Caregiving is one of the toughest, most overlooked roles, often done in silence. In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Anna Edmonds shares her journey from journalist to founder of a caregiver-focused magazine and podcast. She opens up about “caregiver trauma,” the toll of caring for a loved one, and the broken systems that make the role even harder. We cover burnout, financial strain, isolation, and the need for families to plan ahead. Anna also shares practical advice on resources, self-care, and tough conversations—reminding us there is beauty in caregiving, even in the mess.

Content Advisory: This episode discusses caregiver burnout, dementia-related changes, emotional strain, and end-of-life care. While not graphic, it includes emotionally heavy content.

2:25 Intro & backstory – journalism to caregiver magazine.

4:25 “Caregiver trauma” – PTSD, missed signs, why acknowledgment matters.

6:25 Burnout, depression, decision fatigue.

8:25 Hidden epidemic – 40M caregivers, isolation, speaking up.

9:25 Senior care costs, fewer caregivers, corporatization.

11:25 Lack of quality activities in facilities.

13:25 Planning ahead & lobbying roadblocks.

15:25 Financial strain & overmedication.

16:25 Unpaid caregivers & aid limits.

18:25 Resources – state agencies, respite care.

20:25 Gap that inspired Reverse Magazine.

22:25 Elder law, Medicare, Medicaid help.

24:25 Caregivers’ 63% higher mortality risk.

25:25 Dementia care & communication.

27:25 Guilt over taking breaks.

29:25 Self-care as survival.

30:25 Opposite-sex caregiving & dignity.

31:25 Family planning talks.

33:25 Downsizing & emotional impact.

35:25 Taking away the keys as freedom.

38:25 Finding beauty in the mess.

40:25 Connect with Anna – Reverse Magazine, FB, LinkedIn.

🌿 Connect with Anna Edmonds:

• Reverse Magazine: https://reversemagazine.us
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/reversemagazine

·        LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/reverse-magazine

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

💬 If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with a friend who could use some gentle encouragement. You are not alone There is support and resources out there.

💬 Rate & Review

·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

#HealingJourney #TheBeautyInTheMess #WellnessPodcast #SarinaHelen #SelfLove #HolisticWellness

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In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, intuitive healer and certified coach Roya Mattis shares how five pivotal turning points shaped her 25-year journey mentoring entrepreneurs. Roya explains how subconscious rewiring, energetic alignment, and body-mind-soul integration can unlock deep healing, success, and personal power.

She dives into overcoming burnout, reframing failure, reclaiming feminine energy, and collapsing time through intuitive and practical breakthroughs. Whether you’re craving peace, purpose, or transformation, this episode is a powerful reminder that your next breakthrough starts within.🔑

• [02:10] The “never fail” formula: Get up one more time than you fall
• [04:10] Why “the power is in the pause” and how eye affirmations rewire you
• [07:10] 90/10 subconscious rule: Most of your life is on autopilot
• [10:10] Incantations like “I will persist until I succeed” and why they work
• [13:10] When affirmations fall flat — excavating root nervous system causes
• [16:10] Subconscious programming before age 7 and survival response wiring
• [19:10] Vagus nerve tracing and body-stored trauma
• [22:10] Life cycle of transformation: death, challenge, maturity
• [27:10] From burnout to physical collapse: Roya’s body transformation story
• [30:10] “Change requires energy” — why raising vitality is step one
• [33:10] Burn the bridge: eliminating Plan B to collapse time
• [36:10] The August breakdown: betrayal, loss, and rebuilding from ashes
• [39:10] Why we miss life’s hints — conditioning, loyalty, and fear
• [42:10] We are all energy: soul contracts and polarity
• [46:10] Quilt metaphor: Fill your square with love
• [49:10] One session healed 33 years of social anxiety
• [52:10] “Don’t waste time” — find a coach who works mind, body, and soul.

🌿 Connect with Roya Mattis:

• Book A Discovery Call: www.callwithroya.com
• Learn About The SHE-ness Program: www.she-ness.com

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

💬 If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with a friend who could use some gentle encouragement.

💬 Rate & Review

·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

#TheBeautyInTheMess #RoyaMattis #BurnoutRecovery #SubconsciousHealing #WomenWhoLead #PurposeDriven

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In this soul-nourishing episode, Michele Simms welcomes holistic wellness coach and entrepreneur Sarina Helen, the powerhouse behind The Juice Parlor in Los Angeles. Sarina opens up about her decade-long struggle with burnout and how it ultimately led her to a deeper journey of self-connection, self-worth, and inner alignment. Her story is proof that we can’t pour into others until we start filling ourselves first.

From green juices to mindset shifts, Sarina shares the essential tools that helped her heal—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and now she helps other women do the same through her holistic coaching. Whether you're navigating stress, trying to break toxic patterns, or simply looking for a path to more energy and peace, this conversation is a permission slip to start again.

