Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey Podcast, Carole Leathem discusses the misconceptions surrounding caregiving and purpose.

She emphasizes that purpose should not feel burdensome and that God does not measure faithfulness by the weight of our responsibilities.

Carole encourages caregivers to seek clarity by removing unnecessary tasks from their lives and to find peace in their God-given purpose.

The conversation highlights the importance of walking in step with God and recognizing when we are carrying burdens that were never meant for us.

Takeaways:

Purpose is meant to fit you, not crush you.

God does not measure faithfulness by burdens.

A well-fitted yoke allows steady movement without injury.

Obedience looks different depending on where you are.

Purpose does not demand instant growth; it grows capacity over time.

There is no margin in your life when overwhelmed.

Clarity comes from removing unnecessary tasks.

Purpose begins by shrinking the plate, not adding to it.

Walking faithfully within your capacity is key to purpose.

We must learn to walk in step with God, not ahead of Him.

Chapters:

00:00 The Weight of Caregiving

01:59 Understanding Purpose and Burden

04:12 Finding Clarity in Overwhelm

06:26 Walking in Step with God

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey Podcast, Carole Leathem discusses the theme of waiting, particularly in the context of caretaking.

She emphasizes that delays in life do not equate to punishment or abandonment by God, but rather serve a purpose in strengthening resilience and aligning circumstances for a greater good.

Carole encourages listeners to find peace in their waiting periods and to trust in God's timing, even when it feels challenging.

Takeaways:

Delay does not mean punishment.

Waiting can feel like life is on pause.

Unanswered prayers can be God's way of protecting us.

Every day of perseverance builds resilience.

Closed doors are not rejections but alignments.

God's timing is perfect, even when we don't understand it.

Trusting in the process is essential for caretakers.

Finding peace in waiting can ease emotional burdens.

Writing down our waiting can help us process it.

We are not forgotten during our waiting periods.

Chapters:

00:00 The Weight of Waiting

02:29 Understanding Divine Delay

04:43 Finding Peace in the Pause

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey podcast, Carole Leathem discusses the importance of recognizing that purpose does not need to be grand or public.

She emphasizes that small acts of obedience and faithfulness are sacred and can lead to significant impacts in caregiving.

Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, she encourages caregivers to find value in their everyday actions, reminding them that even the smallest gestures can convey love and make a difference.

Takeaways:

Purpose doesn't have to be big or dramatic.

Small obedience is sacred in God's eyes.

God does his greatest work through small things.

Every small act of obedience is a sermon.

The holiest thing I do is bring my mother water.

Faithfulness looks ordinary but is powerful.

Growth happens in unseen places.

Be faithful with what you've placed in our hands.

Small acts can lead to bigger responsibilities.

You build strength by lifting manageable things.

Chapters:

00:00 Breaking the Lie of Purpose

02:29 The Power of Small Obedience

04:47 Faithfulness in Everyday Acts

06:43 Embracing Small Acts of Love

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey Podcast, Carole Leathem discusses the concept of pruning in caregiving and personal growth.

She emphasizes the importance of discernment in identifying what commitments and responsibilities are still fruitful and which ones need to be released.

The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their current commitments and to let go of those that no longer serve their purpose, allowing for spiritual and emotional growth.

Takeaways:

Pruning can feel uncomfortable but is essential for growth.

Discernment helps identify what belongs in our lives.

Caregiving seasons do not follow neat timelines.

Not everything that was once right still belongs.

Pruning is not punishment; it's a pathway to growth.

Chronic fatigue is not how God grows his people.

Releasing outdated commitments can restore purpose.

Reflecting on our calendars can reveal draining responsibilities.

Letting go can lead to clarity and joy.

Trusting God with our responsibilities opens space for new growth.

Chapters:

00:00 Embracing the Season of Pruning

02:30 The Importance of Discernment in Caregiving

05:11 Releasing Outdated Commitments

07:01 Practical Steps for Seasonal Sorting

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey Podcast, Carole Leathem emphasizes the importance of hearing God's voice in everyday life, especially for caregivers.

She reassures listeners that they do not need to be spiritually elite to connect with God and that His voice often comes in gentle nudges and moments of peace.

Carole shares practical tips for recognizing these nudges and encourages listeners to create a space for stillness and awareness to better hear God's guidance.

Takeaways:

You do not need to be a pastor.

Hearing his voice is part of who you are.

God's voice is rarely dramatic.

Peace is one of God's most consistent languages.

God speaks through gentle nudges.

That gentle nudge was God's voice.

Your obedience matters. Your listening matters.

Listening trains clarity.

Imagine God's voice like that wind.

You are not failing at hearing God.

Chapters:

00:00 Hearing God's Voice in Everyday Life

02:17 Understanding God's Communication Methods

05:17 The Importance of Listening and Obedience

06:13 Practicing Stillness and Awareness

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Summary:

In this episode, Carole Leathem explores the theme of buried dreams, particularly for caretakers who often set aside their own desires for the needs of others.

She emphasizes that these dreams are not forgotten by God and encourages listeners to gently revive them.

Through personal anecdotes and practical tips, Carole highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing these desires, trusting in God's timing, and taking small steps towards revival.

