My guest for The Happy Hour # 294 is Lisa Whittle. Lisa is an author, Bible study teacher, podcaster, and insanely committed to Jesus and family. Her newest book and Bible study, Jesus Over Everything, reminds us that when we put Jesus first, we can find the meaning and peace we long for.

Lisa is one of my very favorite people, and I’m so happy she’s back on the show today. Lisa and I talk about how many of us believe that our desire for more simplicity in our lives and the desire to put Jesus first are somehow opposed. Lisa explains how they’re not and I loved her words, “the steady way is the Jesus way” – don’t we all wish for more steadiness in our lives these days? You’ll also hear Lisa and I discuss the hard work of asking ourselves what in my life is putting chains on me that prevent me from being obedient to God. You guys, those are tough questions, but so important and so powerful. I think what I loved most about my conversation with Lisa was that I was reminded over and over again that Jesus is better, and when we put him first, we find meaning, rest, and freedom.

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As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years!

Today I'm talking with Kathryn Freeman. I was introduced to Kathryn by my friend Lyndsey who works with me, and you guys, when we first asked Kathryn to come on the show her first reaction was that she didn’t feel like too much happened in the last decade. As you’ll hear today, this is absolutely not the case! Kathryn has experienced and accomplished so much in the last ten years. Kathryn began the decade serving as a press secretary for a state senator, and now she’s preparing to finish seminary in 2021! What I loved most about my conversation with Kathryn was hearing the different ways she said yes to God, and how she has learned to sit in the uncertainty through trusting Him. It was so encouraging for me to hear and I think you’re going to love our conversation today.

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My guest for The Happy Hour # 293 is Beth McCord. Beth is an author, speaker, coach, and founder of Your Enneagram Coach, a community designed to be a safe place for individuals to explore the Enneagram. Beth has a passion for sharing the deep truths of the Enneagram from a Biblical perspective so that personal awareness and growth are accessible for everyone, anywhere.

Friends, I think you are going to love hearing about the Enneagram from Beth today. Beth's approach utilizes the Enneagram as a powerful tool, but centered on the truth that the gospel is what heals and transforms. Beth shares how she and her husband started learning about the Enneagram while he was in seminary, and that drove their focus of studying the Enneagram through the lens of the Gospel. In these times when we are all living a new normal and experiencing all of the feelings and reactions, Beth reminds us of our anchor in Christ and how we can see the world from our unique perspectives while rooted in the truth of the Gospel.

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As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years!

Today I'm talking with Herbie Newell, the President and Executive Director of Lifeline Children's Services. The mission at Lifeline is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Herbie and I talk about the shift that happened in 2010 when not only did they move to their first real office space, but they recognized that to accomplish their mission Lifeline must expand to serve both vulnerable families as well as vulnerable children. As you can imagine, this led to incredible growth and challenges over this past decade. Herbie says that if he could have shared any advice with his 2010 self, it would be to find ways to be present in the moment and for the people in your life even amidst uncertainty or challenges. Herbie’s encouragement is so timely for us all in these times, and I’m so thankful for the work Herbie and his team at Lifeline are doing in the world.

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My guest for The Happy Hour # 292 is Melanie Shankle. Melanie writes regularly at The Big Mama blog and is a New York Times bestselling author of four previous books. Melanie is a loves writing, shopping at Target, and trying to find the lighter side in every situation. Most of all, she loves being the mother of Caroline, the wife of Perry, and the official herder of two wild dogs named Piper and Mabel.

You guys, Melanie is a Happy Hour veteran and I was so happy to talk with her, especially in the midst of quarantine! While Melanie had no idea what our world would look like when she wrote her newest book, On the Bright Side, I am so thankful that her message is heading out into the world in these challenging times. Today, Melanie and I talk about so many things including parenting teenagers, marriage, our love for college football (and our hopes that it’s still on for 2020!), and the importance of loving each other even when we may disagree. It is always a joy when Melanie comes on The Happy Hour and I think you’ll love hearing from her today!

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As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years!

Today I’m so happy to welcome Becca Harris back to the show. Becca is my real-life friend and the KIDS Director at the St. John Congregation of our church. In 2010, Becca had just moved in with some friends as the Lord had been stirring in her heart to get involved with foster care. Becca shares how she began that journey with an idea in mind, but God had other plans that didn’t quite line up with what Becca had imagined. You’ll hear about the challenges she faced, how she wrestled with God, and the incredible. tangible ways God faithfully showed her He never left her side.

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My guest for The Happy Hour # 291 is Rebecca Bender. After escaping nearly six years of human trafficking, Rebecca received the kind of restoration that only God provides. Rebecca is now the CEO & Founder of the Rebecca Bender Initiative, a non-profit that works with law enforcement, VICE, FBI, Homeland Security and aftercare programs to provide expert testimony, trainings and consultation. Rebecca earned her Master’s in Christian Thought and is passionate about teaching biblical truths to encourage all people to pursue the call of God regardless of their past.

Friends, I know the topic of the show today is heavy, but it is such an important one for all of us. I believe we all need to lean in to become educated about trafficking because you guys, it’s a multi-million-dollar industry in our country alone. Rebecca and I talk about the fact that trafficking probably looks different than we have in our heads, the effects of our hyper-sexualized culture, and ways we can be educating our kids. Rebecca also shares her heart about her own experience through such dark times. You will also hear how fiercely God pursued Rebecca, and how he has led her through the hard, hard work of re-entry after trauma such as this. I am so thankful for Rebecca and the work she is doing, and I’m so honored to have her on the show today!

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As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years!

Today I’m talking with Van Tracy and I think you’re going to love hearing about Van’s last decade. Van’s passion has always been acting and musical theater, but much of his last decade he spent working as an attorney. While the work was good, it wasn't soul satisfying and the passion for the arts remained. You’ll get to hear how an unexpected opportunity arose that led him to begin a completely new career at age 47. Friends, I love Van’s story, and was so encouraged hearing how God’s timing worked perfectly to bring him to his new job where he’s able to use his passion and gifts.

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My guest for The Happy Hour # 290 is Jen Fulwiler. Jen is a standup comedian, SiriusXM talk show host, and the mom of six kids. She's a bestselling author whose new book, Your Blue Flame, comes out April 28.

Friends, do you have a passion or dream that you can’t seem to shake but it feels improbable or impossible to chase after? Today, you will hear my friend Jen tell the story of how she became a radio show host and stand-up comedian, not because she was an expert, but because she felt that nudge you just can’t shake and she went for it. Jen is passionate about all women embracing and living out our gifts because they can change the world – it doesn’t matter if it’s big, small, in the public eye or not. Jen also shares about the sudden loss of her father, and I am so thankful for Jen’s honesty about the challenges and blessings she’s experienced in this grief.

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As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years!

Today I get to welcome my real-life neighbor and friend Julia Barnett-Tracy to the show. Julia is not only the International Choir Operations Director for the African Children’s choir, but she’s also an established writer and actress. Julia talks to us today about the different changes she’s seen happen in her life the last ten years as she transitioned from life in New York to Austin, and launching into a new avenue of her career in entertainment. We also take a 20 year jump back and get to hear about what it was like for her living in NYC on 9/11.

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GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE