The Better Part - Intentional Living for Christian Moms with a Bible-Loving Catholic Mama

This is Part 2 of my fabulous conversation with author, Jess Carey. In Part 2, she explores what it means to dream with God and will inspire you to take some simple action this week, friend. Jess wrote the book, “Chart A Course: Taking a Journey With God at the Helm”. I can’t wait for you all to read it! Get it on Amazon by clicking here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578225654/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_SSDWDb8RDR1A1. We are doing a book giveaway this week, so click here to enter - https://mailchi.mp/80b4dd8b5463/jesscarey or find me on Instagram to enter there - you will have a chance to win a copy of Jess’ book! To connect with Jess on Instagram, visit Instagram.com/jess_careyaz. Find her on Facebook by searching Jessicacarey.co or go to https://www.jessicacarey.co to connect with Jess on her website. Enjoy the interview!

Jess Carey is joining us to chat about the joy and fulfillment that we find when we take a journey with God and let Him guide us through life. This is week 2 of “All About Authors” January. Jess is a fabulous author who wrote the book, “Chart A Course: Taking a Journey With God at the Helm”. I can’t wait for you all to read it! Get it on Amazon by clicking here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578225654/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_SSDWDb8RDR1A1. We are doing a book giveaway this week, so click here to enter - https://mailchi.mp/80b4dd8b5463/jesscarey or find me on Instagram at Instagram.com/500secondstojoypodcast to enter there - you will have a chance to win a copy of Jess’ book! Today’s episode is part 1 of our conversation, and Jess shares with us the inspiration behind her book & how God has changed her life in the best way. I can’t wait for you to hear her encouraging words for you & the simple tips she shares. Enjoy another fabulous interview, friends! To connect with Jess on Instagram, visit Instagram.com/jess_careyaz. Find her on Facebook by searching Jessicacarey.co or go to https://www.jessicacarey.co to connect with Jess on her website. Part 2 of our conversation is ready after you listen to part 1. I know you will be inspired, lovely friend.

It’s episode 17.5 woohoo! I’m so excited to bring you Part 2 of my conversation with the beautiful Ashley Abercrombie today! You all have been loving these interviews and I wanted to make sure you could hear part 1 and part 2 on the same day if you wanted. Ashley Abercrombie is the author of “Rise of the Truth Teller”, and in part 2 of our chat, she is sharing some more practical tips as well as a simple action item for you to put into practice this week to help you work on forming lasting, real friendships. You’re going to love what she shares! To connect with Ashley, find her on Instagram at Instagram.com/ashabercrombie or connect with her on her website at ashabercrombie.org (she has great free resources, friends). If you’d like to enter the book giveaway, just click here: https://mailchi.mp/25bedf2fe0c7/ashabercrombie & then visit me over on Instagram at Instagram.com/500secondstojoypodcast to get more entries! When you enter the giveaway, you have a chance to win a copy of Ashley’s excellent book, “Rise of the Truth Teller”. This book is a must-read, friends. It has really inspired me and made me laugh at the same time. Ashley is a lovely lady & I am so glad I had to honor of interviewing her on the podcast. Enjoy this episode, friends! And may your friendships be blessed! Xoxo

Happy 2020 friends! January is All About the Authors! Today Ashley Abercrombie, author of “Rise of the Truth Teller”, is joining me for a fabulous conversation about forming lasting, real friendships and is talking about what it means to have genuine relationships where we can be our full selves. She is so honest and genuine, you guys. I’m so honored she’s a guest on the podcast and you will love Part 1 of our conversation. Ashley shares practical tips and simple steps to grow in relationship with others. To connect with Ashley, find her on Instagram at Instagram.com/ashabercrombie or connect with her on her website at ashabercrombie.org (she has great free resources, friends). Part 2 is being published today too, YAY! Just look for Episode 17.5 (Bonus episode) to hear Part 2. I want you all to hear both parts of our convo on the same day. Also! If you’d like to enter the book giveaway, just click here: https://mailchi.mp/25bedf2fe0c7/ashabercrombie & then visit me over on Instagram at Instagram.com/500secondstojoypodcast to get more entries! When you enter the giveaway, you have a chance to win a copy of Ashley’s excellent book, “Rise of the Truth Teller”. Lastly, here are the links to check out the two books Ashley talks about in today’s episode: https://www.amazon.com/Changes-That-Heal-Practical-Healthier/dp/0310351782/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=changes+that+heal&qid=1578109018&sr=8-2b AND https://www.amazon.com/Safe-People-Relationships-Avoid-Those/dp/0310345790/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=safe+people&qid=1578109053&sr=8-2. Enjoy this interview, lovely friends! I hope it brightens your Monday! Xoxo

Surprise! Part 2 of my talk with Allie Casazza is ready! If you’re listening to this as it goes live, you will notice this Bonus episode is on a Tuesday, not a Thursday like usual. I received such positive feedback from part 1 of my conversation with Allie that I just had to publish this episode today. I want you to start your new year with a rock solid mindset. Allie drops some more truth about money and is giving you an AWESOME GIFT. She put together her Money Affirmations for you to download and start speaking over your life - they include affirmations for success in life and in business. They are excellent and you will definitely want them. Head to alliecasazza.com/500seconds to grab that free download. I also wanted to create a free PDF for you so that you can read what God’s word (aka the Bible) says about money. Head over to https://mailchi.mp/b9f3cf76395e/moneyverses to grab my free download. Lastly, to join Allie’s free 2 week challenge Declutter Like A Mother that starts tomorrow, January 1, 2020, visit alliecasazza.com/DLAM and sign up. Enjoy the episode friends! And Happy almost New Year!