Takeaways:

Dreams may be buried but are not forgotten by God.

Desires are sacred seeds planted by God.

Caretaking does not erase your identity or dreams.

Dreams can be revived even after long pauses.

God shapes desires as we walk with Him.

Small steps can lead to significant revival of dreams.

Opening space for dreams is essential for personal growth.

Trusting God with our desires is crucial.

Revival of dreams may not look like the original vision.

You are not your dreams; they are part of your journey.

Chapters:

00:00 Revisiting Buried Dreams

02:42 Understanding God’s Intentions for Our Desires

05:12 Reviving Dreams Through Small Steps

07:29 Trusting the Process of Dream Revival

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey Podcast, Carole Leathem emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's purpose amidst the challenges of caretaking.

She draws parallels between the biblical story of Nehemiah and the listener's journey, encouraging them to build with the broken pieces of their lives.

Through the metaphor of kintsugi, she illustrates how our struggles and imperfections can lead to a more beautiful and meaningful existence.

The episode concludes with a call to action, inviting listeners to reflect on what they feel called to build in their lives, no matter how small or unclear it may seem.

Takeaways:

You are not just surviving caretaking; you have a purpose.

God may be asking you to build something meaningful.

Your life may feel like a pile of burned stones, but it can be rebuilt.

Caretaking can strip faith down to its core, where God meets you.

Building may involve carrying grief and forgiving the past.

Kintsugi teaches us that brokenness can lead to beauty.

Your story and experiences are valuable, not burdensome.

Don't overthink what God is calling you to build.

Even small beginnings can lead to great things.

Write down your thoughts on what you feel called to build.

Chapters:

00:00 Embracing Purpose in Caretaking

02:28 Building with Broken Pieces

05:09 The Art of Kintsugi and Restoration

07:06 Listening for God's Call to Build

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey podcast, Carole Leathem shares her personal reflections and insights on declaring purpose for the new year.

She emphasizes the importance of speaking life into our circumstances and trusting in God's guidance.

Carole encourages listeners to make faith-filled declarations and offers practical tips for incorporating these into daily life, fostering a sense of purpose and direction.

Takeaways:

We are declaring purpose over your entire year.

Your year belongs to God, not your fears or limitations.

You only need grace for your next faithful step.

Purpose will reveal itself as you walk.

What you speak over your year shapes how you walk through it.

Choose three to five truths to speak out loud every morning.

God honors faith-filled declarations.

You don't have to know how the year will unfold.

Surrender the first step and trust the process.

Let your own voice build your faith.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection

00:48 Declaring Purpose for the Year

02:44 Commitment and Spiritual Authority

05:24 Practical Steps for Caregivers

07:03 Closing Prayer and Affirmation

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey podcast, Carole Leathem discusses the importance of rest and the spiritual invitation to take time for oneself.

She emphasizes that rest is not a reward but a necessity, and that guilt has no place in self-care.

Through personal anecdotes and practical tips, Carole encourages listeners to embrace small moments of rest and to view them as acts of trust in themselves and in their faith.

The episode culminates in a guided mini vacation, inviting listeners to experience a moment of peace and reflection.

Takeaways:

Rest is an invitation from Jesus, not a reward.

You don't need permission to rest from anyone.

Resting makes you more available, not less.

Guilt has no place in self-care.

Small moments of rest can lead to significant change.

You don't need a retreat to find peace.

Schedule your rest time like an important meeting.

Real rest is a sacred act.

Trust in the process of taking breaks.

Embrace guilt-free moments of self-care.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Caretakers Journey

00:56 The Invitation to Rest

02:54 Understanding Guilt and Rest

04:32 The Power of Small Moments

07:20 Mini Vacation: A Guided Rest

08:39 Embracing Guilt-Free Rest

Connect with Carole:

Website - ⁠⁠https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/⁠⁠

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Social Media - 

Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/⁠⁠

Facebook - ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney⁠⁠

Book - ⁠⁠https://www.carolesjourney.com/book⁠

Summary:

In this episode of the Caretakers Journey podcast, Carole Leathem explores the concept of joy, emphasizing that it is not about being loud and bubbly but rather about finding quiet moments of restoration.

She discusses how joy can be buried under fatigue and grief, and how it can be restored through gratitude and mindfulness.

Carole shares personal anecdotes and practical tips for recognizing and cultivating joy in everyday life, encouraging listeners to identify small joys and practice gratitude as a means of emotional well-being.

Takeaways:

This episode is not about trying harder.

Joy isn't gone, waiting to be brought back.

Joy grows where gratitude is practiced gently.

He slipped joy quietly in like a gift.

You need true joy, not big joy.

Identify one tiny joy and say it out loud.

Joy often hides in the small moments.

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

You are simply in a season where joy is distant.

Let God restore joy when the moment allows.

Chapters:

00:00 Rediscovering Joy in Caregiving

01:12 The Nature of Restored Joy

01:28 The Nature of Joy

03:54 Finding Joy in Caregiving

06:23 Practicing Gratitude and Joy

07:47 Restoring Joy Through Reflection

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - [email protected]

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book