• [0:02] Sarina’s early wellness journey and founding The Juice Parlor
• [0:04] Burnout, perfectionism, and the turning point
• [0:07] Why your external world reflects your internal state
• [0:09] Breaking cycles of hustle, people-pleasing, and disconnection
• [0:12] Learning to redefine health, purpose, and peace
• [0:14] Building self-awareness and reclaiming your worth
• [0:17] Emotional and physical detox—how they go hand in hand
• [0:20] The role of breathwork, stillness, and daily rituals
• [0:23] Creating space to hear your intuition
• [0:26] Why women often feel “not enough”—and how to come back home to self
• [0:29] Making small aligned choices that lead to lasting change
• [0:32] What real vitality looks and feels like
• [0:35] Free resources and support for your journey
• [0:37] Sarina’s final words of encouragement
• 
  

🎁 Free Gift for Listeners:

Download Sarina’s Vitality Detox Guide and start your journey to a more vibrant, aligned you:

👉 https://www.bewellbysarina.com/The-Vitality-Detox-Guide

Connect with Sarina Helen:

• Website: www.bewellbysarina.com
• Instagram: @bewellbysarina

Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community

💬 If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with a friend who could use some gentle encouragement. You are not alone, and you’re never too far gone to come back home to yourself.

#HealingJourney #TheBeautyInTheMess #WellnessPodcast #SarinaHelen #SelfLove #HolisticWellness

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In this powerful episode, Michele Simms sits down with Amy, a holistic healing advocate who turned her decades-long battle with chronic illness into a mission to help others align with their inner peace, self-worth, and true potential. Amy opens up about the journey from surviving to thriving and how healing the internal world impacts everything on the outside.

She shares how self-awareness, holistic practices, and small daily shifts can lead to deep transformation. Whether you're dealing with illness, emotional burnout, or just trying to find your way back to yourself, Amy’s honest wisdom will resonate.

[00:02:20] Amy's background and journey with chronic illness

[00:04:35] What led her to holistic healing

[00:06:45] The connection between internal and external environments

[00:09:05] Breaking free from limiting beliefs and cycles

[00:11:15] Defining health, success, and peace on your own terms

[00:13:25] Why awareness is the gateway to change

[00:15:40] Building self-belief and self-worth

[00:17:50] How healing is never linear

[00:20:10] The myth of being “broken”

[00:22:20] Learning to tune into your body’s signals

[00:24:30] What true self-care looks like beyond trends

[00:26:45] Amy’s message to anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed

[00:29:00] Final thoughts on purpose and alignment

🔗 Connect with Amy Lenius

🔗 Instagram: @amylynnwellness

📱 Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community

🎧 If this episode helped you feel seen or sparked something new, share it with someone who needs it. You’re not alone — and you’re never too far gone to begin again.

#HealingJourney #HolisticLiving #TheBeautyInTheMess #AmyLenius #SelfDiscovery

💬 Rate & Review

·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

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In this powerful episode of The Beauty in the Mess, host Michele Simms talks with Blanca E. Rodriguez, Owner/CEO of Wounded Healer, LLC. Blanca shares how early trauma—including the murder of her father, sexual assault, and generational silence—led to years of darkness, but ultimately inspired a life of healing, service, and transformation.

Blanca is a holistic life coach, licensed massage therapist, Amazon bestselling co-author, and passionate speaker. She mentors through Toastmasters and volunteers with organizations like The Inner Truth Project and The Pet Cottage. Her story is a compelling reminder that no matter your past, change is possible—and healing can begin today.

• [00:02:15] Blanca’s early life and Puerto Rican roots
• [00:04:20] Losing her father and the trauma that followed
• [00:06:30] Silence, shame, and victimhood
• [00:08:45] Breaking the cycle for her children
• [00:10:50] Trauma, mental illness, and generational pain
• [00:13:00] Taking ownership and reclaiming her story
• [00:15:10] How motherhood inspired deep change
• [00:17:20] Repeating patterns and toxic relationships
• [00:19:25] Urgency as a turning point
• [00:21:30] Discovering massage therapy and holistic healing
• [00:24:00] Understanding the mind-body-soul connection
• [00:26:05] Breathwork, stress, and healing tools
• [00:28:15] Caring for her mother with advanced dementia
• [00:30:30] Trauma’s long-term physical effects
• [00:32:45] Procrastination, self-worth, and fear of change
• [00:35:00] Starting small and building lasting habits
• [00:37:10] Why you shouldn’t do it alone
• [00:39:20] The life-changing power of having a coach
• [00:41:30] Forgiving her mother and herself
• [00:46:00] From surviving to thriving
• [00:48:15] Blanca’s free coaching session offer
• [00:49:50] Where to connect with Blanca online

• Website: www.woundedhealerblancae.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @woundedhealer.blancae
• Facebook (Personal): Blanca E. Rodriguez
• Facebook (Business): WoundedHealer.BlancaE
• TikTok / Threads: @woundedhealer.blancae
• LinkedIn: Blanca E. Rodriguez

💌 To book your free coaching session with Blanca, send her a direct message on any platform above.