Allie Casazza is joining me today for a chat about (drumroll, please)...money! This conversation will inspire you to really think about money in a new way. In Part 1 of a 2 part conversation, we speak the truth about money & why it’s good to pursue wealth. Allie has a great way of dispelling myths about building wealth that I know you all will appreciate. Her passion and care for others really shines as you listen to her speak. I have personally been inspired by her to lighten my load in mom life, and now I’m inspired all over again. If you’re a mom with littles around, pop in your headphones because we say a few sensitive words. To join the free 2 week Declutter Like A Mother challenge that I mention in the episode, click here: alliecasazza.com/DLAM. The challenge starts on January 1, 2020 and it’s gonna be fabulous, friends! To connect with Allie, she’s over on Instagram at Instagram.com/allie_thatsme & her website is alliecasazza.com. If you’re new here, definitely follow along with me too by following me on Instagram at Instagram.com/500secondstojoypodcast - I love connecting with new friends. I can’t wait for you to listen to Part 1 of our conversation! Part 2 will be published in just a few days, so subscribe to the podcast so you know when that is available. Thanks for being here and enjoy our conversation!

Merry Christmas! It’s Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas! I pray you had a blessed and holy Christmas Day yesterday. Audra from The 5 Minute Mom Podcast is back today for Part 2 of our fabulous conversation about missionary work! Audra Haney is diving into practical tips for reading your Bible (this is for you, mamas!) and you will just love her encouragement for you today. To connect with Audra, find her on Instagram at Instagram.com/the_5minutemom_podcast or visit her website at audrahaney.com. Audra has free Monday mom devotionals to share with you on her website. To keep having wonderful guests like Audra on the podcast, I would love it if you could take a moment to rate & review the podcast on iTunes so more lovely listeners can find 500 Seconds To Joy & be encouraged in their day. If you are new here, I’d love to have you follow my journey at Instagram.com/500secondstojoypodcast. I love to encourage and inspire women in daily life - joy can be found each day if you look for it. It would also be wonderful to have you join the 500 Seconds To Joy community - just visit this page to sign up for weekly emails from yours truly (your host, Stephanie): https://mailchi.mp/a7a4f8935f67/500secondstojoy. Thank you for being here, lovely friends.

Audra Haney is joining me on the podcast today and I’m so excited for you to hear her share an important message for those of us who want to further God’s kingdom in big ways. She will remind you that we are all called to missionary work, whether that’s at home changing diapers or in Thailand sharing the gospel. Audra is the host of The 5 Minute Mom Podcast & her heart for God rings out so clearly as you listen to her kind voice. I know everyone will benefit from listening to Part 1 of our conversation about the importance of missions. Get ready to be inspired, friends! To connect with Audra, find her on Instagram at Instagram.com/the_5minutemom_podcast or visit her website at audrahaney.com. Audra has free Monday mom devotionals to share with you on her website. To keep having wonderful guests like Audra on the podcast, I would love it if you could take a moment to rate & review the podcast on iTunes so more lovely listeners can find 500 Seconds To Joy & be encouraged in their day. If you are new here, I’d love to have you follow my journey at Instagram.com/500secondstojoypodcast. I love to encourage and inspire women in daily life - joy can be found each day if you look for it. It would also be wonderful to have you join the 500 Seconds To Joy community - just visit this page to sign up for weekly emails from yours truly (your host, Stephanie): https://mailchi.mp/a7a4f8935f67/500secondstojoy. Thanks for being here & have a wonderful week celebrating the birth of Jesus! Merry merry Christmas!

Today on the podcast, Rachel Van Kluyve from Crate and Cottage is talking about decorating on a budget. During this time of year with Christmas just days away, we all want to get our houses ready for guests & ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Rachel shares some practical tips that I’ve actually already put into practice. You’re going to love what she shares today & I know you will be inspired to create a beautiful home (on a budget!). To connect with Rachel on Instagram, visit Instagram.com/crateandcottage. Follow along on her Insta journey so you know when her book is published. I know you’ll also get inspired by the home decor she shares there. You can also find her at www.crateandcottage.com. If you’d like to stay at her cabin in Nashville, follow at Instagram.com/crateandcabin. If you’re new here and want to follow my journey as the host of this podcast (hi there, it’s Stephanie), you can follow me at Instagram.com/500secondstojoypodcast. I would also love for you to subscribe to my weekly newsletter where I share a dose of joy and keep you updated on podcast episodes and any exciting challenges I’m running. Click here to subscribe: https://mailchi.mp/a7a4f8935f67/500secondstojoy. Lastly, if you could do me a huge favor and rate & review the podcast, that helps me get more amazing guests like Rachel and helps more lovely listeners find the podcast. Thanks for being here, friends. Bye for now!

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and let’s chat about...control. Most of us want it, and it’s not always bad, actually. In this short monologue I’m going to talk about what control is and why we need to figure what’s in our control and not in our control. The cliche, “Let go and let God”, is so overused but it’s so true, friends. I’m going to share 5 simple steps to work on your “control issues” that you can put into practice this week. I chat about the app, Laudate, in this episode and you can learn more about that app here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/laudate-1-catholic-app/id499428207. I pray this episode blesses you and I would love to hear how it resonates with you. Find me over on Instagram at Instagram.com/500secondstojoypodcast. Also, if you could leave me a rating and review on iTunes, I would greatly appreciate it so more lovely listeners like you can find me & be encouraged. Thanks for being here, friends!