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community

🎧 If this conversation moved you or reminded you you're not alone, please share it. You never know who might need to hear it today..

#TheBeautyInTheMess #WoundedHealer #HealingIsPossible #Forgiveness #LifeAfterTrauma #BlancaE.Rodriguez #HolisticHealing #RealConversations #ResilientWomen #UrgencyToHeal

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In this gripping and courageous episode, Michele talks with Mia Hanks, a survivor of 29 years of covert narcissistic abuse. Now an author and advocate, Mia opens up about the subtle manipulation, control, and emotional gaslighting that kept her trapped in an invisible prison for nearly three decades.

Through her memoir Bride Made and her growing public platform, Mia is shining a light on what so many silently endure, and showing that freedom and healing are possible. Whether you’ve been through something similar or want to better understand and support someone who has, this conversation will stay with you.

[02:20] – Mia shares her story: 29 years married to a covert narcissist

[04:40] – What narcissistic abuse really looks like (and why it’s misunderstood)

[07:10] – How narcissism develops and why lack of empathy is the red flag

[09:30] – Total control: from finances to sleep and time

[12:00] – Why covert narcissists are the hardest to spot — and most dangerous

[14:30] – Can narcissists change? And why most don’t

[17:00] – The silent weapon of gaslighting and how it erodes self-trust

[19:45] – How abuse affects children and family dynamics

[22:10] – When physical symptoms show up from emotional stress

[24:40] – Is it narcissism, sociopathy, or something worse?

[27:00] – Why victims normalize abuse — and how to begin seeing clearly

[29:30] – Preparing to leave: finances, fear, and finding support

[32:00] – Mia’s exit strategy: what worked and what she wishes she knew

[34:40] – What helped most in healing: therapy, writing, and sharing

[37:10] – Learning to trust again, set boundaries, and rebuild self-worth

[39:50] – How covert narcissists protect their image through smear campaigns

[42:20] – Writing her memoir Bride Made — and why it’s not just for survivors

[44:40] – Final message: you’re not stuck — there’s life and healing after abuse

🔗 Connect with Mia Hanks:

• Website: miajhanks.com
• Memoir: Bride Made (available everywhere books are sold)
• Instagram: @mia.j.hanks
• Blog coming soon
• Bride Made: A Memoir is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and more.

📱 Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community

🎧 If this episode helped you feel seen or sparked something new, share it with someone who needs it. You’re not alone — and you’re never too far gone to begin again.

#TheBeautyInTheMess #MiaHanks #NarcissisticAbuseRecovery #BrideMade #CovertNarcissism #Gaslighting #EmotionalHealing #WomensVoices

💬 Rate & Review

·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

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In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele sits down with Dr. Mark A. Hicks, counselor, speaker, and author of Learning Love: Building a Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last. With decades of experience in psychology, divinity, and human relationships, Dr. Hicks offers real, accessible guidance on how to truly love, starting with yourself.

He shares his personal story of loss and renewal, along with a five-part framework for building stronger, healthier, more fulfilling connections — whether with your partner, kids, friends, or even coworkers. This conversation is heartfelt, deeply relatable, and filled with tools for anyone who’s ever wondered: “Can I really learn to love well… even after the mess?”

[02:20] – Meet Dr. Mark Hicks and what led him to write Learning Love

[05:40] – Why love is a skill, not just a feeling

[09:10] – His five components of learning love (G.E.A.P.P.)

[12:30] – Why grief is the starting point for healthy connection

[15:45] – Understanding emotional literacy and why it matters

[19:10] – How practical love helps relationships last

[22:25] – The role of acceptance in healing relationships

[25:30] – Passion isn’t about fireworks — it’s about presence

[28:40] – “You can’t love someone more than you love yourself”

[32:15] – How your self-talk shapes your relationships

[35:30] – What healthy love looks like in parenting

[38:50] – Loving again after loss, betrayal, or divorce

[42:00] – Why love isn’t reserved for the lucky — it’s for the willing

[45:10] – Final thoughts: You are worthy of learning love

• 🔗 Connect with Dr. Mark A. Hicks:
• 📘 Book: Learning Love: Building a Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last
• 💻 Website: drmarkahicks.com
• 📸 Instagram: @drmarkahicks
• 💬 Facebook: Mark Hicks – Learning Love

• 📱 Connect with Michele Simms:
• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community
• 🎧 If this episode resonated, don’t forget to follow, review, and share. Love is a journey — and you don’t have to walk it alone.

#TheBeautyInTheMess #LearningLove #MarkAHicks #SelfWorth #HealthyRelationships #EmotionalHealth #HealingAfterHeartbreak #RelationshipTools

💬 Rate & Review

·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

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